London Zoo, the world-famous conservation site set in Regent’s Park, has taken a significant step in modernising its infrastructure by centralising safety and security systems through a new collaboration with Pinnacle Systems and security partner Amulet. The project aims to improve operational oversight while respecting the historical and architectural character of the nearly 200-year-old site.
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), which manages London Zoo, launched this upgrade initiative as part of a broader, long-term infrastructure strategy. With a complex estate spread across 36 acres and containing legacy fire and building systems, ZSL sought to streamline operations, enhance safety, and prepare the site for future integration needs.
The core objective was to replace outdated fire alarm systems and integrate them with upgraded CCTV infrastructure using Pinnacle Systems’ open platform. The result is a unified solution that enables real-time alarm mapping, custom alerts, and public address messaging—tools designed to accelerate response times and improve regulatory compliance.
ZSL Security and Resilience Manager, Kelly Wessell, highlighted the collaborative success of the project:
“The Pinnacle team have been a pleasure to work with; they have been supportive throughout the project, the system is user-friendly and with support from our security partner Amulet for installation, the project has certainly been a success! I’m excited to continue working with Pinnacle as we take on the rest of the ZSL project utilising this unique one-platform approach.”
Amulet, which has maintained a longstanding relationship with ZSL, played a central role in the on-site installation, ensuring that the deployment met the specific requirements of the zoo’s diverse operations. Their familiarity with the site and understanding of its operational rhythms allowed for a smooth and efficient installation.
The implementation at London Zoo is already being mirrored at ZSL’s sister site, Whipsnade Zoo. The roll-out of Pinnacle’s centralised monitoring platform is underway, combining fire alarm integration with a parallel CCTV upgrade.
Looking ahead, ZSL plans to expand the system’s functionality to include building management system (BMS) alarms, lift status alerts, disabled refuge monitoring, and temperature control measures to further protect animal welfare. These additional features are being configured to operate within the same centralised platform, providing a unified approach to environmental and safety management across the organisation.
Ric Martin, CEO of Pinnacle Systems, commented on the project’s broader impact:
“Partnering with ZSL and Amulet has been an important opportunity. At Pinnacle, our goal is to make complex security systems easy to use and adaptable for the future. By providing a scalable and user-friendly solution, we’re helping ensure safety and efficiency at these iconic sites while supporting ZSL’s vital conservation work.”
The successful deployment at London Zoo has demonstrated the practical benefits of unifying safety systems within a centralised interface—enhancing visibility, improving emergency response, and creating a platform ready to evolve with future demands. For a site of such historic significance and operational complexity, this marks a crucial development in safeguarding visitors, staff, and animals alike.