London Zoo – Intelligent Audio Across Animal Habitats

Intelligent Audio Integration at London Zoo 

Since 2011, RG Jones has been the trusted audio partner for a multi-phase, site-wide upgrade of London Zoo’s AV infrastructure. Working closely with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), our team has supported the transformation of both new and historic animal exhibits, all while maintaining the delicate balance between visitor engagement and environmental sensitivity. 

London Zoo, opened to the public in 1847, is the world’s oldest scientific zoo and home to over 700 species. Its historic architecture, open-air exhibits, and busy calendar of animal talks and theatrical shows make audio delivery a complex and evolving challenge. From the Penguin Pool to the Rainforest, from Amphitheatre shows to walkabout wildlife presentations, every project required discreet installation, intuitive control, and long-term durability. 

Amphitheatre: Sound with Spectacle 

At the heart of the site sits the Amphitheatre, home to high-energy shows like Jungle Jukebox, a mix of puppetry, dance, and live animal demonstrations. RG Jones designed a system requiring no on-site operator, using 10 Tannoy DI6 loudspeakers precisely truss-mounted for optimum coverage, powered by Lab.gruppen E8:2 amplifiers and processed through a BSS BLU-100 with built-in auto-mixing and simple one-touch operation. 

Bird Display Lawn: Audio that Follows the Action 

Twelve DI6T loudspeakers are mounted across the Bird Lawn exhibit and wired into a zone-based system via steel-armoured underground cabling. QLab software enables directional sound cues—essential for shows where owls glide across the lawn or parrots surprise from behind. The system runs via Focusrite outputs and allows presenters to trigger sequences without manual mixing, freeing them to focus on the birds and the audience. 

We can now press the start button and walk away. There’s a lot to think about when you’re flying birds – like which pocket has the meat, and which has the mic!

– Helen Crookes, ZSL Presenter 

Rainforest, Pygmy Hippos & the Penguin Pool: Distributed, Discreet, Durable 

Across other exhibits, RG Jones installed distributed Control 52 and DI6/DI5 speakers, paired with Lab.gruppen IPD series DSP amplifiers and Shure wireless systems. Systems are tailored to each enclosure, ensuring coverage with minimal visual disruption or sound spill. 

• Rainforest Canopy: Walkthrough zones with overhead speakers, EQ’d for intelligibility even in humid, echo-prone spaces. 
• Pygmy Hippos: Rack-mounted equipment hidden within exhibit cupboards, providing full-range sound across large outdoor enclosures. 
• Penguin Pool: Sensitive to high volumes, the system uses directional speakers and EQ-matched 100V line speakers across three discreet zones to keep noise low and intelligibility high. 

Even at peak times with up to 1,000 people, sound is natural and not distracting. That’s vital for species like penguins.

– Olivia Neville, Head Presenter, ZSL 

Long-Term Vision & Adaptive Infrastructure 

Each project phase has been engineered with scalability in mind, using Soundweb BLU, QLab, and Lab.gruppen’s remote monitoring tools. As requirements evolve, new exhibits are integrated without replacing core infrastructure—saving budget and reducing downtime. Many systems remain on 24/7, auto-sensing signal input and powering down to conserve energy. 

We ask: can the audience hear clearly, and is it future-ready? That’s always been our approach at RG Jones.

– Jon Berry, RG Jones Project Engineer 

Summary 

Working in live animal environments demands a unique blend of empathy, technical discipline, and flexibility. RG Jones continues to provide London Zoo with AV solutions that meet the demands of public education, immersive experiences, and animal welfare, delivering on every level—audible, visible, and invisible. 

At a Glance 

FeatureDetail

Client / Venue:

ZSL London Zoo – Sitewide AV Infrastructure Upgrade

Challenge:

Design and deliver intelligent, discreet audio systems across multiple live animal environments — balancing clarity, reliability, and sensitivity to both visitors and wildlife.

Scope of Work:

Multi-phase upgrade spanning more than a decade, including permanent installations in the Amphitheatre, Bird Display Lawn, Rainforest, Penguin Pool, and Pygmy Hippo enclosures. Integrated BSS, Lab.gruppen, QLab, and Shure technology for automated control and seamless scalability.

Result:

Future-ready infrastructure providing consistent, natural sound across one of the world’s most complex and historic zoological sites — enhancing education, engagement, and animal welfare.