Jora Vision has created a new interactive app for visitors to Germany’s Serengeti- Park in Hodenhagen, which allows visitors to interact with the animals and help look after them.
Using several of the themed objects in the Serengeti-Safari, visitors can activate different functions to contribute to the well-being of the animals. Visitors can remotely activate brushes for scrubbing, water for drinking, food for eating, sounds for hearing and salt blocks for licking. They can also take a selfie with themed objects as background. To use the Serengeti Interactives visitors simply install the Serengeti-Park app.
Fabrizio Sepe, director and owner of Serengeti-Park, explained: “I was searching for a healthy approach towards digital innovation into the safari experience. An innovation that would give visitors the possibility to interact and get more in touch with the animals, giving them the satisfaction to do something good for their well-being. Both during a visit to the park and from the comfort of home. All, of course, with full respect for the animals and not disturbing their natural environment. The Serengeti Interactives are a world first.”
“We do not shy away from a challenge but when Fabrizio first pitched to us his idea, we were scratching our heads” added Robin van der Want, project development director at Jora Vision. “Although the general working sounds easy, the complexity is fierce. In close collaboration with the animal caretakers we first defined the dos and don’ts of the interactive functions in relation to the animal welfare. Through their daily work, the animal caretakers know what the animals like. We have included some of their favorite things. Secondly we have chosen the locations in the Serengeti-Safari and with that a themed design that fits into the area surrounding. Thirdly all mechanics, electronics and necessary software has been developed and written. Finally everything has been integrated together with the special designed app (Von Affenfels, Germany), bluetooth beacons and all ground works on site.
There are two Serengeti Interactives, one in the East Africa section, disguised as a 13 metre Baobab Tree and three in the North America section themed as Totems.
The heart of the system is the app through which visitors activate the different functions of the Baobab and Totems to interact with the animals. Some functions are free of charge, otherscost between €1 to €3.
Sepe continued: “The Totems and Baobab are just the first interactives to be launched but we expect to introduce new interactives in the near future. Even when the Park is closed in the evening, you can take a look and interact from home or anywhere else. Through the ‘Serengeti Interactives‘ you are not only a visitor, but you will be part of the Serengeti.”
“We are proud to have been part of this project since we believe that interactivity and immersion – designed to unlock emotional responses – are rapidly becoming essential and proven tools that engage people and ‘make them care’. This philosophy has now been added to Serengeti-Park in a unique way for visitors to enjoy!”, concluded Van der Want.