International. Conditions couldn't be more challenging than in borneo's rainforest, where temperatures reach more than 30 degrees Celsius and humidity can reach as high as 100 percent. Accessible only by boat or plane, the desert of Mulu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, covers around 875,000 square kilometers, an area equivalent in size to Singapore.
It is home to some of the most extensive and documented cave networks on the planet; populated with bats and other unique fauna.
After a successful collaboration, the management of the National Park asked CTG Security Matrix, Bosch integrator, for advice on how to improve the surveillance of areas in remote areas.
The resulting task was to enable the capture of crisp video images of selected sites within the national park's cave network, observe and monitor wildlife including bats, and provide real-time surveillance. Regardless of the difficult conditions such as total darkness in the caves, the images needed to be of sufficient quality to be displayed on a monitor at the park's Bat Observatory.
Extremely robust cameras were needed to function properly 24/7 in extreme heat, humidity and darkness. The cameras were to be installed inside the world's largest underground chamber that is 175 meters wide and up to 120 meters high.
Considering all the requirements and environmental factors, three Bosch MIC IP starlight 7000 HD PTZ cameras (bread, till, zoom) were the perfect choice for this harsh environment. These cameras incorporate Bosch's integrated starlight technology that ensures highly detailed colour images in extreme low-light conditions. When light levels drop to zero, the MIC's optional starlight 7000i IP illuminator allows the camera to capture high-quality images in complete darkness at a distance of up to 175 meters. Solid metal housings can withstand severe weather conditions including strong winds, rain, fog, dust, 100% humidity (NEMA 6P and IP68) and temperatures ranging from -40 degrees Celsius to +60 degrees Celsius. The cameras' 30x optical zoom ensures that objects can be easily captured on video over long distances.
All the tools and equipment had to be transported by air and then taken to the cave network for installation. This involved miles of wiring through the jungle, respecting all the requirements resulting from being in a protected National Park.
Both park visitors, the National Park administration and scientists can now observe bats and other wildlife within the deepest, darkest stretches of the caves without altering the natural habitat of the wildlife.
