What Is the Map Manager?

The Map Manager is the interactive mapping interface in Kora. It displays your locations, subdivisions, animals, and biosecurity zones on visual maps. Think of it as a bird's-eye view of your entire operation. It shows both the geographic layout and the real-time status of animals and zones.

Unlike static paper maps that quickly become outdated, the Map Manager updates automatically. Animals move, boundaries change, or biosecurity zones activate. The map reflects these changes immediately.

Accessing Maps

From the main navigation:

• Click or tap Maps or Locations in the main menu
• Map view opens showing all your locations

From location lists:

• Navigate to location management
• Select a specific location
• Map displays with that location centred and highlighted

From animal profiles:

• Open animal record
• View current location section
• Click Show on Map
• Map opens with the animal's current location highlighted

From biosecurity dashboards:

• Navigate to biosecurity features
• View quarantine zones
• Map displays biosecurity zones with colour-coded risk levels

Maps are accessible throughout Kora. Wherever location information matters, a map view is usually available.

What Maps Show

The Map Manager displays multiple layers of information simultaneously:

Base Layer

Real-world geographic context showing satellite imagery or street maps. This helps you orient yourself. You see the physical landscape. Roads, waterways, vegetation, and neighbouring properties all appear.

Location Boundaries

Your primary property boundaries drawn as coloured polygons. Each location shows:

• Property name
• Total area
• Location type
• Number of animals currently present

Click any location boundary to see detailed information in a popup.

Subdivision Boundaries

Internal divisions within locations. Paddocks, exhibits, zones, tanks. These appear as distinct areas within the parent location. Each subdivision shows:

• Subdivision name
• Size and area
• Type (paddock, pen, exhibit, zone, etc.)
• Current animal count
• Usage notes

Subdivisions appear in different colours or patterns to distinguish them visually.

Animal Positions

Visual markers showing where animals are currently located. Displays vary by zoom level:

Zoomed out (property overview):

• Location-level counts: "150 cattle at Valley View Farm"
• Species distribution: "Cattle: 150, Sheep: 75, Goats: 30"

Zoomed in (subdivision level):

• Subdivision counts: "45 cattle in North Paddock"
• Individual animal markers (if tracking individually)

Individual markers (when applicable):

• Animal name or ID
• Species icon
• Health status indicator (colour-coded)
• Click marker to open animal profile

Features

Specific points of interest marked on the map:

• Water sources (wells, dams, tanks, troughs)
• Buildings (barns, shelters, offices)
• Infrastructure (fences, gates, roads, paths)
• Equipment locations
• Feeding stations
• Observation points

Features appear as distinct icons appropriate to their type.

Biosecurity Zones

Colour-coded areas showing security levels:

• Green - Public and low-risk areas
• Yellow and Amber - Restricted access areas
• Red - Quarantine zones
• High security - Emergency restricted areas

Zones overlay other map layers. Biosecurity status becomes immediately visible.

Map Navigation

Basic Controls

Zoom:

• Desktop: Mouse wheel or plus and minus buttons
• Mobile: Pinch gesture or tap plus and minus buttons
• Zoom in to see subdivision details
• Zoom out for property overview

Pan (move the map):

• Desktop: Click and drag
• Mobile: Touch and drag
• Navigate to different areas of your property

Reset view:

• Click Reset or home icon
• Returns to default view showing all your locations

Search:

• Search bar for locations, subdivisions, or animals
• Type name, map centres on result
• Quick navigation to specific areas

View Options

Map style:

• Satellite view: Aerial imagery showing actual terrain
• Street map view: Roads and labels
• Hybrid: Satellite with labels overlaid
• Toggle between styles based on your needs

Layer toggles:

• Turn layers on and off independently
• Show animals: Display or hide animal positions
• Show subdivisions: Display or hide internal divisions
• Show features: Display or hide water, buildings, etc.
• Show biosecurity zones: Display or hide security areas
• Simplify complex maps by hiding unnecessary layers

Filter options:

• Filter by animal type (show only cattle, only sheep, etc.)
• Filter by location type (show only paddocks, only exhibits, etc.)
• Filter by biosecurity status (show only quarantine zones)
• Focus on specific information

Interactive Features

Click for details:

• Click any location, subdivision, animal, or feature
• Popup shows detailed information
• Quick actions available (view animal profile, edit boundary, move animals)

Measure tools:

• Measure distances between points
• Calculate area of selected regions
• Useful for planning rotations or estimating grazing capacity

Print and export:

• Print current map view
• Export as image for reports or documentation
• Share with team members or regulatory authorities

Map Information Panels

When you click map elements, information panels appear showing relevant details:

Location panel:

• Location name and type
• Total area
• Address and GPS coordinates
• Total animal count by species
• Number of subdivisions
• Quick actions: Edit location, Add subdivision, View animal list

Subdivision panel:

• Subdivision name and type
• Size and usage
• Animals currently present (species breakdown)
• Fencing status (if applicable)
• Quick actions: Edit subdivision, Move animals, View details

Animal marker panel:

• Animal name and ID
• Species and breed
• Age and sex
• Health status (biosecurity flags, quarantine status)
• Quick actions: View full profile, Record observation, Move animal

Feature panel:

• Feature name and type
• Description
• GPS coordinates
• Quick actions: Edit feature, View related animals, Navigate to

Biosecurity zone panel:

• Zone name and security level
• Access requirements
• Number of animals in zone
• Quarantine status and duration
• Quick actions: Manage zone, View protocols, Release animals

Map Use Examples

Example 1: Finding Animals Quickly

• Open map
• Search for Daisy (cow name)
• Map centres on Daisy's current location (South Paddock)
• Click marker to see Daisy's details
• Option to open full animal profile

Example 2: Checking Paddock Occupancy

• Open map showing farm property
• Zoom to show all paddocks
• Visual overview: North Paddock (45 cattle), East Paddock (empty), South Paddock (30 cattle, including Daisy), West Paddock (20 cattle)
• At a glance, see which paddocks are ready for rotation

Example 3: Biosecurity Zone Review

• Open map with biosecurity layer active
• See quarantine zone (red) in isolation area
• Five animals currently quarantined
• Click zone to see quarantine duration and release schedule
• Verify no animals in restricted zones

Example 4: Wildlife Territory Monitoring

• Open wildlife reserve map
• GPS-collared elephants show as markers
• Movement trails visible (where elephants have travelled recently)
• Concentration in northern waterhole area
• Click marker to see individual elephant (Tembo)
• Review movement history

Example 5: Planning Rotations

• View all paddocks with animal counts
• Measure paddock sizes
• Calculate grazing days remaining based on stocking density
• Plan next rotation: move cattle from South Paddock (overgrazed) to West Paddock (rested)
• Execute movement, map updates automatically

Desktop vs Mobile Map Features

Desktop advantages:

• Larger screen shows more detail simultaneously
• Precise boundary drawing and editing
• Multi-layer analysis (multiple layers visible at once)
• Measure tools easier to use with mouse
• Print and export options

Mobile advantages:

• GPS location integration (map shows your current position)
• Quick field lookups (What paddock am I standing in?)
• On-the-spot animal location verification
• Field observation GPS auto-capture
• Portable access during rounds or paddock checks

Both platforms access the same map data. Interfaces are optimised for screen size and interaction method.

Map Accuracy and Updates

Boundary accuracy: Locations and subdivisions are drawn using precise GPS coordinates. Accuracy depends on the care taken during boundary creation. Accurate source data creates accurate maps.

Real-time updates: Animal positions update immediately when movements are recorded (Chapter 7.3). Move an animal from Paddock A to Paddock B. The map reflects the change within seconds.

Automatic synchronisation: All users viewing the same map see the same data. When your colleague moves animals, your map updates automatically.

Offline considerations (mobile): Maps may cache for offline viewing. Updates require connectivity. Record movements offline. They sync and update the map when connection returns.

Common Map Workflows

Workflow 1: Daily Paddock Check

1. Open map on mobile
2. View all paddocks with animal counts
3. Visually verify expected occupancy
4. Click any unexpected distribution
5. Investigate discrepancies

Workflow 2: Planning Animal Movement

1. Open map (desktop)
2. Identify source paddock (animals to move)
3. Identify destination paddock (available capacity)
4. Verify biosecurity status (destination not under quarantine)
5. Execute movement (record in system)
6. Map updates showing new positions

Workflow 3: Biosecurity Response

1. Animal diagnosed with contagious disease
2. Open map with biosecurity layer
3. Identify animal's current location
4. Check which other animals share that location
5. Define quarantine zone on map
6. Activate biosecurity protocols
7. Map displays zone in red, restricting access

Workflow 4: Visitor Orientation

1. Open map showing facility layout
2. Show visitor zoo exhibits on map
3. Explain animal locations and species
4. Indicate public versus restricted areas
5. Use map as visual tour guide