Zoos and aquariums around the world are now offering animal live streams online so kids can interact with the outside from the comfort of home. Here’s where you can get your fix of adorable critters!
If you don’t have a furry friend to keep your family company at home, self-isolating can mean animal encounters are far and few between. However, with the help of tech wizards around the world, zoos and aquariums have been able to start live streaming the creatures in their care – perfect for getting your daily dose of cute while also learning something new.
World-famous and one of the biggest attractions in southern California, San Diego Zoo is home to over 3,000 animal inhabitants. Although the coronavirus crisis has stopped visitors temporarily, they’ve got plenty webcams available to check out their most popular residents, including their koalas, tigers and penguins. Their new baboon cam is a sure-fire favourite, letting you have a looksie at a day in the life of either their Hamadryas baboon troop or the Gelada monkeys from the Africa Rocks habitat. What’s more, the zoo has a dedicated kids channel on YouTube chock-a-block full of heart-warming and educational programming!
This California aquarium has always made ocean conservation and education their mission, and that’s not something that’s going to change with the temporary closing of their doors. Offering 10 live webcams to choose from, it’s a sure to keep the little ones distracted, with interesting tidbits of information beneath the video teaching you all matter of things. Soothe your nerves with a mesmerising display from the jellyfish or, if you need to lift your spirits, find delight in the antics of sea otters Abby, Selka, Rosa, Kit and Ivy.
Feeling down? Nothing a puppy can’t fix. Warrior Canine Connection provides service dogs for veterans that are still suffering from the trauma of combat, and their gorgeous pups in training are on display via its live webcam every day. At four weeks old, these bundles of fur arrive in the puppy playroom, where they are socialised by staff and volunteers and generally hang out – playing and being cute. Even if it’s just for five minutes, this live stream is all you need for a daily dose of ‘aww’.
Although visiting a zoo in the heart of Washington DC might not be an option right now, checking in with their giant pandas is all too easy. Tian Tian and Mei Xiang are more than happy to take centre stage, playing in the trees and munching on the best bamboo that money can buy. Switch between Cam 1 and Cam 2 to explore their enclosure in full, or simply sit back and enjoy the show.
Made up of Healesville Sanctuary, Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo, Zoos Victoria has set up a number of new live streams so their dedicated visitors can enjoy some animal adventures while they wait for the COVID-19 crisis to pass. The snow leopard cubs are particularly cute to observe, either snuggled up in their nesting box or scrambling through their outdoor playpen.
Most Australians will agree that we feel particularly protective of our native wildlife, especially after the summer bushfires put many of them at risk. The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary has been vital in supporting our invaluable koala population, and now the sanctuary is streaming their oh-so-sweet koala population for everyone to enjoy. They’ve got all sorts of camera angles to browse through, whether you want a cuddly close-up or some insight into life as a joey. What a simple life they lead!
Beekman 1802 is a company that makes skin care products, but the source of their creamy cleansers and moisturisers is actually goat milk. Where there is goat milk, there are goats (and babies at that), and so it makes sense that the American brand now offers a live stream straight from the goat nursery. The baby goat cam is full of action, whether it’s feeding time or just plain old playtime, and with these guys around you’re guaranteed a giggle.
Dive into the deep blue at Georgia Aquarium and spend some time with some of the smartest animals in the ocean. First port of call should be the beluga whales, who always keen to say hello to visitors, before stopping by the puffin camera to see how agile these animals are underwater. Finish off your virtual visit with some time at the Californian sea lion enclosure, where the occupants are forever frolicking for everybody’s viewing pleasure.
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