Even though almost all zoos are closed to the public, you and your children can still get your daily dose of cute with the zoo’s live animal cams. The webcams let you keep an eye on your favorite animals every move while they eat, play and sleep. Here is just a sampling of what’s zoos are hosting live cams and they are all for free.
Explore: Visit explore.org for a variety of live cams you can choose from. For example, there is the West End Bald Eagle Cam from Catalina Island in California or the Kitten Rescue Sanctuary from Los Angeles, and the Bergin Puppies in Penngrove, California.
Georgia Aquarium: If you’ve watched Animal Planet’s The Aquarium, you know the amazing job that this Atlanta-based aquarium does taking care of their animals (honestly, it’s one of my favorite television shows) That won’t stop even though they temporarily closed their doors. They have five webcams to choose from, but why choose? Watch the penguins, belugas, puffins, piranhas, and sea otters.
Tennessee Aquarium: This Aquarium’s online camera feeds let you observe otters romping and diving in the Appalachian Cove Forest, peep in on the penguins rocketing through the waves in Penguins’ Rock and dive into the lively depths of the massive Secret Reef exhibit. Viewers can also download their activity sheets and links to the Aquarium video series.
Monterey Bay Aquarium: Ever hear of jelly zen? If you never thought about jellyfish being calming, you haven’t watched their live cam at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Aquarium also has other animal live web cams, including sea otters.
Cincinnati Zoo: Oh, Fiona the Hippo, how we loved watching you when you were so tiny. Honestly, we haven’t stopped loving watching you and fortunately for us, we can still watch the live cams. Follow the Zoo on Facebook for updates as to when they will host these cams and give you a peek into one of the most popular animals on the Internet (and, of course, their other animals too).
Miami Zoo: There is nothing cuter than baby animals and, at the Miami Zoo, you can watch meerkats who were born at the zoo for the first time in its history. You can watch Yam Yam and her two pups and Yam Yam’s brothers Gizmo, Joe and Diego. Can you stand so much cuteness?
Dolphin tours: Want to take a dolphin tour right in your living room? Captain Mike’s Tours on Georgia’s Tybee Island is providing free virtual dolphin tours, weather permitting.
San Diego Zoo: Maybe baboons are your favorite animals — what about polar bears, monkeys, elephants, owls, condors or tigers? Like we said before, you don’t have to choose. Just watch all of the live web cams at the San Diego Zoo.
Most of the cams are 24/7, but remember that when it’s nighttime you might not see much. Now, this isn’t the same as feeding and touching the animals, but it’s better than not seeing them at all. Once the pandemic passes, get out and show them some love.
What’s your favorite live animal web cam?
