A trip to the zoo with children is always a fun family day out, and everyone learns something too. So, when you can’t visit the zoo, why not go on a virtual zoo visit and watch it at home!
A number of zoos, aquariums and organisations around the world have set up webcams to record and/or live stream their animal enclosures. We’re seeing footage of animals that we would normally need to travel to see, and enrichment activities that aren’t possible when zoos are open to the public (such as a sloth visiting dolphins and penguins watching the fish).
I’ve compiled a list of the best zoo and aquarium live streams from around the world for all your animal lovers! Note some of the live streams are better at certain times of the day due to the time zone of the particular location.
1. Zoos Victoria
There are live cams up at Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo for their #AnimalsAtHome program.
There are currently 6 live streams available on the Zoos Victoria Youtube channel. You can see the Snow Leopard Cubs (indoors and outdoors), penguins, lions, zebras and giraffes.If you are a Zoos Victoria member then the Zoo Member VIP Zone is the place to get your exclusive inner sanctum access to Zoos Victoria! Features include Keeper Talks, Virtual Zoo Tours, Animal Updates, craft activities, Zoo News magazine online and exclusive teacher content. Log in with your email and password and watch the Serval Keeper Talk!
Related: Best memberships for Melbourne families
2. Melbourne Aquarium
Melbourne Aquarium hosts live streams on the Melbourne Aquarium Facebook page twice a week that you can also find on the live stream page of the Melbourne Aquarium website.
Check out penguins, crocodiles, water dragons, jellyfish, turtles and more!As part of its Virtual Aquarium you can find free craft activities and classroom resources. Merlin’s Education Toolbox contains even more educational videos, activity worksheets, curriculum-based projects, craft ideas and more for teachers and parents.
3. Sydney Aquarium
Visit the Virtual Aquarium, brought to you by SEA Life Sydney Aquarium, for a changing program of underwater creatures live streams. For instance, you can join keepers as they feed the sharks, meet the turtles and join in for a penguin enrichment session.
There is also a 24/7 Tank TV live streams of the Great Barrier Reef display, Coral Reef display and Clownfish and Sea Anemone tank.
As part of the Virtual Aquarium you can also get exclusive activity sheets, craft activities and downloadable! (PS Try Inkspot if you’re looking for cheap printer ink and cartridges)
Related: Best things to do in Sydney with kids
4. Wild Life Sydney Zoo
Get up close with the animals from the comfort of your own home and discover more about WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo by watching their Virtual Zoo live streams.
See the mammoth Saltwater Crocodile Rocky eat his favourite snack, watch the Quokka get some cuddles and more! Their social channels are updated with the weekly schedules of live streams.5. Taronga Zoo
Tune into Taronga TV daily to see your favourite animals, meet the friendly keepers and learn what goes on behind the scenes at Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
You can continue learning, listening and participating with Taronga through engaging digital programs. There are digital resources for students and teachers, the Taronga Talks podcast and Wild Squad kid’s activities.
(PS Try Inkspot if you’re looking for discount printer ink and cartridges)
6. Australian Reptile Park, Somersby
The Australian Reptile Park is sharing live streams and educational videos on their website. Click here to watch ARP TV.
The live streams are also available on the following social media channels:
10am Educational Videos: Park Director Tim Faulkner’s Facebook, Instagram pages and on the Australian Reptile Park’s YouTube Channel
2pm Live Streams: Australian Reptile Park’s Facebook and Instagram
7. Zoos South Australia
Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park are bringing the Zoo To You. Both zoos have webcams set up with live views of animal enclosures. Drop in at any time to catch up with Adelaide Zoo’s Giant Pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni and Monarto Safari Park’s Southern White Rhino bull Ibutho and entire Chimpanzee troop!
Watch the animals feed, sleep, explore and, in the chimpanzees’ case, watch as the three adorable little ones play together. They are also streaming special live sessions on the Adelaide Zoo Facebook Page.
8. Perth Zoo
Home Safari, at Perth Zoo, features live streaming, kids activities, teacher resources and virtual keeper talks.
You can also watch the live streams on the Perth Zoo Facebook page.
(PS Try Inkspot if you’re buying printer toner and cartridges for printing the digital resources)
9. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane
See Koalas, Dingos, Platypuses and more across multiple cameras at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary YouTube channel has a whopping 28 live streams!
10. London Zoo, England
London Zoo is the world’s oldest scientific zoo. From behind London Zoo’s gates, you can enjoy webcams and live streams, animal antics, zookeeper videos and behind-the-scenes updates.
You can also visit Zoo School for online learning resources to teach your little ones about the environment, brought to you by the zookeepers and vets at ZSL London Zoo. If you’re a UK taxpayer you can boost your donation by 25p for every £1 you donate. Gift Aid is re-claimed by ZSL from the tax you pay for the current tax year. This will increase the amount you donate by an additional 25% at no extra cost to you. Consider making a Gift Aid donation so that the dedicated keepers and vets can continue to feed and care for more than 20,000 animals.
11. Edinburgh Zoo, Scotland
Toggle between live webcams at Edinburgh Zoo to see different animals. Check out the penguins, pandas, koalas, rockhopper penguins and tigers.
While you’re enjoying watching the animals live, Edinburgh Zoo reminds you that while the zoo is closed they have no income from visitors to help pay our food bills, which £55,000 every month.
‘Our cameras are helping you get up close to our amazing animals and you can help them by donating. Our keepers are looking after more than 4,000 animals, many of which are rare and endangered. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated already – any amount makes a big difference. We are a charity and receive no government funding.’ Gift Aid is also available for Edinburgh Zoo donations.
12. Dublin Zoo, Ireland
Dublin Zoo is one of the most popular attractions in Ireland and it wants to continue to deliver fun and educational experiences to people with a #dublinzoofun activity series.
The activities range from workbooks which include colouring-in, word searches and much more to help teach you about the various animals at Dublin Zoo, virtual tours of Dublin Zoo in which you can visit your favourite animals from the comfort of your own home to nature-inspired projects to help you safely explore the beauty of the outdoors!
You can also see the elephants, penguins or the animals on the savannah on Dublin Zoo’s webcams.
(PS Try Inkspot if you’re buying cheap printer toner and cartridges for printing the digital resources)
13. Monterey Bay Aquarium, California
There are multiple cameras at Monterey Bay Aquarium, including a coral reef cam, very cathartic jelly cam and sea otter cam. Check out all the Monterey Bay Aquarium live cams here.
The aquarium is also providing the community with uplifting and educational animal stories, videos and more during this time. Follow Monterey Bay Aquarium on social media or sign up to their email newsletter to stay in touch.
14. San Diego Zoo, California
The world-famous San Diego Zoo have set up multiple cameras, including their Polar Cam and Condor Cam.
15. Smithsonian’s National Zoo, Washington, DC
See the webcams set up at the National Zoo, including the normally subterranean Naked Mole-rats and Giant Pandas.
You can also join in the Virtual Zoo School with resources to engage learners in grades pre-K to 12 with science, the natural world, wildlife and conservation, such as the National Zoo virtual tour.
(PS Try Inkspot if you’re buying discount printer toner and cartridges for printing the digital resources)
16. Houston Zoo
See animals including Giraffes, Leafcutter Ants, Rhinos and Flamingos with Houston Zoo‘s Facebook Live series Bringing The Zoo To You Monday – Friday 11am CST (2am AEST, so watch the catch-up videos on their website).
17. Toronto Zoo Canada
Watch ring-tailed lemurs leap, eat, sunbath and play all day LIVE with the Toronto Star’s livestream. Special enrichment feedings daily at 10am and 2pm. Plus there are supporting lemur educational activities and resources.
You can also join their Facebook LIVE at 1pm daily with one of Keepers to learn more about the 5,000 animals that call the Toronto Zoo home; subscribe to the Wild For Life podcast, that brings you behind-the-scenes and unveils the “hidden zoo” and check out the Toronto Zoo Youtube channel.
18. Explore.org
On Explore.org, a not-for-profit educational site, you can watch live webcams from all over the world.
For instance, at Warrior Canine Connection the webcam shows the puppy whelping room where you can see the youngest future service dogs.
A Virtual Zoo visit is part of my Daily Visual Schedule for Kids
Experience Melbourne without leaving your house
Listen to the Best Kids Non-Fiction Podcasts
I hope this post has helped or inspired you! Get my awesome weekly newsletter in your inbox every week to find out more ways for your family to have fun together!
