We're one week in and who knows how many we have left to go. Finding new ways to keep the kids entertained might seem an impossible task, but some of the world's biggest and best zoos are lining up to help take on that challenge.
Zoo cams have become the new reality TV during lockdown, allowing the public to tune in and keep up with the animals while zoos themselves remain closed.
Sometimes you have to be patient with live cams, and there can be a tendency to think all the animals have escaped, but when they are good they are really good - allowing you a closer view than you might get in person as a visitor to the zoo.
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Big Cat Rescue Live Cam
Zoo cams have never been more popular than with the launch of Netflix's Tiger King documentary.
Carole Baskin, founder of Big Cat Rescue, operates under a mission of providing the best home for cats in their care, ending abuse of big cats in captivity, and preventing extinction of big cats in the wild. In Tiger King, Baskin became a hate figure for Joe Exotic, the then owner of Oklahoma's Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park, who is now locked up on various charges including the alleged murder for hire charge against Baskin.
Both wildlife parks continue to operate, with GW Zoo now under the lead of new CEO Jeff Lowe, and Big Cat Rescue under Carole Baskin. A variety of live cams operate from Big Cat Rescue, as we'll detail below, while you can keep up with the animals at GW Zoo via its Instagram page.
The live cams at Big Cat Rescue are powered by explore.org, which is a source of many live streams from animal sanctuaries, farms, oceans and even inside a beehive - click here to watch all the live cams currently operating.
Big Cat Rescue Vacation Rotation Cam
Big Cat Rescue Tiger Lake Cam
Big Cat Rescue Nikita the Lioness Cam
Chester Zoo Live Stream
Chester Zoo hit the headlines last week for offering a full-day virtual live tour on Friday 26 March. Starting at 10am, the zoo started with Red Pandas, followed by giraffes at 11am, elephants at noon, butterflies at 1pm, Sun Bears at 2pm, Sumatran tigers at 2.30pm, Humboldt penguins at 2.45pm and the aquarium at 4pm.
Although the live stream has now ended, and Chester Zoo has not announced any plans for further live events, you can watch (or rewatch) the live stream below.
Atlanta Zoo Panda Cam
Kansas City Zoo Penguin Cam
Kansas City Zoo also has a Giraffe Cam, which is currently down for maintenance. It says it should be back online shortly.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Live Cams
Monterey Bay Live Jelly Cam
Live Monterey Bay Cam
Monterey Bay Live Shark Cam
Monterey Bay Live Moon Jelly Cam
Aquarium of the Pacific Live Cams
Above Water Penguin Cam
Below Water Penguin Cam
Shark Lagoon Cam
Tropical Reef Cam
Honda Blue Cavern Cam
Paignton Zoo Live Cams
Living Coasts Live Cams
Isle of Wight Zoo Live Cams
Folly Farm Live Cams
Cumbria Wildlife Trust Live Cams
Edinburgh Zoo Live Cams
- Edinburgh Zoo Panda Cam
- Edinburgh Zoo Penguin Cam
- Edinburgh Zoo Rockhopper Penguin Cam
- Edinburgh Zoo Tiger Cam
- Edinburgh Zoo Koala Cam
Dublin Zoo Live Cams
Smithsonian's National Zoo Live Cams
- Smithsonian's Naked Mole-Rat Cam
- Smithsonian's Lion Cam
- Smithsonian's Giant Panda Cam
- Smithsonian's Elephant Cam
San Diego Zoo Live Cams
- San Diego Zoo Baboon Cam
- San Diego Zoo Penguin Cam
- San Diego Zoo Polar Bear Cam
- San Diego Zoo Ape Cam
- San Diego Zoo Koala Cam
- San Diego Zoo Giraffe Cam
- San Diego Zoo Owl Cam
- San Diego Zoo Elephant Cam
- San Diego Zoo Tiger Cam
- San Diego Zoo Condor Cam
Houston Zoo Live Cams
- Houston Zoo Giraffe Cam
- Houston Zoo Gorilla Habitat Cam
- Houston Zoo Elephant Yard Cam
- Houston Zoo Leafcutter Ant Cam
- Houston Zoo Rhino Yard Cam
- Houston Zoo Chimp Window Cam
Vancouver Aquarium Live Cams
- Vancouver Aquarium Jelly Cam
- Vancouver Aquarium Penguin Cam
- Vancouver Aquarium Sea Otter Cam
- Vancouver Aquarium Underwater Otter Cam
Visit Home Hacks for more top tips and advice on dealing with the new normal.