Livestreaming is revolutionizing animal care

Courtney Dunn
April 28, 2025

Why Livestreaming Matters in Zoos and Aquariums

Technology has changed how we connect with wildlife. Livestreaming cameras are no longer just for public engagement—they are becoming essential tools for animal care teams. By streaming animal habitats in real time, zoos gain new ways to monitor behavior, collect data, and improve animal welfare.

Traditional Monitoring: Time-Consuming but Essential

For decades, zoos have monitored animals using CCTV systems. These cameras were not shared with the public. Staff and researchers would spend hours combing through footage, fast-forwarding and rewinding to spot behaviors worth noting.

This method produced important discoveries—many animals act more naturally when people are not present. But it was also time-consuming, and animal care teams often relied on graduate students and volunteers to review endless hours of video.

a photo of a kiwi bird taken on zoolife
A North Island brown kiwi out browsing for grubs. Photo taken by Community Member tigerseyes2021.

Why Observation in Zoos Matters

Why not just study animals in the wild? The reality is simple: wild animals are hard to find and often change behavior in the presence of people. Zoos and aquariums make it possible to observe animals up close, helping scientists understand their needs and design better habitats.

The result is a positive cycle: research leads to better enclosures, which encourage more natural behavior, which then provides richer data for the next generation of animal care.

The Next Step: Smarter Livestreaming

Digital recording and livestreaming improve this process. Cameras now record longer, at higher quality, and can share video instantly. But the challenge remains: how do we filter hours of footage into usable data?

The future may involve artificial intelligence to detect behaviors like eating, sleeping, or social interaction. Until then, human observation is still the most reliable method.

a photo of a sleeping tiger taken on zoolife
An Amur tiger lounging out on habitat. Photo taken by Community Member KookyKoala50679.

How Zoolife Supports Animal Care Teams

This is where Zoolife plays a unique role. Zoolife provides zoos and aquariums with high-quality cameras while also building a community of engaged viewers.

Here’s how it helps animal care teams:

  • Crowdsourced insights: Viewers capture and share clips of important animal behaviors.

  • Time savings: Staff can review highlights instead of hours of raw footage.

  • Data sharing: Video archives help researchers track long-term trends in behavior.

By combining technology with community support, Zoolife helps zoos focus on what matters most—caring for the animals.

a photo of an island fox sitting taken on zoolife
A Channel Island fox surveying its habitat. Photo taken by Community Member Pickle-Lily.

Be Part of the Solution

Animal care is a team effort, and now supporters can directly contribute. By watching animals live on Zoolife and sharing key moments, you’re helping researchers and caregivers gather valuable insights.

👉 Want to help improve animal care while enjoying unique wildlife experiences? Visit Zoolife today and join the community supporting animals worldwide.