Overview
If your days spent working from home and social distancing could do with a few more adorable animals — or your days in general if you're not currently living in a part of the country that's in lockdown — you'll be happy to know the internet is filled with many. Melbourne's zoos have live streaming their penguins, leopard cubs and giraffes, its aquarium wants you to bliss out while watching marine life, and a Queensland wildlife sanctuary has cams on its koalas 24/7. And, after first launching last year, Taronga TV has made a comeback.
The online television station was established by Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo in 2020 for obvious reasons, and the Sydney site has now brought it back — again, you know why. Head here to get your cute animal fix, because every day can be improved by peering at seals swimming, meerkats playing and otters frolicking.
They're three of the new live-streams on offer, alongside capybara cam — so you can spend your days looking at the world's largest rodents if you like. In the returning camp, fellow 24/7 live-streams take a gander at the zoos' sumatran tigers, lions and elephants. The station is also releasing regular videos across its Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channels.
Also online: keeper talks, which is where the zoos' baby goats and echidnas come in; a Tasmanian Devil getting a health check; a baby black rhino calf; and a look into where giraffes sleep.
"Although we aren't able to welcome guests to the zoo in Sydney, we're thrilled that we have the chance to showcase all the work that goes on behind the scenes that we normally don't get the chance to show," said Chief Executive of Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Cameron Kerr. "We'll be giving people the opportunity to see our keepers care for our animals and showcase our world-leading conservation work to protect our precious native wildlife. We are thrilled to be keeping our wonderful guests and supporters updated through Taronga TV during this difficult time, until we're able to throw open our gates again."
To check out Taronga TV, head to the channel's website — or keep an eye on its videos on its Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages.
Top image: Rick Stevens