06/05/98

Virtual Zoos

Virtual Zoos

In honor of June's status as Zoo and Aquarium Month, I went searching for the best zoos on the Net. My objective, as always, was to find sites offering a quality educational experience, not just brochure sites listing hours and admission prices. Here's what I found. I hope you enjoy the lions and tigers and bears, oh my! For the best in cyber aquariums, tune in next week.

Lincoln Park Zoo

If you have homework to do, a column to write, or any other important business to get to, do not even think about looking at the live Tiger Cam. Once you see the tigers, start playing with the zoom, and realize you can move the camera around by clicking anywhere on the image, you'll be hooked. After you pry yourself away from the tigers, you can visit the rest of the animals by taking the virtual tour, or by clicking on the Mammals, Birds or Reptiles/Amphibians headings.

Lindsay & Megan's Zoo

Lindsay, thirteen, and her sister Megan, eleven, do not operate a REAL zoo, but have created a wonderful cyber zoo. You can navigate the zoo by category (Birds, Mammals, Reptiles or Sea Life), via the table of contents, or with the easy-to-use search function. Each animal has a description and a photo. Many also have sound clips. Imagine how relieved Lindsay and Megan's parents are that this zoo is virtual. My kids only have the two cats, the hamster, the dog and the two fish . . . and I'm plenty tired of hearing myself say "Did you clean the litter today?"

Los Angeles Zoo: Zoo Animals

This month's featured resident is Savannah, a baby maned wolf being raised in the zoo nursery with Elsa, a yellow Labrador retriever. When Savannah's mother rejected her, the zookeepers were concerned that the hand-raised wolf might imprint on humans, and never learn to socialize as a dog. So Elsa, on loan from Guide Dogs of America, is "Savannah's canine companion, helping her to learn how to act like a dog."

National Zoo

The National Zoo in Washington, D.C. hosts the best online audio tour I have seen. It is the same audio wand tour you could rent if you were visiting the zoo, but on the Web it's free! Other highlights include the Animal Photo Library (guaranteed to make you smile), and the National Zoo Cinema. Attention all teachers: you and your students are invited to a free weekly video conference, hosted in the Elephant House. To participate you'll need the free CU-SeeMe software.

San Diego Zoo & Wild Animal Park

Please send questions or comments to feldman@surfnetkids.com.