08/24/99

Animal Cams

Live cameras connected to the Web can be either incredibly fascinating or amazingly dull. Bypassing the absurd (such as The Peeling Paint Webcam), I've assembled a collection of animal cams that includes a virtual game reserve, adoptable pets, a virtual zoo and a very busy bird feeder. Since all these images are live, some are visible only during daylight hours, so I've noted the time zone of each site.

Africam

"Africam welcomes you to the world's first virtual game reserve." This amazing site is a treasure trove of 13 cams located in five South African national parks and game reserves. Choose from cams at watering holes, wild dog cams, elephant cams, even mobile cams operated by park rangers. Have you ever dreamed of going on a photo safari? Snap a picture of any of the cams (use the right-hand button on your mouse and choose Save Image As) and email it to Africam for possible selection as Picture of the Day. The competition is tough, however, as they often receive 500 images a day. (G.M.T.+2)

Animal Planet

Although not devoted exclusively to animal cams, Animal Planet (from Discovery Online) has enough cams to be included in today's list. You'll find four cams listed in a row near the top of the page — they range from an adoptable puppy in the Miami Animal Shelter to sharks swimming in the Waikiki Aquarium. Don't miss the twin baby gorillas from the Oklahoma Children's Zoo (look for the link in the top right corner). Since the cams are geographically diverse, each has its own optimal viewing time. (H.T., P.T., C.T., E.T.)

National Zoo Webcams

From the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., come nine animal cams and ZooTV with a schedule of live Webcast events. To savor the entire virtual zoo experience, take in the daily elephant foot care demo, the weekly Meet-a-Kiwi Webcam, or the naked mole-rat habitat tour. Some of these live events include chat. The Cutest-and-Cuddliest Award goes to the three Sumatran tiger cubs born on June 23. (E.T.)

The Puppy Cam

The "Online Pet Adoption Network -- linking homeless pets to loving families aims to get shelter animals adopted using the latest live video technology. What a fabulous idea! The Puppy Cam (which features both dogs and cats) currently has cameras up and running in thirty-two states, with more on the way. The actual adoption does not happen online, so if you do fall in love with one of these cuties, you'll have to drive to the shelter. Hopefully the object of your affection won't live too far away. (P.T., M.T., C.T., E.T.)

Wild Birds Unlimited Bird Feeder Cam

I love bird watching, and do watch the birds at the feeder outside my kitchen window whenever I remember to fill the feeder with seed. For those without such a view (or those too lazy to fill the feeder) here is an opportunity to bird watch at a feeder that is never empty and always seems to have happy customers. (E.T.)

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