
Being stuck in quarantine for so long might have left you feeling restless and curious about what's happening in the natural world — particularly with animals. With zoos and aquariums temporarily closed, options to connect with wildlife are limited. However, you and your children can still enjoy watching incredible species through live webcams — and we've handpicked five fantastic options for you.
Depending on when you tune in, you might catch a live broadcast of the animals. If not, don’t worry. Many of these family-friendly webcams also offer highlight reels packed with hours of engaging footage. Simply hit play and lose yourself in scenes of gorillas peacefully resting in Africa’s dense forests or brown bears in Alaska skillfully catching salmon as they swim upstream.
Gorillas in the Mist
The Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center (GRACE) is committed to protecting the eastern lowland gorilla (Grauer's gorillas) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This initiative focuses on rehabilitating these magnificent primates, the largest in the world, by forming surrogate families for orphaned gorillas. Around 300 gorillas inhabit the area. The webcam, launched on September 24, 2019, to celebrate World Gorilla Day, showcases silverback males, adult females, and playful juveniles as they roam, nap, and munch on leaves in the forest, bringing joy to viewers worldwide.
One Word: Puppies
Puppies, need we say more? Whenever you tune in, you’ll likely be met with an irresistible group of puppies streaming live from Brookeville, Maryland. These Labrador puppies are part of the Warrior Canine Connection, a program aiding service members and veterans dealing with physical and psychological injuries. Veterans with PTSD help train and socialize the puppies from as young as 4 weeks old, preparing them to become service animals for other disabled veterans. The program fosters love and connection, benefiting everyone involved. Watching the live webcam is an added bonus for viewers!
Fat Bear Challenge
Since its launch in 2012, the Brown Bear Cam at Brooks Falls in Alaska’s Katmai National Park has become a must-watch for wildlife enthusiasts. If you tune in during early spring, you might notice the bears looking unusually thin, but this is simply because they’ve just emerged from hibernation. By June and July, these bears bulk up significantly, feasting on sockeye salmon that migrate upstream. The season culminates in Fat Bear Week, an October event where viewers vote online to crown the bear that’s gained the most weight.
Carole Baskin's Big Cats
For a glimpse into the world of Carole Baskin’s big cats, visit The Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida. Through The Big Cat Rescue cam, you can observe the sanctuary’s residents from various angles. The most popular spot is Tiger Lake, where two rescued tigers relax on wooden platforms. Don’t miss Nikita the Lioness or the Kitten Cabana, which features smaller feline species like bobcats, as well as domestic cats enjoying a whimsical scratching post playground.
Save the Manatee
Dive into the underwater and above-water manatee cams at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park to watch Ariel, Betsy, and Electra (rescued in 1998 after a boat collision) glide gracefully across your screen. While sightings aren’t guaranteed, catching a glimpse of these fascinating creatures in their natural environment is a truly special experience.
On Explore.org, you can discover a wide variety of live streams featuring incredible animals from across the globe. From majestic eagles and elephants to playful Great Danes and stealthy alligators, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.