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Zoos Broadcast Animal Habitats to Schools Via Video Conferencing

January 27th, 2009 by Video Conferencing Expert

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has installed videoconferencing solutions into the animal habitats and conducts live video conferencing sessions with different schools, allowing children to see the animals, “close-up” in their natural habitat.
Cleveland Zoo Animal Manager, Tad Schoffner:

You can’t always guarantee [the animals] are going to do what you want, but when it works, it works great. Even if the timing isn’t just right, it’s still a lot better than standing in a studio.

The video conference project was named the winner of the Media, Arts & Entertainment award my Computerworld for its innovative and practical use of the technology. The program at the Cleveland Zoo began in 1998, using basic video conference equipment. Today, they use wireless a wireless solution which allows them to move the equipment through all of the different animal habitats allowing the children to see more than ever before.

Cleveland Zoo Education Specialist, Cathy Ryan:

I taught in a room with four walls. The kids were going from one classroom into another. I wanted them to see more. Now we have a lot more teachable moments. We can say, ‘Take a look at that joey — it’s pushing its head out of the pouch,’ and we can zoom in on that for the kids to see.

While the initial cost of setting up a wireless video conferencing system was high, the ability to move it around the zoo has made it a very useful tool. The system, set up by Total Systems Integration of Ohio allows the presenters to move the system around on a cart and send the video directly over the web.

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