Virtual zoo
File:Great Blue Heron (9403036297).png in the virtual environment of Second Life]]
A virtual zoo is an exploration of the zoo model of interacting with animals, but in a virtual environment such as a web page,{{cite web|url=http://www.waza.org/virtualzoo/index.php?main=virtualzoo |title=World Association of Zoos and Aquariums |publisher=WAZA |access-date=2014-04-18}} a collection of videos, or virtual reality.
Many virtual zoos are websites that are created to simulate a visit to a zoo, and the visitors to these sites can view exhibits about animals and their habitats. Many zoos[http://www.alaskazoo.org/tour.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607111640/http://www.alaskazoo.org/tour.htm|date=June 7, 2007}} as well as schools{{cite web|url=http://pioneerschooldistrict.org/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=146 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929180018/http://pioneerschooldistrict.org/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=146 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |title=Virtual Zoo - Zoo Home |publisher=Pioneerschooldistrict.org |date=2013-03-26 |access-date=2014-04-18}} have developed virtual zoos offering educational articles and media as exhibits.
History
The first virtual zoo was created in 1994 by Ken Boschert, DVM.{{cite web|url=http://netvet.wustl.edu/e-zoo.htm |title=The Electronic Zoo |publisher=Netvet.wustl.edu |access-date=2014-04-18}} Boschert created his site as a way of informing people about animals and how to care for them. His site has been recognized by Education World and "Web 100".
In 2017, Hari Kunduru founded Zoptiks, a virtual zoo offering zoologist-backed information about animals and dinosaurs, and an augmented reality interface.
File:Pandas at Moscow zoo investigate icy pond - Reuters Video.webm, December 2020]]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, families and children were unable to attend zoos due to nationwide lockdowns. Some groups such as Zoos Victoria offered a 24/7 livestream of animals including otters, lions and penguins.{{Cite web |title=Animals at Home |url=https://www.zoo.org.au/animals-at-home/ |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=www.zoo.org.au |language=en}}
Purpose
The validity of virtual zoos has met with some resistance. However, many view virtual zoos as the way of the future for conservation. Zoos have faced ethical issues surrounding the capture and keeping of wild animals. Virtual zoos can provide information and experience without any disturbance to habits or ecosystems.{{cite web|url=http://www.waza.org/ethics/index.php?main=ethics |title=World Association of Zoos and Aquariums - Animal Welfare & Ethics |publisher=WAZA |access-date=2014-04-18}} According to Zoos Victoria, the stated purpose of a zoo is to be centers for wildlife experience, education, conservation and research.[http://www.zoo.org.au/hr/vision_mission_purpose] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501181822/http://www.zoo.org.au/hr/vision_mission_purpose|date=May 1, 2009}} Virtual Zoos can contribute to these stated purposes, such as education and research, with little impact to animal life.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
Animal Photos:
- [http://www.lawrencegoetz.com/zoo/ "Lawrence Goes To The Zoo"]
Educational Virtual Zoos:
- [http://www.scholzvirtualzoo.com]
- [http://netvet.wustl.edu/e-zoo.htm "The Electronic Zoo"]
- Zoobooks, [http://www.zoobooks.com/newFrontPage/animals/virtualZoo/petme.html Virtual Zoo]
- [http://library.thinkquest.org/11922/index.htm "The Virtual Zoo"]
- [http://www.thewildones.org/vzoo.html "The Wild Ones"]
- [http://www.mrcrean.com/virtualzoo "Mr. Crean's Virtual Zoo"]
Selling Animal Products:
- [http://www.thebigzoo.com/ "The Big Zoo"]
{{Zoos}}