title: Zoo and aquarium webcams: an informed view.
abstract: Providing webcams for public viewing is a relatively new but growing phenomenon among zoos and aquariums. Reasons for incorporating this programmatic feature are varied, and no guidelines exist to aid institutions considering webcam installations. Decision makers need to know how much effort the cameras require as well as how successful other zoos have found them to be. We evaluated existing webcams and provide an overview of their characteristics, including reliability. Quantitative evaluations provided by zoo/aquarium staff and by zoo members indicate generally positive perceptions of webcams, whereas staff acknowledge a notable level of effort required. Here, we strive to offer guidelines that will help institutions considering this venture.
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, USA. gdodson@bsu.edu
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dodson
authors.forename: Cory
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D007196:Indiana; D020407:Internet; D011639:Public Opinion; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D057211:Webcasts as Topic / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000639:trends*