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Durrell’s new webcams promise to engage and enthrall virtual visitors

10^th August 2010

Durrell are continuing to improve and extend engagement with visitors and this month are launching the very latest technology for live streaming videos from the wildlife park in Trinity, Jersey.

Webcams have been installed covering the Meerkat, Telfair Skinks and Livingstone's fruit bat enclosures, along with a camera in the newest of Durrell’s exhibits - Kirindy Forest.   

Active 24 hours a day the webcams allow Durrell to showcase their wildlife park to on-line audiences who can view the animals as they’ve never been seen before, with access through Durrell’s website (www.durrell.org).

Keepers at Durrell tell us we can expect to see the animals behaving in ways we might not ordinarily be privy to; for example the Livingstone fruit bats become more active in the evening when Durrell’s doors are usually closed, interacting more with each other. The birds inhabiting Kirindy Forest tend to feed more in the evening and work on tasks such as nest building. Meerkats are generally active all the time and viewers will be able to track their antics throughout the day – simples!

The introduction of the webcams compliments the launch of Durrell’s new and improved website. The new site, developed in-house with the assistance of Durrell's hosting company BlueBox, offers a combination of visitor, conservation, education and scientific information plus news and activity updates. The improved website which focuses on easier navigation and a better visitor experience is a vital communications channel to raise awareness of the Trust’s work and encourage support from a variety of audiences in Jersey, the UK and internationally.

Feedback on the new look site has been positive and traffic is improving already, with plans in place for future site optimization projects.

Durrell’s Head of Marketing Kelly Barker said “We are working really hard to engage Durrell supporters worldwide by offering them an enhanced virtual experience which includes the introduction of our webcams. Although the wildlife park is the head quarters of our conservation organisation we believe people should be able to experience all our activities through their virtual visit including our work in the field and our training programmes.”

Discussing revenue earning opportunities Paul Masterton, Durrell's CEO said “The website is an important source of funding for us whether it be in donations, online memberships, product sales or generally raising awareness about our worldwide activities, we need to ensure our website is a place that people want to visit and keep coming back to”

Click here to view the webcams »

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