Coronavirus: Cincinnati Zoo to start Home Safari Facebook Live for kids home from school

CINCINNATI — With children home from school because of mandatory closures in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, parents are scrambling to find ways to keep their kids entertained.

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens may have a solution for children already experiencing cabin fever.

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The zoo announced Sunday it plans to livestream several animals and exhibits beginning Monday at 3 p.m., WKYC reported. The streams will be held weekdays beginning at 3 p.m., zoo officials said.

The Home Safari Facebook Live stream will include the zoo’s most famous resident, Fiona the hippo, who will be the featured animal for Monday’s debut.

The zoo’s idea received an overwhelmingly positive response. With more than 2 million followers on Facebook, the zoo’s announcement has received more than 147,000 likes and 285,000 shares on the social media site.

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“Let us help make your children’s hiatus from school fun and educational,” the zoo wrote on Facebook. “Join us for a Home Safari Facebook Live each weekday at 3 p.m., where we will highlight one of our amazing animals and include an activity you can do from home.”

Cox Media Group