About
ZooMonitor is a specialized behavioral data collection platform developed by Lincoln Park Zoo and funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. It is free to download for qualifying institutions such as zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries, and is built to be accessible to both seasoned researchers and non-expert animal care staff. As a web application, ZooMonitor runs across desktops, tablets, and mobile devices, giving teams the flexibility to configure their accounts in the office and head out to exhibits with a tablet or phone to record live behavioral observations. The platform supports fully customizable projects, allowing institutions to tailor data collection protocols to their specific animals, exhibits, and research questions. Once data is collected, ZooMonitor provides built-in analysis graphs that surface behavioral patterns immediately—no external software required. For deeper investigation, all collected data can be exported for manual analysis in third-party tools. The workflow is straightforward: register for a license key, configure your account with species and individual animals, create observation projects, record sessions in the field, and review or export results. ZooMonitor is ideal for animal welfare teams, zoo researchers, and institutional staff who need a structured, reliable system for behavioral observation. It bridges the gap between rigorous scientific data collection and practical, day-to-day animal care management, ultimately supporting better outcomes for the animals in their care.
Key Features
- Behavioral Data Recording: Record detailed animal behavioral observations in real time directly from a tablet or mobile device at the exhibit.
- Fully Customizable Projects: Create and tailor observation projects to fit your institution's unique protocols, species, and individual animals.
- Built-in Analysis & Visualizations: Instantly view graphs and charts that reveal behavioral patterns from your collected data without needing external tools.
- Multi-Device Web App: Works seamlessly across desktops, tablets, and mobile devices on any platform, with offline capability via browser cache.
- Data Export for In-Depth Analysis: Export all collected behavioral data for deeper manual analysis in third-party statistical or research tools.
Use Cases
- Zoo and aquarium staff tracking daily animal behavior to evaluate welfare and inform care decisions.
- Wildlife sanctuary teams creating structured observation protocols for individual animals across multiple exhibits.
- Animal behavior researchers collecting standardized data for institutional studies or academic publications.
- Zoo management teams assessing the impact of habitat changes, enrichment programs, or management interventions over time.
- Volunteer or non-expert staff conducting systematic behavioral observation sessions without requiring advanced research training.
Pros
- Free for Qualifying Institutions: Institutions like zoos and aquariums can download and use ZooMonitor at no cost, making professional-grade data collection accessible.
- Accessible to Non-Experts: Designed with a user-friendly interface so animal care volunteers and non-researchers can collect high-quality behavioral data.
- Cross-Platform Flexibility: The web app approach means it works on virtually any device or OS without special installations, enabling field and office use.
Cons
- Restricted to Qualifying Institutions: Individual researchers or non-institutional users may not qualify for a license key, limiting broader accessibility.
- Requires Registration & License Key: Getting started requires completing a registration process and obtaining a license key, adding a barrier compared to instant-access tools.
- Basic Built-in Analytics: The in-app analysis tools provide graphs but are not a substitute for robust statistical software; complex analysis requires data export.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ZooMonitor free to use?
Yes, ZooMonitor is free to download and use for qualifying institutions such as zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries. A registration form must be completed to receive a license key.
What devices does ZooMonitor work on?
ZooMonitor is a web app that works on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices across various platforms. The first sign-in downloads the app to the browser cache, enabling use within that browser.
Can I export data from ZooMonitor?
Yes. After collecting behavioral data, you can export it for in-depth manual analysis using external statistical or research software, in addition to viewing the built-in graphs.
Who developed ZooMonitor?
ZooMonitor was developed by Lincoln Park Zoo and was made possible in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (MG-30-14-0045-14).
How do I get started with ZooMonitor?
Register on the ZooMonitor website to receive a license key, then sign in to download the web app to your browser. Next, configure your account with users, species, and animals, create observation projects, and start recording behavioral data in the field.
