Millions are watching wildlife webcams to see 'nature as it really is'

Watching an Iberian lynx crossing the Sierra Morena, following the life of a bird’s nest or gazing for hours at a natural landscape have become popular hobbies in Spain - all without leaving home.

Nature webcams are booming, transforming the way thousands of people connect with wildlife.

The phenomenon is not new, but it has grown in popularity thanks to better technology, high-definition streaming and 24-hour access via websites, YouTube and social media.

What began as a tool for scientific monitoring and environmental outreach has become mindful relaxation for millions, somewhere between wildlife watching, environmental education and virtual tourism.

During the COVID pandemic, the Ministry for Ecological Transition highlighted the role of these cameras as a way of following “nature live and in real time without leaving home”.