TheWWFisbringingbackwildanimalsthatwereonceextinctinGermany.Tosupportthismission,weatDemodernhavedevelopedaWebARapplicationthatraisesawarenessaboutendangeredspecies.
Client
WWF Deutschland
Industry
Public Sector and Non-Profit
Services
Technical ConsultingUX DesignVisual DesignSoftware DevelopmentDevOpsProducing
Once vanished wildlife returns – experience it in AR.
The extinction of species is an urgent reality that needs to be made visible.
WWF supports the return of large wild species that once disappeared from Germany. The goal was to create awareness and understanding, build measurable reach, and provide people with concrete behavioral guidelines. Success was to be measured through reach, interactions, and educational penetration.
We developed a WebAR experience featuring four native species as realistic 3D models, interactive hotspots, a companion landing page, and a map view of their distribution. The application was designed to work anywhere, without app barriers, suitable for tours as well as school projects.
We made endangered species visible, understandable, and tangible.
Lifelike 3D models showcase size, behavior, and practical protection rules, allowing users to experience the animals up close while learning how to behave respectfully in nature.
We designed the experience in four phases: research with WWF experts, prototyping the interactions, building optimized 3D assets, and launching for web and tours. The magic moment occurs when people see the animals in life size and learn something new immediately through hotspots.
Technology should not be a barrier but must create reach and be easily shareable.
Instead of a native app, we relied on the open-source framework model-viewer and a sleek React interface to ensure the experience works directly in the browser. Highly optimized 3D models, a GIS-based map view, and performance optimization enabled deployment on the website, during adventure tours, and in schools.
The application ran on the WWF website, accompanied by the magazine, during adventure tours, and in school workshops. User feedback showed that the spatial representation alleviated fears, sparked curiosity, and initiated conversations about conservation. Close collaboration with experts ensured the scientific accuracy of the content.
Thousands of AR sessions and numerous tour stops generated measurable attention and sustainable learning interest.