THE ZOO: SAN DIEGO (Working Title) Brings Animals and People Together at the Historic San Diego Zoo Later This Year
From the producers of Animal Planet’s The Zoo and the upcoming The Aquarium comes THE ZOO: SAN DIEGO (WT)—an all-new series that provides Animal Planet’s global audiences with a revealing, behind-the-scenes look at San Diego Zoo Global, whose mission is to save species worldwide while inspiring passion for animals and nature. Featuring two parks, the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, as well as the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global is home to more than 700 species and 6,500 animals. Their stories will be featured in every episode of THE ZOO: SAN DIEGO (WT), which premieres later this year.
THE ZOO: SAN DIEGO (WT) will introduce a wide range of animals to Animal Planet audiences this season, including pandas, giraffes, Galápagos tortoises, koalas, elephants, mountain lions, two baby cheetahs that are learning how to be ambassadors for their species and a flock of ostriches known as the “Spice Girls.” Viewers will watch as California condors are brought back from the brink of extinction, and get an up-close look as Joanne the gorilla celebrates her fifth birthday along with her troop. Animal Planet audiences will also follow the animal care teams—keepers and veterinarians at both the Zoo and the Safari Park—many of whom have dedicated their lives to caring for animals, and the numerous projects and initiatives that place this nonprofit organization at the forefront of wildlife conservation.
“The San Diego Zoo is a cherished landmark, recognized for its contribution to conservation, and a place where generations of families have learned about and celebrated wildlife,” said Erin Wanner, Senior Vice President of Production for Animal Planet. “We are thrilled to partner with this iconic institution to help shine a light on their work with some of the planet’s most amazing creatures.”
“The vision of San Diego Zoo Global is to lead the fight against extinction,” said Rick Schwartz, San Diego Zoo Global ambassador. “We know that this compelling program will not only delight and engage viewers, but will also provide a global platform for us to share incredible stories of the conservation efforts that our organization has undertaken to ensure the survival of endangered species.”
With a combined 5.5 million visitors each year, San Diego Zoo Global provides spaces where visitors from around the world can form a personal connection with animals, including rare and endangered species that most people never encounter during their lifetime. The organization is also working on field conservation projects with almost 400 partners in 45 countries, to save more than 100 species. This includes efforts to bring the critically endangered northern white rhino—only two of which are left on the planet—back from the brink of extinction.
THE ZOO: SAN DIEGO (WT), is produced for Animal Planet by Left/Right, a Red Arrow Studios company, and Copper Pot Pictures. Banks Tarver, Ken Druckerman, Anneka Jones and Michael LaHaie are the executive producers; Jessie Findlay is co-executive producer for Left/Right. David LaMattina and Chad Walker are the executive producers for Copper Pot Pictures. Lisa Lucas is the executive producer; Patrick Keegan is supervising producer for Animal Planet.
About Animal Planet:
Animal Planet, one of Discovery, Inc.’s great global brands, is dedicated to creating high-quality content with global appeal, delivering on its mission to keep the childhood joy and wonder of animals alive by bringing people up close in every way. Available to 360 million homes in more than 205 countries and territories, Animal Planet combines content that explores the undeniable bonds forged between animals and humans, optimized across all screens around the world. In the U.S., Animal Planet audiences can enjoy their favorite programming anytime, anywhere through the Animal Planet Go app, which features live and on-demand access. For more information, please visit animalplanet.com.
About San Diego Zoo Global:
As an international nonprofit organization, San Diego Zoo Global works to fight extinction through conservation efforts for plants and animals worldwide. With a history of leadership in species recovery and animal care, San Diego Zoo Global works with partners in science-based field programs on six continents, and maintains sanctuaries and public education facilities in many places. Inspiring a passion for nature is critical to saving species, and San Diego Zoo Global’s outreach efforts share the wonder of wildlife with millions of people every year. Current major conservation initiatives include fighting wildlife trafficking and the impacts of climate change on wildlife species; broad-spectrum species and habitat protection efforts in Kenya, in Peru and on islands worldwide; preventing extinction in our own backyard; and expanding efforts to bank critical genetic resources and apply them to the conservation of critically endangered species. To learn more, visit sandiegozooglobal.org or connect with us on Facebook.
About Left/Right:
Over the last dozen years, LEFT/RIGHT has produced hundreds of hours of television in an extraordinarily eclectic mix of genres, ranging from hard-hitting documentaries to side-splitting comedies, covering topics from sex to secret societies to stand-up comedy to science fiction to school segregation. Past and present productions include our Emmy Award-winning television adaptation of the popular public radio show “This American Life” (Showtime)... to multiple episodes of the award-winning investigative series “FRONTLINE” (PBS)... to “The Circus” (Showtime), a fast-turnaround documentary series that pulls back the curtain on American politics... to “James Cameron’s Story of Science Fiction” (AMC), which examines and celebrates the most dominant genre in the world today... to our upcoming New York Times series “The Weekly” for FX and Hulu. Our shows have been nominated for over 15 Emmy® Awards and have won multiple awards, including an Emmy® for Best Nonfiction Series. Left/Right is part of Red Arrow Studios, an international production and distribution company, and is represented by WME Entertainment. For more information, visit leftright.tv
About Discovery:
Discovery, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is a global leader in real-life entertainment, serving a passionate audience of superfans around the world with content that inspires, informs and entertains. Discovery delivers over 8,000 hours of original programming each year and has category leadership across deeply loved content genres around the world. Available in 220 countries and territories and nearly 50 languages, Discovery is a platform innovator, reaching viewers on all screens, including TV Everywhere products such as the GO portfolio of apps and Discovery Kids Play; direct-to-consumer streaming services such as Eurosport Player and Motor Trend OnDemand; digital-first and social content from Group Nine Media and a strategic alliance with the PGA Tour to create the Global Home of Golf. Discovery’s portfolio of premium brands includes Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, Motor Trend, Animal Planet, and Science Channel, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in the U.S., Discovery Kids in Latin America, and Eurosport, the leading provider of locally relevant, premium sports and Home of the Olympic Games across Europe. For more information, please visit https://corporate.discovery.com/ and follow @DiscoveryIncTV across social platforms.
