The docuseries, which was filmed over an eight-month period, takes an inside look at the more than 6,000 animals and the 500-plus people who work at the Bronx Zoo. It also highlights the zoo’s expert animal care and its mission to conserve wildlife around the globe.
In the first episode at the Bronx Zoo, viewers are introduced to Ntondo, a silverback gorilla diagnosed with glaucoma; Malayan tiger cubs being prepped for Tiger Mountain; and a zookeeper who gets two endangered maleo birds to form a pair bond and breed.
Audiences will also get a closer look at how the Bronx Zoo rescued an orphaned snow leopard cub and how, with the help of the Toledo Zoo, prevented the extinction of the Kihansi spray toad.
“The Zoo is an inspiring and eye-opening first-ever look at the diverse animals residing at the Bronx Zoo and the passionate caretakers working at the zoo,” said Patrice Andrews, General Manager of Animal Planet, in a statement. “Our series gives amazing access for our viewers to get a first-hand look at the conservation efforts of the Wildlife Conservation Society.”
Jim Breheny, Director of the Bronx Zoo and WCS Executive Vice President of Zoos and Aquarium said, “The Zoo highlights the role of how the Association of Zoos and Aquariums provide excellent care to individual animals and work to sustain species for the future. We are really happy to be sharing this series with the Animal Planet audience as the series emphasizes that today’s zoos must do more than exhibit animals; they must have a higher purpose and that purpose is conservation of species in the wild.”
The Zoo premieres Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 10?:00 p.m. EST on Animal Planet. Watch a sneak peek of The Zoo here.
