As Britain faces momentous and unprecedented times, ITV will explore how the staff and animals at one of Britain’s best-loved institutions are adapting to the Coronavirus lockdown.
"London Zoo: An Extraordinary Year" (2x60’), working title, Circle Circle Films / October Films) has been given exclusive access inside ZSL London Zoo and its sister zoo Whipsnade during lockdown, as its staff and keepers care for more than 500 species - from giraffes and tigers, to monkeys and meerkats.
The series provides a unique view of the Zoo, part of international conservation charity ZSL, from the perspective of its close-knit team of keepers and vets as they continue to care for the 20,000 animals in London’s Regent’s Park and atop the Dunstable Downs in Bedfordshire.
"London Zoo: An Extraordinary Year" (w/t) reveals how human and animal inhabitants alike have had to adapt to the eerily silent surroundings - from pygmy goats and Jimmy the gibbon missing the attention of zoo visitors, or vets devising whole new plans for scanning a pregnant Okapi whilst social distancing.
Each episode of "London Zoo: An Extraordinary Year" (w/t) shows how ZSL’s long serving zookeepers and animals are adapting as never before. In the Zoo’s 192-year rich history it only ever closed for two weeks during the Blitz and the series will lightly dip into some of the Zoo’s fantastic archive.
As ZSL’s keepers work tirelessly to care for their animal family in the midst of a pandemic, the Zoo’s present-day role as a scientific conservation charity - now needed more than ever – is increasingly apparent.
Matt Smith, Executive Producer, said: “The series 'London Zoo: An Extraordinary Year' (w/t) we’ll see how one of Britain’s most well-loved and well-known institutions copes during these unprecedented times. With intimate access to the Zoo, its keepers and animals we’ll follow real life drama as it unfolds whilst recounting extraordinary nuggets of the Zoo’s rich backstory. We’re thrilled to be working with ZSL on this project.”
The series is commissioned for ITV by Jo Clinton-Davis, Controller of Factual and Sue Murphy, Head of Factual Entertainment, ITV. “The story of what's happening behind the scenes at ZSL at this unique moment is a fascinating and compelling one. The familiar world of the Zoo but as we've never seen it before. And a dip into the Zoo's colourful backstory at key moments will bring rich texture to this real-life unfolding drama,” commented Clinton-Davis.
“We hope that this unique journey behind the scenes at London and Whipsnade during these challenging times will give the public a real insight into the vital importance of ZSL’s work - and how much we need their support to continue working for wildlife," declared ZSL’s Director of Zoos and Engagement Rich Storton. “This new documentary will explore the most recent chapter in ZSL’s rich history of overcoming adversity: during its 192-year history, ZSL has survived two world wars and grown into a world-leading international conservation charity. The coronavirus pandemic has presented our dedicated team with a previously unimaginable set of challenges - we look forward to sharing this era-defining period with ITV viewers in the autumn,” added.