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A GOLDEN TICKET TO THE ZOO!
NAT GEO WILD’S NEW ZOO LIFE SERIES GOES BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE COLUMBUS ZOO WITH DIRECTOR EMERITUS JACK HANNA
Sat Jan 13 2018 06:24:00 GMT+0000 (UTC)
Meet a Dancing Flamingo, Twin Polar Bear Cubs, A Life-Saving Giraffe
And Two Very Special White Rhino Calves
Zoo Life Kicks Off This June on Nat Geo WILD
(Washington, DC/Pasadena, CA – Jan. 13, 2018) – The call of the wild takes people all over the world in pursuit of exotic creatures, including to a pristine land where 10,000 animals span 12,000 acres. And no, it’s not in Africa. It’s in Ohio! The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is one of the largest and most popular zoos in the country, boasting none other than “Jungle Jack” Hanna as its legendary director emeritus — and he actually lives in the zoo! It takes hours just to see it all, but now, for the first time, Nat Geo WILD is taking viewers behind the scenes to meet the animals and the army of people who work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to create one of the best zoo experiences in the country. Zoo Life premieres this June on Nat Geo WILD. For more information, visit www.natgeowild.com or our press site www.natgeotvpressroom.com.
“I’ve traveled all over the world and seen the most amazing animals, but nothing compares to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium,” said Hanna. “Zoo Life has filmed things here that I haven’t seen in 40 years of television. Prepare to be amazed.”
Brushing rhinoceros teeth, teaching a polar bear to swim and returning animals to the wild are all in a day’s work at the Columbus Zoo, and Nat Geo WILD is there to make sure you see it all. Zoo Life showcases the incredible bonds between caretakers and animals — like when a flamingo gives her caretaker a hug and does a “happy dance” whenever she sees her. There are other surprising moments, too: we learn that the zoo uses dogs as companion animals and has the only giraffe blood bank in the country. Emergencies force the staff to drop everything to rescue 16 parrots, and there are even more incredible moments — such as when two manatees are returned to the wild after rehabilitation at the zoo.
Zoo Life also focuses on the Columbus Zoo’s incredible conservation work, including an in-depth look at The Wilds. As one of the largest conservation centers in North America, The Wilds boasts 10,000 acres and is home both to rare and endangered animals from all around the world, along with hundreds of indigenous species. Last fall The Wilds welcomed two white rhinoceros calves, a species that was brought back from the brink of extinction at the turn of the 20th century.
“More than 175 million Americans visit a zoo every year but nothing compares to the behind-the-scenes experience we deliver,” said Geoff Daniels, executive vice president and general manager, Nat Geo WILD. “Thanks to the Columbus Zoo and their incredible staff, our audience of animal lovers and their families will get an exclusive golden ticket to witness all the extraordinary work, heartwarming stories and inspiring moments most people never see at a place where the passion and commitment to wildlife has to be seen to be believed!”
More than anything, Zoo Life showcases a progressive zoo with a mission to lead and inspire by connecting people and wildlife. The Columbus Zoo team accomplishes this by providing memorable and meaningful on-site experiences, engaging educational programs and compelling outreach activities, and the zoo is constantly striving to make an even bigger global impact.
Zoo Life is produced by Spectrum Productions for Nat Geo WILD. For Spectrum Productions, executive producer is Guy Nickerson and Elaine Pugliese. For Nat Geo WILD, executive producer is Ashley Hoppin; senior vice president of development and production is Janet Han Vissering; and executive vice president and general manager is Geoff Daniels.
National Geographic Partners LLC
National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 130 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching millions of people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
CONTACTS:
Molly Mulrain, 202-912-6745, molly.mulrain@natgeo.com
Kate Hawken, 571-451-6330, kate.hawken@bullseyecomm.com
