ITV has commissioned a two-part doc that explores how the staff and animals at ZSL London Zoo are adapting to the coronavirus lockdown.<\/p>\n
London Zoo: An Extraordinary Year<\/em> (working title), from Circle Circle Films\/October Films, gained exclusive access inside ZSL London Zoo and its sister zoo Whipsnade during lockdown, as its staff and keepers care for more than\u00a0500 species. It reveals how human and animal inhabitants alike have had to adapt to the eerily silent surroundings.<\/p>\n Matt Smith, executive producer, said: \u201cLondon Zoo: An Extraordinary Year<\/em> (w\/t) we\u2019ll see how one of Britain\u2019s most well-loved and well-known institutions copes during these unprecedented times. With intimate access to the zoo, its keepers and animals we\u2019ll follow real life drama as it unfolds whilst recounting extraordinary nuggets of the zoo\u2019s rich backstory. We\u2019re thrilled to be working with ZSL on this project.\u201d<\/p>\n Jo Clinton-Davis, ITV’s controller of factual, commented: \u201cThe 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.\u00a0And a dip into the zoo’s colorful backstory at key moments will bring rich texture to this real-life unfolding drama.\u201d<\/p>\n ZSL\u2019s director of zoos and engagement, Rich Storton, said: \u201cWe 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\u2019s work\u2014and how much we need their support to continue working for wildlife.<\/p>\n \u201cThis new documentary will explore the most recent chapter in ZSL\u2019s 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\u2014we look forward to sharing this era-defining period with ITV viewers in the autumn.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ITV has commissioned a two-part doc that explores how the staff and animals at ZSL London Zoo are adapting to the coronavirus lockdown.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":350,"featured_media":14556,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[423],"class_list":["post-14555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-top-stories","tag-itv","pmpro-has-access"],"yoast_head":"\n