On Sunday, millions of people around the world will get a chance to take a behind the scenes look at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Nat Geo WILD will be premiering a 6 episode limited series following the staff of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, who work non-stop to keep the animals, happy and healthy. The show is called “Secrets of the Zoo” and will premiere July 29 with back-to-back to episodes at 9 and 10 p.m. on Nat Geo Wild. The series will then air on Sundays at 9 p.m. through Aug. 26.
“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!”
Not only will viewers get to know the zoo staff, they’ll also get to know and love many of the animals that currently call the zoo home.
“We are proud to have some of the most talented, knowledgeable, dedicated, and passionate staff members in the world on our animal care team,” said Columbus Zoo and Aquarium President and CEO Tom Stalf. “The fact that the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds were selected for this show is a true testament to our team as well as our supportive Central Ohio community that has helped to make our Zoo one of the best in the nation.”
Upcoming episodes of the show include:
Secrets of the Zoo – Stand by Your ManateePremieres Sunday, July 29, 9/8c
An orphaned baby manatee is rescued from the wild, and the zoo staff manages to retrieve an important urine sample from a beloved manatee mom. It’s a big new world for the zoo’s newest additions — adorable tiger cubs. A male oryx joins a herd of females, while the zoo staff collects lifesaving blood from a giraffe, and has some fun feeding their hyenas.
Secrets of the Zoo – Run, Cheetah, Run
Premieres Sunday, July 29, 10/9c
The zoo doctors go into hero mode, attempting to replace a missing bone in a cheetah’s shoulder and rescuing 16 macaws from a hoarding situation. They also perform pregnancy tests on rare mares, give baby polar bear cubs swimming lessons and treat rambunctious — but loveable — flamingos with leg problems.
Secrets of the Zoo – Kangaroo-mance
Premieres Sunday, Aug. 5, 9/8c
Young kangaroo Fergus gets a gut check in the love department while Zuri, an expectant warthog, delivers unexpected results. Baby, a beloved black rat snake, develops a concerning mass, while Mac, the zoo’s oldest silverback gorilla, gets a surprise birthday party.
Secrets of the Zoo – Rhino-mite!
Premieres Sunday, Aug. 12, 9/8c
At the zoo, a white rhino ultrasound shows surprising results, and a sick guinea fowl becomes an emergency. From Florida to California, the zoo team hits the coasts, returning two rescued manatees to their native waters, and transporting four wild cats to Los Angeles for an appearance on “The Late, Late Show With James Corden.”
Secrets of the Zoo – Beauties and Beasts
Premieres Sunday, Aug. 19. 9/8c
Baby fever spreads through the zoo as a cheetah repopulation program goes into full effect, a takin has a hitch in his getalong and Jack Hanna cases chaos through the zoo as he prepares to delight a crowd, while the park’s most chill residents get a frozen spaghetti seal treat.
Secrets of the Zoo – Bringing Up Baby
Premieres Sunday, Aug. 26, 9/8c
The keepers make their morning breakfast rounds at the Heart of Africa exhibit, a young bull elephant has a play date while his expectant mother gets an ultrasound, a rare okapi gets a checkup, a cougar has a concerning abscess and it’s a winter herd roundup at The Wilds.
For more information, please visit ColumbusZoo.org.