Zoo Based “Reality TV”

[Kevin M.]

This is a whole sub genre of television. Most are on Discovery+, though a few are on NatGeo, and Disney+ has one about it’s own wild animal park. Though the trainers, handlers, vets, and even habitat designers are featured, it is the animals who are the stars. They aren’t exactly documentaries because a lot of the training sessions and conversations are obviously staged for the benefit of the cameras, but I hesitated classifying them as reality TV because viewers don’t really see drama amongst the humans. The animals and their care are what the shows are focused on, and my wife and I both find them relaxing to watch.

One thing these shows make clear is which zoos are at the top of their game, such as San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, and which zoos seem less focused on quality of life for and preservation of the animals, and more focused on putting on a show for visitors and making a profit. I am amazed the couple running the Bronx Zoo has been allowed to keep their jobs, given the number of episodes that ended with an animal dying with the cause of death remaining a mystery. I’m even more amazed at the genuinely stupid things they did that ended up televised, such as new-age therapy for genuinely ill animals who deserved better.

Tip of my hat to the Georgia Aquarium, which I didn’t even know existed until I started watching their series (unoriginally named The Aquarium). Many episodes feature otters, and otters are personal favorites of mine. Much can be said about the state of Georgia, but they seem to run a top notch animal care facility. 

Side note: Due to my love of otters, tonight we attempted to watch “Otter Dynasty”, and I couldn’t take more than five minutes. Promoted as “Game of Thrones… with otters”, the series tries to manufacture a dramatic story to footage of otters in a bay in Singapore. The writing was atrocious. There were two rival otter queens vying for dominance in the bay, and… like I said, I gave up. The show would be better if they had no human voices at all and just showed the otters in the bay. 

But if you are starving for something to watch as the strike drags on, I’d recommend “The Zoo: San Diego” and “The Aquarium” and “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.” 

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Kevin M. (RPCV)

[Bob Jersey]

I hope the people in charge of the local zoological society (northwest of Allentown in a historic preserve donated by philanthropist Harry Trexler) don't fvck with those shows...     B

Kevin M, August 12th, in part: