NHNZ begins production on six new episodes

NHNZ begins production on six new episodes of Animal Planet’s successful Growing Up strand this month.

NHNZ has already produced seven episodes for the first Growing Up series currently screening on Animal Planet in the US.

Series producer Jayashree Panjabi describes Growing Up as “being about the intimate bond between an orphaned wild animal and its human caregiver during the animal’s first year of life.” The new episodes will feature wolverines, gorillas, moose, sloth bears, seals and hyenas.

“The shows are as much about the dedication and ability of extraordinary people as they are about the animals in their care. In focusing on the relationship between one animal and its caregiver, we can also tell the broader story of that species’ place in the world - its conservation status and its relationship to humans,” says Jayashree.

The new Growing Up episodes will be shot in the animal’s native territory: locations range from Agra in India, to northern Ontario, Cameroon, and South Africa. While each story follows a similar pattern, every episode will be quite distinct.

“All these animals have very different needs. The Alaskan seals will return to the wild, so they have to be taught to be self sufficient and wary of humans. The moose and the hyena will be in captivity for the rest of their lives so this initial year is an important time for them to build a trusting relationship with their human carers.”

Filming and post-production on the series will continue through until mid-2005.

NHNZ’s distributor Off the Fence Limited in Amsterdam will be selling the series under the strand title of Raising Baby.

NHNZ is one of the world’s leading producers of factual programming embracing the genres of nature, health, science, adventure, and people. With over 60 programmes currently in production, its crews work in locations around the world to produce a diversity of films for international broadcasters including Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, Discovery Health, National Geographic Channel, France 5, NHK in Japan and NDR in Germany. Based in Dunedin, New Zealand, the company is wholly owned by Fox Television Studios.

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