Mega Zoo

Behind the scenes of

Zoos Victoria’s TV Show Project Manager, Natalie Filmer, lifts the lid on the behind-the-scenes of Mega Zoo.

WORDS Jesse Failla

he Mega Zoo TV series provides viewers with never-before-seen insights into the world of the incredible animals and staff at Zoos Victoria. But what was Tinvolved in securing this jawdropping and intimate access to some of the world’s most precious animals? With a wealth of potential stories to participate in their care in a voluntary

GoPro cameras, 4K mountable tell, WTFN’s camera technicians and and positive way.” recording devices, night-vision producers worked closely with keepers One of the most impressive training technology and remotely accessible and specialists in animal welfare sessions, accessed via 12 of WTFN’s camera equipment are just some of the science to brainstorm innovative ways strategically placed cameras, is the technical tools that helped bring Mega to capture the many precious moments pregnancy ultrasound on Melbourne Zoo Zoo viewers closer than ever to Zoos seen in the show. Snow Leopard, Miska. Victoria’s resident animals. “Mega Zoo was an opportunity for us “We knew that we’d only have one

“The technical equipment and to show the expertise and care that chance to capture the moment when expertise that production company goes into ensuring that every single Melbourne Zoo Veterinarian Dr Kate WTFN employed to film Mega Zoo has animal at our three zoos is treated learned that Miska was pregnant,” taken Zoos Victoria’s storytelling to a as an individual with specific needs,” Natalie recalls. “Miska was being asked whole new level,” says Natalie Filmer, Natalie says. “For example, animal to remain still while allowing her tummy Senior Manager Digital Newsroom and training sessions are a sensitive and to be touched by a vet through a small Mega Zoo Project Manager. “The array delicate process that rely on trust hole cut underneath her training chute – of purpose-built devices, such as log between keeper and animal, without and we couldn’t risk the distraction of an and nest box cameras, take viewers the distractions of a cameraman. unfamiliar cameraman.” inside an animal’s habitat, providing However, lots of carefully placed mini WTFN’s safely placed, discreet an intimate look at these animals’ lives cameras, operated remotely, allowed cameras included GoPro chest mounts in a way we’ve never been able to us to capture these moments, showing on the keepers and vet; small mounted share before.” how zoo animals of all shapes and sizes recording devices on magnetic arms

“We knew that we’d only have one chance to capture the moment when Melbourne Zoo veterinarian Dr Kate learned that Miska was pregnant.”

at various heights and positions; and a remotely controlled camera on wheels.

Viewers were able to witness the voluntary ultrasound of a Snow Leopard – something only keepers and vets who work closely with the animal have ever had the chance to see, until now.

This incredible process was repeated for most of the stories in the 10-part series – from medical procedures with Lions at Werribee Open Range Zoo and their eventual move interstate, to the remarkable Asian Small-clawed Otter birth footage at Melbourne Zoo filmed via a tiny hole cut into the side of the animals’ nesting box. And the remarkable efforts of the team at Healesville Sanctuary to save the Critically Endangered Mountain Pygmy-possum.

“Filming Mega Zoo was not without its challenges,” Natalie says. “One of the most memorable was working out how a cameraman could safely abseil a 60-metre-high water tower to film our threatened species biologists throwing Bogong Bikkies to test whether they could be dropped by helicopter to feed Mountain Pygmy-possums in the wild.”

Mega Zoo has provided viewers with new insights into the quality of care provided at Zoos Victoria and a chance for people to learn more about conservation and connect with the Critically Endangered species that we’re dedicated to saving from extinction. ZN

Visit 9now.com.au/ mega-zoo to catch up on Mega Zoo episodes

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Go behind the scenes, beyond Mega Zoo and visit zoo.org.au/

beyond-mega-zoo

Your monthly tax deductible gift of $15 or more will support us to ensure the animals at our zoos are well cared for every day of the year, and help us fi ght extinction. Choose which animal species to adopt today at

zoo.org.au/animal-adopters