ZooTampa Featured On National Nat Geo Wild TV Series For 3rd Year

TAMPA, FL — The popular Nat Geo Wild television series, "Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa," will provide an intimate look at endangered species at ZooTampa when it returns for its third season Sunday, Feb. 20.

The 12-part series, filmed entirely at the award-winning zoo in Seminole Heights, offers behind-the-scenes stories of the animals at the zoo and the staff who cares for them including the birth of an endangered orangutan and the return of a rehabilitated manatee to Florida waters.

“The show is a powerful global tool in our efforts to inspire people to join us in saving animals in our backyards and through the world,” said Chris Massaro, vice president of animal care for ZooTampa. “Through entertainment, we are able to educate and raise the awareness of conservation issues impacting the future of wildlife.”

The series is produced by the Emmy-winning Tampa-based Remedy Television + Branded and airs on the Nat Geo Wild channel on Sundays at 9 p.m. and Wednesdays on Disney+. A fourth season of the show is now in production.

“We are thrilled to have 'Secrets of the Zoo' film in Hillsborough County," Hillsborough County Film Commissioner Tyler Martinolich said. "The show provides an amazing platform to share the wonderful conservation work being done daily at ZooTampa. Film-induced tourism is real, and projects like 'Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa' show the importance of community support for film and digital media.”

Operated by the nonprofit Lowry Park Zoological Society, ZooTampa is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums as a national leader in rehabilitating and caring for endangered animals and is an eight-time winner of the Certificate of Excellence award by TripAdvisor (2010-2018).

Located at 1101 W. Sligh Ave., the zoo is open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours for select events.

See related stories:

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• Endangered Baby Southern White Rhino Welcomed At ZooTampa
• Cuteness Quotient: Rare Bornean Orangutan Born At ZooTampa
• Video: Gronk Visits Namesake Rare Baby Rhino At ZooTampa
• Rare Species One Step Closer To Survival With ZooTampa Birth
• 'Hey, I Need A Name;' Fundraiser Underway To Name Baby Orangutan