Irish, Aussie nets visit Blue Zoo

Broadcasters in Australia and Ireland have teamed up for a 13×30′ wildlife adventure documentary series for children titled Blue Zoo.

Produced by ABC3 and RTÉ, with production going through Air Pig Productions and David Atkins Enterprises, the show follows eight teenagers from Ireland and Australia who train as marine experts in Australian coastal town Coffs Harbour.

The team will train with dolphins, seals and turtles that have been rescued and rehabilitated, or born into human care. Blue Zoo will screen on ABC3 and RTÉ in 2014.

“ABC3 viewers will enjoy watching the journey these teenagers embark on while being amazed at the wildlife they encounter,” said Barbara Uecker, acting ABC TV controller of children’s television.

Sydney-based Air Pig Productions is a start-up prodco from former Screen Australia investment manager Sally Browning and marine TV expert Dean Cropp. It is sister company to Emerald Films.

Other shows on the Air Pig slate include theatrical documentary Circus Oz 3D: A User’s Guide To Gravity and The Cook & The Castaway, an adventure cooking doc series.