ZooBeebies for animal fun

CBeebies Channel will produce ZooBeebies, educational interstitials in conjunction with the Taronga Conservation Society Australia at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo.

The 20 x 90 second stories centre on animals presented by a zoo keeper named Gabe. Shot on location at the zoos, it features animals from the zoos’ 31 different species, asking questions such as: how do you build a frog house? What is it like to have a pouch? How smart are pigs?

ZooBeebies first interstitials are currently on-air supporting Animal Funtime, a programming stunt which includes a new segment “Five at 5” showcasing the best animal content at 5pm each weeknight.

The BBC-owned channel will also work with the zoos to create an interactive play structure at Taronga Zoo and will implement similar themed branding at the children’s playground at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, to be in place by 2010.

Amanda McGregor from BBC Worldwide Channels’ Director of Marketing said, “Every year, NSW’s two great zoos are enjoyed by more than 100,000 children under the age of four. Partnering with Taronga offers CBeebies a unique opportunity to practically illustrate to parents and carers how we promote learning through play.”