FOR THE FIRST TIME, ANIMAL PLANET GOES BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO AND SAFARI PARK IN AN ALL-NEW SERIES

THE ZOO: SAN DIEGO Brings Animals and People Together at the Historic San Diego Zoo This Summer

From the producers of Animal Planet's The Zoo and the upcoming The Aquarium comes THE ZOO: SAN DIEGO - an all-new series that provides Animal Planet's global audiences with a revealing, behind-the-scenes look at San Diego Zoo Global, whose mission is to save species worldwide while inspiring passion for animals and nature. Featuring two parks, the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, as well as the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global is home to more than 700 species and 6,500 animals. Their stories will be featured in every episode of THE ZOO: SAN DIEGO, which has a special 2-hour season premiere on Saturday, August 10th at 8PM ET/PT, then the following week will return to its regular time of 9PM ET/PT.

THE ZOO: SAN DIEGO will introduce a wide range of animals to Animal Planet audiences this season, including pandas, giraffes, Gal�pagos tortoises, koalas, elephants, mountain lions, two baby cheetahs that are learning how to be ambassadors for their species and a flock of ostriches known as the "Spice Girls." Viewers will watch as California condors are brought back from the brink of extinction, and get an up-close look as Joanne the gorilla celebrates her fifth birthday along with her troop. Animal Planet audiences will also follow the animal care teams - keepers and veterinarians at both the Zoo and the Safari Park - many of whom have dedicated their lives to caring for animals, and the numerous projects and initiatives that place this nonprofit organization at the forefront of wildlife conservation.

"The San Diego Zoo is a cherished landmark, recognized for its contribution to conservation, and a place where generations of families have learned about and celebrated wildlife," said Erin Wanner, senior vice president of production for Animal Planet. "We are thrilled to partner with this iconic institution to help shine a light on their work with some of the planet's most amazing creatures."

"The vision of San Diego Zoo Global is to lead the fight against extinction," said Rick Schwartz, San Diego Zoo Global ambassador. "We know that this compelling program will not only delight and engage viewers, but will also provide a global platform for us to share incredible stories of the conservation efforts that our organization has undertaken to ensure the survival of endangered species."

With a combined 5.5 million visitors each year, San Diego Zoo Global provides spaces where visitors from around the world can form a personal connection with animals, including rare and endangered species that most people never encounter during their lifetime. The organization is also working on field conservation projects with almost 400 partners in 45 countries, to save more than 100 species. This includes efforts to bring the critically endangered northern white rhino - only two of which are left on the planet - back from the brink of extinction.

THE ZOO: SAN DIEGO, is produced for Animal Planet by Left/Right, a Red Arrow Studios company, and Copper Pot Pictures. Banks Tarver, Ken Druckerman, Anneka Jones and Michael LaHaie are the executive producers; Jessie Findlay is co-executive producer for Left/Right. David LaMattina and Chad Walker are the executive producers for Copper Pot Pictures. Lisa Lucas is the executive producer; Patrick Keegan is supervising producer for Animal Planet.