Tasmania's Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary to Star in Paramount+ Series

Tasmania's Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is about to get a whole lot more famous, with a new series set to premiere on Paramount+ later this year. The eight-part series, titled The Animal Sanctuary, will follow the daily lives of the sanctuary's team, including director Greg Irons and his partner Mel, as they work to rescue and rehabilitate Australian wildlife.

The sanctuary, which is a popular tourist destination near Hobart, coordinates over 20,000 animal rescues every year. Greg Irons has been passionate about the sanctuary since he was a kid, and he's been running it since 2009. He's always dreamed of sharing the sanctuary's story with the world, and now he's got the chance.

'Every year for our birthday, we're allowed to choose somewhere to go … Bonorong was just always my choice every year,' he said.

The series is being produced with the support of the Tasmanian government, and it's being made by an international team, including several Australian production companies and two acclaimed US studios. The sanctuary's hospital was built with support from a US 'de-extinction' company, Colossal Biosciences. They're providing valuable resources to help the sanctuary achieve its goals.

One of the producers, Fraser Johnston, went to school with Greg Irons, and he's been trying to get a series made about the sanctuary for years. 'Greg was already talking to an American production; when we mentioned to Greg that we were interested in doing a show here, he immediately put us in touch with them,' he said. This connection helped move the project forward.

Greg Irons is hoping that the series will help to educate viewers about the importance of protecting Australian wildlife. 'I describe Tassie as the Noah's Ark of Australian wildlife,' he said. 'We're sort of like this last stand for all these species that used to be on mainland Australia, and they're now only here.' He doesn't think it's an exaggeration to say that the sanctuary plays a crucial role in conservation efforts.

The series will also feature some of the challenges that the sanctuary faces, including the impact of human actions on animal populations. 'It's our actions that hurt the animals; it's changing our actions that will help them,' Greg Irons said. He believes that by raising awareness, people can make a difference.

University of Tasmania students have been given the opportunity to work on the series, with 12-day placements available for media students. Nineteen-year-old Amber Coad is one of the students who jumped at the chance to work on the production. 'The head of the media department came into my class and told us about the opportunity, and I raised my hand straight away, especially when he told us what it was about and where it was,' she said. She didn't hesitate because she knew it was a great chance to learn.

The students have been shadowing key crew members and contributing to the series with behind-the-scenes photography. Amber Coad said the opportunity is 'incredibly valuable and hard to come by'. 'Being a first-year media student myself, I don't know a lot yet. Everything is new, and everything is a learning experience. So this has been really incredible, and everyone's been so lovely and willing to educate,' she said. She's grateful for the experience and the chance to work with experienced professionals.

The production has also offered opportunities for established crew members, including series post-producer Claire Clements. She said the production is the first local gig she has worked on since moving to Tasmania five years ago. 'I actually haven't managed to work in Tasmania until this point,' she said. 'I would fly to the location, do the shoot, and then come back and do post [production] remotely.' She's happy to be working on a project in her home state.

Claire Clements and the post-production team will edit eight one-hour-long episodes from Tasmania. The series is currently in post-production and will be released later in 2026. They're working hard to ensure the series meets the expected standards.

The release of the series is expected to bring more attention to the sanctuary and its important work. With its global reach, the series has the potential to educate viewers around the world about the importance of protecting Australian wildlife. It's likely that the series will inspire people to take action.

Greg Irons is hopeful that the series will make a difference. 'If we look at the rate of mammal extinction in Australia, it's over 20 mammals in the last 200 years we've lost, which is sadly the most of anywhere in the world,' he said. 'I reckon this series can help to change that.' He believes that by sharing the sanctuary's story, they can raise awareness and promote conservation efforts.

The series is set to premiere on Paramount+ later this year, and it's definitely one to watch. With its unique blend of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, it's a must-see for anyone who cares about animals and the environment. The series will provide viewers with a deeper understanding of the importance of conservation.

As the series is released, it will be interesting to see how it is received by audiences. The show's impact won't be known immediately, but it's likely that it will spark important conversations about Australian wildlife and conservation. The Animal Sanctuary is a series that will leave a lasting impact on its viewers, and it's likely to inspire people to take action to protect the environment.