Tasmania's Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary to Star in New Paramount+ Docuseries

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Tasmania is set to gain international attention as the subject of a new docuseries on Paramount+. Titled 'The Animal Sanctuary,' the show will offer viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the daily operations of the popular tourist destination.

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Every year for our birthday, we're allowed to choose somewhere to go … Bonorong was just always my choice every year. On my seventh birthday, I sat on (a balcony at Bonorong) and told my mum I'd own the place one day.

The series will focus on Bonorong's director, Greg Irons, his partner Mel, and the dedicated staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to rescue and rehabilitate Australian wildlife. Irons, who dreamed of owning the sanctuary since childhood, saw his ambition realized in 2009. He mentioned that while the series aims to showcase their work, it will not shy away from the realities and challenges involved.

Bonorong coordinates over 20,000 animal rescues annually. The sanctuary's hospital was built with support from Colossal Biosciences, a US company involved in 'de-extinction' research. Irons decided the time was right for a series after building the hospital and expanding his team, having been approached by production companies multiple times before.

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We have been approached a number of times to do (a) series and we didn't feel we were ready in many regards.

The production is supported by the Tasmanian government and involves an international team, including Australian companies and two acclaimed US studios. Fraser Johnston, the director of photography and a producer on the series, is a former schoolmate of Irons, fulfilling a long-held idea they had discussed. Irons views the series as a significant opportunity to showcase Tasmania, which he describes as the "Noah's Ark of Australian wildlife," to a global audience.

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I describe Tassie as the Noah's Ark of Australian wildlife. We're sort of like