Airing on Network 10 and the WIN Network nationally at 3pm, Sunday 27 December, new TV event CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE ANIMAL KIND will give Australian viewers a never-before seen look into incredible animals of Mogo Wildlife Park, and their enduring bond with Zookeeper Chad, particularly as they approach the one-year anniversary of the Black Summer bushfires.

Set at Mogo Wildlife Park on the NSW South Coast, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE ANIMAL KIND is a TV event that now allows the story of the animals of Mogo to be fully told.

The show aims to showcase the wildlife wonders of the Mogo, as a chance for all Australians to re-wild and connect with incredible animals, as well as being an ultimate bucket-list experience on the NSW South Coast.

For over 23 years, Chad Staples has devoted his life and career to the care of animals and is responsible for a collection of over 2200 animals, including over 30 rare and endangered species at Mogo Wildlife Park and Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park. Zookeeper Chad believes that bringing people closer to animals fosters a deeper love and understanding of nature, and everyday Chad gives a real and authentic snapshot of daily life and the animals in his care with over 220,000 of his social media audience (@zookeeper_chad).

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE ANIMAL KIND shares the laughter, heart and most importantly the hope that fills the life of a Zookeeper, in a 30-minute TV special the whole family can enjoy together. As Zookeeper Chad always says, ‘we protect what we love’, and as we share the encounters in his every day, we too can see that there is still so much to love and cherish in these challenging times.