ITV has confirmed that a new six-part nature documentary series, World's Wildest Cities, will air on the broadcaster next year. The network has described the show as 'groundbreaking' and 'highly entertaining'.
Each episode will focus on a different destination, exploring the extraordinary wildlife that inhabits cities including Rio de Janeiro, New York, Melbourne, Singapore and London. The programme will observe not only how these animals survive, but how they flourish in their urban environments.
Behind-the-scenes finale
The final episode will offer viewers a behind-the-scenes look at how the series was created, alongside the science underpinning these 'one-of-a-kind stories'.
A synopsis for the ITV show states that over half of the human population now lives in cities, joined by a range of unexpected wild animals. From giant lizards, possums and monkeys, their 'ingenuity, bravery and cunning' has seen them adapt to conquer city life and call the streets their home.
Remarkable urban adaptations
Examples highlighted in the series include mice in New York that have learned to break down inedible pizza cheese, foxes in London developing shorter snouts which allow them to rip open bin bags, and marmosets in Rio de Janeiro altering their calls to be heard over traffic noise.
ITV has stated that the animals are not just adapting to their new, fast-paced homes but are 'thriving'. The broadcaster has revealed that 'state-of-the-art cinematography' will document sequences ranging from creatures competing for food to their developing romantic encounters.
Award-winning production team
World's Wildest Cities will showcase the expertise of BAFTA and Emmy award-winning Mark Brownlow and Alex Rankin as Executive Producers, alongside award-winning Series Producer Doug Mackay-Hope.
Mark Brownlow, Executive Producer at Plimsoll Productions, said: "We are really proud of World's Wildest Cities, our latest timely Natural History series, because right now our cities are fast becoming the new wild frontiers."
"Through this groundbreaking and entertaining series, we introduce the audience to a whole new cast of surprising animal characters that live right under our noses. And if we make our cities more welcoming to nature, it benefits us all."
More details on World's Wildest Cities are set to be announced in due course.
