Weekly Entertainment Mum’s WILD BOY

For Chris Humfrey, his new television series is more than just a show about animals, it’s a tribute to his mother.

Growing up, Chris (43) says he had the “best” parents. Most children beg their mother and father for some kind of pet, but not many bring home snakes to keep in the back garden.

“We had a typical suburban backyard and I turned it into a zoo,” bubbles the enthusiastic zoologist and conservationist. “Mum and Dad were very, very understanding parents. I had lizard enclosures, snake enclosures, everything!”

Forty-plus years on, he now has a whopping 2000 animals living on his family property in Victoria, Australia. And although Chris Humfrey’s Animal Instinct is a huge success for him, throughout his chat with the Weekly, it’s his mother he keeps coming back to.

“It really is a legacy to Mum who is losing her eyesight and going blind,” explains Chris.

“She helped me out so much during my life and only has about six months till she loses her eyesight.”

His charming, effervescent personality and animal friends will instantly win over viewers from the very first episode, but for Chris, it was his mum’s opinion that truly mattered.

“We’re so glad we finished the show on time so she could see it,” says Chris, who reveals his mum was over the moon when she saw a preview of the first episode.

“This show is my gift to my mother and father. They were the best parents – they let me be crazy and passionate, and chase my love for animals. I love

Mum so much and this one’s for her.”