Big Week at the Zoo
Lucy-Jo Hudson enjoys a stint as a zookeeper
When it comes to working with wild animals Lucy-Jo Hudson knows a thing or two! She starred in ITV drama Wild at Heart, set at an animal sanctuary in South Africa, and during that time Lucy-Jo often worked closely with wild animals, making her a perfect candidate for Channel 5’s new week-long celebration of British zoos…
‘Wild at Heart finished six years ago, so it’s a long time since I’ve been this close to wild animals but I couldn’t wait to get involved,’ explains Lucy-Jo, who visits Yorkshire Wildlife Park and Flamingo Land.
Desperate for cuddles
‘It glorifies British zoos and how they look after their animals. It’s a real insight into what goes on behind the scenes, from importing and looking after bears kept in captivity in Japan to the crazy hours zookeepers work to care for their animals.’
Other star contributors include Countryfile’s Helen Skelton, JLS singer-turned-turkeyfarmer JB Gill and The Yorkshire Vet’s Peter Wright. Throughout the week, we see everything from lions and tigers to crocodiles and mossy frogs, and get an insight into how the various creatures are cared for, whether it’s keeping animals cool in a heatwave, cutting a zebra’s toenails or giving a giraffe a rub!
‘I help give older male giraffe Behansin a back massage. It’s blooming hard work – it takes a team of people, a vibrating machine and some ladders!’ laughs Lucy-Jo, 35, who stars in C4 soap Hollyoaks.
‘At Flamingo Land I spend some time with newborn babies. We see a baby zebra and little twin kangaroo joeys.
‘They’re the first twin joeys born in the
UK. I desperately wanted to cuddle one, but you can’t. Though a baby penguin pooed on me! You just have to go along with it. It’s amazing to get this up-close and personal with all the animals!’