TV reality show to help animals facing extinction

[IRiSHMaFIA]

TELEVISION chiefs have come up with a new idea for a reality show ? to save endangered animals. Eight creatures teetering on the brink of extinction will be the focus of the new ITV programme Extinct. The show ? hosted by Sir Trevor McDonald and Zoe Ball ? will see celebrities put the case for their own chosen species.

The animals to be featured are the polar bear, mountain gorilla, giant panda, leatherback turtle, Asian elephant, Bengal tiger, orang-utan and hyacinth macaw. Viewers will then vote for the cause they most prefer ? much the same way as in highly popular talent shows like Pop Idol ? and 50 per cent of the money raised will go to the WWF wildlife charity to help the winning animal, with the rest divided between the other seven.

Producers are keen to head off suggestions that the show is exploitative or will force viewers to decide between equally worthy causes. ITV director of television Simon Shaps said: "We?ve worked closely with the WWF to ensure that, as well as highlighting the problems facing rare species in an entertaining and informative way, we are also mindful of our responsibilities as programme makers."

Celebrities due to take part in the show include former Tory MP Michael Portillo, ex-footballer Graeme Le Saux, and actors Pauline Collins and David Suchet. The producers also hope to reach a new audience to publicise the shocking decline of the world?s animal populations over the past 30 years. Land-based species have decreased by 31 per cent, freshwater species by 28 per cent and marine species by 27 per cent between 1970 and 2003, according to the WWF.

It is thought Extinct will also be the first "carbon neutral" terrestrial TV programme. In a bid to offset the effects of carbon-dioxide emitted during production, ITV has committed funds towards carbon reduction schemes. The programme is due to be screened at Christmas.

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Anything that helps animals is a brilliant idea in my book, and especially endangered species.

As long as everything is closely monitored I can't think of a negative about this idea at all, and knowing all species mentioned are going be included is a plus

[Skylace]

I'm with you 100% on this Irish!