Polar bear Rasputin leads new zoo documentary series

The opening episode of the documentary series Life at the Zoo follows polar bear Rasputin on a breeding trip to Denmark, ERR reported.

The series’ creators, Ants Tammik and Sander Loite, told ERR’s Terevisioon that filming in the zoo is carried out by a small crew so the animals can continue their activities with as little disturbance as possible. The team usually consists of two or three people.

Tammik said the idea for the series came from moments that occur during filming and can reveal a great deal about animals when noticed and understood. He recalled a female rhinoceros turning onto her back so he could scratch her belly.

“If you are able to sense or notice it, that is the moment when you want to investigate further and understand what kind of world this is,” Tammik said.

The first episode, which will air on September 12, focuses on polar bears. It begins with Rasputin travelling to Denmark to mate. Loite said the male bear has valuable genes because both of his parents came from the wild.

Rasputin is part of a polar bear breeding programme whose main aim is to preserve the species’ gene pool worldwide, Loite said.

Other episodes will focus on the birth of goat kids and mating. Tammik said the series also draws parallels with the human world and examines how people interact with animals.

Life at the Zoo airs on ETV on Saturdays at 8 p.m.