Animal Park celebrates 25th anniversary with a special series

In this landmark year, Ben and Kate look back on a remarkable shared journey through 25 years of animal stories, keeper friendships and unforgettable moments.

Animal Park returns to BBC One and iPlayer this summer for a very special new series, marking 25 years of Ben Fogle and Kate Humble at the heart of one of the BBC’s longest-running daytime favourites.

From the joy of new arrivals to the sadness of final goodbyes, the anniversary offers a warm and emotional look at their partnership which has helped define the series for a generation of viewers.

This year we're also celebrating the 60th anniversary of opening the first Drive-Through Safari outside of Africa and life here never stands still!

The new series, produced by DSP South (part of Banijay UK), is full of fresh stories too as the Park enters an important new chapter. At its heart is a new collection of hippos settling into Half Mile Pond, one of the Park’s most iconic habitats. As keepers work hard to train and introduce the individuals, there are big questions ahead: can they adapt to their vast new home, how will their neighbours the Californian sea lions respond, and could this be the start of a future breeding group?

Elsewhere, a new species arrives as maned wolves join a mixed South American enclosure alongside capybara and tapir, bringing all the complexity of a carefully balanced habitat, where every introduction matters.

In tiger territory, one chapter ends while another begins, could the next generation of tigers be already on the way? Across the series, viewers will again spend time with some of the Park’s most familiar and much-loved characters, as the lives of the animals and the keepers who care for them continue to unfold, and the lengths they go to, to keep them happy and healthy.

The special anniversary also brings a chance to reflect on some of the stories that have stayed with audiences over the years. Among them is the life of lioness Malaika, whose story has been followed by Animal Park since her birth 21 years ago until her sad death last year – an unmatched record of an extraordinary animal.

As well as celebrating Ben and Kate’s 25 years together, the new series honours the generations of keepers who have shared their working lives with viewers, and whose care, skill and dedication remain at the heart of the programme. Megan McCubbin and Hamza Yassin will continue to bring viewers even closer to the animals and offer new insight into behaviours across the park’s many species.

Warm, fun and full of joy and emotion, this special anniversary series celebrates the past, captures the present and shows that Animal Park still has many more stories to tell.

Kate Humble, presenter of Animal Park, says: “So many people tell me that they grew up watching Animal Park, and I love the fact that so many of them have gone on to work in conservation or with animals because they were inspired by the show. That’s a great legacy and something we are all really proud of.”

Ben Fogle, presenter of Animal Park, says: “I can’t believe it’s been 25 years already! Animal Park has been an incredible window into the lives of some of the world’s most fascinating animals, and the devoted people who care for them at Longleat. It’s a programme full of heart, and I’m truly proud to be part of its story.”

Joff Wilson, Executive Producer of Animal Park, says: “For 25 years, Ben and Kate have been at the heart of Animal Park, sharing the stories of the animals and the people who care for them. We've been lucky enough to tell those stories to audiences, many of whom have grown up with the programme, and some have even gone on to become animal keepers themselves! We're delighted to celebrate this milestone and look forward to sharing many more stories in the years ahead."

Lindsay Bradbury, Commissioning Editor Daytime and Early Peak, says: “The huge success of Animal Park is due to the keepers, the animals, the production team and of course to its presenters. A heartfelt congratulations to Ben and Kate for working together so brilliantly for the past 25 years. Thank you for making the stories come alive so powerfully. And for making us laugh… and cry… through a quarter of a century of wonderful storytelling.”

Animal Park returns to BBC One and iPlayer this summer.