An exciting new children’s programme, “Dr. Mark’s Animal Show ”, will be available to stream on Showmax from Friday 15 March 2024. The unique, 11-part series showcases African wildlife like never before. Each episode takes a deep dive into a different animal species from turtles to pangolins, unpacking their remarkable features, the roles they play in ecosystems and the challenges they face in the wild. Viewers can watch the trailer here.
Produced by the conservation organisation Wild Africa Fund, the show’s arrival on Showmax could not be more timely. 66% of Africa’s wildlife has disappeared in the last 50 years, highlighting the need to educate our children on the reality of African wildlife and the urgent system changes required – all in a way that engages and inspires hope for a different – and better – future. Dr Mark introduces his audience to some of the animals he has rescued from the illegal bushmeat trade for eventual reintroduction to the wild.
The show also features exclusive short messages from pop culture legends, such as Davido, Laycon, Focalistic, Nviiri The Storyteller and Shekhinah. Coupled with the interactive quizzes embedded in each episode, and the real-time questions from the live audience, this new show is sure to spark the minds of little ones across the continent and engage them with the realities of the world and wildlife around them.
Across several African countries, iconic wildlife species (including lions, gorillas, pangolins, leopards, chimpanzees, sea turtles, vultures, and numerous monkey species) are disappearing. This decline highlights the urgent need to raise awareness about these challenges and inspire action to address them, particularly with the younger generation. After all, they are set to be the future protectors of our wildlife.
Dr. Mark urges parents and guardians to watch alongside their children, facilitating discussions on the issues raised and learning about Africa’s biodiversity themselves.
“The arrival of Dr. Mark’s show onto Showmax ensures that more kids, regardless of where they live, will experience this exciting and educational series. This is taking the conservation conversation to new heights. These children will learn the importance of protecting wildlife, understand why we need animals to thrive in the wild and can share important conservation messages with their parents and society,” says Dr. Mark.
About Dr. Mark
Dr. Mark Ofua, a veterinarian in Lagos, Nigeria, discovered his passion for pangolin conservation after visiting the local bush meat markets. Now he works tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate and release pangolins back to the wild. Dr. Mark brings over sixteen years of experience in providing healthcare solutions for animals. As Chairman of Pangolin Nigeria Trust, he leads efforts to protect pangolins and their habitats. He also chairs the Saint Mark’s Animal Rescue Foundation, actively involved in rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife.
About Wild Africa Fund
Wild Africa Fund (WAF) aims to be Africa’s most effective conservation communicator, inspiring public support and political will to protect Africa’s wildlife and wild spaces forever. WAF believes people and wildlife can only survive and thrive together. Through WAF’s communications and direct support, the organisation also aims to deliver permanent reductions in wildlife crime, the demand for illegal bushmeat, human/wildlife conflict and habitat loss.
By amplifying the voices of African opinion leaders from every field through a powerful network of media partners and diverse programming, we seek to promote domestic wildlife tourism, local conservation projects and the passage and enforcement of effective conservation laws.
WAF’s network includes more than 20 national and international broadcasters, as well as radio, newspaper, billboard, public relations and social media companies, who work pro bono to add their voices and promote conservation and environmental issues. WAF partners with over 180 ambassadors from music, sports, film, TV, business, religion and government from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Rwanda, Ghana, and Namibia.
Image Courtesy: Supplied