26 Years Back, a Hidden Nature Gem Enthralled Kids

The Origins of Zoboomafoo

When Zoboomafoo premiered on PBS on January 25, 1999, it captured the hearts of families across the United States. The show quickly became a favorite among children and adults alike, thanks to the energetic Kratt brothers and their unique approach to wildlife education. Each 30-minute episode featured a mix of puppetry and live animals, creating an engaging format that was both educational and entertaining. This blend of creativity and real-world interaction made the show stand out in the world of children's programming.

The Kratt brothers, Martin and Chris, have since become household names with their popular series Wild Kratts, which continues to entertain viewers in its seventh season. However, their journey began with a different kind of show—Zoboomafoo. This early venture laid the foundation for their future success and introduced them to a new audience.

From Documentaries to a Children’s Show

After graduating from college, Martin and Chris traveled the world together, creating low-budget documentaries about animals for children. These early efforts formed the basis of their first PBS show, Kratts’ Creatures. Aimed at preschoolers, the series showcased the amazing abilities of various animals in a way that resonated with young audiences.

The success of Kratts’ Creatures led to the creation of Zoboomafoo, a spin-off that took place in a fictional reserve called “Animal Junction.” The show centered around the Kratt brothers and their co-host, a lemur named Zoboomafoo. When Zoboo had a snack, he would burp and transform into a speaking puppet, interacting with the brothers and their animal guests. This innovative concept was ambitious and untested, but it proved to be a hit with viewers.

Challenges and Triumphs

Creating Zoboomafoo was not without its challenges. During the planning phase, some production managers left the project because they doubted its potential. The idea of having a puppet lemur that sometimes transformed into a real one was seen as risky by many in the industry. Despite these concerns, the Kratts pushed forward, bringing their vision to life.

The show featured a wide variety of animals, from the binturong and kinkajous to tarantulas, kookaburras, wolves, and tigers. Even an episode focused on humans highlighted the unique qualities that set them apart in the animal kingdom. The show's success was evident in its high ratings and strong family viewing numbers.

The Real Zoboo

While the Kratts were the face of the show, the true star was undoubtedly Zoboo. Two lemurs played key roles: a real one named Jovian and a hand-made puppet. Jovian, a Coquerel’s sifaka lemur, became a beloved figure on the show. He was known for his playful antics and charming personality, often leaping across the set and interacting with the Kratts.

Jovian's presence added a special touch to the show, making it more than just a wildlife program. His interactions with the brothers and other animals created a sense of wonder and excitement for young viewers. The show also featured Jovian's parents, Nigel and Flavia, in an episode celebrating Zoboo’s birthday.

Behind the Scenes

The production of Zoboomafoo involved a team of dedicated individuals who worked tirelessly to bring the show to life. Gord Robertson, the voice and puppeteer for Zoboo, faced numerous challenges while performing. He often worked on a concrete floor covered in mulch, which was quite different from the typical sets he was used to. The unpredictable nature of the wild animals also posed difficulties, with incidents involving baby skunks, elephants, and even a cougar.

One particularly harrowing incident involved a bear that escaped from the set. The situation could have been disastrous, but the bear was eventually found and the production continued without major disruptions.

Legacy and Future

Despite only running for 65 episodes over two seasons, Zoboomafoo left a lasting impact on the Kratt brothers and the world of children's television. It helped establish them as leading figures in wildlife education and paved the way for their future successes, including Wild Kratts.

A reboot of Zoboomafoo was announced in 2020, but no updates have been released since then. However, fans can still enjoy the original series through streaming services like Amazon Prime or physical media. Introducing this classic show to a new generation is a great way to spark an interest in nature and wildlife.

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Fur and Urine Farms: Unregulated Cruelty Behind Animal Skulls

The Aftermath of a Fur and Urine Farm Raid in Ohio

In Middletown, Ohio, three wolf dogs now find shelter at a local animal rescue center following the raid of a fur and urine farm in northeastern Ohio. This incident has sparked discussions about the lack of regulations governing such facilities, with a state legislator working on a bill to address the loopholes that allowed these deplorable conditions to persist.

Susan Vogt, president of the Red Riding Hood Rescue Project, provided a tour of her sanctuary to Ohio State Rep Rodney Creech. During this visit, she shared details about the animals she rescued in January from an Ashtabula fur and urine farm. The conditions were described as extremely harsh—over 400 skunks, wild boar, coyotes, foxes, and wolf dogs were kept in wire-bottom cages without protection from the cold.

“They had frozen ice for water,” Vogt explained. “They had no food. They were being fed skulls of animals that were killed prior to them.” Many of the animals were already dead, and 100 needed to be euthanized.

Vogt emphasized that there are currently no regulations anywhere in the country for animals on a fur or urine farm. Urine from foxes, coyotes, and wolves is used in animal repellents to protect vegetable gardens and commercial crops from rabbits and deer. However, alternatives like “Liquid Fence Deer and Rabbit Repellent,” available at Home Depot, use ingredients such as egg solids, garlic, sodium, and thyme instead of urine.

Despite the availability of alternatives, the urine and fur trade remains strong. The lack of regulation and oversight has led State Representative David Thomas to plan the introduction of a bill aimed at improving conditions for animals in these facilities.

“When we spoke in February, you mentioned you were looking to introduce legislation this session,” Local 12 asked in an interview with Thomas. “Why hasn't it been introduced yet?”

Thomas responded, “If you introduce something that is incorrect in this space, my understanding, and you kind of start off on the wrong foot, that can essentially poison the whole effort.”

Local 12 also posed the question, “It seems pretty simple. Animals should be treated humanely, whether you're at a zoo, a shelter, or a fur farm.” Thomas agreed, saying, “I agree it should be very simple. That's what I believed to be the case when I first kind of started on this journey for reform. However, it has gotten very gray very quickly.”

One challenge in addressing the issue is determining who has oversight of fur and urine farms. Depending on the type of animal, it could involve local, state, or federal authorities. For now, fur and urine farms across the country will remain unregulated, leaving organizations like the Red Riding Hood Rescue to handle the aftermath.

“They're doing fantastic,” Vogt said of the three wolf dogs she saved from Ashtabula. “They are learning how to use their muscles.”

Representative Thomas said he still plans to introduce legislation in the fall. Local 12 will check back with him then to see if the proposed bill moves forward.

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