Cute animals and emotional stories were on display as the 6-part docu-series Staying Wild debuted March 20 on Citytv Saskatchewan. The series follows the daily drama of the Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (LSWR) in Saskatoon as staff members rehab an assortment of wild animals. LSWR is one of the busiest rescue centres in Western Canada treating over 2,000 wildlife species each season.
The series takes place in the urban setting of Saskatoon, something that is rare in a wildlife rescue show. Each episode follows Jan Shadick and her team as they encounter wildlife brought into the centre requiring various degrees of medical attention. Unexpected tales of animal rescue where emotions soar, and outcomes are thrilling. Staying Wild is about the human drama which correlates with the treatment of an overwhelming amount of injured wildlife.
The series was especially challenging to produce with the 2022 worldwide Avian Influenza Outbreak. “We had to follow strict safety protocols that ensured the safety of the wildlife as well as the crew,” stated producer Jackie Kripki. “It turned into a major storyline, I think people will be shocked when they see the lengths the LSWR staff had to go through to ensure there was no outbreak within the bird population.” Viewers of the program will see other animals such as foxes, great horned owls, several raptor species, a porcupine and, a juvenile badger, a first for LSWR.
Staying Wild is a collaboration between three Saskatchewan production companies – Little Ox Film Company, Overtime Studios, and 3 Story Pictures. It was commissioned by Citytv and produced with additional financial support from Canada Media Fund, SaskTel Max Equity Fund, and Creative Saskatchewan’s production grant. The production grant was increased from $2 million to $10 million in the 2022 Provincial Budget. The program will air weekly on Citytv Saskatchewan with the premiere on March 20 at 10:00pm, with repeat broadcasts on March 24 & 26 (10:00 pm and 3:30 pm). The series will also be available on citytv.com on demand in Saskatchewan.
Living Sky Rehabilitation Centre is a non-profit registered charity in Saskatoon. Its mission is to provide a safe place for injured and orphaned wild animals to grow and mend until they can return to their natural habitat while encouraging public tolerance and understanding of wildlife.
Little Ox Film Company is a Treaty 6 Saskatoon-based film and video production company committed to a culture of respect for cast and crew. With decades of experience in documentary and broadcast television, the Little Ox team loves to tell stories from across Saskatchewan and overseas, and lends writing, editing, and award-winning Cinematography to co-productions at home and much farther afield.
Overtime Studios is an award-winning Saskatchewan media company specializing in documentaries and docu-series in various genres including history, nature, wildlife, and the environment. Overtime’s team has a well-established record in broadcast television producing content for various networks including CTV, Global TV, and Citytv.
For more information visit the Staying Wild website https://stayingwildtv.com/
