Q: What is expected to attract viewers to tune in to Animal Planet's Spring Watch U.S.A.?
A: (Vanessa Garnick) Spring Watch U.S.A. connects Animal Planet viewers with nature, giving them a "bird's eye view" of spring families and spring events in the natural world.
A: (David Mizejewski) Watching wildlife is a bit like learning a new language. Viewers are more aware of the incredible events happening all around them that they may have not been able to decipher before. Perceived generic birdsong suddenly becomes the territorial call of a male bluebird; the strange nighttime peeping reveals itself as the mating song of tree frogs. Each new discovery is like learning a new word, and once viewers begin to understand the vocabulary of nature they begin to crave more. The power of
Spring Watch U.S.A. is in connecting people with the natural world around them, a phenomenon that is in decline among Americans — especially among children — at an alarming rate. This is the first generation in human history that has almost no connection to the natural world, and
Spring Watch U.S.A. can make a difference by giving viewers the language they need to understand nature. This type of learning is additive.
Q: Did nature intend to have reality TV?
A: (Jeff Corwin) I think nature is the ultimate when it comes to reality TV. Of course, this won't be the first time viewers witness a sea turtle or an otter on TV. What's really amazing about
Spring Watch U.S.A. is that you'll see spring unfold in almost real time. It gives viewers the ultimate "fly on the wall" experience to observe natural history.
Q: What kind of spring animals does Spring Watch U.S.A. feature?
A: (David Mizejewski) All the animals that are featured in
Spring Watch U.S.A. are North American species. And, just because they are animals that might be found in our very own backyards or in the American wilderness doesn't mean that they're any less fascinating or exciting. These animals have amazing springtime behaviors that make them very interesting. I think the viewers truly are going to be surprised by some of the things they see and may not have known about the animals that live right around us.
A: (Vanessa Garnick) Spring Watch U.S.A. is a unique experience in its own way because it proves that you don't have to go to Africa and travel to other exotic locations to witness wild animal behavior. Go to your backyard, and you can find spring unfolding right before your very eyes.
Q: What kind of technology is used to capture the marvelous moments of spring as it unfolds in near real time?
A: (Philippe Cousteau) Animal Planet uses state-of-the-art technology to bring spring to life, including nest cameras that will record 24/7, dens cameras to film bears and squirrels and trail cameras to catch bobcats, alligators and foxes in action. Approximately 10 cameras are used in Kiawah Island with Jeff and Vanessa, and on the west coast, Animal Planet is using an underwater pole camera and underwater audio as I go underwater to track gray whales, sea otters, sea turtles and more. Additionally, several cameras will shadow David on his east coast observances.
Q: What's particularly unique about the production of Spring Watch U.S.A.?
A: (Philippe Cousteau) One of the things that excites me about this series and I find unique is that you are watching nature happen in real time. For instance, while watching the series, you can look out your window and perhaps see a possum. Thanks to
Spring Watch U.S.A., viewers are able to understand what is happening in that animal's life at that very moment; that immediate connection makes
Spring Watch U.S.A. a unique show and different than anything I've seen before. It's an exciting, real-time experience.
Q: What themes are explored through the six-part series?
A: (David Mizejewski) While filming
Spring Watch U.S.A., we're trying to capture many themes including migration, courtship, parenthood, endangered species, leaving the nest and survival stories. We want to tell complete, compelling stories.
Q: What can viewers expect to see happen in Spring Watch U.S.A.?
A: (Vanessa Garnick) Viewers can expect to see a variety of action spanning from the east coast to the west coast.
Spring Watch U.S.A. aims to film the tracking of collared animals — such as bobcats, deer and fox — in their springtime movements as well as the trapping, tagging and release of black bears, terrapins, shrimp and jellyfish. In addition, viewers can experience stories about the Pacific gray whale migration and can learn about sea otters, lion seals and elephant seals. Viewers can spy on blue crabs during nighttime marsh wading and hundreds of salamanders as they make their nocturnal migration to a nearby vernal pond. These are just some examples of what viewers can expect to see, so be sure to tune in!
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