‘Oh my god, let it go!': The ABC show getting (almost) too close to dangerous animals
'We don't exist separate to nature,' says Jones, who lives with a strictly indoor Maine Coon cat named Bubbles and a freshwater prawn called Prawn Connery.
'All natural history documentaries are made on the back of research from people, like those featured in this program,' says Jones. 'I think it's important to not shy away from how we get information, which sometimes means that you're uncomfortable. But that's how we find out things that will protect the species.'
In the series, marine ecologist Nicolas Lubitz remarks that the work of biologists is, '95 per cent boredom, 5 per cent chaos'.
Jones agrees: 'The majority of the work that a scientist does will be based in an office or a lab, in front of a computer. And so what you see [in the series] is the high point of the year when they actually spend time with the animals. Fieldwork is addictive. I think it fuels the rest of their year.'
In the first episode, Jones joins Lubitz and his team on a perilous expedition tagging bull sharks off the coast of Townsville, during which she becomes visibly distressed as the thrashing fish is roped.
'I was scared, but I expected to worry more about myself,' says Jones. 'But the way in which they subdue a shark is by catching it and then turning it upside down, and then it goes into a sleepy state. And to see this animal so completely vulnerable – I'm just a complete softie. And this is probably why I'm a broadcaster and not a scientist. I'm just like, 'Oh my god, let it go! Let it go!''
In Moreton Bay near Brisbane, the seagrass-munching dugong stole her heart. 'They were surprisingly muscular. They have really dense whiskers, triple the thickness of a cat whisker. And their breath smells like grass.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Age
14 hours ago
- The Age
‘Oh my god, let it go!': The ABC show getting (almost) too close to dangerous animals
ABC nature journalist Dr Ann Jones, best known for her ornithological series, The Secret Lives of Urban Birds and Meet the Penguins, has revealed her wilder side. In the new six-part series, Dr Ann's Secret Lives, she swaps the gentle art of backyard bird-watching for the choppy seas off Queensland and Western Australia, and the jungles of Borneo, chasing bull sharks, sea snakes, orangutans, sea turtles, dugongs and pangolins. The scientists dedicated to monitoring their survival are as much a focus as the animals. 'We don't exist separate to nature,' says Jones, who lives with a strictly indoor Maine Coon cat named Bubbles and a freshwater prawn called Prawn Connery. 'All natural history documentaries are made on the back of research from people, like those featured in this program,' says Jones. 'I think it's important to not shy away from how we get information, which sometimes means that you're uncomfortable. But that's how we find out things that will protect the species.' In the series, marine ecologist Nicolas Lubitz remarks that the work of biologists is, '95 per cent boredom, 5 per cent chaos'. Jones agrees: 'The majority of the work that a scientist does will be based in an office or a lab, in front of a computer. And so what you see [in the series] is the high point of the year when they actually spend time with the animals. Fieldwork is addictive. I think it fuels the rest of their year.' In the first episode, Jones joins Lubitz and his team on a perilous expedition tagging bull sharks off the coast of Townsville, during which she becomes visibly distressed as the thrashing fish is roped. 'I was scared, but I expected to worry more about myself,' says Jones. 'But the way in which they subdue a shark is by catching it and then turning it upside down, and then it goes into a sleepy state. And to see this animal so completely vulnerable – I'm just a complete softie. And this is probably why I'm a broadcaster and not a scientist. I'm just like, 'Oh my god, let it go! Let it go!'' In Moreton Bay near Brisbane, the seagrass-munching dugong stole her heart. 'They were surprisingly muscular. They have really dense whiskers, triple the thickness of a cat whisker. And their breath smells like grass.'
Sydney Morning Herald
14 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Oh my god, let it go!': The ABC show getting (almost) too close to dangerous animals
ABC nature journalist Dr Ann Jones, best known for her ornithological series, The Secret Lives of Urban Birds and Meet the Penguins, has revealed her wilder side. In the new six-part series, Dr Ann's Secret Lives, she swaps the gentle art of backyard bird-watching for the choppy seas off Queensland and Western Australia, and the jungles of Borneo, chasing bull sharks, sea snakes, orangutans, sea turtles, dugongs and pangolins. The scientists dedicated to monitoring their survival are as much a focus as the animals. 'We don't exist separate to nature,' says Jones, who lives with a strictly indoor Maine Coon cat named Bubbles and a freshwater prawn called Prawn Connery. 'All natural history documentaries are made on the back of research from people, like those featured in this program,' says Jones. 'I think it's important to not shy away from how we get information, which sometimes means that you're uncomfortable. But that's how we find out things that will protect the species.' In the series, marine ecologist Nicolas Lubitz remarks that the work of biologists is, '95 per cent boredom, 5 per cent chaos'. Jones agrees: 'The majority of the work that a scientist does will be based in an office or a lab, in front of a computer. And so what you see [in the series] is the high point of the year when they actually spend time with the animals. Fieldwork is addictive. I think it fuels the rest of their year.' In the first episode, Jones joins Lubitz and his team on a perilous expedition tagging bull sharks off the coast of Townsville, during which she becomes visibly distressed as the thrashing fish is roped. 'I was scared, but I expected to worry more about myself,' says Jones. 'But the way in which they subdue a shark is by catching it and then turning it upside down, and then it goes into a sleepy state. And to see this animal so completely vulnerable – I'm just a complete softie. And this is probably why I'm a broadcaster and not a scientist. I'm just like, 'Oh my god, let it go! Let it go!'' In Moreton Bay near Brisbane, the seagrass-munching dugong stole her heart. 'They were surprisingly muscular. They have really dense whiskers, triple the thickness of a cat whisker. And their breath smells like grass.'
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Sky News AU
ABC announces true crime drama focused on Erin Patterson's mushroom case as nation awaits verdict in murder trial
The ABC has announced it will air a television series about Erin Patterson, who is currently facing murder charges. The project, named Toxic, is helmed by screenwriter Elise McCredie and producer Tony Ayres, whose previous works include Stateless, Clickbait, and The Clearing. According to Tony Ayres Productions, the team is collaborating closely with ABC journalist Rachael Brown to ensure accuracy and depth in portraying the events surrounding the case. The creators said the series will tell the story through multiple timelines and perspectives, avoiding judgement and focusing on complexity. Ayres, the Managing Director and Executive Producer at Tony Ayres Productions, said making the drama was about pushing beyond the headlines and working out what was happening beneath the surface. "True stories ask storytellers to probe the complexities of human behaviour. What really lies beneath the headlines? It's both a challenge and a responsibility to go beyond the surface - to reveal, not just sensationalise," he said. Head of ABC Scripted Rachel Okine said she is "excited to be partnering" with Tony Ayres Productions on the "powerful new project". "This investigation has already captivated audiences across Australia and we're eager to dive deeper into the complexities behind the headlines to bring this story to life with the team," she said. The drama comes amid international attention on the case and Ms Patterson, who is accused of murdering three relatives of her estranged husband by serving them a poisonous beef wellington lunch on July 29, 2023. The ABC says 'There's currently no indication of casting or when the series will begin filming.' Ms Patterson has been charged with the murders of her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson. The 50-year-old has also been charged with the attempted murder of Heather's husband and local church pastor Ian Wilkinson, who survived the meal after a lengthy stint in hospital. Prosecutors allege Ms Patterson's beef wellington lunch, which was held at her house in Leongatha, was intentionally laced with death cap mushrooms. It is alleged Ms Patterson concocted a cancer diagnosis to lure her guests over for lunch as she needed advice on how to break the medical news to her children. Ms Patterson has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. The jury retired on Monday, and at time of publication, a verdict had not been returned.
