THE late great Paul O’Grady had a soft spot for animals, working tirelessly to raise awareness and money for those in need.
Here’s everything you need to know about Paul O’Grady’s Great Elephant Adventure.
3
What is Paul O’Grady’s Great Elephant Adventure about?
Before his tragic and untimely death from cardiac arrhythmia at his home, Paul O’Grady filmed his Great Elephant Adventures.
During the two-part series, the animal lover travelled across Southeast Asia to celebrate the incredible work done by elephant conservation centres.
This is heaven. I mean, I’m so privileged to get this close to an elephant, you don’t do this every day of your life
Paul O’Grady
Following the drama as the conservation centres rescue, rehabilitate and protect these majestic yet endangered beasts.
Paul offers a helping hand, while also exploring local life by visiting vibrant markets and temples, as well as sampling regional cuisine.
READ MORE ON PAUL O’GRADY
When was Paul O’Grady’s Great Elephant Adventure filmed?
Paul O’Grady’s Great Elephant Adventure was recorded in December 2022.
Voiceover work for the show was completed in the weeks leading up to his passing.
The two-part series is a timely reminder of Paul’s lifelong love of animals — he spent much of his later life filming For The Love Of Dogs at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
ITV pays tribute to Paul O’Grady as final series of For the Love of Dogs begins
It ends with a heartfelt tribute to Paul, reading: “In loving memory of Paul O’Grady MBE 1955-2023”
Where was Paul O’Grady’s Great Elephant Adventure filmed?
The show was filmed in Thailand and Laos.
In the opening episode he travels to ‘the elephant capital of Thailand’ in the hills surrounding Chiang Mai — 400 miles north of Bangkok.
He visited the country’s largest pachyderm rescue centre, the Elephant Nature Park.
While he me animals rescued from the logging and tourism industry, where he said: “Aren’t they wonderful?
3
“This is heaven. I mean, I’m so privileged to get this close to an elephant, you don’t do this every day of your life.”
Paul then headed to Sukhohai to visit the Boon Lotts Elephant Sanctuary, where he met expat Katherine who escaped the London rat-race to look after the endangered species.
He also pays a visit to the Friends of the Asian Elephant hospital.
In the second episode he headed south near the beaches of Hua Hin.
While there he visited the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand — the country’s biggest wildlife hospital.
Paul then crossed the border into neighbouring Laos, which is nicknamed the ‘land of a million elephants’.
3
Sadly there are now less than 800 elephants left in the country.
How to watch Paul O’Grady’s Great Elephant Adventure?
Fans will be able to tune into the show on Sunday 31 March, 2024.
It will be aired across two episodes, with the second instalment airing on Sunday April 7, 2024.
It will be shown on ITV1 and ITVX at 8pm.
Paul previously recorded a similar series called Paul O’Grady’s Animal Orphans in 2014.
