''Our Zoo'' was commissioned by [[Danny Cohen (television executive)|Danny Cohen]] and [[Ben Stephenson]] for BBC One.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/2013/05/bbc-one-commissions-manchester-bombing-and-chester-zoo-dramas/ | title=BBC One commissions Manchester bombing and Chester Zoo dramas | work=Prolific North | date=9 May 2013 | accessdate=4 April 2014 | author=Chapman, Stephen}}</ref> The series was based on an idea introduced to [[Big Talk Productions]] by Aenon, the production company headed by Adam Kemp.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/our-zoo.html | title=Cast announced for new BBC One drama Our Zoo (w/t) | work=BBC | date=24 March 2014 | accessdate=4 April 2014}}</ref> Filming took place in [[Liverpool]], as well as at [[Walton Hall, Cheshire|Walton Hall]] in [[Warrington]] and at [[Abney Hall]] in [[Cheadle, Greater Manchester|Cheadle]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/pictures-meet-june-mottershead-whose-6896683 | title=In pictures: Meet the woman whose childhood at Chester Zoo inspired a new BBC drama | work=Liverpool Echo | date=31 March 2014 | accessdate=4 April 2014 | author=Davis, Laura}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thisischeshire.co.uk/news/11111273.BBC_drama_about_early_days_of_Chester_Zoo_to_be_filmed_at_Walton_Hall | title=BBC drama about early days of Chester Zoo to be filmed at Walton Hall | work=This is Cheshire | date=28 March 2014 | accessdate=4 April 2014 | author=Morgan, David}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/grounds-abney-hall-cheadle-damaged-7019278 | title=TV crew causes damage to grounds of historic Abney Hall | work=Manchester Evening News | date=23 April 2014 | accessdate=25 August 2014 | author=Davis, Matthew}}</ref> When BBC said there would be no second series of ''Our Zoo'',<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/bbc-confirms-no-second-series-8260107 | title=BBC confirms no second series of Our Zoo (w/t) | work=BBC | date=9 December 2014 | accessdate=30 April 2015}}</ref> many fans were left surprised by the decision. On 10 December 2014 the ''[[Chester Chronicle]]'' created an online petition in the hopes of renewing the show for another series, and by the next day more than 1000 fans had signed it.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/hundreds-sign-chester-chronicle-online-8267100|title="Hundreds sign Chester Chronicle online petition to appeal for return of Our Zoo"|last=De Lucia|first=Carmella|date=10 December 2014|work=|access-date=27 November 2016|via=}}</ref> In spite of these efforts, however, the BBC reiterated that they would not be producing a second series.