UK wildlife park animals catch ‘Euphoria’ fever

The Paradise Wildlife Park in the UK has pledged their allegiance to Sweden in the Eurovision song contest by making their own film version of Loreen’s “Euphoria” – complete with dancing animals.

• Loreen takes Sweden to Eurovision final (25 May 12)
• Azerbaijan condemns Loreen's activist meeting (24 May 12)
• Loreen visits Azerbaijani women's shelter (19 May 12)

“It’s been an amazing response – we never would have guessed it,” said the director of the video, Matthew Blakemore, to The Local.

The video (featured below) features staff members dancing around the zoo with Swedish flags, a "singing" lion, and one bemused ring-tailed lemur, complete with other various animals showing their appreciation and their 12 point vote-cards.

Meanwhile, Loreen's "Euphoria" blares across the zoo's loudspeakers.

Blakemore points to a trip to Sweden during the preliminary music competition “Melodifestivalen” as the inspiration for the clip.

“When I saw how the country was swept up by the music fever, I realized how great Loreen’s song is and I felt I had to show my support. Stockholm would be such a brilliant place to host the event next year if Sweden can walk away with first place,” he told The Local.

Despite only being posted on Friday, the video has already been watched over 5,000 times on YouTube, largely thanks to Swedish megastar singer Sarah Dawn Finer, who linked to the video on her official Twitter account.

It has also made a splash in the local Hertfordshire media too, explains Blakemore.

When probed about why they video wasn’t made in support of the aging UK entrant Engelbert Humperdinck, Blakemore said that it was just a matter of taste.

“It’s a personal preference. Humperdinck will struggle going up first in the grand final, and I don’t want to take anything away from him, but Loreen is clearly the best entrant for this year.

"We all wish her the best of luck from England. 12 points from us!”

Oliver Gee
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