Searching for Michael Jackson's Zoo: Where was Michael Jackson's zoo?

An ITV documentary is tonight (April 27) exploring what happened to the animals kept in Michael Jackson's zoo. Ross Kemp will journey across America to find the fate of Jackson's many creatures, which included giraffes, elephants, tigers and even a bear.

A proclaimed animal lover, Jackson famously sang about his dear pet rat Ben as a child. But Kemp discovers the destiny of some of the former pets is 'shrouded in mystery, scandal or tragedy,'.

In total, Jackson - who frequently travelled with his pet chimpanzee Bubbles - had more than 50 different species in his collection of around 130 animals. It including six giraffes, eight alligators, a bear, 20 exotic birds, three elephants, seven apes, four tigers, monkeys, snakes and lizards.

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He spent millions of dollars acquiring them.

Jackson's zoo was based at his Neverland ranch in Santa Barbara County, California. The huge 2,700 acre ranch was the singer's home and also featured a private amusement park.

In 2005, Jackson left the ranch for good after being charged, but later acquitted, of sexually abusing children. The alleged incidents were said to have taken place at the ranch.

He never returned to the ranch after the trial and it fell into disrepair. In 2008 he sold part of it, but a year later he died. It's not known what happened to the animals kept at the zoo, however Kemp is hoping to shed some light on what happened next.

Searching for Michael Jackson’s Zoo with Ross Kemp airs tonight on ITV at 9pm.