Dog Whisperer Cesar Millán might be a guru when it comes to training dogs, but he will not be working with any African cranes from the Playboy Mansion any time soon, according to the iconic property's co-owner, Daren Metropoulos. Despite rumors that Millán would be working with the rare animal, it appears the claims are wrong and he will have to stick to canines for now.
Millán is known as the star of National Geographic's reality show Dog Whisperer. The series, which ran from 2004 to 2012, followed the infamous dog trainer as he worked with canines on their various behavioral issues. He's known for being able to connect with even the most difficult of dogs. However, onsite at the Playboy Mansion private zoo (as Girls Next Door fans will remember), there are no dogs. Instead, there are only rare animals, like monkeys and pythons, and many exotic birds, including cockatoos, peacocks, pelicans, and doves. So it was surprising to Millán's fans when rumors started to swirl that he would be working with one of the property's African cranes.
While Millán's team confirmed to TMZ that the reality TV star would be training the exotic bird, a spokesperson for the Metropoulos' brothers, who bought the property for $100 million in 2016, has since responded, saying the claims are "inaccurate." The representative told the site:
"Because of the iconic status of the property, Daren receives many requests to visit the zoo. Cesar Millán contacted Daren a year ago and he granted him access. There are no plans now or in the future, for the African grey-crowned crane, or any other exotic animal to leave the zoo or to be cared for or trained by anyone other than the current team of professional caretakers. Any reference to the contrary is inaccurate."
The Playboy Mansion has the only private zoo in Los Angeles, per the rep's letter, and Metropoulos has "provided every resource necessary to create a protective environment where these very unique animals are flourishing." In so many words, Metropoulos and the caretakers at the mansion are saying they don't need Millán's help with any of their creatures, despite his team's claims. Millán's reps originally told TMZ that the Metropoulos' brothers wanted Millán to work with the bird on its aggressive behavior. The crane was allegedly charging at people who were attempting to tend to it. The famous dog trainer, who managed to make the bird submit to him during his short visit to the mansion last year, per his reps, was supposed to treat the bird at his Santa Clarita ranch.
However, it seems that's no longer the case. In the meantime, Millán has kept busy while on his international tour, where he works with dogs on stage in front of a live audience. He's also amassed a large YouTube following - around half a million people - since the cancellation of his series. Although he may not be working with an African crane at the Playboy Mansion, a potential Dog Whisperer spinoff, Bird Whisperer, definitely doesn't seem too far-fetched.
Source: TMZ