Starting on
Animal Planet This September, 2010:
Whale Wars 3
Premiere date: Friday, 3 September at 20h05
A new season. On the frozen wastes of the Antarctic Ocean at the bottom of the world a courageous crew of activists and eco-pirates scour the horizon for their prey: the vast killing ships of the Japanese whaling fleet.
Led by maverick Captain Paul Watson the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is a radical environmental group that are attempting to eradicate the sickening blight of whaling from the seas completely. And they’ll use any means necessary to achieve their goals, including: ramming and disabling whaling ships and boarding and dispersing fleets of whaling vessels.
Into The Lion's DenPremiere date: Monday, 6 September at 20h05
Zoologist Dave Salmoni believes humans and lions can learn to live with each other - freely, safely, in the same territory. Now he's going to risk his life to prove it.
Into the Lion's Den follows Dave over the three months he spends walking, unarmed, ever deeper into the no-go zone of a wild pride of lions. Conventional wisdom says Dave's mission is crazy: since the dawn of human evolution, we and the great cats have coexisted only in a state of instinctive conflict.
Dave is also a big cat trainer - and brings an extraordinary set of skills to opening communication with the pride that's to become his "other family".
Into The PridePremiere date: Monday, 20 September 2010 at 20h05
A follow-up to Into The Lion's Den, this five-episode series follows Dave Salmoni as he heads deep into the African bush on a double mission: to return to his wild roots and to save a rogue pride of lions from elimination.
Big cats, and especially lions, have long been his passion, but recently, Dave has been spending most of his time in the urban jungle as a television producer and host. Now, in Into The Pride, all his toughness, training and focus are put to the test. Can Dave survive six months in the Namibian bush on a life or death quest?
It is more than a personal journey. Dave must help a pride of “problem lions” learn to accept humans and support the growing eco-tourism in the area. Transplanted from the largest national park in Namibia to the Erindi Private Game Reserve, this pride is known for cattle raiding and aggression toward people.
These are last-chance lions; if they don’t calm down, they will have to be destroyed. Dave's challenge is clear - the only way to get into these lions' heads is by getting on foot and heading straight into the pride. Dave sets out to forge a relationship with each lion, from Brutus, the dominant male, to Rough and Tumble, the youngest cubs. Dave needs to become the first human they can trust.
Venom Hunter With Donald SchultzPremiere date: Tuesday, 21 September 2010 at 20h05
A new series featuring South African herpetologist Donald Schultz, who travels round the world in search of biological specimens and new scientific discoveries.
Donald will stop at nothing to help communities in need. Working side-by-side with top veterinarians and animal researchers, he hopes to unlock the mysteries of animal DNA or even help find a cure for a life-threatening disease.
It is a race against the clock for him - before his precious cargo can be delivered on time Donald has to make it out alive.
Animal Planet is on DStv, channel 264.