National Geographic Launches 'Nat Geo Wild'

Mar 29th 2010

Things are about to get even wilder at National Geographic. Tonight, the nature-loving institution is launching its TV channel, "National Geographic Wild" (aka Nat Geo Wild) for American audiences. The Nat Geo Wild network, which first launched in Hong Kong in 2006, is dedicated to giving viewers a window into some of the most remote and exotic locations on earth and the creatures who inhabit them.

"Against a global backdrop of increasingly urgent conservation challenges facing wildlife, Nat Geo Wild is giving the animal kingdom center stage as it features the work of some of the world's foremost explorers, filmmakers and scientists," the new network said in a statement.

Some of the original series you can look forward to seeing include:

Mystery Gorillas: Follow Mireya Mayor, a former Miami Dolphins cheerleader-turned-primatologist, as she ventures into the Congo to peek into the private lives of the elusive great apes.

Expedition Wild: Join Casey Anderson and his 800-pound grizzly bear pal on Alaskan adventures. (Be sure to read Paw Nation's interview with Casey Anderson Monday, April 5.)

Caught in the Act: Animals are captured on tape in rare and often spontaneous situations. Experts offer insights into the unique animal behavior.

Rebel Monkeys: Cameras follow a gang of monkeys living at a temple in Jaipur, India as they lounge poolside and accept handouts from humans who have come to worship the Hindu monkey god, Hanuman.

Other shows coming up include: "Shark Island" where Enric Sala and his crew explore waters crowded with sharks and other animals and "Hunt For the Giant Octopus" where researchers try and find a highly intelligent giant octopus that measures 33 feet across and weighs 400 pounds.

Nat Geo Wild hits American televisions today. Check online at Nat Geo Wild or with your cable provider for availability .