Factual
Animal Planet celebrates World Environment Day on 5 June
Plans Dedicated Full-Day Programming
New Delhi, June 1st, 2006: Why are so many plants and animals changing their age-old habits? Why are the sandhill cranes migrating from their temperate zones later than normal and returning earlier than expected? Why have the golden toad of Monteverdi and other species disappeared from the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica? To answers these questions and show viewers how they can contribute towards the cause of environment conservation, Animal Planet will present twelve engaging programmes on June 5, the World Environment Day, highlighting global wildlife and environment issues.
The special 12-hour programming line-up will air on June 5 on Animal Planet from 12 noon to 12 midnight.
Animals like tiger, panda and dolphin are in danger of extinction across the world. Under threat of fire, habitat destruction, hunting and poaching, environment changes, many other species are becoming endangered. Highlighting the tiger poaching in India, the channel will air an India-specific programme- Tiger Zero. Wildlife conservationist Valmik Thapar, the narrator of programme will raise concern over the dwindling tiger population. The temperature in the Arctic region has been rising by as much as one and a half degrees centigrade per decade. The ice cover is reducing posing a threat to the polar bears, seals and penguins living in the region. Animal Planet through its programmes will raise concern over the vanishing population of these animals.
THE PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION
Return of the Pandas 12 noon
A part of cooperative agreement between the Chinese government, Animal Planet and National Zoo have bought two pandas to the United States to save this endangered species.
Elephant Rescue 1:00 pm
The programme follows the daily joys and troubles of two extraordinary women who have put Thailand on the map of world elephant conservation. Soraida Salwala and Sangduen Chailert used all their money to open the Elephant Nature Park, which now houses more than 35 rescued elephants.
Jane Goodall’s Return to Gombe 2:00 pm
This programme talks about Jane Goodall’s conservation work and follows her search for the vanquished frodo. Also see her groundbreaking research, thoughts, beliefs and emotions that she has invested in both wild chimpanzees and protecting primates worldwide.
Warnings from the Wild 3:00 pm
The programme highlights the terrifying truth about global warming and its impact on species. By observing changing animal behaviour, scientists try to understand the ongoing global climatic and ecological changing conditions specially those resulting from the human influence in our environment.
Saving Uganda’s Wildlife 4:00 pm
Gladys Kalema, chief vet of Uganda Wildlife Authority, is responsible for caring for all of Uganda’s wildlife. From the highly endangered mountain Gorillas in the tranquil Bwindi forest, to the placid Ugandan Kob grazing on the Savannah, Gladys has quite a challenge on her hands. Viewers follow Gladys as she goes about her job, doing anything from darting infected giraffes thundering across the tropical plains to removing snares that cripple chimps in Budongo Forest.
Wolf: Return to the Wild 5:00 pm
Wolf haven is a private wolf sanctuary that provides captive breeding and “wilding” conditioning for Mexican Gray wolves. Relocation of wild wolves from wilderness areas is not as difficult as attempting to introduce wolves raised in captivity back to the wild. Viewers will be introduced to this challenge of relocation of Mexican Gray wolves.
Gorilla Gorilla 6:00 pm
Gorilla numbers worldwide have been decimated by man’s greed and cruelty and environmental damage caused by incessant African wars, poaching and the rape of the landscape by big businesses. This programme tells the story of a major project to create new gorilla groups by rescuing local orphaned African gorillas, and then by relocating young gorillas reared in England in their natural African habitat.
Return of the Cheetah 7:00 pm
Wildlife expert Peter Gros heads to Namibia for an assignment at the Cheetah Conservation Fund – a uniquely ambitious project aimed at safeguarding the world’s fastest sprinter. In an action-packed visit, Peter teams up with Namibia’s ‘Cheetah Lady’, Dr. Laurie Marker, and finds out how science, diplomacy, and a dash of imagination can turn a situation of despair into one of hope.
The Temple of the Tigers 8:00 pm
In a small, isolated monastery in northern Thailand, a handful of simple, peace-loving Buddhist monks perform their daily duties – praying, collecting alms and feeding their 10 wild Bengal tigers. The Temple of the Tigers is the remarkable story of a group of 10 monks who have taken on the task of protecting the endangered animals by offering them a home within the walls of their temple.
Tiger Zero 9:00 pm
The programme reveals the root cause behind India’s tiger crisis.
Hunt for the Rarest Whale 10:00 pm
Nan Hauser has been tracking these prehistoric mammals for a decade, understanding, observing and setting up the world’s first sanctuary off the Cook Islands. Viewers follow the personal quest of Nan, as she journeys to some of the last unspoiled places on Earth. On a mission to unlock new clues to the behaviour of whales and dolphins, her groundbreaking work and dedication to saving the whales of Oceania has shown that one individual can make a difference in helping to stem the tide.
This World: Tiger Traffic 11:00 pm
From Siberia to the jungles of Cambodia, army veterans from Chechnya, Afghanistan and Vietnam are taking up arms to protect the tiger. American undercover agent-turned-conservationist Steve Galster recruits army veterans and trains anti-poaching patrols in military tactics. This programme follows Galster and his men as they mastermind a sting to catch a prominent Korean animal dealer, discover a dead tigress in a sadistic snare and secretly film traders selling tiger bones and teeth in a Myanmar market.
About Animal Planet
Animal Planet grabs you. The world’s leading animal entertainment brand, Animal Planet reaches 185 million subscribers in 160 countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East with programming customized in 24 languages. Offering intrigue, adventure, humour, relationships, life and death, Animal Planet is the only television network on the planet dedicated to people’s fascination with animals. First launched outside of the United States in Europe in 1997, Animal Planet is a joint venture between Discovery Communications and BBC Worldwide in all international regions except the United Kingdom and Italy.
For further information, please contact:
Praveen Gujjari
Hanmer&Partners
Tel: 011- 29214793/94, 98911-36123
E-mail: praveen@hanmerpr.com
MUMBAI: India’s most famous hot seat is about to welcome an unlikely first-timer. For the first time on Hindi general entertainment television, industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla will appear on Kaun Banega Crorepati, the iconic quiz show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
The special episode marks a rare meeting point of boardroom heft and prime-time television, bringing one of India’s most influential business leaders face to face with the country’s most enduring screen legend. It is a crossover that blends intellect, leadership and popular culture, all under KBC’s familiar spotlight.
Birla’s appearance dovetails neatly with the show’s current theme, Jahaan Akal Hai, Wahan Akad Hai, which celebrates the confidence that comes from clarity of thought and knowledge. His presence lends weight to the idea that sharp thinking and conviction are as vital in life as they are in the quiz chair.
In a thoughtful conversation with Bachchan, Birla shared an upbeat view of India’s economic journey, pointing to the nation’s rapid growth and the scale of opportunity opening up across industries and communities. He spoke of momentum, ambition and a future shaped by enterprise and ideas.
The episode is not all serious talk. In lighter moments, Birla confessed his long-standing admiration for Bachchan, calling him his favourite actor and admitting to a touch of nervousness at answering questions in front of the Shahenshah himself. The candour adds a human touch to a man more often seen in headlines than on television sets.
The special episode airs on Monday, 29 December at 9.00 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.
