Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Kicks Off Seventh Season on Animal Planet

One of the America’s longest-running and most beloved television series, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, kicks off its seventh season on Animal Planet April 5th in its traditional Sunday evening time slot.

Since its premiere in 1963, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom has taken viewers around the globe to witness nature’s greatest spectacles and most heart-warming stories. That tradition continues in 2009, when six new Wild Kingdom episodes will premiere on Animal Planet.

“With exciting new episodes airing each Sunday for six straight weeks, we travel around the world and use the latest technology to bring the Wild Kingdom into your living room,” said Mutual of Omaha Senior Vice President John Hildenbiddle. “We’re proud to continue to build upon the show’s heritage and tradition as we introduce new generations to the drama and beauty of the Wild Kingdom.”

The 2009 season kicks off with “Tigerhounds,” the story of an American dog trainer who travels to Bangladesh with a plan to train lowly street dogs to protect a village from rogue tigers that have terrorized the settlement. If successful, her plan will protect the village and save the lives of endangered tigers. “Tigerhounds” premieres at 6 p.m. Central (7 p.m. ET/PT) on Sunday, April 5.

The 2009 Wild Kingdom season also features:

• “Crocodile Blues” follows a renowned herpetologist as he works to save the gharial, the world’s oldest crocodilian, from an epidemic that threatens to push it to the brink of extinction. Premieres Sunday, April 12.
• “Red-Faced Uakari Monkey” takes viewers deep into the Amazon rainforest in search of the elusive and fascinating Red-Faced Uakari monkey. Premieres Sunday, April 19.
• “Cheetahs: Against All Odds” follows two cheetah females as they struggle to raise their cubs in the face of constant danger in the harsh Serengeti. Premieres Sunday, April 26.
• “Elephants: Breaking Boundaries” follows an ecologist as he works to remove man-made barriers from the ancient migration routes that are key to the survival of Botswana’s elephants. Premieres Sunday, May 3.
• “Wild Dog Island” brings viewers along as scientists work to save Africa’s endangered wild painted dogs by relocating a small pack to an island teeming with game – and with danger. Can these wild dogs learn to fend for themselves? Premieres Sunday, May 10.

The newly redesigned www.wildkingdom.com web site features more information on the 2009 Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom television season, fun games and activities, classic video clips and updates on other Wild Kingdom programs and activities. Wild Kingdom is also on Facebook with the “Wild Kingdom TV” fan site.

Mutual of Omaha is a full-service, multi-line organization providing insurance and financial products for individuals, businesses and groups throughout the United States. For more information about Mutual of Omaha, visit www.mutualofomaha.com.