SPECIAL FEATURES:
Email
'Rhino Wars' coming to Animal Planet
New mini-series will focus on the rhino poaching industry – and the four U.S. special forces veterans fighting to stop it.
Fri, Jan 11 2013 at 4:08 PM
Flickr/Creative Commons
If you think Animal Planet's "Whale Wars," is intense, just wait until you get a chance to view the dangerous and horrifying world of "Rhino Wars."
The network recently announced a premiere date for the new three-part series, which pulls the curtain back on the world of animal poaching - and the four former U.S. special forces veterans working to put a stop to it.
“BATTLEGROUND: RHINO WARS is the next evolution in Animal Planet’s muscular conservation strand,” says Marjorie Kaplan, president and general manager of Animal Planet. “The men and women protecting rhinos on the ground in South Africa are outgunned and outmanned. This is not an issue of rhinos being dangerous or competing for food or other resources. This is purely greed and profit. There is absolutely no justification for these creatures to be dying, and the people risking their lives to protect them are heroes.”
Rhino horns are sadly highly-valued items - particularly in the Chinese black market, where they serve as a main ingredient in traditional medicines used to treat ever, rheumatism, gout, and other disorders. According to a report in the UK Telegraph, from 2008 until mid 2011, 776 rhinos were killed in South Africa, where poachers are using GPS, helicopters and semi-automatic weapons.
"Our experiences have made us angry and heartbroken," former Navy Seal and "Rhino" team leader Craig Saw said in a statement. "But most of all, they've left us motivated. Protecting the rhino has gone from a mission to a calling. The most dangerous soldier in any war is one who fights with his heart."
The mini-series looks to be based on the same special forces that inspired “Dark Knight Rises” star Tom Hardy to come up with the idea of an anti-poaching movie. Back in August, it was announced that Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire were on board to help produce.
“Sources told The Hollywood Reporter, the movie will be modeled after Oscar-nominee “Traffic,” as they hope to tell the story through multiple stories. It will follow all sorts of poaching elements such as, the ground war on poachers in Africa and using animals for fashion.”
“Rhino Wars” premieres on Animal Planet on March 7 at 9PM ET.
The opinions expressed by MNN Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of MNN.com. While we have reviewed their content to make sure it complies with our Terms and Conditions, MNN is not responsible for the accuracy of any of their information.
You might also like:
Sign in with one of these accounts to add your comment.
EDITORS' PICKS
Advertisement
TODAY'S MOST POPULAR ON
- 15 famous people who mysteriously disappeared
- 13 natural remedies for the ant invasion
- Stone Age people may have battled against a zombie apocalypse
- A day in the life of the human hand
- 10 false facts most people think are true
- Jon Stewart explains the ‘Monsanto Protection Act’
- 9 habits that may do more harm than good
- How to bike to work (or anywhere else)
- Why banning candy is a road to nowhere
- 15 houseplants for improving indoor air quality - A breath of fresh air
From our sponsor
NEWSLETTER
ABOUT Michael d'Estries
Pop-culture expert covers green celebrities, arts & culture.
Advertisement
They did in fact save the baby Rhino. He is in an animal care orphanage right now.
I agree with you Kim, I am worried sick over what happened to the orphaned baby. I was hoping they would show it being rescued during the show last night.
Let's only hope they saved the baby...
I just hope that you saved the baby rhino on the preview. I know you just did not leave him there. I know they have a rescue site some where. Thanks worried for the baby rhino.