Nat Geo Wild Shines Light on Prairie Dogs, Baby Animals in New Shows

Nat Geo Wild will debut several new animal-focused documentary series in 2019 while continuing to develop high-profile specials and programming stunts, it was announced during National Geographic's  "further front" presentation Wednesday.

“Nat Geo Wild has always been 100 percent dedicated to animals and the people who love them, and our relentless commitment to creating premium content that entertains, inspires and educates viewers of all ages continues to make us the leading destination for wildlife programming,” said Geoff Daniels, executive vice president and general manager of Nat Geo Wild in a statement. “This new programming slate highlights how Nat Geo Wild continues to find innovative ways to push the boundaries of storytelling, and we are confident that these new programs will strike a chord with our viewers.”

Nat Geo Wild's 'Baby Diary' is one of several new series premiering in 2019

Nat Geo Wild's 'Baby Diary' is one of several new series premiering in 2019

Among the new original series the network is developing for next year are Prairie Dog Home Companion, which will follow the exploits of a prairie dog colony near the New Mexico/Colorado border; Babies Diary, which will focus on five animal families – lions, jackals, cheetahs, hyenas and meerkats – as they raise their young in the wilderness; and Savage Kingdom III: After The Fall, a six-episode series that will serve as the third part in the network’s Savage Kingdom wildlife franchise.

The network will also continue its animal-themed stunt specials with it ninth annual Big Cat Week in November, its fifth Barkfest event in Spring 2019 and its seventh week-long Sharkfest event in summer 2019, according to network officials.

Among its new specials, the network will premiere this fall a two-hour Pupparazzi special focusing on pet photography; and The Flood, a two-hour event set to debut in November that will follow the lives of animals living in the Okavango Delta, which is famous for its drastic arrival and disappearance of water.

'Zeb Hogan’s Monster Fish: Philippines' premieres in November on Nat Geo Wild

'Zeb Hogan’s Monster Fish: Philippines' premieres in November on Nat Geo Wild

Also in November, the network will debut Zeb Hogan’s Monster Fish: Philippines, a one-hour special that follows fish biologist and National Geographic fellow Dr. Zeb Hogan as he searches for the huge whale shark, while this fall the network will premiere Tree Lions, a one-hour special that looks at rare lions who climb trees in Uganda.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.