Animal Planet began developing Whale Wars in February as part of a relaunching and rebranding effort built around a new more adult-targeted programming schedule that will include animal-themed reality shows and additional Meerkat Manor-like anthropomorphic series.

 

By Christopher Rocchio

Animal Planet has announced it has ordered Whale Wars, a new reality series that will follow the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's effort to eradicate illegal whaling operations through the use of radical methods.

Whale Wars' seven-episode season will document the 2007-2008 Sea Shepherd Conservation Society campaign to rid the high seas of Japanese whaling by utilizing various aggressive techniques including ramming and disabling whaling ships, disrupting whale carcass processing, engaging in physical entanglement, and boarding and dispersing fleets of whale vessels.

"Whale Wars is an epic adventure that looks at the consequences of taking a stand on an issue," said Animal Planet president Marjorie Kaplan.  "It's so important that Whale Wars calls Animal Planet its home.  It's truly compelling television, and it's entertainment with a conservative message infused to its core."