(Bristol, UK – November 5, 2018) – Leading independent UK TV production company, Icon Films, today announced the commission by Love Nature 4K, a joint venture between Blue Ant Media and Smithsonian Networks, of a brand-new factual documentary series, ‘Malawi Wildlife Rescue’. The series will air on Love Nature 4K’s linear and streaming video platforms internationally and via Smithsonian Channel in the US. Blue Ant International oversees the six-part series’ licensing, now available for pre-sale.
‘Malawi Wildlife Rescue’ (6 x 60’; 4K) will follow the work of head veterinarian, Dr. Amanda Salb, Head of Veterinary Services at Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, and her team as they rescue, treat and rehabilitate hundreds of animals each year. Amanda is the only veterinarian in Malawi who is skilled at treating and capturing large game.In Malawi, she deals with everything from crazy baboons to snared zebras and injured rhinos. She also works closely with the National Parks to support conservation work, such as translocating lions and elephants and tracking hyenas for research.
This series will give Love Nature 4K viewers a frontline and up close look at what it takes to run a wildlife rehabilitation centre, lead by a truly international team of wildlife experts from the US, France, the UK and local regions across Malawi. Camera crews, embedded at the heart of the action, will capture daily dramas as they unfold; whether that’s racing to a wildlife emergency in the field, following the chaos when one troop of orphaned monkeys is introduced to another or documenting the process of an animal confiscation.
Featuring a diverse array of African wildlife and set amidst the stunning Malawian landscapes, Malawi Wildlife Rescue will immerse viewers in the high-octane world of African wildlife rescue.
Icon Films’ Managing Director and Co-Founder, Laura Marshall said: “We are delighted to be working with Love Nature 4K, highlighting the work of this talented and dynamic young veterinarian and her incredible team”.
“Storytelling that creates clear human connections to the natural world is at the core of what we do at Love Nature 4K, showcasing the many ways that our lives intersect with wildlife and the environment,” said Carlyn Staudt, EVP, Programming & Development, Love Nature. “Dr. Amanda Salb’s passion and commitment to animals is real and complements our mission to share stories about experts immersed in nature in a meaningful and inspiring way.”
The series was commissioned by Carlyn Staudt, EVP, Programming & Development, Love Nature 4K. Jo Robinson serves as Series Producer. Executive Producer for Icon Films is Stephen McQuillan. Alison Barrat, VP, Development & Production and James Manfull, Executive Producer will oversee the series on behalf of Love Nature 4K.
Love Nature’s expanding platform distribution includes recent 4K channel launches in The UK and Ireland on Virgin TV, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, Indonesia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Qatar, Thailand and The Maldives; and HD channels also airing in Nigeria and Singapore. The brand’s streaming video service, available in 60+ countries worldwide, has also notably launched on Amazon Channels UK, Amazon Channels Germany and Austria and Vodafone TV in New Zealand in the last 12 months.
Icon Films is an award-winning production company with a reputation for originality, excellence and entertainment across a breadth of factual genres including natural history. From Animal Planet US’ highest-ever rating series, ‘River Monsters’, to the returning Charles Dance-narrated ‘Savage Kingdom’ and ‘Africa’s Giant Killers’, Icon Films delivers high-end factual content for broadcasters all around the world.
Love Nature 4K, a Blue Ant Media and Smithsonian Networks joint venture, creates and distributes the largest library of 4K wildlife and nature content in the world. Love Nature is available on linear television internationally and via streaming video in 60+ countries worldwide. LoveNature.com
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