Whale Wars Season 1 a big hit for Animal Planet and Sea Shepherd

Sea Shepherd's TV series, Whale Wars, drew in Animal Planet's largest audience in the Network's history when it aired for 7 straight weeks in November and December 2008.  During Sea Shepherd's Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign: Operation Migaloo in 2007/08, Animal Planet had a camera crew on board our campaign that saved the lives of nearly 500 whales, leaving the Japanese fleet with less then half of their quota and costing them tens of millions of dollars.  Whale Wars a seven-part, hour-long weekly series followed the crew of the Sea Shepherd vessel, Steve Irwin documenting our non-violent direct action techniques that garnered world wide media attention in an effort to shut down the illegal Japanese whaling fleet and enforce international conservation law. The series brought attention to this issue that has sparked a global controversy over the practice of illegal whaling under the guise of research.

The TV show was viewed by an average of one million people a week and broke into the top ten rated shows on basic cable in its finale.  The series showcases a diverse group of people who are not always perfect, but are dedicated, compassionate and willing to risk their lives to save the lives of the gentle giants.

Whale Wars will be airing internationally in the coming months.  Stay tuned for season two of Whale Wars about our Operation Musashi campaign, due out in the summer of 2009.

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