Public Outcry Prompts Animal Planet to Remove “Man-Eating Super Wolves” Show

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 28, 2014

Contact: Melanie Gade; mgade@defenders.org; (202) 772-0288

WASHINGTON –Animal Planet removed a segment titled “Man- Eating Super Wolves” from its Monster Week line up this week after over 80,000 Defenders of Wildlife members and other activists contacted the station demanding the episode be immediately removed from the air.

The shameful and distorted anti-wolf episode was aired one time on Wednesday, May 21, and while Animal Planet claims the show was always intended to air only once, various TV schedules showed that “Man- Eating Super Wolves” had subsequent scheduled air times for Sunday, May 25; Tuesday, May 27; and Wednesday, May 28. These show times have now been miraculously removed from Animal Planet’s schedule.

Former Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark issued the following statement:

“There are real-world consequences to airing a fictitious portrayal of wolves based on sensationalism instead of on science. Demonizing wolves does serious harm to these imperiled animals and erodes public support for their continued recovery.

“We’re glad to see that Animal Planet dropped this episode from its schedule and are proud that our members spoke out so forcefully on this important topic”

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Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1.1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org and follow us on Twitter @DefendersNews.