Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild - Raising Hellbenders (S1E5)
Peter and Rae join forces with conservationists in St. Louis trying to help save a local indicator species in dire need: the Ozark hellbender. Rae meets the scientists who are breeding these solitary salamanders with the hopes of saving the species.
Image temporarily served from TMDB until local copy is saved.
| Runtime (min) | — |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 2023-11-25 |
| Genres | Documentary, Family |
Where To Watch
Streaming information unavailable.
Storyline
In this engaging episode of 'Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild,' Peter and Rae team up with dedicated conservationists in St. Louis to save the endangered Ozark hellbender, a large salamander that serves as a vital indicator species for local ecosystems. The episode highlights the efforts of scientists who are breeding these solitary creatures to prevent their extinction while educating viewers about the importance of conservation.
As Rae interacts with the scientists, she learns about the unique characteristics of hellbenders and the challenges they face due to habitat loss and pollution. The episode emphasizes the collaborative efforts required to protect this species, showcasing the passion and dedication of those working tirelessly to ensure a future for these remarkable amphibians.
What Children Can Learn
Kids watching this episode will discover the critical role that indicator species like the Ozark hellbender play in maintaining healthy ecosystems. They will learn how these salamanders can reflect the overall health of their environment, making them essential to conservation efforts. The episode introduces young viewers to scientific concepts such as breeding programs and habitat restoration.
Additionally, children will gain insight into the teamwork involved in wildlife conservation. Through Rae's interactions with scientists, they will see how collaboration and innovation are crucial in protecting endangered species. This episode encourages curiosity about wildlife and the importance of preserving biodiversity.
Five Most Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the Ozark hellbender and why is it important? | The Ozark hellbender is a large aquatic salamander native to the Ozark region. It serves as an indicator species, meaning its health reflects the overall quality of its environment. Protecting this species is crucial for maintaining the ecological balance within its habitat. |
| How are scientists helping to save the hellbender? | In the episode, scientists are breeding Ozark hellbenders in captivity to increase their population and prevent extinction. They focus on creating a suitable environment for breeding and raising the young salamanders to ensure their survival when reintroduced to the wild. |
| What challenges do hellbenders face in the wild? | Hellbenders face significant threats such as habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. These challenges can lead to declining populations, making it essential for conservationists to address these issues through education and habitat restoration efforts. |
| What themes of teamwork are presented in the episode? | The episode showcases the importance of teamwork among scientists, conservationists, and volunteers working together to save the hellbender. It emphasizes that collaborative efforts and shared knowledge are vital for the success of wildlife conservation initiatives. |
| How can kids get involved in wildlife conservation? | Kids can get involved in wildlife conservation by participating in local environmental groups, volunteering for cleanup efforts, or learning more about local wildlife and conservation issues. The episode inspires young viewers to take action and make a difference in their communities. |
Cast
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Peter and Rae travel to the Mojave Desert, North America’s driest region, to help conservationists save the Mojave desert tortoise. They explore a groundbreaking program that helps baby tortoises and ensures the survival of the entire species. |
| 1 | 2 | Peter and Rae travel to the coast of Maine to witness the conservation program fighting to save puffins. While Peter travels to puffin habitats on remote coastal islands, Rae visits the original conservationist who brought this species back to Maine. |
| 1 | 3 | Peter ventures to Florida with naturalist David Mizejewski, where they meet the experts battling to protect endangered sea turtles and at-risk manatees, collect valuable data from sea turtle nests, help track down two vulnerable manatees, and more. |
| 1 | 4 | Peter and Rae witness the nightly emergence of 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats and help release rehabilitated bats on Austin’s Congress Bridge. Peter joins bat rescue experts; Rae helps vaccinate bats against a disease wreaking havoc on the species. |
| 1 | 5 | Peter and Rae join forces with conservationists in St. Louis trying to help save a local indicator species in dire need: the Ozark hellbender. Rae meets the scientists who are breeding these solitary salamanders with the hopes of saving the species. |
| 1 | 6 | Peter and Rae sail to California’s Channel Islands to unravel the secrets of one of the smallest foxes on Earth and learn about the modern-day challenges to fox survival and the critical role that the bald eagle plays in their evolution. |
| 1 | 7 | Peter and Dr. Rae visit Washington state, where conservationists work with beavers to restore spawning grounds for endangered salmon. They learn how native tribes relocate beavers from dangerous situations and help build artificial beaver dams. |
| 1 | 8 | Peter and Dr. Rae discover that North American birds and bats are flying in the face of danger. They meet conservationists fighting to save the North Atlantic puffin, spot a bald eagle nest in California and witness millions of wild bats in Texas. |
| 1 | 9 | Peter and Dr. Rae join conservationists in a desperate race to save kelp forests. Home to countless species, kelp forests form the biological backbone of the ocean food chain, but climate change has unbalanced this ecosystem. |
| 1 | 10 | Peter and Dr. Rae explore triumphant stories of wildlife conservation with some of Earth’s newest, tiniest baby animals, including Florida sea turtle hatchlings, an adorable puffin off Maine’s coast, desert tortoises in the Mojave Desert and more. |
| 1 | 11 | Peter and Dr. Rae visit a remarkable animal rehabilitation center in the Pacific Northwest and meet with the veterinarians, animal rescuers and residents dedicated to saving amazing creatures, including orphaned bear cubs and an injured bald eagle. |
| 1 | 12 | Dr. Rae and Peter demystify a misunderstood canine, the wolf. Peter spots an endangered red wolf in the wild and helps with a health checkup for a new litter. Dr. Rae learns about gray wolves during a visit to Minnesota’s Wildlife Science Center. |
| 1 | 13 | Peter and Dr. Rae adventure through Florida to discover the results of a new wildlife corridor protecting animal migration and endangered species recovery, learning how vital it is to species like the Florida panther, black bear, alligator and more. |
| 1 | 14 | Peter and Dr. Rae explore the many challenges facing the endangered sea otters off California’s coast. Peter cruises Monterey Bay to survey white sharks invading otter territory and Dr. Rae helps feed sea otter super moms at the Aquarium of the Pacific. |
| 1 | 15 | Peter and Dr. Rae explore an issue that hits close to home — protecting urban wildlife whose natural habitat puts them in conflict with humans, often in harm’s way. Peter learns the story of P-22, a Los Angeles mountain lion. |
| 1 | 16 | Peter and Dr. Rae meet real-life superheroes of science who are developing cutting-edge tools for protecting the wild. Dr. Rae visits a California marine laboratory growing an army of giant sea stars to try to save the giant kelp forests. |
| 1 | 17 | Peter and Dr. Rae see firsthand how forward-thinkers are using innovation for wildlife restoration. In Washington, Peter helps install artificial beaver dams designed to kick-start a ravaged ecosystem through a natural partnership with wild beavers. |
| 1 | 18 | Peter and Dr. Rae travel to California’s Death Valley to see one of the most endangered fish species on Earth. Only a few hundred of these pupfish exist in Devils Hole, a deep-water cavern where conservationists carefully guard their population. |
| 1 | 19 | Dr. Rae and Peter head to the California coast to get up close and personal with one of the wild’s most prolific predators, the great white shark. In Santa Barbara, they paddle out for a face-to-face meeting with a young great white. |
| 1 | 20 | Peter and Dr. Rae explore the Gulf Coast to learn about one of North America’s rarest birds, Attwater’s prairie chicken. Peter meets with wildlife refuge specialists in Texas and Dr. Rae visits a wildlife center working to rejuvenate the population. |
| 1 | 21 | |
| 1 | 22 | |
| 1 | 23 | |
| 1 | 24 | |
| 1 | 25 | |
| 1 | 26 |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | |
| 2 | 2 | |
| 2 | 3 | |
| 2 | 4 | |
| 2 | 5 | |
| 2 | 6 | |
| 2 | 7 | |
| 2 | 8 | |
| 2 | 9 | |
| 2 | 10 | |
| 2 | 11 | |
| 2 | 12 |
This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.