Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom

Wild Kingdom, alternatively recognized as Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, is an American documentary TV series showcasing wildlife and nature.

The show was initially produced from 1963 to 1988

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The concept for the original show arose from 1962 conversations between zoologist Marlin Perkins and V. J. Skutt, the chairman and CEO of Mutual of Omaha.

The company had earlier sponsored Zoo Parade, a program hosted by Perkins from 1952 to 1957.

Don Meier, who produced Zoo Parade, was instrumental in developing Wild Kingdom, which Mutual of Omaha sponsored and named.

Wild Kingdom received Emmy Awards for “outstanding program achievement” from 1966 to 1969.

In 1970, Liz and Henk Maartens from South Africa won five Emmy Awards for the documentary, including one for camerawork.

Wild Kingdom Premiere

The show premiered on NBC on January 6, 1963, and ran until 1971. After entering syndication, it remained popular, with new episodes produced until 1987.

Perkins hosted most of the show until 1985, when health issues led to his retirement. Jim Fowler then took over as the host.

The format featured Perkins narrating off-camera while Fowler interacted with wild animals on camera.

The show gained popularity and received numerous awards, contributing to increased ecological awareness in the United States.

Perkins often featured pet chimpanzees in the studio named “W. K.” and “Mr. Moke.”

The Show’s Impact

Mutual of Omaha owns the rights to the program, and some episodes are available on DVD and the official Wild Kingdom YouTube channel.

The show’s impact extended to inspiring other wildlife documentary programs and the creation of cable television networks like the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet.

Revivals

In 2002, Mutual of Omaha sponsored a new Wild Kingdom, which aired specials on Animal Planet.

The specials gained popularity, leading to the network airing weekly episodes from 2005 onwards.

In 2013, a web series premiered with host Stephanie Arne, featuring new formats and stories.

The webisodes covered topics like coral reefs, American bison, tegu in the Everglades, and the conservation success of the California condor.

Additional seasons were released in 2014, 2015, and the final season in 2018.

Wild Kingdom Trivia

• Founding Duo: Wild Kingdom originated from discussions in 1962 between zoologist Marlin Perkins and V. J. Skutt, the chairman and CEO of Mutual of Omaha.
• Zoo Parade Roots: Mutual of Omaha had previously sponsored Zoo Parade, a show hosted by Marlin Perkins from 1952 to 1957, laying the foundation for their involvement in wildlife programming.
• Don Meier’s Role: The show’s creator, Don Meier, was the producer of Zoo Parade and played a pivotal role in shaping the format of Wild Kingdom.
• Emmy Awards: Wild Kingdom received Emmy Awards for “outstanding program achievement” for four consecutive years from 1966 to 1969, highlighting its excellence in wildlife documentary filmmaking.
• International Recognition: In 1970, Liz and Henk Maartens from South Africa won five Emmy Awards for the documentary program, contributing to the show’s global recognition.
• NBC Premiere: The show first aired on NBC on January 6, 1963, as a half-hour program on Sundays, captivating audiences with its wildlife content.
• Syndication Success: After 1971, Wild Kingdom entered syndication, continuing to be popular with audiences. New episodes were produced until 1987, showcasing its enduring appeal.
• 41 Major Achievements: Following syndication, the show received 41 major achievements, including four Emmys from the National Academy of Arts and Sciences and the First Annual Communications Award from the National Wildlife Association.
• Host Transition: Marlin Perkins hosted the majority of the show until 1985 when health reasons led to his retirement. Jim Fowler, his long-time assistant, then took over as the host.
• Ecological Impact: Wild Kingdom played a significant role in increasing ecological and environmental awareness in the United States. It brought the wonders of the wild, including Africa and the Amazon River, into millions of American homes, sparking interest in nature programming and influencing subsequent wildlife documentary shows and networks.