(WASHINGTON, D.C. - OCTOBER 26, 2010) Outmanned and outgunned, they patrol hundreds of miles of land, coastline, rivers and streams throughout the state of California. These are the California Game Wardens, and they're on duty around the clock to ensure Wild Justice is brought to California residents and its animal inhabitants.
In the nation's most populous state, people must coexist with wildlife, much of which is critically endangered, and protecting what remains is a primary mission. But more than just crimes against nature, these law officers also take on illegal drugs, dangerous fugitives and urban gangsters on a beat that stretches from residential backyards to rugged back country. The real-life bravery of the California Game Wardens is now brought to light as Nat Geo cameras ride along in the new series Wild Justice, by acclaimed executive producer, Thom Beers (Deadliest Catch, Ice Road Truckers), premiering Sunday, November 28, 2010, at 9 p.m. ET/PT before moving to its regular night and time, Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT, beginning December 1 on the National Geographic Channel.
Whether working alone or with a canine companion, the California Game Wardens must be resourceful and self-sufficient as they patrol rural areas on foot, horseback, plane, boat or pickup truck, where backup can be miles away. And protecting endangered animals means stopping criminals before they strike in a deadly game that can play out anywhere from San Francisco's Chinatown to the deserts, mountains and coastlands that make up one of the most diverse terrains in the nation.
Episode descriptions include:
Wild Justice: Thrill Killer
Sunday, November 28, 2010, at 9 P ET/PT
Warden Boyd takes an unusual approach to catching hunters suspected of trafficking bear gallbladders. Using real bear paws to mask his tracks and a scent drag to imitate bear presence, Boyd hopes to lure the hunters into a trap and catch them red-handed. Meanwhile, other agents use aerial recon to track down what they believe is a thrill-killing poacher. The group finds myriad oddities, several suspicious species for sale and a suspect who eludes questioning.
Wild Justice: Marijuana Mountains
Sunday, November 28, 2010, at 10 PM ET/PT
Illegal drugs and poaching often go hand in hand. Intel leads Lieutenant Nores and the Marijuana Eradication Team to a marijuana grow site near a children's camp. A few hundred miles north, Wardens Beals and Martignoni find drug paraphernalia after searching a parolee's vehicle. And Captain Castillo and his squad hunt down a man suspected of poaching deer, then trading the meat for methamphetamines.
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Wild Justice: Outgunned
Wednesday, December 1, 2010, at 10 PM ET/PT
Warden Boyd and his team take an unorthodox approach to catching poachers who kill bears just to harvest their gall bladders for folk medicine. Using real bear paws to mask his tracks and scent in order to fake a bear presence, Boyd hopes to lure poachers into a trap and catch them red-handed. While in San Francisco, Warden O'Brien organizes a saturation patrol of Chinatown, known as a hotbed for illegal trading in exotic species and animal parts.
Wild Justice: Deer Meat for Meth
Wednesday, December 8, 2010, at 10 PM ET/PT
Poachers often operate under cover of darkness, and so do the wardens. Wardens Beals and Martignoni are on the hunt for a serial poacher illegally killing pregnant does. And on Halloween night, it's a deadly serious game of trick or treat as a special operations unit apprehends a suspect caught with a stash of illegal deer meat and marijuana. Then, in an upscale community of Grass Valley, residents have discovered stray arrows outside their homes, and the wardens rush in hoping to avert an accidental death.
Wild Justice: Felony Friday
Wednesday, December 15, 2010, at 10 PM ET/PT
The wardens head out to sea in search of illegal fishermen loaded with guns, knives and drugs. The team makes several stops along the way checking for fishing permits and marijuana possession. But even as they enjoy wildlife they have sworn to protect when they spot dolphins, they're immersed in an investigation involving a sea lion shot in the face. Then, in the remote woods of Feather Falls, Lieutenant Castillo must rally his team to take down a mountain lion poacher with a history of violence.
Wild Justice is produced by Original Productions, a FremantleMedia Company, for the National Geographic Channel. For Original Productions, executive producers are Thom Beers and Philip D. Segal. For NGC, executive producer is Kathleen Cromley, senior vice president of production is Michael Cascio, executive vice president of content is Steve Burns.
For more information visit www.natgeotv.com/wildjustice.
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National Geographic Channel
Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channel (NGC) is a joint venture between National Geographic Ventures (NGV) and Fox Cable Networks (FCN). Since launching in January 2001, NGC initially earned some of the fastest distribution growth in the history of cable and more recently the fastest ratings growth in television. The network celebrated its fifth anniversary January 2006 with the launch of NGC HD, which provides the spectacular imagery that National Geographic is known for in stunning high definition. NGC has carriage with all of the nation's major cable and satellite television providers, making it currently available in more than 70 million homes. For more information, please visit www.natgeotv.com.
Original Productions, a FremantleMedia Company
Founded by Thom Beers, Original Productions (www.origprod.com) produces authentic non-fiction programming featuring everyday heroes in extraordinary situations including Emmy® Award winning Deadliest Catch, Ice Road Truckers, Ax Men and Black Gold. Beers' steadfast focus on top-notch storytelling with engaging personalities in high risk circumstances has produced more than 1,200 hours of original programming. In February 2009, a majority stake in the 12 year-old-company was purchased by FremantleMedia (www.fremantlemedia.com), one of the leading creators and producers of world-wide entertainment brands.
