Bears, sloths and ocelots, oh my! The latest season of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild brought viewers to new countries, showcased a variety of species and told countless stories of conservation success.
Many memorable moments were made along the way. Check out some of Co-Hosts Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant’s and Peter Gros’ favorite memories from Season 2 plus the season’s most-viewed episodes.
Your favorite Season 2 moments
Over 1 million viewers tuned in each weekend to catch Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild Season 2. Of the 26 episodes, these three were the most watched by viewers like you.
‘Coati Comeback’
In this episode, Peter and Dr. Rae explored the world of coatis and their North American roots. “Coati Comeback” took the team to Brevard Zoo in Florida and the Arizona desert. Watch the episode to see how clues left by Indigenous communities show evidence of coatis in the U.S.
‘Wild Beginnings’
It’s no surprise this episode on baby animals was a fan favorite! In “Wild Beginnings,” Dr. Rae and Peter encounter some of the littlest members of the wild kingdom, such as black bear cubs, baby ocelots and baby sloths. See the cuteness for yourself!
‘Rescuing the Sloths of Panama’
This season, Protecting the Wild journeyed to Panama to highlight some of the Central American country’s native animals, like sloths. In “Rescuing the Sloths of Panama,” Dr. Rae saw the ways they’re rescued, rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Watch the fast-paced episode on this slow-paced mammal.
Protecting the Wild co-hosts’ top Season 2 moments
Co-Hosts Peter Gros and Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant had many memorable experiences while filming Season 2. These animal encounters stuck out for these wildlife professionals.
Favorite species from Season 2
As a bear expert, Dr. Rae has spent many hours in the wild with these large carnivores. But filming “Into the Bear’s Den” was her first time seeing wild bears in New England. There, she helped complete a data collection of a hibernating mama and her three cubs.
“The bear family was quite exposed, not just to the elements but to any passing humans, further demonstrating how people are responsible for keeping bears safe during winter hibernation,” Dr. Rae said.
For Peter, kayaking around beluga whales near Churchill, Canada, made this marine species his favorite animal from Season 2.
“As I kayaked among these social, gregarious whales, it appeared they were playing with me,” Peter said. “One even blew water in my face from its blowhole and then slipped beneath my kayak.”
See the moment in “Canaries of the Sea.”
Most impactful moments of Season 2
In his career, Peter has witnessed the release of many species back to the wild. While filming Season 2, he saw yet another incredible release, this time of a California condor, an animal that came back from the brink of extinction.
“To see this magnificent creature, once almost extinct, disappear over the horizon is something I’ll never forget,” Peter said.
Watch the moment in “Extinct in the Wild.”
Season 2 brought another first for Dr. Rae — her first time swimming with sharks. In “A World Without Sharks,” Dr. Rae got up close with Caribbean reef and nurse sharks.
“It’s incredible, like I’ve encountered a whole different world,” Dr. Rae said.
Most fun moments from Season 2
Filming the season brought some fun moments, too.
In Panama, Dr. Rae saw wildlife conservation in action when an emergency call came while visiting a sloth sanctuary. There, she hit the road helping the team rescue a sloth from a residential yard, something the sanctuary’s team does every day.
“The people of Panama are strong supporters of wildlife and ecosystem conservation, are incredibly generous with sharing their local knowledge and ecology expertise and are heroes in environmental protection,” Dr. Rae said.
A lifelong dream came true for Peter while filming “The Biggest Fish on Earth” — swimming alongside whale sharks in Mexico.
“Several swam close to me, not altering their slow-moving feeding behavior,” Peter said. “This school-bus-sized fish had me mesmerized as I shared its ocean environment in such close proximity.”
For more memorable moments, watch all of Season 2, streaming now on nbc.com and Peacock.
