Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild: Season 4 Premieres Oct. 3

Television’s No. 1 weekend wildlife show returns Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, on NBC. In Season 4, Peter Gros and Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant travel from Costa Rica to Alaska to Australia, meeting the people protecting jaguars, grizzly bears, koalas, orcas and more.

Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, television’s No. 1 weekend wildlife show, returns for its fourth season on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, on NBC. Co-hosted by wildlife expert Peter Gros and wildlife ecologist Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, the new season airs as part of NBC’s “The More You Know” educational and informational programming block.

Join Peter and Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant on unforgettable journeys in search of remarkable stories of wildlife protection.

This season, the co-hosts encounter jaguars, grizzly bears, koalas, tapirs, spider monkeys, sea otters and orcas and meet the conservationists, wildlife veterinarians and local communities working to protect them. Dr. Rae and Peter travel from the rainforests of Costa Rica and the wilderness of Alaska to the beaches of Queensland, Australia, the tropical forests of Puerto Rico, and remarkable landscapes across California and Utah, all in the name of wildlife conservation.

One of the season’s highlights takes viewers to Alaska, where Peter is joined by NBC meteorologist and “Earth Odyssey” Host Dylan Dreyer to explore one of North America’s last great wildernesses. Together, they kayak through iceberg-covered seas, coming face-to-face with sea otters and sea lions, among other adventures.

Combining breathtaking adventure, remarkable animal encounters, and inspiring human stories, Season 4 continues the Wild Kingdom tradition of bringing families together through discovery and exploration.

“For generations, Wild Kingdom has inspired families to discover the wonder of the natural world together,” said Jennifer Wulf, vice president, brand marketing for Mutual of Omaha. “It’s the kind of show families can feel good about watching and one that sparks curiosity, conversation and a sense of adventure long after the episode ends.”

“Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild continues to reflect our mission of educating, informing and captivating viewers,” said Bryan Curb, president of Hearst Media Production Group. “The series has proven that audiences are looking for programming that not only entertains but also inspires and creates meaningful shared viewing experiences.”

Since its 2023 debut, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild has become one of the leading wildlife series for family viewing across broadcast and cable, averaging more than one million weekly viewers during the 2025-2026 television season, according to Nielsen. The series has earned widespread recognition, including five Daytime Emmy® nominations, 57 Telly Awards, the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation’s Gracie Award for co-host Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and some of television’s leading sustainability honors — including BAFTA’s Albert certification and the Environmental Media Association’s Green Seal.

As one of television’s most beloved wildlife franchises, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild delivers programming that appeals to viewers across generations. Just as families gathered around the TV for the original Wild Kingdom, today’s families can continue that tradition on NBC, coming together to learn, explore and be inspired through breathtaking wildlife encounters and uplifting conservation stories. In addition to airing on NBC’s “The More You Know” programming block, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild is available on Telemundo, Peacock and NBC.com.