MUMBAI: Airing every night at 9 pm in March, Animal Planet?s new series ?Wild Recon? will feature adventurer Donald Schultz, who faces some of the Earth?s mightiest, deadliest and most fascinating creatures in their natural habitats.

It?s one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet, but animal adventurer, adrenaline junkie and venom expert Schultz is willing to risk his own life to do it. Whether harvesting venom from the fangs of deadly black mamba in South Africa, collecting deadly jelly fish tentacles off the remote coasts of Papua New Guinea, or bringing down a 400-pound wild African lion to get a blood sample, Donald is fearless in the worldwide pursuit of bio-specimens for research and potential new scientific discoveries.While other children were out playing soccer, nine-year-old Schultz was busy catching and handling the deadliest snakes on the planet.

He is willing to do a job no one else dares. With support from veterinarians and animal researchers, he travels to remote and jeopardous locales to collect venom and rare DNA critical to cataloguing species and research that will one day save countless lives.

Whether harvesting venom from deadly black mambas in Mozambique, collecting lethal jellyfish tentacles off the remote coasts of Australia, chasing and relocating charging elephants in Sri Lanka, or bringing down a 600-pound wild African lion to get a blood sample in South Africa, Donald is fearless in the worldwide pursuit of bio-specimens for research and potential new scientific discoveries that he hopes will save lives. As Donald himself says, "This is not a stunt; this is my job.

"He said, "The work I do on ?Wild Recon? is literally my life?s work. I?ve been going on these adventurous missions for years and now the series spotlights the jeopardy that I enjoy in collecting these samples on behalf of the research community. I?ve dedicated my entire life to working with animals.

"Born and raised in South Africa, Donald was the youngest person ever to give venomous snake demonstrations at the Fitzsimons Snake Park. But catching, caring for and studying snakes were not enough. Now, Donald travels the globe tracking down dangerous creatures, all in the name of science. He uses his animal acumen and taste for adrenaline for a greater cause, risking his own life for research that may one day save the lives of animals and humans.

Hiking through thick jungle undergrowth, diving to depths of hundreds of feet to sample shark species or skydiving into hard-to-get-to habitats, Donald stops at nothing to complete his mission. In addition, his missions are a race against the clock as he must get his fragile samples out of the field and into the lab for the next stage of work to commence. With Donald?s help, researchers will hopefully unlock the mysteries of animal DNA, identify the blueprint for undiscovered anti-venom or even one day find a cure for a life-threatening disease.

He works closely with researchers at zoos, universities, laboratories, pharmaceutical companies and especially local governments and communities to assess their needs and identify what research could be critical to their ongoing studies.

MUMBAI: Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific senior vice president & general manager ?South Asia Rahul Johri was conferred the "CEO of the Year" award at the Broadcasting Industry Awards organised by the World Brand Congress.

With over 19 years of experience in the industry, Rahul has worked across media verticals, from news channels, magazines and news dailies.

The award was given in recognition of Johri?s impactful strategy in establishing Discovery as the leading non-fiction media company in the country and his inspiring leadership to build a robust and varied portfolio of eight unique channels, led by the leading factual entertainment brand - the Discovery Channel.

Johri has been responsible for the company?s expansion and growth including its localisation strategy and launch of multiple language feeds across brands. His venture to launch the game changing channel in the kids genre, Discovery Kids, has received industry wide applaud. His recent initiative is Discovery?s association with India Today Group to launch Discovery Channel Magazine in India.

Johri said, "It is an honour for the entire company. I am grateful to my team, our esteemed partners and stakeholders in the region who have shared the spirit of commitment in making Discovery as one of the most respected television brands in South Asia.?

The jury said, ?The distinction compliments Rahul Johri?s innovative thinking and creative leadership which has translated into business excellence.?

Johri joined Discovery in 2001 and currently leads its South Asia operations. He is responsible for the overall growth strategy of India?s highest quality factual and lifestyle portfolio including Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, Discovery Science, Discovery Turbo, Discovery HD World, Discovery Tamil and Discovery Kids.

Rahul is also credited with commissioning a range of acclaimed series including Living with a Superstar: Shah Rukh Khan, What Not to Wear: India, Oh My Gold!, and Be Blunt with Adhuna Akhtar. He also spearheaded Discovery Channel?s association with Yash Raj Films for the latest release Jab Tak Hai Jaan and with the Indian Army for its women officers? expedition to Mount Everest in 2012.

Johri is a Board Member and Treasurer of Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF). He is also a member of the media and entertainment committee of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and member of the Media & Entertainment Division of Ficci

MUMBAI: Animal Planet is set to take viewers on an expedition through the oceanic wonders across seven continents in its new series titled ?The Magic of the Big Blue?.

From Asia to Australia and Oceania, South America, Europe, Africa, North America and the Antarctica, The Magic of the Big Blue is a dive into these waters and an adventure through the cameras of underwater photographer Darek Sepiolo.

Starting 15 February, the show will air every night at 8 pm.

The seven-part series aims to explore the hidden worlds lying beneath the seas and oceans of the seven continents.

The channel said, "The oceans represent 99 percent of all available living space on Earth but we have only covered just 10 percent of their depths. Just how much do we understand the big blue? Get acquainted with the life, characters, history and secrets of these waters through a remarkable undersea expedition like no other on Animal Planet?s The Magic of the Big Blue."

MUMBAI: Nearly three quarters of the Earth?s surface lies beneath a vast blue patchwork of seas and oceans.

Animal Planet takes viewers on an expedition through oceanic wonders across seven continents in its new series ?The Magic Of The Big Blue? from 15 February every night at 8 pm. From Asia, to Australia and Oceania, South America, Europe, Africa, North America and the Antarctica, the show is a dive into these waters and an adventure through the cameras of Darek Sepiolo, an underwater photographer.

On the show, viewers will get close to these worlds that are far beneath the surface and uncover the hidden enthralling life and ecosystems.

The seven-part series begins in Asia, the most prolific area of underwater life on the planet that supports the livelihood of 120 million people.

Travel to the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia and witness the Coral Triangle, the underwater equal of the Amazon, and the global centre of marine biodiversity where an incredible 76 per cent of the world?s corals thrive and more than 3,000 species of fish make their home. From coral reefs, to an array of life forms including six out of the seven species of marine turtles, massive manta rays, populations of whale sharks, marine mammals including the endangered dugong, and an abundance of commercially valuable pelagic species like the yellowfin tuna and more, these enchanting underwater meadows hold more than meets the eye.

The show then immerses in the salty depths of the Oceania, the last area of the underwater world that is untouched by humans. From the rainbow reefs of Fiji to Coral Triangle?s Kimbe Bay, from Papua New Guinea to Palau, and more, travel across Australia and the 7,000 over islands of the extensive Oceania on the show. The Bismarck Sea, a region forgotten by the world, is home to a maze of tiny islands where a rich cradle of life has thrived for centuries. The reefs of Papua New Guinea, a world perfectly preserved from thousands of years ago and where dozens of islets and coral atolls create a network of sea grass beds, mangroves, dunes, lagoons, and flood plains in which marine life thrive. The show will take viewers on a ride of currents at Blue Corner, the diving Mecca of Palau.

In addition to being the world?s first designated shark sanctuary where it is home to predatory grey and black-tip reef sharks, it is also inhabited by magnificent gorgonian fans, anemones, eels, cartilaginous eagle rays, endangered Napolean Wrasses and more.

MUMBAI: Adventurer and biologist Niall McCann next month heads out on one of Animal Planet?s global adventures to track down the ?Biggest And Baddest?creatures on the planet.

From the killer Cassowaries of Australia, to the largest wild hogs in Texas and Florida, from legendary Anacondas in exotic Guyana, to the hugest Asian elephants in Nepal and much more, Niall goes to the extremes on this ultimate quest to seek out these fantastic animals in the far corners of the earth. The hunt for the ?Biggest And Baddest? will be every night at 9 pm from 1 - 14 February 2013.

He goes all out to get as physically close as possible to the world?s hugest and most fearsome creatures. From forging streams, to climbing mountains and trees, to canoeing through treacherous rapids, and even travelling on an elephant?s back, join Niall on his gripping escapades to pursue and uncover the globe?s most amazing creatures in their individual environments.

On the show he wrestles with Anacondas to measure them, tracks through dangerous snake-infested jungles and faces a potential thunderous onslaught of enraged wild elephants while attempting to unravel the truth of the existence of Raja Gaj, takes deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples of giant wild hogs, assists with the re-location of ferocious crocodiles, and much more.

He also works closely with locals, attacks victims, big game hunters and experts who have spotted these creatures, seeking out famous legends and investigating animal attacks to bring viewers an even more intimate understanding of these misunderstood beings. Just what makes Tigers tick? Are the Cassowaries as nasty as reports claim? Could the massive water snake reported by villagers throughout the Amazon be more than a legend, a prehistoric holdover, or an entirely different sub-species of Anaconda?

One episode looks at the tiger. A huge ferocious man-eating tiger is on the loose in Nepal?s western region. It?s killed two people so far, and Niall has come here to find out what makes a wild animal a man-eater. He?s going to investigate the origins of tigers that attack humans in the region and track down the fearsome tiger in the bush. If it kills another human, it will be branded a confirmed man-eater and will be destroyed. Poachers have reduced the number in tigers throughout Nepal in recent years and now there are only 350 tigers in the wild in Nepal. He believes the more we understand what makes Tigers tick, the more we will be able to avoid human-tiger conflict and help the big cats.

Another episode focuses on crocodiles. In Northern Territory, Australia, Niall pursues tales of the world?s largest crocodile. The average saltwater crocodile weighs between 1,300-1700 lbs and can measure 13-18 ft. in length. Recently, a giant "Salty" weighing a ton and over 20 ft. long, was captured in the Philippines after it had devoured two people. Residents of Northern Queensland and Northern Territory have reported similar sized monsters. Now reports are coming in from Shady Creek, Australia. There is a monster out there, reported to be a record size, and it?s killing people. Niall will pursue this beast, following its trail of bodies and attacks: to speak to people who lived to tell the tale. Homing in on the big crocodile for re-location, Niall measures and weighs it. Is it a world record?