Channel 4 explores plight of endangered species with Levison Wood docuseries

Levison Wood: Walking With…

UK broadcaster Channel 4 has commissioned a docuseries following explorer and writer Levison Wood as he tracks down some of the most iconic and endangered animals on the planet.

The 3 x 60-minute series, Levison Wood: Walking With… (working title) is being co-produced by UK-US firm October Films and Blackmane Media and will follow Wood to Borneo as he encounters orangutans; to Namibia as he tracks down the last remaining desert lions; and to east Greenland where he gets as close as possible to polar bears.

Travelling into some of the most remote and physically challenging environments on Earth, Wood enters their worlds as the locals do, to get as up close and personal as possible. Learning more about the unique lives of the animals and their environment in the company of indigenous guides and naturalists, he gets a better understanding of how they are surviving, against worsening odds caused by the increasing threat of human activity and climate change.

The series is directed by Neil Bonner, while the line producer is Martin Long, and the series is executive produced by Adam Bullmore, with Dave Luke as executive producer for Blackmane Media.  The series was commissioned by Daniel Fromm at Channel 4 and is being distributed by Blue Ant International. Levison Wood is represented by Wolfsong Media.

Wood has previously partnered with Channel 4 for series including Walking with Elephants, From Russia To Iran: Crossing The Wild Frontier, Walking The Americas, Walking The Himalayas and Walking The Nile. 

He commented “This series is a testament to the beauty and fragility of our planet’s wildest corners, and I trust it will inspire action to help save these animals and their habitats before it’s too late.”

Daniel Fromm, commissioning editor, Channel 4, added: “Levison Wood is a remarkable adventurer, and we are thrilled to have him back on our screens, with this revealing and poignant new series.”