Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom (1963)

Famed zoologist and naturalist Marlin Perkins hosted "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom," an educational series centering on the lives of animals. Perkins was aided by fellow naturalists Jim Fowler and Stan Brock. Shows covered a diverse range of topics from the lives of specific animals, their survival in natural and man-made environmental conditions, their relationship with other animals (both friendly and predator) and people and issues centering on animal captivity. Many of the shows were filmed in the animals' natural habitat (frequently Africa and South America), though some clips originated from zoos. The show ran from 1963 to 1971 on NBC (first on Sunday afternoons and later in prime-time). Reruns were syndicated to local stations in the fall of 1971, interspersed with newly-produced shows that were produced until 1988. Fowler assumed the host's role in 1985, when Perkins' failing health forced his departure; Fowler was now assisted by Peter Gros.