'Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom' debuted 50 years ago

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20130115/LIVING/701159983/1696#-mutual-of-omaha-s-wild-kingdom-debuted-50-years-ago

Naturalist Jim Fowler faced a lot of wild beasts during his long career with “Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom.”

Some of those encounters could have ended badly.

Like the time a 22-foot anaconda swallowed his arm up to his shoulder.

“Luckily I knew what to do,” he said, explaining that he stood perfectly still as others took off running. The snake let go rather than crushing Fowler to death.

FULL story and photo slide show at link.

[HappyMe]

1. I loved that show

when I was a kid.

[southernyankeebelle]

2. I remember watching this show as a kid. It was so cool. Back then you could get only 3 channels.

That show and the ones on China I use to watch.

[Skidmore]

3. We used to beat a path to the living room to watch that show every week.

Jim Fowler was great but I had a special fondness for Marlin Perkins, the zoologist who hosted the show. He was the grandpa I always wanted--kind voice, gentle face, and bursting with knowledge and a sense of adventure.

[Ian David]

4. Dangerous Moments on Wild Kingdom

[Hoyt]

5. Never missed Wild Kingdom when a kid. Even Marlin Perkins was cool then.

[tularetom]

6. I used to love how Marlin Perkins always sent Jim to do the dangerous stuff

"Somebody needs to go into that pond full of piranhas and get that big crocodile out of there, I'd do it but I have to stay here and make sure the camp fire doesn't go out, so I'll have Jim do it."

[Mojorabbit]

9. I know! LOL nt

[WI_DEM]

7. "While Jim is wrestling that anaconda, let me tell you about some great deals...

from Mutual of Omaha..."



Of course this is just a stereotype. Marlin Perkins was a great conservationist and zoologist and went out in the field many times.

[lynne]

8. They now have a traveling show -

- and bring Wild Kingdom into theaters and playhouses so the kids (and parents!) can see some of the animals up close and personal. I'm taking my granddaughter to one of their shows in April. Can't wait!

[FSogol]

10. Great article. Thanks for posting. I wish they had

said how he got the anaconda off his arm without being crushed to death. Might be useful to know.

[samsingh]

11. i love that show - and powerful music.