WWF says "Extinction Sucks"!
WWF 3 Apr 09;
Gland, Switzerland - Elephants, rhinos, dolphins and marine turtles are just some of the threatened species which come under the spotlight in a brand-new online TV series making its debut today (Friday April 3). Extinction Sucks is a first – a first for WWF, a first for online video and a first for endangered animals!
Extinction Sucks is a unique co-production between WWF and Babelgum to bring high-quality conservation programming to web audiences. It's thought to be the first time that an online video channel has commissioned original, full-length wildlife shows specifically for the internet. The series will be broadcast over the next six weeks on www.panda.org and www.babelgum.com.
The six half-hour episodes feature Australians Ashleigh Young and Aleisha Caruso as they raise funds for much-needed equipment to be used in wildlife conservation projects from Nepal to New Zealand and from Vietnam to India. The duo put on sports events, enter dance competitions and hold garage sales to raise the cash for camera traps, a quad bike and other essential supplies. They then visit the projects to hand over the gifts and find out more about the threatened species.
In the first episode of Extinction Sucks, Ash and Aleisha help WWF India's elephant conservation programme by raising the cash for night vision binoculars, to use in the fight against poaching and the illegal ivory trade. They also lend a hand directing traffic in the Mudumalai National Park in Southern India, where speeding motorists have claimed the lives of wild elephants. Ash and Aleisha are faced with the brutalities of poaching when they come across an elephant which has been shot for its tusks.
“We believe online audiences deserve the same quality and viewing experience as traditional television has offered,” said Babelgum's commissioning chief editor Claudio Scotto di Carlo. “We also believe passionately in the power of the internet to help protect threatened species. WWF are the world's leading conservation organisation so it made sense for us to partner with them to bring this exciting series to life.”
“Extinction Sucks breaks the mould of traditional wildlife programmes – both with its fast-paced, humorous style and by being online – and will appeal to a wide range of audiences. It's a wildlife series for the digital age,” said Scotto di Carlo.
Babelgum commissioned award-winning Amsterdam-based filmmakers Off The Fence to produce the series, in association with WWF. “It was a first for us,” said OTF boss Ellen Windemuth, “but it proves you can make funny, engaging wildlife programmes with a serious message for online viewing. Working with WWF meant we could get access to great stories, great characters and great locations.”
