Animal Planet presents Animal Gladiators

Media News

New Delhi, September 25, 2009

Take a journey to the ancient Rome to uncover the history of animal-gladiators combats - the unseen clashes of high adrenaline entertainment- an untold story of animals being brought into the ring. A no win situation had these animals fight one another and the master gladiators. Spectacular, dangerous and exciting, these cruel spectacles entertained the ancient Rome.

Animal Planet in its action-packed special Animal Gladiators will reveal some of the most fascinating facts about the Roman animal trade and uncover the who’s, how’s and why’s of this 2,000 year-old practice.

Premiering on Saturday, 27th September at 9 PM, the two-hour programme Animal Gladiators will witness the role of exotic species, captured and prepared to fight master gladiators. Through impressive computer re-creations, stunning life-like images and meticulous sound design, the programme will create an imagery of the ancient Rome. CGI and meticulous sound design will create a world the audience can truly feel. Viewers will experience the cruelty, torture, violence and exhilaration of the Roman-animal contests through the eyes of their principal victims.

Commenting on the programme, Rahul Johri, senior vice president and general manager, India, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, said, "Animal Gladiators explores the incredible history of Rome's arena warriors and find out how an ancient ritual became a great passion. The programme offers a unique perspective, chronicling the role of animals in the popular and cruel spectacles that entertained the ancient Rome."

For the Romans, these hunts were primarily about taming nature. It was a true test of courage to face a lethally dangerous animal that was cornered, with just a spear. Many of the animals that ended up fighting for their lives in the Roman Colosseum, were captured as far away as jungles of South Africa. There were bisons, and elk and bears from northern Europe from Scotland to Northern Germany; tigers, rhinoceros and elephants from Afghanistan and India. The programme documents their traumatic capture and their torturous transport across thousands of miles to Rome. These animals were then imprisoned in the dark, dank series of chambers beneath the arena floor, where they grew hungry, restless and apprehensive as they awaited the culmination of their brutal captivity—a final, futile struggle for survival in front of 70,000 bloodthirsty human beings. The deep excavation under the floor of the Colosseum arena has unraveled a complex labyrinth of tunnels and corridors as evidence of the deadly battles.

For more information, please contact:

Discovery Communications India

Ruchika Tandon

Tel: +91 98102 02457