Animal Planet's new thrilling series 'The Pack'uncovers the secret world of endagered Indian dogs - dholes

Media News

New Delhi, June 04, 2010

Asiatic wild dogs or Dholes are one of the most fascinating pack-living predators in the Indian forests. Until a few decades ago, they were branded as bloody killers and vermin by humans and were mercilessly slaughtered to near extinction. Senani, a wildlife filmmaker and naturalist, tracked Dholes in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve of south India for over fifteen years. He has managed to enter into their private lives and unravel their secrets. Animal Planet discovers the world of endangered Dholes in a new five part action-packed series 'The Pack', to air every Sunday at 8:30 pm, starting June 13th.

'The Pack' is the story of a dominant Dhole pack and the fate of a dispersed and a rebel female Kennai as she rises from a loner to the queen, forming her own pack. The series follows life of protagonist Kennai, whose mother was killed by a tiger when Kennai was young. Kennai decides to leave her natal pack, all alone, in search of her future. But on her journey to success, she loses many of her dear ones. She manages to evade innumerable crises in her life, including challenges by tiger, by bigger packs, by natural calamities. She not only survives, but even succeeds in forming a pack of her own. She emerges stronger every time, to be one of the greatest survivors, thus unfolding many hidden aspects of the most fascinating pack-living predators in the Indian forests.

Commenting on the series, Rahul Johri, senior vice president & general manager, India, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific said, "Animal Planet brings stories of some of the most elusive wildlife and unique animal behaviours. The new series 'The Pack' gives a real insight into the electrifying, action-packed world of the hunters and the hunted as we explore the unknown world of Indian wild dogs."

The life of Kennai captures all the attempts of the Dholes to survive in a hierarchical pack using formidable skills of speed, tactics and cunningness. 'The Pack' brings to light magnificent in-depth work of two of the popular Indian wildlife filmmakers and naturalists, Krupakar B S and Senani Hegde, who have achieved nomination for the prestigious Panda awards for their work on Dholes.

Episode 1

Sunday, June 13 at 8:30 pm

This is the story of Kennai, the bold female wild dog. When Kennai was very young, she lost her mother to a tiger. She decided to leave her natal pack, all alone, in search of her future. It needs nothing short of a miracle to survive alone in these dangerous forests. But survive she does, and is now the alpha female of her tiny young pack. But challenges always follow the explorer. With her inexperienced pack members, Kennai is finding it very hard to hunt. Her mate, the alpha male, is being extremely lazy. To make things worse, Kennai's sons, the Brothers, who would have been of great help at this crucial stage, are planning to leave 'The Pack'.

Episode 2

Sunday, June 20 at 8:30 pm

Kennai and her tiny young wild dog pack have been traversing the forest extensively. They are trying to expand their territory. The most surprising thing is to see The Boss, the lazy alpha male, leading the way. The trouble is that these adventurous forays into new territory are also extremely dangerous. They challenge the leopard, but tigers are a different matter. To top it all, they also come across a huge wild dog pack. Kennai and her comrades were split asunder. After a couple of days, The Boss… is found dead. The mystery needs to get unfolded as to who has killed The Boss? Where are the others? Is Kennai alive? Or is it all over?

Episode 3

Sunday, June 27 at 8:30 pm

The Boss, the alpha male of Kennai's wild dog pack, is dead. Evidence leads to a tiger attack.

'The Pack' returns, but without Kennai. After a series of strange events, 'The Pack' reunites. But the real surprise is yet to come. The young sons of Kennai, the Brothers, who looked after the pups during the family crisis, are thrown out of 'The Pack'. Kennai has now brought two new males into 'The Pack', Maccha, and his brother Bidda. Kennai and Maccha have begun courting. But Maccha has also been trying to seduce Chukki, Kennai's daughter. Poor Kennai gave her all to this new male, but now she is in danger of losing her hold over 'The Pack'.

Episode 4

Sunday, July 4 at 8:30 pm

Kennai, the alpha female wild dog, now five years old, is ready to raise her third litter. Chukki, her daughter, is also pregnant. 'The Pack' vanishes just when it is time to den. After a long and difficult search, Senani, wildlife filmmaker and naturalist, gets a huge surprise.

At last he gets a glimpse of the new pups. Some of them are Chukki's. The new alpha male, Maccha, and his brother Bidda's differences have escalated. Kennai makes a very diplomatic move. Late one evening, a forest fire heads in the direction of the den questioning the lives of the helpless pups and Kennai's dreams.

Episode 5

unday, July 11 at 8:30 pm

Kennai, the alpha female wild dog, and her daughter, Chukki, had 12 pups in all. Nine survived. The pups are now out of the den, and roaming the forests with the adults. The resident tigress in Kennai's territory has four growing cubs, and is very aggressive. Though Kennai is very cautious and avoids tigers, they run into each other near a kill. What follows has never been observed before. Sharing her home with tigers and leopards comes with such threats. Kennai was challenged by tigers, challenged by her own daughter, challenged by natural calamities, but she emerged stronger every time, to be one of the greatest survivors. She is now Queen of the Forest.

For further information, please contact:

LINOpinion –The Lintas PR Division

Nupur Bhardwaj

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Email: nupur.bhardwaj@loweworldwide.com