Animal Planet’s Emmy-nominated and most-watched series WHALE WARS returns for a fourth riveting season beginning Sunday, June 5 at 9 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT with a special premiere simulcast on Discovery Channel. The thrilling series opener will be repeated June 8 at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT and continue Wednesdays with 10 exhilarating episodes documenting Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s dramatic campaign on the Antarctic high seas, a masterful chess match to find and stop Japanese ships from hunting whales in the name of research. WHALE WARS documents these ongoing battles as the conflict between Sea Shepherd and the whalers grows more intense with each engagement – and Season 4 marks a stunning turning point for Captain Watson and their mission.
Paul Watson and his international conservationist group, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, have been hell bent on stopping the whaling industry for nearly a decade, harassing them and making international headlines in the process. Now, the tide has turned against the whalers…and that’s where the new season of WHALE WARS begins, returning with drama, new tactics, innovative new gadgets, and harrowing experiences, including a crew stranded overnight in freezing conditions and a tragic mayday call.
For more than 30 years, Watson has been at the helm of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Founded in 1977, Sea Shepherd’s mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species. Sea Shepherd uses direct-action tactics, which the organization says are innovative – but which their critics say are unlawful – to investigate, document, research and enforce laws, treaties, resolutions and regulations established to protect ocean wildlife and their habitats worldwide.
Highlights from Season 4 of WHALE WARS include:
WHALE WARS: “Battle Cry”
Sun., June 5 at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT *Special Simulcast on Discovery Channel*
Encore Presentation on Wed., June 8 at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT (usual time slot)
Bob Barker and Steve Irwin are joined by their newest vessel – Gojira – before Sea Shepherd leader Captain Paul Watson instructs the three-ship fleet to take off in different directions, hoping to avoid being tailed as they head south. The new crew members are given a fast introduction to the Southern Ocean as the ships pass through a nasty storm on the way.
WHALE WARS: “No Escape”
Wed., June 15 at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT
Watson realizes that the harpoon ships that Steve Irwin and Bob Barker are tailing will soon intercept. Fearing that they could be meeting up with the rest of the whaling fleet, Watson orders the scout vessel, Gojira, to meet them at the rendezvous. As Gojira approaches, Captain Lockhart Maclean sees what he believes is the Nisshin Maru factory vessel and the third harpoon ship. He attempts to call Steve Irwin to relay the information, but the communication system malfunctions. Now Maclean is faced with a difficult decision: go in pursuit of the ghost ships on the horizon or obey Watson’s orders and go to the rendezvous.
