NAT GEO WILD HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF BIG CAT AWARENESS WITH FULL LINEUP OF WORLD LION DAY PROGRAMMING, AUG. 10

In Response to the Tragic Death of Cecil, a Beloved Zimbabwean Lion, Nat Geo WILD Sheds Light on the Decline of Big Cats Worldwide

(WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 29, 2015) Nat Geo WILD today announced plans to commemorate World Lion Day, Monday, Aug. 10, with a full day of big cat programming to remind viewers why these vital apex predators are so important to protect. The network's programming initiative also draws awareness to the National Geographic Society's Big Cats Initiative with public service announcements and on-air promotional attention, kicking off Wednesday, July 29.

"Nat Geo WILD has supported the National Geographic Society's Big Cats Initiative since we went on the air five years ago with our annual Big Cat Week event, and unfortunately it's news like the tragic death of beloved Cecil that reminds us that our work to save these majestic animals is far from over," said Geoff Daniels, executive vice president and general manager of Nat Geo WILD. "Big cat populations are in dramatic decline, and it is our network's responsibility to do everything we can to bring awareness to their plight."

Nat Geo WILD is actively supporting the National Geographic Society's efforts to protect big cats by promoting #5forbigcats on social media platforms. Give $5 (or more) to help to increase awareness of and promote additional action on this issue.

The lineup for World Lion Day includes:

Monday, Aug. 10, 2015:
12 p.m. Lion Battle Zone
1 p.m. Lion Gangland
2 p.m. The Last Lions (2 hours)
4 p.m. Game of Lions
5 p.m. Killer Queen
6 p.m. Fight for Life: Lion Pride Takeover
7 p.m. Man v. Lion

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Nat Geo WILD

For more than 30 years, National Geographic has been the leader in wildlife programming. The networks Nat Geo WILD and Nat Geo WILD HD, launched in 2010, offer intimate encounters with nature's ferocious fighters and gentle creatures of land, sea and air that draw upon the cutting-edge work of the many explorers, filmmakers and scientists of the National Geographic Society. Part of the National Geographic Channels US, based in Washington, D.C., the networks are a joint venture between National Geographic and Fox Cable Networks. In 2001, National Geographic Channel (NGC) debuted, and 10 years later, Spanish-language network Nat Geo Mundo was unveiled. The Channels have carriage with all of the nation's major cable, telco and satellite television providers, with Nat Geo WILD currently available in 57 million U.S. homes. Globally, Nat Geo WILD is available in more than 192 million homes in 134 countries and 37 languages. For more information, visit natgeowild.com, find us on Facebook at facebook.com/NatGeoWild or follow @NatGeoWild on Twitter and Instagram.

National Geographic Big Cats Initiative (BCI)

The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society's mission is to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, "National Geographic," and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects, and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. The Big Cats Initiative is a long-term effort to halt the decline of big cats in the wild. BCI supports efforts to save big cats through assessment efforts, on-the-ground conservation projects, education, economic incentive programs and a global public-awareness campaign. Visit www.causeanuproar.org.