NAT GEO WILD'S NEW SERIES "ANIMAL STORM SQUAD" IS ON A MISSION TO SAVE ANIMALS CAUGHT IN NATURAL DISASTERS

In the Wake of Nature's Fury, an Expert Team of First Responders Fights to Save Animals' Lives

(PASADENA, CA - Jan. 6, 2016) If a natural disaster strikes, what will happen to your pet? Every year, thousands of animals are injured, trapped or displaced as a result of tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Traditional first responders are not equipped to assist animals, leaving them helpless in the wake of catastrophe.

Until now.

Nat Geo WILD's new series Animal Storm Squad follows a team of dedicated meteorologists, storm chasers, animal experts and emergency personnel who have banded together to form the ultimate first responder squad to rescue trapped and injured animals. Animal Storm Squad premieres Friday, March 11, at 10/9c on Nat Geo WILD and globally in 131 countries and 38 languages. For more information, visit our press website at www.foxflash.com, or follow us on Twitter using @NGC_PR.

"What's incredible about this show is that the team doesn't just wait for disaster to strike, they actively pursue storms so that they will be on the ground when they hit," said Geoff Daniels, executive vice president and general manager, Nat Geo WILD. "They know the local first responders aren't equipped to help animals, so they've stepped up to fill a need and reunite families."

Led by Karissa Hadden, a veterinary assistant and founder of an animal rescue charity, each episode of Animal Storm Squad follows the team as it prepares for a mission into a disaster zone. It is a 24/7, 365-day pursuit that has them crisscrossing the country, trying to stay one step ahead of catastrophe. Battling their way through ferocious weather, downed trees and damaged roads, they find the animals that Mother Nature left behind.

"If I wasn't able to help my own animals, I would hope that somebody would care enough to help me," said Hadden. "That's why I do everything I can to make sure that no creature is left behind."

SEASON 1 RESCUES INCLUDE:

� WILDFIRE: Wenatchee, Washington: Seven animals rescued during the largest wildfire in the state's history

� TORNADO: Van, Texas: Eleven animals helped after a powerful EF3 tornado

� FLOOD: San Marco, Texas: Ten animals helped after dangerous flooding

� WILDFIRE: Middletown, California: Eight animals helped after a devastating wildfire

� FLOOD: Andrews, South Carolina: Eight animals helped after a flood rendered the state a disaster zone

Premiere Episodes

Trial by Fire Premieres Friday, March 11, 10/9c The team rushes to rescue lost and displaced animals in central Washington state, which is in chaos after a wildfire grows to more than 200,000 acres. The team battles dangerous conditions and poor air quality to find a mother cat and her two kittens abandoned and hiding underneath a deck. With no immediate access to the enclosed space, will the team find a way to get the cats to safety? A black bear cub is on the loose and the team jumps into hot pursuit. Then two escaped horses make a run for it, and the team devises a plan to get them home.

Texas Twister Premieres Friday, March 18, 10/9c The Animal Storm Squad hurries to Van, Texas, after a powerful EF3 tornado rips through the town, leveling everything in its path. The team faces its first challenge immediately upon arriving in town: five cats that are trapped under a house. It's a dangerous situation for everyone involved because the house is unstable and could collapse at any moment. Karissa leads a heroic effort to save a horse injured in the storm, and the team reunites families with their furry loved ones.

Valley on Fire (wt) Premieres Friday, March 25, 10/9c The Animal Storm Squad races to Middleton California where a devastating wildfire scorches the countryside, destroying homes and displacing families. Karissa leads the team through the fury of one of the worst wildfires in state history, rescuing everything from gravely injured cats to abandoned dogs.

Meet the Team

Karissa Hadden is a veterinary assistant from Canada who founded the charity Never Stop Saving Animal Disaster Rescue Transport. She was inspired to do something after trying to help some kittens that were ultimately lost in the EF5 tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma, in May 2013. Karissa has degrees in human resource management and public communications from Stratford College in Ontario, Canada. She has also finished courses in swift water rescue, confined spaces awareness, hazmat and search and rescue. Hadden is Animal Storm Squad's team leader in caring for and transporting each rescued pet to safety and on to its owners.

Erik Fox is the team's weather forecaster who provides up-to-date, real-time weather information. He is also a trained firefighter and retired Army sergeant who served the United States for 14 years.

Leigh Ann Bennett is a physician's assistant who helps triage and care for the rescued animals. She is a trained trauma nurse who brings more than 15 years of experience to the team.

Dustin Feldman is a wildlife management expert, a wilderness EMT and a field medic. Previously a rescue boat captain, firefighter and storm chaser, Dustin is the man you want by your side in an emergency.

Animal Storm Squad is produced by BCII for Nat Geo WILD. BCII executive producer is Bud Brutsman. For Nat Geo WILD, executive producer is Ashley Hoppin, senior vice president of development and production is Janet Han Vissering and executive vice president and general manager is Geoff Daniels.