Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this edgy nature series includes graphic photos of injuries from human encounters with wildlife (for example, a woman's scalp ripped from her skull). The host researches animals' typical behavior -- learning, among other things, how to save his own life in an attack -- and seeks out close encounters with potentially dangerous creatures like grizzly bears, crocodiles, and elephants. Survivors of vicious attacks share their harrowing tales, and re-enactments capture the terror of the experiences. Because of its violent nature, use caution when sharing this with sensitive tweens and teens.
Families can talk about the media's treatment of environmental and wildlife issues. Does the media raise awareness of these topics? Should it? On a scale of importance, how high do you think these issues rate with the media? What other concerns outweigh them? Families can also discuss the relationship between humans and animals. How has the growth of human population affected wildlife? What steps have been taken to protect animals and their habitats? Do you think that's enough?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Emily Ashby
In ROGUE NATURE, zoologist Dave Salmoni gets up close and personal with some of the world's most dangerous wild animals. Combining his own research and observations with harrowing tales from animal-attack survivors, Salmoni aims to discover whether it's possible to encounter a "rogue" member of a species -- one that might track and kill a non-threatening human.
Salmoni has plenty of experience with the uncertainty of animal behavior: He trained lions and tigers for years and even survived an unexpected attack from one he considered a friend. But his new subjects -- including hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and giant squid -- are far more intimidating, especially on their home turf. So he relies on the advice of experts and attack survivors to tell him what to expect and what to be wary of.
Each episode centers on one species. Viewers get scientific information about the animal's predatory nature and geographic habitats, as well as background on its history of violence against humans. Salmoni meets with researchers to learn about the particular animal's nature (the scientists' opinions often vary greatly) and get a heads up on specific signs of aggression. He also mines the attack survivors' terrifying stories (accompanied by partial re-enactments) for potential tips.
Then, armed with only his newly acquired information, Salmoni sets out into the wild to observe his subjects' behavior and determine whether violence is a chance occurrence -- or an inevitable fate.
Each episode has a suspenseful build-up -- from the heart-pounding emotion of the survivors' tales ("I consciously felt [a grizzly bear] ripping meat off the back of my head," says one woman) to the experts' lengthy instructions. But since Salmoni's actual time in the wild is so brief, the urgency is quickly deflated. What's more, his final observations often border on "duh" moments: In one episode, for example, he determines that while a species might tend toward peaceful coexistence with humans (from a distance, that is), it's always possible to encounter one who will inexplicably cross the line and attack. (Gee, really?)
That said, Rogue Nature has an intense, addictive quality that thrill-seeking viewers may enjoy. Just keep in mind that young kids and sensitive tweens may be upset by the close-ups of menacing teeth and claws, as well as the survivors' stories, the re-enactments, and the graphic photos of injuries.
Fans may also enjoy Man vs. Wild, Planet Carnivore, and Up Close and Dangerous. Younger-skewing nature series include Wild Kingdom and Caught in the Moment.
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ViolenceGraphic photos show effects of animal attacks on humans. (In one, a woman's scalp was torn from her skull and her ear was pulled off.) Re-enactments of the attacks include screams and close-up shots of menacing animals, and some show guns being fired (though not at the animals themselves). Animals also kill and devour prey. |
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Social BehaviorThe series educates viewers about animal behavior in the wild, emphasizing the risks of human-wildlife interaction. |
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