Parents' Guide to

Wild Recon

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Close encounters of the animal kind are iffy for young kids.

TV Animal Planet Reality TV 2010
Wild Recon Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 1 parent review

Tulananian
Tulananian Adult
February 15, 2010
age 10+

This Show Should Revisit Its Purpose - If One Can Say It Has A Purpose At All

I think this person needs to scale back his act. If he's so allergic to snake bites, why is he handling them without protection! One show had him in a cage in Vegas!!! Come on!!! What will you all do next to boost this loser-rated show's points? It's violent, uninformative and suggests that anyone can run around the globe molesting animals for the the 'sake' of 'science'. What are his credentials? Even if he is trained, he's NO Marlin Perkins. They respected the animals they encountered. This guy seems to get off on the level of danger involved and it's not fun to watch. It squarely places him in the role of aggressor when he digs up and unearths animals who are seeking to have nothing to do with him. Bad form, Animal Planet. Bad form!
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What's the Story?

In WILD RECON, animal expert and self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie Donald Schulz travels the world collecting venom and DNA samples from a variety of species for medical research. Whether wrestling human-sized emus or outmaneuvering some of the world's deadliest snakes, Schulz is no stranger to the perils of working with animals -- and his dedication to the cause offers hope for the future of both the species he works with and the people who are helped by the medical research the samples enable.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (3 ):

This fast-paced, action-packed series is a cross between a nature show and a heart-pumping drama, and viewers will find their adrenaline flowing right along with Schulz's as he attempts to gain access to dangerous species like sea snakes, monitor lizards, and rhinos. Schulz's passion for wildlife is clear, and a lifetime of experience pays dividends in his obvious expertise with the critters he handles. Viewers are treated to a wealth of intriguing facts and close-up glimpses of each one he meets.

That said, some of the show's content may confuse kids, including themes like cloning and animals' role in medical research. Kids also may not understand why Schulz seems to break basic rules in how he handles animals, like pulling one by its tail or intentionally irritating a poisonous snake, for example. If your kids do tune in, be sure to follow up with a discussion about safe ways for them to relate to animals -- and a list of which animals they should never approach.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the how the media can affect a person's impression of controversial issues. Do you think "good" TV has to have a strong message? What messages does this show send?

  • Kids: What animal species do you know of that are endangered? What factors have played a role in their demise? What steps can people take to ensure their continued existence?

  • Families can also discuss the themes raised by this show, including cloning. What are the implications of cloning? Should the rules be different for cloning animals and humans? Why or why not?

TV Details

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