Marlin Perkins, along with Mutual of Omaha, Don Meier Productions, and NBC, created the TV show "Wild Kingdom" in 1963. Even though he already hosted another TV show called "Zoo Parade", he wanted a bigger audience (“The Adventure that Started it All”; Meier). Perkins worked with NBC and Mutual of Omaha to educate the public how to help animals and support conservation (Mayo).
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"Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom gave me the opportunity to present the Golden Rule as I live it -- tolerance and kindness and respect for your fellow man, respect for nature, respect for the animals that live in nature - all of these things are part of my life - Marlin Perkins, memo. |
Audiences were inspired by Marlin and Carol Perkins; people started to create foundations, animal sanctuaries, and other organizations to help animals, making one stand into many stands.
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"Your down-to-earth presentation of the subject with which you are so thoroughly familiar, will mean much in educating our people to the need for protecting our natural resources." - Fulton Lovell, Director, Georgia State Game and Fish Commission in a letter to Marlin Perkins "I am anxious to participate in the movement to eliminate the market for garments made of the pelts of endangered animals. I will circulate a petition and help in anyway you can use me." - Henrietta Gummels, house wife in her letter to Carol Perkins "Since I am a working wife and am rarely home during the day, this is the first time I have known of your work in trying to preserve threatened species of animals. I am most interested in doing what I can to save threatened animals. I will write Governor Miller" - Susan J. Syrup, house wife in her letter to Carol Perkins |