Discovery's Animal Planet rebrands with new blue leaping elephant channel logo and changing it's focus to 'family'.

Discovery's is rebranding its Animal Planet channel with a new blue leaping elephant channel logo and introducing some new international programming from 28 October while it's changing it's focus to "family".

Animal Planet is no longer available in South Africa after MultiChoice axed the channel in late-2017 without adequate warning and the removal of the channel as part of a new Discovery channels set carriage deal eliciting anger from many DStv subscribers.

Animal Planet is available on Econet Media's Kwesé TV in Southern Africa in countries outside of South Africa.

Animal Planet will change its on-air look on 28 October and will introduce some new global programming like Cricket! It's the Irwins following the nature conservation family and Amanda to the Rescue in which Amanda Giese cares for dogs that others have discarded.

The new Animal Planet appearance will be phased in in more than 200 countries and territories and was done by the New York-based graphic design firm Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv (CGH).

Animal Planet says it remains committed to "keeping the childhood joy and wonder of animals alive by bringing people up close in every way" and that the refocused Animal Planet will be "a multi-platform experience for every member of the family".

"Animal Planet has been a much-loved brand around the world for more than 20 years, and the time has never been more right to engage with mass audiences across every platform who are as passionate about animals as we are," says Susanna Dinnage, Animal Planet global president.

"We are able to reach all generations through our content and storytelling – we are here to entertain and delight by bringing people up close to animals and nature."

It's interesting to note that Animal Planet that started out covering animals, then shifted and rebranded to "Surprisingly Human" and focused on the interaction between humans and animals with landmark series like Whale Wars, now seems to change again to be offering programming for viewers of different ages, created around how "families" interact with animals and the dynamics between "families" of animals, as well as human families interacting with animals.

Pablo Pulido, the vice president for marketing at Animal Planet says "Animal Planet required a mark to represent the global aspect of the brand, as an experience that translates across countries, regions and cultures and beyond linear: a platform agnostic approach."

"CGH is known for developing iconic brand marks and I'm excited they delivered a truly global mark for Animal Planet."

Sagi Haviv, a partner at Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv, says "We are thrilled to be working with Animal Planet and wanted to capture the energy and joy of this beloved brand. Building on Animal Planet's original mark, the new leaping elephant is fresh and distinctive, and should be able to travel across platforms, audiences and the world".

Animal Planet is in active development and production on more than 25 new series to to be announced later this year and in 2019.

It's not clear what or how much of this Animal Planet programming DStv subscribers might possibly see on some of Discovery's other channels currently carried on MultiChoice's platform.

PETA furious over the use of an abused elephant in drama series Westworld seen on M-Net; slams HBO for animal's use after the headbutting death of South Africa's Carlos Carvalho last week by a giraffe.

PETA is furious over the use of a wild elephant in the science fiction drama series, Westworld, seen on M-Net (DStv 101) in South Africa and across Africa, and is slamming HBO in America as it also references the tragic incident in which the South African cinematographer Carlos Carvalho was killed last week by a wild giraffe on the set of a game lodge.

"We're urging HBO to commit to not using any wild animals in future episodes or other series," the animal rights organisation says in response to the 3rd episode of the second season of Westworld that was just broadcast.

The Westworld episode, entitled "Virtu e Fortuna" revealed a new adjacent park called The Raj, with a British colonial India setting where guests ride on elephants and go on hunting safaris to kill Bengal tigers.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) says one of the elephants in the episode is Tai, elephant owned and exhibited by Have Trunk Will Travel, that has been filmed on camera being abused during training and suffering at the hands of trainers.

"In light of the egregious cruelty and human health risks as well as the public's growing opposition to the use of animals for entertainment - and because reports say that there are still plans to use bears this season - we're urging HBO to commit to not using any wild animals in future episodes or other series," says Lauren Thomasson, PETA manager of animals in film and television, in an open letter addressed to Casey Bloys, HBO programming president.

"Considering the realistic and cruelty-free CGI technology that exists today, all wild animals in HBO series should be computer-generated, just the way the tiger was so beautifully done in last night's episode."

Here is PETA's open letter in full:


"Dear Mr. Bloys,

I'm writing to you today on behalf of PETA and our more than 6.5 million members and supporters worldwide with concerns over the use of live animals on Westworld - especially wild animals, such as the elephants who appeared in last night's episode.

In light of the egregious cruelty and human health risks as well as the public's growing opposition to the use of animals for entertainment - and because reports say that there are still plans to use bears this season - we're urging HBO to commit to not using any wild animals in future episodes or other series."

All elephants used for TV and film are trained through domination and painful techniques, including the use of sharp metal bullhooks and electric prods. Many animals develop abnormal behaviour and become unhealthy, depressed, or aggressive because of the mistreatment that they experience. We've identified one of the elephants on the show as Tai, who's owned and exhibited by the notorious outfit Have Trunk Will Travel (HTWT).

This eyewitness video footage shows trainers at HTWT abusing elephants, including Tai, during training. The cruel methods that these trainers use are standard practices in the elephant-training industry. Kari Johnson, co-owner of HTWT, acknowledged under oath that her company chains elephants for more than 12 hours a day. Of the four elephants born at HTWT's facility, all but one died before reaching the age of 4.

Public opposition to the use of animals for entertainment is stronger than ever - evident from the closure of Ringling Bros. circus after 146 years of exploitation and the dozens of travel companies that have pulled elephant rides from their offerings - so it comes as no surprise that we're receiving complaints from your viewers.

And since we sent information when elephants and bears were used in other series such as Silicon Valley, we're stunned that HBO would allow this.

Captive wild animals also pose a serious threat to the safety of cast and crew. Just last week, director Carlos Carvalho was killed by a giraffe on the set of a TV movie with wildlife experts present. There's no way to predict the behaviour of wild animals, and no amount of training can overcome their natural instincts.

Dangerous interactions with captive elephants have resulted in dozens of human deaths or catastrophic injuries - including broken bones, crushed pelvises, collapsed and punctured lungs, degloving injuries, head wounds, and brain injuries.

Considering the realistic and cruelty-free CGI technology that exists today, all wild animals in HBO series should be computer-generated, just the way the tiger was so beautifully done in last night's episode. 

May we please hear from you right away to confirm that any plans to use live bears or other wild animals will be cancelled and that you will pledge to stop using and exploiting wild animals? Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Lauren Thomasson
Manager, Animals in Film & Television
PETA"