The Empire Strikes Back. Despite Last Year’s Victory by Sea Shepherd, the Battle Continues. WHALE WARS Returns June 6 on Animal Planet
(May 3, 2012)

	“Operation Divine Wind” kicks off…WHALE WARS: Season 5 arrives June 6 only on Animal Planet

– WHALE WARS: Season 5 documents Sea Shepherd's "Operation Divine Wind" from December 2011 through February 2012 –

“I think that the Japanese whaling fleet is… motivated by revenge, and they're acting out of desperation more than anything" – Captain Paul Watson

To tweet this release: http://bit.ly/JWFtpX

Toronto, ON (May 3, 2012) – Animal Planet's Emmy® -nominated WHALE WARS returns for an all-new, fifth season with eight engaging new episodes and a one-hour recap special documenting the Sea Shepherd's annual whale defence campaign in the Southern Ocean. Premiering Wednesday, June 6 at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT, Season 5 of Animal Planet’s #1 series finds Canadian Captain Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society more determined than ever as they unleash a powerful arsenal of improved strategy, tactics and introduce new crew members to stave off Japanese whalers in “Operation Divine Wind.”

At the end of the fourth season of WHALE WARS, Sea Shepherd declared a cautious victory against the Japanese whalers, turning them away and saving hundreds of whales. So when the whalers declared their intentions to return to the Southern Ocean – this time escorted by a security vessel – Watson and crew quickly scrambled to mobilize their ships and crew to stop them.

This season, Sea Shepherd faces a multitude of tribulations, including a damaged rudder on Steve Irwin, an inexperienced helicopter pilot brought in to replace veteran Chris Aultman, potential crew tension with the return of Peter Brown, a new captain for Brigitte Bardot, the most extreme weather conditions ever seen in the WHALE WARS saga and more.

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences recognized WHALE WARS in 2009 for exploring issues of concern to our society in a compelling, emotional and insightful way by bestowing the series with a Television Academy Honor which identifying it as “television with a conscience.”

Programming note: The companion series, WHALE WARS: VIKING SHORES, runs through May 30.

About Animal Planet
See our planet from a wilder perspective! Animal Planet is the only animal entertainment brand that captures the drama and compelling characters of the animal kingdom. From the most perilous encounters with nature’s fiercest predators to the pets we bring into our own family, Animal Planet brings out the character behind every creature and shares the story behind every behaviour. Meet these animals – and their human companions and protectors – as they surprise us, scare us, play with us and teach us how similar we really are. Launched in Canada in 2001, Animal Planet programming offers an immersive and compelling journey into the animal world. Animal Planet is a division of Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. Visit Animal Planet online at animalplanet.ca.

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Animal Planet Canada on Twitter: http://twitter.com/animalplanetca

For more information:
Noah Zatzman, Animal Planet, 416.384.5903 or noah.zatzman@bellmedia.ca
Jodi Cook, Animal Planet, 416.384.4603 or jodi.cook@bellmedia.ca

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