Wildlife creator Kyle Thomas is expanding his digital footprint with the launch of a dedicated YouTube channel, Kyle’s Wildlife Heroes, in partnership with leading Northern Ireland production company Waddell Media.
The series, which drops on July 30, also marks Waddell Media’s first dedicated YouTube channel as the producer broadens its digital strategy.
The project reunites the two partners following their previous collaboration on We Built a Zoo for BBC Three and BBC Northern Ireland, which followed Thomas’s attempts to establish a wildlife park for his collection of exotic animals.
The new channel follows Thomas, who has built an audience of more than 34 million followers on TikTok, as he travels internationally with conservationists working to protect endangered species. Episodes, running between 15 and 20 minutes, feature visits to wildlife rescue and rehabilitation projects, including work with trafficked pangolins, orphaned rhinos and rescued primates.
Filming on the first instalments took place in South Africa, where Thomas visited pangolin rehabilitation centre Umoya Khulula, rhino sanctuary Care For Wild and The Vervet Monkey Foundation. He said: “It’s thrilling and inspiring to meet people who have dedicated their lives to protecting animals. These conservationists are true heroes, and I can’t wait for people to see the incredible work they’re doing.”
Jannine Waddell, managing director of Waddell Media, said: “We’re incredibly excited to launch Waddell Media’s first dedicated YouTube channel with Kyle. The footage we’ve captured is simply extraordinary. We already have enough premium content for at least a year’s worth of weekly films, each one packed with incredible wildlife, unforgettable characters and breathtaking locations. Kyle’s warmth, curiosity and genuine passion for animals make him the perfect person to tell these stories.”
Image from Kyle Thomas TikTok account
