Report: Turtleman TV show faked

[ER12]

DANVILLE — The city parks department failed to obtain required approvals to film an episode of Animal Planet's Wildman at the public pool where a poisonous snake was released and then captured by Kentucky's "Turtleman," a new report said.

The city of Danville released a report of its investigation of the filming of the reality TV show Call of the Wildman. The program often features Ernie Brown Jr., known as the Turtleman, cornering unwanted animals and using unconventional methods of capture.

Necessary authorization was not obtained before the filming, and the proper authorities did not sign off on the production, according to the report by City Manager Ron Scott.

Director of Danville-Boyle County Parks and Recreation John Drake signed the production company's agreement to use the pool

The report also concluded that the snakes were brought into the pool area, accompanied by a medic, and then were captured by Brown. The show left viewers with the impression that one snake was found in the pool and that others were on the property.

The Turtleman could not be reached for comment. In an interview for Cincinnati.com, a publicist intervened when Brown was asked about Danville.

In a telephone interview, freelance producer Karl Hollandt had the same reply for Herald-Leader questions about planning, production and filming of the episode.

When asked if a snake was found in the pool, if animals were brought in for the show and if he was involved in location planning, Hollandt repetitively said: "All I can say is that Turtleman was called with a problem and he came out to help."

The findings in Scott's report painted a different picture.

The episode portrayed the city of Danville negatively and could impede community growth, Scott said. The pool on city property is jointly financed by Danville and Boyle County, but an independent board runs it.

Scott's report said it didn't appear anyone was compensated for approving the filming.

The report suggested changing the city law that dictates who can approve filming on city land because the current ordinance is unclear, according to the report.

Pursuing legal action against the producers and network was recommended, but the city's Board of Commissioners concluded that such action would bring more negative attention to Danville, Scott said.

Boyle County Judge-Executive Harold McKinney said there are still a number of factors in the show's filming that he wants to review.

"I don't want to keep dragging this out, but on the same token, I don't want a repeat of anything like this," McKinney said.

McKinney wants more information about the circumstances surrounding the decision to use the pool.

"We introduced poisonous snakes into a public swimming pool," McKinney said. "That is not good policy and it's just not a good idea."

Some members of the Board of Parks and Recreation were informally told about the episode, but the board was not approached as a whole, according to the report.

McKinney said it is important to find out who knew about the show's filming and why the plans were not presented to the full parks board.

The Parks and Recreation board is standing behind employee Drake and supports his decisions, chairman of the board Heather Wheeler said.

"We have moved on," Wheeler said. "We are focusing on the positive things going on at our parks, and there are a lot of positive things going on under John Drake."

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2013/06/25/2...#storylink=cpy

[Bluebonnet Herp]

Bah, I hate that show. Another ridiculous show on Animal Planet, only now with an inbred-looking hick who suppossedly is an animal expert, as according to AP. Honestly, I just want to see AP disappear. I wonder if I can remove them from our DirecTV subscription as a boycott.

[Diamond Serpents]

O wow, stinks that he got caught but hey this is reality TV now a days its all set up. I will still continue to watch him hes funny regardless. Its just like Duck Dynasty I have ben watching thes guys since season 1 episode 1 and you can tell alot of there stuff is over acted or staged. Like when Jace lost his wedding ring and was going to get a tattoo of a ring on his finger.

But I do think that staging something like this and not getting approved with a venomous reptile involved is dumb founded. I think they need to be large fined/sued. Some one could have got hurt, this would teach them just because they have money doesn't mean you can do w/e you want to.

[Annarose15]

Soooo...who is actually surprised that the show is fake??

On the flip side, I know someone who has a ball and chain tattoo on his finger because he doesn't like wearing his wedding band. Whatever works!

[BHReptiles]

I know there are A LOT of AP haters. However, I remember when AP had some AWESOME shows - Crocodile Hunter, Animal Miracles (I like the warm fuzzies), Pit Bulls and Parolees (pit lover and proud of it), Blue Planet, Growing Up..., Planet Earth, and some of the EDUCATIONAL animal shows. I think people get wrapped up in all that is bad about the network but don't remember the good shows that they used to run.

-steps off soapbox-

[DSpythons]

I know there are A LOT of AP haters. However, I remember when AP had some AWESOME shows - Crocodile Hunter, Animal Miracles (I like the warm fuzzies), Pit Bulls and Parolees (pit lover and proud of it), Blue Planet, Growing Up..., Planet Earth, and some of the EDUCATIONAL animal shows. I think people get wrapped up in all that is bad about the network but don't remember the good shows that they used to run.

-steps off soapbox-

I wish these shows were still on! AP has very little for educational programs. And many of their shows make snakes and thier owners look bad so I quit watching a while ago. I miss the old Animal Planet..

[Annarose15]

I know there are A LOT of AP haters. However, I remember when AP had some AWESOME shows - Crocodile Hunter, Animal Miracles (I like the warm fuzzies), Pit Bulls and Parolees (pit lover and proud of it), Blue Planet, Growing Up..., Planet Earth, and some of the EDUCATIONAL animal shows. I think people get wrapped up in all that is bad about the network but don't remember the good shows that they used to run.

-steps off soapbox-

Unfortunately, the operative phrase here is "used to", which makes it salt in the wound that they have so blatantly turned their backs on facts and a love for the animals they now villify.

[BHReptiles]

Unfortunately, the operative phrase here is "used to", which makes it salt in the wound that they have so blatantly turned their backs on facts and a love for the animals they now villify.

I agree. I wish they would go back to the old programming. It was fun and still educational. I wish I knew how to help this issues more. However, I'm just one person and there's only so much I can do to change things.

[Mephibosheth1]

Mark O'Shea
Jeff Corwin
Steve Irwin
Nigel Marvin

Cell Dogs
Emergency Vets
Blue Planet
Planet Earth
Growing Up...(insert animal species here)
Animal Precinct
Animal Cops (Houston, Detroit, etc)




I feel privileged to have been able to see these awesome shows in my childhood. Helped give me a wonderful appreciation for the animal world.

[wilomn]

There are 2 things you can do about ap and the crap they broadcast.

First, STOP watching that channel. Seriously. Just don't turn it on.

Second, write them a letter and tell them how you feel and that you refuse to watch the programs they run, that you are not alone in this not watching, but if they went back to real shows you would start watching again. Remind them that MAYBE one out of five thousand viewers will write in, and that while you are only one, you do know, if it's true, many other who flat out boycott crap on TV.

Also, stop talking about anything they broadcast no matter how bad. Don't give them ANY publicity at all. If you do, sure as crap rolls down hill, some fool will go watch it to see what you're talking about thereby negating the effort you've gone through to get people to stop watching the crapfest that has become ap.