Animal Planet is set to premiere ‘Turtle Walker’, an acclaimed documentary by filmmaker Taira Malaney, on October 19, 2026. Produced by Tiger Baby, Emaho Films and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, the film will be featured as part of the channel’s ‘India: Epic Wild Stories’ anthology.

The documentary follows conservationist Satish Bhaskar and his work documenting sea turtle nesting sites along India’s coastline and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It traces his efforts to understand sea turtle habitats and protect nesting beaches, highlighting the impact of individual dedication on wildlife conservation.

The film marks the first collaboration between Animal Planet and the three production houses. Academy Award-winning filmmaker James Reed is among its executive producers.

‘India: Epic Wild Stories’ brings together wildlife and conservation documentaries from across the country, offering audiences a closer look at India’s natural heritage and the people working to preserve it.

Speaking about the collaboration, Sai Abishek, Head of Factual Entertainment, Lifestyle & Kids – South Asia, Skydance, said the anthology aims to bring distinctive documentaries from Indian wildlife filmmakers to wider audiences. He described Turtle Walker as a combination of a deeply personal journey and a broader conservation story, adding that the project reflects the channel’s commitment to working with Indian filmmakers and sharing compelling wildlife narratives.

Beginning in the late 1970s, ‘Turtle Walker’ chronicles Bhaskar’s solitary expeditions to study sea turtles. Among the locations featured is Suheli Par, an uninhabited island in Lakshadweep, where Bhaskar communicated with his wife through letters placed in bottles.

The documentary also follows his return to the Andaman Islands after the devastating 2004 tsunami. There, he sought to understand the disaster’s impact on sea turtles and their nesting beaches.

Zoya Akhtar, who backed the film, said Bhaskar’s extraordinary story deserved a wider audience. She welcomed its inclusion in ‘India: Epic Wild Stories’, noting the importance of documentaries that help people develop a deeper connection with the natural world.

Reema Kagti added that Bhaskar’s journey demonstrates what one person can achieve through dedication and perseverance. She said the film’s arrival on Animal Planet would allow more viewers in India to discover his story after its international screenings.

Since its premiere at DOC NYC in 2024, ‘Turtle Walker’ has screened at several international festivals, including Raindance, the Hamptons International Film Festival, the BANFF Mountain Film Festival and the Brisbane International Film Festival.

The documentary has also received recognition at events including Jackson Wild Grand Teton, Academia Film Olomouc, where it won the Best Film Award, the SILBERSALZ Science & Media Awards, where it received the Best Nature Programme award, and the Tasveer Film Festival, where it won a Jury Award. The film has also been nominated for a Grierson Award for Best Science and Natural History Documentary.

Reflecting on the film’s journey, director Taira Malaney said the project took nearly nine years to make and has screened at more than 75 international film festivals, earned over 20 awards and featured in more than 100 community screenings.

Malaney said the team was looking forward to bringing the documentary to Animal Planet’s diverse audiences across India. She also expressed hope that viewers would develop a greater appreciation for the country’s marine biodiversity and recognise the difference one individual can make through sustained conservation efforts.

With Turtle Walker, Animal Planet continues to expand its ‘India: Epic Wild Stories’ anthology, spotlighting documentary filmmakers and stories that connect India’s natural heritage with broader global conservation concerns.

‘Turtle Walker’ will premiere exclusively on Animal Planet on October 19, 2026, at 9 pm.