Peter Gros of The Original Mutual of Omaha's "Wild Kingdom" brings wild animals, adventure tales to Manassas

There won't be lions, tigers and bears, but there will be a collection of other exotic animals from across the globe appearing in Manassas this weekend when the Hylton Performing Arts Center welcomes Peter Gros, legendary wildlife expert, environmental conservationist and host of The Original Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom” on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. These events are the fourth and final offering of the second year of the popular Hylton Family Series, which encourages families to enjoy and experience the arts together.

Celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year, Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom” first premiered as a nature television show in 1963. With its innovative concept of traveling the world to study animals in their natural habitat, the show pioneered the nature narrative format that many wildlife shows still use today. Mutual of Omaha's “Wild Kingdom” went on to become one of the longest running and most awarded nature shows, receiving 41 major awards, including four Emmy Awards. The hit show has since broken out of the television screen and has hit the road with longtime host Peter Gros.

In his popular live presentations, Gros shares his wildlife adventures through a mix of inspirational storytelling and entertaining video clips and bloopers. As he introduces audiences of all ages to some of his exotic animal friends, he brings awareness to issues of conservation, travel and wildlife filming.

Some of the many animals that will accompany Gros to the Hylton Center include a Eurasian eagle owl, an Australian kookaburra that will sing with the audience, a 17-foot Burmese python named “Julius Squeezer” that the audience can help hold, a giant African crested porcupine, a lemur and much more. 

Peter Gros initially served as a field correspondent for The Original Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom” television series before becoming a co-host in 1985. He has also appeared on “LIVE with Regis and Kelly, ” “The Early Show” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

Gros has nearly 30 years of experience working with captive wildlife in such positions as director of land animals and vice president at Marine World/Africa USA, and he currently serves as the president of the Green Valley Center for Wildlife Education. His tireless efforts for wildlife conservation have resulted in the creation of breeding programs for more than 370 endangered species and rehabilitation programs for birds of prey. Gros is presently a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Zoological Association of America and on the board of directors for the Suisun Marsh Natural History Association. He is a licensed exhibition and animal educator for the United States Department of Agriculture, allowing him to travel the country presenting Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom” for years to come. 

Tickets for these events are $5 for children and $15 for adults. Visit the box office (open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or visit HyltonCenter.org.

The Hylton Performing Arts Center is located on George Mason University’s Prince William Campus at 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, Va., 20110. FREE parking is available in the lot next to the Hylton Center. For more information, please visit HyltonCenter.org. Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/HyltonCenter and follow us on Twitter at @Hylton_PAC.