Nat Geo Makes a Splash as Life Size Blue Whale Tail Dives Into the Serpentine

LONDON - With Photo

It has a heart the size of a Mini, a tongue as heavy as an elephant and
the ability to grow up to 30 metres long (100 ft), and today, a life size
model of a Blue Whale tail splashed into the Serpentine in London’s Hyde
Park.

The model tail was specially commissioned by National Geographic Channel
to celebrate the premiere of Blue Whale Odyssey and the launch of its new
channel, Nat Geo Wild HD. It stands at three metres high (10ft) and an
incredible six metres wide (20ft) and is based on that of a 24-30 metre long
(80-100ft) Blue Whale.

The tail will be on display in the Serpentine throughout the day today,
Tuesday 31st March, offering members of the public the opportunity to
experience the sheer magnitude of these beautiful creatures close up.

National Geographic Channel’s special Blue Whale Odyssey offers a rare
and exclusive insight into these giants of the ocean that few people have
ever seen. The film features underwater footage including the first ever
glimpse of a two week-old calf.

Blue Whale Odyssey airs on Nat Geo Wild HD on Wednesday 1st April at 9pm.
It will also air on National Geographic Channel on Friday 3rd April at 3pm.

- The Blue Whale tail will be on display in Serpentine in
London’s Hyde Park by the boating house until 5pm this evening.

- Footage from Blue Whale Odyssey is available on digibeta for
usage within broadcast packages subject to credits.

- Still images of the tail in the Serpentine and stills from
Blue Whale Odyssey are available subject to credits.

- Creating the tail

Made by specialist prop makers 2D3D, the tail was carved from
seven blocks of high density polystyrene, each at 2.4m x 1.2m x .6m,
by three sculptors and two assistants over a period of 5 days. It was
finished with a Fibreglass layer and a resin applied to create the
waterproof skin before painting with non-toxic paint.

- Nat Geo Wild HD will transmit exclusively on the Sky+HD
platform in the UK and Republic of Ireland from Wednesday 1st April
on Sky Channel 544.

Note to Editors:

A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA
Photowire. It can be downloaded from www.pa-mediapoint.press.net
or viewed at www.mediapoint.press.net or
www.prnewswire.co.uk

Contact:

Luigia Minichiello, Publicity, E: luigia.minichiello@bskyb.com

Sinead Taylor, Picture Editor, E: sinead.taylor@bskyb.com

Source: National Geographic Channel

Contact: Luigia Minichiello, Publicity, T: +44(0)20-7751-7679, E: luigia.minichiello at bskyb.com; Sinead Taylor, Picture Editor, T: +44(0)20-7751-7684, E: sinead.taylor at bskyb.com