Nat Geo Presents ‘Betty White Goes Wild’

“If it hadn’t been for Hollywood, I’d have fulfilled my other childhood dream — to be a zookeeper,” says Betty White when speaking about her love for animals. Nat Geo is honoring Betty White and her life in animal advocacy with a rare look into one of her true passions — big cats! Head with her to the Los Angeles and San Diego zoos to get up close to big cats. White weaves her natural wit as we look at the cats’ individual behavioral traits and learn where they live, how many are left in the wild and the challenges they face.

Betty White remains a cultural icon. She passed away on December 31, 2021 at the age of 99–a mere 17 days before her 100th birthday. White started off in radio and has been on TV since TV came into existence. She had a career that spanned more than 80 years, and is affectionately referred to as the “First Lady of Television.”

Outside of her role as an entertainer, White also established herself as an activist and a champion of social causes. She was an outspoken advocate for animal rights, LGBTQ rights, and Civil Rights and opposing racial injustice. 

To honor Disney Legend Betty White, and her lifelong love and passion for animals, The Walt Disney Company is pledging $25,000 to the Los Angeles Zoo’s Animal Care Fund, which provides for veterinary care and enrichment for the animals at her beloved Los Angeles Zoo.

Check out the special presentation “Betty White Goes Wild” on Monday, January 17 at 9pm Eastern / 6pm Pacific on Nat Geo WILD. It is also available now, streaming on Disney+.