ANIMAL Planet reality show, Call of the Wildman, premiered on television on October 30, 2011.
After a bombshell scandal landed the show’s star, Ernie “The Turtleman” Brown Jr, in hot water, viewers were curious to know the fate of the program.
Why was Call of the Wildman canceled?
In January of 2014, Mother Jones magazine accused the program’s cast and production team of falsifying records that the series submitted to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The publication’s allegations claimed that Call of the Wildman was not truthful regarding the animals that were captured, euthanized, and released during the show’s taping and airing.
The reports by Mother Jones cited various episodes as examples of the TV show’s mishandling of the animals featured, all while doing so without the proper licenses and certifications.
The accusations resulted in investigations by The United States Department of Agriculture, officials came to a decision in March of 2017.
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Before the USDA concluded their case on the Animal Planet spectacle, Call of the Wildman was canceled in 2014 – the network aired the last episode on September 14.
On March 15, 2017, the USDA revealed the reality series was in violation of the Animal Welfare Act due to exhibiting several animals on the show without a valid license.
The USDA’s investigation led to fines for the Call of the Wildman’s production team.
An unnamed producer was fined $180,000, while another undisclosed producer was fined $1,800.
Who is The Turtleman?
Call of the Wildman starred the television personality that fans of the series know as Ernie The Turtleman.
The Turtleman appeared alongside Neal James as the two went on adventures and animal removal missions together.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Ernie aka Turtleman amassed a wealth of $1million.
The show was filmed in Kentucky, where Turtleman also happens to take up residence.
Where is The Turtleman now?
On March 15, 2022, Ernie Brown Jr shocked his fans with details regarding an accident he was in.
A message from his official TV Facebook page read: “PRAY FOR THE TURTLEMAN NOW! PLEASE! Bad accident. Very bad.”
Fans of the Turtleman and his show took to the comments to wish him a speedy recovery.
Turtleman updated his fans later that day to disclose the extent of his injuries.
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Through a Facebook clip, he said: “I have one broken bone that’s in my arm.”
“I’m hurting in my chest and I got hit by a tree limb which was about as big as my leg.”
He added: “I was cutting a tree and the tree fell perfect until all of a sudden, bam, one limb hit me across the neck and shoulders.”
“I just want to thank everybody, I love y’all Turtle fans. I didn’t mean for this to happen. Just keep praying for me please.”
