Richard Hammond's Jungle Quest For Sky 1

Sky 1 has confirmed it is to air Richard Hammond's Jungle Quest later this year.

The 2 x 60 episodes will be broadcast on Sky 1 HD in September and will follow Hammond as he travels to the Amazon to fulfil his childhood dream to photograph exotic creatures, including the three-toed sloth, pink river dolphins and harpy eagles.

He will trek through steamy impenetrable jungle, tackle the River Amazon, sleep rough under the forest canopy and be hoisted hundreds of feet to the top of trees, in order to reach the remote places where his target species can be found. Along the way, he encounters some of the people who call the rainforest home; people who make up a floating river community and those who live in a traditional tribal village. He also discovers how deforestation is pushing many wild animals to the brink of extinction.

The series is supported by Sky Rainforest Rescue, Sky's partnership with WWF.

Richard Hammond said: "Trekking through the Amazon rainforest with a camera to photograph wildlife was a childhood dream. The reality was, I discovered, far, far tougher than I had imagined, but the moments when I saw and caught images of the elusive creatures and fleeting encounters that make the place so special, so unique and yet so fragile were breathtaking and some of the best in my life. I hope viewers will feel they have been there too, in this film; getting a sense of the magic, splendour and wonder of the place as animals and humans live side by side amidst the threats they face – the very things that Sky Rainforest Rescue Campaign works to highlight. And most of all, I hope people enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed making it."

Siobhan Mulholland, Commissioning Editor Factual, Sky Entertainment, added: "This is a different take on a trip to the Amazon Rainforest, it's a personal travel tale and a much bigger story all in one. It's about Richard Hammond attempting to photograph wildlife in a challenging environment and an insight into the threat to the habitat of that wildlife. Hammond is an enthusiast of wildlife and photography – a passion he's bringing to Sky 1."

Fiona Ball, Head of Responsible Business, commented: "We are delighted that Richard Hammond has agreed to be involved in our final programme in support of Sky Rainforest Rescue. We are proud of the fantastic successes that have come from the partnership with WWF as we have worked together to support people in the Amazon and protect the future of this precious and irreplaceable rainforest."

Richard Hammond's Jungle Quest is executive produced by Dominic Bowles for IWC, a Zodiak Media company.

(JP)