Nat Geo WILD's MISSION CRITICAL Series to Screen at Washington Square Park

Join NYC Parks, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival (WCFF), the Natural Areas Conservancy (NAC) and NAT GEO WILD for the world premiere screening of Mission Critical, a new monthly series devoted to moving our global audience to help preserve the rarest animals and wildest places on earth before it's too late.

The event will take place on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Washington Square Park, Under the Arch, Manhattan.

The must-see evening includes a first look at the first two Mission Critical specials, Panda Babies and Operation Sumatran Rhino, before the monthly series kicks off on Sunday, Aug. 28, at 8/7c on Nat Geo WILD. Witness these awe-inspiring stories that feature extraordinary encounters and spectacular cinematography from the greatest filmmakers in the world.

Bring a blanket or chair, food and drink (no alcohol), and a CURIOSITY for our planet's rarest animals wildest places.

About Panda Babies: Mission Critical - In China, one of the planets best-loved and magical creatures is fighting to survive. With fewer than two thousand GIANT PANDAS left in the wild, the race is on to build their numbers up. Deep in the Sichuan Mountains, three of the leading panda centers in the world are doing just that, and we're uncovering the secrets to their success. Journey behind the scenes to three panda maternity wards to see what it takes to save the world's cutest ANIMAL icon. We'll be visiting a nursery at Bifengxia, to follow the first stages of baby panda life before heading off to Dujiangyan, where toddlers make friends and build relationships. From there it's on to Wolong, where some pandas are getting ready for life in the wild. Prepare to see pandas as you've never seen them before.

About Operation Sumatran Rhino: Mission Critical - In Borneo, Sumatran rhinos' numbers are down to just single digits. Conservationists are on a desperate mission to save the country's last individuals. The only way to ensure the safety and survival of these last rhinos is to capture all remaining in the wild - a dangerous and costly operation. Follow Malaysia's foremost rhino scientists in their incredible quest to save this critically endangered species.