Smithsonian Channel Reveals the Hidden World of America's Elusive Mountain Lion in 'The Mountain Lion and Me'

Montana filmmaker Casey Anderson has formed a remarkable relationship with one of America's most powerful predators, a mountain lion named Mama Mo. Casey first discovers Mama Mo one winter night when tracks in the snow appear outside of his home in Paradise Valley, Montana. It sparks Casey's year-long obsession with the adult mountain lion and her cubs who are hunting in his backyard. Astonishingly, Mama Mo lets him into her world, and Casey uses the latest high-tech tools to capture an unprecedented view into the intimate lives of mountain lions in the wild. Casey not only painstakingly tracks Mama Mo's every move, even as she crosses into the legal hunting zone, but he even ventures deep inside the lion's den. THE MOUNTAIN LION AND ME premieres Wednesday, March 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Smithsonian Channel.

It's an astonishing story about the unique relationship between a man and a predator, which begins with Casey following Mama Mo's tracks in the snow, only to discover the grisly scene of her stockpile of carcasses in a nearby abandoned homestead. Embarking on a year-long journey trailing and filming the mountain lion, Casey soon discovers that she is the mother of three small cubs, whom he affectionately names Eeny, Meeny and Miny. Together, these young kittens must learn to survive in the bitter winter of the rugged Yellowstone wilderness. With three mouths to feed, Mama Mo must constantly hunt to provide food for her family while avoiding the many dangers that the Yellowstone River valley holds, not least of which is a roaming male lion who comes prowling through the valley.

Shot in ultra-high definition, THE MOUNTAIN LION AND ME utilizes FLIR thermal technology and 4K camera traps, combined with endless weeks of boots-on-the-ground tracking to follow Mama Mo and her cubs through the seasons. Eventually, tragedy strikes, and the loss cuts deep. And, when Mama Mo ventures into the hunting zone, Casey can only wonder whether he will ever see her again.

Also premiering this March is CASEY ANDERSON'S WILD TRACKS, a series of six episode shorts launching on March 26 on Smithsonian Earth. Casey has spent years exploring the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, a vast, rugged wilderness - one of the last of its kind on Earth. From infrared camera trap footage of a mountain lion's kill to staying on the heels of a pack of hunting wolves, viewers get an insider's look at America's greatest wildlife icons. The first episode, BATTLE OF THE BIGHORNS, will be available to watch for free at SmithsonianEarthTV.com starting March 14.

THE MOUNTAIN LION AND ME and CASEY ANDERSON'S WILD TRACKS are produced by Vanessa Boshoff, Deny Staggs and Casey Anderson of VisionHawk Films. Tria Thalman and David Royle serve as Executive Producers for Smithsonian Channel and Smithsonian Earth.

Smithsonian Earth is a subscription streaming video service specializing in original nature and wildlife programming shot in stunning Ultra HD resolution that's available through Apple(R), Roku(R), Amazon, Android(TM) and at SmithsonianEarthTV.com.

Smithsonian Channel(TM), owned by Smithsonian Networks(TM), a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, is where CURIOSITY lives, inspiration strikes and wonders never cease. This is the place for awe-inspiring stories, powerful documentaries and amazing entertainment across multiple platforms. Smithsonian Channel combines the storytelling prowess of SHOWTIME(R) with the unmatched resources and rich traditions of the Smithsonian, to create award-winning programming that shines new light on popular genres such as air and space, history, science, nature, and pop culture. Among the network's offerings are series including Aerial America, America in Color, First Ladies Revealed, Polar Bear Town, The Lost Tapes, Amazing Monkeys, America's Secret Space Heroes, Mighty Ships, Mighty Planes and Air Disasters, as well as critically-acclaimed specials that include Titanic's Fatal Fire, The Obama Years: The Power of Words, Nightmare on Everest, Diana and the Paparazzi, Diana: The Day We Said Goodbye and Flying High with Phil Keoghan. Smithsonian Networks also operates Smithsonian Earth(TM), through SN Digital LLC., a new subscription video streaming service delivering spectacular original nature and wildlife content. To learn more, go to www.smithsonianchannel.com, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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