Nat Geo Makes a Splash as Life Size Blue Whale Tail Dives Into the Serpentine

Nat Geo Makes a Splash as Life Size Blue Whale Tail Dives Into the Serpentine

LONDON, March 31/PRNewswire/ --

- With Photo

It has a heart the size of a Mini, a tongue as heavy as an elephant and the ability to grow up to 30 metres long (100 ft), and today, a life size model of a Blue Whale tail splashed into the Serpentine in London's Hyde Park.

The model tail was specially commissioned by National Geographic Channel to celebrate the premiere of Blue Whale Odyssey and the launch of its new channel, Nat Geo Wild HD. It stands at three metres high (10ft) and an incredible six metres wide (20ft) and is based on that of a 24-30 metre long (80-100ft) Blue Whale.

The tail will be on display in the Serpentine throughout the day today, Tuesday 31st March, offering members of the public the opportunity to experience the sheer magnitude of these beautiful creatures close up.

National Geographic Channel's special Blue Whale Odyssey offers a rare and exclusive insight into these giants of the ocean that few people have ever seen. The film features underwater footage including the first ever glimpse of a two week-old calf.

Blue Whale Odyssey airs on Nat Geo Wild HD on Wednesday 1st April at 9pm. It will also air on National Geographic Channel on Friday 3rd April at 3pm.

          - The Blue Whale tail will be on display in Serpentine in       London's Hyde Park by the boating house until 5pm this evening.      - Footage from Blue Whale Odyssey is available on digibeta for       usage within broadcast packages subject to credits.      - Still images of the tail in the Serpentine and stills from       Blue Whale Odyssey are available subject to credits.      - Creating the tail      Made by specialist prop makers 2D3D, the tail was carved from     seven blocks of high density polystyrene, each at 2.4m x 1.2m x .6m,      by three sculptors and two assistants over a period of 5 days. It was      finished with a Fibreglass layer and a resin applied to create the      waterproof skin before painting with non-toxic paint.      - Nat Geo Wild HD will transmit exclusively on the Sky+HD       platform in the UK and Republic of Ireland from Wednesday 1st April        on Sky Channel 544.  

Note to Editors:

A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk

Contact:

Luigia Minichiello, Publicity, E: luigia.minichiello@bskyb.com

Sinead Taylor, Picture Editor, E: sinead.taylor@bskyb.com

Source: National Geographic Channel

Contact: Luigia Minichiello, Publicity, T: +44(0)20-7751-7679, E: luigia.minichiello@bskyb.com; Sinead Taylor, Picture Editor, T: +44(0)20-7751-7684, E: sinead.taylor@bskyb.com

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Profile: International Entertainment