The Turtleman Now: 5 Shocking Secrets Behind The Show’s Cancellation And His 2025 Conservation Comeback
Ernie "The Turtleman" Brown Jr. - The Bare-Handed Legend's Biography
Ernie Brown Jr., known universally as The Turtleman, is a genuine Kentucky icon whose life story is as wild as the creatures he captures. His unique skill set and larger-than-life personality made him a household name, but his roots are firmly planted in the American South.- Full Name: Ernie Brown Jr.
- Nickname: The Turtleman
- Born: Washington County, Kentucky (also cited as Lebanon, Kentucky)
- Early Life: Began catching snapping turtles bare-handed as early as age five or seven, a tradition passed down through his family.
- Career Peak: Star of the Animal Planet reality series *Call of the Wildman* (2011–2014).
- Signature Catchphrase: "Live Action!"
- Family: He has two daughters, Courtney and Megan.
- Net Worth: Estimated to be around $150 thousand.
- Sidekick: His long-time friend and self-proclaimed secretary, Neal James, was a fixture on the show.
The Turtleman’s rise to fame was unconventional. He was discovered by a documentary crew, leading to the creation of *Call of the Wildman*. The show followed him and his team, including Neal James, as they removed various nuisance animals—from raccoons and skunks to snakes and, of course, snapping turtles—from people's homes, barns, and ponds across Kentucky. His method was always hands-on, eschewing modern traps for his signature bare-handed approach, which captivated millions of viewers globally.
The Real Reason 'Call of the Wildman' Vanished from Animal Planet
The abrupt end of *Call of the Wildman* after four seasons left many fans confused, as Animal Planet never issued an official cancellation statement. The truth behind the show's disappearance is complex, rooted in a series of damning animal welfare controversies and licensing issues that severely tarnished its reputation.Staged Scenarios and Animal Welfare Violations
The primary scandal that led to the show's demise centered on allegations of staged scenarios and the mistreatment of animals. The show, which presented itself as genuine wildlife removal, was revealed to be heavily manipulated.- Drugging and Caging: Reports surfaced that the production team staged numerous captures. In one particularly egregious case, a zebra was allegedly drugged and a mink was caged for an extended period to ensure the "capture" was successful on camera.
- USDA Fine: The controversy reached a peak when a producer for the show was fined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for exhibiting animals without the proper license. This federal scrutiny validated the claims of animal welfare organizations like PETA, who had long protested the show's practices.
- Licensing Issues: Beyond the show's producers, Ernie Brown Jr. himself faced issues. By the year following the show's final season, his Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator's license was fully revoked in Kentucky after he failed to provide the necessary documentation for his captures.
The combination of declining ratings and the mounting public relations crisis, fueled by evidence of animal mistreatment and staging, made the show unsustainable for Animal Planet. While the network never formally announced a cancellation, The Turtleman simply never returned after the final season, effectively ending his television career in the wildman niche.
The Turtleman's New "Live Action" in 2025: Global Conservation
Since his exit from reality television, Ernie Brown Jr. has not retreated from the public eye. Instead, he has quietly shifted his focus from local nuisance animal removal to a powerful new mission: global sea turtle conservation through The Turtleman Foundation. This pivot represents the freshest and most unique chapter in his life, showing that his passion for wildlife remains strong.A New Focus on Sea Turtles
The Turtleman Foundation has become the central entity for his conservation efforts, a stark contrast to the controversies that ended his TV career. The foundation actively collaborates with international partners to protect endangered marine life, specifically sea turtles.The commitment is tangible and current. In a major update for late 2024 and 2025, The Turtleman Foundation renewed its collaboration and provided a new donation to Projeto FaunaMar in Brazil. This generous support is directly aimed at protecting sea turtle nests, safeguarding female turtles, and ensuring the survival of hatchlings—a true "Live Action" effort to save a species.
Furthermore, the foundation is supporting the Akupara Project in Venezuela, providing tools and education to promote community conservation and protect sea turtles in their natural habitats. These projects are a clear indication that Ernie Brown Jr. is dedicating his post-TV career to making a genuine, positive impact on wildlife, a far cry from the staged events of his past show. The foundation's goals also include funding research to improve sea turtle immunity and recovery from injuries and illness.
Continuing Public Appearances
While his television career is over, The Turtleman continues to connect with fans through live events and public appearances. He maintains an active "Turtleman Live Action" presence, traveling to various fairs, festivals, and sponsored events across the United States.These appearances allow fans to meet the woodsman in person, hear his famous catchphrases, and support his new conservation work directly. He continues to be a beloved regional celebrity, using his fame to promote the new, more ethical "Live Action" of The Turtleman Foundation.
Conclusion: The Turtleman’s Legacy and Future
Ernie "The Turtleman" Brown Jr.'s career is a cautionary tale about the pressures of reality television, but his legacy is being redefined by his current actions. The controversies surrounding *Call of the Wildman* led to its demise, but they also seemingly spurred a genuine commitment to conservation. Today, The Turtleman is no longer just the man who catches snapping turtles in Kentucky ponds. He is an international wildlife advocate, using his platform to fund critical sea turtle conservation projects in places like Brazil and Venezuela. This 2025 pivot from backwoods celebrity to global conservationist ensures that his "Live Action" spirit is not only alive but is now contributing to a vital cause, saving one turtle at a time, just as he always claimed.Detail Author:
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