Urban Tarzan

Urban Tarzan is a riveting and unconventional reality TV show that originally premiered on Spike TV in 2013. The show brings to the screens the gripping exploits of John Brennan, an expert in animal behavior who has taken to using his elite skills to navigate the concrete jungle of large metropolitan areas in order to handle, rescue, or relocate dangerous animal life. This thrilling show delivers on action, drama, and suspense in its episodic content.

The show's namesake, Urban Tarzan, is actually the professional moniker for John Brennan, a notable and accomplished animal handler in his own right. Brennan brings decades of practical experience to the field, having worked with animals of nearly every species and disposition. This series follows him as he takes his personal calling to the streets, alleys, and homes of New York City, where unexpected conflicts between man and beast often occur.

Each episode of Urban Tarzan is unique and showcases different animal-related situations that range from the delicate and sensitive to outright dangerous and adrenaline-inducing. Birds of prey nesting in high rise condos, loose exotic snakes slithering in the bathroom, or even a tiger trapped in a residential area – no task is too big or too small for the Urban Tarzan.

Being a reality show, Urban Tarzan has a startling rawness to it. Brennan and his team are often shown on-site, defusing potentially lethal encounters between city dwellers and animals. These rescue operations offer a first-hand insight into the delicate, yet crucial task of animal handling, offering viewers a rare perspective into one of the least common occupations. Investigation, strategy and execution is at the heart of each of these operations.

These encounters extend far beyond just mammals. The show displays different species from the animal kingdom: reptiles, birds, large predatory cats and the likes. This diversity also showcases Urban Tarzan’s extensive knowledge about various animal species and his acumen in handling them appropriately.

A significant aspect of the show is its humanitarian undertone. Despite dealing with some of the most dangerous creatures on the planet, Urban Tarzan maintains a commitment to non-violent methods of animal control. The show places immense value on respecting life, both human and animal. Every episode is a testament to the complexity and preciousness of the natural world, even, or perhaps especially, in unpredictable and often hazardous circumstances.

One of the defining elements of the show is the breadth of its scope, which brings with it an element of unpredictability. Urban Tarzan brings the wilderness to the most unlikely of places – from noisy, crowded city streets and cramped public transportation to the tucked-away corners of residential neighborhoods. This unpredictable nature extends beyond just the locations and into the scenarios themselves, with Brennan having to take action in everything from crisis-level events to seemingly mundane daily occurrences.

The supporting cast includes Urban Tarzan's long-time partner Jay Cassidy, an experienced animal handler and stalwart ally during the series' most tense moments. Cassidy's camaraderie with Brennan offers viewers a dynamic and engaging perspective throughout the series.

In adding to the drama, the series also occasionally immerses its viewers in the legal and moral dilemmas surrounding the possession and treatment of exotic animals. Issues such as animal cruelty and illegal pet trading are discussed, and often form the backdrop for the featured missions. While the series is primarily focused on thrilling rescues, these serious undertones give the show a compelling depth.

Entertaining, thrilling, and often heartwarming, Urban Tarzan, with its depiction of the unexpected encounters between humans and animals in a metropolitan setting, is intriguing television. The show combines elements of rescue, reality, suspense, drama, and ever-important messages regarding wildlife conservation and respect for all animals across the spectrum.

Urban Tarzan delivers a unique perspective on a field that often goes overlooked, providing entertainment and education in tandem. An appreciator of the animal kingdom, badger or bird, mammal or reptile, you'll find yourself on an adventurous ride through the urban jungle, led by a man with a mission to humanely intervene in the delicate intersection of human and animal life.