DUSTY CRUM DOUBLES DOWN ON HIS MISSION TO SAVE AMERICA'S ECOSYSTEM FROM INVASIVE PYTHONS IN NEW SEASON OF 'GUARDIANS OF THE GLADES' PREMIERING TUESDAY, JANUARY 7 ON DISCOVERY

(Los Angeles) - Florida's python problem is threatening to sweep north into the rest of America; but snake hunter Dusty Crum and his crew are ready to take on some of the biggest, deadliest snakes in the Everglades. During Florida's 'wet season', the high-water acts as a "highway" for predators - including the Burmese Python - and it's up to Dusty to catch them before they wipe out an entire generation of mammals. With new tools, new techniques and new areas of exploration, Dusty and his team are determined to stop Florida's most destructive invasive species from taking over America. The brand-new season of GUARDIANS OF THE GLADES premieres Tuesday, January 7, at 10PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel.

This season the problem is worsening - with Pythons doubling in size and number - so Florida is doubling the bounty and Dusty and team are doubling down their efforts. Dusty is reinventing his tactics with everything from new technology to ingenious solutions as he charges barefoot into the Everglades to save the swamp he calls home - and catch the biggest python on record. His eclectic team of fellow snake hunters is back, including rookie Brittany, swamp guru Jay, wildlife expert Gary, and survivalist Tom. Each has a purpose and a common goal: to stop the area's python takeover and save their beloved home and the diminishing wildlife who inhabit it.

In 1992, Hurricane Andrew introduced a foreign and invasive breeding population of giant constrictors known as Burmese Pythons to the Southern Florida wilderness. In the wake of the destructive storm, the state began a python bounty program in a desperate attempt to regain control over the Glades and to protect the fragile and dwindling animal populations.

Despite the danger of tracking down and capturing these deadly creatures, some of which can measure upwards of 18-feet in length, Dusty Crum and his gutsy crew understand the reward is worth the risk. Over the last decade, severe mammal declines have been directly linked to the pythons - including full-grown deer - which end up in the stomachs of these snakes.

Following Crum deep into the sawgrass swamps and mangroves of the Everglades and beyond, GUARDIANS OF THE GLADES spotlights the environmental crisis gripping the Florida wilderness and offers a thrilling up-close look at what happens when the hunters become the hunted - complete with harrowing wrestling matches in the treacherous swamps.

In addition to watching the series on Discovery, viewers can check out new episodes each week by downloading the Discovery GO app. Viewers can join the conversation on social media by using the hashtag #GuardiansoftheGlades and follow Discovery on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest updates.

GUARDIANS OF THE GLADES is produced for Discovery Channel by Parabolic Content in association with 3 Ball Entertainment. For Parabolic Content, Seth Sherman, Rick Sasson, Ross Weintraub, Jonathan Goldman and Brad Blondheim are executive producers. For Discovery Channel, John Slaughter is executive producer and Jessica Mollo is associate producer.

About Discovery Channel:

Discovery Channel is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which is distributed to 87.7 million U.S. homes, can be seen in 224 countries and territories, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com.

About Discovery:

Discovery, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is a global leader in real life entertainment, serving a passionate audience of superfans around the world with content that inspires, informs and entertains. Discovery delivers over 8,000 hours of original programming each year and has category leadership across deeply loved content genres around the world. Available in 220 countries and territories and nearly 50 languages, Discovery is a platform innovator, reaching viewers on all screens, including TV Everywhere products such as the GO portfolio of apps; direct-to-consumer streaming services such as Eurosport Player and MotorTrend OnDemand; digital-first and social content from Group Nine Media; a landmark natural history and factual content partnership with the BBC; and a strategic alliance with PGA TOUR to create the international home of golf. Discovery's portfolio of premium brands includes Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, and Science Channel, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in the U.S., Discovery Kids in Latin America, and Eurosport, the leading provider of locally relevant, premium sports and Home of the Olympic Games across Europe. For more information, please visit corporate.discovery.com and follow @DiscoveryIncTV across social platforms.