At 69, Jeremy Wade FINALLY Breaks Silence On Why River Monsters Was Canceled.. And It’s Bad | HO!!

Ten years ago, Jeremy Wade stood on the banks of a remote river, rod in hand and heart pounding, with a list of legendary creatures swirling in his mind. He never imagined he’d reach the end of that list. But in 2017, after nearly a decade of captivating audiences worldwide, Wade shocked fans by announcing the end of River Monsters, the show that redefined adventure television.

For years, the reason behind the cancellation was shrouded in mystery—was it creative exhaustion, a lack of new monsters, or something more? Now, at 69, Jeremy Wade is finally breaking his silence. What he reveals is more unsettling than anyone expected.

The Rise of a Global Phenomenon

Jeremy Wade’s journey began long before Animal Planet cameras ever rolled. For two decades, he was a biology teacher and a restless traveler, drawn to the wildest corners of the globe. Wade listened to fishermen’s tales of giant fish swallowing dogs, villagers recounting disappearances, and local guides describing injuries caused by unseen river beasts. He cataloged these stories, slowly building a global archive of freshwater legends.

But in 2007, everything changed. While on an expedition, Wade contracted a severe case of malaria. The illness nearly killed him and forced a long, difficult recovery. It was during this period, stuck at home and reflecting on years of adventures, that Wade began to shape the idea for River Monsters.

He envisioned a show that combined detective work, extreme angling, and the authentic voices of the people who lived alongside these mysterious waters. The goal was simple: solve real-life mysteries, not exaggerate them.

When River Monsters premiered in April 2009, it was an instant hit. The first episodes, set in the Amazon Basin, saw Wade investigating the Pariba catfish and Arapima—creatures steeped in local folklore and blamed for terrifying attacks.

Audiences were hooked by the suspense, the science, and Wade’s calm, respectful approach. By the end of its first season, River Monsters was Animal Planet’s highest-rated series, drawing over 1.3 million viewers per episode.

Expanding the Hunt—and the Hidden Toll

As the show’s popularity soared, so did its ambition. Season after season, Wade and his crew ventured into ever more remote and dangerous waters: the Congo, the Himalayas, Alaska, Southeast Asia. Each location brought new species, new cultures, and new risks. The hunt for monsters was no longer just about catching big fish—it was about surviving the journey.

Behind the scenes, the pressure mounted. Filming in the Mekong River for the elusive giant freshwater stingray meant days of punishing heat and unpredictable currents. In the rainforests of Guyana, the team navigated dense jungle and relied on dugout canoes just to reach their fishing spots. Tight schedules, rough terrain, and increasingly rare wildlife made every episode a logistical nightmare.

Wade’s personal journals from these years reveal a growing unease. Rivers were changing. Species were harder to find. Local conditions were deteriorating. While audiences marveled at each new discovery, Wade was quietly recording troubling patterns that would remain hidden for years.

The Physical and Emotional Cost

By 2013, River Monsters had earned a reputation for pushing the limits. But the reality for Jeremy Wade and his crew was brutal. Near-death experiences became routine. In the Congo, Wade nearly died from malaria—a disease that kills thousands every year. In the Amazon, an Arapima struck him in the chest so hard he felt it for weeks. One crew member was even struck by lightning, an incident Wade called “one of the closest calls we ever had.”

The risks weren’t just physical. Long filming days, irregular meals, and broken sleep wore down the team. Wade, now in his early 60s, began to feel the strain. Crew members quietly left after season seven, burned out by the relentless pace. The loss of experienced hands added even more pressure to those who remained.

None of this was visible to viewers. The show’s crisp narration and dramatic visuals hid the injuries, fatigue, and emotional exhaustion. Wade later admitted, “You don’t realize how much these things are affecting you until you stop. And by then, something’s already changed.”

Running Out of Monsters—or Something Worse?

By 2015, River Monsters had documented over 100 giant or dangerous freshwater species across six continents. But the pool of new monsters was shrinking. The most famous rivers had given up their biggest secrets, and finding fresh stories meant venturing into smaller, more dangerous waterways. Travel became longer, costs higher, and safety risks greater.

Wade was adamant about maintaining the show’s integrity. “The danger is in repeating ourselves,” he explained. “If we start inventing danger, we lose the truth the show was built on.” Fans began to notice episodes revisiting previously featured species. Online forums buzzed with speculation: had the show run out of monsters?

But the real reason was more complex. Wade and the crew weren’t just running out of creatures—they were running out of healthy rivers. Pollution, overfishing, and dam construction were destroying habitats at an alarming rate. In a recent, candid discussion, Wade revealed that some locations from early seasons were now lifeless, the monster species wiped out by human activity.

Network Shifts and Changing Tides

By late 2016, Animal Planet’s parent company, Discovery Communications, began shifting its programming toward a softer, family-friendly tone. Shows about pets and veterinarians replaced high-risk adventure documentaries. River Monsters was expensive, unpredictable, and logistically complex. Episodes sometimes cost over $500,000 to produce.

Network executives started scrutinizing high-cost field programs. Proposals that once sailed through now faced budget cuts and new guidelines. The excitement of big expeditions faded, replaced by cautious calculations. Wade kept a professional front, but in private, he knew the end was coming.

On April 23, 2017, River Monsters returned for its final season. There was no dramatic farewell, just a subtle shift in tone. The episodes were more introspective, hinting at finality. When the last episode aired on May 28, 2017, Wade offered a simple explanation: “Some shows can run forever, but our subject matter is finite. Ten years ago, I had a list in my head, but everything has now been ticked off and then some.”

Fans mourned the show’s end, flooding social media with tributes and personal stories. But few realized the deeper reasons behind the decision.

The Real Reason Revealed

Now, at 69, Jeremy Wade is finally telling the whole story. The supply of undiscovered giant fish was dwindling, yes. But the more urgent issue was environmental collapse. Rivers once teeming with life had become polluted and barren. Monster species vanished, victims of overfishing and dam construction. Wade described revisiting a beloved location only to find it murky and lifeless—a moment that shattered his heart.

Safety concerns also played a role. Political instability and hazardous terrain led to several near-miss incidents, kept quiet for years. Insurers raised red flags, hinting that future seasons might not be approved without major changes—changes that would compromise the show’s signature style.

Ethical questions weighed heavily. Wade worried that showcasing rare species could encourage illegal fishing or poaching. The show rarely addressed the stark reality of river decline, and Wade feared it might glamorize waters that were dying out of sight. Ending the show was, in part, a way to avoid sending a misleading message.

In revealing all this, Wade shifted the public’s understanding of River Monsters. The cancellation wasn’t just ratings-driven—it was a decision born of environmental grief, safety realities, and moral responsibility.

From Monsters to Conservation

After River Monsters, Wade’s career took a new direction. In 2018, he returned with Mighty Rivers, investigating the health of the world’s most important rivers. The focus was no longer on legendary creatures, but on the impact of pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction. Wade became an investigator, asking not what monsters lurked underwater, but whether the rivers themselves could survive.

His later series, Dark Waters, continued this shift, highlighting overlooked threats like invasive species and ecological collapse. The monsters, it turned out, were no longer the biggest danger—industrial pollution and shrinking habitats were.

Wade’s calm curiosity remained, but the stakes had changed. The mission was no longer just about adventure—it was about survival, for rivers and the creatures within them.

A Legacy of Truth

At 69, Jeremy Wade’s legacy is more than just thrilling television. He taught millions to respect the wild, to seek truth over sensation, and to care about the fate of the world’s rivers. The real reason River Monsters ended is a warning: the monsters are disappearing, and the rivers are in peril.

Wade’s journey is far from over. As he channels his efforts into conservation, his message is clear: it’s not just about what lurks beneath the surface—it’s about what we’re losing, and why we must act before it’s too late.

What do you think about the real reason River Monsters ended? Did the series inspire you? Share your thoughts below.