Ohio Northern University’s Freed Center for the Performing Arts will present Peter Gros of “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” for two shows on Saturday, March 12, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

On “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” on Animal Planet, Gros provides the link between the original series, for which he served as co-host, and the new specials. This ensures that the new specials remain true to the heritage of the beloved original series.

The original “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” series – a program honored with 41 major awards, including four Emmy Awards and an endorsement from the national Parent-Teacher Association for television programming recommended for family viewing – was one of the best-known and longest-running series on nature and the animal world.

Gros, who has appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “Live with Regis and Kelly,” has nearly 30 years of field experience with wildlife. In his former position as director of land animals and vice president at Marine World/Africa USA, he and his team established breeding programs for hundreds of endangered animals. He also developed a rehabilitation program for birds of prey as well as the largest captive breeding colony of ostriches in the United States. He is a licensed U.S.D.A. exhibitor and a wildlife lecturer.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors. Tickets are $15 for ONU faculty and staff and $10 for ONU students and children. The Freed Center box office is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Phone orders are accepted with American Express, MasterCard, VISA or Discover by calling 419-772-1900. Tickets also are available online at www.freedcenter.com.