Forrest Galante

Forrest Galante was born on March 31, 1988, in California. Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to Harare, Zimbabwe, where his mother managed a safari business. He and his sister were raised on a farm, providing Galante with extensive exposure to the African bush. During his youth, he developed skills in handling snakes, trapping small animals, and exploring the reefs of the Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique. He attended an English boarding school in Zimbabwe, where he led the Junior Herpetology Society, focusing on local flora and fauna. In 2001, his family was compelled to return to California following political unrest in Zimbabwe, which included the invasion and burning of their family farm. He completed his high school education and subsequently earned a degree in biology from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Galante’s career in television began in 2013 with an appearance on Discovery Channel’s “Naked and Afraid,” where he successfully completed a 21-day survival challenge in Panama, achieving a high primitive survival rating of 8.8. In 2016, he further demonstrated his adventurous approach to wildlife research by using specialized suits to study American crocodiles in Central America for his film “Dancing with Dragons.” His docuseries “Extinct or Alive” premiered on Animal Planet on June 10, 2018, where he endeavors to find species believed to be extinct. He has also produced the History channel show “Face the Beast” and appeared in “GQ: The Breakdown.” In 2019, Galante testified before the United States Congress to advocate for legislative changes and increased funding for conservation initiatives.

His contributions to conservation extend beyond television. Galante is the co-founder of Phantasticus Pictures, a production company dedicated to wildlife and adventure programming. He works with various conservation groups globally, engaging in outreach to raise awareness about endangered wildlife and ecosystems. Organizations he has been associated with include BFREE Belize, SeaTrees, and the Shark Research Institute. His first book, “Still Alive: A Wild Life of Rediscovery,” published in June 2021 by Hachette Books, serves as both a memoir and an adventure narrative, emphasizing his dedication to ecosystem preservation. He also serves on the advisory board for Colossal Biosciences, a company focused on de-extinction science.