Today, during the Television Critics’ Association winter press tour, National Geographic Channel announced it is developing the Blood Ivory TV series.

Focusing on the blood ivory trade, the new drama is NatGeo’s first scripted series. Josh Brand, creator of Northern Exposure, will pen the pilot.

From Multichannel News:

The series, Blood Ivory, will trace the global web of contraband animals and ivory and its connection to the trafficking of narcotics, people and weapons, said network officials. Joshua Brand (The Americans) has been tapped to write the pilot script.

“National Geographic has strived to bring the horrors of the ivory trade to the forefront of the global conversation in recent years,” said Courteney Monroe, CEO of the National Geographic Global Networks. “With Blood Ivory (wt), we are hoping to craft a smart, relevant and riveting drama series that will not only be entertaining under the guidance of some of the best storytellers working today, but also drive home the importance of ending a senseless war on the animal kingdom.”

Are you surprised NatGeo is getting into the scripted series game? Do you like the sound of the new Blood Ivory TV series drama? When it airs, do you plan to check it out? Let us know.