After Catching Nearly Every Giant Freshwater Fish on Earth, Jeremy Wade Ended River Monsters on His Own Terms
For almost a decade, viewers tuned in to watch Jeremy Wade pull unimaginable creatures from the world’s wildest rivers. Each episode of River Monsters began the same way — a rumor, a myth, a story whispered along the water’s edge — and ended with Wade standing face-to-face with something most people would never dare to touch. From South America to Africa to Southeast Asia, he chased the unknown with a quiet calm that made his encounters feel more like discovery than conquest.
When River Monsters first aired in 2009, few could have guessed it would become one of the most-watched wildlife shows in history. Wade wasn’t a loud television host or a showman; he was a biologist and angler who treated every fish with respect. His calm British narration, scientific curiosity, and deep empathy for nature gave the series a tone unlike any other. While many adventure programs leaned on shock value, River Monsters was about understanding — finding the truth behind the legends that made people fear what swam below the surface.
Over the course of nine seasons, Jeremy Wade traveled across continents in search of the creatures that inspired local myths: the Amazon’s massive arapaima, India’s man-eating goonch catfish, Africa’s goliath tigerfish, and the enormous stingrays of Southeast Asia. Every episode carried the same rhythm — the rumor, the search, the revelation — but what kept people hooked wasn’t just the size of the fish. It was Wade’s storytelling, the way he wove human fear and scientific reality into something unforgettable.
By the time the show neared its end, Wade had done what few thought possible. He had caught, studied, and documented nearly every large freshwater species that could be considered a“river monster.” The production team realized they were running out of legitimate mysteries to explore. There were no new beasts left that fit the show’s format — nothing both massive and misunderstood enough to sustain the same thrill. And Jeremy, being a man of integrity, refused to stretch the truth for entertainment. Rather than recycling old stories or exaggerating legends, he chose to bring the show to a close with honesty.
In 2017, River Monsters ended not because of declining ratings, but because Jeremy Wade had achieved what he set out to do. He had illuminated the real creatures behind humanity’s oldest aquatic fears. In a heartfelt farewell, he explained that it was time to stop — not because there were no more fish, but because the world had finally seen them for what they were. Many of the “monsters” were in danger, threatened by overfishing, pollution, or habitat loss. Wade used his platform to shift the message from fear to protection. The final episodes became less about the hunt and more about conservation — about understanding that these giants of the rivers deserve admiration, not fear.
After River Monsters, Jeremy continued exploring in spin-off shows like Dark Waters and Mysteries of the Deep, carrying forward the same blend of curiosity and respect. Yet, for millions of fans, River Monsters remains the gold standard — a perfect blend of mystery, science, and adventure that never needed exaggeration to keep audiences captivated.
It’s rare for a show to end because it fulfilled its purpose. Jeremy Wade didn’t need to chase ratings or drama. He had caught the world’s most extraordinary fish, told their stories with dignity, and taught an entire generation to see the monsters of the rivers not as threats, but as wonders worth protecting.
