Acclaimed biologist Dr. Merlin Sheldrake seeks a rare blue mushroom in Tasmania's ancient Tarkine rainforest, revealing fungi's extraordinary abilities. Fungi may provide solutions to humanity's problems, with millions more species yet to be discovered. All life on Earth is connected by a great mystery we are only just beginning to unrav ...el. Hidden between the world of plants and animals, another world exists… Fungi’s web of life. We’ll begin in the mysterious world of the forest floor, where fungi are the central players in nature’s story of birth, death, and rebirth to discover that life as we know it simply would not exist without them. Dr. Sheldrake will show us some the grandest and strangest organisms ever discovered, showcased through jaw-dropping time-lapse cinematography, in a landscape largely unchanged from the time of the dinosaurs. Fungi have important lessons to teach humanity about survival through cooperation. Indeed, these incredible lifeforms may hold the key to solving some of humanity’s most urgent problems. With millions more species to discover, our journey into the secret world of fungi has only just begun.
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In the lush expanse of the Ngogo territory of Uganda, a chilling discovery sends ripples through the chimpanzee community: a chimp has been killed. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that only one other group could be responsible for such a brazen act. As whispers of war grow louder, the Ngogo community braces itself for impending ... conflict. Will the Ngogo community overcome this threat? Or will the heart of their empire be torn apart? Find out in this gripping episode. 'Others' delves deep into the intricate social structures, alliances, and rivalries of our primate relatives, offering a gripping and emotional journey into the heart of the jungle. This is not just a tale of survival but a testament to the complexity of chimp society. Join us and witness the raw and untamed world of the chimp empire.
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David Attenborough explores Britain and Ireland’s grasslands, revealing the creatures that create them and the extraordinary stories they hide. From the coastal flower meadows in the Scottish Outer Hebrides to the rich open landscapes in the mountains of southern Ireland, we enter surprising and dramatic worlds. In southern England, we m ...eet an extraordinary bee that lives in chalk grassland, one of our rarest habitats, laying her eggs in empty snail shells. Meanwhile, in the colourful machair of the Hebrides, ringed plovers and lapwings strive to rear their families of tiny fluffy chicks and to save them for marauding gulls. We travel back in time to explore the vast wild grasslands once found throughout our isles, before meeting herds of semi-wild horses, where males battle fiercely for the females. Today, they are helping to turn some of this land back to wilderness. And in our precious remaining pockets of flower-rich meadow, a remarkable conservation success story plays out. Once extinct in our isles, England now has the largest known populations of large blue butterflies. Their survival relies on a game of deception with red ants, which are tricked into adopting the butterfly’s unassuming but predatory caterpillars. Our story then journeys to the mountains. Each morning in early spring, feisty male black grouse battle for prime position on their frozen breeding grounds. Their sole mission is to impress a female. Meanwhile, on south-facing scree slopes, dozens of adders emerge from hibernation to perform a surprisingly delicate courtship routine. The episode concludes with a mighty battle in the wild mountains of County Kerry. This is the scene of an epic and spectacular rut between the largest land mammals in Britain and Ireland, red deer. The grasslands of Britain and Ireland are under threat. We have lost 97 per cent of our species-rich meadows in the last century, as modern agriculture replaces these precious habitats. This episode shows just how important different types of grassland are to the species which call these islands home.
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The third episode unveils the enigmatic world of octopuses, long believed solitary creatures, revealing their unexpected social behaviors. Follow Dr. Alex Schnell as she forms a unique bond with Scarlett, a shy female day octopus, challenging the long-held belief that these creatures are ultimate loners. Witness intense interactions, from riv ...al confrontations to cooperative hunting with other species, shedding light on the complex social dynamics of these intelligent beings. The film also takes you deep beneath the ocean to octopus nurseries and an extraordinary octopus oasis where multiple species coexist. Discover how octopuses use their remarkable problem-solving abilities and sophisticated communication to navigate their environments and form selective social interactions. ‘Social Networkers’ redefines our understanding of these ancient, intelligent marine animals and their secret social lives, making it a must-watch for nature enthusiasts and curious minds alike.
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The second episode dives deeper into the enigmatic world of octopuses, uncovering the extraordinary intelligence of these cephalopods. From their ability to change color and shape in an instant to their sophisticated use of tools, this documentary reveals how octopuses navigate and survive in the ocean's most challenging environments. The doc ...umentary explores the profound cognitive abilities of octopuses, highlighting their potential for future planning, problem-solving, and even dreaming. Witness the coconut octopus's ingenious stilt-walking and shell-wielding tactics, and marvel at the giant Pacific octopus's intricate hunting strategies. Through stunning underwater footage and insights from leading scientists like Dr. Alex Schnell and Dr. C.E. O'Brien, viewers are invited to rethink what they know about intelligence in the animal kingdom. This captivating film showcases the remarkable adaptability and creativity of octopuses, making it a must-watch for anyone fascinated by the mysteries of the ocean.
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In the third episode of the series, the intricate social dynamics of the Ngogo chimpanzee community come to a head. Decades of growth and dominance have made this the largest known chimp group, but internal rivalries lead to a significant schism, with a faction of males breaking away to form their own group, the Westerners. Once comrades, the ...se chimps now face each other as deadly enemies. The tension escalates with the mysterious death of Pork Pie, leaving the central chimps in a state of heightened alert and mourning, while leadership struggles and territorial disputes intensify within both factions. As the Westerners grow bolder, driven by the likes of Richmond and the ambitious Rollins, they encroach further into central territory, setting the stage for an inevitable clash. Amidst the power plays, we witness the personal struggles of individuals like Jackson, the embattled alpha, and Bartoli, who must protect her son Herzog from the looming threat. This episode masterfully captures the raw emotion and brutal reality of chimpanzee warfare, leaving viewers on edge as alliances are tested and the fight for dominance reaches a fever pitch.
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All life on Earth is connected by a great mystery we are only just beginning to unrav ...el. Hidden between the world of plants and animals, another world exists… Fungi’s web of life. We’ll begin in the mysterious world of the forest floor, where fungi are the central players in nature’s story of birth, death, and rebirth to discover that life as we know it simply would not exist without them. Dr. Sheldrake will show us some the grandest and strangest organisms ever discovered, showcased through jaw-dropping time-lapse cinematography, in a landscape largely unchanged from the time of the dinosaurs.
Fungi have important lessons to teach humanity about survival through cooperation. Indeed, these incredible lifeforms may hold the key to solving some of humanity’s most urgent problems. With millions more species to discover, our journey into the secret world of fungi has only just begun. Show More