Journey to secret worlds where lives are wrapped in unexpected of ways. The fifth episode of the series takes viewers into the fascinating world of forests, revealing their hidden complexities and the intricate relationships within. Initially perceived as tranquil, forests are in fact bustling with life and intricate ecological interactions. ...The episode showcases various species, each with its unique lifestyle and survival strategies. Highlights include the Oriental pied hornbills in Borneo, whose extraordinary nesting rituals and partner dynamics are captivating. The Amazon rainforest is explored, introducing the peculiar treehoppers and their unique communication methods, vital for survival amidst numerous predators like ants and assassin bugs. The episode also delves into the intelligent and cooperative hunting techniques of dholes in the forests of India. The narrative takes a turn to China, focusing on the visually stunning courtship displays of Temminck's tragopans and golden pheasants. In the temperate rainforests of Western Canada, the rare spirit bear and its unique relationship with its habitat are examined. The episode concludes with an insightful look at the impact of human activity on forests and their inhabitants, particularly focusing on chimpanzees in Uganda, whose survival is increasingly intertwined with human expansion.
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Explore the breathtaking extremes of our planet in this captivating episode. Journey through the vast Hang Son Doong cave in Vietnam, the largest on Earth. Witness the resilience of life in harsh conditions, marvel at the adaptation strategies of species like the blind cave fish and the enduring Arctic wolf pack. In the Arctic, observe the st ...rategic hunt of wolves preying on musk oxen, a dance as old as the Ice Age. In the French Alps, the struggle for mating among common frogs unfolds, showcasing the urgency and challenges faced by cold-blooded animals. Witness the social dynamics of Barbary macaques in the cedar forests of the Atlas Mountains, where survival hinges on social bonds. The forests of Mexico, home to millions of monarch butterflies that huddle for warmth, illustrates the fragility and beauty of nature. Discover how fire shapes ecosystems in South Africa's fynbos and Northern Australia, crucial for the survival of species like the golden-shouldered parrot. The documentary poignantly addresses the impact of changing climates and human intervention on wildlife, from the endangered elephants of Amboseli, Kenya, to the secretive snow leopards of the Gobi Desert. This episode offers a profound glimpse into the extraordinary adaptations and challenges faced by wildlife across the globe, reminding us of the delicate balance and beauty of life on Earth.
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In this captivating final episode of the series we meet some incredible conservation champions on nature's front line, fighting to preserve the future of our beautiful planet. The episode opens with a dramatic rescue operation for the critically endangered black rhino, showcasing the efforts of Dumi Zwane and his team to establish a new breed ...ing colony in a safe haven. The focus then shifts to the Centro Jambatu research center in the Andes, where Jaime Culebras works tirelessly to save the last of certain frog species. The documentary also highlights the efforts of Trang Nguyen, who bravely infiltrates the illegal wildlife trade in West Africa to protect forest elephants from ivory poachers. Meanwhile, in Vienna, Katharina Huchler undertakes a remarkable journey to reintroduce the northern bald ibis to Europe after its extinction 400 years ago. Indigenous leader Alessandra Korap's battle to preserve the Amazon rainforest from exploitation is a key focus, alongside Mohamed Nasheed's fight against climate change to save coral reefs and his country. This episode addresses the broader issue of habitat destruction, emphasizing its role as a primary driver of extinction. It poignantly demonstrates the interconnectivity of life on Earth and the critical importance of conservation efforts.
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Sir David Attenborough explores the incredible diversity of Britain’s woodlands, taking us on a seasonal journey through our forests, and revealing a host of spectacular animals and the hidden dramas that rule their lives. In an ancient pine tree in the Cairngorms, two eagle chicks are on the verge of fledging their gargantuan nest. In w ...inter in the Forest of Dean, the reintroduction of wild boar has given the robin a lifeline. As they root through the thick snow, the boar unearth the worms with their snouts, which the robins otherwise couldn't find. Back in Scotland, a male capercaillie displays to gathering females. These birds are on the edge. With only around 500 left, they are some of the rarest and most threatened in the British Isles. In a beech woodland outside London, the deciduous trees burst to life in spring, and huge colonies of wood ants awaken and go looking for food. Also looking for sustenance is a female roe deer. With no large predators left in our woods, the deer are free to browse on new growth to the extent that they can damage the woodland itself. In Sussex is an ancient-looking landscape, but one that has only been recreated in the past 20 years. This is the wood pasture of Knepp, created by using old grazing methods that generate a mix of scrub, open areas and ancient trees. In the Scottish Highlands, red squirrels battle it out for access to ripe pine cones at the top of a tree. It’s an acrobatic and energetic encounter, with more than a little cunning required to win the day. As the summer finally fades, we encounter a honey buzzard nest, where two chicks feast on wasp grubs, squabble between themselves and grow up before our eyes. Autumn brings the fallow deer rut. The woods resonate with their calls, and bucks fight for supremacy. The season also brings colour, both in the leaves but also in the fungi that fruit at this time of year. The mushrooms are just a tiny part of their story, however, and we travel underground to see how the wood-wide web connects the whole forest together.
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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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Dive with David Attenborough into a world where a single life can last a thousand years. See things no eye has ever seen, and discover the dramatic, beautiful plant life of Earth. In the first episode, Sir David Attenborough shows how more kinds of plants are crammed together in the tropical rainforests than anywhere else on Earth. The result ... is astonishing beauty and intense competition - a plant battleground. New filming techniques allow us to enter the plants’ world and see it from their perspective and on their timescale. From fast-growing trees to flowers that mimic dead animals, this is a journey into a magical world that operates on a different timescale to our own.
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The Amazon rainforest is explored, introducing the peculiar treehoppers and their unique communication methods, vital for survival amidst numerous predators like ants and assassin bugs. The episode also delves into the intelligent and cooperative hunting techniques of dholes in the forests of India. The narrative takes a turn to China, focusing on the visually stunning courtship displays of Temminck's tragopans and golden pheasants. In the temperate rainforests of Western Canada, the rare spirit bear and its unique relationship with its habitat are examined.
The episode concludes with an insightful look at the impact of human activity on forests and their inhabitants, particularly focusing on chimpanzees in Uganda, whose survival is increasingly intertwined with human expansion. Show More