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1-17 of 17
- Australian scientists discover the perfectly preserved fossil skeleton of a marsupial predator, Thylacoleo Carnifax, which is revealed to be more than a million years old and the only one ever found. It reveals a story of a strange creature with both carnivorous and omnivorous tendencies - the most fearsome predator Australia has ever known.
- Deep in the heart of Papua New Guinea lies a species-rich rainforest, while its coast is fringed with rare unspoilt coral reef. Both areas provide habitat for some extraordinary creatures who face an uncertain and bleak future -extinction. For centuries this forgotten paradise has been hidden from the eyes of the industries that have left such a devastating mark on similar treasures, but that is no longer the case. Pollution, hunting, mining and logging pose real and immediate threats to these habitats. We take a look at what is being done to save these creatures and the world they have inhabited for so long. It is a rare opportunity to see some of nature's best-kept and most enchanting secrets, including the tree kangaroo, the long-beaked echidna, the cassowary as well as the rich marine life. Watch as we meet the remarkable individuals and organisations dedicated to giving the species of Papua New Guinea a fighting chance at survival... before it's too late.
- Hawaii is one of the most beautiful, captivating and isolated chain of islands on earth. Born of ancient volcanoes, burning lava is still molding this Pacific paradise. This unique region is a playground for the rich and famous, and is visited by nearly seven million tourists every year. But one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the world is paying a high price for its popularity. Just below the Archipelago's beautiful surface lies a tragic fact, that many of Hawaii's unique plants and animals are under threat from habitat destruction, development, pollution and perhaps worst of all, alien pests. Today, with so many native species struggling for survival, this paradise has become known as the endangered species capital of the world. Episode 13 of Before It's Too Late takes viewers on an unforgettable journey to some of Hawaii's most spectacular islands to meet some of the rarest and most critically endangered creatures on the planet. We investigate a gruesome disease killing the region's ancient green sea turtles, and look at the work being done to try to find out what's causing this mysterious plague. We also meet one of the world's rarest marine mammals - the Hawaiian monk seal and in a magical moment, witness the birth of a seal pup. From below the waterline, to one of the tallest mountains in the world, viewers will see the struggle many Hawaiian species face and meet the determined human helpers who are acting, before it's too late.
- FROM THE BRINK OF ETERNITY looks at what indigenous people of Kenya, the Seychelles and Mauritius are doing to save their endangered species. In Kenya the film looks at how the growing elephant population is threatening the future of the Amboseli National Park. Once hunted to near extinction the elephants are now so numerous they have almost destroyed the park, by uprooting thousands of acacia trees, thus endangering every animal in the park. We speak with the Kenyan Wildlife Service about a plan to plant one million trees. In the Seychelles we see the world's most erotic plant the Coco De Mar. During the last three hundred years it's erotic and mysterious nuts were washed up on shores around the world. When explorers found their source the nuts were harvested, and thousands of the trees where destroyed to keep the nut's value. We also see one of the word's rarest birds the Magpie Robin (just 30 birds left) as well as other endangered birds and animals. We speak with the Seychellous about their efforts to turn the tide of extinction. In Mauritius we see the world's rarest bird, the Echo Parakeet (just 17 birds left), as well as the world's rarest tree, there is only one left. We have all heard the expression " as dead as a Dodo". The Dodo comes from Mauritius and is the symbol of extinction. We see what the Mauritius people are doing to save their very special species. In particular we hear of one amazing success story. The Mauritius Kestrel was down to just 4 individual birds. Even the WWF had given up on it. But the Mauritius people saved this species. Today there are more than 250 in the wild. Winner of the Bronze UNESCO Prize at the New York Film Festival, Silver Prize at WorldFest Charleston. Nominated for the Best Environmental Documentary at the New York Film Festival, Certificate of Merit Chicago Film Festival.
- Episode 11 of Before It's Too Late looks at some of Africa's most endangered species, the cheetah, Africa's rhino species and the little known African Painted Hunting Dogs. All of these are critically endangered. What is pushing them to the edge of extinction? Humanity's continued encroachment on the animal's habitat, a severe drought and the lack of money. As well as seeing the animals in unique situations we meet the people who are trying to save these endangered species.
- When you talk of Brazil's wildlife you tend to think of the Amazon rain forest. But few people realise there is, or was once another forest just a big and just as bio diverse. The Atlantic rain forest. It stretch for more than 1000 miles along the Atlantic coast and inland to the eastern boarders of Brazil. Today there is less then 2% of the amazing forest and the wildlife that used to exist there is albut gone. Those species that remain are fighting for survival, teetering on the edge of extinction. Species like the Golden Lion tamarin, the Wooley Spider Monkey, and many many more. In this episode of Before It's Too Late we look at the many Mini Monkeys of Brazil who are fighting for survival. Unfortunatley history is about to repeat itself. Because we have failed to learn from our mistakes of the past. Because what happened to the Atlantic forest is happening to the Amazon. We meet the people in the south of the country who are battling to save the Golden Lion tamarin, and the Wooley Spider monkey. We see wonderful vision of the animals in the wild. But many of the tamarins weren't born in the wild they were born in zoos around the world and shipped back to re populate the forest. We see them being taught how to survive in the wild. We also discover that there is no more room left for them. The remaining forest fragments are now full. We also meet the people in the Amazon who are trying to stop the destruction of the rain forest there. We see the beautiful pied faced tamarins and many other species of mini monkeys including species that have only just been discovered and aren't even named yet. Aimed at a family audience.
- As the 21st century progresses, humanity is on the brink of a revolution in pharmaceuticals that has the potential to free us from the scourge of hitherto incurable diseases. Whilst something of the frogs' hidden secrets has always been known in the east, it's only recently that western science is beginning to understand the potential to medicine their chemical compounds can offer. But just as science is uncovering this bonanza frogs are suffering the biggest mass extinction since the demise of the dinosaur. If that's not worrying enough these unique creatures are considered to be valuable bio-indicators of the health of our planet. So is their demise an indication that we are also in peril? Though the state of the environment has never been worse a devastating cause for their ongoing extinction has been uncovered that has astounded scientists the world over. Croaking Frogs documents the race to understand the fall of the amphibians and the coming together of scientists and local communities to save one of the oldest species still existing on our planet.
- Episode 14 of Before It's Too Late looks at some of Cambodia's most endangered species, the Sun Bear, the Asiatic Black Bear and the Tiger. All of these are critically endangered. What is pushing them to the edge of extinction? The illegal live bear trade, radical hunting in a depleting environment and lack of resources are all to blame. We meet the incredible people and organisations who are dedicated to giving life back to these enchanting creatures... before it's too late.
- Off the Western most coast of Australia is a secret location known to only a very few people, and around 5000 humpback whales. It's a special place. It's a magic place. It's a place where humpbacks come to mate, to give birth and to teach their young how to survive. This nursery has only just been discovered by humanity, though the whales have known about it for millennium. The people who discovered this place are Curt and Mich Jenner a husband a wife scientific team who run the Australian Centre for Whale Research. They live on the research vessel WhaleSong with their 3 year old daughter Micah. In WhaleSong the Jenners take us to this, the humpback bedroom, as they and Earthwatch volunteers study pregnant and nursing humpbacks, with the hope of seeing something which has never been seen before, the birth of a humpback whale. WhaleSong is a celebration of the humpback whale. In this programme we see unique behavioural footage never before filmed. We see two huge 50 feet humpbacks gently playing in seaweed, or rather making love in the seaweed. Finding the weed somewhat sensual the pair roll around in it for hours. The Jenners have been studying humpbacks for 10 years and say they have never seen anything like this before. We also followed a mother and two-week-old calf. Amazing scenes as we witness her teaching her calf how to fluke slap, how to slap its pectoral fin and the most breathtaking of all, how to breach (to jump out of the water). Other unique footage includes a pregnant cow in labour. The incredible thing about this is she was hanging upside down, almost as if she was hanging by her tail; she was with an escort. At first it was thought this escort was a midwife, but then the boat started to vibrate as the huge whale below began to sing. Accepted wisdom has it that only males sing. Accepted wisdom has it that only females act as midwives. So was this escort a singing female or a male helping out? This potentially will re-write the textbooks. Another amazing and very rare sight - a mega-pod of eight whales, seven of whom were males. Humpbacks are solitary animals and are rarely seen in-groups larger than two or three. As already stated this area is a nursery. These seven males however cared not for the pregnant females or the newborn learning how to survive. Like a gang of bikies they tore through the area churning up the sea and "singing up a storm" with their competing whale songs trying to attract a mate. Rambunctious males aren't the main threat to baby humpbacks, we see a 5.5 metre white pointer shark attacking and eating a one tonne sea lion. But the main threat to these whales is humanity and in WhaleSong the scientists call for this pristine area to be declared a sanctuary for future generations of humpbacks.
- Thousands of species could become extinct in the near future, as human activities threaten their natural habitats. The Zoos looks at the last-ditch efforts to save many of these species from extinction and preserve global biodiversity. This beautifully shot production provides a portrait of many of the species that are being threatened - from parrots, turtles and beluga whales, to the Arabian onyx - and focuses on the efforts of scientists to breed them in captivity. Linked by a computer network, 400 zoos and aquariums worldwide are working together on captive breeding programs. Efforts in New York, San Diego, Australia and England are among those profiled. The extent to which scientists must go to help a growing number of endangered species survive provides striking testimony to human impact on the environment. Even if many of these species are successfully bred in captivity, the video warns that a growing number may never be introduced into the wild, as their habitats have disappeared.
- The work done by Flores Village Partners a humanities charity. This film looks at the work done restoring site to more than 1000 people.
- Australia is famous for its wonderful wildlife. Kangaroos, koalas, emus, and crocodiles. But its wildlife is much more diverse than many people realise. While we are all familiar with the icons, many people fail to be aware of the amazing array of Australia's Mini Marsupials, the numbat, the chuditch, the woyly and the honey possum to name a few. But these tiny marsupials are under threat of extinction from land degradation and from feral animals. Australia has the worse record of native flora and fauna extinction in the world. 95% or arid zone animals have disappeared. The reason uncontrolled land clearing. Many conservationists point accusing fingers at Brazil and Indonesia for their so called reckless attitude to forest degradation but Australia is up there with the worst of them, uncontrolled land clearing is as bad if not worse than anywhere else in the world. Add to this the incredible threat to endangered species of introduced predators like the fox and cat and the result is mass destruction of native animals. It is estimated that some 36 billion small animals fall victim to feral cats and foxes every year. But there are those who are acting to save these Mini Marsupials before it's too late. In this programme we see the beautiful but fragile honey possum, the only possum to live solely on the nectar . For the first time, using infra red cameras we see what these mini marsupials get up to when they think no one is watching. We see the woyly that can eat plants that contain poison that would quickly kill you and me. Mini Marsupials looks at the incredible, almost insurmountable problems faced by these species. It looks at the people who are fighting the odds to save them. Their stories are told with the back drop of some wonderful behavioural vision captured of months of filming in the Australian bush. Aimed at a family audience.
- BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE EPISODE 6 - WHALE SHARK GYPSY OF THE DEEP looks at the enigmatic whale shark. A favourite with divers the world over, this the biggest shark in the sea has attracted the imagination and attention of people all over the world. Unfortunately this includes commercial fisherman from the Far East. The problem is, little is known of this giant fish, the biggest of all fish. But what is known is that it is one of the world's rarest fish and unless something is done to protect it this fish will go the same way as thousands of other endangered species, it could well become extinct. Gypsy of the Deep looks at what is happening globally to this creature. We travel to the Indian Ocean, to the Seychelles and Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, to the Philippines where the whale shark has just be declared a protected species and to Taiwan where the aggressively hunt the whale shark for restaurant and dinner tables. We see the shark market where a huge pregnant whale shark was landed and see the only pictures of more than 300 pups that were inside the whale shark ready to be born. Until now Whale Sharks have only been seen on film as single solitary fish cruising off the coast of Western Australia. In this film we see them congregate. We also see magnificent underwater pictures, music and storytelling tell of the plight of this gentle giant. Above the waves we meet the people who are concerned for the species future, the conservation officers and scientists in the Seychelles, Australia, Japan America and the Philippines who are fighting to save these creatures.
- Back in 2002, sheer luck uncovered the tomb of one of the most extraordinary beasts ever to have roamed the continent. It's skeleton lay undisturbed for hundreds of thousands of years and its discovery astonished and excited paleontologists from around the world. Over the past four years they've been poring over the remains and now, for the first time, Catalyst is able to reveal the fruits of their research and come face-to-face with Thylacoleo - the legendary marsupial lion.