Wed, Apr 11, 2007
Film narrated by David Attenborough investigating why the Indian Tiger is in trouble. Thirty years ago India set aside over 30 tiger reserves controlled by Project Tiger. However, in recent years hundreds of tigers have been poached from under the officials' noses. Tiger scientist turned whistle blower Ragu uncovered the scale of the problem in one reserve. Tigers are now slipping towards extinction. They have come back from the brink before, but can they do so again?
Top-rated
Sun, Apr 29, 2007
The Giant Japanese Hornet is the fiercest looking insect on earth, and one of the deadliest. This film follows the remarkable life of one giant hornet queen, as she emerges from hibernation and starts to build up a colony in an old temple garden. Her army of warriors terrorize the beautiful mountain valley in their constant struggle to find food for their hungry grubs. In a series of dramatic pitched battles, the giant hornets massacre thousands of bees, but victory isn't always assured - one local honeybee fights back thanks to a remarkable defensive strategy, and suddenly it is the hornets that are dying. A beekeeper monk bears witness to the rising power of the giant hornet colony, and despite the hornet's attacks on his own bees, he reveals a deep respect for these incredible predators.
Wed, May 2, 2007
Nature documentary featuring the wildlife of Hawaii's famous surf zone and the surfers and scientists who are fighting to protect it. Turtles, dolphins, monk seals and albatrosses all have to cope with the growing number of people using the island beaches, but now animals face a new threat from washed-up plastic. A varied bunch of island characters, including born-and-bred Hawaiian musician Jack Johnson, make it clear that these beautiful islands have a powerful message for us all.
Wed, May 9, 2007
Nature documentary. Australia's deadly saltwater crocodiles are making a dramatic comeback, spreading in alarming numbers through the billabongs, rivers and beaches of the Northwest Territories. Last year over three hundred crocodiles had to be removed from the harbor of Darwin, the region's capital. Thousands of cattle are being killed and, most worryingly of all, attacks on people are increasing every year - often in places where crocs were previously unknown. Biologist Adam Britton is trying to find out why the crocs have suddenly become such a problem. With satellite transmitters he starts to monitor their movements, and the results are startling. As the problems mount, and with desperate locals clamoring for a cull, Adam urgently needs answers.
Wed, Apr 4, 2007
Wildlife documentary. Simon King has spent four years helping to raise two orphaned cheetah cubs, Toki and Sambu. Sambu was killed by lions, but Toki survived and Simon has continued with his attempt to return him to the wild. Simon's unique relationship with Toki has enabled him to enter the world of this high-speed hunter and share in Toki's adventures. This is a gritty and honest account of life with one of the world's top predators.
Wed, May 16, 2007
Documentary. For thousands of years, dogs were working animals not just pets, carefully bred to hunt, guard, herd or retrieve. Now these instincts are turning some dogs into problem pets. This film follows a bloodhound called Holly and a bearded collie called Herbie, who both face an uncertain future in rescue homes because they are so out of control. In order to give them a second chance, professional trainers see if they can be put back to work, sniffing out criminals and herding sheep.
Wed, May 23, 2007
Documentary. Britain has spectacular colonies of puffins, guillemots, kittiwakes and skuas, but recently many birds have failed to breed. In the summer of 2006, bird expert Roy Dennis traveled in search of answers. He reveals that, as our seas are getting warmer, the sand eels that seabirds depend on are declining. Some seabirds are learning to find new sources of food and, with a bit more protection, Roy believes they can adapt and survive.
Fri, Jun 1, 2007
Nature documentary. Wildlife biologists Rick Sinnott and Jessy Coltrane believe dangerous animals can live happily in the biggest city in Alaska. Anchorage is the test ground for this experiment where human residents are trying to share their parks and gardens with 60 grizzly bears, 200 black bears, 1000 moose and several packs of wolves. The many encounters between man and beast are often entertaining, but the potential for tragedy is great. Can Rick and Jessy keep the peace?
Wed, Jun 6, 2007
In a part of Africa more often in the news for human suffering and civil war, the Central African state of Gabon is a surprise - a stable democracy devoting itself to protecting wildlife. Over ten percent of the country's rain forest is protected in a series of new national parks that are home to abundant wildlife including elephants, gorillas, chimps and giant troupes of mandrills. Along the unspoilt coastline forest comes right down to the beach and hippos can be seen wallowing in the surf. It's an uplifting story of sensitive development, and a reminder of primeval Africa as it would have appeared to the first explorers.
Wed, Jun 13, 2007
The River Wye runs through some of Britain's most beautiful and varied countryside, from the mountain tops of mid Wales to the wide open spaces of the Severn Estuary. This film is a lyrical portrait of the valley through the eyes of four characters who make their living from the land: a cider maker, a salmon fisherman, a sheep farmer and a beekeeper. It might seem idyllic, but when you live this close to nature a change in the weather can make all the difference between success and failure.
Mon, Apr 9, 2007
This film covers a year in the life of a Saami family in Northern Norway. In particular we follow two teenage girls, Elle & Inga, who are cousins. They are involved in the Saami traditional lifestyle of reindeer herding. But they are also teenagers in modern Europe. The films link with the traditional side of Saami life is Elle's mother, May-Torill. As well as being a teacher she lives the Saami life to the full and is a passionate believer in immersing the next generation in the traditional lifestyle.
2007
Polar - and grizzly bears are rather similar, opportunist omnivore mammals and the largest land carnivores. However the polar bear gave up hibernating, and is forced south by the warming climate, which causes the vital ice to melt, and allows grizzlies to expand north. So now their diets and hunting grounds overlap, with each-other and with humans - they even roam in towns. Life has grown even harder for polar bears, especially in summer.
Tue, Jan 9, 2007
This film chronicles the magical transformation of a landscape. Every spring, a barren stretch of land 100 km inland from South Africa's west coast is briefly transformed into the largest flower show on the planet. Thousands of brightly colored species are pollinated by oil collecting bees within the few precious weeks before the blazing summer heat turns the garden to dust. Meerkats, ostriches and sheep also prevail in the springtime season of Namaqualand. But as summer approaches, these animals struggle to eke out an existence. Relief is found down the coast where icy but nutrient rich Atlantic waters rise up against Namaqualand's shores. Summer is the perfect time for marine animals to breed. Half a million Cape fur seals and Cape gannets settle on beaches and rock to breed. Jackals roam the long beaches for food and seals prey on chicks of their neighbors. After seven months of scorching heat and searing winds, great Antarctic rainstorms sweep north and pound Africa's west coast. Through the cold passage of winter, the desert slowly turns green and Namaqualand once again becomes the greatest garden on earth.