Natural World Vol 8
For decades, the BBC’s classic wildlife series Natural World has told in-depth stories about exotic creatures and astonishing landscapes. With award-winning photography showcasing some of the most extraordinary places in the world, unseen animal behavior is revealed. Uncover the mysteries surrounding pygmy hippos, grasp the language of prairie dogs and make a visit to a penguin post office.
Watch Natural World Vol 8 and more acclaimed documentaries on BBC Select today. Restrictions apply*.
Natural World Vol 8 on BBC Select
Episode 1: An Unexpected Wilderness
Rediscovering the rich, elemental and little appreciated wildernesses of Essex, England.
Away from the tame landscape of suburban Essex, near to London, a rich, elemental and little appreciated wilderness is revealed. This fascinating nature documentary highlights the misconceptions that exist about rural England, bringing reassuring and surprising news about the state of these landscapes and their inhabitants. Most of all, it encourages the protection of these remaining wild places.
Episode 2: Lily – A Bear’s Life
Meet Lily, an eight-year-old black bear. From day one her life has been documented online.
Meet Lily, an eight-year-old wild black bear, described by some as ‘the most popular bear in the world’. Bear biologist Dr. Lynn Rogers has been documenting Lily’s life online. He has a unique relationship with Lily, but his methods have divided opinion, resulting in a bounty being put on Lily’s head. With hunting season approaching, this is the most challenging chapter in her remarkable life.
Episode 3: Operation Pygmy Hippo
Why do we know so little about pygmy hippos, one of nature’s last great mysteries?
The pygmy hippo is one of nature’s last great mysteries. Solitary, secretive and extremely hard to find, scientists know almost nothing about this endangered animal in the wild and what it needs to survive. Now, a young Australian ecologist is taking on what could be ‘mission impossible’. In a remote West African rainforest, they’re investigating the secret life of the pygmy hippo.
Vol 7
Episode 1: Black Bears of The Northwoods
The incredible story of a man’s 40-year study and protection of America’s black bears.
Black bears are the scariest animal that most people are likely to encounter in North America. There are nearly one million of them, often living very close to humans. This wildlife documentary traces the forty- year journey of maverick bear biologist, Dr. Lynn Rogers, from fear to fascination, as he breaks with traditional research to gain the trust of one bear family in Minnesota.
Episode 2: Mountains of the Monsoon
Sandesh Kadur visits the Western Ghats Mountains to document the incredible wildlife.
Environmentalist and photographer Sandesh Kadur has traded a comfortable career to explore the natural wonders of the Western Ghats mountains. Just a few hours from the bustle of Bangalore, Sandesh could be a world away. Alongside familiar Indian species like elephants, tigers and peacocks are more mysterious animals like a purple frog with a face like a shrew and a monkey with a lion-like mane.
Episode 3: Secrets of the Maya Underworld
Exploring the secret world of the Mayan empire in the Yucatan and its underground rivers.
Unlike great civilizations such as the Romans and the Egyptians, the Mayan empire did not arise from the banks of a mighty river. Then why did they populate Yucatan? The Maya believed that the freshwater pools dotted across the area were sacred portals to the underworld. They are indeed portals, but to an incredible underground labyrinthine system of rivers with amazing wildlife.
Episode 4: The Hidden Highlands
In the harsh Scottish Highlands, a huge variety of wildlife battles for survival.
Under the shadow of the Beinn Eighe mountain lies Loch Maree, a remote and breathtaking haven. Here, amid a dramatic landscape, a huge variety of wildlife battles for survival among the challenges of the changing seasons. Starting in spring, the extraordinary story of this hidden and mysterious Scottish landscape, depicts the harsh reality of life in the wild.
Episode 5: Victoria Falls
The story of the animal inhabitants of Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River in Africa.
A tale of life on the Zambezi River, set against the epic backdrop of Victoria Falls. The story is told from the point of view of a local fisherman who has fished these waters for 69 years, and whose riverside companions are elephants, baboons, hippos and kingfishers. Follow the fortunes of these animals through his eyes and learn how their lives are ruled by the moods of the river and the rains.
Episode 6: War Wrecks of the Coral Sea
In the South Pacific, World War II shipwrecks have become living reefs for marine life.
Thousands of tons of war wreckage sank into the fabled lagoons of the South Pacific islands during the naval and air battles of World War II. This fascinating documentary Investigates the array of shipwrecks in the are a which have been transformed into spectacular living reefs featuring fantastic mini-ecosystems and incredible marine wildlife.
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