Antarctica
Series 1, Episode 1 Unrated
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Antarctica - a land of survivors enduring the most hostile conditions on Earth. 98% of the mainland is covered by ice on which virtually nothing can live. Even the sea freezes over, but the Weddell seal manages to survive here by keeping its breathing holes open by using its teeth to grind away the ice. Below the sea ice, conditions have been stable for millennia. Life has flourished and diversified. Starfish, sea spiders and three million predatory worms carpet the ocean floor, and sea anemones feast on ocean giants. Islands on the fringes of the continent are free of sea ice, far more hospitable and crowded. Huge colonies of king penguins cover the land, and four-tonne elephant seals fight for territories on the beach. The abundance of life found here is down to the incredibly rich ocean surrounding the continent. The strongest currents in the world whip up nutrients to the surface that feed Antarctic krill. Numbering an estimated 400 trillion, their combined weight is greater than any other species in the world. Humpback whales round them up using sophisticated feeding techniques, and gentoo penguins escape the jaws of leopard seals and orcas to reach the open ocean and feed on them. On rare occasions krill swarm in baitballs measuring kilometres across, where they are feasted on by thousands of penguins, seals, albatross and fin whales. Antarctica was only discovered 200 years ago, but humans have had an enormous impact in that time. The whaling industry killed over 1.5 million whales here, taking many species to the brink of extinction. But since the ban on commercial hunting in 1986, whales are making a remarkable come back. In addition, the Antarctic treaty is exemplary in demonstrating that countries from around the world can unite to protect wildlife. However, due to climate change, the Southern Ocean is warming and sea levels are rising. Perhaps more worrying is that a warming of the coldest region on earth will have profound effects on global weather patterns. Although Antarctica is far away, what happens here will affect all of us.
Asia
Series 1, Episode 2 Unrated
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Asia is the largest and most extreme continent on our planet, stretching from the Arctic Circle to the tropical forests on the equator. The animals here face the hottest deserts, tallest jungles and highest mountains found anywhere on Earth. In the frozen lands of the Kamchatka peninsula in Russia, bears seek out active volcanoes - despite the dangers. And on the Siberian coast, a remarkable spectacle appears for a few weeks during the summer - tens of thousands of walruses haul themselves onto a beach in one of the largest gatherings of mammals seen anywhere in the world.
South America
Series 1, Episode 3 Unrated
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South America - the most species rich continent on Earth. From the bone-dry deserts of the Atacama, where penguins weave their way through a minefield of snapping sea lions, to the lush cloud forests of the Andes, where Andean bears scale 30-metre trees in search of elusive fruits, South America is full of the unusual and ingenious. In the far south of the continent, predators prowl the jagged Patagonian landscape. Underneath vertical spires of rock, a mother puma must draw on all her experience and strength to bring down a formidable prey. Guanaco, a relative of the camel, are three times her weight and able to fling a puma in the air. East of the Andes lies the world's largest rainforest, the Amazon. To stand out from the crowd here, male blue manakins have developed elaborate and comical dance routines. Poison dart frogs have unique ways to protect their young. Fathers carry their tadpoles piggy-back style to individual pockets of water throughout the forest, but must remember where they hid each one. Precious clay-licks attract rainbow-coloured flocks of macaws and butterflies, all desperate to lap up the precious salts. In southern Brazil, freshwater springs bubble up crystal clear. Piraputanga fish cruise through the turquoise waters following capuchin monkeys feeding overhead. Fruit dropped by the primates makes an easy meal for the fish until giant anacondas send the monkeys scrambling for safety. The hungry fish resort to leaping athletically from the water, snatching fruit directly from the branches. The rainforests of South America are under threat. A few small patches of Colombian forest are the last remaining refuge of one of the world's rarest monkeys. Cotton-top tamarins flit through the treetops hunting down insects, a wild shock of white hair on the top of their heads. Great dusky swifts fly dangerously close to the spectacular Iguazu falls - then mysteriously disappear.
Australia
Series 1, Episode 4 Unrated
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Australia, a land cast adrift at the time of the dinosaurs. Isolated for millions of years, the weird and wonderful animals marooned here are like nowhere else on Earth. In the north of this island continent is the Daintree, one of the world's oldest tropical forests. It's home to the most dangerous bird on earth - the cassowary. A dinosaur-like bird standing six feet tall. On the open grasslands the dingo, Australia' s elusive and much persecuted wild dog, hunts kangaroos to provide food for its pups. Chases can cover many miles and are often unsuccessful. Life in Australia is tough and getting tougher. Over 70% of Australia is now arid land.
Europe
Series 1, Episode 5 Unrated
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Sir David Attenborough explores the continent of Europe - a crowded continent transformed by mankind. From the rare and elusive wolves to the almost-extinct Iberian lynx, this continent needs protection to ensure a future for its wildlife.
North America
Series 1, Episode 6 Unrated
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More than any other continent, North America is defined by extreme weather and seasonal change. For animals that live here this poses great challenges, but for those with a pioneering spirit it can also offer great rewards. In Canada's Yukon, lynx have found a way to survive where others cannot. In the streams of Tennessee, male chub fish go to great lengths to attract a mate, moving thousands of stones to build rock pyramids over a meter high. When temperatures are just right, the forests of Mississippi come alive with the spectacular glow of millions of fireflies illuminating the night.
Africa
Series 1, Episode 7 Unrated
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Africa is home to the greatest wildlife gatherings on Earth. But even in this land of plenty, wildlife faces huge challenges. At its heart is a vast tropical rainforest full of life. Here young chimpanzees learn how to use tools to make the most of the jungles riches. Rivalling the jungle for its sheer abundance of life is Africa's Great Rift Valley, the richest freshwater habitat on the planet. Africa's rich Serengeti grasslands are home to the greatest herds of antelopes, wildebeest and zebras. Close behind them are their predators.
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