Season 16

1997 · 19 episodes

Episodes

1Puma: Lion of the Andes
2The Temple TroopIn Sri Lanka's ruined city of Polonnaruwa lives the Temple Troop, the unruliest gang of monkeys around. This film follows an extraordinary year in the life of the troop.
3Denali: the Great Alaskan WildernessAn examination of the wildlife living around Mt McKinley, North America's highest peak.
4Jungle NightsSet in the tropical rainforests of Central America, this film reveals the unseen behaviour of jaguars, vampires, margays, kinkajous and other strange animals that spring to life after dark. The documentary was filmed in Belize, over the course of a year, by resident film-makers Richard Foster and Carol Farneti Foster. They used infra-red cameras and powerful software which converts the ultrasonic calls of bats into distinctive visual patterns on a computer screen.
5Paracas and the Billion Dollar BirdAlong the shores of the Paracas National Park on the coast of Peru, two very different worlds collide - the barren Atacama desert and the seas teeming with wildlife such as sea lions, penguins and pelicans as well as guanay cormorants, a bird that once created fortunes for the local people through the sale of their droppings, an excellent natural fertiliser.
6Komodo DragonA study of the world's largest lizard, the man-eating Komodo dragon of Indonesia, revealing the dinosaur-like creature to be far more than just a cold-blooded killer.
7At the Edge of the SeaAn absorbing exploration of coastal British Columbia, At the Edge of the Sea provides an insight into the diverse life that thrives within the ever-changing landscape of the Pacific shoreline. A vivid portrait of life amongst the violent surf, impressive time-lapse photography reveals the clever adaptations of the area's inhabitants. Acorn barnacles 'glue' themselves to rocks, while mussels produce strong threads to anchor themselves to the ocean floor and anemones develop adhesive undersides.
8Beyond the Naked EyeThe hidden world of microscopic bugs, microbes, fungi and plants is revealed using special filming techniques. These tiny organisms can cause deadly diseases, but they also help to provide food and control the climate.
9On the Path of the ReindeerThis edition follows thousands of reindeer as they undertake a 400km migration through Lapland, guided by the Saami, the reindeer people. On the journey the reindeer give birth, evade predators, struggle over mountains and even swim across the sea to reach the lush summer pastures of the Arctic coast.
10The Secret GardenTimelapse and close-up photography reveals the natural lives of the plants and animals that inhabit an English garden.
11The Dragons of GalapagosA look at the iguanas of the Galapagos.
12Three MonkeysHow three species of monkey - howlers, red spiders and white-faced - use their different skills to fight for survival deep in the unpredictable and unforgiving tropical forests of Costa Rica.
13Borneo: Island in the CloudsThe wildlife of Borneo, home to a diverse array of creatures, including proboscis monkeys, forest elephants, rhinos and orang-utans. The island boasts the tallest peak in South-East Asia, Mount Kinabalu, and some of the world's largest cave systems, as well as mangrove swamps and a coral reef teeming with life.
14Oman: Jewel of ArabiaDocumenatary film looking at the geography, wildlife and peoples of Oman.
15The Lost Lands of ScillySharks, palm trees, shipwrecks and sandy shores are all vital ingredients for a sub-tropical paradise. Add sunken treasure, colourful corals, nectar sipping birds and exotic flowers and it sounds a long way from Britain. But the exotic Isles of Scilly are just beyond Land's End. Here Britain's biggest predator, the grey Atlantic seal, basks on the rocks and raucous colonies of nocturnal birds fill the midnight air.
16Fire and Ice: an Icelandic SagaDuring filming in Iceland, a huge volcano exploded under Europe's largest icecap, melting billions of tons of ice. But foxes, skuas, puffins and other wildlife have learnt to turn such natural disasters to their advantage.
17MetropolisNew York's concrete and steel plays host to fascinating wildlife, including falcons, raccoons and horseshoe crabs.
18The Otters of YellowstoneSpanning three states, Yellowstone is America's most famous national park, with a cast of charming inhabitants set against stunning scenery. This film follows a family of river otters through the year as they learn to fish, fend off attacking coyotes and travel great distances around the beautiful park.
19The Forbidden FruitFollowing the success of David Attenborough's PRIVATE LIFE OF PLANTS, a further chance to see flora from unusual perspectives. Time-lapse technology and high-speed cameras show how plants use animals, humans and the elements to spread seeds.