Nature Tuesdays on PBA30

Chimps are considered to be the animal most like humans, which has allowed them to be participants in many an experiment, whether it be space travel or infecting them with a disease. Eventually, these captive chimps were left behind by science, neglected, and forgotten. This program looks at their story and of the effort by a few dedicated individuals to give these creatures the freedom and sanctuary they so richly deserve.

Florida’s Everglades National Park is one of the last great wildlife refuges in the United States and is home to numerous unique and endangered animals and plants, as well as half a million alligators. It is also the home for a number of animal invaders from places as far as Africa, Asian and the Caribbean…usually due to being released by irresponsible pet owners that release them into the wild. The park is currently under siege from tens of thousands giant pythons, many of which found their way there after escaping from almost 200 wildlife facilities destroyed by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. The snakes, which can grow to 20 feet and weigh almost 300 pounds, have thrived here by becoming killing machines that are upsetting the natural balance.

This wildlife documentary looks at this one particular section of the Everglades and provides some visually-stunning photography. The crew travels deep into the swamps in airboats and on foot to provide a little-seen portrait of a true wilderness area.

The Amazon is the greatest river in the world as its 4,000 miles contains almost a fifth of all the river water on the planet. This special explores the story of the river and its diverse ecosystem. The Amazon is home to more than 3,000 species of fish, many of which are quite unique. And the Amazon basin, an area five times the size of France, is home to some unlikely and strange animals. Beautiful photography provides viewers with a spectacular look at an amazing river.

This episode takes a look at the majesty of the largest waterfall in the world, Victoria Falls. Cutting across Africa’s Zambezi River and bridging the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is an awesome force of nature that takes the meandering river above the cascade and turns it into a raging abyss of the gorge below, all of it surrounded by a thick rainforest.

The history and grandeur of these breathtaking falls is examined in this beautifully-photographed documentary. Also chronicled through rare footage are the stories of some of the daredevils that attempted death-defying stunts over and around the falls. But the star of this documentary is the vision of this magnificent landmark that attracts twenty million visitors annually.

In Middle Europe is a wild, inaccessible place that belongs more in myth than reality with its thick forests, vast wetlands, deep chasms, and wild animals that have all but vanished from the rest of Europe. This programs looks at the Balkans, a region that has always been in the middle between the forces of the East and West, and whose bloody history seems to have conspired to conceal its natural wonders.

This three-part BBC nature series chronicles the hunt to find the world’s most deadly natural born killers. Among the animals pursued include the black mamba snake, the harpy eagle from Panama, killer whales, scorpions, jellyfish, cobras, and man-eaters. Up-close encounters provide viewers with an indication of just how scary these creatures are. An Atlanta exclusive on PBA30.

Bears and wolves co-exist in Yellowstone Park and rule in their own different ways. The bear is a loner that searches far and wide for resources. The wolf hunts to survive and finds its strength in speed and teamwork. But what happens when the two face each other in an encounter? This program provides examples of those situations and examines the strategy and tactical advantage of each as they make their decision to fight or flee.

The landscape of Yellowstone takes on a different look around the holidays as the snow creates a winter wonderland and the animals make their way through their most challenging season of the year. Nature takes a look at the history of Yellowstone, as well as giving viewers a glimpse of how this area provides a scene of Christmas like no other place.

Stunningly beautiful high-speed footage of hummingbirds in the wild provides viewers with an understanding of this tiny but tough and energetic bird. Also included is the explanation of new knowledge gained by scientists making great breakthroughs in hummingbird biology, making this mysterious creature a bit less mysterious.

Long recognized as one of the most intelligent birds, the raven also has a less than savory image throughout history as a scavenger that does not discriminate between humans and animals. This documentary takes a look at these all-black creatures that are reviled in Europe as “birds of death” and admired by Native Americans as “birds of life”.

This three-part BBC series takes viewers to some of the most hostile environments on earth in a mission to find animals that push the limits of survival. Host Steve Leonard travels to such diverse locations as the Arctic and deserts, and participates with the animals in death-defying
examples of endurance. This program airs exclusively in Atlanta on PBA30.

The penguins that live in Antarctica already have to endure on of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. But, as the climate changes, their homes are disappearing and their territories are being invaded. This program looks at how these extraordinary birds deal with the full effects of global warming.

This three-part BBC series takes viewers to some of the most hostile environments on earth in a mission to find animals that push the limits of survival. Host Steve Leonard travels to such diverse locations as the Arctic and deserts, and participates with the animals in death-defying
examples of endurance. This program airs exclusively in Atlanta on PBA30.

Death Valley is the hottest place on Earth and this program looks at how wildlife and animals manage to survive in the 116 degree plus temperatures where the earth cracks and water is in short supply. The camera also catches breathtaking images of colorful mountains and canyons.

Chichagof Island in southeast Alaska is home to more grizzlies per square mile than any other place on earth. This special follows the exploits of a veteran bear tracker as he travels through the deep dark forests of Bear Island in the summer, when the waters around the island are filled with fish and the bears congregate to feed off this prey.

This episode examines the lives of polar and grizzly bears. Polar bears are descendents of grizzlies that long ago evolved to live to hunt on the frozen ice of the Arctic. As the ice disappears, their food is becoming scarcer. Meanwhile, the grizzlies are finding it easier to hunt in more Northern areas due to the warmer weather. This could create a convergence of the two types of bears, and could force the polar bear to revert back to being a grizzly.

A cameraman dives deep into the ocean to examine sea creatures that are more bizarre than can be imagined. Among the dangerous species highlighted are cephalopods (squid and octopus) that have beaks like parrots, no bones, skin that can change colors, and arms growing out of their hips.

This program takes a look at two dogs rescued from animal shelters and how they are trained with skills needed to perform functions in the work world. The story follows them through training, competition, and their eventual placing in new homes, as one becomes a sheep herder and the other a bomb-sniffer with a police K-9 corp.

This two-part program chronicles the largest environmental restoration project in history as a team of experts immerse themselves into the heart of the Everglades to learn about the great watershed and what to do about preserving it. In addition to its educational value, this special is a spectacular visual adventure.

The people of Mozambique, Africa are faced with dangers from a number of frightening beasts. This four-part series takes a look at the challenges of sharing a territory with fearsome predators. Part one deals with sharks, part two with crocodiles, part three with lions, and part four with elephants, rhinos, and hippos. Included is some riveting footage.

This film covers the first year in the life of a humpback whale, when she learns the lessons of humpback life from her mother. Together, they take a journey from her birthplace in the waters of Hawaii to the summer feeding grounds of Alaska’s southeast coast, facing a number of dangers. By the end of the year, she is learned enough to set out upon her own.

The black mamba is one of Africa’s most dangerous and feared snakes, known for being aggressive when disturbed by striking its victims with toxic venom ten times more deadly than needed to kill a human adult. Not much is known about these creatures, as they are usually killed on sight. This program chronicles a six-week study on black mambas in Southern Africa, designed to change public perception on what they consider to be the world’s most misunderstood snake.

The people of Mozambique, Africa are faced with dangers from a number of frightening beasts. This four-part series takes a look at the challenges of sharing a territory with fearsome predators. Part one deals with sharks, part two with crocodiles, part three with lions, and part four with elephants, rhinos, and hippos. Included is some riveting footage.

This program covers the most important single moment of any animal’s life…its birth. Emerging from dark safety to possible peril, the film chronicles the birth and first day of a number of various animals, and examines the different ways that different animals experience the first day of life.

This new episode in the life of Cloud, the wild stallion from the Arrowhead mountains of Montana, focuses on his leadership of the wild horses and on his two sons, who may eventually challenge Cloud.

Robert Redford hosts this film that celebrates America’s commitment to wilderness preservation by capturing the glory of undeveloped, wild places through stunning images and passionate tales of America’s modern wilderness heroes…those volunteers that spend countless hours and energy working to ensure that the public lands they love remain forever wild.

This program takes a look at the most endangered species on the planet…animals that represent the end of their line. Among these creatures are Yangtze turtles, a baby Sumatran rhino, a special collection of lemurs, and “Lonesome George”, a giant tortoise from the Galapagos who is the very last of his kind. Nature takes a look at efforts to sustain these animals through captive breeding programs, as well as looking at the conditions that have caused the demise.

This episode examines an example in the fabric of life where one species is interconnected with another. In this case, it looks at how the horseshoe crab, a creature that has remained unchanged for three hundred million years, produce eggs that are a lifeline for a tiny bird called a Red Knot. But, the existence of the crab is being threatened as a result of becoming new bait for fishermen, and this could cause the crumble of an age-old food pyramid.

This documentary tells the story of Chris McCandless, a 24-year-old traveler that died in the Alaskan wilderness following a two-year cross-country odyssey that took him from Atlanta to Arizona, California, Mexico, Canada, and countless places in-between. Filmmaker Ron Lamothe loaded a backpack and followed in McCandless’ footsteps all the way to the abandoned bus on Alaska’s Stampede Trail where McCandless died of starvation in 1992. This same story was also told in the recent Hollywood film Into the Wild.

The evolution of dogs is explored in this program that also looks at how dogs infiltrated human society. Using DNA analysis and other research, scientists concluded that all dogs claim the wolf as their ancestor, and that certain breeds have been essential to the vitality of the entire canine population.

This is a film in which the filmmaker took on the role of parent to two cheetah cubs when their mother was killed by a lion. It is a two-year rollercoaster ordeal, including terrifying standoffs with rhinos and leopards, as well as some of the most intimate moments of cheetah life ever captured on film.

The inspiring story of the birth of twin panda cubs at a reservation park in China is the basis of this interesting documentary. With the panda population dwindling, the Wolong Natural Reservation Park was established to help breed giant pandas. The first six months of the twin’s lives are covered in this film, including rare footage of the combined effort of the mother panda and her human surrogate to raise the two vulnerable cubs.

This documentary covers the first year in the life of giant panda cub Zhen Zhen, whose antics and charms have captivated visitors to the San Diego zoo. It also takes a serious look at the plight of the giant panda and how the zoo’s program has affected the resurgence of the endangered species.

This special takes a look at some of the most memorable moments of this institutional series. The stunning photography and fascinating stories are reminders of how good this show has been for the past 25 years.

A string of tiny atolls and islands exist in the unpopulated northwest Hawaiian Islands that is a refuge for nearly 30 species of sea birds, endangered green seas turtles, and a living fossil called the Hawaiian monk seal. This is the oldest living type of seal and is now on the brink of extinction. This special takes a look at this fascinating creature.

In the hours before the devastating tsunami in Asia, animals in the areas about to be hit began to act very strangely. Elephants in Thailand began to run for higher ground, antelopes in India stampeded away from the shoreline, and flamingoes interrupted their breeding rituals to flee the coast. Nature examines a number of possible explanations for this and other animal behavior observed in advance of disasters.

The Australian Alps is home to a variety of wildlife, including ibex, fox, and marmots. But none may be more majestic than the red deer. This episode centers on the lifestyle of a female red deer who is the leader in her herd, and her newborn calf, who immediately attains the status of a prince among the other calves.

Africa’s coastal Namib Desert is the home to a mysterious population of lions that have rarely been seen and thus, never studied. Twenty years ago, a wildlife expert became aware of these desert lions when he witnessed a lioness kill a fur seal in the waves and drag it five miles inland to feed her cubs. And then, they disappeared before the expert was able to observe them further. But recently, they reappeared, giving him a second chance to unravel their secrets.

The small Australian fishing village of Eden was the location for perhaps the strangest cooperative relationship between man and wild animal ever known. Beginning in the mid 1800’s, killer whales would herd migrating humpback whales in toward the shore and proceed to attack them. The local fishermen could then easily capture the weakened mammals. Eventually, the killer whales even devised a signal to let the fishermen know they were about to start their hunt. Although this no longer occurs, the killer whales hold a special place in the town’s history, and the bones of the whale leader, known as Old Tom, lie in the town museum.

This three-part BBC series takes viewers to some of the most hostile environments on earth in a mission to find animals that push the limits of survival. Host Steve Leonard travels to such diverse locations as the Arctic and deserts, and participates with the animals in death-defying
examples of endurance. This program airs exclusively in Atlanta on PBA30. continues August 18 and 25

When the Andes mountain range rose from the sea, it created South America and created a bridge with North America that allowed flora and fauna from each continent to mix and diversify. This program takes a look at the rich tapestry of environments and ecosystems that currently exist in the Andes, including the largest ice field outside the poles, a desert where penguins nest, and geysers a vertical mile high.

The people of Mozambique, Africa are faced with dangers from a number of frightening beasts. This four-part series takes a look at the challenges of sharing a territory with fearsome predators. Part one deals with sharks, part two with crocodiles, part three with lions, and part four with elephants, rhinos, and hippos. Included is some riveting footage.

This unique BBC nature series charts the seven ages of life of some of the planet’s most distinct animals. Each episode follows the life cycle of one species, from birth through infancy, childhood and adolescence to maturity, old age, and death. The animals covered are bears, dolphins, elephants, lions, gorillas, crocodiles, wolves, cheetahs, and zebras. This intimate look into these creature’s lives provides viewers with a greater understanding of how these animals live from cradle to grave. An Atlanta exclusive on PBA30.

Yellowstone Park is the home to a pack of wolves called The Druids. They were brought to Yellowstone years ago in an experiment to restore an entire ecosystem that began to break down without its wolves. Cameras followed the pack for three years, and this special is an intimate record of their lives, their battles with rival wolf packs, and the environment that surrounds them in Yellowstone’s beautiful Lamar Valley.

In the fall of 1893, an adventurous young man from New York went to the wilds of New Mexico to kill the leader of a pack of marauding, cattle-killing wolves. But by the time Ernest Thompson Seton finally met the renegade lobo, the wolf had become a hero in his eyes. His subsequent writings about this encounter captured the essence of the vanishing wilderness and led to the establishment of both the National Park system and the Boy Scout movement in America.

This unique BBC nature series charts the seven ages of life of some of the planet’s most distinct animals. Each episode follows the life cycle of one species, from birth through infancy, childhood and adolescence to maturity, old age, and death. The animals covered are bears, dolphins, elephants, lions, gorillas, crocodiles, wolves, cheetahs, and zebras. This intimate look into these creature’s lives provides viewers with a greater understanding of how these animals live from cradle to grave. An Atlanta exclusive on PBA30.

This episode explores the world of crocodiles and the tall tales that exist regarding giant man-eating crocs. Nile crocs, American crocs, and the Asian-Pacific saltwater croc have all been reported to grow up to 23 feet, and this program follows experts as they go in search of the last of these large creatures.

The Amazon is the greatest river in the world as its 4,000 miles contains almost a fifth of all the river water on the planet. This special explores the story of the river and its diverse ecosystem. The Amazon is home to more than 3,000 species of fish, many of which are quite unique. And the Amazon basin, an area five times the size of France, is home to some unlikely and strange animals. Beautiful photography provides viewers with a spectacular look at an amazing river.

Diane Fossey, the famed friend of gorillas, cared for Titus since 1974, when he was only two days old. Decades later, Titus is now the King among the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. This documentary looks at Titus’ extraordinary life and times, from his early days to his rise to power.

This unique BBC nature series charts the seven ages of life of some of the planet’s most distinct animals. Each episode follows the life cycle of one species, from birth through infancy, childhood and adolescence to maturity, old age, and death. The animals covered are bears, dolphins, elephants, lions, gorillas, crocodiles, wolves, cheetahs, and zebras. This intimate look into these creature’s lives provides viewers with a greater understanding of how these animals live from cradle to grave. An Atlanta exclusive on PBA30.

This BBC nature series charts the seven ages of life of some of the planet’s most distinct animals. Each episode follows the life cycle of one species, from birth through infancy, childhood and adolescence to maturity, old age, and death. The animal covered in this episode is the East African cheetah. A PBA30 Atlanta exclusive.