Nature Tuesdays on PBA30 
Tuesdays starting at 8:00pm
Catch an entire evening of programs devoted to the world arund us and the creatures that live in it, every Tuesday on PBA30.
Online Resources
- August 31, 201010:00pmNature “Chimpanzees: An Unnatural History “
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.
- August 31, 20109:00pmNature “Clever Monkeys”
This program explores the monkey culture and how emotions such as love, guilt, and generosity are not unique to humans. Included is a look at the way monkeys communicate with one another and how and what they teach their young, as well as how they use their knowledge to adapt to whatever environment they are in.
- August 24, 20109:00pmUltimate Killers
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.
- August 17, 201010:00pmWild Lives
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.
- August 17, 20109:00pmNature “Unforgettable Elephants”
This episode provides spectacular footage of African elephants, as the camera crew follows them across plains, deserts, and into jungles. It also provides a look into the lifestyle of these magnificent creatures.
- August 10, 201011:00pmNature “The Loneliest Animals”
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.
- August 10, 20109:00pmNature “The Cheetah Orphans”
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.
- August 10, 201010:00pmCheetahs- Fast Track to Freedom
This wildlife documentary takes a look at two orphaned cheetah cubs and the process they go through to become bold powerful hunters of the wild. As they endure the dangers they face from other animals, they slowly begin to learn what it is like to be the fastest animal on earth.
- July 27, 20109:00pmNature “Frogs: The Thin Green Line”
Species by species, amphibians are vanishing off the face of the earth. Large-scale die-offs of frogs around the world have prompted scientists to take measures to try to save those that they can. This program takes a look at those efforts to reverse the extinction.
- July 27, 201010:00pmNature — “Voyage of the Lonely Turtle”
This fascinating documentary follows a female loggerhead turtle as she sets off to lay her eggs in the place where she was born. This birthing ritual takes her across the Pacific from Mexico to Japan, facing typhoons, sharks, and whales. It is the longest journey undertaken by any animal on land or sea. And once the eggs are hatched, she leaves them there and returns to her home alone.
- July 20, 201010:00pmExtreme Animals
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. - July 20, 201011:00pmNature “Kilauea: Mountain of Fire”
Kilauea, on Hawaii’s Big Island, is the world’s most active volcano. Its latest eruption began in 1983 and hasn’t stopped since, creating 544 acres of new land and destroying 200 homes in the process. Nature takes a close-up look at Kilauea, including extraordinary footage of the cataclysmic meeting between 2000 degree lava and 75 degree ocean water…the exact moment that new land is created.
- July 19, 20109:00pmEmperors of the Ice
The Crittercam is a revolutionary animal-borne research tool that records images, sounds, and data from an animal’s perspective. This program uses a crittercam to explore the hostile environment of the Antarctic and to go to places that only penguins have gone before, such as under a massive ice shelf.
- July 13, 20109:00pmNature “Moment of Impact: Hunters and Herds and Jungle”
This two-part program uses live action footage and computer graphics to examine the phenomenon when two animals connect with one another, often in a violent manner. Examples include the collision of a cheetah with a gazelle, the blink-of-an-eye strike of a deadly cobra, and the dexterity of an elephant’s trunk as it reaches out for affection. The result is a program that presents an innovative and revolutionary look at the bioengineering of “how animals work”.
- July 13, 201011:00pmFerrets: The Pursuit of Excellence
The annual Ferret Buckeye Bash in Ohio is home to the largest and most popular ferret show in the country, where hundreds of breeders and enthusiasts pamper and parade their ferrets in a quest for prizes and prestige. Even though these mischievous creatures are unlikely show animals, the competition for “Best in Show” is fierce. This film takes a look at both the background and the participants of this strange event.
- July 6, 20109:00pmBotany of Desire
This documentary tells the story of four everyday plants and the way that they have affected humankind by fulfilling our desires. Explored is the natural history of the apple, the tulip, marijuana, and the potato.
- July 6, 201011:00pmNature “Silence of the Bees”
After existing on earth for over 80 million years and playing a key role in our survival, honeybees are disappearing. As most fruit trees and vegetables species are entirely dependent on bees to produce, and there is no artificial replacement for pollination, the massive die-off of honeybees is of great concern. This episode explores the international emergency research effort to discover the cause of this ecological disaster.
- June 29, 20109:00pmNature “Cloud: Challenge of the Stallions”
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.
- June 29, 201010:00pmNature “American Eagle”
The bald eagle is America’s most recognizable aerial predator, with a shocking white head, electric yellow beak, and penetrating eyes. Unique to North America, it became the symbol of the United States. In the 1960’s, they were on the brink of extinction, but have since replenished their ranks. This special takes a close-up look at the majestic bird and how they handle their nests and raise their chicks.
- June 29, 201011:00pmNature “Eagles of Mull”
The Scottish island of Mull is home to an abundance of wildlife that live among the beautiful mountains, forests, bogs, coastline, moorland, and crystal clear rivers. But it is the golden eagle and the rare white-tailed eagles that seem to have a leg up in the island’s animal chain, and this episode takes a look at these creatures and the effects of their dominance.
- June 22, 20109:00pmNature “Dogs that Changed the World”
The evolution of dogs is explored in this two-part special. 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. Part One chronicles this evolution and looks at how dogs infiltrated human society. Part two examines the relationship between humans and dogs, with an emphasis on working dogs.
- June 22, 201011:00pmGreat Scenic Railway Journey: Australia
This travelogue highlights six train routes through beautiful regions of Australia. Included are trips through the Blue Mountains, Australia’s wine region, and a lush rain forest. The focus sometimes strays off the tracks to give viewers a look at breath-taking sights around the continent.
- June 15, 20109:00pmNature “The Dragon Chronicles”
In every culture of the world, there are legends of dragons that fly, breathe fire, and live in caves. This episode of Nature takes a look at where the stories came from and investigates if they are based on real animals.
- June 15, 201010:00pmNature “Andes: The Dragon’s Back”
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.
- June 15, 201011:00pmNature “Drakensberg: Barrier of Spears”
The Drakensberg Mountains are the Alps for South Africa, rising more than 11.000 feet in the sky. But beneath their beauty lies an incredibly hostile environment for the creatures that manage to live there. This episode takes a look at the spring in this region, when drenching rains destroy the grasslands at the base of the mountains, forcing the animals to climb straight up sheer cliffs of volcanic rock, through storms and snow, to reach the grass on the plateau. The most astonishing and difficult journey is that taken by the elands, which have long legs, heavy bodies, and babies by their sides while vultures circle overhead.
- May 25, 20109:00pmNature “Superfish”
This episode looks at the behavior of highly-prized gamefish such as marlins, sailfish, spearfish, and swordfish. These billfish slice through the water’s surface with explosive power and their journeys through the open ocean are epic. Examined is their bizarre life cycle as they are observed in their natural habitats.
- May 25, 201010:00pmNature “Supersize Crocs”
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.
- May 25, 201011:00pmLost Crocodiles of the Pharaohs
In Ancient Egypt, the crocodiles of the Nile River had revered status. However, that didn’t prevent them from being hunted into extinction by the 1800’s, and the Pharaoh’s crocodiles were thought to be lost forever. But lately, there have been reports of similar crocodiles popping up in some unexpected locations across Africa, such as the edge of the Sahara desert. This documentary goes on the search for these creatures to determine if they are direct descendents of the Pharaoh’s crocodiles, and if so, examines how they could have survived in the desert.
- May 18, 20109:00pmNature “Voyage of the Lonely Turtle”
This fascinating documentary follows a female loggerhead turtle as she sets off to lay her eggs in the place where she was born. This birthing ritual takes her across the Pacific from Mexico to Japan, facing typhoons, sharks, and whales. It is the longest journey undertaken by any animal on land or sea. And once the eggs are hatched, she leaves them there and returns to her home alone.
- May 18, 201010:00pmNature “The Best of Nature- 25 Years”
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.
- May 18, 201011:30pmWild Florida
This series takes a look at the remarkable diversity of fish and wildlife that lives in the Sunshine State. Host Hunter Reno travels among Florida’s natural wonders and explores the unique ecosystem and species that inhabit it, including alligators, dolphins, monkeys, pelicans, panthers, and manatees.
- May 11, 20109:00pmNature “Arctic Bears”
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.
- May 11, 201010:00pmBear Island
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.
- May 11, 201011:00pmBears- Spy in the Woods
Camouflaged roving cameras and tiny cameras actually placed on the bear allow viewers to witness bear behavior rarely seen and provide the most intimate portrayal of these engaging creatures ever. For example, cameras plunge into the water as bears dive for salmon or swim between ice-flows, and reveal bears at play doing some astonishing things.
- May 4, 20109:00pmNature “Black Mamba”
Black Mamba” 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.
- May 4, 201010:00pmNature “Invasion of the Giant Pythons”
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.
- May 4, 201011:00pmBig Cypress Swamp: The Western Everglade
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.
- April 27, 201010:00pmNature “Born Wild: The First Days of Life”
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.
- April 27, 201011:00pmPanda Nursery
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.
- April 20, 201010:00pmThe Adirondacks
This documentary covers a one-year period in this beautiful region, as well as exploring historical tales about the area to reveal how the Adirondacks strike a delicate balance between progress and preservation.
- April 13, 20109:00pmNature: Moment of Impact: “Hunters and Herds” and “Jungle”
This two-part program uses live action footage and computer graphics to examine the phenomenon when two animals connect with one another, often in a violent manner. Examples include the collision of a cheetah with a gazelle, the blink-of-an-eye strike of a deadly cobra, and the dexterity of an elephant’s trunk as it reaches out for affection. The result is a program that presents an innovative and revolutionary look at the bioengineering of “how animals work”.
Continues Tuesday, April 20 at 9:00pm
- April 6, 20109:00pmNature “The Vanishing Lions”
Although the lion is Africa’s largest predator, their numbers have declined to less than 30,000. Lion experts, farmers, and African herdsmen try to figure out why the “King of the Beasts” are rapidly disappearing.
- April 6, 201010:00pmNature “The Desert Lions”
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.
- April 6, 201011:00pmSerengeti 24
In the Serengeti woodlands, a world far removed from the Serengeti plains, the fates and fortunes of the wildlife is dictated by a number of events. This documentary takes a 24 hour look at the creatures that exist in this region, focusing on a family of leopards and cheetahs, and how things get stirred up when a herd of wildebeest pass through.
- March 30, 20109:00pmNature “Murder in the Troop”
This is a fascinating look at a troop of baboons in Zimbabwe and the social structure within the troop. The cameras focus on a set of twins born to the troop leader and his mate, whose lives are placed in jeopardy when a large male from a neighboring troop overtakes the leader and makes him a subordinate. The twins become a target of the new leader, as he wishes to mate with their mother, but cannot until the infants are weaned.
- March 23, 20109:00pmNature “Invasion of the Giant Pythons”
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.
- March 23, 201010:00pmBig Cypress Swamp: The Western Everglade
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.
- March 23, 201011:00pmAmazon: Super River
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.
- February 16, 20109:00pmVictoria Falls
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.
- February 16, 201010:00pmNiagara Falls
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.
- February 9, 20109:00pmWild Balkans
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.
- January 26, 20109:00pmNature “Clash: Encounters with Bears and Wolves”
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.
- January 26, 201010:00pmNature “Christmas in Yellowstone”
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.
- January 19, 20109:00pmNature “Hummingbirds: Magic in the Air”
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.
- January 19, 201010:00pmNature “Ravens”
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”.
- January 12, 20109:00pmExtreme Animals
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. - January 5, 20109:00pmNature “Penguins of the Antarctic”
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.
- January 5, 201010:00pmExtreme Animals
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. - January 5, 201011:00pmNature “Life in Death Valley”
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.
- December 29, 20099:00pmBear Island
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.
- December 29, 200911:00pmArctic Bears
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.
- December 22, 20099:00pmEncountering Sea Monsters
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.
- December 15, 20099:00pmUnderdogs
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.
- December 15, 200910:00pmWater’s Journey: The Everglades
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.
- November 24, 200911:00pmAttack! In Pursuit of Africa’s Maneaters
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.
- November 24, 20099:00pmFellowship of the Whales
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.
- November 17, 20099:00pmBlack Mamba
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.
- November 17, 200910:00pmAttack! In Pursuit of Africa’s Maneaters
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.
- November 10, 200911:00pmBorn Wild: The First Days of Life
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.
- November 3, 200911:00pmCloud: Challenge of the Stallions
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.
- September 22, 200910:00pmForever Wild
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.
- September 22, 200911:00pmNature “Crash: A Tale of Two Species”
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.
- September 15, 200910:00pmThe Call of the Wild
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.
- September 15, 20099:00pmNature “Dogs that Changed the World”
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.
- September 8, 20099:00pmNature “The Cheetah Orphans”
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.
- September 1, 20099:00pmPanda Nursery
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.
- September 1, 20099:50pmPanda Tales
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.
- September 1, 200910:30pmNature “The Best of Nature- 25 years”
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.
- August 25, 20099:00pmHawaiian Monk Seals: Surviving Paradise
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.
- August 25, 200911:00pmNature Can Animals Predict Disaster?
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.
- August 18, 20099:00pmNature Prince of the Alps
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.
- August 18, 200911:00pmNature The Desert Lions
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.
- August 11, 20099:00pmNature Killers in Eden
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.
- August 11, 200910:00pmExtreme Animals
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 - August 11, 200911:00pmNature Andes: The Dragon’s Back
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.
- July 28, 20099:00pmAttack! In Pursuit of Africa’s Maneaters
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.
- July 21, 20099:00pmNature In the Valley of the Wolves
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.
- July 21, 200911:00pmNature The Wolf that Changed America
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.
- July 14, 200910:00pmWild Lives
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.
- July 14, 20099:00pmNature Supersize Crocs
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.
- July 14, 200911:00pmAmazon: Super RIver
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.
- July 7, 20099:00pmNature The Gorilla King
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.
- July 7, 200910:00pmWild Lives
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.
- March 30, 200910:00pmWild Lives
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.
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