What would happen if the world were suddenly without people – if humans vanished off the face of the earth? How would nature react - and how swiftly? This is science fact, not fiction. This habitat is REAL. The species we see are not cartoon characters, but representatives of a living legacy, involved in a genuine drama still unfolding today. The film takes place at the site of the world's worst nuclear accident, hastily abandoned by panic-stricken humans 20 years ago. On April 25/26th 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant located 80 miles north of Kiev in the former USSR (now Ukraine) lost control of one of its 4 reactors. At 1:23am the resulting chain reaction created a series of explosions. A devastating fireball blew off the reactor's heavy steel and concrete lid. In the immediate aftermath more than 30 died. Highly radioactive fall-out flooded everything within a 20-mile radius: 35,000 cattle and 135,000 people had to be evacuated. Only wild animals remained. While humans have made life in this land impossible for themselves, animals have found a way. They have not just survived: they have thrived.
The Last Dragon, known as Dragons : A Fantasy Made Real in the United States, and also known as Dragon's World in other countries, is a docudrama made by Animal Planet that is described as the story of "the natural history of the most extraordinary creature that never existed". It posits the theoretical evolution of dragons from the Cretaceous period up to the 15th century, and theories about what dragon life and behaviour might have been like if they had existed and evolved. It uses the premise that the ubiquity of dragons in world mythology suggests that dragons could have existed. They are a species that are scientifically feasible and could have evolved, although they did not. The dragons featured in the show were designed by John Sibbick. The program switches between two stories. The first uses CGI to show the dragons in their natural habitat throughout history. The second shows the story of a modern day scientist at a museum, Dr. Tanner, who believes in dragons. When the frozen remains of an unknown creature are discovered in the Carpathian mountains, Tanner, and two colleagues from the museum, undertake the task to examine the specimen to try to save his reputation. Once there, they discover that the creature is a dragon. Tanner and his colleagues set about working out how it lived and died.
In this two hour special, Entomologist Ruud Kleinpaste is on a mission to find the biggest and baddest bugs on earth. He'll do almost anything in order to demonstrate his love and enthusiasm for insects including covering himself with killer bees, enduring painful bullet ant stings and getting up close and personal with a goliath bird-eating spider. Ruud will do his best to put bugs in terms that we can understand. To prove that size does matter, when it comes to hercules beetles, he'll battle a sumo wrestler over a slice of pizza. Stunts like these show that Ruud is the ultimate bug PR man, and he'll do what it takes to make you respect his clients.
In a Southeast Asian jungle, a rare glimpse at one of the most exotic and endangered species in the world. It's the Sumatran rhino. Hunted by poachers to the brink of extinction, this rhino named Torgamba, rescued by scientists from certain death, will be shipped halfway around the world and back, all in a last ditch effort to avoid becoming the last rhino. In the early 1980's on the island of Sumatra, this rhino, who was about four years old, lived in quiet obscurity until 1985... when fate opened up the outside world to him. A male rhino just reaching maturity, he was named after the rainforest of Torgamba, which his ancestors had wandered for countless generations before him. Back in 1985, no one could foresee that Torgamba would play such a critical role in the effort to save his species. After all, few humans had ever observed a Sumatran rhino outside a zoo. This is the most extensive footage ever shown of the secretive rhinos in their native habitat, thanks to special sanctuaries recently carved into the jungle in Indonesia and Malaysia for Torgamba and a select few of his companions.
From the woman who thinks of her cats as her babies to the shut-in trying to save the world one cat at a time, dating coach Alyson Mischel brings her expertise to cat ladies of all types to help them get off the couch and into the world of dating.
For the first time, this documentary reveals the unknown true stories of survivors and the working dogs who saved lives at Ground Zero during the September 11, 2001 crisis and aftermath. More than three hundred dogs were part of the rescue and recovery operation, going where it was impossible for humans to follow. The occasional dog collapsed from exhaustion but none of them gave up. Most of these four-legged heroes are now retired but they leave behind a story that must be told. Blind office worker Michael Hingson had to trust his seeing-eye dog Roselle on a treacherous descent of 78 flights of stairs to escape only moments before the towers collapsed. Lt. David Lim of the NY Port Authority Police was called to duty with his explosive detector dog Sirius. Genelle Guzman-McMillan, the last remaining survivor of 9/11, was pinned under the rubble for 27 hours after the buildings collapsed before being found by recovery dogs.
Zach McGowan narrates the story of a group of men hunting down a huge Crocodile that has been terrorizing a area of the Philippines.
The hunt for a mythic animal once thought to have been extinct for 65 million years: the coelacanth. It can be found 120 metres beneath the ocean off the wild coast of South Africa. French scientists and South African scientists teamed up with experienced Trimix divers, including Peter Timm, who discovered the coelacanths in Sodwana Bay in 2000 and award-winning underwater photographer Mr Laurent Ballesta and his advanced technical dive team to bring you this eye-opening documentary.
"The Hunt For Hogzilla" follows a group of men from Eastern North Carolina whose life mission is to locate Hogzilla, the legendary part boar/part bear beast that’s been terrorizing that area.
THE CANNIBAL IN THE JUNGLE follows the story of an American scientist who was convicted of killing and cannibalizing two colleagues in the jungles of Flores, Indonesia in 1977. Branded “The American Cannibal” by the press during his trial, Dr. Timothy Darrow defended himself by claiming a mythic human-ape creature was responsible for the murders.
A documentary following a group of doctors from the department of primatology at the University of California whose work sees them follow families of gorillas, deep in the mountains. Their work consists of performing routine check-ups, administering medicines and sometimes even operating in the jungle it's both incredibly risky and extremely important work, with only 880 mountain gorillas left in the world, the gorilla doctors are determined to save the species from dying out completely.
What evil lurks in the woods of Walker County? There have been rumors of creatures similar to Bigfoot, and of large cats known as the Sipsey Creature or the Wampus Cat. There could be a new mysterious beast out there near Jasper. A two-hour Animal Planet special airing Friday night at 6 p.m. Central Time will look into the story of a man who has been "diagnosed as 'Patient Zero'" after he claims he was attacked by "something unspeakable" in the woods.
The ferocious Tasmanian Tiger was declared extinct 80 years ago, yet sightings are still reported. A trio of experts venture into Tasmania's undeveloped wilderness in search of one of the most unique and terrifying predators ever to walk the earth.
Everyone loves puppies. They're the fuzzy warm-spots in our lives that make everything better when they aren't chewing on shoes or peeing on the carpet. This hilarious, heart-warming look at everything puppy is the cure to the holiday blues.
Considered the Jewel of Central America, Costa Rica is one of the most diverse places on earth. Sandwiched between two seas and two continents, nowhere else has so many different habitats squeezed into such a small space.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Alive with Magic will feature interviews with the creators and caretakers of this theme park who share conservation messages, reveal immersive encounters with wildlife, as well as peek into the natural habitats of the animals who call Disney’s Animal Kingdom home. The TV special also showcases the can’t-miss attractions and entertainment at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as it transforms from a day-into-nighttime park. There’s also exclusive footage of the new Pandora – The World of Avatar, including interviews with iconic filmmaker James Cameron whose vision of flying on a banshee and sailing through a bioluminescent rainforest becomes a reality.
Adventurers, wildlife fanatics and good friends Rene and Wayne travel to Patagonia in search of a very special, unique puma. Encountering a host of other interesting critters along the way, they remain true to their quest of finding the elusive "No Tail."
Northern Australia is under siege from giant man-eating saltwater crocs, and Paul Bedard is on the hunt for a true monster, a 20 foot killer terrifying the residents of a cattle ranch.
With the help of local guides, wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan travels to the frozen, harsh landscape of Ussuriland, Russia to track down a tiger named Amba.
Relaxing at home, you watch elephants and zebras roam across your TV screen. Change channels, and a snake silently stalks its prey as you squirm on your sofa. Plus, they raise awareness of the importance of environmental protection. But now, a show on Animal Planet called Lyndal’s Lifeline is doing more. The show is saving wildlife with cold hard cash. With each episode, the show donates US$10,000 to an organization that is saving animals’ lives – possible even saving some from extinction. And every dollar counts when trying to undo the damage done. Sadly, the biggest threat to endangered animals usually comes from humans. Every day, up to 60 animals are admitted to St Tiggywinkles. The public's donations pay for new equipment that can be used to quickly diagnose disease in wild animals.
Wild Dog Island features large-than-life characters, both human and animal, on an island paradise where a number of hungry hunters will stop at nothing in their quest for food. Located in the searing Zimbabwean bushland, the documentary follows the footsteps of two researchers, Peter and Jealous, united by their passion to save one of the least known animals in the world, the African wild dog. The researchers set up a unique experiment and give five orphaned dogs a chance to experience paradise.
In 2004, when marine biologist Dr Brian McCormick (Sean C. Michael) stumbled across a recording of mysterious underwater sounds, he launched a scientific investigation to uncover the creature responsible. In search of conclusive proof, he and his research team are called out to an unusual whale stranding in South Africa. Here they find the part digested remains of an animal none of them can identify. As each of its body parts is autopsied, they provide new pieces of the puzzle. As the picture builds, McCormick is drawn to an astonishing conclusion: this new marine creature is related to humans. This two-hour special combines beautiful CGI animation, real natural history, a thrilling contemporary conspiracy theory and a race against time to unveil an ancient secret before it's too late
Examining the startling, never-before-seen video evidence of aquatic hominids that has come forward since the documentary MERMAIDS: THE BODY FOUND first aired in 2012, with the original whistleblower on the Mermaid Conspiracy, Dr. Paul Robertson.
The Lembeh strait in the northern part of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi is a unique hotspot of marine biodiversity. Countless amazing creatures thrive in the underwater landscape surrounding Lembeh Island. During four years a wildlife filmmaker coupe spent many months in the region capturing hundreds of hours of behaviour, lots of it never filmed before. Among other unique behaviour the filmmakers were able to shoot an Anglerfish swallowing a Lionfish, a scene resembling Godzilla gulping down Dracula. Elegant seahorses, thumb-splitting Mantis shrimp, and deadly mino-octopuses are just some of the remarkable creatures traditional underwater films tend to overlook. As most of the underwater drama is hidden from plain sight only the ground-breaking macro photography in this film can reveal the awe and beauty of life in the Reef of Little Monsters.
The legendary Kraken lurks in the dark, and may be headed for our shores. From fishermen killed by ravenous squid to sailors who've witnessed the epic-sized monster in the flesh, these stories show the Kraken myth is all too real. Can anything stop them?
The large human brain gives us the evolutionary edge over other species, but studies show that almost everything we have learned has been handed down from our primal ancestors. In THE REAL APES OF THE PLANET, Animal Planet travels around the globe for an unprecedented look at some of the various 400 specimens that make up the primate family and the surprising way our behavior mirrors theirs.
The Ape Who Went To College documents the amazing relationship between an orangutan called Chantek and his 'cross species foster mother' Dr Lyn Miles. Miles first met Chantek when he was months old when she started the experiment at the University of Tenessee. Over the course of ten years, Miles taught Chantek how to speak through the use of sign language and treated him like her own child; at ten years old Chantek had the cognitive level of a five year old and linguistic ability of a two year old, and by the time he was old enough to receive an allowance, even regularly visited his local McDonalds where he would spend his money on cheeseburgers! But despite the success of the experiment Chantek's erratic behaviour was starting to cause difficulties within the University campus where he lived and consequently Lyn lost control of her beloved Chantek, and he was moved and isolated from humans. Lyn spent two years desperately fighting for his freedom. This heart-warming, and at times heart-breaking, documentary looks at how the successful experiment changed science, and also exposes the bond between a human and an orangutan that allowed communication as never seen before.
During his stronghold on Columbia, Pablo Escobar, one of the richest and most violent drug lords in history, imported a host of rare and exotic animals for his private zoo on his famous estate, Hacienda Napoles, including four hippos. Over three decades later, this one-off special reveals another side to the cocaine trafficker, and explores the lasting threat that he and his hippos, now multiplied to over 30, pose for the country. Columbian authorities are battling to contain the hippos which now form the largest population of non-native hippos outside of Africa. If they keep reproducing at the alarming rate they are, experts believe there will be at least one hundred hippos in Columbia by the end of the decade. Thankfully there hasn't been a human tragedy but with reports of a hippo escaping the Hacienda Napoles, now a theme park and zoo, and running wild in the Magdalena river basin, that could be only a matter of time. Drug Kingpin Hippos joins a team of veterinarians as they race to capture, castrate, and relocate the male bull hippo before it reaches the huge expanse of the river, with major cities either side. The film also features rare archival footage and exclusive interviews, including one with Roberto Escobar, Pablo's eldest brother and best friend, providing viewers with a history of Escobar's rise to prominence, his demise as the world's pre-eminent narco-terrorist, and the continued hold he still has on the country, in the shape of hippos.
Documentary following the development of four lion cubs in the heart of Zimbabwe, as they encounter whatever life throws at them and grow into full-blown predators
‘Tigerfish: Africa's Piranha’, reveals the truth about Tiger fish, a terrifying freshwater predator. Growing to mammoth proportions they have outsized razor sharp teeth and they are as aggressive as bull sharks. Extreme angler Andy Coetzee undertakes a hazardous journey diving the rivers of Africa to study the Tigerfish in its own environment.
Very little is known about the elephants of the Knysna Forest. It is difficult to study an animal that you cannot find. This documentary follows the search in hopes of finding evidence of their existence.
Lions and Giants' is the fascinating story of a group of lionesses and elephants that live in Savuti, part of the magnificent Chobe National Park in Botswana. A few of these animals are travelling down to the Chobe River in search of water; however their journey is not as straightforward as it seems. Seeva, one of the young lionesses is determined to hunt the elephants and Numsa and Jabu, the youngest of the elephant calves, has become her prime target. Faced with many challenges these rivalling mammals are not only forced to deal with their own basic survival, but also the threat of each other. Witness who will survive to make it all the way to the salvation of the Chobe River.
Australia's isolation has produced some of the planets strangest and most unique creatures. After thousands of years of surviving alongside nature, Aboriginal people have gained a knowledge that could help shape its future.
Thirty years after the worst nuclear radiation catastrophe in history, 100 times the combined amount of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs, two scientists have now been allowed access to the area surrounding the infamous Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
Adventurers, wildlife fanatics and good friends Rene and Wayne travel to Patagonia in search of a very special, unique puma. Encountering a host of other interesting critters along the way, they remain true to their quest of finding the elusive "No Tail."
Dr. Mark Evans, scientist and explorer, is on a mission to sift fact from folklore and distill the plausible from the possible as he searches for a rational explanation for the mysterious Himalayan biped known as the Yeti.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Alive with Magic will feature interviews with the creators and caretakers of this theme park who share conservation messages, reveal immersive encounters with wildlife, as well as peek into the natural habitats of the animals who call Disney’s Animal Kingdom home. The TV special also showcases the can’t-miss attractions and entertainment at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as it transforms from a day-into-nighttime park. There’s also exclusive footage of the new Pandora – The World of Avatar, including interviews with iconic filmmaker James Cameron whose vision of flying on a banshee and sailing through a bioluminescent rainforest becomes a reality.
Scientist Mark Evans leads a huge expedition into the remote mountain kingdom of Bhutan, investigating recent reports of mysterious prints in the snow.
team ventures deep into the Alaskan wilderness in search of a bear believed to be the largest to roam the earth; as they track it deeper into its deadly domain, they discover that their greatest challenge will be surviving the expedition.
Steve Irwin's impact has far exceeded his hit series The Crocodile Hunter. Chronicling his childhood to his time as a global icon, those who knew him best reflect on the remarkable life of the man, father, husband and wildlife conservationist.
