Fri, Dec 15, 2017
In the heart of Botswana's Okavango Delta, a family of 30 banded mongoose face off against constant dangers and challenges in their daily struggle to survive. At barely half a meter tall, potential predators lurk around every corner and the troop must rely on their collective strength and intelligence to find enough food and safely raise their litter of new pups.
Fri, Dec 15, 2017
In the heart of the scorched Namibian desert lives a fast disappearing community of Africa's largest land mammal, the desert-adapted elephant. Only 30 desert voyagers still roam the Namibian dunes. How these great and thirsty giants survive in one of the most parched places on earth has remained a mystery until recently. Their cunning methods of meeting their daily requirements of food, water and reaffirming social bonds are as surprising as their existence.
Fri, Dec 15, 2017
Winter storms and turbulent waters trigger an ancient migration instinct in one of Southern Africa's most mysterious creatures of the deep, ragged tooth sharks. Hundreds gather en mass at the edge of the reef, eager to begin their 3 000 kilometre odyssey to breed and reproduce in the warmer waters towards the tropics. Along the way, they will hardly eat or rest. Many will return unsuccessful, some will not return at all.
Fri, Dec 15, 2017
Each August thousands of carmine bee-eaters depart their winter feeding grounds in Kenya and fly over 12 000 treacherous miles to be one of the first to arrive at their breeding colonies in the Luangwa Valley in Zambia. Before they migrate, the birds must bulk up on insects and greedily exploit the free meals offered up as large game move through the grassland and disturb the invertebrates. Even after their epic journey the minute carmine bee-eaters are not safe from danger and must square off against hungry baboons and fish eagles.
Fri, Dec 15, 2017
To survive in the ancient hyper-arid dune fields of the Namibian Desert, life has had to evolve some rather unique physical traits and behaviour. This is most apparent in the lives of smaller and more secretive creatures, like the Namaqua chameleon. Despite being the world's fastest and most heat adapted chameleon, daily life in the desert cauldron is a constant struggle on the brink of death. Whether it's ambushing food in the barren dunes or escaping the predators hidden under the sand, each day is a victory hard won.
Fri, Dec 15, 2017
Surviving the first few months of independence represents a steep learning curve for one of Southern Africa's most secretive creatures, the Cape Clawless Otter. Whether it's learning how to catch and devour slimy, agile prey underwater or impressing a potential mate- these are all vital skills that must be refined over time and through practice. All whilst avoiding highly adept predator's intent on turning careless otters into their next meal.
Fri, Dec 15, 2017
In Zambia's Luangwa Valley, the dry season has all but drained the life force of the once mighty river. Leaving a trail of isolated oxbows in its wake. The shrinking waters are the last refuge for the plentiful fish left behind. And a buffet offering for the hundreds of Nile crocodiles and various predatory bird species uniquely adapted to exploit this opportunity.
Fri, Dec 15, 2017
In the high emerald canopies of the Luangwa Valley, resides a breeding pair of African fish eagles. The iconic continental bird species and master ambush predators, the pair spends less than 10 minutes hunting each day. Even with two hungry chicks to feed back at their nest. But as the winter dry season grips the land, space and food resources are at a premium and the pair must hold their own against a slew of invaders.
Fri, Dec 15, 2017
On the plains of Chobe in Northern Botswana, a male black-backed jackal must take his life in his hands darting within the grasp of bone-crushing jaws on a daily basis to earn himself a meagre meal. With three hungry pups eagerly awaiting his return to their den sight, he cannot afford to fail. As the devastating dry season grips the land, his search becomes more desperate and more life-threating.
Fri, Dec 15, 2017
In the bushveld of the Greater Kruger National Park lives a family of one of Africa's most iconic species, the African wild dog or painted wolf. Highly social creatures, the pack shares all duties including raising their latest litter of over 10 pups. With so many hungry mouths to feed a hunting party must be dispatched twice a day in search of prey. Meanwhile, one adult stays behind as a babysitter to guard the pups against danger. If the hunters are successful, they will consume the carcass as quickly as possible to avoid losing out to scavengers. With their stomachs filled to capacity, they will return to the den to regurgitate and share the meat with the rest of the pack.
Fri, Dec 15, 2017
As the first summer rains fall in South Africa, they awaken a sleeping giant from nearly half a meter below ground. Giant bullfrogs spend up to 10 months of the year lying dormant in a buried cocoon. When they surface it's a scramble for the males to establish dominance and mate with as many females as possible. But females have their own techniques for singling out the fittest males, which will care for their thousands of tadpoles.
Fri, Dec 15, 2017
As the sun sets on Zambia's pristine and untamed Luangwa Valley, it reveals a hidden world inhabited by some of Africa's most elusive creatures. A female white-tailed mongoose, the largest of all mongoose species, scans the soil for any signs of a meal. Guided by her keen sense of smell, she is an opportunist devouring anything from dung beetles to eggs and even small rodents. Her search for food will take her up to 8 hours and over 4 km, as she gathers enough sustenance to keep her milk flowing for her 2 young pups back at the den. But by being out in the open for so long, she places herself in the line of sight of larger predators that would readily prey on an unwitting mongoose.
Fri, Dec 15, 2017
Despite their monstrous appearance, Nile crocodiles engage in surprisingly delicate courtship rituals. Males arch their backs in impressive displays, snapping at the water and blowing bubbles to attract the female's attention. They reciprocate with subtle rubs along his jaw bone to stimulate mating. A few months later, the female begins her 90 day vigil at her buried nest site. Once the eggs hatch, she will gently gather her young in her bone-crushing jaws and deliver them to the next treacherous stage of their lives.
Fri, Dec 15, 2017
Chacma baboons can survive in some of the most challenging of environments thanks to their acute intelligence and resourcefulness. Their success also relies heavily upon the strong social bonds that exist between troop members. Social bonds govern every aspect of a chacma baboon's life, from foraging to politics and even defense. When predators lurk, it is only a unified show of force that can safeguard the troop.
Fri, Dec 15, 2017
In the heart of the African bushveld, mythical 6-ton giants armed with 2 metre long tusks still roam as the undisputed kings in their wild kingdoms. Emerging from the cool mist of early morning, they spend their days consuming enough forage to support their enormous bodies. These revered 'big tuskers' were once numerous in Africa. Now they face extinction due to illegal poaching and trophy hunting.
Fri, Dec 15, 2017
Life in the vast and ancient valleys of Namibia is amongst the most highly adapted on earth. Creatures like the rock monitor must rely on all of their keen senses to survive in the extreme conditions. The monitor's sensitive tongue aides it in tracking prey across shifting sands. A potentially life-threatening task in the immense openness of the desert. Not only can the sun bake you alive but predators can spot prey from miles away. There are no second chances in the desert.
Fri, Dec 15, 2017
As the full moon rises over the Luangwa Valley, a secretive creature is stirring in the forest below. Large-spotted genets are one of Africa's shiest and most intriguing animals. Almost their entire lives play out under the cover of darkness. From their omnivorous foraging escapes to finding a mate and evading predators. Phenomenally intricate lives squeezed into just a few hours each night.
Fri, Dec 15, 2017
In Botswana's Mashatu Game Reserve, and adolescent male caracal is preparing to leave the security of his mother and strike out on his own to stake his claim. The young predator was born with an arsenal of weaponry including hearing accurate to the nearest meter and powerful hind legs that can launch him 10 feet into the air. But, as one of the smallest cats, he will have to refine his killer skills if he is to survive the daunting dry season.