ワイルドライフ

December 24, 2018

A Year in the Deep Forest of Tokyo --- Amazing Wildlife of Tokyo

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Okutama is one of the last havens for wildlife in Japan. This densely wooded forest is in the western part of Tokyo. The forest hosts almost all the major mammals found in Honshu Island. Mountain hawk-eagles breed here. They are one of the endangered birds in Japan’s Red List. Wildlife photographer Nobuaki Hirano is strongly attracted by Okutama forest, and our film crew spent a year with him to capture wonders of Tokyo’s deep forest. We have encountered with extremely rare birds in spring. There are only about 1000 of them left on earth. In summer, we found mysterious creatures that sparkle in seven colours. In winter, we saw bizarre “fish-hugging” frogs in a forest stream. It is an invitation to the unknown world of nature in Tokyo.

December 17, 2018

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Woodland of English Countryside --- Eurasian Sparrow Hawks Soaring above Homestead Woodland

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This is the English countryside of Norfolk, East of England. Vast expanse of farmland surrounds a patch of dense forest. This homestead woodland has been carefully managed and protected for more than 150 years. Numbers and variety of wildlife have been increasing year after year. Now this woodland is home to about 80 species of birds such as kingfishers and owls. Badgers and deer are common habitants. Among them all, Eurasian sparrow hawks rule this forest. They make their ways through the branches so quickly as to hunt down their prey. In the beautiful setting of English countryside, this programme portrays vivid life of wild animals season to season.

December 10, 2018

Florida Peninsula, USA --- Dances of Black Dragons, Mystery of Millions of Fish

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This is September in luxurious beach resort of Florida. Beach suddenly attracts millions of mullet fish. This huge school of fish undulates, and it extends for several hundred meters along the coast. The way they wind, and jump reminds us of black dragons. Sharks and larger predatory fish come gather to feed on them. Beach was peaceful with full of sunbathers during the summer, but it is now a battlefield of life and death. What are these fish? Where do they come from? Where do they do? Our film crew vividly captured their behaviour with dramatic filming method. The mystery of amazing behaviour is revealed in this episode.

December 3, 2018

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Wilderness of Sarobetsu, Hokkaido --- Survival in the Frozen Forest, Russian Flying Squirrels of Hokkaido

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Russian flying squirrels are called “Forest Fairies” for their adorable big eyes and their small body size of only about 15 cm. Their eyes are big so as to see better in the darkness of forest. They are specialists in gliding with flying membrane between fore limbs and hind limbs. They fly freely between branches of forest. The forest of flying squirrels is mixed forest of conifer trees and broad-leaved trees. While deciduous broad-leaved trees supply abundant food such as flower buds and nuts, evergreen conifer trees offer perfect hiding place from predators and harsh weather. The programme portrays strength of these small “fairies” in one of the harshest winters of northern Japan.

November 26, 2018

Canadian Arctic --- Battle of North! 700 Walruses vs. Arctic Bears

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Summer has come to the Canadian Arctic. Walruses “Giants of Arctic Sea” congregate in large numbers as much as about 700 of them on a single island to breed. Arctic bears come to attack young pups, but mothers immediately perceive danger. Mother and pups keep running away from these strong predators, but in the end, physical contact occurs. A fierce battle of giants and the mightiest. Bears try hard to capture food for their survival. Walruses counter-attack with long and sharp tusks. Our camera crew captured spectacular battle between these amazing creatures not only from land, but also from the air and underwater.

November 19, 2018

[encore]

Congo River, Africa --- The River of Life

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The great Congo River snakes through Zambia to the Republic of Congo. Her basin is the second largest of the world after Amazon. From its origin to the river’s mouth on the Atlantic, environment along the river varies from the world’s largest wetland, arid land of Savannah, and to tropical rainforest. Many animals gather along the riverside for the blessings of river. Among them, there are large primates; Gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos. From the source to the river’s mouth, the programme portrays the rich life along the great river.

November 12, 2018

Great Plains of Mongolia --- Magical Hunting Technique of Pallas’s Cat

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Pallas’s Cats, or Manul, are wild cats of Mongolian grasslands. Its body is furry, stout, and short-legged. How they live in their natural habitat has been kept in mystery for long time, but we have filmed their interesting behaviour with a help from local researchers. It includes; how they raise kittens; kitten’s first mouse-hunt; battle against their number-one-enemy, golden eagles; and parting from parents. Some of them are shot for the first time in the world. These cats are both unique in appearance and behaviour. This episode reveals survival of these distinctive cats in challenging environment.

October 29, 2018

Historic Town of Spain --- Flock of Storks Soaring above Church Tower

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Alfaro is a historic town of northern Spain. On the roof top and tower of the church in the centre of town, white storks congregate in massive numbers to breed. They build large nests; each reaches 2 meters in diameter; and there are about 100 of them in the close vicinity. This high density of nest can be found nowhere else. Naturally, troubles occur just like a crowded city. Some storks turn into thieves of nest materials, and others become attackers of other’s chicks. Moreover, they had unusual torrential rain that year. Will the chicks safely fledge? This episode follows eventful life of storks and their chicks.

October 22, 2018

Live or Die! Amazing Survival Tactics of Wildlife --- Desert Wolves and City Otters

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This week’s programme is the Special on survival tactics of various wild animals. Seals raise offspring the quickest of all mammals in the coldest arctic sea. Wolves survive in one of the harshest deserts where they rarely encounter animals to prey on. Insects survive amid multitude of predators in tropical rainforest. Some otters live in the hustle bustle of urban environment. They have all adapted to their environment, and each has developed own unique survival techniques. Our presenter travels to tropical rainforest of Malaysia and Singapore to give first hand report on wild animals and natural wonders.

October 15, 2018

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Four Seasons at Mount Hakusan --- Bounty and Challenges of Mountains; Japanese Serows

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Japanese serow is one of the Natural Monuments of Japan. As they lead solitary life in the woods of steep slopes in the mountains, no detailed survey on their behaviour had been recorded before. However, this time we worked at steep mountain ranges of Hakusan over a period of one year, we have captured amazing life of Japanese serows at close. From spring to summer, even the woods on steep slopes offer enough bounty to raise calves, but the environment dramatically changes into a harsh challenging stage during winter. Avalanches can easily take their lives. This programme portrays their strength and amazing behaviour in the beautiful settings of Mount Hakusan.

October 8, 2018

Great Plains of Botswana --- Struggle of a Lioness, The Queen of Lion Pride

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This is Chobe National Park, Botswana. The park is home to various animals such as giraffes and buffaloes. Large predators gather to hunt those animals in Chobe. Among those top predators, the most powerful is a lioness named Matsumi and her pride. However, the life here is not easy. Rivalry among other strong predators such as hyena, leopard, and lycaon are highly competitive. They also need to deal with lone-wandering lion. Sometimes severe draught hits the area. This episode follows the life of dignified lioness and how she overcomes incessant ordeals.

October 1, 2018

Chugoku Mountains, Western Japan --- Japanese Giant Salamander, the Monarch of Mountain Stream

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In the small mountain stream of Hiroshima’s northwest region, giant guardian spirits of waters are hidden beneath the surface. They are Japan’s Special Natural Monument, Japanese Giant Salamanders. The largest ones can reach up to 1.5 meters which make them the biggest amphibian of the world. Their behaviour has been kept in mystery, but arduous long-term observations by scientists started to cast light on life of these elusive creatures. They cleverly use mountain environment. When they hunt, they make the most of their massive body. They even fight fiercely over females. This episode reveals unknown secret of the Japanese giant salamanders.

September 24, 2018

Canadian Arctic, Island of Tundra --- Sublime Life of Elusive White Wolves

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Ellesmere Island is situated at the far end of the world, near the North Pole. Only hardy animals that have been adapted to survive in such intense cold habitat can live on this island. Arctic wolves reign over almost all living things in Ellesmere. They are called “Elusive Wolves”. Wolves work in cooperation with their own pack members to survive in　one of the harshest conditions of the world. Food source is very scarce in Ellesmere. Crucial key to their survival is the strong bond of pack members because their most powerful enemies are wolves of other packs. They fight for life over cubs and preys against other packs. They sometimes need to ward off lone wolves too. This episode reveals dramatic life of Arctic wolves.

September 17, 2018

Sonora Desert --- Hummingbirds and their Bodyguard, the Hawk

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Vast expanse of barren landscape covers the most of Sonora Desert. In the middle of arid desert, there stands a mountain covered with green forest. Black-chinned hummingbirds, palm-sized and fairly-like creature, can be found hovering and flying in this forest. The latest findings reveal that they employ fearful hawks as bodyguards to protect their chicks. To deter off predators, they take bold action to take advantage of even more fearful ones. This episode reveals mysterious relationships among birds, mainly hummingbirds, of Sonora Desert.

September 10, 2018

[encore]

Cebu Island, Philippines --- A Sharp Blow by the Tail, Sharks with Strange-Shaped Caudal Fin

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Pelagic thresher belongs to a family of thresher sharks with elongated caudal fins. As its name suggests, pelagic threshers are hard to spot as they spend most of the time in open oceans. For this, divers called them “phantom sharks”. Yet, they have been spotted along the Coast of Cebu Island recently. They hide behind coral reefs, they jump above the surface and they hunt in unique method using their strange-shaped caudal fins. Why such elusive sharks suddenly appeared in this area? What is the secret of their caudal fins? Our film crew searched for pelagic threshers in the waters of Cebu Island. Hi-def and Hi-speed camera captured amazing hunts of the mysterious sharks.

September 3, 2018

Waters of Yaku Island --- Overwhelming! Great Congregation of Big Cuttlefish

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Yaku Island, or Yakushima, is UNESCO’s World Natural Heritage site of Kagoshima prefecture. The island is covered with forest of huge Yakusugi (Yakushima cedar) trees. Richness of the island’s fauna and flora is well known to the world, but not much is known about breath-taking nature hidden beneath the surface of Yakushima waters. There is a large colony of corals, one of the largest in Japan, in the shallow waters surrounding the island. Multi-coloured tropical and sub-tropical fish swarm there. In early summer, large cuttlefish congregate in staggering numbers. They fiercely battle for better chances to breed. When the mid-summer comes, eggs of cuttlefish hatch; and corals spawn all at the same time. 　This programme reveals nature’s wonders of lesser known Yakushima’s underwater world.

August 27, 2018

Serengeti, East Africa --- Ruler of Two Prides—Trials of Alfa Male Lion

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In Serengeti National Park of Tanzania, a rare male lion has been spotted. He leads 2 prides of lions at the same time. There are about 30 female lions; and his territory covers about 10 square-kilometers. There are only 3 male lions to guard and protect the territory and pride members. Males are constantly confronted by trials of nature; daily duty of patrolling, battles against roaming males that try to take over the pride, and strategic mating when all females are in heat at the same time. Can they handle all these trials? This episode reveals hard days and nights of ruling male lion of 2 prides.

August 20, 2018

Nansei Islands The Islands of Miracle—Amami, Okinawa, and Iriomote --- Primitive Rabbits and Unique Cats Survive

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In the southern waters of Japan, Nansei Islands stretch for 1000km. Among them, Amami Island, Yambaru Region of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island are aiming to be designated as UNESCO’s World Natural Heritage site in the future. They have rich sub-tropical forest which is rare in the world. Moreover, these islands were once part of Eurasian continent and later became isolated as individual islands. This geographical history resulted in preserving various animals of primitive descendants as well as supporting unique evolution of animals and plants. This episode introduces precious natural environment and animal behaviour in eye-opening vivid 4K images. The presenter is an actor Jay Kabira.

August 13, 2018

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Izu Islands Rediscovered --- Diversity of Life Nurtured by the World’s Largest Ocean Current, Kuroshio

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Southern Izu Islands of Hachijo, Mikura and Miyake is under the great influence of Kuroshio, the world’s largest ocean current. The warm current makes the climate of these islands temperate which support rich diversity of wildlife. However, at the same time, the current often brings drastic changes in environment. The current sometimes meander making large curves. This results in drawing cold ocean water into the area. How do animals survive in the waters under the influence of such great ocean current? From tiny fry of unusual fish, sea turtles, to dolphins, the programme portrays an amazing wildlife of Japanese islands in the Pacific Ocean.

August 6, 2018

Galapagos Islands --- Trials of Life Throughout the Year Marine Iguanas swim out in the Rough Seas and Giant Tortoises climb the Hills

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Galapagos Islands are well known for their rare endemic species such as marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, and giant tortoises. One might imagine Galapagos as the paradise of wildlife. However, half of the year, they go through harsh environmental challenges. Terrestrial and Marine environments are complete opposite. Rainy season when land is blessed with moisture, sea can be stormy. Dry season when sea becomes fertile, land go through draught. Wild animals of Galapagos are tossed about by drastic changes of seasons, but they are sturdy enough to survive. This episode reveals the life of wild animals on Galapagos throughout the year.

July 30, 2018

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Island of Bizarre Animals, Madagascar --- Amazing Leapers of Forest, Indri

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There are about 100 species of lemurs found in Madagascar. Indri is the largest of the kind. An adult Indri stands about 1.4 meters in height. They hardly touch the ground, and live on the trees for life. They are highly adapted to forest environment. Regardless of their large size, they are quick and agile. They leap from a tree to another that is nearly 10 meters apart. Their amazing leap is called VCL (Vertical Clinging and Leaping). Their family behaviour is also unique. Female (mother) is the boss of the family, and males devotedly render service to females. The programme portrays their amazing life in one of the most unique habitats.

July 23, 2018

Thailand, Southeast Asia --- First-Ever! Large Gecko's Battle Against Snakes

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In a private residence of Thailand, there live large geckoes. They are tokay geckoes that can reach up to 30cm in length. They are one of the largest geckoes in the world. They dwell in crevice of local’s housings. People welcome geckoes because they feed on unwanted insects and other intruders. Tokay geckoes sometimes feed on large preys such as scorpions, centipedes, mice, and they even fight against snakes. They can be quite bold. On the other hand, our first-ever shots reveal their intimate behaviour of a pair of geckoes helping each other in protecting their eggs. This episode may change established view on wild geckoes.

July 16, 2018

[encore]

East Coast of Australia --- Cat-like Faced Sharks and the Mystery of Spiral Egg Case

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On the shallow sandy sea floor off the coast of Sydney, Australia, there are more than 200 sharks congregate. They are Port Jackson sharks endemic to Australia. Every winter, they migrate from Tasmania to breed. Many sharks are viviparous, but Port Jackson sharks are oviparous that means females lay eggs. Moreover, their eggs are protected in bizarre shaped egg cases. It resembles a gigantic spiral coil. Why do they come to take such a unique shape? Studies on Port Jackson sharks are one of the most advanced of all shark researches. Following the latest studies, we try to reveal the secret of eggs. As it takes nearly one year for eggs to hatch, amazing secrets were hidden to protect eggs against incessant predators. The programme reveals the amazing survival strategy of Port Jackson sharks in details.

July 9, 2018

[encore]

Tropical Forest of Sri Lanka --- Incredible Hunting of Sloth Bear

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Sloth bears are so elusive that it is so rare to spot them in the wild. They are indeed curious animal that have evolved in their own unique way. Sloth bear looks so sweet like a teddy bear in its face, but they can be ferocious with their long sharp claws. Our film crew succeeded in filming parent bears and cubs, and young males in the oldest National Park of Sri Lanka. They make bizarre noises when hunting unexpected preys. The programme is packed with rare footages of adorable behaviour of a mother piggy bagging her cub as well as their life in rock caves.

July 2, 2018

Splendid World of Wild Cats Pt.2 --- Rare and Unique Cats of the World

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This two-part series on wild cats reveals incredible power and wisdom of wild cats. The second episode is on rare and unique cats. They are so elusive and hard even to spot in wild environment. Rusty-spotted cats only weighs about a kilo. Fishing cats literary catch fish in mangroves and ponds. Round and furry Manul cats are called survivors of Ice Age. Serval cats show incredible jumping ability while hunting their preys. Long- term filming with cutting-edge filming technology allowed us to capture wide variety of surprizing behaviours of wild cats. Viewers will be enchanted by wonder world of wild cats.

June 25, 2018

Splendid World of Wild Cats Pt.1 --- Big Cats, Their Amazing Power and Wisdom

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Large wild cats such as lion and cheetah are called “Big Cats”. This two-part series reveals the world-first images and latest scientific findings. Viewers will be amazed to see an innovative experiment to learn intelligence of lions. Cheetah excels not only in speed but also in other special ability to make hunting successful. The king of Central and South America must be jaguar. From rare images of them hunting, jaguar’s physical ability is analysed. In an Indian city, wild leopard advanced to the urban area and adapted to city life. These leopards show their incredible adaptability. This programme discloses unique world of Big Cats.

June 18, 2018

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Israel, Middle-East --- Elusive Wolves of Scorching Desert

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Negev Desert covers about 60% of Israel. They have no rain for half a year, and the temperature rises up as high as 50 ℃. The environment of Negev is undoubtedly harsh to all animals alike. Yet, some sturdy animals adapted to live in this tough terrain. The most unique of them is called “Desert Wolf” which is Arabian wolf. They are sub-species of Grey wolves found in places like North America, but Arabians are smaller. They don’t collaborate with pack members to chase down preys for long hours like their kin in North America do. It is their choice to survive in such harsh desert habitat. There are only about 700 Arabian wolves in the world; so much of their behaviour is unknown. This time, our film crew followed a family of Arabian wolves with small cubs. During the scorching summer, they encountered their toughest enemy, striped hyenas. Amazing battle of wolves against hyenas was captured, a truly rare footage. Why they chose to stay in such a hostile environment? How do they survive? The programme portrays incredible life of the elusive desert wolves.

June 4, 2018

Amazon, South America --- Monstrous Fish in “Fountain” of Amazon

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The Amazon River of South America. One might imagine her as the great river of brownish turbid water, but this idea may be overturned when you see this Amazon’s miraculous sight. Fountain filled with clear spring water where school of colourful tropical fish congregate. They attract various predatory “Monsters”. Some use long sharp teeth, some swallow down with huge mouth, and some even generate electricity to electrocute their prey. There is even a mysterious fish called "Freshwater Coelacanth". This episode reveals behaviour of fish in the clear waters of Amazon.

May 28, 2018

[encore]

Italian Alps --- Giant Squirrel Survival in the Land Closest to the Sky

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Italy's Gran Paradiso National Park is famed for its richest diversity of fauna and flora in the European Alps. Spring has come. Alpine marmots just came out of their den after 6-month-long hibernation. Among all squirrel family, they are the largest with 40cm-long body. They also are the only highland dwelling squirrel. Regardless of their adorable appearance, they fiercely dispute over territory. The rivalry could be a matter of life and death. However, this conflict is inevitable to survive in severe Alpine environment. The film portrays a life in a year of alpine marmots in a backdrop of grandeur Alpine landscape.

May 21, 2018

[encore]

Grassland of Botswana, Africa --- Leopards Hunt for Giant Catfish!

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Botswana is situated in the south of African continent. Conditions of Savannah drastically changes from rainy season to dry season. Once covered by rich green grass, the land transforms into harsh arid terrain. Our film crew followed a leopard mother and her cub for two years. Unusual survival technique was captured during the dry season when food source become scarce. They hunt for catfish! It’s not just a catfish, a large monster about same size of an adult leopard. How they attack and struggle with monster fish is impressively captured on camera. They stand strong despite of harsh environment. The programme portrays the lives of leopard mother and her cubs until it become independent.

May 14, 2018

Cloud forest of Ecuador, South America --- Olinguito, the Newly Described Species of Mammals

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Cloud forest covers the highland of Ecuador, South America. In the thick dense cloud forest, some animals jump from a branch to another in the darkness of night, just like ninjas. They are olinguitos. Olinguito was recently described as a new species belong to racoon family only recently in 2013. Discovery of new mammal species is a very rare case and their adorable facial feature attracted international attention immediately. Yet, their behaviour is hardly known. Our film crew travelled to the forest with researchers. They pushed their way into the deep forest and they searched into precipitous valley where they encountered unexpectedly robust olinguitos.

May 7, 2018

[encore]

Subtropical Forest of Amami Oshima Island --- Go Upstream! Tiny Sweetfish the Ryukyu Ayu

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Amami Oshima Island is situated off the southern tip of Kagoshima. The island is covered by thick subtropical forest. The forest is blessed with abundant stream of clear waters. The island is sometimes called Galapagos of the East. Endangered endemic species of sweetfish (Ryukyu ayu fish) can be found only on this island. They are born in the clear freshwater of upstream river. Then they spend most of juvenile period in brackish waters of mangrove forest before returning back to the upstream to reach adulthood. In winter, they end their life after spawning. The programme follows the life of Ryukyu ayu fish around all waters of the island. Also, we have filmed their spawning behaviour in details for the first time. Through the four seasons of this beautiful island, viewers may enjoy the adventures of small, but heroic life of fish.

April 30, 2018

[encore]

South India --- A Day in the Life of Sloth Bear

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Arid rocky terrain of Karnataka, south India, is the wildlife kingdom. Not to mention those well known native animals such as peacock, Indian elephant, and Bengal tigers, there are wide variety of rare and curious animals found in the area. One of the rarest and the most curious could be sloth bear. They are covered in long shaggy coat with elongated claws like sickles. When they were first discovered by western people in the 18th century, sloth bears were hanging upside-down from tree branches. This behaviour lead misunderstanding that the animal is kin to sloth. For long time, their natural behaviour hadn’t been observed closely. Yet, a German filming team successfully filmed their wild behaviour for the first time in the world. There are full of surprises. When they feed on their favourite termites, they plough termite mounds with their long claw, and they literary suck in termites. As sloth bear has less fore teeth than other bear species, when they purse up their lips, there are enough space between fore teeth to inhale air at once. They take termites like vacuum cleaners. Another curious behaviour is how they raise cubs. Mother sloth bears always carry their cubs on their back. In the terrain with so many of mighty predators like tigers and leopards, mother’s back in the only safe place for cubs. Cubs learn how to survive while living with their mothers as if they are one. The programme reveals unusual life of sloth bears including intimate child rearing in the backdrop of rich and diverse nature of south India.

April 23, 2018

Great River of Zambia, Africa --- Flood! Drought! Survival of Wildlife in the Land of Dramatic Change

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Luangwa River runs through Zambia of southern Africa. Large carnivorous animals such as lions and leopards as well as elephants, hippopotamus, giraffes are some of the representative wild animals of the area. During the rainy season, the area is completely flooded. With such abundant supply of water, new lives are richly nurtured every season. On the contrary, during the dry season, the area suffers severe draught. Many lives are threatened. When a lion hunted a prey, suddenly a crocodile tries to snatch it. After this tug of war, unexpected thing happened in the end. Our film crew followed them for a year to document struggle of life and death in such environment of dramatic changes.

April 16, 2018

[encore]

Canary islands, Atlantic Ocean --- Glow of Life in the Ultimate Splendour of Wind and Volcano

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Spain’s Canary Islands are situated in the northwest of African Continent in the Atlantic. The archipelago consists of 7 volcanic Islands. Their environment is strongly influenced by their surrounding conditions. South-eastern hot blast from Sahara Desert create arid desert. On the other side of the islands, constant north-eastern trade wind brings moisture. Humid air hit against high mountains to produce mist which created cloud forest on the Atlantic side. There are varied conditions from desert, sub-tropical, temperate, and highland cool temperate in small islands. This episode reveals amazing varied fauna in breathtaking view of Canary Islands.

April 9, 2018

Atacama Desert, Chile, South America --- Floating Island on the Lake in the Air

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Atacama Desert of Chile, South America is one of the most arid places in the world. Though it is situated in the high altitude of 4000m, lakes are formed by meltwater from the Andes. On these lakes in the air, horned coots rear their offspring in rather unique way. Horned coots make floating nests on lake surface as to protect their chicks from predators such as fox. Yet, other large waterfowls try to take their nest over. Horned coots blaze out to deter them. This programme reveals amazing behaviour of birds in breath-taking landscape of Atacama.

April 2, 2018

Tropical Islands, Indonesia --- Komodo Dragons, The King of Land, Proceed to Ocean

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Komodo Islands of Indonesia. Our crew followed the world’s biggest terrestrial lizard, Komodo dragons and their surrounding waters. The area’s current is extremely rapid. It is one of the fastest currents in the world. However, large shoal of fish and giant fish keep coming toward this raging stream. They perform dynamic hunting in the torrent. Change of current is the trigger to this amazing food chain. Moreover, the King of Land, Komodo dragons, even proceed to ocean. Why do they swim out? This episode reveals little known behaviour of Komodo dragons and the secret of swirling torrent of Indonesian waters.

March 26, 2018

The Great Savannah, Africa --- Hunt and Fight of Cheetah Youngsters

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Cheetahs are found in Africa’s Savannah. Their strongest weapon is speed. They can run at the speed of 100km per hour. However, only females can take advantage of this speed in hunting. Males are not good at hunting. In rare occasions, males do succeed, but their rewards are often snatched by lions and hyenas. As the result, they spend most of the days in hunger. Cheetahs are not gregarious animals, but recently a group of young males have been spotted hunting together. It’s a group of 5 cheetah youngsters, and they fight against enemies such as lions, and they chase down large herbivorous animals. This episode tells a rare story of male cheetah’s survival.

March 19, 2018

Amazon, South America --- Captured on Video for the First Time!Elusive Dolphins in the Great River

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Amazon river dolphins are one of the most elusive animals. Our film crew spent long period of time to follow them in the deepest region of Peru. We have used new technology to spot these dolphins. Sonar camera can visualize ultrasonic waves. Ultrasonic waves are naturally invisible to human eyes, but we were able to shoot dynamic hunting behaviour of river dolphins in turbid water with this sonar camera. They sometimes beat surface of water with tree branches as to appeal to others. They play-bite one another to show intimacy. These are just few examples of images shot on video for the first time ever. A special spot to observe adorable river dolphins will be introduced. We have also captured amazing behaviours of Tucuxi, the smallest dolphins of the world. They hunt in high-speed movement and perform mysterious repeated jumps. This programme will reveal incredible world of mysterious river dolphins.

March 12, 2018

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Untamed Field of Sarobetsu, Hokkaido --- Pure White Hare Runs through the Snowy Field

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This is winter in untamed wilderness of Sarobetsu, Hokkaido. A small white animal is sitting on vast snow field. It is mountain Hare, or Ezo mountain hare, found only in Hokkaido. Their scientific name is Lepus timidus which means “timid rabbit”. As it suggests, mountain hares are extremely cautious even among all the rabbit species. During the day, they are completely hidden on the snow with their pure white coat in order to avoid predators such as fox. They also have other defensive measures which become active when predators approach. With their sharp senses of seeing, hearing and smelling, they detect predators before they detect them. They also use available information such as wind direction, how grasses are grown, and the depth of snow to maintain safe defensive zone. Once they found any predators, they just ran away at the speed of 80km/h literary like a startled hare. On the other hand, they are bold in the darkness of night. They freely roam around the snow field to feed on anything edible. They even munch at bamboo leaves and willow branches. Unlike their adorable figure, they are strong survivor of harsh snowy environment. This episode vividly portrays amazing life of dynamism and stillness in mountain hare of Hokkaido.

March 5, 2018

High Arctic! Sand Dunes! Wildlife in Extreme Environment

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The protagonists of this Wildlife Special are found in extreme environment of the earth. A large owl performs mysterious hunting in severe coldness of Canadian Arctic. In the scorching heat of sand dune, some lizards survive on few drops of water. Some iguanas advanced into the sea from their original habitat of lava covered barren island. There are amazing animals adapted and evolved to survive in these extreme conditions. Their amazing survival techniques and mystery of evolution will be told in this programme. There will be a report from Hakusan mountain range of Japan where we can find Japanese serows on avalanche-prone slopes. Knowing the danger of avalanche, why do they choose to go there? First hand report from beautiful Hakusan Mountain Range will be breath-taking.

February 26, 2018

Sardinia Island, Italy --- Giara, the Wild Horse

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Island of Sardinia is situated in the Mediterranean Sea. Inland terrain of the island is mountainous and rocky. Its climate is arid, and it hardly rains during the six months of spring and summer season. Despite harsh environmental condition, Giara horses, native to Sardinia, thrive. It is believed that the breed has its origin from B.C. ages when people first brought workhorses into the island, and later became feral. Presently, there are about 600 of Giara horses inhabit on the island. True to its instinct as wild horse, they sometimes fight fiercely, and they sometimes cherish one another to survive. This programme portrays the dynamic life of wild horses.

February 19, 2018

Coral Reefs, Philippines --- “Milky Way” in the Ocean, Mysterious Flashlight Fish

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Mactan Island is situated in the central area of Philippines. In the darkness of sea caves, millions of lights suddenly glow. They are flashlight fishes (Anomalopidae). They are bioluminescent fish, and the light they emit is the brightest in natural world. They normally inhabit in deep sea area that their behavior has been kept in secret for long time. However, our film crew captured their feeding, defense and varied behavior using their light emitting ability in a sea cave. The most striking image is the stream of ten thousand of flashlight fishes in the ocean. This image was captured for the first time. This amazing view of “Milky Way” in the sea is utterly breathtaking. Take a dive into the wonders of nature’s light magic.

February 12, 2018

Island of Fire and Ice --- Gyrfalcons Soar and Arctic Foxes Trot in Iceland

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Iceland is a volcanic island in the North Atlantic. The island is covered with ice and snow for most of the year, but it turns into a paradise of sea birds in the summer. On the steep cliffs along the coastline, few millions of puffins and guillemots congregate to breed. Arctic foxes risk their lives to prey on them. On the other hand, in inland, gyrfalcons prey on grouses. Their aerial battle with other birds of prey are also spectacular. In this programme, lively wildlife activities of Icelandic summer are vividly portrayed. Viewers will be amazed to see the dramatic change of landscape from spring to winter and the splendour of her nature.

February 5, 2018

Metropolitan Singapore Otter Family --- Surviving Ruthless Battles of Otter World

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In the Metropolitan area of Singapore, unusual wild animals are the focus of attention. They are otters. Once their numbers declined and classified as critically endangered in the area, but their numbers are steadily coming back. They learned to utilize urban environment. Now in the area equivalent of Tokyo’s 23 districts combined, there are 10 families of 70 otters living in urban Singapore. Our film crew followed them for a long period of time to reveal their amazing behaviours. Each family is strongly bonded. All family members take care of baby otters, they all work in team to fight against predators and other otter families in rivalry. This programme vividly portrays the days of those wild ones in the city.

January 29, 2018

Costa Rica, Central America --- Surviving the Kingdom of Lizards, Iguanas vs Basilisk

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Costa Rica of Central America is the Kingdom of Lizards. There are more than 70 species of lizards found in Costa Rica. The one that rules the Kingdom is common basilisk that are carnivorous and big. They can reach 80cm in length. They are ferocious and they even prey on birds and other kinds of lizards. However, the most successful of all lizards are green iguanas. They have chosen to become herbivorous. With bottomless appetite and a large 2-meter-body, green iguanas expanded their distribution in large areas of Central and South Americas. In this episode, we follow cut-and-thrust interactions of these contrasting lizards.

January 22, 2018

Kilimanjaro, The Highest Mountain of Africa --- Elephants of Savannah Climb a Mountain!

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Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain of African continent. A strange behaviour of animals has been observed here. Some of large animals such as elephants trek mountains. 30 members of expedition team with our film crews followed them trekking. At the half way up the mountain, there was an open space in a middle of the forest. Not just elephants, but many other kinds of animals from Savannah came here in a stream. Then animal trails continued almost up to the peak area. Why do they trek? The secret of mysterious behaviour of Savannah animals are revealed in this episode.

January 15, 2018

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Great Plains of South Africa --- Intimate Document of Elusive White Lions

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In a particular area of South Africa, white lions occur very once in a while. There are about 30,000 lions in wild, but only 13 white ones are recognized today. We have encountered with a pride with two white cubs, both female. We have documented their lives intimately for 2 years. The pride loses their leader, Alfa male, which made them wander around to find a new territory. Young male lions and hyenas approach one after another to threaten their lives. The fate of being an easy target, white lion sisters struggle to survive. This is a prime documentary of white lions in wild.