Natural World

In the vast wilderness of Canada lives a very special bear family. Two black cubs have a pure white mother, known locally as a ghost bear. This natural history documentary follows this unusual family as they work hard to try and find enough food to see them through a brutal winter. They will need to avoid other large predators, but being so different brings them unwelcome attention.

In southern Africa, a pride of lions has rewritten the rules by learning how to attack and kill elephants. This fascinating natural history exploration follows the group during a dramatic rainy season. The pride males turn against each other, an inexperienced mum puts her newborn cubs in mortal danger and lightning strikes lead to dangerous fires burning day and night.

Conservation has come a long way since the World Wildlife Fund was established over 50 years ago. The giant panda's story epitomizes just how much has been achieved. Granted exclusive access to the world's number one panda research center in Chengdu, Natural World follows the life of a mother and cubs from conception through birth and hand-rearing. What has changed for this endangered species?

Vultures are the birds that many people love to hate. But naturalist Charlie Hamilton James sees them as beautiful and intelligent creatures that deserve respect. In this Natural World exploration, he heads to East Africa to see them in their natural habitat. His adventure exposes not only a softer, more caring side to these maligned birds, but also a much bigger, and surprising, story.

The wild Hamadryas baboons of Ethiopia have a friend in biologist Mat Pines. They even pick the nits from his hair! He's been studying and living with them for five years in a remote and arid location. But the local gun-toting Afar tribe have a traditional hatred of the baboons. This natural history exploration follows Mat as he tries to broker peace between the baboons and the tribe.

Andrea Marshall is a young woman on a mission. She has devoted her life to studying manta rays in Mozambique, Africa. Mantas are the largest and most highly evolved of all sharks and rays. But, as this natural history film reveals, very little is known about these graceful giants of the sea. This is the story of one woman's determination to understand and protect the mysterious manta ray.