Natural World

Away from the tame landscape of suburban Essex, near to London, a rich, elemental and little appreciated wilderness is revealed. This fascinating nature documentary highlights the misconceptions that exist about rural England, bringing reassuring and surprising news about the state of these landscapes and their inhabitants. Most of all, it encourages the protection of these remaining wild places.

Meet Lily, an eight-year-old wild black bear, described by some as 'the most popular bear in the world'. Bear biologist Dr Lynn Rogers has been documenting Lily’s life online. He has a unique relationship with Lily, but his methods have divided opinion, resulting in a bounty being put on Lily's head. With hunting season approaching, this is the most challenging chapter in her remarkable life.

The pygmy hippo is one of nature's last great mysteries. Solitary, secretive and extremely hard to find, scientists know almost nothing about this endangered animal in the wild and what it needs to survive. Now, a young Australian ecologist is taking on what could be 'mission impossible'. In a remote West African rainforest, they’re investigating the secret life of the pygmy hippo.

Welcome to the Penguin Post Office, a little bit of Britain in the heart of Antarctica. The post office has everything you'd expect, including a postbox, stamps and dedicated staff. Outside, things are a little bit different. Neighboring the post office are 3,000 gentoo penguins. They’re there to raise a family, but their lives are far from picture perfect, as adultery and robbery are rife.

Prairie dogs are considered America’s answer to the meerkat, as they’re small, sociable and cute. Like meerkats, they are comical to watch, but there is a whole lot more to them than just being adorable. They can talk. For 30 years Professor Con Slobodchikoff has been recording their calls in response to predators. He believes he’s discovered a language second only to humans in its complexity.