Martin Clunes's Wild Life

"When I look into the eyes of my own dogs," says Clunes, "I always find myself wondering the same thing: Where did you come from?" In this program he decides to find out, embarking on a journey of discovery that takes him to Africa, Australia, and the Rockies to discover the surviving wild ancestors of his own pampered pets.

Clunes investigates how the relationship between humans and dogs has benefitted each species. From hunting to herding, how exactly have dogs helped humans live better lives? And have humans had the same positive effect on dogs, or is there a darker side to the role of man's best friend?

Some horses are bred for speed, some for leisure, and some like Clunes's own two Clydesdales for work. Clunes visits horses working in a vineyard in northern Italy, trawling for shrimp on the coast of Belgium, farming in Amish Country, and parading through New Orleans as part of the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales.

Clunes goes in search of a creature that has long fascinated him: the magnificent manta ray. He travels to a remote island in the Indian Ocean where dozens of these mysterious, elusive, and gentle giants of the ocean gather once a year. But first he has to overcome one small problem a fear of being underwater.

Cornered on a paradise island, lemurs are unique to Madagascar but are dying. Clunes visits the island to learn more about these endangered creatures including the Greater Bamboo Lemur, whose numbers have been as low as just 60 in the wild--and why there is hope for their future.

Clunes joins a mission to make wildlife history by returning endangered lions to Kora National Park, the Kenyan nature reserve of "Born Free" fame. The effort begins with Mugie, a lion cub orphaned at just three weeks old, but Clunes soon finds out why for lions there is now no "free" left.