Animal observation

CHAMPIONS OF THE WILD - HIPPOS / CHIMPANZEES Synopsis: Across the world scientists, activists and biologists dedicate their lives to studying some of the world’s rarest, most endangered species. Through years of close observation these individuals, often working against traditional scientific thought, have come to understand their animals better than anyone. They are the CHAMPIONS OF THE WILD. HIPPO’S average 3.5 meters long, 1.5 meters tall at the shoulder, and weigh from to kilograms. They are approximately the same size as the White Rhinoceros, and experts are split on which is the next largest land animal after the elephant. Male hippos appear to continue growing throughout their lives, whereas the females reach a maximum weight around age 25. The eyes, ears, and nostrils of the hippo are placed high on the roof of the skull. This allows them to spend most of the day submerged in the waters of the tropical rivers to stay cool and prevent sunburn. CHIMPANZEES in an African National Park, the trees are dripping with monkeys. The park has one of the highest concentrations of primates on the planet. Primatologist Colin Chapman has spent a decade here getting to know them. From the leaf-eating red colobus monkey, to the once desperately endangered black-and-white colobus, to chimpanzees, our closest relations in the animal world -all contribute to the health of the forest, and all have come under Chapman’s careful scrutiny. Chapman’s simple question (how many primates live here? In what groups?) have led to some complex answers. What they reveal about monkey and chimp behaviour can help us save the forests where they live - and better understand our own societies.     Starring: In Association With Discovery Channel   Category: Documentary, Wildlife   Age Restriction: ALL AGES

CHAMPIONS OF THE WILD - OUT OF AFRICA / CROCODILE Synopsis: Across the world scientists, activists and biologists dedicatetheir lives to studying some of the worlds rarest, mostendangered species. Through years of close observation theseindividuals, often working against traditional scientific thought,have come to understand their animals better than anyone.They are the CHAMPIONS OF THE WILD. OUT OF AFRICA:lush, beautiful and abundant, this piece of God’s gift to Africa, hosts some of the most diverse wildlife on the continent.Join Jonathan Wright and Gladys Kalema. As they explore this lush rain forest and part of Africa that hosts the Uganda cob, elephant, crocodile, hippo, a variety of monkeys, waterbuffalo, giraffe, antelope, birdlife and a wildlife symphony not seen anywhere on earth. Crocodile thier never was there a beast quite like the crocodile to strike fear into the hearts of the entire animal kingdom. Crocodiles are the last of the once great Arkazour Family. The ruling reptiles of a dangerous primeval world. The dinosaurs are long gone but the crocodile lies on one of the worlds great survivors.     Starring: In Association With Discovery Channel   Category: Documentary, Wildlife   Age Restriction: ALL AGES

CHAMPIONS OF THE WILD - GIANT SEA TURTLES / SEA HORSES Synopsis: Across the world scientists, activists and biologists dedicatetheir lives to studying some of the worlds rarest, mostendangered species. Through years of close observation theseindividuals, often working against traditional scientific thought,have come to understand their animals better than anyone.They are the CHAMPIONS OF THE WILD. GIANT TURTLES For 100 million years, they have cruised the seas, travelling astounding distances every year. Today every single species of sea turtle is either threatened or endangered. Peter Pritchard saw his first sea turtle in an Irish aquarium, and he immediately fell in love. Over the past 35 years, he has seen every species of turtle in the sea and has travelled the globe to study these intriguing reptiles. When it comes to conservation, Pritchard firmly believes that “people are always the problem, and people are always the solution.” He has worked with Audley James and other members of the indigenous Arawak community in Moruka, Guyana, to ensure that young people grow up to love and respect turtles - and that the days when turtles were slaughtered for meat are gone forever. With breathtaking underwater photography, Giant Sea turtles offers a unique picture of some of the world’s most mysterious creatures. Seahorses are a genus of fish belonging to the family Syngnathidae, which also includes pipefish and leafy sea dragons. There are over 32 species of seahorse, mainly found in shallow tropical and temperate waters throughout the world. They prefer to live in sheltered areas such as sea grass beds, coral reefs, or mangroves. Hippocampus ingens. Hippocampus erectus are larger seahorses found anywhere from Nova Scotia down to around Uruguay. Fascinated by the fact that Seahorses is the only animal on earth is which the male becomes pregnant and gives birth, biologist amanda Vincent embarked on a long-term study of this fish species and has since become the worlds leading expert on seahorses.     Starring: In Association With Discovery Channel   Category: Documentary, Wildlife   Age Restriction: ALL AGES

CHAMPIONS OF THE WILD - ORCAS / SEA HORSE Synopsis: Across the world scientists, activists and biologists dedicatetheir lives to studying some of the worlds rarest, mostendangered species. Through years of close observation theseindividuals, often working against traditional scientific thought,have come to understand their animals better than anyone.They are the CHAMPIONS OF THE WILD. ORCA are endlessly fascinating and is the most powerful predator of the sea. Called a killer, it is also emarkably graceful and highly intelligent.A radical researcher, activist and visionary, Dr. Paul Spong believes orcas can be understood only in the wild. He and his crew of volunteers from around the world follow whales with cameras and a network of underwater microphones, monitoring their behavior. Orcas, the most closely bonded animals on earth, stay with their families for life. For over 25 years, Dr. Spong has fought to release Corky, a performing orca held captive in California, to return her to her family in the waters of the Pacific. Seahorses are a genus of fish belonging to the family Syngnathidae, which also includes pipefish and leafy sea dragons. There are over 32 species of seahorse, mainly found in shallow tropical and temperate waters throughout the world. They prefer to live in sheltered areas such as sea grass beds, coral reefs, or mangroves. Hippocampus ingens. Hippocampus erectus are larger seahorses found anywhere from Nova Scotia down to around Uruguay. Fascinated by the fact that Seahorses is the only animal on earth is which the male becomes pregnant and gives birth, biologist Amanda Vincent embarked on a long-term study of this fish species and has since become the worlds’s leading expert on seahorses.     Starring: In Association With Discovery Channel   Category: Documentary, Wildlife   Age Restriction: ALL AGES

CHAMPIONS OF THE WILD - CROCODILES / KOMODO DRAGONS Synopsis: Across the world scientists, activists and biologists dedicatetheir lives to studying some of the worlds rarest, mostendangered species. Through years of close observation theseindividuals, often working against traditional scientific thought,have come to understand their animals better than anyone.They are the CHAMPIONS OF THE WILD. CROCODILES:Never was there a beast quite like the crocodile to strike fear into the hearts of the entire animal kingdom. Crocodiles are the last of the once great Arkazour Family. The ruling reptiles of a dangerous primevic world. The dinosaurs are long gone but the crocodile lies on one of the worlds great survivors. KOMODO DRAGONS are the world’sheaviest living lizards. They can grow to a length of over 3 metres and weigh 91 kilograms. They can climb trees and like all lizards they are good swimmers. Their teeth are laterally compressed with serrated edges, resembling those of flesh - eating sharks. Thanks to impending ecological and economic threats the Komodo Dragon is one of the many species on the endangered list.The largest threat is volcanic activity, fire and subsequent loss of its prey base.Habitat alteration, poaching and tourism have most pronounced affect.Commercial trade in specimens or skins is illegal under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.   Starring: In Association With Discovery Channel   Category: Documentary, Wildlife   Age Restriction: ALL AGES