- [Man] There's a sign when
you get off the airplane there,
not the end of the world, but you can see it from here.
- [Narrator] 50 years ago,
a group of scientists set off around the world
to unlock the mysteries of nature.
- [Man] They said, "Can a bird man study buffalo?"
I said, "Of course, I'll study anything."
- [Woman] I just had to be underwater
for the rest of my life.
- [Man] I was stunned,
I never seen anything like this before.
(inspirational music)
Whether it was terrestrial or aquatic,
whether it was arctic or tropical,
it was all working in the same way.
- We found the rules, how systems work,
how the world works.
- [Man] This was a major deal.
- [Scientist] A clear message is that some animals
are more important than others.
- [Man] If you lose the wrong ones,
if you lose the keystones,
you're going to see very big changes.
- [Narrator] These findings were revolutionary
and unheard of, until now.
Join these unsung heroes
as they tell their unique story of hope,
of how we can preserve life on our planet.
(funky music)
You've heard the expressions.
We weasel out of things, badger people,
and ferret out the enemy.
The weasel family is often associated with bad behavior.
But take a closer look and you'll see
they are agile.
- It's almost as though you have an animal in liquid form.
- [Narrator] And smart.
- Well done, sir.
- [Narrator] Perhaps it's time to find some more
positive associations for these mighty little creatures.
(dramatic music)
This is the moment a whale landed on two kayakers.
- It's the most ridiculous thing that's ever happened to me.
- It was like a building.
- It blocked out the sun,
and I was cartwheeled around like a doll.
- [Woman] I remember this absolute elation,
just being so happy to be alive.
- [Narrator] Now Tom, a nature filmmaker,
is on a mission to track down the whale.
- I think that makes it the prime suspect.
- [Narrator] And meet other survivors of close encounters.
- I had a broken arm, two broken ribs.
- He tried to tuck my under his fin and it was very,
very scary, until I saw the shark.
The whale came right up behind me and pushed me to the boat.
- I became obsessed with whales,
and that's where the detective work starts.
(lion roars)
- [Narrator] There is a place in Africa
where everything lives in a state of tension.
Lions have pushed too far into the swamp lands,
and they know it.
But everything is drawn to this oasis.
A paradise in the middle of the desert.
The Okavango.
It's the most extraordinary river in the world.
Where water connects everything.
To live here, is to live dangerously.
(dramatic music)
But the riches are great, and everyone wants a part.
This is an unprecedented journey into the Okavango.
A pristine sanctuary.
It is paradise, not lost,
but found.
Join us for a new season full of wonder,
surprise,
and discovery.
(gorillas chattering)
Nature.