Natural World — Season 14

Jan 1996

A deeply moving account of elephant family life, The Next Generation is the sequel to the BBC Natural History Unit's award-winning Echo of the Elephants. The award-winning cameraman Martyn Colbeck returns to direct and photograph this piece, his stunning cinematography bringing to life the touching intimacy, brutal fights and amazing perseverance of these magnificent animals. Filmed over four years, elephant expert, leading conservationist and world-renowned research zoologist Cynthia Moss continues her research into the ageing matriarch Echo and her rapidly expanding clan.

Jan 1996

In the depths of the world’s oceans, biologist and award-winning wildlife photographer Mike deGruy explores the multi-sensory world of the cephalopods. Stunning underwater photography provides an incredible glimpse into these enigmatic invertebrates, recording species never before captured on film. Impressive footage from a remote-controlled submersible provides the first ever glimpse of two rare creatures in their natural habitat, the living fossil nautilus and the intimidating vampire squid.

Jan 1996

An investigation into the inhabitants of the Arctic who have adapted to extreme conditions, looks at the polar bear, narwhal and guillemots.

Feb 1996

Updated film portrait of Fifi a chimpanzee that naturalist Jane Goodall first studied in 1960. This programme follows her and her six offspring, studying their individual characters and behaviour.

Feb 1996

An enthralling exploration of the 1991 South African drought, Last Feast of the Crocodiles focuses on the receding waters of the Limpopo River and the extraordinary social alterations this lack of water brought about. An incredible portrait of nature at its harshest, award-winning wildlife filmmakers David and Carol Hughes captured behaviour never before seen on film. Surprising counter attacks on crocodiles are launched by baboons as they avenge the death of their young, and an odd alliance sees the young of these reptilian predators calmly basking on the backs of tolerant hippos.

Feb 1996

Uses computer simulation and time-lapse photography to chart the effect of the rhythms of the sun, moon and earth on life forms.

Feb 1996

The King of Beasts, the lion, has an image of noble magnificence - a deadly hunter, red in both tooth and claw, to which all creatures defer. And yet, behind this facade, every lion has a personal history of drama, intrigue and tragedy. For seven months, award-winning film-maker Owen Newman followed the lions of the Tokitok pride in Tanzania's breath-taking Ngorongoro Crater. What started out as an intimate story of lions in their full glory evolved into a record of a pride which had fallen on hard times. David Attenborough relates the demise of the Tokitok lionesses, and their two guardian males as they strive to retain their 'kingdom' and protect their cubs among the more powerful prides that inhabit the Crater.

Feb 1996

Examines the Indian Monsoon and the effect it has on the wildlife of the region.

Mar 1996

Explores the battle for survival in Nancite, a small stretch of beach and forest on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, between animal species from both continents. Featured animals include monkeys, coyotes and turtles.

Mar 1996

Documentary on the wildlife in Australia's Lamington National Park in Queensland, focusing on the bowerbird, the scrub turkey and the spiny echidna.

Mar 1996

Captures the private life of the wild life that inhabits the Cairngorm mountains in the north of Scotland. Filmed over a twelve month period, features such animals as wild deer, hare and ptarmigans.

Apr 1996

David Attenborough fulfilsan ambition to travel to the rainforests of New Guinea to film the birds of paradise.