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Wild about Nature Travel

Breaking Through

Breaking Through

Africa’s wild babies face many hazards especially those that must brave a new world alone and face predators, disease, and starvation. But those that hatch from eggs face the greatest odds as most egg-laying parents deposit their eggs, and leave them to fate, while only a few stay on hand to see their babies safely on their way.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

Family Affairs

Family Affairs

In many animals, the mother/child bond is taken a step further than usual and a family, whether a small group of extended siblings or an entire colony of thousands of individuals, make their contribution and play an important role in the survival of many wild babies. This episode looks at the babies who owe their existence to the vigilance of their community.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

First Bond

First Bond

This relationship between mother and offspring is vital in the development and survival of young, and it’s more than just a need for protection and continuous feeding. It is this first bond which helps to hone skills necessary to survive the many challenges that a life in the wild presents.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

First Breath

First Breath

The process of birth can be a traumatic time for a mother and one when her life and the lives of her offspring are at great risk. Within the mammal group, each species differs in the way in which it prepares for birth but of all Africa’s wild animals, the mammals shower the most attention on their young.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

First Steps

First Steps

In all babies lives there comes a time when the lure of the outside world becomes too attractive to resist and the once-strong bonds with mother are severed. The lure of independence begins a new phase of the babies’ lives: from learning to walk, to begin fending for oneself. For these adolescents these first steps are perhaps the most important they’ll ever take.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

Full Circle

Full Circle

In the wild there are many different methods of attracting a mate. Persistent harassing, mutual attraction, or just being in the right place at the right time, all can work. Mating is the culmination of a life’s work. Having remarkably survived from first breath through the many challenges of the wild and finally back again to the fertilisation and growth of another life, the cycle revolves again.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

Home Truths

Home Truths

In order to survive every creature needs somewhere to hide from nature. Which is why they pursue the business of shelter with such zeal. Whether they live sociably, underground or up a tree , however humble or ambitious natures home makers may be, the variety of architecture and technique is endless.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

Mr Mom

Mr Mom

When it comes to looking after the young, females are usually in control, and most babies retreat into mum’s arms for food, protection. But either through a freak of nature or simply by grand design, there are certain times in the wild where roles are reversed and dad helps out too.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

Risky Business

Risky Business

Because of their small size and inexperience, baby animals are by their very nature vulnerable in the world at large. The danger may be a super predator, a freak storm, a dangerous enemy or even simply their own sibling, but whatever the hazard there are many perils that makes this growing up experience a risky business.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

Safety First

Safety First

Nature has ensured that all young creatures are given an equal chance to survive and withstand the many dangers of the wild, and some species have instinctive mechanisms for the protection of their young. With mammals the most intimate care is given by the mother, but as this episode shows, the protection of the young is often the responsibility of a group as well as the parents.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

Table Manners

Table Manners

Babies are born small and have a relatively short time in which to grow to a size where they can look after themselves. This growth is accompanied with developmental changes, which are equally vital to their survival, so it’s not surprising that from the first moments of life the main occupation of all baby animals is feeding.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

The Dating Game

The Dating Game

All species are driven to procreate, but before that they must find a partner. From an animal’s first breath, to his first steps, to leaving the maternal bonds behind, he is moving with one purpose – to find a mate. But it isn’t always as easy as it sounds.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

At Home

At Home

All young animals spend their early days at home. But these cheetah cubs born in the safety of a den are now old enough to travel with mother, learning valuable life skills on their journey. Their mother watches with pride as they practice their hunting technique, never straying too far from her.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

At Play

At Play

In a life surrounded by obstacles, being at play is an important component of building confidence and physically preparing young animals for the future. Two African wildcat kittens on the brink of independence play a bit of cat and mouse, with an all-star cast.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

At Risk

At Risk

It is never easy being a wild animal, and being small and vulnerable means that you are even more at risk than others. An elephant mother mourns the death of her new-born calf and does not want to leave his side. But her older calf is in danger of dehydration if they do not get to water soon.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

Bonds & Boundaries

Bonds & Boundaries

Similar to human children, animal babies are extremely inquisitive and want to investigate and explore their environment. Their natural, playful instincts might lead them away from mother and their familial bonds – and sometimes straight to danger. This is when mom steps in to teach them how far they are allowed to go and, sometimes with the help of the family, defend them from the dangers they stumble across.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

Breaking Ground

Breaking Ground

Animal babies are vulnerable and in greatest danger directly after birth, and most need protection from the threats of the outside world. But as they grow stronger these baby animals must leave the safety of their birthplace and face the many hazards of the wilderness. Each new risk presents a challenge that must be overcome before a young animal can successfully grow up.

Duration : 26m
Maturity Level : all

Check Your Mate

Check Your Mate

From the time of birth, every animal has one ultimate goal: to advance the species and ensure that their bloodline continues. These babies represent the success of their life’s work and to ensure that all has not been in vain, every animal knows that the best strategy is to check your mate very carefully.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

Cycle of Life

Cycle of Life

From the moment a baby animal opens its eyes, the challenge begins. The ultimate goal: to secure its independence, leave home and find a partner. A young male leopard ventures out on his own to do his part in the cycle of life and meets a female leopard who starts flirting with him. Three months later, his cubs will start their own cycle.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

Dangerous Steps

Dangerous Steps

For a baby animal, learning to walk not only allows them to discover new environments – it also brings them closer to the dangers of their world. For a baboon baby dangerous steps might be a simple thing like taking a drink or playing on an elephants’ highway. A risky day’s work for the best of us!

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

Dining Out

Dining Out

The time comes when every young animal must find its first solid meal – and sometimes dining out for the first time can be a rather challenging experience. Young black mamba hatchlings waste no time finding a meal, and competition is tough as two hatchlings cross paths whilst searching for theirs.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

Natural Impulse

Natural Impulse

From the very first breath, an animal’s natural impulse dictates its destiny. Whether surviving a dangerous situation or coming to terms with new tastes, every animal has to trust its natural instincts. Natural impulse leads a banded mongoose kitten to a confrontation with a snouted cobra but him natural impulse does not alert him to the fact that this snake can spit and is dangerous from afar.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

New Life

New Life

For all baby animals the ordeal of being born is traumatic enough without having to face the hardship of survival. Being a new born animal means you are fair game not only to predators but also the natural elements. Each new life must first endure the challenge of birth before it can even begin the added trial of survival in the wild.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all

Stepping Out

Stepping Out

To step out is to leave the sanctity of a birthplace and meet other wild animals for the first time, experiencing new environments, and new threats. Here, we explore the joy of a giraffe learning the basics of coordinating its long neck and legs, a baby hippo getting his land legs and a brand new rhino coming face to face with elephants for the first time.

Duration : 27m
Maturity Level : all