Leopard (Panthera pardus), Africa & Asia. From the deserts of Southern Africa, to the Boreal forests of Russia (and even the bustling suburbs of Mumbai in India), leopards thrive in more environments than any other wild cat.
It seems as though we’ve been waiting for October all summer – not just for the crisp air and cooler temperatures of the autumnal season, but also because this month marks the start of a brand new season of NATURE documentaries. Along with a few of our favorites from past seasons, we’ve assembled a delightful line-up of NATURE shows that will pique your curiosity and bring you closer to the natural world every Wednesday night. Here’s our rundown of what to watch this month either by tuning in on PBS or streaming online beginning the day after each program airs.
October 3 – Animal Misfits
Life on earth is incredibly diverse, but it’s not always what you might expect. Alongside the fastest, strongest, smartest animals are nature’s misfits. These odd, bizarre and unlikely creatures at first glance seem-ill equipped for survival. Left at the starting line in the race for life, these are the apparent losers in the story of evolution, yet somehow they still manage to cling to life and in some cases even thrive. Animal Misfits reveals some surprising details about how evolution really works, demonstrating that all animals are remarkably well-adapted to their chosen way of life.
October 10 – Animal Reunions
What happens when people are reunited with the wild animals with which they forged a deep bond years ago? Will these gorillas, elephants, cheetahs and chimpanzees still recognize their human caregivers and how will they react? That is the premise of this program which also raises the question of whether wild creatures can really experience emotions like joy, devotion, and love. It’s a debate that many animal lovers are convinced is true and the scientific community is beginning to accept. Animal Reunions — narrated by actor Richard Thomas — contains interviews with scientists, authors, and caregivers including scenes of their journeys to reconnect with their former wild charges.
October 17 – The Last Orangutan Eden
Ecologist Chris Morgan travels to the jungles of Northern Sumatra to document the work being done to save its population of wild orangutans. Asia’s most intelligent ape once roamed across the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Java, but today, fewer than 7,000 Sumatran orangutans remain in the wild. The film cites rapid deforestation — clearing the land for vast palm oil plantations — as the chief reason for the species’ declining population.
October 24 – Super Cats: Extreme Lives
In part one of this three-part miniseries, you’ll meet a few of the planet’s ultimate cats – from speedy cheetahs to a tiny rusty-spotted cat – and discover the remarkable abilities that allow them to thrive in their varied environments.
October 31 – Super Cats: Cats in Every Corner
Discover how cats have conquered every corner of the world, thriving in almost every landscape on Earth, from the wetlands of Asia to Africa’s oldest desert, to the shores of California and the tropical beaches of Costa Rica.
Remember to tune in on Wednesdays at 8|7c on PBS (check local listings) or stream episodes right here on the NATURE website beginning the following day. Happy October Viewing!