Wildlife

Hordes of tiny terrors march through the rainforest: they are army ants. Known as the most feared animals in the equatorial forests of Ecuador, they hack and dice any unfortunate prey that gets in their path and bring the remains back to their nest. When they wipe out all food sources around the nest, they start a massive migration in search of a new nest, while carefully protecting their queen. This program introduces the unknown social lives of the army ants.

In the middle of the North American continent, across a prairie stretching 3,000 kilometers from north to south, live the awesome American bison. Also known as the buffalo, these impressive animals are familiar to many from old western movies. Although some 60 million bison once dominated the prairies, they were at one time hunted almost to extinction. This program paints a portrait of the lives of the bison through the changing seasons of this beautiful land.

Killer whales living off of Peninsula Valdes in the Patagonia region of Argentina actually hunt at its beach. They move towards the beach at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour, hit the shore, and grab unsuspecting South American sea lions. The whales judge the geographic features of the coastland, tide, and wind to pick the best time and place to hunt. NHK's high-speed cameras follow the hunts and reveal the high intelligence and hunting techniques of the killer whales that seem to be taught within the family.

In June each year, an intriguing phenomenon occurs in the waters off Melbourne, Australia. A swarm, some 100,000 strong, of great spider crabs covers a stretch of seafloor. They each measure about 20 centimeters wide. Their legs can extend up to 40 centimeters. When faced by predators many of this sprawling phalanx climb upon each other creating towers of writhing crabs over 2 meters high. Using the latest equipment and the help of one scientist, all the details of this mysterious mass gathering were successfully filmed. For the first time, the reason behind this gathering has been explained. This program captures the drama of crabs engaging in fierce battles with predators and risking their lives, all for the purpose of congregating in a single mass.

The small Pacific island of Guadalupe off the coast of Mexico isn't normally the site of life-or-death drama. But in winter huge elephant seals arrive here to breed. The dominant male, a big bull is nearly five meters long and weighs over two tons. In order to leave as many offspring as possible, the bull mates incessantly and will go for months without eating. He threatens and attacks younger bulls to keep them away from the females. Meanwhile, great white sharks prowl the surrounding waters for females weakened after giving birth and their pups. Based on the latest scientific research, this program reveals how the elephant seals ward off the shark attacks and survive.

The endless savannah stretching to the horizon in southwestern Kenya is home to several bird species that can fly but mostly don't. With their long legs, secretary birds find insects and reptiles hiding in the grass. They even hunt for venomous snakes. Ground hornbills use their strong bills to dig for food. These birds spend most of the day on the ground, flying to the treetops only to sleep or raise their young. Many mysteries behind the peculiar habits and intriguing behavior of these sauntering savannah dwellers are revealed in this fascinating program.

The cerrado is a tropical savanna region stretching from the eastern side of the Andes Mountains. It is called a treasure trove of life because of the diverse animal life found there. Among this fauna are wild dogs that are rarely seen. They include the maned wolf, characterized by its long legs and mane, and the bush dog, with its short legs and long body enabling it to attack the underground burrows of armadillos. These wild dogs, which have adapted to the environment of the savanna, are being pushed to extinction by the expansion of farmland and the resulting changes in the environment. On the Edge of Survival traces how these very rarely photographed dogs live.

The Peruvian jungle in the upper reaches of the Amazon is home to 2 different species of monkeys, the Andean titi and the brown-mantled tamarin. What's interesting is that these 2 species live side by side as if they were members of a single troop. When titis feed on insects, they rely on tamarins to catch them. Meanwhile, tamarins use titis to get Inga beans to eat. To protect against predators, titis keep their eyes aloft looking out for birds of prey, while tamarins keep an eye to the ground for carnivores and large snakes. These species are different in both size and appearance. Why do they coexist? This program attempts to unravel that mystery.

New Guinea is a true garden of Eden for birds. Some of the most unique are birds of paradise. With plenty of food such as nuts and fruits and very few natural predators, they've been able to leisurely hone their courting skills. The ribbon-tailed astrapia flaps its long white tail feathers, while the blue bird-of-paradise unfurls its feathers to create a pulsating eye-like shape. Since they live deep in the jungle, their courtship displays have long been steeped in mystery. Tadashi Shimada, a wildlife photographer who's made numerous visits to New Guinea over the years, has for the first time ever captured images of the blue bird-of-paradise's courting behavior. This program delves into the fascinating world of these beautiful and mysterious birds.

The canals that crisscross England have long supported rich natural habitats. Along the Macclesfield Canal, in Central England, diving rodents called water voles hunt for prey below the water's surface. Kingfishers alight on the trees that line the banks, intently eying the flowing water, then swooping down on unsuspecting fish. In spring and summer, flowers burst forth in waves of color. This program depicts the 4 seasons along England's canals, where people and nature live in splendid harmony.

In the savannah of western Uganda, Africa, there's a place known as "Hippo Paradise". There are more than 5,000 hippos living there. Females spend 7 years caring for their calves. They not only carry their young piggyback-style through the water they live in, but they suckle their young beneath its surface. This program features unique footage of hippo behavior never before caught on tape. A 4-ton hippo leaping as gracefully as a dolphin must be seen to be believed. A spectacular scene in which a hippo confronts an elephant is another awe-inspiring moment from this memorable program.

The Falkland Islands, in the south Atlantic, are a haven for penguins. 5 unique species of penguin breed in this area. Among them are rockhopper penguins, which can scale steep cliffs; gentoo penguins that run across the grassland; and large, 95-centimeter tall king penguins. During the summer while they raise their young, these penguins brave stormy seas in search of food while fighting for their lives against vicious predators such as skuas and South American sea lions. The full power and glory of these penguins is revealed as they struggle to survive throughout summer.

Over the centuries, the emerald green Tara River in Montenegro on the Balkan Peninsula has etched a canyon 1,300 meters deep. The views throughout the Tara Canyon are spectacular. Up to 700 varieties of plants blanket its undulating hills. Herds of chamois live on the steep slopes where no human can venture. They nimbly roam the rocky cliffs, in perpetual danger of falling. Golden eagles circle imperiously overhead, waiting for the chance to strike. Living on the Edge chronicles a year in the life of the magnificent Tara Canyon featuring an up-close look at the chamois that live there.

In Hokkaido,Japan, lies Shiretoko. It's a natural World Heritage Site where the Hokkaido sika deer thrives. In the fall, 150-kilogram stags engage in fierce battles. They clash with each other using their enormous, 70-centimeter long antlers. Only the victors get to mate. Every spring males lose their antlers, their main means of attack and defense. Until new ones grow back, they do their best to survive, just grazing away. Females give birth in early summer. They raise their young taking full advantage of the forest's resources. This program, shot over a period of 1 year, delves into the lives of Hokkaido sika deer living on the Shiretoko peninsula.