About this season
Consistently stunning documentaries transport viewers to far-flung locations ranging from the torrid African plains to the chilly splendours of icy Antarctica. The show's primary focus is on animals and ecosystems around the world. A comic book based on the show, meant to be used an as educational tool for kids, was briefly distributed to museums and schools at no cost in the mid-2000s.
Episodes (21)
1. The Flowing Oasis
Aired 20 September 1987 • 53 min
Wildlife flourishes in Nevada's desert landscape because of one narrow river covering less than 1% of the land.
2. Amazonia: A Burning Question
Aired 27 September 1987 • 53 min
Attempts to protect the unique animals and plants of Brazil threatened by development of the Amazon jungle.
3. Spirits of the Forest
Aired 4 October 1987 • 53 min
The lemur, an agile nocturnal primate of Madagascar, so-named because of its secretive habits and haunting cries.
4. Perspectives of Paradise
Aired 18 October 1987 • 53 min
The process of wildlife filmmaking as chronicled by a crew during their three-year study of the Galapagos Islands.
5. A Season in the Sun
Aired 15 November 1987 • 53 min
The tremendous difference in animal lifestyle and in landscape during East Africa's dry season and its wet season.
6. The Legend of the Lightning Bird
Aired 22 November 1987 • 53 min
The hammerhead stork, believed by East African tribesmen to have the power to call lightning from the sky.
7. The Volcano Watchers
Aired 29 November 1987 • 53 min
Scientists Katia and Maurice Krafft seek to uncover the mystery of volcanoes by studying them on location as they erupt.
8. Tiger!
Aired 6 December 1987 • 53 min
International endeavors to protect the endangered Indian tiger are highlighted by scenes of a mother raising her cubs in the wild.
9. Land of the Kiwi
Aired 3 January 1988 • 53 min
Unusual wildlife inhabitants, beautiful terrain and natural wonders grace the Pacific islands comprising New Zealand.
10. Costa Rica: Paradise Reclaimed
Aired 10 January 1988 • 53 min
U.S. scientist Dan Janzen uses innovative conservation plans to create a national park amid a tropical forest.
11. In-Flight Movie: Birds of the Sun God
Aired 24 January 1988 • 53 min
Close-up film captures birds in-flight; tiny hummingbirds draw nectar while hovering above flowers.
12. Hawaii: Islands of the Fire Goddess
Aired 14 February 1988 • 53 min
A Hawaiian island evolves from underwater volcano to snow-capped mountain and finally to coral atoll.
13. Okavango, Jewel of the Kalahari: The Search for the Jewel
Aired 21 February 1988 • 53 min
The first of a three-part survey of "Okavango: Jewel of the Kalahari" describes how earthquakes diverted the Okavango River into Botswana's Kalahari Desert. Observed: elephants, zebras, buffaloes, vultures, ostriches, bush babies and bat-eared foxes.
14. Okavango, Jewel of the Kalahari: The Living Jewel
Aired 28 February 1988 • 53 min
Creatures of the air, trees and water brave the five-month floods through the Okavango delta. Part 2 of "Okavango: Jewel of the Kalahari," observes African skimmers, lily trotters, baboons, dwarf mouth-breeders, tiger fish and catfishlike squeakers.
15. Okavango, Jewel of the Kalahari: A New Challenge
Aired 6 March 1988 • 53 min
People of Botswana must balance wildlife protection with preservation of their precious water source.
16. Elephant: Lord of the Jungle
Aired 20 March 1988 • 53 min
The Asian elephant is shown to be a creature of both great strength and intelligence.
17. Miracle of the Scarlet Salmon
Aired 27 March 1988 • 53 min
After two years in the Pacific, the sockeye salmon battles rapids returning to its birthplace to spawn.
18. Cowboys, Caimans and Capybaras
Aired 24 April 1988 • 53 min
Ranchers and scientists practice conservationism in Venezuelan and Colombian grasslands to protect native animals.
19. Tom's River: Reflections of a River Keeper
Aired 1 May 1988 • 53 min
Naturalist Tom Williams studies England's Avon River and the fish and fowl it supports.
20. The Elephant Challenge
Aired 8 May 1988 • 53 min
A growing African population threatens elephant survival by farming its foraging land and hunting the beast for ivory.
21. The Coral Triangle
Aired 12 June 1988 • 53 min
An exploration of the coral reefs of the Malay Triangle made up of the Philippines, Malaysia and New Guinea.