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2017-2018: 8. Attenborough and the Empire of the Ants
David Attenborough is in the Swiss Jura Mountains to discover the secrets of a giant. Beneath his feet lies a vast network of tunnels and chambers, home to a huge empire of ants. It is believed to be one of the largest animal societies in the world, where over a billion ants from rival colonies live in peace. Their harmonious existence breaks many of the rules for both ants and evolution, and raises some important questions. Through winter, spring and into summer, David turns detective to find the answers.
Source: BBC 4
Most recent episodes of Natural World
Natural World
2017-2018: 8. Attenborough And The Empire Of The Ants
David Attenborough is in the Swiss Jura Mountains to discover the secrets of a giant. Beneath his feet lies a vast network of tunnels and chambers, home to a huge empire of ants ...
25-07-2025
BBC 4
Natural World
2018-2019: 5. Pangolins - The World's Most Wanted Animal
The endearing pangolin is a little-known scaly mammal. Found in Africa and Asia, these shy creatures have an unfortunate tagline - they are the most poached and illegally traffi ...
24-07-2025
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Natural World
2019-2020: Weasels: Feisty And Fearless
Members of the weasel family are often portrayed as the villains of the natural world, but do they deserve this reputation? By following the adventures of a tiny orphaned weasel ...
03-07-2025
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2012-2013: 10. Flight Of The Rhino
In South Africa there is a daring plan to save the rhino by moving a whole population to a secret location. But the only way out is by dangling them underneath a helicopter! Can ...
27-06-2025
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2019-2020: Meet The Bears
From the mighty grizzly bear to the endearing real life Paddington, the spectacled bear, and Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book's Baloo, the sloth bear, this remarkable animal ...
27-06-2025
BBC 4
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2014-2015 - The Pygmy Hippo: A Very Secret Life
Wildlife documentary. Little is known of the endangered pygmy hippo. In an attempt to save it, an ecologist in a West African rainforest sets about unravelling its secret life.
21-06-2025
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Short Versions: Africa's Lion Kings
A pride of lions has rewritten the rules - they have learnt to take down elephants.
12-06-2025
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Cuba - Wild Island Of The Caribbean
Documentary revealing the spectacular wildlife of Cuba, home to the bee hummingbird - the world's smallest bird - Cuban crocodiles, swarms of purple land crabs, sea turtles and ...
29-04-2019
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2019-2020: Hippos: Africa's River Giants
David Attenborough reveals the life of the hippopotamus as never seen before. With incredible underwater footage, this film delves into the world of the hippo – an animal ...
21-09-2024
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Short Versions: 7. Planet Earth: A Monkey's Tale
The ruined temples of Sri Lanka are home to Gremlin, a baby toque macaque. With predators nearby and a rivalry with other monkeys brewing, she must quickly learn how to survive. ...
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2018-2019: 8. Tasmania: Weird And Wonderful
David Attenborough reveals that the animal inhabitants of this vast wilderness are every bit as extraordinary as they are bizarre. Unearthly calls of the notorious Tasmanian dev ...
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Short Versions: Raising Sancho
The touching story of a rescued giant otter cub being raised by a Brazilian naturalist.
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Short Versions: 8. Planet Earth: A Monkey's Tale
The ruined temples of Sri Lanka are home to Gremlin, a baby toque macaque. With predators nearby and a rivalry with other monkeys brewing, she must quickly learn how to survive.
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2013-2014 - Sri Lanka: Elephant Island
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2017-2018: 1. Puerto Rico: Island Of Enchantment
David Attenborough tells the revealing story of this Caribbean island's exotic but vulnerable wildlife. A team of conservation champions are making it their mission to save the ...
27-05-2025
BBC 4