Nature: Elsa’s Legacy-The Born Free Story (8:00 pm)
In 1960, a book written about raising an orphaned lion cub named Elsa and then releasing her back into the wild became a worldwide bestseller. Born Free was a game changer that essentially altered the way we perceive relationships between humans and animals. Because of the emotional bond George and Joy Adamson formed with Elsa, lions could no longer be dismissed simply as brutal killers to be shot while on safari.
Behind all the bright lights and public success lies the actual day-to-day story of the Adamsons’ life with Elsa. Diaries, home movies and detailed records reveal the real difficulties faced by the Adamsons as they began and continued their pioneering work with lions despite changing perceptions of their work and the increasing dangers around them.
Wild! Giant Otters (9:00 pm)
Diane McTurk is an inspirational woman. At the age of 74 she is famous for her successes with the rehabilitation of rescued, orphaned giant otter pups. We follow her as she goes in search of an otter she hasn’t seen for a year. Having to face caiman, predatory fish and territorial wild otters, what are their chances of survival once they are ready to leave her care?
Wild Australasia (10:00 pm)
The first of a new series, Wild Australasia is a sweeping introduction to the natural wonders of Australia and reveals why its natural history has become so distinctive and strange. It features some of the most bizarre animals and evocative locations across the continent.
When Australia first broke away from the rest of the world 45 million year ago it was a very different kind of place – lush, green and forested. Wild Australasia shows how you can still experience something of that time by stepping into an Australian rainforest today. These are the oldest rainforests on earth, over 100 million years old, and those in Queensland and Tasmania look much as they would have done in the age of the dinosaurs.