Wild Chronicles

Science & Medicine
A voyage of discovery of our natural world with National Geographic researchers, adventurers and some innovative scientists who strap cameras on animals to see what happens. (Author: National Geographic)
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Author National Geographic
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Recent episodes from Wild Chronicles

  • Pew Whale
    Published: Sep 4, 08
    Although commercial whaling is banned, some countries continue to kill hundreds of whales a year in the name of scientific research. Loopholes in the ban then allow the meat of the dead whales to be sold in stores and restaurants. Now, as whale watching becomes a substantial international industry, a heated global debate is growing from this conflict of interests, with conservationists fighting to stop the killing by pointing to the many benefits of keeping whales in the water.
     
  • Ridgway's Hawk
    Published: Aug 27, 08
    Once found commonly throughout the Dominican Republic, the Ridgway’s hawk is now confined to a single forest preserve. Threatened by dwindling forests and conflicts with humans, fewer than 200 of these beautiful hawks remain. Wild Chronicles follows a conservation biologist who hopes that community education and awareness programs will encourage people to protect these birds for generations to come.
     
  • Chris Rimmer
    Published: Aug 21, 08
    The tropical environment of the Dominican Republic is a long way from home for National Geographic grantee Chris Rimmer. Like the birds he studies, Rimmer migrates to this biologically rich island to conduct his research. The goal of Rimmer’s pioneering research on the island is to compile a comprehensive database of both migrant and resident bird species that will lead to sound conservation practices.
     
  • Pandi River Expedition
    Published: Aug 14, 08
    The Nakanai Mountains of Papua New Guinea are a remote part of the world, rarely seen by outsiders. Wild Chronicles joins National Geographic Young Explorers grantee Trip Jennings and a team of explorers as they embark on the first known kayaking expedition down the Pandi River from its underground source to the sea. But they must travel through dense jungle and uncharted caves before they can document the island’s stunning landscape in hopes of protecting the area for the future.
     
  • Crossing Greenland's Ice Cap
    Published: Aug 7, 08
    Greenland's ice cap is melting three times faster than it was just five years ago. In some parts, temperatures have risen five degrees Fahrenheit (-15 degrees Celsius) in two decades. Three adventurers attempt to cross Greenland's ice cap by kite-skiing. Their goal is to inspire young people to get active and care about the planet.
     
  • Anwr
    Published: Jul 31, 08
    National Geographic grantee Jonathan Waterman, biologist George Schaller and a team of researchers traverse the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to determine how the region is faring in the face of global warming. Home to some 45 flourishing species of marine and land animals, ANWR is largely untouched by humans. But all that could change if ANWR is opened to oil excavation.
     
  • Aquarius
    Published: Jul 24, 08
    Humans are not made to live underwater, but that’s exactly what scientists are doing in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Located 60 feet below the surface, Aquarius is an innovative controlled environment that allows aquanauts to live for days at a time underwater while studying the coral reef.
     
  • Spanish Wine Climate Concern
    Published: Jul 17, 08
    Vineyards in Spain have survived bombs, wars, and plagues, but now they are facing their most life-threatening opponent yet – climate change. Wine connoisseurs can still enjoy a fine glass of Spanish wine, but the reality that some vintages may become increasingly rare or even nonexistent will be harder to swallow. Currently the largest producer of grapes in Europe, Spain will soon be competing with non-traditional wine producers in the North, such as England and Germany, where the increased t
     
  • Diving Cuba's Caves
    Published: Jul 11, 08
    Wild Chronicles travels to Cuba where two biologists explore underwater caves to discover what lives beneath the Earth’s surface. Cave-diving is is always dangerous, especially if it has never been explored before. But the reward of discovering a new species is well worth the effort.
     
  • World's Tallest Tree
    Published: Jun 27, 08
    Redwoods are the tallest living trees on the planet, and one of the best places to see them is northern California’s Redwood National Forest. Two naturalists think they have found the world’s tallest tree hidden among the many giants. One daring researcher climbs to the top to see how the tree measures up, learning much about the species along the way.
     
  • The Baka Of Cameroon
    Published: Jun 19, 08
    The Baka people maintain their ancient hunter-gatherer lifestyle in Cameroon’s rainforests but loggers are encroaching and survival is a challenge. Join the resilient Baka on a hunt, with just a single bullet available to take down a forest buffalo needed to feed the village for weeks to come.
     
  • Antarctica Family Robinson
    Published: Jun 13, 08
    Sailing Antarctica is not the average summer vacation. Wild Chronicles meets a family of explorers and naturalists who sail Antarctica’s frigid waters in their tiny yacht to monitor chinstrap penguins. Days are long and quarters are tight, but Antarctica’s beauty is worth the ride.
     
  • Maggot Medicine
    Published: Jun 6, 08
    Using maggots to clean infected wounds was standard medical practice in the U.S. a century ago, but antibiotics have since replaced these creepy healers. Watch as a bio-surgical researcher in the United Kingdom and a doctor in Oregon put hungry maggots to the test on some stubborn wounds. Judging from the results of their research, this treatment may be coming soon to a hospital near you.
     
  • Operation Migration
    Published: May 19, 08
    Disguised in a whooping crane costume, Wild Chronicles host Boyd Matson takes flight in Necedah, WI with Operation Migration and a flock of young cranes. Bred in captivity without adult cranes to teach migratory routes, conservationists must lead the way. Highly endangered, and once nearly extinct, these tallest native birds of North America are making a comeback.
     
  • Chimp Memory Beats Humans'
    Published: May 19, 08
    Watch young chimpanzees beat Japanese college students in a short-term-memory test by a wide margin--raising questions about primate intelligence and evolution. (c) 2008 National Geographic (AP)