Watch Nature's Great Events: The Great Journeys

Nature's Great Events: The Great Journeys is a breathtaking television series produced by the BBC in 2009. It is part of the Nature's Great Events anthology, which aims to portray the world's most remarkable wildlife spectacles. The Great Journeys installment captures the astonishing and perilous voyages carried out every year by some of the planet's most iconic creatures.

The six-episode series takes viewers to six different countries, ranging from Alaska to the southern tip of Africa. Each episode features a different animal's journey, where spectacular scenes of conflict, danger, and endurance unfold. The creatures' journeys are driven by a variety of reasons, such as the need to find food, mates, or safe havens.

The first episode takes place in Alaska, where we follow the annual migration of millions of Pacific salmon to rivers across the state. The salmon's journey is a remarkable feat of survival, as they swim upstream to breed and die. Along the way, they face countless predators, including eagles, grizzly bears, and sea lions.

The second episode takes us to Zambia, where we witness the yearly quest of millions of wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes to find fresh pasture. The animals cross crocodile-infested rivers and dodge the jaws of lions and hyenas. The episode showcases the enormous scale of this migration, as we watch in awe as herds stretch across the savannahs as far as the eye can see.

The third episode takes us to the jungle of Borneo, where we follow the orangutan, one of the world's most intelligent primates. The episode depicts the orangutan's struggle to find food in the dense forest and the social dynamics between different groups of these primates. The program also touches on the issues facing the conservation of the orangutan's habitat due to deforestation.

The fourth episode is set in Botswana, where we observe the journeys of elephants, one of Africa's most iconic animals. The episode explores the complex social structure of elephant herds and how they navigate across vast distances, enduring severe droughts and harsh landscapes.

The fifth episode takes us deep beneath the oceans to follow the journey of humpback whales in the Atlantic. We witness these majestic giants traveling from the Caribbean to the North Atlantic to feed, mate, and give birth. Along the way, they face dangers such as orcas, giant squid, and whalers.

The final episode takes us to the African continent to witness the longest migration of land animals in the world – that of the zebra. The episode showcases the enormous challenges that zebras face during their 500km journey, from Tanzania's Serengeti Plains to Kenya's Maasai Mara reserve. The zebras have to cross a crocodile-infested river, outrun big cats, and cope with the harsh African savannah.

Nature's Great Events: The Great Journeys is a visual masterpiece. The stunning cinematography and production values coupled with the narrative, combine to create a captivating series that educates and entertains. The series also provides a unique insight into the natural world, showcasing the raw power and fragility of the creatures involved.

The program is educational and has a powerful conservation message. It showcases the importance of preserving natural habitats and protecting wildlife populations. It also demonstrates how human activity such as deforestation and hunting are having a negative impact on the planet's ecosystems.

Overall, Nature's Great Events: The Great Journeys is a remarkable piece of television that captures the beauty and majesty of the natural world. The program is a must-see for nature lovers and anyone interested in understanding more about the planet's incredible wildlife.

Nature's Great Events: The Great Journeys is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes.