Earth's Natural Wonders: Life at the Extremes Season 1 Episode 2 Surviving with Animals

In the second episode of Earth's Natural Wonders: Life at the Extremes - Surviving with Animals, viewers are taken on a journey to some of the world's most treacherous environments, where humans rely on animals to survive. From the Arctic tundra to the African savannah, this episode explores the symbiotic relationship between man and animal in some of the harshest conditions on Earth.

The episode begins in the Canadian Arctic, where traditional hunters work alongside their sled dogs to track and kill caribou. Viewers witness the grueling physical demands of this traditional way of life, as the hunters and their dogs trek across miles of ice and snow in temperatures below zero. Without their dogs, the hunters would have little hope of catching their prey and would be unlikely to survive in this unforgiving landscape.

Moving to the African savannah, viewers meet the Samburu people of Kenya, who rely on their cattle for survival. Cattle are not only a key source of food and income for the Samburu, but they are also regarded as sacred, with each animal given a unique name and identity. Despite the danger posed by predators like lions, the Samburu maintain a close relationship with their cattle, living in harmony with the natural world around them.

Continuing the theme of human-animal relationships, the episode explores the importance of bees in the Nepalese Himalayas. Here, farmers risk their lives to collect honey from hives high on the cliffs, using only ropes and traditional techniques passed down through generations. The honey they collect is not only a valuable source of food and medicine but also a symbol of community and shared identity.

Finally, the episode takes viewers to the remote islands of the Pacific, where the Polynesian people have relied on oceanic navigation for centuries. Using stars, currents, and the behavior of animals like turtles and birds, Polynesian navigators were able to traverse vast distances and build thriving communities on some of the world's most isolated islands. Today, this traditional knowledge is being revived, with young Polynesians studying the art of navigation and working to preserve their rich cultural heritage.

Throughout Surviving with Animals, viewers are reminded of the power and resilience of the natural world and the importance of respecting and working in harmony with it. Whether in the frozen tundra or the sweltering savannah, humans have always relied on the natural world for survival, and by working with the animals around us, we can build a more sustainable and harmonious world for all.