Ep 5. The Land of the Snow and Ice

Europe's New Wild is a documentary series that showcases the beauty and diversity of wildlife across Europe, highlighting how nature has found ways to thrive amidst human development and how we can work towards conserving and protecting these natural habitats. In season 1, episode 5, titled "The Land of Snow and Ice," the focus shifts towards the Arctic regions of Europe, where a stunning variety of wildlife has adapted to the harsh conditions of these extreme environments.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to the Svalbard archipelago, located midway between Norway and the North Pole, where polar bears and reindeer are abundant in numbers. The crew follows the work of Norwegian scientists who are studying the behavior and biology of polar bears, with a particular emphasis on maternal instincts. In the melting ice and receding tundras of Svalbard, the polar bears are finding it difficult to hunt their prey as usual, leading to increased aggression towards each other. The documentary captures the dramatic scenes of a mother bear fiercely protecting her cubs and the emotional impact it has on the researchers observing them.

Moving south to Iceland, the team explores how the island's geology and unique ecosystem have shaped its wildlife. Huge colonies of puffins, gannets, and gulls thrive on the inaccessible cliffs, where they brave the harsh weather conditions to nest and mate. The film crew follows Icelandic bird ecologists as they capture and tag gannets to monitor their movements and gather data on their behavior. The efforts of these researchers are essential to protecting these delicate bird populations, which are threatened by climate change and human encroachment on their habitats.

Continuing on to Sweden, the documentary focuses on the lynx, which has become a symbol of the Swedish winter. Hunted to near extinction in the early 20th century, the lynx has made a remarkable comeback thanks to conservation efforts. The episode follows a group of Swedish hunters who are passionate about tracking, observing, and photographing lynx in their natural habitats. The hunters explain how their interest in the lynx has evolved into a desire to protect it, with one of the hunters citing it as "the most beautiful animal in the world." Their dedication to preserving the unique biodiversity of Sweden is clear throughout the episode.

The episode concludes by exploring the extreme conditions of the Russian Arctic, where the polar bear remains king. The film crew follows a group of Russian scientists as they study the fascinating behavior of polar bears, including how they manage to swim hundreds of miles across open water. The crew also witnesses the effects of climate change on the Arctic, including the melting ice floes and reduced prey availability for polar bears. The changes in the Arctic have created new challenges for the researchers, who are working tirelessly to understand the region's ecology and the impacts of our changing climate.

Overall, "The Land of Snow and Ice" is a beautifully filmed and insightful episode that captures the resilience of wildlife in the Arctic regions of Europe. The documentary gives viewers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of polar bears, reindeer, puffins, gannets, lynx, and other animals that call the frozen north their home. It highlights the crucial role played by scientists, hunters, and conservationists in protecting and conserving these habitats for future generations. The combination of stunning cinematography and informative storytelling makes this episode a must-watch for nature lovers.