Ep 4. Feast or Famine

In Great Migrations season 1 episode 4 titled "Feast or Famine," viewers are taken on a journey with different animal species as they navigate their way through challenging food shortages. From the Serengeti Plains in Tanzania to the Arctic tundra of Alaska, the episode showcases how these animals must use their instincts and intelligence to survive the harsh conditions they face.

The episode begins in the African savanna, where wildebeests are seen grazing on the grasslands. However, as the dry season sets in and the grass dries up, the wildebeests are faced with the challenge of finding food and water in a land that seems barren. Viewers are shown a remarkable sight of over a million wildebeests making their way across the Mara River in search of greener pastures. Through this spectacular migration, the wildebeests must contend with dangerous predators like crocodiles that lie in wait in the murky waters.

From Africa, the show then travels to the Arctic tundra of Alaska, where caribou must overcome the barren landscape and sub-zero temperatures to find food and survive. As the winter gets harsher and food becomes scarce, the caribou undergo a long journey to find the sustenance they need to keep going. The stunning footage shows herds of caribou making their way across the frozen landscape to reach the food supplies they need to survive.

Next, the show shifts its focus to the oceans, where humpback whales face the challenge of feeding their young. The whales can consume up to a ton of food a day, and when they migrate to the colder waters surrounding Antarctica, they are presented with a unique opportunity to feed their young--krill swarms. The whales must work together as a team to corral the swarms and scoop up the microscopic creatures, providing the nourishment their young need to grow stronger.

In the final section of the episode, viewers are introduced to a remarkable creature--the monarch butterfly. The butterfly is one of the few insects that migrates across continents, covering a distance of over 2,500 miles from its breeding grounds in Canada to its wintering grounds in Mexico. During their journey, the monarchs face numerous challenges, from lethal predators to inclement weather. Despite these obstacles, the butterflies begin their journey once again every year, an example of enduring resilience and courage.

Overall, "Feast or Famine" presents viewers with a stunning glimpse of the challenges animals face in their search for food. With gripping footage and compelling storytelling, the episode showcases how migration is not just a way to find food and survive, but also a powerful natural instinct that has driven animal evolution for millions of years.