Ep 1. Islands

In the first episode of season 2 of Planet Earth, we are transported to some of the most remote and remarkable islands on our planet. From the lush forests of Madagascar to the volcanic terrain of Hawaii, we witness the incredible adaptability and resilience of the unique wildlife that inhabit these isolated environments.

Narrated by the legendary Sir David Attenborough, this episode takes us on a breathtaking journey through the stunning landscapes and fascinating creatures that call these islands their home. We discover the ingenious ways in which animals have adapted to thrive in such extreme and challenging environments, from the microscopic to the gargantuan.

We marvel at the world's smallest primate, the tiny mouse lemur, who lives in the treetops of Madagascar's forest. We are left in awe of the Komodo dragon, a real-life dragon that can grow up to 10 feet in length and is the largest venomous reptile on Earth. We also witness the unusual mating rituals of the red crab on Christmas Island, where millions of the crustaceans migrate to mate and lay their eggs.

But it's not just the wildlife that captivates us, it's the landscapes too. We are treated to breathtaking aerial shots of the world's largest raised coral atoll, the Aldabra Atoll, surrounded by crystal-clear waters and teeming with life. We see the towering cliffs of the Faroe Islands, battered by ferocious waves and home to thousands of nesting seabirds. We also dive into the underwater world of the coral reefs surrounding Raja Ampat, a remote archipelago in Indonesia that contains the highest marine biodiversity on Earth.

We journey across the globe to witness the incredible bond between a mother and her young as the Galapagos fur seal nurses her pup before heading out to sea to hunt. We watch in fascination as the giant tortoises of the Galapagos Islands migrate great distances to reach their breeding grounds, their slow, lumbering gait proving surprisingly effective.

Throughout the episode, we are reminded of the impact that humans are having on these fragile ecosystems. The shocking truth of plastic pollution is revealed as we see how it's affecting life on Henderson Island, a pristine coral island in the Pacific Ocean. We also see how invasive species have had devastating effects on the unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands, as non-native plants and animals are introduced by human activity.

Overall, this episode of Planet Earth is a wonder-filled exploration of the unique creatures and landscapes that make our planet so special. It highlights the importance of biodiversity and conservation, encouraging us all to do our part in protecting our natural world.