The Polar Bear Family and Me Season 1 Episode 1 Spring
- TV-PG
- January 7, 2013
- 58 min
The Polar Bear Family and Me is a natural history documentary series that follows wildlife filmmaker Gordon Buchanan as he tracks a polar bear family in the Arctic wilderness over the course of three seasons. In season 1 episode 1, titled "Spring", we are introduced to the main characters of the show and their stunning environment.
The episode begins with breathtaking shots of the Arctic landscape, where spring is just beginning to thaw the frozen tundra. We see a lone polar bear wandering among the ice floes, hunting for food in the harsh terrain. This leads us to the main focus of the series - a polar bear family living in this remote region.
Gordon sets out to find the mother bear and her cubs, using his expertise in tracking and survival skills. It's a dangerous journey, as polar bears are known to be one of the most aggressive and unpredictable predators in the wild. We see him using a range of techniques, from scanning the horizon with binoculars to following their tracks in the snow.
Finally, he spots the mother bear and her two cubs in the distance. The cubs are only a few months old, born during the long winter months when the Arctic is plunged into complete darkness. This means they've never seen daylight before, and they're fascinated by everything around them.
Over the course of the episode, we see Gordon gradually earning the trust of the polar bear family. He sets up a remote camera to capture footage of their daily activities, such as playing together and learning essential survival skills from their mother. We see the cubs take their first tentative steps on the ice, learning how to navigate the treacherous terrain.
One of the most remarkable scenes in the episode is when Gordon encounters a walrus colony, where hundreds of these massive creatures are basking in the sunshine. Walruses are one of the main food sources for polar bears, and we see the mother bear teaching her cubs how to hunt. The camera captures stunning footage of the bears swimming in the frigid waters and then diving deep to catch their prey.
Throughout the episode, we also learn about the challenges that these polar bears face in their harsh environment. Climate change is causing the Arctic ice to melt at an alarming rate, making it harder for them to find food and survive. We see the mother bear desperately searching for nourishment, sometimes going days without eating.
Overall, the first episode of The Polar Bear Family and Me is an awe-inspiring journey into one of the harshest environments on the planet. The footage is breathtaking, and the narration by Gordon Buchanan is informative and engaging. This is a must-watch for anyone interested in the natural world and the incredible creatures that call it home.