Ep 6. Death of a Dynasty
- TV-14
- November 8, 1999
- 29 min
-
8.6 (263)
After 160 million years of dominating life on earth the dinosaurs appear as vigorous as ever. Yet closer study reveals there are hidden stresses and the rich ecosystem hides problems. Volcanic activity is high and disease and sterile eggs common. The central character in the program is a female Tyrannosaur that is trying to raise a new brood of chicks. As the program starts, small mammals are already swarming over one nest that she has abandoned and she is looking to mate again. She lives at the base of an active volcano and the migration of local herds has been disrupted by lava flow. She finds a mate and starts a second nest but it needs constant attention, as mammal populations are unusually high. After several months she successfully hatches some of her eggs, but in an attempt to protect the young chicks, an Ankylosaurus kills her.