Ep 3. Madagascar: Island of Monsters

Madagascar: Island of Monsters is the third episode of the second season of Wildest Africa, a documentary series that explores the continent's diverse wildlife. This episode delves deep into the heart of the Madagascar forest, showcasing the island's unique and diverse ecosystem, including its dangerous predators and venomous creatures.

The episode opens with stunning aerial shots of Madagascar's lush forests and epic waterfalls. In the first few minutes, viewers are introduced to the island's key predators, such as the fossa, a cat-like carnivore that's known to take down lemurs, Madagascar's iconic primates. Alongside this, the episode also showcases the mongoose, a small but fierce predator, that hunts for its prey, such as frogs, lizards, and small rodents.

Whilst predator and prey dynamics are one of the show's main themes, the episode goes much deeper to explore the island's complex relationship with venomous creatures. Madagascar is one of the world's hotspots for venomous wildlife, with several species of snakes and lizards native to the island.

Viewers get an up-close look at some of Madagascar's venomous creatures, including the iguana-like chameleon found throughout the island. The chameleon has a unique set of defensive mechanisms, the most notable of which is its extremely sticky tongue that is capable of catching prey at an incredible distance. The episode highlights the relationship between chameleons and Madagascar's tropical flies, who are able to detect a chameleon's presence and alert their fellow flies to avoid it.

Other venomous creatures featured in the episode include the many varieties of snakes that call Madagascar home. These snakes range from the venomous and deadly Gaboon viper to the smaller and less dangerous house snake.

While these creatures may be terrifying to some, the episode also showcases the fascinating relationship between the island's human population and its wildlife. The people of Madagascar have long understood the importance of preserving the island's unique ecosystem, recognizing that for biodiversity to thrive, humans must find a way to coexist with wildlife.

The episode introduces viewers to the Madagascar rural community, the traditional inhabitants of the island, who have long practiced traditional medicine and knowledge of the native wildlife to create remedies for a wide range of common ailments.

As the episode draws to a close, viewers are left with the sense of awe at Madagascar's beauty, complexity, and unique ecosystem. The show's stunning cinematography combined with expert insights from biologists and researchers provide a fascinating look at the island's most compelling animal interactions.

Overall, Madagascar: Island of Monsters is a must-watch for any nature lover or anyone interested in understanding more deeply the intricate relationships between predator and prey and the importance of protecting our planet's diverse and fragile ecosystems.