Embark on the breathtaking journey of NATURE with new episodes from the latest season. Known for its stunning cinematography and intimate close-ups of creatures in the wild, the landmark series has long been a Rhode Island PBS favorite. Tune in Mondays at 8 p.m. for the following specials, each offering a captivating, immersive experience as only NATURE can bring.
Pumas: Legends of the Ice Mountains - April 5 at 8 p.m.
High in the snowy mountains of Chile, the puma stalks the hills and valleys in search of prey. Follow Solitaria, a lone puma in her prime, as she hunts for guanacos – cousins of the llama – and teaches her young how to survive the untamed wilderness of Torres del Paine National Park. Narrated by Uma Thurman, this episode transports viewers to the glacial kingdom where these stealthy predators reign supreme.
Big Bend: The Wild Frontier of Texas - April 26 at 8 p.m.
The Rio Grande threads between the United States and Mexico, carving majestic river canyons into the rocky desert landscape. Witness the natural beauty and stunning vistas of Big Bend National Park, one of the largest protected areas in North America, and catch a glimpse of the native creatures that thrive in its arid conditions. These vast borderlands are home to a brilliant diversity of wildlife, including reptiles, hummingbirds, black bears, and bighorn sheep – a variety unmatched by any other U.S. National Park. Narrated by Thomas Haden Church (Sideways, HBO Divorce), this episode seeks out the hidden secrets among the rugged terrain and never-ending horizon of the West Texas frontier.
The Leopard Legacy - May 24 at 8 p.m.
Deep in the lush forests of Zambia, a confident and powerful leopardess acts as hunter, leader, and devoted mother. When she discovers a nomadic male encroaching on her territory, she must quickly pass her knowledge on to a litter of blue-eyed cubs. As a young cub gains enough confidence to hunt alone, a hostile encounter leaves him with a dreadful injury. Will his resilience and fighting spirit help him overcome?
Sharks of Hawaii - May 31 at 8 p.m.
Under glistening waves and a tropical sun, Hawaii's ocean landscape is teeming with biodiversity. But one predator reigns supreme – the shark. With more than 40 species calling these warm waters home, scientists are finding new animal behavior around every corner. Whitetip reef sharks “sleep” in tight volcanic tunnels. In deeper waters, everything is on the menu for the hunting Tiger shark, from birds to Humpback whales. Hop from island to island, uncovering surprising moments of cooperation, rarely-seen hunting tactics, and striking insights into these predators of the world’s paradise.
The Bat Man of Mexico - July 5 at 8 p.m.
Mexican ecologist Rodrigo Medellin has dedicated his life to conservation. When Mexico’s most famous export, tequila, is at risk, Medellin is tasked with tracking the migration patterns of his beloved lesser long-nosed bats – the ones responsible for pollinating tequila's key ingredient. Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, this episode is an epic, cross-country journey across Mexico filled with hurricanes, snakes, and seas of cockroaches. Along the way, Medellin devises innovative methods to save his country's bat population from extinction.
WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits over the air in high definition on digital 36.1; Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD in MA; DirecTV 36, Dish Network 36.
