Premieres: October 19
Airs: Wednesdays, 8pm (check local listings)
Network: PBS
What To Expect: The award-winning documentary series enters its 30th season, now airing on a new night (Wednesdays).
The season premiere episode, “Radioactive Wolves,” examines Chernobyl’s resurgence of wildlife since the historic nuclear disaster that occurred there 25 years ago. Focusing on a growing native wolf population in the contaminated area, scientists are piecing together a picture of surviving species in a world without humans. This portrait of wildlife in the forbidden zone provides a fascinating “What If?” window into a future after the collapse of human civilization.
Other fall premiere episodes will include:
“Animal House” — Nov. 2. Why do some animals build structures and others don’t, and how do animals decide where to build?
“Jungle Eagle” — Nov. 9. Intrepid cameramen step into the world of the harpy eagle, which hides away deep in the South American jungle and is large enough to eat monkeys.
“My Life As a Turkey” — Nov. 16. This is the true story of naturalist Joe Hutto (portrayed by wildlife photographer Jeff Palmer), who was presented with a rare opportunity to raise wild turkeys from chicks. Deep in the wilds of Florida, Hutto spent each day out and about as a “wild turkey” with his family of chicks until the day came when he had to let his children grow up and go off on their own. As it turns out, this was harder than he ever imagined.
Where We Left Off: Last season, this continually amazing series took us to the edge of the world's most active volcano, to the top of Earth's largest waterfall, introduced some of our planet's most endangered species and, in a particularly fun episode, explained why we love cats and dogs so much.
What To Expect: Season 28's premiere brings us back to the Arrowhead Mountains of Montana to revisit Cloud, the wild white stallion featured in a previous episode, who is now confident and in his prime. As he rules the mountains, gathering mares and expanding his reign, the story now turns to his two sons, Bolder and Flint.
Other new episodes chronicle the first year of a whale's life; study Africa's deadly black mamba snake; and follow the birth and first day of life of several mammalian species.
What To Expect: Season 29's premiere is "Cuba: The Accidental Eden," which looks at the small Caribbean island's rich and unusual natural environment. Cuba's wild splendor -- a hidden world of "jumping" Cuban crocodiles and majestic coral reefs -- has been preserved by half a century of political isolation and economic stagnation. Now the country faces the challenge of protecting its natural assets while transitioning into the 21st century.
Other new episodes include "Echo: An Elephant to Remember"; "A Murder of Crows"; "Resurrecting Eden"; "Wolverine: Chasing the Phantom" and "Revealing the Leopard."
