Wildlife Moments (HD)

Crabs comb the beach for food

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 10:11:12 -0400

A pristine beach in the Seychelles is home to a variety of charismatic crustaceans.

Camouflaged cuttlefish in the murky depths

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:01:19 -0400

From nudibranchs to cuttlefish, a night dive in the gloomy waters off South Africa's Western Cape offers a unique perspective on the resident marine life.

Masses of Cape gannets take to the air

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:00:34 -0400

As the wind picks up across Malgas Island, Cape gannets flap their wings and prepare for flight.

Predators gather for Sardine Run

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:11:57 -0400

Our crew films a feeding frenzy off South Africa's eastern coast as dolphins, gannets and sharks feast on shoals of migrating sardines.

Dolphins: Proficient predators of the Sardine Run

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:15:11 -0400

From brain size to complex social structures, we take a closer look at dolphins and the role they play as apex predators in South Africa's Sardine Run.

In search of the elusive lynx

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:27:18 -0400

We go behind the scenes with our crew in Romania as they search for a glimpse of the elusive lynx.

Zebra shark hovers near Pinnacle Reef

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:03:10 -0400

After swimming beneath a round ribbontail ray, our cameraman encounters the nocturnal zebra shark resting on the sea floor.

Lions climb trees

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 05:23:26 -0400

In a rare display of playful agility, several members of a lion pride take to the branches of a tree.

Grass sustains life

Wed, 25 May 2011 11:24:39 -0400

Many animals are reliant on grass, whether it's used by grazers as a food source or by birds as nesting material.

Cormorants protect their fledglings

Fri, 20 May 2011 15:45:12 -0400

Breeding Cape cormorants protect their young from resident kelp and Hartlaub's gulls.

Colourful frogs turn pale in the sun

Thu, 05 May 2011 10:00:57 -0400

Painted reed frogs cling to long grass stems in Mozambique's Ponta Malongane Bay.

Crocodile fish lies on reef ledge

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:00:06 -0400

A camouflaged crocodile fish lurks motionless on a reef ledge in Palau, Micronesia.

Lions laze in the afternoon light

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:03:09 -0400

Four male lions rest in the afternoon shade of South Africa's Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve.

Clownfish and sea goldies on Mozambique reef

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:10:05 -0400

Perfect weather conditions allow the crew to explore the structure and wildlife of a Mozambique reef.

Lapwings nest near a busy highway

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 10:42:40 -0500

A pair of blacksmith lapwings persevere in a shrinking habitat, raising chicks in an estuary under the shadow of a busy South African highway.

Cormorant chicks eagerly await the arrival of food

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 08:59:58 -0500

Cormorant chicks eagerly await the arrival of a meal delivered by the adult birds.

Gannets affected by depleted fish stocks

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 09:45:00 -0500

The bird population on Malgas Island is in steep decline.

Birds and buffalo in the morning light

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 09:19:59 -0500

As the sun begins to rise, caterpillars feed and weavers build their nests while a lone buffalo cools off in a shallow pool.

Young locusts on the march

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 08:05:53 -0500

The juvenile locusts are brightly coloured, but it's the adults that should carry a colour warning as they can secrete poisonous foam from their joints.

Lions leap through deep water

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:31:20 -0500

A pride of lions hesitates before reluctantly crossing a water channel.

Clownfish at home in a red anemone

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 07:34:53 -0500

A rare red anemone, a pufferfish and an array of less common marine species gather on the Three Sisters Reef in Mozambique.

Elephants cool off under a shady tree canopy

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 09:28:46 -0500

Young elephants enjoy the opportunity to lie down and sleep in a cool, quiet forest.

Giraffes strip off acacia leaves

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 09:02:34 -0500

Thorns don't bother the giraffes, but the acacia trees have other defence mechanisms.

Elephant family scents another herd

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 10:51:15 -0500

Raising her trunk in the air, a mother elephant detects the rumblings of an approaching herd and moves away to protect her calf.

Vultures move in as lions leave carcass

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 09:00:23 -0500

A hippo kill provides a good meal for the Xakanaxa pride, with scraps left over for the opportunistic vultures.

Bats spiral out of a Thailand cave

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 06:28:11 -0500

Millions of bats leave the refuge of their cave to hunt insects at night.

Special sighting of bat-eared foxes

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 11:03:28 -0400

Three bat-eared foxes forage in the grass, listening intently with their huge ears for potential prey.

Cheetahs prepare to hunt as the sun sets

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 07:56:47 -0400

After a long rest, a coalition of male cheetahs groom each other and drink before setting off in search of prey.

Feeding frenzy on Mozambique reef

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 11:06:13 -0400

Triggerfish join other reef species for an underwater feast.

Jackal pups hunt for insects

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 09:05:38 -0400

Camouflaged in the long grass, two jackal pups scour the area in search of insects to eat.

Aardwolf out in the daytime

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 06:41:17 -0400

A family of black rhino graze around a small ravine, while an aardwolf and a group of jackals pass by.

New lionesses arrive on the scene

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 07:57:30 -0400

The resident males could mate with the new lionesses that have come into season, potentially creating interesting pride dynamics.

Marsh crabs feast on falling food

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 06:55:24 -0400

Small marsh crabs scuttle to snatch up food that falls from the takamaka trees and take it back into their burrows.

Stormy seas keep penguins on land

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 07:37:59 -0400

Strong winds result in turbulent sea conditions and some birds take to the warmth and comfort of their burrows.

A close look at insects

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:47:16 -0400

A macro lens brings tiny details on moths, ants and flies into sharp relief.

Grazers at dawn

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 08:40:36 -0400

Three of the 'Big Five' make an appearance when the crew gets an early-morning start in South Africa's Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve.

Lone lion on the prowl

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 09:51:45 -0400

Wounded and alone, a male lion searches desperately for potential prey in Botswana's Moremi Game Reserve.

Giraffe glide among acacia trees

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:42:16 -0400

The graceful browsers move easily through dense vegetation in search of tasty acacia leaves.

Gulls wait for the chance to rob nests

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 09:38:10 -0400

On the rocky shores of Malgas Island, vigilant cormorants protect their young chicks from the constant threat of predation.

Hawksbill turtle lays eggs

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:04:18 -0400

After laying her eggs, a large hawksbill turtle takes care to create a false nest site before hurrying back to the sea.

Vultures clash over a carcass

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:52:11 -0400

A strict "pecking order" quickly becomes apparent when vultures gather around an old zebra carcass in the Serengeti.

Otters swim and dive for fish

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 02:27:03 -0400

In Thailand's Thap Salao River, an albino otter and its mate glide effortlessly through the water in search of fish, pausing to groom and eat along the way.

Rhino uses its horn to reach leaves

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:44:18 -0400

A female black rhinoceros and her calf browse leisurely among trees and shrubs in South Africa's Eastern Cape.

Secretarybird rests in a treetop

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 11:30:54 -0400

A secretarybird stretches its wings and then settles down to roost as the sun goes down in Botswana's Nxai Pan.

Lions feed off elephant kill

Fri, 28 May 2010 10:36:45 -0400

In the absence of suitable game, a pride of lions kills a young elephant calf. While the much-needed meal is consumed, vultures wait in nearby trees for a chance to scavenge leftover scraps.

Leopard fails to make a kill

Wed, 12 May 2010 15:21:03 -0400

Despite a failed ambush in the early morning, a female leopard continues to hunt through the heat of the day in Botswana's Okavango Delta.

Python triggers avian alarm

Mon, 03 May 2010 10:20:12 -0400

In South Africa's Blyde River Canyon area, anxious birds call incessantly as a python emerges from the undergrowth to take advantage of the winter sun.

Tortoise basks in the sun

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:31:47 -0400

A wary tortoise retreats into its shell as cameraman Boris von Schoenebeck approaches for a closer look at the beautiful reptile.

Elephants begin seasonal movement

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:34:50 -0400

Cameraman Brad Bestelink films a large herd of elephants as it moves noisily through the mopane forests on a journey to new feeding grounds. Two young bulls take time out for a swim along the way.

Egret hunts using 'umbrella' trick

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:43:18 -0400

A black egret displays a clever hunting tactic as it stalks fish in the shallows of Botswana's Okavango Delta.

Leopard feeds on impala carcass

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:10:53 -0500

A female leopard has killed an impala during the night. Cameraman Brad Bestelink films the cat as it resumes its careful feeding in the morning light.

Rare oystercatchers care for their brood

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:12:59 -0500

Cameraman Barry Skinstad films African black oystercatchers as they tend to their chicks on a remote Western Cape beach. These rare coastal birds are in danger of extinction.

Foreign visitor joins Malgas gannets

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:09:29 -0500

Cameraman Pierre Minnie is surprised to find a lone Australian gannet residing among its African cousins on the rocky shores of Malgas Island.

Face to face with a rare chameleon

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:17:34 -0500

The green slopes of the Sani Pass region are home to a rarely seen species of chameleon. Cameraman Boris von Schoenebeck scours the area in the hope of filming this elusive creature.

Fickle weather in the Maluti Mountains

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:05:14 -0500

Cameraman Boris von Schoenebeck discovers how quickly the weather can change in the beautiful but unpredictable Maluti Mountains.

Cuttlefish breed in balmy waters

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:22:04 -0500

The amazing breeding rituals of cuttlefish in Mozambique's Pomene Estuary are captured on film by cameraman Grant Brokensha.

Birds rule on Jutten Island

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:02:00 -0500

Vanessa Stephen and Pierre Minnie step back in time on South Africa's Jutten Island. Signs of the island's rich human history are fading as thousands of birds reclaim their ancient home.

River floods after heavy rains

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:42:54 -0500

Cameraman Boris von Schoenebeck witnesses a river's transformation from a slow and peaceful watercourse to a raging torrent.

Kingfish band together for high-speed hunt

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:29:18 -0500

Aggressive kingfish form a hunting pack at Stringer Reef in the waters of Sodwana Bay. Cameraman Grant Brokensha watches as they harass a school of small glassies.

Python ventures out on a rainy day

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:39:02 -0500

A female python emerges from the undergrowth on a rainy morning in the Okavango Delta. The snake's distended stomach is a telltale sign of a recent meal...

Lively hippos weather a storm

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:32:58 -0500

Cameraman Boris von Schoenebeck films a pod of hippos on a stormy morning in Botswana's Okavango Delta. The animals seem unusually active as the rain clouds gather...

Manta ray circles over cleaning station

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:16:19 -0500

Cameraman Grant Brokensha encounters one of his favourite ocean creatures during a dive at Stringer Reef in South Africa's Sodwana Bay. The manta ray swims leisurely as cleaner wrasse remove parasites from her huge body.

Baboons chase off dozing leopard

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:39:47 -0500

The peaceful slumbers of a young leopard in Botswana's Moremi Game Reserve are interrupted by the arrival of not one, but two troops of marauding monkeys. Boris von Schoenebeck captures the confrontations on film.

Elephants and ostriches on the Savuti plains

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:45:19 -0500

Frisky ostriches and old bull elephants roam side by side over the lush plains of Botswana's Savuti region.

Up close with a sluggish potato bass

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:25:09 -0500

An encounter with a huge potato bass makes for an interesting end to Barry Skinstad's dive at Steve's Ledge. This shallow reef also acts as a refuge for smaller fish such as cardinals and sweepers.

Maggots feast on gaur carcass

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:28:13 -0500

The rotting carcass of a gaur becomes an ideal feeding ground for thousands of maggots and flies. Cameraman Darryl Sweetland captures the gruesome spectacle on film.

Monkey business in the Okavango

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:27:57 -0500

Vervet monkeys in Botswana's Okavango Delta take some time out beside a puddle of water. Their playful antics catch the eye of cameraman Pierre Minnie...

Mudskipper evades crabs' clutches

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:18:13 -0500

Cameraman Boris von Schoenebeck discovers that the mangrove swamp in KwaZulu-Natal's Mtunzini region is alive with the busy pursuits of crabs and mudskippers.

Reef acts as magnet for colourful fish

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:07:16 -0500

The vibrant red of the tomato rockcod and the striking stripes of tiny catfish make Bass City Reef come alive for cameraman Barry Skinstad.

Coconut crabs thrive on Vamizi Island

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:37:10 -0500

Vamizi Island is home to one of the world's most amazing crustaceans - the terrestrial coconut crab. Grant Brokensha spends some time filming these creatures as they interact with their smaller cousins, the hermit crabs.

Tiny creatures reign on the forest floor

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:36:21 -0500

A tinker reed frog and a menacing praying mantis are just some of the small creatures that emerge from the undergrowth when Boris von Schoenebeck takes his camera into KwaZulu-Natal's mysterious Shokwe Forest.

Defiant water monitor fends off lion cubs

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:54:03 -0500

Cameraman Brad Bestelink films an uneasy confrontation between a lion pride and a wandering water monitor in Botswana's Moremi Game Reserve. The curious lion cubs approach cautiously to inspect the strange interloper.

Zambezi sharks dominate at Pinnacle Reef

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:13:05 -0500

Cameraman Barry Skinstad has been waiting for weeks for the start of "shark season" at Pinnacle Reef. As soon as ocean conditions are right, he heads out to film the inquisitive blacktip shark and the more aggressive Zambezi shark.

Ice rats scamper in the snow

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:39:52 -0500

An unexpected snowfall has transformed Lesotho's Sani Pass region. Cameraman Boris von Schoenebeck seizes this rare opportunity to film the region's hardy ice rats as they forage in the snow.

Corals flourish in pristine waters

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:21:46 -0500

Cameraman Grant Brokensha explores the waters surrounding Mozambique's Vamizi Island, which are home to an impressive number of coral and fish species. The reef ecosystems here have been described as some of the healthiest in the world.