S2014 E1 • The Real Apes of the Planet

The large human brain gives us the evolutionary edge over other species, but studies show that almost everything we have learned has been handed down from our primal ancestors. In THE REAL APES OF THE PLANET, Animal Planet travels around the globe for an unprecedented look at some of the various 400 specimens that make up the primate family and the surprising way our behavior mirrors theirs.

Première diffusion : 21 octobre 2014

S2014 E2 • The Ape Who Went to College

The Ape Who Went To College documents the amazing relationship between an orangutan called Chantek and his 'cross species foster mother' Dr Lyn Miles. Miles first met Chantek when he was months old when she started the experiment at the University of Tenessee. Over the course of ten years, Miles taught Chantek how to speak through the use of sign language and treated him like her own child; at ten years old Chantek had the cognitive level of a five year old and linguistic ability of a two year old, and by the time he was old enough to receive an allowance, even regularly visited his local McDonalds where he would spend his money on cheeseburgers! But despite the success of the experiment Chantek's erratic behaviour was starting to cause difficulties within the University campus where he lived and consequently Lyn lost control of her beloved Chantek, and he was moved and isolated from humans. Lyn spent two years desperately fighting for his freedom. This heart-warming, and at times heart-breaking, documentary looks at how the successful experiment changed science, and also exposes the bond between a human and an orangutan that allowed communication as never seen before.

Première diffusion : 26 février 2014

S2014 E3 • Blood Lake: Attack of the Killer Lampreys

S2014 E4 • Drug Kingpin Hippos

During his stronghold on Columbia, Pablo Escobar, one of the richest and most violent drug lords in history, imported a host of rare and exotic animals for his private zoo on his famous estate, Hacienda Napoles, including four hippos. Over three decades later, this one-off special reveals another side to the cocaine trafficker, and explores the lasting threat that he and his hippos, now multiplied to over 30, pose for the country. Columbian authorities are battling to contain the hippos which now form the largest population of non-native hippos outside of Africa. If they keep reproducing at the alarming rate they are, experts believe there will be at least one hundred hippos in Columbia by the end of the decade. Thankfully there hasn't been a human tragedy but with reports of a hippo escaping the Hacienda Napoles, now a theme park and zoo, and running wild in the Magdalena river basin, that could be only a matter of time. Drug Kingpin Hippos joins a team of veterinarians as they race to capture, castrate, and relocate the male bull hippo before it reaches the huge expanse of the river, with major cities either side. The film also features rare archival footage and exclusive interviews, including one with Roberto Escobar, Pablo's eldest brother and best friend, providing viewers with a history of Escobar's rise to prominence, his demise as the world's pre-eminent narco-terrorist, and the continued hold he still has on the country, in the shape of hippos.