"Earth: A New Wild" is a new five-part mini-series that explores the relationship between humans and the natural world. The series will travel to 29 nations, showing examples of the interaction of human beings and animals and plants of the wild.
Doctor M. Sanjayan hosts the show. The Emmy-nominated American naturalist has spent his career studying ways conservation improves human life.
"This series is a first for nature films; it turns the camera around and acknowledges that spectacular nature doesn't exist in isolation, that humans are part of the picture. In this way, we show viewers not only stunning, never before seen natural history but also discover extraordinary stories that challenge the very notion that humans are separate from nature," Sanjayan said.
Examining animals in 45 places around the globe, interactions between humans and animals - including humpback whales, lions, reindeer, and pandas, are shown. Sanjayan examines how these interactions can provide positive benefits to both individual people and societies.
Controversial subjects will be explored during the series, including the conflict between farmers who say wolves endanger their livestock, and environmentalists working to preserve the animals.
Palm oil is used by many food manufacturers, but planting of trees for production of the ingredient results in the destruction of vast swaths of rainforest. This deforestation can negatively impact animals in the habitat, including the Bornean orangutan.
Climate change is also having a major impact on animals around the globe. While a majority of Americans agree with the need for action to reduce greenhouse gases, action from Washington has been slow to limit emissions.
Sanjayan is the vice-president of Conservation International, and was once the lead scientist at The Nature Conservancy. In 2012 he was named as a science and environmental contributor for CBS News.
"Earth: A New Wild" will premiere on February 4 at 9 p.m. EST, on PBS. The first night will feature a double bill of two episodes entitled "Home" and "Plains." The episode "Plains" examines grasslands around the world, including Africa and the American Midwest.
"Forests" is the third episode, exploring the depths of the Amazon forest, which contain some of the last human societies which have not yet met the outside world. The episode also features footage of a savage battle between elephants in Indonesia.
"Oceans" shows viewers pioneering fish farms in Mexico, as well as the birth of sharks and migrations of the animals. The episode will also contain video of masses of predators gathering in the world's most-primitive coral atoll.
The final episode, "Water," will examine how humans interact with one of the most precious natural resources on our planet, that covers three-quarters of the globe.
