Planet Earth III episode 1 – Coasts – Sir David Attenborough delves into the perilous environments forged by global coastlines, a realm where fauna grapple with the ceaseless dynamics of nature for survival. In the Robberg Peninsula of South Africa, an assemblage of Cape fur seals populate a constricted shelf of land. A fledgling seal ventures into aquatic terrains, undergoing a transformative metamorphosis from awkward to agile. This marine ecosystem has, in recent years, witnessed a surge in the presence of great white sharks, requiring collective action from the seal colony to stave off this apex predator.
The Arctic littoral zone serves as a theater for the planet’s most expansive seasonal metamorphosis. The thawing of billions of metric tons of ice yields ephemeral ecological niches. Among the most enigmatic visitors is the sea angel, a creature that conceals its predatory tendencies behind an alluring exterior, comparable to elements of science fiction horror. Transitioning to Namibia’s notorious Skeleton Coast, the convergence of the world’s most ancient desert and the frigid Atlantic reveals an unanticipated fauna. After a 40-year hiatus, lions reacquaint themselves with this coastal stretch, testing their predatory skills in an extensive seabird colony.
From the Argentine Peninsula Valdes to British Columbia, coastlines serve as termini for journeys of diverse species. A southern right whale culminates its migration in Argentine waters, while in North America, terrestrial garter snakes venture into cold marine habitats in quest of sustenance. In Indonesia’s tropical Raja Ampat, coral reefs find sanctuary under the canopy of mangrove forests. Salt-tolerant mangroves offer archer fish an exclusive predation technique: utilizing high-pressure water streams to dislodge aerial insects. Contrastingly, the vulnerable lagoons of Mexico’s Yucatan present extreme salinity levels. It is within these challenging confines that Caribbean flamingos elect to breed, facing the additional hazard of premature tropical storms.
Coastal regions represent a critical interface in a rapidly evolving global landscape. The escalating volatility of meteorological events and sea level fluctuations pose imminent risks to the diverse populations residing along these shorelines, including a significant proportion of humanity. Raine Island serves as an illustration of this accelerated change.
In this critical nesting site for green turtles, numerous females find themselves stranded due to tidal fluctuations. This location, the world’s preeminent green turtle rookery, is imperiled by rising sea levels. The episode culminates by highlighting the rapid transformations that have occurred during Sir David Attenborough’s six-decade-long career, beginning with his inaugural 1957 expedition, a venture that could scarcely have foreseen the drastic ecological shifts that were to ensue.
Planet Earth III episode 1 – Coasts
Robberg Peninsula: Where Seals and Sharks Collide
The Robberg Peninsula in South Africa is a rocky outcrop that juts out into the waves of the Indian Ocean. This small ledge is home to thousands of Cape fur seals, all crowded together in a noisy, chaotic colony. The seals come here to breed, give birth, and raise their young.
Life begins in the crowded colony for a Cape fur seal pup. It emerges into the world tiny and vulnerable, with soft white fur. The pup stays close to its mother, drinking her rich milk, growing stronger every day. After a few weeks, curiosity leads the pup to the water’s edge. It slips tentatively into the waves, limbs thrashing clumsily at first. But in the buoyant support of the sea, the pup transforms. It becomes graceful and agile, twisting and diving through the water in search of fish. This new environmentunlocks the seal’s potential.
In recent years, the Robberg Peninsula has seen the return of the ocean’s apex predator – the great white shark. Drawn by the dense population of seals, great whites now frequent these waters in unprecedented numbers. For the young seal pup, its first swim now brings tremendous risk.
The great white is perfectly evolved for an ambush attack from below. Its streamlined body allows for bursts of speed, while its dark grey back camouflages it against the ocean floor. Rows of serrated teeth deliver a devastating bite. A surprise attack can inflict a mortal wound before the seal even realizes the danger.
But the seals find safety in numbers. Hundreds of watchful eyes scan the waters during the pups’ first vulnerable swims. The sharks prefer solitary seals, so the colony provides protection through constant vigilance. Seals will mob together and slap their tails to drive off encroaching sharks. And the adults teach the pups to hide within kelp beds to avoid an ambush. This daily battle for survival on Robberg Peninsula highlights the constant state of flux along the world’s coasts.
The Arctic Coast’s Seasonal Shift
Far north, the Arctic coastline undergoes the most dramatic seasonal change on Earth. In winter, it lies covered by snow and bounded by thick, impenetrable sea ice, devoid of life. But the arrival of summer transforms these icy wastes beyond recognition. The ice sheet’s southern edge melts rapidly, receding further north by miles each day. The newly open waters come alive with visitors arriving to take advantage of this ephemeral abundance.
One of the Arctic coast’s more bizarre summer denizens is the sea angel. This tiny mollusk swims by flapping wing-like lobes. Its movements seem angelic enough, but the sea angel hides a sinister secret – it is a vicious predator. The sea angel drifts through the plankton, invisible until it is poised to strike. Suddenly, it extrudes tiny jaws and drags prey back to its mouth with grappling hooks. It then envelops the victim in its wings, trapping it within to be slowly digested.
The sea angel perfectly embodies the seasonal transformation of the Arctic coast. Its adult form lives encased in ice, helpless and suspended in stasis for over half the year during the sunless winter. Only during the summer can it roam free to hunt. This brief window of opportunity must sustain it until the ice returns once more.
The melting and freezing of the Arctic ice have always signaled the changing of the seasons. But climate change now threatens to alter this cycle unpredictably. Early thawing and delayed freezing endanger the specialized lifeforms that depend on this ephemeral abundance. The sea angel’s survival hangs precariously in the balance.
Skeleton Coast: Where Desert Meets Ocean
Namibia’s Skeleton Coast seems a forsaken place, a hostile wasteland where two extremes collide. To the east lies the Namib, the world’s oldest desert, an endless expanse of sand. To the west is the Atlantic Ocean, cold and perpetually shrouded in a dense fog. This is a landscape littered with shipwrecks, leading to the coast’s ominous name. Yet even here, life finds a way to persist against the odds.
The coast’s resident brown hyenas are supremely adapted scavengers, able to endure the Namib’s arid conditions. But recently, interlopers have arrived to compete for resources. A pride of lions, drawn by recovering wildlife numbers inland, has ventured onto the coast for the first time in decades. These lions are accustomed to bringing down prey of their own. But here, they must adapt to survive as scavengers.
The coast provides slim pickings, with little vegetation and only occasional seal carcasses washed ashore. But the lions find an unexpected opportunity – a vast seabird colony near the mouth of the Kunene River. Every evening, thousands of cape gannets return here to nest. The lions lurk patiently as the birds descend. With a sudden burst of speed, the lions charge into the swirling vortex of arriving birds. Chaos ensues as the colony flees in panic. For the lions, these risky surprise attacks provide a lifeline, though many gannets will pay the cost.
The return of lions to Skeleton Coast highlights the resilience of life creeping back into this once-barren landscape. Their uneasy coexistence with the resident scavengers symbolizes the delicate balance required to survive at the desert’s edge. Where land and sea collide, unpredictability is the only certainty.
Peninsula Valdes – Where Giants Reach Journey’s End
On the wind-swept grasslands of Argentina’s Peninsula Valdes, a massive shape looms through the shimmering heat. An adult southern right whale, over 50 feet long and weighing 70 tons, glides slowly toward the coast. After migrating thousands of miles from its feeding grounds in the subantarctic, this leviathan has reached the sheltered bays of Valdes to give birth and nurse its calf.
The calf emerges tail first after 13 months in the womb, taking its first breath in an explosive spray. The mother tenderly scoops up the newborn with her flippers and nudges it to the surface for its first gasp of air. But no moment is more poignant than when the calf takes its first swim. The pair circles one another, calmly and effortlessly, cementing the lifelong bond between mother and child.
Meanwhile, male southern right whales have also arrived in Valdes’s bays. Here they sing their haunting underwater songs, hoping to attract females. The songs reverberate eerily through the water, advertising the males’ fitness. When ready, the female will approach and mate with a successful suitor.
For southern right whales, Peninsula Valdes is a sanctuary, one of the few places on Earth where they can breed safely. Centuries of exploitation by whalers decimated their numbers, but international protections have allowed the population to slowly recover. Their annual pilgrimage to Valdes is the ideal vantage point to appreciate the whales’ gentleness, despite their intimidating size.
But dangers still lurk, even in these protected bays. Killer whales have learned to hunt the calves, working in coordinated packs. The mothers ferociously defend their young, attempting to drive away the orcas with powerful blows from their tails. But the hunters often prevail, reminding us how precarious survival remains for these remarkable creatures.
British Columbia – Where Snakes Take the Plunge
Along an unassuming lake shore in British Columbia, an alien invasion emerges from the woods. Thousands of small snakes pour from the undergrowth, blanketing the ground in writhing coils. Unfazed by the chilling waters, the snakes begin plunging into the lake by the dozen. Before long, the entire surface boils with wriggling snakes.
This bizarre phenomenon is the annual migration of red-sided garter snakes. After emerging from their limestone dens, the snakes are driven by instinct to migrate en masse to the water’s edge. Compelled by millions of years of evolution, the snakes converge simultaneously on the lakeshore to continue the cycle of life.
The reasons for this extraordinary behavior remain mysterious. Some experts believe it helps the snakes rid themselves of parasites, while others suggest it aids in courtship. Regardless of the purpose, the intense evolutionary drive ensures the lake seethes every spring with red-sided garters.
The chill mountain waters hold one attraction for the snakes – food. The lake teems with newts and fish arriving to breed, easy prey for the snakes. Though terrestrial, garter snakes are highly adapted swimmers, possessing salt glands that eliminate the fish’s excess sodium. This feast of fish helps deliver the nutrients needed for mating.
By summer, the garter snake orgy is over. Males emit unique pheromones to attract females, forming large mating balls. Up to 100 males may pursue a single female, slowly oozing their way over her body. Eventually, the female selects a suitor, allowing him to align their reproductive organs to transfer sperm.
Soon the satiated snakes abandon the lakeshores and return to the woods. But the following spring, this primordial ritual begins anew. The lake once again fills with the writhing knots of snakes, driven by forces far more ancient than reason.
Raja Ampat – Where Forest Meets Reef
Far out in the Pacific, off the coast of New Guinea, lies one of the most biodiverse marine regions on Earth. Here, the western islands of Indonesia harbor Raja Ampat, where warm tropical waters nurture rampant coral growth. But a unique phenomenon further enriches these reefs. Mangrove forests grow right down into the sea, their tangled roots forming a protective nursery for juvenile fish.
The archipelago’s mangroves bloom in shallow inlets, stabilizing the sediment with their maze of stilt roots. These specialized trees perfectly adapt to the interface of land and sea. Their aerial roots filter salt from the water, while trapping nutrients from the runoff of the rainforest. The mangrove’s permeable skin of breathing pores concentrates these nutrients into tasty treats.
Within the mangrove’s embrace, myriad forms of life thrive in the sheltered waters. Schools of batfish weave between the submarine trunks and branches. Harlequin shrimp probe the silt, hoovering up organic fragments. Archerfish lurk beneath the canopy, waiting for unsuspecting prey to fall from above.
With a sudden squirt, an archerfish knocks a beetle straight out of the air into the water below. Possessing superb eyesight, the fish can hit a target up to 3 meters away. It rapidly fires a jet of water from its mouth, the pressure knocking insects directly into the sea. This specialized technique allows it to feast on aerial prey above while avoiding predators below.
The mangrove interface sustains Raja Ampat’s rich biodiversity. Nutrients from the forest fertilize the reef, while the mangroves’ roots shelter the next generation of fish. By bridging these two worlds, mangroves enable an explosion of life, above and below the waves.
The Yucatan’s Hypersaline Lagoons
The Yucatan Peninsula’s dazzling white sand and aquamarine waters evoke images of a paradise. But away from the beaches, an unlikely oasis thrives inland. Scattered saline lagoons occupy depressions across the limestone shelf, surface water prevented from percolating through the porous rock. The relentless sun transforms these pools into harsh, hypertonic brines.
Yet even here, amid the baking heat and salt-encrusted shores, life abounds. One avian diva suits these conditions perfectly – the Caribbean flamingo. These flamboyant birds thrive when other species cannot, thanks to specialized kidneys that filter the extreme salinity. The super-salty waters create the perfect feeding environment.
The flamingo’s curved beak filters out tiny brine shrimp and algae, tinting its feathers pink. As the harsh sun evaporates the shallows, the double-jointed legs keep pace. Head upside down, the flamingo continuously pumps its filter-feeder, hoovering up the concentrated broth.
These same super-saline lagoons become nurseries when the flamingos nest. The hostile environment deters predators, keeping chicks and eggs safely isolated. Both parents produce a rich, blood-red “milk” from their upper digestive tract, sustaining their offspring with protective antibodies and fat.
But the flamingos’ reproductive success depends on precise timing. They must nest in sync with the rains that will eventually re-flood the hypersaline pools. Before the deluge, the fledglings must take flight on stubby wings, heading out to begin their colored lives anew. The extremophile flamingos thrive here because almost nothing else can.
Raine Island – A Disappearing Turtle Sanctuary
Far out on the Great Barrier Reef lies a remote spit of sand that shelters an ancient ritual. Raine Island’s tiny cay provides critical nesting grounds to thousands of endangered green turtles. But this safe haven for mothers and hatchlings now faces an uncertain future, as rising seas slowly swallow it from all sides.
The cycle begins as female green turtles migrate hundreds of miles back to their birthplace on Raine. Dragging their 100kg bodies onto land, they excavate flask-shaped nests and lay around 100 eggs. Two months later, the hatchlings erupt and make a frantic dash to the ocean, beginning a perilous early life adrift on the currents.
Those that survive eventually return as adults, instinctively homing back to Raine Island to breed. The island lacks freshwater and sustenance, but provides what the turtles need most – a refuge for the next generation. With astronomic fidelity, this cycle has persisted for over 100 million years.
Yet Raine Island’s future is tenuous. At just 5 meters above sea level, global warming threatens its very existence. Rising waters and eroding shores could inundate the island’s precious nesting grounds. And increasingly violent storms devastate hatchling survival.
Green turtles now endure multiple threats – pollution, habitat loss, hunting, and plastics. The population frequenting Raine has plummeted by over 90% in just two generations. Saving this natural wonder remains critical, before it vanishes beneath the waves.
As habitats disappear worldwide, preserving fragile oases like Raine Island becomes essential. Global warming renders the future uncertain, but if we wish to pass on our natural heritage, protecting sanctuaries like these must be a priority. The cycle of life on Raine persists unbroken, for now. But providing safe harbor for the next generation falls squarely on us.
Planet Earth – Exploring the Wonders of Our World
Planet Earth is a beloved, multi-award winning nature documentary series produced by the BBC Natural History Unit. It provides an unparalleled glimpse into the diversity of life and landscapes across our planet. The original Planet Earth series debuted in 2006, narrated by the legendary naturalist Sir David Attenborough and comprising 11 episodes.
With cutting edge camera technology and unprecedented access, Planet Earth captured never-before-seen animal behaviors from around the globe. From heart-stopping hunts on the African plains to delicate butterfly courtships in America’s backyards, the series highlighted nature’s spectacles both great and small. Vivid aerial photography unveiled natural canvases as artworks, like the vast scale of Iguazu Falls or the otherworldly beauty of Antarctic ice sheets.
Beyond scenic landscapes, the series examined critical issues like climate change and habitat loss. Planet Earth brought these threats vividly to life by charting the year-long journeys of iconic species like humpback whales and polar bears. The series underscored our interconnectedness, demonstrating how fragile ecosystems hang in the balance worldwide.
With stunning photography, insightful storytelling, and the gravitas of Attenborough’s narration, Planet Earth offered an unforgettable look at our world’s astounding biodiversity. But more than documenting the wonders of nature, it highlighted our shared responsibility as stewards of the planet. A cultural phenomenon, Planet Earth continues inspiring new generations about the marvels within our grasp, if we act to protect them.
Sir David Attenborough – Pioneering Broadcaster and Naturalist
Sir David Attenborough stands as one of history’s most celebrated naturalists and broadcasters. After studying zoology and serving in the Royal Navy, he joined the BBC in 1952. There he pioneered many innovations that revolutionized nature documentaries.
Attenborough’s illustrious TV career spans almost seven decades. He created long-running series like Life on Earth, The Living Planet, and Blue Planet, framing ground-breaking footage with informed yet accessible narration. His later work like Planet Earth and Frozen Planet deployed new technologies to capture animals’ lives as never before.
Attenborough’s documentaries also focus on humans’ impacts on the natural world. In recent productions like Our Planet, he explores climate change and environmental threats. His 2018 Netflix series Our Planet aimed to inspire action to protect endangered species and habitats. Attenborough also served as a powerful advocate, testifying before governments and speaking publicly on environmental policies.
Thanks to his decades spreading awareness, Attenborough has become a global icon, receiving widespread honors. He was knighted in 1985 and declared a ‘national treasure’ by the BBC. To this day, his documentaries remain beloved for their wondrous portrayals of nature, buoyed by Attenborough’s calming yet passionate voice. Now in his nineties, his body of work continues spotlighting the beauty of the natural world for audiences worldwide.
Conclusion
Our planet’s coastlines represent dynamic transitional zones, where ocean collides with land in a daily dance. The creatures that call coastal regions home exhibit remarkable adaptability in the face of ceaseless change. Collective defense strategies aid Cape fur seal pups in surviving the shark-infested waters of the Robberg Peninsula. The brief window of seasonal abundance sustains hidden predators like the Arctic’s sea angels through long periods of dormancy encased in ice. Skeleton Coast’s harsh extremes host a delicate balance between resident scavengers and visiting lion prides.
These diverse habitats provide sanctuary for recovering species like southern right whales in Peninsula Valdes, while also creating unique feeding opportunities that enable extraordinary behaviors like the snake migrations of British Columbia. Protective mangrove stands enrich the biodiversity of coral reefs in Raja Ampat. Caribbean flamingos precisely time their breeding to take advantage of the Yucatan’s challenging hypersaline lagoons. And diminishing refuges like Raine Island highlight the threats these fragile ecosystems face in our rapidly changing world.
Our window for preserving these living legacies is closing but not yet shut. Through global cooperation and compassionate stewardship, we can secure a future where coastlines continue to sustain life’s intricate web. Our children deserve nothing less than to inherit intact the world’s myriad wonders so vividly brought to life through documentaries like Planet Earth and the passionate advocacy of Sir David Attenborough. There is still hope if we act now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do animals survive the harsh conditions along coasts?
Coastal animals have adapted through specialized behaviors, bodies, timing, group defensive tactics, and the ability to extract freshwater from saltwater. Their lives are attuned to ever-shifting tides, storms, and food availability.
Why are mangroves so important?
Mangroves provide nursery habitat for juvenile fish, absorb terrestrial nutrients, stabilize sediment, and enable unique hunting strategies. They enrich biodiversity in transition zones between land and sea.
How does climate change threaten coasts?
Rising seas, stronger storms, and disrupted seasonal cycles threaten coastal habitats. Breeding cycles attuned to precise timing are thrown off balance. Low-lying regions risk being inundated.
What inspired the Planet Earth series?
Planet Earth aimed to showcase the diversity of Earth’s landscapes and species using leading-edge camera technology. It highlights nature’s interconnectedness and seeks to inspire conservation.
Who is Sir David Attenborough?
A pioneering British broadcaster and naturalist, Attenborough has created award-winning nature documentaries for nearly 70 years. He is a tireless advocate for environmental causes.
Why do sea turtles return to Raine Island to nest?
Sea turtles exhibit nest site fidelity, instinctively returning to their natal beach to lay eggs due to evolutionary imprinting. For green turtles, Raine Island provides critical nesting grounds.
How can we protect fragile coastal ecosystems?
Strategies include expanding Marine Protected Areas, controlling pollution and runoff, restoring habitats like mangroves, enacting fishing limits, and reducing human coastal development and plastic waste.
