Galapagos with David Attenborough (2013)

Director: Martin Williams
Writer: David Attenborough
Star: David Attenborough

Filmed in one of the most extreme and hard-to-reach locations in the world, 'Galapagos' explores the unique environments and species of the Galapagos. It will take viewers on a voyage to understand the stunning archipelago which changed the way we see the world and has long-remained a place of true interest with the nation's favourite naturalist.

Episode 1
The Galapagos archipelago's uniquely diverse wildlife was fit to inspire Darwin's evolution theory. It's also a great place to study evolution at high speed, spurred by volcano-created island building. Species arrive from South America and even across the Pacific in numerous ways, like floating, flying, rafting as well as swimming. They adapt fast. Diversity is no less in the sea, where three deep currents meet, again unique.

Episode 2
The case of the famous Galapagos turtle species illustrates, like that of iguanas and spiders, why and how 'immigrant' animals adapt rapidly and diversely. The islands themselves go trough drastic changes during their life cycle, from dormant volcano to barren rock sinking into the ocean, always challenging its residents but becoming interesting for others.

Episode 3
However small, due to tectonic plate mobility the Galapagos islands are all different, also in ago and hence phase in the volcanic isle life cycle. Even regardless of arriving species, life thus has to adapt unusually quickly to every biotope. The near-absence of major predators often allows faster reproduction, hence evolution. Man's arrival in the 17th century brought new challenges and species.

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