TV

David Attenborough stunned as polar bear takes on whale in shocking climate change outcome


For the penultimate episode of his new BBC show “Seven Worlds, One Planet,” Sir David sent cameras to the continent of North America, home to some 579 million people. However, viewers soon learnt that this diverse region of the planet is also one of the biggest victims to climate change, as Canada is warming faster than any other country on Earth. This shocking global warming, accelerated by the burning of carbon fuels by humans, is leading to the melting of sea ice in the area – a key building block for the ecosystem that helps sustain the hierarchy of the animal kingdom.

Sir David revealed how, without this, one small group of polar bears has been forced to adapt to stop themselves starving.

He said: “It is in the far north of the North American continent that human beings are affecting wildlife most critically. 

“Canada is warming faster than any other country on Earth.

“Polar bears have always relied on sea ice for their hunting, but summers are now getting longer and hotter.

“For most polar bears this is a time of starvation.”

The 93-year-old continued, explaining how the bears now hunt whales straight from the sea.

He added: “On the shores of Hudson Bay, some bears are finding a new source of food.

“They’re all looking for the same thing and they have their own ways of catching it.

“First, they must find the right rock, now they must wait, the tide comes in, bringing with it other northern giants like Beluga whales.

READ MORE: David Attenborough stunned by ‘rare sight’ during Seven Worlds, One Planet filming

This extraordinary behaviour has only been reported here in this remote corner of North America and only in the last few years.

“This one small group of bears has found an ingenious way of surviving the lean summer months.

“But, for others, it is not so easy, we continue to transform our planet and the seasons are becoming less predictable.

“Will the wildlife of North America be able to adapt?”

Sir David previously explained why he still gets the same buzz from making documentaries and hopes it will inspire others.

He explained: “It is extraordinary. 

“At the time people thought we were cranks but suddenly, after Blue Planet II, you hit the right note.

I’m thrilled that we’re about to share this incredible series with the world.

“Seven Worlds, One Planet celebrates the variety of life on our planet while also shining a spotlight on its challenges.”

The sixth episode of Seven Worlds, One Planet was aired on BBC One on Sunday, December 1, at 6.15pm.

Viewers can now catch up with each instalment in Ultra-High-Definition (UHD) on BBC iPlayer.



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