Bear facts

THE Bafta award-winning series returns with a one-off feature-length Arctic special in search of the world’s largest land carnivore: the polar bear.

The team of experts join Inuit hunters and scientists who are studying these iconic creatures off the coast of Greenland.

Polar bears have become a symbol of climate change as their habitat comes under increasing threat. But for local hunters, they provide a vital source of food and resources, as well as being culturally important.

Braving blizzards, freezing seas and temperatures that can plummet to as low as -70C, the team joins an international scientific expedition investigating the plight of polar bears.

Danish scientists have been monitoring the levels of toxic chemicals found in polar bears for more than a decade. Because these creatures are at the top of the food chain they are especially vulnerable to physiological side effects from ingesting man-made pollutants. There are early signs of changes to their reproductive organs, as well as neurological damage.

The scientists need to collect blood and fresh tissue samples and collaborate with local people who are permitted to hunt a small quota of bears. The hunting is strictly controlled, using traditional methods and avoiding mothers with cubs.

The Inside Nature’s Giants experts join the expedition to carry out a more extensive anatomical dissection to explore some of the mysteries of the polar bear, such as how they cope with a high-fat diet of seal blubber without risking heart failure.

Leading the team is veterinary scientist Mark Evans, who is visibly upset by his first encounter with a recently-killed polar bear. It’s clear he has a deep love of animals, and that may be why he remains such a popular presenter.

In this polar bear special, he gets up close and personal with an animal he truly admires, while his colleagues work their scientific and anatomical wizardry.

Comparative anatomist Professor Joy Reidenberg is astonished by the thickness of the polar bear’s fur and even more surprised to discover that while its skin is black and its fur translucent, the polar bear still appears white.

Polar bears evolved from grizzly bears in the past 150,000 years. But as their habitat melts and their food becomes increasingly contaminated, their future looks increasingly precarious. Will they be able to adapt fast enough to survive this rapidly-changing world?

FOR those who have caught the first episodes of this three-parter, you’ll know by now that Caroline Redman Lusher must be one of the most hardworking women you’ve ever come across as she goes about getting the Rock Choir’s talents heard around the country.

In this concluding episode, the final preparations are made ahead of the 8,500- strong choir’s performance at Wembley.

As she organises the schedule for the day, Lusher decides to give her male members the opportunity to shine. And will choir members and invited audience appreciate a surprise special guest?

FORMER British Army captain Ed Stafford always wanted to become the first person to walk the entire length of the mighty Amazon river. Of course, there’s a reason why no one had done it before, it’s very dangerous, and really difficult.

In the conclusion of this two-part documentary, we follow his progress. Having made it to Tabatinga, close to where the borders of Colombia, Peru and Brazil meet, Stafford sets a course due east towards Manaus, the state capital of Amazonas.

He expects to cover this part of his journey in 12 months, but is joined by fellow Brit Sam Dyson, who sadly has little survival training. On the plus side, he is a Shaolin warrior monk.