Ep 4. Panic in the Sky

In the fourth episode of Animal Armageddon season 1, entitled "Panic in the Sky," viewers are taken on a journey through several catastrophic events that have occurred throughout history resulting in the mass extinction of various types of flying animals. The episode begins by exploring an asteroid that struck the Earth approximately sixty-five million years ago, which is commonly believed to have led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. Empty skies and vicious storms follow as the episode progresses, showcasing how certain events can singlehandedly wipe out an entire group of creatures.

The episode then takes viewers to the emergence of mammals, specifically focusing on those that are capable of flight. It explores the variety of pterosaurs that populated the skies during the late Cretaceous, and how the aforementioned asteroid's catastrophic impact led to their sudden mass extinction. The episode also delves into the evolution of bats and how, despite their susceptibility to the extinction that had affected their predecessors, managed to adapt and survive through their ability to fly and hunt at night.

The narrative then shifts to the suffocating ash that rained down on Earth during the largest volcanic eruption of the last hundred million years. This catastrophe, which occurred around fifty-two million years ago, killed almost all life on Earth, with primates and bats emerging as some of the few survivors. The episode examines the impact of this event on the various species of birds alive during that time, showcasing how their evolution was interrupted and ultimately led to their extinction.

The final segment of the episode explores how climate plays a crucial role in the extinction of animals, and how changes to this can be particularly devastating to those that are reliant upon certain environmental conditions. In this segment, viewers are presented with the challenges faced by birds following the asteroid impact and the volcanic eruption. The episode examines the impact of the Earth's cooling climate on those that needed hot temperatures to survive, such as the massive bird Gastornis, which existed around fifty million years ago.

Overall, "Panic in the Sky" presents an informative account of how different environmental hazards and conditions can ultimately lead to animal extinctions. It does an excellent job of combining history, biology, and paleontology into an easy-to-navigate narrative that's both engaging and informative. The show's use of CGI is extensive and well-executed, bringing to life various creatures and events that would otherwise require a heavy dose of imagination to envision accurately. Any fan of animals, biology, or history should find this episode particularly engaging, if not the whole series.