Watch Animal Empires

Animal Empires is an enthralling wildlife documentary series that takes viewers on a journey through the vast and diverse landscapes of various animal kingdoms. Hosted by the extraordinary filmmaker Martin Yap, this show showcases the magnificent and captivating behavior of some of the most remarkable animal species.

Through the eyes of Martin Yap, Animal Empires transports viewers into a variety of animal habitats and uncovers the rich and intricate ways in which these species thrive and survive. Presented over six episodes, each episode focuses on a different animal empire, including those of African elephants, chimpanzees, kangaroos, and meerkats.

The first episode of Animal Empires explores the world of the African elephant. Martin Yap takes viewers on a journey through the savannas of Kenya, where he meets a herd of these majestic creatures. The episode highlights how elephants live and work as a community, showcasing their complex social structures and intimate family bonds. The footage includes scenes of elephants in their familial groups, nursing their young, and communicating with each other through sound and touch. It also showcases the elephants’ physical strength, as they move vast amounts of dirt and vegetation in a single sweep of their trunks.

The second episode of Animal Empires takes viewers to Tanzania, where Martin Yap meets a troop of chimpanzees. The episode traces the multilayered social structure of these primates and shows how they create strong bonds within their groups. The episode also reveals how each chimpanzee has a specific role within the group, and how they communicate through vocalizations and hand gestures. The footage includes intimate moments of chimpanzees caring for their young and grooming each other, as well as scenes of them cracking nuts with sticks and using rocks as tools to open food.

The third episode of Animal Empires delves into the world of kangaroos in Australia. Martin Yap uncovers how kangaroos have adapted to their harsh environment, showcasing the way they use their powerful hind legs to hop at high speeds and cover vast distances. The episode also reveals how kangaroo families live together in close proximity, creating a strong social network despite sharing limited resources. The footage includes scenes of joeys being protected in their mother’s pouch, and of adult kangaroos sparring against each other to establish dominance.

The fourth episode of Animal Empires takes viewers to South Africa, where Martin Yap meets a colony of meerkats. The episode showcases how meerkats live and hunt as a team and underlines the importance of community within their society. The footage includes scenes of meerkats digging tunnels, finding food, grooming each other, and looking out for threats.

The fifth episode of Animal Empires focuses on a diverse array of animals, including the lion, cheetah, leopard, and hyena. The episode explores the way these predators interact with each other and with other animals as they struggle to survive in their environment. The footage includes scenes of lions lazing in the sun and hunting for prey, cheetahs sprinting at incredible speeds, leopards scaling trees to avoid danger, and hyenas scavenging for scraps.

The final episode of Animal Empires showcases the world of the reptile, amphibian, and insect kingdom. The episode explores the remarkable ways in which these species have evolved, adapted and survived over millions of years. The footage includes scenes of reptiles camouflaging themselves against their environment, frogs using their toxic skin to ward off predators, and insects using their unique forms of communication to navigate and find food.

Overall, Animal Empires is a captivating series that provides a rare and intimate glimpse into the lives of these remarkable animals. Through stunning high-resolution filming and compelling narrative, Martin Yap has crafted an immersive and insightful documentary that will inspire and inform animal lovers and wildlife enthusiasts everywhere.

Animal Empires is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between January 6, 2017 and on Smithsonian Earth