Watch Operation Maneater

Operation Maneater is a five-part wildlife documentary series by PBS starring the British veterinarian Mark Evans. The show explores the anatomy and behavior of five of the most fearsome predators on the planet and the ways in which they interact with humans. Throughout the series, Evans travels to different parts of the world to get up close and personal with these animals and learn more about them.

The first episode focuses on the crocodile, which is notorious for attacking humans who venture too close to their territory. Evans travels to Australia to study the saltwater crocodile, the largest living reptile. His mission is to capture a crocodile, attach a GPS collar to it, and track its movements in the wild. Along the way, Evans shares interesting facts about crocodiles, such as their incredible jaw strength and their ability to hold their breath underwater for up to two hours.

The second episode takes Evans to the American Southwest to study the black bear, which is becoming increasingly common in urban areas due to habitat destruction. Here, he discovers how bears are adapting to their new environments and what measures are being taken to mitigate the problem of human-bear conflicts. Evans shows how human behavior can attract bears to urban areas and what people can do to avoid confrontations with these creatures.

The third episode focuses on the great white shark, which has the reputation of being a mindless killing machine. Evans goes to South Africa to study the feeding behavior of these sharks and debunk some of the myths about them. He dives into the shark-infested waters to observe them up close and gather data on their hunting tactics. Evans also tracks a great white shark on its migration from South Africa to Australia and back, revealing some surprising discoveries about their behavior.

The fourth episode is about the hyena, which is often regarded as a scavenger and a cowardly animal. Evans travels to Tanzania to observe the spotted hyena and learn about its complex social structure and hunting techniques. He discovers that hyenas are smart, resourceful, and able to take down prey much larger than themselves. Evans also examines the cultural significance of hyenas in Africa and how they are treated by local communities.

The final episode of Operation Maneater features the tiger, one of the most iconic and endangered animals in the world. Evans visits India, where he collaborates with conservationists to track and study tigers in the wild. He learns about the challenges of preserving the tiger population, including habitat fragmentation, poaching, and human-wildlife conflicts. Evans also explores the cultural and spiritual significance of tigers in India and how they have become entwined with the country's history and mythology.

Throughout the series, Evans uses cutting-edge technology such as drone cameras, GPS tracking, and thermal imaging to capture never-before-seen footage of these animals in their natural habitats. He also consults with experts in various fields, including wildlife biology, ecology, and anthropology, to gain a deeper understanding of the animals he is studying. Evans brings a sense of humor and adventure to his narrations, making the show both educational and entertaining.

Overall, Operation Maneater is an insightful and gripping documentary series that sheds light on some of the most fascinating and misunderstood animals on the planet. It offers a close-up view of their behavior, anatomy, and interactions with humans, while also highlighting the importance of conservation efforts to protect these creatures for future generations.

Operation Maneater is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between August 27, 2014 and on PBS