Watch Wild South America

Wild South America was a breathtaking documentary series produced by the BBC in 2000 that took audiences on a journey through some of the most diverse and remarkable ecosystems on the continent. It was hosted by the British wildlife expert and television presenter, Fergus Beeley, who was accompanied by a team of specialists and camera crews for the filming of the series. The show looked at the different habitats and species found across South America, giving viewers a glimpse into the natural wonders of this fascinating region of the world.

The first episode of Wild South America was titled 'Andes to Amazon' and explored the range of environments and wildlife found along the length of the continent's longest mountain range. From the high altitude deserts of the Altiplano to the rich rainforests of the Amazon basin, the series revealed the incredible diversity of life in this rugged landscape. Viewers were taken on a journey though the Andes where they saw the very rare and quirky Andean flamingos that make their home there in the salt flats, some of the highest altitude jaguar sightings and viscachas living in high altitude colonies surviving in freezing temperatures.

The second episode was called 'Amazonian Misfits' and looked at some of the strange and unusual animal species that are found in this vast rainforest. Creatures like the electric eel, that uses its electric powers to stun and capture prey, the venomous and colorful poison-dart frogs, and the giant anaconda, one of the largest snakes in the world. The episode also explored the relationships between predator and prey, including footage of the rare jaguar catching a giant otter in a river, providing evidence of what was at the time a unknown Jaguar hunting behavior.

The third episode, 'Lost worlds of the Andes,' focused on the hidden valleys and ancient mountain forests that play host to rare and unique animal species that are found nowhere else on Earth. The episode took viewers on a journey through some of South America's most remote and inaccessible wildernesses, including the Vilcabamba Mountains in Peru, the cloud forests of Ecuador, the Atacama Desert of Chile and the Pampas of Argentina. This episode revealed to that the South American bear is making a shy comeback in the region and introduced the Inti Machay worm hoping to bring awareness to conservation efforts needed for this underappreciated creature.

The fourth episode, 'Amazon Jungle,' looked at the incredible biodiversity of the amazonian rainforest, where tens of thousands of plant and animal species exist in a complex web of interdependence. This episode showed the harpy eagle hunting to provide a meal for their young, tree-dwelling nocturnal monkeys and also some of the deadliest predators of the jungle.

The final episode of the documentary series was titled 'Land of the Andes' and offered a sweeping overview of the staggering range of ecological diversity found in South America. From the desolate Atacama Desert to the icy slopes of the Patagonian glaciers, from the craggy summits of the Andes to the lush lowland forests of the Amazon, this episode showcased the incredible variety of flora and fauna that thrive in these regions. This episode also showed the high altitude birdies in the Andes, elusive mountain lions, and some of the rarest owls that can be found on earth.

Overall, Wild South America was a groundbreaking documentary series that offered unparalleled insight into the natural wonders of South America. The series captured the breathtaking landscapes and incredible biodiversity of the region, while also highlighting the fascinating behaviors and adaptations of the animals that inhabit it. Through stunning cinematography, expertly narrated explanations of the animals that made their home in South America and behind-the-scenes stories, the series brought viewers into the world of nature in a way that was both educational and thoroughly entertaining.