Wildlife Collection

Watch Wildlife Collection

  • 2011
  • 2 Seasons

Wildlife Collection is a nature documentary series produced by Smithsonian Channel that premiered in 2011. Hosted by John Beach, the show takes its audience on a unique journey exploring the world's most stunning wildlife. Every episode of the series focuses on one region or habitat such as jungles, oceans, mountains, and deserts. John later explores each region and introduces the audience to the animals residing there. He describes their behaviors and habits, from their diet to their mating rituals.

The series employs top-notch camera work to capture these animals in their natural habitats. The team uses high-resolution cameras and drone shots to cover vast areas of the wildlife kingdom. The show offers rare insights into the world of animals never seen before.

Wildlife Collection seamlessly blends education and entertainment. The show's creative team never shies from introducing unique aspects of the animals, such as their anatomy and physiology. The audience gets to observe an animal in its natural habitat and understand how they function.

The series even offers up-close encounters with the animals. It briefly chronicles some researchers' work in the wild as they observe animal behavior or track specific creatures. The show reveals insights into conservation and offers some tips to viewers on how to take better care of the environment.

John Beach is a great host, well-informed about the wildlife he presents. He has a calm demeanor that's educational without being overly didactic. John is also an experienced photographer and filmmaker, adding to the show's authenticity.

The show is not just about the animals' wonders, but also about the significant challenges they're facing in the wild. Some species face perilous conditions from the hands of poachers and climate change, and the audience learns about them at length.

Moreover, the show scrutinizes how humans affect the animals, their contribution to habitat loss, and the importance of conservation efforts. The show makes a case for why viewers should act in their community to support wildlife conservation programs.

Wildlife Collection concludes each episode with some fun and fascinating animal facts. It answers quirky questions in a lighthearted way, giving a much-needed break from some emotional episodes.

As the series progresses, the audience can see the camerawork getting better, offering more in-depth coverage of the animals. The show doesn't shy from using slow-motion or timelapse shots, highlighting the details to accentuate the beauty and diversity of nature.

The show isn't solely for nature enthusiasts; it caters to all audiences. The stunning visuals, coupled with the informative discussions in each episode, promise to keep viewers engaged. From school-going kids to retired elders, there's something for everyone in the series.

To sum up, Wildlife Collection is an excellent documentary series that showcases the world's different species and ecosystems. It's both educational and entertaining, with a host that's amicable and knowledgable in equal measures. Each episode offers a unique insight into the world of animals, and the show's cinematography raises the bar for other nature shows. The series makes a compelling case about wildlife conservation and urges the audience to act responsibly for our planet.

Wildlife Collection is a series that ran for 2 seasons (27 episodes) between May 4, 2011 and on Smithsonian Channel

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Seasons
King of the Desert Lions
8. King of the Desert Lions
July 11, 2018
Meet the Five Musketeers, five inseparable lion brothers raised in the ancient Namib Desert. When they eventually become independent from their mothers, they venture into the desert in search of their own kingdom-a journey fraught with treacherous terrain and conflict. Follow a remarkable desert coalition and see how one lion, despite hardship and loss, attempts to keep the legacy of the musketeers alive.
America's Badlands
7. America's Badlands
December 20, 2017
The Badlands of America: a geological phenomenon that provides a 75-million-year history lesson, presented layer by colorful layer. By all appearances, it's a hostile place to live. But half a million years ago, the elements began carving out a stretch of rich grassland that brims with life every spring and summer. Join us as we meet the unique cast of characters that inhabit this boomtown, such as American bison, cliff swallows, and the bustling prairie dog.
Panama's Animal Highway
6. Panama's Animal Highway
December 13, 2017
It's fall in Panama. Across the U.S., birds fly south for the winter, jaguars and coyotes navigate the jungle corridors, and hundreds of sea turtles take over the beaches. This narrow isthmus is a vital pit stop for millions of migrating animals, but it's currently in danger. Development, pollution, and climate change threaten to disrupt this fragile throughway. Researchers are scrambling to address these challenges, using cutting-edge tracking devices to follow the animals and protect the millions that journey along this unique cross-continental passageway.
Tiger on the Run
5. Tiger on the Run
November 15, 2017
In the heart of India, young tiger Kumal has been banished from his home. Hungry and alone, he must develop his skills as a predator and a fighter if he has any hope of surviving. But his journey will prove to be long and dangerous, fraught with challenges from a variety of foes, including a fierce rogue male tiger and nearby villagers on an aggressive campaign to hunt him down and kill him. Follow Kumal as he runs for his life, searching to find a territory of his own as well as a mate to continue his legacy.
Lions Unleashed
4. Lions Unleashed
November 8, 2017
In Rwanda, Africa, a new era is dawning after a brutal civil war ripped through the country, killing close to two million people and wiping out its most iconic wildlife: the regal lion. Now, 25 years later, the big cats are being reintroduced to the region to reclaim their throne. Follow this magnificent seven, a collection of five females and two males, as they travel thousands of miles from South Africa to Akagera National Park and attempt to figure out their new land, form relationships, and restore the pride of a nation.
Baboon King
3. Baboon King
October 18, 2017
In Africa's Simien Mountains, Braveheart is the undisputed king of his gelada family. For four years, he has fought off predators, kept the peace, and in return, has had his pick of potential mates. But now, his reign is under siege by a pack marauding males, led by Braveheart's younger brother, Tiko, who has a score to settle. Witness this royal battle up close as we enter the most complex social structure of any animal except humans, one where women rule the roost and have final say on who sits on the throne and for how long.
Cobra King
2. Cobra King
August 16, 2017
Two miles from the bustling towns of southern India, the lush Western Ghats rainforest harbors a sacred but deadly deity, the king cobra. Reaching lengths of up to 18 feet and packing enough venom to kill an elephant with a single strike, this apex predator is both revered and feared by its human neighbors. But right now, the imposing beast isn't looking for a fight. He's looking for love. It's mating season in the Western Ghats, a period when most human-snake conflicts occur, and it's up to an expert wrangler, Gowri Shankar, to keep the peace.
Honey Badger Grit
1. Honey Badger Grit
August 9, 2017
On the harsh and unforgiving plains of central Namibia, Africa, a young honey badger named Grit has just left home to venture out in the great, wide world, but it won't be easy. Fewer than half of all young honey badgers survive their first few weeks on their own, as they deal with intense heat, starvation, and round-the-clock threats from the many predators of the savannah. In a world where every day is as relentless as the last, Grit will need resourcefulness, resilience, and a little bit of luck in order to survive.
Description
Where to Watch Wildlife Collection
Wildlife Collection is available for streaming on the Smithsonian Channel website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Wildlife Collection on demand at Amazon, Vudu, Google Play and Apple TV.
  • Premiere Date
    May 4, 2011