Around the globe, unique and fascinating species face extinction from hunting and habitat destruction, which affects vulnerable animals in every kind of environment. Biologists, conservationists, wildlife preservation centers and zoological parks work to breed and shelter rare and critically endangered animals when and where they can, but many species are down to the last few individuals and face an increasingly uncertain future. For some, however, the future is all too clear. Lonesome George, a Pinta Island tortoise from the Galapagos Islands, is the very last of his kind. For centuries, until they were believed to be extinct, his species kept sailors and pirates well-fed on the high seas. George alone survived. But when George dies, millions of years of evolution will come to an end. Other species, like Spix’s macaws, lemurs, Iberian lynxes, rhinos, black-footed ferrets and Chinese rafetus turtles, were well on their way to joining George as the loneliest animals in the world until help arrived, providing hope for a better outcome.
Each species in trouble presents unique challenges, including inbreeding and lack of genetic diversity, sibling rivalry on an extreme scale, and individuals who may never have seen another of their kind. There are some successes with captive breeding. For example, the black-footed ferret, once thought to be entirely extinct, is now being reintroduced to its natural home on the American plains after an incredible intervention by scientists. But rebounding in artificial settings doesn’t put endangered animals in the clear – populations may grow, but without successful action to preserve and maintain their wild habitats, they may be confined to laboratories and sanctuaries forever.
The Loneliest Animals follows the plight of these incredible, charismatic creatures and the struggles of the dedicated conservationists who fight for them.
The Loneliest Animals premieres Sunday, April 19 at 8pm on PBS (check local listings).
(83 votes)
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Congratulations…it’s a shame that we won’t be able to watch it….anyway we are looking forward to see.
We’ll be watching – looking forward to hearing Gary’s score underneath what looks to be a fabulous episode. Thanks Artisan Pictures for doing work the other networks would pass. We loved the “honeybees” last year.
GEORGE!!!! WHYYYYY!!
This show made me cry, and I wish it were on more often and earlier, for the grandkids. According to http://www.turtlesurvival.org/grants/fund-raising-for-rafetus-in-china/ egg-laying should begin in mid-June.
It’s the human population, along with cultural changes, that must be stablilized and reduced, w/o violence, to save Spaceship Earth’s ecologies.
I would like to see this program made avaliable on sreamline for the classroom. The program fits SC state standards 7-4.1, 7-4.3.
the sad thing is that every day this extinction are happening too bad
i just watched it and it made me cry… i felt so bad… where can I make a donation for this?
Beautiful, beautiful, and so informative. Thanks for a presentation worthy of worldwide exposure. You GO George, you lonely rocking beast!
I loved this show. Thank you for bringing this to the public! I would love to see a special on conservation of the taxonomic families of our domesticated animals and all of their stocks, breeds, and species that are in trouble (e.g. 50% of all pig races, breeds, and species are in trouble.). It would make the biodiversity crisis much closer to home by sending out this message: this not just about exotic places or just about the wild animals that have no connections (genetic or otherwise) with our domesticated animals.
Please let me know how i can purchase a complete video of the program The Loneliest Animals. Thank you.
it is so sad for the animals my kids at the school would love it
This was so absolutely touching. I cried so much! These episodes are just spectacular and everyone should view them!
Nature: Loneliest Animals
I missed the broadcast, but was fortunate to watch it today online.
It was truly an exceptional production and, very importantly, so effectively brought to our attention the need to do our best to assure that all species are allowed to flourish for the good of the eco-system and mankind.
This is a very timely message. I believe shows of this kind will be welcomed along with the other initiatives for improving the habitability of our planet.
PBS is uniquely able to do this.
I look forward to it. The music was great – subtle but with affect. I was especially taken by the music accompanying the intro of the American black footed ferret.
TED
This is perfect for teaching about loss of biodiversity and human caused extinctions. I want to know how to order this video
I watch this show and many others like it more often than not. As I sit through the beauty and sadness I cannot keep myself from hating my species for its selfishness, greed, ignorance and arrogance of itself and everything around it. At times I wonder if we as a whole will ever stop the distruction of our planet, not because we have to or for our own hidden agendas but because we genuinally want to. I am torn between giving the human race too much credit or just not enough of it. Shows like yours are one of the few reasons why I stay torn. You help to give me hope and show me that I am not alone and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Keep up the great work.
no one cares animals live and dies if its extinct its extinct