BBC Earth Podcast

Welcome to another episode of the BBC Earth Podcast; the podcast that delves deep into nature’s great mysteries and surfaces the unknown. This week we’re telling stories of the unexpected, stories which seem too astounding to be true. Journey with us to the Sahara where the sand is known to sing; deep, bassy sounds that reverberate as the millions upon millions of grains fall down the dunes. From the unknown cause of these sounds to the unknown status of a species, let us take you back to the 1930s, when the Tasmanian Tiger was confirmed “extinct”. Unlike the tiger you have pictured in your imagination, this one was more dog-like, with stripes across its back and a tail not dissimilar to that of a kangaroo. There have supposedly been 8 sightings of this creature in the last 3 years, suggesting science should not give up on it just yet… Should these stories leave you perplexed, just wait until you hear from Doug Larson who was the first to discover an ancient forest, undisturbed since deglaciation. These 700 year-old trees had never been found by humans until Doug came along.. Mind. Blown.  Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode and let us know what you thought of this week's episode on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcearth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcearth/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbcearth  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we are telling stories from the wilderness. Stories of scale, vast expanses, extreme conditions, little known corners of the planet and the sparsest environments. We begin in Alaska, with the tale of an unbreakable bond between a dogsled racer and her pack, who travel huge distances across rugged terrain. Diving deep to the ocean floor, we join Deep Sea Biologist, Diva Amon, to discover new species and understand the threats that lie beneath. Meet the camera operators who filmed flightless birds that resemble dinosaurs for Seven Worlds, One Planet and hear the magical music that helps camels through birth and makes them shed a tear or two. Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode and let us know what you thought of this week's episode on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcearth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcearth/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbcearth  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week on the BBC Earth Podcast, we are sharing stories of unity. Hear the story behind the international mission of 20 African countries to hold back the desert and plant trees to reclaim the once lush oasis of oasis and greenery. We also discover the unique relationship between a toad and tarantula who choose to be roommates as well as a migration miracle: a three-thousand mile oceanic journey across the Sargasso Sea is made by a transparent animal half the width of a pencil. Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode and let us know what you thought of this week's episode on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcearth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcearth/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbcearth  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we're travelling to a place that is different for all of us, but one we all hold close to our hearts: Home. Listen to the heart-warming story of a keeper in Ohio who built an unbreakable bond with a baby Sumatran rhino named Harapan. Sumatran Rhinos are facing extinction and Harapan was the last remaining in the Western Hemisphere, kept in captivity at Cincinnati Zoo. To give the species the best chance of survival in the wild, Harapan was to fly across the world and return to the home of his ancestors – Sumatra, Indonesia. We also visit the man who keeps a flock of homing pigeons in his back garden in London and two young women who tracked down the symbol of their heritage – the American Bison of Banff National Park. Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode and let us know what you thought of this week's episode on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcearth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcearth/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbcearth  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to the third series of the BBC Earth Podcast. This time, we’re taking you behind the scenes and sharing untold stories from our latest landmark series, Seven Worlds One Planet, from the perspective of camera crew, producers, researchers and scientists alike. Alongside these stories, you’ll hear tales from people all over the planet, exploring the huge array of environments on our planet, from the beauty of vast sand dunes to the eerie deep sea floor; unveiling the harsh reality of disappearing species and miraculous rediscoveries of animals thought to be nearing extinction. In this first episode we hear about the dramatic journey the crew of Seven Worlds One Planet took to reach Antarctica, from Executive Producer Jonny Keeling. They travelled through hell and (very) high waters to film leopard seals hunting penguins for five weeks and it was no mean feat. If you've ever wondered who is responsible for naming newly discovered species - look no further; Quentin Wheeler lets us into the world of taxonomy and he's got some words of warning concerning the disappearance of many thousands of species. You'll also hear the story of the couple who lost everything... and the 600 mile walk that gave them their life back, as well as the re-wilding of a bog land in Hawaii which was taken over by invasive species as a result of human activity. Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode and let us know what you thought of this week's episode on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcearth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcearth/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbcearth  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The BBC Earth Podcast is back from Thursday 31st October. This series, we're taking you behind the scenes and sharing untold stories from our latest television series, Seven Worlds One Planet. Alongside these stories, you'll hear tales from all over the planet, from vast sand dunes, to the eerie deep sea floor. It's time to close your eyes, open your ears and subscribe so you never miss an episode.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to the final episode of the BBC Earth Podcast, Series 2. This series we've told stories about the amazing animals that live among us, and discovered the amazing technology that helps us get close to them; we've looked down on the wonder of our planet from above, and met the people who are working hard to take better care of it. For our final journey, we're looking beyond Earth, out through our thinning atmosphere to the stars and the depths of space. Make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss us, when we return for Series 3, and let us know what you think on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcearth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcearth/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbcearth  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sometimes we need to look at our planet from a different perspective to really appreciate its splendour and realise how small we really are, when sailing the seas or staring into the sky. This week join us in discovering the magical, the unexpected and the awe-inspiring. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode and let us know what you think on social media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcearth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcearth/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbcearth  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ever wondered what it would be like to fly into the heart of a storm? For the pilots of the 53d Weather Reconnaissance Squadron it’s just another day on the job monitoring and collecting data on weather systems. These ‘Hurricane Hunters’ share what it’s really like when you reach the eye of a storm. But it’s not just weather on Earth that captures our imagination; we’re travelling about 63 light years from our world to experience weather on other planets. Wind speeds of 5,400mph, dust storms and a Giant Red Spot which has raged on uninterrupted for the last 400 years. Buckle up, we’re in for a bumpy, but thrilling, ride. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode and let us know what you think on social media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcearth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcearth/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbcearth  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we turn our attention to the technology that enables us to soar above the clouds to and zoom in close to our natural world. We meet Sacha, who conquered a debilitating fear of flying to fly alongside and study the decline of swans. Prepare to be amazed by the complex world of bio-inspired robotics and the intelligent engineers behind them. These robots go where humans can’t, places that are inaccessible or dangerous, collecting samples, making measurements and deliveries to aid human innovation. And for all the wonders of the world drones have enabled us to see, sometimes their very presence can pose a threat to the animals they are hoping to film. How can we get in close while keeping our distance at the same time? We know, we can almost hear the cogs turning in your brain too. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode and let us know what you think on social media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcearth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcearth/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbcearth  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, we tackle one of the biggest questions that has puzzled scientists and philosophers for centuries – the concept of ‘forever’. First, we look to the future where advances in science could give the species we thought lost forever a second chance at life and wonder what the archaeologists of the future (human or otherwise) will learn about our civilisation from the items we leave behind. Will plastic be humanity's lasting legacy on this planet and what will happen to Earth’s great cities once we are no more? Finally, we attempt to find the edge of the universe and ask if it too has an ending. While occasionally overwhelming and uncertain, our future near and far is impossibly intriguing. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode and let us know what you think on social media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcearth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcearth/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbcearth  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Never has the saying 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' been more true, than in nature. This week, we ponder a question: who really decides what is beautiful? It is the creatures who do not fit our conventional beauty standards that are taking centre stage. We discover The Ugly Animal Preservation Society (yes, it exists!) and its weird yet wonderful looking members. While a little more aesthetically challenged, some of these animals are just as endangered as their cute, cuddly and beautiful neighbours, and deserve equal recognition. We're going to get to the root of how our beauty standards came to be, as we investigate the science of beauty and finally meet the man who is pioneering innovation to reduce fashion's huge and detrimental impact on the planet. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode and let us know what you think on social media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcearth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcearth/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbcearth  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The world is moving and changing at an ever-increasing speed, but we’re all starting to realise the importance of slowing down. This week we meet Amy Powney who explains how the influence of her off-the-grid childhood led her to be a pioneer in slow, sustainable fashion. Plus, the cameramen who help us understand creatures and plants on different time scales to our own with the help of specialised equipment and a lot of patience. We also meet Lauren Gay who, in 2015, spontaneously booked a “part bucket list adventure trip and part mental health break”. She had no idea how this trip to the Azores would change her life for good. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode and let us know what you think on social media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcearth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcearth/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbcearth  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We begin the second series of the BBC Earth Podcast in bustling, often polluted, but always charismatic cities. In today’s built-up world, it’s easy to forget that nature is often closer than we might think. Meet the two women from a suburban London council estate who bonded over their discovery of some very unexpected guests from the woods at nightfall. Just as humans adapt to rural or urban lifestyles, we explore the ways in which urban animals’ bodies have adapted, alongside their behavioural patterns. Prepare for a heart-warming tale of humans living alongside wild bears as well as the impressive methods conservationists took to lure penguins in Cape Town to a new colony, in order for them to thrive.  Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode and let us know what you think on social media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcearth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcearth/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbcearth  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The BBC Earth Podcasts returns for a second series from Thursday 21st March. We’ll be taking you on a journey from our beautiful but changing environment here on earth, to less explored corners of the universe. Imagine how it feels to discover a bear in your home… the lengths we would have to go, to exist on another planet. Close your eyes, open your ears and subscribe so you never miss an episode.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.