Premieres Wednesdays, March 22 and 29, 2023 at 8 p.m. on KPBS TV + Sundays, March 26 and April 2 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2 / Watch now with KPBS Passport!
Uma Thurman narrates this two-part special. The Rocky Mountains are one of the longest mountain ranges on Earth, stretching some 2,000 miles from central New Mexico to the northern edge of Canada. Journey deep into the wild heart of the Rocky Mountains and experience this rugged land through the eyes of its iconic wildlife. As the seasons change, follow the drama of courageous animal families: a herd of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and their newborn lambs, a mother grizzly bear and her cubs, and a flock of sandhill cranes and their offspring. Witness their struggle to survive in one of the world’s most challenging and spectacular habitats as they face off against predators, the elements and, sometimes, even each other.
EPISODE GUIDE:
Episode 1: “First Steps” encore Wednesday, March 22 at 8 p.m. on KPBS TV + Sunday, March 26 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2 - From early spring to late summer, follow new animal mothers through the trials of raising a family in the Rocky Mountains. Cranes migrate north to give birth, a bison mother protects her lambs from threats and young mountain goats learn to climb.
Buzzworthy Moments:
- Baby mountain goats learn how to climb mountains; their mothers memorize the landscape to lead the way. Baby goats imprint on their mothers, which allows one kid to find his mother even in a crowded environment.
- Adult cranes lead their babies across a busy road to begin their journey to a new home.
Noteworthy Facts:
- Mountain goats spend their entire lives at the roof of the Rocky Mountains, surviving where few others can, even in the depths of winter.
- The Rocky Mountains stretch 2,000 miles across six states and parts of Canada.
Episode 2: “Growing Up” encore Wednesday, March 29 at 8 p.m. on KPBS TV + Sunday, April 2 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2 - Young animals face new challenges as winter envelopes the Rocky Mountains, and spring means the end of childhood. A grizzly mom prepares her cubs for hibernation, a mountain lion raises her kittens and a bison calf must learn to survive the snow.
Buzzworthy Moments:
- Bighorn sheep compete for dominance during mating season by butting their heads and horns.
- In a rare moment of reluctant generosity, a mountain lion mother agrees to share a frozen deer carcass with her fully grown cubs. This may be their last shared meal before the cubs must learn to find food on their own.
Noteworthy Facts:
- Around 85% of Colorado's human population lives on the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains.
- Hyperphagia is the medical term for overeating, such as when animals fatten up for the winter.
Watch On Your Schedule:
Watch "First Steps" and "Growing Up" now with KPBS Passport, a benefit for members at $60 or more yearly, using your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, AppleTV, Amazon Fire or Chromecast. Learn how to activate your benefit now.
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Credits:
NATURE is a production of The WNET Group for PBS. Fred Kaufman is executive producer. Bill Murphy is series producer and Janet Hess is series editor. A production of Pontecorvo Productions and The WNET Group in co-production with Terra Mater Factual Studios. Written, produced and filmed by Joseph Pontecorvo. Edited by Billy McMillin and location sound by Nimmida Pontecorvo. Narrated by Uma Thurman.
