EUROPE’S NEW WILD

Thursdays, April 21 - May 12, 2022 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2 / On demand now with KPBS Passport!

Beyond the bustling cities lies a surprisingly vast wildland spanning millions of miles, where species that were threatened by extinction are being reintroduced to nature. From the Arctic Circle to rich river wetlands, EUROPE’S NEW WILD tells the inspiring story of an epic transformation, exploring the rebirth of the continent and Europe’s wildlife like never before.

In the new four-part series, viewers will witness the resurgence of wildlife across the continent in the most unexpected places through captivating footage. As conservationists give nature a helping hand, each episode examines how ecosystems are being restored, providing a new chance for Europe’s most iconic wildlife to thrive among its breathtaking landscapes.

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Eurasian lynx dashing away at release.

Courtesy of Susan Wright/Nat Geo

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Hellenic sheepdog with their flock of sheep.

Courtesy of Oscar Furness/Nat Geo

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Tauros in Coa Valley.

Courtesy of Ed Maddocks/Nat Geo

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Firefighter with flames in foliage.

Courtesy of Ed Maddocks/Nat Geo

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The Danube is Europe's largest preserved wetland, but many of the species that call it home are the last of their kind.

Courtesy of Nat Geo

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Sunset over the Island of Ermakov. Once drained for agriculture, this island was returned to natural flooding in 2009 when sections of dykes were removed. Since the return of water, wildlife has prospered.

Courtesy of Tom Osborn/Nat Geo

EPISODE GUIDE:

Episode 1: “The Missing Lynx” Thursday, April 21 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2 - Across the Iberian Peninsula, rewilding efforts allow the Iberian lynx -- the rarest cat in the world -- to flourish once again. In Portugal's Coa Valley, the introduction of ancient species heralds the return of the region's top predators.

Episode 2: “Return Of The Titans” Thursday, April 28 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2 - Travel to the Carpathian Mountains and beyond, where Europe's most iconic species are thriving. The reintroduction of European bison signals a wildlife comeback, while just beyond the mountains, gray wolves stage an astonishing return.

Episode 3: “The Land of the Snow and Ice” Thursday, May 5 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2 - In Lapland, natives and conservation groups work to save an age-old reindeer migration and restore an entire ecosystem in the process. Now, Lapland is witnessing wildlife spectacles return to the land of ice and snow.

Episode 4: “Europe's Amazon” Thursday, May 12 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2 - See how the precious habitats of the Danube Delta depend on a healthy river to continue growing. The Danube is Europe's largest preserved wetland, but many of the species that call it home are the last of their kind.

Watch On Your Schedule:

The series is on demand now with KPBS Passport, a benefit for members supporting KPBS at $60 or more yearly, using your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, AppleTV, Amazon Fire or Chromecast. Learn how to activate your benefit now.