Sir David Attenborough presents Asia, a seven-part series dedicated to our planet’s greatest continent, revealing its most remarkable landscapes and animals.
Filmed over the course of nearly four years, this is the first time that Asia has been the focus of a major BBC wildlife series. From the vast Gobi Desert to the jungles of Borneo, and from the polar wilderness of Siberia to the coral seas of the Indian Ocean, this series will showcase the breath-taking variety of Asia’s wildest places.
This series features thrilling wildlife stories from each corner of the continent. In Nepal, we’ll follow rhinos playing ‘kiss chase’ in a bizarre courtship ritual. In the foothills of the Himalaya, amidst forests of bamboo, we’ll meet Asia’s shyest and possibly cutest mammal: the red panda. Five thousand metres up on the Tibetan Plateau, we’ll witness a lone wolf relentlessly hunting a herd of antelope for hours on end. In Sri Lanka, we’ll join elephants that have learnt to become highway thieves – holding up buses to get food from the passengers. And in the rich waters of the Western Pacific, we’ll swim with sea snakes and fish that have learnt to team up in order to hunt together in huge shoals.
Where to watch
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1. Beneath The Waves
60 Minutes
Asia has the longest coastline of any continent, and the richest coral reefs on Earth. Its seas are connected by some of the world’s most powerful currents, and are home to over sixty percent of all marine species. This ground-breaking film features the charismatic creatures of Asia's
Asia has the longest coastline of any continent, and the richest coral reefs on Earth. Its seas are connected by some of the world’s most powerful currents, and are home to over sixty percent of all marine species. This ground-breaking film features the charismatic creatures of Asia's
2. Above The Clouds
60 Minutes
Asia is the most mountainous continent on earth. From the forested mountains of the tropics to the hostile heights of the Himalaya, Asia’s mountains are home to an astonishing abundance of specialised plants and wildlife. In India, elephants live in high-altitude tea plantations; and
Asia is the most mountainous continent on earth. From the forested mountains of the tropics to the hostile heights of the Himalaya, Asia’s mountains are home to an astonishing abundance of specialised plants and wildlife. In India, elephants live in high-altitude tea plantations; and
3. The Frozen North
60 Minutes
In northern Asia, life defies hostile extremes. In Russia's Lake Baikal, a seal pup must take evasive action when its ice den starts to melt. Hokkaido's thermal springs are a haven for dancing red-crowned cranes. On the Tibetan Plateau, a lone Himalayan wolf hunts antelope. Fish owls
In northern Asia, life defies hostile extremes. In Russia's Lake Baikal, a seal pup must take evasive action when its ice den starts to melt. Hokkaido's thermal springs are a haven for dancing red-crowned cranes. On the Tibetan Plateau, a lone Himalayan wolf hunts antelope. Fish owls
4. Tangled Worlds
60 Minute
Asia’s jungles are exceptionally diverse, but whilst they provide shelter, food, and opportunity, they are also full of dangers and hidden threats. In monsoon forests, tigers tenaciously hunt their prey, and prehistoric-looking rhinos play courtship games akin to kiss-chase. In tropic
Asia’s jungles are exceptionally diverse, but whilst they provide shelter, food, and opportunity, they are also full of dangers and hidden threats. In monsoon forests, tigers tenaciously hunt their prey, and prehistoric-looking rhinos play courtship games akin to kiss-chase. In tropic
5. The Crowned Continent
60 Minutes
In Asia, the most densely populated continent, animals have developed extraordinary ways to seize the opportunities of the human world. From tigers entering a city to hunt easy prey, to elephants stopping traffic to demand food from motorists. A small park in central Bangkok supports
In Asia, the most densely populated continent, animals have developed extraordinary ways to seize the opportunities of the human world. From tigers entering a city to hunt easy prey, to elephants stopping traffic to demand food from motorists. A small park in central Bangkok supports
6. The Arid Heart
60 Minutes
In the heart of Asia lie vast arid lands, these deserts and dry grasslands are so hostile, they push life to the limit. Here, one of the rarest animals on earth, the Gobi Bear, searches desperately for water and bizarre looking long-eared jerboas use their striking features to catch p
In the heart of Asia lie vast arid lands, these deserts and dry grasslands are so hostile, they push life to the limit. Here, one of the rarest animals on earth, the Gobi Bear, searches desperately for water and bizarre looking long-eared jerboas use their striking features to catch p
7. Saving Asia
60 Minutes
Remarkable people are dedicating their lives to saving Asia’s extraordinary wildlife, using ingenious solutions. In Borneo, we follow a sun bear being released back into the wild; and in Java, we see how a breeding programme is saving the Javan green magpie. In Japan, orphaned shark e
Remarkable people are dedicating their lives to saving Asia’s extraordinary wildlife, using ingenious solutions. In Borneo, we follow a sun bear being released back into the wild; and in Java, we see how a breeding programme is saving the Javan green magpie. In Japan, orphaned shark e