Man's Heritage: Nick's Quest In Search Of The Polar Bear
Pearl, 8.30pm
Intrepid naturalist Nick Baker (above) sets off for the remote Canadian town, Churchill, on the western shores of Hudson Bay, in the hope of a rare encounter with some wild polar bears. In early winter, the local population of approximately 1,200 white-coated beasts congregate around the edge of the bay, waiting for it to freeze so they can journey across the ice in search of seals.
Baker joins the local bear patrol in their search for hungry animals that have strayed into town and then meets two scientists who have been studying the species. Through their research during the past 20 years, Nick Lunn and Ian Stirling have uncovered a disturbing trend: steadily rising temperatures are melting the ice floes earlier each year, threatening the bears' chances of survival.
Alias
Pearl, 10.40pm