Based on a series of BBC television programmes featuring six of the most charismatic animals on Earth, this illustrated text offers insights into the lives of the polar bear, wolf, crocodile, eagle, leopard and humpback whale. The contributors include: Martha Holmes, who followed the polar bear throughout its Arctic range and whose experiences included an emergency rescue from a drifting ice floe; Mike Richards, who trekked through dense forests in the Philippines to film a rare monkey-eating eagle; Mike Salisbury, whose team were encircled by wild buffalo seeking to escape a hungry wolf pack; Karen Bass, who explored the world of the crocodile; Amanda Barrett who, together with her colleague Owen Newman, used infra-red lights to film leopards hunting baboons at night; and Andy Byatt, whose team filmed humpback whales from a boat and a specially constructed remote-controlled airship, as well as underwater.

1999-04-04 Best BBC wildlife book

Wildlife Specials was relaunched in September 1998 to accompany a series of spectacular BBC 1 television programmes of the same name, featuring six of the most charismatic animals on our planet, the polar bear, crocodile, eagle, leopard, wolf and humpback whale. Presented by Sir David Attenborough and filmed by award-winning cameramen and producers, the Specials are a resounding success and continue to be extremely popular, not only on television in the UK and Ireland, but throughout the world.

The book describes the making of the films from the viewpoints of the cameramen and producers, providing fascinating and entertaining insights into the creatures themselves and their frequently remote and untamed environments. Each beautifully illustrated chapter is accompanied by a facts page containing the latest scientific information.

". . . marvellous visual impact"

". . . inspiringly good"