A Wild Year On Earth

The start of the year is a time of extremes. Arctic winds plunge the realm of the polar bear into a deep freeze, while in Australia, the heat offers a feast for one bird of prey.

Cherry blossoms bloom across Japan and whooper swans are called northward - the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. In India, a massive congregation of wild Asian elephants coincides with the colourful Holi Festival.

May brings violent tornados to North America and the life-giving monsoon to India. The end of the dry season in southern Africa claims victims amongst the elephant herds.

In July, Arctic ice sheets sever and crash into the sea while an arctic fox hunts among the rocks. In Africa, thundering herds of wildebeest dare to cross the croc-infested Mara river.

Rain welcomes baby meerkats to the Kalahari. The arrival of spring in eastern Australia ignites the passions of everything from kangaroos to humpback whales.

Millions of monarch butterflies converge in the forests of Mexico. Cities glow as Christmas lights turn on and Arctic skies blaze with the aurora borealis as Earth completes its circle.