David Attenborough fans gush over 'stunning' new 'Parenthood' series which sees 99-year-old naturalist explore the lives of animal parents

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

David Attenborough fans have gushed over the presenter's 'stunning' new 'Parenthood' series which delves into the unique lives of animal parents.
The incredible documentary, narrated by 99-year-old Sir David, explores both the highs and lows of animals raising their young in the wild.
The first episode of the beloved broadcaster's new five-part series aired on Sunday, August 3, with viewers taking to social media to express their utter delight at the insightful programme that left them 'blown away'.
A fascinating clip from the show captures Attenborough's team as they attempt to build up a relationship with the unique silverback gorillas and their infants.
Described by Max Kobl, cinematographer for the show, as 'probably the most powerful of all primates', Sir David, narrating, warns that 'it isn't going to come easy' for the film crew as they attempt to get close to the sneaky gorillas.
Initially, the team face great difficulty even finding the animals, seen wading through thick swamps in order to locate them and using indicators such as the types of twigs on the ground.
Commentating, one member of the crew says: 'The swamps don't pose challenges for the gorillas, the swamps pose one of many challenges for us.'
In the insightful footage of their challenging trek, one member of the team is seen nearly toppling over due to the thick, knee-deep water. When asked 'you okay?', he simply responds: 'nope'.
The first episode of the beloved broadcaster's new five-part series aired on Sunday, August 3, with viewers taking to social media to express their utter delight at the insightful programme that left them 'blown away'
Sir David, narrating, adds: 'The team try as best they can to keep up and just as they reach dry land, the gorilla family has other ideas'.
Reflecting on the ongoing challenge as the gorilla's appear seemingly camera shy, Peter Lytle, a researcher on the team, acknowledges that while its 'great' they have managed to finally locate the animals, the gorillas have now decided they would like to return.
At a later point, the film crew finally achieve some success, eventually striking up a relationship with the silverback gorillas and their young babies, with incredible footage capturing them in their natural habitat.
Watching on lovingly at the magnificent creatures, one member of the film crew remarks: 'there's something everyday the gorillas do to put a smile on their face'.
Meanwhile, a trecker, who provides detailed insights into the lives and habits of the unique animals to Attenborough's team throughout the process, explains that 'you have to live among these animals to really understand how they work'.
Acknowledging the intricacies of the relationship between man and animal, he continues: 'They don't speak the same language as us, but we have already developed a certain language which allows the gorillas and us to communicate, its a form of love.'
Filmed over three years and spanning six continents, the new docu-series seeks to highlight how parenting in the wild can be a 'high-stakes game in which some animal parents must come up with extraordinary strategies to give their young a head start'.
Promising viewers 'astonishing, never-before-seen animal behaviours in stunning ultra high definition, from the remote jungles of Bhutan to the grasslands of Botswana', those who tuned in to watch the series' first instalment have been left in awe.
Taking to social media to express their fascination with the 'stunning' new show, one commenter on social media platform X gushed: 'All the contributors to Parenthood are amazing', while another added: 'Parenthood is another great programme. Congratulations once again Sir David Attenborough and the BBC'.
Meanwhile, other viewers were keen to share their utter adoration for the adorable gorillas in the episode, taking to social media to insist they could 'watch them for hours', while another quipped: 'These gorillas are playing the crew like a fiddle'.
Another adorable clip captures the wonderful moment a gorilla mother clutches her sleeping newborn to her chest, as he twitches fitfully in his slumber.
The clip shows a female western lowland gorilla with her moments-old baby in a breathtaking landscape of green jungle.
Narrating, Sir David says: 'For his mother, the arrival of her young baby is the start of a new chapter in her adult life - parenthood.
'Her journey will be challenging, full of excitement, uncertainty and complete commitment.
Narrating, Sir David says: 'For his mother, the arrival of her young baby is the start of a new chapter in her adult life - parenthood. 'Her journey will be challenging, full of excitement, uncertainty and complete commitment'
'There will be mistakes - there always are. But success for her, and indeed for all parents, has perhaps the greatest of consequences, it ensures the future of life on our planet.'
Alongside stories of gorillas, Parenthood also features striking footage of the lives of orangutans, elephants and cheetahs, among many others.
The near hour-long programme focuses on animal parents that are 'having to adapt to a world that is changing rapidly', with the creatures facing 'a unique set of challenges' that they must overcome.
It is the first BBC natural history series to focus on parenting, with the team using new technology to capture the weird and wonderful in the wild.
These include using military-grade infrared cameras mounted on gimbals on off-road vehicles and show hippos being chased by lions at night.
The next episode of Parenthood airs on BBC One on Sunday, August 10 at 4.20pm. All episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer.