Latest news with #SecretsofthePenguins
The Citizen
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
New penguin documentary: Healthy dose of cute
British wildlife filmmaker Bertie Gregory spent more than two years documenting penguin populations across the globe for Secrets of the Penguins, a new three-part series. A penguin chick is one of the many stars of Disney Plus' new docuseries. Picture Supplied Penguins are super cool. They are birds, but they cannot fly, let alone strike any resemblance to their other feathered cousins. They fall in love, they live in colonies and enjoy environments that would make most humans freeze, pouring sweat or, in the case of African penguins, settle down with sea views on Cape Town's southern coast. Robben Island was also theirs long before people moved in. There's a new documentary series on Disney Plus that, in three episodes, crams in healthy doses of cute, a lot of hanging out and some spectacular learnings. British wildlife filmmaker Bertie Gregory spent more than two years documenting penguin populations across the globe for Secrets of the Penguins, a new three-part series. From emperor chicks in Antarctica to desert-loving colonies on the Namibian coast and the endangered African penguins of Cape Town, the series explores never-before-seen behaviours, unusual and curious social bonds, and what these birds can teach us about our own lives. Filmed in remote places Gregory has filmed in some of the most remote and unforgiving places on the planet, but it is South Africa's penguins that have left a lasting impression. 'They have got life figured out,' he said. 'These birds do not need to put up with freezing temperatures and icebergs. They just hang out on bougie tropical beaches.' Also Read: How to kick off your next adventure in nature Gregory said the African penguins filmed in Southern Africa do not all enjoy the same easy living. 'We filmed a really cool population that lives in this crazy cave on the coast of Namibia in the desert,' he said. 'What I love about penguins is that they are full of surprises. I think when most people think of penguins, they think of icebergs and snowy mountains in Antarctica. But there are 18 species, and they live all over the place.' Penguin chicks gone viral One scene from the series has already gone viral. Hundreds of emperor penguin chicks are seen launching themselves off a 15-metre ice cliff into the ocean below. 'They had never seen the ocean. They had never been in the ocean,' he said. 'It is like the human equivalent of turning up to your first swimming lesson and being told the teacher is not there and you must jump off the Olympic diving board. It is absolutely insane.' Gregory said he knew that moment would break through online. 'I remember calling a couple of the National Geographic execs from the field and telling them we had just filmed the penguin secret of all secrets. The reason it connected is that everybody knows what it feels like to be on the edge of a cliff. That kind of challenge is instantly understandable.' He believes that wildlife stories that resonate emotionally also help carry the conservation message. 'Anytime we are talking about wildlife instead of the latest music or political carnage, we are doing well. 'Penguins are indicators of ocean health. If they are in trouble, we are in trouble too. We need a healthy ocean for our survival.' SA's important role in conservation With African penguins classified as endangered, Gregory said South Africans have a more critical role to play than most. 'A lot of penguin species live very far away from people and their sole threat is climate change. But African penguins face more immediate issues like overfishing and disturbance of their nesting habitats. People are directly responsible for those. So South Africans can do a lot more to look after penguins than many other countries can.' Gregory also added that local scientists play an important role in bringing these stories to life. 'Scientists spend more time with these animals than anyone. We are always trying to figure out what the penguins are going to do next. Working with scientists is invaluable.' Gregory started his career assisting celebrated National Geographic photographer Steve Winter and as a solo producer has gone on to create, make and host nine projects for the channel. His previous series Animals Up Close was recently renewed for a second season. In 2020, he became the youngest ever cinematography winner at the BAFTAs for his work alongside Sir David Attenborough. Now Read: Six decades, two families, one story
National Geographic
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- National Geographic
25 magnificent penguin photos
Whether it's an emperor penguin launching from the sea, a playful Adélie penguin or a colony of king penguins, these globe-spanning seabirds inspire awe and conservation. Learn more about penguins in National Geographic's three-part documentary series ' Secrets of the Penguins .'
USA Today
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Nat Geo announces winners of photo challenge: See images celebrating Earth's beauty
Nat Geo announces winners of photo challenge: See images celebrating Earth's beauty From a group of playful otters vying over a fresh fish to weeping plum trees glistening in the rain, the winners of a National Geographic contest open to amateur photographers have captured the diversity and beauty of Earth. National Geographic explorer and wildlife filmmaker Bertie Gregory announced the winners of the "NatGeoYourShotOurHome" contest on Wednesday, April 30, saying they all showcase "the majesty of our wonderful planet." The British filmmaker, who served as guest curator for the competition, told USA TODAY that he was honored to help select the winners, remarking how the collection shows "just how lucky we are to share this planet with such an incredible diversity of life." "From the bank mynas (birds) learning to live amongst us to the beautiful social chaos of an otter family, from epic mountain sunsets to a delicate weeping plum tree - not to mention taking a closer look at the busy lives of ants," Gregory said about the winning selection. 'Every day should be Earth Day' The filmmaker, whose is hosting new Disney+ series "Secrets of the Penguins" added that though April is a designated month to celebrate the planet, "every day should be Earth Day." The challenge, which took place in April and ran through Earth Day on April 22, saw thousands of entries from Japan to Patagonia and beyond, Nat Geo said. See winners of NatGeoYourShotOurHome challenge Among the challenge winners is Hidenobu Suzuki, who submitted an unreal-looking photo taken in in the Suzuka Forest Garden in Japan. '"The weeping plum trees glistening in the rain looked so beautiful-just like a Japanese painting," Suzuki said. "I was so moved that I wrote this description: In the hush of rain, the weeping plum glistens-its petals, like silk, kissed by raindrops. Fallen blossoms whisper on the damp earth, a fleeting poem of transience." Another winner, Dhaval Bhadania based in Gujarat, India, described the moment he saw birds known as bank mynas and captured a winning image. "During one of my regular Sunday outings, while passing below an overbridge, I noticed these bank mynas coming out from a hole in the bridge wall," he said. "The mynas had made their nest in the hole. I waited there and watched them for some time. These types of bird behaviors and unexpected sightings prompt me to capture more amazing moments and share my visual stories." Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
The Age
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Meet the people going to the ends of the earth for your viral animal videos
The Galapagos – clouds settle on what looks like verdant mesas. Instead, they are active volcanoes, though not rumbling at the moment. On the black lava beach below, giant tortoises and land iguanas lumber past, ignoring one another. In the water, a small head bops. A penguin. It seems so unlikely here. Loading To be fair, penguins are the embodiment of unlikely: flightless birds that waddle, acclimated to Earth's harshest conditions. Over the years, some ventured to hotter climes, and here they are, in the South Pacific. Their stories are told in Secrets of the Penguins, now streaming on Disney+. To show some of their habitats, National Geographic-Linblad Expeditions took a few journalists to what feels like the middle of nowhere. The fourth in James Cameron's Secrets Of series (following looks at whales, elephants and octopus), this three-part documentary has Blake Lively narrating – following Sigourney Weaver, Natalie Portman and Paul Rudd respectively. Host and National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory marvels at how adorable they are, and how fascinating. He recalls observing chicks reacting to their parents leaving and noticing a few juveniles vanishing into the horizon. He followed. 'I was thinking, 'They're just going to turn around and go back the way they came,'' Gregory says. 'They'll realise they've made a mistake. But they didn't. They just all started to jump off.' By the end, about 700 emperor penguins had jumped off a 15-metre ice cliff into waters where killer whales lurk. No one had recorded this phenomenon on film before. 'We released the clip of that early on social media, and it just went gangbusters,' he says. Having a video go viral is a goal among naturalists. The thinking is that, once made aware, people care. And if they care, they will help protect the planet. The leaping penguins are in the first of the three episodes timed for Earth Day. Some of the series, naturally, unfolds on the kind of frozen tundra where we're accustomed to seeing penguins. A team spent the winter in Antarctica at the Neumayer Station III, a German research centre, where temps dipped to -58 degrees. During nine months, director of photography Pete McCowen, recalls, 'The polar night, 65 days of not seeing the sun was okay, but it definitely had an effect. I wouldn't say it was depressing, but it kind of subdued me.' The production team had to prepare for potential problems such as wires freezing or lenses cracking, since you can't expect Amazon deliveries in the dead of Antarctica's winter. The careful planning paid off, and the team notched several firsts. In one sequence, a male emperor penguin prepares for his prime paternal duty – hatching a just-laid egg. Practising with a chunk of ice, carefully nudging it from his mate toward him. He must be careful, but quick. If the egg lingers more than a minute on the ice, the embryo freezes. Another spectacular first captured was a rockhopper mum in the Falklands telling off a southern sea lion 70 times her size. Executive producers explain that they consult scientists before laying claim to 'the first' and all must pass National Geographic's stringent vetting process. It's also critical to find the right host – curious, likable, a bit of a daredevil but with a scientific background. The sunny Bertie Gregory, a BAFTA-winning zoologist, fits the bill. '[We needed] an authentic storyteller, someone who already knew about penguins and cared. They were the two most important things,' says Ruth Roberts, executive producer. 'Bertie was perfect.' Gregory's emotions broadcast across his face in a way that allows viewers to experience moments with him. Watching him mourn the loss of a frozen empire chick, it's clear he's genuinely sad yet well aware of the cycle of life. Sprinkled throughout the series are facts about the different penguin breeds, some of which mate for life. Emperor penguins can dive up to 528 metres and hold their breath for 32 minutes. Macaroni penguins eat 9.2 million tonnes of prey annually, making them the largest consumers of marine wildlife. And the Galapagos penguin – he of the little head bopping up in the South Pacific – is the northernmost breed, living on the equator. As the sun beats down, they nestle into lava rocks and pant to cool off. Underwater, they speed by like torpedoes, racing past marine iguanas. These black reptiles have long tails that propel their swimming. They look like spawns of Godzilla as they navigate the crystalline waters of these remote islands, where Darwin formed his theories. This sort of aquatic adventure attracts those who enjoy deep-sea snorkeling and possess a fearless streak. 'I love penguins,' says Michelle Plane of Portarlington. 'There is nothing not to love about penguins. They are cute. They are funny. They are uncoordinated. You can see yourself as a clumsy teenager.' That's just it; these creatures are adored. Seriously, if you meet someone who doesn't smile at the mention of penguins, think carefully about pursuing a friendship. Yet as much as we purport to love these 18 breeds, they're endangered by the climate crisis. Loading Protecting the pristine nature of this archipelago, the Ecuadoran government enforces strict rules about where and how visitors interact with this magical land, marked by almost alien landscapes. Rabida's red beach, a result of oxidised lava, looks like Mars. Blue-footed boobies and local marine birds perch on steep cliffs. Heading into this series three years ago, Gregory had two goals: to show us animal behaviour we hadn't seen before, and to demonstrate how climate change affects life everywhere. 'I hope [this] gets people talking about penguins again because they're in big trouble around the world,' Gregory says. 'And that's a problem for penguins, but also a problem for us.'
Sydney Morning Herald
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Meet the people going to the ends of the earth for your viral animal videos
, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. The Galapagos – clouds settle on what looks like verdant mesas. Instead, they are active volcanoes, though not rumbling at the moment. On the black lava beach below, giant tortoises and land iguanas lumber past, ignoring one another. In the water, a small head bops. A penguin. It seems so unlikely here. Loading To be fair, penguins are the embodiment of unlikely: flightless birds that waddle, acclimated to Earth's harshest conditions. Over the years, some ventured to hotter climes, and here they are, in the South Pacific. Their stories are told in Secrets of the Penguins, now streaming on Disney+. To show some of their habitats, National Geographic-Linblad Expeditions took a few journalists to what feels like the middle of nowhere. The fourth in James Cameron's Secrets Of series (following looks at whales, elephants and octopus), this three-part documentary has Blake Lively narrating – following Sigourney Weaver, Natalie Portman and Paul Rudd respectively. Host and National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory marvels at how adorable they are, and how fascinating. He recalls observing chicks reacting to their parents leaving and noticing a few juveniles vanishing into the horizon. He followed. 'I was thinking, 'They're just going to turn around and go back the way they came,'' Gregory says. 'They'll realise they've made a mistake. But they didn't. They just all started to jump off.' By the end, about 700 emperor penguins had jumped off a 15-metre ice cliff into waters where killer whales lurk. No one had recorded this phenomenon on film before. 'We released the clip of that early on social media, and it just went gangbusters,' he says. Having a video go viral is a goal among naturalists. The thinking is that, once made aware, people care. And if they care, they will help protect the planet. The leaping penguins are in the first of the three episodes timed for Earth Day. Some of the series, naturally, unfolds on the kind of frozen tundra where we're accustomed to seeing penguins. A team spent the winter in Antarctica at the Neumayer Station III, a German research centre, where temps dipped to -58 degrees. During nine months, director of photography Pete McCowen, recalls, 'The polar night, 65 days of not seeing the sun was okay, but it definitely had an effect. I wouldn't say it was depressing, but it kind of subdued me.' Bertie Gregory, Ralph Bower and Spencer Millsap posing for a photo while pushing icebergs out of the way of the boat with metal poles. Credit: National Geographic/Bertie Gregory The production team had to prepare for potential problems such as wires freezing or lenses cracking, since you can't expect Amazon deliveries in the dead of Antarctica's winter. The careful planning paid off, and the team notched several firsts. In one sequence, a male emperor penguin prepares for his prime paternal duty – hatching a just-laid egg. Practising with a chunk of ice, carefully nudging it from his mate toward him. He must be careful, but quick. If the egg lingers more than a minute on the ice, the embryo freezes. Emperor chicks peeking out over a mount. Credit: National Geographic/Alex Ponniah Another spectacular first captured was a rockhopper mum in the Falklands telling off a southern sea lion 70 times her size. Executive producers explain that they consult scientists before laying claim to 'the first' and all must pass National Geographic's stringent vetting process. It's also critical to find the right host – curious, likable, a bit of a daredevil but with a scientific background. The sunny Bertie Gregory, a BAFTA-winning zoologist, fits the bill. '[We needed] an authentic storyteller, someone who already knew about penguins and cared. They were the two most important things,' says Ruth Roberts, executive producer. 'Bertie was perfect.' Bertie Gregory photographing Galapagos penguins with marine iguanas. Credit: National Geographic/Zubin Sarosh Gregory's emotions broadcast across his face in a way that allows viewers to experience moments with him. Watching him mourn the loss of a frozen empire chick, it's clear he's genuinely sad yet well aware of the cycle of life. Sprinkled throughout the series are facts about the different penguin breeds, some of which mate for life. Emperor penguins can dive up to 528 metres and hold their breath for 32 minutes. Macaroni penguins eat 9.2 million tonnes of prey annually, making them the largest consumers of marine wildlife. And the Galapagos penguin – he of the little head bopping up in the South Pacific – is the northernmost breed, living on the equator. Two adult Galapagos penguins standing on a rock at the water's edge. Credit: National Geographic/Bertie Gregory As the sun beats down, they nestle into lava rocks and pant to cool off. Underwater, they speed by like torpedoes, racing past marine iguanas. These black reptiles have long tails that propel their swimming. They look like spawns of Godzilla as they navigate the crystalline waters of these remote islands, where Darwin formed his theories. This sort of aquatic adventure attracts those who enjoy deep-sea snorkeling and possess a fearless streak. 'I love penguins,' says Michelle Plane of Portarlington. 'There is nothing not to love about penguins. They are cute. They are funny. They are uncoordinated. You can see yourself as a clumsy teenager.' An aerial shot of a small part of Isla Isabela in the Galapagos Islands at sunset. Credit: National Geographic/Bertie Gregory That's just it; these creatures are adored. Seriously, if you meet someone who doesn't smile at the mention of penguins, think carefully about pursuing a friendship. Yet as much as we purport to love these 18 breeds, they're endangered by the climate crisis. Loading Protecting the pristine nature of this archipelago, the Ecuadoran government enforces strict rules about where and how visitors interact with this magical land, marked by almost alien landscapes. Rabida's red beach, a result of oxidised lava, looks like Mars. Blue-footed boobies and local marine birds perch on steep cliffs. Heading into this series three years ago, Gregory had two goals: to show us animal behaviour we hadn't seen before, and to demonstrate how climate change affects life everywhere. 'I hope [this] gets people talking about penguins again because they're in big trouble around the world,' Gregory says. 'And that's a problem for penguins, but also a problem for us.'
