
Great Migrations Move as millions. Survive as one.
Shot from land and air, in trees and cliff-blinds, on ice floes and underwater, this documentary tells the powerful stories of many of the planet's species and their movements, while revealing new scientific insights with breathtaking high-definition clarity and emotional impact. The beauty of these stories is underscored by a new focus into these species; fragile existence and their life-and-death quest for survival in an ever-changing world.
- Created By
- First Aired on
Nov 07, 2010
- Popularity: 5.7771
- 28 votes
- Networks
- (US)
- Production
National Geographic Channels International (US)National Geographic (US)
- Status: Ended
Show Ended
1 seaons till Nov 20, 2010
Last episode: Rhythm of Life
Seasons & episodes
Total 1 seasons, 7 episodes

Miniseries
Aired
Episode 1Born to Move45 min
Every day, millions of creatures are born into a life on the march, on the wing, on the run. They are migrants. Born to move. From the tiniest butterflies to the largest wildebeest, life itself hinges on these travelers ability to get up and go. Born to Move spans the globe, revealing four of the most remarkable animal movements: Sperm Whales travelling over a million miles in a lifetime; Red Crabs overcoming horrific obstacles on a daily basis; Monarch Butterflies taking four generations to cross a continent; and Wildebeest, every year rising above the gaping jaws of ravenous crocodiles. National Geographic's GREAT MIGRATIONS reveals these spectacular, surprising and inspiring stories in unprecedented fashion. This 3 year production, filmed around the globe with cutting-edge technology delivers gripping stories of birth, death, struggle and renewal. Truly the most moving stories on earth.
Episode 2Need to Breed45 min
Every day, migrating creatures around the world wage incredible journeys; risking it all in pursuit of the one thing more precious than themselves: the creation and caretaking of their precious young - the next generation of global wanderers. From the rocky beaches of the Falkland Islands to the dense forests of Costa Rica and Australia to the desolate savannah of southern Sudan, countless animals now venture forth on timeless journeys, bent on their own survival -- and the survival of their species.
Episode 3Science of Great Migrations45 min
Borne of suffering, desperation, and starvation, every migration is a death-defying journey, filled with countless obstacles. Science of Great Migrations will go behind breathtaking images of migration and show how scientists learn from and study these magnificent spectacles of nature. The iconic migration of wildebeest in the Serengeti; the 1,800 mile flight path of the monarch butterfly; the two-month pilgrimage of the southern elephant seal off Patagonia; and the perilous journey of African elephants in Mali together give scientists a look into this dangerous world of migration. Advances in scientific technology and data collection are revealing a new understanding of animal decision-making, swarm dynamics and the inner workings of a herd, flock or pod.
Episode 4Feast or Famine45 min
Every migration is an epic journey, driven in large part by hunger. Every day, trillions of creatures are moving in search of greener pastures. From microscopic plankton to rare desert elephants; from predatory bald eagles to luminous jellyfish; from ravenous Great White Sharks to lightning quick peregrine falcons; our planet is on the move. Countless creatures on timeless journeys, moving in numbers, surviving as one.
Episode 5Race to Survive45 min
Migrations are ticking clocks: every day, countless animals must move or die, driven by changing seasons, and a changing climate; they are racing to reach their destination, before it's too late, to breed, feed or simply stay alive. From the ever changing Arctic ice floes to the salt pans of Botswana, trillions of creatures are compelled to journey - for the sake of their own survival and their legacy. But for animals ranging from walruses to whale sharks, zebras to orangutans, pronghorn to plankton -- every day is a race against time.
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