Season 24

2017-06-21

The first episode of Superquark opens with the premiere of "Spy in the Wild", a remarkable new BBC series that uses hidden cameras to "spy" on animal behavior from up close. From the love and devotion within an elephant family and the strong bonds among prairie dogs, to the dedication of a "mother crocodile," this episode explores animal emotions in all their various forms. In the studio, Piero Angela is joined by sociologist Massimiano Bucchi to discuss the meaning of innovation and why Italy struggles to foster it. Meanwhile, Alberto Angela takes viewers on a journey to discover Brescia, an ancient Gallic center featuring impressive Roman-era ruins and exquisite remnants from the Lombard period, a rich heritage site recognized by UNESCO.

2017-06-28 · 122m

The second episode of Superquark opens with the latest installment of Spy’s-Eye View. This time, the spy creatures explore the world of animal ingenuity and creativity, revealing how animal intelligence can rival that of humans, even in difficult, dangerous habitats and circumstances. In the studio, Piero Angela and Massimo Polidoro present a new segment examining the origins of "fake news": why some stories appear true when they are not, how to identify them, the profile of those who believe such claims, and the psychological mechanisms that lead people to embrace false beliefs, and even defend misguided ideas in the face of clear evidence, all illustrated through concrete, contemporary examples.

2017-07-05

The third episode of Superquark opens with the third installment of "Spy in the Wild," which focuses on friendship. Relying on friends is certainly not a trait unique to humans; to survive, animals must also frequently depend on one another, whether for finding food or keeping a lookout for predators. In this episode, the "spy creatures" guide us through a world where having friends provides a distinct advantage. A team of spy cameras captures chimpanzees engaging in a hunt alongside a troop of baboons.

2017-07-12 · 117m

The fourth episode of Superquark opens with the fourth installment of "Spy in the Wild," which focuses on transgression. From unruly meerkats to thieving penguins, animals sometimes misbehave, too. Some even engage in what can truly be described as criminal acts, and it is into this animal world of crime and punishment that the "spy creatures" will venture, going where no human would dare to tread.

2017-07-26 · 121m

The fifth episode of Superquark opens with a look behind the scenes of the BBC series Spy in the Wild. Viewers will discover what goes on backstage, including the extraordinary effort required to design, build, and introduce spy creatures into a wide variety of animal families. The series took three years to produce, with a different film crew assigned to each expedition. The program explores the meticulous construction process behind these hyper-realistic animal models, crafted in the laboratory by technicians and special-effects experts who have worked on numerous Hollywood films, and follows them as they are deployed in the field across the globe. Expect plenty of amusing and unexpected moments, along with a few suspenseful ones!

2017-08-02

In this episode, Superquark explores southern Thailand, a land full of unexpected surprises, far removed from the typical tourist beaches. The journey takes us to Kui Buri National Park, an area that was once a dense forest before being cleared for cultivation; in 1999, the government returned the land to nature, allowing Asian elephants to return. We also discover the underwater world of southern Thailand, a true paradise of coral reefs teeming with thousands of different species, ranging from prey to formidable predators like the titan triggerfish. The program also examines the region’s famous mangrove forests, which are vital to biodiversity; these, too, faced grave danger in the 1960s, when they were cleared to make way for shrimp farms. Meanwhile, despite the availability of antibiotics, tuberculosis has once again become a cause for concern, a reality that has prompted researchers to study ways to prevent future epidemics.

2017-08-09

In Thailand, in regions where nature manages to coexist with humanity, including the area known as the nation’s "rice bowl," and in places where time seems to have stood still, the seventh episode of "Superquark" explores these unique bonds between people and the natural world. In the heart of Bangkok lies a green oasis amidst the city’s hustle and bustle: Lumpini Park, where this special relationship is clearly on display. Those strolling through the park or taking a nap in the shade of the trees often find themselves in the company of enormous water monitor lizards that roam the grounds. Though carnivorous, these reptiles rarely attack humans. Meanwhile, at the end of the rainy season, the Gulf of Thailand teems with life, an abundance exploited by a truly "large" fisherman: the Bryde’s whale. The episode will showcase its highly distinctive hunting technique.

2017-08-16

There is nowhere else on Earth quite like Yellowstone National Park: a Rocky Mountain wilderness and a wildlife paradise, yet also a geologically volatile hotspot, sitting atop a massive volcano with a caldera spanning approximately 72 kilometers. It is an extraordinary stage for the compelling dramas of the animal kingdom, dramas that unfold through scorching summers and frigid winters, which constantly put the local wildlife to the test. This episode of *Superquark* explores winter in the wilds of Yellowstone, featuring wolves hunting deer in the snow and beavers constructing a dam before the deep freeze sets in. A red fox leaps remarkably to catch small rodents hidden beneath the snow, while a massive grizzly bear feeds on a bison carcass buried in the drifts. We also see a lynx hunting birds, a mother otter and her pup threatened by a coyote, and herds of bison trekking toward the geyser basin.

2017-08-23

In the latest episode of Superquark, we return to Yellowstone National Park, this time in summer, to witness an explosion of new life, as elk, bison, birds, and fish await the arrival of their young. Close behind them are wolves, grizzly bears, and cougars, eagerly anticipating the protein-rich meals that summer provides in abundance. Summer is also a time when Yellowstone’s animals clash, fighting to claim food, territory, and mates, as well as to defend their offspring.