Wild America - Season 1 (1982)

Alpine animals are truly the kings of survival. In order to survive in a severe and unpredictable habitat, all have adapted in special ways. A revealing time-lapse shows the development of Golden Eagle chicks. Also presented are the four Wild Sheep -- the Dall, Stone, Mountain and Desert Bighorn -- as they fight their everyday battle to endure and perform their ancient rituals of courtship.

The Grizzly Bear is funny and ferocious, a quivering coward and a daring hero, easily tamed yet forever wild. This disappearing giant is one of the most contradictory and complex of all our animal ideas. In this program, the entire spectrum of our attitudes toward the Grizzly are examined as well as the animal itself. Rare footage reveals the birth of tiny cubs during the female's winter denning.

This exploration of wildlife's struggle for survival presents many Endangered Mammals, Birds and Fishes that have never been filmed before. Some are large and impressive -- others small and overlooked. Seen are interviews with four prominent biologists, each an expert on a particular Endangered Species. Without our concern, many of these rare animals will never be filmed again.

A band of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep is observed through the seasons. When springtime splashes the mountain meadows with color, a lamb is born and an old ram, the band's leader, dies. And so the cycle of life is completed. Portrayed are the mating battles of the huge rams, the seasonal migrations of the herd, and the never-ending search for food in the high mountains.

Witness the wondrous birth of tiny twin Deer fawns, and see wide-eyed Wolf pups emerge from their den. Both the Deer and the Wolf are followed through their age of innocence into maturity, when -- finally -- during a winter hunt, both the young Deer and the young Wolf assume their traditional adult roles as predator and prey. We see that each one is half of a beautiful natural whole.

Over millions of years, man has evolved into the dominant species on Earth. Throughout all this time, we've had a relationship with wild animals. We've hunted and killed them, tracked and studied them. We've feared and worshiped them, even named ourselves after them, hoping to take on some of their powers. Although we depend a great deal on modern technology, we continue to depend on our wildlife heritage. Wild animals still play important roles in our everyday lives. For recreation, we admire their freedom. For economics, we harvest their bounty. For science, we ...

Childhood is the age of delight and discovery for wild animals. Lively baby Skunks, Flying Squirrels, Owls, Black Bears, Raccoons and other wild youngsters learn life-saving skills -- and have fun -- growing up in the wilderness. A nocturnal sequence shows the complete life cycle of a Toad, from embryo to "toadlet." Also seen is the playful springtime cavorting of Mountain Goat kids.