Great Migrations

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.

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.

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.