Explore oceans, rainforests and experience ‘The Magic of the Big Blue’ on Animal Planet
MANILA, Philippines – Nearly three quarters of the Earth’s surface lies beneath a vast blue patchwork of seas and oceans. For us, it is a far-off realm that we have barely begun to explore. On THE MAGIC OF THE BIG BLUE, go on an extraordinary expedition through the oceanic wonders across seven breathtaking continents. From Asia, to Australia and Oceania, South America, Europe, Africa, North America and the Antarctica, THE MAGIC OF THE BIG BLUE is a visually out-of-this-world dive into these waters and an awe-inspiring adventure through the lens of Darek Sepiolo, of one of the world’s top underwater photographers. On THE MAGIC OF THE BIG BLUE, get close to these worlds that are far beneath the surface and uncover the enthralling life and ecosystems hidden. The exploration begins Sunday, February 15 at 9:00 p.m., with encores every Monday at 2:00 p.m., Friday at 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
A seven-part series, THE MAGIC OF THE BIG BLUE begins in Asia, the most prolific area of underwater life on the planet that supports the livelihood of 120 million people. Travel to the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia and witness the Coral Triangle, the underwater equal of the Amazon, and the global centre of marine biodiversity where an incredible 76 percent of the world’s corals thrive and more than 3,000 species of fish make their home. From vividly coloured coral reefs, to an immense array of life forms including six out of the seven species of marine turtles, massive manta rays, populations of whale sharks, marine mammals including the endangered dugong, and an abundance of commercially valuable pelagic species like the yellowfin tuna and more, these enchanting underwater meadows hold more than meets the eye.
THE MAGIC OF THE BIG BLUE then immerses in the salty depths of the Oceania, the last area of the underwater world that is untouched by humans. From the rainbow reefs of Fiji to Coral Triangle’s Kimbe Bay, from Papua New Guinea to Palau, and more, travel across Australia and the 7,000 over islands of the extensive Oceania on THE MAGIC OF THE BIG BLUE. The Bismarck Sea, a region forgotten by the world, is home to a maze of tiny islands where a rich cradle of life has thrived for centuries. The reefs of Papua New Guinea, a world perfectly preserved from thousands of years ago and where dozens of islets and coral atolls create a network of sea grass beds, mangroves, dunes, lagoons, and flood plains in which marine life thrive. Be prepared for the rollercoaster ride of currents at Blue Corner, the diving Mecca of Palau. In addition to being the world’s first designated shark sanctuary where it is home to predatory grey and black-tip reef sharks, it is also inhabited by magnificent gorgonian fans, anemones, eels, cartilaginous eagle rays, endangered Napolean Wrasses and more.
THE MAGIC OF THE BIG BLUE then goes on a nerve-racking dive in the shark-filled waters of South America’s famous Galapagos islands, where thousands of hammerhead sharks stretch all the way out to the horizon. Then onwards to the whale capital of the world, the Azores islands in Europe, where hundreds of migrating whales such as the majestic blue, humpback, giant sperm, the great baleen and more, come to visit yearly. Then jump into the eastern shores of South Africa where thousands of dolphins, sharks and gannets gather for what is believed to be the biggest hunting opportunity on Earth, when millions of sardines migrate during the “sardine run” season. The adventure continues at the dreamlike ocean paradise of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula where Darek discovers one of the biggest underwater caves in which countless creatures live. Finally, the voyage ends in the freezing waters of the Antarctic where those who dare dive may be in for the adventure of a lifetime as there is nothing quite like the heart-stopping experience of seeing a glacial predator like the leopard seal.
The oceans represent 99 percent of all available living space on Earth but we have only covered just 10 percent of their depths. Just how much do we understand the big blue? Get acquainted with the life, characters, history and secrets of these waters through a remarkable undersea expedition like no other on the following episodes of THE MAGIC OF THE BIG BLUE:
ASIA
We begin our dive in Asia, where life itself began, and where colorful worlds of coral reefs thrive in its waters. Containing the most prolific area of underwater life in the world, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia are located in the very center of the Coral Triangle. From strange, miniature creatures, all the way to shoals of barracuda in Malaysia, these fantastic underwater meadows hold much more than meet the eye.
AUSTRALIA AND OCEANIA
In the salty depths of Australia and Oceania, Darek Sepiolo, of one of the world’s top underwater photographers, finds the last areas of the underwater world untouched by human hands. The Bismarck Sea, a region forgotten by the world, is home to a maze of tiny islands where life has thrived for centuries. There is life older than human civilisation, newly discovered creatures, and everything in between. Diving along the islands and amongst the reefs of Papua New Guinea, see a world perfectly preserved from thousands of years ago.
SOUTH AMERICA
For a true heart-pumping and adrenaline-spiking dive, look no further than the waters of South America. Within the famous Galapagos archipelago, thousands of hammerhead sharks stretch all the way out to the horizon. If those sharks aren’t enough, you might just be lucky enough to see the whale shark, the ocean’s gentle giant. It grows up to 18 metres long and feeds only on plankton. Discover these incredible sharks and more in one of the world’s most unique ocean environments.
EUROPE
The Azores Islands; the most westward point of Europe and the whale capital of the world. Each year hundreds of migrating whales that symbolise the islands visit these waters. Not long ago, the Azores islands were the center of the whaling industry and risked the extinction of the species. Today, the whales thrive under maximum protection.
AFRICA
At the eastern shores of the South Africa, thousands of dolphins, sharks and gannets gather for the biggest hunting expedition on earth. In one of the most spectacular underwater spectacles, millions of sardines fall into the traps set by their predators. However, not the entire ocean is a predatory feast. Elsewhere, in Seychelles, the tropical waters breed the most beautiful coral gardens in all of Africa.
NORTH AMERICA
Some of the most relaxing dives occur in the Mexican Yucatán Peninusla, a dreamlike ocean paradise in North America. Discover one of the biggest systems of underwater caves where countless creatures live. On the other side of the continent is the Revillagigedos archipelago, surrounded by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The steep slopes of these volcanic islands are home to gigantic, ocean devil fish and majestic manta rays. It is a true underwater world and it just below our feet.
THE ANTARTIC
While very few divers ever brave the icy waters of the Antarctic, those who dare in for the adventure of a lifetime. There is something magical about diving around huge icebergs, but there is nothing quite like the heart-stopping experience of seeing a leopard seal swim by. Although it resembles a seal, this Antarctic predator can grow to 3.5 metres long and weigh half a ton.
