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Documentary series Secrets of the Penguins premieres on eve of Earth Day

Documentary series Secrets of the Penguins premieres on eve of Earth Day

The series is voiced by actor Blake Lively and hosted by National Geographic explorer Bertie Gregory.
22 Apr, 2025

Years of filming, often in extreme conditions, has provided new insights into the extraordinary challenges endured by penguins for a documentary series which was premiered on Monday, the eve of Earth Day.

Secrets of the Penguins is voiced by US actor Blake Lively and hosted by National Geographic explorer Bertie Gregory, who hopes to engage the widest possible audience with the natural world.

He says filming that included 274 days on the Ekstrm Ice Shelf in Antarctica, home to around 20,000 emperor penguins, as well as in locations from Cape Town in South Africa to the Galapagos Islands, led to discovering “new penguin secrets”. “I have filmed penguins a lot before,” he said. “I thought I knew penguins. I was so wrong.”

The three-part series, which was screened on Disney+ on Monday and on Nat Geo Wild from Tuesday, took more than two years to film. The highlights include penguin chicks jumping off a 50-foot ice cliff in order to dive into the sea for the first time in their young lives.

“As soon as the first one went… they all started to jump. It was an amazing moment to witness,” Gregory said, adding that the exploit has never been broadcast before.

“They’re the only animal in the world to raise their young during the Antarctic winter. It is the coldest, darkest, windiest place on Earth,” he said further.

Gregory said the significance goes beyond any one species. “We should want to look after penguins, not just because it makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside, but because we need healthy, wild places for so many things,” he said.

Orginially published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2025

Comments

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Apr 22, 2025 12:59pm
Amazing.
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Hasni, Syed Apr 22, 2025 03:13pm
The premiere of the documentary series "Secrets of the Penguins" on the eve of Earth Day is a timely and impactful choice. Penguins, as iconic symbols of the natural world, embody the beauty and fragility of our planet's ecosystems. This series not only offers viewers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of these remarkable birds but also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of conservation and environmental stewardship. As we approach Earth Day, the release of this documentary encourages us to reflect on our relationship with nature and the urgent need to protect the habitats that sustain wildlife, including penguins. It highlights the challenges they face due to climate change and habitat loss, making it a call to action for audiences to engage more deeply with environmental issues. This series has the potential to inspire a greater appreciation for wildlife and motivate individuals to take meaningful steps toward protecting our planet for future generations. It's a perfect blend of entertainment and education, reminding us that every species plays a vital role in the intricate web of life on Earth Cannot wait for my Cruise to Antartica on Holland America!
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Laila Apr 23, 2025 03:05am
Penguins are incredible and very fascinating creatures. On top of that they are cute as hell. Sadly in Pakistan majority have no relationship with animals and often mistreat animals whether stray cats, dogs etc. There is no respect for the animal kingdom or knowledge of our own wildlife which thanks to ignorance and corruption is becoming extinct. We obviously dont have penguins due to our tropical climate and most Pakistanis are too engulfed in daily dramas and mindless programmes or tiktok to even care about or know about documentaries. Animals in all its diversity whether predatory or domestic pets are amazing. Its just a whole new world.
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