Is this the saddest nature show ever?
Climate change forces foxes into cannibalism on Mammals series
ARCTIC foxes are forced to turn to cannibalism in one of the most shocking scenes ever filmed for a David Attenborough programme.
The desperate act is, Sir David explains, a consequence of climate change and a lack of food for the animal, and “only time will tell” if the species can survive in the long term.
The BBC’S description of the episode says: “For mammals specialised to a life in the cold, a warming world is their greatest challenge.
“Along Canada’s Hudson
Bay there is open water when there should be ice. As food runs out for the Arctic UNNATURAL Sir David and one of starved foxes fox living there, some turn to desperate measures in order to survive.”
In the latest episode of the six-part series Mammals, Sir David will tell viewers: “Arctic foxes form unlikely alliances with the polar bears.
“It’s late in the year and both species are waiting for the sea to freeze.
“Once it does, polar bears will once again be able to hunt seals out on the ice and Arctic foxes will scavenge from their leftovers. But right now, both are hungry and both must wait. Ten days pass but there is still no sea ice in sight.
“For the foxes the situation is becoming desperate.
“The wait for one Arctic fox has been too long. The starving survivors cannot ignore this opportunity.
“Desperation has led to cannibalism, something being seen more and more in the Arctic.”
Other foxes then join in and even fight over the dead fox as “none are willing to surrender this meal”.
Ending his narration Sir David adds: “At last the sea ice has formed. And for one Arctic fox with luck, a meal is not far away.
“Mammals living in the coldest parts of the world have found remarkable ways to succeed where others could not do so. But as global temperatures continue to rise, only time will tell if they will be able to survive in this warming world.”
Mammals is focusing on how they are adapting to a world rapidly changed by the most dominant of their class, humans.
Other episodes have shown otters navigating the busy roads of Singapore and lemurs clinging to trees, trying to keep cool amid the soaring temperatures.
Mammals continues on Sunday on BBC One and BBC iplayer at 7pm.
Only time will tell if they will survive in a warming world...