AI-rewritten: This is a summary of an article from Ars Technica, rewritten by AI (Qwen, running locally) to make it easier to read. The facts come from the original article – read it for the full story.

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A new National Geographic documentary series titled Africa: Earth’s Wild Home features wildlife from across the continent. The seven-episode production took four years to film in nearly 30 different countries, covering diverse ecosystems like jungles, deserts, and islands. Each episode highlights specific animals and concludes by introducing the scientists and explorers involved in the project.

The series uses a narrator named Wunmi Mosaku, who has acted in films such as Sinners and Loki. Mosaku, who was born in Nigeria and raised in England, expressed that she felt honored to narrate the show. She noted that Africa is vast and difficult to explore fully in a lifetime, mentioning her surprise at seeing snow and monkeys living in it. The documentary includes footage of rare species like the black rain frog and chimpanzees using tools to fish for algae.

The production team utilized advanced technology to capture the footage, including drones, robotic arms, and underwater cameras. They developed specialized equipment to film animals in low-light conditions and even protected camera rigs from bats with umbrellas. The stories often focus on adaptation, such as a hyena learning to herd flamingos to catch prey or a cheetah adjusting her hunting style for rocky terrain. Mosaku compared the cheetah’s struggle to her own mother’s experience, emphasizing shared human desires for survival and safety.

The series aims to show the connection between humanity and the natural world through themes of survival and protection. Mosaku hopes viewers will feel a sense of harmony between different species and take action to protect them. Africa: Earth’s Wild Home is currently streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.