National Geographic Explorer

Lost in the Arctic�(2023) Sir John Franklin set off from England in 1845 with two ships and 129 men. Franklin's ships vanished without a trace. Now, a team of explorers attempt to solve the mystery by retracing Franklin's route.

Explorers attempt to reach the top of a remote, unexplored volcano to discover when and why volcanoes erupt.

Follows elite climber Alex Honnold and a world-class climbing team on a grueling mission deep in the Amazon jungle.

DESCRIPTION A team of elite cavers led by 68-year old Bill Stone attempts a months-long expedition to officially make Cheve Cave in Oaxaca, Mexico the world�s deepest cave. A massive logistical undertaking above ground supports the lead team in the depths as they navigate an underground maze of twisting tunnels and dead ends in search of a passage that leads to the bottom of deepest cave on earth.

Phil Keoghan helps tag bears in Maine. Correspondents investigate the Nasca lines in Peru, Viking giants in Iceland and the future of farming.

Phil Keoghan goes inside Nascar. Correspondents investigate a human sacrifice site, DNA testing and new probiotics.

Phil Keoghan tries an ancient martial art in India. Correspondents investigate deadly tornadoes, reporters at risk in Cambodia and talking whales.

Phil Keoghan tags lions in Zambia. Correspondents explore manmade earthquakes, chocolate, designer dogs and Cory Booker.

This episode explores an invasive species, rehab facilities, tracking whales, and wolves.

Phil Keoghan helps tag whale sharks. Correspondents investigate super recognizers, life in Fukushima and heart disease in mummies.

Castellers, also known as human towers; grizzly bears; security for marijuana businesses; the color blue.

Phil Keoghan explores a mysterious river in Peru. Our correspondents investigate a sonic attack, sensory substitution and the secrets of snowflakes.

Phil Keoghan visits a state-of-the-art observatory. Correspondents investigate Flat Earthers, human hibernation and meteorite trading.

Phil Keoghan experiences a unique border ceremony. Correspondents investigate deadly crocodiles, Red Notices and communication amongst trees.

Hawaiians living off the food grid. Research into acute peanut allergies. Cultural significance of samurai swords. The bald eagle�s story of survival.

Host Phil Keoghan digs for dinosaurs. Correspondents examine a global drop in male fertility, embed with a smuggler in Gaza and dig into miracle dirt.

Phil Keoghan visits a volcano, light changes lives in Tanzania, horse cloning impacts disease and Americans prep for a nuclear attack.

In this Nat Geo Explorer Special; we follow world leading experts on a quest to unlock the mysteries surrounding the Tomb of Christ. At the heart of the story a team of leading scientists use the latest scientific techniques to restore the edicule housing the tomb. Scientific tests indicate the remnants of the tomb dates to 4th century - a discovery that could revolutionise what we know about the tomb of Christ.

An interview with Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.

A study of why some Afghan parents are dressing their girls as boys; and a profile of snowboarder Shaun White.

An investigation of the world's growing illegal-fish trade.

Host Ted Danson discovers a town in Belgium with a radical approach to mental health. Plus, see why NASA�s newest �star� is a world-famous chef.

Explorer investigates conflict gold in eastern Congo; host Ted Danson interviews Chelsea Clinton on The Clinton Foundation�s humanitarian efforts.

Join host Jeff Goldblum as Explorer travels to India to investigate that nation�s laws against homosexuality. Plus, author Stephen Dubner.

Join host Jeff Goldblum as Explorer takes you around the globe for an in-depth look at Big Pharma, prescription drugs and the opioid epidemic.

In Japan, secretive companies known as "night movers" offers people an escape from shame. Explorer correspondent Bryan Christy travels to Japan to investigate. Plus Host Jeff Goldblum interviews fellow actor Sam Rockwell. Also a team of scientists dive beneath the Antarctic sea ice to study how the global increase in carbon dioxide levels is affecting life in the world's oceans. Tim Samueals takes a trip to Mexico and takes a look at the hottest Peppers.

A dramatic look at Mexico�s violent war on drugs, an investigation into Oklahoma�s disappearing cattle, plus actor and activist Mandy Patinkin.

A booming mobile-home market; Japan�s plan to increase population growth; an Iraqi grandmother fighting ISIS.

The U.S. dropped more than 2 million tons of bombs on Laos from 1964 to 1973 during the Vietnam War. That's equal to a planeload every 8 minutes for 9 years. How does a country recover? New hope for Vietnam War survivors; Neil deGrasse Tyson and Ron Howard; high-tech self-improvement.

Explorer heads to Jerusalem for an exclusive look at the opening of what is believed to be Jesus� tomb. Plus, world-famous chef Tom Colicchio.

Iceland�s gene pool could unlock the cure to diseases like Alzheimer�s; Ryan Duffy investigates the rhino horn black market; Dan Rather hosts.

A look at El Salvador's strict reproductive laws; Scott Pelley discusses the state of the media.

National Geographic interviews His Holiness the Dalai Lama; Nick Schifrin hosts an in-studio discussion on the intersection of science and religion.

Explorer investigates the U.S. terrorist watch list, host Aasif Mandvi interviews Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman and outsourcing to India is examined.

A report on the Philippines' controversial war on drugs; an interview with Ted Koppel; and the history of "grillz."

Explorer takes you to Jerusalem where a religious ritual is more like a rave, plus Dr. Deepak Chopra admits why even he loses his cool sometimes.

A town in Italy is revived by refugees. Trophy hunting and conservation struggle to coexist in Africa. Polar bears are the Arctic's biggest earners

EXPLORER investigates Russian gender camps and Uganda�s Hollywood and blows up a bus for science. David Banner, Chris Kluwe and Gavin Mcinnes debate the meaning of manhood.

EXPLORER, hosted by Richard Bacon, tells stories of surveillance and features interviews with James Woosley, former CIA director and Lara Logan of CBS�s �60 Minutes�.

EXPLORER returns in new format. Correspondents investigate racial profiling, the $80 billion prison industry and more. Michael Moore is guest panelist

EXPLORER, hosted by Richard Bacon, tells stories of death and features interviews with comedian Larry Willmore and environmental activist Erin Brockovich.

Examining how a modern-day Theodore Roosevelt might change the outlook for the U.S.

Exploitation threatens to destroy Africa�s oldest national park, Virunga, home to some of the world�s most incredible creatures.

Explorer investigates an illicit pipeline of ancient Syrian treasures that have been plundered by Islamic State militants and sold in private markets.

A team of elite climbers confront their grief, doubt and fear on a 150-mile journey from Myanmar to a remote peak at the edge of the world.

From Indonesians who mummify their dead, to Tibetans who chop up corpses and feed them to vultures, explore the world's unusual death rituals.

Today, ISIS controls over a third of Iraq. The Kurds and their underdog army defend their home against the world�s most feared and ruthless threat.

The human eye is an impressive organ, but animal eyes are far more powerful than ours and are crucial for survival in the wild.

More than half the world lives in urban environments, but some people are reaching back to the land and carving out lives in the wilderness.

From a small community in Alabama to thousands of people gathering in Mexico, Mary draws millions of people to shrines and sustains religious tourism. This is a journey into the heart of modern-day Mary devotion around the world.

Bill Nye experiences the five stages of climate change grief � from denial to acceptance � and along the way, he�ll explore what�s gone wrong with our planet and how we can start to turn things around.

Exploring Mosquita, the largest untouched rainforest in Central America where legends swirl of a white city buried inland.

Investigative journalist Bryan Christy is setting out on a groundbreaking mission to expose how the ivory trade funds some of Africa�s most notorious militias and terrorist groups. Working with one of the world�s top taxidermists, he conceals a sophisticated GPS tracker inside an incredibly realistic faux ivory tusk and drops it in the heart of ivory poaching country and monitors its movements to track down the kingpins of the ivory trade.

On March 26, 2012, James Cameron made a record-breaking solo dive to the Earth�s deepest point, successfully piloting a submarine nearly seven miles (11 kilometers) to the bottom of the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean. This documentary chronicles the filmmaker and avid explorer�s groundbreaking diving expeditions in his custom �Deepsea Challenger� submarine.

Anaconda - the mere mention of its name brings images of an awesome and terrifying killer snake! For Dr. Jesus Rivas and his wife, Dr Sarah Corey, anacondas represent a challenge as they try to unravel the mysteries surrounding these massive reptiles. Like most snakes, anacondas have suffered greatly from exaggeration and scary folklore. Pound for pound, the South American anaconda is the world�s largest snake. But its reputation as a killer is wrapped in myth and legend.

The Green Berets are part of an elite division of the U.S. Army Special Forces. In a remote outpost in south-central Afghanistan known as Firebase Cobra, a group of Americans stand in the breach between the rule of law and the rule of terror. They are Green Berets, part of an elite division of the U.S. Army Special Forces, charged with protecting local civilians from the wrath of the Taliban. These elite soldiers navigate an unforgiving landscape, never certain from one minute to the next if they will make it back to the base alive. For this film, the Pentagon waived their 48-hour limitation on embedded media and allowed the National Geographic Channel to chronicle the lives of these war-hardened Americans for ten days. But their window will be tragically cut short by the costliest IED (improvised explosive device) explosion so far in the war in Afghanistan�killing two soldiers, wounding five others and injuring the NGC crew. The program provides a rare, up-close look at the sacrifices, challenges and deadly risks that American soldiers face on the front lines every day. The film is narrated by producer and director Steven Hoggard, who offers an intimate firsthand account of life on the base and under attack, including his own injuries from the deadly blast. The film also documents daily life for these soldiers, including the mundane passing of time inside the base; the danger-filled missions to surrounding villages; and even a historic gathering of tribal leaders seeking assistance against the Taliban who invaded their homes.

The Man Who Swims with Crocodiles Documentary following Chito, a Costa Rican fisherman who is one of the only men ever known to tame a crocodile with people travelling from all over the country to marvel at their bond. He nursed the animal back to health after discovering him blinded by the bullet of a hunter over 20 years ago. Feeling strongly compelled to investigate these legends first hand, Roger Horrocks visits a Costa Rican shaman, �Chito� that swims with a giant croc and even rides on the back of the ancient reptile. This and many other stories confirms Roger�s belief that these giant crocodiles have the ability of showing emotion and creating connections with human beings, an otherwise impossible notion in the crocodile�s long history.

Theologian and relic expert Candida Moss journeys to a remote island in the Black Sea to investigate the ruins of one of the oldest monasteries in Europe.

Easter Island has mystified the world ever since the first Europeans arrived in 1722.

A wide-ranging investigation of animal die-offs, including the thousands of blackbirds that died in Arkansas on New Year's Eve, 2010, leads to an exploration of how the human mind is inspired, or derailed, by seeming patterns or coincidences in nature.

Documenting the development of NASA's Mars rover Curiosity at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Cal., and the November 26, 2011, launch of the craft, which is scheduled to land on the Red Planet in August 2012.

The world's oldest profession is now a thriving black market economy, with an underground workforce that's just an Internet connection and a phone call away. National Geographic's Mariana van Zeller journeys to the heart of the American escort industry and uncovers the gritty reality behind the supply and demand of high-end sex work.

Navigating a sea of lies and manipulation, animal rights activist Chris DeRose works with informants to bring both rural and inner city dog fighters to justice.

Could one of Leonardo da Vinci's lost works of art be hidden between a wall of an ornate building and another masterpiece? It's a captivating theory that has had one prominent scientist chasing a legend for more than 30 years. This is the exclusive behind-the-scenes story of the hunt for a priceless masterpiece that could lead to one of the greatest discoveries the art world has ever known. This one hour program deals with the confirmation of the discovery of a lost work from Leonardo DaVinci.

The Inside story of the most audacious heist in NASA�s history � how an intern stole Moon rocks from the Johnson Space Center.

BASE jumper Dean Potter has set his sights on Mount Bute - a 9,000-foot granite launch pad along the British Columbia coastline.. But first, he has to prepare his body and develop a new wing suit.

The world�s largest emerald is unearthed in Brazil in 2001, sparking an epic tale of deceit, obsession, and folly.

aka: Colombias Gold War With the price of gold soaring to historic highs, Colombia is in the throws of a gold rush unlike anything it has seen in years. Across dense jungle and the rural countryside, wildcat miners are tearing up huge swaths of land in a frenzied search for the precious metal. But even more worrying for authorities is that this gold may be fueling a new chapter in the civil conflict that has defined Colombia for the last five decades. Navigating the ever-shifting front lines, National Geographic correspondent Mariana van Zeller examines how left wing guerrillas, criminal organizations and international mining companies are all staking their claim to Colombia's gold.

Deep inside the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, newly discovered artifacts, photographs and journals tell the story of 350 American GIs who were held as prisoners of war in one of Hitler's most secretive slave labor camps, known as Berga. There, the soldiers lived and died alongside European Jews�many becoming grim statistics in Hitler's Final Solution. But miraculously, their will to survive and even to fight back at the Nazis remained strong. Now, 60 years later, these survivors from Berga have come forward to tell an unforgettable story of dogged survival, heroism and unparalleled courage.

CNN Correspondent Peter Bergen travels to Afghanistan to interview key players and reveals never-before-told facts that tell the real story of Bin Laden's final moments.

A tuft of tangled human hair is dug out of Greenlands permafrost. From these 4,000-year-old threads of evidence, scientists attempt the impossible to be the first to reconstruct the identity of a Stone Age human being. From the scraps of DNA, an ancient face appears. But as they break into this genetic code, they find far more than they bargained for, and the discovery threatens to turn our long-held concept of how humans populated the earth, on its head.

Join a team of pioneering investigators as they bring the eyewitness films of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy to life, and expose the hidden secrets of the crime of the century.

Historic snows and bitter cold across North America. Massive floods in Australia and Pakistan. Deadly mudslides in Brazil. Epic drought and wildfires in Russia. 2010 was one of the most destructive years in history. Now, Explorer presents the dramatic images of this catastrophic weather year � and introduces the people who risked their lives to capture them on film.

Explorer takes an evocative look at Tokyo's infamous organized crime syndicate known as the yakuza. We'll go inside this secretive underworld to meet the real yakuza, and the law enforcement officers responsible for tracking them down. Incredible personal stories and candid interviews reveal a corrupt organization with its own code of honor and ethics. Insiders recall haunting stories of severed pinkies and physical sacrifices.

The discovery of a human skull in the depths of Lake Superior begins a story that will take historian and author Brendon Baillod across two Great Lakes and a century of history. It takes him and a team of elite technical divers more than 20 miles off Milwaukee where they discover the wreck of one of Lake Michigan's lost queens. It takes them to the remote waters of Lake Superior where they risk their lives to determine the identity of yet another lost ship. And it takes us into the forgotten life of a brave and stubborn woman who lived, and died, on these wild waters. Whether her presence cursed these lost ships, or a more earthly explanation can be found, the Great Lakes reputation as a graveyard for mariners stands firm.

Piranhas - the stuff of nightmares and legends. Theyre infamous for how fast they can devour prey, and are known to attack in groups of up to 100. Now, a team of scientists is heading to the Amazon to investigate a piranha mystery of immense proportions. A fossil of a giant jaw fragment has been identified as an ancient piranha, but with a terrifying twist: the tooth belonged to a fish seven times the size of existing piranha species.

A 9/11 survivor, an astronaut and a blue hole diver - all survived dramatically different traumatic events only to tell strikingly similar stories: each felt a mysterious presence that guided them to safety in their time of greatest peril. But what were these strange presences? Can they be explained? The devout call them guardian angels or divine encounters - others encounter a kind stranger. Could they have been angels? Phantoms? Or were their minds just playing tricks on them? EXPLORER delves deep inside this phenomenon to break down the barrier between science and the supernatural. When faced with life and death, the brain flips an "angel switch," and help arrives-at least for some. Dubbed the "Third Man Factor," hundreds have reported this mysterious phenomenon - and now, science is taking a closer look, zeroing in on the location and the mechanism in the brain they believe may be responsible for these visions.

For the first time, the Catholic Church will allow scientific experts and historians to openly test the veracity of the remains of reported saints. NGC has exclusive access to the forensic investigation. Deep in the crypt below the Cathedral of Reggio Emilia lie a set of bones believed to be those of two ancient saints, Chrysanthus and Daria. For more than 1,500 years they've been hidden away ... until now.

It may have been one of the most cataclysmic geologic events of the last 60 million years, which shaped America as we know it today. The narrow, 400-mile-long Isthmus of Panama, once buried below the sea, rose up and connected North and South America. This new land bridge unleashed an astonishing animal encounter: Prehistoric predators and prey each unique to their worlds came face-to-face for the first time.

Imagine the implications if we could regenerate damaged, aging or diseased body parts grown from our own cells custom made, and genetically indistinguishable from our own. Could it eliminate the death sentence for profound birth defects, the need for prosthetics and any shortage of transplant organs? EXPLORER delves into the science of tissue engineering and shows how scientists are beginning to harness the body's natural powers to grow skin, muscle, body parts and vital organs, even hearts

Cannibalism has long been considered a dark chapter in man's history. Yet we think of it only as isolated occurrences. Now a Neolithic burial pit in Germany, found filled with expertly butchered human remains, challenges those assumptions. Archaeologists have never seen anything like it the deeper they dig, the more bizarre the scene becomes. EXPLORER joins an international team of experts as they reopen the earth to understand the violent events as they played out seven thousand years ago

Its everyone's worst nightmare. Kidnapped in a foreign country. Held indefinitely in horrific conditions, at the mercy of political forces and the will of extremists. Now, on the 20th anniversary of his release, Explorer goes inside this shadow world with America's most iconic hostage - journalist Terry Anderson - who was held for nearly 7 years in Lebanon by radical Muslims. Anderson's fellow hostages, his family and the man who risked everything to free him take us inside one of the most harrowing experiences imaginable.

Many, like ex-punk rocker and special Explorer correspondent Henry Rollins, have struggled with feelings of aggression their entire lives, and NGC is on a mission to figure out why. Scientists are investigating a single gene -- dubbed the warrior gene -- that has been associated with violent behavior, raising the disturbing possibility that some people are Born to Rage. Henry tests this theory on a colorful crew: outlaw bikers, mixed martial arts fighters, monks and former gang members.

America's Doomsday plan. It's the government's ultimate playbook, with a strategy for even the darkest hours - developed when Cold War tensions were high, but never used until 9/11. We'll fly an E4-B - the president's command, control and communications center for times of national catastrophe; go inside the secret bunker used by government officials on September 11; and witness how the luxurious Greenbrier Resort became a critical, top secret congressional bunker.

Animal domestication was a major prerequisite for human civilization to evolve. How did such an important and dramatic shift from wild to tame happen? In the past few years, science has begun to reveal the genetic code that made it all possible. DNA and archaeological evidence are now painting a very different picture of human / animal history. Domestication means altering the size, shape, and behavior of animals through long-term selective breeding. Not all animals can be domesticated however. Why did the horse accept mans control but not the zebra? The answer may lie somewhere in the DNA, and pinpointing the exact gene is the next step in discovering what makes one animal afraid and another curious. It may even suggest that some great apes, and perhaps even humans are actually self-domesticated.

Nat Geo embarks on an expedition to Papua New Guinea to understand human mummification. Our goal is to find a well-preserved mummy to gain clues into this incredible form of mummification in the tropics. Nat Geo cameras travel to Koke, a native village with an ancient mummy tradition, to learn about their process of mummification and assist with the restoration of an aging mummy. We'll trek through caves, villages and mountains to uncover the secrets of the ancient tradition.

With streaks of orange, red and black oil creating havoc in Gulf waters, NGC cameras are on the front lines with the individuals tasked with fighting the growing disaster. Gaining extended access to the Coast Guard and command center teams leading the cleanup, Explorer follows the first two months after the spill, tracking cleanup efforts from sea, land and air.

Virulent disease claims millions of lives. New scientific advances increase the potential for them to be used as bioweapons. Join NGC as we explore the dangers surrounding bioterrorism and what every nations leaders need to know.

Explorer follows a soccer team in Tanzania, a group that consists mostly of people with albinism, in their first ever league season in the Tanzanian 3rd Division. Over the last year, more than 40 albinos have been murdered in Tanzania, some as young as six months old. Many more have been attacked with machetes, their limbs cut off while alive. Their body parts are used by witchdoctors in potions and remedies as they are believed to bring wealth and success in business.

Explorer tells the second-by-second story of a moment that changed the world forever: the dropping of the atomic bomb on August 6, 1945. Through the eyes of those in the air and on the ground, including the last interview with the weapons test officer who armed the bomb, we'll experience the events as they unfolded that tragic day.

With unprecedented access to undercover footage, Explorer reveals the inner workings of a sting operation designed to bring down one of the world's most prolific and untouchable criminals, international arms dealer Monzer al-Kassar. Through the eyes of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents and their undercover informants, we'll see how an elite team risked their lives to catch Kassar in the act of selling deadly weapons illegally.

Three months after the devastating oil rig explosion in the Gulf, get an up-close look at those left behind to battle the spreading oil. Stories from frontline men and women who share a fierce commitment to solving this unprecedented national crisis at any personal cost including. Each hoping for an answer to the question: When will this end?

What do future presidents need to know about existential dangers this country could face? Explorer investigates the science behind the dangers of a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse, or HEMP. Picture an instantaneous deathblow to the vital engines that power our society, delivered by a nuclear weapon designed not to kill humans but to attack electronics. What could happen if an electromagnetic pulse surged to earth, crippling every aspect of modern society's infrastructure?

Eight years after 9/11, the Taliban remains a formidable enemy, maintaining a shadow government that straddles Afghanistan and Pakistan in an area dubbed Talibanistan. Explorer takes you inside the forbidden zone, to provide first-person coverage of the fight on the ground and the skies above this vast, rugged region and the challenges NATO and Pakistani forces face

All of us have an occasional night when we can't fall asleep, but for people with fatal familial insomnia, or FFI, it's the beginning of the end. An extremely rare genetic disease passed down through generations, FFI's primary symptom is sleeplessness - but with a fatal twist. Victims are dead within months. To understand FFI, Explorer delves into the science of sleep - the most elusive biological function we have - to find out why we need sleep and what happens to us when we don't get it.

Europa - an icy moon of Jupiter 485 million miles away from Earth - may be our best hope for finding alien life in our solar system. Everywhere we find water on Earth, we find life. What does this mean for the search for life beyond Earth? Scientists believe that on Europa there is a liquid ocean buried beneath its icy crust . To find out if this alien ocean holds life, well need to get there, penetrate the ice shell, and navigate in an alien sea. In this episode of Explorer, well plunge headlong into the challenges of discovery on an alien world. Well meet the scientists, adventurers, and engineers who are determined to launch a mission to Europa - and follow them through the challenges, frustrations, and triumphs that come with planning a distant mission to an alien world. Through high-end CGI and quests to the edge of our planet, well go on a journey to and alien moon called Europa. To answer the basic question: Are we alone in the universe?

Today, more than 80,000 Americans are in solitary confinement. Explorer looks at the science of solitary and discovers what it means to be absolutely alone. We go inside Colorado State Penitentiary (CSP) and witness prisoners on the edge and the guards who watch over them. Then, we look at experiments on whether isolation dramatically alters behavior and ongoing new research on how solitary actually could cause long-term mental problems like paranoia, disorientation and delirium.

What could we do if we had evidence terrorists were close to acquiring nuclear weapons, or even making their own? How would we defend ourselves from a blast with fireballs hotter than the sun? Race from motorcade to helicopter to confidential meeting, as scientists and intelligence experts brief viewers on the hard facts about the world's most lethal weapons - and the unbreakable physical laws that govern them.

In January 2009 it was a patch of lawless Afghan desert, riddled with Taliban fighters. Today, Camp Leatherneck is home to more than 10,000 troops. Go inside the epicenter of the war in Afghanistan and meet the men and women who work in and pass through the camp. Learn what daily life is like for the people who find themselves in this place. How violence, boredom, excessive heat, separation from family and cultural differences affect the mind-set of the warriors.

Follow the police as they investigate the latest drug-related kidnapping, uncover marijuana and ambush suspects at a ransom drop-off.

Joseph Mengele, the escaped Nazi war criminal and SS physician, known as the Angel of Death, spent years doing bizarre medical experiments on twins at Auschwitz working to determine if twins held the key to building a blond-haired, blue-eyed master race for Adolf Hitler. Now a historian says he has evidence that Mengele's attempts may not have ended at Auschwitz, and that his obsession to engineer an Aryan master race continued, and that succeeded while he was on the run in South America. Deep in the Brazilian outback in a tiny town among the 80 households in a one-square-mile area are reportedly some 38 pairs of twins. Blond, blue-eyed twins. Bizarre and inexplicable, could they be the product of Mengele's machinations? Now, with exclusive access, EXPLORER goes inside the investigation; From the secret agents who trailed him, to the scientists now uncovering the facts behind the fantastical phenomenon, no stone is left unturned.

Explorer travels back 66 million years to break down the chain of events that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs and changed the world forever. Visit a high-tech NASA lab where scientists use new technology to recreate the force of the blast and reveal the likely cascade of effects of the catastrophic impact.

The 2006 Oscar-nominated action thriller "Blood Diamond" put the issue of conflict diamonds into the public eye. Now, NGC takes an in-depth look at these international symbols of wealth and their connection to terrorism and crime. We'll talk to a diamond dealer who discusses the dark world of diamond smuggling and the alleged 9/11 connection between al Qaeda and the Belgium diamond sector, worth billions a year.

Could LSD be the next drug in your doctor's arsenal? New experiments have a few researchers believing that this "trippy" drug could become a pharmaceutical of the future. Outlawed in 1970, the street drug developed a reputation as the dangerous toy of the counterculture, capable of inspiring either moments of genius or a descent into madness. Now science is taking a fresh look into this psychedelic world, including the first human LSD trials in more than 35 years

Over the period of about a year, seven human feet in sneakers washed ashore in British Columbia and Washington State. Theories of serial killers, plane crashes, and tsunami victims became tabloid fodder. With all the twists and turns of a crime-scene thriller, Explorer sets out to solve this macabre foot mystery.

They are living giants; one of the Earth's largest and oldest trees. Some tower more than 350 feet high, taller than the Statue of Liberty; some may have been seedlings when Jesus was born. Yet these natural legends still shroud centuries-old secrets. In a major National Geographic cross-platform event, which includes the October 2009 cover story for the magazine, we'll reveal the little-explored environment of the redwoods using high-tech aerial laser surveys and breathtaking imagery.

Chimpanzees. They're our closest genetic relatives, with DNA over 98% the same as ours. Chimpanzees can learn from those around them in ways many other animals can't -- and when they're captive, they become even more human-like. But is a new form of chimp evolving in captivity?

The gender of a newborn child is not always clearly male or female. For parents of gender variant children, the decisions they face have lifelong and sometimes horribly conflicting consequences. We'll investigate the science behind gender, how doctors and parents approach these decisions, and explore traditional and controversial therapies. Then, meet Alaniz, a Desert Storm veteran who found out from an MRI that he had two ovaries and a uterus.

In most places death has no schedule, but in Huntsville, Texas, an average of 16 people per year are scheduled to be executed by lethal injection. Inside Death Row interviews three inmates as their dates of execution draw near, and follows the stories of their families and loved ones as they deal with death firsthand. This story is not one of guilt or innocence; it is about how the State of Texas carries out the death penalty as well as the men and women whom, by choice or circumstance, become players in the act of executing another human being. Lastly, it explores how the residents of Huntsville feel towards living in a town that is ground zero for capital punishment in the United States.

An exploration team and scientists make an attempt to map out a large cave system which runs beneath the South Pacific's Easter Island.

They are perfectly preserved child mummies unearthed on top of a volcano in northwest Argentina. As young as 6 years old, these three children were chosen to die as an Incan sacrifice to their gods.

The naval base at Guantanamo Bay secured a place in the annals of history when the first wave of detainees from Americas War on Terror men dubbed the worst of the worst arrived in 2002. A symbol of freedom protected or freedom tragically betrayed, the controversies of Guantanamo embody the thorny issues of America's fight against an enemy that wears no uniform, has no address and will declare no armistice, and an administrations battle to keep prisoners beyond the reach of due process in American courts. The goings-on inside the wire encircling this highly classified camp have been a closely held government secret until now. For the first time, National Geographic exclusively captures day-to-day life in the most famous prison in the world exploring the ongoing daily struggle between the guard force of dedicated young military personnel and the equally dedicated detainees, many of whom are still in legal limbo after being held years.

A full-grown T. rex could grow to 40 feet long and 12,000 pounds, but scientists believe that, at birth, these dinosaurs were the size of a mere household cat. Very little information is known about the T. rex's youth. Now, Explorer takes viewers on an epic journey into this bold high-tech animatronic initiative, digging deep into the fossil record for the tiniest of clues to re-create the worlds most accurate, fully skinned, mechanical replica of a walking juvenile T. rex.

Blue whales are the largest creatures to ever inhabit the earth - yet despite their size, we know little about them. A team of scientists set out on an expedition to unlock the secrets of the blue whale and investigate why they are dying. AKA: Blue Whale Odyssey (UK)

In the cloud forests of Peru are the remains a lost civilization and an ancient legend of mass murder. For hundreds of years, anthropologists have been hunting for who or what killed these people. Now well analyze the evidence and test theories to dig up the truth.

Join a team of adventurers and scientists deep in the heart of the African Congo who are searching for an elusive man-sized predator that locals believe to be a cursed relative of the piranha, but may hold the key to evolutionary science.

Scattered across the island of Sicily, beneath picturesque churches, are thousands of mummified bodies. And most mysterious of all is one of the last to be enshrined: shes known as the sleeping beauty Rosalia Lombardo-- a child barely two years old when she died nearly a century ago, somehow her corpse remains flawlessly preserved. Now, for the first time, a scientific team of mummy hunters is on the case, unearthing hundreds of Sicilys miraculous dead, exploring how this baffling culture of mummification could operate within the Catholic Church itself, and finally, revealing the secret formula behind Rosalias perfect preservation.

Explorer investigates a provocative new theory that suggests that all life - including humans - is descended from viruses. To many people, viruses are simply agents for disease, but new evidence suggests viruses may possess far greater power.

We are the most heavily armed society in the world; nearly 80 million Americans own guns. Explore the gun culture in America, from a police officer to a young mother.

Over the centuries, explorers traded tales of a lost civilization amid the dense Amazonian rainforest. Scientists dismissed the legends as exaggerations, believing that the rainforest could not sustain such a huge population -- until now. A new generation of explorers armed with 21st-century technology has uncovered remarkable evidence that could reinvent our understanding of the Amazon and the indigenous peoples who lived there.

Lisa Ling takes a look at the marijuana industry as she examines the different aspects by interviewing a grower, scientist, and members of law enforcement. Also included is the validity of medical marijuana.

Gold's appeal and value span time and cultures, but there is a little-known secret to the story of gold. Most of the gold mined throughout history remains in circulation today -- even the gold closest to your heart may have dark origins. From the Amazon jungle to the markets of Dubai, NGC examines the underbelly of the modern gold trade with a treasure hunter and an illegal miner to expose its volatile history.

In order for the Congo to receive vital supplies, brave men and women known as bush pilots must risk life and limb to transport cargo to this remote region of the world. Landing strips are often little more than pitted dirt roads, local militia is known to fire on them and water buffalo may block the runway, so what drives them to do it? In this episode of Explorer, we'll meet some bush pilots, hear their harrowing accounts and witness firsthand the challenges they face in the Congo.

This National Geographic documentary explores the physical and psychological changes experienced by the human body in the moments before and after death. When does a person really die, and what happens at that precise second when life ends? While the subject both frightens and fascinates, understanding both the science of death and the ways in which our bodies hold it off are key to understanding the complete cycle of human life.

Did Romanov Princess Anasatasia survive a Bolshevik firing squad, or did she and her brother Crown Prince Alexis perish with their father, Tsar Nicholas II, before a Bolshevik firing squad in 1918?

National Geographic Explorer investigates the execution-style murder of six mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park. Their search reveals corruption and how Virunga has become one of the most dangerous places on earth

More than 600 million cats claim residence in households across six continents. The latest in scientific evidence reveals how the cat set off on a journey to conquer the world.

While excavating for the deepest submerged tunnel in the world, engineers uncovered a hidden past. Now engineers are on a three billion dollar collision course with archaeologists in the battle of the century.

Sharks have thrived in the oceans for over 350 million years, but around 20 million years ago a new species emerged in the fossil records in a form unlike ever seen before... the Hammerhead Shark. Why did this bizarre looking creature evolve was it a need for greater maneuverability, a need for a more advanced sensory system or was it a genetic mistake? And how has the Hammerhead continued to survive? Scientific evidence suggests that Hammerheads seek out distant destinations but what prompts them to travel these great lengths? How do they navigate? Do they possess an internal compass? Do they possess a map? Dr. Pete Klimley is seeking to answer these questions and discover how Hammerheads live and survive across the turbulent seas by mapping their underwater movements. In a world threatened by over fishing and declining populations the Hammerhead Highway may be the key to understanding and ensuring the Hammerheads survival.

Entombed in a glacier in the Alps for more than 5,000 years, the Iceman is the oldest mummy ever discovered. Scientists now know he was murdered in cold blood, but why? In 2007, National Geographic sponsored a series of new CT scans that revealed three potential motives. Was the Iceman assassinated, a victim of clan warfare or part of a ritual murder? Forensic clues surrounding his death continue to illuminate the origins of conflict and violence in the Copper Age.

The world is addicted to oil. But now the easy pockets of oil are gone and the race is on to find new sources. Nowhere is the battle more intense than in Alaska - source of nearly 15% of America's domestic production, and home to the nation's largest wildlife preserve, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, where companies are pushing to drill. EXPLORER travels back millions of years to see how oil was created, and looks to the future to ask how far we'll go to find every last barrel and at what cost.

Leading researchers in psychology, biology and anthropology reveal this powerful male hormone's fascinating influence on strength, status, success, and even commitment.

Using cutting-edge functional magnetic resonance imaging techniques, scientists attempt to isolate the mechanics of moral judgment by mapping patterns in neurological processes. Could neuron activity in the brain really give rise to good or evil?

Christian residents are caught in the crosshairs of a growing Islamic fundamentalism and the entrenched Israeli fortress that surrounds the birthplace of Jesus

Light is shed on ancient human migrations as 3000-year-old mummies with European features are unearthed in a remote Chinese desert.

Vipers have been evolving their way to the top of the reptile heap for millions of years. Their venom is lethal and they can strike with precision in complete darkness. Now, some vipers may be evolving into even deadlier forms. Did humans help?

Follow the global black market in body parts, from transplant surgeries in America to eager "donors" in India to China where executed prisoners' bodies are coveted.

Heroin is one of the most addictive drugs on earth. Stronger, purer and easier to get than ever before, heroin is attracting a whole new breed of addict. Dangerously pure, the newest forms of heroin can be snorted or smoked, rather than injected, attracting millions of new mainstream users. Explorer investigates how the war in Afghanistan has inadvertently unleashed a deluge of heroin, enticing users from Kabul to Europe to America's heartland.

What caused the sudden mass extinction of mammoths 13,000 years ago? Clues point to the biggest cosmic impact humans have ever witnessed.

Did you know babies can learn languages and even grasp math? Explore the remarkable plasticity of a baby's brain and see how early experiences influence human development.

Ultimate Crocodile: Saltwater crocodiles are one of the most successful predators the world has ever seen. They out-lasted the dinosaurs with a 200 million year-old biological design, perfectly engineered for the modern world. The "saltie" has the most powerful jaws since T-rex, a complex heart and brain, and unexpected intelligence.

With 400 breeds and counting, the dog is more varied in size and behavior than any other species. Follow man's evolutionary manipulation of dogs' appearance and talents, and see how nature and man have partnered to create new and specialized breeds

It has no bones, blood or brains, but the jellyfish has survived in our oceans for more than 500 million years. Now, its numbers are exploding. Why?

NGC takes you inside the perilous world of one of America's most elite law enforcement agencies, offering a rare glimpse of their investigative strategies and techniques in action. Find out how the G-men always get their man.

What really happens when 30 million volts of electricity charges through your body and you survive being struck by lightning? Now, meet survivors who live to tell their tale of being hit by a force that is faster than a speeding bullet and five times hotter than the sun as Explorer unravels the science behind one of nature's most mysterious phenomena. Using revolutionary brain imaging technology and 3-D CGI, NGC travels inside the human body along the path of a lightning bolt.

The Aryan Brotherhood is a secretive criminal gang that began inside California's maximum-security penitentiaries and expanded rapidly into dozens of state and federal prisons across the nation. Outwardly a white power group, its real interest is in controlling drug and extortion rackets. Now, Explorer unveils this underworld society and comes face-to-face with some of the gang's most infamous members, including a former Aryan Brotherhood leader who, by his own count, has killed 22 men

Volcanologists make a stunning discovery when they dive into one of the largest, yet most mysterious, natural calamities in human history: the eruption of Santorini

Cross into North Korea, one of the world's most secretive nations, for a rare glimpse of the country and its leader, Marshal Kim Jong II.

The world's first MRI scan of a great white shark reveals the extreme engineering and hunting abilities of one of nature's most perfect predators.

For up to $600 a day, private security contractors in Iraq's war zone risk their lives to protect VIPs and transport critical supplies. See how these mercenaries survive in the "kill zone."

More than 1,500 years ago, ancient writings were buried that offered alternative narratives about Jesus of Nazareth. There were many of these alternative gospels that rendered very different versions of the story and were considered scandalous and deemed heretical. Rediscovered within the last century, these texts offer more questions than answers. Secret Lives of Jesus examines these mysterious lost stories of Christ, exploring the fundamental questions surrounding the texts.

Climb aboard the newly overhauled U.S.S. Eisenhower, one of the U.S. Navy's most advanced "super carriers." The "Ike" is poised to deploy for the first time in four years, but her 6,000 crew must prove they and their aircraft are battle ready.

They breed as much as 5 times more often than European honeybees. A single swarm can deploy an attack force of 80,000 stingers. Their armies of suicide bombers can chase an intruder for a quarter of a mile, and bring down a creature as large as a horse. Cruising at up to 20 miles per hour, killer bees have already overrun vast regions of South and Central America and pushed farther north than many scientists thought possible. Now, they threaten to invade the southern U.S., heading for both coasts of the country. Can scientists, beekeepers and exterminators stop the invading hordes before it's too late?

Methamphetamine is one of the hardest drugs to quit. Its abuse is ravaging rural communities and cities alike. NGC correspondent Lisa Ling goes inside this global epidemic to find out what makes meth so addictive and destructive.

With three-inch canines and claws like switchblades, big cats are capable of taking down fleet-footed antelope or two-ton elephants. From Africa to India, you'll discover the ultimate engineering and ambush tactics of lions, tigers and leopards.

The hippo can weigh 8,000 pounds, outrun a sprinter, and shares a common ancestor with the whale. Explore the science behind this 15-million-year-old marvel.

What if a mega-earthquake hits Los Angeles? The scenarios are unthinkable: more than 18,000 dead, $250 billion in property damage, 100,000 tons of debris. NGC simulates a 7.7 quake that many scientists feel is overdue.

The polar bear, brown bear, and black bear each can weigh more than 1,000 pounds, outrun an Olympic sprinter, and take out prey with a single swipe of the paw. Deconstruct these bioengineering marvels to learn the secrets of maximum bears.

The photo shows a six-foot alligator half inside a dead 13-foot Burmese python. How could a snake overpower one of Florida's largest and most terrifying native carnivores?

They solve murders, catch spies, and prevent terrorist attacks. They are one of the most revered law enforcement agencies on the planet, and one of the least understood until now. Go behind-the-scenes with the federal agents of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). With re-enactments, on-location footage and interviews with agents, re-examine the agency's most challenging case - the bombing of the USS Cole - and see how the NCIS is staying one step ahead of the terrorists.

Part sub killer. Part terrorist hunter. Part spy. It's among the deepest and longest running nuclear attack submarines ever built. The Navy has kept its secrets under lock and key. Until now. Explorer travels the globe to bring viewers the story of the newest, most advanced member of the U.S. nuclear-powered submarine force, the USS Texas

Elephants are usually docile herbivores, but authorities say wild elephant attacks are increasing. Why? The Pittsburgh Zoo's "Elephant Whisperer" Willie Theison brings uncanny insight into their complex minds. In West Bengal, India, he teams up with a courageous "Elephant Squad" in a dangerous mission to relocate problem populations farther away from human beings. In Sri Lanka, Theison and local wildlife officials track down an elusive problem elephant that has been attacking villagers.

A great American city drowns in a slow-motion disaster. Eyewitness accounts and never-before-seen footage deconstruct the disaster, revealing how 250 billion gallons of water flooded the Big Easy and destroyed more than 150,000 homes. Follow the water from first strike to total deluge and discover the real story behind New Orleans' catastrophe. The most destructive disaster in U.S. history wasn't Hurricane Katrina. It was the chain of events that followed.

Deep in the heart of Texas, a fearsome invader maims animals and attacks people. Could a bizarre experiment hold the key to stopping it?

Surveillance is everywhere today. We introduce the new surveillance society and show how cutting edge technologies are being developed to identify, monitor and track both people and things. It is a world where each technology seems to bring advantages - to make us safer or our lives more convenient - but at what cost?

You've seen the graffiti, the tattoos, the headlines documenting their brutality. What is driving the rapid spread of the ultra-violent gang MS-13? NGC takes you inside this burgeoning criminal enterprise now terrorizing 33 states and six countries.

At more than 30 feet long, today's giant snakes are as big as they've ever been. But how big can giant snakes grow?

Examining how some people manage to live through struggles for survival while others succumb in just a few days.

Join Lisa Ling as she explores the complex and emotional issues surrounding China's one-child policy.

Of all the world creatures, nothing is larger....

The latest "super choppers" are one of an advanced breed of machines - built to fly fast and silently to places helicopters could never go before, even to the reaches of inner space. One such "super chopper," known as EH101, has been touted as a breakthrough technological achievement. New designs like the EH101 will also be much more impervious to attack, with Kevlar and other advanced composite materials strengthening the body - while keeping it lightweight. Using live action, re-creations, amazing archival footage and advanced CGI, we marvel at the creation of today's "super choppers" - extraordinary multi-purpose helicopters for the twenty-first century.

What caused the sudden demise of the Maya in Central America 2,000 years ago? Human skeletons discovered in a cistern may hold the key to one of the greatest mysteries of the ancient world.

You're starving - and under attack by hostile neighbors. Spies have infiltrated your town, half your family is sick with some deadly disease and rumor has it that your neighbor just ate his wife for lunch. Welcome to America, 1607-where evidence suggests that this nightmare could have been the settlers' reality. It's a story of bubonic plague, starvation, espionage and cannibalism - and the founding of North America's first successful English colony. In 1606, a handful of English adventurers set sail across the Atlantic, expecting a paradise teeming with gold and riches. Instead, they discovered a living hell. Now, nearly 400 years later, the latest discoveries explore the story of Jamestown - as you've never seen it before. Exclusive access to forensics and archaeology will take us inside the graves, revealing shocking new evidence of starvation and disease, secret plots and Spanish spies. Dramatic recreations bring to life one of the darkest chapters in U.S. history. And in an unprecedented act, the Church of England will open its vaults, allowing National Geographic to dig up the remains of a 17th century woman whose bones hold clues to the disastrous venture known as Jamestown and its founding father, an unsung hero of American history called Bartholomew Gosnold. Like many mysteries, we begin with the bodies: a burial ground containing the remains of more than 70 people, some haphazardly arranged. It looks like whoever buried these people hardly had the time or energy to do so properly. Who were they? What happened? The burial site is just steps from the remains of Jamestown Fort, where archaeologists and forensic specialists are toiling to uncover the secrets of America's first successful colony. Stylized recreations and CGI will transport us back four centuries to reveal the hopeful beginnings of a colony made famous by fanciful tales of romance between Captain John Smith and Pocahontas. A colonist's diary claims at least one person, out of desperation, turned

The pyramids of Americas were built more than 2,000 years ago by a people who vanished long ago. Little is known about these builders and the purpose of the pyramids has been a mystery until now. Were they temples to the gods or sacrificial altars?

NGC takes a forensic look at the chain of events leading up to some of the world's most fatal structural disasters, including the worst structural failure to take place in the U.S. prior to 9/11

Where did we all come from? Could we all be descendants of Adam? And if he existed, who was he, where did he live and what did he look like? It is a mystery that intrigues us all and questions like these have been asked time and time again, but nobody has got close to the answer - until now. Spencer Wells, a leading geneticist and National Geographic explorer-in-residence, is setting out on a quest to discover if there was an "Adam" from whom all humans are descended. Wells uses the latest in DNA testing technology to take us on an extraordinary journey across the globe as he traces humanity's family tree. As we travel through humanity's genetic past we'll encounter longstanding mysteries which today's DNA tools can finally solve. They'll yield new truths about historical figures like Genghis Kahn and Thomas Jefferson. The primary tool that helps this quest for one common ancestor is the Y-chromosome, which ties fathers to sons, passing down through family lines more or less unchanged. As Spencer Wells follows the Y-chromosomes backwards through the generations the branches of man's family tree begin to coalesce into a single trunk, pointing to a single Adam. In Africa we finally end up at a point where all branches of humanity's family tree coalesce into just one root. Wells theorizes that this must be Adam - a man who lived around 60,000 years ago. And, astonishingly, Wells believes, this man's Y chromosome is shared by every man in the world. But now that we have found him, what did he look like and how did he live? This new program sets out to find the answers.

This special gives a harrowing look at a planet experiencing more destructive natural disasters with each passing year. Join tsunami scientist Jose Borrero of the University of Southern California on his trip to visit Banda Aceh with a National Geographic film team, barely one week after the December 26, 2004, tsunami. From visiting areas affected by the stunning 2004 tsunami in southeast Asia, to investigating the massive fault threatening Istanbul, "Violent Earth" gets to the bottom of some key questions. Is Earth getting more dangerous? What can we do to protect ourselves? Where and when will the next mega disaster strike?

Lisa Ling gets rare access to California Sacramento State Prison where one-third of the inmates are serving life sentences, and violence, rape, and gang warfare are part of everyday life behind bars.

Summer 2004. Stories are circulating in the swamps of southern Georgia, USA about a huge and terrifying wild boar lurking in the woods. Local resident Chris Griffin encounters the animal and kills it. After taking a photograph, he buries the hog. Within weeks, stories of 'Hogzilla' rocket around the world via the Internet. Chris' 12-foot-long, 1000-pound wild hog becomes international news. But was this giant pig a hoax, or was it real? In 'Hogzilla', National Geographic Television & Film travels across the globe looking at the evolution and behavior of hogs and their interaction with humans. In the UK, the recent demand for wild boar meat has lead to increased hog production for food. The escape of some of these hogs from a farm in the UK however, has apparently led to a rebirth of the species in the wild. In Berlin, wild boars are invading people's homes. In China, hog farmers are feeding hogs with the aim of increasing their size as much as possible, creating their own 'Hogzillas'. Back in Georgia, hog experts dig up Chris Griffin's giant hog in a bid to discover its secrets. In the process, they create some interesting theories about how Hogzilla came to be and conclude that this monster may have been a product of man's own doing.

In an extraordinary discovery that made front page headlines around the world, scientists uncovered evidence of a race of "hobbit-sized" prehistoric species on a remote Indonesian island. A full-grown adult would have been as tall as an average three-year-old child today. Most amazing of all, researchers believe this ancient race lived at the same time as modern humans, sharing the earth for at least 80,000 years. "Explorer - Tiny Humans: The Hobbits of Flores" delivers the world's first in-depth documentary of this groundbreaking find that could to rewrite the textbooks.

Target: Saddam Hussein's Baghdad. Mission: unleash a bombardment so massive that it destroys the enemy's will, yet kills as few people as possible. Using spectacular exclusive imagery and CGI, National Geographic Television & Film investigates the planning and execution of Shock and Awe, putting it into historical perspective and looking to the future of warfare. Inside Shock and Awe will deconstruct the bombing campaign that launched Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the most intense bombardment in history, 800 missiles were launched in two days - more than twice as many as were dropped during the six weeks of Gulf War I. Yet the bombing was carried out with surgical precision, minimizing "collateral damage". Amazingly, there has been no detailed inside look at what happened during those 48 hours in March 2003. We'll get an inside view of the technology that allows overwhelming firepower to be accurately targeted, and investigate how exotic missiles, like the thermobaric "bunker busters," work. At the same time, we'll put the Shock and Awe campaign into the context of history's most dramatic bombardments - from the catapults and trebuchets of the Romans, to the firebombing of Dresden. And we'll provide a unique, exclusive look at what was going on in Baghdad during a bombardment that was designed to destroy peoples' wills, while saving their lives. This controversial campaign was part of a new approach to war, based on the latest technology and a modern-day concern for human life. NGT&F was in the middle of this awesome watershed in the history of warfare, and now has the insight and access to provide a comprehensive investigation into the planning, execution and outcome of this amazing military feat.

A story on witchcraft in Mexico City. Anthropologist Anthony Zavaleta and healer Alberto Salinas inspect hill where they find several objects buried in order to cast spells and hex others.

When four hurricanes hit Florida in 2004, NGC deploys an army of film crews into the vortex of these monster storms. Their amazing footage reveals what's happening inside a hurricane's super-destructive eye wall.

Some of the most graceful hunters on land are wired to kill. Stalking, jumping, pouncing or running, lone hunters or team players, big cats are highly specialized, each with its own mode of attack.

Female suicide bombers have struck around the world, including Sri Lanka, Russia and the Middle East. Their motives are complex and not altogether understood. Explorer's Lisa Ling travels to Russia and the Middle East to try to understand the actions of these women, as well as the conditions that might have fostered them.

He is one of the ocean's most fearsome predators, probably responsible for more attacks on humans than any other shark. Capable of striking incomparable terror, the tiger shark remains a complex enigma that science is just beginning to unveil. In the warm waters of Hawaii, we will encounter the animal behind the mythical monster. In Shark Bay, Western Australia, we'll discover the tiger shark as undisputed lord and master of a primeval; multifaceted ecosystem virtually untouched by man's presence.

Rogue man-eating crocodiles plague a remote fishing village.

Roar: One Man's Pride tells the story of filmmaker Tim Liversedge as he sets out to make the program of his dreams - 'Roar' - a Large Format/IMAX film that documents the amazing wildlife in Southern Botswana, where the lush mosaic of the Okavango Delta gives way to the unforgiving plains of the Kalahari. He first came to this part of the world as a boy. Now, 40 years later, he returns with his wife, taking extraordinary personal risks in order to produce this giant screen spectacle. Focusing on an old lion king, his two wives and their domain surrounding a rare waterhole, Liversedge braves fierce heat and blinding dust storms - and the animals he loves - to bring us some of the most stunning wildlife images ever seen.

Nature's poisons possess awesome powers. National Geographic's POISON! re-lives the spine-chilling experiences of people who have survived near-death encounters with some of nature's deadliest toxins - and discovers how modern medical technology is turning the tables to use poisons in the fight against disease. Using sophisticated animation and photography, POISON! reveals the secrets of attack and explores the human body during crisis, including nervous system dysfunction, anaphylactic shock, severe swelling, and tissue destruction. Poisons are among nature's most ancient weapons. And yet, more and more, they hold keys to our survival.

An alien invader runs rampant through the borderlands of South East Arizona, devouring anything that crosses its path and wiping out entire populations of local residents. In its relentless pursuit of prey it will eat its own kind to satisfy its hunger. This is not a monster, but the North American Bullfrog, which is a voracious carnivore with an insatiable appetite. It was introduced to the regions west of the Rocky Mountains in the early 1900's. Today, with few natural enemies the bullfrog has begun to overtake its fragile ecosystem. This is contributing to the decline of native species of wildlife in Arizona, which includes the Leopard frog and the rare Mexican Garter Snake. Efforts to contain this animal have yet to stop it. FEARSOME FROGS joins herpetologist Cecil Schwalbe on the frontlines of the struggle to protect Arizona's native wildlife and reveals the bullfrog's hunting prowess that threatens the survival of its riparian neighbors.

ELEPHANT POWER travels deep into the heart of forbidden Burma to document, for the first time, the lives of wild Asian elephants. Some 10,000 elephants, nearly one-third of all Asian elephants, survive in the forests of Burma, but little is known about these animals. Even today, much of the scientific literature still cites observations made centuries ago, at a time when Asian elephants numbered hundreds of thousands. This film will follow a single herd over the course of a year. Along the way, we learn how the elephants face daily peril from farmers and a logging industry dependent on elephant labor to harvest Burma's remaining forests.

Islands of the Vampire Birds is the story of how a tiny finch made its way to a barren group of islands in the Pacific and over millions of years, evolved into one of the most fascinating groups of birds on earth. Darwin's Finches live in the harsh andunforgiving Galapagos Islands 600 miles off the coast of South America. Though normally dry, the islands experience periods of torrential rains in El Nino years. Frequent volcanic eruptions combine with the fierce tropical sun and a constantly changing

A secret world rich in wildlife is hidden away inside an ancient volcanic crater in Kenya's rift valley. Mighty geysers of steaming water, boiled underground by highly sulphuric volcanic activity, gush to the surface of the valley floor. The poisonous, highly alkaline water flows from the geysers into a lake called 'Bogaria', which stretches the length of the ancient caldera. This is one of the most hostile lakes in the world. Two million flamingos live around these caustic waters, while a penetratingly hot equatorial sun beats overhead. Predators abound on the shores of the poisonous lake, tempted by an abundance of prey. Unlikely predators partake: hungry baboons and opportunistic marabou storks ravage the birds. Our story follows a family of African fish eagles, which specializes in feeding on flamingo flesh at this staggeringly beautiful, yet utterly savage, 'Gate of Hell'.

Africa is a continent that conjures up images of bold predators: Lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals. Now National Geographic sets those four-legged giants aside in search of the twelve deadliest snakes in Africa, including the continent's most lethal serpent. We will come face to face with these amazing creatures, and meet both those who revere them and some of the victims of their often-deadly defenses. What characteristics will crown one snake as Africa's most dangerous? It is sure to have a combinati

Get up close to the legendary eastern diamondback rattlesnake, the largest and most dangerous snake in North America. Find out where it lives, how it hunts and what to do if you encounter one.

Host Lisa Ling journeys to war-torn Iraq to investigate what happened to one of the greatest archaeological treasures of all time, the treasure of Nimrud.

Host Lisa Ling investigates America�s long-running battle against Colombia�s illegal cocaine trade and the terrorist guerrillas who control it, discovering a troubled country struggling to emerge from nearly 40 years of lawlessness, brutality and political unrest.

National Geographic Ultimate Explorer correspondent Mireya Mayor has just helped discover what could be a new species of mouse lemur � the smallest primate in the world � and it�s already under threat. Now, she must protect it, and, in this case, size is everything.

NGC sends a crew consisting of storm chasers and photographers to South Dakota. And with the use of armoured devices and cameras, film the full intensity of a tornado as it causes devastion near Manchester.

Joyce Poole fell in love with wild Africa when she was only seven years old. As a scientist working in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, she made discoveries that changed the way we look at elephants. Joyce confirmed that African male elephants go into a state of musth, a period of heightened sexuality and aggressiveness, and she was on the forefront of the discovery that elephants communicate with sounds below the level of human hearing. But her journey with elephants has gone beyond science to the world of politics and controversy. After 14 years in the field, Joyce took charge of elephant management for Kenya Wildlife Service and faced the heartbreaking decision of whether to kill some of her beloved elephants in order to save the rest. National Geographic Television charts the touching story of a woman who is COMING OF AGE WITH ELEPHANTS.

National Geographic follows in the footsteps of a pioneering pack of red wolves reintroduced to the wilds of North Carolina - the Milltail Pack. Because so little is known about the red wolf in the wild, the species was virtually exterminated before anyone thought to study it. We will observe, along with wildlife biologists, wolf behavior that has never been seen before. But this is as much a human story as a natural history program. It is a harrowing, sometimes heartbreaking and ultimately triumphant tale of unsung heroes who have refused to give up on a great doomed canine and whose legacy reverberates in today's attempts to save predators the world over. AKA Red Wolves at the Crossroads AKA Wolf Pack

Following a pride of lions in Kenya's Nakuru National Park.

Delivering an unparalleled look at the cheetah's circle, Explorer follows a mother and her cubs' struggle to survive AKA Killer Cats of the Kalahari

The story of Robert Ballard's search for PT-109, which was commanded by John F. Kennedy in World War II, and sunk by the Japanese on Aug. 2, 1943.

A look into why owls are ideal nocturnal birds of prey.

t's springtime in Japan and in this ethereal landscape of radiance and renewal; a monster awakens from its winter slumber. The Giant Japanese Hornet is the largest hornet in the world and is a fearsome combination of power, aggression and homicidal prowess. The venom of this gargantuan insect dissolves bone and tissue and its tremendous mandibles are capable of killing up to 40 victims per minute. National Geographic joins Dr. Masato Ono in his fascinating, and sometimes dangerous, quest to unlock the mysteries of the Giant Hornet and uncover the key to wasp society.

Explorer examines four submarine disasters: Russia's Kursk, the USS Squalus, Soviet K-19, and the USS Thresher.

National Geographic Explorer takes a look at the peregrine falcon.

A naturalist and filmmaker follows the life of a male leopard for 18 months as it strives to survive in South Africa's Mala Mala Game Reserve.

The fascinating journey to find the mysterious "Afghan Girl" whose haunting gaze captivated the world in a NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC magazine cover.

National Geographic Explorer goes to the Gobi desert in China to reveal the desert's secrets.

A filmmaker spends two years filming lions in the wild at Etosha National Park in Namibia, Africa.

A look at the background for Tolkien's mythology, hence the movie's mythology.

There are only about 300 remaining Siberian Tigers in the wild, restricted to a section of far Eastern Russia, near the coast. Wildlife biologists risk life and limb to track the tiger and research its movements and habits. They sedate the animals so the tigers can be measured and collared. One Russian scientist is shown raising two tigers which he found orphaned as cubs. He keeps the tigers in a cage, then allows the beasts into a fenced forest-like enclosure. The efforts of these scientists are in contrast to those of poachers, who kill the tigers for their pelts, as well as for body parts to be marketed in traditional Chinese medicine.

The Secret Life of Cats takes a whimsical but tough look at the darker side of our feline companions and their impact on wildlife throughout the world. From the county parks of Miami to the outback of Australia, domestic cats and their feral cousins are stalking some creatures to the brink of extinction. In the time it takes to watch this film, cats in the US alone will catch as many as 100,000 small mammals and more than 300,000 birds. "It's 9pm. Do you know where your kitty is?"

Few biological wonders can rival those in Australia�s Great Barrier Reef for spectacular beauty, and few filmmakers can rival National Geographic�s lush photography. The giant colonial organism, though endangered by pollution and other threats, still spawns once each year in a gorgeous frenzy of new growth. It�s a fertile time for all of the creatures dwelling in and around the reef structure, and the National Geographic cameras capture barracuda, bright damselfish, giant marine worms, and many other lovely and fascinating neighbours.

National Geographic follows underwater explorer Bob Ballard as he searches for the aircraft carrier sunk during the Battle of Midway.

Kelp supports many species off California's Channel Islands.

This program deals with Wildlife Cinematographers, and the "passion" they have for their work. It shows National Geographic cinematographers at work, clips of their sequences, and interviews. We (George D. Dodge & Kathleen M. Dodge) were one of the husband and wife teams they featured.

In 1922, American paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews led an archaeological expedition into Mongolia's Gobi Desert and uncovered one of the richest dinosaur graveyards in the world. Political conflicts forced him to leave before he had even scratched the surface of the treasure below. In 1997, two paleontologists from the American Museum of Natural History were finally allowed to return, retracing Chapman's steps and unearthing some groundbreaking finds of their own. With spectacular on-location filming, archival footage from Chapman's expedition and impressive computer animation, it's an amazing journey back in time to a lost world where ancient giants once roamed.

Danger in Yellowstone for a young outcast coyote! When a young coyote is cast out by his pack, he must learn to survive in a wilderness both beautiful and treacherous...Yellowstone National Park. As Cain the coyote's journey unfolds, he'll encounter a large cast of wildlife characters in what has been called America's own Serengeti. Set against the natural beauty of Yellowstone's changing seasons, from the steamy geysers in winter to the raging fires of summer, Cain's yearlong adventure of hardship and triumph will culminate in a final life-or-death confrontation with his original pack. In this remarkable film from National Geographic, you'll experience nature as never before in YELLOWSTONE: REALM OF THE COYOTE.

Photographing wild tigers inside Bandhavgarh National Park in central India.

While London was a swamp, and Paris, a fishing village, Istanbul, then known as Constantinople, reigned for a thousand years as the world's richest city. At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, it amassed more gold than both continents combined, and safeguarded Christendom's most sacred relics, including the True Cross and heads of the Apostles. The largest walls ever created protected Istanbul's treasures from endless waves of invaders. Immerse yourself in the city that has endured more warfare than any other place on Earth: Istanbul. The world's oldest city, which spans the continents of Europe and Asia, holds many stories of intrigue. Spies, invaders and some of history's most diabolical minds plotted to seize Istanbul, and with it, rule the world.

Chimpanzees, so like us.....

Stalk the Arctic ice with the fiercest predator, the polar bear, as it prowls one of the most forbidding places on the planet: a hidden kingdom of magnificent creatures. Armed with a keen sense of smell and backed up by 1,700 pounds, fur and fangs, the polar bear stands alone at the top of the food chain. Yet many other hunters manage to survive in and around harsh Arctic waters from the savvy arctic fox to the massive, whiskered walrus. And when the spring comes to the Artic, there is an extraordinary explosion of life - rarely seen anywhere else on earth. Returning to the fridged waters come some of the world's most unusual beasts, the ghostly white Bulaga Whale, the endangered bowhead whale, the Narwal with its 23-foot tusk. And hidden beneath the violent, shifting ice lies a secret world of strange creatures that patrol dark sea floors on the carcasses of the dead... and each other. The Arctic ice is revealed as a place of danger and drama as animals are stranded on frozen waters, trapped between moving sheets of ice, and caught in the struggle to survive. Brave the worst that nature has to offer.

A puffing steam train climbs into the Himalaya, a rolling rumble echoes over the holy waters of the Ganges, an astonishing five million commuters rush daily through the Bombay Victoria Terminus - join National Geographic as we journey on one of the world's largest railways. Since 1853, India's railway has been a unifying force. Not only did it physically link distant regions, it also connected the myriad of castes, languages, and religions that comprise India. It's a rich history, riding the sumptuous Palace on Wheels through Rajasthan or the "toy train" to Darjiing, but sadly, the age of steam is dying. At the Black Beauty contest, the beloved steam engines are admired for the last time. From the driver in the steaming locomotive to the station master in the sleepy village, from the family traveling to a wedding to the commuters in the large cities, this great institution reflects the country itself. Many are the faces, and varied are the stories, on THE GREAT INDIAN RAILWAY. - Written by Jeanne Rawlings (Writer)

A study of the last voyage and sinking of the Lusitania by a German U-boat on May 7, 1915.

In December 1990, bush pilot Tom Claytor set off on a quest that will ultimately take him to all seven continents. Flying a small, classic bush plane, Claytor is working his way around the globe by taking on odd and dangerous challenges which only highly skilled, and experienced bush pilots can perform. From scanning the vast wilds of Zimbabwe for an injured rhino and tracking elephants in Botswana, to wandering through the relics of diamond mining ghost towns in Namibia and exploring the thundering Victoria Falls, National Geographic invites you to share in the remarkable experiences of the FLIGHT OVER AFRICA.

This National Geographic documentary examines the numerous species of aquatic life that use the oceans' currents to travel the globe. Cameras follow several of these underwater highways, showing sea turtles, portuguese men-of-war, giant squid and the hundreds of other creatures as they chase and prey on each other.

Profile of Philippe Petit, the world's greatest high wire artist.

Explorer follows Bob Ballard and veterans from both America and Japan as they search for ships that were sunk during the Battle of Guadalcanal.

'Sink the Bismarck!'' was the cry as British forces searched the Atlantic for the German navy's most powerful vessel. The pursuit ended on May 27, 1941, in a battle that plunged the Bismarck into waters nearly three miles deep, taking with it more than 2,000 lives. Almost half a century later, explorer and scientist Dr. Robert Ballard, who discovered the sunken Titanic, searched the Atlantic for the infamous Bismarck. On June 8, 1989, he located the sunken ship, 600 miles off the coast of France. National Geographic looks back at the first, and last, mission of the Bismarck and talks with survivors of the notorious World War II battle. Then, in its climatic chapter, the story reveals exclusive footage of this remarkable undersea exploration.