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TV review: The Polar Bear Family & Me

I've always had a fondness for polar bears. As a child, my favourite teddy bear was a tatty, creamy-coloured chap I named Sammy. So last night it was good to see that Sammy's descendants had been given their own series.

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Travelling to the beautiful and extreme Arctic, wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan set out to reveal the family life of the world's largest carnivore.

We joined Gordon at the beginning of his expedition. April in the Arctic should mean travelling by snow mobiles, but the sea ice is disappearing rapidly with the ongoing effects of climate change, therefore it was to be by boat. And it's these changes that brought Gordon to Edge Island, home to the deepest concentration of polar bears, hoping to discover how native bears are coping. Particularly dangerous if, as he predicts, the massive creatures are struggling to find food on what should still be ice planes.

Approaching the island, and ramming the boat as far into the ice as possible, Gordon and crew – including polar bear expert Jason Roberts – prepared to make their way further inland by Skidoo. Almost immediately they spy their first bear. A curious youngster, but the crew must be wary and chase it away before heading off.

Exploring the wastelands, Roberts spots a polar bear den. He must have a keen eye because to the non-professional it was about as obvious as the proverbial needle in a haystack.

The den would be a regular spot for Buchanan and Roberts to visit over the coming days. From the initial encounter with a single inquisitive cub to a subsequent return when the cub pops its head out once more – this time joined by a sibling and mother. Roberts always names the bears he sights. Alas, not Sammy on this occasion. He names the cubs Mickey and Luka. The mother is to be known as Lyra.

The family is watched at play as it makes tentative steps into a wider world, before eventually summoning the confidence to leave the ice hole behind, venturing into a snowy wilderness. All very cute, but let us not forget that the polar bear is the world's largest carnivore, and as such, should be treated with respect.

After all, if divers want to get up close and personal with sharks they have protective cages. Gordon has an aluminium and plastic creation to protect him from the elements – and more importantly bears. Known as the 'ice cube', Gordon decides to test it by a hole in the ice. This breathing hole is used by seals and traditionally provides good hunting for bears,

Siting the cube by such a hole, it was amazing how calm Gordon appeared as a large adult bear systematically worked it's way around the 'safe haven' searching for weaknesses in the structure.

"At this point in time my fear outweighs my fascination," Gordon admits as the bear walks away defeated.

"I never dreamed I'd get so close."

Earlier in the documentary, the team encountered a large male that scares the living daylights out of them. That in mind, if you do travel to Edge Island and see yellow snow, that may be where the crew was chased.

Buchanan and Roberts reflect on the harsh conditions and have genuine admiration for the three bears who have made a final push from the den in search of food.

Even at such a young age, the cubs can travel 20 miles in a single day. The family begins its retreat from Edge Island and in order to learn more about Lyra and her cubs a tracking device must be applied. To fit the collar to the bear, Lyra is shot with a tranquiliser dart in order to safely attach the collar.

Buchanan is giddy with excitement as a sleeping mother bear is measured, and he gets an opportunity to hold and cherish the cubs. His bear family.

Tracking device in place, phase one of the adventurer's project is complete. And tonight the story continues, as Gordon's year of monitoring the vast ice wastes plays out on the small screen.

Paul Naylor

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