Zanzibar is a land of giants. Isolated from mainland Africa these islands harbour some of the most unique animals with many being the largest found anywhere in the world. From giant snails to the largest shark on earth, the whale shark they dwarf their mainland cousins. But when nightfalls on the island one the of the biggest creepy crawlies reveals itself, this animal needs to be seen to be believed.
The Caribbean has been shaped by millions of years of unstoppable volcanic forces and ferocious hurricanes, creating a network of 7,000 islands, each one more unique than the next. From islets only a few miles long to landmasses with towering peaks, the habitats of this tropical paradise range from lush rainforests hiding untold species to multi-coloured coral reefs teeming with marine life. The fauna of the Caribbean, has had to adapt to an island existence, becoming either generalists or specialists…creatures as old as the dinosaurs nest on it’s beaches, opportunistic scavengers patrol it’s skies, iridescent dynamos forage in it’s forests and wandering ocean leviathans give birth in it’s warm waters.
Nestled alongside Canada's south west coast, Vancouver Island is home to the richest Pacific wildlife. Sea lions and killer whales are among the marine predators enjoying the abundant seafood in the surrounding waters, while black bears, marmots and beavers enjoy the rich pickings on land. But each fall, the islands inhabitants must adapt and prepare to face the coming winter. Some will leave, among them humpback whales and turkey vultures who migrate to warmer climes. For those who stay, anticipation builds as they await the return of the pacific salmon. Millions of these fish travel over 4000 miles to reach their breeding grounds in the rivers and streams of North America. But to make it to their goal they must face their many predators, from egg-eating birds to eagles and black bears, all of which rely on this feast to survive the winter ahead.