Nature: Season 8 (1989 - 1990)

A three-part study of "The Great Rift" in Africa begins with a survey of wildlife and evidence of early humans. Included: the "Laetoli footprints," the earliest evidence of primates that walked upright. Host: George Page.

Part 2, "Out of the Ashes," surveys the vast western plains of "The Great Rift." Observed: wildebeests, zebras, Thomson's gazelles, lions, hyenas, wild dogs and lynxes.

The conclusion of "The Great Rift" surveys the northern regions and the forces that are "Breaking the Continent." Observed: a jackal; giant mole rats; hamadryas baboons; a whale shark; a stingray; and a steppe eagle.

Cameras venture "Under the Ice" of Antarctica to capture "images of primeval beauty." Observed: giant sponges, Weddell seals, giant cod, sea spiders, nemertean worms, anemones, jellyfish and Adelie penguins.

Inside Hong Kong's "Land of Dragons," where "wildlife hangs on with a tenacity of its own" despite shrinking habitats and increasing pollution. Observed: macaques, black kites, reef egrets, cormorants, horseshoe crabs.

"The Great Wood of Caledon" explores the pine forests of the Scottish Highlands. Observed: crossbills, capercaillies, black grouse, golden eagles, wildcats, ospreys, graylag geese, pine martens, red deer.

This program is part of a PBS series that takes the viewer to some of the world's wildest and most scenic places. This episode, narrated by George Page, takes place in Africa, home to three species of gorillas. Spectacular wildlife photography captures the vegetarian gorillas, as they forage their way through the African savanna. They are shown caring for their young and interacting in their family units, living peacefully, unless disturbed by man, their only enemy.

A look at the maneating tigers of the Sundarbans delta in India.

Wildlife inhabiting Gran Paradiso, the Italian mountain park that has "succeeded in reestablishing a wilderness." Included: glimpses of Alpine ibexes, goatlike animals that were nearly extinct a century ago.