‘Mammals’ (2024) Recap: ‘The New Wild’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Otters Go About Their Day in the City of Singapore in Episode 102 of ‘Mammals’ – ‘The New Wild’. (Photo Courtesy of BBC America.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Mammals’. To revisit the Series Premiere, click here.
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One particular truth about modern mankind, is that we are indeed the true masters of Planet Earth. After all, we have grown to eight billion strong and in doing so, we are now present in just about every corner of the planet. Wherein we’ve built incredible, sprawling cities, and we have amazing creations that can help us reach those points by land, sea, and air. Which is quite the amazing accomplishment to say the least, one that has sadly, come with some side effects and imparted a negative impact upon the very planet we have conquered. After all, the climate is changing thanks to the fossil fuels that helped to build this world, and we’ve made life difficult for the wildlife we share the world with.

For we have pushed them out of certain parts of the world in order to move in and that’s disrupted their way of life, and all of these elements have put the animal kingdom in peril and forced it to adapt in wild ways, as evidenced by the next episode of Mammals on BBC America. For ‘The New Wild’ showcased how some animals, don’t necessarily disappear into new biomes or make a long trek to find a new home when we move in. They simply adapt to the world that surrounds them and make it their new home and well… that brought about some genuine surprises in this tale. Since it showcased how… there are so many animals that now just live alongside us and rely us on for sustenance and shelter.

Take for instance, the sea lions that live in Chile. For so many of them have opted to stay on the beaches that we have claimed as our own and in doing so, have learned to live with humans. To the point where they now just… swing by the fish markets to get a little something to eat and do their best to just get by and they’re not the only ones who have made the city their home. After all, there are otters in Singapore, who are everyday citizens. Since they have their own special bands of territory they claim as their own and they simply move about, finding food and traveling amongst people as though we are no big deal. But with both species’ territory now claimed by humanity, what other choice do they have? And these were not the only surprising examples of how nature has adapted to our world. 

Since there are elephants that traverse cities in Africa at night to feed and keep their families thriving, and while that can be noisy and scary, the residents let it be because there is an understanding that these majestic creatures need to eat. Not to mention, some of these animals have discovered… ways to survive in places that we have devastated through conflict. Since there are wolves thriving in the minefields in the Golan Heights, because humanity stays away from this place, allowing for an eco-system to thrive. But of course, while it is fascinating to know that animals are getting by and adapting accordingly, not all are enjoying living alongside us. For populations have dwindled and so many are trying hard to make it through the day as we go about our business.

But people are trying to make it all better. For there are conservation efforts to help populations thrive, and mankind is trying to protect species that are endangered but there is of course, so much more that we can do. Such as leaving behind a small carbon footprint and of course… do more to help nature live alongside us, and well, we might as well start now. For this episode showcased nature’s resiliency and its ability to adapt, and it really is only a matter of time before we live alongside wildlife that refuses to leave the home they’ve known. So why not… welcome them in and live alongside one another now. After all, it might create harmony at last with the natural world, a newfound appreciation for it, and help future generations understand the value of the beings we share this precious world with, so that harmony will persist for all time.

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