'South Pacific' Recap: 'Strange Islands'

We all familiar with the phrase, ‘we are a product of our environment’ simply due to the fact that there is some truth to that particular phrase, but not in the sense that one might think. Because while those words are often applied to psychology and debated hotly amongst human beings, it stands as fact in the wild by way of evolution. Because the environment has quite the impact on nature and the beings that inhabit this world and last night’s episode of South Pacific, decided it was high time to explore how the environment in this remote chain of islands has helped to mold some incredible creatures in ‘Strange Islands’.  

If anything, I’m glad the series took the time to address this, because often times we don’t think much about how nature figures out how to help life to survive in the tougher parts of our world by way of evolution, but this particular tale dug deep into this fascinating aspect of science and this chapter opened up by showing us how on some islands, the lack of diverse wildlife and predators for that matter, has allowed for some species to find new and commanding roles in the wild. To the point where a species of kangaroo now own the trees and some lizards have come to enjoy the wonder of vegetation as a food supply and friendship, something rare for the species as a whole. 

But this magnificent exploration into evolution didn’t end there. As the show took the time to focus upon the many species of birds that have found ways to grow and thrive in these wild environments. And what was equally as fascinating, was how many various avian species have more or less forgotten about flight now that they no longer have natural predators to deal with and these various species thrive happily. In fact, the Kakapo, which is found in New Zealand, can live up to a hundred years thanks to this blessing, and it was also quite cool to see how these birds have also seen their physical appearance change over time in order to feed and thrive on the various flora and fauna that they found themselves surrounded by. 

But. While all of this was fascinating to learn in its own right. It does leave one to wonder, how do all these unique creatures find a new home in a place where life shouldn’t thrive or rarely welcomes new species, and the answer to that question...is that often times mankind plays a part in helping life to find a new home since we transported many a creature to the places we colonized. Case in point, Hawaii, an island chain that once saw only one new species arrive on its shores every 35,000 years. But the advent of man changed all of that as mainland species after mainland species found its way to this beautiful paradise and countless other islands, which in some cases disrupted the natural order of things and helped to wipe some species off the map. 

While that unfortunate news could have allowed for this episode of the show to go to some dark and worrisome places, thankfully it ended on a high note. Because mankind is starting to do its best to help all of these species out, to the point where we are removing some the wildlife that doesn’t belong in the South Pacific, or we are feeding and nurturing the endangered species that need our help and well, that’s magnificent to say the least. Because in order for the South Pacific to remain unique and wonderful, it needs our help and it’s good to know we are in fact doing our part to keep this place as magical as possible. Until next time.

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