‘Wild Patagonia’ Recap: ‘Life on the Edge’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Wild Patagonia’.
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Over the course of the past couple of weeks, the BBC America series, Wild Patagonia, has done a phenomenal job of giving us a comprehensive view of a fascinating part of our world. For we now know that Patagonia is a section of South America that boasts some incredibly unique landscapes for certain, thanks to the power of the Andes and how they trap and transform the winds that sweep off of the Pacific Ocean. Plus, we have also come to learn that despite the harsh conditions the Andes create, life thrives here and even humanity has figured out how live alongside nature in a place that one would think would be off-limits to mankind. 
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But what is genuinely fascinating about this documentary, is that its first two entries only scratched the surface of how harsh and how difficult this environment is to survive within and for proof… then look no further than last night’s episode. For ‘Life on the Edge’ took us to a part of Patagonia that demands both awe and fear with the chaotic beauty that it puts on display, specifically, the eastern coast of Patagonia. A place that features a diverse and incredible climate since there are dry and arid beaches in this part of the world that transform into incredibly harsh and chilly environments as you approach the southernmost point on the planet. Which are environments that shouldn’t support life in the slightest but there are rich nutrients that the volatile seas churn about here and well, it is those nutrients that allow for life to thrive.

For the seals that hang out in the northern part of region, know that food is plentiful in the water and that makes the beaches a wonderful place to raise their young, despite the fact that danger surrounds them. For killer whales also know that seals are plentiful here and that leads to incredible struggles for certain, but neither animal will budge in leaving this segment of Patagonia because of the rich bounties it offers and they aren’t the only ones that put up with strife in order to call this place home. For Rockhopper Penguins, which live closer to the edge of the world, will also tolerate the daily struggles of life in the harshest region of Patagonia, because of the bounties the churning seas offer them and their young. However, it isn’t just seals and penguins and birds that have found a way to thrive in this harsh and desolate part of the world, mankind has figured it out as well.

For generations of fishermen know that if you want some of the best crabs possible to take to market, the waters off of Cape Horn will provide them. Which motivates these brave souls to swing by Puerto Toro, a place that a single family calls home, so they can use its port as a launching point to spend cold months at sea to try and capture a king’s bounty of crabs and it was fascinating to see people work hard to make a living in a place that most will avoid, and come to find, that they aren’t the only ones braving tough conditions to pay the bills. For further north near the seal colonies, there are people that make a living by diving for mussels, an act that should be a simple task, but is sometimes complicated by wildlife passing through. 

If anything, all of these elements made for one fascinating and powerful tale. One that made it clear that Patagonia is one incredible place. Because churning oceans and bitterly cold shores and ugly deserts, should not support life in the slightest. But they do and watching these animals go about their daily business regardless of the danger surrounding them, and watching people make the voyage into the icy waters at the edge of the world, humbles a viewer and leaves them in awe. For it truly speaks to the majesty of this world and the enduring spirit of the species that populate it and it really is incredible to know that regardless of the environment, somehow, some way… life will find a way to settle in and thrive for generations on end.

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