The Best TV Shows on Smithsonian Earth

Close to the cool highlands of the Snowy Mountains in South East Australia, lies an enchanted secret world where a group of very special creatures make their home. Shy and elusive, the common wombat may appear to be hidden from view – but the quiet wood is alive with scenes of marsupial friendship, new life, burrow hopping, and wombat disagreements.

Perhaps Australia's most iconic creature of all, these cuddly looking little characters can face surprising challenges, and in different parts of Australia the koalas have very different stories. Meet Jimmy, a little koala who is trying to find a new home range in the dense woodlands of New South Wales; the koalas at Moreton Bay in Queensland whose population is being monitored; and the koalas of Cape Otway in Victoria, who are overeating their own food supply.

Uncover the secrets of the vast Great Lakes region, which extends from the Canadian border to the American Midwest. It's a place of breathtaking natural beauty, with a unique set of challenges threatening its delicate environmental balance.

To catch a glimpse of some of the most spectacular natural wonders on the planet, you have to journey deep beneath the oceans. Dive into lush undersea gardens filled with vibrant vistas and otherworldly creatures.

Two young scientists work around the clock gathering data on large predators, a dangerous activity that puts their lives at risk. Meanwhile, an elephant orphanage is giving new hope to baby calves rescued from poachers. Enter into a brave new world of conservation, one that's fraught with peril and hope.

The Mekong basin is one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the world, yet one of the most undiscovered. 20,000 plant species, 430 mammals, 1,200 birds, 800 reptiles and amphibians, and an estimated 850 freshwater fish species, are found in this very remote Asian region. A not-to-be-missed wildlife series that will truly be a feast for the eyes.