Earth Day arrives with two new nature documentaries that remind viewers how much there is to protect in the wild. In Canada and the United States, audiences can dive into two stories that blend wonder with science, conservation, and moments that bring wild life closer to home.
CHIMPANZEE follows a three-year-old chimp who is orphaned and taken in by a mature male. The production stretched over three years, capturing social life, play, and practical problem solving within a chimpanzee group. The project is supported by the Jane Goodall Institute, an organization founded by Jane Goodall to raise funds and awareness for chimpanzee safety, habitat protection, and welfare.
TO THE ARCTIC 3D tracks a polar bear mother and her two cubs as they travel across an Arctic landscape that has changed because of climate shifts. The film shows how shrinking sea ice and shifting hunting grounds affect daily life, presented in stunning IMAX 3D for an immersive experience.
Earth Day invites reflection on wildlife and climate, and these two titles are in theatres now. Both CHIMPANZEE and TO THE ARCTIC offer audiences a chance to see nature up close. If seeing them on the big screen isn’t possible, here are essential facts about polar bears and chimpanzees that help explain what these films illustrate.
Fun facts about the Polar Bears
– The front paws of a polar bear are webbed to help them swim.
– Polar bears can be found in Canada, Norway, Russia and Denmark.
– The fur of a polar bear is actually transparent, but because there’s so much of it, it looks white.
– Underneath their white fur, polar bears have black skin.
– Humans are the main threat to polar bears; natural predators for adult bears are extremely rare.
– Some studies suggest a paw preference in polar bears, with many individuals showing a tendency toward the left paw.
Fun facts about the Chimpanzees
– Chimps are mammals that resemble humans in many ways.
– Chimps spend most of their time in trees.
– They use rocks and sticks to obtain food.
– They eat fruits, seeds, blossoms, berries and leaves, and will occasionally eat other monkeys as well as young goats and antelopes.
– They throw large branches as a defense against leopards and humans, who can pose threats to them.