Inside Nature's Giants

Series 1 | Episode 2 | The Whale

whale intestines

In this episode experts dissect a 65-foot, 60-ton fin whale - second only in size to its 'cousin' the blue whale - that has died after being stranded off the coast of Ireland. It's a race against time as whale anatomist Joy Reidenberg flies in from New York before the animal's decomposition causes it to explode on the beach.

Veterinary scientist Mark Evans helps investigate why the animal died and explores its extraordinary anatomy. Using whale-size machinery, Joy and the team set to work amidst gale force winds, driving rain, blood, intestines, evil smells and freezing conditions. Meanwhile, advancing tides threaten to engulf the whale, as the team struggles to complete the operation.

Beneath the blubber, the whale's unique anatomy holds vital clues to its evolution. Using a combination of dissection and computer graphics, the programme discovers an animal whose closest living relative is the hippo.

Meanwhile, evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins explains why the whale's ancestors may have taken to the water and the evolutionary problems that had to be overcome to transform a land-based mammal into an animal that swims among fish.

On TV

First Shown

Date Time Channel
Monday 06 July 2009 9PM Channel 4

Last Shown

Date Time Channel
Monday 06 July 2009 9PM Channel 4

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Comments

  1. why cant u watch these vids
    Posted by matty on 28/07/2009 16:03:36
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  2. these videos don't work
    Posted by jodie on 21/07/2009 09:48:57
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  3. I watch the program with the whale. I found this very interesting. I would have liked to see a follow up on the voice box to find out how they sing I think it is a wonderful sound
    Posted by Elaine on 14/07/2009 15:31:06
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  4. these videos dont work
    Posted by michael on 13/07/2009 11:42:48
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  5. Anyone else having trouble playing this episode past 30 mins? mine resets to ads at this point. Top programme btw, tho I agree with other posters that more indepth discussion of the organs and evolution would've been nice
    Posted by Jay on 13/07/2009 03:13:28
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  6. I just wondering if coming back again as miss this (the whale )could you tell me???
    Posted by vicky.uk on 07/07/2009 21:08:34
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  7. Wow!!The elephant episode was amazing. Have to watch the whale one now and keep up with others. Will there be anymore after the 4th? What an amazing job and such cool animals to choose!!
    Posted by Helen Salter on 07/07/2009 20:49:44
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  8. I thought this was a realy interesting programme. I would have loved for it to have been more in depth,for perhaps the organs to have been removed and then looked at individually with more detail,because it was such a unique insight to such an interesting creature,loved the elephant too! Can't wait for next week!
    Posted by MB on 07/07/2009 17:11:53
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  9. just watched programme about the whale, it was fab. hope there are many more programmes like it.
    Posted by marie on 07/07/2009 04:13:48
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  10. just watched the episode featuring the elephant! wow! its was so interesting, there should definitely be more programmes like this. something i would never see anywhere else in my life! thanks so much!
    Posted by sally on 06/07/2009 17:54:29
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  11. this is a rele great programme and this should be shown on the tele more often. i love animals and to learn so much just from this programme is ideal for those who are eager or show a keen interest in this particular choice.
    Posted by panda on 04/07/2009 15:09:10
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  12. I'd like to see a more indepth DVD series, perhaps? I agree with 'Wentworth' regarding the show being a little condescending, but it's a fantastic watch for anyone, regardless of whether they're into Dawkins, or Dahl! It's fair to say that the elephant didn't exactly sign up for a televised dissection, but it's a truely remarkable series. Far more intellectual than Big Brother. Maybe C4 could do a crossover between the two shows...
    Posted by SLC on 01/07/2009 22:54:29
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  13. I thought that this documentary was a fantastic idea and there should be much more like this on TV. However I felt that the program didn't go as in depth as I would like, especially regarding the evolutionary side of it. I am currently reading 'The Ancestor's Tale' by Dawkins and was expecting something closer to the style of this book. I think that this may have been dulled down for easy viewing, but instead I think that perhaps some viewers found this slightly patronizing. The people watching are interested already and can handle a bit more in depth information. Can we please see more of this!
    Posted by Wentworth on 30/06/2009 11:03:42
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  14. I had the same misgivings as KYLEG, and was also worried that the same arguments might be used for humans. however, the documentary was well made, and I felt that the people on site treated the poor old girl with dignity and respect. Anyway, judge me or damn me! http://draughtyoldfentales.blogspot.com/2009/06/elephants.html
    Posted by Frugal Dougal on 30/06/2009 04:30:02
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  15. fantastic documentary. So marvelous the way evolution works, it make us realize how interconnect we are in this tree of life, and that, I think, is enough to provide us a sense or purpose in our life. Amazing thanks for the chance to witness this amazing doc
    Posted by Josue on 30/06/2009 00:49:24
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  16. You couldn't be more wrong. If an animal is to die, isn't it better that people benefit from this passing?
    Posted by Hi on 30/06/2009 00:35:35
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  17. I am not happy with what was shown tonight on channel 4 regarding the elephant. If the vets thought the elephant was in pain then i believe they made the correct decision in put the animal to sleep. however i hope the animal was not put to sleep because it was getting old and they needed an elephant. in other words the animals was killed to do the show. Also if the animal was killed because it was in pain, the the corret thing to do is to respect and allow the animals body to rest, and not turning it inside out !
    Posted by kyleg on 29/06/2009 22:17:21
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Monday 20 July

9PM, Channel 4

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