Wild Caribbean (2007) 4/4

"Secret Shores"
UK broadcast 6 February 2007
The final instalment in this four part documentary takes the form of a journey along the Caribbean shore of Central America, which runs for 1700 miles from Panama to Mexico. The Panama Canal is 25m above sea level and relies on outflow from rivers in the surrounding rainforest to maintain the water level. Wildlife along the banks includes capybara, coatis and spider monkeys. The Bocas del Toro islands now lie a few miles off the coast of Panama, but were once part of the mainland. The mantled howler monkey is a mainland species stranded by the rising sea level. Others such as poison dart frogs are evolving into new forms, or adapting their behaviour; three-toed sloths have evolved to eat mangrove leaves and even swim between trees. Further north, coastal mangrove swamps are rich hunting grounds for two different creatures: white-faced capuchins are shown cracking open clam shells and Utila spiny-tailed iguanas catch fiddler crabs. Plankton blooms in the deep waters around the Bay Islands triggers a food chain. Whale sharks suck in mouthfuls of bait fish, and bonitos join the feast. Mexico's limestone Yucatan peninsula is riddled with flooded caves, home to strange creatures including remipedes and isopods. Offshore, Terneffe is one of many coral atolls. Rare American crocodiles hatch in its sheltered mangroves, and magnificent frigatebirds mob red-footed boobies as they return to feed their chicks, forcing them to regurgitate their catch in mid air. The programme also features the indigenous Kuna people of the San Blas Islands, and the Miskitos of Honduras.