The UK Overseas Territories are 14 groups of islands scattered across all seven seas. The Territories are home to a spectacular array of terrestrial invertebrates, from the coconut crab, the largest land arthropod alive today, to more than four hundred endemic invertebrate species on the tiny island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic. Many of the invertebrates of the UK Overseas Territories face critical threats. Some, such as Saint Helena’s giant earwig (the biggest earwig known to have existed) are already extinct. Others, such as the unique spiky yellow woodlouse are close to the brink – but teams of dedicated conservationists are working to safe the unique invertebrates of the Territories to ensure that they survive into the world of tomorrow.
Please note: although complementary to the BBC FOUR series, the 40 short mini-documentaries are not commissioned or editorially overseen by BBC.
The three-part Britain’s Treasure Islands documentary series was broadcast on BBC FOUR on Tue 12 Apr 2016 21:00. (repeated Wed 13 Apr 2016 20:00). Contact info@simonvacher.tv to get passworded access to view a non-downloadable version of the broadcast programme online.
This is a short film produced for Britain's Treasure Islands, a television series which appeared on multiple broadcast channels in 2012-2016 and was also accomplished by a book.