TV Tonight Wilderness with Simon Reeve: The presenter goes in search of grizzly bears

Tonight at 9pm on BBC Two: Wilderness with Simon Reeve. Simon ventures into one of North America’s most remote and spectacular landscapes in the latest episode of Wilderness with Simon Reeve, as the acclaimed travel presenter explores Canada’s vast Yukon territory in search of its elusive grizzly bears.

Where to Watch: The hour-long adventure airs on BBC Two on Sunday 11 October at 9pm, with viewers able to watch the programme now on BBC iPlayer.

Covering an area almost the size of Spain but home to fewer than 50,000 people, the Yukon is a breathtaking expanse of immense forests, towering glaciers, winding rivers and extraordinary wildlife. It is a place where nature still holds considerable power, offering Simon the chance to explore a side of modern Canada that feels a world away from its bustling cities.

But this is more than a journey through spectacular scenery. Simon wants to discover how the people who call this wilderness home are faring, and what life is like for the wildlife that depends on its fragile ecosystems. At the heart of his expedition is a search for one of the region’s most formidable inhabitants: the grizzly bear, an apex predator whose future is closely connected to the health of the landscape around it.

As Simon travels through the rugged territory on foot and by canoe, he encounters the challenges of surviving in such a remote environment and investigates the pressures facing its natural world. The episode promises dramatic landscapes, remarkable encounters and the kind of unpredictable adventure that has become a hallmark of his television journeys.

A hit series returns for another epic adventure

The Yukon instalment is part of the second series of Wilderness with Simon Reeve, which sees the presenter embark on four ambitious expeditions into some of the planet’s most isolated and awe-inspiring environments.

Following the success of its first series in 2024, the programme has returned with journeys spanning the tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea, Mexico’s spectacular Sea of Cortez, the Canadian wilderness of the Yukon and the vast landscapes of Mongolia.

The original series proved a major ratings success for BBC Two, becoming the channel’s highest-rated factual series for two years, according to Simon Reeve’s official website. Its popularity helped secure a second run, with audiences drawn to its combination of breathtaking natural history, challenging expeditions and encounters with people living in some of the world’s most extraordinary places.

Critical acclaim has followed the programme, too. The Guardian praised the first series for its powerful conservation message, while reviews of the new run have highlighted its spectacular landscapes, remarkable wildlife and adventurous spirit.

What sets Wilderness apart from a conventional travelogue is its determination to look beyond the postcard-perfect views. Simon’s journeys explore the complicated relationship between people and nature, examining the threats facing wildlife while celebrating the communities working to protect the natural world.

Why the Yukon matters

In the Yukon, that relationship takes centre stage. Despite being part of a wealthy, technologically advanced country, this immense region remains sparsely populated, with vast stretches of wilderness that can feel almost untouched.

Yet even here, the natural world faces challenges. The availability of food for wildlife, changing environmental conditions and the pressures affecting remote ecosystems all raise questions about the long-term future of the region’s most iconic species.

For Simon, the search for grizzly bears becomes a way of understanding these wider changes. The animals are powerful symbols of the wilderness, but their survival depends on much more than the size of the forests or the remoteness of the mountains.

The result is an expedition that combines the excitement of a wildlife quest with a deeper look at what it means to protect the planet’s remaining wild places.

With its spectacular Canadian scenery, close encounters with nature and thought-provoking exploration of conservation, Wilderness with Simon Reeve promises another compelling Sunday-night adventure.

Wilderness with Simon Reeve: Yukon airs on BBC Two on Sunday 11 October at 9pm and is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.

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