Martin Clunes: My Travels and Other Animals - Season 1

On the North Coast of Devon, Martin meets animal behaviourist Sean Ellis, who lives with a pack of wolves. At the Mkomazi game reserve in Tanzania, Tony Fitzjohn is pioneering a breeding programme in the hope of saving the African wild dog, and hermit Dave Glasheen, on Australia's Restoration Island, lives with his pet dingo Polly. Martin then travels, with his horse Chester, to meet Monty Roberts, the legendary horse-whisperer, for a masterclass in inter-species communication.

Martin Clunes investigates working animals around the globe. Macaque monkeys collecting coconuts in South East Asia, using Cormorants to fish in Japan, Border Collies to herd UK sheep, Mounted Police to control crowds and U.S. search dogs.

In Tasmania Martin learns of the horrific facial cancer endangering the legendary Tasmanian Devil and how there is hope on the horizon. But it's not only the more exotic horses under threat Ð horses are vulnerable. In Mongolia he gets up close to these un-tamed Przewalksi's horses. In the Maldives he meets a marine biologist who is working to maintain the population of the close-to-extinction manta ray and in Cheshire Martin learns about the British Bulldog, originally bred to inflict pain and suffering on bulls and bears.

Martin meets Jean Francois Pignon in the South of France and is shown the dynamic bond between man and horse. After travelling to Nepal he witnesses the legendary relationship between a Mahout and his elephant and, in Japan, Mr Uchida's Great Dog Circus rescues unwanted dogs from the pound and trains them to perform for delighted audiences. Finally, Martin heads to ‘hoof camp' with his two Clydesdales, Bruce and Ronnie, where they are trained by Robert Sampson.

Martin Clunes spends time with mans best friend around the globe. From Montanan sled dogs to dog child substitutes in Japan. Martin explores why dog ancestor - the wolf - shacked up with humans and discovers a Dingo's musical talents in Australia.

Martin Clunes explores animals' role in different cultures. In Nepal it's the Hindu's sacred cow, in Asia the Nomadic Kazakh people rever the horse, with the Tiwi's in Oz it's bush tukka. In a US Amish community working horses are fundamental.

Martin learns about animal exploitation - the good, the bad and the ugly. The actor visits Sri Lanka, where fishing for manta rays is legal, but a turtle sanctuary offers hope. In Thailand, he learns more about silk production - as well as a more animal-friendly alternative - and on the Australian Friday Island, he is shown the delicate art of growing pearls. Finally, in the Abrolhos islands, Martin learns about the most valuable catch in Australia's waters.

Martin's labrador puppy Arthur goes to dog training, but he doesn't see Martin as the pack leader. Malibu Hills is Martin's next stop, where he meets one of the most famous dog families, that of Lassie, and he then travels to the Arabian desert to ride with Bedouin horseman Ali Al Ameri, who trains the world's oldest man-made horses – the Arabian - for TV shows. Martin then spends time with Josef Svoboda, a logging superstar from the Czech Republic who uses heavy horses in his work. In Thailand, Martin sees how song birds are encouraged to sing louder than their peers in lucrative song competitions, before finally Martin learns more about a discovery known as The Horseboy Method used by hundreds as a way of treating autistic children.

Martin Clunes learns how to look after the planet's vulnerable animals as he travels around the world meeting those trying to learn more about these beasts and who work to save and protect them.

Martin heads to the Ningaloo reef in Australia and swims with the world's biggest fish, the whale shark, before taking part in the oldest Royal tradition - swan upping - on the River Thames.

Then, on the Australian Phillip Island, he learns more about the successful and large breeding colony of the world's smallest penguin species, the fairy penguin.  Finally, Martin meets Bernard Richardson in Madagascar, who shows him around Ivoloina, a refuge and breeding programme for confiscated and rescued lemurs.

Martin Clunes explores horses in history, from ancient cave paintings in France to the newest racecourse in Dubai.

Martin travels high into the Pyrenees mountains, where there is a record of the horse drawn on the walls of the Niaux Cave from 14,000 years ago; a hundred years ago fishermen used horses to trawl the sea for shrimps and Martin spends a day fishing with these last European horse fishermen (now protected by UNESCO). To understand better how Medieval soldiers and their horses fought battles, Martin and horse Magic don a suit of armour in Warwickshire. In London, Martin is privileged to take part in a nighttime rehearsal for the Royal Parade that few people know takes place, and meets some of the Queen's horses that are handpicked and trained for whatever might be thrown at them. Finally, Martin heads to Dubai and the Meydan racecourse, the one place that still connects us with our equine past, and meets top racehorse trainer Luca Camani to learn what it is that drives horses to race.

Martin Clunes learns about animal exploitation - the good, the bad and the ugly. In Sri Lanka, fishing manta rays is legal but a turtle sanctuary offers hope. In Thailand, he learns more about silk production, and a more animal-friendly alternative, and on the Australian island of Friday Island, he is shown the delicate art of growing pearls. Finally, in the Abrolhos islands, Martin learns about the most valuable catch in Australia's waters.

A look back at Martin's time in Africa, which left an indelible mark on him. In 2012, he was involved in an extraordinary mission to return lions to the wild in Kenya, and it started with a lion cub called Mugi. This mission had all the makings of a big adventure, both for Mugi and Tony Fitzjohn, the man who was having his dream realised.