BBC’s little white lie: Polar bear cubs on acclaimed program were filmed in a zoo, not the Arctic

Dramatic footage of a polar bear tending her newborn cubs in the flagship BBC show “Frozen Planet” was filmed in a Dutch zoo using fake snow. But viewers were led to believe the scene had been captured by BBC cameramen inside an underground cave in the Arctic wilderness. The media – bringing you the world as it exists in the director’s mind.

Bonfire of the Absurdities: After 35 year career writing software for IBM mainframes, am now self-employed contractor thinking of joining a union and striking for higher wages. Cured morbid fear of heights when I learned to look at them as lengths standing on end. Uncompromising in refusal to accept browser cookies. Amateur investor who has accumulated a small fortune in the market after starting out years ago with a large one. For recreation, I run, hike, kayak and play tennis but will not consider synchronized swimming under any circumstances.

View Comments (8)

  • Does anyone watch Deadliest Catch?
    These guys have been getting hammered with more intense winter storms and the ice pack coming further South in the Bering Sea earlier than it has in over 30 years!
    Try telling these fishermen that global warming is ruining the Arctic! They'll tell you that it's been colder earlier and longer than it has in their lives.

    • Come on now, Poppa. We all know that those storms, and that record cold, is all caused by Global Warming. Get with the program.

  • I love polar bears, they are awsome animals, & I hate that they are a political football. It sucks, & it's wrong. Back in the 50's, there were about 5,500 polarbears, there are about 24,000 of them. Only 1 of the 7 major population groups has gone down in numbers. They are in no danger of extinction now, it's a lie, & it needs to be pointed out.

  • You just know it had to be Bush's fault that the BBC could not travel to the Arctic wilderness to obtain live photos...