UNB research team helps capture rare right whale footage for Apple TV+ series The Wild Ones
Author: Kayla Cormier
Posted on Jul 11, 2025
Category: UNB Saint John
When The Wild Ones premieres globally on Apple TV+ on July 11, viewers will be treated to breathtaking underwater footage of one of the world’s most endangered animals—the North Atlantic right whale.
Behind the scenes, a team of researchers from the University of New Brunswick (UNB) made it possible.
Dr. Kimberley Davies, associate professor in biological sciences at UNB’s Saint John campus, along with graduate student Jillian Carter, played a pivotal role in the production of the new documentary series.
Their mission: to help the filmmakers get up close and personal with the elusive right whales off the coast of New Brunswick.
“We were thrilled to host the filmmakers of The Wild Ones on our research expedition to tag endangered right whales,” said Davies.
“With the documentary hosts, the research team tagged whales with high-tech camera tags to observe their underwater behaviour and better explain the mechanics of how they become entangled in fishing gear.
“It was fun, wet, and for once, the whales were fairly cooperative—so we were able to get really nice, unique footage.”
Drone video credit: Dr. Gina Lonati.
The footage captured by researchers from UNB, Dalhousie and Ocean Alliance is among the rarest ever filmed.
The tags recorded whales in their natural habitat, revealing behaviours never before seen on camera.
The result is a stunning, intimate look at these gentle giants—one that could only be achieved with the expertise and dedication of UNB’s researchers.
The team helped coordinate a complex seagoing operation involving two vessels and a research and film crew of ~25 people. They secured permits, guided the production team to whale habitats and ensured the cameras were in the right place at the right time.
“This was the biggest international seagoing production I’ve ever been a part of,” said Davies. “We helped the filmmakers not just glimpse the whales, but truly capture their world.”
The Wild Ones is a high-profile conservation series that aims to raise awareness about the planet’s most critically endangered species. The inclusion of the North Atlantic right whale—and the rare footage made possible by UNB—underscores the global importance of the university’s research.
As the world tunes in on July 11, UNB’s contribution will be felt in every frame of the right whale segment. It’s a proud moment for the university—and a powerful reminder of the role science plays in storytelling and conservation.