WEBVTT FILE
1
00:00:01.863 --> 00:00:04.590
{\an1}MICHELLE [off-screen]:
There's a country on
planet earth that's about
2
00:00:02.000 --> 00:00:07.000
Downloaded from
YTS.MX
3
00:00:04.625 --> 00:00:08.387
{\an1}the same size
as the United States,
4
00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:13.000
Official YIFY movies site:
YTS.MX
5
00:00:08.422 --> 00:00:12.391
{\an1}but it has around
four times as many people.
6
00:00:12.426 --> 00:00:17.051
{\an1}Still, its wild lands are
so vast with creatures seen
7
00:00:17.086 --> 00:00:21.607
{\an1}nowhere else, incredible
animals that survive in
8
00:00:21.642 --> 00:00:25.404
{\an1}some of the most
extreme landscapes,
9
00:00:25.439 --> 00:00:30.202
{\an1}like the highest and largest
mountain region in the world.
10
00:00:31.169 --> 00:00:36.208
{\an1}With so much ice it's
known as the Third Pole.
11
00:00:36.243 --> 00:00:41.282
{\an1}This country is famous for grass
that grows as big as trees.
12
00:00:42.387 --> 00:00:45.873
{\an1}And for an animal that
will eat that giant grass
13
00:00:45.907 --> 00:00:49.049
{\an1}all day long.
14
00:00:51.499 --> 00:00:56.056
{\an1}These are
The Hidden Kingdoms of China.
15
00:01:02.545 --> 00:01:06.100
{\an1}This is the fastest
growing plant in the world.
16
00:01:06.135 --> 00:01:08.309
{\an1}Bamboo.
17
00:01:08.344 --> 00:01:11.933
{\an1}It can grow around
a meter a day.
18
00:01:11.968 --> 00:01:16.869
{\an1}And some of it as tall
and as thick as a tree.
19
00:01:20.459 --> 00:01:24.670
{\an1}China is the
kingdom of Bamboo.
20
00:01:27.708 --> 00:01:33.231
{\an1}Ruled by a queen,
21
00:01:34.922 --> 00:01:38.408
{\an1}the giant panda.
22
00:01:38.443 --> 00:01:42.481
{\an1}This country
is her native home.
23
00:01:42.516 --> 00:01:46.140
{\an1}She's China's national animal
24
00:01:46.175 --> 00:01:50.075
{\an1}and she happens to
eat a lot of bamboo.
25
00:01:53.527 --> 00:01:58.325
{\an1}The giant panda
has the tools for it.
26
00:01:58.877 --> 00:02:04.089
{\an1}With five claws on each
paw and a padded wrist bone
27
00:02:04.124 --> 00:02:07.368
{\an1}that works like a thumb.
28
00:02:07.403 --> 00:02:11.372
{\an1}She can grip it
almost like a monkey.
29
00:02:16.377 --> 00:02:20.312
{\an1}Big and powerful jaw muscles
help her grind up the tough
30
00:02:20.347 --> 00:02:25.248
{\an1}stems and give her that
recognizable round face.
31
00:02:27.077 --> 00:02:29.079
{\an1}A few million years ago,
32
00:02:29.114 --> 00:02:34.292
{\an1}the pandas' ancestors
preferred to eat more meat.
33
00:02:34.326 --> 00:02:38.848
{\an1}These days they're
mostly vegetarian.
34
00:02:43.784 --> 00:02:47.822
{\an1}Bamboo is low in nutrients,
so the average bear needs to eat
35
00:02:47.857 --> 00:02:53.069
{\an1}a lot of it and
for a long time,
36
00:02:55.899 --> 00:03:00.110
{\an1}around 12 hours every day.
37
00:03:00.145 --> 00:03:03.424
{\an1}Perhaps that's the reason
for this panda mother's
38
00:03:03.459 --> 00:03:05.978
{\an1}big, round belly.
39
00:03:09.982 --> 00:03:13.572
{\an1}Or maybe it's because
she just gave birth
40
00:03:13.607 --> 00:03:17.404
{\an1}to her very tiny panda prince.
41
00:03:18.577 --> 00:03:23.617
{\an1}At only two weeks old,
he weighs half a kilogram.
42
00:03:25.446 --> 00:03:30.002
{\an1}A newborn panda is one of the
smallest mammals born compared
43
00:03:30.037 --> 00:03:33.696
{\an1}to the size of the parent.
44
00:03:33.730 --> 00:03:37.389
{\an1}They're also born blind
so this little one needs
45
00:03:37.424 --> 00:03:41.255
{\an1}his mom for everything.
46
00:03:41.290 --> 00:03:46.364
{\an1}For the next two years, she'll
stick by his side and teach
47
00:03:46.398 --> 00:03:50.126
{\an1}him all that she knows until
the day he's big enough to
48
00:03:50.160 --> 00:03:53.612
{\an1}strike out on his own.
49
00:03:56.166 --> 00:03:59.273
{\an1}Thousands of meters higher up,
in an all-together different
50
00:03:59.308 --> 00:04:05.279
{\an1}type of forest there lives
another very special creature.
51
00:04:05.314 --> 00:04:09.110
{\an1}That is also unique to China.
52
00:04:09.145 --> 00:04:12.252
{\an1}The golden snub-nosed
monkey only lives here in the
53
00:04:12.286 --> 00:04:17.187
{\an1}high mountain
forests of central China.
54
00:04:19.431 --> 00:04:24.056
{\an1}Up to 4,000 meters
above sea level.
55
00:04:24.816 --> 00:04:28.716
{\an1}This is the world's
largest high-altitude forest,
56
00:04:28.751 --> 00:04:31.857
{\an1}where there are more tree
species than in any other
57
00:04:31.892 --> 00:04:35.999
{\an1}deciduous forest on earth.
58
00:04:37.587 --> 00:04:39.348
{\an1}It's spring!
59
00:04:39.382 --> 00:04:43.490
{\an1}And these monkeys are
making the most of it.
60
00:04:55.709 --> 00:05:00.300
{\an1}This troop has five families.
61
00:05:00.334 --> 00:05:06.029
{\an1}Each family has one
male and several females
with their young.
62
00:05:08.446 --> 00:05:11.828
{\an1}Males that don't belong
to these families hang out
63
00:05:11.863 --> 00:05:15.798
{\an1}together in a
monkey bachelor gang.
64
00:05:18.352 --> 00:05:21.321
{\an1}They're an unruly bunch,
but for now,
65
00:05:21.355 --> 00:05:25.359
{\an1}the focus is not on them.
66
00:05:26.049 --> 00:05:30.330
{\an1}It's on the latest
addition to the family,
67
00:05:30.364 --> 00:05:34.368
{\an1}a brand new, baby girl.
68
00:05:36.508 --> 00:05:41.651
{\an1}She happens to be the
first born this spring
69
00:05:41.686 --> 00:05:47.485
{\an1}so all the females in
the family want a cuddle.
70
00:05:53.663 --> 00:05:56.942
{\an1}This aunty is first.
71
00:06:02.016 --> 00:06:04.571
{\an1}[squeaking].
72
00:06:04.605 --> 00:06:09.507
{\an1}Then aunty number
two wants a hold.
73
00:06:14.304 --> 00:06:21.035
{\an1}[squeaking].
74
00:06:22.105 --> 00:06:26.627
{\an1}And aunty number three.
75
00:06:31.701 --> 00:06:36.465
{\an1}[squeaking].
76
00:06:36.499 --> 00:06:42.194
{\an1}Enough! It's mom time.
77
00:06:43.161 --> 00:06:47.441
{\an1}Meaning lunchtime.
78
00:06:54.586 --> 00:06:58.970
{\an1}In fact, all the
monkeys want lunch.
79
00:07:02.145 --> 00:07:04.562
{\an1}At this time of year,
they spend a quarter of
80
00:07:04.596 --> 00:07:09.152
{\an1}daylight hours eating
the fresh, new leaves.
81
00:07:12.017 --> 00:07:16.436
{\an1}A good source of protein
and their favorite food.
82
00:07:24.720 --> 00:07:29.069
{\an1}As temperatures rise,
the monkeys follow the leaves
83
00:07:29.103 --> 00:07:31.209
{\an1}as they spring to life,
84
00:07:31.243 --> 00:07:35.316
{\an1}further and further
up the mountain.
85
00:07:35.351 --> 00:07:39.735
{\an1}But eventually
the trees stop growing.
86
00:07:40.529 --> 00:07:46.189
{\an1}And at around 5,000 meters
above sea level we hit.
87
00:07:46.224 --> 00:07:49.883
{\an1}The great plains of China.
88
00:07:49.917 --> 00:07:53.576
{\an1}Part of the biggest
grassland on earth,
89
00:07:53.611 --> 00:07:58.270
{\an1}it covers a
third of the country.
90
00:07:59.340 --> 00:08:04.725
{\an1}For nine months of the year,
it's packed with snow and ice.
91
00:08:04.760 --> 00:08:08.626
{\an1}But there are a couple
of months when it transforms
92
00:08:08.660 --> 00:08:11.905
{\an1}into a hidden
kingdom of plenty.
93
00:08:11.939 --> 00:08:15.805
{\an1}Precious time
to raise a family.
94
00:08:17.600 --> 00:08:21.501
{\an1}And up here there's a
family guy who takes the prize
95
00:08:21.535 --> 00:08:25.435
{\an1}for dad of the year.
96
00:08:25.470 --> 00:08:29.957
{\an1}The Tibetan
fox is no lazy dog.
97
00:08:33.478 --> 00:08:36.308
{\an1}But he has no idea
what lies ahead in
98
00:08:36.343 --> 00:08:40.105
{\an1}this fast-changing wilderness.
99
00:08:42.418 --> 00:08:46.422
{\an1}After a very long winter,
the residents of China's
100
00:08:46.456 --> 00:08:50.737
{\an1}great plains are waking up.
101
00:08:53.118 --> 00:08:55.914
{\an1}The father fox
has a family of five.
102
00:08:55.949 --> 00:08:59.780
{\an1}Four cubs and mother fox too.
103
00:08:59.815 --> 00:09:03.439
{\an1}After a month underground,
they are just emerging from
104
00:09:03.473 --> 00:09:07.063
{\an1}their den with energy to burn.
105
00:09:12.137 --> 00:09:16.763
{\an1}Tibetan foxes normally only
give birth to two or three cubs,
106
00:09:16.797 --> 00:09:19.593
{\an1}so four is a handful.
107
00:09:19.628 --> 00:09:21.871
{\an1}And like most baby foxes,
108
00:09:21.906 --> 00:09:26.358
{\an1}they're completely dependent
on both parents for survival.
109
00:09:26.635 --> 00:09:29.741
{\an1}[yipping].
110
00:09:30.535 --> 00:09:32.917
{\an1}They need constant feeding.
111
00:09:32.951 --> 00:09:36.541
{\an1}Dad and mom take turns.
112
00:09:36.576 --> 00:09:40.580
{\an1}Today, father fox
stays home to babysit.
113
00:09:40.614 --> 00:09:44.584
{\an1}And mother heads
out for the hunt.
114
00:09:50.590 --> 00:09:53.731
{\an1}To be safe, the cubs
stay close to the den.
115
00:09:53.765 --> 00:09:58.701
{\an1}While the other
grassland creatures
go about their business.
116
00:09:58.736 --> 00:10:01.877
{\an1}Some more edible than others.
117
00:10:01.911 --> 00:10:06.088
{\an1}[howling].
118
00:10:06.744 --> 00:10:08.849
{\an1}[yipping].
119
00:10:08.884 --> 00:10:13.198
{\an1}With this many cubs, someone
is bound to get left out.
120
00:10:14.510 --> 00:10:17.651
{\an1}As the three
brothers grow stronger,
121
00:10:17.686 --> 00:10:22.207
{\an1}their smaller sister will
need some extra attention.
122
00:10:27.143 --> 00:10:30.595
{\an1}Beyond the grasslands,
lies the wildest,
123
00:10:30.630 --> 00:10:35.324
{\an1}highest and largest
mountain region on Earth.
124
00:10:35.358 --> 00:10:38.845
{\an1}This is China's
mountain kingdom,
125
00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:43.435
{\an1}home to some of the
world's most elusive animals.
126
00:10:45.506 --> 00:10:49.165
{\an1}Including these
goofy looking creatures.
127
00:10:49.200 --> 00:10:51.685
{\an1}The Himalayan marmot,
128
00:10:51.720 --> 00:10:56.517
{\an1}sometimes known as
the Tibetan snow pig.
129
00:10:56.552 --> 00:10:58.865
{\an1}They're in the
squirrel family
130
00:10:58.899 --> 00:11:02.592
{\an1}but are more the
size of a groundhog.
131
00:11:04.111 --> 00:11:08.357
{\an1}Marmots are also one
of the highest living
mammals in the world.
132
00:11:10.221 --> 00:11:13.189
{\an1}They survive the coldest
eight months of the year
133
00:11:13.224 --> 00:11:15.467
{\an1}by sleeping in their burrows
134
00:11:15.502 --> 00:11:19.782
{\an1}and dropping their heart beats
to just a few per minute.
135
00:11:25.615 --> 00:11:31.173
{\an1}But right now, they're feasting
to rebuild their fat reserves.
136
00:11:38.249 --> 00:11:41.701
{\an1}This mountain habitat
sits within an area nearly
137
00:11:41.735 --> 00:11:45.981
{\an1}14 times the size
of Yellowstone.
138
00:11:46.015 --> 00:11:50.606
{\an1}A place where four
seasons can pass in one day.
139
00:11:52.021 --> 00:11:54.472
{\an1}And after the
North and South Pole,
140
00:11:54.506 --> 00:11:58.269
{\an1}it ranks third for ice.
141
00:11:58.303 --> 00:12:03.826
{\an1}Ice that eventually feeds
Asia's three mightiest rivers,
142
00:12:03.861 --> 00:12:07.519
{\an1}the Yellow,
Mekong and Yangtze.
143
00:12:08.141 --> 00:12:13.249
{\an1}Water for most of the
billion people that live below.
144
00:12:17.184 --> 00:12:20.601
{\an1}Nestled in the western
province of Qinghai,
145
00:12:20.636 --> 00:12:25.192
{\an1}this remote and extreme
world is home to a sacred and
146
00:12:25.227 --> 00:12:28.644
{\an1}most elusive predator.
147
00:12:28.678 --> 00:12:33.269
{\an1}Only when she
moves can we see her.
148
00:12:33.304 --> 00:12:36.756
{\an1}It's the ghost of
the mountain kingdom.
149
00:12:36.790 --> 00:12:39.137
{\an1}Something rarely
caught on camera.
150
00:12:43.901 --> 00:12:46.696
{\an1}MICHELLE [off-screen]: China is
home to more snow leopards than
151
00:12:46.731 --> 00:12:50.355
{\an1}anywhere else on the planet.
152
00:12:50.839 --> 00:12:54.635
{\an1}At around 16,000
feet above sea level,
153
00:12:54.670 --> 00:13:00.089
{\an1}they're perfectly
adapted to a world that
is inaccessible to most.
154
00:13:02.816 --> 00:13:06.855
{\an1}Their individual territories
with steep sided mountains and
155
00:13:06.889 --> 00:13:10.582
{\an1}exposed valleys are huge,
156
00:13:14.621 --> 00:13:18.901
{\an1}but this female
still marks hers.
157
00:13:22.318 --> 00:13:26.495
{\an1}She's the apex
predator all the way up here.
158
00:13:28.083 --> 00:13:30.050
{\an1}And when there are at best,
159
00:13:30.085 --> 00:13:33.260
{\an1}7,000 snow leopards
left on planet earth,
160
00:13:33.295 --> 00:13:37.057
{\an1}it's a privileged
position to be in.
161
00:13:41.613 --> 00:13:47.102
{\an1}This snow leopard is also
a mother of this yearling cub.
162
00:13:48.897 --> 00:13:53.004
{\an1}She takes the
time to play with him,
163
00:13:54.005 --> 00:13:57.871
{\an1}a mountain version
of hide and seek.
164
00:13:58.665 --> 00:14:02.669
{\an1}Vital lessons
disguised as a game.
165
00:14:07.536 --> 00:14:12.748
{\an1}We are lucky to witness a
snow leopard family in the wild.
166
00:14:17.166 --> 00:14:21.722
{\an1}Many skills are
needed to survive up here.
167
00:14:24.553 --> 00:14:28.177
{\an1}So how does a cub learn those?
168
00:14:28.212 --> 00:14:32.595
{\an1}Be a copycat of course.
169
00:14:34.666 --> 00:14:38.118
{\an1}What mom does, son does.
170
00:14:44.780 --> 00:14:48.680
{\an1}They're inseparable.
171
00:14:48.715 --> 00:14:51.925
{\an1}But there's a serious
side to mountain life.
172
00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:54.790
{\an1}And a constant
pressure to find food.
173
00:14:54.824 --> 00:14:58.380
{\an1}Even at the top
of the food chain,
174
00:14:58.414 --> 00:15:01.831
{\an1}survival up here is tough.
175
00:15:01.866 --> 00:15:05.042
{\an1}Mother's milk
is no longer enough.
176
00:15:05.076 --> 00:15:07.561
{\an1}She needs to hunt
every ten days or so
177
00:15:07.596 --> 00:15:11.496
{\an1}just to keep
them both alive.
178
00:15:11.531 --> 00:15:15.569
{\an1}But where is the prey?
179
00:15:15.604 --> 00:15:20.505
{\an1}Finding it is the first job,
up here in the mountains.
180
00:15:22.404 --> 00:15:26.926
{\an1}Especially challenging
as a solitary hunter.
181
00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:29.929
{\an1}Where one leopard's
territory might be
182
00:15:29.963 --> 00:15:33.933
{\an1}as much as 1,000
square kilometers.
183
00:15:35.658 --> 00:15:39.973
{\an1}About the size of Rome.
184
00:15:40.008 --> 00:15:43.977
{\an1}And if she does find food,
it's difficult to sneak up on
185
00:15:44.012 --> 00:15:49.224
{\an1}it because there just
aren't enough places to hide.
186
00:15:52.882 --> 00:15:56.127
{\an1}These mountains help protect
an opposite universe from
187
00:15:56.162 --> 00:15:59.303
{\an1}the cold air of the north.
188
00:15:59.337 --> 00:16:02.547
{\an1}Further south, there's
a subtropical paradise where
189
00:16:02.582 --> 00:16:06.966
{\an1}animals have more
than enough places to hide.
190
00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:10.970
{\an1}So much so, they
need to up their game
191
00:16:11.004 --> 00:16:14.559
{\an1}to even get noticed at all.
192
00:16:16.665 --> 00:16:19.357
{\an1}The jungle of Yunnan.
193
00:16:19.392 --> 00:16:22.188
{\an1}Covering an area
larger than California,
194
00:16:22.222 --> 00:16:27.987
{\an1}it's home to over half of the
entire country's plant species.
195
00:16:28.021 --> 00:16:33.613
{\an1}It's a hidden kingdom that
shouldn't really be there.
196
00:16:35.373 --> 00:16:39.205
{\an1}Deep narrow valleys
funnel in warm, wet air,
197
00:16:39.239 --> 00:16:45.004
{\an1}making it one of the most
northern jungles in the world.
198
00:16:49.008 --> 00:16:55.083
{\an1}A place where leaves
and branches host some
outlandish life forms.
199
00:16:55.117 --> 00:17:00.640
{\an1}With names that sound
like characters plucked
out of a comic book.
200
00:17:00.674 --> 00:17:05.507
{\an1}These little caterpillars
are simply marvels of nature.
201
00:17:07.129 --> 00:17:09.062
{\an1}This is Chequers,
202
00:17:09.097 --> 00:17:12.341
{\an1}named after the geometric
pattern down its back.
203
00:17:15.413 --> 00:17:18.037
{\an1}Shaped like a shield,
this one's called,
204
00:17:18.071 --> 00:17:21.661
{\an1}funnily enough, the Shield.
205
00:17:23.076 --> 00:17:26.459
{\an1}With a prominent,
nut-like lump in his middle,
206
00:17:26.493 --> 00:17:29.082
{\an1}this is Almond-back.
207
00:17:30.877 --> 00:17:35.019
{\an1}And dressed to
impress, the Jester.
208
00:17:36.538 --> 00:17:39.713
{\an1}They may look cute
but chemical weapons,
209
00:17:39.748 --> 00:17:43.303
{\an1}camouflage and deadly spines
are all tools in the arsenal
210
00:17:43.338 --> 00:17:47.411
{\an1}of survival for
these jungle caterpillars.
211
00:17:48.239 --> 00:17:51.449
{\an1}Thousands of tiny spines
cover this species called
212
00:17:51.484 --> 00:17:54.418
{\an1}The Pin Cushion.
213
00:17:54.452 --> 00:17:57.248
{\an1}The pink bumps on
its rear inflate and
214
00:17:57.283 --> 00:18:00.769
{\an1}contain even
tinier pins to deter
215
00:18:00.803 --> 00:18:05.118
{\an1}any predator that
crosses its path.
216
00:18:07.569 --> 00:18:13.506
{\an1}Dragonhead emerges from
the egg, complete with horns,
217
00:18:13.540 --> 00:18:18.062
{\an1}ready to defend itself.
218
00:18:18.097 --> 00:18:21.928
{\an1}Reminiscent of
a Chinese dragon.
219
00:18:24.310 --> 00:18:28.935
{\an1}The Snake Head wears
a mask to hide its head.
220
00:18:28.969 --> 00:18:33.698
{\an1}While an airborne predator
might think it's a snake,
221
00:18:33.733 --> 00:18:38.393
{\an1}this sneaky larva continues
to feed uninterrupted.
222
00:18:39.394 --> 00:18:45.262
{\an1}But there's one costumed
caterpillar that predators
truly fear, Medusa.
223
00:18:47.022 --> 00:18:50.681
{\an1}Locked and loaded with
a halo of stinging spines,
224
00:18:50.715 --> 00:18:54.616
{\an1}it's all about defense.
225
00:18:56.031 --> 00:19:00.139
{\an1}Each razor-sharp spike is
a hollow needle connected to
226
00:19:00.173 --> 00:19:05.109
{\an1}a poison gland that's
ready to inject a toxin
227
00:19:05.144 --> 00:19:10.114
{\an1}into anything unlucky
enough to come too close.
228
00:19:13.773 --> 00:19:18.295
{\an1}Some caterpillars don't
need weapons to survive.
229
00:19:18.329 --> 00:19:22.713
{\an1}They just sit
very, very, still.
230
00:19:24.024 --> 00:19:26.544
{\an1}Like the Twig Caterpillar.
231
00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:29.098
{\an1}With legs set far apart,
232
00:19:29.133 --> 00:19:33.137
{\an1}it makes a characteristic
hump as it walks.
233
00:19:33.172 --> 00:19:37.210
{\an1}Capable of remaining
motionless and undetected
234
00:19:37.245 --> 00:19:42.181
{\an1}for days just like a twig.
235
00:19:43.492 --> 00:19:47.669
{\an1}Or perhaps a home-built
fortress may suffice.
236
00:19:47.703 --> 00:19:51.742
{\an1}Inside these leaves,
stuck together by her own silk,
237
00:19:51.776 --> 00:19:56.850
{\an1}is a female caterpillar
known as the Witches Hat.
238
00:19:56.885 --> 00:19:59.301
{\an1}To accommodate a growing body,
239
00:19:59.336 --> 00:20:05.238
{\an1}this literal home maker adds
to her hat, leaf by tiny leaf.
240
00:20:05.273 --> 00:20:08.345
{\an1}And she keeps a clean house.
241
00:20:11.796 --> 00:20:16.180
{\an1}After gently balancing her
droppings on tiny silk threads,
242
00:20:16.215 --> 00:20:21.150
{\an1}she jettisons
them as far as she can.
243
00:20:22.738 --> 00:20:27.916
{\an1}Eventually she'll turn into
a wingless moth full of eggs.
244
00:20:27.950 --> 00:20:31.747
{\an1}But for now she'll
stay in her cozy home,
245
00:20:31.782 --> 00:20:36.062
{\an1}until a male moth comes
along to fertilize them.
246
00:20:36.580 --> 00:20:40.446
{\an1}All these caterpillars
have the same simple goals,
247
00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:44.967
{\an1}to eat and not be eaten.
248
00:20:45.520 --> 00:20:48.281
{\an1}Stunning looks and
impressive adaptations go
249
00:20:48.316 --> 00:20:52.492
{\an1}a long way in
the jungle of Yunnan.
250
00:20:56.047 --> 00:21:00.707
{\an1}This rather handsome
devil is the Great Hornbill.
251
00:21:00.742 --> 00:21:05.436
{\an1}Roughly the size of a
bald eagle, he's a big bird.
252
00:21:07.162 --> 00:21:10.683
{\an1}He's also a loyal mate.
253
00:21:10.717 --> 00:21:13.996
{\an1}Although what the female
hornbill does may seem to
254
00:21:14.031 --> 00:21:17.379
{\an1}us very strange indeed.
255
00:21:22.729 --> 00:21:25.491
{\an1}MICHELLE [off-screen]:
This father hornbill
will be the sole provider
256
00:21:25.525 --> 00:21:29.288
{\an1}for his family for
the next four months.
257
00:21:30.565 --> 00:21:32.877
{\an1}But the mother
hornbill is holed up
258
00:21:32.912 --> 00:21:35.984
{\an1}in this old tree
with her chicks.
259
00:21:36.018 --> 00:21:40.195
{\an1}Trapped. 30 meters up.
260
00:21:42.370 --> 00:21:46.201
{\an1}Completely relying
on him to feed her.
261
00:21:46.235 --> 00:21:50.930
{\an1}She had to enter the nest
before laying her eggs,
262
00:21:50.964 --> 00:21:54.692
{\an1}and shed her flight
feathers to make space
for a growing brood.
263
00:21:57.523 --> 00:22:01.941
{\an1}Welcome to
motherhood hornbill style.
264
00:22:03.770 --> 00:22:08.188
{\an1}It may seem extreme to us
but this is the jungle and
265
00:22:08.223 --> 00:22:12.572
{\an1}you do what it takes
to protect your babies.
266
00:22:15.264 --> 00:22:20.028
{\an1}Hornbills bond for life
and this pair is nesting in
267
00:22:20.062 --> 00:22:24.412
{\an1}the same tree for
the tenth year straight.
268
00:22:27.242 --> 00:22:30.625
{\an1}The mother's only outlet
to the world is a narrow gap
269
00:22:30.659 --> 00:22:33.766
{\an1}within the tree hollow.
270
00:22:33.800 --> 00:22:37.356
{\an1}Wide enough for the male
hornbill to supply food and
271
00:22:37.390 --> 00:22:41.670
{\an1}narrow enough to
keep nest raiders out.
272
00:22:53.613 --> 00:22:56.513
{\an1}Like a kind of
flying, candy machine,
273
00:22:56.547 --> 00:22:59.585
{\an1}dad returns to the
nest many times a day with
274
00:22:59.619 --> 00:23:03.485
{\an1}a beak full of treats.
275
00:23:03.520 --> 00:23:06.385
{\an1}He stores the fruit in a
special pouch at the base of
276
00:23:06.419 --> 00:23:09.940
{\an1}his neck and to
pass it onto the female,
277
00:23:09.974 --> 00:23:14.393
{\an1}he rolls each one out to
the tip of his massive beak.
278
00:23:18.120 --> 00:23:22.021
{\an1}It's a highly skilled
and precision operation...
279
00:23:23.505 --> 00:23:26.543
{\an1}most of the time.
280
00:23:30.547 --> 00:23:35.793
{\an1}The male hornbill is
under intense pressure
to feed hungry mouths.
281
00:23:43.560 --> 00:23:48.944
{\an1}Sugary fruit alone won't
be enough to sustain his young.
282
00:23:50.325 --> 00:23:54.433
{\an1}This father has to
do some real hunting.
283
00:23:55.641 --> 00:24:00.231
{\an1}A tiny owl chick will
make a good protein hit.
284
00:24:01.025 --> 00:24:04.615
{\an1}But then.
285
00:24:04.650 --> 00:24:07.480
{\an1}It's gone.
286
00:24:07.515 --> 00:24:11.691
{\an1}The meal falls all the
way to the jungle floor.
287
00:24:17.456 --> 00:24:21.563
{\an1}He has no choice but
to go out and hunt again.
288
00:24:25.567 --> 00:24:30.158
{\an1}While the female waits
patiently with their brood.
289
00:24:35.370 --> 00:24:38.269
{\an1}He snatches an
even bigger chick.
290
00:24:38.304 --> 00:24:41.618
{\an1}A prize he
can't afford to lose.
291
00:25:02.949 --> 00:25:07.575
{\an1}It's too big for the entrance.
292
00:25:12.269 --> 00:25:16.618
{\an1}He crushes the bones
and he tries again.
293
00:25:18.033 --> 00:25:22.037
{\an1}Still too big.
294
00:25:25.040 --> 00:25:27.077
{\an1}But he's not giving up.
295
00:25:27.111 --> 00:25:31.012
{\an1}That beak is
not just for show.
296
00:25:37.984 --> 00:25:42.437
{\an1}Finally. Success.
297
00:25:42.471 --> 00:25:45.129
{\an1}It'll be a while before
the hornbill chicks can leave
298
00:25:45.164 --> 00:25:49.651
{\an1}their sanctuary high
up in the jungle tree.
299
00:25:51.929 --> 00:25:55.623
{\an1}Trees provide more
than just shelter.
300
00:25:57.901 --> 00:26:00.869
{\an1}Clean air, food.
301
00:26:00.904 --> 00:26:04.390
{\an1}They are magnificent
silent heroes.
302
00:26:04.424 --> 00:26:08.636
{\an1}And some of them are massive.
303
00:26:09.809 --> 00:26:12.847
{\an1}This is a Banyan tree,
304
00:26:12.881 --> 00:26:19.439
{\an1}300 years old and said to be
the largest in all of China.
305
00:26:23.133 --> 00:26:26.515
{\an1}Out of its branches
thousands of aerial roots
306
00:26:26.550 --> 00:26:30.658
{\an1}spread in all directions.
307
00:26:30.692 --> 00:26:35.317
{\an1}From these, others sprout
and reach for the ground.
308
00:26:35.352 --> 00:26:39.598
{\an1}Then they thicken
and form new trunks.
309
00:26:40.184 --> 00:26:44.844
{\an1}The crown covers an
astonishing 8,000 square meters
310
00:26:45.983 --> 00:26:50.194
{\an1}around the size of
a football field.
311
00:26:51.644 --> 00:26:56.442
{\an1}This Banyan tree is so
big it makes its own forest.
312
00:26:58.306 --> 00:27:02.103
{\an1}It's also sacred.
313
00:27:03.414 --> 00:27:09.006
{\an1}Visitors leave red
colored offerings for
happiness and good luck.
314
00:27:16.117 --> 00:27:20.673
{\an1}Meanwhile, back in the
bamboo forests of the east.
315
00:27:20.708 --> 00:27:23.918
{\an1}The mother panda is getting
ready to introduce her baby
316
00:27:23.952 --> 00:27:27.853
{\an1}to the big wide world.
317
00:27:31.408 --> 00:27:34.722
{\an1}At just a few months old,
the baby panda still drinks
318
00:27:34.756 --> 00:27:39.002
{\an1}his mom's milk
several times a day.
319
00:27:46.388 --> 00:27:49.081
{\an1}But the older he gets,
320
00:27:49.115 --> 00:27:53.844
{\an1}the more he can explore on his
own and learn about the forest.
321
00:27:56.744 --> 00:28:01.058
{\an1}As long as his
mother is not too far away.
322
00:28:15.417 --> 00:28:18.351
{\an1}Turns out, there's
plenty to discover in all the
323
00:28:18.386 --> 00:28:22.804
{\an1}different parts
of the bamboo kingdom.
324
00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:27.188
{\an1}And so many new
creatures to meet.
325
00:28:39.062 --> 00:28:42.513
{\an1}Like this six-legged
alien predator.
326
00:28:42.548 --> 00:28:46.725
{\an1}At just under five centimeters
long, she packs a mighty punch,
327
00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:50.107
{\an1}an inspiration for
China's Kung Fu masters.
328
00:29:00.014 --> 00:29:04.743
{\an1}MICHELLE [off-screen]: This
female, jeweled flower mantis
is looking for flowers
329
00:29:06.503 --> 00:29:10.058
{\an1}because they attract
her favorite prey,
330
00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:18.446
{\an1}flies.
331
00:29:23.416 --> 00:29:28.111
{\an1}Not here to chat,
they're here to drink nectar.
332
00:29:39.018 --> 00:29:43.022
{\an1}But she's here to eat.
333
00:29:50.064 --> 00:29:53.377
{\an1}And she's being watched.
334
00:30:02.973 --> 00:30:07.426
{\an1}A smaller, male
mantis creeps closer.
335
00:30:09.704 --> 00:30:12.603
{\an1}He's only after one thing.
336
00:30:12.638 --> 00:30:16.745
{\an1}And it's not
the chewed-up fly.
337
00:30:16.780 --> 00:30:19.196
{\an1}Even though
she's just eaten,
338
00:30:19.231 --> 00:30:23.338
{\an1}he should still
tread carefully.
339
00:30:27.895 --> 00:30:31.899
{\an1}A big beetle joins the party.
340
00:30:44.497 --> 00:30:47.259
{\an1}Impressive.
341
00:30:49.433 --> 00:30:54.128
{\an1}But now, back to business.
342
00:31:03.931 --> 00:31:07.348
{\an1}He better be careful,
343
00:31:09.212 --> 00:31:14.596
{\an1}a female praying mantis
will sometimes eat her man.
344
00:31:24.089 --> 00:31:28.887
{\an1}These are the baby panda's
first steps to independence.
345
00:31:35.410 --> 00:31:40.346
{\an1}Pandas are mostly loners
so these two years together
346
00:31:40.381 --> 00:31:43.591
{\an1}with mom are precious.
347
00:31:45.973 --> 00:31:51.254
{\an1}[squeaking].
348
00:31:55.879 --> 00:31:58.847
{\an1}He could be just one of
a handful of cubs she raises
349
00:31:58.882 --> 00:32:03.024
{\an1}in her lifetime, so the
next stage is one of the most
350
00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:06.890
{\an1}important for both of them.
351
00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:17.211
{\an1}It's a different story
for the four fox cubs.
352
00:32:19.558 --> 00:32:24.597
{\an1}Their mother has been gone
a long time and dad is left
353
00:32:24.632 --> 00:32:27.324
{\an1}with the job of
watching them...
354
00:32:31.811 --> 00:32:35.091
{\an1}and feeding them.
355
00:32:45.687 --> 00:32:50.037
{\an1}These cubs are so
dependent on their parents.
356
00:32:53.281 --> 00:32:56.388
{\an1}But the odds of
survival are slim,
357
00:32:56.422 --> 00:33:00.564
{\an1}one out of five
fox cubs won't make it.
358
00:33:01.048 --> 00:33:05.949
{\an1}[yipping].
359
00:33:06.536 --> 00:33:09.677
{\an1}If things get really tough,
these four may form their
360
00:33:09.711 --> 00:33:14.164
{\an1}own hierarchy, which won't
be good for the little sister.
361
00:33:20.722 --> 00:33:24.450
{\an1}Fall arrives in China's
high mountain forests.
362
00:33:27.246 --> 00:33:31.630
{\an1}At similar latitudes
to North America's
deciduous forests,
363
00:33:31.664 --> 00:33:35.082
{\an1}these glorious colors
look very familiar.
364
00:33:42.365 --> 00:33:46.955
{\an1}The new baby snub-nosed monkey
is growing stronger every day.
365
00:33:48.302 --> 00:33:52.547
{\an1}She's six months old
but still needs her mom.
366
00:33:59.830 --> 00:34:05.698
{\an1}Experimentation and discovery
have begun for this little one.
367
00:34:08.253 --> 00:34:12.360
{\an1}Her first new tastes,
368
00:34:12.395 --> 00:34:15.881
{\an1}and her inaugural
attempts at grooming.
369
00:34:20.092 --> 00:34:24.510
{\an1}But the best part,
she's confidently mobile.
370
00:34:28.790 --> 00:34:33.588
{\an1}So now she spends a
lot of her time playing.
371
00:34:38.593 --> 00:34:42.425
{\an1}It may be fun, but
like for most of us mammals,
372
00:34:42.459 --> 00:34:45.911
{\an1}it's important too.
373
00:34:46.877 --> 00:34:50.433
{\an1}Playing keeps this
little monkey fit and strong,
374
00:34:50.467 --> 00:34:55.093
{\an1}gives her good social skills
and sharpens her brain too.
375
00:34:55.610 --> 00:34:58.855
{\an1}[squeaking].
376
00:34:58.889 --> 00:35:02.617
{\an1}As long as she
gets the landing right.
377
00:35:03.756 --> 00:35:08.761
{\an1}In Chinese folklore,
monkeys symbolize
rebellion and mischief.
378
00:35:10.246 --> 00:35:12.834
{\an1}It's no wonder.
379
00:35:12.869 --> 00:35:16.597
{\an1}The troop's
bachelor gang fits the part.
380
00:35:24.087 --> 00:35:28.919
{\an1}Families push out these young
males before they turn three.
381
00:35:36.789 --> 00:35:40.862
{\an1}And boys will be boys.
382
00:35:49.008 --> 00:35:51.666
{\an1}They're preparing for the
day when they'll fight to
383
00:35:51.701 --> 00:35:54.945
{\an1}win their own family.
384
00:36:02.919 --> 00:36:08.166
{\an1}One of the older males has
already reached that point.
385
00:36:11.238 --> 00:36:14.344
{\an1}Aged seven, those
warts on his lips show that
386
00:36:14.379 --> 00:36:18.037
{\an1}this bachelor is ready.
387
00:36:19.038 --> 00:36:24.009
{\an1}Apparently, the little lumps
are attractive to females.
388
00:36:24.665 --> 00:36:27.323
{\an1}But he can only
win the right to mate
389
00:36:27.357 --> 00:36:30.429
{\an1}if he can take over a family.
390
00:36:30.464 --> 00:36:36.124
{\an1}That means he must overthrow
the father of the baby monkey.
391
00:36:40.439 --> 00:36:43.684
{\an1}MICHELLE: The alpha male
and his family are under threat
392
00:36:43.718 --> 00:36:46.997
{\an1}in China's high
mountain forests.
393
00:36:49.897 --> 00:36:51.761
{\an1}Other males may
kill the babies,
394
00:36:51.795 --> 00:36:54.108
{\an1}if they succeed
in taking over.
395
00:36:54.142 --> 00:36:58.871
{\an1}Simply so they can
sire their own offspring.
396
00:36:59.838 --> 00:37:05.223
{\an1}[screaming].
397
00:37:05.671 --> 00:37:09.399
{\an1}The little monkey's father
is an experienced fighter.
398
00:37:14.266 --> 00:37:18.960
{\an1}He's not as strong
as he used to be,
399
00:37:18.995 --> 00:37:22.654
{\an1}but his harem of
females has got his back.
400
00:37:22.757 --> 00:37:26.830
{\an1}♪
401
00:37:26.865 --> 00:37:30.834
{\an1}So, he still
has the upper hand.
402
00:37:30.869 --> 00:37:37.289
{\an1}♪
403
00:37:46.747 --> 00:37:50.682
{\an1}The challenger is sent packing,
404
00:37:50.716 --> 00:37:54.824
{\an1}and father maintains his
position as head of the family.
405
00:37:56.964 --> 00:38:00.692
{\an1}The females seem
happy to keep him there.
406
00:38:00.726 --> 00:38:05.386
{\an1}He returns to the baby
monkey's mother for comfort.
407
00:38:09.701 --> 00:38:13.498
{\an1}And because fall
is the breeding season,
408
00:38:13.532 --> 00:38:17.778
{\an1}he's about to get some
extra looks from the girls.
409
00:38:20.850 --> 00:38:24.923
{\an1}To win his affection they
shower him with attention.
410
00:38:29.376 --> 00:38:34.450
{\an1}Female golden snub-nosed monkeys
use grooming as currency,
411
00:38:34.484 --> 00:38:38.488
{\an1}hoping to exchange
it for romance.
412
00:38:44.667 --> 00:38:49.154
{\an1}This one seems to be
finding all the right spots.
413
00:38:50.604 --> 00:38:56.368
{\an1}♪
414
00:38:59.544 --> 00:39:02.823
{\an1}Until the kids get in the way.
415
00:39:07.103 --> 00:39:10.624
{\an1}They'll mate several times.
416
00:39:13.281 --> 00:39:17.631
{\an1}And fingers crossed,
this female will
give birth next spring.
417
00:39:27.641 --> 00:39:31.230
{\an1}As fall progresses in
China's mountain forests,
418
00:39:31.265 --> 00:39:34.613
{\an1}trees continue
to shed their leaves.
419
00:39:34.648 --> 00:39:38.893
{\an1}A strategy to save energy
during the cold months ahead.
420
00:39:40.447 --> 00:39:44.589
{\an1}This means less food for
the monkeys although they make
421
00:39:44.623 --> 00:39:48.489
{\an1}do with bamboo
leaves and pine needles.
422
00:39:54.115 --> 00:39:58.603
{\an1}While all the other forest
creatures get ready for winter.
423
00:39:59.811 --> 00:40:04.160
{\an1}Other animals take
colder temperatures in stride.
424
00:40:07.232 --> 00:40:11.788
{\an1}They don't have a choice.
425
00:40:13.480 --> 00:40:15.758
{\an1}High up in the mountains
426
00:40:15.792 --> 00:40:18.657
{\an1}the snow leopard mother
and her cub cross into
427
00:40:18.692 --> 00:40:23.041
{\an1}an area of steep cliffs
and crumbling rocks.
428
00:40:27.321 --> 00:40:31.083
{\an1}Finding food
here is a challenge.
429
00:40:31.118 --> 00:40:34.880
{\an1}But actually catching it?
430
00:40:34.915 --> 00:40:38.539
{\an1}That's on another level.
431
00:40:38.574 --> 00:40:41.439
{\an1}Literally.
432
00:40:42.543 --> 00:40:47.030
{\an1}Hunting in these mountains
is a serious undertaking.
433
00:40:50.482 --> 00:40:54.521
{\an1}These blue sheep are
the leopard's main target.
434
00:40:55.867 --> 00:40:59.595
{\an1}And just like her, they're able
to disappear into the rocks.
435
00:41:03.702 --> 00:41:07.879
{\an1}The sheep are expert
climbers on the steep cliffs,
436
00:41:07.913 --> 00:41:11.503
{\an1}a skill that helps them access
one of their favorite foods,
437
00:41:12.953 --> 00:41:16.991
{\an1}the energy-rich lichen.
438
00:41:18.096 --> 00:41:22.687
{\an1}These high-altitude herbivores
are built for the job.
439
00:41:22.721 --> 00:41:25.413
{\an1}Split hooves make
rock-climbing easier as they
440
00:41:25.448 --> 00:41:28.934
{\an1}spread the animal's
weight for better balance.
441
00:41:30.764 --> 00:41:35.182
{\an1}And rough pads under each toe
give them a suction-like grip.
442
00:41:36.977 --> 00:41:40.463
{\an1}These sheep don't slip.
443
00:41:42.327 --> 00:41:44.881
{\an1}A tough target for the
mother snow leopard,
444
00:41:44.916 --> 00:41:47.988
{\an1}but worth the trouble.
445
00:41:51.474 --> 00:41:54.684
{\an1}And if a sheep can
climb these rocks,
446
00:41:54.719 --> 00:41:58.239
{\an1}then it shouldn't be
any problem for a cat.
447
00:42:03.382 --> 00:42:07.732
{\an1}Still, practice
makes perfect.
448
00:42:12.564 --> 00:42:15.567
{\an1}Patience too.
449
00:42:15.602 --> 00:42:20.192
{\an1}The blue sheep don't just eat
lichen from the craggy cliffs.
450
00:42:20.227 --> 00:42:23.437
{\an1}They also need to graze
the open slopes where they rely
451
00:42:23.471 --> 00:42:26.820
{\an1}on strength in numbers.
452
00:42:29.305 --> 00:42:34.482
{\an1}The terrain may
be easier here but there
are fewer places to hide.
453
00:42:35.345 --> 00:42:37.865
{\an1}Mom and her cub need a
different hunting strategy
454
00:42:37.900 --> 00:42:40.558
{\an1}if they're to succeed.
455
00:42:41.489 --> 00:42:44.907
{\an1}The skill is in the ambush.
456
00:42:46.633 --> 00:42:50.291
{\an1}Playfulness morphs
into hunting practice.
457
00:42:50.326 --> 00:42:53.881
{\an1}The cub tricks his mother
but can he do it for real?
458
00:42:55.158 --> 00:42:58.576
{\an1}The time has come
to put him to the test.
459
00:43:02.269 --> 00:43:04.961
{\an1}MICHELLE: A small group
of blue sheep has moved away
460
00:43:04.996 --> 00:43:07.619
{\an1}from the main herd.
461
00:43:07.654 --> 00:43:10.449
{\an1}Ripe for the picking.
462
00:43:13.694 --> 00:43:16.317
{\an1}The mother snow
leopard rolls in the dirt,
463
00:43:16.352 --> 00:43:20.183
{\an1}perhaps to add to her camo.
464
00:43:24.705 --> 00:43:28.882
{\an1}But her cub is in danger
of giving her position away.
465
00:43:36.475 --> 00:43:40.479
{\an1}He's old enough now to know
to keep down low and stay out of
466
00:43:40.514 --> 00:43:44.483
{\an1}the sheep's line of sight.
467
00:43:45.484 --> 00:43:51.559
{\an1}Mom moves in from behind
with silence and stealth.
468
00:43:57.255 --> 00:44:00.568
{\an1}The cub holds his position.
469
00:44:02.709 --> 00:44:06.402
{\an1}They're in the perfect
place to make a kill.
470
00:44:09.336 --> 00:44:13.685
{\an1}But the sheep are twitchy.
471
00:44:16.377 --> 00:44:20.105
{\an1}The game is up.
472
00:44:25.524 --> 00:44:29.805
{\an1}Bad luck this time but the
cub adds to his ambush bag of
473
00:44:29.839 --> 00:44:33.015
{\an1}tricks for next time.
474
00:44:43.404 --> 00:44:47.857
{\an1}Overnight, another hunter
takes down one of the sheep.
475
00:44:50.688 --> 00:44:54.484
{\an1}Remote cameras capture
rare moments of predators and
476
00:44:54.519 --> 00:44:58.281
{\an1}scavengers dining
on this precious meal.
477
00:44:58.316 --> 00:45:02.596
{\an1}A golden eagle shares
the prize with a red fox.
478
00:45:05.150 --> 00:45:08.878
{\an1}A Tibetan fox
grabs what he can.
479
00:45:10.846 --> 00:45:16.541
{\an1}And then, another snow
leopard pair takes their
share of the carcass.
480
00:45:37.010 --> 00:45:40.254
{\an1}50 million years ago,
the grasslands that cover
481
00:45:40.289 --> 00:45:45.743
{\an1}China's Qinghai Tibet Plateau
were an ancient sea.
482
00:45:47.814 --> 00:45:51.783
{\an1}But when the Himalayas were
formed they were thrust up,
483
00:45:51.818 --> 00:45:54.752
{\an1}five kilometers high.
484
00:45:57.168 --> 00:46:01.344
{\an1}[thunder].
485
00:46:01.379 --> 00:46:05.038
{\an1}Today, melting glaciers from
the surrounding mountains
486
00:46:05.072 --> 00:46:07.316
{\an1}create hundreds of lakes,
487
00:46:07.350 --> 00:46:10.664
{\an1}which nourish
these great plains.
488
00:46:12.597 --> 00:46:16.014
{\an1}Like the mighty Donggei Cuona.
489
00:46:18.223 --> 00:46:21.917
{\an1}For most of the year
it's covered in ice,
490
00:46:25.058 --> 00:46:30.649
{\an1}but during the summer
it becomes a precious oasis.
491
00:46:33.998 --> 00:46:39.417
{\an1}Its waters help
support a diversity of life.
492
00:46:49.876 --> 00:46:55.847
{\an1}These high grasslands
echo to the courtship duet
of very rare visitors.
493
00:46:55.882 --> 00:46:58.160
{\an1}[squawking].
494
00:46:58.194 --> 00:47:00.783
{\an1}Black-necked cranes.
495
00:47:01.784 --> 00:47:05.063
{\an1}Almost the entire world
population of an estimated
496
00:47:05.098 --> 00:47:10.862
{\an1}11,000 nest along the
shores of these great
lakes during the summer.
497
00:47:11.898 --> 00:47:16.074
{\an1}[squawking].
498
00:47:16.109 --> 00:47:20.838
{\an1}It's a safe place
to raise a family and
there's plenty of food.
499
00:47:26.222 --> 00:47:30.364
{\an1}For centuries, Tibetans have
revered these birds as symbols
500
00:47:30.399 --> 00:47:35.335
{\an1}of longevity and harmony
between people and nature.
501
00:47:41.134 --> 00:47:46.346
{\an1}The Tibetan fox family
live by the lakeshore too.
502
00:47:47.934 --> 00:47:52.179
{\an1}The four cubs are still
waiting for their mom.
503
00:47:53.042 --> 00:47:57.633
{\an1}So dad has the full-time job
of supplying them with snacks.
504
00:47:59.428 --> 00:48:03.811
{\an1}Thankfully the snacks
live within easy range.
505
00:48:06.504 --> 00:48:09.438
{\an1}Pikas.
506
00:48:09.472 --> 00:48:12.682
{\an1}They're related to rabbits
but are about the size of
507
00:48:12.717 --> 00:48:19.068
{\an1}a guinea pig and make up to
95% of the Tibetan fox diet.
508
00:48:20.621 --> 00:48:23.107
{\an1}They live in large,
underground colonies with
509
00:48:23.141 --> 00:48:26.213
{\an1}hundreds of individuals.
510
00:48:26.248 --> 00:48:29.113
{\an1}And, like most of
the vegetarians up here,
511
00:48:29.147 --> 00:48:33.496
{\an1}spend most of the summer
grazing on the grass.
512
00:48:34.221 --> 00:48:39.019
{\an1}They can eat as much as half
their body weight each day.
513
00:48:45.508 --> 00:48:47.959
{\an1}Pikas may live in
underground burrows
514
00:48:47.994 --> 00:48:51.790
{\an1}but the foxes have
got that covered.
515
00:48:52.722 --> 00:48:57.037
{\an1}[chirping].
516
00:48:58.176 --> 00:49:00.385
{\an1}[chirping, growling].
517
00:49:05.494 --> 00:49:08.186
{\an1}[growling].
518
00:49:09.084 --> 00:49:12.087
{\an1}Their extremely long canines
help them hook the little
519
00:49:12.121 --> 00:49:15.849
{\an1}mammals from a tight spot.
520
00:49:15.883 --> 00:49:18.507
{\an1}Big and powerful jaw
muscles make their heads
521
00:49:18.541 --> 00:49:22.269
{\an1}a little larger than usual.
522
00:49:22.304 --> 00:49:26.964
{\an1}The head also seems to
hide the rest of their body
when hunting in the open.
523
00:49:36.249 --> 00:49:41.081
{\an1}The fox makes use of
the slightest contours of
the land for the ambush.
524
00:49:46.293 --> 00:49:50.021
{\an1}This pika is grazing
very close to its burrow,
525
00:49:50.056 --> 00:49:52.886
{\an1}too easy an escape.
526
00:49:52.920 --> 00:49:56.476
{\an1}So, dad needs to get within
at least three meters to
527
00:49:56.510 --> 00:50:00.411
{\an1}have any chance
of grabbing it.
528
00:50:02.585 --> 00:50:06.831
{\an1}[chattering].
529
00:50:06.865 --> 00:50:12.216
{\an1}He must catch around
20 pikas a day if he's
to satisfy his large brood.
530
00:50:16.013 --> 00:50:18.981
{\an1}The cubs get what
they need for now,
531
00:50:19.016 --> 00:50:23.020
{\an1}even little sis
snags her share.
532
00:50:24.297 --> 00:50:27.576
{\an1}Dad's exhausted.
533
00:50:32.581 --> 00:50:35.756
{\an1}Mother fox has
been gone for days.
534
00:50:35.791 --> 00:50:38.828
{\an1}Where could she be?
535
00:50:40.347 --> 00:50:42.142
{\an1}Little do they know,
536
00:50:42.177 --> 00:50:46.043
{\an1}tragedy has struck
on China's grasslands.
537
00:50:46.422 --> 00:50:51.427
{\an1}The fox cubs' mom has fallen
victim to Tibetan wolves.
538
00:50:53.222 --> 00:50:57.364
{\an1}Father fox is
really on his own now.
539
00:51:01.368 --> 00:51:06.994
{\an1}The hidden kingdoms of China
hold a whole other secret world.
540
00:51:07.029 --> 00:51:09.997
{\an1}At night.
541
00:51:10.757 --> 00:51:14.830
{\an1}No jungle ever really sleeps.
542
00:51:17.488 --> 00:51:20.698
{\an1}In the subtropical
forests of Yunnan,
543
00:51:20.732 --> 00:51:24.115
{\an1}another male resident
is on the prowl.
544
00:51:24.150 --> 00:51:27.463
{\an1}For food?
Or for females?
545
00:51:27.498 --> 00:51:32.434
{\an1}Either way, he takes
advantage of the dark
to get what he wants.
546
00:51:35.575 --> 00:51:38.336
{\an1}This is a Slow Loris.
547
00:51:38.371 --> 00:51:43.203
{\an1}Also known in
China as the Bee Monkey.
548
00:51:43.238 --> 00:51:46.965
{\an1}The world's only venomous
primates have a bite that may
549
00:51:47.000 --> 00:51:50.693
{\an1}protect them
against predators.
550
00:52:03.568 --> 00:52:06.640
{\an1}They also have special blood
vessels in their wrists and
551
00:52:06.675 --> 00:52:10.127
{\an1}ankles that deliver
oxygen to their muscles,
552
00:52:10.161 --> 00:52:15.235
{\an1}allowing them to hang onto
branches for hours at a time.
553
00:52:20.551 --> 00:52:25.418
{\an1}The slow loris is
a hunter of the night.
554
00:52:28.524 --> 00:52:32.183
{\an1}Forward facing eyes give
him stereoscopic vision for
555
00:52:32.218 --> 00:52:35.635
{\an1}pinpoint depth perception.
556
00:52:35.669 --> 00:52:38.672
{\an1}And a reflective layer
behind the retina lets him
557
00:52:38.707 --> 00:52:44.368
{\an1}see well in low light,
essential for a
nocturnal predator.
558
00:52:48.337 --> 00:52:50.960
{\an1}Since most insects
are cold blooded,
559
00:52:50.995 --> 00:52:54.757
{\an1}they tend to slow down
in the cool of the night.
560
00:52:54.792 --> 00:52:59.866
{\an1}So, they play right into
the hands of the Bee Monkey.
561
00:53:01.316 --> 00:53:06.390
{\an1}He's more about
stealth than speed.
562
00:53:15.261 --> 00:53:20.024
{\an1}Tonight though,
he's distracted by her.
563
00:53:28.412 --> 00:53:33.210
{\an1}But she's not in heat right
now and would rather stick
564
00:53:33.244 --> 00:53:37.214
{\an1}to gobbling up bugs herself.
565
00:53:50.330 --> 00:53:54.438
{\an1}Sorry darling not tonight.
566
00:53:59.236 --> 00:54:03.619
{\an1}In China's bamboo forests
after dark there are other
567
00:54:03.654 --> 00:54:07.623
{\an1}male creatures having
more luck with the girls.
568
00:54:07.658 --> 00:54:11.938
{\an1}But be careful
what you wish for.
569
00:54:21.672 --> 00:54:25.572
{\an1}MICHELLE [off-screen]:
Meet the Emei mustache toad.
570
00:54:27.712 --> 00:54:32.614
{\an1}16 sharp spines on his
nose defend his breeding site,
571
00:54:33.270 --> 00:54:37.204
{\an1}[croaking].
572
00:54:39.448 --> 00:54:43.383
{\an1}a smooth flat rock.
573
00:54:44.488 --> 00:54:48.906
{\an1}This is where he wants multiple
females to lay their eggs.
574
00:54:48.940 --> 00:54:52.703
{\an1}So far, he's been
quite successful.
575
00:54:52.737 --> 00:54:56.120
{\an1}But he wants more.
576
00:54:59.606 --> 00:55:03.783
{\an1}And he's not the only male
Emei toad playing this game.
577
00:55:04.818 --> 00:55:09.167
{\an1}There's a rival close by
looking for his own love rock.
578
00:55:11.549 --> 00:55:14.794
{\an1}[croaking].
579
00:55:14.828 --> 00:55:17.590
{\an1}Perhaps using the
rock as an amplifier,
580
00:55:17.624 --> 00:55:21.318
{\an1}he presses his back against
it to advertise his nest with
581
00:55:21.352 --> 00:55:23.906
{\an1}a cacophony of croaks.
582
00:55:23.941 --> 00:55:25.908
{\an1}[croaking].
583
00:55:25.943 --> 00:55:29.118
{\an1}It's not enough though
he needs more volume.
584
00:55:30.396 --> 00:55:35.297
{\an1}The other guy's rock
looks and sounds better.
585
00:55:35.332 --> 00:55:39.819
{\an1}[croaking].
586
00:55:40.440 --> 00:55:44.824
{\an1}[croaking].
587
00:55:47.309 --> 00:55:51.278
{\an1}Time to take that
rock all for himself.
588
00:55:53.315 --> 00:55:55.835
{\an1}It's a toad showdown.
589
00:55:57.077 --> 00:56:01.427
{\an1}[croaking].
590
00:56:01.461 --> 00:56:04.602
{\an1}But the first guy
has the upper hand.
591
00:56:05.154 --> 00:56:09.952
{\an1}[croaking].
592
00:56:17.857 --> 00:56:22.689
{\an1}He pushes him out
and keeps his rock.
593
00:56:29.558 --> 00:56:34.874
{\an1}And it doesn't go unnoticed
by this gorgeous creature,
594
00:56:35.564 --> 00:56:37.704
{\an1}a passing female.
595
00:56:37.739 --> 00:56:40.983
{\an1}[croaking].
596
00:56:41.018 --> 00:56:44.987
{\an1}What happens next has never
been filmed in the wild,
597
00:56:45.298 --> 00:56:49.440
{\an1}the Emei Mustache
toad courtship dance.
598
00:56:50.993 --> 00:56:54.928
{\an1}It starts with
a wave and a wink.
599
00:56:57.103 --> 00:57:02.453
{\an1}His goal is to have her
lay her eggs next to those
left by previous females.
600
00:57:06.630 --> 00:57:10.668
{\an1}But she takes some convincing.
601
00:57:10.703 --> 00:57:13.982
{\an1}A neck rub, maybe?
602
00:57:21.403 --> 00:57:25.614
{\an1}Back scratch?
603
00:57:25.649 --> 00:57:29.618
{\an1}Whatever he's doing, it works.
604
00:57:35.555 --> 00:57:39.663
{\an1}[croaking].
605
00:57:39.697 --> 00:57:44.219
{\an1}She's ready to
release her eggs.
606
00:58:02.030 --> 00:58:06.413
{\an1}Then, she presses herself
against the tiny eggs and
607
00:58:06.448 --> 00:58:10.245
{\an1}glues them to his
carefully guarded rock.
608
00:58:16.596 --> 00:58:21.394
{\an1}But there's a twist.
609
00:58:27.262 --> 00:58:30.783
{\an1}Mother toad's
job here is done.
610
00:58:30.817 --> 00:58:34.234
{\an1}She leaves Mr. Toad to look
after their brood until they
611
00:58:34.269 --> 00:58:37.583
{\an1}hatch into tadpoles.
612
00:58:42.484 --> 00:58:46.661
{\an1}The bamboo forest at night
hides many secret worlds under
613
00:58:46.695 --> 00:58:51.562
{\an1}the rocks and
inside the bamboo.
614
00:58:52.667 --> 00:58:57.361
{\an1}This species is
known as spiny bamboo.
615
00:58:57.395 --> 00:58:59.950
{\an1}It grows to twice the
height of a telephone pole.
616
00:58:59.984 --> 00:59:02.642
{\an1}And its stems are hollow.
617
00:59:02.677 --> 00:59:06.784
{\an1}Some of them have tiny
slits made by beetles,
618
00:59:06.819 --> 00:59:11.306
{\an1}born from eggs inside
the bamboo that have
since cut their way out.
619
00:59:14.896 --> 00:59:19.279
{\an1}One animal takes
advantage of this real estate.
620
00:59:19.763 --> 00:59:21.937
{\an1}At just a couple
of centimeters long,
621
00:59:21.972 --> 00:59:24.940
{\an1}it's one of the
smallest mammals in the world.
622
00:59:28.979 --> 00:59:33.431
{\an1}The lesser bamboo bat.
623
00:59:44.097 --> 00:59:50.034
{\an1}One male shares a segment
of the bamboo stem with up to
12 females and their babies.
624
00:59:58.180 --> 01:00:01.045
{\an1}The infants are
still too young to fly,
625
01:00:01.080 --> 01:00:06.395
{\an1}so their parents leave
them alone while they go
out hunting for insects.
626
01:00:06.430 --> 01:00:09.606
{\an1}Specially flattened skulls
help them squeeze their way
627
01:00:09.640 --> 01:00:13.886
{\an1}out of slits just
a couple of centimeters wide.
628
01:00:24.966 --> 01:00:28.279
{\an1}Even though the bats
hunt in short bursts,
629
01:00:28.314 --> 01:00:33.284
{\an1}every minute they're away
leaves their babies vulnerable.
630
01:00:37.737 --> 01:00:42.880
{\an1}A Chinese beauty rat
snake sniffs out a meal.
631
01:00:50.681 --> 01:00:55.548
{\an1}That tongue can
sense live meat.
632
01:01:00.760 --> 01:01:06.214
{\an1}The snake knows the bamboo
holds something good to eat.
633
01:01:13.255 --> 01:01:18.157
{\an1}Reptilian eyes lock
in on the baby bats.
634
01:01:20.228 --> 01:01:26.613
{\an1}[squeaking].
635
01:01:35.968 --> 01:01:39.730
{\an1}But the bats know
what they're doing.
636
01:01:39.765 --> 01:01:44.355
{\an1}The nest hole is
too narrow for a snake.
637
01:01:45.425 --> 01:01:49.222
{\an1}Their babies
are safe, for now.
638
01:01:49.257 --> 01:01:53.330
{\an1}At around a month old
they'll leave the nest.
639
01:01:53.364 --> 01:01:57.506
{\an1}Let's hope the snake's
still not waiting.
640
01:02:04.306 --> 01:02:09.795
{\an1}The queen of the bamboo
forest invests a lot more
time in her offspring.
641
01:02:12.867 --> 01:02:16.180
{\an1}At eight months old,
he's still drinking her milk
642
01:02:16.215 --> 01:02:20.184
{\an1}but he has started to take
an interest in other food.
643
01:02:20.219 --> 01:02:24.568
{\an1}And when we say other food,
we really mean bamboo of course,
644
01:02:25.983 --> 01:02:28.641
{\an1}and more bamboo.
645
01:02:28.675 --> 01:02:32.058
{\an1}There's a lot for him
to learn about bamboo.
646
01:02:32.093 --> 01:02:36.753
{\an1}What type and which
part is best to eat.
647
01:02:39.100 --> 01:02:43.138
{\an1}The newer shoots are rich
in nitrogen and phosphorous.
648
01:02:43.173 --> 01:02:47.246
{\an1}And the leaves
provide calcium.
649
01:02:48.765 --> 01:02:53.459
{\an1}It's all good stuff.
650
01:02:56.255 --> 01:03:01.053
{\an1}But then, the mother panda
does a fascinating thing
651
01:03:01.087 --> 01:03:04.194
{\an1}that may add to her cub's diet.
652
01:03:08.854 --> 01:03:13.651
{\an1}MICHELLE [off-screen]: Something
rarely seen is underway in
China's bamboo forest.
653
01:03:15.067 --> 01:03:19.347
{\an1}The mother panda encourages
her cub to lick her lips,
654
01:03:19.381 --> 01:03:22.281
{\an1}which seems to
make her salivate.
655
01:03:25.802 --> 01:03:29.564
{\an1}Then he drinks this saliva,
656
01:03:29.598 --> 01:03:33.810
{\an1}possibly giving his
immune system a boost.
657
01:03:48.997 --> 01:03:55.072
{\an1}By doing this, mom gives her cub
the best possible start in life
658
01:03:55.107 --> 01:04:00.629
{\an1}but he still has at
least another year to go
under her watchful eye.
659
01:04:07.809 --> 01:04:12.193
{\an1}With more confidence,
he becomes more adventurous.
660
01:04:17.646 --> 01:04:22.203
{\an1}But he shouldn't
stray too far.
661
01:04:25.413 --> 01:04:30.349
{\an1}Alone, baby
pandas are vulnerable.
662
01:04:31.557 --> 01:04:33.628
{\an1}In some of China's forests,
663
01:04:33.662 --> 01:04:38.253
{\an1}there are predators
like jackals and leopards.
664
01:04:40.704 --> 01:04:43.051
{\an1}The cub's been
gone too long,
665
01:04:43.086 --> 01:04:46.296
{\an1}the mother panda
needs to find him.
666
01:04:50.162 --> 01:04:51.922
{\an1}With poor eyesight,
667
01:04:51.957 --> 01:04:55.892
{\an1}pandas use their
heightened sense of smell
to locate each other.
668
01:05:03.002 --> 01:05:05.625
{\an1}There he is.
669
01:05:05.660 --> 01:05:09.250
{\an1}She's catches his
scent and calls to him.
670
01:05:12.494 --> 01:05:17.637
{\an1}[panda bleating].
671
01:05:26.923 --> 01:05:31.928
{\an1}This 90-kilogram mom
may look soft and cuddly,
672
01:05:33.688 --> 01:05:36.518
{\an1}but she's more than
capable of fending off any
673
01:05:36.553 --> 01:05:39.866
{\an1}predator that threatens her cub.
674
01:05:56.849 --> 01:06:02.268
{\an1}♪
675
01:06:02.303 --> 01:06:06.963
{\an1}In the mountain kingdom,
four seasons can
pass in one day.
676
01:06:09.344 --> 01:06:13.762
{\an1}Snow even falls during summer,
677
01:06:16.144 --> 01:06:18.250
{\an1}and a few hours later,
678
01:06:18.284 --> 01:06:22.495
{\an1}temperatures can spike
as much as 15 degrees.
679
01:06:27.466 --> 01:06:32.057
{\an1}The locals always
seem to find ways to cope.
680
01:06:33.437 --> 01:06:35.094
{\an1}With her thick coat,
681
01:06:35.129 --> 01:06:38.373
{\an1}the snow leopard is
certainly built for the job.
682
01:06:38.408 --> 01:06:43.171
{\an1}But she's not the
only hardy feline that
makes a living up here.
683
01:06:46.209 --> 01:06:49.246
{\an1}The Eurasian lynx.
684
01:06:53.492 --> 01:06:56.667
{\an1}About two-thirds the weight
of her snow leopard cousin,
685
01:06:56.702 --> 01:07:00.671
{\an1}she's a well-designed
mountain hunter.
686
01:07:02.742 --> 01:07:06.436
{\an1}The hair on the top of
her ears look like antennae
687
01:07:06.470 --> 01:07:09.059
{\an1}but really aid in her hearing,
688
01:07:09.094 --> 01:07:13.063
{\an1}allowing her to tune in
to the slightest movement.
689
01:07:16.618 --> 01:07:20.726
{\an1}Exceptional eyesight means
she can spot something as small
690
01:07:20.760 --> 01:07:24.695
{\an1}as a mouse from 80 meters away.
691
01:07:28.389 --> 01:07:33.842
{\an1}But probably the
hardiest creature up
here is not a predator.
692
01:07:35.085 --> 01:07:36.880
{\an1}The yak.
693
01:07:36.914 --> 01:07:39.434
{\an1}Perfectly equipped
for mountain life,
694
01:07:39.469 --> 01:07:42.230
{\an1}their lung capacity
is about three times that
695
01:07:42.265 --> 01:07:46.062
{\an1}of regular cattle
living at lower altitudes.
696
01:07:47.097 --> 01:07:51.032
{\an1}When the yak eat, the
fermenting food generates heat.
697
01:07:51.964 --> 01:07:55.519
{\an1}And this, together with their
thick fur, keeps them warm.
698
01:07:55.554 --> 01:07:57.970
{\an1}Most of the time.
699
01:07:58.004 --> 01:08:03.113
{\an1}They can still fall victim to
the mountain's harsh conditions.
700
01:08:04.873 --> 01:08:11.225
{\an1}And a 350 kilogram
carcass out here will not
go unnoticed for long.
701
01:08:20.268 --> 01:08:23.927
{\an1}A Tibetan blue bear.
702
01:08:23.961 --> 01:08:27.310
{\an1}A cousin of the grizzly.
703
01:08:31.969 --> 01:08:35.870
{\an1}She catches a whiff
of some yak carcasses.
704
01:08:39.253 --> 01:08:42.290
{\an1}But she's not the only one.
705
01:08:42.325 --> 01:08:46.536
{\an1}[howling].
706
01:08:46.570 --> 01:08:50.160
{\an1}A pack of wolves does too.
707
01:08:54.164 --> 01:09:00.308
{\an1}[howling].
708
01:09:04.209 --> 01:09:08.178
{\an1}This bear is a mother
and with her cubs close by,
709
01:09:08.213 --> 01:09:12.182
{\an1}these Tibetan wolves
are a serious threat.
710
01:09:19.569 --> 01:09:23.331
{\an1}She still manages to
grab a piece of yak for them.
711
01:09:37.207 --> 01:09:40.452
{\an1}[moaning].
712
01:09:40.486 --> 01:09:45.319
{\an1}Thankfully, the wolves
focus on the rotting
meat not the baby bears.
713
01:09:49.323 --> 01:09:52.118
{\an1}This food will
not only feed them,
714
01:09:52.153 --> 01:09:57.262
{\an1}but also any of
their cubs that may be
waiting back at the den.
715
01:09:58.987 --> 01:10:02.750
{\an1}More and more of the
pack enter the fray.
716
01:10:08.065 --> 01:10:10.654
{\an1}By rubbing themselves
on the carcass,
717
01:10:10.689 --> 01:10:14.071
{\an1}they can bring the scent
of food back to the den so
718
01:10:14.106 --> 01:10:18.593
{\an1}the rest of the pack
knows where to feed later.
719
01:10:23.529 --> 01:10:28.983
{\an1}[growling].
720
01:10:29.570 --> 01:10:33.125
{\an1}The wolves take
all they need for now.
721
01:10:36.439 --> 01:10:40.788
{\an1}While the cleanup crew waits
patiently for the scraps.
722
01:10:50.729 --> 01:10:55.043
{\an1}The Eurasian lynx also
catches herself a meal.
723
01:10:55.078 --> 01:10:57.805
{\an1}A Tibetan gazelle.
724
01:10:57.839 --> 01:11:01.291
{\an1}But it's only half the job.
725
01:11:01.326 --> 01:11:05.261
{\an1}She now has to move
the carcass somewhere safe.
726
01:11:10.404 --> 01:11:16.272
{\an1}♪
727
01:11:17.411 --> 01:11:20.759
{\an1}When the prey is nearly
as large as the predator,
728
01:11:20.793 --> 01:11:23.624
{\an1}the challenge is on.
729
01:11:26.316 --> 01:11:31.839
{\an1}Dragging it up an almost
vertical cliff has
to be a Herculean task.
730
01:11:32.978 --> 01:11:36.395
{\an1}And there's always
someone else, hovering.
731
01:11:36.430 --> 01:11:39.640
{\an1}Waiting for the
opportunity of a free meal.
732
01:11:45.853 --> 01:11:47.751
{\an1}MICHELLE [off-screen]: From
above, the ever-present,
733
01:11:47.786 --> 01:11:51.479
{\an1}airborne scavengers
detect the lynx's kill.
734
01:11:54.482 --> 01:12:00.695
{\an1}Soaring on the updrafts
created by steep cliffs,
Lammergeyers.
735
01:12:00.730 --> 01:12:05.838
{\an1}With a wingspan of
nearly three meters long
and eyesight so strong,
736
01:12:05.873 --> 01:12:08.945
{\an1}they can see a dead body
from seven kilometers away.
737
01:12:08.979 --> 01:12:13.018
{\an1}They can be on it in minutes.
738
01:12:13.052 --> 01:12:16.504
{\an1}And the lynx knows it.
739
01:12:19.507 --> 01:12:24.650
{\an1}She drags the carcass
somewhere secure, she thinks.
740
01:12:31.899 --> 01:12:34.557
{\an1}But then?
741
01:12:34.591 --> 01:12:37.525
{\an1}Disaster.
742
01:12:45.775 --> 01:12:49.710
{\an1}The cat watches her
hard-earned dinner tumble
743
01:12:49.744 --> 01:12:53.783
{\an1}30 meters down the
steep mountain slope.
744
01:13:15.943 --> 01:13:21.189
{\an1}She has no other option,
but to try again.
745
01:13:24.365 --> 01:13:29.991
{\an1}And as fast
as possible before those
dreaded scavengers take it.
746
01:13:39.898 --> 01:13:44.247
{\an1}She hauls the carcass
back up for a second time.
747
01:13:46.870 --> 01:13:51.565
{\an1}It takes every last
ounce of her energy.
748
01:13:54.015 --> 01:13:57.260
{\an1}But she does it.
749
01:14:01.782 --> 01:14:06.165
{\an1}And this time she feasts.
750
01:14:16.452 --> 01:14:21.353
{\an1}The mother snow leopard and
her cub also score a meal.
751
01:14:30.811 --> 01:14:35.125
{\an1}This queen of the mountains
has successfully kept her cub
752
01:14:35.160 --> 01:14:39.475
{\an1}alive in an extreme habitat.
753
01:14:42.788 --> 01:14:45.791
{\an1}In the next few months,
he will be ready to go it
754
01:14:45.826 --> 01:14:49.968
{\an1}alone in this
hidden mountain kingdom.
755
01:15:04.154 --> 01:15:08.987
{\an1}On China's high plains,
things still look bleak for
756
01:15:09.021 --> 01:15:12.715
{\an1}our Tibetan fox family.
757
01:15:12.749 --> 01:15:16.063
{\an1}The younger sister
is getting weaker and
758
01:15:16.097 --> 01:15:19.687
{\an1}may not survive
to see winter.
759
01:15:19.722 --> 01:15:24.830
{\an1}The short window of summer
on these grasslands gives life
760
01:15:24.865 --> 01:15:28.351
{\an1}but it also takes it.
761
01:15:34.495 --> 01:15:38.879
{\an1}Father fox is
running on empty.
762
01:15:38.913 --> 01:15:41.847
{\an1}But something quite
dramatic is about to happen
763
01:15:41.882 --> 01:15:45.195
{\an1}that may just change
the fox family's fate.
764
01:15:45.679 --> 01:15:48.509
{\an1}[bleating].
765
01:15:48.544 --> 01:15:52.927
{\an1}Temporary visitors arrive
on these high, rich pastures.
766
01:15:53.687 --> 01:16:00.452
{\an1}[bleating].
767
01:16:01.384 --> 01:16:06.423
{\an1}Tibetan herders bring
their livestock here
768
01:16:06.458 --> 01:16:09.254
{\an1}to fatten up on
the endless grass,
769
01:16:13.327 --> 01:16:17.296
{\an1}like their ancestors have
done for thousands of years.
770
01:16:23.544 --> 01:16:28.825
{\an1}The grassland transforms
and the fox cubs face
a completely different world.
771
01:16:29.274 --> 01:16:33.589
{\an1}[bleating].
772
01:16:38.766 --> 01:16:44.013
{\an1}Their home is now
swamped in sheep and yak.
773
01:16:47.430 --> 01:16:50.226
{\an1}[bleating].
774
01:16:50.260 --> 01:16:54.161
{\an1}And they're
cramping dad's style.
775
01:16:59.131 --> 01:17:02.272
{\an1}They could make potential prey
776
01:17:02.307 --> 01:17:06.449
{\an1}but they're a
little out of his league.
777
01:17:07.899 --> 01:17:10.936
{\an1}Now, every time he
hunts, these strange,
778
01:17:10.971 --> 01:17:14.388
{\an1}woolly creatures
blow his cover.
779
01:17:15.976 --> 01:17:20.221
{\an1}[bleating].
780
01:17:28.540 --> 01:17:33.234
{\an1}And the massive yak
are just big bullies.
781
01:17:35.236 --> 01:17:38.895
{\an1}But this cunning
fox has a plan.
782
01:17:44.176 --> 01:17:47.697
{\an1}MICHELLE [off-screen]:
Father fox is patient.
783
01:17:47.732 --> 01:17:50.493
{\an1}He's figured out
if he just waits,
784
01:17:50.527 --> 01:17:53.703
{\an1}the sheep will
get used to him.
785
01:17:57.707 --> 01:18:00.710
{\an1}And then he can use
them to his advantage.
786
01:18:00.745 --> 01:18:04.127
{\an1}Kind of like a
mobile hunting blind.
787
01:18:08.580 --> 01:18:12.929
{\an1}The pikas grow
complacent and are now
missing the danger signs.
788
01:18:20.074 --> 01:18:24.389
{\an1}[bleating].
789
01:18:29.152 --> 01:18:34.433
{\an1}Tibetan foxes are
intelligent and adaptable
790
01:18:34.468 --> 01:18:36.781
{\an1}and that makes them, hands down,
791
01:18:36.815 --> 01:18:41.233
{\an1}the most successful
hunters on China's grasslands.
792
01:18:53.073 --> 01:18:57.629
{\an1}In fact, the father fox
is becoming too successful.
793
01:18:57.663 --> 01:19:01.875
{\an1}So many pikas
but only one mouth.
794
01:19:05.223 --> 01:19:10.262
{\an1}At last, there's more than
enough food for all four cubs.
795
01:19:10.297 --> 01:19:13.749
{\an1}Even for the
smallest of the litter.
796
01:19:24.276 --> 01:19:28.625
{\an1}Dad catches so many pikas,
he and his cubs can bury the
797
01:19:28.660 --> 01:19:32.215
{\an1}leftovers in their
underground pantries.
798
01:19:33.320 --> 01:19:36.219
{\an1}It keeps the meat
cool and preserved,
799
01:19:36.254 --> 01:19:40.430
{\an1}a crucial supply
of food as summer ends.
800
01:19:43.882 --> 01:19:47.368
{\an1}As the days close in
and the temperature drops,
801
01:19:47.403 --> 01:19:51.096
{\an1}China's grasslands shut down.
802
01:19:53.409 --> 01:19:57.931
{\an1}Residents retreat to
the shelter of their burrows.
803
01:20:01.210 --> 01:20:05.041
{\an1}Visitors move out
to warmer climes.
804
01:20:12.600 --> 01:20:18.330
{\an1}The Tibetan foxes
grow thick fur coats in
preparation for winter.
805
01:20:22.024 --> 01:20:26.442
{\an1}Dad's dedication to his family
means that miraculously
806
01:20:26.476 --> 01:20:30.480
{\an1}all of his cubs make it through.
807
01:20:31.516 --> 01:20:35.520
{\an1}Four more months and
they will be on their own.
808
01:20:38.868 --> 01:20:44.563
{\an1}But for now, the grasslands
vanish beneath the snow.
809
01:20:46.496 --> 01:20:50.466
{\an1}And as the winter temperatures
in the high mountain forests
810
01:20:50.500 --> 01:20:54.850
{\an1}barely stay above freezing,
the baby snub-nosed monkey
811
01:20:54.884 --> 01:20:58.508
{\an1}seeks comfort and
warmth with her mother.
812
01:21:01.718 --> 01:21:05.895
{\an1}She's now nine months old.
813
01:21:07.103 --> 01:21:10.900
{\an1}These monkeys tolerate the
coldest average temperatures
814
01:21:10.935 --> 01:21:15.111
{\an1}of any non-human
primate on the planet.
815
01:21:17.838 --> 01:21:21.842
{\an1}And there's no escape from it.
816
01:21:22.670 --> 01:21:27.641
{\an1}Fortunately, their
dense golden coats are
designed for the cold.
817
01:21:27.675 --> 01:21:31.507
{\an1}It even thickens up
for the winter months,
818
01:21:32.404 --> 01:21:36.063
{\an1}and covers their hands and feet.
819
01:21:38.824 --> 01:21:43.622
{\an1}And here's where those odd,
snub noses come into play,
820
01:21:43.657 --> 01:21:47.626
{\an1}they're simply less
exposed to frost bite.
821
01:21:48.904 --> 01:21:54.461
{\an1}These monkeys also have
the most extraordinary
adaptation for the winter.
822
01:22:06.818 --> 01:22:10.960
{\an1}Golden snub-nosed monkeys are
the only monkeys in the world
823
01:22:10.995 --> 01:22:16.345
{\an1}known to walk upright
on two legs in snow.
824
01:22:20.211 --> 01:22:23.939
{\an1}It keeps their hands
off the cold ground.
825
01:22:29.254 --> 01:22:32.878
{\an1}And helps them travel faster,
826
01:22:32.913 --> 01:22:37.676
{\an1}reducing the time they spend
in contact with the icy snow.
827
01:22:41.887 --> 01:22:45.132
{\an1}Our new baby reaches
another milestone,
828
01:22:45.167 --> 01:22:49.550
{\an1}as she gets the
hang of this new skill.
829
01:22:56.799 --> 01:23:02.218
{\an1}These monkeys could
also be the source of
an ancient Chinese legend.
830
01:23:07.292 --> 01:23:12.297
{\an1}These forests are said to
be home to mysterious, wild men.
831
01:23:15.093 --> 01:23:19.063
{\an1}Ape-like figures
with red hair,
832
01:23:19.097 --> 01:23:24.137
{\an1}who walk upright
through the trees.
833
01:23:25.724 --> 01:23:30.005
{\an1}Sounds suspiciously like
the golden snub-nosed monkey.
834
01:23:34.250 --> 01:23:38.013
{\an1}Or not.
835
01:23:42.293 --> 01:23:45.848
{\an1}After months pass
and winter finally breaks
836
01:23:45.882 --> 01:23:50.059
{\an1}in the high mountain
forests, the snow melts.
837
01:23:50.094 --> 01:23:53.166
{\an1}And these high life
primates can start eating
838
01:23:53.200 --> 01:23:56.445
{\an1}their favorite food again.
839
01:23:59.551 --> 01:24:04.246
{\an1}They'll soon get back
the body weight they lost.
840
01:24:22.712 --> 01:24:28.339
{\an1}The baby is now a year old,
841
01:24:29.374 --> 01:24:34.241
{\an1}but she still returns to her
mother for milk and comfort.
842
01:24:39.591 --> 01:24:42.387
{\an1}She won't be fully
weaned for another year,
843
01:24:42.422 --> 01:24:46.219
{\an1}when her mom
gives birth again.
844
01:24:47.254 --> 01:24:52.190
{\an1}But they'll stay close in
the family for years to come.
845
01:24:55.504 --> 01:24:59.577
{\an1}She also has a
new little cousin.
846
01:25:00.233 --> 01:25:06.135
{\an1}No longer the baby,
she now has someone she
can teach and care for.
847
01:25:15.351 --> 01:25:20.529
{\an1}There's always time
to monkey around in China's
hidden forest kingdom.
848
01:25:23.014 --> 01:25:25.741
{\an1}As for the bamboo kingdom...
849
01:25:28.744 --> 01:25:31.747
{\an1}although not as
nimble as a monkey,
850
01:25:31.781 --> 01:25:36.648
{\an1}the panda cub still needs
to learn how to climb a tree.
851
01:25:38.788 --> 01:25:44.104
{\an1}Choosing the right
one is half the battle.
852
01:25:45.485 --> 01:25:49.282
{\an1}One that will suit
his size and weight.
853
01:25:54.597 --> 01:25:58.739
{\an1}He's going to have
to learn the hard way.
854
01:26:01.949 --> 01:26:05.194
{\an1}[cracking, crashing].
855
01:26:10.648 --> 01:26:15.446
{\an1}First, he needs to find
the right tree for him.
856
01:26:16.240 --> 01:26:20.175
{\an1}And then get a good grip.