All language subtitles for David.Attenboroughs.Wild.City.S01E02.1080p.WEB.h264-POPPYCOCK_track3_[eng]

(gentle music)

- [David] One degree north of
the equator,

there is a small island.

(birds singing) (gentle music)

A thriving tropical paradise.

(gentle music)

(birds singing)

(birds singing)

And from the roots of this
jungle

has sprung one of the fastest
growing cities in the world.

This is Singapore,

This is Singapore,

one of the most densely
populated countries on earth.

one of the most densely
populated countries on earth.

But even with 5.4 million
people,

there is a wild side.

(water splashing)

(dramatic music)

We will explore the urban wild

to discover how nature has
evolved with the city,

across a single day, from unique
perspectives.

Deploying the latest filmmaking
technology,

we will uncover secrets and
unexpected encounters.

we will uncover secrets and
unexpected encounters.

From bird's eye view, to beneath
the surface,

in the light of day,

to the darkest corners.

Clocking in with the daily
commute

in the thick of the urban
jungle.

A home to an astonishing 40,000
species

of animal and plant.

of animal and plant.

A wild city.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

(gentle music)

(screen whooshing)

Another day begins in the heart
of the city,

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

in one of Singapore's most
remarkable places.

(tense music)

(tense music)

In the space of a decade,

Marina Bay has evolved into a
modern garden habitat.

Marina Bay has evolved into a
modern garden habitat.

The key developments, the Marina
Barrage

and Gardens by the Bay turned a
marine bay

and Gardens by the Bay turned a
marine bay

into a thriving ecosystem, and
made a new home

into a thriving ecosystem, and
made a new home

for some first time city
dwellers,

smooth coated otters.

(upbeat music)

On Sandbanks originally meant
for eye catching plants,

mom and dad,

mom and dad,

and their five kids

have made it their preferred
spot to dry off.

(otters squeaking)

(otters squeaking)

The parents once lived on
Singapore's outer coasts,

where they had to cope with
dodging predators

where they had to cope with
dodging predators

and invading urban development.

But in the inner city,

the family have found an
unexpectedly comfortable home,

one good enough to support

a large family by otter
standards.

And they're already making a
splash.

(upbeat music)

(upbeat music)

From land reclaimed from the
seas,

humans have created gentle
slopes,

clean, fresh water,

and easy to catch fish.

Perfect real estate for otters.

Now they've hit the big time in
the big city.

(otter squeaking)

(otter squeaking)

(gentle upbeat music)

The otter's fishing trips are a
regular occurrence,

The otter's fishing trips are a
regular occurrence,

but you have to be quick to
catch them in the act.

They are one of the many winners

in Singapore's changing
landscape.

And with keen fans, their fame
is growing with every snap.

The otters are already hard at
work.

For the rest of the city,

For the rest of the city,

the commuting day has just
begun.

(dramatic music)

(traffic whirring)

(traffic whirring)

(upbeat music)

And far from the heart of the
city,

And far from the heart of the
city,

(birds singing) (gentle music)

in Bukit Timah, a suburb on the
edge of ancient forest,

in Bukit Timah, a suburb on the
edge of ancient forest,

(birds singing) (gentle music)

(birds singing) (gentle music)

another local family is starting
their own daily commute.

another local family is starting
their own daily commute.

(gentle music)

They're rowdy, they're
boisterous,

and they're hitting the streets.

(macaques screeching)

(tense music)

(tense music)

Meet the macaques of Hindhede
Drive.

(horn honking)

(tense music)

(tense music)

They're one of nearly 20 troops

of long-tailed macaques in
Singapore.

of long-tailed macaques in
Singapore.

Evolved for life on the edge of
forests,

the macaques are pre-adapted for
living in these suburbs.

(macaque grunting) (tense music)

(macaque grunting) (tense music)

They already have the skills to
live with humans.

(gentle music)

Every day starts with grooming,

reaffirming community bonds,
strengthening the group.

reaffirming community bonds,
strengthening the group.

Grooming is social currency for
the macaques.

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

High ranking members are groomed
most often,

while outsiders at the fringes
are neglected.

But the troop doesn't stay at
ground level for long.

Soon it's time to get to work.

Soon it's time to get to work.

(traffic whirring) (gentle
music)

(traffic whirring) (gentle
music)

Leading the way is Achilles,

the troop's alpha male.

Always watching over and ready
to protect

his harem from danger.

(Achilles grunting)

(Achilles grunting)

Don't be fooled however,

with macaques, females are in
charge,

with macaques, females are in
charge,

and there's only room for one or
two males in a troop.

In the center of the group,

young mother Ibu watches over
her young baby

young mother Ibu watches over
her young baby

as it grows bigger and bolder by
the day.

Sharing babies is a sign of
trust between troop members,

Sharing babies is a sign of
trust between troop members,

and a way to bolster
relationships.

But after a six month pregnancy,

Ibu's naturally quite protective
of her little one.

Ibu's naturally quite protective
of her little one.

And at the outside is low
ranking female Katarina.

And at the outside is low
ranking female Katarina.

Stuck at the bottom rung on the
social ladder,

Stuck at the bottom rung on the
social ladder,

there aren't many in her troop
happy to be her friend.

Her crippled hand is grim
evidence

of the rougher side of living in
the city.

of the rougher side of living in
the city.

(tense music)

(car whirring)

(car whirring)

Each year, traffic claims the
life

of at least one macaque.

(tense music)

(horn honking)

(horn honking)

Clear of the road,

the troop drops by the condo
next door.

the troop drops by the condo
next door.

(tense music)

Visits like these are inevitable
for animals

so accustomed to the human
environment on their doorstep.

(tense music)

Houses and gardens can be an
easy source of food,

(dog barking)

but only if you don't get
caught.

- [Home Owner] Monkeys.

- [Home Owner] Monkeys.

(macaques chattering) (tense
music)

(macaque squeaking)

(macaque squeaking)

Living together so closely,

the macaques have learned what
they can get away with,

especially when it comes to
food.

(gentle upbeat music)

And it's usually our fault for
encouraging them.

(macaque growling)

While they seem like the
neighbors from hell,

While they seem like the
neighbors from hell,

(macaques screeching)

they're really a close knit
family.

But when you are stuck at the
bottom

of the pile like Katarina,

of the pile like Katarina,

the bonds don't feel very close.

(gentle music)

Most days are trouble free

as they leave to patrol their
forest home.

(gentle music)

They begin their working day,

They begin their working day,

but how will their career
prospects look by the end?

(birds singing)

While the old forests stop at
the nature reserves,

While the old forests stop at
the nature reserves,

newer ones have spread around
the towers and streets.

newer ones have spread around
the towers and streets.

Looking around in the morning
sun,

Looking around in the morning
sun,

one color catches the eye more
than most, green.

It wasn't always so.

A concerted effort to bring
greenery

A concerted effort to bring
greenery

into the urban landscape began
here

with the planting of this rain
tree in 1971.

with the planting of this rain
tree in 1971.

(birds singing) (gentle music)

Since then, more than 2 million
trees

have been planted around the
city.

These rain trees came from South
America,

but Singapore is their home away
from home.

but Singapore is their home away
from home.

The bark of these trees have
made high-rise living

The bark of these trees have
made high-rise living

for native plants.

The plants in turn have
attracted local animals,

The plants in turn have
attracted local animals,

creating homes for a wide
variety.

From giving changeable lizards
cover from predators,

to foraging spots for ants and
termites,

food for stick insects,

and homes for rarer sights like
the banded woodpecker.

and homes for rarer sights like
the banded woodpecker.

These are islands of
biodiversity right next to the
road,

These are islands of
biodiversity right next to the
road,

supporting miniature
communities,

like nature's high-rise flats.

like nature's high-rise flats.

(gentle music)

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

(traffic whirring)

And before the day is over, the
city's residents

And before the day is over, the
city's residents

will witness battles for
supremacy,

the agony of rejection,

the agony of rejection,

and shocking sudden death.

(tense music)

(tense music)

(birds singing) (gentle music)

Morning gives way to lunchtime
in the wild city,

Morning gives way to lunchtime
in the wild city,

and there's no shortage of tasty
treats on offer.

and there's no shortage of tasty
treats on offer.

(birds singing) (tense music)

The sultry climate gives rise to
a plethora of fruit.

But for many, there's no beating
the notorious durian.

(gentle music)

A local delicacy, it has a
pungent smell

and an even stronger taste.

(gentle music)

But the durian experts aren't on
the streets.

But the durian experts aren't on
the streets.

(tense music)

As alpha male, Achilles is first
on the scene.

As alpha male, Achilles is first
on the scene.

(tense music)

The spiky skin is no match

The spiky skin is no match

for powerful jaws and sharp
teeth.

(Achilles growls)

Keeping it to himself is much
harder.

(gentle upbeat music)

In just a few minutes, it's all
gone.

In just a few minutes, it's all
gone.

(birds singing)

Nearby, Ibu has the chance

to let her little one have a
taste.

to let her little one have a
taste.

But when durian is on the table,

But when durian is on the table,

manners go out the window.

(birds singing) (gentle upbeat
music)

(birds singing) (gentle upbeat
music)

This durian is proving tough to
crack,

even for a big, strong alpha
male.

(birds singing) (gentle upbeat
music)

(birds singing) (gentle upbeat
music)

As the rest of the troop give
up,

outcast Katarina takes her turn.

With a hand mangled by a car
accident,

she has to approach the problem
in her own way.

(upbeat music)

Sometimes all it takes is
experience

Sometimes all it takes is
experience

and the right kind of grip.

Left behind alone,

Katarina finds that living at
the edges of the troop

has some fringe benefits.

(gentle upbeat music)

Strolling back to the edge of
the forest,

the troop arrives at the Reserve
Visitor Center,

their own personal penthouse.

their own personal penthouse.

Bellies full, the females preen
and socialize,

Bellies full, the females preen
and socialize,

like girlfriends on the gossip.

Katarina is riding high from her
success with the durian.

Katarina is riding high from her
success with the durian.

Now seems like a good time to
get closer

with the others in the troop.

with the others in the troop.

Dropping in casually, she
approaches.

(macaques screeching) (tense
music)

But there is no warm welcomes
here.

She's just too low in the order
to be accepted.

Stung by rejection, Katarina
retreats to a safe distance.

Stung by rejection, Katarina
retreats to a safe distance.

It seems like there's no place
for her

It seems like there's no place
for her

with the rest of the troop.

If she wants to change that,

she will need to approach the
problem in a different way.

(tense music)

(tense music)

As the city bustles on,

some neighborhoods let us step
back in time

some neighborhoods let us step
back in time

(water splashing) (upbeat music)

(water splashing) (upbeat music)

to meet a bird that might seem
familiar

to meet a bird that might seem
familiar

but is very different.

Red junglefowl, the ancestor of
the chicken.

(upbeat music)

Every variety of chicken in the
world today

Every variety of chicken in the
world today

is descended from this single
Asian species.

But these are not farm animals.

They're the original article.

These wild predecessors roamed

These wild predecessors roamed

the forests of Singapore in the
days

when it was just a handful of
villages.

(rooster screeching)

Cock-a-doodle-doo was once heard
all over the island,

Cock-a-doodle-doo was once heard
all over the island,

a cry of dominance for every
male to hear.

a cry of dominance for every
male to hear.

Only the strongest get to father
the next generation.

Males look for the best feeding
spots

and guide females towards them,

(horn honking)

keeping an eye out for danger.

(gentle upbeat music)

Why did the chicken cross the
road?

To get his hens safely to the
other side.

(horn honking) (upbeat music)

(horn honking) (upbeat music)

Unlike their domestic cousins,

junglefoul are able to jump

and fly for short distances.

and fly for short distances.

(tense music)

As the males grow up, they start
to compete

for female attention.

The lawn becomes a dojo,

a martial arts training ground
for an adult battle,

a martial arts training ground
for an adult battle,

fought with sharp spurs on their
feet.

(rooster screeching)

When two evenly matched males
meet,

the eyes lock and battle begins.

(tense music)

(tense music)

Only one can win the right to
mate.

The loser is forced into
retreat.

(tense music)

Scenes like this may soon become
a thing of the past.

Wild junglefoul are common in
Asia,

but there are only roughly 100
left in Singapore.

but there are only roughly 100
left in Singapore.

Pushed to the margins by urban
development,

not every animal can keep up

with the city's breakneck pace.

(tense music)

As a buffer against the
spreading construction,

Singapore has four protected
nature reserves.

Singapore has four protected
nature reserves.

For human Singaporeans, they're
sanctuaries.

But for others, they can be
death traps.

There are killers lurking here.

Hidden here is one of nature's
strangest inventions,

Hidden here is one of nature's
strangest inventions,

a plant that eats flesh.

(tense music)

(tense music)

Singapore is home to three
species of pitcher plant,

Singapore is home to three
species of pitcher plant,

which thrive across Southeast
Asia.

In soil poor in nutrients,

the pitcher plant gets
sustenance

by luring insects to their doom.

by luring insects to their doom.

(tense music)

The trap, like flowers, uses a
sweet nectar as bait.

The trap, like flowers, uses a
sweet nectar as bait.

Insects like these weaver ants
are enticed to the rim.

Insects like these weaver ants
are enticed to the rim.

But soon they're on a slippery
slope,

and with one wrong move,

the ant drowns in a pool of
fluid.

the ant drowns in a pool of
fluid.

(tense music)

Unable to climb out because of
slippery walls

Unable to climb out because of
slippery walls

and microscopic hairs.

Soon the plant will secrete
enzymes that liquefy the body

and allow it to absorb the
nutrients.

(tense music)

Then it will wait silently
amongst the greenery,

Then it will wait silently
amongst the greenery,

a killer in our midst.

(tense music)

(gentle upbeat music)

Other city dramas are unfolding
out in the open.

Here, a new life is about to
begin.

(tense music)

(tense music)

An Angsana tree, centuries old

is just the right kind of high
rise home

for a pair of oriental pied
hornbills.

Commonly seen during the
colonial days,

Commonly seen during the
colonial days,

clearing and construction left
these birds without a home,

and they had vanished from the
main island by the 1920s.

But since 2004, breeding
programs

But since 2004, breeding
programs

and reintroduction have enabled
them to flourish again.

It's a return that holds a
fascination

for a growing number of people

with wild families as neighbors.

The huge beak is
multifunctional,

The huge beak is
multifunctional,

strengthening their nest
building ability,

attracting mates, and amplifying
their calls.

attracting mates, and amplifying
their calls.

(bird squawking)

Dad is the breadwinner, finding
fruits

and insects to bring back to his
brood.

and insects to bring back to his
brood.

Having been sealed in with the
eggs

inside the tree cavity for two
months,

mum is now on the outside,

which can only mean one thing,

it's time for their chick to
fledge.

Fully grown but still inside the
tree,

Fully grown but still inside the
tree,

the hornbill chick is ready in
body, but not in mind.

Cold feet.

(birds squawking) (gentle upbeat
music)

(birds squawking) (gentle upbeat
music)

It's going to take a bit of
encouragement

to get it to leave the safety of
the nest.

(gentle upbeat music)

But under the watchful eyes of
the parents,

the little chick bravely steps
into the light.

(gentle upbeat music)

(gentle upbeat music)

It's a big world out there,

but the family will stick
together

but the family will stick
together

until the youngster can fend for
itself.

(birds squawking) (gentle upbeat
music)

Now they have official help all
around the city.

(bowl rattling) (gentle upbeat
music)

(bowl rattling) (gentle upbeat
music)

The hornbill's homecoming brings
hope

that the mistakes of the past
can be repaired,

that the mistakes of the past
can be repaired,

and for the return of some of
the lost wild.

(thunder rumbling)

But each day, the city brings
new threats

But each day, the city brings
new threats

to its neighborhood wild.

(otter squeaking) (tense music)

(otter squeaking) (tense music)

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

(water splashing)

(gentle upbeat music)

(gentle upbeat music)

The late afternoon heat is
inescapable.

The late afternoon heat is
inescapable.

For days now, it has been hot
and dry.

For days now, it has been hot
and dry.

While some are undeterred,

the macaques know that a nap

is the best way to deal with the
rising temperature.

Of course, no one told the
youngsters.

It doesn't look like Katarina
will get the chance to doze.

(macaques squeaking) (upbeat
music)

Running, swinging and tumbling

hones their skills for a life in
the trees,

hones their skills for a life in
the trees,

where a sure grip is vital.

(macaques squeaking) (upbeat
music)

(macaques squeaking) (upbeat
music)

While most of the adults rest,

Katarina ends up acting as nanny
for the kids.

After her earlier fight, doing
this kind of favor

for the others might just get
her into their good books.

But with the heat, the forest
pools

are beginning to draw the
youngsters near.

(macaques squeaking) (gentle
upbeat music)

It is time to take a dip, first
with the older juveniles,

then the little ones.

And before long, it's a full on
pool party.

And before long, it's a full on
pool party.

(upbeat music)

(upbeat music)

Achilles stands by as if playing
lifeguard.

(upbeat music)

This looks like a lot of fun for
the baby,

This looks like a lot of fun for
the baby,

but Ibu isn't letting him
anywhere near that ruckus.

Macaque mothers actively protect
their young

for nearly 18 months.

(macaques squeaking) (upbeat
music)

(macaques squeaking) (upbeat
music)

And soon enough, the pool is
closed.

And soon enough, the pool is
closed.

(gentle upbeat music)

The city's fresh waters aren't
just the place

for macaques to splash around.

for macaques to splash around.

(gentle upbeat music)

Sunny waters are the only place
to be

for more than 120 species of
dragonflies

for more than 120 species of
dragonflies

and damselflies found in
Singapore.

The crimson parasol, the blue
skimmer,

the yellow-barred flutterer.

the yellow-barred flutterer.

Incredibly ancient,

this group of insects first
evolved

this group of insects first
evolved

around 300 million years ago,

and have scarcely changed.

Perched on a high vantage point,

perception is everything,

and these insects are superbly
equipped.

(tense music)

Massive eyes with more than
30,000 lenses,

and paired wings allow them to
spot

and catch food over 10 meters
away.

and catch food over 10 meters
away.

It's the perfect configuration
for hunting on the wing.

It's the perfect configuration
for hunting on the wing.

(tense music)

And this insect has stumbled
into the kill zone.

Target acquired.

The fastest flying insect in the
world,

they catch 95% of the prey

they're set out to hunt.

they're set out to hunt.

Against other flyers, there's no
contest.

They're the lions of the air.

(gentle music)

The heat of the day reaches its
peak.

(clouds rumbling) (tense music)

The equatorial temperature
drives moisture skywards.

Churning air currents and
thermals

create the perfect mixing pot
for rain.

(tense music)

(tense music)

(thunder rumbling)

(rain pattering)

(rain pattering)

Across the country,

a single day's downpour can
splash down

a single day's downpour can
splash down

more than 800 million liters of
rain,

sending everyone looking for a
dry place to wait it out.

(rain pattering) (gentle upbeat
music)

Reservoirs refill from 7,000
kilometers

Reservoirs refill from 7,000
kilometers

of drainage channels,

designed to catch every last
drop.

(upbeat music)

(upbeat music)

The deluge starts a chain
reaction,

kicking park's plants into high
gear.

Blooming marvels create the
garden in the city.

Blooming marvels create the
garden in the city.

(upbeat music)

(tense music)

But after the rain, a darker
side

But after the rain, a darker
side

of this garden city is revealed.

The refuse of millions has been
flushed into the reservoirs.

The refuse of millions has been
flushed into the reservoirs.

Even with the aid of rubbish
collecting boats,

Even with the aid of rubbish
collecting boats,

there's a constant struggle to
keep on top,

with nearly a ton of waste
collected every day.

with nearly a ton of waste
collected every day.

While the city has earned its
clean and green reputation,

While the city has earned its
clean and green reputation,

maintaining it requires
ceaseless dedication.

The rubbish is a challenge for
the otter family,

but they aren't mere scavengers.

They're hunters

and they have a clever trick up
their sleeve.

and they have a clever trick up
their sleeve.

Heading over land, they get
sneaky,

to clean garden ponds and
turning them

into fish supermarkets.

into fish supermarkets.

(upbeat music)

This family are nothing if not
adaptable,

This family are nothing if not
adaptable,

and it's the reason why they
bounced back

after being declared extinct
just 20 years ago.

after being declared extinct
just 20 years ago.

They're not the sort of family

to let a little rubbish ruin
their day.

to let a little rubbish ruin
their day.

(gentle upbeat music)

(gentle upbeat music)

As the evening sun starts to
descend,

the otters wrap up their fishing
in Marina Bay.

the otters wrap up their fishing
in Marina Bay.

(water splashing) (gentle upbeat
music)

(water splashing) (gentle upbeat
music)

There's just enough time to
greet the locals

before heading out of the
reservoir.

(gentle upbeat music)

Heading upstream into the
Kallang River,

the pontoons provide them

with the diversion for their
curiosity.

with the diversion for their
curiosity.

(gentle upbeat music)

(otter squeaking)

(otter squeaking)

This landscape might be
radically different

to what they're used to,

but when there is food nearby,
it's easy to adapt.

Following the course of the
waterways

can take the family 10
kilometers in land,

perhaps to a hidden underground
den.

With new generations, the otters
may spread

far around the city, wherever
the waters may take them.

(tense music)

(tense music)

But under the cloak of darkness,

other creatures crawl out and
spread far,

(bats squeaking)

under the streets

under the streets

and into the dark corners of the
night.

(bird calling) (gentle music)

Evening falls over Singapore.

Evening falls over Singapore.

It's the end of a long day for
the macaque troop.

It's the end of a long day for
the macaque troop.

(gentle music)

Their patrol around their home
patch

has taken them in a loop four
kilometers long.

But now they have come home.

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

(gentle upbeat music)

(gentle upbeat music)

Gathering under their roosting
tree,

it's the perfect opportunity to
catch up,

it's the perfect opportunity to
catch up,

groom and socialize before
heading upstairs to bed.

Ibu connects with the mother
circle,

while the kids play around them.

while the kids play around them.

(macaques squeaking) (upbeat
music)

(macaques squeaking) (upbeat
music)

In this safe place, Ibu is
comfortable enough

to let her baby go exploring by
itself.

(upbeat music)

At nearly four months old, his
black baby fur

is beginning to show signs of
adult brown.

is beginning to show signs of
adult brown.

He's finally getting a taste of
independence.

He's finally getting a taste of
independence.

Time to play with the big kids.

But when the others play too
rough,

mother's arms don't seem quite
as bad.

By the road, Katarina has found
a tasty discarded tidbit.

Food is a big deal for the
macaques

and they're not prone to
sharing.

But surprisingly, perhaps full
of her durian,

she allows the juvenile to have
a piece.

Going halves with one of the
troops' kids,

she might have just started a
friendship.

But will it be enough to bring
her

closer in with the family?

(gentle upbeat music)

In the fading light,

Achilles takes the lead once
again,

Achilles takes the lead once
again,

heading up into the trees.

For baby, it's another first,

climbing the tree all by
himself.

climbing the tree all by
himself.

(gentle upbeat music)

High in the tallest tree is a
sensible place to sleep.

High in the tallest tree is a
sensible place to sleep.

It can be dangerous down below
after dark.

It can be dangerous down below
after dark.

(screen whooshing)

With the aid of a thermal
camera,

With the aid of a thermal
camera,

we can see what happens when the
sun goes down.

You may have thought that they
go straight to sleep,

but grooming and socializing
continue after lights out.

but grooming and socializing
continue after lights out.

(gentle music)

But there's no invitation for
Katarina.

But there's no invitation for
Katarina.

Too many times she's faced
rejection.

Climbing the tree now could
start a fight

even worse than the one she
faced on the roof.

even worse than the one she
faced on the roof.

But lonely and exposed on the
ground,

But lonely and exposed on the
ground,

she's vulnerable to nocturnal
motorized predators.

Weighing up the options,

it's time to take a chance.

Risking rejection, she begins
climbing

towards the hostile troop.

(macaque grunting) (tense music)

(macaque grunting) (tense music)

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

At night, it's not only the
sights

of the city that change, the
sounds do too.

There's an underworld that sings
out from below.

(frogs croaking)

Using infrared imaging to see in
the dark,

the singers are revealed.

the singers are revealed.

Banded bullfrogs, one of 29
species of frogs in Singapore.

Banded bullfrogs, one of 29
species of frogs in Singapore.

In the moist environment,

these frogs have a sheltered
home stocked with easy food,

these frogs have a sheltered
home stocked with easy food,

and a concert hall in which to
sing and attract mates.

and a concert hall in which to
sing and attract mates.

They're not the only ones down
here.

Where there are rats,

their predators are seldom far
behind.

Singapore is home to 58 species
of snake,

each adapted to their own niche.

Forest floors are home to the
white-bellied rat snake,

Forest floors are home to the
white-bellied rat snake,

while whips snakes patrol the
trees.

Some wait in ambush like
Wagler's pit viper.

(tense music)

While the deadly Malayan blue
coral snake

is an active hunter,

though most are shy of humans
and aren't often seen.

Following the trail of rats

Following the trail of rats

brings one snake into the city
on a regular basis.

Reticulated pythons can grow to
nearly 10 meters long,

the longest snake species in the
world.

When these cultures clash, only
a few are prepared,

When these cultures clash, only
a few are prepared,

like animal rescue volunteers on
constant standby.

like animal rescue volunteers on
constant standby.

(volunteers speaking in foreign
language)

(traffic whirring)

(traffic whirring)

(gentle music)

Out in the eastern suburbs,

a shift change is about to
occur.

(gentle music)

One set of creatures are coming
home,

while another is just heading
out.

A palm civet locally called
Musang and Toddy Cat.

These relatives of the mongoose
have swapped forest

for the sheltered comfort of a
roof cavity.

for the sheltered comfort of a
roof cavity.

(gentle music)

With perfect balance,

the civet has no trouble with
the tightrope act

on the way to find food.

Normally solitary, they hunt
through trees

and leaf litter for insects,
lizards, and fruit.

and leaf litter for insects,
lizards, and fruit.

Loners in the city,

civets have strictly bounded
territories,

regularly defined by scent
marks.

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

Smelling strongly of local
pandan plants,

Smelling strongly of local
pandan plants,

leaving droppings are the
civet's ways

of making themselves at home.

(bugs chirping) (gentle music)

(bugs chirping) (gentle music)

(tense music)

Just like their daylight
counterparts,

Just like their daylight
counterparts,

the night creatures of Singapore
are highly adapted.

(bats squeaking) (gentle music)

Cave nectar bats.

(bats squeaking) (gentle music)

(bats squeaking) (gentle music)

As their name suggests,

they normally prefer roosting in
caves.

But in Singapore, this highway
overpass

has become a famous roost for
nearly 500 bats.

has become a famous roost for
nearly 500 bats.

(bats squeaking) (gentle music)

The colony divides into single
sex groupings,

huddling together during the
day.

(bats squeaking) (gentle music)

But after dark, the bats leave
their home

But after dark, the bats leave
their home

drawn by a sweet smell on the
breeze.

(gentle upbeat music)

(gentle upbeat music)

The bats will travel up to 40
kilometers

to find their favorite night
spot.

to find their favorite night
spot.

These bats are no vampires.

They hunger for the sweet nectar
of night flowers.

(gentle upbeat music)

(gentle upbeat music)

Bats like these are crucial to
the survival of these plants.

Bats like these are crucial to
the survival of these plants.

Some flowers are pollinated by
nothing else.

(bugs chirping)

(bugs chirping)

Dawn approaches and the bats
return once more

Dawn approaches and the bats
return once more

to their roadside lodgings.

(gentle upbeat music)

(birds singing)

(birds singing)

Morning comes again to Hindhede.

Morning comes again to Hindhede.

(birds singing) (gentle upbeat
music)

The macaque troop starts a brand
new day.

With them is Katarina.

After climbing the tree the
night before,

her gamble has paid off.

Nannying the troop kids, sharing
her food,

and dogged determination have
won the respect of the troop.

and dogged determination have
won the respect of the troop.

Now she's becoming a part of the
family,

Now she's becoming a part of the
family,

no longer the loner stuck at the
edges.

From now on, her future looks
brighter.

From now on, her future looks
brighter.

Katarina has won her place in
the same way

Katarina has won her place in
the same way

the urban wild has survived,

with flexibility, adapting to
change.

with flexibility, adapting to
change.

(gentle music)

And sometimes humans do too,

And sometimes humans do too,

like this nature watching group,

more and more people are
starting

to see a new side to the
metropolis.

to see a new side to the
metropolis.

It's a place that they share
with their neighbors

worthy of preserving.

(dramatic music)

One of the fastest changing
countries in the world

is showing that with our help,

is showing that with our help,

the wild can adapt and flourish,

even in the places we live and
work.

They are a part of our lives,

They are a part of our lives,

as we are part of theirs.

This small tropical island is
more than just a city.

It's a home for nature.

It's a home for nature.

(dramatic music)

A wild city.

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

(gentle music continues)

(logo whooshing)

(logo whooshing)

(tense music)