Original subtitles

(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)