Original subtitles

(dramatic music)

- [Narrator] In the heart of Southeast Asia,

one of the fastest developing cities on Earth,

(dramatic music)

Singapore, a thriving futuristic metropolis,

(bird chirps)

(dramatic music)

where the wild has adapted to an urban life.

(water splashes) (dramatic music)

(water splashes) (dramatic music)

(bird chirping)

But on the fringes of the city,

there is still wilderness.

there is still wilderness.

(suspenseful music)

Rainforest.

Rainforest.

(dramatic music)

An extraordinary variety of animals

and plants live here in this multi-layered habitat.

and plants live here in this multi-layered habitat.

(dramatic music)

From the high leafy canopy

to the darkness of the forest floor,

(dramatic music)

(bird squawks)

the jungle is teaming with unexpected life,

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

(thunder rumbling)

where species have to battle

if they are to survive.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

These are the extraordinary locals

that still live in the forest

that still live in the forest

(suspenseful music)

of the Wild City.

(gentle music) (birds chirping)

(gentle music) (birds chirping)

(langur calling) (light gentle music)

(langur calling) (light gentle music)

Rainforests contain a greater variety

Rainforests contain a greater variety

of species than any other habitat on land.

Here there is an abundance of light, water, and nutrients

that together create a lush tropical world.

Even in the city's small forest preserves,

(light gentle music)

the diversity is astonishing.

(insects trilling)

(leaves rustling)

And here, surprisingly,

And here, surprisingly,

lives one of the least known primates in world.

(leaves rustling)

(birds chirping) (insects chirping)

(birds chirping) (insects chirping)

(bright music)

This is a Raffles' banded langur,

This is a Raffles' banded langur,

(bright music)

a large tree-dwelling monkey,

a large tree-dwelling monkey,

that is found only in Malaysia

and here in Singapore.

(light gentle music)

(light gentle music)

Elsewhere, the forest where they once lived

has been destroyed.

Only a few hundred individuals survive,

and this forest in Singapore contains about 60 of them.

(light gentle music)

(light gentle music)

(langur screeching nearby)

(birds chirping)

They're just over a meter tall,

the largest non-human primate in the city,

the largest non-human primate in the city,

but very few people here

even know of their existence.

even know of their existence.

Shy, secretive, and elusive,

Shy, secretive, and elusive,

they live in small family groups high in the treetops.

(birds chirping) (insects trilling)

(langur screeching nearby)

(light quirky music)

(light quirky music)

This troop of nine

is one of the largest.

The boss of the group,

the alpha male, has been busy.

(leaves rustling)

He's fathered four youngsters

He's fathered four youngsters

in the last few years.

The baby of the family is just over 12-months-old.

The baby of the family is just over 12-months-old.

Dad is a hands-off parent.

Mom cares for the baby.

And at this age,

the youngster still has a lot

to learn about life in the canopy.

(bright upbeat music)

(light gentle music)

The largest rainforest trees in Singapore

stand over 40 meters tall.

(light gentle music)

These giants tower above the rest of the vegetation.

(light gentle music)

(light gentle music)

Their canopy is the sunniest place in the jungle.

Below, life is not as bright.

Only around 10% of the sun's rays

filter down to the understory,

and on the forest floor it's even darker.

and on the forest floor it's even darker.

(light gentle music)

Each of the residents

has its own particular niche

has its own particular niche

within this multi-layered world.

(light gentle music)

(light gentle music)

And halfway up a tree trunk

is home for a little lizard,

a black-bearded Draco,

marvelously camouflaged.

(birds chirping) (insects chittering)

(birds chirping) (insects chittering)

(light curious music)

It seldom, if ever,

descends to the ground.

(light curious music)

And why should he?

And why should he?

Up here, he has everything he needs.

(birds chirping)

(birds chirping)

Lunch comes to him,

Lunch comes to him,

like a well-oiled sushi train.

(light dramatic music)

(light dramatic music)

He has a specialized sticky tongue,

with which he collects what he fancies.

The buffet almost never runs out.

This one.

Not to worry.

Plenty more where that came from.

In just a few minutes,

he gulps down over 20 ants.

he gulps down over 20 ants.

Life on the trunk is pretty good,

Life on the trunk is pretty good,

but living in the understory by yourself can be lonely.

but living in the understory by yourself can be lonely.

(mellow music)

It's time for him to find a mate,

It's time for him to find a mate,

but he's marvelously disguised

as a piece of bark.

How will a possible partner even see him?

Well, he has a flag.

(dramatic music)

A throat flap that he can display when he wants to.

It warns off other males

and attracts the females.

(light upbeat music)

This one gets the message.

(light gentle music)

(light gentle music)

Things progress fast.

She's already moved in,

She's already moved in,

(light gentle music)

but there's a problem.

(distant hissing)

(ominous music)

(ominous music)

(birds chirping)

The male signals

have caught the attention

of an Oriental whip snake.

of an Oriental whip snake.

(ominous music) (birds chirping)

It too, is a master of camouflage

and a very skilled hunter.

(ominous music)

(ominous music)

Its elongated eyes set far forward on its head,

give it excellent vision,

and the pencil-sized lizard

would make an excellent meal.

would make an excellent meal.

(tense ominous music)

(suspenseful music)

He forgets about the female.

(snake hissing)

(snake hissing)

It's every lizard for himself.

(suspenseful music)

(suspenseful music)

So he takes the air.

(dramatic theatrical music)

He unfolds skinny wings,

one on each flank,

one on each flank,

that enable him to glide over 10 meters in a single jump.

(dramatic theatrical music)

(dramatic theatrical music)

Now safe on another tree,

it's time to return to invisibility.

it's time to return to invisibility.

(birds chirping)

(gentle music)

Singapore's forest reserves are small.

Singapore's forest reserves are small.

The largest of them is just over 2,000 hectares.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

(leaves rustling)

But between them they contain 20,000 species

But between them they contain 20,000 species

of land living animals and plants.

(dramatic music)

(bird chirping)

And deep in the jungle,

new species are still being discovered.

(langur screeching nearby)

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

(insects trilling)

(insects trilling)

With darkness,

an extraordinary rarity appears.

(dramatic music) (leaves rustling)

(soft sniffing)

(soft sniffing)

A tiny greater mouse-deer.

This pint-sized little creature was thought

This pint-sized little creature was thought

to have become extinct here over 80 years ago,

but just recently it's been rediscovered

but just recently it's been rediscovered

on one of the country's offshore islands.

(insects trilling) (light upbeat music)

(insects trilling) (light upbeat music)

Standing at just over 30 centimeters tall,

mouse-deer are one of the smallest

of all hooved animals.

(upbeat music) (soft sniffing)

(upbeat music) (soft sniffing)

They feed mostly on fruit

that has fallen from above.

that has fallen from above.

(insects chirping)

(light crunching)

(light crunching)

(light gentle music)

(light gentle music)

They are solitary little creatures,

and they are, understandably, very nervous,

and they are, understandably, very nervous,

for they have no defense, except invisibility.

for they have no defense, except invisibility.

(light gentle music)

Tiptoeing about on tiny hooves,

they move through the undergrowth

they move through the undergrowth

without making a sound.

(soft sniffing)

(light munching)

It's safer to hide,

and then sit down for a meal.

(insects chittering)

(insects chittering)

With a chambered stomach like a cow's,

the mouse-deer has to chew and re-chew every mouthful.

(light chomping) (insects trilling)

(light chomping) (insects trilling)

(leaves rustling)

(gentle music)

The rediscovery of a species like this

in such a small country is truly remarkable,

(gentle music) (soft sniffing)

and who knows what other secrets

and who knows what other secrets

the forest may still contain.

(gentle music)

(insects chittering)

(insects chittering)

(bird squawking)

(bright idyllic music)

In the Central Forest of Singapore,

life in the treetops can be idyllic.

(light idyllic music)

There's plenty of food to go around,

(birds chirping nearby)

but it still takes skill to survive in the upper canopy.

(leaves rustling)

(leaves rustling)

Youngsters in the langur troop

must learn to climb from an early age.

(bright playful music)

(leaves rustling)

Playing helps to improve climbing coordination.

(lively action music)

The baby of the family

is not quite ready to join in

with his boisterous siblings,

but gaining confidence and moving around

in the treetops is crucial.

in the treetops is crucial.

Unlike other kinds of langurs,

these hardly ever descend to the ground,

these hardly ever descend to the ground,

and they may have to travel far through the branches

to find enough to eat.

(light curious music)

This morning, one of the forest's special treats

has caught their eye.

(light curious music)

Around the size of a pineapple,

the chempedak is one of the largest fruits in the forest.

Worth making an effort for.

(dramatic theatrical music)

(dramatic theatrical music)

(leaves rustling)

(dramatic music)

With light slender bodies and long flexible limbs,

With light slender bodies and long flexible limbs,

langurs can easily cross breaks in the canopy,

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

(leaves rustling)

but this youngster is too small

to make such giant leaps.

(birds chirping)

Mom will have to carry him.

Mom will have to carry him.

(dramatic music)

A baby on board is extra weight,

so jumps have to be very carefully judged.

so jumps have to be very carefully judged.

(dramatic music)

(suspenseful music)

(birds chirping)

(gentle music)

With everyone safely across,

the whole troop can start to feed.

the whole troop can start to feed.

The fruit might not be fully ripe,

The fruit might not be fully ripe,

but they don't seem to mind.

Their large potbellies

contain specialized gut bacteria

that help them digest their meal,

and that allows them to feed

on a great variety of leaves and fruit.

on a great variety of leaves and fruit.

(light gentle music)

But while the family tuck in,

it soon becomes apparent

that they have company.

(leaves rustling)

(insects chirping)

(bird squawking)

The greater racket-tailed drongo.

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

Both male and female have long stylish tail feathers.

Both male and female have long stylish tail feathers.

(gentle music)

This juvenile is still growing his first pair.

He's already left the nest,

and mom is now teaching him how to find food.

and mom is now teaching him how to find food.

Lesson one:

How to take advantage

How to take advantage

of your furry neighbors.

(leaves rustling)

(dramatic music)

Drongos feed mainly on insects,

but spotting them can be tricky.

but spotting them can be tricky.

It's easier to let others do the work.

(suspenseful music)

(suspenseful music)

Langurs traveling through the canopy

Langurs traveling through the canopy

cause quite a stir.

It unsettles many of the smaller residents.

It unsettles many of the smaller residents.

(suspenseful music)

One for mom,

(suspenseful music)

and one for the fledgling.

and one for the fledgling.

(birds chirping)

The langurs and drongos

live peacefully side by side.

live peacefully side by side.

(birds twittering) (light mysterious music)

But life here is not always so amicable.

The forest is home to thousands of tiny creatures

The forest is home to thousands of tiny creatures

that are often overlooked.

(wings fluttering)

(light mysterious music)

(soft munching)

(soft munching)

Many are strange and mysterious.

Many are strange and mysterious.

(wings fluttering)

This is a bagworm,

a caterpillar that has assembled its own camouflage.

A pile of twigs

A pile of twigs

or sometimes a more mossy look.

(light dramatic music)

(light dramatic music)

Nearby, a pair of shield bugs.

Nearby, a pair of shield bugs.

This end-to-end mating

has gone on for hours.

(light dramatic music)

(soft popping)

(soft popping)

Finally finished,

the female will now lay

around a hundred eggs.

around a hundred eggs.

(ominous music)

But life in the undergrowth

But life in the undergrowth

can come to an end in the blink of an eye.

(soft munching)

(soft munching)

(light tapping)

(light tapping)

This chrysalis doesn't stand a chance

against one of the most efficient animals in the world.

Ants.

(light tapping)

In Singapore, there are at least 200 species of them,

In Singapore, there are at least 200 species of them,

each playing its own particular part in the ecosystem.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

And one of the most aggressive and largest

is the weaver ant.

is the weaver ant.

(suspenseful music)

These tree dwellers are also

some of the forest's best engineers.

some of the forest's best engineers.

(dramatic music)

Weaver ants use living leaves to build their nests.

(light tapping) (dramatic music)

(light tapping) (dramatic music)

Teamwork is essential to get the job done.

(dramatic music)

Together they design and shape a home.

Together they design and shape a home.

Special pads on their feet

Special pads on their feet

allow the workers to hang upside down.

(light tapping) (dramatic music)

No safety ropes needed here.

Once the leaves have been shaped into a pod,

Once the leaves have been shaped into a pod,

it's time to bring in the glue guns.

Their own larvae are gently squeezed

to make them produce a sticky silk.

With that, they weave a fabric

that holds the leaves together in the correct position.

that holds the leaves together in the correct position.

(light tapping) (dramatic music)

(bright music)

(bright music)

As the colony expands,

the workers keep on building.

(bright theatrical music)

(bright theatrical music)

Nests can grow as big as a football.

(bright theatrical music)

(bright theatrical music)

The queen hides away inside the best one.

Her job is to pump out eggs

while her team of engineers bring her food.

while her team of engineers bring her food.

(bright theatrical music)

They make it look easy,

but this heavy labor is thirsty work.

but this heavy labor is thirsty work.

(birds chirping) (insects trilling)

Luckily, they have their very own juice bar.

Luckily, they have their very own juice bar.

(dramatic music)

They keep herds of tiny aphids next to the nests.

They keep herds of tiny aphids next to the nests.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

With a bit of gentle stroking,

these docile insects excrete sweet drops of honeydew.

these docile insects excrete sweet drops of honeydew.

A sugary high-energy boost, just what a worker needs.

A sugary high-energy boost, just what a worker needs.

It's nearly time to get back to the construction site.

(birds chirping)

(birds chirping)

(dramatic music)

As another day ends in Singapore,

As another day ends in Singapore,

the nocturnal creatures emerge,

(tense music)

(tense music)

and the city transforms into a very

different landscape of light and color.

(dramatic music)

(tense ominous music)

But deep in the forest,

nature puts on her own nightly show.

nature puts on her own nightly show.

(dramatic music)

(insects trilling)

A specialized UV light reveals fungi,

A specialized UV light reveals fungi,

and animals that can glow in the dark.

(light tapping)

(insects trilling)

The long-tailed scorpion.

The species belongs to one of the most

ancient family groups alive today.

ancient family groups alive today.

They have inhabited the planet

for over 450 million years.

for over 450 million years.

(eerie music)

Scorpions are almost indestructible.

Scorpions are almost indestructible.

They're armored by a thick exoskeleton.

They have powerful claws and a sting.

(insects trilling)

(ominous music)

This species is an ambush hunter.

(suspenseful music)

(suspenseful music)

It waits patiently

for a meal to come by.

(tense eerie music)

(tense eerie music)

(suspenseful music)

(scorpion crunching)

(dramatic music)

A single cricket like this

will last it for months.

(insects trilling) (light gentle music)

And scorpions are not fussy eaters.

They don't hesitate to eat each other,

given the chance.

It's a brutal end,

but scorpions haven't survived

as long as they have by being picky.

(insects trilling)

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

(gentle music) (birds chirping)

(gentle music) (birds chirping)

As the sun rises in Singapore,

the day quickly begins to heat up.

The cold-blooded creatures of the forest

need this warmth if they are to get moving.

need this warmth if they are to get moving.

(gentle music)

This may look like a paradise,

This may look like a paradise,

but sometimes it's far from idyllic.

(ominous music)

A rainforest is one of the most

competitive ecosystems on Earth.

competitive ecosystems on Earth.

Its inhabitants have to battle unceasingly

if they are to survive.

if they are to survive.

They struggle to reach the light and race to mate.

(birds chirping)

(gentle dramatic music)

(gentle dramatic music)

The elegant bronzeback,

a tree-dwelling snake

found across Southeast Asia.

(gentle music)

Both sexes are usually solitary,

Both sexes are usually solitary,

but today something is in the air.

but today something is in the air.

(light eerie music)

(light eerie music)

Pheromones released by this female

signal that she's ready to mate.

signal that she's ready to mate.

(dramatic music)

Three suitors line up.

All hope to win her.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

But it's she who will call the shots.

If they want a chance, they must fight for it.

(suspenseful music)

(suspenseful music)

By playing hard to get,

By playing hard to get,

she aims to find the strongest

and most determined male.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

Snakes have at least 16 times

Snakes have at least 16 times

more individual muscles than the average human,

(leaves rustling)

(leaves rustling)

and they use this strength to squeeze

and heave each other out of the way.

(dramatic music)

This mating battle goes on for hours.

This mating battle goes on for hours.

(dramatic music) (leaves rustling)

(dramatic music) (leaves rustling)

(gentle music) (birds chirping)

(gentle music) (birds chirping)

Until finally, one of the males

manages to get into the right position.

manages to get into the right position.

(light gentle music)

(light gentle music)

A gentle chin stroke,

a snake's way to charm.

She appears to be won over.

Now he needs to align

his reproductive organs with hers.

his reproductive organs with hers.

(light gentle music)

It's not easy

when two other males are still trying to join in,

but everything seems to be lining up.

This is believed to be the first time

the mating behavior of the elegant bronzeback

has ever been documented.

(light gentle music)

(light gentle music)

And it was recorded right here

in the forests of Singapore.

(birds chirping)

(gentle music)

The jungle may be a refuge for wild creatures,

but the urban world is never far away.

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

Some of the locals have adapted to take advantage of this.

A building on the edge of the forest,

A building on the edge of the forest,

the perfect roost for the colony of fruit bats.

(bats squealing)

(bats squealing)

(light bright music)

(light bright music)

Daytime is rest time

for these nocturnal mammals,

but not everyone is ready for sleep.

but not everyone is ready for sleep.

(bat squealing)

A hungry youngster keeps mom awake.

He's just over a month old

and totally dependent on her for milk.

(bright music)

But being a bat mother is no easy task.

Babies are like limpets.

Babies are like limpets.

He's constantly by her side.

(bats squealing) (light upbeat music)

Even during a bath,

Even during a bath,

the pup stays close.

It's a bit of a squeeze,

but she manages to wash around him.

And keeping her wings in tiptop condition

is very important.

Tonight, she will once again fly off to look for dinner.

But for now, with baby fed and bathed,

she can get some much needed rest.

(bright music) (bats squealing)

(bright music) (bats squealing)

Bats are one of the few animals in the world

that sleep upside down.

that sleep upside down.

Specialized tendons in the feet make hanging easy.

Specialized tendons in the feet make hanging easy.

(bright music) (bats squealing)

And the design of this roof suits them perfectly,

And the design of this roof suits them perfectly,

high, safe, and sheltered from the midday heat.

(bright music)

(birds chirping)

During the hottest part of the day,

During the hottest part of the day,

temperatures in the forest can reach 34 degrees.

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

(water splashing)

The residents do their best to keep cool.

The residents do their best to keep cool.

(insects trilling)

A spotted wood owl flutters its throat.

A spotted wood owl flutters its throat.

It's a way of panting to cool off.

It's a way of panting to cool off.

(gentle music)

Others just stretch out and snooze.

Others just stretch out and snooze.

(birds chirping)

While the rest of the langur family relax,

While the rest of the langur family relax,

the alpha male keeps guard.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

Males leave their troop

when they're around four years of age

when they're around four years of age

and try to collect a harem of females.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

But an alpha's leadership is never really secure.

There is always the danger of new males

trying to take over his females.

(suspenseful music)

(suspenseful music)

(dramatic music)

And two young bachelors have just arrived.

And two young bachelors have just arrived.

(suspenseful music)

The females and youngsters scatter.

This is a dangerous situation.

The invaders could be looking for a fight.

(suspenseful music)

(suspenseful music)

Their leader must drive them out.

(suspenseful music) (langur screeching)

(suspenseful music) (langur screeching)

It's chaos in the treetops.

It's chaos in the treetops.

(suspenseful music)

(langur screeching)

(dramatic music) (leaves rustling)

(dramatic music) (leaves rustling)

(dramatic music) (leaves rustling)

(langur screeching) (suspenseful music)

A final push and the intruders disappear.

The alpha male has secured his family's territory.

The alpha male has secured his family's territory.

(ominous music)

But in the panic,

the youngest member of the troop has become separated.

(ominous music)

Lost and alone in the forest, he's vulnerable,

(thunder rumbling)

(thunder rumbling)

and a storm is on the way.

(thunder rumbling)

(light dramatic music)

(tense music) (thunder rumbling)

(langur calling)

(langur calling)

(tense ominous music)

The youngest member of the langur troop

is still in trouble.

(thunder rumbling)

A storm is brewing.

Singapore's jungle depends on one vital element.

Singapore's jungle depends on one vital element.

(thunder rumbling)

(dramatic music)

Rain.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

(rain pattering)

Water is the lifeblood of the forest.

Over 800 million liters can splash down

in just a few hours.

in just a few hours.

(rain splashing)

(thunder crashing)

(thunder crashing)

The residents do their best to take shelter,

(thunder rumbling)

(thunder rumbling)

but some have to sit it out.

(thunder crashing)

(dramatic music)

Scared and alone,

the baby of the family

does his best to keep dry.

(rain splashing)

(rain splashing)

(somber music)

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

(birds chirping) (droplets plopping)

(birds chirping) (droplets plopping)

(gentle music)

(leaves rustling)

Finally, the deluge is over,

Finally, the deluge is over,

and the langur family are on the move.

and the langur family are on the move.

(dramatic music)

(langur screeching)

Hearing the desperate calls

Hearing the desperate calls

of the missing youngster,

they come to collect him.

(gentle music) (langur calling)

(leaves rustling)

(gentle music)

Reunited with mom,

Reunited with mom,

he's lucky to have been found in time.

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

At this age, he still relies on his family members

At this age, he still relies on his family members

to lead the way to food.

But this time spent away from the troop

is his first step towards independence.

(gentle music)

(soft munching)

(soft munching)

(gentle music)

(soft nibbling)

(bright music) (birds chirping)

(bright music) (birds chirping)

(wings fluttering)

(wings fluttering)

(bright music)

(heavy thudding) (suspenseful music)

Across the island of Singapore,

Across the island of Singapore,

its fruiting season.

(heavy thudding)

Huge ripe durians fall to the ground.

Huge ripe durians fall to the ground.

While above, other plants add

a splash of color to the green.

a splash of color to the green.

It's a feast for many of the residents.

(suspenseful music)

And the plantain squirrel will go

to great lengths to be first in line.

to great lengths to be first in line.

(suspenseful music)

(leaves rustling)

Weighing around 200 grams,

these pint-sized acrobats

can jump over three meters.

(suspenseful music)

A death-defying performance,

all for the sake of a piece of fruit.

all for the sake of a piece of fruit.

(suspenseful music)

(light upbeat music)

But sometimes it takes

But sometimes it takes

more than a high flying stunt

to reach the best of the fruits.

The chempedak is finally ripe.

The chempedak is finally ripe.

(bright music)

Inside, there's a sweet custard-like treat,

Inside, there's a sweet custard-like treat,

but first you have to get through the thick spiky skin.

but first you have to get through the thick spiky skin.

A different kind of gymnastics is required for this job,

an upside down balancing act.

(bright music)

(soft munching)

At last, all her persistence pays off.

At last, all her persistence pays off.

(soft nibbling)

(light upbeat music)

Ripe chempedak

Ripe chempedak

is one of the most delicious fruits in the forest,

and she's not the only one who wants a piece,

and she's not the only one who wants a piece,

or indeed the whole thing.

(bright upbeat music)

(bright upbeat music)

And while she may have done all the hard work,

that doesn't mean that those below can't also get a share.

(leaves rustling) (light gentle music)

A juvenile lesser mouse-deer.

It's very rare to see one out and about during the day.

It's very rare to see one out and about during the day.

Just like the other species of mouse-deer,

Just like the other species of mouse-deer,

they prefer to forage under the cover of darkness.

(light gentle music)

(flies buzzing)

We don't know how many

lesser mouse-deer survive in Singapore.

The species used to be found right across the country.

The species used to be found right across the country.

Now they live only in the Central Forest Reserve,

(light gentle music)

the same jungle home as the Raffles' banded langur.

the same jungle home as the Raffles' banded langur.

(birds chirping)

(light gentle music)

(light gentle music)

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

(birds chirping)

(leaves rustling)

These days, the troop have been more elusive than usual,

These days, the troop have been more elusive than usual,

and the reason why is soon revealed.

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

After five months of pregnancy,

After five months of pregnancy,

one of the females has given birth.

(gentle music) (birds chirping)

(gentle music) (birds chirping)

At just a few weeks old,

baby is totally reliant on mom,

baby is totally reliant on mom,

and she keeps a constant guiding hand on him

as he begins to learn how to get about in the canopy.

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

Nearby, his older brother

has now graduated from being the baby of the troop.

has now graduated from being the baby of the troop.

Another step towards his eventual independence.

Another step towards his eventual independence.

(leaves rustling)

The first few months of the newborn's life

are when he is most vulnerable.

(light gentle music)

(light gentle music)

But mom will do everything she can to protect him.

She'll carry him in her arms until he's big enough

to start exploring their treetop world for himself.

to start exploring their treetop world for himself.

(light dramatic music)

(light dramatic music)

(gentle music)

The forests in Singapore

are a haven for thousands of residents.

Multi-stories interconnected layers of life,

Multi-stories interconnected layers of life,

communities within a city that are precious

communities within a city that are precious

and worth preserving.

A surprising, wild, tropical world,

A surprising, wild, tropical world,

these are the forest locals that make Singapore

these are the forest locals that make Singapore

(dramatic music)

the wild city.

(gentle music)

(gentle music)

(dramatic music)

(bright music)

(bright music)

(dramatic flash tone)

(dramatic flash tone)