1 00:00:37,643 --> 00:00:41,603 Sauraha, Nepal. 2 00:00:58,443 --> 00:01:02,843 This rhino is not lost. 3 00:01:06,203 --> 00:01:10,283 He is on his way to find food. 4 00:01:14,163 --> 00:01:19,283 To get it, he must travel through a new and alien world. 5 00:01:28,243 --> 00:01:30,683 This rhino in his lifetime 6 00:01:30,683 --> 00:01:35,403 has seen more changes than any of his previous generations. 7 00:01:41,563 --> 00:01:42,923 Across the globe, 8 00:01:42,923 --> 00:01:46,483 animals of all kinds are now contending 9 00:01:46,483 --> 00:01:49,003 with one newly dominant species... 10 00:01:50,443 --> 00:01:52,003 ...us. 11 00:01:52,003 --> 00:01:53,843 , 12 00:01:59,723 --> 00:02:03,763 Like so many wild creatures, he's had to learn 13 00:02:03,763 --> 00:02:08,003 how to live in the human world. 14 00:02:23,563 --> 00:02:25,083 Some animals 15 00:02:25,083 --> 00:02:27,203 have changed their behaviour 16 00:02:27,203 --> 00:02:30,643 to make the most out of living amongst us. 17 00:02:34,603 --> 00:02:39,003 These long-tailed macaques live in Bali. 18 00:02:48,883 --> 00:02:52,483 They have developed new interests 19 00:02:52,483 --> 00:02:55,483 brought by human visitors. 20 00:03:04,283 --> 00:03:08,243 Every morning, the troop heads for a building 21 00:03:08,243 --> 00:03:11,283 in the centre of their territory. 22 00:03:22,283 --> 00:03:24,723 Uluwatu Temple. 23 00:03:28,243 --> 00:03:31,883 Tourists come here every day - in crowds. 24 00:03:35,763 --> 00:03:39,483 So the temple grounds are full of opportunities... 25 00:03:41,523 --> 00:03:43,643 ...if you know where to look. 26 00:04:12,563 --> 00:04:15,563 There is a constant supply of hats... 27 00:04:16,603 --> 00:04:18,163 ...and sunglasses. 28 00:04:22,603 --> 00:04:26,443 And if you've mastered the element of surprise... 29 00:04:28,003 --> 00:04:31,083 ...it's easy to get them. 30 00:04:44,003 --> 00:04:47,163 But this harvest is not for eating. 31 00:04:47,163 --> 00:04:51,003 It's for bargaining. 32 00:04:58,443 --> 00:05:00,803 Seems like a fair trade. 33 00:05:06,043 --> 00:05:09,483 But there are greater rewards to be had 34 00:05:09,483 --> 00:05:12,523 for those who know how to get them. 35 00:05:18,163 --> 00:05:22,003 And this old male appears to be doing... 36 00:05:23,283 --> 00:05:24,803 ...very well. 37 00:05:30,803 --> 00:05:34,003 He and the other elders in this troop 38 00:05:34,003 --> 00:05:38,363 have both experience and knowledge. 39 00:05:43,563 --> 00:05:48,283 They've been working the temple for over ten years, 40 00:05:48,283 --> 00:05:50,923 and now concentrate on the big stuff... 41 00:05:56,763 --> 00:06:01,283 ...things that human beings just can't do without. 42 00:06:08,403 --> 00:06:12,403 No-one wants to walk home with just one shoe. 43 00:06:18,843 --> 00:06:21,403 And these old boys can't wait 44 00:06:21,403 --> 00:06:25,123 to get their hands on the latest tech. 45 00:06:42,723 --> 00:06:46,963 They've worked out that we simply can't survive 46 00:06:46,963 --> 00:06:49,203 without our phones... 47 00:06:52,083 --> 00:06:54,763 ...or our wallets. 48 00:07:15,083 --> 00:07:17,243 The older males understand 49 00:07:17,243 --> 00:07:20,083 something the youngsters have yet to learn... 50 00:07:22,763 --> 00:07:26,283 ...the art of the deal. 51 00:07:29,603 --> 00:07:31,083 A banana? 52 00:07:33,123 --> 00:07:34,683 How dare you! 53 00:07:37,923 --> 00:07:39,523 A bar of chocolate? 54 00:07:39,523 --> 00:07:40,963 That's better. 55 00:07:44,683 --> 00:07:48,923 The real skill is in the negotiations. 56 00:07:53,323 --> 00:07:58,163 The macaques are playing us at our own game. 57 00:08:01,123 --> 00:08:02,643 They demand... 58 00:08:04,083 --> 00:08:05,963 ...whatever they want. 59 00:08:17,283 --> 00:08:22,523 Humanity has spread to every corner of the globe. 60 00:08:26,043 --> 00:08:28,963 We have become a force of nature. 61 00:08:37,963 --> 00:08:42,203 We have altered 80% of the land's surface. 62 00:08:49,483 --> 00:08:53,883 Eight billion people now live on this planet... 63 00:08:54,923 --> 00:08:57,563 ...and we are changing the world around us 64 00:08:57,563 --> 00:08:58,883 at such speed... 65 00:09:01,923 --> 00:09:06,843 ...that, for animals, the challenge is to keep up. 66 00:09:11,203 --> 00:09:12,803 New York City. 67 00:09:17,443 --> 00:09:19,763 Ants. 68 00:09:19,763 --> 00:09:23,083 This particular species is thought to have arrived here 69 00:09:23,083 --> 00:09:25,563 with the first European settlers. 70 00:09:28,283 --> 00:09:32,043 They are now known as pavement ants 71 00:09:32,043 --> 00:09:37,003 because they live almost exclusively in our towns and cities. 72 00:09:47,683 --> 00:09:52,443 And they're thriving because of junk food. 73 00:09:54,203 --> 00:09:56,523 And here on Broadway Avenue, 74 00:09:56,523 --> 00:09:58,523 there's a lot of it. 75 00:10:00,483 --> 00:10:04,723 This is what every pavement ant desires. 76 00:10:09,043 --> 00:10:10,563 And to get it... 77 00:10:12,443 --> 00:10:16,003 ...the ants use the city's thousands of miles 78 00:10:16,003 --> 00:10:17,643 of underground tunnels. 79 00:10:26,363 --> 00:10:29,763 This scout is closing in on its target. 80 00:10:32,843 --> 00:10:35,523 But the animals with which they share the pavement 81 00:10:35,523 --> 00:10:38,523 are 40 million times their weight... 82 00:10:42,083 --> 00:10:45,563 ...so it's best to stay in the cracks. 83 00:10:53,923 --> 00:10:55,923 Jackpot! 84 00:10:55,923 --> 00:10:57,923 A meat mountain. 85 00:10:58,963 --> 00:11:02,763 This is too big a job for just one ant. 86 00:11:04,883 --> 00:11:07,323 This worker is female, 87 00:11:07,323 --> 00:11:10,203 as they are in all ant colonies, 88 00:11:10,203 --> 00:11:15,163 and she leaves a trail of pheromones to mark a path. 89 00:11:18,683 --> 00:11:21,763 She communicates with every sister she meets 90 00:11:21,763 --> 00:11:25,003 as she returns to the nest, 91 00:11:25,003 --> 00:11:28,243 and news on the street spreads fast. 92 00:11:41,283 --> 00:11:43,523 This ultra-processed meat 93 00:11:43,523 --> 00:11:46,163 is very different from their original food. 94 00:11:48,003 --> 00:11:52,243 But their digestive system is the key to their success. 95 00:11:53,523 --> 00:11:55,723 It's able to keep up with the way 96 00:11:55,723 --> 00:11:58,843 humans constantly change their diet. 97 00:12:02,123 --> 00:12:05,923 Nowadays, the vast majority of what they eat 98 00:12:05,923 --> 00:12:08,083 comes from human food. 99 00:12:15,003 --> 00:12:17,403 On Broadway alone, 100 00:12:17,403 --> 00:12:20,163 pavement ants eat the equivalent 101 00:12:20,163 --> 00:12:24,883 of a staggering 60,000 hot dogs every year. 102 00:12:28,123 --> 00:12:30,923 The calories in a single hot dog 103 00:12:30,923 --> 00:12:32,483 could fuel the growth 104 00:12:32,483 --> 00:12:35,203 of the entire ant colony for a month... 105 00:12:36,203 --> 00:12:39,683 ...if only they can get it back to the nest. 106 00:12:53,323 --> 00:12:57,923 But this slow work makes them vulnerable. 107 00:13:02,843 --> 00:13:07,043 They aren't the only ones partial to fast food. 108 00:13:10,083 --> 00:13:12,723 It's a race to get their prize home. 109 00:13:19,003 --> 00:13:20,563 There may be losses... 110 00:13:22,683 --> 00:13:26,483 ...but the colony as a whole will now thrive. 111 00:13:29,723 --> 00:13:34,283 In fact, pavement ants are so successful here 112 00:13:34,283 --> 00:13:37,883 that they outnumber human New Yorkers 1,000 to 1. 113 00:13:42,923 --> 00:13:47,923 But success in the human world can be harder to achieve 114 00:13:47,923 --> 00:13:51,843 if your reputation precedes you. 115 00:14:02,163 --> 00:14:03,723 Here in India, 116 00:14:03,723 --> 00:14:07,963 this cobra is heading directly for a village. 117 00:14:11,043 --> 00:14:15,763 It has detected the scent of prey. 118 00:14:18,283 --> 00:14:19,963 Nearly two metres long, 119 00:14:19,963 --> 00:14:23,163 it has enough venom in a single bite 120 00:14:23,163 --> 00:14:25,243 to kill ten people. 121 00:14:39,363 --> 00:14:42,243 Snake bites are responsible 122 00:14:42,243 --> 00:14:45,403 for nearly 60,000 deaths a year 123 00:14:45,403 --> 00:14:47,163 in India alone. 124 00:14:55,443 --> 00:14:58,003 They travel so silently 125 00:14:58,003 --> 00:15:01,523 that their presence is often undetected. 126 00:15:13,563 --> 00:15:15,323 And when they are hunting... 127 00:15:16,603 --> 00:15:19,123 ...there is no place they won't go. 128 00:15:40,043 --> 00:15:41,443 A toad. 129 00:16:18,763 --> 00:16:21,323 Each tip of its forked tongue 130 00:16:21,323 --> 00:16:24,403 collects chemical signals from the prey 131 00:16:24,403 --> 00:16:27,243 and helps to reveal its position. 132 00:16:32,683 --> 00:16:34,363 But up close... 133 00:16:35,683 --> 00:16:37,963 ...the snake relies on movement 134 00:16:37,963 --> 00:16:41,043 to precisely locate its prey. 135 00:16:48,723 --> 00:16:51,843 The toad must pick its moment to escape. 136 00:17:14,323 --> 00:17:16,803 Every time it touches the ground... 137 00:17:18,043 --> 00:17:21,363 ...the toad leaves behind a scent. 138 00:17:32,203 --> 00:17:33,963 It can hide... 139 00:17:35,403 --> 00:17:38,683 ...but the trail will lead the snake to it. 140 00:18:15,003 --> 00:18:19,203 These cobras don't just hunt here. 141 00:18:19,203 --> 00:18:21,083 They live here. 142 00:18:23,683 --> 00:18:27,723 They have found a home where the Hindu villagers revere them 143 00:18:27,723 --> 00:18:31,043 and consider them to be demigods. 144 00:18:33,843 --> 00:18:38,363 Remarkably, scientists believe that this tolerance 145 00:18:38,363 --> 00:18:41,123 has led to a change in the snakes' behaviour. 146 00:18:43,843 --> 00:18:46,603 They move more slowly 147 00:18:46,603 --> 00:18:49,403 and are less likely to strike if disturbed. 148 00:18:52,883 --> 00:18:55,723 One of the most feared animals on the planet 149 00:18:55,723 --> 00:18:59,443 has found a place where they are accepted 150 00:18:59,443 --> 00:19:02,283 and can coexist with human beings. 151 00:19:10,003 --> 00:19:13,403 But for many animals living in the human world, 152 00:19:13,403 --> 00:19:17,203 it pays to keep a low profile. 153 00:19:22,163 --> 00:19:24,603 Here in Melbourne, Australia, 154 00:19:24,603 --> 00:19:28,123 one creature has perfected the art of camouflage. 155 00:19:35,763 --> 00:19:37,883 A frogmouth chick. 156 00:19:40,043 --> 00:19:43,083 Its father helps to hide it during the day. 157 00:19:50,803 --> 00:19:53,363 They are nocturnal birds, 158 00:19:53,363 --> 00:19:55,963 and as day turns to night, 159 00:19:55,963 --> 00:19:58,803 its parents come out of the shadows 160 00:19:58,803 --> 00:20:02,483 to reap the rewards of urban living. 161 00:20:06,163 --> 00:20:07,723 The city lights create 162 00:20:07,723 --> 00:20:10,443 excellent conditions for hunting. 163 00:20:11,923 --> 00:20:13,643 Every night in the city 164 00:20:13,643 --> 00:20:16,683 is as bright as when there is a full moon. 165 00:20:25,243 --> 00:20:28,603 So city frogmouths often... 166 00:20:29,643 --> 00:20:32,003 ...have their mouths full. 167 00:20:36,403 --> 00:20:41,683 He's growing fast, and today he just won't sit still. 168 00:20:45,683 --> 00:20:48,283 And now he has revealed his presence. 169 00:20:50,563 --> 00:20:53,763 The first rule of frogmouth behaviour is 170 00:20:53,763 --> 00:20:56,443 don't move in the day. 171 00:20:56,443 --> 00:21:00,083 But this is the one time in a frogmouth's life 172 00:21:00,083 --> 00:21:04,523 when the urge to fly simply cannot be suppressed. 173 00:21:06,323 --> 00:21:08,803 , 174 00:21:12,403 --> 00:21:18,003 But he's not ready to leave home just yet. 175 00:21:22,803 --> 00:21:24,603 Come night-time... 176 00:21:25,763 --> 00:21:27,803 ...he's hungry again. 177 00:21:37,523 --> 00:21:39,083 He is wide awake... 178 00:21:40,883 --> 00:21:44,643 ...and wants to take off where he left off. 179 00:21:49,603 --> 00:21:53,283 But he's getting unwanted attention, 180 00:21:53,283 --> 00:21:58,323 and this time his parent is not nearby to protect him. 181 00:22:02,003 --> 00:22:04,483 Humans bring pets, 182 00:22:04,483 --> 00:22:10,003 and cats in Australia kill a million birds a day. 183 00:22:52,723 --> 00:22:56,363 His first proper flight. 184 00:23:00,883 --> 00:23:04,363 But unless he can find a safe place to roost, 185 00:23:04,363 --> 00:23:06,483 he is still in peril. 186 00:23:15,643 --> 00:23:17,163 Made it. 187 00:23:19,803 --> 00:23:23,923 But if he is to survive in the city, like the adults, 188 00:23:23,923 --> 00:23:27,203 he'll have to learn how to blend in. 189 00:23:40,883 --> 00:23:44,283 Some animals are so bold 190 00:23:44,283 --> 00:23:47,003 that they don't even try to hide. 191 00:23:49,683 --> 00:23:55,203 To see a large predator in the built-up world is a rare sight. 192 00:23:57,803 --> 00:24:01,843 And here in Lake Tahoe, in North America, 193 00:24:01,843 --> 00:24:06,083 these black bears are particularly big... 194 00:24:08,683 --> 00:24:12,083 ...and they're heading right to the centre of town. 195 00:24:13,523 --> 00:24:16,203 Winter is approaching, 196 00:24:16,203 --> 00:24:19,203 and these bears need to put on as much weight as possible 197 00:24:19,203 --> 00:24:21,243 before the snow arrives. 198 00:24:24,043 --> 00:24:27,483 This is a great place to gorge. 199 00:24:34,083 --> 00:24:36,083 It's now bear country. 200 00:24:39,123 --> 00:24:41,683 Why struggle for a meal... 201 00:24:43,963 --> 00:24:46,043 ...when you can cross the street... 202 00:24:47,323 --> 00:24:49,083 ...for a takeaway? 203 00:24:55,963 --> 00:24:58,323 There's so much food here 204 00:24:58,323 --> 00:25:01,523 that some of the bears are 50% heavier 205 00:25:01,523 --> 00:25:03,363 than their country cousins. 206 00:25:07,043 --> 00:25:10,163 But why stop here? 207 00:25:11,763 --> 00:25:15,443 Some bears just want to dine in. 208 00:25:22,723 --> 00:25:28,123 A lucky few are able to get an easy meal from the human world. 209 00:25:30,483 --> 00:25:34,323 But when WE venture to the natural world in search of food... 210 00:25:35,963 --> 00:25:38,923 ...the harvest is on a different scale. 211 00:25:40,123 --> 00:25:42,163 In just four decades, 212 00:25:42,163 --> 00:25:46,723 fishing reduced fish populations by half... 213 00:25:48,483 --> 00:25:52,003 ...and created great problems for the ocean predators 214 00:25:52,003 --> 00:25:54,683 that once had such food to themselves. 215 00:26:02,483 --> 00:26:04,803 Off the coast of Vancouver Island, 216 00:26:04,803 --> 00:26:07,843 humpback whales inhabit waters 217 00:26:07,843 --> 00:26:10,803 where herring have been overfished. 218 00:26:15,683 --> 00:26:20,723 Humpbacks, however, are renowned for their ingenuity. 219 00:26:22,683 --> 00:26:27,083 12 years ago, an adult male called Conger 220 00:26:27,083 --> 00:26:30,643 adopted a totally new way of feeding. 221 00:26:31,923 --> 00:26:35,123 When the density of fish in the water is low, 222 00:26:35,123 --> 00:26:37,683 and birds are diving to catch them... 223 00:26:39,803 --> 00:26:41,803 ...the humpback opens its mouth 224 00:26:41,803 --> 00:26:45,883 and creates a space that the fish mistake for shelter. 225 00:26:53,043 --> 00:26:54,963 The fish swim in... 226 00:26:57,923 --> 00:27:01,003 ...and the trap is closed. 227 00:27:07,203 --> 00:27:11,603 Conger was the first humpback whale to be seen doing this. 228 00:27:14,763 --> 00:27:19,523 Now 30 whales in the area use this same technique. 229 00:27:25,443 --> 00:27:28,643 The population of humpbacks here is growing, 230 00:27:28,643 --> 00:27:31,203 and you might think that this would 231 00:27:31,203 --> 00:27:33,843 reduce fish stocks even more, 232 00:27:33,843 --> 00:27:36,723 but something surprising is thought to be happening. 233 00:27:38,363 --> 00:27:42,563 These tiny phytoplankton are the basis of the food chain 234 00:27:42,563 --> 00:27:46,163 and need a vital ingredient to grow. 235 00:27:47,523 --> 00:27:49,603 Iron. 236 00:27:57,363 --> 00:28:00,563 Whale faeces are rich in iron... 237 00:28:01,883 --> 00:28:06,563 ...and great whales produce it in enormous quantities... 238 00:28:08,003 --> 00:28:13,563 ...so the phytoplankton flourishes, and herring feed on it. 239 00:28:16,363 --> 00:28:18,723 Whale faeces, in fact, 240 00:28:18,723 --> 00:28:22,363 are helping to restore the whole ecosystem. 241 00:28:24,523 --> 00:28:28,203 The herring attract seabirds, 242 00:28:28,203 --> 00:28:31,763 diving birds attack them from beneath, 243 00:28:31,763 --> 00:28:35,563 and gulls and shearwaters dive on them from above. 244 00:28:38,043 --> 00:28:41,443 Even bald eagles benefit from this rich feast. 245 00:29:20,043 --> 00:29:23,643 Astonishingly, even though Conger and all the other whales 246 00:29:23,643 --> 00:29:26,283 are feasting on fish, 247 00:29:26,283 --> 00:29:31,003 their role in fertilising the ocean is so influential 248 00:29:31,003 --> 00:29:35,163 that herring numbers here are actually predicted to increase. 249 00:29:42,283 --> 00:29:46,643 And the role they play in rejuvenating the environment... 250 00:29:52,403 --> 00:29:56,603 ...is having an even greater impact on the human world. 251 00:30:05,403 --> 00:30:08,443 The flourishing plankton also collects carbon 252 00:30:08,443 --> 00:30:10,843 from the atmosphere, just as trees do... 253 00:30:13,323 --> 00:30:17,083 ...so much so that each great whale 254 00:30:17,083 --> 00:30:22,283 has the same impact as a forest of 30,000 trees. 255 00:30:29,923 --> 00:30:32,843 Our great whales were once hunted... 256 00:30:34,843 --> 00:30:38,083 ...and if they return to their pre-whaling numbers, 257 00:30:38,083 --> 00:30:41,803 it's estimated that this would be equivalent to planting 258 00:30:41,803 --> 00:30:45,323 over 30 billion trees. 259 00:30:59,163 --> 00:31:03,763 Whales are now being recognised as benefiting humanity. 260 00:31:08,163 --> 00:31:10,963 But for most large animals, 261 00:31:10,963 --> 00:31:15,243 competition with humans brings conflict. 262 00:31:17,243 --> 00:31:21,643 This six-tonne African bull elephant is in his prime. 263 00:31:25,443 --> 00:31:28,843 To stand the best chance of winning fights for females, 264 00:31:28,843 --> 00:31:30,763 he needs to be big. 265 00:31:32,683 --> 00:31:37,083 He can smell highly nutritious food is near. 266 00:31:46,763 --> 00:31:48,883 But crossing the boundary to reach it 267 00:31:48,883 --> 00:31:51,323 is a dangerous journey. 268 00:31:57,243 --> 00:32:00,723 He must wait for the cover of darkness. 269 00:32:10,323 --> 00:32:16,123 These Kenyan farmers are preparing for the night ahead. 270 00:32:18,163 --> 00:32:21,483 They have had to guard their crops every night 271 00:32:21,483 --> 00:32:23,083 for the last two months. 272 00:32:25,883 --> 00:32:29,563 With only two days until harvest, 273 00:32:29,563 --> 00:32:32,763 this is a critical time. 274 00:32:41,043 --> 00:32:42,523 In a single night, 275 00:32:42,523 --> 00:32:45,843 a bull elephant can destroy the entire crops 276 00:32:45,843 --> 00:32:47,723 produced by ten farmers. 277 00:33:04,403 --> 00:33:07,123 But he's taking a huge risk. 278 00:33:43,803 --> 00:33:46,243 He's twice the height of a man... 279 00:33:48,683 --> 00:33:50,723 ...and he won't back down easily. 280 00:33:54,923 --> 00:33:59,883 This human-wildlife conflict happens night after night. 281 00:34:02,443 --> 00:34:05,323 And each year, it takes the lives 282 00:34:05,323 --> 00:34:10,283 of up to 200 elephants and 20 people in Kenya alone. 283 00:34:13,603 --> 00:34:16,883 This standoff is potentially lethal. 284 00:34:19,683 --> 00:34:22,083 The farmers have had to call for help 285 00:34:22,083 --> 00:34:25,203 from a team of highly experienced rangers. 286 00:34:42,283 --> 00:34:43,643 Although they're armed, 287 00:34:43,643 --> 00:34:47,083 their task is to drive the elephant out of the field 288 00:34:47,083 --> 00:34:48,643 without harming it. 289 00:34:51,763 --> 00:34:54,163 But the bull is determined... 290 00:34:56,083 --> 00:34:57,883 ...to hold ground. 291 00:35:02,803 --> 00:35:06,043 The rangers will have to get closer... 292 00:35:08,083 --> 00:35:09,523 ...on foot. 293 00:35:26,163 --> 00:35:29,243 The rangers have to resort... 294 00:35:29,243 --> 00:35:32,603 ...to firecrackers. 295 00:35:35,243 --> 00:35:38,083 , 296 00:35:51,563 --> 00:35:53,683 The bull is driven from this field... 297 00:35:55,003 --> 00:35:57,763 ...and retreats deep into the bush. 298 00:36:07,443 --> 00:36:09,083 Fortunately for this bull, 299 00:36:09,083 --> 00:36:12,563 the battle has been resolved peacefully. 300 00:36:12,563 --> 00:36:16,643 And efforts like these are seeing fewer elephants killed, 301 00:36:16,643 --> 00:36:21,003 and their population in Kenya is starting to rise again. 302 00:36:22,603 --> 00:36:24,803 But conflict with wildlife 303 00:36:24,803 --> 00:36:27,603 is now occurring on a far greater scale 304 00:36:27,603 --> 00:36:28,803 as a consequence 305 00:36:28,803 --> 00:36:31,683 of the way we are changing the world's climate. 306 00:36:35,563 --> 00:36:37,043 Some arid regions 307 00:36:37,043 --> 00:36:40,763 are now experiencing unusually high rainfall. 308 00:36:45,443 --> 00:36:47,963 And that is good for growing crops 309 00:36:47,963 --> 00:36:50,083 here in northeastern Africa. 310 00:36:52,483 --> 00:36:55,443 But it's also the perfect conditions 311 00:36:55,443 --> 00:36:58,083 for one particular insect. 312 00:37:13,123 --> 00:37:15,403 Desert locusts. 313 00:37:18,963 --> 00:37:22,363 They're normally solitary creatures, 314 00:37:22,363 --> 00:37:25,243 but emerging from the sand in great numbers 315 00:37:25,243 --> 00:37:28,003 triggers a dramatic physical change. 316 00:37:35,643 --> 00:37:37,763 They turn a vivid yellow 317 00:37:37,763 --> 00:37:39,843 and become highly social. 318 00:37:41,443 --> 00:37:45,643 Together, they are an unstoppable army. 319 00:37:46,923 --> 00:37:51,603 On foot, they can cover a mile a day. 320 00:37:57,363 --> 00:38:00,523 But they can only go so far in this way. 321 00:38:06,443 --> 00:38:08,483 They need to find height. 322 00:38:19,403 --> 00:38:23,963 Up here, they begin their final transformation. 323 00:38:31,483 --> 00:38:34,123 Normally, it takes an individual insect 324 00:38:34,123 --> 00:38:37,403 at least a month to become a winged adult... 325 00:38:38,923 --> 00:38:42,763 ...but in their social form, their development speeds up. 326 00:38:58,523 --> 00:39:02,803 Now all they need is for their wings to harden. 327 00:39:14,283 --> 00:39:18,763 Once airborne, they can travel 60 miles in a day. 328 00:39:39,603 --> 00:39:44,083 Swarms merge and they become a plague. 329 00:39:47,763 --> 00:39:52,323 This one contains billions of individuals, 330 00:39:52,323 --> 00:39:54,523 and eats as much in a day 331 00:39:54,523 --> 00:39:58,123 as the entire population of Germany. 332 00:40:25,163 --> 00:40:28,243 Today in northeastern Africa, 333 00:40:28,243 --> 00:40:31,683 as a consequence of climate change... 334 00:40:32,683 --> 00:40:35,243 ...devastating surges of locusts 335 00:40:35,243 --> 00:40:37,563 are becoming more frequent. 336 00:40:48,163 --> 00:40:52,403 Two worlds are colliding. 337 00:41:00,563 --> 00:41:05,603 Unintentionally, humanity has created exactly the conditions 338 00:41:05,603 --> 00:41:10,083 that cause this species to explode in numbers. 339 00:41:35,483 --> 00:41:38,243 But another group of animals has seen 340 00:41:38,243 --> 00:41:40,723 an even more dramatic rise 341 00:41:40,723 --> 00:41:43,563 as a consequence of OUR actions. 342 00:41:47,483 --> 00:41:50,683 We have increased the numbers of a few species 343 00:41:50,683 --> 00:41:52,723 almost astronomically. 344 00:41:54,483 --> 00:41:55,923 By weight, 345 00:41:55,923 --> 00:41:59,963 70% of the world's birds are now chickens 346 00:41:59,963 --> 00:42:02,603 or other domesticated fowl. 347 00:42:13,243 --> 00:42:18,163 We rear 70 billion farm animals each year... 348 00:42:19,723 --> 00:42:22,523 ...and every one of them needs feeding. 349 00:42:23,843 --> 00:42:25,803 Producing the food 350 00:42:25,803 --> 00:42:29,043 for such numbers of domesticated animals 351 00:42:29,043 --> 00:42:32,803 is having a profound impact on the natural world. 352 00:42:40,883 --> 00:42:43,443 The Amazon rainforest - 353 00:42:43,443 --> 00:42:46,283 twice the size of India. 354 00:42:48,603 --> 00:42:50,123 It's so rich, 355 00:42:50,123 --> 00:42:54,803 it contains one in every ten species on the planet. 356 00:42:55,923 --> 00:43:00,643 And it's home to this sloth and her ten-month-old baby. 357 00:43:07,803 --> 00:43:11,483 He was born into an environment 358 00:43:11,483 --> 00:43:14,603 virtually untouched by humanity. 359 00:43:23,243 --> 00:43:28,683 But now human beings are claiming even this space. 360 00:43:56,323 --> 00:44:00,443 Year after year, we clear over two million hectares 361 00:44:00,443 --> 00:44:02,283 of the Amazon forest - 362 00:44:02,283 --> 00:44:05,763 an area the size of Wales. 363 00:44:12,563 --> 00:44:14,963 And we use nearly all of it 364 00:44:14,963 --> 00:44:17,523 to make more space for cattle... 365 00:44:18,723 --> 00:44:22,643 ...and to grow soya to feed our livestock. 366 00:44:27,323 --> 00:44:31,483 Today, habitat destruction is the biggest problem 367 00:44:31,483 --> 00:44:35,083 we have created for wildlife around the world. 368 00:44:41,163 --> 00:44:44,523 This porcupine has survived the fire... 369 00:44:47,683 --> 00:44:49,723 ...and is being rescued. 370 00:44:58,483 --> 00:45:03,163 It's being relocated to pristine forests. 371 00:45:08,683 --> 00:45:11,443 This will be its new home. 372 00:45:19,323 --> 00:45:21,563 Only a fortunate few animals 373 00:45:21,563 --> 00:45:25,043 are being given such a second chance. 374 00:45:47,643 --> 00:45:51,843 A healthy natural world is not only vital for wildlife... 375 00:45:53,043 --> 00:45:56,923 ...but for our own very existence. 376 00:46:01,843 --> 00:46:06,643 Somehow we must find ways to redress the balance. 377 00:46:13,963 --> 00:46:18,483 Currently, the vast majority of agricultural land, 378 00:46:18,483 --> 00:46:20,723 more than 75%, 379 00:46:20,723 --> 00:46:23,403 is used to raise livestock, 380 00:46:23,403 --> 00:46:25,963 and this is very inefficient. 381 00:46:29,843 --> 00:46:31,803 There are solutions. 382 00:46:33,603 --> 00:46:36,443 One is considering what we eat. 383 00:46:45,963 --> 00:46:49,243 If we shift away from eating meat and dairy 384 00:46:49,243 --> 00:46:52,443 and move towards a plant-based diet, 385 00:46:52,443 --> 00:46:57,203 then the sun's energy goes directly into growing our food. 386 00:47:04,483 --> 00:47:07,003 And because that's so much more efficient, 387 00:47:07,003 --> 00:47:10,563 we could still produce enough to feed us, 388 00:47:10,563 --> 00:47:14,403 but do so using a quarter of the land. 389 00:47:18,363 --> 00:47:22,923 This could free up an area the size of the United States, 390 00:47:22,923 --> 00:47:28,563 China, the European Union and Australia combined... 391 00:47:30,923 --> 00:47:35,923 ...space that could then be given back to nature. 392 00:47:41,363 --> 00:47:44,003 And human innovations may be able 393 00:47:44,003 --> 00:47:46,723 to do even more for wildlife. 394 00:47:49,723 --> 00:47:54,243 High-tech farms now grow plants vertically, 395 00:47:54,243 --> 00:47:59,563 yielding up to 350 times the food grown in the same area. 396 00:48:03,723 --> 00:48:07,123 This is one of many solutions we already have, 397 00:48:07,123 --> 00:48:10,403 and others are surely on the horizon. 398 00:48:22,963 --> 00:48:26,243 To find ways to protect all life on Earth 399 00:48:26,243 --> 00:48:31,363 means reimagining how we live on this planet in the future. 400 00:48:31,363 --> 00:48:33,203 Human ingenuity, 401 00:48:33,203 --> 00:48:36,643 our extraordinary ability to find solutions, 402 00:48:36,643 --> 00:48:40,003 gives me hope that we can. 403 00:48:40,003 --> 00:48:42,323 It will be the major challenge 404 00:48:42,323 --> 00:48:45,283 for this generation and the next. 405 00:49:12,123 --> 00:49:13,843 To film the impact 406 00:49:13,843 --> 00:49:15,963 that fires are having on the Amazon, 407 00:49:15,963 --> 00:49:17,323 the Planet Earth III team 408 00:49:17,323 --> 00:49:21,003 joined a local volunteer fire brigade. 409 00:49:23,043 --> 00:49:25,283 The fire brigade are responding to a patch 410 00:49:25,283 --> 00:49:27,803 of primary rainforest that is burning. 411 00:49:27,803 --> 00:49:29,523 It's been burning for two days now. 412 00:49:29,523 --> 00:49:32,323 It's difficult to know what we're going to see. 413 00:49:34,923 --> 00:49:37,923 The fires are mainly lit illegally... 414 00:49:39,483 --> 00:49:41,843 ...to clear space for cattle. 415 00:49:58,603 --> 00:50:01,683 Battling fires is dangerous work. 416 00:50:01,683 --> 00:50:05,803 But the firefighters face them every day. 417 00:50:07,283 --> 00:50:09,323 For the wildlife film crew, 418 00:50:09,323 --> 00:50:12,283 this is a totally new experience. 419 00:50:13,283 --> 00:50:17,203 And these fires can be unpredictable. 420 00:50:17,203 --> 00:50:19,563 Neil, don't spend long in there. 421 00:50:41,163 --> 00:50:42,403 Oh! 422 00:50:52,643 --> 00:50:55,443 With the ground team retreating, 423 00:50:55,443 --> 00:50:59,523 the safest way to carry on filming is with the drone. 424 00:51:26,363 --> 00:51:29,403 Have we lost the drone? I think Abi has seen it. 425 00:51:29,403 --> 00:51:30,603 Abi is on her way. 426 00:51:30,603 --> 00:51:33,403 Can you confirm you're on your way to the drone, Abi? 427 00:51:52,083 --> 00:51:55,443 The drone is damaged beyond repair. 428 00:51:56,763 --> 00:51:58,403 Don't worry about it. I mean it. 429 00:51:58,403 --> 00:52:01,043 Don't worry about it. It's absolutely fine. 430 00:52:01,043 --> 00:52:02,643 It's not OK. It is. It's OK. 431 00:52:02,643 --> 00:52:04,363 It's equipment. We've got a spare. 432 00:52:04,363 --> 00:52:07,003 The main thing is, we're all safe. No-one's hurt. 433 00:52:09,683 --> 00:52:11,603 The team regroup... 434 00:52:13,563 --> 00:52:16,003 ...and decide to move away from the heart of the fire 435 00:52:16,003 --> 00:52:18,123 to its fringes 436 00:52:18,123 --> 00:52:21,283 to look for animals caught up in the flames. 437 00:52:23,443 --> 00:52:26,683 There's been reports of a monkey in the trees, so... 438 00:52:28,043 --> 00:52:29,043 Ah! 439 00:52:31,323 --> 00:52:33,563 The problem is, there's fires all the way along here, 440 00:52:33,563 --> 00:52:35,963 as well as all along here, so... 441 00:52:35,963 --> 00:52:38,123 It's hard to know what all this wildlife is going to do 442 00:52:38,123 --> 00:52:40,443 when their home is burnt up like this. 443 00:52:42,363 --> 00:52:46,403 I don't know what it's like for these rainforest animals 444 00:52:46,403 --> 00:52:47,883 to be experiencing a fire. 445 00:52:47,883 --> 00:52:49,803 It's horrific for me, so... 446 00:52:50,883 --> 00:52:53,523 ...I don't know what it is for them. 447 00:52:57,043 --> 00:53:00,123 The fires burn into the night. 448 00:53:12,123 --> 00:53:14,163 The following day, 449 00:53:14,163 --> 00:53:17,083 the crew accompany the firefighters 450 00:53:17,083 --> 00:53:20,883 in the search for animals in the aftermath. 451 00:53:22,283 --> 00:53:25,043 Oh, my God, there are flames all inside of it. 452 00:53:25,043 --> 00:53:26,723 Little termite... 453 00:53:28,243 --> 00:53:30,323 Oh, my God! 454 00:53:32,043 --> 00:53:36,083 Remarkably, some animals have survived. 455 00:54:33,443 --> 00:54:35,283 Clearing land for farming 456 00:54:35,283 --> 00:54:37,763 is not a problem unique to the Amazon. 457 00:54:39,843 --> 00:54:43,683 Agriculture now takes up half of the habitable land 458 00:54:43,683 --> 00:54:45,563 on the planet. 459 00:54:47,403 --> 00:54:50,363 To produce food with less impact on the natural world 460 00:54:50,363 --> 00:54:53,243 requires new approaches. 461 00:54:54,443 --> 00:54:58,403 And that led the wildlife film crew to a farm 462 00:54:58,403 --> 00:55:00,563 in a warehouse. 463 00:55:05,083 --> 00:55:06,923 We're in the middle of the city! 464 00:55:06,923 --> 00:55:09,123 I can't believe so much food 465 00:55:09,123 --> 00:55:11,643 being grown in such a small space! 466 00:55:14,443 --> 00:55:18,923 Here in Los Angeles, 6,000 miles from the Amazon, 467 00:55:18,923 --> 00:55:22,563 this farm is part of a burgeoning food revolution. 468 00:55:24,043 --> 00:55:27,363 This is the most productive farm in the world, 469 00:55:27,363 --> 00:55:30,123 and it's our goal to reduce the amount of land and resources 470 00:55:30,123 --> 00:55:32,523 necessary to grow down to the bare minimum. 471 00:55:32,523 --> 00:55:34,963 It took a while to understand that, for nature, 472 00:55:34,963 --> 00:55:37,003 agricultural use of land 473 00:55:37,003 --> 00:55:40,683 was the primary, like, destructive behaviour of humanity. 474 00:55:40,683 --> 00:55:43,883 As we expand this means of growing, 475 00:55:43,883 --> 00:55:47,043 I'm very hopeful that this approach can ultimately 476 00:55:47,043 --> 00:55:49,283 give a lot of land back to nature 477 00:55:49,283 --> 00:55:52,083 and allow that biodiversity to re-establish and flourish. 478 00:55:54,403 --> 00:55:57,883 Not only does this farm use less space... 479 00:55:59,083 --> 00:56:03,283 ...but it also uses 90% less water, 480 00:56:03,283 --> 00:56:05,683 no pesticides, 481 00:56:05,683 --> 00:56:08,083 and cuts food miles. 482 00:56:10,723 --> 00:56:13,683 It does feel like a really good start. 483 00:56:13,683 --> 00:56:19,883 Ideas like this can reduce our footprint on the planet, 484 00:56:19,883 --> 00:56:24,683 giving the natural world a chance to bounce back. 485 00:56:33,963 --> 00:56:35,723 Next time, 486 00:56:35,723 --> 00:56:39,683 the heroes on the frontline saving wildlife. 487 00:56:42,323 --> 00:56:45,163 They're exploring remote jungles... 488 00:56:46,923 --> 00:56:50,243 ...working undercover to catch criminals... 489 00:56:51,763 --> 00:56:55,163 ...and leading endangered creatures to safety. 490 00:56:58,123 --> 00:57:02,323 Habitat Explorer brings animals and their habitats to life. 491 00:57:02,323 --> 00:57:05,963 Explore this free interactive and make origami animals. 492 00:57:05,963 --> 00:57:10,043 Go to... 493 00:57:10,043 --> 00:57:12,283 ...and follow the links to the Open University. 494 00:57:12,283 --> 00:57:15,683 Or to order a free printed version, visit the website 495 00:57:15,683 --> 00:57:18,283 or call the number on the screen.