1 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:34,360 BIRDS SING 2 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:45,560 A mother orangutan in Borneo is building her bed for the night. 3 00:00:50,560 --> 00:00:53,840 First, a mattress of fresh leaves. 4 00:00:57,440 --> 00:01:02,160 Her young son, a few branches below, is getting to work on his own bunk. 5 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:08,680 Not entirely successfully. 6 00:01:13,760 --> 00:01:18,840 It will take her almost a decade to prepare him for independence. 7 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:27,000 Like many youngsters, 8 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:30,640 he decides that his mother's bed is preferable... 9 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:35,360 ..and climbs up for a cuddle. 10 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:46,960 It takes years to perfect jungle living, 11 00:01:46,960 --> 00:01:51,160 and all rainforest parents learn to rely on the trees 12 00:01:51,160 --> 00:01:53,920 to protect and provide for them. 13 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:09,840 Bhutan. 14 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:17,320 The Himalayan kingdom where the forests are regarded as sacred. 15 00:02:21,480 --> 00:02:26,280 The jungles here provide a refuge for many rare species. 16 00:02:33,640 --> 00:02:38,120 Among them are some of our planet's most dedicated parents. 17 00:02:42,320 --> 00:02:44,600 Rufous-necked hornbills. 18 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:50,960 Male and female pair for life 19 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:54,000 and each year they renew their bond. 20 00:02:56,640 --> 00:02:59,480 Raising a hornbill chick takes teamwork. 21 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:04,160 The first step is to secure a good home. 22 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:18,560 Unlike most birds, hornbills don't make nests, 23 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:21,040 but prefer a hole in a tree. 24 00:03:32,360 --> 00:03:37,640 Fortunately, the ancient forests of Bhutan contain plenty of options. 25 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:46,080 Once the pair have found one that seems suitable, 26 00:03:46,080 --> 00:03:50,000 the female starts collecting mud from the forest floor. 27 00:03:56,000 --> 00:04:00,120 With it, she builds a barrier across the entrance 28 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:02,920 that will prevent any strangers from getting in. 29 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:11,720 But she is now imprisoned... 30 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:17,680 ..and she will remain so for the next 100 days. 31 00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:32,680 She will be totally reliant on her partner for food. 32 00:04:36,840 --> 00:04:39,160 He'd better be up to it. 33 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:45,320 Fruit forms the bulk of his offerings. 34 00:04:52,280 --> 00:04:55,000 A caterpillar is a welcome treat, 35 00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:57,040 once carefully prepared. 36 00:05:01,840 --> 00:05:05,280 Most of the time, the food is gratefully received. 37 00:05:10,040 --> 00:05:11,840 But not always. 38 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:27,320 The lack of choice is beginning to get to her. 39 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:39,640 The male works hard to maintain his daily deliveries. 40 00:05:42,240 --> 00:05:44,400 His commitment is total. 41 00:05:59,640 --> 00:06:02,200 But then, 42 00:06:02,200 --> 00:06:05,760 one beak becomes two. 43 00:06:12,520 --> 00:06:14,760 Their growing chick is thriving. 44 00:06:17,040 --> 00:06:20,880 But the nursery is becoming increasingly cramped, 45 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:23,520 and a touch grubby. 46 00:06:26,760 --> 00:06:30,120 Dad does his best to keep them both properly fed. 47 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:40,400 But conditions inside the nest are now almost unbearable. 48 00:06:45,160 --> 00:06:49,160 Finally, after three months of imprisonment, 49 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:52,560 she decides the time has come to leave... 50 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:58,520 ..and to introduce her chick to the outside world. 51 00:07:05,160 --> 00:07:09,680 The male now starts to withhold food, 52 00:07:09,680 --> 00:07:13,280 a clear sign that he too thinks that the time has come. 53 00:07:16,880 --> 00:07:20,360 She starts to chip away at the baked mud. 54 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:31,840 Her flight muscles are stiff and weak. 55 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:41,080 Inch by inch, she squeezes her way out. 56 00:07:50,160 --> 00:07:51,880 Freedom again. 57 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:01,520 Her chick, however, needs more time. 58 00:08:03,560 --> 00:08:06,280 The world seems rather daunting. 59 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:12,560 His father swoops in to offer some encouragement. 60 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:16,920 It's time to go. 61 00:08:26,240 --> 00:08:29,480 All his parents can do now is watch. 62 00:08:32,440 --> 00:08:37,320 The chick's journey inevitably has to begin with a leap of faith. 63 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:06,120 He is ungainly and awkward. 64 00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:13,480 But that could have been a lot worse. 65 00:09:17,600 --> 00:09:21,040 They'll remain by his side for the next six months. 66 00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:34,080 Jungles may appear to be full of opportunities. 67 00:09:36,040 --> 00:09:39,080 But competition for homes can be intense. 68 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:47,200 This Sri Lankan pug-nosed frog has been lucky. 69 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:50,400 He's bagged a prime location. 70 00:09:51,720 --> 00:09:53,960 It even has a pool in the basement. 71 00:10:03,120 --> 00:10:07,360 And it's not long before an interested female arrives. 72 00:10:15,040 --> 00:10:18,320 Their embrace can last for days. 73 00:10:25,920 --> 00:10:29,880 But as soon as the eggs are laid, the female leaves. 74 00:10:31,200 --> 00:10:33,080 He is now on his own. 75 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:35,920 A single parent. 76 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:46,680 His new brood quickly attracts unwanted attention. 77 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:54,360 Frogs' eggs are food for many jungle creatures. 78 00:10:58,640 --> 00:11:01,520 He can protect them from some of the smaller threats. 79 00:11:06,360 --> 00:11:10,840 But he has little defence against the bigger ones. 80 00:11:15,680 --> 00:11:21,040 The tiger tarantula, with a leg span the size of a human face. 81 00:11:23,280 --> 00:11:27,520 It can paralyse its victims with a single venomous bite. 82 00:11:33,080 --> 00:11:35,520 Almost nothing is safe from it. 83 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:46,480 Certainly not a defenceless frog father. 84 00:11:57,960 --> 00:12:01,240 The little frog bravely holds his ground. 85 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:28,880 Actually, these two have met before. 86 00:12:33,320 --> 00:12:37,040 They both live in the same tree hole. 87 00:12:39,520 --> 00:12:44,840 The tarantula has a nice, dry penthouse at the top, 88 00:12:44,840 --> 00:12:48,600 while the frog prefers the damp basement. 89 00:12:55,560 --> 00:13:00,720 The stay-at-home frog keeps the place clean and free of ants. 90 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:07,240 And the spider acts as a full-time security guard. 91 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:16,240 Together, they make an excellent team. 92 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:23,760 One that ensures a future 93 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:26,880 for two entirely different families. 94 00:13:43,920 --> 00:13:45,200 For some parents, 95 00:13:45,200 --> 00:13:51,240 finding a suitable home is just the start of a very long journey. 96 00:13:51,240 --> 00:13:52,560 BELLOWING 97 00:13:52,560 --> 00:13:55,200 Learning the intricacies of the jungle 98 00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:57,200 can take a lifetime. 99 00:13:57,200 --> 00:14:00,280 BELLOWING 100 00:14:00,280 --> 00:14:02,200 And in the forests of Borneo, 101 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:05,960 the amount of food on offer varies hugely each year. 102 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:15,600 Orangutans have an encyclopaedic knowledge of the forests. 103 00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:21,840 They not only know which plants are safe to eat, 104 00:14:21,840 --> 00:14:24,240 but when and where to look for them. 105 00:14:29,440 --> 00:14:32,200 This knowledge is passed down to their young, 106 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:36,520 and today's lesson begins with a pandanus plant. 107 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:42,600 A meal of its leaves is an excellent way to start the day. 108 00:14:54,720 --> 00:14:57,840 Bibi is an experienced mother 109 00:14:57,840 --> 00:15:01,200 and has been giving her son, Bias, daily lessons 110 00:15:01,200 --> 00:15:03,240 for the last seven years. 111 00:15:09,960 --> 00:15:13,240 Orangutan are mostly solitary animals. 112 00:15:15,440 --> 00:15:19,560 If Bias is eventually to survive on his own, 113 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:22,000 Bibi has a lot of work to do. 114 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:35,840 She will need to show him everything the forest has to offer. 115 00:15:39,960 --> 00:15:44,120 Including where to find over 300 different kinds of food. 116 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:53,080 Like all orangs, 117 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:55,240 Bibi is vulnerable on the ground. 118 00:15:56,520 --> 00:15:59,880 But down here, there is important food. 119 00:16:06,560 --> 00:16:07,840 Termites. 120 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:11,840 They're packed with nutrients, 121 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:14,800 an important supplement for their regular diet. 122 00:16:16,680 --> 00:16:19,720 Bias isn't yet brave enough to sample them, 123 00:16:19,720 --> 00:16:21,880 but at least he's paying attention. 124 00:16:31,760 --> 00:16:36,240 A varied diet can be the difference between life and death. 125 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:42,120 And at his age, 126 00:16:42,120 --> 00:16:45,200 Bias should really be fending for himself. 127 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:49,240 But he still relies on his mother to show him the best bits. 128 00:16:51,560 --> 00:16:54,360 SQUEAKING 129 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:01,080 There is no shortage of leaves. 130 00:17:06,760 --> 00:17:08,480 But even so, 131 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:12,920 he wants those particular ones that his mother is eating. 132 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:26,240 And she is beginning to find that very irritating. 133 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:30,720 SQUEAKING 134 00:17:34,080 --> 00:17:36,440 Eventually, he gets the message 135 00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:38,720 and finds a branch of his own. 136 00:17:53,200 --> 00:17:56,960 Large fig trees are few and far between, 137 00:17:56,960 --> 00:18:00,720 and you have to know when they will be full of fruit - 138 00:18:00,720 --> 00:18:03,240 if you are not to make unnecessary journeys. 139 00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:09,920 They've timed their visit perfectly. 140 00:18:09,920 --> 00:18:12,240 Hundreds of figs are beginning to ripen. 141 00:18:17,720 --> 00:18:22,440 Bibi has devoted nearly a decade of her life to each of her children. 142 00:18:24,960 --> 00:18:27,960 Bias is approaching the end of his training 143 00:18:27,960 --> 00:18:30,480 and will soon need to branch out on his own. 144 00:18:43,040 --> 00:18:45,200 Leaving his devoted mother 145 00:18:45,200 --> 00:18:48,240 will be one of the most difficult moments in his life. 146 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:56,960 And he isn't quite ready for it... 147 00:18:56,960 --> 00:18:58,520 ..yet. 148 00:19:12,960 --> 00:19:16,240 Iguazu National Park in Argentina. 149 00:19:22,600 --> 00:19:27,240 A mother coati is in her nest with a litter of kits. 150 00:19:32,640 --> 00:19:35,200 She has looked after them with great care 151 00:19:35,200 --> 00:19:37,240 since the day they were born. 152 00:19:38,800 --> 00:19:41,800 But now, they are close to independence 153 00:19:41,800 --> 00:19:44,240 and she's able to start foraging further. 154 00:19:51,520 --> 00:19:54,640 Coati live in tight social groups, 155 00:19:54,640 --> 00:19:57,920 and the adults take turns to care for each other's young... 156 00:20:03,920 --> 00:20:05,840 ..and keep them out of harm's way. 157 00:20:11,200 --> 00:20:14,080 As one mother disappears into the canopy... 158 00:20:16,440 --> 00:20:18,560 ..the other is left in charge, 159 00:20:18,560 --> 00:20:21,480 and she is going to have her work cut out. 160 00:20:24,360 --> 00:20:27,720 The kits are just about manageable when in the trees. 161 00:20:29,480 --> 00:20:34,040 But once on the ground, it becomes total chaos. 162 00:20:34,040 --> 00:20:36,440 CHIRPING 163 00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:53,720 The baby-sitter is doing her best. 164 00:20:59,920 --> 00:21:03,240 But every time one of the missing kits is found... 165 00:21:05,760 --> 00:21:07,480 ..another wanders off. 166 00:21:13,760 --> 00:21:16,240 It's a baby-sitter's nightmare. 167 00:21:37,600 --> 00:21:39,920 Meanwhile, the other female 168 00:21:39,920 --> 00:21:44,240 is enjoying some quiet time on the other side of the river. 169 00:21:49,840 --> 00:21:52,200 GRUNTING 170 00:21:53,280 --> 00:21:54,880 She calls to the group. 171 00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:04,840 But the baby-sitter knows that 172 00:22:04,840 --> 00:22:07,880 the kits would find it difficult to make the crossing. 173 00:22:10,880 --> 00:22:12,640 They've become separated. 174 00:22:21,840 --> 00:22:25,000 The baby-sitter, however, has an idea. 175 00:22:28,440 --> 00:22:30,400 She has learned to use something 176 00:22:30,400 --> 00:22:33,240 that previous generations didn't have. 177 00:22:35,560 --> 00:22:36,880 A bridge. 178 00:22:49,640 --> 00:22:51,600 GRUNTING 179 00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:57,240 She just has to get the youngsters across it unscathed. 180 00:23:25,720 --> 00:23:28,960 The baby-sitter rounds up the final straggler 181 00:23:28,960 --> 00:23:30,920 and carries him to safety. 182 00:23:48,840 --> 00:23:50,880 With the group reunited, 183 00:23:50,880 --> 00:23:55,240 everyone has had quite enough adventure for one day. 184 00:23:59,200 --> 00:24:01,720 By sharing parental responsibilities, 185 00:24:01,720 --> 00:24:05,880 these coatis now successfully raise more offspring 186 00:24:05,880 --> 00:24:08,240 than they could ever do on their own. 187 00:24:15,200 --> 00:24:18,800 Jungle parents have to be endlessly resourceful. 188 00:24:20,720 --> 00:24:24,400 And the forests of Jamaica are now home to a creature 189 00:24:24,400 --> 00:24:27,680 whose ancestors were once ocean-goers... 190 00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:32,320 ..but who now live in the tiny pools of water 191 00:24:32,320 --> 00:24:34,840 that form at the base of jungle plants. 192 00:24:39,400 --> 00:24:42,920 This is a mother bromeliad crab. 193 00:24:47,200 --> 00:24:49,360 But her new home isn't perfect. 194 00:24:50,680 --> 00:24:53,240 It requires constant maintenance. 195 00:24:56,200 --> 00:24:59,440 Dead leaves fall into it, 196 00:24:59,440 --> 00:25:01,360 and that just won't do. 197 00:25:03,720 --> 00:25:06,240 The leaves have got to be removed. 198 00:25:12,480 --> 00:25:14,200 For her growing brood, 199 00:25:14,200 --> 00:25:16,440 nothing is too much trouble. 200 00:25:22,720 --> 00:25:25,240 Cleaning the nursery is just the start. 201 00:25:30,400 --> 00:25:31,960 For the first ten days, 202 00:25:31,960 --> 00:25:35,040 the tiny crabs don't have hard shells... 203 00:25:36,200 --> 00:25:39,560 ..and are easily picked off by hungry predators. 204 00:25:51,840 --> 00:25:54,240 They're totally defenceless. 205 00:25:57,200 --> 00:26:01,240 Fortunately, their industrious mother knows just the thing. 206 00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:06,840 The forest is littered with snail shells 207 00:26:06,840 --> 00:26:08,440 rich in calcium. 208 00:26:14,880 --> 00:26:17,440 She drops a few into the nursery pool, 209 00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:19,040 where they will dissolve 210 00:26:19,040 --> 00:26:22,200 and can then be reabsorbed by the tiny crablets, 211 00:26:22,200 --> 00:26:24,240 helping them to toughen up. 212 00:26:29,320 --> 00:26:32,800 Managing her nursery pool is a daily battle. 213 00:26:34,920 --> 00:26:36,360 Too many leaves. 214 00:26:37,480 --> 00:26:39,680 More shells to find. 215 00:26:39,680 --> 00:26:44,080 And each day, she risks losing more of her brood. 216 00:26:57,280 --> 00:27:01,560 When eventually the youngsters' shells have hardened, 217 00:27:01,560 --> 00:27:03,880 she has to provide them with food. 218 00:27:09,600 --> 00:27:13,840 She doesn't leave the safety of her bromeliad home, 219 00:27:13,840 --> 00:27:16,520 but relies on food coming to her. 220 00:27:19,040 --> 00:27:23,080 A millipede - in search of a meal of decomposing leaves. 221 00:27:26,880 --> 00:27:28,240 She readies herself. 222 00:27:33,520 --> 00:27:35,440 It won't be easy, 223 00:27:35,440 --> 00:27:37,400 but there's a bounty to be had. 224 00:27:54,520 --> 00:27:57,520 She eventually gets to grips with her capture... 225 00:27:59,480 --> 00:28:02,840 ..and breaks it up into bite-sized chunks. 226 00:28:08,600 --> 00:28:12,960 The body of the millipede will not only feed her whole family, 227 00:28:12,960 --> 00:28:15,480 but will also help to further strengthen 228 00:28:15,480 --> 00:28:17,240 the crablets' shells. 229 00:28:21,920 --> 00:28:25,000 The crablets love the guts best. 230 00:28:34,680 --> 00:28:38,520 The mother crab has managed to create an environment 231 00:28:38,520 --> 00:28:40,000 that suits her family. 232 00:28:42,760 --> 00:28:46,440 But some jungles are now being transformed in ways 233 00:28:46,440 --> 00:28:50,000 that make raising young almost impossible. 234 00:28:56,280 --> 00:28:59,600 The Karst forests of southern China. 235 00:29:02,440 --> 00:29:07,240 The limestone peaks are home to one of the rarest of monkeys. 236 00:29:10,400 --> 00:29:12,120 The white-headed langur. 237 00:29:21,320 --> 00:29:24,600 This infant is one of the last of his kind. 238 00:29:26,000 --> 00:29:28,880 He's precious not just to his mother, 239 00:29:28,880 --> 00:29:31,760 but for the future of his entire species. 240 00:29:35,200 --> 00:29:37,800 A ledge high up these vertical cliffs 241 00:29:37,800 --> 00:29:39,960 may be a safe place to sleep... 242 00:29:44,080 --> 00:29:47,600 ..but it's less than perfect as a nursery. 243 00:29:52,840 --> 00:29:57,120 Travelling around up here is not for the inexperienced. 244 00:29:59,000 --> 00:30:00,200 But eventually, 245 00:30:00,200 --> 00:30:03,360 all langurs must learn to master the rock face. 246 00:30:16,640 --> 00:30:20,680 Fortunately, there are plenty of others willing to lend a hand. 247 00:30:25,920 --> 00:30:29,640 Young langurs can spend as much as a third of their time 248 00:30:29,640 --> 00:30:32,240 under the care of other females. 249 00:30:38,040 --> 00:30:42,760 Around mid-morning, the group begin their daily descent 250 00:30:42,760 --> 00:30:44,880 to the base of their pinnacle. 251 00:30:48,560 --> 00:30:52,080 One false step here could be fatal. 252 00:31:09,200 --> 00:31:12,600 But this is the place where their mothers find their food. 253 00:31:25,480 --> 00:31:28,200 Whilst their babies are free to develop 254 00:31:28,200 --> 00:31:30,240 their climbing skills. 255 00:31:38,880 --> 00:31:43,040 Langurs need a variety of fresh leaves every day. 256 00:31:44,760 --> 00:31:45,960 Not long ago, 257 00:31:45,960 --> 00:31:48,880 the troop had a much larger forest territory. 258 00:31:50,560 --> 00:31:54,560 But they have become isolated on their rocky island... 259 00:31:57,880 --> 00:32:01,800 ..which is now entirely surrounded by farmland. 260 00:32:07,400 --> 00:32:11,520 The patches of jungle that remain have become increasingly rare. 261 00:32:18,360 --> 00:32:21,320 HOOTING 262 00:32:21,320 --> 00:32:23,760 A couple of outsiders have been spotted 263 00:32:23,760 --> 00:32:25,480 approaching through the fields... 264 00:32:31,760 --> 00:32:34,120 ..looking to take over the island. 265 00:32:41,560 --> 00:32:44,600 Rival males will kill the offspring of others. 266 00:32:50,640 --> 00:32:53,560 So the mothers quickly get out of the way... 267 00:32:54,800 --> 00:32:57,840 ..and retreat to the safety of the cliffs. 268 00:33:04,440 --> 00:33:08,240 Leaving the rest of the troop to resist the attack. 269 00:33:20,640 --> 00:33:23,360 The intruders have been repelled for now. 270 00:33:27,200 --> 00:33:29,680 But not everyone has gone unscathed. 271 00:33:38,560 --> 00:33:41,600 The troop begin the long climb back up. 272 00:33:47,200 --> 00:33:49,560 The mother and her precious cargo 273 00:33:49,560 --> 00:33:51,960 carefully work their way up the cliff. 274 00:33:57,800 --> 00:34:02,000 The walls are near vertical, and the holds razor-thin. 275 00:34:22,200 --> 00:34:25,840 These langurs have adapted to this perilous habitat. 276 00:34:29,200 --> 00:34:33,360 And their island refuge provides the mother and her baby 277 00:34:33,360 --> 00:34:35,200 with a safe haven... 278 00:34:35,200 --> 00:34:36,720 ..for now. 279 00:34:38,640 --> 00:34:41,200 But one day, the youngster will be forced 280 00:34:41,200 --> 00:34:43,240 to leave his mother's family... 281 00:34:44,840 --> 00:34:47,240 ..and establish a territory of his own. 282 00:34:49,560 --> 00:34:51,560 And that will not be easy. 283 00:34:56,960 --> 00:35:01,360 Forest habitat is being lost all over the world, 284 00:35:01,360 --> 00:35:04,600 but nowhere is this more pronounced 285 00:35:04,600 --> 00:35:06,440 than in the Brazilian Amazon. 286 00:35:10,320 --> 00:35:13,520 Every year, vast swathes of jungle 287 00:35:13,520 --> 00:35:15,240 are deliberately set on fire... 288 00:35:17,200 --> 00:35:20,760 ..leaving millions of animal parents homeless. 289 00:35:24,560 --> 00:35:28,960 Many are forced to find refuge in nearby patches of forest. 290 00:35:39,800 --> 00:35:44,240 Among them, a particularly rare and seldom seen creature. 291 00:35:46,400 --> 00:35:49,120 An Amazonian tapir. 292 00:35:49,120 --> 00:35:51,200 A close relative of rhinos 293 00:35:51,200 --> 00:35:53,840 and South America's largest land mammal. 294 00:36:03,200 --> 00:36:06,760 Her young calf sticks close by her side. 295 00:36:16,040 --> 00:36:18,840 They are in search of a new territory 296 00:36:18,840 --> 00:36:22,240 which has the resources they need to survive. 297 00:36:44,200 --> 00:36:47,840 Finding enough vegetation to eat is not a problem. 298 00:36:51,200 --> 00:36:55,200 But many jungle plants lack crucial minerals 299 00:36:55,200 --> 00:36:58,560 and some contain a mix of toxic chemicals. 300 00:37:05,840 --> 00:37:09,840 Over time, these toxins can build up in a tapir's body. 301 00:37:12,960 --> 00:37:16,440 Eventually, some need to seek out a remedy. 302 00:37:20,600 --> 00:37:22,920 She leads her young calf upstream 303 00:37:22,920 --> 00:37:24,960 in the hope of finding the cure. 304 00:37:27,680 --> 00:37:29,680 The female knew where to go 305 00:37:29,680 --> 00:37:31,960 in the patch of forest where she was born. 306 00:37:34,200 --> 00:37:36,400 But as her former territory continues 307 00:37:36,400 --> 00:37:37,840 to burn behind her... 308 00:37:39,440 --> 00:37:42,520 ..she is forced to look for somewhere new. 309 00:37:56,600 --> 00:37:58,200 As night falls, 310 00:37:58,200 --> 00:38:00,680 the jungle comes alive. 311 00:38:17,200 --> 00:38:19,400 Using her keen sense of smell, 312 00:38:19,400 --> 00:38:22,680 she cautiously guides her calf through the forest. 313 00:38:32,400 --> 00:38:34,760 The more animals they encounter, 314 00:38:34,760 --> 00:38:37,720 the closer they are likely to be to their destination. 315 00:38:45,200 --> 00:38:48,880 She can smell something familiar in the darkness. 316 00:39:00,640 --> 00:39:03,200 Clay - 317 00:39:03,200 --> 00:39:06,440 the remedy that she and her calf so badly need. 318 00:39:11,680 --> 00:39:16,320 It's thought the clay neutralises the toxins 319 00:39:16,320 --> 00:39:20,000 and provides essential minerals lacking in their diet. 320 00:39:23,320 --> 00:39:25,560 Others arrive, 321 00:39:25,560 --> 00:39:28,240 all searching for the same thing. 322 00:39:30,200 --> 00:39:34,240 The particular chemical compounds within this clay. 323 00:39:39,920 --> 00:39:41,760 As more tapir arrive, 324 00:39:41,760 --> 00:39:43,440 they dig into the soil, 325 00:39:43,440 --> 00:39:47,240 making it accessible to other, less powerful species. 326 00:40:04,200 --> 00:40:06,440 The location of this clay lick 327 00:40:06,440 --> 00:40:09,240 is a crucial part of the calf's education. 328 00:40:12,200 --> 00:40:15,560 There are unique sites like this all over the Amazon, 329 00:40:15,560 --> 00:40:20,000 including many that have not yet been identified by humans. 330 00:40:23,200 --> 00:40:25,800 Even the most remote forests on Earth 331 00:40:25,800 --> 00:40:29,240 are no longer immune from modern disturbances. 332 00:40:32,200 --> 00:40:35,000 The Daintree in northern Australia. 333 00:40:36,640 --> 00:40:39,000 Dinosaurs once lived here. 334 00:40:45,200 --> 00:40:48,200 And their feathered descendants still prowl 335 00:40:48,200 --> 00:40:50,240 the understory today. 336 00:40:52,400 --> 00:40:54,480 A cassowary. 337 00:40:54,480 --> 00:40:57,520 This one is nicknamed Crinkle. 338 00:41:03,480 --> 00:41:06,200 He's nearly 45 years old, 339 00:41:06,200 --> 00:41:08,400 and like all cassowary fathers, 340 00:41:08,400 --> 00:41:11,520 he has the responsibility of rearing the young. 341 00:41:15,720 --> 00:41:18,000 Success is never guaranteed, 342 00:41:18,000 --> 00:41:20,240 and this year is tougher than ever. 343 00:41:22,600 --> 00:41:24,760 It's the middle of the dry season. 344 00:41:27,720 --> 00:41:32,240 Crinkle's head casque helps him shed heat quickly. 345 00:41:36,200 --> 00:41:38,680 But his chicks have no such defence. 346 00:41:40,440 --> 00:41:41,680 In these temperatures, 347 00:41:41,680 --> 00:41:45,240 they need to drink almost every day if they're to survive. 348 00:41:46,640 --> 00:41:49,240 But it has hardly rained for months. 349 00:41:53,040 --> 00:41:56,200 Their forest is parched 350 00:41:56,200 --> 00:41:58,240 and many of the riverbeds are dry. 351 00:42:15,520 --> 00:42:18,680 Crinkle breaks up some fruit for his chicks, 352 00:42:18,680 --> 00:42:20,680 but it won't sustain them for long. 353 00:42:42,440 --> 00:42:44,640 He must find water. 354 00:42:47,960 --> 00:42:50,000 There is a remote pool 355 00:42:50,000 --> 00:42:52,240 at the far limit of his territory. 356 00:42:53,600 --> 00:42:55,760 The journey there is risky. 357 00:42:57,360 --> 00:43:00,120 But his chicks are hungry and thirsty - 358 00:43:00,120 --> 00:43:02,400 and increasingly desperate. 359 00:43:05,640 --> 00:43:07,440 Even in a good year, 360 00:43:07,440 --> 00:43:10,800 only 50% of cassowary chicks survive. 361 00:43:13,360 --> 00:43:14,880 He urges them on. 362 00:43:21,400 --> 00:43:23,080 They must be cautious. 363 00:43:23,080 --> 00:43:26,840 The search for water is drawing other animals into the area. 364 00:43:29,200 --> 00:43:31,840 SQUEALING 365 00:43:31,840 --> 00:43:37,240 Feral pigs introduced by humans are now abundant in these forests. 366 00:43:41,200 --> 00:43:42,520 Following their scent, 367 00:43:42,520 --> 00:43:45,240 wild dingoes are also moving in. 368 00:43:49,480 --> 00:43:53,560 Both of these animals are known to kill cassowary chicks. 369 00:43:58,400 --> 00:44:01,840 Crinkle is by no means defenceless - 370 00:44:01,840 --> 00:44:06,200 his razor-sharp talons are effective weapons - 371 00:44:06,200 --> 00:44:08,520 but he will be unable to save his chicks 372 00:44:08,520 --> 00:44:10,240 if they don't find water soon. 373 00:44:26,480 --> 00:44:28,200 At last. 374 00:44:34,720 --> 00:44:37,720 And for now, they are alone. 375 00:44:56,120 --> 00:44:58,960 The oasis provides precious relief. 376 00:45:04,200 --> 00:45:06,640 And what is more, 377 00:45:06,640 --> 00:45:10,080 the quandong tree here is full of fruit. 378 00:45:11,200 --> 00:45:14,240 A food much relished by cassowaries. 379 00:45:18,960 --> 00:45:20,200 And in return, 380 00:45:20,200 --> 00:45:24,520 the cassowary distribute the seeds around the forest, 381 00:45:24,520 --> 00:45:26,240 helping the trees to spread. 382 00:45:38,400 --> 00:45:40,200 All over the world, 383 00:45:40,200 --> 00:45:43,240 animals and trees depend on each other. 384 00:45:47,640 --> 00:45:49,200 But there are some trees 385 00:45:49,200 --> 00:45:51,880 that do more than we ever thought possible. 386 00:45:58,200 --> 00:46:01,600 A 200-year-old Ajo tree in Costa Rica... 387 00:46:02,760 --> 00:46:05,240 ..covered in golden blooms. 388 00:46:09,200 --> 00:46:12,040 As one of the largest trees in the area, 389 00:46:12,040 --> 00:46:14,880 it has unrestricted access to the sun. 390 00:46:20,120 --> 00:46:23,840 However, for the saplings growing on the forest floor, 391 00:46:23,840 --> 00:46:27,320 collecting the relatively little light that filters down 392 00:46:27,320 --> 00:46:28,840 isn't quite so easy. 393 00:46:32,480 --> 00:46:35,800 But the Ajo tree's influence is great. 394 00:46:39,880 --> 00:46:43,040 Its immense canopy absorbs the sunlight... 395 00:46:44,560 --> 00:46:48,400 ..using its energy to synthesise sugars in its leaves... 396 00:46:49,680 --> 00:46:52,200 ..which then circulate through its branches, 397 00:46:52,200 --> 00:46:54,240 right down to its roots. 398 00:46:59,040 --> 00:47:02,480 Here, it collaborates with microscopic fungi 399 00:47:02,480 --> 00:47:07,240 and it distributes excess nutrients to the tiny saplings nearby. 400 00:47:10,200 --> 00:47:12,200 This underground network 401 00:47:12,200 --> 00:47:15,560 enables trees to support the next generation. 402 00:47:22,080 --> 00:47:25,920 These complex relationships take years to establish. 403 00:47:27,840 --> 00:47:30,640 And it's clear that, as trees age, 404 00:47:30,640 --> 00:47:34,440 they become increasingly important for the forest, 405 00:47:34,440 --> 00:47:38,680 acting as protectors and providers for the whole ecosystem. 406 00:47:41,800 --> 00:47:44,640 A cavity in the Ajo's ancient trunk 407 00:47:44,640 --> 00:47:47,760 provides a home for a family of bats. 408 00:48:00,040 --> 00:48:03,600 And thousands of insects visit it each day. 409 00:48:11,160 --> 00:48:14,640 This Ajo is a keystone of the forest. 410 00:48:19,960 --> 00:48:22,040 But it's not unique. 411 00:48:26,520 --> 00:48:27,880 The world over, 412 00:48:27,880 --> 00:48:31,200 such giant individuals play a pivotal role 413 00:48:31,200 --> 00:48:32,960 in their respective forests. 414 00:48:37,640 --> 00:48:40,400 They are the key to a healthy jungle. 415 00:48:41,880 --> 00:48:44,600 From the majestic meranti in Borneo... 416 00:48:45,920 --> 00:48:49,720 ..to the giant kapok in Brazil, 417 00:48:49,720 --> 00:48:54,880 trees like these provide homes for a huge variety of animal families. 418 00:48:59,840 --> 00:49:02,680 Entire neighbourhoods depend on them for food. 419 00:49:13,560 --> 00:49:16,240 They are the centre of their community... 420 00:49:24,600 --> 00:49:27,640 ..and are vital to all parents 421 00:49:27,640 --> 00:49:31,240 who make their homes in jungles. 422 00:49:50,440 --> 00:49:54,760 To film the parenting behaviour of Amazonian tapirs, 423 00:49:54,760 --> 00:49:57,040 camerawoman Katie Mayhew 424 00:49:57,040 --> 00:50:01,720 joined Brazilian cameraman Joao Paulo Krajewski. 425 00:50:01,720 --> 00:50:04,760 - We're going to a salt lick to retrieve a camera trap, 426 00:50:04,760 --> 00:50:06,920 see if the tapirs are coming. 427 00:50:06,920 --> 00:50:09,960 - Their destination is a protected area 428 00:50:09,960 --> 00:50:14,480 in the Amazon rainforest called Cristalino Reserve - 429 00:50:14,480 --> 00:50:18,360 a key stronghold for the rarely seen tapirs. 430 00:50:25,960 --> 00:50:28,520 First, they head to a salt lick, 431 00:50:28,520 --> 00:50:32,240 an area regularly visited by many kinds of animals. 432 00:50:37,200 --> 00:50:40,040 - Peccaries... 433 00:50:40,040 --> 00:50:41,400 - Wow! 434 00:50:42,800 --> 00:50:45,200 - LAUGHTER 435 00:50:45,200 --> 00:50:46,400 - Wow! 436 00:50:47,680 --> 00:50:49,040 Two big ones there, yeah. 437 00:50:50,200 --> 00:50:51,840 - This is really promising! 438 00:50:56,360 --> 00:50:59,360 - The remote cameras show tapir activity 439 00:50:59,360 --> 00:51:01,360 in both day and night. 440 00:51:07,280 --> 00:51:09,640 So, to maximise their chances, 441 00:51:09,640 --> 00:51:12,560 they employ a thermal camera. 442 00:51:12,560 --> 00:51:15,040 - It's unbelievable how this technology 443 00:51:15,040 --> 00:51:16,680 helps us finding the animals, 444 00:51:16,680 --> 00:51:19,600 but also discovering what they do during the night. 445 00:51:19,600 --> 00:51:21,720 And especially the tapir. 446 00:51:21,720 --> 00:51:23,400 Basically, we know nothing about them, 447 00:51:23,400 --> 00:51:25,120 how they take care of their babies. 448 00:51:25,120 --> 00:51:27,680 And we'll try to find out what they do. 449 00:51:33,400 --> 00:51:35,600 Very, very active night 450 00:51:35,600 --> 00:51:38,200 with lots of pacas, a big cat. 451 00:51:38,200 --> 00:51:39,920 We don't know exactly what it is. 452 00:51:39,920 --> 00:51:42,520 Capybaras. So many animals! 453 00:51:46,320 --> 00:51:47,800 - It's a good start, 454 00:51:47,800 --> 00:51:52,320 but not the mother and baby tapir they're hoping for. 455 00:51:52,320 --> 00:51:55,680 RAFAEL SPEAKS PORTUGUESE 456 00:51:55,680 --> 00:52:00,200 - What's happened? - Yeah, they saw one in a place that we know. 457 00:52:00,200 --> 00:52:03,040 A mother with a baby, yeah. - That's so exciting. 458 00:52:04,240 --> 00:52:06,720 - Katie goes to stake out the area. 459 00:52:23,840 --> 00:52:27,480 At the clay lick, Joao's not having much luck either. 460 00:52:30,200 --> 00:52:31,840 - Very quiet night. 461 00:52:31,840 --> 00:52:34,200 I've been waiting here for hours. 462 00:52:34,200 --> 00:52:36,880 Strange. I was expecting more activity here. 463 00:52:38,680 --> 00:52:40,080 This is going to be hard. 464 00:52:45,600 --> 00:52:48,480 - After ten days in the 40-degree heat, 465 00:52:48,480 --> 00:52:50,560 delirium is setting in. 466 00:52:50,560 --> 00:52:52,680 KATIE LAUGHS 467 00:52:52,680 --> 00:52:54,360 KATIE SIGHS 468 00:52:54,360 --> 00:52:58,120 - Been on the river for eight hours, I think. 469 00:52:59,800 --> 00:53:03,720 And we think there's a baby tapir in the bushes, 470 00:53:03,720 --> 00:53:05,240 so we're just waiting. 471 00:53:07,200 --> 00:53:09,280 And we don't actually know if it's there. 472 00:53:13,480 --> 00:53:15,240 - But a few hours later... 473 00:53:16,680 --> 00:53:20,240 ..Katie's instincts and patience pay off. 474 00:53:25,040 --> 00:53:28,000 - Looked down by a source of movement in the water, 475 00:53:28,000 --> 00:53:30,880 and it was the stripy baby and the mum. 476 00:53:32,400 --> 00:53:34,440 And they just swam behind the rocks. 477 00:53:36,960 --> 00:53:39,480 And then the baby's disappeared into the bushes. 478 00:53:42,480 --> 00:53:44,800 We've been waiting so, so long! 479 00:53:48,720 --> 00:53:51,240 - Joao is on the right track, too. 480 00:53:54,040 --> 00:53:57,920 - So the other boat just saw a baby tapir, 481 00:53:57,920 --> 00:53:59,640 called us, and we're following him. 482 00:53:59,640 --> 00:54:01,360 Hopefully we'll see one, finally. 483 00:54:08,480 --> 00:54:09,840 - In the bushes, 484 00:54:09,840 --> 00:54:13,520 a sleeping mother tapir and her striped calf. 485 00:54:16,840 --> 00:54:18,680 JOAO GASPS 486 00:54:18,680 --> 00:54:20,160 - Suckling! 487 00:54:20,160 --> 00:54:21,840 The mother's sleeping. 488 00:54:23,680 --> 00:54:27,240 The baby, like, spent the whole afternoon there with her. 489 00:54:29,200 --> 00:54:31,720 I will never, ever forget this day. 490 00:54:33,560 --> 00:54:35,000 Unbelievable moment. 491 00:54:40,880 --> 00:54:46,080 - A glimpse of a mother and her baby is an encouraging sign. 492 00:54:46,080 --> 00:54:50,240 But the team still need to film them at night to tell the full story. 493 00:54:52,320 --> 00:54:54,040 Katie tries her luck 494 00:54:54,040 --> 00:54:55,720 at a different clay lick. 495 00:55:01,040 --> 00:55:04,560 - So we've set up our little hidey area. 496 00:55:04,560 --> 00:55:05,920 The clay lick looks good. 497 00:55:05,920 --> 00:55:08,200 So now we have to go set up the camera, 498 00:55:08,200 --> 00:55:10,400 and then come back tonight and hope for the best. 499 00:55:21,560 --> 00:55:23,600 - WHISPERING: - Just using the thermal scope 500 00:55:23,600 --> 00:55:26,480 to kind of spot things around the clay lick, 501 00:55:26,480 --> 00:55:29,200 so I can try and give Katie a bit of a heads-up 502 00:55:29,200 --> 00:55:31,200 if something's coming in. 503 00:55:31,200 --> 00:55:32,360 But it's crazy. 504 00:55:32,360 --> 00:55:34,840 It's like I can see everything through here. 505 00:55:34,840 --> 00:55:37,240 There's hundreds of bats flying around. 506 00:55:45,760 --> 00:55:47,000 Yeah. 507 00:56:01,680 --> 00:56:04,040 - I'm, like, shaking so much! 508 00:56:28,880 --> 00:56:30,920 Yeah, it's very cool. 509 00:56:30,920 --> 00:56:32,680 Very happy bunny right now. 510 00:56:35,360 --> 00:56:39,480 - Detailed images like this have never been seen before. 511 00:56:39,480 --> 00:56:43,480 But thanks to protected areas like Cristalino Reserve, 512 00:56:43,480 --> 00:56:46,760 the team has been able to film the secret lives 513 00:56:46,760 --> 00:56:49,960 of the Amazonian tapirs and their young. 514 00:56:53,400 --> 00:56:56,800 - Never in my life I thought I would see something like it. 515 00:56:58,880 --> 00:57:02,240 20 days waiting for a chance.