Original subtitles

(MOMENTOUS MUSIC)

Narrator: IN THE DAMP RAINFORESTS OF COLOMBIA,

ONE TINY FROG BEGINS A HUGE ADVENTURE.

SHE EMBARKS ON AN EPIC JOURNEY

ACROSS A DENSE MAZE OF FOREST IN SEARCH OF A MATE.

BUT THE CLOCK IS TICKING.

IF SHE DOESN’T FIND A MALE IN JUST A FEW DAYS,

SHE WILL HAVE NO ONE TO FERTILIZE HER PRECIOUS EGGS,

AND HER LAST CHANCE TO BREED WILL BE LOST.

WITH ONLY INSTINCT AND HER MATE’S SONG TO GUIDE HER,

SHE MUST BATTLE THE ELEMENTS,

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

DODGE COUNTLESS DANGERS,

AND AVOID THE UNEXPECTED,

IN HER QUEST TO FULFILL HER DESTINY,

AND BRING LIFE TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

(PEACEFUL MUSIC)

THIS IS JULIETA.

SHE MEASURES JUST TWO INCHES LONG

AND WEIGHS LESS THAN AN OUNCE.

BUT NEVER UNDERESTIMATE HER POWER.

SHE IS A GOLDEN DART FROG,

ONE OF THE MOST TOXIC CREATURES IN THE WORLD.

A SINGLE DROP OF THE TOXIN THAT COATS HER SKIN

IS ENOUGH TO STOP A HUMAN HEART.

BUT SHE ONLY USES HER DEADLY WEAPON IN SELF-DEFENSE,

AND EVEN THEN NOT WITHOUT WARNING.

(LIGHTHEARTED MUSIC)

HER BRIGHT-COLORED SKIN IS A SIGNAL TO PREDATORS

IN HER FOREST HOME,

DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT.

(LIGHTHEARTED MUSIC)

(WAVES CRASHING)

(GENTLE MUSIC)

JULIETA LIVES IN THE CHOCO,

ONE OF THE PLANET’S MOST EXTRAORDINARY

COASTAL RAINFORESTS.

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

IT LIES ON COLOMBIA’S NORTHWEST PACIFIC COAST

AND IS SANDWICHED BETWEEN THE OCEAN AND THE ANDES MOUNTAINS.

(PEACEFUL MUSIC)

THIS IS ONE OF THE WETTEST PLACES IN THE WORLD,

IT RAINS AROUND 300 DAYS OF THE YEAR.

SO MUCH RAIN BRINGS AN ABUNDANCE OF LIFE.

THE CHOCO IS HOME TO MORE THAN 11,000 PLANT SPECIES,

A QUARTER OF WHICH GROW NOWHERE ELSE ON EARTH.

(PEACEFUL MUSIC)

HALF OF COLOMBIA’S 465 NATIVE MAMMAL SPECIES ARE FOUND HERE.

THIS IS ONE OF THE LEAST EXPLORED RAINFORESTS,

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

WHERE THOUSAND OF SPECIES

ARE STILL WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED.

(WATER DRIPPING)

(ANIMALS VOCALIZING)

(RAIN POUNDING)

IT’S AUGUST, THE HEIGHT OF THE CHOCO’S

EIGHT-MONTH RAINY SEASON.

JULIETA HAS SEEN THESE SUMMER RAINS BEFORE.

FOR HER, THEY MEAN ONLY ONE THING IT’S TIME TO FIND A MATE.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

GOLDEN DART FROGS REPRODUCE EVERY YEAR.

BUT, AT SEVEN YEARS OLD,

THIS COULD BE THE LAST TIME JULIETA WILL BREED.

ALREADY HER EGGS ARE FORMING INSIDE HER

AND SHE’LL LAY THEM IN JUST FOUR DAYS TIME.

BUT SHE NEEDS A MALE TO FERTILIZE THEM.

SOMEWHERE, IN THIS VAST FOREST, SHE MUST FIND HIM,

BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE.

(ANIMALS VOCALIZING)

NOT FAR AWAY IN THE DENSE FOREST,

THE RAIN CAUSES A STREAM TO SWELL.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

THIS STREAM MARKS THE EDGE OF ANOTHER ANIMAL’S TERRITORY,

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

A MALE GOLDEN DART FROG NAMED ROMEO.

HE TOO IS ONLY A COUPLE OF INCHES LONG,

BUT HERE HE IS A KING.

HE’S FOUGHT OFF EVERY OTHER MALE IN A 10 YARD RADIUS

TO CLAIM THIS BEST POSITIONED PATCH OF FOREST AS HIS OWN.

BUT THE LOSERS STAY CLOSE,

WAITING FOR A CHANCE TO TAKE WHAT ROMEO HAS WON,

BECAUSE HIS CROWN COMES WITH MORE THAN JUST A TERRITORY

BY DEFEATING ALL HIS RIVALS,

HE WILL GET TO MATE WITH ANY FEMALE THAT FINDS HER WAY HERE.

ALREADY DURING THIS RAINY SEASON,

SEVERAL HAVE PASSED THROUGH ROMEO’S TERRITORY.

(SOMBER MUSIC)

SOME FEMALE FROGS LAY THOUSANDS OF EGGS

IN LARGE CLOUDS OF FROGSPAWN,

BUT A GOLDEN DART FROG COULD LAY FEWER

THAN 40 IN A SINGLE YEAR.

(SOMBER MUSIC)

ROMEO FERTILIZED THIS CLUTCH OF EGGS A WEEK AGO,

AND TAKES SOLE CHARGE OF LOOKING AFTER THEM.

HIS TERRITORY HOLDS SEVERAL DIFFERENT BROODS

AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT.

HE WILL PROTECT HIS VULNERABLE OFFSPRING

FOR THEIR TWO-WEEK GESTATION FROM EGG TO TADPOLE,

AND FOR 9 MORE WEEKS TO JUVENILE FROG.

(SOMBER MUSIC)

(ANIMALS VOCALIZING)

TO INCREASE HIS CHANCES OF SUCCESS,

ROMEO PLAYS A NUMBERS GAME.

HE MUST FERTILIZE AS MANY EGGS AS POSSIBLE.

GOLDEN DART FROGS USE A PARTICULAR TALENT

TO DRAW IN THE FEMALES.

(FROG VOCALIZING)

SINGING.

USING AN AIR SAC LIKE A RESONANCE CHAMBER

TO AMPLIFY THE SOUND,

HE CALLS OUT WITH A LONG MELODIOUS TRILL.

(FROG VOCALIZING)

HIS LOUD CALL INTIMIDATES THE MALES

HOVERING ON THE EDGE OF HIS TERRITORY.

(FROG VOCALIZING)

MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT CARRIES FAR BEYOND THE STREAM,

(FROG VOCALIZING)

AND ATTRACTS ANY FEMALES WHO HAVE YET TO LAY THEIR EGGS.

A HUNDRED YARDS AWAY,

(GENTLE MUSIC)

JULIETA HEARS ROMEO’S CALL.

SHE’S ALREADY ON THE HUNT FOR A MALE TO FERTILIZE HER EGGS.

(FROG VOCALIZING)

ANY SUITOR’S CALL MUST BE STRONG ENOUGH

FOR HER TO BE ABLE TO FIND HIM IN THIS DENSE FOREST.

(FROG VOCALIZING) (LIGHTHEARTED MUSIC)

ROMEO’S SONG IS MUSIC TO HER EARS.

(FROG VOCALIZING)

SHE CAN HEAR HIM LOUD AND CLEAR,

BUT BETWEEN THEM LIES 100 YARDS OF DENSE

AND UNFAMILIAR RAINFOREST,

STREWN WITH BOULDERS AND FALLEN TREES.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

IT’S THE HUMAN EQUIVALENT OF CLAMBERING OVER

150-FOOT OBSTACLES FOR ALMOST THREE MILES.

JUST FINDING ENOUGH FOOD TO FUEL THIS ENORMOUS JOURNEY

WILL BE A HUGE CHALLENGE.

BUT JULIETA’S BIOLOGICAL CLOCK IS TICKING,

SO UNLESS SHE CAN REACH ROMEO WITHIN JUST FOUR DAYS

HER EGGS WILL BE WASTED.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

(FROG VOCALIZING) (ANIMALS VOCALIZING)

SHE SETS OFF IN THE DIRECTION OF ROMEO’S CALLS,

PICKING UP FOOD ALONG THE WAY.

(FROG VOCALIZING)

SO LONG AS ROMEO CONTINUES TO SING,

SHE KNOWS WHICH WAY TO HEAD.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

ROMEO MUST CARE FOR HIS BROOD ALONE.

IT HASN’T RAINED FOR SEVERAL HOURS.

IF THIS CONTINUES,

THERE’S A DANGER HIS EGGS WILL DRY OUT AND PERISH.

SO HE USES HIS OWN BODY AS A WATER CARRIER

SOAKING UP WATER FROM ONE PUDDLE

AND TRANSFERRING IT TO HIS EGGS.

THERE IS NO REST FOR THIS SOLITARY MALE.

(FROG VOCALIZING)

AS SOON AS HE FINISHES WATERING,

HE’S BACK TO CALLING IN MORE FEMALES

TO LAY THEIR VALUABLE EGGS.

BUT ROMEO’S ISN’T THE ONLY VOICE ECHOING THROUGH THE TREES.

(MONKEYS HOWLING)

ABOVE HIM LIVES A FAMILY OF MANTLED HOWLER MONKEYS.

THEY ARE THE CHOCO’S LARGEST AND MOST ABUNDANT PRIMATES.

(PEACEFUL MUSIC)

THEY LIVE IN LARGE TROOPS,

WHICH MEANS THEY NEED ADVANCED SOCIAL SKILLS

TO KEEP THE FAMILY UNITED.

GROOMING IS ONE WAY TO STRENGTHEN THEIR BOND,

BUT THEY CAN ALSO USE THEIR VOICES.

(MONKEYS HOWLING)

THEY CALL OUT TO COMMUNICATE WITH MEMBERS OF THEIR TROOP,

AND TO WARN OTHER TROOPS TO KEEP THEIR DISTANCE.

THE MALE HOWLER MONKEY IS THE LOUDEST LAND ANIMAL

IN THE AMERICAS.

(MONKEYS HOWLING)

HIS HOWLS CARRY THROUGH THE FOREST

AND CAN BE HEARD MORE THAN THREE MILES AWAY.

(MONKEYS HOWLING)

DAWN AND DUSK ARE THEIR FAVORITE TIMES TO CALL.

BUT LOCAL PEOPLE SAY THEY ALSO CALL WHEN RAIN IS ON ITS WAY.

(MONKEYS HOWLING)

(WAVES CRASHING)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

COLOMBIA’S CHOCO IS ONE OF THE WETTEST PLACES ON EARTH,

WITH AN UNRIVALED 500 INCHES OF RAIN FALLING EACH YEAR.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

RIVERS AND STREAMS APPEAR AS IF FROM NOWHERE.

THERE’S NO DANGER OF ROMEO’S BROODS DRYING OUT.

THIS TIME HE MUST ENSURE THEY DON’T GET WASHED AWAY.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

THE EGGS ARE HIDDEN IN HIS TERRITORY’S SAFEST SPOTS, DAMP,

BUT NOT TOO DAMP.

HE CHECKS THEM CONSTANTLY IN BETWEEN BOUTS OF CALLING.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

WITH SO MUCH RAIN AND RUNNING WATER,

JULIETA’S UNABLE TO HEAR HIM OVER THE NOISE.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

WITHOUT HIS SIREN CALL SHE CAN’T TELL WHICH WAY TO GO.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

AS NIGHT FALLS, JULIETA’S BRIGHT YELLOW SKIN

NO LONGER STANDS OUT AS A VISIBLE WARNING TO PREDATORS.

IT’S TIME TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO HIDE.

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

IN THE DARKNESS, OTHER AMPHIBIANS

PROWL THE FOREST FLOOR.

THIS CANE TOAD IS 40 TIMES HEAVIER THAN JULIETA,

AND IT’S LOOKING FOR BEETLES TO EAT.

(ANIMALS VOCALIZING) (OMINOUS MUSIC)

IT TOO PACKS A NASTY SURPRISE

FOR ANY ANIMAL THAT WANTS TO EAT IT.

IF ATTACKED, IT WILL RELEASE

A TOXIC WHITE LIQUID FROM GLANDS ON ITS BACK.

(OMINOUS MUSIC) (ANIMALS VOCALIZING)

THIS MAY NOT BE AS DEADLY AS JULIETA’S POISON,

BUT IT’S ENOUGH TO DETER MOST PREDATORS.

(SOMBER MUSIC)

THE NEXT MORNING, THE RAIN HAS STOPPED.

(MONKEYS HOWLING)

IN THE TREETOPS,

CAPUCHINS BEGIN THEIR DAILY TASK OF FINDING FOOD.

BUT IN THE FOREST, DANGER CURLS AROUND EVERY BRANCH.

(MONKEYS SCREECHING)

A TREE-DWELLING VINE SNAKE HAS ALREADY FOUND BREAKFAST,

A TREE FROG.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

WHILE ITS VENOM SUBDUES THE FROG,

IT’S UNHINGED JAWS BOW OUTWARD TO ACCOMMODATE THE BODY.

(MONKEYS SCREECHING)

IT SWALLOWS ITS LIVE VICTIM HEAD-FIRST AND WHOLE,

AND THEN SLITHERS OFF TO DIGEST ITS GRUESOME FEAST.

IT WON’T NEED TO EAT AGAIN FOR A WEEK.

ON THE FOREST FLOOR BELOW,

JULIETA BEGINS DAY TWO OF HER JOURNEY.

(INSECTS BUZZING)

(GENTLE MUSIC)

AS INSECTS EMERGE FROM THE LEAF LITTER,

JULIETA’S HUNTING REFLEXES KICK IN.

HER LARGE EYES CAN SPOT THE SMALLEST MOVEMENT.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

IF THIS CRICKET PLAYS DEAD, IT MIGHT GET AWAY WITH IT.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

NOT THIS TIME!

ONCE JULIETA GETS HER EYES ON SOMETHING,

THERE’S NO STOPPING HER.

SHE FIRES HER STICKY TONGUE OUT

FASTER THAN A HUMAN CAN BLINK.

(SOMBER MUSIC)

FOR JULIETA HER DIET IS MORE THAN FUEL.

HER TOXIN IS SYNTHESIZED FROM CHEMICALS

DIGESTED FROM THE INSECTS SHE EATS.

VARIETY IS KEY.

REFUELED, SHE’S READY TO CONTINUE HER JOURNEY.

(FROG VOCALIZING)

SHE CAN HEAR ROMEO, NOW JUST 50 YARDS AWAY,

(FROG VOCALIZING)

AND SHE HEADS OFF ONCE MORE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

(LIGHTHEARTED MUSIC)

IN THE TREES ABOVE,

THE CAPUCHIN FAMILY IS STILL LOOKING FOR BREAKFAST.

BUGS ARE A REAL FAVORITE.

THE MONKEYS RANSACK THE CANOPY, SCOURING EVERY HIDING PLACE,

AND CALL TO EACH OTHER TO INDICATE

WHEN THEY HIT RICH PICKINGS.

(MONKEYS SCREECHING)

NO LEAF IS LEFT UNTURNED, EVEN IN AN OLD WEAVER BIRD NEST.

(LIGHTHEARTED MUSIC)

(MONKEYS SCREECHING)

THIS FEMALE IS NURSING A TWO-WEEK-OLD BABY.

SHE’S LESS AGILE IN THE TREES,

SO MAKES HER WAY DOWN TO THE FOREST FLOOR TO FEED.

FALLEN FRUIT IS AN EASY TARGET, BUT SO TOO ARE THE LEFTOVERS

THAT HER FAMILY DROPS ON ITS FEEDING RAMPAGE,

SEEDS, HUSKS, EVEN EGGS.

(LIGHTHEARTED MUSIC)

FOOD FROM THE SKY ISN’T A BLESSING FOR EVERYONE.

WHEN YOU’RE LITTLE MORE THAN THE SIZE OF A PAPERCLIP,

A SEEDPOD IS LIKE A FALLING PIANO.

JULIETA NEEDS TO LOOK OUT!

(DRAMATIC WHOOSHING)

(SOMBER MUSIC)

WHEN IT’S NOT RAINING IN THE CHOCO,

TEMPERATURES CAN REACH NEARLY 90 DEGREES.

CREATURES HERE MUST BE ABLE TO COPE WITH THESE EXTREMES.

(INTENSE MUSIC)

THIS GREEN IGUANA CAN CHANGE HIS SKIN COLOR

TO ACCOMMODATE THE SHIFTING MERCURY,

TURNING DARKER TO ABSORB THE SUN’S RAYS WHEN HE’S COLD,

AND THEN LIGHTER TO REFLECT THEM WHEN HE’S TOO HOT.

HE EVEN HAS A SPECIFIC ORGAN ON THE TOP OF HIS HEAD

THAT ACTS AS A SUNSHINE GAUGE,

TELLING HIM WHEN TO HEAD FOR THE SHADE.

(ANIMALS VOCALIZING)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

FOR ROMEO, THE MIDDAY HEAT IS JUST ANOTHER HAZARD.

AS THE PUDDLES HOLDING HIS YOUNG EVAPORATE,

THE OXYGEN CONTENT OF THE WATER DECREASES.

THE OLDER, LARGER TADPOLES HAVE DEVELOPED LUNGS

AND CAN BREATHE AIR FROM THE SURFACE.

BUT SOME OF HIS MORE RECENT EGGS ARE ONLY JUST HATCHING.

HE NEEDS TO MOVE THESE NEW TADPOLES SOMEWHERE COOLER

AND DEEPER, FAST.

(MOMENTOUS MUSIC)

DART FROGS HAS EVOLVED THE IDEAL STRATEGY

FOR MOVING THEIR DELICATE OFFSPRING AROUND.

THEY SECRETE A STICKY MUCUS FROM THEIR BACK,

ONTO WHICH THEY CAN ATTACH AS MANY

AS NINE TADPOLES AT A TIME.

ROMEO CARRIES HIS TREASURED CARGO ACROSS THE FOREST FLOOR,

PIGGYBACKING THEM AWAY FROM THE GLARE OF THE SUN.

(MOMENTOUS MUSIC)

HE RELEASES THEM INTO A SAFE PUDDLE

AT THE EDGE OF HIS STREAM.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

THIS STREAM ISN’T JUST IN ROMEO’S TERRITORY,

(ANIMALS VOCALIZING)

IT’S ALSO CLAIMED BY A NEOTROPICAL RIVER OTTER.

WITH A SLEEK BODY, WEBBED FEET AND A POWERFUL TAIL,

THIS FEMALE IS A PERFECTLY ADAPTED SWIMMER.

(PEACEFUL MUSIC)

WHAT’S MORE, SHE’S A CHAMPION BREATH HOLDER.

(PEACEFUL MUSIC)

EACH UNDERWATER FORAGING TRIP CAN LAST UP TO EIGHT MINUTES.

(PEACEFUL MUSIC)

SHE USES HER STRONG LEGS

AND SHARP CLAWS TO DIG UP STONES TO LOOK FOR CRUSTACEANS,

BUT SHE’LL EAT ALMOST ANYTHING SHE CAN FIND,

INSECTS, SMALLER MAMMALS AND EVEN BIRDS.

(PEACEFUL MUSIC)

SHE’S NOT THE ONLY RIVER DWELLER

LOOKING FOR FOOD IN ROMEO’S PATCH OF FOREST.

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

A BOA CONSTRICTOR FINDS THE PERFECT PLACE TO LIE IN WAIT

TO AMBUSH ITS PREY-LIZARDS, AMPHIBIANS, RODENTS, OR OTTERS.

NEARBY, ROMEO IS STILL CHECKING ON ALL HIS PUDDLES.

AT ONE MONTH OLD, HIS LARGEST TADPOLES

ARE MORE THAN AN INCH LONG

AND HAVE ALREADY DEVELOPED LEGS.

BUT THEY’RE NOT YET TOXIC,

SO THEY COULD MAKE AN EASY MEAL FOR LIZARDS

OR SOME OTHER FOREST PREDATORS.

(SOMBER MUSIC)

ROMEO’S EGGS AND TADPOLES ARE CONSTANTLY UNDER THREAT.

FEWER THAN ONE IN TEN WILL SURVIVE TO ADULTHOOD.

SO ROMEO MUST KEEP SINGING IN THE HOPE OF ATTRACTING MATES

AND PRODUCING MORE.

(FROG VOCALIZING)

HIS SONG HAS WORKED.

AFTER FOLLOWING IT FOR TWO DAYS,

JULIETA HAS REACHED THE STREAM

AT THE EDGE OF ROMEO’S TERRITORY.

(FROG VOCALIZING)

BUT AT FOUR FEET ACROSS IT’S A HUGE OBSTACLE FOR A TINY FROG

MORE USED TO THE FOREST FLOOR THAN OPEN WATER.

(FROG VOCALIZING)

UNLIKE MANY FROGS, GOLDEN DART FROGS DON’T HAVE WEBBED FEET,

SO SWIMMING ISN’T EASY.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

JULIETA SEARCHES FOR THE BEST PLACE TO CROSS,

LURED ON AS EVER BY ROMEO’S INSISTENT SONG.

(FROG VOCALIZING)

WITH HER POWERFUL LEGS,

SHE CAN JUMP UP TO SIX TIMES HER BODY LENGTH,

THE EQUIVALENT OF A HUMAN JUMPING OVER THREE CARS.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

BUT THIS, IS A LEAP OF FAITH.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

WITHIN SECONDS SHE’S WAY OFF COURSE.

THE ROCKS ARE SHEER AND SLIPPERY.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

HER STRUGGLE ATTRACTS ATTENTION.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

THE CURRENT IS JUST TOO STRONG.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(GENTLE MUSIC)

SHE DRIFTS DOWNSTREAM, AWAY FROM ROMEO’S CALLS,

(FROG VOCALIZING)

AND BACK TO THE WRONG SIDE OF THE STREAM.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

(MONKEYS HOWLING)

THE HOWLERS’ CALLS SIGNAL THE SECOND DAY

OF HER JOURNEY IS OVER.

(MONKEYS HOWLING)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

IT’S DAY THREE OF JULIETA’S SEARCH FOR A MATE

IN COLOMBIA’S CHOCO RAINFOREST

(GENTLE MUSIC)

ABOVE HER, A GOLDEN SILK SPIDER

HAS CAUGHT BREAKFAST IN HER WEB.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

SHE’LL KEEP MOST INSECTS WRAPPED IN SILK UNTIL SHE’S HUNGRY,

BUT THIS FRESH FLY WILL START THE DAY NICELY.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

HIGHER STILL HANGS ONE OF THE

STRANGEST-LOOKING CREATURES IN THE JUNGLE.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

THIS BROWN-THROATED SLOTH SPENDS MORE THAN 99% OF HIS LIFE

UP HERE IN THE BRANCHES.

BUT THERE IS ONE THING HE MUST VENTURE DOWN FOR,

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

TO DEFECATE.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

FOR THE SLOWEST MOVING MAMMAL ON EARTH,

IT’S A MAJOR UNDERTAKING.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

FORTUNATELY, HE HAS A VERY SLOW METABOLISM,

AND CAN TAKE UP TO A MONTH

TO DIGEST A SINGLE MEAL OF LEAVES,

SO HE ONLY NEEDS TO MAKE THIS PERILOUS DESCENT ONCE A WEEK.

AS HE MAKES HIS SLOW RETURN,

ANOTHER JOURNEY IS JUST BEGINNING.

HIS DUNG QUICKLY ATTRACTS A DUNG BEETLE.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

SHE LAYS HER EGGS INSIDE A DUNG BALL,

WHICH COULD WEIGH UP TO 10 TIMES HER OWN WEIGHT.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

SHE WILL PUSH IT FOR SEVERAL YARDS

TO A HOLE WHERE HER EGGS CAN SAFELY HATCH.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

FOR JULIETA, TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

IN 24 HOURS SHE WILL RELEASE HER EGGS,

WHETHER SHE’S FOUND A MALE TO FERTILIZE THEM OR NOT.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

(FROG VOCALIZING)

SHE HEADS BACK UP RIVER, FOLLOWING ROMEO’S CALL.

(FROG VOCALIZING)

(FROG VOCALIZING)

(FROG VOCALIZING)

BUT OVERNIGHT RAIN HAS SWOLLEN THE STREAM,

AND THE CURRENT IS NOW STRONGER THAN EVER.

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

ROMEO’S CALL MIGHT AS WELL BE COMING FROM A DIFFERENT WORLD.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC) (FROG VOCALIZING)

BUT THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO CROSS A STREAM.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(FROG VOCALIZING)

LEAFCUTTER ANTS HAVE THE RIGHT IDEA.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

IN A FOREST WITH SO MUCH WATER,

SMALL CREATURES CONSTANTLY NEED TO CROSS POOLS AND STREAMS,

AND THE FOREST ITSELF PROVIDES THE SOLUTION.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

A FALLEN TRUNK IS THE PERFECT BRIDGE

TO CARRY JULIETA TO HER ROMEO.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

(FROG VOCALIZING)

AFTER THREE DAYS OF CONSTANT TRAVEL

SHE HAS ALMOST REACHED HER GOAL.

(UPLIFTING MUSIC)

(FROG VOCALIZING)

SHE IS NOW IN ROMEO’S TERRITORY.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

(FROG VOCALIZING)

HIS CALLS ARE JUST FEET AWAY, AT THE TOP OF THE BANK.

(FROG VOCALIZING) (GENTLE MUSIC)

(FROG VOCALIZING) (UPLIFTING MUSIC)

JULIETA PUSHES ON,

(UPLIFTING MUSIC) (FROG VOCALIZING)

USING THE LAST OF HER STRENGTH TO SCALE THIS FINAL OBSTACLE.

(UPLIFTING MUSIC) (FROG VOCALIZING)

FINALLY, RIGHT BEFORE HER EYES,

THE FROG WHOSE VOICE HAS GUIDED HER ACROSS THE JUNGLE.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

ROMEO LEADS JULIETA INTO THE HEART OF HIS TERRITORY,

WHERE THEIR COURTSHIP BEGINS.

ROMEO MUST FIRST SHOW-OFF HIS CALL IN PERSON,

SO JULIETA CAN SEE AND HEAR

THAT HE IS INDEED THE FROG SHE HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR.

(FROG VOCALIZING)

SO FAR, SO GOOD.

(FROG VOCALIZING)

BUT SUDDENLY, AN INTRUDER.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

A RIVAL MALE APPEARS AND MAKES A MOVE TOWARDS JULIETA.

SHE JUMPS TO THE SAFETY OF A LOG,

AND ROMEO MUST NOW FIGHT THE RIVAL FOR HIS CHANCE TO MATE.

ROMEO STRIKES FIRST.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

THE RIVAL JUMPS CLEAR,

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

THEN, WHILE JULIETA WATCHES ON,

LAUNCHES AN ATTACK OF HIS OWN.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

THE MALES STRUGGLE TO ASSERT THEIR DOMINANCE.

IT’S AN EXHAUSTING BOUT,

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

BUT FINALLY THE LOSER FLEES.

ROMEO HAS WON, AND NOW HE CAN CLAIM HIS PRIZE.

(LIGHTHEARTED MUSIC)

HE LEADS JULIETA TOWARDS THE SPOT

WHERE HE WANTS HER TO LAY HER EGGS.

SHE JUST NEEDS TO FOLLOW.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

SHE HAS TIMED HER JOURNEY TO PERFECTION, ALMOST.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

FOR CENTURIES, THE INDIGENOUS EPEERARA PEOPLE

WHO LIVE IN THE CHOCO HAVE PRIZED THE GOLDEN DART FROG.

THIS HUNTER HAS RUBBED HIS HANDS WITH A SPECIAL LEAF

TO PROTECT THEM FROM JULIETA’S POISONOUS SKIN.

BUT IT’S HER TOXIN THAT HE’S AFTER.

HE WILL USE IT TO HELP HIM HUNT.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

EACH STRIDE THE HUNTER TAKES

COULD BE AN HOUR’S JOURNEY FOR JULIETA.

ROMEO CAN ONLY WATCH AS JULIETA

AND HER EGGS DISAPPEAR BACK INTO THE FOREST.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

THE HUNTER CARRIES JULIETA,

NOW HIS PORTABLE POISON SUPPLY,

UNTIL HE SPOTS HIS PREY.

HE COVERS A WOODEN DART-TIP

WITH THE TOXIN SECRETIONS FROM JULIETA’S BACK.

HE PLACES THE DART IN HIS BLOWPIPE,

(GENTLE MUSIC)

AND BLOWS.

HIS NEED FOR JULIETA IS OVER.

POISON DART FROGS ARE VITAL

TO THE EPEERARA’S TRADITIONAL HUNTING.

THEY KNOW THE FROGS ARE RARE, AND MUST BE PROTECTED.

HE GENTLY RELEASES JULIETA BACK INTO THE FOREST,

JUST AS THE HOWLER MONKEYS

BEGIN TO SIGNAL THE END OF DAY THREE.

(MONKEYS HOWLING)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

(MONKEYS HOWLING)

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

(ANIMALS VOCALIZING)

DAWN.

(ANIMALS VOCALIZING)

THE MORNING FOREST IS FULL OF NOISE.

(ANIMALS VOCALIZING)

JULIETA IS NOW YARDS AWAY FROM ROMEO

BUT FOR HER THE FOREST IS EERILY QUIET.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

IT’S THE FOURTH DAY OF HER JOURNEY AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

SHE WILL LAY HER EGGS IN THE NEXT FEW HOURS,

WHETHER SHE FINDS ROMEO OR NOT.

(SOMBER MUSIC)

WITHOUT HIS CALL JULIETA IS LOST.

(SOMBER MUSIC)

IF SHE LAYS HER EGGS HERE, THE FOREST

AND ITS COUNTLESS HUNGRY MOUTHS WILL CONSUME THEM.

(SOMBER MUSIC)

INSTINCT DRIVES HER ON.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

SHE WON’T LET THE FOREST CLAIM HER PRECIOUS EGGS.

THIS TIME IT’S AN EASIER PATH

(GENTLE MUSIC)

AND, BEFORE SHE KNOWS IT, SHE’S BACK IN FAMILIAR TERRITORY.

THE RIVER IS NOW A WELCOME SIGHT.

(FROG VOCALIZING)

WITH IT, A WELCOME SOUND, ROMEO HAS RESUMED CALLING.

(FROG VOCALIZING)

SHE HURRIES BACK TO WHERE SHE KNOWS HE’S WAITING.

(FROG VOCALIZING)

NOW THEY CAN PICK UP FROM WHERE THEY LEFT OFF.

(RAIN POUNDING) (THUNDER RUMBLING)

(GENTLE MUSIC)

ROMEO LEADS JULIETA THROUGH HIS TERRITORY.

AT FIRST SHE’S HESITANT.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

AT LAST SHE FOLLOWS.

THE DOWNPOUR FILLS THE GROUND WITH POOLS.

ROMEO ENCOURAGES HER TO CHOOSE ONE WET LEAF

ON WHICH TO LAY HER EGGS.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

BUT JULIETA WON’T SETTLE FOR JUST ANY OLD LEAF.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

SHE’S LOOKING FOR THE BEST,

ONE CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE POOLS

AND DAMP ENOUGH TO KEEP THE EGGS FROM DRYING OUT,

BUT SHELTERED FROM PREDATORS, RAIN AND FLOODING.

ROMEO WAITS IN THE WINGS AS JULIETA LAYS.

A PERFECT CLUTCH OF A DOZEN EGGS.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

ROMEO MOVES IN IMMEDIATELY TO FERTILIZE THEM.

JULIETA HEADS OFF BACK INTO THE FOREST.

HE WILL NEVER SEE HER AGAIN.

HER WORK IS DONE

(GENTLE MUSIC)

BUT ROMEO’S IS ONLY JUST BEGINNING.

FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS HE WILL PROTECT THIS BROOD

AS HE DOES ALL HIS OTHERS.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

HE’LL WATCH OVER HIS YOUNG AS THEY HATCH,

GROW TAILS, LEGS AND LUNGS.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

HE’LL CONTINUE TO CALL FOR NEW MATES AND NEW EGGS,

(FROG VOCALIZING)

HIS VOICE CARRYING ACROSS THE JUNGLE

TO ANY FEMALE WITHIN A HUNDRED YARDS.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

(FROG VOCALIZING)

FEMALES LIKE JULIETA,

WHO, AT SEVEN YEARS OLD HAS LAID HER LAST EGGS.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

OLD, WEAK, AND NOW DISEASED, JULIETA IS DYING.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

(RAIN POUNDING)

LIFE IN THE CHOCO HAS TAKEN ITS TOLL.

(SOMBER MUSIC)

THE FOREST RECLAIMS JULIETA’S BODY,

REPLENISHING THE ECOSYSTEM THAT NOURISHED HER IN LIFE.

BUT IN ONE POOL, SO CAREFULLY WATCHED OVER BY ROMEO,

HER LEGACY CONTINUES.

IN TWO MONTHS’ TIME,

A NEW GENERATION WILL STEP OUT OF THE WATER.

(GENTLE MUSIC) (FROG VOCALIZING)

ROMEO AND JULIETA’S BABIES WILL BRING NEW LIFE TO THE CHOCO

TINY, BEAUTIFUL, AND DEADLY.