Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:06,581 --> 00:00:08,901
This is the Amazon rainforest.
2
00:00:08,941 --> 00:00:10,901
It's breathtaking.
3
00:00:13,181 --> 00:00:18,061
So many people think of the Amazon
as this vast natural oasis -
4
00:00:18,101 --> 00:00:20,821
truly wild, unchanged forever...
5
00:00:22,861 --> 00:00:25,501
..dotted with
a few isolated tribes...
6
00:00:27,261 --> 00:00:29,861
..but it's a complete myth.
7
00:00:29,901 --> 00:00:33,101
See, a monumental mystery
is unfolding out here,
8
00:00:33,141 --> 00:00:37,261
with new evidence of vast societies
that thrived along these banks,
9
00:00:37,301 --> 00:00:40,261
and stretched
right across the continent -
10
00:00:40,301 --> 00:00:43,141
where, now, there's nothing
but dense rainforest.
11
00:00:45,541 --> 00:00:48,101
I'm Ella Al-Shamahi.
12
00:00:48,141 --> 00:00:49,981
I'm an explorer and archaeologist
13
00:00:50,021 --> 00:00:54,661
in some of the world's
most dangerous and remote regions.
14
00:00:56,541 --> 00:00:59,141
I've been travelling
through the Amazon...
15
00:00:59,181 --> 00:01:00,621
Look at that!
16
00:01:00,661 --> 00:01:02,741
This is real archaeological
discovery.
17
00:01:02,781 --> 00:01:06,221
..finding evidence
of lost civilisations...
18
00:01:06,261 --> 00:01:08,381
There's handprints!
19
00:01:08,421 --> 00:01:10,821
There's actual handprints.
20
00:01:10,861 --> 00:01:14,901
..and a population of millions...
21
00:01:14,941 --> 00:01:17,421
This isn't supposed to exist.
22
00:01:19,461 --> 00:01:22,781
..that was decimated by disease...
23
00:01:23,941 --> 00:01:25,341
..and exploitation...
24
00:01:26,661 --> 00:01:31,341
..after Europeans arrived
500 years ago.
25
00:01:32,381 --> 00:01:37,341
Now, for the last survivors
of those ancient civilisations,
26
00:01:37,381 --> 00:01:40,221
the situation is critical.
27
00:01:42,541 --> 00:01:46,901
And I'm now on a journey
to find out whether these people,
28
00:01:46,941 --> 00:01:51,581
with so much past,
have any hope of a future
29
00:01:51,621 --> 00:01:55,581
as the modern world
threatens to eradicate them
30
00:01:55,621 --> 00:01:58,381
and their way of life forever.
31
00:02:13,101 --> 00:02:19,021
I'm in Peru, on the final leg
of my Amazonian adventure...
32
00:02:20,421 --> 00:02:24,181
..and I'm about to join
a military operation.
33
00:02:35,781 --> 00:02:38,341
I'm exploring whether the ancient
34
00:02:38,381 --> 00:02:41,061
indigenous people of the Amazon
can survive...
35
00:02:41,101 --> 00:02:42,381
CHAINSAWS BUZZ
36
00:02:42,421 --> 00:02:46,061
..while logging destroys
the forest around them.
37
00:02:46,101 --> 00:02:47,701
SHE GASPS
38
00:02:47,741 --> 00:02:49,301
Oh, my gosh.
39
00:02:49,341 --> 00:02:52,141
You can see this, right?
40
00:02:52,181 --> 00:02:56,181
Where industry and agriculture
threaten land
41
00:02:56,221 --> 00:02:59,461
that's been their home
for thousands of years.
42
00:02:59,501 --> 00:03:00,621
THEY SHOUT
43
00:03:07,141 --> 00:03:12,621
And where, even in the modern cities
of the Amazon,
44
00:03:12,661 --> 00:03:16,861
their homes and their cultures
are being destroyed.
45
00:03:19,701 --> 00:03:22,661
But while logging
is one threat we all know...
46
00:03:24,621 --> 00:03:27,021
..there's another hidden killer...
47
00:03:30,061 --> 00:03:34,381
..in the very water
of the Amazon's rivers.
48
00:03:38,821 --> 00:03:44,741
I'm starting my investigation
in the East of Peru,
49
00:03:44,781 --> 00:03:47,541
and the city of Puerto Maldonado.
50
00:03:49,301 --> 00:03:51,101
It's past 2am in the morning,
51
00:03:51,141 --> 00:03:55,301
and we're about to join
the Puerto Maldonado Police Force.
52
00:03:57,221 --> 00:04:01,061
They're planning a raid
on an illegal gold mine.
53
00:04:04,461 --> 00:04:07,781
The promise of gold
was one of the main things
54
00:04:07,821 --> 00:04:12,461
that drew the first Europeans
to South America.
55
00:04:12,501 --> 00:04:16,141
And today, its lure remains
as strong as ever...
56
00:04:17,421 --> 00:04:23,021
..with catastrophic effects
on the rainforest and its people.
57
00:04:23,061 --> 00:04:24,941
Que tal? Que tal?
58
00:04:24,981 --> 00:04:28,261
Colonel Polo is in charge
of the operation.
59
00:04:41,381 --> 00:04:43,341
The Colonel's a no-nonsense guy,
60
00:04:43,381 --> 00:04:45,261
and I feel like I just
walked into something
61
00:04:45,301 --> 00:04:48,141
cos, well,
he's clearly gearing up to go,
62
00:04:48,181 --> 00:04:52,261
but also I hadn't quite appreciated
the absolute scale of the operation.
63
00:04:52,301 --> 00:04:55,101
So they have a backup helicopter,
the army's involved,
64
00:04:55,141 --> 00:04:57,221
the police are involved,
and the Navy.
65
00:05:00,221 --> 00:05:02,661
Indigenous people have been killed
66
00:05:02,701 --> 00:05:05,381
in clashes
with illegal gold miners...
67
00:05:07,621 --> 00:05:11,661
..and the mines destroy
rivers and forests.
68
00:05:11,701 --> 00:05:15,981
But there's another massive
and deadly consequence.
69
00:05:20,581 --> 00:05:27,101
Because gold is extracted
using mercury, a lethal neurotoxin
70
00:05:27,141 --> 00:05:31,421
that's poisoning thousands of miles
of Amazonian rivers
71
00:05:31,461 --> 00:05:33,621
and millions of its people.
72
00:05:51,901 --> 00:05:55,661
The plan tonight is to destroy
an illegal gold mine.
73
00:05:57,541 --> 00:06:02,221
Just one of an estimated 2,000
that are thought to exist
74
00:06:02,261 --> 00:06:04,821
in gold-rich regions of the Amazon.
75
00:06:24,301 --> 00:06:26,541
After driving through the night...
76
00:06:28,541 --> 00:06:30,701
..deep into the rainforest...
77
00:06:32,581 --> 00:06:34,581
..we head out on foot...
78
00:06:37,221 --> 00:06:39,621
..towards our remote target.
79
00:06:49,221 --> 00:06:52,381
Three hours' sweltering march...
80
00:06:54,101 --> 00:06:56,021
HE WHISTLES
81
00:06:56,061 --> 00:06:59,101
..and a signal's suddenly
passed down the line.
82
00:07:00,821 --> 00:07:02,261
Shh!
83
00:07:02,301 --> 00:07:06,101
Something or someone
has been spotted.
84
00:08:10,541 --> 00:08:12,181
GUNFIRE ERUPTS
85
00:08:19,981 --> 00:08:20,981
GUNFIRE CEASES
86
00:08:25,941 --> 00:08:29,421
Despite the police's warning shots,
the miners escape...
87
00:08:31,461 --> 00:08:34,261
..abandoning their equipment
and the mine.
88
00:08:36,781 --> 00:08:38,461
So I guess this is the campsite?
89
00:08:48,861 --> 00:08:51,621
Can you see any mercury
or anything like that?
90
00:09:05,941 --> 00:09:07,501
It looks very much like mercury.
91
00:09:07,541 --> 00:09:10,541
So they're around a lot of mercury,
it's very dangerous. Si.
92
00:09:12,341 --> 00:09:15,981
These mines cause
environmental havoc,
93
00:09:16,021 --> 00:09:19,221
but the huge cartels
that mostly operate them
94
00:09:19,261 --> 00:09:22,461
are responding
to our global demand for gold.
95
00:09:23,701 --> 00:09:27,981
And the million or so local miners
who work these places
96
00:09:28,021 --> 00:09:30,581
certainly aren't the ones
getting rich.
97
00:09:32,101 --> 00:09:34,061
They are criminals,
don't get me wrong.
98
00:09:34,101 --> 00:09:38,981
They're absolutely criminals, but
if you look at this place
99
00:09:39,021 --> 00:09:43,981
and you ask yourself, "Why would
anyone put themselves through this?"
100
00:09:44,021 --> 00:09:47,541
You start asking another question,
which is, "How desperate are they?"
101
00:09:55,301 --> 00:09:59,981
The mine works by sucking up silt
from the river-banks into barrels.
102
00:10:03,421 --> 00:10:07,221
Mixing it with mercury
extracts any gold...
103
00:10:08,621 --> 00:10:14,541
..before the left-over toxic sludge
is poured back into the river.
104
00:10:16,221 --> 00:10:19,261
It looks like a small operation
105
00:10:19,301 --> 00:10:23,301
but, together, small mines like this
across the Amazon
106
00:10:23,341 --> 00:10:28,181
produce up to 60 tonnes of gold
every year,
107
00:10:28,221 --> 00:10:33,261
releasing over 150 tonnes of mercury
in the process.
108
00:10:34,541 --> 00:10:38,021
Collectively, that makes
the Amazon's gold mines
109
00:10:38,061 --> 00:10:43,221
the biggest source of mercury
pollution in the entire world.
110
00:10:43,261 --> 00:10:46,741
It's mad, isn't it?
It's absolutely mad.
111
00:10:49,981 --> 00:10:54,101
The promise of wealth, from gold and
spices, is one of the things that
112
00:10:54,141 --> 00:10:59,981
drew the first European conquestors
to the Amazon 500 years ago.
113
00:11:01,341 --> 00:11:05,701
That lust for gold by conquestors
hundreds of years ago
114
00:11:05,741 --> 00:11:10,261
was absolutely devastating
to indigenous people.
115
00:11:10,301 --> 00:11:16,701
And so it's mad to think
that the lust for gold today
116
00:11:16,741 --> 00:11:20,141
is still absolutely devastating
to indigenous people.
117
00:11:22,381 --> 00:11:24,501
I mean, you can see
the impact of it.
118
00:11:24,541 --> 00:11:26,821
They're turning
the rainforest into desert,
119
00:11:26,861 --> 00:11:30,021
and not just that, they're adding
mercury into the food chain.
120
00:11:31,221 --> 00:11:35,621
Indigenous people, they need this
to be taken seriously,
121
00:11:35,661 --> 00:11:39,221
and so operation Mercurio
is probably their only hope.
122
00:11:42,421 --> 00:11:46,421
Even though the Colonel
didn't catch any miners,
123
00:11:46,461 --> 00:11:49,861
he's going to make sure there's
nothing for them to come back to...
124
00:11:51,501 --> 00:11:53,581
..by blowing up the mine.
125
00:12:04,141 --> 00:12:08,101
I'm embedded with a
military task force in Peru...
126
00:12:09,741 --> 00:12:13,101
..on a mission to seek out
an illegal gold mine
127
00:12:13,141 --> 00:12:16,381
that's poisoning the river,
128
00:12:16,421 --> 00:12:19,141
destroying the forest
129
00:12:19,181 --> 00:12:23,221
and threatening the lives of
indigenous communities,
130
00:12:23,261 --> 00:12:27,901
the last survivors of an ancient,
forest civilisation.
131
00:12:30,021 --> 00:12:31,581
All that's left to do...
132
00:12:31,621 --> 00:12:32,941
IN SPANISH: ten, nine...
133
00:12:32,981 --> 00:12:35,621
..is to blow the mine to pieces.
134
00:12:35,661 --> 00:12:38,261
IN SPANISH: ..five, four,
135
00:12:38,301 --> 00:12:40,181
three, two...
136
00:12:51,341 --> 00:12:52,701
THEY LAUGH
137
00:12:55,661 --> 00:13:00,061
My heart's beating,
but, um...that's good.
138
00:13:11,661 --> 00:13:13,381
With the mine destroyed,
139
00:13:13,421 --> 00:13:17,621
the local ecosystem has
some chance of recovering,
140
00:13:17,661 --> 00:13:19,061
here, at least.
141
00:13:20,741 --> 00:13:23,301
It's the Amazon. It's amazing.
Look at this!
142
00:13:24,941 --> 00:13:30,581
But the mercury does
its real damage downstream.
143
00:13:38,301 --> 00:13:41,061
The question is, do
the local communities
144
00:13:41,101 --> 00:13:44,501
who've relied on the
river for centuries
145
00:13:44,541 --> 00:13:50,381
have any idea of the danger
its waters now contain.
146
00:13:55,501 --> 00:14:01,101
About 50 miles down river
from the mine we've just destroyed,
147
00:14:01,141 --> 00:14:04,021
there's one indigenous
community called the Ese'Eja.
148
00:14:06,901 --> 00:14:09,861
Augusto. Augusto?
149
00:14:09,901 --> 00:14:12,741
Like so many indigenous Amazonians,
150
00:14:12,781 --> 00:14:17,501
Augusto Mishaja and his family
depend on the river for their food.
151
00:14:37,861 --> 00:14:40,101
The river might look fine here,
152
00:14:40,141 --> 00:14:44,541
but mercury can build
up in the food chain for decades
153
00:14:44,581 --> 00:14:46,821
without any visible signs...
154
00:14:49,461 --> 00:14:53,301
..and that includes the fish
Augusto depends on for food.
155
00:14:55,341 --> 00:14:59,301
Using knowledge passed
down for generations...
156
00:15:00,581 --> 00:15:06,221
..Augusto fishes at night, when the
fish swim close to the river banks.
157
00:15:22,981 --> 00:15:25,301
I think there's stuff
splashing around down there.
158
00:15:25,341 --> 00:15:28,581
There's definitely stuff
splashing around down there.
159
00:15:28,621 --> 00:15:31,661
It's a long wait before suddenly...
160
00:15:31,701 --> 00:15:33,341
There we go!
161
00:15:33,381 --> 00:15:35,261
That's a snappity snappity.
162
00:15:35,301 --> 00:15:38,181
..but it's not a fish.
163
00:15:40,261 --> 00:15:43,541
Augusto, this caiman's probably
got all your fish in its stomach.
164
00:15:52,941 --> 00:15:54,421
All right, mate, swim away.
165
00:15:54,461 --> 00:15:55,461
Sorry.
166
00:15:57,341 --> 00:16:02,621
But is Augusto aware that the
river could be contaminated?
167
00:16:02,661 --> 00:16:04,741
Are you trying to do
something different
168
00:16:04,781 --> 00:16:06,381
because of the mercury problem?
169
00:16:18,821 --> 00:16:21,861
So do you know which fish have
more mercury in them than others?
170
00:16:39,461 --> 00:16:41,301
And so, do you still eat catfish?
171
00:16:49,421 --> 00:16:54,141
Building up over years,
mercury can cause brain damage,
172
00:16:54,181 --> 00:16:56,141
paralysis and ultimately death...
173
00:16:57,941 --> 00:17:00,661
..unnoticed until it's too late.
174
00:17:04,581 --> 00:17:09,141
As for Augusto, I'm surprised
he's not better informed,
175
00:17:10,581 --> 00:17:14,581
because it turns out he once
worked in the mines himself.
176
00:17:44,181 --> 00:17:47,101
Life out here is not easy,
177
00:17:47,141 --> 00:17:51,941
and I can completely understand the
temptation of working in the mines.
178
00:17:53,541 --> 00:17:55,141
But at what cost?
179
00:17:57,781 --> 00:17:59,381
Do you know what?
180
00:17:59,421 --> 00:18:03,261
I'm getting a real education in the
real world, out here, I think.
181
00:18:03,301 --> 00:18:07,501
You kind of come out here and have
these really simplistic ideas
182
00:18:07,541 --> 00:18:14,101
about good and bad and
the solutions for things.
183
00:18:14,141 --> 00:18:17,941
And it's really complicated
184
00:18:17,981 --> 00:18:23,301
when you see the same individual
struggling with all of those issues.
185
00:18:23,341 --> 00:18:24,621
And at the end of the day,
186
00:18:24,661 --> 00:18:27,741
he's got to put food on
the table and feed his kids.
187
00:18:47,381 --> 00:18:50,141
Scientific studies in this region
188
00:18:50,181 --> 00:18:54,141
are revealing that mercury
poisoning is already having
189
00:18:54,181 --> 00:18:57,061
a terrifying effect.
190
00:19:03,301 --> 00:19:06,061
Experts estimate
that across the Amazon,
191
00:19:06,101 --> 00:19:11,021
1.5 million people are
affected by mercury poisoning.
192
00:19:12,301 --> 00:19:16,701
And it's the indigenous people,
who rely on the rivers,
193
00:19:16,741 --> 00:19:19,901
who are suffering the most.
194
00:19:19,941 --> 00:19:23,421
Augusto's got a really
lovely family.
195
00:19:23,461 --> 00:19:24,861
And obviously, you know,
196
00:19:24,901 --> 00:19:29,261
they are quite materially
poor, I guess, is the word.
197
00:19:31,301 --> 00:19:35,661
And depressingly, he did
say that every other day,
198
00:19:35,701 --> 00:19:40,221
him and those adorable
kids are eating fish,
199
00:19:40,261 --> 00:19:42,661
some of which we know is not safe.
200
00:19:54,181 --> 00:19:57,101
Indigenous people throughout
the Amazon
201
00:19:57,141 --> 00:20:01,901
have always depended on its
great rivers for fresh water,
202
00:20:01,941 --> 00:20:04,181
fish, and transport.
203
00:20:05,581 --> 00:20:08,821
It's no surprise that it
was along these banks
204
00:20:08,861 --> 00:20:13,621
that some of the earliest accounts
of great Amazonian civilisations...
205
00:20:15,221 --> 00:20:20,301
..described mile upon mile
of indigenous urban settlements.
206
00:20:22,541 --> 00:20:27,781
But if it wasn't tragic enough that
their rivers are being poisoned...
207
00:20:28,941 --> 00:20:34,821
..now the forests that have
been their refuge for generations
208
00:20:34,861 --> 00:20:39,261
are being destroyed
at a terrifying rate.
209
00:20:40,981 --> 00:20:44,421
Logging and farming
drive economic growth
210
00:20:44,461 --> 00:20:46,501
and trigger rampant development...
211
00:20:52,181 --> 00:20:54,541
..bringing roads and infrastructure
212
00:20:54,581 --> 00:20:57,701
that can be devastating
to indigenous people.
213
00:21:02,661 --> 00:21:05,061
For traditional
riverside communities,
214
00:21:05,101 --> 00:21:09,141
one of the most devastating
threats is flooding
215
00:21:09,181 --> 00:21:12,341
caused by new hydroelectric dams.
216
00:21:15,621 --> 00:21:18,741
But many communities
are fighting back.
217
00:21:26,101 --> 00:21:29,741
Almost 200 miles south
of the Amazon, in Brazil,
218
00:21:31,421 --> 00:21:37,221
the banks of the Tapajos River
are home to the Munduruku people.
219
00:21:51,421 --> 00:21:54,541
Today, like so many
indigenous groups,
220
00:21:54,581 --> 00:21:58,301
the Munduruku are battling
for their very survival.
221
00:22:00,741 --> 00:22:04,381
Territory they claim to have
lived in for generations
222
00:22:04,421 --> 00:22:07,141
has been earmarked by
the government
223
00:22:07,181 --> 00:22:12,261
as a prime site for a new
hydro-electric power plant.
224
00:22:12,301 --> 00:22:15,821
Its dam will flood
much of their land,
225
00:22:15,861 --> 00:22:19,741
obliterating this
ancient community forever.
226
00:22:33,101 --> 00:22:38,221
Chief Juarez Munduruku knows
that their homes, their history,
227
00:22:38,261 --> 00:22:43,301
and their ancestral lands are
all under threat of annihilation.
228
00:22:58,661 --> 00:23:02,941
The Munduruku's best chance of
stalling the government's plans
229
00:23:02,981 --> 00:23:08,621
is to demonstrate that the land
they claim is rightfully theirs.
230
00:23:11,581 --> 00:23:14,941
The problem is that
Munduruku territory,
231
00:23:14,981 --> 00:23:19,621
like much indigenous land,
isn't written down in deeds.
232
00:23:19,661 --> 00:23:25,621
Its boundaries have been passed down
through centuries of oral tradition.
233
00:23:28,341 --> 00:23:33,661
But now, for the first-time, they
are staking out their territory.
234
00:23:52,101 --> 00:23:55,101
All along a 1,000 mile border
235
00:23:55,141 --> 00:23:59,381
new signs proclaim this
to be Munduruku land.
236
00:24:26,141 --> 00:24:28,741
With a permanent, physical boundary,
237
00:24:28,781 --> 00:24:33,421
the Munduruku hope to
fend off the dam forever.
238
00:24:33,461 --> 00:24:38,741
Only time will tell whether all
their efforts have any impact.
239
00:24:42,101 --> 00:24:44,701
In a place as big as the Amazon,
240
00:24:44,741 --> 00:24:48,741
it can be tough to
defend huge territories,
241
00:24:48,781 --> 00:24:53,341
even more challenging to protect
vast reserves of forest
242
00:24:53,381 --> 00:24:57,581
the size of entire countries.
243
00:24:57,621 --> 00:25:00,901
But back in Peru,
one Amazonian community
244
00:25:00,941 --> 00:25:03,781
is turning to cutting
edge technology
245
00:25:03,821 --> 00:25:07,101
to help protect their ancient
forest.
246
00:25:07,141 --> 00:25:08,781
SAW WHIRS
247
00:25:17,221 --> 00:25:22,621
On my Amazonian mission so far,
248
00:25:22,661 --> 00:25:26,141
I've blown-up a gold mine that was
poisoning rivers,
249
00:25:26,181 --> 00:25:28,101
and seen how local communities...
250
00:25:28,141 --> 00:25:29,501
THEY CHEER
251
00:25:29,541 --> 00:25:34,501
..are fighting to protect
ancestral lands.
252
00:25:34,541 --> 00:25:41,501
But the most visible impact on
indigenous communities is
253
00:25:41,541 --> 00:25:46,061
the destruction of the forest
itself.
254
00:25:46,101 --> 00:25:50,621
I mean, this is all really, really
fresh.
255
00:25:50,661 --> 00:25:53,381
It feels like turning up to a crime
scene.
256
00:25:53,421 --> 00:25:59,941
And we are at the heart of the
problem driving
257
00:25:59,981 --> 00:26:05,021
the demand for resources and
products that cause deforestation.
258
00:26:10,221 --> 00:26:12,661
Experts are warning that
259
00:26:12,701 --> 00:26:16,501
if this scale of deforestation
continues, you are looking
260
00:26:16,541 --> 00:26:19,981
at the Amazon being wiped out in 100
years.
261
00:26:20,021 --> 00:26:22,101
It's completely insane.
262
00:26:29,661 --> 00:26:36,261
But here in Peru, one community is
embracing the latest technology
263
00:26:36,301 --> 00:26:42,181
in the battle to protect the ancient
forest they depend on.
264
00:26:42,221 --> 00:26:43,861
It's always interesting
265
00:26:43,901 --> 00:26:46,861
and, actually, really exciting to
see how indigenous communities
266
00:26:46,901 --> 00:26:50,061
fight back. And the Infierno are not
taking it lying down,
267
00:26:50,101 --> 00:26:54,061
because they are using the most
innovative, cutting-edge audio
268
00:26:54,101 --> 00:26:56,981
technology I've ever heard of and
it seems to be helping.
269
00:27:01,021 --> 00:27:03,061
Ruhiler? Yes. Ella.
270
00:27:03,101 --> 00:27:05,741
Hola, Ella. Hi, guys!
271
00:27:06,861 --> 00:27:08,461
CHILDREN CHATTER
272
00:27:11,781 --> 00:27:16,741
Ruhiler Mishaja is the leader of
Peru's Infierno community.
273
00:27:18,741 --> 00:27:21,861
They live in a protected
forest reserve,
274
00:27:21,901 --> 00:27:28,981
but it's under constant threat from
illegal loggers
275
00:27:29,021 --> 00:27:31,781
who'll turn to violence and even
murder
276
00:27:31,821 --> 00:27:33,741
if anyone tries to stop them.
277
00:27:35,261 --> 00:27:40,781
Even so, the Infierno are taking
them on using technology.
278
00:27:46,461 --> 00:27:50,421
Ruhiler shows me how he can
tap into a network of microphones
279
00:27:50,461 --> 00:27:53,341
hidden in the rainforest.
280
00:27:55,581 --> 00:27:57,581
All right, so this is an app on your
phone? Yeah.
281
00:27:57,621 --> 00:28:00,621
So, all this is the different
microphones
282
00:28:00,661 --> 00:28:04,021
and different position of sites of
our concessions.
283
00:28:06,061 --> 00:28:11,181
Among the usual sounds of the jungle
are those that Ruhiler dreads,
284
00:28:11,221 --> 00:28:14,661
and each one triggers
an alert to his phone.
285
00:28:16,061 --> 00:28:17,101
Can I hear them?
286
00:28:17,141 --> 00:28:19,861
Yeah, each of these sounds is a
chainsaw.
287
00:28:21,941 --> 00:28:23,421
This is a chainsaw sound.
288
00:28:23,461 --> 00:28:24,461
CHAINSAW BUZZES
289
00:28:24,501 --> 00:28:27,741
This is from 19 September.
290
00:28:27,781 --> 00:28:32,701
And so, if there are illegal loggers
on your territory, what happens?
291
00:28:32,741 --> 00:28:35,501
First, we have to
organise in the community
292
00:28:35,541 --> 00:28:37,981
and then people go to see
what happened.
293
00:28:38,021 --> 00:28:43,581
And the official police, they have
to go in that place to catch the
294
00:28:43,621 --> 00:28:46,301
people.
295
00:28:46,341 --> 00:28:52,381
It's an incredible system operated
by the Infierno, using donated kit
296
00:28:52,421 --> 00:28:56,621
and the expertise of audio engineers
from the US.
297
00:28:58,461 --> 00:29:01,981
Topher White is one of them,
and an old friend of mine.
298
00:29:03,941 --> 00:29:08,301
He's figured out how to recycle old
mobile phones, converting them
299
00:29:08,341 --> 00:29:13,021
into secret weapons to save
the forest.
300
00:29:17,341 --> 00:29:18,781
Hi, guys.
301
00:29:18,821 --> 00:29:21,021
How are you? Welcome to the jungle.
302
00:29:21,061 --> 00:29:23,261
I want to find out how it all works,
303
00:29:23,301 --> 00:29:27,541
so I've come to help Topher with his
latest installation.
304
00:29:27,581 --> 00:29:31,301
So, basically, you've hacked old
mobile phones... Yeah. ..so that
305
00:29:31,341 --> 00:29:34,061
they will, in real time, pick up the
sound of illegal logging.
306
00:29:34,101 --> 00:29:36,461
Yeah, well, think about it, I
mean, like, an old smartphone,
307
00:29:36,501 --> 00:29:39,501
people throw them away, but they are
awesome little computers, they work.
308
00:29:39,541 --> 00:29:42,501
We put them in these boxes with
solar panels and microphones
309
00:29:42,541 --> 00:29:45,261
and we put them up in the trees. You
get cellphone service up in the
310
00:29:45,301 --> 00:29:48,141
trees here, you can't get them at
all on the ground, but up in the
311
00:29:48,181 --> 00:29:51,141
trees you can get it from pretty far
away. They listen to all the sounds
312
00:29:51,181 --> 00:29:53,781
of the forest and they stream that
up into the cloud, then we use
313
00:29:53,821 --> 00:29:56,861
artificial intelligence to pick out
things that matter like chainsaws,
314
00:29:56,901 --> 00:29:59,661
and things like that, and then we
send alerts to the Infierno tribe
315
00:29:59,701 --> 00:30:02,501
and other people, so they can
actually show up and stop things on
316
00:30:02,541 --> 00:30:05,061
the spot, which the tribe actually
has done before.
317
00:30:05,101 --> 00:30:07,701
It's so high up, it's actually...
318
00:30:10,181 --> 00:30:15,421
I've climbed big trees before,
but nothing like this one.
319
00:30:15,461 --> 00:30:17,101
All right, let's do this.
320
00:30:17,141 --> 00:30:20,621
Climbing a 60 metre-high tree
321
00:30:20,661 --> 00:30:27,381
is going to give me the best view
I'll ever get of the glorious
322
00:30:27,421 --> 00:30:29,421
Amazon rainforest.
323
00:30:31,261 --> 00:30:32,461
Let's go, let's go.
324
00:30:35,501 --> 00:30:36,941
Phew!
325
00:30:36,981 --> 00:30:39,301
It's more tiring than it looks.
326
00:30:45,501 --> 00:30:48,501
Thanks for doing this. Are you
kidding me? Thank you for having me.
327
00:30:48,541 --> 00:30:50,021
You're going to like this tree too.
328
00:30:50,061 --> 00:30:51,781
It's beautiful up there.
329
00:30:54,781 --> 00:30:56,061
You're getting close.
330
00:30:56,101 --> 00:30:58,461
Oh, this is incredible!
331
00:30:58,501 --> 00:30:59,861
You like it?
332
00:30:59,901 --> 00:31:01,101
It's insane!
333
00:31:01,141 --> 00:31:03,301
Yeah, it's the forest.
334
00:31:03,341 --> 00:31:04,901
You can hear everything.
335
00:31:08,301 --> 00:31:09,701
There you go.
336
00:31:09,741 --> 00:31:10,741
SHE YELPS
337
00:31:12,941 --> 00:31:14,781
Here we are.
338
00:31:14,821 --> 00:31:18,221
Once in a while you meet some good
friends.
339
00:31:18,261 --> 00:31:20,101
Oh, my God, look at that view!
340
00:31:28,461 --> 00:31:33,221
Up here, you can basically see the
rainforest.
341
00:31:33,261 --> 00:31:36,861
It's a totally different environment
up here, you know.
342
00:31:36,901 --> 00:31:39,981
It is, it is completely different
from the view at the bottom.
343
00:31:41,461 --> 00:31:45,061
Stunning as it is up here, we've got
a job to do.
344
00:31:46,781 --> 00:31:49,181
Who's phone is that?
That's mine.
345
00:31:49,221 --> 00:31:50,461
How have you got a signal?
346
00:31:50,501 --> 00:31:52,781
That's what I'm saying, we've topped
the tree.
347
00:31:52,821 --> 00:31:55,061
And in a matter of moments...
348
00:31:55,101 --> 00:31:56,421
How do I help you right now?
349
00:31:56,461 --> 00:31:58,341
Put that microphone on there.
350
00:31:58,381 --> 00:32:02,581
..the whole rig is in place
351
00:32:02,621 --> 00:32:05,261
and already transmitting its signal.
352
00:32:06,861 --> 00:32:09,221
It's hard work, what they do.
They're streaming
353
00:32:09,261 --> 00:32:12,341
and they're listening all the time,
and they keep going for years.
354
00:32:12,381 --> 00:32:14,701
This is the most incredible thing.
355
00:32:18,261 --> 00:32:23,621
The growing network of detectors
monitor over 100 square
356
00:32:23,661 --> 00:32:28,021
miles of logging hot spots in Peru
and Brazil.
357
00:32:28,061 --> 00:32:31,701
It's a small start against a
ruthless enemy, but at least
358
00:32:31,741 --> 00:32:37,261
it gives indigenous people some hope
and a new weapon in the battle
359
00:32:37,301 --> 00:32:42,741
to protect one of the planet's most
extraordinary environments.
360
00:32:42,781 --> 00:32:49,101
I thought I was going up a tree
to see this incredible technology,
361
00:32:49,141 --> 00:32:52,901
but instead, I got up the tree and I
362
00:32:52,941 --> 00:32:57,941
saw a view of the rainforest which
makes me just want to cry.
363
00:32:57,981 --> 00:33:02,141
It was, it was...
364
00:33:02,181 --> 00:33:03,821
I can't put into words.
365
00:33:03,861 --> 00:33:06,341
It was so beautiful.
366
00:33:06,381 --> 00:33:09,701
I've seen the rainforest so much
from on the ground
367
00:33:09,741 --> 00:33:14,181
and from really, really way up high,
but I've never seen
368
00:33:14,221 --> 00:33:17,301
it from the actual canopy itself,
and it was just this moment
369
00:33:17,341 --> 00:33:22,181
where I was like, "Wow, this is what
they're trying to protect."
370
00:33:22,221 --> 00:33:23,741
This is all their land.
371
00:33:23,781 --> 00:33:26,621
We've sailed through it and it's
extensive
372
00:33:26,661 --> 00:33:30,221
and it's absolutely beautiful,
and wouldn't it just be
373
00:33:30,261 --> 00:33:34,781
completely devastating if you look
to your right and you look to your
374
00:33:34,821 --> 00:33:41,781
left and the Infierno community's
land turns into savannah?
375
00:33:41,821 --> 00:33:43,821
It kind of cuts you up,
376
00:33:43,861 --> 00:33:48,341
cos you see exactly what you're
trying to protect.
377
00:33:54,861 --> 00:34:00,221
For many indigenous groups,
exploitation of the rainforest is
378
00:34:00,261 --> 00:34:02,421
like a closing net.
379
00:34:05,741 --> 00:34:09,221
Their rivers poisoned,
380
00:34:09,261 --> 00:34:12,061
their forests burnt down
381
00:34:12,101 --> 00:34:14,821
and their homes flooded.
382
00:34:14,861 --> 00:34:17,461
It's overwhelming.
383
00:34:21,261 --> 00:34:23,301
But for many, there's another
384
00:34:23,341 --> 00:34:28,621
increasingly compelling option for a
very different future...
385
00:34:30,461 --> 00:34:32,341
..in the city.
386
00:34:32,381 --> 00:34:34,061
Let's go.
387
00:34:38,461 --> 00:34:40,741
And that's where I'm heading next.
388
00:34:50,581 --> 00:34:53,541
I'm entering the biggest
city in the Amazon...
389
00:34:55,061 --> 00:34:57,061
..Manaus.
390
00:34:57,101 --> 00:34:59,661
Right in the middle of the
rain forest,
391
00:34:59,701 --> 00:35:02,021
it's risen from nothing
392
00:35:02,061 --> 00:35:08,581
to become a huge city with a
population of two million people.
393
00:35:11,021 --> 00:35:12,861
Almost everything legal...
394
00:35:15,061 --> 00:35:20,141
..and illegal that leaves
the Amazon comes through Manaus
395
00:35:20,181 --> 00:35:26,261
including indigenous people driven
from their traditional lands,
396
00:35:26,301 --> 00:35:29,621
desperate to try and make a new
life in one of the city's many
397
00:35:29,661 --> 00:35:32,741
shanty towns, the Amazon's favelas.
398
00:35:37,501 --> 00:35:41,581
So we're on our way to a
favela called Monte Horebe
399
00:35:41,621 --> 00:35:45,981
and this just happens to be
one of the more dangerous favela,
400
00:35:46,021 --> 00:35:48,621
a favela is a
bit like a shanty town.
401
00:35:48,661 --> 00:35:51,341
I want to find out if traditional,
402
00:35:51,381 --> 00:35:56,341
indigenous cultures can
survive in the heart of the city.
403
00:35:56,381 --> 00:35:59,421
We're on our way there to actually
meet an indigenous leader
404
00:35:59,461 --> 00:36:01,821
within that community.
405
00:36:01,861 --> 00:36:04,421
But we are we're definitely
a little bit on edge
406
00:36:04,461 --> 00:36:08,381
cos we're not too far out
now from where the cartel live.
407
00:36:08,421 --> 00:36:11,021
And there's a motorbike coming.
408
00:36:11,061 --> 00:36:12,461
Which one? This one?
409
00:36:12,501 --> 00:36:14,221
Yeah, they are the people.
410
00:36:14,261 --> 00:36:17,181
They are the people that are
going to help us get in. OK?
411
00:36:17,221 --> 00:36:20,221
On a sunny morning,
it all looks pretty normal.
412
00:36:20,261 --> 00:36:22,661
But the favela is a lawless place.
413
00:36:24,261 --> 00:36:25,701
Drug cartels call the shots.
414
00:36:27,381 --> 00:36:29,901
And outsiders have to be careful.
415
00:36:31,621 --> 00:36:33,061
Without my guide Flavio,
416
00:36:33,101 --> 00:36:37,541
and some delicate negotiating to get
in, I wouldn't stand a chance here.
417
00:36:42,741 --> 00:36:44,661
SPEAKS IN PORTUGEUSE
418
00:36:44,701 --> 00:36:46,781
He's saying you
have to keep your windows down.
419
00:36:51,341 --> 00:36:55,261
Keep the windows down, because
this is the signal for us
420
00:36:55,301 --> 00:36:56,861
to be able to be allowed to get in.
421
00:36:56,901 --> 00:36:58,821
All right.
422
00:37:00,381 --> 00:37:01,701
Are we doing this?
423
00:37:03,861 --> 00:37:05,421
Very good, let's go.
424
00:37:07,461 --> 00:37:10,101
We have a rendezvous with
a community leader here.
425
00:37:11,941 --> 00:37:16,341
We're assured that in daylight,
if we stick with her, we're good.
426
00:37:17,941 --> 00:37:19,181
All right, so we're here.
427
00:37:21,061 --> 00:37:22,461
Everything seems fine.
428
00:37:22,501 --> 00:37:23,821
Which is good.
429
00:37:25,901 --> 00:37:28,381
So Bia is the leader of the
indigenous people within
430
00:37:28,421 --> 00:37:30,541
this particular favela.
431
00:37:30,581 --> 00:37:32,541
And she's quite strong,
she's quite powerful.
432
00:37:32,581 --> 00:37:34,941
Yeah, Ella, Ella. Hi.
433
00:37:34,981 --> 00:37:36,181
Can we come in?
434
00:37:36,221 --> 00:37:37,861
BIA SPEAKS IN PORTUGEUSE
435
00:37:37,901 --> 00:37:41,261
We're causing quite a bit
of commotion, there's quite a
few of us, there's cameras.
436
00:37:41,301 --> 00:37:43,181
We should get in
as quickly as possible.
437
00:37:43,221 --> 00:37:45,021
You may film.
438
00:37:50,141 --> 00:37:54,941
With our minders on guard
outside, I can finally relax
439
00:37:54,981 --> 00:37:59,301
and find out more about indigenous
life away from the forest.
440
00:38:00,541 --> 00:38:03,141
I'm just kind of really curious
to know a bit more about you.
441
00:38:03,181 --> 00:38:06,461
Which of the different
indigenous groups are you from?
442
00:38:13,861 --> 00:38:16,021
Was it just you,
or was it the whole family,
443
00:38:16,061 --> 00:38:17,781
and what caused the family to move?
444
00:38:36,901 --> 00:38:40,861
Like many who move to the city,
Bia came with very little.
445
00:38:40,901 --> 00:38:46,261
But one prized possession speaks
volumes about the connections
446
00:38:46,301 --> 00:38:48,861
people here feel
for their ancestral roots.
447
00:38:53,061 --> 00:38:54,661
Ah, let's see this.
448
00:38:57,341 --> 00:38:59,261
Is this yours? It is.
449
00:38:59,301 --> 00:39:02,181
Is it OK for women to wear
the headdress in the Kokama?
450
00:39:10,261 --> 00:39:11,701
I like that.
451
00:39:11,741 --> 00:39:13,341
Some, gender equality.
452
00:39:13,381 --> 00:39:15,981
LAUGHS: Whether you're
from London or Manaus,
453
00:39:16,021 --> 00:39:17,901
that's going to
go down well with me.
454
00:39:19,381 --> 00:39:20,581
Ah!
455
00:39:22,821 --> 00:39:24,901
That's quite incredible.
456
00:39:33,181 --> 00:39:38,461
I feel you are standing even taller,
and prouder, just being in it.
457
00:39:38,501 --> 00:39:41,901
Like, I'm wanting to stand taller
and prouder just being next to you.
458
00:40:00,821 --> 00:40:05,701
She may be surrounded by criminal
gangs, but in her headdress,
459
00:40:05,741 --> 00:40:08,261
Bia is a proud chief.
460
00:40:08,301 --> 00:40:12,061
SHE GREETS PEOPLE
461
00:40:12,101 --> 00:40:16,581
And she's earned the respect of her
community by fighting for their
462
00:40:16,621 --> 00:40:22,341
rights and their traditions as
they build new lives here in Manaus.
463
00:40:36,501 --> 00:40:38,941
They're indigenous from Ticuna.
Ticuna? Yes.
464
00:41:10,421 --> 00:41:12,461
Is anyone still in the village?
465
00:41:32,941 --> 00:41:35,141
I guess, do you think life is
better here now?
466
00:41:52,181 --> 00:41:56,421
And what are your hopes
for the future, for yourselves
467
00:41:56,461 --> 00:41:59,181
and your, well, very,
very cute kids?
468
00:42:10,301 --> 00:42:11,421
Professor?
469
00:42:14,261 --> 00:42:16,021
It's been really great meeting Bia
470
00:42:16,061 --> 00:42:18,461
and some of the other indigenous
people in this community,
471
00:42:18,501 --> 00:42:22,061
in this favela, and it's actually
been quite enlightening, because
472
00:42:22,101 --> 00:42:26,341
the reasons for living in cities
and towns seem quite complex.
473
00:42:26,381 --> 00:42:29,501
Some indigenous people
are clearly fleeing,
474
00:42:29,541 --> 00:42:31,741
and they are being pushed
out their homes.
475
00:42:31,781 --> 00:42:35,141
But others actually want to
be in towns and cities.
476
00:42:35,181 --> 00:42:37,941
They're looking for a different
and better way of life.
477
00:42:39,421 --> 00:42:42,501
But in the end, it all essentially
adds up to the same thing,
478
00:42:42,541 --> 00:42:45,461
which is that traditional
way of life, that traditional
479
00:42:45,501 --> 00:42:49,541
indigenous way of life,
in the rainforest, that's dying out.
480
00:42:56,701 --> 00:43:01,461
But it seems that escaping to the
city to seek a better life
481
00:43:01,501 --> 00:43:04,021
is no guarantee of safety.
482
00:43:08,381 --> 00:43:10,301
Just a few weeks after filming...
483
00:43:13,261 --> 00:43:15,941
..Bia sent a video she'd taken.
484
00:43:21,021 --> 00:43:24,581
She and Irineu and the whole
community they've built up
485
00:43:24,621 --> 00:43:26,941
were evicted from the favela.
486
00:43:29,861 --> 00:43:31,701
And with little warning...
487
00:43:35,501 --> 00:43:38,381
..all they had built over years
488
00:43:38,421 --> 00:43:43,061
was bull-dozed to the ground
in just a couple of days.
489
00:43:50,221 --> 00:43:54,141
After all I've seen,
I'm just appalled.
490
00:43:55,581 --> 00:44:00,541
This persecution goes way beyond
the destruction of history
491
00:44:00,581 --> 00:44:01,901
and ancient cultures.
492
00:44:03,581 --> 00:44:07,141
All these people wanted
was to build homes
493
00:44:07,181 --> 00:44:12,381
and dream of a future for their
kids as doctors and teachers.
494
00:44:15,981 --> 00:44:18,381
Their rivers are being been
poisoned,
495
00:44:18,421 --> 00:44:20,581
their forests burned down,
496
00:44:20,621 --> 00:44:22,501
their land taken away.
497
00:44:25,061 --> 00:44:29,181
And finally, after they abandon
their traditional lives
498
00:44:29,221 --> 00:44:31,261
and move to the city,
499
00:44:31,301 --> 00:44:34,501
not only are their homes being
destroyed,
500
00:44:34,541 --> 00:44:36,181
but their dreams.
501
00:44:39,221 --> 00:44:41,621
It's hard to know what to say.
502
00:44:41,661 --> 00:44:45,661
So many tragedies are still
unfolding in the Amazon.
503
00:44:47,181 --> 00:44:49,981
Not just the destruction
of the forest,
504
00:44:50,021 --> 00:44:53,261
or the loss of
so much ancient history...
505
00:44:54,821 --> 00:44:57,741
..t's the people, the families
506
00:44:57,781 --> 00:44:59,461
and the next generation.
507
00:45:05,021 --> 00:45:09,301
This journey through the Amazon has
just been so eye-opening for me.
508
00:45:11,101 --> 00:45:15,261
It's been emotional, it's been
stunning and it's been really,
509
00:45:15,301 --> 00:45:16,421
really complicated.
510
00:45:23,701 --> 00:45:26,701
I had not comprehended,
and I don't think
511
00:45:26,741 --> 00:45:31,701
most of the world comprehends how
much we have misunderstood about
512
00:45:31,741 --> 00:45:34,141
the Amazon, about Amazonian
archaeology
513
00:45:34,181 --> 00:45:36,541
and about indigenous people.
514
00:45:36,581 --> 00:45:41,661
And this re-telling of the history
of the Amazon is ground-breaking.
515
00:45:43,741 --> 00:45:45,541
My only hope is
516
00:45:45,581 --> 00:45:51,061
now we're discovering the truth
about their epic ancient history,
517
00:45:51,101 --> 00:45:55,581
we might finally understand
how much is at stake
518
00:45:55,621 --> 00:45:59,661
and make sure what's happening
today doesn't become
519
00:45:59,701 --> 00:46:05,981
the final chapter in the story of
the great Amazonian civilisations.
520
00:46:50,101 --> 00:46:53,101
Subtitles by Red Bee Media
40368
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.