0:00:02 > 0:00:04Welcome to my Nightmares of Nature.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06DOGS HOWL
0:00:06 > 0:00:09I'm Naomi Wilkinson...
0:00:09 > 0:00:10Whoo-hoo!
0:00:10 > 0:00:14..and I'm coming face to face with the nightmares of the animal world.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19The ones that make your spine tingle...
0:00:21 > 0:00:23..your heart beat faster...
0:00:25 > 0:00:27..and your blood run cold.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31Are they truly terrifying?
0:00:31 > 0:00:34Or is there a twist in the tale?
0:00:35 > 0:00:37Come with me as I shine a light
0:00:37 > 0:00:39on wildlife's deepest, darkest secrets...
0:00:42 > 0:00:45..and see if you can guess which will be my worst nightmare.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50We love visiting the wildest corners of the world in this
0:00:50 > 0:00:53series and they don't come much wilder that this.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58This time, I'm on a jungle adventure in the spectacular
0:00:58 > 0:01:00rainforests of Thailand.
0:01:02 > 0:01:066,000 miles from the UK, Thailand is a tropical paradise,
0:01:06 > 0:01:11blessed with beautiful beaches and fantastically rich rainforests.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17But have I come here to immerse myself in all things beautiful?
0:01:17 > 0:01:18No! Of course, I haven't.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22As ever, I've got to come face to face with some seriously scary
0:01:22 > 0:01:25nightmares of nature that are sure to make me jump...
0:01:25 > 0:01:27Getting too scary now.
0:01:27 > 0:01:28..shiver...
0:01:28 > 0:01:29Oh.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31..and scream. Ahhhh!
0:01:35 > 0:01:38In this episode, I'll come face to face with a seriously
0:01:38 > 0:01:41super-sized serpent.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43This snake is enormous.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46I'll also experience the creepily claustrophobic
0:01:46 > 0:01:48life of a female hornbill.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52It's so hot in here.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55And I'll have a close encounter with a rainforest giant.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57You are incredible.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04But first of all, time to get into the swing of things.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08It's dawn, in Khao Yai National Park,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11one of the richest remnants of rainforest in Thailand.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14I'm heading out with biologist, Chanpen.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22We're on the hunt for the king of the jungle swingers.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28And it wasn't long before we heard their characteristic calls
0:02:28 > 0:02:29ringing out over the forest.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33- This way. - Yeah, we have to go this way.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37All we had to do now, was follow them.
0:02:37 > 0:02:38MUSIC PLAYS
0:02:43 > 0:02:46ANIMAL CRIES OUT
0:02:46 > 0:02:50Those calls are so loud now. We must be really close.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54Finally, we were.
0:02:54 > 0:03:00It's here. It's here. It's here. I can see it.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04I can see it. There is no mistaking that animal.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08That is the king of the swingers, the gibbon.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11They just look like soft cuddly toys up in the tree.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14What could be a nightmare about these gorgeous animals?
0:03:19 > 0:03:21These are all one species?
0:03:21 > 0:03:22Yeah, only one species.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24What species is that?
0:03:24 > 0:03:25White-handed gibbon.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29'White-handed gibbons come in all sorts of colours.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32'And in this particular family, the baby has a black coat,
0:03:32 > 0:03:34'like it's mum above,
0:03:34 > 0:03:36'but its dad is dressed in white.'
0:03:37 > 0:03:42They are so high up. They look so comfortable, don't they?
0:03:42 > 0:03:45Just relaxed on a very thin little branch.
0:03:45 > 0:03:46Just having a scratch.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49'They've certainly got the right kit to hang on with.'
0:03:49 > 0:03:52They are just all arms, aren't they?
0:03:54 > 0:03:56Such long arms. They're ridiculous.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01'Now the sun's up, the gibbons are starting to become a lot more active.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05'But getting about up here requires some special skills.'
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- Look at it swinging. He's swinging.- Yeah.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10The little baby just did a swing. Ah.
0:04:10 > 0:04:11They look at us.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16Like a gymnast. That was amazing.
0:04:16 > 0:04:17Doing the parallel bars.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25'Gibbons are THE ground-defying gymnasts of the rainforest.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28'Their long arms give them all the swing they need.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32'Their wrists work like our shoulders, containing a ball
0:04:32 > 0:04:35'and socket joint that can pivot at almost any angle,
0:04:35 > 0:04:39'enabling them to twist and turn with astonishing speed.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42'In fact, they can swing at speeds faster than we can run,
0:04:42 > 0:04:44'over 30mph.'
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Whoa, check them out. They're swinging.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52Cor. That makes me worried for them, watching them down here.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55They are taking some serious risks. So how do they do that?
0:04:55 > 0:04:58They have to do a lot of practice when they're young,
0:04:58 > 0:05:00like, after two years old.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04I mean, it looks terrifying.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08Every time they leap, you think they could miss the branch.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Maybe exhilarating, but rather them than me.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17"It don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing, Naomi.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19"You've got to live life like a gibbon
0:05:19 > 0:05:23"and take to the canopy for an aerial challenge of the ape kind."
0:05:23 > 0:05:26Well, monkey bars on the ground might be all right,
0:05:26 > 0:05:28but 15 metres up?
0:05:28 > 0:05:30That's a whole different ball game.
0:05:30 > 0:05:31Ooh!
0:05:34 > 0:05:37'For this challenge, I'd need all the help I could get.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41'Just getting me into the tree safely required all sorts of
0:05:41 > 0:05:43'kit and caboodle.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47'But the one thing the team couldn't supply was courage.'
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Good grief, this is high.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53'That was down to me.'
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Oh, don't look down, don't look down.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04'The crew had rigged a line between two trees over 15 metres high.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07'That's taller than a five story building.'
0:06:08 > 0:06:13So you promise me that if I can't hold on like a gibbon
0:06:13 > 0:06:15I can let go and I will be held?
0:06:15 > 0:06:18You can just let go and you'll be held. Yep, absolutely.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20See, the only reason I can do this
0:06:20 > 0:06:22is because I have all this equipment on.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24The gibbons don't have any of this
0:06:24 > 0:06:27and then they just throw themselves at the next branch.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- I don't want to do it. - Reach up to the rope.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37- Yeah, up, up...- Oh, I'm scared. - Up to the green rope.- I'm scared.
0:06:37 > 0:06:38Pull yourself together.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43- So, Naomi are you ready to have a try?- Ready.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47OK, let's give it a try.
0:06:47 > 0:06:48One,
0:06:48 > 0:06:49two,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51three,
0:06:51 > 0:06:53go!
0:06:56 > 0:06:59'Whatever a gibbon can do, I can do, too.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06'Well, maybe not.'
0:07:06 > 0:07:08- Come on. One more.- Ah, ha-ha-ha!
0:07:08 > 0:07:12Oh, if only I had wrists like gibbons. Ah!
0:07:12 > 0:07:14Ooh-ah!
0:07:14 > 0:07:15Come on.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20'After a great start, my arms we're just burning.'
0:07:20 > 0:07:22- Fantastic. Go on. - Cannot look down.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24Come on. Brilliant.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27The tree is in sight.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31'I was so close, but I just couldn't hang on any more.'
0:07:31 > 0:07:34Aaah! I've got to let go.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36- OK, let go.- Sorry, sorry, sorry.
0:07:40 > 0:07:41I was so nearly there.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47'That was seriously tough. I just don't have the gibbon's skills.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51'And after all that, there was only one place I wanted to be.'
0:07:51 > 0:07:55Oh, am I glad to be back down on solid ground.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58That was a nerve-shattering nightmare.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02And that is why the gravity-defying life of a gibbon could well
0:08:02 > 0:08:05swing into the lead as my worst nightmare.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13I'm not even putting that on.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22'Thailand's forests are some of the most wildlife-rich on earth,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25'home to thousands of species of animal.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29'And one of the most visible are its colourful birds.
0:08:29 > 0:08:34'In the UK, we have 215 species of breeding bird,
0:08:34 > 0:08:37'But in Thailand there are nearly 1,000.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40'from the small and dainty
0:08:40 > 0:08:41'to some real giants.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46'And I'm off to meet one of the most impressive of all.'
0:08:46 > 0:08:49This is a rhinoceros hornbill.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51Isn't she magnificent?
0:08:51 > 0:08:53They are one of Thailand's biggest birds,
0:08:53 > 0:08:56and there's no doubting where they get their name.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59Look at the size of that bill.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01So what's this oversized beak all about?
0:09:01 > 0:09:04Well, firstly, the obvious. They use it for feeding.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07But it does have other roles, too.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11The males use them in courtship, to entice the females
0:09:11 > 0:09:14and it's also thought that that enlarged lump on the top,
0:09:14 > 0:09:18called the casque, acts like a speaker, amplifying their calls,
0:09:18 > 0:09:21so that helps them to communicate in the dense forest.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24'Hornbills rely on rainforest,
0:09:24 > 0:09:28'but the rainforest is just as reliant on these birds.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31'They feed on the fruit of many of the forest trees,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34'and being such a big and mobile bird
0:09:34 > 0:09:36'helps to disperse the trees' seeds.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38'They might be big and bold,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41'but they have the most delicate features.'
0:09:42 > 0:09:44You're beautiful.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46You know you are.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50So what could possibly be a nightmare about such an impressive,
0:09:50 > 0:09:55beautifully coloured, fruit eating, seed planting, forest-friendly bird?
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Oh.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01"They might be beautiful but their breeding behaviour is bizarre.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04"So, it's time for you to experience the nesting behaviour
0:10:04 > 0:10:08"of a female hornbill, stuck in her little tree hole."
0:10:08 > 0:10:09Well, that shouldn't be a problem.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12I'm quite good at getting in small spaces.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19I've got to get in there?
0:10:19 > 0:10:22'Hornbills spend a lot of time looking for a tree hole
0:10:22 > 0:10:24'that is just the right size,
0:10:24 > 0:10:26'and that's small.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28'The female will then squeeze herself in
0:10:28 > 0:10:32'and that's the start of a long and lonely vigil for her.'
0:10:32 > 0:10:33Bye.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40Amazingly, the males and females then both start to block up
0:10:40 > 0:10:43the entrance with mud and fruit pulp
0:10:43 > 0:10:45and even poo, eugh,
0:10:45 > 0:10:48until there is only a tiny gap left.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52Now this is to stop predators like snakes entering
0:10:52 > 0:10:55their nest and taking their eggs or chicks.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58But, now that means the female is completely trapped
0:10:58 > 0:11:02and she's utterly reliant on her mate to provide for her.
0:11:02 > 0:11:03As am I!
0:11:03 > 0:11:05Is it time for breakfast, guys?
0:11:05 > 0:11:07Ooh, what have you got for me?
0:11:09 > 0:11:11Gosh, she can't be fussy can she?
0:11:11 > 0:11:14She's just got to eat whatever she's given.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17That's quite nice. Thanks, male hornbill.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19It's so hot in here.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Anything else for me?
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Thank you. Thank you.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29I really need a long, pointy beak
0:11:29 > 0:11:32instead of a long, pointy nose that I've got.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37This is gross. The poor female hornbill.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40Hello, husband. What have you brought for me?
0:11:40 > 0:11:41What's this?
0:11:44 > 0:11:48I can't eat that. It's going everywhere.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Mm, yoghurt.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53Is this what hornbills eat?
0:11:58 > 0:12:00Mm.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02What's that?
0:12:05 > 0:12:07Oh, it's going everywhere. I missed.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16It's going up my nose.
0:12:16 > 0:12:17This is stupid.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23I've only been in here a few minutes. I'm boiling.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26I've got pins and needles in my feet. I'm covered in food.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30Some female hornbills do this, can you believe it,
0:12:30 > 0:12:32for up to five months!
0:12:32 > 0:12:33No, thank you very much.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36As much as I admire these magnificent birds
0:12:36 > 0:12:38for their looks and their resilience,
0:12:38 > 0:12:42their claustrophobically challenging nesting behaviour
0:12:42 > 0:12:46could well squeeze onto that top spot of my worst nightmare list.
0:12:46 > 0:12:47Is there anything else?
0:12:51 > 0:12:52There's one more thing.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54As they spend so long imprisoned,
0:12:54 > 0:12:57it's not just food that has to be passed through the hole.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Ah! You are joking. That is disgusting.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03I am not doing that. I've had enough. Get me out.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06Let me out of here!
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Keep your toilet roll.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13Let me out! Arghhh! Please, somebody.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16I don't want to be a female hornbill any more.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21'Right. Having escaped from the box,
0:13:21 > 0:13:25'it's time to head onto the highway to meet my next nightmare.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26'I'm travelling west,
0:13:26 > 0:13:30'on the trail of one of the most feared creatures in all Thailand,
0:13:30 > 0:13:32'the largest venomous snake in the world,
0:13:32 > 0:13:34'the king cobra.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38'Growing as long as a giraffe is tall,
0:13:38 > 0:13:40'king cobras are gigantic
0:13:40 > 0:13:42'and potentially lethal.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46'It's a fanged fiend with a deadly bite
0:13:46 > 0:13:49'that specialises in hunting snakes.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54'This is one seriously super-sized and scary serpent.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02'I've met up with a man who's been studying cobras for many years.
0:14:02 > 0:14:03'This is Colin...
0:14:08 > 0:14:09'..and he just loves snakes.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14'To study the movements of these animals and help protect them,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17'Colin has implanted radio transmitters
0:14:17 > 0:14:19'in a number of king cobras.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23'He also catches them to make sure they're fit and healthy.
0:14:23 > 0:14:29'And today he wants me to help give one of these giants a health check.'
0:14:29 > 0:14:33So, this is a king cobra in the box and we're going to get it out?
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Yeah, but it's sedated so it shouldn't be too much of a problem.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40All right. Sleepy snake coming out of a box.
0:14:40 > 0:14:41Sleepy dangerous snake.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45OK.
0:14:45 > 0:14:46It's still awake.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48Still awake?
0:14:48 > 0:14:50Got decent head turn there.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52- Are you ready?- Whoa. OK.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54'For everyone's safety,
0:14:54 > 0:14:56'Colin must put a plastic hood over
0:14:56 > 0:15:00'the cobra's head, whilst the staff give it more sedatives
0:15:00 > 0:15:04'to make absolutely certain it's asleep before they start their work.'
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Look. It's still awake. Its tongue's poking out.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09It's still awake but it'll go down.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11This snake is enormous.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Which end shall I...? I don't want to go up the head end.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- I'll stay down here.- You sure? - Shall I? If he's asleep.
0:15:17 > 0:15:18- He's nearly asleep.- Yeah.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20He's not dangerous at this point.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24'With the snake finally asleep,
0:15:24 > 0:15:28'Colin and his team can give him a full check over.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32'First thing to do, find out exactly how long he is.'
0:15:32 > 0:15:34What's the length?
0:15:34 > 0:15:373,169.
0:15:37 > 0:15:383.16 metres.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41So he's grown a little bit but not too much.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43That's huge. Is that as big as they get?
0:15:43 > 0:15:46No. Not at all. They can get up to 5.8 metres.
0:15:48 > 0:15:49'And when disturbed,
0:15:49 > 0:15:53'these giant snakes can put on an intimidating show.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57'Capable of lifting one third of their body off the ground,
0:15:57 > 0:16:00'they can go eye-ball to eye-ball with a man.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03'They are one of the most feared animals in Thailand,
0:16:03 > 0:16:06'for an obvious reason.'
0:16:06 > 0:16:09You can go unconscious from the king cobra's
0:16:09 > 0:16:12neurotoxin in about ten to 15 minutes.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14And if you're not taken to a hospital
0:16:14 > 0:16:17after that then you will surely die.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20An adult male of five metres or so
0:16:20 > 0:16:23maybe could inject enough to kill an elephant.
0:16:25 > 0:16:26Really?
0:16:26 > 0:16:28However they probably wouldn't.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30They might run away.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33They're chickens.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35'These snakes might be deadly,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38'but they're just as afraid of us, as we are of them.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42'It seems, to most, they are very misunderstood.'
0:16:42 > 0:16:45Do you think their bad reputation is undeserved?
0:16:45 > 0:16:47Definitely here in Thailand.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50- Why?- Well, there are no records of king cobra here
0:16:50 > 0:16:53in this area for the last five years.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56And would you say they've got any redeeming qualities?
0:16:56 > 0:16:58Do they have a softer side at all?
0:16:58 > 0:17:00Oh, absolutely.
0:17:00 > 0:17:06- We've seen males sheltering in the same shelter site together.- Ah.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Females are the only snakes in the world to build a nest,
0:17:09 > 0:17:11which is really amazing.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- That's really rare for a snake, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Ah. I never knew they had a softer side.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20'With the ticks removed and all the measurements taken,
0:17:20 > 0:17:22'its health check is complete.'
0:17:22 > 0:17:24- Shall we wake him up? - Yep. The box is ready.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26- You're going to wake it up? - Would you like to try?
0:17:26 > 0:17:29- I'm going to wake it up?- Yeah. Well I'll cover the head if you just...
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- What do I do?- All you need to do is take a very, very deep breath.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34We're going to put this in the glottis,
0:17:34 > 0:17:37and you'll actually be able to see the fangs if you wish.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39I'm going to breathe into a king cobra's mouth?
0:17:39 > 0:17:41I'm looking right into his mouth. Wow.
0:17:41 > 0:17:42OK, those are the fangs.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45And you're putting that tube right into its mouth.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47It's in its glottis, so where it breathes.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49OK, and then you're just going to...
0:17:49 > 0:17:53- I'm going to breathe into its mouth. - Yeah.- Are we ready?- Yep.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57'You're never quite ready to give mouth-to-mouth to a snake
0:17:57 > 0:18:00'with venom strong enough to kill an elephant.'
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Excellent. OK, that's enough.
0:18:02 > 0:18:03OK, push the iso out.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- Excellent.- Do I do it again?- Yep.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11And this time, try to push more
0:18:11 > 0:18:14because you actually didn't fill up the whole lung.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17More, more, more, more, more.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19There you go.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Excellent. Perfect.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25See, you're starting to wake him up.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29- Got a half tongue flick. - I'm so nervous.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Look at his tongue. His tongue's nearly touching your chin.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37OK. Definitely getting tone back.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39- Guys, is the box ready?- Yes, it's behind us.
0:18:39 > 0:18:40OK. All right.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43This could be one of the scariest things I've ever done.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Breathing into a king cobra's mouth?
0:18:45 > 0:18:47What are we going to do when it's awake?
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- Put it in the box?- Put it in the box and send it back home.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54Send it back home. That sounds nice, doesn't it?
0:18:54 > 0:18:56OK, I've got movement.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58'With the cobra waking up,
0:18:58 > 0:19:02'the team waste no time getting it safely back in the box.'
0:19:02 > 0:19:04- Ready?- Yeah, I'm ready.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06OK and one, two, three, go.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11- Good, well done.- Thank you.- Well done. Thank you so much for that.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13No problem.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16'Time to let him come round, ready for his release back home.'
0:19:26 > 0:19:30Right, then. Opha 015 has been given a perfect bill of health,
0:19:30 > 0:19:31so it's time to let him go.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35And Colin assures me this is often when they put on their best show.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41'Colin releases all his snakes where he found them
0:19:41 > 0:19:43'and this time, it's on some nearby farmland.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46'This is typical cobra habitat,
0:19:46 > 0:19:48'but even with all this activity,
0:19:48 > 0:19:51'an irrigation ditch provides a perfect highway
0:19:51 > 0:19:53'for them to move about.'
0:19:53 > 0:19:55- Are you ready?- Yeah.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58Yep? OK?
0:20:02 > 0:20:04OK, keep him there.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06So it's reared up with a hood.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08Is that showing a sign of aggression?
0:20:08 > 0:20:10That's a defensive response.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13He's saying, "I'm not really happy that you're here,
0:20:13 > 0:20:15"but I'm not about to attack you."
0:20:15 > 0:20:17This is what you'd expect
0:20:17 > 0:20:20if you'd just stumbled across one in the forest basking.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23It would either do this or it would run off.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26'And true to Colin's word, this timid giant didn't put up
0:20:26 > 0:20:30'a fight, but raced off as fast as it could.'
0:20:30 > 0:20:34Look how fast it moves. Check out it disappearing.
0:20:34 > 0:20:35Look at the water.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37Ah, look at it just snaking away.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Oh, that is wicked.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42King cobra swimming off.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44We can't even keep up with it.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- Still got visual? - Yes, still going to...
0:20:47 > 0:20:49The whole team want to see this,
0:20:49 > 0:20:51because this is such a treat for them.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- There it is. - Oh, man. That is amazing.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Nice boy.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58I forgive you for all your sins.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00- Wow.- That is great.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Oh, it's giving us a real treat today.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07We should count ourselves very fortunate to be able to see this.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11Well, the king cobra's credential really are the stuff of nightmares,
0:21:11 > 0:21:13but on the other hand, they're devoted parents,
0:21:13 > 0:21:15they don't want to be anywhere near us,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18they are not necessarily as nasty as I first thought.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21So, will it slither to the number one spot on the nightmares
0:21:21 > 0:21:23of nature leader board?
0:21:26 > 0:21:30'There is one very familiar animal in these Asian rainforests
0:21:30 > 0:21:34'that when it's in the mood, can be the biggest nightmare of all.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36'Elephants.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38'In Khao Yai National Park
0:21:38 > 0:21:42'there's a population of about 100 wild elephants.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46'They've been caught on camera causing absolute chaos.
0:21:50 > 0:21:55'During the breeding season they enter a hormonal state called musth
0:21:55 > 0:21:59'and in this sort of mood, they are truly terrifying.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05So, I'm off to meet one now.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15'On the edge of Khao Yai National Park
0:22:15 > 0:22:18'is the Thai Elephant Centre of Conservation.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21'And in charge of this place is Alongkot.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26'And he wants to introduce me
0:22:26 > 0:22:29'to someone who he says will have a big impression on me.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31'No kidding!'
0:22:31 > 0:22:34And here is an absolute beast.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38She's enormous. My goodness.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40Am I safe to approach her?
0:22:40 > 0:22:41Come over here.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43They are very safe. Don't worry.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- Come over here.- Are you sure? - Touch the elephant's trunk.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49- This is not dangerous?- I'm going to tell you lot about the elephants.
0:22:49 > 0:22:50Touch them like this.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54They are very calm, and very gentle female elephant.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56It's such an imposing creature, isn't it?
0:22:56 > 0:22:59It's so huge and yet so gentle.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03This is a female, so I don't need to worry about this one being in musth?
0:23:03 > 0:23:07Yes, don't worry. Only male in musth are very dangerous.
0:23:07 > 0:23:08And we couldn't get this close?
0:23:08 > 0:23:10Yes.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12You are beautiful. Hello.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- Her name is Kahmoon.- Kahmoon.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Kahmoon. She's around 50 years old.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23- 50?- 50 years old.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Wow. You are incredible.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28How much does she weigh?
0:23:28 > 0:23:32She's got 3,500 kilograms, approximately.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34So she could really hurt me if she chose to?
0:23:34 > 0:23:37Yes, of course. Especially her trunk.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41They can push you and, you know, jump to be somewhere else.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43But she's very calm.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47I'm a bit overwhelmed standing next to such a large creature.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49This is absolutely amazing.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51- She's so content with us being here. - Yes.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56Now you're probably familiar with people using
0:23:56 > 0:24:00elephants as working animals because they can carry massive things
0:24:00 > 0:24:02and do a lot of hard work. They're like an animal version
0:24:02 > 0:24:04of a bulldozer.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07But Alongkot has started something remarkable here using not
0:24:07 > 0:24:11an elephant's strength, but their incredible powers of empathy,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14helping some very special children overcome their own nightmares.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20'Most of these children have, sadly, lost their sight,
0:24:20 > 0:24:23'and with that, their confidence.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27'But Alongkot had this fantastic idea that meeting an elephant
0:24:27 > 0:24:29'could transform their lives.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36'They need to be brave,
0:24:36 > 0:24:39'but it's the start of an encounter that these children
0:24:39 > 0:24:40'will never forget.'
0:24:55 > 0:24:57This takes real guts when you can't see.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04At first you do feel quite scared, in awe of her.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06But very soon, just like the children,
0:25:06 > 0:25:10you realise that she is sensitive, an intelligent, a trusting creature.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13These children might not be able to see how big she is
0:25:13 > 0:25:14but they can certainly feel it
0:25:14 > 0:25:17and get a sense that she isn't any threat at all.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22'And it gives some of the children the confidence
0:25:22 > 0:25:23'to do the extraordinary.'
0:25:23 > 0:25:25I think she's going on its back.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40She's having the time of her life.
0:25:40 > 0:25:41'We all were.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44'Meeting an elephant just makes you feel good.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46'And from the looks on their faces,
0:25:46 > 0:25:50'these children have overcome any fears that they might have had.'
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Look at the smile.
0:25:53 > 0:25:54Smiling so widely.
0:26:05 > 0:26:10This elephant has got no reason to let us pet, stroke or hug her
0:26:10 > 0:26:13and yet she does and it is having a profound effect.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22What an amazing animal.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24What an amazing project.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27They might be a nightmare when the males are in musth,
0:26:27 > 0:26:30but right now I couldn't feel more relaxed.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33The Asian elephant is definitely NOT my worst nightmare.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38THEY CHEER
0:26:46 > 0:26:50My humid adventures in the tropical paradise of Thailand
0:26:50 > 0:26:51are drawing to a close.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54But which nightmare has left me sweating the most?
0:26:54 > 0:26:57Was it my extremely close encounter with that super-sized snake,
0:26:57 > 0:26:59the king cobra?
0:26:59 > 0:27:02This could be one of the scariest things I've ever done,
0:27:02 > 0:27:04breathing into a king cobra's mouth.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10Or perhaps, the suffocatingly cramped life of a female hornbill
0:27:10 > 0:27:11will squeeze into top spot.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17It's so hot in here. Let me out.
0:27:19 > 0:27:20No, it was none of those.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22My worst nightmare, without a shadow of a doubt,
0:27:22 > 0:27:25was my high-rise, gravity-defying gibbon swing
0:27:25 > 0:27:27that had me clinging on for dear life.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29Absolutely terrifying!
0:27:29 > 0:27:31Good grief, this is high.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33- Go!- Oh!
0:27:33 > 0:27:35Aaah!
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Aaargh!
0:27:43 > 0:27:45So while we're out searching for gibbons,
0:27:45 > 0:27:48we keep coming across this little nightmare of nature, the leech.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50They are everywhere.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52We keep finding them on our shoes and trousers
0:27:52 > 0:27:54and if you don't find them quick enough,
0:27:54 > 0:27:56this is the result.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58Ooh! Agh.