0:00:05 > 0:00:07There are some places on Earth...
0:00:10 > 0:00:12..that simply take your breath away.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Lush tropical forests...
0:00:20 > 0:00:22..spectacular islands...
0:00:26 > 0:00:28..soaring mountain ranges...
0:00:31 > 0:00:33..or frozen polar worlds.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40And for the people who call these extraordinary places home...
0:00:42 > 0:00:44..survival requires skill...
0:00:46 > 0:00:49..ingenuity and bravery.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56In some of Earth's natural wonders,
0:00:56 > 0:00:59learning to live with wild animals is the only way to survive.
0:01:05 > 0:01:10In the wetlands of Australia, a man risks his life to collect
0:01:10 > 0:01:11crocodile eggs.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17In one of the most remote places on the planet,
0:01:17 > 0:01:18a herder and his reindeer...
0:01:18 > 0:01:19HE YELLS
0:01:19 > 0:01:22..must make a brutal 500-mile migration to their
0:01:22 > 0:01:23summer pastures.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29While in the foothills of the greatest mountain range on Earth,
0:01:29 > 0:01:34a man and his elephant must protect a village from a rampaging herd.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37In these natural wonders,
0:01:37 > 0:01:42it is animals that make the difference between life
0:01:42 > 0:01:43and death.
0:01:56 > 0:02:02Australia - on its far northern coast is Arnhem Land,
0:02:02 > 0:02:07a 35,000 square mile area of unspoilt wilderness.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11And along its rugged coastline...
0:02:12 > 0:02:14..runs a remarkable ecosystem.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23This natural wonder is a mosaic of swamps and tidal salt marshes...
0:02:25 > 0:02:29..fed by the monsoons that sweep in from the Indian Ocean.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36Up to half a metre of rain can fall in a single day.
0:02:40 > 0:02:45This sprawling network of creeks and billabongs is home to one of the
0:02:45 > 0:02:47most aggressive of all predators...
0:02:49 > 0:02:51..the saltwater crocodile.
0:02:52 > 0:02:58Measuring up to six metres in length and weighing as much as a tonne...
0:03:00 > 0:03:03..it's every inch a killing machine.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14But for thousands of years, the saltwater crocodile played a vital
0:03:14 > 0:03:17role in the survival of the Aboriginal peoples.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21They hunted crocs for meat and eggs.
0:03:27 > 0:03:32Today, their descendants still use traditional skills to collect
0:03:32 > 0:03:36croc eggs, risking their lives in the process.
0:03:38 > 0:03:39TRANSLATION:
0:04:01 > 0:04:05Greg Wilson is a ranger and a member of the Gunadba clan.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13He and his team are paid to collect eggs for the region's
0:04:13 > 0:04:14crocodile farms...
0:04:18 > 0:04:20..where they're reared for their valuable skins.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29The rangers have around eight weeks to collect up to 2,500 croc eggs
0:04:29 > 0:04:31during the egg-laying season.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35A quota set by the Northern Territory government.
0:04:37 > 0:04:38There, there. There, there, there.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44As a result of a ban on hunting,
0:04:44 > 0:04:48in recent years, the number of wild crocs has rocketed and so has the
0:04:48 > 0:04:50number of attacks.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54A man was killed by a croc in this area just three weeks ago.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13It's making Greg's job more dangerous than ever.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19Today, he and his team are out searching for crocodile eggs in an
0:05:19 > 0:05:21area where there are usually plenty of nests.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31But this year, heavy rains are making the nests hard to find,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34as many of them are completely submerged.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51It's too risky to continue today, so they head back to base.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55The crocodile is important to the
0:05:55 > 0:06:00Gunadba clan's sacred beliefs but, for some,
0:06:00 > 0:06:04this animal is part spirit figure and part enemy.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38Next morning, the weather's eased off.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Today, Greg's going to try a different area.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46One where he hopes there'll be more nests.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53But the only way to get there is by helicopter...
0:06:56 > 0:07:00..and there's at least one agitated croc in the shallows this morning.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21It's not long before they spot a large nest.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26Once they're dropped in, Greg and his partner Dickson
0:07:26 > 0:07:28will be on their own.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21HE YELLS
0:08:40 > 0:08:42Before they can collect any eggs,
0:08:42 > 0:08:44they have to drive the croc off the nest.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Go around, go around there.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03HE SPEAKS OWN LANGUAGE
0:09:05 > 0:09:07It's left the nest...
0:09:11 > 0:09:12..but for how long?
0:09:28 > 0:09:34With an angry predator close by, Greg and Dixon have to move fast.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36But they have to handle the eggs with care.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40If they are stored the wrong way up,
0:09:40 > 0:09:43the embryos die and the eggs are useless.
0:09:55 > 0:09:56- All right?- Go.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01It's been a good day,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04but Greg and the team still have another four weeks working in these
0:10:04 > 0:10:08croc-infested waters before the egg-collecting season ends.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17In the wetlands of Australia's Northern Territory,
0:10:17 > 0:10:21aboriginal peoples have found a way to use their ancient skills to
0:10:21 > 0:10:23survive in the modern world...
0:10:26 > 0:10:28..alongside the saltwater crocodiles with whom they
0:10:28 > 0:10:31share this untamed landscape.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38In other natural wonders,
0:10:38 > 0:10:43the relationship between animals and people is one of mutual dependency.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Siberia.
0:10:48 > 0:10:53A vast, empty wilderness that makes up around a 12th of the Earth's
0:10:53 > 0:10:55entire land surface.
0:10:56 > 0:11:02And one of its great natural wonders is the Yamal Peninsula,
0:11:02 > 0:11:06stretching over 400 miles into the Arctic Circle.
0:11:08 > 0:11:13It's known to local people as the edge of the world.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18The climate is extreme.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22Temperatures can fall below -50 Celsius in winter.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35Yet this harsh and unforgiving place is where the Nenets
0:11:35 > 0:11:37have made their home.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43But they would have no way to survive here without reindeer.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50TRANSLATION:
0:12:11 > 0:12:16Medko Serotetto and his family own a herd of 5,000 reindeer.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24It's spring and they are in the middle of a gruelling
0:12:24 > 0:12:27500-mile migration from winter to summer pastures.
0:12:35 > 0:12:36But in recent years,
0:12:36 > 0:12:40the erratic climate has made the migration harder and harder.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48Medko has been making this journey for over 40 years
0:12:48 > 0:12:52and conditions this year are particularly bad.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09To stay alive, every day a reindeer
0:13:09 > 0:13:14needs to eat over 1.5 kilos of a type of fungus called lichen.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30Yet on the frozen Siberian tundra,
0:13:30 > 0:13:33the herd quickly strip the lichen patches bare.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38They must keep moving to avoid starvation.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49It's now seven weeks since they left their winter pastures.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58So far, they have covered 250 miles.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00250 more still to go.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10They should be covering 12 miles a day,
0:14:10 > 0:14:14but the weather's deteriorating and they are struggling to make headway.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21It's imperative they pick up the pace.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27While the women and children pack away their homes,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29the men round up the animals.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46It's taken several hours...
0:14:50 > 0:14:51..but they are finally on the move.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59The herds travel in reindeer trains up to three miles long.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09In worsening conditions, it's heavy going.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18The temperature's fallen to -20 degrees,
0:15:18 > 0:15:21with the wind chill making it feel even colder.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25They've covered less than seven miles...
0:15:28 > 0:15:31..and already the reindeer are exhausted.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37Medko has no option.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40He has to call a halt for the night and let the herd rest.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Many of the reindeer are pregnant
0:16:02 > 0:16:06and are due to give birth in just a few days' time.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09There's very little lichen in this area and if they don't get to better
0:16:09 > 0:16:13feeding grounds by then, their calves may not survive.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32By morning, the weather's improved enough to get moving again.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41But Medko's family is not the only group making this journey.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Other herds are migrating along the same route.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48The bad weather is delaying everyone.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52And Medko's animals soon catch up with a different group.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Within a matter of minutes, the two herds become one.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06Medko needs to separate his animals out as quickly as he can and get
0:17:06 > 0:17:10moving again. They are losing valuable time.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17Incredibly, he knows every last one of them by sight.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22But extracting them still isn't easy.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29All of the family have to help...
0:17:30 > 0:17:31..even the children.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44After several hours' hard work,
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Medko finally has his herd back together.
0:17:47 > 0:17:52He has lost a lot of time but, if the herd's to avoid starvation,
0:17:52 > 0:17:55they must cover more ground before nightfall.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07Over the next seven weeks,
0:18:07 > 0:18:11Medko and his reindeer continue their battle against the elements.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17By the time they reach the summer pastures in early July,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20over 1,000 of the herd have been lost.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47In Siberia, in an increasingly unpredictable world,
0:18:47 > 0:18:50the Nenets and their animals are more dependent
0:18:50 > 0:18:52on each other than ever.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00In other natural wonders,
0:19:00 > 0:19:03the relationship between people and the creatures that live alongside
0:19:03 > 0:19:06them is far simpler.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Particularly if you're a fisherman.
0:19:14 > 0:19:171,000 miles off the coast of
0:19:17 > 0:19:21eastern Australia, deep in the Pacific Ocean,
0:19:21 > 0:19:23lies the nation of Vanuatu.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28A chain of 83 volcanic islands.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33This spectacular natural wonder
0:19:33 > 0:19:37began forming around 35 million years ago.
0:19:44 > 0:19:49In total, Vanuatu has over 1,500 miles of coastline.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57Fringed by stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05Home to some of the most vibrant coral reef systems on the planet.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11Over 4,000 species of mollusc,
0:20:11 > 0:20:16along with sea snakes, eels and a dazzling variety of tropical fish.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23This appears to be an unspoilt paradise for
0:20:23 > 0:20:25everyone who lives here.
0:20:28 > 0:20:29TRANSLATION:
0:20:48 > 0:20:53Nigasau and his family live on Futuna,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56one of Vanuatu's smallest and most remote islands.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06There are just 500 inhabitants and much of what they eat
0:21:06 > 0:21:08comes from the sea.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14But in recent years, there's been a dramatic fall in their catch.
0:21:30 > 0:21:35Until now, Nigasau has been the main provider of fish for his family and
0:21:35 > 0:21:37others in this small community.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43But at 45, it's not getting any easier and he knows he needs help.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Futuna's next generation needs to step up.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10Only boys learn to fish on Futuna
0:22:10 > 0:22:14and Nigasau's son, Misakofi, has already made a start.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18TRANSLATION:
0:22:45 > 0:22:48So far, Misakofi's only fished from the shore,
0:22:48 > 0:22:52but having turned 15, he is now allowed to tackle sea fishing.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07For the past few nights,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10his father's been taking him out into the open water.
0:23:16 > 0:23:17Nigasau is teaching
0:23:17 > 0:23:22him how to use flaming torches to lure flying fish into his nets.
0:23:43 > 0:23:48But the truth is, these days, it's getting harder to catch enough.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55It's not Nigasau's technique that's at fault.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58There are simply less fish in the seas around Futuna.
0:24:13 > 0:24:14HE SINGS
0:24:16 > 0:24:18If Misakofi is to provide enough
0:24:18 > 0:24:20food for the community in the future,
0:24:20 > 0:24:24he needs to master every fishing technique there is.
0:24:24 > 0:24:25THEY SING
0:24:28 > 0:24:32And tomorrow, he's going to try the most difficult of all.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44It will push his young body to the absolute limits.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Today, Nigasau and Misakofi are heading back out to sea
0:24:56 > 0:25:00in search of Futuna's most prized catch...
0:25:03 > 0:25:05..lobster.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23Lobster have never been easy to find...
0:25:24 > 0:25:26..and now it's getting even harder.
0:25:28 > 0:25:33On Futuna, the fishermen freedive to collect lobster
0:25:33 > 0:25:35and the best time to dive for them
0:25:35 > 0:25:37is at dusk when they come out to feed.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43But that's not the only challenge.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45Just as with its fish stocks,
0:25:45 > 0:25:49Futuna's lobster numbers have also plummeted.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51Nigasau is having to paddle out to
0:25:51 > 0:25:54deeper and deeper water to find them.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01But tonight, it's going to fall to Misakofi to dive to the seabed to
0:26:01 > 0:26:05search for them. It's the ultimate test for an aspiring fisherman.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20Misakofi will have to hold his
0:26:20 > 0:26:23breath and swim down over nine metres.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26At that depth, the water pressure is immense.
0:26:26 > 0:26:31Years of lobster fishing have left Nigasau with perforated eardrums and
0:26:31 > 0:26:34brought his diving days to an end.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38Tonight, all he can do is guide his son from the surface.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50Time to start searching.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13Diving the equivalent of a three-storey building quickly pushes
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Misakofi's lungs to the limit.
0:27:30 > 0:27:31He tries a second time.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05After an hour, Misakofi's beginning to master the technique.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08There's plenty to see down here.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12But so far, nothing edible.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36Misakofi's struggling to hold his breath long enough
0:28:36 > 0:28:38to search among the rocks.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42He is starting to get tired...
0:28:44 > 0:28:46..but he doesn't give up.
0:28:51 > 0:28:57Finally, after many attempts, success.
0:29:16 > 0:29:17Yes!
0:29:24 > 0:29:26And soon, he has another.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41It's taken many hours just to find two lobster.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45Misakofi's exhausted.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49Nigasau decides to call it a night and head back to the shore.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54But at least his son is starting to
0:29:54 > 0:29:58acquire the skills he needs to survive on Futuna.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01HE SINGS
0:30:35 > 0:30:37For the time being at least,
0:30:37 > 0:30:41there's some lobster for supper and one newly-qualified
0:30:41 > 0:30:43fisherman to celebrate.
0:30:49 > 0:30:50HE LAUGHS
0:30:54 > 0:30:55Thanks to their fishing skills,
0:30:55 > 0:30:58the people of Futuna continue to survive...
0:31:02 > 0:31:05..despite the challenges they face in their changing world.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21Even in the most remote corners of the globe, changes are coming.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26Some are making the hunt increasingly difficult for
0:31:26 > 0:31:27indigenous people.
0:31:31 > 0:31:36The forests of the Congo basin, deep in the heart of Central Africa.
0:31:38 > 0:31:45This immense natural jungle covers an area of 700,000 square miles.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51Referred to as the lungs of Africa,
0:31:51 > 0:31:55this vast natural wonder spans six countries.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00It contains around a quarter of the planet's surviving
0:32:00 > 0:32:01tropical rainforest.
0:32:03 > 0:32:09It is so dense that even today some parts remain uncharted territory.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15The tallest trees reach up to 60 metres into the sky.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21In the thickest areas, only 1% of sunlight reaches the ground.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29The forest is home to an incredible range of wildlife.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38And for at least 3,000 years, it has also been home to the
0:32:38 > 0:32:39Mbendjele people.
0:32:43 > 0:32:44THEY CHANT
0:32:47 > 0:32:51The village of Mombelu.
0:32:51 > 0:32:58Over 60 miles from the nearest city and 30 miles from the nearest road.
0:32:58 > 0:33:02The Mbendjele are primarily hunter-gatherers.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05Most of what they eat comes from the forest.
0:33:08 > 0:33:09TRANSLATION:
0:33:20 > 0:33:23Niemu relies on his traditional hunting
0:33:23 > 0:33:25skills to catch much of their game.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30He is one of the top hunters in the village.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39But he hasn't been doing much hunting lately.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43His wife died a few months ago,
0:33:43 > 0:33:45leaving him alone with their three small children.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10Under Mbendjele custom,
0:34:10 > 0:34:14all sorts of restrictions are placed on the deceased's family.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17Niemu's not been allowed to wash or
0:34:17 > 0:34:21change his clothes for over six months
0:34:21 > 0:34:23and he's not been allowed to lead a hunt.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30But now, his mourning period has ended.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50The whole village needs to be involved.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54But according to tradition,
0:34:54 > 0:34:58everyone must be in agreement before embarking on a group activity.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18But democracy takes time.
0:35:37 > 0:35:42Finally, after two hours, everyone has had their say,
0:35:42 > 0:35:44and the hunt is on.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50The villagers are going to use a giant net.
0:35:51 > 0:35:55They are one of the last groups in Central Africa to hunt in this way.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08Woven from the bark of the liana tree,
0:36:08 > 0:36:10the nets can be hundreds of feet long.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17But before they can hunt, it must be repaired.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21Once the equipment's ready,
0:36:21 > 0:36:23it's time for the next stage of preparations.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46Before any major hunt can take place,
0:36:46 > 0:36:50a spirit of the forest must be summoned to aid the hunters.
0:37:01 > 0:37:06This is done with an elaborate ceremony called the mokondi massana.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15One villager is shrouded in leaves
0:37:15 > 0:37:18to become the forest spirit and must
0:37:18 > 0:37:20be brought to life by the rest of the village.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28The better they sing and dance, the more meat they'll catch tomorrow.
0:37:55 > 0:37:56Next morning...
0:37:59 > 0:38:02..the entire village sets out for the hunting grounds.
0:38:07 > 0:38:08THEY SING
0:38:23 > 0:38:27Niemu might be coordinating the hunting party,
0:38:27 > 0:38:29but everyone has a part to play.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51Net hunting is like dry land trawler fishing.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56Working as a team, they stretch their net between the trees.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09The trap is set.
0:39:09 > 0:39:10THEY SHOUT
0:39:21 > 0:39:25The men shouting will flush out any animals hiding in the undergrowth...
0:39:28 > 0:39:30..driving them towards the net.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34The women wait behind the nets.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52An animal breaks cover...
0:39:56 > 0:39:57HE YELLS
0:40:03 > 0:40:05..and runs straight into the trap.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10But it's only a small porcupine.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19And, unfortunately, the forest offers up nothing else.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26Slender pickings like this have become all too familiar for them
0:40:26 > 0:40:28over recent years.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34The demand for bush meat in the
0:40:34 > 0:40:38cities has seen the arrival of commercial hunters in the area.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43It's had an enormous impact on the animal population.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00The Central African rainforest is
0:41:00 > 0:41:04one of the world's most extraordinary natural wonders,
0:41:04 > 0:41:07but one where rapid change is affecting both the animals and the
0:41:07 > 0:41:10humans that call it home.
0:41:13 > 0:41:18Human development is encroaching on areas of wilderness in many parts of
0:41:18 > 0:41:20the world.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27And as the dramatic rise in population continues,
0:41:27 > 0:41:32expansion in some natural wonders is leaving people and animals competing
0:41:32 > 0:41:34for space.
0:41:37 > 0:41:38India.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42Marking its northern border,
0:41:42 > 0:41:45one of the most famous natural wonders on Earth...
0:41:48 > 0:41:49..the Himalaya.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55Among the snow-capped peaks, vast glaciers have formed.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02And the meltwaters that flow down from the heights
0:42:02 > 0:42:05feed a web of forests and jungles lying below.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11These are the foothills of the Himalaya.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19A beautiful tapestry of lush green valleys...
0:42:24 > 0:42:27..home to an incredible range of animals.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Not least among them, the Asian elephant.
0:42:38 > 0:42:43Every winter, hundreds of these animals come down from the mountain
0:42:43 > 0:42:46forests to the lowlands of Assam.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51But over the years,
0:42:51 > 0:42:54virgin forest has been cleared to make way for Assam's renowned
0:42:54 > 0:42:56tea plantations.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05An army of tea pickers have followed,
0:43:05 > 0:43:09and many of their homes lie directly on the elephants'
0:43:09 > 0:43:11ancient migration routes.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17It's a recipe for trouble.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20Elephants are drawn to the villages in search of food.
0:43:24 > 0:43:28In the process, trampling crops and damaging houses.
0:43:31 > 0:43:36Across Assam, elephants kill an average of 65 people every year.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44But the villagers of one region have a defence
0:43:44 > 0:43:46against the migrating herds.
0:43:50 > 0:43:52The elephant emergency service.
0:43:54 > 0:43:58A team of highly trained domesticated elephants known as
0:43:58 > 0:44:00kumkis and their riders.
0:44:04 > 0:44:08Bablu Thapa is one of them. He's a mahout,
0:44:08 > 0:44:11member of the ancient profession of elephant handlers.
0:44:15 > 0:44:18The bond between a mahout and his kumki runs deep.
0:44:21 > 0:44:22TRANSLATION:
0:44:28 > 0:44:32Bablu is able to communicate with the kumkis because they understand
0:44:32 > 0:44:34up to 30 commands.
0:44:42 > 0:44:45And he knows just how to get the best from them.
0:45:03 > 0:45:05The mahouts and their kumkis work
0:45:05 > 0:45:08alongside Assam's forestry department to
0:45:08 > 0:45:12protect 100 villages spread over 240 square miles.
0:45:13 > 0:45:16HE SPEAKS OWN LANGUAGE
0:45:16 > 0:45:18They're on stand-by to deal with
0:45:18 > 0:45:21wild elephant emergencies 24 hours a day.
0:45:26 > 0:45:29It's November, and the elephant
0:45:29 > 0:45:32migration season is at its absolute peak.
0:45:32 > 0:45:34The HQ's on high alert.
0:45:38 > 0:45:41When villagers spot wild elephants
0:45:41 > 0:45:43approaching their homes, they call HQ.
0:45:49 > 0:45:51A pair of kumkis are immediately dispatched
0:45:51 > 0:45:55to protect the concerned villagers.
0:45:55 > 0:45:58For Bablu and the elephant emergency service,
0:45:58 > 0:46:00it's often a race against time.
0:46:01 > 0:46:04Bablu and the kumkis usually go by
0:46:04 > 0:46:06the most direct route across country.
0:46:11 > 0:46:16On this terrain, it can take several hours to reach a village
0:46:16 > 0:46:19and, until they arrive, the villagers are on their own.
0:46:24 > 0:46:28At Sesa, the villagers have counted around 30 elephants approaching.
0:46:30 > 0:46:33But as elephants are a protected species,
0:46:33 > 0:46:37it's illegal for the villagers to use force to defend their homes.
0:46:38 > 0:46:42When Bablu and the kumkis arrive, they rely on a more subtle
0:46:42 > 0:46:47technique to drive wild herds away, elephant psychology.
0:46:50 > 0:46:52Elephants live in tight family groups
0:46:52 > 0:46:56and, as a rule, they will avoid conflict with rival groups.
0:46:59 > 0:47:03So, the mahouts use the kumkis to confront the wild elephants and
0:47:03 > 0:47:05drive them away from villages.
0:47:06 > 0:47:10That's the theory, but first they have to get there.
0:47:15 > 0:47:18In the meantime, it's up to villagers
0:47:18 > 0:47:21to do what they can to keep wild herds at bay.
0:47:21 > 0:47:22THEY YELL
0:47:39 > 0:47:43They make as much noise as possible, banging drums, shouting and
0:47:43 > 0:47:46throwing firecrackers, to attempt to scare the elephants.
0:47:51 > 0:47:54The danger is, this can enrage the wild animals.
0:48:17 > 0:48:19As soon as the emergency service
0:48:19 > 0:48:22arrives at a village, they quickly assess the situation.
0:48:23 > 0:48:27Usually, they will look for a dominant animal in the wild herd.
0:48:27 > 0:48:31If they can turn them away, the rest of the herd will follow.
0:48:32 > 0:48:36But tonight, as Bablu tries to get in position,
0:48:36 > 0:48:41a group of young male elephants starts stampeding.
0:48:41 > 0:48:45Bablu's kumki has been specially selected and trained for its
0:48:45 > 0:48:47dominant temperament.
0:48:48 > 0:48:52With Bablu riding high, making as much noise as he can, they confront
0:48:52 > 0:48:54the wild herd.
0:48:57 > 0:49:01He's trying to intimidate them and drive them away from the village.
0:49:05 > 0:49:08Now he has to get right in amongst the wild animals.
0:49:10 > 0:49:11He rams one of the smaller males.
0:49:21 > 0:49:23It's enough to move him away from
0:49:23 > 0:49:26the villagers and back towards his herd.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32Bablu stays in hot pursuit, just to make certain.
0:49:35 > 0:49:39And sure enough, the rest of the wild herd turn and retreat.
0:49:47 > 0:49:50For tonight, at least, the danger has passed.
0:49:50 > 0:49:54Bablu and the elephant emergency service have done their job.
0:50:10 > 0:50:13The inhabitants of Sesa village can sleep safe.
0:50:15 > 0:50:19But in the morning comes a sobering discovery.
0:50:19 > 0:50:21One of the young wild elephants
0:50:21 > 0:50:25got trapped in a ditch and died during the chaos of the night.
0:50:28 > 0:50:30Despite the trouble they sometimes cause,
0:50:30 > 0:50:33elephants are revered in Indian culture
0:50:33 > 0:50:38and the death of one calls for prayer and a respectful burial.
0:50:41 > 0:50:45It's a poignant reminder of the consequences of humans and animals
0:50:45 > 0:50:48competing for the same living space.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56Change is affecting many of Earth's natural wonders.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03People are having to use all their skills...
0:51:04 > 0:51:08..and courage in order to survive.
0:51:11 > 0:51:14It's testimony to human resilience
0:51:14 > 0:51:17that, or the time being, at least, many
0:51:17 > 0:51:20continue to endure in the extraordinary
0:51:20 > 0:51:22natural wonders they call home.
0:51:32 > 0:51:36To find and film one of the last remaining examples of net hunting
0:51:36 > 0:51:38was a huge challenge.
0:51:38 > 0:51:39But as it turned out,
0:51:39 > 0:51:44the biggest problem was transporting 25 boxes of filming equipment to the
0:51:44 > 0:51:47heart of the Central African rainforest.
0:51:50 > 0:51:53The first part of the journey is fairly straightforward.
0:51:54 > 0:51:57But then they reach the Motaba River.
0:51:58 > 0:52:02With kit weighing over 150 kilos, it's obvious they are going to need
0:52:02 > 0:52:04more than one boat.
0:52:09 > 0:52:11She looks pretty sturdy, actually.
0:52:11 > 0:52:14Quite robust. We're going to pile it high with all our kit and...
0:52:15 > 0:52:17..I think it's about five hours down the river.
0:52:17 > 0:52:20This is where it gets really, really interesting.
0:52:24 > 0:52:28It's early afternoon by the time the two boats set off.
0:52:28 > 0:52:32As this is such a remote area, miles from any hospital,
0:52:32 > 0:52:35the team have hired an ex-Army paratrooper
0:52:35 > 0:52:37and wilderness medic Tom Bodkin.
0:52:39 > 0:52:41We've been on the river for two hours already.
0:52:41 > 0:52:45Another hour, an hour and a half, to go and we just want to get there in
0:52:45 > 0:52:49good time. We've got a whole camp to build before dark, basically.
0:52:49 > 0:52:53So, it's never-ending this journey but, hopefully, we'll be there soon.
0:53:17 > 0:53:18I think we're there.
0:53:29 > 0:53:34Five days and several thousand miles from home, the crew, at least,
0:53:34 > 0:53:35finally arrive.
0:53:35 > 0:53:37Home for the next two weeks, eh?
0:53:42 > 0:53:44All being well,
0:53:44 > 0:53:47the boat with all the camera kit shouldn't be far behind.
0:53:51 > 0:53:52So, with the light rapidly fading,
0:53:52 > 0:53:55they get stuck into building their camp.
0:54:04 > 0:54:06As darkness falls, it becomes
0:54:06 > 0:54:09apparent they have a serious problem.
0:54:09 > 0:54:11Yeah, well, if we left at two, OK,
0:54:11 > 0:54:13it's a five-hour journey for them under normal conditions, right?
0:54:13 > 0:54:17So that brings us up to seven o'clock, yeah?
0:54:17 > 0:54:20OK, so, let's reduce the speed by half once it got dark,
0:54:20 > 0:54:23so they're two and a half hours late and it's dark.
0:54:23 > 0:54:28The missing boat is carrying most of their filming equipment and all
0:54:28 > 0:54:29their spare fuel.
0:54:29 > 0:54:33But launching a search party in the dark is extremely risky.
0:54:33 > 0:54:35So, I think what we need to do is
0:54:35 > 0:54:37make a decision whether we do something
0:54:37 > 0:54:39tonight, or we wait till it's light in the morning, basically.
0:54:39 > 0:54:42If they've pulled in, just at the side to the bank,
0:54:42 > 0:54:44we could very easily miss them in the dark.
0:54:44 > 0:54:47Unless they've abandoned it and know that there's a village
0:54:47 > 0:54:50- and walked to a village. - And worst-case scenario, if it's
0:54:50 > 0:54:53capsized, all our kit's gone as well.
0:54:53 > 0:54:57Hopefully, they're just broken down.
0:54:57 > 0:55:00We're responsible for everyone's welfare and
0:55:00 > 0:55:03we can't leave people on the river unaccounted for.
0:55:03 > 0:55:07So, you know, I don't care about the cameras and the chargers and things,
0:55:07 > 0:55:10we need to find out that everyone's safe and get them in.
0:55:11 > 0:55:15They decide they have no option but to retrace their route and try to
0:55:15 > 0:55:17find the missing boat.
0:55:20 > 0:55:23But it isn't long before they quite literally run into a problem.
0:55:28 > 0:55:33Is that all right? That made a proper noise.
0:55:33 > 0:55:34They've struck a log.
0:55:40 > 0:55:43If they've holed the boat, or damaged the engines,
0:55:43 > 0:55:44they'll be in big trouble.
0:55:48 > 0:55:50Fortunately, everything is fine.
0:55:52 > 0:55:54But they still have to find the missing boat.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03Take it nice and gently. Just get there in the end.
0:56:05 > 0:56:07Half an hour later, there is still no sign of it.
0:56:09 > 0:56:11And they are now running low on fuel.
0:56:20 > 0:56:23Just when they're thinking they'll have to turn back...
0:56:26 > 0:56:27Is this them?
0:56:29 > 0:56:33- Thomas?- Thomas?- Ca va? - Oui, ca va.
0:56:35 > 0:56:36Tres bien.
0:56:36 > 0:56:38Luckily, we've just found the other boat,
0:56:38 > 0:56:40which is a huge relief, and they're absolutely fine,
0:56:40 > 0:56:43there's no problems with them at all.
0:56:43 > 0:56:45The reason for the delay is soon apparent.
0:56:48 > 0:56:51So, we just noticed that they've changed the motor,
0:56:51 > 0:56:54so there's obviously been an issue with the engine and they've picked
0:56:54 > 0:56:57up a new engine at another village just upstream.
0:57:01 > 0:57:04Together, both boats make their way back upriver to the village.
0:57:09 > 0:57:11Yeah, this is really good news.
0:57:11 > 0:57:14The main thing is the guys are safe, so we've got the full team together.
0:57:16 > 0:57:17But all the kit has turned up.
0:57:17 > 0:57:21We've got everything we need, all the cameras, the charging stuff,
0:57:21 > 0:57:25so we can make a film and it means tomorrow we can just get on with it.
0:57:26 > 0:57:31The team went on to have a fantastic shoot with the Mbendjele,
0:57:31 > 0:57:35capturing one of the last groups net hunting in this part
0:57:35 > 0:57:37of the African rainforest.
0:57:43 > 0:57:49Next time, in some of Earth's most stunning natural wonders,
0:57:49 > 0:57:53people must push themselves to the limit in order to survive...
0:57:55 > 0:57:57..against the odds.
0:58:00 > 0:58:01Don't move.