0:00:17 > 0:00:20There's an island in the Caribbean
0:00:20 > 0:00:23that made such an impression on early European sailors
0:00:23 > 0:00:26that they called it the Isle of Enchantment.
0:00:33 > 0:00:34A lush, exotic landscape
0:00:34 > 0:00:37teeming with charismatic creatures,
0:00:37 > 0:00:39many only found on these shores.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44We have boas,
0:00:44 > 0:00:45we have manatees,
0:00:45 > 0:00:47we have turtles,
0:00:47 > 0:00:49we have parrots -
0:00:49 > 0:00:51so diversity is vast here
0:00:51 > 0:00:54and I love it.
0:00:54 > 0:00:59But this paradise is in danger of being lost.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03An explosion of development,
0:01:03 > 0:01:05industry and agriculture
0:01:05 > 0:01:08is pushing nature to the edges.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Now, a dedicated group of naturalists
0:01:14 > 0:01:16are working tirelessly to protect
0:01:16 > 0:01:18the island's most threatened wildlife...
0:01:21 > 0:01:24..and they're willing to go to extraordinary lengths to succeed.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Moving two animals that are 600 pounds is dangerous.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32These animals are fragile, they could die.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35The team use science,
0:01:35 > 0:01:37rehabilitation
0:01:37 > 0:01:38and even seduction
0:01:38 > 0:01:41to help vulnerable species.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43We provide the dating service,
0:01:43 > 0:01:45we provide the room,
0:01:45 > 0:01:47just for them to make love, sweet love!
0:01:49 > 0:01:53The people of this island have woken up to its natural treasures...
0:01:55 > 0:01:58..and now they're fighting to save them.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01It is a way of life, it's actually a vocation.
0:02:01 > 0:02:02It's not a job.
0:02:02 > 0:02:03So, you do it with passion,
0:02:03 > 0:02:07you do it because you think it's important to do.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12This is an island that wants to remain enchanted.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15This is the island of Puerto Rico.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38In the heart of Puerto Rico's rainforest,
0:02:38 > 0:02:40a vast natural sinkhole
0:02:40 > 0:02:42hides a strange structure.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48This is the world-renowned Arecibo telescope.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55A gigantic metal ear
0:02:55 > 0:02:57listening for whispers of life
0:02:57 > 0:02:59from far beyond our planet.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06Its extra terrestrial mission continues day and night...
0:03:14 > 0:03:16..but the forest it lies in
0:03:16 > 0:03:19echoes with its own alien sounds.
0:03:20 > 0:03:27RHYTHMIC WHISTLING
0:03:34 > 0:03:38This might sound like ET lost in the woods...
0:03:43 > 0:03:46..but it's actually a tiny frog called the coqui.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Although it's no bigger than a thumbnail,
0:03:57 > 0:03:59the male's ear-splitting call
0:03:59 > 0:04:02has been recorded at over 100 decibels.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07It's thought to be the loudest frog in the world.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14The males use their call
0:04:14 > 0:04:18as a mating song to attract female coquis.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30Their chorus can be heard all over the island...
0:04:33 > 0:04:36..and the frogs' nightly serenade
0:04:36 > 0:04:40has a special place in the hearts of Puerto Ricans.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43# Yo, where my coquis at?
0:04:43 > 0:04:45# Let 'em know how we get down
0:04:45 > 0:04:47# Come on, sing along COQUIS WHISTLE
0:04:47 > 0:04:49# I just love that sound
0:04:49 > 0:04:52# I'm Puerto Rican and proud
0:04:53 > 0:04:56# I've been doing this since the '80s
0:04:56 > 0:04:59# I represent a true believer from the heart
0:04:59 > 0:05:00# I don't do this for the love of the money
0:05:00 > 0:05:02# I do this for the love of the art
0:05:02 > 0:05:04# Reppin' the crew known as the Almighty
0:05:04 > 0:05:05# Like an empire... #
0:05:05 > 0:05:10The Taino tribe, who ruled Puerto Rico over a thousand years ago,
0:05:10 > 0:05:13even carved its image into the rocks
0:05:13 > 0:05:16and it remains a national symbol to this day.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Once we hear that song of theirs,
0:05:20 > 0:05:22we just fell in love with it.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24- # Where my coquis at? - Coqui! Coqui!
0:05:24 > 0:05:26# Let 'em know how we get down
0:05:26 > 0:05:28HE WHISTLES LIKE A COQUI
0:05:28 > 0:05:30- # Come on, sing along - Coqui! Coqui!
0:05:30 > 0:05:32# I just love that sound HE WHISTLES LIKE A COQUI
0:05:32 > 0:05:33# Hey, yo, where my coquis at? #
0:05:33 > 0:05:35Coqui! Coqui! It's beautiful.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37It's something that's part of us.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39# Come on, sing along
0:05:39 > 0:05:40COQUIS WHISTLE
0:05:40 > 0:05:42# I just love that sound. # COQUIS WHISTLE
0:05:47 > 0:05:50Despite people's fondness for this little frog,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53they have not always protected its forest home.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01Puerto Rico is 1,000 miles from Florida
0:06:01 > 0:06:03on the eastern edge of the Caribbean Sea.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07The main island of the archipelago
0:06:07 > 0:06:09is only 100 miles long.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22When Columbus first landed here, in 1493,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24it was covered in ancient rainforest.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29Gradually, as the modern world encroached,
0:06:29 > 0:06:32the island's natural resources were diminished.
0:06:34 > 0:06:35By 1900,
0:06:35 > 0:06:38only 5% of its forest remained.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44One special creature that can be found nowhere else on the planet
0:06:44 > 0:06:46was pushed to the brink of extinction.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51PARROTS SQUAWK
0:06:53 > 0:06:56The Puerto Rican amazon parrot.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00At one point,
0:07:00 > 0:07:03there were only 13 of these precious birds left in the world.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08Today, they're so rare
0:07:08 > 0:07:09that each individual
0:07:09 > 0:07:11is fitted with a radio transmitter
0:07:11 > 0:07:12so it can be tracked...
0:07:14 > 0:07:17..and they are still the island's most endangered species.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30The Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Programme
0:07:30 > 0:07:33is based at a secret location in the rainforest.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37A captive breeding centre for these birds.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40In specialised enclosures,
0:07:40 > 0:07:42they're encouraged to mate.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49Their progress is monitored around the clock.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55The chicks they produce will be released back to the wild...
0:08:00 > 0:08:03..and this year, they plan to let out the largest flock
0:08:03 > 0:08:06of Puerto Rican amazons so far
0:08:06 > 0:08:08into the El Yunque National Forest.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30The man running this rescue mission loves these birds.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36Jafet Velez-Valentin
0:08:36 > 0:08:38has devoted his entire life
0:08:38 > 0:08:41to saving Puerto Rico's parrots.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49Originally, when I began to work in this programme,
0:08:49 > 0:08:53I thought it was going to be something temporary,
0:08:53 > 0:08:56but once I start learning about them,
0:08:56 > 0:08:58working with them in the wild,
0:08:58 > 0:09:00working with them in captivity,
0:09:00 > 0:09:04you literally fall in love with the species and...
0:09:06 > 0:09:09..it's a decision I will never, ever regret.
0:09:12 > 0:09:18We need to have happy, healthy, fertile pairs.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20If we have that,
0:09:20 > 0:09:22chicks will be a by-product.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27Sometimes we call ourselves matchmakers for parrots,
0:09:27 > 0:09:29eHarmony for birds,
0:09:29 > 0:09:32and when you're working with a pair
0:09:32 > 0:09:34and you are able to study their behaviour
0:09:34 > 0:09:37and finally make a good match,
0:09:37 > 0:09:39it's great.
0:09:39 > 0:09:40PARROT SQUAWKS
0:09:42 > 0:09:46But it's not always as simple as it sounds.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51One of his couples is producing infertile eggs...
0:09:52 > 0:09:56..so he's called on the island's specialist wildlife vet,
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Doctor Antonio Rivera.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04I have the privilege to work with our endangered species.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07These animals mean a lot.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09They're part of our nature,
0:10:09 > 0:10:12they're an icon for all Puerto Ricans -
0:10:12 > 0:10:15but once we lose a species, it's gone forever.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17We can't bring it back.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22To investigate the parrots' reproductive organs,
0:10:22 > 0:10:25Antonio needs to sedate the birds.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30PARROT WAILS The male is first.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34The Puerto Rican parrots are very hard tempered,
0:10:34 > 0:10:36they could die in your hands
0:10:36 > 0:10:38just because they're mad.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40They don't want you to handle them.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42I make sure that they're strong,
0:10:42 > 0:10:44that they're breathing,
0:10:44 > 0:10:46I try not to stress them too much -
0:10:46 > 0:10:49because they're different, they're very special.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52Antonio makes a small incision
0:10:52 > 0:10:55and then uses a tiny camera probe
0:10:55 > 0:10:57to inspect its testicles.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03That's the testicle there.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05It's got a great colour,
0:11:05 > 0:11:07the membrane doesn't look inflamed.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09In general, it looks good.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12A few stitches
0:11:12 > 0:11:14and he's ready to go.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17There's nothing wrong with this male.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20So, what about the female?
0:11:20 > 0:11:22PARROT SQUAWKS
0:11:25 > 0:11:26She's almost gone.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35I see the cranial pole of the kidney
0:11:35 > 0:11:39and then the ovary should be right there...
0:11:39 > 0:11:41and there is
0:11:41 > 0:11:45what looks like an undeveloped ovary down there
0:11:45 > 0:11:47and that might mean that she's having problems,
0:11:47 > 0:11:51that's why she's not producing any chicks.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55Puerto Rican parrots usually choose one mate for life
0:11:55 > 0:11:57but, in the case of this pair,
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Jafet is going to have to intervene.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07The value of the male, it's very high -
0:12:07 > 0:12:10so I'm going to divorce them
0:12:10 > 0:12:13and I'm going to get another female for him
0:12:13 > 0:12:15and another mate for her
0:12:15 > 0:12:17because probably she will be a great brooder.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25By doing this, the healthy male's genes can still be passed on.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32Hopefully, the female's urge to brood can still be fulfilled.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37Jafet has already observed
0:12:37 > 0:12:39her strong, maternal, nest-building instinct.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46I will try to work with her,
0:12:46 > 0:12:49providing her fertile eggs about to hatch
0:12:49 > 0:12:52and she will be our next foster mother.
0:12:57 > 0:12:58But there's always a danger
0:12:58 > 0:13:01that surrogate parents will reject
0:13:01 > 0:13:04and even destroy their newly-adopted eggs.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11The first 24 hours are critical
0:13:11 > 0:13:15to find out if a pair will make good foster parents.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34The Puerto Rican mainland
0:13:34 > 0:13:37has over 300 miles of coastline.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45From rugged, rocky shores...
0:13:49 > 0:13:53..to the canals that meander through the mangroves.
0:13:58 > 0:13:59Beautiful beaches...
0:14:04 > 0:14:06..and vast beds of seagrass
0:14:06 > 0:14:07in the shallow seas.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13This is home to the island's
0:14:13 > 0:14:15most endangered marine mammal.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Puerto Rican manatees cruise these waters,
0:14:21 > 0:14:22spending most of their time
0:14:22 > 0:14:24feeding on the seagrass.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28But while they graze,
0:14:28 > 0:14:29they're vulnerable to being struck
0:14:29 > 0:14:31by speeding jet skis and boats.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47There are fewer than 700 manatees
0:14:47 > 0:14:50alive today in Puerto Rico.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54And with so few left,
0:14:54 > 0:14:57the survival of each individual is important.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Just outside the capital city of San Juan
0:15:09 > 0:15:11is the Manatee Conservation Center.
0:15:15 > 0:15:20Toni Mignucci rehabilitates injured and orphaned manatees here.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27He has three pools where manatees in need can be cared for.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32The smallest pool holds baby Tureygua,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35who became separated from his mother at birth.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41He's still being fed formula milk
0:15:41 > 0:15:42six times a day.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54Guacara is in the biggest pool.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01Unfortunately, he was so badly injured after being hit by a boat,
0:16:01 > 0:16:03that he will never swim well enough
0:16:03 > 0:16:05to be returned to the ocean...
0:16:08 > 0:16:12..but he is happily spending his retirement playing on his float.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20And in the middle pool
0:16:20 > 0:16:22are two juvenile manatees
0:16:22 > 0:16:26that Toni is preparing to return to the wild.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Both are getting used to wearing tail collars
0:16:29 > 0:16:32so that they can be satellite tracked after their release.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38In this tank, we have Yuisa and Aramana.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42They were brought in as calves.
0:16:42 > 0:16:43Aramana, the male,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46was orphaned by its mother in the town of Dorado
0:16:46 > 0:16:48four and a half years ago.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53Yuisa got separated from his mother
0:16:53 > 0:16:57because of high tide and bad weather,
0:16:57 > 0:16:59and the mum couldn't find it any more.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01So, we brought her.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03She is only two-and-half years old
0:17:03 > 0:17:05and she has outgrown the older male.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11Our last release was six years ago
0:17:11 > 0:17:13and what's special about this release
0:17:13 > 0:17:16is this will be our first-time releasing a pair together.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20They have been in the pool, bonding, for the past six months,
0:17:20 > 0:17:22in the hope that they will stay together.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25If they did, it will be a beautiful story.
0:17:29 > 0:17:34Aramana and Yuisa need to weigh at least 600 pounds,
0:17:34 > 0:17:36the weight of three men,
0:17:36 > 0:17:37before they can be released...
0:17:43 > 0:17:46..so Toni's team of students and volunteers
0:17:46 > 0:17:51prepare two manatee-sized vegetarian feasts every day
0:17:51 > 0:17:54so that they can put on enough weight.
0:18:00 > 0:18:05Aramana and Yuisa eat more than half their weight in fruit and vegetables
0:18:05 > 0:18:08a week, including 50 lettuces a day.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19Before the manatees can be released,
0:18:19 > 0:18:22the team needs to ensure that they're in good health.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Manatees are aquatic mammals
0:18:29 > 0:18:31that have lungs and breathe air
0:18:31 > 0:18:33so, if managed carefully,
0:18:33 > 0:18:36they can survive out of water.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41Doctor Antonio Rivera
0:18:41 > 0:18:43has learnt to be a highly versatile vet.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48As well as helping the parrot recovery programme,
0:18:48 > 0:18:51he's been working with the manatees for 15 years.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01Today, he will drain a small abscess on Aramana's back.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08To carry out this surgical procedure,
0:19:08 > 0:19:11the team will need to turn him over onto his belly...
0:19:15 > 0:19:17..but he's not so keen on the idea.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23Manatees do not always respond well to sedation...
0:19:26 > 0:19:29..so Toni's team use a group hug
0:19:29 > 0:19:32to restrain him during surgery.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39We do get on top of the animals and we wrestle them down.
0:19:39 > 0:19:45So, we had 13 of my students and technicians on top of the animal.
0:19:45 > 0:19:46Prep and go!
0:19:51 > 0:19:54We're going to open Aramana's abscess to drain.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57If we do not open it,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00then it's going to keep building up and building up,
0:20:00 > 0:20:01and it's not going to be able to cure -
0:20:01 > 0:20:04so we have to open it with a blade.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07OK.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Using a sharp scalpel on a bucking manatee is dangerous.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19One slip could be costly.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29For people that haven't seen this,
0:20:29 > 0:20:30it's kind of disgusting.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32It is like a big pimple.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38Oh, my God!
0:20:38 > 0:20:41Aramana's abscess is worse than Antonio expected.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44He's going to have to drain the infection.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49I have to make a larger opening there.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51THEY SPEAK SPANISH
0:20:54 > 0:20:58THEY SPEAK SPANISH
0:21:05 > 0:21:07HE SPEAKS SPANISH
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Aramana is becoming stressed.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12He hasn't taken a breath for over a minute.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18Unlike land mammals that breathe all the time,
0:21:18 > 0:21:20marine mammals are voluntary breathers
0:21:20 > 0:21:22so, actually, if you put them out of the water,
0:21:22 > 0:21:24their nostrils will be closed
0:21:24 > 0:21:28and they have to think to be able to breathe.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30We may have to stop for a short time
0:21:30 > 0:21:34and he hasn't been breathing like we want to.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40They pour water over Aramana's nose
0:21:40 > 0:21:44to mimic the feeling of surfacing for air
0:21:44 > 0:21:47in the hope that he will take a breath.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49He could die if he doesn't breathe soon.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Much to the team's relief, he starts breathing.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02OK. We're done.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08Toni is hoping Aramana will recover quickly
0:22:08 > 0:22:10so he can be returned to the ocean.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16We have to change protocol,
0:22:16 > 0:22:18providing antibiotics orally,
0:22:18 > 0:22:20which is a challenge,
0:22:20 > 0:22:23but also we have to clean that wound.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25If we slack off,
0:22:25 > 0:22:28then we're not going to have a releasable animal.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35For now, Aramana is content,
0:22:35 > 0:22:38playing in the water as his pool fills up.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51The warm, tropical waters surrounding Puerto Rico
0:22:51 > 0:22:54are some of the richest in the Caribbean.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07They're home to coral reefs
0:23:07 > 0:23:09and other precious oceanic life.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16Five threatened species of sea turtles
0:23:16 > 0:23:18can be found in these waters.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32Carlos Diez is a world-renowned turtle conservationist.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43He captures critically endangered hawksbill turtles
0:23:43 > 0:23:45as part of a research programme
0:23:45 > 0:23:47that's helping to save the species.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54Hawksbill turtles are a valuable commodity,
0:23:54 > 0:23:57prized for their shells and meat.
0:24:03 > 0:24:04Carlos gathers evidence
0:24:04 > 0:24:08to help make laws to protect them.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11HE SPEAKS SPANISH
0:24:15 > 0:24:18When we start our work 25 years ago,
0:24:18 > 0:24:19we started with the hawksbill turtle
0:24:19 > 0:24:25which is a very rare species, it's critical endangered...
0:24:25 > 0:24:27and there were many gaps in its biology
0:24:27 > 0:24:30that we were able to help answer.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32HE SPEAKS SPANISH
0:24:32 > 0:24:35We learned things about the growth rate
0:24:35 > 0:24:38and how fast those animals can mature, that tell us, you know,
0:24:38 > 0:24:40how many turtles will be in the future
0:24:40 > 0:24:44or if it's feasible to harvest them or not in a sustainable way.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Carlos provided vital evidence
0:24:49 > 0:24:51to support a new international agreement
0:24:51 > 0:24:54to ban hawksbill turtle shell trade.
0:24:57 > 0:24:58Since the ban,
0:24:58 > 0:25:02their numbers have been rising steadily in key nesting areas...
0:25:03 > 0:25:06..but Carlos isn't stopping here.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12Now that turtles are coming back,
0:25:12 > 0:25:16that means that we will have more interaction with humans
0:25:16 > 0:25:20because we share some of their areas, we share nesting beaches,
0:25:20 > 0:25:22we share the reef
0:25:22 > 0:25:26because man wants to do marinas and want to do ports,
0:25:26 > 0:25:29and there's a lot of problems with habitat degradation.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39Carlos is now turning his attention
0:25:39 > 0:25:42to one idyllic stretch of beach
0:25:42 > 0:25:45where another species of vulnerable turtle lays its eggs.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51Dorado Beach is one of the most important nesting sites
0:25:51 > 0:25:54for leatherback turtles in the whole Caribbean.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01Unfortunately, this beach also attracts property developers
0:26:01 > 0:26:04keen to cash in on its natural beauty.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15For now, leatherbacks still haul their enormous bodies
0:26:15 > 0:26:18out of the water to nest at night.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23These turtles can weigh over half a tonne
0:26:23 > 0:26:26and measure over six-and-a-half feet.
0:26:29 > 0:26:30Leatherbacks are amazing.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33In the old days, they were considered sea monsters.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41They are the largest turtles in the world.
0:26:41 > 0:26:42It's a big animal.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Some people compare it with a Volkswagen.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56Using only her back flippers,
0:26:56 > 0:26:59this female will dig a hole over two feet deep.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04Without ever seeing what she's making,
0:27:04 > 0:27:06she delicately creates a chamber.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19They manage to make a perfect hole.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21Basically like a bottle, you know,
0:27:21 > 0:27:25that it has a neck and then suddenly becomes wide...
0:27:31 > 0:27:34..and then she will start laying the eggs.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37TURTLE GROANS
0:27:42 > 0:27:46Leatherbacks lay about 80 eggs per nest.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51TURTLE GROANS
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Each egg is almost as big as a tennis ball.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00They will hatch in two months' time.
0:28:03 > 0:28:04Once her eggs are laid,
0:28:04 > 0:28:07she gently presses sand into the hole.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13TURTLE GROANS
0:28:15 > 0:28:17She then returns to the ocean
0:28:17 > 0:28:19and has nothing more to do with them.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30In his fight to protect leatherback turtle nest sites,
0:28:30 > 0:28:34Carlos must occasionally swap his flippers and snorkel
0:28:34 > 0:28:36for trousers and a shirt.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40He is presenting the case
0:28:40 > 0:28:41in the Puerto Rican court.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48IN SPANISH:
0:29:09 > 0:29:14Carlos isn't the only person to give evidence.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16Buenas tardes.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19The judge's verdict will decide whether or not
0:29:19 > 0:29:21the turtle nests sites will be protected.
0:29:23 > 0:29:24Without this intervention,
0:29:24 > 0:29:28Dorado Beach could be sold to the highest bidder,
0:29:28 > 0:29:31leaving the turtles with an uncertain future.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34HE SPEAKS SPANISH
0:29:40 > 0:29:42Puerto Rico's natural habitats
0:29:42 > 0:29:47are under constant threat from one dominant species.
0:29:47 > 0:29:52The human population here has doubled in the last century.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55Now, after years of neglecting their environment,
0:29:55 > 0:29:59many Puerto Ricans want their island to be green again.
0:30:02 > 0:30:07Today, more than 60% of the island's forest has started to recover.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18Many of the spectacular native species
0:30:18 > 0:30:22are being given a chance to thrive once again.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33Some, like the Puerto Rican parrot,
0:30:33 > 0:30:36have been rescued from the edge of extinction.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42At the breeding centre,
0:30:42 > 0:30:43the infertile female
0:30:43 > 0:30:45and her new parrot partner
0:30:45 > 0:30:47have settled into being foster parents.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57The female has been incubating the adopted eggs
0:30:57 > 0:30:59as if they were her own.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03Now, on the grainy monitors,
0:31:03 > 0:31:05the team watches as her eggs start to hatch.
0:31:13 > 0:31:17The technique of sneaking fertile eggs under good mothers
0:31:17 > 0:31:20has dramatically improved the number of chicks
0:31:20 > 0:31:22that they've been able to hatch.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29Back in 1979,
0:31:29 > 0:31:33the first chick was ever produced in captivity
0:31:33 > 0:31:36and after that, a good year for the programme
0:31:36 > 0:31:39was maybe one or two chicks per year.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43When you look at right now,
0:31:43 > 0:31:46as of today,
0:31:46 > 0:31:49chick number 43 of the season
0:31:49 > 0:31:50just hatched this morning.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56We are very excited because this guy, in about two months,
0:31:56 > 0:31:58is going to be a fledgling
0:31:58 > 0:32:01and probably, within the next couple of years,
0:32:01 > 0:32:04he's going to be a free-flying Puerto Rican parrot.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06Another one for the wild.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18While the new chicks are enjoying their home comforts...
0:32:20 > 0:32:21..last year's hatchlings
0:32:21 > 0:32:23are now juveniles.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Living as a flock in the main aviary.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39We call this cage "flight school"
0:32:39 > 0:32:42because this is the first big step
0:32:42 > 0:32:44before they are finally selected
0:32:44 > 0:32:46for the release group.
0:32:49 > 0:32:54Releasing this flock could boost the wild population of 200 parrots
0:32:54 > 0:32:56by more than 10%.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03There we have Pink Heart.
0:33:03 > 0:33:04Pink Heart,
0:33:04 > 0:33:06he's a one-year-old male
0:33:06 > 0:33:10and seems to be one of the best candidates for the release group.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16Before we installed the dog tags,
0:33:16 > 0:33:17we used beer caps.
0:33:17 > 0:33:21And one bird that was identified as Heineken
0:33:21 > 0:33:26and another bird started showing some behaviour as a pair.
0:33:29 > 0:33:31They're flocking together,
0:33:31 > 0:33:33flying together,
0:33:33 > 0:33:34spending a lot of time together
0:33:34 > 0:33:37and they will be released together into the wild.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46Heineken, Pink Heart and the whole flock
0:33:46 > 0:33:48receive regular training
0:33:48 > 0:33:51to build up the strength of their wing muscles
0:33:51 > 0:33:52in this aerial gym.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00When you have a group of birds in captivity,
0:34:00 > 0:34:02they've got fresh water every day,
0:34:02 > 0:34:04fresh food every day,
0:34:04 > 0:34:06the only thing you've got to do
0:34:06 > 0:34:07is just wake up in the morning,
0:34:07 > 0:34:09stretch your wings, get the food
0:34:09 > 0:34:12and forget about the rest of the day.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16Well, we don't want that to happen to the birds
0:34:16 > 0:34:19we're going to release into the wild.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21We don't want them to become couch potatoes.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29It's not just about exercise.
0:34:29 > 0:34:30If they're to make it in the wild,
0:34:30 > 0:34:33they must learn to avoid predators.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41When a hawk attacks a group of parrots,
0:34:41 > 0:34:46we have been able to time how long it takes them to kill a parrot.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48And usually,
0:34:48 > 0:34:52if the parrots can fly
0:34:52 > 0:34:55for more than a minute and 30 seconds,
0:34:55 > 0:34:59the chances for the hawk to get them will be very, very, very low.
0:34:59 > 0:35:04So, we want to make sure that they can fly over three minutes
0:35:04 > 0:35:07without losing their stamina.
0:35:10 > 0:35:15So that's why it looks like we are harassing an endangered species!
0:35:15 > 0:35:16We are not doing that!
0:35:16 > 0:35:22On the contrary, we are making sure they will survive in the wild.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24- Dos, uno... - WATCH BEEPS
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Time is up for today's training.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33Heineken and Pink Heart's flock
0:35:33 > 0:35:37is almost ready to be released into the wild.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41If they remain strong, they will be freed in just a few weeks' time.
0:35:49 > 0:35:54At dusk, another creature is taking to the sky.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01Across the island,
0:36:01 > 0:36:02the mouths of caves
0:36:02 > 0:36:05erupt with a nocturnal exodus.
0:36:08 > 0:36:1113 species of bat are found in Puerto Rico.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16300,000 live in this one cave alone.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23But another animal has been waiting for this moment, too.
0:36:27 > 0:36:28The Puerto Rican boa.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40It's too dark for the snakes to see the bats,
0:36:40 > 0:36:43but they're able to sense them as they flit past.
0:37:11 > 0:37:12Once they've caught one,
0:37:12 > 0:37:16they envelop it and squeeze out the bat's last breath.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20There is no escape.
0:37:29 > 0:37:34The Puerto Rican boa is one of the island's top native predators.
0:37:38 > 0:37:42Nowhere is off-limits for these determined hunters.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46At the parrot breeding centre,
0:37:46 > 0:37:48an unsuspecting pair
0:37:48 > 0:37:50is dosing with two new-born chicks
0:37:50 > 0:37:52and one unhatched egg.
0:37:56 > 0:37:57In the middle of the night,
0:37:57 > 0:38:00the monitors record an intruder in the nest box.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Unless the parents wake up,
0:38:19 > 0:38:21the chicks are doomed.
0:38:38 > 0:38:39PARROT SQUAWKS
0:38:39 > 0:38:42The moment they realise the danger, they attack.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45Sharp beaks and talons drive the snake away.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53CHICK CHIRPS
0:38:53 > 0:38:58Incredibly, both chicks and the unhatched egg are safe.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07The Puerto Rican amazon
0:39:07 > 0:39:09is clearly a fighter,
0:39:09 > 0:39:12just as well for such a vulnerable species.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26On the south-western tip of the island,
0:39:26 > 0:39:27lies Puerto Rico's
0:39:27 > 0:39:29most alien landscape.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41These are the Cabo Rojo salt flats.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51They're a Mecca for wading birds.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04Species like this plover nest here.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16Surrounded by water
0:40:16 > 0:40:18that is both supersaturated with salt
0:40:18 > 0:40:20and a rather unusual colour.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24The pink comes from a high concentration
0:40:24 > 0:40:27of colourful microorganisms
0:40:27 > 0:40:29that thrive in these salty conditions.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34Humans have harvested the salt in these salt pans
0:40:34 > 0:40:36for thousands of years.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42At the manatee pools,
0:40:42 > 0:40:44they use this same salt
0:40:44 > 0:40:46to turn fresh water into ocean water.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58It's been two weeks
0:40:58 > 0:41:01since Aramana started his course of antibiotics
0:41:01 > 0:41:03and he's now due for a checkup.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10We had to work a lot to make sure the infection went away,
0:41:10 > 0:41:13but it finally receded and they have a small scar,
0:41:13 > 0:41:15but that's all that's left
0:41:15 > 0:41:17and, in time, we'll barely be able to see that.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27Now, they must pass a crucial weight test.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29They need to have plenty of fat reserves
0:41:29 > 0:41:33while they learn how to feed themselves in the ocean.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36They must weigh at least 600 pounds each.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39725 pounds.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43Yuisa is a big girl...
0:41:45 > 0:41:47..but Aramana is smaller
0:41:47 > 0:41:50and if he's not sufficiently heavy,
0:41:50 > 0:41:52he won't be released.
0:41:54 > 0:41:59639, heavy enough.
0:41:59 > 0:42:00It's good news.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03Toni can now make the final preparations
0:42:03 > 0:42:05for their release.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26Sunrise at Dorado Beach.
0:42:29 > 0:42:3360 days after the leatherback turtle eggs were laid,
0:42:33 > 0:42:35tracks in the sand show that most have hatched...
0:42:38 > 0:42:41..but there are still a few stragglers emerging.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52These baby leatherbacks
0:42:52 > 0:42:54have dug their way upwards
0:42:54 > 0:42:55through two feet of sand.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59Sea birds patrolling the beach
0:42:59 > 0:43:01are always ready to strike.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04The baby turtles have only one option.
0:43:06 > 0:43:08To make a mad dash for the ocean.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27While the drama unfolds on the beach...
0:43:28 > 0:43:30..a courtroom drama
0:43:30 > 0:43:33that will determine the fate of future turtle generations
0:43:33 > 0:43:35is reaching its climax.
0:43:45 > 0:43:47The local community loves their turtles...
0:43:49 > 0:43:51..but the decision whether to protect the beach
0:43:51 > 0:43:53still hangs in the balance.
0:44:39 > 0:44:43The local people have presented a compelling case
0:44:43 > 0:44:49and the court declares the beach a protected zone.
0:44:49 > 0:44:54CHEERING
0:44:58 > 0:44:59It is very important because
0:44:59 > 0:45:01this beach will be now protected,
0:45:01 > 0:45:03especially from urban development
0:45:03 > 0:45:04and light pollution.
0:45:06 > 0:45:08In the future,
0:45:08 > 0:45:10when these hatchlings are adults,
0:45:10 > 0:45:13they'll be able to return to Dorado
0:45:13 > 0:45:16and find a safe haven to lay their own eggs.
0:45:21 > 0:45:22Back inland,
0:45:22 > 0:45:25another nest of hatchlings is growing up fast.
0:45:27 > 0:45:29In just a few weeks,
0:45:29 > 0:45:31the foster parents' adopted brood
0:45:31 > 0:45:35has developed from bald, blind, helpless hatchlings...
0:45:38 > 0:45:40..to chubby chicks...
0:45:46 > 0:45:48..and are now demanding juveniles.
0:45:53 > 0:45:55Soon, they will grow feathers...
0:45:57 > 0:46:00..and it won't be long before they're moved into the aviary
0:46:00 > 0:46:02to learn how to fly.
0:46:07 > 0:46:12But first, this year's class in the "flight school" must graduate.
0:46:20 > 0:46:23Every parrot that's about to be released
0:46:23 > 0:46:25will be fitted with a radio transmitter
0:46:25 > 0:46:28so Jafet's team can track them in the wild.
0:46:30 > 0:46:33Trap it down.
0:46:33 > 0:46:3624 of the parrots have made the grade,
0:46:36 > 0:46:40but there are always a few high school dropouts.
0:46:42 > 0:46:44Some of the birds,
0:46:44 > 0:46:46like the case of Pink Heart,
0:46:46 > 0:46:47he didn't make the cut.
0:46:50 > 0:46:54His feathers were not in perfect condition.
0:46:58 > 0:47:00The bird was not flying properly,
0:47:00 > 0:47:04his landing skills were not the best...
0:47:09 > 0:47:15..and he was over preening a little in certain areas of his body...
0:47:16 > 0:47:20..so we're going to keep that bird under training for another year
0:47:20 > 0:47:24and see if we can successfully release him next year.
0:47:34 > 0:47:38After a month acclimatising at a secret location,
0:47:38 > 0:47:39deep in the rainforest,
0:47:39 > 0:47:41the day has come for Heineken,
0:47:41 > 0:47:44and the successful graduates, to be released.
0:47:57 > 0:47:59Once you open the cage,
0:47:59 > 0:48:02you are wondering what's going to happen.
0:48:04 > 0:48:06How are they going to behave?
0:48:06 > 0:48:09Are they going out of the cage fast or slow?
0:48:11 > 0:48:15It's time, OK, place your bets, who's going out first?!
0:48:27 > 0:48:30Then you've got the sudden movement.
0:48:41 > 0:48:45You see this magical blue carpet just taking off.
0:48:59 > 0:49:02It's just amazing when you can see
0:49:02 > 0:49:06their bright colours finally flying free in the wild.
0:49:20 > 0:49:25The release introduces 24 new parrots into the wild.
0:49:28 > 0:49:31Heineken is still with his partner.
0:49:32 > 0:49:36Jafet is optimistic that they will soon be raising their own family.
0:49:40 > 0:49:44These Puerto Rican parrots almost became extinct
0:49:44 > 0:49:46but, thanks to the breeding programme,
0:49:46 > 0:49:50they're making a remarkable comeback.
0:49:50 > 0:49:55This year, we got over 700 parrots in the wild
0:49:55 > 0:49:56or being bred in captivity.
0:49:56 > 0:50:00We're going to have thousands of them
0:50:00 > 0:50:03within the next 50 years.
0:50:12 > 0:50:14At the manatee centre,
0:50:14 > 0:50:16Aramana and Yuisa's pool
0:50:16 > 0:50:18is being drained for the last time.
0:50:20 > 0:50:22INDISTINCT CHATTER
0:50:22 > 0:50:24This is the morning,
0:50:24 > 0:50:27everybody is anxious, we need more coffee.
0:50:27 > 0:50:32Everybody's going to come here in a couple of minutes and start working.
0:50:34 > 0:50:36In true Puerto Rican style,
0:50:36 > 0:50:39everyone wants to help the manatees
0:50:39 > 0:50:42and Toni's used this to his advantage.
0:50:43 > 0:50:46The National Guard,
0:50:46 > 0:50:49the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources...
0:50:51 > 0:50:53..the police force...
0:50:53 > 0:50:55and dozens of volunteers
0:50:55 > 0:50:58have all come together to move the manatees.
0:51:02 > 0:51:05Once the manatees are safely loaded onto the military trucks...
0:51:06 > 0:51:10..the convoy has an 11-mile drive to the beach.
0:51:15 > 0:51:17This is the last big hurdle
0:51:17 > 0:51:19before their return to the ocean.
0:51:21 > 0:51:25The journey is stressful for all involved, especially the manatees.
0:51:27 > 0:51:30There's a risk they could stop breathing
0:51:30 > 0:51:31or worse, suffer a heart attack.
0:51:34 > 0:51:38Moving two animals that are 600 pounds is quite dangerous.
0:51:38 > 0:51:39They could move and hit someone.
0:51:39 > 0:51:41Injure them.
0:51:41 > 0:51:43But also, in the transport,
0:51:43 > 0:51:45these animals are fragile.
0:51:45 > 0:51:47They could die.
0:51:51 > 0:51:53Toni and his team
0:51:53 > 0:51:56monitor their vital signs constantly -
0:51:56 > 0:51:58checking their breathing and heart rate,
0:51:58 > 0:52:01and regularly cooling them with water.
0:52:03 > 0:52:06THEY SPEAK OWN LANGUAGE
0:52:17 > 0:52:20News of the release has spread across the island
0:52:20 > 0:52:22and a large crowd has gathered
0:52:22 > 0:52:24to give the manatees a send-off.
0:52:36 > 0:52:37Jafet and Carlos have come
0:52:37 > 0:52:40to lend their support on this momentous day...
0:52:43 > 0:52:46..and vet Antonio is on hand
0:52:46 > 0:52:48to give the final all-clear.
0:52:50 > 0:52:52The team attaches a radio transmitter
0:52:52 > 0:52:54to each manatee's tail collar,
0:52:54 > 0:52:56so that they can be tracked in the ocean.
0:52:58 > 0:53:00After one year of being monitored in the wild,
0:53:00 > 0:53:02the collars will be removed.
0:53:18 > 0:53:20Just like when you're raising a kid,
0:53:20 > 0:53:22and when you're letting them go to college,
0:53:22 > 0:53:25you have to step back a little bit.
0:53:25 > 0:53:28That's a little bit of what we're doing right now.
0:53:28 > 0:53:31It's that moment where they have their graduation,
0:53:31 > 0:53:34their graduation is that they have been rehabilitated.
0:53:34 > 0:53:36Now, they're going to college.
0:53:41 > 0:53:44At last, the moment they've all been waiting for.
0:53:51 > 0:53:53He's free.
0:54:03 > 0:54:04This is the culmination
0:54:04 > 0:54:08of five years' dedicated rehabilitation.
0:54:14 > 0:54:16Hopefully, they will become a couple
0:54:16 > 0:54:18and that is what is important
0:54:18 > 0:54:20in terms of conserving species.
0:54:22 > 0:54:27In a very, very reduced population of 500 to 700 animals,
0:54:27 > 0:54:30every animal counts.
0:54:30 > 0:54:33So, if Yuisa lives to her full life expectancy,
0:54:33 > 0:54:37she can contribute potentially 20 more manatees
0:54:37 > 0:54:40to the population in Puerto Rico.
0:54:40 > 0:54:42And in a dwindling population,
0:54:42 > 0:54:44small population like this,
0:54:44 > 0:54:45that is a huge help.
0:54:53 > 0:54:57Yuisa and Aramana are finally in the ocean together.
0:54:57 > 0:54:59There's just one thing left to do.
0:54:59 > 0:55:01Celebrate!
0:55:01 > 0:55:06CHEERING
0:55:15 > 0:55:18We've been with them for so many years now -
0:55:18 > 0:55:21all day, all night at the beginning -
0:55:21 > 0:55:22and you get attached to them.
0:55:22 > 0:55:24For all that, this is the best.
0:55:26 > 0:55:29I will probably remember this day for the rest of my life.
0:55:29 > 0:55:30I'm really excited,
0:55:30 > 0:55:32I've always wanted to work at this since I was very young,
0:55:32 > 0:55:35so this was one of the best days of my life.
0:55:37 > 0:55:42Yuisa and Aramana will acclimatise in this fenced-off bay...
0:55:44 > 0:55:46..then, after three months,
0:55:46 > 0:55:48the gates will be opened
0:55:48 > 0:55:51and they'll be free to explore the wild ocean.
0:55:55 > 0:55:57This day is... It's amazing.
0:55:57 > 0:55:59This is a beautiful day.
0:55:59 > 0:56:01It's a day of achievement.
0:56:02 > 0:56:05This is a great day for conservation,
0:56:05 > 0:56:07which is really what this is all about.
0:56:24 > 0:56:27For the manatees, parrots and turtles -
0:56:27 > 0:56:29as well as the scientists that study them -
0:56:29 > 0:56:31it's been an exceptional year
0:56:31 > 0:56:33for wildlife conservation
0:56:33 > 0:56:35in Puerto Rico.
0:56:36 > 0:56:38INAUDIBLE
0:56:38 > 0:56:42The team know that their work is not finished.
0:56:42 > 0:56:47CHEERING
0:56:47 > 0:56:50For many years, Puerto Rico's natural resources and environment
0:56:50 > 0:56:53have been abused.
0:56:53 > 0:56:54But now we have turned the corner
0:56:54 > 0:56:57and there are numerous organisations working together
0:56:57 > 0:56:58to save the wildlife.
0:57:00 > 0:57:04We are working to get rid of our own jobs
0:57:04 > 0:57:08and hopefully we will get to the point
0:57:08 > 0:57:11that we will have so many birds
0:57:11 > 0:57:14that we will not need an aviary -
0:57:14 > 0:57:17and I hope this will happen to many, many other species.
0:57:20 > 0:57:25The key for the future survival of Puerto Rico's natural wonders
0:57:25 > 0:57:27is the awakening of the island's people
0:57:27 > 0:57:31to its unique wildlife.
0:57:31 > 0:57:35When you see people that used to eat turtles helping you out,
0:57:35 > 0:57:37kids going to a public hearing...
0:57:38 > 0:57:40..or when you get politicians
0:57:40 > 0:57:42that support you, you know,
0:57:42 > 0:57:45then you feel that things are moving on.
0:57:45 > 0:57:49CHEERING
0:57:49 > 0:57:51It's difficult, but we try, you know.
0:57:51 > 0:57:53We try, and we don't quit.