0:00:02 > 0:00:06Deep in the frozen forests of Russia lives a hunter.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12It's one of the world's rarest animals.
0:00:12 > 0:00:17He's right in there. Right there, less than 300 metres.
0:00:17 > 0:00:22More scientists have been to space than have seen it in the wild.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25THEY GASP
0:00:30 > 0:00:34Now an international team are tracking this elusive predator.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37Wow! Tiger!
0:00:37 > 0:00:40They're dedicating their lives to protecting it.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44He's really struggling, watch out.
0:00:44 > 0:00:49In this series, we enter the hidden realm of this legendary big cat.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53The Siberian tiger.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12My name is Liz Bonnin.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Before I started working in television,
0:01:14 > 0:01:16I was a wildlife biologist.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22I've studied Bengal tigers in India and Nepal
0:01:22 > 0:01:28but the Siberian tiger and its habitat here in the Russian Far East
0:01:28 > 0:01:30are completely new to me.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33I've been invited to Russia to help a team of scientists.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37We're trying to uncover the secret life
0:01:37 > 0:01:39of this mysterious and rare big cat.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47I've come at a crucial time.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49Some scientists believe there could be as few
0:01:49 > 0:01:53as 300 Siberian tigers left in the wild.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00I've travelled 5,000 miles, across ten time zones,
0:02:00 > 0:02:03to reach one of the Earth's last great wildernesses.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14I'm heading to a remote base where I'll be meeting the team.
0:02:15 > 0:02:20I'm a little bit concerned about the conditions.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24It gets to minus 30, minus 40 on a bad stormy day,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27and these Russians are tough and they know this place
0:02:27 > 0:02:31and they're fast. Hopefully I'll do OK.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34HE SPEAKS IN RUSSIAN
0:02:34 > 0:02:37The research team is led by Dr Victor Lukarevsky.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42He's been tracking tigers here for five years.
0:02:42 > 0:02:47All my life is connected with big cats.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53Victor believes research holds the key to the future
0:02:53 > 0:02:55of this endangered predator.
0:02:55 > 0:03:00I am absolutely convinced it is possible to save the tiger.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04Joining the team is American biologist, Dr Dale Miquelle,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07from the Wildlife Conservation Society.
0:03:07 > 0:03:12I've already invested 20 years of my life trying to understand
0:03:12 > 0:03:14and save the Siberian tiger.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16In recent years the numbers are declining, but we've got
0:03:16 > 0:03:20the combined resources of Russians and all kinds of scientists here
0:03:20 > 0:03:23to make sure there's a future for this animal in the Russian Far East.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27So what's our best tactic? Where shall we start?
0:03:27 > 0:03:31I've also brought cameramen with me, including wildlife specialist
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Max Hug-Williams.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37My role as a wildlife cameraman is really to try
0:03:37 > 0:03:40and get any shots of the last remaining Siberian tigers.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43There's only a handful of non-Russians who've even seen
0:03:43 > 0:03:46these big cats so it's going to be super-tough.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49It's been three months since Victor was last here.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51He's worried that some of the tigers
0:03:51 > 0:03:56in this area may have fallen victim to poachers.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00I know that probably the most extraordinary animal on the planet
0:04:00 > 0:04:03is in very real danger of becoming extinct here,
0:04:03 > 0:04:07so I'm really keen to get to know the people who are trying
0:04:07 > 0:04:11to stop that from happening and help them with their research
0:04:11 > 0:04:15in any way that I can, but mostly I want to find out
0:04:15 > 0:04:18if it's even possible to save the tiger here,
0:04:18 > 0:04:22and if enough can be done before it's too late.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36Right, come on, Victor. No more talking, here we go.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44It's minus 28 this morning, really feeling it.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49This cold is so severe everything gets covered in ice.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52Even if there's a semblance of heat in this engine,
0:04:52 > 0:04:56everything around it still freezes absolutely solid.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07The scientists working in these extreme conditions are poorly funded.
0:05:08 > 0:05:14Every morning their well-worn vehicles have to be coaxed back to life.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Another small problem in the Russian Far East.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20We brought equipment to help the scientists here
0:05:20 > 0:05:24capture more information about an animal that's rarely seen.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36We're starting our search for Siberian tigers
0:05:36 > 0:05:40in Ussuriysk Reserve, Victor's main study area.
0:05:45 > 0:05:50In the past, Ussuriysk has been a safe haven for up to eight tigers.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53It served as a breeding ground, producing young
0:05:53 > 0:05:56that go on to populate the surrounding area.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02With poaching on the increase,
0:06:02 > 0:06:06Victor doesn't know which tigers are still alive.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Something we hope to help him find out.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15Victor, how big is the protected area?
0:06:15 > 0:06:1847,000 hectares.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21So 470 kilometres squared.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Completely closed to the public for over 80 years,
0:06:27 > 0:06:30the reserve is full of tiger prey.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37We start our search by driving the reserve's roads.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Tigers like to use them too.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46It's all about conserving energy out here and this is an easier road
0:06:46 > 0:06:49to travel than in three feet of snow inside the forest.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54We're looking for clues that tigers have been here.
0:06:57 > 0:06:58Have you seen something?
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Oh, my God, there's scratches all over the tree.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04Yes, of course.
0:07:07 > 0:07:13Hair. Look at all that hair. Tiger hair everywhere!
0:07:13 > 0:07:18Siberian tigers mark trees to communicate with their neighbours.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Oh, you can see the mark, right, and it smells, you can still smell it.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23But then you look up and inevitably
0:07:23 > 0:07:26there's going to be that scratching of the tree
0:07:26 > 0:07:29letting other tigers know, "I'm here."
0:07:30 > 0:07:33Tigers do not meet face to face very often,
0:07:33 > 0:07:38but they interact to such a high level with all of these signs.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41It's just so thrilling.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46It just shows that they're here, in this forest.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52My heart is beating really fast!
0:07:54 > 0:07:56It's brilliant news.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00One of Victor's tigers is alive.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04But which one is it?
0:08:08 > 0:08:11How big is that to rub its head that high up?
0:08:15 > 0:08:20It's a big cat, it is a big cat to reach that high.
0:08:21 > 0:08:26The DNA in these hairs will tell Victor which tiger was here.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32The remote cameras we've brought can also help identify individuals
0:08:32 > 0:08:36and provide important information about their behaviour.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Where do you think...
0:08:39 > 0:08:42- you want to put?- Yes, yes.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45- Are you putting the camera trap here?- Yes, yes, I think.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47On the left, huh?
0:08:57 > 0:09:02For Victor, it's really important to get footage
0:09:02 > 0:09:08so we're here to just provide camera traps to hopefully get him
0:09:08 > 0:09:11evidence of tiger activity here.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14The footage could even help him assess
0:09:14 > 0:09:16whether the tigers are breeding,
0:09:16 > 0:09:22and therefore if there's a future for the vital Ussuriysk population.
0:09:36 > 0:09:37We are stuck. I mean, it's too steep
0:09:37 > 0:09:41and you know, we're 15 miles from the nearest town,
0:09:41 > 0:09:47we've got no sleeping bags or anything and it's minus 25 degrees.
0:09:52 > 0:09:57I'm starting to understand how tough these Russian scientists are.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59If we can't get this out, we stay here tonight,
0:09:59 > 0:10:03that's for sure. What do we need to do?
0:10:09 > 0:10:10Jeez!
0:10:19 > 0:10:22I nearly got run over!
0:10:22 > 0:10:24The car was coming at me in the snow!
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Never mind getting stuck overnight! Getting run over!
0:10:31 > 0:10:35When we finally get back to the safety of our cabins,
0:10:35 > 0:10:36the work isn't over.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Facilities here are basic.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Heating and water come straight out of the forest.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02The bowls are frozen together!
0:11:08 > 0:11:13Oh, la-la-la-la! That's strong. How do you say strong in Russian?
0:11:13 > 0:11:15Ochen krepko.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- Ochen krepko.- Ochen...- Krepko.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- Ochen krepko. - You're doing great, Liz.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35Five days later, and no further signs of tigers.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38Fresh snow might change our luck.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42So the snow has stopped falling for about 18 hours now.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46If we're really lucky, there should be some nice fresh tiger tracks.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52Siberian tigers are so elusive even Victor has only seen them
0:11:52 > 0:11:55four times in the wild.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58But that doesn't mean they're not here.
0:12:01 > 0:12:02Do we still stay in the car?
0:12:02 > 0:12:04'Correct, stay in the car.'
0:12:10 > 0:12:13We've just driven up about 300 or 400 metres up the track
0:12:13 > 0:12:16but we've all been told to stay in the car
0:12:16 > 0:12:19because the tiger's a little bit behind.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22We're even hearing the sound of crows being disturbed.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28In previous years, Victor managed to trap a few tigers
0:12:28 > 0:12:30to fit them with radio collars.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35Right now he's getting a signal...
0:12:35 > 0:12:37and it's close.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42How far do you think the tiger is?
0:12:42 > 0:12:45150...
0:12:45 > 0:12:47That's it. 150 metres.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49Not more.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59God, guys, that's unbelievable.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04And there are his tracks walking into the forest.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08It's clear that it's moved in there because it's heard our cars
0:13:08 > 0:13:11and it's quite possibly looking at us right now.
0:13:13 > 0:13:18Now obviously it would be hugely foolish to follow these tracks forward.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29The other somewhat disconcerting thought is that, er,
0:13:29 > 0:13:33that tiger's tracks were heading straight down the path
0:13:33 > 0:13:35that leads us to one of our cabins.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38We won't be having lunch there today!
0:13:38 > 0:13:43We've confirmed at least one tiger is in the reserve.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47But a single tiger doesn't make a viable population.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51Ussuriysk only has a future if tigers are breeding here.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53We need to find more.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07Russian technology helps us deploy more camera traps across the reserve.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19We set cameras where Victor thinks tigers could pass.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22But it's not just tigers that trigger them.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Over several days, we continue to put out cameras
0:14:38 > 0:14:41and scour the forest for signs.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Finally we get together to see what we've captured.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51OK, guys, are you ready? Here we go.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Just goes to show that the camera is actually working.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59OK. Moving on quickly.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01This man is going to have a heart attack
0:15:01 > 0:15:04if I don't show him something interesting.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08Then our first glimpse of the animal we've been looking for.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Stop, stop.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12- Oh!- Look at it. - Oh, my God!
0:15:21 > 0:15:24This footage is incredibly rare and it's the first time
0:15:24 > 0:15:28many of the Russian researchers have seen shots like these.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31What, sorry! Repeat, show him again.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50Look at that face!
0:15:52 > 0:15:58It's Banzai, a male tiger previously collared by Victor.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01Away from his usual area, Victor thinks
0:16:01 > 0:16:03he could be searching for a mate.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20Amazingly, a nearby camera has filmed another male.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Also known to the Russian team, this is Luke.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36Males found so close together will be competing for territory,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39food, and females.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46But even with 30 cameras out there not a single female has been found.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52Finding those incredible camera trap images is really good news
0:16:52 > 0:16:55but so far we haven't found any females
0:16:55 > 0:17:00and without breeding females here, then this precious protected area,
0:17:00 > 0:17:06this important potential source of new tigers is just going to waste.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10So it's vital that we find evidence of females here.
0:17:11 > 0:17:16Without female tigers, Ussuriysk's males could disperse,
0:17:16 > 0:17:19leaving this all-important reserve empty.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Then we get a very disturbing call.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34It's so important we're diverting from our main mission.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37It looks like a tiger cub has been orphaned.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39It's a bit sketchy, the news we're getting,
0:17:39 > 0:17:44but it sounds like it's a cub that killed a dog in a village
0:17:44 > 0:17:49and it got caught but needless to say we've turned the car around
0:17:49 > 0:17:53and we're going to head right there to check out what the situation is.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57We've been told the cub was spotted without its mother.
0:17:57 > 0:18:02It's been brought to a wildlife rehabilitation centre nearby
0:18:02 > 0:18:05and Dale is already on the scene.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14So we've got a young, about four-month-old cub
0:18:14 > 0:18:17- in this cage right here. - She's four months old?!
0:18:17 > 0:18:19About four months old.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21- I'll show you, you can take a look at her.- OK.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23- Seriously?- Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's OK.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26My heart is beating so fast, not in nerves, just in excitement.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28Sorry, guys, I'm being...
0:18:28 > 0:18:30If you look there, she'll be looking right at you.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32Get your eyes accustomed.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35Oh. Oh, my God, there she is.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46Oh, my gosh.
0:18:48 > 0:18:49She's a cutie.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54She's absolutely beautiful and she's just lying there,
0:18:54 > 0:18:55dazed and confused.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04This is my first glimpse of a Siberian tiger.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10It's a shame it has to be in these circumstances.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16Dale thinks its mother has been killed.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20So, no sign of the mother?
0:19:20 > 0:19:22No sign of the mother.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25And from your experience, that's it, it's poaching, yeah?
0:19:25 > 0:19:27If the mother was around, she'd be gone.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31Just not old enough to be able to make it out in the forest.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37The Russians have named this cub Businka.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44She needs to be moved into the warmer enclosure quickly.
0:19:46 > 0:19:47Easier said than done.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52GROWLING
0:19:58 > 0:20:00Businka will be looked after
0:20:00 > 0:20:03until she's ready to be returned to the wild.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06She'll be here for a year at least.
0:20:10 > 0:20:16It's a long uncertain road ahead but for now she's safe.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Businka wasn't alone.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Her mother had three cubs.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Dale's been sent footage filmed by a ranger showing the cubs
0:20:35 > 0:20:37soon after they were discovered.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40It's just amazing footage, take a look at this.
0:20:40 > 0:20:41Look at them, three of them.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45Three cubs along the road here. The snow's coming down.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48It's just spectacular footage. It's really something.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51I've never seen anything like this, you know, in this type...
0:20:51 > 0:20:55In Russia, to be able to see this is just, just incredible.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57So what does it look like? Two?
0:20:57 > 0:21:00It's hard to tell but it looks like one a little bit smaller
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- and then two a little larger. - Yeah, so probably two males.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06So three four-month-old cubs just sitting there for all to see
0:21:06 > 0:21:08in the middle of that track in the snow
0:21:08 > 0:21:11and that's the first they caught sight of them then?
0:21:11 > 0:21:15This is the first time anyone's... Well, there's been a few sightings
0:21:15 > 0:21:16but nothing like that.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21These cubs represent almost 1% of the entire wild
0:21:21 > 0:21:23Siberian tiger population.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27This really brings home just how vulnerable this cat is.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32Is their behaviour slightly unusual since they're so young?
0:21:32 > 0:21:36- It is unusual. Usually a tiger would be gone.- They would bolt.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39They just don't hang around. But they're young, inexperienced.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42They don't know they're supposed to be afraid so they're just all sat down together.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44Look at this, there's two huddled together.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Oh, my gosh, and that one is looking really curiously.
0:21:47 > 0:21:48That is mind-blowing.
0:21:53 > 0:22:00One cub is safe, but two are still out there without their mother.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10We assembled a team to study Siberian tigers
0:22:10 > 0:22:13and to try to understand why they're disappearing.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18But now we've got to split up to help with the cub rescue.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25I'll continue to work with Victor in the reserve
0:22:25 > 0:22:29and wildlife cameraman Max is joining a search party
0:22:29 > 0:22:31looking for Businka's siblings.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Well, it's a pretty crazy day in Siberia.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36We literally dropped off our bags,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39grabbed the camera kit we could, and came out here
0:22:39 > 0:22:43when we heard the story of the cubs out here on their own.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48And we're just going to have to go with the flow and see what happens.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53Max is with a crack team of Russian rangers.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55Many are ex-military.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58They're experts in forest survival and tracking.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02OK, looks like we're off. Are you jumping in with us or are you...?
0:23:05 > 0:23:08They're heading to the spot where the cubs were last seen.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23With every hour that passes, the chance of finding them alive fades.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30So, look at this. Tiger tracks all the way along here.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34Look at that. You can see it's definitely one of our cubs.
0:23:34 > 0:23:35Small tracks.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39The guys are pretty sure they probably bedded down overnight
0:23:39 > 0:23:42somewhere just up here, so I am going to try and stay with them.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48These forests are dangerous.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51A rogue bear injured a hunter here last night.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54I'm trying to stay behind the guy with the gun
0:23:54 > 0:23:57because I think that's the safest place to be.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59But I'm not sure what I'm more scared of -
0:23:59 > 0:24:02this bear that apparently someone's in hospital after being
0:24:02 > 0:24:07attacked by a bear, or the two tiger cubs, and there's definitely
0:24:07 > 0:24:10tiger tracks all around here so they could be pretty close.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21Sasha Rybin, a biologist from the Wildlife Conservation Society
0:24:21 > 0:24:23has found an important sign.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26So what time do you think they came through here then?
0:24:32 > 0:24:35What, the two tracks went a different way?
0:24:38 > 0:24:39They're alone, yeah.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49The cubs have separated.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Now they're on the trail of just one.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13It's three or four o'clock now so we're running out of light.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16I think they're talking about calling it a day.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18But the two cubs have split up now.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21So they're having a bit of an argument about which way
0:25:21 > 0:25:22to go at the moment!
0:25:24 > 0:25:27So, Sasha, we're not having much luck. What are we going to do now?
0:25:34 > 0:25:38So there's poachers around here who will shoot the cubs? Really?
0:25:38 > 0:25:41- So you've got the find them before the poachers?- Yeah.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53With the light fading, the cubs still haven't been found.
0:25:54 > 0:25:59The team hope they'll find them tomorrow before the poachers do.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01Again, it's a stark reminder that poaching is still
0:26:01 > 0:26:04as prevalent as ever, isn't it?
0:26:04 > 0:26:10Yeah, it's just an indicator that poaching is really the major threat
0:26:10 > 0:26:14for tigers, not just here in Russia, but really across all of Asia.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16It's the number one factor.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Poaching hasn't always been a problem.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34Back in the days of the Soviet Union, stricter management
0:26:34 > 0:26:38of the landscape and its wildlife saw tiger numbers rise.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44But when communism collapsed, so did the economy.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56People turned to the forests for food.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04As capitalism took hold, borders opened
0:27:04 > 0:27:08and the illegal trade in animal parts for Chinese medicine took off.
0:27:10 > 0:27:15A Siberian tiger carcass could be worth up to 50,000.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Tiger numbers declined dramatically.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28With tigers outside the reserve at risk,
0:27:28 > 0:27:32it's vital that Ussuriysk's population is breeding.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37But so far we've only found males.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46So it's going off the road, into the forest.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49How old do you think? Two days?
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Yeah, two days ago. Definitely a male.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58Absolutely, I am sure because it's big.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00Very big pugmark. OK.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05- Going back onto the road. - Back onto the road, yes.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10So it does a loop. Oh, nice! Nice pugmark.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13- Oh, it's huge! - It's huge, yes.
0:28:13 > 0:28:18I mean, you can totally tell the difference between that
0:28:18 > 0:28:23and a female pugmark, much bigger than a female.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27In hope of confirming which male it is,
0:28:27 > 0:28:29we check the nearest camera traps.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34- OK, here we go. - Left, back.- Here we go.
0:28:34 > 0:28:35SHE GASPS
0:28:38 > 0:28:43Ooh! Hang on a second. It's stopped.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50Huge paws!
0:28:52 > 0:28:54It's Banzai again!
0:28:54 > 0:28:56He's using the eastern part of the reserve
0:28:56 > 0:28:59where Victor has never found signs of him before.
0:29:09 > 0:29:10Three in the afternoon,
0:29:10 > 0:29:13just strolling around in the wide open area.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17He's beautiful, but he's not the female the reserve needs.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24So what do we do next?
0:29:24 > 0:29:25More camera traps.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35Up north, Max is still looking for the two orphaned cubs.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41They've been without their mother for five days now.
0:29:41 > 0:29:42The trail has led him
0:29:42 > 0:29:46to a place where a BBC camera crew are definitely not welcome.
0:29:49 > 0:29:53OK, this is slightly random, slightly weird.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55We're at a Russian military base.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58It feels a bit like something out of James Bond.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01But we've been told we've got to put all the cameras away
0:30:01 > 0:30:05so we're just trying to give a little update.
0:30:05 > 0:30:11Basically, one of the cubs has just been seen in the military base
0:30:11 > 0:30:15so we've rushed over here, but they've told us
0:30:15 > 0:30:18no English people are allowed anywhere near
0:30:18 > 0:30:22this secret military base, so we're just having to wait in the car.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25But it's definitely something out of the Cold War.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29There's razor wire everywhere
0:30:29 > 0:30:32and the two guards on the post in their Russian hats smoking away
0:30:32 > 0:30:34are looking over here
0:30:34 > 0:30:38so we should probably actually put the camera away.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43Some of the Russian rangers have been allowed inside the base.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45They've got the tiger?
0:30:45 > 0:30:48They did get the tiger. Hang on a sec.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50SHE SPEAKS IN RUSSIAN
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Just go straight.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05Tiger!
0:31:11 > 0:31:15Somehow I'm now driving along, trying to find the guys.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19Apparently they are 500 metres down here but I don't know
0:31:19 > 0:31:23whether I'm just imagining things.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25Some soldiers are looking at us
0:31:25 > 0:31:28and we've got someone following us now, it's all slightly bizarre.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35- Where are we going now, left or right?- Turn right, turn right.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37So that car literally followed us
0:31:37 > 0:31:40- until we left the zone. - And did they turn round?
0:31:40 > 0:31:44And then they turned round, yeah. Is that them down there?
0:31:44 > 0:31:47Before Max's imagination can run riot,
0:31:47 > 0:31:50they're overtaken by one of the Rangers' jeeps.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53Follow these guys.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56Just trying to see if they bring us to the tiger cub.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05Baptism of fire.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08- Well, we're through anyway. - Congratulations.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12I guess this is where the road ends.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15Here they are, look, look, look. The guys with the tiger!
0:32:22 > 0:32:26To capture this second cub, Sasha's had to sedate it.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30It's freezing and half-starved.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57It's just bones.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02Sasha's team have got to get this male cub
0:33:02 > 0:33:04into the warmth as quickly as possible.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32They're saying that he's, you know, touch and go
0:33:32 > 0:33:34whether he'll make it because he is so weak.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38He was obviously coming back in to try and get some food
0:33:38 > 0:33:41and he's really just nothing but skin and bones.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49The rehabilitation centre is five hours away,
0:33:49 > 0:33:52so they have to improvise at the nearest village.
0:33:54 > 0:33:59There's no vet here and the cub needs a warm, dark place to recover.
0:34:03 > 0:34:07The only solution is a cupboard in a local house.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28This is animal hospital, Siberian-style.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52Sasha's team have done all they can do to help the second cub.
0:34:52 > 0:34:56Now they must wait to see if they caught it in time.
0:35:08 > 0:35:09Back in Ussuriysk,
0:35:09 > 0:35:12we've been scouring the reserve for tiger tracks.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18But we still haven't found any sign of females.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20Oh, my gosh!
0:35:23 > 0:35:26Now that's a beauty, that looks... Is that a front?
0:35:26 > 0:35:29- That looks like a front. - Looks...yes.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34The size and shape of this track looks promising.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39This camera we put up is very close to that pugmark we saw.
0:35:39 > 0:35:43So we're going to see whether there's footage of a tiger on it.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46Shall we put it on Victor's little computer?
0:35:54 > 0:35:57- Oh, are you nervous?- Yes.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00Oh, what was that, what was it?
0:36:00 > 0:36:03She was here, there was, she was!
0:36:03 > 0:36:04Was it...?
0:36:04 > 0:36:06She was here.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08This is great news.
0:36:08 > 0:36:09Oh, my God!
0:36:09 > 0:36:12It's a tigress Victor has collared before.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15We just got Serga on video, play again.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19We got Serga on film.
0:36:20 > 0:36:25Just beautiful, just watching her move just makes your eyes water.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27Oh, my gosh.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31Shake my hand. I am so happy.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33Are you happy? I am happy.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35We need to drink vodka tonight.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40This is our most important discovery so far.
0:36:46 > 0:36:51It means the males are less likely to disperse into unprotected areas.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57And Serga could have cubs, the future of this reserve.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11Up north, the tiger in the cupboard has come round.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17The Rangers have named him Kuzya, and he's woken up hungry.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24HE GROWLS
0:37:27 > 0:37:31Sasha wants to transport him to the rehabilitation centre.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34A piece of meat lures him into the crate.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42It's his first meal in nearly a week.
0:37:55 > 0:37:59In a few hours, he'll be reunited with his sister.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06Two precious tiger cubs have been saved.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10The last one could still be alive out there,
0:38:10 > 0:38:13alone and fighting for its life.
0:38:20 > 0:38:25The next day, Kuzya has arrived at the rehabilitation centre.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28He's been placed in an enclosure with his sister.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31If they're ever to be released into the wild,
0:38:31 > 0:38:34they must have minimal human contact.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36But a camera allows me to check how they are.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39Take a look at this.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06But look at that face, look at that face.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09A wild Siberian tiger,
0:39:09 > 0:39:13just the most beautiful thing alive.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19I would give anything to be in there having a look
0:39:19 > 0:39:25but obviously this is all about making sure that these little fellas
0:39:25 > 0:39:30who are only four months old can survive rehabilitation
0:39:30 > 0:39:32and can be released in about a year's time.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36To be able to fear man and to hunt properly
0:39:36 > 0:39:39and to be as wild as they possibly can
0:39:39 > 0:39:42at this early stage of their lives.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54And ever so slowly, the second cub comes up.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05It really is lovely to think that two of the cubs have been reunited
0:40:05 > 0:40:10and hopefully, fingers crossed, if everything goes well up north,
0:40:10 > 0:40:14they'll able to bring the third cub to join its siblings.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24And right now it's about getting them to relax a little bit
0:40:24 > 0:40:26because they've really gone through a lot.
0:40:26 > 0:40:31It's vital to just get them to calm and to feed and to drink water.
0:40:37 > 0:40:41These cubs needed to stay with their mother for up to two years
0:40:41 > 0:40:42to learn vital survival skills.
0:40:45 > 0:40:46Orphaned at just four months,
0:40:46 > 0:40:49Businka and Kuzya will need a lot of help
0:40:49 > 0:40:52to prepare them for release next spring.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55There's no guarantee it'll work.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02For now, they're in safe hands.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05I head back to the reserve to help Victor,
0:41:05 > 0:41:08and Max has started searching for the last cub.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16This is a bit of a challenge now.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29He may well have already died but we can't give up hope.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32Every one of these tigers counts.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34There's only 400 left in the wild
0:41:34 > 0:41:38and if we can get these three cubs down to the rehab centre,
0:41:38 > 0:41:43who knows, one day they may be released back into these forests.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57We are going to have to leave the truck here
0:41:57 > 0:42:00because that is definitely going to go through the ice.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02You can see over here little pools of water.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07Tiger track.
0:42:07 > 0:42:13You can see, look. Bit of snow on top so it's probably from yesterday.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17Has he gone across the river, Sasha?
0:42:17 > 0:42:21Is he trying to lose us? Look at this guy!
0:42:40 > 0:42:45The rangers have marched ten miles today and show no sign of easing up.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50I've no idea what these Russians had for breakfast but, look,
0:42:50 > 0:42:53they have either got much longer legs than me...
0:42:53 > 0:42:56They're walking along, I'm virtually jogging
0:42:56 > 0:42:59and I can't bloody catch up with them!
0:43:01 > 0:43:05There's a reason the Russians are moving so fast.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10They've got to try and catch this last cub before tonight.
0:43:10 > 0:43:14Basically, the snow's coming in for three days, a massive storm
0:43:14 > 0:43:17and they don't think it will survive out here. The last cub
0:43:17 > 0:43:21we picked up was just skin and bones, they haven't eaten
0:43:21 > 0:43:24for ten days now, and so we're just going to keep following.
0:43:24 > 0:43:26We've got to get him by the end of the day.
0:43:28 > 0:43:32After seven exhausting hours, the tracks lead them
0:43:32 > 0:43:34back where they started.
0:43:34 > 0:43:38These tracks are going towards where we caught the one yesterday so...
0:43:44 > 0:43:47- So we might have done one big circle.- Yeah, unfortunately.
0:43:53 > 0:43:57Oh, what a day! The weather is closing in now.
0:43:57 > 0:43:58You can see the clouds and snow,
0:43:58 > 0:44:02heavy snow is forecast.
0:44:02 > 0:44:08So we really have a race against time to find this last cub
0:44:08 > 0:44:13and get him down to join his brother and sister
0:44:13 > 0:44:17before he just perishes in the cold.
0:44:31 > 0:44:35While Max is searching for the last cub up north,
0:44:35 > 0:44:37I'm in Ussuriysk helping Victor.
0:44:37 > 0:44:42We've only found one female in the reserve, Serga.
0:44:44 > 0:44:47From studying the camera trap footage, Victor thinks
0:44:47 > 0:44:50there's a chance that Serga could be pregnant.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53To find out, we need a different type of evidence,
0:44:53 > 0:44:55so we're following her trail.
0:44:57 > 0:45:01Perfect pugmark, perfect pugmarks in the snow.
0:45:05 > 0:45:08An experienced tracker like Victor can piece together
0:45:08 > 0:45:11a tiger's story in the snow.
0:45:11 > 0:45:13- Wait, wait.- Yeah, yeah.
0:45:13 > 0:45:15- Wait, wait, wait. - Wait, wait, wait.
0:45:15 > 0:45:21Because she can go here, because these tracks.
0:45:24 > 0:45:26Ah, she's OK.
0:45:26 > 0:45:29- Well, what are they, they look like tiger tracks?- It's OK.
0:45:29 > 0:45:32It's her going this way, she went off here for a bit though, huh?
0:45:32 > 0:45:35These tracks are 36 hours old,
0:45:35 > 0:45:39but Victor can still gain a lot of information.
0:45:39 > 0:45:40So where has she gone now?
0:45:40 > 0:45:43We will see, don't worry. We will find.
0:45:43 > 0:45:47I'm getting impatient. Learn from the master.
0:45:54 > 0:45:58- Victor, this is going that way. - Yes.
0:45:58 > 0:46:00This is going that way.
0:46:00 > 0:46:05I tell you that she turn back in the same.
0:46:05 > 0:46:07She walked back in her own footsteps.
0:46:07 > 0:46:09- Is the same track.- Why?
0:46:09 > 0:46:12And she put the legs in the same...
0:46:12 > 0:46:16Unbelievable. So this pugmark, there's the pad, there are the toes.
0:46:16 > 0:46:17Liz, we'll stay here.
0:46:17 > 0:46:18She's going this way.
0:46:18 > 0:46:21This lady walked back in her own footsteps.
0:46:21 > 0:46:23Why would a tiger bother to do that?
0:46:23 > 0:46:25Victor has the answer.
0:46:26 > 0:46:32Look! She sleep here. She was sleeping here.
0:46:32 > 0:46:34Oh, God, Victor.
0:46:34 > 0:46:38Serga left the track to find a place to sleep.
0:46:38 > 0:46:40- It is the tail, it sleep here, it's the...- Head.
0:46:40 > 0:46:44- The head is here. - Look, paws?- Yes, yes.
0:46:47 > 0:46:50It's amazing, just amazing.
0:46:50 > 0:46:54Because Serga's spent the night here, she may have left
0:46:54 > 0:46:58evidence which could tell us about her breeding condition.
0:46:59 > 0:47:01OK.
0:47:01 > 0:47:06Now I'm going to do a urine sample in this one, yes?
0:47:06 > 0:47:10- Yes, yes. - You have a pen for marking?
0:47:10 > 0:47:13Analysing this frozen urine sample could answer
0:47:13 > 0:47:16whether Serga is pregnant.
0:47:20 > 0:47:24Following her tracks uphill reveals more clues.
0:47:25 > 0:47:30Look. Here she stayed like a dog.
0:47:30 > 0:47:31Ooooh!
0:47:31 > 0:47:34She was looking for her prey.
0:47:34 > 0:47:39She sat on her hind legs and she looked over her kingdom!
0:47:41 > 0:47:47In Russian, this position, the name position sphinx.
0:47:47 > 0:47:49Sphinx! The Sphinx position.
0:47:49 > 0:47:53Not to be disgusting but that's part of, you know, faecal matter,
0:47:53 > 0:47:57which indicates that she's old, do you think?
0:47:57 > 0:48:00I think the female is old.
0:48:00 > 0:48:01She's old.
0:48:01 > 0:48:04It's bad news.
0:48:04 > 0:48:08Incontinence can be a sign of illness or old age.
0:48:09 > 0:48:13Victor is beginning to suspect that Serga will not have cubs again,
0:48:13 > 0:48:19which would leave this important reserve without a breeding female.
0:48:26 > 0:48:29Back up north, Max is still searching for the missing cub.
0:48:29 > 0:48:34A blizzard has begun and hope is fading fast.
0:48:37 > 0:48:39Snowed about two foot overnight
0:48:39 > 0:48:42and I've got no idea what the cub's doing in this weather.
0:48:42 > 0:48:46Sasha's really worried that unless it's really hunkered down,
0:48:46 > 0:48:49it's going to die because it's just skin and bones.
0:48:49 > 0:48:53Look at this, I mean it's... Yesterday there was next to no snow
0:48:53 > 0:48:56and now it's almost up to my knees.
0:48:56 > 0:48:59It means that all the tracks are covered up, we've got no idea
0:48:59 > 0:49:02where the cub is and we're going to have to wait
0:49:02 > 0:49:05until someone sees, if we hear any news that someone sees
0:49:05 > 0:49:08any tiger tracks, but it's not looking good.
0:49:15 > 0:49:19Sasha, do you think in this weather the cub is going to have any chance?
0:49:19 > 0:49:23- Chance for what?- Surviving.
0:49:23 > 0:49:25It's not nice, is it?
0:49:46 > 0:49:49In these conditions, finding tracks of the last cub
0:49:49 > 0:49:51is virtually impossible.
0:49:56 > 0:49:58I suppose they could be covered up already!
0:49:58 > 0:50:00Any track could be covered already.
0:50:03 > 0:50:05All they can do is wait for the blizzard to clear.
0:50:11 > 0:50:13It's not looking good for this last cub.
0:50:13 > 0:50:15We've been working the roads all day,
0:50:15 > 0:50:17getting stuck in the vehicles
0:50:17 > 0:50:20and looking for fresh tracks to no avail.
0:50:22 > 0:50:24The snow is up to my waist in places
0:50:24 > 0:50:29and I think any cub trying to move around in this would need a snorkel.
0:50:29 > 0:50:31It's really a race against time now.
0:50:31 > 0:50:35Sasha thinks that the cub's probably got another 24 hours,
0:50:35 > 0:50:41if that, before it's just going to die of cold and exhaustion.
0:50:41 > 0:50:45It probably hasn't eaten for eight to ten days now.
0:50:45 > 0:50:48We can only hope, and just really hope,
0:50:48 > 0:50:50we catch up with him in the morning.
0:50:59 > 0:51:01Let's check this one.
0:51:01 > 0:51:05Back in Ussuriysk, I'm checking the latest camera trap footage
0:51:05 > 0:51:07with Victor and Dale.
0:51:07 > 0:51:10- OK, here we go.- Left.
0:51:10 > 0:51:13- Fox!- Oh, wow, nice.
0:51:13 > 0:51:15Beauty. What's he hunting, Victor?
0:51:15 > 0:51:18It's a mouse or squirrel.
0:51:18 > 0:51:20Look at that, here we go, here we go.
0:51:23 > 0:51:25- That's brilliant!- I love that.
0:51:25 > 0:51:27Oh, my gosh, he's gorgeous.
0:51:27 > 0:51:29Nice deer action.
0:51:29 > 0:51:34One, two, three...oh, and a fourth one. Good reproduction here.
0:51:34 > 0:51:37This is great, a nice big group of red deer.
0:51:37 > 0:51:39You usually don't see them in such big groups.
0:51:43 > 0:51:44They're all very healthy.
0:51:48 > 0:51:53Then these superb daytime shots of Serga, our resident female.
0:51:53 > 0:51:55Victor!
0:52:06 > 0:52:08Serga is the only female Victor has confirmed
0:52:08 > 0:52:12here in Ussuriysk in the last year.
0:52:16 > 0:52:19The reserve should act as a breeding ground,
0:52:19 > 0:52:25bridging the last populations of Siberian tigers on each side of it.
0:52:26 > 0:52:30Ussuriysk badly needs a fertile female.
0:52:32 > 0:52:34But so far, it's not looking good.
0:52:36 > 0:52:40So Victor has been looking at the camera trap footage of Serga
0:52:40 > 0:52:42in more detail and also based on her behaviour
0:52:42 > 0:52:45as we're tracking her, he's pretty sure that she's not pregnant,
0:52:45 > 0:52:48and obviously that's really bad news
0:52:48 > 0:52:53and you know Serga is old now, I mean, she may not breed again,
0:52:53 > 0:52:57so the outlook really isn't good unless Victor can find
0:52:57 > 0:53:01evidence of other breeding females in this protected area.
0:53:01 > 0:53:04So really it's hugely important to put all our efforts
0:53:04 > 0:53:08into finding out whether there are any other females in the reserve.
0:53:08 > 0:53:10That is really the key now.
0:53:11 > 0:53:14Up north, the blizzard has cleared.
0:53:14 > 0:53:19Max has lost hope that the third cub is still alive.
0:53:19 > 0:53:22Then, a local reports something worth checking out.
0:53:28 > 0:53:31OK, this is the area we were driving around in yesterday
0:53:31 > 0:53:34and we couldn't see any fresh tracks, then the guys have
0:53:34 > 0:53:37seen this track probably from last night coming across the road.
0:53:38 > 0:53:42Dale has travelled up overnight to lend his expertise.
0:53:42 > 0:53:44So we've driven around, driven a circle around
0:53:44 > 0:53:48this little island of habitat and we know the tracks didn't go
0:53:48 > 0:53:52out of that circle, so that at least right now this cub is in this area,
0:53:52 > 0:53:55about a kilometre wide by three or four kilometres long.
0:53:59 > 0:54:04From a distance, it almost looks like a human track from the road,
0:54:04 > 0:54:09but you can see getting closer, paw prints, look at that.
0:54:09 > 0:54:11That's definitely a tiger.
0:54:16 > 0:54:19There's a whole series of tracks in here,
0:54:19 > 0:54:24trying to make sense of them. He's done a number of circles in here.
0:54:30 > 0:54:32Look, tiger, tiger.
0:54:39 > 0:54:40What's happening, Dale?
0:54:40 > 0:54:43- OK. We've got the cub down here. - You've got the cub.
0:54:43 > 0:54:46It's a tiger. OK.
0:54:48 > 0:54:49What's going on?
0:54:53 > 0:54:56OK, it's right underneath the snow, right there, see?
0:54:56 > 0:54:57Siberian tiger cub just here.
0:55:00 > 0:55:02It's coming out! It's coming out.
0:55:19 > 0:55:23Out here, sticks are the only way to capture the cub without hurting it.
0:55:29 > 0:55:32We've got the last cub, it's so good to see him alive.
0:55:32 > 0:55:33They're just immobilising him now.
0:55:33 > 0:55:36I can't believe he's seen it through the storm.
0:55:38 > 0:55:42And I'm this close to a growling cub. He's moving a bit.
0:55:42 > 0:55:43He's moving.
0:55:46 > 0:55:48The cub is given a calming sedative.
0:55:48 > 0:55:52Just waiting for the drug to take effect.
0:55:52 > 0:55:54It can take up to ten minutes.
0:55:54 > 0:55:56When there's this many people around, it's more stress,
0:55:56 > 0:56:00it's harder for the drug to take effect, he's fighting it.
0:56:04 > 0:56:08I just can't quite believe we've got him.
0:56:08 > 0:56:11You know, every one of these cubs is so important,
0:56:11 > 0:56:12there's only 400 in the wild
0:56:12 > 0:56:15and we really thought he'd died, this one.
0:56:15 > 0:56:20I don't know how he lasted for about ten days on his own.
0:56:20 > 0:56:23Without his mother, without his brother and his sister,
0:56:23 > 0:56:26and now hopefully he can join them at the rehab centre.
0:56:26 > 0:56:28and one day come back into the wild.
0:56:45 > 0:56:49This is great. This is what we wanted. To get this guy.
0:56:49 > 0:56:51He's got a second chance now.
0:56:51 > 0:56:54Which is all we can do, give him a second chance.
0:57:08 > 0:57:10The sedative stops the cub from blinking.
0:57:10 > 0:57:14A gel protects its eyes from drying out.
0:57:20 > 0:57:23They've got to get this weak cub somewhere warm
0:57:23 > 0:57:25as quickly as possible.
0:57:39 > 0:57:42This tiger's life is hanging by a thread.
0:57:49 > 0:57:51Next time.
0:57:53 > 0:57:55We find out if the last cub survives.
0:57:59 > 0:58:01We step up the search for breeding tigers.
0:58:04 > 0:58:08Just to get one glimpse, you know, just a flash of orange.
0:58:10 > 0:58:15And we investigate how we can save the Siberian tiger.
0:58:29 > 0:58:32Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd