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0:00:06 > 0:00:09- I'm looking for - unusual animals living in Wales.
0:00:13 > 0:00:18- Some that have made their way - back here after a long absence.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23- Others that display - unusual behaviour.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28- And timid creatures - that only venture out nocturnally.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40- This is the Wye Valley.
0:00:40 > 0:00:45- From this lofty position, you - can see how wooded this region is.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- The river - which snakes through the valley...
0:00:49 > 0:00:52- ..marks the border - between Wales and England.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54- Over recent decades...
0:00:54 > 0:00:59- ..many creatures have made their way - across the water to Wales.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02- Animals - like the roe and muntjac deer...
0:01:03 > 0:01:07- ..as well as the wild boar, - believe it or not.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13- Wild boar disappeared from Wales - during the Middle Ages...
0:01:13 > 0:01:16- ..predominantly due to over hunting.
0:01:17 > 0:01:22- During the 1980s, some were imported - from Europe to farms in England.
0:01:22 > 0:01:27- It is these boar that have escaped - and recently fled to Wales.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33- I've come to a forest...
0:01:33 > 0:01:37- ..that you might think was - on the English side of the border.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41- But it's not, it's the other side - of the River Wye but still in Wales.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44- This is the best chance I'll get - of tracking wild boar.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48- I'm here to meet the warden, Barry.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50- Hello, Barry.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54- Barry Embling manages this woodland - near Monmouth...
0:01:55 > 0:01:57- ..for the Woodland Trust.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00- He regularly sees wild boar tracks.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06- Barry's pointed out something - interesting. These are boar tracks.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10- The way to distinguish them - from deer tracks...
0:02:10 > 0:02:15- ..is to look for - the imprint of the dew claw...
0:02:15 > 0:02:18- ..the claw - at the rear of the hoof print.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21- It's very obvious - from these two holes here.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25- The print - is very pronounced in the mud.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28- That's the hoof...
0:02:28 > 0:02:31- ..and this is the dew claw.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34- The tracks are relatively fresh.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38- They've - obviously been here recently.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42- Barry has gone - to search for tracks elsewhere.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46- On closer inspection, - at least two animals have been here.
0:02:46 > 0:02:52- There are fresh tracks leading down - to there and down here too.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55- I'm very excited now.
0:02:55 > 0:03:00- I'm going to set up cameras because - I'm expecting to see something now.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05- Barry will check if there are - other places to put the cameras...
0:03:06 > 0:03:09- ..but I'm going to position one - in this area over here.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16- I've a small tripod.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19- Although - there are no obvious trees here...
0:03:19 > 0:03:22- ..I'll have to - conceal the tripod in here...
0:03:23 > 0:03:25- ..and point it in that direction...
0:03:25 > 0:03:28- ..somewhere across the path.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31- Wild boar are large creatures...
0:03:31 > 0:03:36- ..measuring a metre in height - to the top of the shoulder.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40- I want to capture the animal's - entire body as it passes by.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52- I'm setting up several cameras - since their tracks are everywhere.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01- What's great about this...
0:04:01 > 0:04:06- ..is that I'm trying to capture - some footage of an animal...
0:04:06 > 0:04:10- ..that roamed in the wild - here in Wales...
0:04:10 > 0:04:13- ..around seven - or eight centuries ago.
0:04:13 > 0:04:18- It was native to the area and - was hunted by the Princes of Wales.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21- Ancient tales and legends - allude to this.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23- It's great knowing it's back.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26- It's only fractionally - on the Welsh border...
0:04:27 > 0:04:30- ..but it's great - dealing with something...
0:04:30 > 0:04:32- ..that's part of our history.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37- It's a little like - a wildlife journey back in time.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- Once you're there, - you catch a glimpse...
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- ..of creatures in an ancient forest.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- It's an exciting adventure.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00- I'm just checking - the footage on the cameras.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03- Here we go.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08- There goes a field mouse - with its big eyes.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10- The infrared light...
0:05:11 > 0:05:16- ..bounces off its eyes and you can - tell it's a nocturnal creature...
0:05:16 > 0:05:21- ..because the eyes are so big - they - pick up light to see where to hunt.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26- We know - there are mice in the woods.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28- What's this?
0:05:28 > 0:05:33- It's a badger. - He was sniffing around the camera.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38- Look at him using his nose - to burrow. He must be eating worms.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42- Yes, worms, beetles, maggots - and all kinds of insects.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46- So we've seen a badger.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50- At least - there's wildlife in these parts.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53- A badger again.
0:05:53 > 0:05:58- From the footage, I'd say it's a - male because its forehead is wider.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01- It's a stocky creature.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04- Look at its short legs.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08- When you - come across badger tracks...
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- ..because the legs are so short...
0:06:11 > 0:06:15- ..the stomach sweeps the leaves, - leaving a definite imprint.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17- There are two files left...
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- ..from the camera near the brook.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26- There's a rabbit. We've captured - lots of nocturnal creatures.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- It's pricked up its ears - straightaway.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33- It knows there are predatory - foxes and badgers on the prowl.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36- But a badger - would be lucky to catch one.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40- Foxes definitely roam at night. - He's off.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44- Barry positioned a camera - at the far end of the forest...
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- ..where he said - he'd seen boar tracks.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51- These files are from that camera. - Let's see what we have.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54- I'd be thrilled to see wild boar.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00- Another badger.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03- It's burrowing in the leaves.
0:07:04 > 0:07:05- What's this?
0:07:08 > 0:07:11- It's a fox. There he is.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16- We've seen a mouse and a rabbit...
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- ..which are foxes' prey, - so no wonder he makes an appearance.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27- He's coming right into view.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- He's being very cautious - with his nose in the air.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39- He's making sure - the coast is clear and off he goes.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54- All kinds of woodland creatures - have passed our cameras.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- Apart from wild boar, that is.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03- We've been very unlucky.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07- I took a camera from - where it was positioned up here...
0:08:07 > 0:08:13- ..and we missed wild boar activity - from a day or two ago.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15- How unlucky is that?
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- They've been burrowing - and digging up the ground...
0:08:19 > 0:08:25- ..looking for the bulbs - of the cuckoo flower.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- They love these - and there are hundreds of them here.
0:08:29 > 0:08:34- They must've burrowed this area - and eaten dozens of them.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36- They've made quite a lot of mess.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39- They come from over there...
0:08:39 > 0:08:42- ..from the High Meadow Wood...
0:08:43 > 0:08:47- ..which is right on the border - - it straddles both sides.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51- The Forest of Dean - has a high wild boar population.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- Or at least it did - until they started shooting them.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57- They pass through here to feed.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01- If they were left alone, no doubt - they'd cross the River Wye...
0:09:01 > 0:09:04- ..and venture further into Wales.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08- But at the moment, they're - on the move to avoid being hunted.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15- I think I'll place some cameras - in High Meadow Wood.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18- I'll go and look for tracks...
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- ..and if they're prominent - in a specific place...
0:09:21 > 0:09:23- ..I'll set up cameras there.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45- Crikey, I've hit the jackpot.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49- I've found boar tracks - everywhere here.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- They've almost ploughed this land.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- It looks as though - they've turned over the soil.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59- That's typical of wild boar.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01- That's what you'd expect from them.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04- They burrow - with their strong noses...
0:10:04 > 0:10:06- ..and turn over the soil.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09- There are so many tracks...
0:10:09 > 0:10:12- ..I'm going to set up - all the cameras in this spot.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15- I feel like - I'm getting closer to them...
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- ..but I'm always - a day or two behind them.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21- I'm determined - to catch up with them.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25- These are very fresh tracks, - so I'll put a camera here.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- I'd say this is either from - last night or early this morning.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- It's a great place for cameras.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- I don't know - if wild boar like monkey nuts...
0:10:39 > 0:10:43- ..but I'm going to scatter a few - to keep them in view...
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- ..in case - they pass by without stopping.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50- There are wild boar - hiding in here somewhere.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57- They say wild boar - can smell food from afar.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01- I only hope the monkey nuts - emit a strong enough aroma.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- Let's see what we have.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- Daylight. - Wild boars come out in daylight too.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- Not very often, but usually - first thing in the morning.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- There's a jay there - and I think it's been attracted...
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- ..by the nuts I scattered.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- He's picking up - the monkey nuts and eating them.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34- Sometimes - when you're in certain places...
0:11:34 > 0:11:38- ..you can sense - that you're in a great spot.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42- I know I've only seen a jay - and a grey squirrel so far...
0:11:43 > 0:11:45- ..but I've a feeling - about this place.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48- There are tracks here.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- It's just a grey squirrel. - I'll close this one.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- Oh, hello. This is night vision.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04- Listen. I can hear something.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07- LEAVES RUSTLE
0:12:12 > 0:12:14- The sound of something walking.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- Crikey, it's a wild boar!
0:12:16 > 0:12:18- Wow! Two.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22- Well, well, well!
0:12:22 > 0:12:25- Fantastic!
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- There are three of them. Hallelujah!
0:12:29 > 0:12:31- We have audio and everything.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35- I knew I'd find something here.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- Fantastic. - There's lots more footage.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43- Come on. It's too slow.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- It's right in shot.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- He did his business then.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56- He lifted his tail, did his business - and off he went. Look at this.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- He's burrowing - right in front of the camera.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- You get an idea - of just how big they are.
0:13:05 > 0:13:10- Look at the size of his shoulders. - He's looking straight into the lens.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13- Goodness me!
0:13:15 > 0:13:18- I didn't expect - something as good as this.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22- I'd have been happy with - just a glimpse of one passing by.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25- There are more. - I can see their eyes.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30- Brilliant.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35- I think I'm right in saying, - I'm almost sure I'm right...
0:13:35 > 0:13:40- ..that this is the first time wild - boar have been filmed in Wales.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43- This is certainly the first time...
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- ..for me to see footage - of the boar in Wales.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50- It's the first time they've - been in Wales for eight centuries.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53- Goodness me!
0:13:55 > 0:13:57- Look at that incredibly long snout.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00- He's opening his mouth.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- Did you see that big tooth? - They have huge teeth.
0:14:10 > 0:14:16- It's raining. You can see - the animal's fur is wet.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- Fantastic. That was brilliant.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- Much, much better - than what I expected to see.
0:14:34 > 0:14:34- .
0:14:38 > 0:14:38- Subtitles
0:14:38 > 0:14:40- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- I'm searching - for wild boar in Gwent.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- I've seen footage - taken with hidden cameras...
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- ..but I want to see them - with my own eyes.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- I'm going back to the woodland - in search of them.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10- The fact it's been snowing - adds to the ambience.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- I've come here at night...
0:15:23 > 0:15:25- ..with very special gadgets.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28- These binoculars I'm using...
0:15:28 > 0:15:32- ..pick up heat from - any animal present in the forest.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- They will allow me - to see the animal's shape and form.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- The camera - uses the available light...
0:15:40 > 0:15:42- ..and magnifies it...
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- ..so that it's almost like daylight.
0:15:45 > 0:15:50- You'll get a view from that camera - and I'll use these binoculars.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09- Something's moving in the trees.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12- I can't see anything - through the binoculars.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- There are lots of branches - and a covering of snow.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18- But something's moving.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23- It's very exciting - being out at night like this.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05- I've walked around in a circle, - almost.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07- I'm back where I started.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- It's very silent here tonight.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13- I've heard a few noises from afar...
0:17:14 > 0:17:16- ..but I've seen nothing with these.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20- They're obviously here somewhere...
0:17:20 > 0:17:25- ..but they've adapted better to - this environment at night than me.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30- The snowfall comes with benefits.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- It's perfect for tracking animals.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41- If any creatures have passed by, - you can follow their tracks easily.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53- There are - very fresh tacks over there.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55- It stopped snowing two hours ago...
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- ..so those tracks have been made - within the past hour.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- The tracks of one animal - lead down that way...
0:18:03 > 0:18:05- ..and the others come down this way.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09- You can see - the dew claw imprint here.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17- The tracks lead to - an exposed area of the woods.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21- The patch has been felled - but it's full of tiny shrubs.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26- It provides the perfect habitat - for wild boar to hide.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- There's a wild boar over there.
0:18:36 > 0:18:41- There's a wild boar - 40 yards away from me.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44- Look at him go.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48- I knew there was something there. - I heard a noise.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50- There goes another.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52- And another.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55- Three of them.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57- Fantastic.
0:18:59 > 0:19:04- My dream was to see wild boar - in Wales in daylight hours.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11- I haven't seen them up close, - but crikey, my heart is pounding.
0:19:11 > 0:19:16- I was just about to walk up there - because I knew I'd heard something.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- They're hiding in the undergrowth. - They're somewhere around here.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35- They know we're here.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39- When the first one appeared, - his tail was in the air.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- He was angry.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47- It's impossible to see the boar...
0:19:48 > 0:19:50- ..since my view from the path - is obscured.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53- I have no choice...
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- ..but to climb uphill towards them.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30- Their tracks are here.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35- They've made tunnels everywhere - from the vegetation.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40- I wouldn't be surprised - if the three I saw earlier...
0:20:40 > 0:20:44- ..made their way into the trees - without me noticing.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- There are plenty of places - for them to hide.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59- John, John, John, John!
0:21:10 > 0:21:12- There's one there.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15- Keep filming.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21- It's a family of them.
0:21:22 > 0:21:28- We'll try and get closer, if we can. - Come a bit closer with me.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34- Look, there they go.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37- Wow! Look at them.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41- One, two, three, four...
0:21:42 > 0:21:44- ..five, six, seven.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48- At least eight of them. - They're heading up there.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56- Wow!
0:21:56 > 0:22:01- I thought they'd gone. I only came - up because they'd burrowed here.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03- Wow!
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- They're running up to the top.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12- One, two, three, four...
0:22:13 > 0:22:15- ..five...
0:22:15 > 0:22:17- ..seven, eight, nine.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29- Nine in total.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32- Nine wild boar.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35- I was within 15 metres of them.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- Incredible. I wasn't expecting that.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40- I really wasn't expecting that.
0:22:40 > 0:22:45- For those who say, "We don't want - them because they're dangerous"...
0:22:45 > 0:22:49- ..I only came up here - because I thought they'd gone.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53- But they weren't at all threatening. - They bolted right away.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- They're afraid of humans.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59- It's a privilege - to do something like this...
0:22:59 > 0:23:04- ..because they haven't been in Wales - since the days of the Welsh princes.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08- We're the first people - to see them in this country...
0:23:08 > 0:23:11- ..since Llywelyn the Last...
0:23:11 > 0:23:13- ..and Owain Glyndwr.
0:23:13 > 0:23:18- We should welcome the beloved wild - boar back to Wales with open arms.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23- I'm thrilled. That's not only - made my week, it's made my year.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37- Incredible.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.