0:00:03 > 0:00:05Burma.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11Cut off from the outside world for five decades.
0:00:13 > 0:00:18A mysterious land. A land of secrets.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25Home to half of mainland Southeast Asia's remaining forests.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29It's rumoured to be teeming with iconic animals.
0:00:31 > 0:00:36This is one big question mark when it comes to scientific exploration.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38These forests could be the last refuge
0:00:38 > 0:00:44to some magnificent creatures that are being wiped out across the world.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46As it opens up to democracy,
0:00:46 > 0:00:49Burma will have to choose the fate of its forests.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Now, for the first time,
0:00:53 > 0:00:57a team of scientists and wildlife filmmakers are venturing
0:00:57 > 0:00:59deep into Burma's jungles.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Did you see that? There they are. I'm shaking.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11They will catalogue its forgotten wildlife...
0:01:13 > 0:01:18and give Burma's government a report to help get these forests protected.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22I feel very, very, very, very, lucky.
0:01:23 > 0:01:28It's a race against time, as the world eyes up Burma's natural riches.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32We've got fire in front of us and then fire here and then fire behind us.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Oh, God. This isn't good.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41What they discover could change the future of Burma's wilds forever.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45What's this, what's this, what's this?
0:01:45 > 0:01:47Whoa!
0:01:48 > 0:01:51This forest is extremely important,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54not just to Burma - it's of global significance.
0:02:11 > 0:02:16Burma's forests are rich, unspoilt and changing fast.
0:02:21 > 0:02:26The team's mission is to survey the wildlife here
0:02:26 > 0:02:29and prove beyond doubt that these forests need protection.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37This is the final phase of a unique expedition.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40For this last leg of their trip,
0:02:40 > 0:02:44the team will search for Southeast Asia's most iconic animal...
0:02:44 > 0:02:47the tiger.
0:02:50 > 0:02:55To have the best chance of finding tigers, the team must split up.
0:02:55 > 0:03:00Wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan is heading to the forests of southern Burma.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06These forests were once home to a thriving population of tigers.
0:03:07 > 0:03:12But this region has been isolated by war for over 60 years,
0:03:12 > 0:03:14so little is known about the fate of the animals.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23Gordon will try to find proof that tigers are still here.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29We're incredibly lucky to be going into this area.
0:03:29 > 0:03:35This is a complete black spot when it comes to scientific studies.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38It's been described as the dark side of the moon.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43The rest of the survey team are heading to the far north, to Tamanthi,
0:03:43 > 0:03:47gateway to the largest stretch of unspoilt forest in Burma,
0:03:47 > 0:03:51one and a half times the size of Wales.
0:03:51 > 0:03:57Tigers are thought to live here but no-one knows how many there are.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03Big cat specialist Justine Evans will try to capture tigers on camera.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08We've come up to the far north of Burma.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12We're wading up rivers because there is no road access into the area that we're setting up camp.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15It's a huge remote tract of forest
0:04:15 > 0:04:18and so little is known about it,
0:04:18 > 0:04:21it could be home to some of the world's most iconic species,
0:04:21 > 0:04:22such as the tiger.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26While Justine searches for tigers,
0:04:26 > 0:04:31Smithsonian mammal expert, Kris Helgen, will measure the forest's diversity.
0:04:32 > 0:04:37For biologists, Northern Burma is the most exciting place that we could come in the country.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41We expect that wildlife may be at its richest
0:04:41 > 0:04:44and the diversity of all life will be tremendous.
0:04:48 > 0:04:53Entomologist Ross Piper will study the forest's insects.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56This will help the team assess the health of the ecosystem.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59This forest looks amazing
0:04:59 > 0:05:04but how good is this forest and is it functioning as it should be?
0:05:04 > 0:05:07To answer those questions, we can look for lots of different species,
0:05:07 > 0:05:09to find out if this place is healthy
0:05:09 > 0:05:11and if it's functioning correctly.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18The team has already spent six weeks exploring Burma's forests.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25- Yes, yes!- They've discovered Asian elephant herds...
0:05:27 > 0:05:30breeding populations of sun bears...
0:05:31 > 0:05:34and some of the rarest cats in the world.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39Now they're searching for tigers.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43If they can find visual evidence of this endangered cat,
0:05:43 > 0:05:47the case for protecting these forests will be stronger than ever.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55The northern team has arrived at their remote jungle base camp,
0:05:55 > 0:05:57home for the next two weeks.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Local forest rangers have chosen this location.
0:06:01 > 0:06:06They believe this is the heart of tiger territory.
0:06:07 > 0:06:12The survey team's first task is to set up their jungle science lab.
0:06:13 > 0:06:19Working alongside Ross are Smithsonian scientists Nicole Edmison and Darrin Lunde.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22That is definitely bigger than some of my shrews.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25This part of Burma is one of those places
0:06:25 > 0:06:27where we're very likely to find new species.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30We have a very good chance of finding something new here.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35Justine decides to head out immediately.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39A tiger can travel twenty miles in a single day.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43She'll have to cover a lot of ground fast, much of it at night.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46I think I'm going to have to think like a tiger
0:06:46 > 0:06:48and keep its hours, as well.
0:06:48 > 0:06:53So, yeah, dusk, night, dawn are going to be my hours,
0:06:53 > 0:06:56sleeping during the heat of the day.
0:07:08 > 0:07:13Like many animals, tigers choose the easiest travel route.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16If a path already exists they will use it.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19The hard part is finding out which paths they're using.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Justine has a plan.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40It might look a bit bizarre but what I'm trying to create is a sand pit,
0:07:40 > 0:07:46not to play in but to record footprints of tigers.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49The trouble with up here in the forest is it's so dry.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53The ground is so compacted I'm not sure I would spot them,
0:07:53 > 0:07:57so I'm creating this sand pit to make it soft
0:07:57 > 0:08:02and therefore easier to see the prints if something else comes through.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05The land is baked dry,
0:08:05 > 0:08:07as temperatures have been reaching around 40 degrees.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15It's looking great.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18It's got a nice light dusting on top and it looks very clean,
0:08:18 > 0:08:20so I definitely will see a print if it goes in there.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24You can see it's nice and soft. You can see my fingers quite clearly.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Now the only thing left to do is put a camera trap on here.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39Even with camera traps in place, Justine has a huge task ahead.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46The last tiger to be captured on film in the north of Burma
0:08:46 > 0:08:48was 15 years ago.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52Across Asia, tigers are disappearing fast.
0:08:52 > 0:08:57At the end of the 19th century, there were as many as 100,000 tigers.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Today there may be as few as 3,000 left.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06No-one knows how many remain in Burma.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15One thousand miles to the south,
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Gordon has travelled for two days through dense jungle
0:09:18 > 0:09:21to reach one of the most isolated forests in Burma.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25Karen state has been cut off from the rest of the country
0:09:25 > 0:09:28by the longest-running civil war in history.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32In 2012 fighting finally ceased.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39Gordon is one of the first wildlife filmmakers to be invited in.
0:09:40 > 0:09:45Really, what I hope to find is that it's not just the forests that are intact,
0:09:45 > 0:09:49that we have a whole range of different species
0:09:49 > 0:09:53living in this forest, animals like elephants, tigers.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14Officially, the Karen people and the Burmese government
0:10:14 > 0:10:16are now at peace.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18But the forest rangers here still carry weapons
0:10:18 > 0:10:22and their leader, Ti Po Kwa, is a former Army General.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25MEN SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE
0:10:28 > 0:10:31We're just trying to distribute as much of the equipment as possible,
0:10:31 > 0:10:34so nobody's carrying too much and nobody's carrying too little.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36We've got a full day walk ahead of us
0:10:36 > 0:10:39before we reach an area where we can camp.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43We just want to be able to get as far into the forest as we can in the time that we've got.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45The further into the forest we go,
0:10:45 > 0:10:48the more chance we've got of finding animals there.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52Karen State is part of Burma
0:10:52 > 0:10:56but since independence from British rule in 1948,
0:10:56 > 0:10:59the Karen people have been fighting for the right to govern their own state.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07Gordon hopes that the long years of isolation during the civil war
0:11:07 > 0:11:09may have helped protect the wildlife here.
0:11:15 > 0:11:20Well, that's where I'm headed, down into that deep dark forest.
0:11:20 > 0:11:21It's such an amazing sight.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25This forest is unbroken as far as the horizon.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28It looks really promising.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31The Karen rangers believe there could be tigers
0:11:31 > 0:11:33in the distant mountains 20 miles away,
0:11:33 > 0:11:36the remotest part of the forest.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40Only time and a lot of trekking will tell.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45Back in the north, the survey is getting under way.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49Finding tigers will take time
0:11:49 > 0:11:54but the challenge of documenting everything else that lives here begins immediately.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01My goal is to document as many species as we can.
0:12:01 > 0:12:07Basically, create as complete a list as possible for this area
0:12:07 > 0:12:11of all the different forms of, in my case, especially mammal life,
0:12:11 > 0:12:13but working as a team, everything that's here.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16The world is not yet explored.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20These forests are really not intensely studied
0:12:20 > 0:12:23and so it shouldn't surprise us when you get down to it
0:12:23 > 0:12:26that we can go into a place like this, a beautiful forest,
0:12:26 > 0:12:30and find things that no scientist has ever documented before.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34ANIMAL CALLS
0:12:34 > 0:12:37The forest here is so dense, finding animals is a challenge.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45The survey team has a trick that will help them -
0:12:45 > 0:12:48a line of pitfall traps.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51A wall of plastic sheeting channels tiny mammals
0:12:51 > 0:12:55living on the forest floor into a bucket buried in the ground.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Darrin hopes these bucket traps will provide
0:13:09 > 0:13:13a constant supply of creatures to start building the species list.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16A-ha, something for you, Ross.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18That looks like a bombardier beetle.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20That's a really big one, though, yeah.
0:13:21 > 0:13:22I could think of it...
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- Whoa!- Argh! See that? - I did see that.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- There he goes again. - That's a bombardier beetle, so this is its defence.
0:13:28 > 0:13:33It explodes. There's an explosive mixture that comes out of its rear end.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35That got me right in the face then, as well.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38It's a mixture of really nasty chemicals
0:13:38 > 0:13:40and it comes out of here at probably just over 100 degrees C.
0:13:41 > 0:13:42Gee! Wow.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45- Whoa!- Did you see that again?
0:13:45 > 0:13:47It does not like this.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51Look at that!
0:13:51 > 0:13:53They are fantastic and it's still doing it.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58I think it's all out. Oh, there we go, look.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Ow! I mean, this burns.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03This is getting me right on the finger every time.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11The pitfall traps are perfect for collecting small animals
0:14:11 > 0:14:16and the jungle is full of insects, tiny mammals and reptiles.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20These traps will form the backbone of the diversity survey.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33Justine has left her sand trap overnight.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41If a tiger has been here, she should see its prints.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49This is the sand pit I prepared earlier.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Looks like a gaur has come through here
0:14:53 > 0:14:55and I wouldn't want to say for sure
0:14:55 > 0:14:58but there could have been a tiger.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00It's sort of inconclusive prints
0:15:00 > 0:15:02that have been walked over by something else
0:15:02 > 0:15:04but I've got the camera trap here,
0:15:04 > 0:15:07so hopefully whatever's walked through will be on there.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Right.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17It's the moment of truth.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27It's a bear!
0:15:29 > 0:15:34Wow! It's a sun bear! How amazing is that?
0:15:36 > 0:15:38He's a lovely big sun bear.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41That's great news in terms of the diversity of this forest.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43I was worried that there weren't bears here.
0:15:43 > 0:15:49You know, they suffer a lot from poaching and human conflict,
0:15:49 > 0:15:52so that's lovely to see one on the camera.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54Wow!
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Well, I was hoping for a tiger
0:15:56 > 0:15:59but a sun bear's a really good start, anyway.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04Day two and the team has already found
0:16:04 > 0:16:07one of Southeast Asia's rarest animals - the sun bear.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11This is their second encounter with sun bears
0:16:11 > 0:16:14after finding them in the west of the country.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18Elsewhere in Asia, they are on the brink of extinction.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21One sighting doesn't mean sun bears are thriving here
0:16:21 > 0:16:24but it's a promising sign.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34The camera traps also reveal an amazing variety of animals.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39Shortridge's langurs, only found in this part of the world.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Large numbers of pig-tailed macaques.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49A Hoolock gibbon, highly endangered
0:16:49 > 0:16:51and an early indicator of an undisturbed forest.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58A crab-eating mongoose in search of insects.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Another sun bear with young,
0:17:03 > 0:17:06the first proof the team has of breeding animals.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11But to create a comprehensive picture of the forest,
0:17:11 > 0:17:15Ross needs to find smaller creatures.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19These forests in northern Burma, they are guaranteed to get any biologist excited.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22I know that no bug expert has been to this part of Burma.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24So this is a real once in a lifetime opportunity
0:17:24 > 0:17:26to document the wildlife that I can find.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30It's not every day you get a chance to do this sort of thing.
0:17:34 > 0:17:40The forests of northern Burma are amongst the richest and least explored on the planet.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50Every insect Ross finds will be new data for Tamanthi forest.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56His species list will provide scientists
0:17:56 > 0:17:58with valuable new information.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09A-ha! Look at this.
0:18:09 > 0:18:10These are plant hopper nymphs.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14They're one of the most ridiculous things. Look at them.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18These long filaments here, these are waxy secretions
0:18:18 > 0:18:22and these are thought to be a defence against their parasites and their predators.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24And also watch this. If I try and touch them,
0:18:24 > 0:18:26they start twitching around.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30Looks like they're having a really bad hair day.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34As a last line of defence they can also jump.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36If I really irritate this one here...
0:18:36 > 0:18:37Oi!
0:18:37 > 0:18:39Again. Oi! Look at that.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45Doi-oi-oi-oi-oing.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50Doink! Comedy creatures.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04In just one hour, Ross finds a dazzling array of species.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12It seems that this is a truly unspoilt habitat,
0:19:12 > 0:19:13packed with wildlife.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25But only four hours from base camp,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28Ross stumbles on a shocking vision of Burma's potential future.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41I've been walking all through the forest
0:19:41 > 0:19:43and I've come out on this logging road.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46They're taking out logs from here left, right and centre.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49Look at this.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52It's a bit peculiar, really. I don't know what to make of it.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55I mean, when you're inside that forest, you know,
0:19:55 > 0:19:57it looks like a pristine place
0:19:57 > 0:20:00but then you come across one of these logging roads and you see all this that's happening.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04Hmm.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11Logging is an important part of Burma's economy.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13What's surprising is
0:20:13 > 0:20:17that it's happening so close to such valuable forest.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28The government has pledged to stop exporting wood.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31But it's still awarding contracts to private companies
0:20:31 > 0:20:33within so-called protected forest.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36MONKEYS HOWLING
0:20:36 > 0:20:40Even worse, these logging roads give poachers direct access
0:20:40 > 0:20:43to the heart of tiger territory.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53Illegally caught tigers are known to be killed
0:20:53 > 0:20:56and used in traditional Chinese medicine.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00The Burmese government doesn't condone the wildlife trade
0:21:00 > 0:21:03but controlling border regions is difficult.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Most people here earn less than a dollar per day.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Hunting tigers is tempting.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23Following Ross's discovery, Kris wants to know
0:21:23 > 0:21:27if tigers in this region are being affected by illegal poaching.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32- Good morning.- The team's local guide used to be a hunter.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39I'd like to ask what you can tell me about tiger hunting,
0:21:39 > 0:21:45how it's done and why the animal is so valuable.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47HE SPEAKS NATIVE LANGUAGE
0:21:57 > 0:22:00The Lisu people live in the hills of northern Burma.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04They're renowned for their skill at hunting.
0:22:13 > 0:22:18Why would some people hunt the tiger? Why is it so valuable?
0:22:34 > 0:22:36That's a huge amount of money in this country
0:22:36 > 0:22:41and we've heard numbers quoted even larger than that as well.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46What that means is that, you know, the demand for tiger is enormous
0:22:46 > 0:22:52and the perverse economics are that the fewer tigers there are,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55the value on their heads goes up even more
0:22:55 > 0:22:57because that demand is extraordinary.
0:22:57 > 0:23:02So that paints a very bleak future for tigers here in Tamanthi.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05But we don't know how many tigers are still left
0:23:05 > 0:23:09and as long as there are still some, there is still hope.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14Everything the team has learned here reveals a country at a crossroads.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23Their survey results could change these forests' future.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25But time is running out.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31- So which rodents do we have here? - I got a good look at the Irrawaddy squirrel.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34The scientists are gathering as much data as they can.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37They need as complete a picture as possible.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46- The one I saw was actually beige. - Beige. All right. Mm.
0:23:53 > 0:23:54There we go.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57If they're to find new species here,
0:23:57 > 0:23:59they'll need every trick in the book.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02So we've got the cage traps out there.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05We've got the pitfalls, we've got the mist nets.
0:24:16 > 0:24:21Justine's sand trap has revealed sun bears but no tigers.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25Now she has a new strategy - staking out a salt lick.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30All animals need salt and minerals in their diet.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34This would be attracting things like sambar deer, muntjac, barking deer,
0:24:34 > 0:24:36gaur, wild pig.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39Coincidentally, they're all tiger prey,
0:24:39 > 0:24:42so you could say that tigers get their food ready salted.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47This is perfect place for a tiger to ambush its prey.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53Tigers are going to be really tricky to film.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56What's good about this position is I've got some height.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59I'm up on the top of a bank looking down into the stream
0:24:59 > 0:25:03and I'm hoping that means my smell's going to stay up here
0:25:03 > 0:25:05and not be down there too much.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12I'm just trying to break up the shape of the hide a little bit
0:25:12 > 0:25:15so it doesn't look quite so obvious.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19This is only a stone's throw from the main river,
0:25:19 > 0:25:22so it wouldn't take much for a tiger to peel off and come up here.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25It's perfect ambush country. There's ridges and little drop-offs.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27The thing is I wouldn't know it was here.
0:25:27 > 0:25:28I could be sitting here all day
0:25:28 > 0:25:31and then suddenly a tiger would just leap out.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33I'd be none the wiser.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35They are the masters of disguise.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37It's why they have those beautiful markings.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44That's me set up. Now for the stake-out.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55In Karen state, Gordon and his team have trekked for two days
0:25:55 > 0:25:57into Megatha Forest.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03They have an hour ahead of them to reach the base of the mountains.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07This is where the Karen rangers believe the tigers live.
0:26:13 > 0:26:18But Gordon and his guide, Che Poe, must tread carefully.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24During the war, the forest pathways were littered with landmines.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34It makes the task of finding tigers even harder
0:26:34 > 0:26:37but Che Poe knows which routes are safe.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43To capture images of tigers,
0:26:43 > 0:26:47Gordon and the rangers have set up 38 camera traps.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52We are a long way away from the nearest habitation,
0:26:52 > 0:26:55so we are really in the middle of nowhere.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57There's very few signs of animals
0:26:57 > 0:26:59but that doesn't mean that the animals aren't here.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03So the plan is just to blitz this area
0:27:03 > 0:27:05with as many camera traps as we've got.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11Leaving them to record day and night, Gordon will set up his hide.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16Instead of salt, he's relying on fruit to bring in the animals.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21There's a wild jack fruit.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Very tasty.
0:27:23 > 0:27:24Mmm! It's really nice.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28I'm just going to find a place to put the hide up
0:27:28 > 0:27:30but the whole ground is littered with fallen fruit.
0:27:30 > 0:27:35Some of it's gone a bit mouldy but some of it's still nice and juicy.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38Jack fruit has a sour aftertaste
0:27:38 > 0:27:42but Gordon hopes it will bring in fruit-eating animals,
0:27:42 > 0:27:44perfect prey for a tiger.
0:27:52 > 0:27:57Just enough room for me and the equipment.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59Actually, there's not enough room for me and the equipment.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04The rain will wash away Gordon's scent.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08Now all he can do is wait.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35Well, we've got our first visitor of the night.
0:28:38 > 0:28:42Porcupines will eat a whole range of different food.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45It's not just fruit.
0:28:46 > 0:28:52They'll eat insects, they'll dig for termites.
0:28:54 > 0:29:00This porcupine will be able to hold his own with clouded leopards,
0:29:00 > 0:29:03with leopards, even with tigers.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06But not always.
0:29:07 > 0:29:13I've seen tigers with porcupine quills stuck in their noses
0:29:13 > 0:29:15and around their mouth.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18I'm afraid that can only mean one thing for a porcupine.
0:29:21 > 0:29:26There he goes, disappearing off into the night.
0:29:32 > 0:29:38Back in the north, Justine has been in her hide for eight hours.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42She hopes her high vantage point will let her see the tiger
0:29:42 > 0:29:44before it gets spooked by her scent.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51What's that?
0:29:54 > 0:29:56Something very bright.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00That's... Yeah, that's a shrew.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06I can hear rustling, I can hear rustling all around
0:30:06 > 0:30:08but it's often just shrews.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10There could be civets as well.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31I thought there might be more going on.
0:30:32 > 0:30:37You have to put so much time in the hide to get any results.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40More and more I'm thinking the camera traps are much more appropriate
0:30:40 > 0:30:42in these sorts of conditions.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49I'm staring at the screen just wishing for a tiger to appear
0:30:49 > 0:30:52but no amount of wishing is going to make it happen.
0:30:56 > 0:30:58Where's the off button?
0:31:06 > 0:31:11Back in base camp, Kris is having more luck with the camera traps.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18Oh, my goodness. The large Indian civet.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Moves about on the ground at night. That's a great image.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24Oh, God, that's incredible.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27One of my favourite animals. That's a pangolin.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32Wow. This is an insect eater in this forest,
0:31:32 > 0:31:34a very critical part of the forest ecology
0:31:34 > 0:31:38and common in so many places in Asia until recently,
0:31:38 > 0:31:43when the scales became in great demand for Asian wildlife trade.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49Oh, that's a stunner.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51Night-time shots of a binturong.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54This is the biggest civet in the world.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57We've seen some of these other civets.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59This looks, not so much like a civet
0:31:59 > 0:32:01as almost a little bear
0:32:01 > 0:32:03and sometimes it's called the bear cat.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09The binturong and pangolin are extraordinarily rare
0:32:09 > 0:32:11and seldom filmed.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18The cameras also reveal a huge variety of cats.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27The sheer number of them means
0:32:27 > 0:32:31the forest must be full of prey for them to eat.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39But there's still no visual evidence of tigers.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50Finding tigers is always hard
0:32:50 > 0:32:54but in the north it's even harder than usual.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58The tigers appear to have learned to fear humans.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03The Burmese government has made an effort to protect tigers.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07200 miles north of Tamanthi forest lies
0:33:07 > 0:33:09the world's largest tiger reserve.
0:33:09 > 0:33:14Despite this protection, the reserve is littered with gold mines.
0:33:17 > 0:33:22These devastate the forests and pollute the rivers.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28The tiger's future here in the north looks bleak.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33Burma has a critical choice to make right now.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37The large wildlife is still here in this forest. It can be protected.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40A plan can be put into place.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43The time is right now for Burma to make a decision.
0:33:43 > 0:33:47Is it going to be able to support these large mammals in the country
0:33:47 > 0:33:49into the future or not?
0:33:57 > 0:34:00In the south, the future may be brighter.
0:34:00 > 0:34:05Gordon's hosts, the Karen people, want to run their state differently.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10They have a spiritual belief in the natural world.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15Perhaps here tigers can coexist with man.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17After an unsuccessful night in the hide,
0:34:17 > 0:34:21Gordon returns to find huge excitement in camp.
0:34:23 > 0:34:24What's this?
0:34:26 > 0:34:28Oh, my word.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32It is the scat.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34Oh, wow!
0:34:34 > 0:34:36From a big cat.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39You can tell that because of the hairs in it.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41Let me just lay it down on the ground.
0:34:43 > 0:34:49From the size of that, that really has to be from a tiger.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54These hair from deer,
0:34:54 > 0:34:56from monkeys, if you can catch them.
0:34:56 > 0:35:01Whereabouts did you find it? SPEAKING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE
0:35:03 > 0:35:04Was it on a path?
0:35:09 > 0:35:13- Is he saying that he saw it? - Here, yes.
0:35:13 > 0:35:14No way!
0:35:16 > 0:35:18He saw it as well? GORDON LAUGHS
0:35:18 > 0:35:21That is quite something.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24To find a little bit of evidence is one thing,
0:35:24 > 0:35:26but to actually...
0:35:26 > 0:35:29Well, these guys have seen a tiger walking through camp last night.
0:35:29 > 0:35:34So you definitely saw stripes down the side of the animal?
0:35:36 > 0:35:38How big was the head?
0:35:41 > 0:35:43Oh, really? Big one.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48Yeah, that's made my day. It's the best news.
0:35:56 > 0:36:01It's a great find. Gordon's guides give thanks to the forest spirits.
0:36:05 > 0:36:06It's a little shrine.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10MAN SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE
0:36:20 > 0:36:24This is a part of Karen culture that is rarely seen by the outside world.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28What's the ladder for?
0:36:48 > 0:36:51It's great to come to a place
0:36:51 > 0:36:56with a people that have got this intimate understanding of the forest
0:36:56 > 0:37:00and incredible respect for this place.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02It's very special.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13The Karen people's affinity with nature gives them a powerful motive
0:37:13 > 0:37:16to protect the forest and its wildlife.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18Tigers here might have a future.
0:37:23 > 0:37:271,000 miles north, Justine has spent an uncomfortable night in her hide
0:37:27 > 0:37:29and seen nothing.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32Her hopes are now pinned on the sand pit.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36So here's my sand pit area.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39Let's see if anything's been coming through.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52That looks like tiger. Here.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55Yes!
0:37:56 > 0:37:59That's tiger for sure. It's definitely tiger.
0:37:59 > 0:38:04I'll just measure this and see how big this footprint is.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08Wow. This is pretty standard tiger.
0:38:08 > 0:38:1390mm across the rear pad, so it's a big print.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15There's no doubt this is a tiger.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18I'm surprised that we've got tracks in here
0:38:18 > 0:38:20because it means that there's a tiger
0:38:20 > 0:38:24that's occupying this area quite regularly.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27Justine's next step is to check the camera traps.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30With luck, they may just have recorded a tiger.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34Oh, there's something appearing.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37Oh, that's stunning!
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Oh, that's beautiful!
0:38:43 > 0:38:47It's the first shot we've got of a tiger.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52So lovely to see a shot of one at last, after all this time.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56I was starting to think that they were these mythical beasts in this forest
0:38:56 > 0:38:58and we would never ever see one.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03Well, I've seen the footprints
0:39:03 > 0:39:07and I'm pretty sure this is the individual that left the footprints,
0:39:07 > 0:39:09so I've got something to go on here.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11This is a good start.
0:39:14 > 0:39:15Ah!
0:39:15 > 0:39:17BIRD SQUAWKING
0:39:18 > 0:39:22Back at camp, the team is still unaware of Justine's success.
0:39:24 > 0:39:29Ross is helping Smithsonian scientist Nicole Edmison set up mist nets
0:39:29 > 0:39:31to catch new species of bats.
0:39:35 > 0:39:40I think most people don't realise that there are over 1,200 different species of bats.
0:39:40 > 0:39:41So out of all the mammals...
0:39:41 > 0:39:44They are the second most diverse group.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46- After the...? - After rodents.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49The fine mesh is invisible to the bats' sonar.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52She hopes to catch them as they leave their roosts at dusk
0:39:52 > 0:39:54for their nightly feed.
0:39:54 > 0:39:59No one has ever done a survey for bats in this area,
0:39:59 > 0:40:02so it'll be exciting to see what we get in the net.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07With the nets up, Nicole must wait for nightfall.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14Ross is also working through the night.
0:40:14 > 0:40:18He's set up a moth trap.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21Insects lured by the light will give him a measure
0:40:21 > 0:40:23of the forest's diversity.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26Oh, my goodness!
0:40:26 > 0:40:28ROSS LAUGHS
0:40:29 > 0:40:32This is gorgeous. It's like a painting of moths.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34It is, isn't it? It's fantastic!
0:40:35 > 0:40:40The sheer variety of moths suggests that this ecosystem is thriving.
0:40:40 > 0:40:45- What is this? Amazing!- It's some sort of noctuid, I think.- OK.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47I don't know if it's trying to be a dead leaf, actually.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51- You would not see it.- It looks like that would be incredible camouflage.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53- Look at this one here. - What do we got?
0:40:53 > 0:40:55- Check this one here. Look at that one.- Ah!
0:40:55 > 0:41:01How many species do you think we're staring at in this mosaic of moths here?
0:41:01 > 0:41:03- There's more than a hundred, easily. - There has to be.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05- Yeah. - Incredible how many kinds you have.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08Yeah, like, when you think there's 1.1 million species of insect
0:41:08 > 0:41:10been identified so far.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13But I think there's new species on this sheet, guaranteed.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15So I'll be able to identify these.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18It's going to take a long time but probably by tomorrow morning.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21I'm expecting a full report by the morning
0:41:21 > 0:41:23of every insect on this sheet.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34Nicole's mist nets are producing good results too,
0:41:34 > 0:41:37including one bat that may be new to science.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43This is definitely the tiniest bat I have ever handled.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45- ANGRY SQUEAKING - A-ha!
0:41:47 > 0:41:49It's some sort of pipistrelle
0:41:49 > 0:41:54but I need to take a closer look at it to decide exactly which pipistrelle it is.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58I personally have never seen one of these before,
0:41:58 > 0:41:59so it's really exciting for me.
0:42:04 > 0:42:09- Ah! What have we got? - Got a treasure in a bag.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12There you go. There you go. SQUEAKING
0:42:13 > 0:42:16- Gorgeous thing. One of the smallest bats that's here, right?- Yeah.
0:42:16 > 0:42:21Well, we expected that these little pipistrelles would be here,
0:42:21 > 0:42:25but it's always hard to tell exactly which species they are,
0:42:25 > 0:42:26so we'll have a closer look
0:42:26 > 0:42:30and we'll try to figure out exactly which species that we're dealing with
0:42:30 > 0:42:32so that we can add it to our list.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44After a four-hour hike back from her sand pit,
0:42:44 > 0:42:47Justine has arrived in camp with her news.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49- Hi, Justine welcome back. - Hi, Kris.
0:42:49 > 0:42:53- Hey, I've got some exciting news for you.- What did you find?
0:42:53 > 0:42:57Well, you know I put these two sand pit areas, where I cleared the whole trail?
0:42:57 > 0:42:59- Yeah. - Guess what?- What?
0:42:59 > 0:43:02- Today I went up to check and there are tiger prints.- No!
0:43:02 > 0:43:06Which is just... I can't tell you how excited I am because it's...
0:43:06 > 0:43:11Mainly because it worked, doing the sand pit worked!
0:43:11 > 0:43:13Great news. That's great news.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16We know a tiger has been here, it's been here recently,
0:43:16 > 0:43:18we know which way it's moving.
0:43:18 > 0:43:21I think it's time that we all got out
0:43:21 > 0:43:23and looked to see what evidence we can find,
0:43:23 > 0:43:26where this cat is in this area, where it's moving.
0:43:26 > 0:43:28- We can get Ross on the case as well. - We'll get Ross.
0:43:28 > 0:43:31- We'll get Ross searching. - While he's collecting his bugs.
0:43:32 > 0:43:38Justine has the team's first visual evidence of a tiger in this forest.
0:43:39 > 0:43:42But for the species to survive, it needs a mate.
0:43:44 > 0:43:48They need to find more tigers but time is running short.
0:43:53 > 0:43:57On Kris's instructions, the trackers are preparing for a two-day trek.
0:43:58 > 0:44:01Tigers have large territories,
0:44:01 > 0:44:05so he's sending Ross further afield, out of this tiger's range.
0:44:07 > 0:44:10- If I head north, then.- Great, yeah. If you can head north.
0:44:10 > 0:44:13If we can find out more. See what you can find.
0:44:13 > 0:44:15OK. Sounds good.
0:44:25 > 0:44:27To find out if there's more than one tiger,
0:44:27 > 0:44:29Ross must trek ten miles north
0:44:29 > 0:44:31into the territory of a different animal.
0:44:36 > 0:44:40Meanwhile, Justine still has 16 camera traps to monitor.
0:44:45 > 0:44:47With just three days left,
0:44:47 > 0:44:50the science team is busy cataloguing new finds.
0:44:51 > 0:44:53A little Suncus, do you think?
0:44:53 > 0:44:58Well, it's hard to say but it looks like a little Suncus to me. A little musk shrew.
0:44:58 > 0:45:00This is one of the world's smallest mammals.
0:45:00 > 0:45:03Yeah. Oh, and it's got a little bit of a bite.
0:45:03 > 0:45:05- Can you feel that? - Hardly.- OK!
0:45:07 > 0:45:09And Nicole has found a bat that needs feeding up.
0:45:09 > 0:45:14- I've got a new fruit bat for us. - Oh, really?
0:45:14 > 0:45:18- Oh, good morning. - Hello!
0:45:18 > 0:45:23- Yeah, it looks like exactly what it is - a Megaerops.- Yeah.
0:45:26 > 0:45:29Really exciting because it's not known from here, so...
0:45:31 > 0:45:34Waking up after the cold night. There he is.
0:45:34 > 0:45:37- Oh-ho! That's nice. - Yeah.
0:45:39 > 0:45:41The team's results already suggest
0:45:41 > 0:45:45this forest is the richest habitat they've found in Burma.
0:45:46 > 0:45:49We've documented more than 50 mammal species
0:45:49 > 0:45:53and a whopping 22 of them are carnivore species.
0:45:53 > 0:45:58That paints a remarkable picture of the importance of the habitats here.
0:45:58 > 0:46:02There are seven species of cats recorded in this forest alone.
0:46:02 > 0:46:07So seven cats, these top predators, that's fairly extraordinary.
0:46:10 > 0:46:12And even more extraordinary -
0:46:12 > 0:46:15these cats feel safe enough to move in broad daylight.
0:46:17 > 0:46:21Marbled cats, nocturnal creatures which are rarely seen.
0:46:22 > 0:46:25The tiny leopard cat.
0:46:28 > 0:46:31Clouded leopards.
0:46:35 > 0:46:38And Asian golden cats, one with her cub.
0:46:41 > 0:46:44All seem completely unafraid,
0:46:44 > 0:46:46a clear sign they're not nervous of being hunted.
0:46:53 > 0:46:57Further north, Ross's search for a second tiger continues.
0:46:59 > 0:47:01Without his guides, he would be completely lost.
0:47:04 > 0:47:07There are no paths in this jungle, only rivers.
0:47:08 > 0:47:11They must move by wading along streams
0:47:11 > 0:47:14and hacking through forest.
0:47:14 > 0:47:17If Ross finds tracks this far from base camp,
0:47:17 > 0:47:19they should be from another tiger.
0:47:22 > 0:47:25Oh, my word. Look at this!
0:47:26 > 0:47:28Look at that one there - that's fantastic. Look at that one.
0:47:28 > 0:47:30That's really good.
0:47:30 > 0:47:34Ross needs to be certain that this isn't the same tiger Justine found.
0:47:34 > 0:47:36He measures the paw prints.
0:47:36 > 0:47:41These do look bigger. They're getting on, actually, for 100mm,
0:47:41 > 0:47:45so that is a fair bit bigger, actually - that's almost 10% bigger.
0:47:48 > 0:47:51My mission was to go out and find some tiger sign
0:47:51 > 0:47:55and try and establish if there's more than one tiger in this part of the forest
0:47:55 > 0:47:56and I've found that with these prints,
0:47:56 > 0:47:58so this is really good news.
0:47:58 > 0:48:04This is definitely a different tiger and possibly an adult male.
0:48:04 > 0:48:07Tigers could be successfully breeding here.
0:48:12 > 0:48:14One thousand miles south in Karen State,
0:48:14 > 0:48:17Gordon has run out of time.
0:48:26 > 0:48:28The team has collected in the camera traps.
0:48:30 > 0:48:34These images will give Gordon and the Karen people a glimpse
0:48:34 > 0:48:37into a world that has remained hidden for 60 years.
0:48:40 > 0:48:42What animal would you most like to see?
0:48:42 > 0:48:45MEN SPEAK IN NATIVE LANGUAGE
0:48:47 > 0:48:49Tiger!
0:48:57 > 0:49:00Oh. Wild pig.
0:49:00 > 0:49:04- MAN:- OK. Tomia.- Tomia.- Tomia.
0:49:04 > 0:49:07This is a little piglet there, as well.
0:49:08 > 0:49:11Ah! There's a whole lot, look.
0:49:11 > 0:49:13LAUGHTER
0:49:13 > 0:49:15It's like ants.
0:49:15 > 0:49:17A lot!
0:49:17 > 0:49:19So we've got a macaque here.
0:49:27 > 0:49:31Oh, beautiful cats.
0:49:31 > 0:49:33Marbled cat and clouded leopard are very similar
0:49:33 > 0:49:35but that's clouded leopard.
0:49:38 > 0:49:41Oh, there we go! Tail end of a leopard.
0:49:44 > 0:49:46- OK?- That's good.
0:49:58 > 0:50:01Oh, look at this.
0:50:01 > 0:50:03It is a Malayan tapir,
0:50:03 > 0:50:05one of the most endangered animals
0:50:05 > 0:50:07that you find in this part of the world.
0:50:08 > 0:50:13Wow! What a beauty.
0:50:13 > 0:50:18We haven't seen a single tapir anywhere else in Burma
0:50:18 > 0:50:20that we've been.
0:50:20 > 0:50:24Oh, that's a male, you can see quite clearly.
0:50:30 > 0:50:33Another tapir. I wonder if that's the same one.
0:50:35 > 0:50:37Oh, you can see this one is a female.
0:50:37 > 0:50:40You can see her udder at the back there.
0:50:40 > 0:50:44It looks quite full. She may well still have a youngster.
0:50:44 > 0:50:46That's really good to see.
0:50:47 > 0:50:52You know, to see a tapir in the flesh is incredibly difficult,
0:50:52 > 0:50:54especially in this forest.
0:50:55 > 0:50:58Malayan tapirs have almost vanished from Southeast Asia
0:50:58 > 0:51:01because of the rapidly disappearing forests.
0:51:04 > 0:51:09But here in Karen State it seems both tapirs and tigers have a home.
0:51:12 > 0:51:16Gordon has been struck by his Karen guides' connection with nature.
0:51:16 > 0:51:20He can only hope that their beliefs will help protect this world
0:51:20 > 0:51:21for the future.
0:51:23 > 0:51:26For you, why is conserving the forest important?
0:51:30 > 0:51:37He said that the forest is the livelihood and the life of the Karen people.
0:51:38 > 0:51:40It seems that beyond their freedom,
0:51:40 > 0:51:45the forest is the most important part of their culture.
0:51:46 > 0:51:48So in 50 years' time,
0:51:48 > 0:51:53what do you hope your grandchildren's relationship will be with the forest?
0:51:53 > 0:51:55MAN SPEAKS NATIVE LANGUAGE
0:52:03 > 0:52:09Ti Po Kwa's saying that he hopes that his grandchildren will continue protecting the forest
0:52:09 > 0:52:13and areas that have been logged, that they will replant the forest,
0:52:13 > 0:52:16that there will be a green forest forever.
0:52:16 > 0:52:18KAREN PEOPLE SINGING
0:52:35 > 0:52:38The team's time in Tamanthi is also drawing to a close.
0:52:44 > 0:52:49- Kris, Ross.- How was the hide? - Oh! Long and quiet.
0:52:49 > 0:52:52- But I've got the results of all the camera trap stuff now. - Oh, brilliant.
0:52:52 > 0:52:57And I've just compiled it all, so this is all distilled action.
0:52:57 > 0:53:00- Well, great. Let's have a look at the distilled action.- Yeah, yeah.
0:53:00 > 0:53:02Right, first up.
0:53:03 > 0:53:06So this, this is really funny.
0:53:06 > 0:53:09You know I cleared those sand pit areas to try and get footprints?
0:53:09 > 0:53:12We kept getting to the sand pits and finding them all messed up
0:53:12 > 0:53:15- and this is what was going on. - Wow!
0:53:15 > 0:53:19- They're all taking baths in it. - Great hornbills taking a dust bath.
0:53:22 > 0:53:26- And now look. - Oh, my word.
0:53:26 > 0:53:27- Oh, look at that!- Look at that.
0:53:27 > 0:53:30- Lovely cat, though, isn't it? - Gorgeous.- Beautiful.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33- That's a good one. - That's a close-up, isn't it?
0:53:33 > 0:53:35Love that they're coming right at the camera trap,
0:53:35 > 0:53:38- just checking it out. - They're so bold, don't you think?
0:53:38 > 0:53:39Absolutely.
0:53:44 > 0:53:47- Would you say that was a female? - I'd say that's a female.
0:53:48 > 0:53:52The team has evidence of two tigers in the area -
0:53:52 > 0:53:56this female and the tiger whose tracks Ross found ten miles away.
0:53:56 > 0:53:59It's not firm proof tigers are breeding here
0:53:59 > 0:54:01but it's a hopeful sign.
0:54:03 > 0:54:05And if there's a female here,
0:54:05 > 0:54:08then would you not think that there would definitely be males,
0:54:08 > 0:54:12- seeing as they roam so much further? - Well, we certainly hope so.
0:54:14 > 0:54:18Female tigers stake claim to a territory and remain within it,
0:54:18 > 0:54:22but males will walk hundreds of miles looking for a female.
0:54:22 > 0:54:26It's possible that Ross's tiger may be a male searching for a mate.
0:54:26 > 0:54:30So from all the things we've seen, all the camera trap footage,
0:54:30 > 0:54:34how many tigers do you think might be living in this part of the forest?
0:54:34 > 0:54:36- Well, we all know it's really hard to say...- Mm.
0:54:36 > 0:54:39..but considering all the information that we've collected,
0:54:39 > 0:54:41I think that gives a hopeful view
0:54:41 > 0:54:44that we're looking at a population of tigers here.
0:54:45 > 0:54:49If it's properly protected, Tamanthi forest has the potential
0:54:49 > 0:54:51to become a desperately needed sanctuary,
0:54:51 > 0:54:55a place where tigers can breed undisturbed
0:54:55 > 0:54:57and recover their numbers.
0:54:59 > 0:55:02But the fact that the top of the food chain predator is here
0:55:02 > 0:55:07suggests that this is a really healthy place still
0:55:07 > 0:55:09and I really hope that going forward in the future
0:55:09 > 0:55:11that it can be protected
0:55:11 > 0:55:14because this is a place that has so much potential.
0:55:17 > 0:55:21Kris's final task will be to compile a report for the President of Burma.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23He hopes it will persuade the government
0:55:23 > 0:55:25to save its precious forests.
0:55:26 > 0:55:29Everything that we've documented will be pulled together
0:55:29 > 0:55:32into a report and a species list
0:55:32 > 0:55:35that will be given to the government of Burma
0:55:35 > 0:55:38and that will communicate a better understanding
0:55:38 > 0:55:41of what is living here and how it can be better looked after.
0:55:44 > 0:55:48Elsewhere in Asia, tigers are on the brink of extinction.
0:55:50 > 0:55:53Perhaps, here in Burma, there is still hope.
0:56:03 > 0:56:04After two months on the ground,
0:56:04 > 0:56:08thousands of miles covered and 300 hours of footage,
0:56:08 > 0:56:12the team has reams of new data and images that paint a hopeful picture.
0:56:16 > 0:56:20Much of Burma's wilderness is untouched and in good health.
0:56:22 > 0:56:26- Oh!- In western Burma they found a thriving population
0:56:26 > 0:56:27of endangered Asian elephants.
0:56:28 > 0:56:32In 25 years, this is the first time I've seen wild elephants in Burma.
0:56:35 > 0:56:38JUSTINE: Burma probably holds the largest remaining population
0:56:38 > 0:56:40in the whole of Southeast Asia,
0:56:40 > 0:56:46so these elephants here are globally very, very, very important.
0:56:49 > 0:56:52In the remote Salu forest they found sun bears.
0:56:53 > 0:56:56Oh, look!
0:56:57 > 0:57:00That is amazing.
0:57:01 > 0:57:04And they found evidence of some of the world's rarest cats.
0:57:05 > 0:57:07Look!
0:57:07 > 0:57:09See? LAUGHTER
0:57:11 > 0:57:13In northern Burma, they came looking
0:57:13 > 0:57:16for the most iconic predators of them all
0:57:16 > 0:57:18and found them.
0:57:26 > 0:57:29Burma is at a crossroads.
0:57:29 > 0:57:32As the modern world breaks through into this ancient land,
0:57:32 > 0:57:35change is inevitable.
0:57:35 > 0:57:39But this vast country is home to a treasure trove of wildlife
0:57:39 > 0:57:43and there are still immense forests where animals can live undisturbed.
0:57:43 > 0:57:47The team believes they have the proof
0:57:47 > 0:57:50that these forests should be protected.
0:57:53 > 0:57:56The future now lies in the hands of the government of Burma.
0:57:56 > 0:57:59If they, like the Karen people, believe
0:57:59 > 0:58:01that Burma's wildlife is worth saving,
0:58:01 > 0:58:05then these forests may have a future.
0:58:07 > 0:58:10In the last hundred years,
0:58:10 > 0:58:13the forests of Southeast Asia have been absolutely devastated
0:58:13 > 0:58:17but yet parts of this forest persist
0:58:17 > 0:58:20and animals are still living here.
0:58:20 > 0:58:22That does fill me full of hope
0:58:22 > 0:58:24because if the right decisions are made
0:58:24 > 0:58:26over the future of these forests,
0:58:26 > 0:58:31we can see these animals living here, making their homes here,
0:58:31 > 0:58:35for not just another hundred years but for another thousand years.
0:58:42 > 0:58:44Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd