1 00:00:02,500 --> 00:00:07,500 {\an1}-Europe -- a continent renowned for its spectacular cities 2 00:00:07,533 --> 00:00:09,200 {\an1}and civilizations. 3 00:00:09,233 --> 00:00:11,366 {\an8}♪♪ 4 00:00:11,400 --> 00:00:14,566 But this is a surprisingly wild land, 5 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:16,933 {\an1}with over 10 million square kilometers 6 00:00:16,966 --> 00:00:20,500 {\an1}of diverse natural habitat... 7 00:00:20,533 --> 00:00:25,500 {\an1}stretching from the northernmost reaches of the Arctic... 8 00:00:25,533 --> 00:00:29,166 {\an1}to the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea. 9 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:31,200 {\an8}♪♪ 10 00:00:31,233 --> 00:00:34,333 And across this extraordinary continent, 11 00:00:34,366 --> 00:00:37,833 {\an1}an epic transformation is under way... 12 00:00:37,866 --> 00:00:42,133 {\an1}as the wild heart of Europe is unleashed once more. 13 00:00:42,166 --> 00:00:46,300 {\an8}♪♪ 14 00:00:46,333 --> 00:00:49,000 {\an1}People are supporting the natural world. 15 00:00:49,033 --> 00:00:53,033 {\an1}-Let's go to the nest and see how the chick is. 16 00:00:53,066 --> 00:00:55,500 {\an1}-Species are being reintroduced. 17 00:00:55,533 --> 00:01:00,366 {\an1}-He's not sleeping very well, so we have to be really fast. 18 00:01:00,400 --> 00:01:04,333 {\an1}-And nature itself is bouncing back. 19 00:01:04,366 --> 00:01:05,466 [ Wolf growls ] 20 00:01:05,500 --> 00:01:07,100 [ Deer bleats ] 21 00:01:07,133 --> 00:01:11,000 {\an1}The circle of life is being reforged... 22 00:01:11,033 --> 00:01:13,866 {\an1}as the wild returns to Europe. 23 00:01:13,900 --> 00:01:16,733 {\an8}♪♪ 24 00:01:16,766 --> 00:01:21,200 {\an1}In the Carpathian Mountains, 25 00:01:21,233 --> 00:01:23,766 {\an1}a wildlife reintroduction 26 00:01:23,800 --> 00:01:26,533 {\an1}is transforming the land 27 00:01:26,566 --> 00:01:30,933 {\an1}and making Europe's untamed heart 28 00:01:30,966 --> 00:01:32,966 even wilder. 29 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:38,666 {\an8}♪♪ 30 00:01:42,700 --> 00:01:46,000 {\an8}♪♪ 31 00:01:46,033 --> 00:01:51,866 {\an1}-In the east of Europe lies a wild paradise... 32 00:01:51,900 --> 00:01:54,666 a rugged forest 33 00:01:54,700 --> 00:01:58,233 {\an1}where dense foliage camouflages and protects... 34 00:01:58,266 --> 00:02:01,666 {\an1}one of the most elusive cats on the continent... 35 00:02:01,700 --> 00:02:04,500 {\an1}[ Birds chirping ] 36 00:02:04,533 --> 00:02:07,600 {\an1}...the Eurasian lynx. 37 00:02:07,633 --> 00:02:10,500 {\an1}The largest of the four lynx species, 38 00:02:10,533 --> 00:02:15,100 {\an1}this secretive wild cat thrives here. 39 00:02:15,133 --> 00:02:19,300 {\an1}It's the perfect place to raise cubs... 40 00:02:19,333 --> 00:02:21,333 {\an1}like these little fellows, 41 00:02:21,366 --> 00:02:24,133 {\an1}who are completely dependent on Mom. 42 00:02:24,166 --> 00:02:26,266 {\an8}♪♪ 43 00:02:26,300 --> 00:02:29,833 {\an1}She tries to clean them, 44 00:02:29,866 --> 00:02:31,800 {\an1}but they have other ideas. 45 00:02:31,833 --> 00:02:35,400 [ Cubs growling ] 46 00:02:35,433 --> 00:02:37,933 {\an8}♪♪ 47 00:02:37,966 --> 00:02:42,500 {\an1}At 2 months old, they just want to play and explore. 48 00:02:42,533 --> 00:02:44,800 {\an1}[ Cubs continue growling ] 49 00:02:44,833 --> 00:02:53,600 {\an8}♪♪ 50 00:02:53,633 --> 00:03:02,466 {\an8}♪♪ 51 00:03:02,500 --> 00:03:11,266 {\an8}♪♪ 52 00:03:11,300 --> 00:03:20,066 {\an8}♪♪ 53 00:03:20,100 --> 00:03:22,633 {\an1}If they wander off... 54 00:03:22,666 --> 00:03:28,100 {\an8}♪♪ 55 00:03:28,133 --> 00:03:30,300 {\an1}...Mom is never far behind. 56 00:03:30,333 --> 00:03:32,300 [ Cub growls ] 57 00:03:32,333 --> 00:03:34,433 {\an8}♪♪ 58 00:03:34,466 --> 00:03:37,333 {\an1}She'll take care of them for the next 8 months... 59 00:03:37,366 --> 00:03:42,600 {\an8}♪♪ 60 00:03:42,633 --> 00:03:46,066 {\an1}...until they learn to hunt on their own. 61 00:03:46,100 --> 00:03:50,166 {\an1}Then they'll leave her and find their own territories, 62 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:53,866 {\an1}starting new lives as solitary predators. 63 00:03:53,900 --> 00:03:57,466 {\an8}♪♪ 64 00:03:57,500 --> 00:04:02,066 {\an1}There's around 10,000 Eurasian lynx living in Europe... 65 00:04:02,100 --> 00:04:04,266 {\an1}and a quarter of them live here... 66 00:04:04,300 --> 00:04:06,766 {\an1}in the Carpathian Mountains. 67 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:10,933 {\an8}♪♪ 68 00:04:10,966 --> 00:04:14,233 {\an8}The Carpathians are a stronghold for the lynx 69 00:04:14,266 --> 00:04:17,733 {\an1}and many other species. 70 00:04:17,766 --> 00:04:20,600 {\an1}Here, a wide range of wildlife 71 00:04:20,633 --> 00:04:23,233 {\an1}thrives on rugged landscapes... 72 00:04:23,266 --> 00:04:26,900 {\an8}♪♪ 73 00:04:26,933 --> 00:04:29,333 {\an1}...and in pristine water. 74 00:04:29,366 --> 00:04:33,066 {\an8}♪♪ 75 00:04:33,100 --> 00:04:37,966 {\an1}The Carpathians span over 1,500 kilometers... 76 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:41,033 and run through eight separate countries. 77 00:04:41,066 --> 00:04:45,600 {\an8}♪♪ 78 00:04:45,633 --> 00:04:47,433 For centuries, they've been a refuge 79 00:04:47,466 --> 00:04:50,533 for Europe's most iconic species. 80 00:04:50,566 --> 00:04:55,666 {\an8}♪♪ 81 00:04:55,700 --> 00:04:57,600 Predators... 82 00:04:57,633 --> 00:05:01,533 {\an8}♪♪ 83 00:05:01,566 --> 00:05:04,233 {\an1}...and prey animals... 84 00:05:04,266 --> 00:05:08,633 {\an1}large and small... 85 00:05:08,666 --> 00:05:12,900 {\an1}find refuge in this biodiversity hotspot. 86 00:05:12,933 --> 00:05:17,800 {\an8}♪♪ 87 00:05:17,833 --> 00:05:21,300 {\an1}But one of the ecosystem's most important creatures... 88 00:05:21,333 --> 00:05:25,866 {\an8}♪♪ 89 00:05:25,900 --> 00:05:28,300 {\an8}...did not find protection here. 90 00:05:28,333 --> 00:05:35,966 {\an8}♪♪ 91 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:38,766 {\an1}The European Bison. 92 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:42,333 {\an1}It's the continent's largest land mammal, 93 00:05:42,366 --> 00:05:44,800 {\an1}standing almost 2 meters tall 94 00:05:44,833 --> 00:05:48,966 {\an1}and weighing almost as much as a car. 95 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:51,266 {\an1}[ Bison growling ] 96 00:05:51,300 --> 00:05:53,800 {\an8}♪♪ 97 00:05:53,833 --> 00:05:58,833 Today, it's rarer than the white rhino. 98 00:05:58,866 --> 00:06:03,433 {\an1}But once, the species used to roam all across Europe. 99 00:06:03,466 --> 00:06:10,333 {\an8}♪♪ 100 00:06:10,366 --> 00:06:12,833 Until the end of the World War I... 101 00:06:12,866 --> 00:06:15,300 {\an8}♪♪ 102 00:06:15,333 --> 00:06:17,733 {\an1}...when due to hunting and habitat loss, 103 00:06:17,766 --> 00:06:20,866 {\an1}not a single bison was left in the wild. 104 00:06:20,900 --> 00:06:24,866 {\an8}♪♪ 105 00:06:24,900 --> 00:06:28,400 {\an1}Out of the few individuals that survived in captivity, 106 00:06:28,433 --> 00:06:30,333 {\an1}12 were carefully bred 107 00:06:30,366 --> 00:06:34,266 in order to keep the gene line going. 108 00:06:34,300 --> 00:06:39,000 {\an1}Today their descendants, captive and wild, number 7,000. 109 00:06:39,033 --> 00:06:43,100 {\an8}♪♪ 110 00:06:43,133 --> 00:06:48,333 {\an8}Bison are a key species with the power to shape the landscape. 111 00:06:48,366 --> 00:06:53,133 {\an8}♪♪ 112 00:06:53,166 --> 00:06:56,666 {\an1}A single male can eat over 30 kilos of plants 113 00:06:56,700 --> 00:07:00,033 {\an1}and grasses in a day... 114 00:07:00,066 --> 00:07:03,033 {\an1}which transforms overgrown land 115 00:07:03,066 --> 00:07:07,700 to a patchwork of meadow and forest. 116 00:07:07,733 --> 00:07:12,633 And they love getting down and dirty. 117 00:07:12,666 --> 00:07:15,200 {\an1}By rolling in the sand to get rid of parasites, 118 00:07:15,233 --> 00:07:16,866 {\an1}they clear the ground 119 00:07:16,900 --> 00:07:19,966 {\an1}for smaller animals and insects. 120 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:25,866 {\an8}♪♪ 121 00:07:25,900 --> 00:07:28,166 {\an1}Thanks to human intervention, 122 00:07:28,200 --> 00:07:31,633 European bison are slowly recovering. 123 00:07:31,666 --> 00:07:37,533 {\an8}♪♪ 124 00:07:37,566 --> 00:07:39,566 {\an1}Here at the Tierpark Berlin, 125 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:42,166 {\an1}a team of specialists is working closely 126 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:47,566 {\an1}with the conservation groups Rewilding Europe and WWF. 127 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:50,200 {\an8}♪♪ 128 00:07:50,233 --> 00:07:51,600 {\an1}Their joint mission -- 129 00:07:51,633 --> 00:07:54,533 reintroduce bison to the Carpathians 130 00:07:54,566 --> 00:07:57,766 after more than 200 years of absence 131 00:07:57,800 --> 00:08:00,566 and help restore Europe's ecosystem. 132 00:08:00,600 --> 00:08:02,566 {\an8}♪♪ 133 00:08:02,600 --> 00:08:05,200 It's an intensive breeding program. 134 00:08:05,233 --> 00:08:08,666 Each animal is carefully selected. 135 00:08:08,700 --> 00:08:10,466 [ Bison grunts ] 136 00:08:10,500 --> 00:08:13,800 {\an1}Over the last five years, more than 50 bison 137 00:08:13,833 --> 00:08:16,900 {\an1}have been released into the mountains of Romania. 138 00:08:16,933 --> 00:08:20,233 {\an8}♪♪ 139 00:08:20,266 --> 00:08:22,966 {\an1}Today, after months of preparation, 140 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:25,633 {\an1}five more are ready to join them. 141 00:08:25,666 --> 00:08:27,733 {\an8}♪♪ 142 00:08:27,766 --> 00:08:29,766 {\an1}[ Indistinct conversations in German ] 143 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:32,666 {\an8}♪♪ 144 00:08:32,700 --> 00:08:34,733 {\an1}They're an independent herd, 145 00:08:34,766 --> 00:08:38,166 {\an1}headed by a matriarch called Tirunesh. 146 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:40,200 {\an8}♪♪ 147 00:08:40,233 --> 00:08:42,100 {\an1}-Tirunesh is a good leading female. 148 00:08:42,133 --> 00:08:44,100 {\an8}She is strong. She know what she's doing. 149 00:08:44,133 --> 00:08:47,966 {\an7}So she will hopefully lead the younger group 150 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:49,933 {\an1}through the first winter. 151 00:08:49,966 --> 00:08:52,933 {\an8}♪♪ 152 00:08:52,966 --> 00:08:57,466 {\an1}-First, the bison need to beloaded into individual crates... 153 00:08:57,500 --> 00:08:59,633 {\an1}[ Bison grunting ] 154 00:08:59,666 --> 00:09:02,300 {\an8}♪♪ 155 00:09:02,333 --> 00:09:04,733 {\an1}...which is easier said than done. 156 00:09:04,766 --> 00:09:12,300 {\an8}♪♪ 157 00:09:12,333 --> 00:09:15,333 {\an1}The keepers are trying to stay out of sight. 158 00:09:15,366 --> 00:09:20,766 {\an8}♪♪ 159 00:09:20,800 --> 00:09:23,900 {\an1}But to convince some of the younger bison... 160 00:09:23,933 --> 00:09:26,633 {\an1}now they have to get creative. 161 00:09:26,666 --> 00:09:28,733 {\an8}♪♪ 162 00:09:28,766 --> 00:09:32,666 {\an1}Even a juvenile could cause a fatal injury with its horns. 163 00:09:35,966 --> 00:09:39,633 {\an1}But eventually, the bison is moved safely into the crate. 164 00:09:39,666 --> 00:09:42,666 {\an8}♪♪ 165 00:09:42,700 --> 00:09:45,166 {\an1}These young bison have no idea 166 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:48,666 {\an1}of the scale of the mission that lies ahead. 167 00:09:48,700 --> 00:09:52,533 {\an8}♪♪ 168 00:09:52,566 --> 00:09:56,366 They face a 1,300-kilometer journey 169 00:09:56,400 --> 00:09:58,400 {\an1}through the heart of Europe. 170 00:09:58,433 --> 00:10:03,333 {\an8}♪♪ 171 00:10:03,366 --> 00:10:06,366 {\an1}It takes two days on the road 172 00:10:06,400 --> 00:10:11,400 {\an1}for the bison to finally reach their new home... 173 00:10:11,433 --> 00:10:14,033 {\an1}The Carpathian Mountains. 174 00:10:14,066 --> 00:10:21,266 {\an8}♪♪ 175 00:10:21,300 --> 00:10:24,400 Now they're set to join 18 others 176 00:10:24,433 --> 00:10:29,233 {\an1}in a bid to ignite a new era... 177 00:10:29,266 --> 00:10:33,266 {\an1}for this gentle giant of the animal kingdom. 178 00:10:33,300 --> 00:10:35,500 {\an8}♪♪ 179 00:10:39,766 --> 00:10:43,133 {\an1}Matriarch Tirunesh and her four companions 180 00:10:43,166 --> 00:10:45,933 {\an1}have never been free before. 181 00:10:45,966 --> 00:10:54,166 {\an8}♪♪ 182 00:10:54,200 --> 00:11:02,500 {\an8}♪♪ 183 00:11:02,533 --> 00:11:10,733 {\an8}♪♪ 184 00:11:10,766 --> 00:11:19,000 {\an8}♪♪ 185 00:11:19,033 --> 00:11:27,233 {\an8}♪♪ 186 00:11:27,266 --> 00:11:31,466 {\an1}Now with over 60 bison roaming the Carpathians, 187 00:11:31,500 --> 00:11:34,233 {\an1}nature can take advantage of their presence 188 00:11:34,266 --> 00:11:36,566 {\an1}in all kinds of ways. 189 00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:42,633 {\an8}♪♪ 190 00:11:42,666 --> 00:11:46,733 {\an1}Animals can thrive where bison graze and wallow. 191 00:11:46,766 --> 00:11:55,566 {\an8}♪♪ 192 00:11:55,600 --> 00:11:59,233 New plants grow in freshly grazed land. 193 00:11:59,266 --> 00:12:01,833 {\an8}♪♪ 194 00:12:01,866 --> 00:12:07,366 Insects, birds, mammals, and reptiles 195 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:11,566 all benefit from the bison's return. 196 00:12:11,600 --> 00:12:13,866 [ Bird chirps ] 197 00:12:13,900 --> 00:12:19,833 {\an8}♪♪ 198 00:12:19,866 --> 00:12:23,100 {\an1}Even their hoof prints come in handy. 199 00:12:23,133 --> 00:12:26,166 {\an8}♪♪ 200 00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:28,266 {\an1}Filled up with rain water, 201 00:12:28,300 --> 00:12:31,366 {\an1}it becomes a welcome pit stop for an adventurer... 202 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:33,766 {\an1}on an epic journey. 203 00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:38,100 {\an8}♪♪ 204 00:12:38,133 --> 00:12:40,733 {\an1}This female yellow-bellied toad 205 00:12:40,766 --> 00:12:43,366 {\an1}may have to travel almost 200 meters 206 00:12:43,400 --> 00:12:46,333 {\an1}in search of a pond to lay her eggs. 207 00:12:46,366 --> 00:12:53,666 {\an8}♪♪ 208 00:12:53,700 --> 00:12:56,700 {\an1}The water-filled hoof print lets her soak up oxygen 209 00:12:56,733 --> 00:13:01,033 {\an1}through her huge pores, allowing her to breathe. 210 00:13:01,066 --> 00:13:04,866 {\an8}♪♪ 211 00:13:04,900 --> 00:13:07,733 {\an1}But she must continue her journey. 212 00:13:07,766 --> 00:13:14,700 {\an8}♪♪ 213 00:13:14,733 --> 00:13:17,833 {\an1}And when you're just 5 centimeters tall, 214 00:13:17,866 --> 00:13:20,300 it's a long road. 215 00:13:20,333 --> 00:13:23,900 {\an8}♪♪ 216 00:13:23,933 --> 00:13:25,433 She's lucky. 217 00:13:25,466 --> 00:13:30,933 {\an1}There's another perfect puddle just around the corner... 218 00:13:30,966 --> 00:13:35,533 {\an1}providing a little relaxation for the toad in the hole. 219 00:13:35,566 --> 00:13:38,600 {\an8}♪♪ 220 00:13:38,633 --> 00:13:42,866 {\an1}The hoof print pools warm up quickly in the sunlight, 221 00:13:42,900 --> 00:13:46,800 {\an1}creating a warming bath for this cold-blooded creature. 222 00:13:46,833 --> 00:13:51,433 {\an8}♪♪ 223 00:13:51,466 --> 00:13:53,566 {\an1}With one last push... 224 00:13:53,600 --> 00:14:02,366 {\an8}♪♪ 225 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:06,100 {\an1}...she finally reaches the perfect pond. 226 00:14:06,133 --> 00:14:10,100 {\an8}♪♪ 227 00:14:10,133 --> 00:14:13,133 {\an1}But she's got company -- 228 00:14:13,166 --> 00:14:17,066 dozens of males looking for love. 229 00:14:17,100 --> 00:14:20,500 {\an8}♪♪ 230 00:14:20,533 --> 00:14:22,866 {\an1}It's unlikely this female would ever have made it 231 00:14:22,900 --> 00:14:26,966 {\an1}to this mating pond 232 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:32,066 {\an1}without the help of the water-filled bison tracks... 233 00:14:32,100 --> 00:14:37,966 {\an1}making the bison an improbable Cupid in this toad romance. 234 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:45,100 {\an8}♪♪ 235 00:14:45,133 --> 00:14:52,233 {\an8}♪♪ 236 00:14:52,266 --> 00:14:54,833 {\an1}With the change of seasons, 237 00:14:54,866 --> 00:14:57,733 {\an1}these mega herbivores bring new opportunities 238 00:14:57,766 --> 00:15:00,266 {\an1}to the Carpathian's residents. 239 00:15:00,300 --> 00:15:05,866 {\an8}♪♪ 240 00:15:05,900 --> 00:15:11,433 {\an8}♪♪ 241 00:15:11,466 --> 00:15:16,033 {\an1}When the mountains become blanketed in thick snow... 242 00:15:16,066 --> 00:15:19,900 {\an1}predators have to work harder. 243 00:15:19,933 --> 00:15:22,366 {\an1}In Romania's Carpathians, 244 00:15:22,400 --> 00:15:25,566 this red fox is looking for a meal. 245 00:15:25,600 --> 00:15:30,033 {\an1}But he's not relying on his eyes. 246 00:15:30,066 --> 00:15:35,233 {\an1}Instead, he uses his excellent sense of smell... 247 00:15:35,266 --> 00:15:36,933 and hearing... 248 00:15:36,966 --> 00:15:39,633 {\an1}to locate a suitable snack. 249 00:15:39,666 --> 00:15:43,200 [ Rodent chirps ] 250 00:15:43,233 --> 00:15:47,266 {\an1}The fox can detect and stalk a rodent under the snow 251 00:15:47,300 --> 00:15:50,033 {\an1}from around 30 meters away. 252 00:15:50,066 --> 00:15:54,633 {\an8}♪♪ 253 00:15:54,666 --> 00:15:59,500 {\an1}And when it pounces, it uses its tail like a rudder, 254 00:15:59,533 --> 00:16:01,100 {\an1}to balance in midair. 255 00:16:01,133 --> 00:16:04,533 [ Rodent chirps ] 256 00:16:04,566 --> 00:16:06,533 [ Bird cawing ] 257 00:16:06,566 --> 00:16:10,433 Success. 258 00:16:10,466 --> 00:16:12,666 {\an1}[ Animal screeches ] 259 00:16:12,700 --> 00:16:16,233 {\an1}Foxes aren't the only ones looking for food in winter. 260 00:16:16,266 --> 00:16:19,166 {\an8}♪♪ 261 00:16:19,200 --> 00:16:20,766 {\an1}Bison continue to graze 262 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:23,566 on grasses hidden beneath the snow. 263 00:16:23,600 --> 00:16:25,566 {\an1}[ Animal chirping ] 264 00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:28,200 {\an1}But they also rely on small trees and branches 265 00:16:28,233 --> 00:16:30,333 {\an1}to make it through. 266 00:16:30,366 --> 00:16:32,533 {\an8}♪♪ 267 00:16:32,566 --> 00:16:35,400 As they continue to graze the forest, 268 00:16:35,433 --> 00:16:39,800 all this eating creates open areas... 269 00:16:39,833 --> 00:16:43,366 {\an1}and makes room for one of the most unusual mating rituals 270 00:16:43,400 --> 00:16:45,366 to take place. 271 00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:47,366 {\an8}♪♪ 272 00:16:47,400 --> 00:16:50,566 {\an1}Dawn in Europe's pine forest, 273 00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:55,900 {\an1}and time for the headliner to make an appearance... 274 00:16:55,933 --> 00:17:00,200 {\an1}a male capercaillie looking for love. 275 00:17:00,233 --> 00:17:02,533 [ Bird clicking ] 276 00:17:02,566 --> 00:17:05,766 {\an1}To attract attention, he calls continuously 277 00:17:05,800 --> 00:17:09,500 {\an1}and fans his tail feathers. 278 00:17:09,533 --> 00:17:12,633 {\an1}He's chosen this clearing for its good acoustics 279 00:17:12,666 --> 00:17:15,933 and visibility. 280 00:17:15,966 --> 00:17:18,866 And it works. 281 00:17:18,900 --> 00:17:21,600 {\an1}The female is transfixed. 282 00:17:21,633 --> 00:17:25,166 {\an1}[ Bird continues clicking ] 283 00:17:25,200 --> 00:17:29,866 {\an1}But there's competition. 284 00:17:29,900 --> 00:17:34,566 {\an1}Another male arrives, and things quickly turn serious. 285 00:17:34,600 --> 00:17:36,866 ♪♪ 286 00:17:36,900 --> 00:17:39,833 {\an1}He's prepared to fight. 287 00:17:39,866 --> 00:17:42,800 {\an8}♪♪ 288 00:17:42,833 --> 00:17:45,600 [ Bird clicking ] 289 00:17:45,633 --> 00:17:48,100 {\an1}At first, it's just a lot of noise. 290 00:17:48,133 --> 00:17:52,633 {\an8}♪♪ 291 00:17:52,666 --> 00:17:55,233 {\an1}But then things get physical. 292 00:17:55,266 --> 00:17:58,433 {\an8}♪♪ 293 00:17:58,466 --> 00:18:01,433 The two warriors can't lose focus. 294 00:18:01,466 --> 00:18:06,800 {\an8}♪♪ 295 00:18:06,833 --> 00:18:09,933 One false move could lead to injury... 296 00:18:09,966 --> 00:18:12,966 or even death. 297 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:14,700 They face off... 298 00:18:14,733 --> 00:18:18,000 {\an1}until one concedes defeat. 299 00:18:18,033 --> 00:18:20,633 {\an1}[ Birds screeching, clicking ] 300 00:18:25,166 --> 00:18:28,133 {\an1}And the winner gets what he came for. 301 00:18:28,166 --> 00:18:31,766 [ Bird clicking ] 302 00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:35,100 Or maybe not. 303 00:18:35,133 --> 00:18:38,466 {\an8}♪♪ 304 00:18:38,500 --> 00:18:41,800 {\an1}In the depths of winter, the return of bison 305 00:18:41,833 --> 00:18:45,633 {\an1}is having a positive impact on the region and its animals. 306 00:18:45,666 --> 00:18:48,700 {\an8}♪♪ 307 00:18:48,733 --> 00:18:51,200 {\an1}But for the mountains' top predator, 308 00:18:51,233 --> 00:18:54,500 {\an1}the re-introduction of the mega herbivore 309 00:18:54,533 --> 00:18:58,866 {\an1}is beginning to satisfy a very different primal urge. 310 00:18:58,900 --> 00:19:01,466 {\an8}♪♪ 311 00:19:01,500 --> 00:19:05,066 {\an1}A stocky bison would provide plenty of meat 312 00:19:05,100 --> 00:19:07,400 {\an1}for a hungry pack. 313 00:19:07,433 --> 00:19:09,700 {\an8}♪♪ 314 00:19:09,733 --> 00:19:13,900 Wolves may be exceptional hunters, 315 00:19:13,933 --> 00:19:17,233 {\an1}but they will not turn down a chance to scavenge. 316 00:19:17,266 --> 00:19:20,066 [ Wolf yelps ] 317 00:19:20,100 --> 00:19:22,400 Up to one quarter of all bison calves 318 00:19:22,433 --> 00:19:24,733 {\an1}die in their first year. 319 00:19:24,766 --> 00:19:28,200 {\an1}But their carcasses don't go to waste. 320 00:19:28,233 --> 00:19:32,600 {\an1}The remains of this 1-year-old will feed the entire pack. 321 00:19:32,633 --> 00:19:34,766 {\an8}♪♪ 322 00:19:34,800 --> 00:19:39,833 {\an1}Each wolf can eat up to 20% of its bodyweight in one go. 323 00:19:39,866 --> 00:19:41,833 {\an1}[ Wolves growling ] 324 00:19:41,866 --> 00:19:47,900 {\an8}♪♪ 325 00:19:47,933 --> 00:19:53,966 {\an8}♪♪ 326 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:56,466 Wolf packs have a strict hierarchy. 327 00:19:56,500 --> 00:19:57,866 {\an1}[ Wolves snarling ] 328 00:19:57,900 --> 00:20:00,300 And each wolf must take its turn. 329 00:20:03,233 --> 00:20:07,000 {\an8}♪♪ 330 00:20:07,033 --> 00:20:08,933 Until the party is interrupted... 331 00:20:08,966 --> 00:20:12,566 [ Bison lows ] 332 00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:15,800 {\an1}...by a herd of bison. 333 00:20:15,833 --> 00:20:18,233 {\an1}[ Bison growling ] 334 00:20:18,266 --> 00:20:23,966 {\an8}♪♪ 335 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:28,633 Each bison weighs more than 15 wolves combined. 336 00:20:28,666 --> 00:20:32,700 {\an8}♪♪ 337 00:20:32,733 --> 00:20:34,966 [ Wolf growls ] 338 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:38,733 {\an1}And they know how to fight. 339 00:20:38,766 --> 00:20:40,800 [ Bison growling, wolves barking ] 340 00:20:40,833 --> 00:20:43,233 {\an1}Wolves suffer more injuries from these animals 341 00:20:43,266 --> 00:20:46,633 {\an1}than any other adversary. 342 00:20:46,666 --> 00:20:50,200 {\an1}And it's not long before they abandon the carcass. 343 00:20:50,233 --> 00:20:53,066 {\an8}♪♪ 344 00:20:53,100 --> 00:20:56,266 {\an1}Wolves once hunted bison here in Europe. 345 00:20:56,300 --> 00:20:58,433 {\an8}♪♪ 346 00:20:58,466 --> 00:21:00,900 {\an1}But after centuries without them, 347 00:21:00,933 --> 00:21:05,300 {\an1}European wolves have forgotten how to tackle such large prey. 348 00:21:05,333 --> 00:21:07,600 [ Bison grunts ] 349 00:21:07,633 --> 00:21:10,800 {\an1}So these massive herbivores are safe... 350 00:21:10,833 --> 00:21:13,566 for now. 351 00:21:13,600 --> 00:21:17,466 {\an1}However, there is little they can do for their fallen kin. 352 00:21:17,500 --> 00:21:23,333 {\an8}♪♪ 353 00:21:23,366 --> 00:21:29,233 {\an8}♪♪ 354 00:21:29,266 --> 00:21:30,933 {\an1}Just like the bison, 355 00:21:30,966 --> 00:21:36,100 wolves in Europe almost went extinct. 356 00:21:36,133 --> 00:21:38,600 {\an1}Continent-wide hunting and culling 357 00:21:38,633 --> 00:21:41,033 {\an1}caused wolf numbers to plummet. 358 00:21:41,066 --> 00:21:43,100 {\an8}♪♪ 359 00:21:43,133 --> 00:21:46,966 {\an1}Fortunately, hunting regulation and legal protection 360 00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:49,200 {\an1}came just in the nick of time. 361 00:21:49,233 --> 00:21:51,933 [ Bird chirping ] 362 00:21:51,966 --> 00:21:56,266 {\an1}Now the wolf population hasn't just survived. 363 00:21:56,300 --> 00:21:59,100 {\an1}It's made a remarkable comeback. 364 00:21:59,133 --> 00:22:03,700 {\an1}And today, there are more wolves in Europe than in the U.S. 365 00:22:03,733 --> 00:22:08,266 {\an8}♪♪ 366 00:22:08,300 --> 00:22:11,966 {\an1}[ Wolves yelping, howling ] 367 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:14,733 {\an8}♪♪ 368 00:22:14,766 --> 00:22:18,500 This is a wolf rendezvous site... 369 00:22:18,533 --> 00:22:22,000 a key location in a pack's territory, 370 00:22:22,033 --> 00:22:24,466 where the wolves gather to play, 371 00:22:24,500 --> 00:22:27,800 {\an1}sleep, and feed their pups. 372 00:22:27,833 --> 00:22:31,133 [ Pups whining ] 373 00:22:31,166 --> 00:22:32,666 At 2 months old, 374 00:22:32,700 --> 00:22:37,300 {\an1}these pups are just a few weeks out of the den. 375 00:22:37,333 --> 00:22:39,500 {\an1}They are born curious. 376 00:22:39,533 --> 00:22:41,466 [ Pups growling ] 377 00:22:41,500 --> 00:22:44,433 {\an1}It's how they learn about the world. 378 00:22:44,466 --> 00:22:46,933 {\an1}But they're already becoming a handful. 379 00:22:46,966 --> 00:22:49,400 {\an8}♪♪ 380 00:22:49,433 --> 00:22:52,000 {\an1}So while the adults are out hunting, 381 00:22:52,033 --> 00:22:53,866 {\an1}they've been left behind. 382 00:22:53,900 --> 00:22:57,933 {\an8}♪♪ 383 00:22:57,966 --> 00:23:00,300 {\an1}But they're not on their own. 384 00:23:00,333 --> 00:23:02,333 {\an1}They have a babysitter. 385 00:23:02,366 --> 00:23:05,200 {\an8}♪♪ 386 00:23:05,233 --> 00:23:08,566 {\an1}He keeps them entertained until their parents return. 387 00:23:08,600 --> 00:23:10,933 {\an1}[ Wolves growling ] 388 00:23:10,966 --> 00:23:15,800 {\an8}♪♪ 389 00:23:15,833 --> 00:23:17,066 {\an1}It will be a few months still 390 00:23:17,100 --> 00:23:19,933 {\an1}until they're old enough to join the hunt. 391 00:23:19,966 --> 00:23:22,266 {\an8}♪♪ 392 00:23:22,300 --> 00:23:25,300 {\an1}For now, they're happy to take the opportunity 393 00:23:25,333 --> 00:23:28,200 {\an1}to run the babysitter ragged. 394 00:23:28,233 --> 00:23:31,333 [ Pups yelp ] 395 00:23:31,366 --> 00:23:33,100 {\an1}It's not only the adult wolves 396 00:23:33,133 --> 00:23:35,866 with the pups' best interest in mind. 397 00:23:35,900 --> 00:23:39,700 {\an8}♪♪ 398 00:23:39,733 --> 00:23:43,933 {\an1}Across the continent, human attitudes have changed, 399 00:23:43,966 --> 00:23:46,633 {\an1}and rewilding efforts are attempting to monitor 400 00:23:46,666 --> 00:23:49,300 {\an1}the wolves' amazing comeback. 401 00:23:49,333 --> 00:23:51,866 {\an8}♪♪ 402 00:23:51,900 --> 00:23:56,833 {\an1}Over 900 kilometers north of the Carpathians, 403 00:23:56,866 --> 00:24:01,200 {\an1}Polish wolf populations have defied all expectations. 404 00:24:01,233 --> 00:24:03,200 {\an8}♪♪ 405 00:24:03,233 --> 00:24:07,033 {\an1}Here in the depths of Poland's isolated forests... 406 00:24:07,066 --> 00:24:09,666 {\an1}scientists are scouring the woodland, 407 00:24:09,700 --> 00:24:13,666 looking for wolf rendezvous sites. 408 00:24:13,700 --> 00:24:18,033 {\an1}But these apex predators are notoriously hard to find. 409 00:24:18,066 --> 00:24:21,566 {\an8}♪♪ 410 00:24:21,600 --> 00:24:23,800 {\an1}Wolf expert Sabina Nowak 411 00:24:23,833 --> 00:24:27,833 {\an1}has been studying wolves in Poland for 20 years... 412 00:24:27,866 --> 00:24:30,566 {\an8}♪♪ 413 00:24:30,600 --> 00:24:34,133 {\an1}...and goes to drastic lengths to find her subjects. 414 00:24:34,166 --> 00:24:37,000 {\an8}♪♪ 415 00:24:37,033 --> 00:24:40,500 {\an1}One of the many methods she utilizes is tracking. 416 00:24:43,766 --> 00:24:45,600 With her team, she scans the landscape 417 00:24:45,633 --> 00:24:49,200 for anything the wolves have left behind. 418 00:24:49,233 --> 00:24:52,066 -On the junction, we have some tracks 419 00:24:52,100 --> 00:24:56,933 which look like pup's track. Yeah. 420 00:24:56,966 --> 00:24:58,333 {\an1}-At just 8 centimeters, 421 00:24:58,366 --> 00:25:02,000 {\an1}this paw print belongs to a wolf pup... 422 00:25:02,033 --> 00:25:05,400 {\an1}and means Sabina is heading in the right direction. 423 00:25:05,433 --> 00:25:08,500 {\an1}-You find some signs and go closer and closer. 424 00:25:08,533 --> 00:25:11,933 It's like a police investigation, yeah? 425 00:25:14,666 --> 00:25:16,766 There is a hole under the fence, 426 00:25:16,800 --> 00:25:19,466 {\an1}so it can be used by pups. 427 00:25:19,500 --> 00:25:21,600 And on the fence, 428 00:25:21,633 --> 00:25:25,666 we can see hair, 429 00:25:25,700 --> 00:25:27,300 wolf hair. 430 00:25:27,333 --> 00:25:30,966 {\an1}-Nearby paw prints and traces of the predators' hair 431 00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:35,566 {\an1}make this a likely wolf rendezvous site 432 00:25:35,600 --> 00:25:37,400 {\an1}and the perfect location 433 00:25:37,433 --> 00:25:41,266 {\an1}to set up a camera trap. 434 00:25:41,300 --> 00:25:43,233 {\an1}-Pups, they like very much to play on roads, 435 00:25:43,266 --> 00:25:46,500 {\an1}so they emerge every evening, and they play. 436 00:25:46,533 --> 00:25:47,900 {\an1}So there is a big probability 437 00:25:47,933 --> 00:25:51,233 {\an1}that they will be recorded by our camera traps. 438 00:25:53,933 --> 00:25:57,000 {\an1}-Using the footage caught on camera traps like this, 439 00:25:57,033 --> 00:25:59,566 {\an1}Sabina and the team begin to understand 440 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:03,633 {\an1}how the European wolves are repopulating the continent. 441 00:26:03,666 --> 00:26:06,466 {\an1}-When we set camera traps in good place, 442 00:26:06,500 --> 00:26:10,000 {\an7}we can observe the relationship between adults, 443 00:26:10,033 --> 00:26:12,533 {\an7}the parents, and pups. 444 00:26:12,566 --> 00:26:15,533 {\an8}♪♪ 445 00:26:15,566 --> 00:26:17,933 {\an1}The monitoring of pups is very important, 446 00:26:17,966 --> 00:26:21,933 {\an1}because we get information about their health. 447 00:26:21,966 --> 00:26:24,533 [ Pups yelping ] 448 00:26:24,566 --> 00:26:29,933 {\an8}♪♪ 449 00:26:29,966 --> 00:26:33,400 We can also observe personalities. 450 00:26:33,433 --> 00:26:35,766 {\an1}-Some are cautious. 451 00:26:35,800 --> 00:26:41,000 {\an8}♪♪ 452 00:26:41,033 --> 00:26:43,266 Others curious. 453 00:26:43,300 --> 00:26:46,000 {\an8}♪♪ 454 00:26:46,033 --> 00:26:49,100 {\an1}And some don't like being filmed at all. 455 00:26:49,133 --> 00:26:55,733 {\an8}♪♪ 456 00:26:55,766 --> 00:27:02,433 {\an8}♪♪ 457 00:27:02,466 --> 00:27:05,266 The Carpathians boast so much wildlife, 458 00:27:05,300 --> 00:27:08,933 {\an1}they can help other regions ofEurope that aren't as fortunate. 459 00:27:08,966 --> 00:27:11,166 {\an8}♪♪ 460 00:27:11,200 --> 00:27:12,933 [ Bird chirping ] 461 00:27:12,966 --> 00:27:15,466 {\an1}The lynx population is a prime example. 462 00:27:15,500 --> 00:27:17,466 {\an8}♪♪ 463 00:27:17,500 --> 00:27:19,866 {\an1}These two lynx cubs were born wild 464 00:27:19,900 --> 00:27:23,600 {\an1}in the Slovakian mountains. 465 00:27:23,633 --> 00:27:27,166 But one year ago, they were both found abandoned. 466 00:27:27,200 --> 00:27:30,033 {\an8}♪♪ 467 00:27:30,066 --> 00:27:34,133 {\an1}Since then, Wrano and Alfie have been raised in captivity 468 00:27:34,166 --> 00:27:38,400 {\an1}with minimal human contact. 469 00:27:38,433 --> 00:27:41,733 {\an1}After months of rehabilitation at the Bojnice Zoo, 470 00:27:41,766 --> 00:27:44,000 {\an1}they're ready to be freed. 471 00:27:44,033 --> 00:27:46,000 {\an8}♪♪ 472 00:27:46,033 --> 00:27:48,466 {\an1}Instead of returning to the Carpathians, 473 00:27:48,500 --> 00:27:51,933 {\an1}these lynx will be reintroduced to Germany, 474 00:27:51,966 --> 00:27:56,166 {\an1}where their species has been extinct for 150 years. 475 00:27:56,200 --> 00:27:58,666 [ Clock ticking ] 476 00:27:58,700 --> 00:28:00,933 {\an1}The relocation team works at night 477 00:28:00,966 --> 00:28:05,766 {\an1}to minimize visual stimulation for the cubs. 478 00:28:05,800 --> 00:28:07,500 {\an1}Once the cats are sedated, 479 00:28:07,533 --> 00:28:11,133 {\an1}carnivore expert Jakub Kubala checks that they're healthy. 480 00:28:11,166 --> 00:28:14,400 {\an1}-[ Whispering ] We're taking blood samples of the animal 481 00:28:14,433 --> 00:28:18,366 {\an1}and writing a really special number on the collar 482 00:28:18,400 --> 00:28:20,600 {\an1}so the German vets can then check it 483 00:28:20,633 --> 00:28:23,466 without the need to tranquilize him again. 484 00:28:23,500 --> 00:28:25,066 {\an1}-For Jakub and the team, 485 00:28:25,100 --> 00:28:28,233 taking the blood is a complicated procedure. 486 00:28:32,600 --> 00:28:35,633 {\an1}Lynx are notoriously nervous creatures. 487 00:28:35,666 --> 00:28:37,966 {\an1}And even under sedation, their stress levels 488 00:28:38,000 --> 00:28:40,233 {\an1}can have devastating effects. 489 00:28:40,266 --> 00:28:41,766 [ Monitor beeps ] 490 00:28:41,800 --> 00:28:43,066 {\an1}-He's not sleeping very well, 491 00:28:43,100 --> 00:28:45,300 {\an1}so we have to be really fast as possible, 492 00:28:45,333 --> 00:28:48,300 {\an1}because he could wake up in a moment. 493 00:28:48,333 --> 00:28:50,500 {\an1}-They have just a few minutes to fit a collar. 494 00:28:52,300 --> 00:28:58,866 {\an8}♪♪ 495 00:28:58,900 --> 00:29:02,600 {\an1}The stress of relocation, combined with the sedatives, 496 00:29:02,633 --> 00:29:06,266 {\an1}raises the cubs' bodytemperature to dangerous levels. 497 00:29:06,300 --> 00:29:09,733 {\an8}♪♪ 498 00:29:09,766 --> 00:29:11,566 {\an1}They must continually monitor the lynx 499 00:29:11,600 --> 00:29:13,833 {\an1}to ensure they do not overheat. 500 00:29:13,866 --> 00:29:16,133 {\an1}[ Monitor beeping ] 501 00:29:16,166 --> 00:29:18,366 {\an1}Just as the process is coming to an end, 502 00:29:18,400 --> 00:29:20,533 {\an1}things take a turn for the worse. 503 00:29:20,566 --> 00:29:23,166 {\an8}♪♪ 504 00:29:23,200 --> 00:29:27,933 {\an1}The cubs, Wrano and Alfie, arenot responding well to sedation. 505 00:29:27,966 --> 00:29:31,600 {\an8}♪♪ 506 00:29:31,633 --> 00:29:35,066 {\an1}Their body temperature has become dangerously high, 507 00:29:35,100 --> 00:29:37,866 {\an1}and the team is fighting to bring it down. 508 00:29:41,000 --> 00:29:44,466 -The temperature was still too high. 509 00:29:44,500 --> 00:29:47,533 We drop it for almost 1/2 degree, 510 00:29:47,566 --> 00:29:50,033 {\an1}but it's still too high, so... 511 00:29:56,166 --> 00:29:57,633 -It works. 512 00:29:57,666 --> 00:29:59,700 {\an1}The lynx is finally out of danger. 513 00:30:03,700 --> 00:30:10,033 {\an8}♪♪ 514 00:30:10,066 --> 00:30:14,500 {\an1}When the check-up is complete and the sedative wears off... 515 00:30:14,533 --> 00:30:16,500 {\an8}♪♪ 516 00:30:16,533 --> 00:30:21,100 {\an1}...Wrano and Alfie are driven through the night... 517 00:30:21,133 --> 00:30:24,366 {\an1}more than 900 kilometers across Europe... 518 00:30:24,400 --> 00:30:26,366 {\an8}♪♪ 519 00:30:26,400 --> 00:30:31,633 {\an1}...to their new home in Germany's Palatinate Forest, 520 00:30:31,666 --> 00:30:36,800 {\an1}where lynx have been absent for more than two centuries. 521 00:30:36,833 --> 00:30:39,433 {\an1}The cubs seem eager for freedom. 522 00:30:39,466 --> 00:30:41,433 {\an8}♪♪ 523 00:30:41,466 --> 00:30:45,466 {\an1}Although these are new surroundings, Wrano and Alfie 524 00:30:45,500 --> 00:30:50,100 {\an1}will be joining 15 other reintroduced Eurasian lynx 525 00:30:50,133 --> 00:30:53,533 who now roam these ancient German woodlands. 526 00:30:53,566 --> 00:30:56,366 {\an8}♪♪ 527 00:30:56,400 --> 00:30:59,100 {\an1}Finally, the moment arrives. 528 00:30:59,133 --> 00:31:06,000 {\an8}♪♪ 529 00:31:06,033 --> 00:31:07,800 Wrano is off, 530 00:31:07,833 --> 00:31:11,500 {\an1}and he doesn't look back. 531 00:31:11,533 --> 00:31:14,800 {\an1}The collar he's wearing will give the team insight 532 00:31:14,833 --> 00:31:17,666 {\an1}into the lynx's hidden lives. 533 00:31:17,700 --> 00:31:19,866 {\an8}♪♪ 534 00:31:19,900 --> 00:31:22,500 {\an1}Next, it's Alfie's turn. 535 00:31:22,533 --> 00:31:25,000 {\an8}♪♪ 536 00:31:25,033 --> 00:31:28,200 {\an1}He follows his adoptive brother to freedom. 537 00:31:28,233 --> 00:31:35,500 {\an8}♪♪ 538 00:31:35,533 --> 00:31:38,966 {\an1}Thanks to decades of rewilding efforts across Europe, 539 00:31:39,000 --> 00:31:42,133 {\an1}lynx are now repopulating parts of Germany, 540 00:31:42,166 --> 00:31:46,333 {\an1}Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. 541 00:31:46,366 --> 00:31:53,533 {\an8}♪♪ 542 00:31:53,566 --> 00:31:57,666 {\an1}While lynx have needed a helping hand to recolonize, 543 00:31:57,700 --> 00:32:03,100 {\an1}wolves have had no trouble finding their own way. 544 00:32:03,133 --> 00:32:05,300 {\an1}In Poland, one particular wolf 545 00:32:05,333 --> 00:32:08,766 embodies this extraordinary story. 546 00:32:08,800 --> 00:32:10,600 [ Wolf barks ] 547 00:32:10,633 --> 00:32:12,766 {\an8}♪♪ 548 00:32:12,800 --> 00:32:14,533 This is Kampinos, 549 00:32:14,566 --> 00:32:19,300 {\an1}a young wolf rescued after being hit by a car. 550 00:32:19,333 --> 00:32:22,066 {\an1}And now after recovering in captivity, 551 00:32:22,100 --> 00:32:25,033 {\an1}he's about to be set free. 552 00:32:25,066 --> 00:32:28,600 {\an1}But there's work to do first. 553 00:32:28,633 --> 00:32:30,900 {\an1}Kampinos is sedated... 554 00:32:30,933 --> 00:32:34,100 {\an8}♪♪ 555 00:32:34,133 --> 00:32:36,533 {\an1}...moved to the checkup area... 556 00:32:36,566 --> 00:32:40,233 {\an8}♪♪ 557 00:32:40,266 --> 00:32:42,666 {\an1}...muzzled, as a precaution... 558 00:32:42,700 --> 00:32:44,666 {\an8}♪♪ 559 00:32:44,700 --> 00:32:47,000 {\an1}...and fitted with a collar. 560 00:32:47,033 --> 00:32:49,866 {\an8}♪♪ 561 00:32:49,900 --> 00:32:51,966 He's then carried to his transport crate 562 00:32:52,000 --> 00:32:57,200 {\an1}for the short journey home to Kampinos National Park... 563 00:32:57,233 --> 00:33:01,600 {\an1}where he loses no time heading back to the wild. 564 00:33:01,633 --> 00:33:06,800 {\an8}♪♪ 565 00:33:06,833 --> 00:33:10,033 {\an1}But he doesn't hang around. 566 00:33:10,066 --> 00:33:13,700 {\an1}Data from his collar shows that shortly after his release, 567 00:33:13,733 --> 00:33:18,766 {\an1}Kampinos began an epic journey away from his home territory, 568 00:33:18,800 --> 00:33:23,233 {\an1}and the distance he covered defied all expectations. 569 00:33:23,266 --> 00:33:27,100 {\an8}♪♪ 570 00:33:27,133 --> 00:33:30,666 {\an1}He traveled more than 600 kilometers 571 00:33:30,700 --> 00:33:33,133 {\an1}to the other side of Poland, 572 00:33:33,166 --> 00:33:37,666 {\an1}crossing fields, forests, and mountains. 573 00:33:37,700 --> 00:33:43,500 {\an8}♪♪ 574 00:33:43,533 --> 00:33:46,200 Journeying alone, without a pack, 575 00:33:46,233 --> 00:33:50,200 {\an1}Kampinos needed easy prey to sustain him along the way. 576 00:33:50,233 --> 00:33:55,033 {\an8}♪♪ 577 00:33:55,066 --> 00:33:58,366 {\an1}The abundance of food in the Carpathian Mountains 578 00:33:58,400 --> 00:34:01,000 is a major reason wolves have been able to thrive 579 00:34:01,033 --> 00:34:02,933 in the region. 580 00:34:02,966 --> 00:34:07,000 {\an8}♪♪ 581 00:34:07,033 --> 00:34:08,466 [ Boar grunting ] 582 00:34:08,500 --> 00:34:10,366 {\an1}One species in particular 583 00:34:10,400 --> 00:34:13,766 {\an1}helped wolves make it through the hard times. 584 00:34:13,800 --> 00:34:17,266 {\an8}♪♪ 585 00:34:17,300 --> 00:34:18,800 Wild boar. 586 00:34:18,833 --> 00:34:21,833 [ Boar grunting ] 587 00:34:21,866 --> 00:34:24,200 {\an1}These beasts are one of the most widely spread 588 00:34:24,233 --> 00:34:26,433 {\an1}and abundant mammals in Europe. 589 00:34:26,466 --> 00:34:28,466 {\an8}♪♪ 590 00:34:28,500 --> 00:34:31,766 {\an1}They have all kinds of tricks up their sleeve 591 00:34:31,800 --> 00:34:35,433 {\an1}to help them survive and thrive in most habitats. 592 00:34:35,466 --> 00:34:39,266 ♪♪ 593 00:34:39,300 --> 00:34:41,866 {\an1}First, their taste in food. 594 00:34:41,900 --> 00:34:45,366 {\an1}Wild boar will eat almost anything... 595 00:34:45,400 --> 00:34:47,833 {\an1}from roots and insects... 596 00:34:47,866 --> 00:34:51,700 {\an1}to berries and carrion. 597 00:34:51,733 --> 00:34:54,266 {\an1}Even bark is on the menu. 598 00:34:54,300 --> 00:34:57,400 {\an8}♪♪ 599 00:34:57,433 --> 00:35:01,400 {\an1}Nothing distracts them from the job at hand 600 00:35:01,433 --> 00:35:04,233 {\an1}Even tussles between adult boar 601 00:35:04,266 --> 00:35:07,000 {\an1}don't stop piglets from foraging. 602 00:35:07,033 --> 00:35:09,266 {\an1}[ Boar grunting, screeching ] 603 00:35:09,300 --> 00:35:15,000 {\an8}♪♪ 604 00:35:15,033 --> 00:35:20,766 {\an8}♪♪ 605 00:35:20,800 --> 00:35:24,633 {\an1}Wild boar live in groups called sounders. 606 00:35:24,666 --> 00:35:27,800 They're led by the dominant female. 607 00:35:27,833 --> 00:35:31,166 {\an1}And they all have to look after the piglets... 608 00:35:31,200 --> 00:35:34,066 {\an1}and keep an eye out for predators... 609 00:35:34,100 --> 00:35:38,300 {\an8}♪♪ 610 00:35:38,333 --> 00:35:41,433 {\an1}...especially the grey wolf. 611 00:35:41,466 --> 00:35:46,233 {\an8}♪♪ 612 00:35:46,266 --> 00:35:51,866 {\an8}For a top predator, a sounder of wild boar is a tempting target. 613 00:35:51,900 --> 00:35:54,333 [ Boar grunting ] 614 00:35:54,366 --> 00:36:01,566 {\an8}♪♪ 615 00:36:01,600 --> 00:36:05,133 {\an8}There's plenty of prey on offer. 616 00:36:05,166 --> 00:36:07,400 {\an1}[ Boar screeching ] 617 00:36:07,433 --> 00:36:09,100 [ Wolf growling ] 618 00:36:09,133 --> 00:36:11,300 {\an1}[ Boar grunting, screeching ] 619 00:36:11,333 --> 00:36:17,200 {\an8}♪♪ 620 00:36:17,233 --> 00:36:19,633 {\an1}But hunting isn't easy... 621 00:36:19,666 --> 00:36:22,966 especially for a solitary wolf... 622 00:36:23,000 --> 00:36:25,033 {\an1}without the support of a pack. 623 00:36:28,066 --> 00:36:32,700 {\an1}Wolves have a hit rate of just 20%. 624 00:36:32,733 --> 00:36:34,833 {\an1}So it's tempting to turn to easier prey... 625 00:36:34,866 --> 00:36:36,900 {\an1}[ Sheep bleating ] 626 00:36:36,933 --> 00:36:39,033 {\an1}...from the human world. 627 00:36:39,066 --> 00:36:44,900 {\an8}♪♪ 628 00:36:44,933 --> 00:36:48,533 Local livestock is a reliable target. 629 00:36:48,566 --> 00:36:51,600 {\an1}[ Sheep bleating ] 630 00:36:51,633 --> 00:36:54,533 {\an1}Shepherds and farmers lose thousands of animals each year 631 00:36:54,566 --> 00:36:56,433 to wolf attacks. 632 00:36:56,466 --> 00:37:00,500 {\an8}♪♪ 633 00:37:00,533 --> 00:37:03,466 Some shoot wolves in retaliation... 634 00:37:03,500 --> 00:37:07,566 {\an8}♪♪ 635 00:37:07,600 --> 00:37:08,733 [ Wolf howling ] 636 00:37:08,766 --> 00:37:11,900 {\an1}...even though the predators are protected. 637 00:37:11,933 --> 00:37:14,700 {\an8}♪♪ 638 00:37:14,733 --> 00:37:16,066 It's one of the biggest challenges 639 00:37:16,100 --> 00:37:18,066 {\an1}for wolf conservation. 640 00:37:18,100 --> 00:37:22,066 {\an8}♪♪ 641 00:37:22,100 --> 00:37:24,833 {\an1}But an age-old way of protecting livestock 642 00:37:24,866 --> 00:37:26,800 {\an1}is making a comeback... 643 00:37:26,833 --> 00:37:28,800 {\an8}♪♪ 644 00:37:28,833 --> 00:37:31,333 {\an1}...and saving wolves in the process. 645 00:37:37,500 --> 00:37:40,700 {\an1}Beyond the Carpathians, in Northern Greece... 646 00:37:40,733 --> 00:37:42,833 {\an8}♪♪ 647 00:37:42,866 --> 00:37:46,233 [ Dogs barking ] 648 00:37:46,266 --> 00:37:49,500 {\an1}...the Arcturos Center is raising a new generation 649 00:37:49,533 --> 00:37:51,866 {\an1}of Hellenic Sheepdogs... 650 00:37:51,900 --> 00:37:53,700 [ Dog barking ] 651 00:37:53,733 --> 00:37:56,233 ...with a single goal in mind... 652 00:37:56,266 --> 00:37:58,233 {\an8}♪♪ 653 00:37:58,266 --> 00:38:01,366 {\an1}...to save livestock from predators. 654 00:38:01,400 --> 00:38:10,533 {\an8}♪♪ 655 00:38:10,566 --> 00:38:13,566 {\an1}These working dogs may look... 656 00:38:13,600 --> 00:38:16,133 and act... 657 00:38:16,166 --> 00:38:19,600 {\an1}like oversized family pets. 658 00:38:19,633 --> 00:38:21,700 [ Dogs growling ] 659 00:38:21,733 --> 00:38:26,966 {\an8}♪♪ 660 00:38:27,000 --> 00:38:32,200 {\an8}♪♪ 661 00:38:32,233 --> 00:38:36,000 {\an1}But they've been bred over centuries... 662 00:38:36,033 --> 00:38:39,100 {\an1}to protect and defend sheep. 663 00:38:39,133 --> 00:38:41,100 {\an8}♪♪ 664 00:38:41,133 --> 00:38:44,466 {\an1}They are fierce protectors of livestock. 665 00:38:44,500 --> 00:38:49,700 Yet the dogs are remarkably nice to people. 666 00:38:49,733 --> 00:38:53,733 {\an1}And this is encouraged at Arcturos... 667 00:38:53,766 --> 00:38:56,533 where they enjoy a stress-free life. 668 00:38:56,566 --> 00:39:00,433 {\an8}♪♪ 669 00:39:00,466 --> 00:39:04,266 {\an1}Socialized from a young age, 670 00:39:04,300 --> 00:39:07,000 {\an1}every one of the pups is being prepared to work 671 00:39:07,033 --> 00:39:09,166 {\an1}as a double act in the future. 672 00:39:09,200 --> 00:39:12,133 [ Dogs growling ] 673 00:39:12,166 --> 00:39:15,266 Exposure to their fellow canines as they grow up 674 00:39:15,300 --> 00:39:19,366 {\an1}is crucial in raising awell-mannered Hellenic Sheepdog. 675 00:39:19,400 --> 00:39:21,333 {\an1}[ Dogs barking ] 676 00:39:21,366 --> 00:39:27,366 {\an8}♪♪ 677 00:39:27,400 --> 00:39:30,733 {\an1}However, it's not all fun and games at Arcturos. 678 00:39:30,766 --> 00:39:32,733 {\an8}♪♪ 679 00:39:32,766 --> 00:39:35,833 {\an1}Today is vaccination day. 680 00:39:35,866 --> 00:39:38,166 [ Dog whines ] 681 00:39:38,200 --> 00:39:42,300 {\an8}♪♪ 682 00:39:42,333 --> 00:39:44,400 {\an1}Each dog has their blood tested 683 00:39:44,433 --> 00:39:48,200 {\an1}and is vaccinated against half a dozen canine diseases. 684 00:39:48,233 --> 00:39:53,700 {\an8}♪♪ 685 00:40:00,933 --> 00:40:02,900 {\an1}-We have to do some tests 686 00:40:02,933 --> 00:40:05,233 {\an1}so that we can take their health status, 687 00:40:05,266 --> 00:40:07,200 {\an1}take blood samples so that we make sure 688 00:40:07,233 --> 00:40:10,400 {\an1}that everything is okay with their health. 689 00:40:10,433 --> 00:40:13,533 {\an1}-The vaccines are essentialto protect the Hellenic Sheepdog 690 00:40:13,566 --> 00:40:15,933 {\an1}from passing diseases on to each other 691 00:40:15,966 --> 00:40:18,966 {\an1}and to other animals they come into contact with. 692 00:40:19,000 --> 00:40:21,700 {\an8}♪♪ 693 00:40:21,733 --> 00:40:23,966 {\an1}Some are not as keen as others... 694 00:40:24,000 --> 00:40:26,033 {\an8}♪♪ 695 00:40:26,066 --> 00:40:27,900 {\an1}...and need a little encouragement. 696 00:40:29,766 --> 00:40:31,566 [ Dog whines ] 697 00:40:31,600 --> 00:40:33,700 {\an1}-It's a busy day, because we have to do all the dogs, 698 00:40:33,733 --> 00:40:36,366 {\an1}and not all the dogs are having the same behavior. 699 00:40:36,400 --> 00:40:38,866 {\an1}And we need to make sure that they are not afraid, 700 00:40:38,900 --> 00:40:41,100 {\an1}not to be a stressful procedure for them. 701 00:40:41,133 --> 00:40:43,566 {\an1}-[ Speaking excitedly in Greek ] 702 00:40:43,600 --> 00:40:46,500 {\an1}-Last one up is Fiesta. 703 00:40:46,533 --> 00:40:47,766 {\an1}At only 5 months old, 704 00:40:47,800 --> 00:40:50,266 {\an1}she is one of the youngest in the pack. 705 00:40:50,300 --> 00:40:54,100 {\an1}-[ Speaking excitedly in Greek ] 706 00:40:54,133 --> 00:40:58,166 {\an1}-But unlike her siblings, she will not become a sheepdog. 707 00:40:58,200 --> 00:41:00,233 {\an8}♪♪ 708 00:41:00,266 --> 00:41:03,633 {\an1}Fiesta will soon be a breeding female. 709 00:41:03,666 --> 00:41:06,866 {\an1}-We kept her because we thought that morphologically 710 00:41:06,900 --> 00:41:09,200 {\an1}and also her behavior was really good 711 00:41:09,233 --> 00:41:11,266 {\an1}to become a breeding dog. 712 00:41:11,300 --> 00:41:15,866 {\an1}-If all goes well,Fiesta will be key for Arcturos. 713 00:41:15,900 --> 00:41:19,400 {\an1}As a breeding female, she has the potential to give birth 714 00:41:19,433 --> 00:41:22,800 to three litters of Hellenic Sheepdogs. 715 00:41:22,833 --> 00:41:26,100 {\an8}♪♪ 716 00:41:26,133 --> 00:41:27,733 {\an8}-They are not just tools for us. 717 00:41:27,766 --> 00:41:30,633 {\an7}If we have healthy and happy dogs here, 718 00:41:30,666 --> 00:41:34,500 {\an7}it's very important for the dogs that we give away later. 719 00:41:34,533 --> 00:41:36,100 [ Dogs barking ] 720 00:41:36,133 --> 00:41:38,200 {\an8}♪♪ 721 00:41:38,233 --> 00:41:40,600 [ Man whistling ] 722 00:41:40,633 --> 00:41:45,600 {\an1}-Every year, more than 20 dogs are donated to local shepherds. 723 00:41:45,633 --> 00:41:47,800 {\an8}♪♪ 724 00:41:47,833 --> 00:41:50,733 This is Mirco. 725 00:41:50,766 --> 00:41:56,066 She arrived at her new home when she was just 2 months old... 726 00:41:56,100 --> 00:41:58,800 {\an1}so that she could grow up among sheep. 727 00:41:58,833 --> 00:42:00,333 {\an1}[ Sheep bleating ] 728 00:42:00,366 --> 00:42:03,600 {\an8}♪♪ 729 00:42:03,633 --> 00:42:05,800 {\an1}Now she's one of the flock. 730 00:42:05,833 --> 00:42:07,833 {\an8}♪♪ 731 00:42:07,866 --> 00:42:10,833 {\an1}She doesn't herd the sheep. She simply walks with them, 732 00:42:10,866 --> 00:42:12,800 as a bodyguard. 733 00:42:12,833 --> 00:42:18,066 {\an8}♪♪ 734 00:42:18,100 --> 00:42:20,133 {\an1}These dogs work in pairs... 735 00:42:20,166 --> 00:42:23,833 {\an1}keeping watch and constantly alert for threats. 736 00:42:23,866 --> 00:42:27,866 {\an8}♪♪ 737 00:42:27,900 --> 00:42:32,366 {\an1}All across Europe, similar dog breeds do the same job... 738 00:42:32,400 --> 00:42:35,266 protecting sheep and other livestock... 739 00:42:37,366 --> 00:42:40,966 ...day in, 740 00:42:41,000 --> 00:42:42,666 day out... 741 00:42:42,700 --> 00:42:45,633 {\an8}♪♪ 742 00:42:45,666 --> 00:42:48,033 {\an1}...and all year round. 743 00:42:48,066 --> 00:42:51,166 [ Dogs barking ] 744 00:42:51,200 --> 00:42:55,833 {\an8}♪♪ 745 00:42:55,866 --> 00:43:00,400 {\an8}Usually, their presence alone is enough to scare off predators. 746 00:43:00,433 --> 00:43:02,900 {\an8}♪♪ 747 00:43:02,933 --> 00:43:05,466 {\an1}However, this is a lone wolf. 748 00:43:05,500 --> 00:43:07,600 {\an8}♪♪ 749 00:43:07,633 --> 00:43:13,500 {\an1}With no pack to hunt with, it's after an easy meal. 750 00:43:13,533 --> 00:43:16,500 {\an1}But these sheepdogs aren't going anywhere. 751 00:43:16,533 --> 00:43:18,666 {\an1}[ Wolf growling, dogs barking ] 752 00:43:18,700 --> 00:43:22,033 {\an8}♪♪ 753 00:43:22,066 --> 00:43:26,066 {\an1}Defensive by nature, they will not initiate an attack. 754 00:43:26,100 --> 00:43:28,066 {\an8}♪♪ 755 00:43:28,100 --> 00:43:29,833 {\an1}As a team, they make sure the wolf knows 756 00:43:29,866 --> 00:43:32,633 {\an1}their flock won't be an easy target. 757 00:43:32,666 --> 00:43:35,500 {\an1}[ Dogs continue barking ] 758 00:43:35,533 --> 00:43:41,866 {\an8}♪♪ 759 00:43:41,900 --> 00:43:45,466 {\an1}The wolf looks submissive, for a moment. 760 00:43:45,500 --> 00:43:53,300 {\an8}♪♪ 761 00:43:53,333 --> 00:43:55,633 {\an1}But he's persistent. 762 00:43:55,666 --> 00:43:58,400 {\an8}♪♪ 763 00:43:58,433 --> 00:44:00,800 So are the dogs. 764 00:44:00,833 --> 00:44:03,733 {\an1}[ Dogs continue barking ] 765 00:44:03,766 --> 00:44:08,000 {\an1}They don't stop until the wolf is well clear. 766 00:44:08,033 --> 00:44:13,266 {\an8}♪♪ 767 00:44:13,300 --> 00:44:15,766 {\an1}Thousands of predator attacks on livestock 768 00:44:15,800 --> 00:44:18,566 {\an1}are prevented each year by dogs. 769 00:44:18,600 --> 00:44:21,933 {\an8}♪♪ 770 00:44:21,966 --> 00:44:27,266 {\an8}In return, many wolves are saved from deadly retaliation. 771 00:44:27,300 --> 00:44:33,300 {\an8}♪♪ 772 00:44:33,333 --> 00:44:36,200 {\an1}When wolf numbers have a chance to bounce back, 773 00:44:36,233 --> 00:44:41,333 {\an1}the species is capable of extraordinary feats. 774 00:44:41,366 --> 00:44:43,566 In Poland, a hunting ban on wolves 775 00:44:43,600 --> 00:44:48,266 came into effect just 20 years ago. 776 00:44:48,300 --> 00:44:51,133 {\an1}Since then, not only have their numbers grown... 777 00:44:51,166 --> 00:44:53,600 {\an8}♪♪ 778 00:44:53,633 --> 00:44:58,000 {\an1}...they've also dramatically increased their range. 779 00:44:58,033 --> 00:45:01,200 {\an1}Wolf scientist Sabina uses GPS tracking 780 00:45:01,233 --> 00:45:04,000 and DNA analysis of Polish wolves 781 00:45:04,033 --> 00:45:07,666 {\an1}to make a startling discovery. 782 00:45:07,700 --> 00:45:09,300 {\an1}In just two decades, 783 00:45:09,333 --> 00:45:12,166 {\an1}wolves originating in Northeastern Poland 784 00:45:12,200 --> 00:45:15,433 {\an1}have traveled to the very edge of Western Europe... 785 00:45:15,466 --> 00:45:19,266 {\an1}settling along the way in Western Poland, Germany, 786 00:45:19,300 --> 00:45:23,133 Denmark, Belgium, and even the Netherlands. 787 00:45:23,166 --> 00:45:27,466 {\an8}♪♪ 788 00:45:31,333 --> 00:45:33,866 The return of this iconic predator 789 00:45:33,900 --> 00:45:39,400 {\an1}is down to human interventionand the wolf's adaptable nature. 790 00:45:39,433 --> 00:45:42,000 {\an1}-Some wolves are very adaptive. 791 00:45:42,033 --> 00:45:45,200 They can accept the human presence. 792 00:45:45,233 --> 00:45:51,366 {\an8}♪♪ 793 00:45:51,400 --> 00:45:54,700 {\an1}When you give wolves a chance, they will settle. 794 00:45:54,733 --> 00:45:57,966 {\an1}They will recover. 795 00:45:58,000 --> 00:46:02,433 {\an1}-A helping hand is all nature needs to bounce back 796 00:46:02,466 --> 00:46:05,900 {\an1}and establish itself in the modern world. 797 00:46:05,933 --> 00:46:12,066 {\an8}♪♪ 798 00:46:12,100 --> 00:46:18,233 {\an8}♪♪ 799 00:46:18,266 --> 00:46:20,700 {\an1}The European bison, 800 00:46:20,733 --> 00:46:24,200 {\an1}which once teetered on the brink of extinction, 801 00:46:24,233 --> 00:46:27,933 now thrive in the Southern Carpathians. 802 00:46:27,966 --> 00:46:32,333 {\an8}♪♪ 803 00:46:32,366 --> 00:46:35,000 {\an1}Herds reshape the landscape. 804 00:46:35,033 --> 00:46:41,433 {\an8}♪♪ 805 00:46:41,466 --> 00:46:44,266 {\an1}Calves are born wild. 806 00:46:44,300 --> 00:46:52,433 {\an8}♪♪ 807 00:46:52,466 --> 00:47:00,666 {\an8}♪♪ 808 00:47:00,700 --> 00:47:03,966 {\an8}Predator and prey alike benefit. 809 00:47:04,000 --> 00:47:08,733 {\an8}♪♪ 810 00:47:08,766 --> 00:47:11,133 [ Pups whining ] 811 00:47:11,166 --> 00:47:21,100 {\an8}♪♪ 812 00:47:21,133 --> 00:47:23,033 {\an1}Together, these creatures 813 00:47:23,066 --> 00:47:26,500 are reviving the Carpathian Mountains... 814 00:47:26,533 --> 00:47:29,233 {\an8}♪♪ 815 00:47:29,266 --> 00:47:34,266 {\an1}...making one of the wildest places on the continent... 816 00:47:34,300 --> 00:47:36,500 even wilder. 817 00:47:36,533 --> 00:47:42,933 {\an8}♪♪ 818 00:47:42,966 --> 00:47:45,133 [ Bird clicking ] 819 00:47:45,166 --> 00:47:47,266 {\an8}♪♪ 820 00:47:47,300 --> 00:47:49,533 {\an1}[ Bison grunting ] 821 00:47:49,566 --> 00:47:52,666 {\an8}♪♪ 822 00:47:52,700 --> 00:47:54,700 [ Bear roars ] 823 00:47:54,733 --> 00:47:59,766 {\an8}♪♪ 824 00:48:01,166 --> 00:48:06,300 {\an8}♪♪ 825 00:48:06,333 --> 00:48:11,500 {\an8}♪♪ 826 00:48:11,533 --> 00:48:14,233 {\an7}-To order "Europe's New Wild" on DVD, 827 00:48:14,266 --> 00:48:18,066 {\an8}visit ShopPBS or call 1-800-PLAY-PBS. 828 00:48:18,100 --> 00:48:20,600 {\an8}Also available on Amazon Prime Video. 829 00:48:20,633 --> 00:48:29,833 {\an8}♪♪