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-Europe --
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{\an1}A continent renowned
for its spectacular cities
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00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:09,900
{\an1}and civilizations.
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00:00:11,366 --> 00:00:14,500
{\an1}But this is surprisingly
wild land,
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00:00:14,533 --> 00:00:16,866
{\an1}with over 10 million
square kilometers
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00:00:16,900 --> 00:00:20,433
{\an1}of diverse natural habitat...
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00:00:20,466 --> 00:00:25,100
{\an1}stretching from the northernmost
reaches of the Arctic...
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00:00:25,133 --> 00:00:29,200
{\an1}to the crystal-clear waters
of the Mediterranean sea.
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00:00:31,166 --> 00:00:34,266
And across
this extraordinary continent,
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00:00:34,300 --> 00:00:37,233
{\an1}an epic transformation
is under way...
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00:00:37,266 --> 00:00:41,933
{\an1}as the wild heart of Europe
is unleashed once more.
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00:00:41,966 --> 00:00:46,233
{\an8}♪♪
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{\an1}People are supporting
the natural world.
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00:00:48,466 --> 00:00:51,333
{\an1}-Let's go to the nest
and see how the chick is.
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{\an1}-Species are being reintroduced.
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{\an1}-She's not sleeping very well,
so we have to be really fast.
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{\an1}-And nature itself
is bouncing back.
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00:01:03,233 --> 00:01:06,866
{\an8}♪♪
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00:01:06,900 --> 00:01:10,666
{\an1}The circle of life
is being reforged...
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{\an1}as the wild returns to Europe.
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{\an1}Where an iconic river feeds
the continent's
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00:01:18,666 --> 00:01:24,066
{\an1}most important wetland...
many creatures are thriving.
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00:01:25,133 --> 00:01:27,833
{\an1}But some need a helping hand.
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{\an8}♪♪
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{\an8}♪♪
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-From its source
in Germany's Black Forest,
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{\an1}the Danube River flows east
across Europe
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{\an1}for almost 3,000 kilometers.
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{\an1}This iconic water source feeds
some of the continent's
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{\an1}most important natural habitats.
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{\an1}Europe's second longest river,
the Danube,
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00:02:05,733 --> 00:02:09,233
weaves its way
through 10 countries.
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00:02:09,266 --> 00:02:11,866
{\an1}And at the border of Romania
and Ukraine,
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00:02:11,900 --> 00:02:15,133
the river splits
into a huge delta,
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00:02:15,166 --> 00:02:18,866
where it empties
into the Black Sea.
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00:02:18,900 --> 00:02:22,366
{\an1}This vast network of wetlands
and channels
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00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:26,533
spans over 5,500
square kilometers...
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{\an1}[ Birds chirping ]
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00:02:28,066 --> 00:02:32,666
{\an1}...and is home to over 3,000
animal species.
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00:02:34,133 --> 00:02:38,300
{\an1}Many have found sanctuary
in this wild paradise
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{\an1}for thousands of years.
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{\an8}♪♪
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But one is a more
recent arrival.
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00:02:50,933 --> 00:02:54,033
[ Bird crying ]
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00:02:54,066 --> 00:02:58,433
{\an1}In spring, a call rings out
in the morning mist.
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00:02:58,466 --> 00:03:02,433
[ Bird crying ]
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00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:08,400
{\an1}Fifty years ago, this sound
was unheard in the delta.
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00:03:08,433 --> 00:03:09,700
[ Bird crying ]
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00:03:09,733 --> 00:03:15,033
{\an8}♪♪
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00:03:15,066 --> 00:03:18,966
{\an1}But today golden jackals
are thriving here.
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00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:21,566
{\an1}[ Birds chirping ]
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{\an1}Closely related to wolves,
once they find a mate,
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00:03:25,733 --> 00:03:28,766
{\an1}golden jackals stick together
for life.
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00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:33,566
{\an8}♪♪
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00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:36,233
{\an1}They're perfectly adapted
to hunting
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00:03:36,266 --> 00:03:39,733
{\an1}but never say no to a free meal.
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They've spotted
a potential opportunity.
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00:03:44,233 --> 00:03:46,333
{\an1}[ Birds squawking ]
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00:03:46,366 --> 00:03:50,666
{\an1}These scavenging crows
seems to have found something.
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00:03:52,066 --> 00:03:55,300
{\an1}And the jackals want in
on the action.
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00:03:55,333 --> 00:04:02,600
{\an8}♪♪
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00:04:02,633 --> 00:04:05,933
{\an1}Jackal pairs are three times
more successful
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00:04:05,966 --> 00:04:09,100
{\an1}when working together.
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[ Jackal snarls ]
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{\an1}They use their snarls
to intimidate the crows
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{\an1}and snatch the prize.
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00:04:19,933 --> 00:04:22,166
{\an1}[ Birds squawking ]
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00:04:25,400 --> 00:04:27,766
{\an1}While the male eats...
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00:04:29,333 --> 00:04:31,366
{\an1}...the female stands guard.
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00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:33,066
{\an1}[ Birds squawking ]
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00:04:33,100 --> 00:04:35,366
{\an1}[ Jackal growling ]
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00:04:37,766 --> 00:04:41,266
{\an1}The birds are more of a nuisance
than a threat.
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00:04:41,300 --> 00:04:49,766
{\an8}♪♪
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00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:53,266
{\an8}They settle for any small scraps
they can find.
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00:04:53,300 --> 00:04:55,366
{\an1}[ Birds squawking ]
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00:04:59,500 --> 00:05:01,100
{\an1}But there's a bigger bird
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00:05:01,133 --> 00:05:04,966
with its eyes
on the jackals' prize.
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00:05:06,500 --> 00:05:09,133
{\an1}This one is top dog.
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00:05:09,166 --> 00:05:11,733
{\an1}[ Birds chirping ]
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00:05:13,733 --> 00:05:17,433
{\an1}This white-tailed eagle
is almost a meter tall
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00:05:17,466 --> 00:05:20,966
{\an1}and one of the largest
birds of prey on earth.
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00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:29,366
{\an8}♪♪
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00:05:29,400 --> 00:05:33,500
{\an1}Her hooked beak is built
for tearing flesh
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{\an1}from the dead
and
the living.
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00:05:36,233 --> 00:05:38,266
[ Jackal growls ]
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00:05:38,300 --> 00:05:41,966
{\an1}The hungry jackals know
to be careful.
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00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:48,200
{\an1}But the crows push their luck.
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{\an8}♪♪
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00:05:52,766 --> 00:05:54,766
{\an1}[ Birds squawking ]
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00:05:54,800 --> 00:06:00,800
{\an8}♪♪
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00:06:00,833 --> 00:06:03,166
{\an1}Time to find a meal elsewhere.
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00:06:07,300 --> 00:06:11,333
Fortunately,
jackals are highly adaptable.
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00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:18,633
{\an1}Until recently, they onlyexisted in tiny isolated pockets
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00:06:18,666 --> 00:06:21,200
{\an1}in the southeast of Europe.
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00:06:24,133 --> 00:06:27,033
{\an1}But a rapid expansion
has seen them advance
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00:06:27,066 --> 00:06:29,966
{\an1}across the continent...
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00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:33,166
{\an1}and brought them here,
to the Danube delta.
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00:06:35,100 --> 00:06:37,433
{\an7}-If I was a jackal,
you know, I hit the jackpot.
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00:06:37,466 --> 00:06:39,566
{\an7}This is pretty good.
This is nice.
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00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:41,900
{\an7}There's a lot of food,
there's a lot of shelter,
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00:06:41,933 --> 00:06:43,733
{\an7}and, you know, lots of water.
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It's good.
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00:06:45,100 --> 00:06:49,133
-For jackals, one of the delta's
biggest attractions
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00:06:49,166 --> 00:06:51,633
{\an1}is the absence of wolves,
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00:06:51,666 --> 00:06:55,666
{\an1}which haven't been seen here
for over half a century.
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00:06:55,700 --> 00:06:57,833
{\an1}[ Birds chirping ]
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00:06:57,866 --> 00:07:01,900
{\an1}With less competition,
these opportunistic predators
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00:07:01,933 --> 00:07:06,633
{\an1}are able to capitalize
on the delta's offerings.
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00:07:06,666 --> 00:07:12,000
{\an1}Over 10% of the Danube delta
is used for cattle grazing.
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00:07:12,033 --> 00:07:17,666
{\an1}Newborn calves are an
opportunity too good to miss.
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00:07:18,833 --> 00:07:20,700
{\an1}In some parts of the world,
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00:07:20,733 --> 00:07:24,666
{\an1}nearly 2% of calves are killed
by golden jackals.
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{\an8}♪♪
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00:07:27,366 --> 00:07:29,800
[ Cows lowing ]
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00:07:29,833 --> 00:07:32,466
{\an1}While these hunters
are thriving,
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00:07:32,500 --> 00:07:35,433
{\an1}many other species have been
negatively impacted
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00:07:35,466 --> 00:07:38,000
{\an1}by the agricultural boom.
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00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:44,533
{\an1}Dikes built to protect farmland
from flooding
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00:07:44,566 --> 00:07:47,033
{\an1}have caused the biggest change.
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{\an8}♪♪
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00:07:52,500 --> 00:07:57,366
{\an8}In the 1970s, Ermakov island, onthe Ukrainian side of the delta,
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00:07:57,400 --> 00:08:01,766
{\an1}was diked and drained
to make way for agriculture.
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00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:05,733
{\an1}When an area is starved
of its natural water source,
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00:08:05,766 --> 00:08:09,800
land morphs into
a barren dust bowl
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00:08:09,833 --> 00:08:12,800
{\an1}and its resident wildlife
vanishes.
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00:08:16,266 --> 00:08:19,033
{\an1}However, all was not lost.
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00:08:20,466 --> 00:08:23,633
A decade ago,
the Worldwide Fund for Nature
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00:08:23,666 --> 00:08:28,433
{\an1}removed the dikes, reconnecting
the island to the river.
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00:08:32,366 --> 00:08:34,766
{\an1}Nature quickly took control,
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00:08:34,800 --> 00:08:38,333
breathing life
back into the landscape.
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{\an1}So far over 3,500 hectares
have been embraced by the wild.
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Plants returned
with a vengeance.
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{\an1}Fish and birds followed,
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00:08:56,033 --> 00:09:01,266
{\an1}attracted by the huge numberof insects now flourishing here.
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00:09:01,300 --> 00:09:04,066
{\an1}[ Birds chirping ]
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00:09:04,100 --> 00:09:08,300
{\an1}But the unchecked explosion
of vegetation
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00:09:08,333 --> 00:09:11,166
{\an1}is making life difficult
for other species.
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{\an8}♪♪
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00:09:17,366 --> 00:09:19,700
{\an1}Like this grass snake.
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{\an1}She's solar-powered
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00:09:24,233 --> 00:09:28,133
and needs the sun
to jump-start her metabolism.
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00:09:29,633 --> 00:09:31,800
{\an1}But in this dense greenery,
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00:09:31,833 --> 00:09:36,100
{\an1}she struggles to find clearings
that the sun's rays can reach.
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00:09:38,933 --> 00:09:44,100
{\an1}Without a sunny spot where
she can recharge, she's cold
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{\an1}and unable to move quickly
to escape predators.
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{\an8}♪♪
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{\an1}She continues to search...
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00:09:59,166 --> 00:10:03,266
{\an1}...tasting the air
to guide her way.
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00:10:03,300 --> 00:10:10,033
{\an8}♪♪
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00:10:10,066 --> 00:10:16,766
{\an8}♪♪
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00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:20,266
{\an1}She slithers her way
towards a clearing.
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00:10:22,766 --> 00:10:26,466
{\an1}But the spot has already
been taken.
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00:10:26,500 --> 00:10:29,666
{\an1}[ Insects buzzing ]
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{\an1}Her search must continue.
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00:10:35,666 --> 00:10:37,900
{\an1}On this overgrown island,
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00:10:37,933 --> 00:10:41,533
{\an1}competition for sunbathing spots
is unusually high.
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00:10:41,566 --> 00:10:44,100
[ Animal lows ]
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00:10:44,133 --> 00:10:48,566
{\an1}Ermakov island is choking
on its own vegetation.
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00:10:51,100 --> 00:10:54,533
{\an1}So an organization
called Rewilding Europe
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00:10:54,566 --> 00:10:56,466
{\an1}is pioneering a project
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00:10:56,500 --> 00:11:02,166
{\an1}to reintroduce a herd of Mother
Nature's finest landscapers.
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00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:04,733
{\an1}[ Indistinct conversations ]
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00:11:06,466 --> 00:11:11,566
{\an1}European water buffalo once
roamed the entire continent.
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00:11:13,000 --> 00:11:17,733
{\an1}Their huge appetites
kept plant life in check.
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00:11:17,766 --> 00:11:22,066
{\an1}But over 10,000 years ago,
they became extinct.
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00:11:23,700 --> 00:11:27,866
{\an1}Today, Rewilding Europe
is releasing seven
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00:11:27,900 --> 00:11:31,166
{\an1}of their Asiatic counterparts
onto the island.
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00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:34,666
{\an1}[ Buffalo grunting ]
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00:11:34,700 --> 00:11:39,900
{\an1}The goal is to control the
overgrown vegetation on Ermakov
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00:11:39,933 --> 00:11:44,066
{\an1}and restore the natural balance
between plants and animals.
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00:11:44,100 --> 00:11:50,933
{\an8}♪♪
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00:11:50,966 --> 00:11:53,666
{\an1}For the first time in history,
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00:11:53,700 --> 00:11:57,266
{\an1}water buffalo step
onto the island.
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{\an1}[ Buffalo grunting ]
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00:12:00,033 --> 00:12:08,733
{\an8}♪♪
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00:12:08,766 --> 00:12:17,366
{\an8}♪♪
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00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:21,533
Their impact
is almost immediate.
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00:12:22,533 --> 00:12:25,800
{\an1}Water buffalo wallow
to cool themselves,
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00:12:25,833 --> 00:12:28,400
{\an1}creating small lakes
and shallows
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00:12:28,433 --> 00:12:32,433
{\an1}that attract birds, fish,
and insects.
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00:12:32,466 --> 00:12:38,066
{\an8}♪♪
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00:12:38,100 --> 00:12:41,800
{\an1}Their constant grazing produces
a mosaic
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00:12:41,833 --> 00:12:45,933
{\an1}of landscapes and clearings
needed by other wildlife.
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00:12:45,966 --> 00:12:48,433
[ Birds chirping,
water splashing ]
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00:12:48,466 --> 00:12:58,000
{\an8}♪♪
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00:12:58,033 --> 00:13:01,366
{\an1}Reintroducing buffalo
and removing dikes
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00:13:01,400 --> 00:13:04,900
{\an1}helps restore the Danube's
ecosystem.
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00:13:04,933 --> 00:13:12,900
{\an8}♪♪
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00:13:12,933 --> 00:13:17,266
{\an1}The restoration of key habitats
will also give an added boost
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00:13:17,300 --> 00:13:22,833
{\an1}to over 300 species of bird
which call the wetlands home.
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00:13:25,466 --> 00:13:28,700
{\an1}Many of the winged residents
migrate huge distances
192
00:13:28,733 --> 00:13:32,366
{\an1}every year to nest
in the lush habitat.
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00:13:33,733 --> 00:13:37,166
But there's one
that outranks them all.
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00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:42,300
{\an8}♪♪
195
00:13:42,333 --> 00:13:46,600
{\an1}Great white pelicans
are true giants,
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00:13:46,633 --> 00:13:50,433
with a wingspan
of over three meters --
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00:13:50,466 --> 00:13:54,000
{\an1}vital for a creature weighing
up to 15 kilograms,
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00:13:54,033 --> 00:13:58,200
{\an1}one of the heaviest flying birds
in the world.
199
00:13:59,266 --> 00:14:02,300
{\an1}Outside of Africa,
The Danube delta hosts
200
00:14:02,333 --> 00:14:05,400
{\an1}the biggest gathering
of pelicans on earth.
201
00:14:06,833 --> 00:14:11,700
{\an1}Thousands travel here,with two things on their mind...
202
00:14:13,133 --> 00:14:17,500
{\an1}...breeding...and feeding.
203
00:14:18,533 --> 00:14:21,200
{\an1}With 75 different fish
on the menu,
204
00:14:21,233 --> 00:14:24,000
{\an1}these waters provide
a gourmet feast.
205
00:14:26,566 --> 00:14:30,866
{\an1}Each pelican eats almost
two kilograms of fish a day,
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00:14:30,900 --> 00:14:33,033
catching them
in their large pouches
207
00:14:33,066 --> 00:14:35,433
{\an1}and swallowing them whole.
208
00:14:38,233 --> 00:14:43,033
{\an1}In mass-feeding sessions,pelicans consume tons of fish...
209
00:14:44,966 --> 00:14:47,933
{\an1}...in just a few hours.
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00:14:47,966 --> 00:14:54,033
{\an8}♪♪
211
00:14:54,066 --> 00:14:55,800
{\an1}[ Pelicans squawking ]
212
00:14:55,833 --> 00:14:59,066
{\an1}Their impressive fishing skills
do not go down well
213
00:14:59,100 --> 00:15:01,200
with everyone.
214
00:15:02,966 --> 00:15:07,200
{\an1}Fishermen see the birds
as competition,
215
00:15:07,233 --> 00:15:12,200
{\an1}with some even resorting
to killing the pelicans.
216
00:15:12,233 --> 00:15:14,966
{\an8}-There used to be
organized campaigns
217
00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:18,533
{\an1}of destroying colonies
or destroying nests in colonies
218
00:15:18,566 --> 00:15:20,500
{\an1}or disturbing birds
during their breeding season
219
00:15:20,533 --> 00:15:24,533
{\an1}in order to avoid having them
growing in numbers.
220
00:15:24,566 --> 00:15:27,366
{\an1}They would just go
and destroy the nests.
221
00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:31,966
{\an1}-But in the 1990s,
222
00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:35,900
{\an1}the wetlands became
a protected biosphere reserve.
223
00:15:37,066 --> 00:15:40,433
With the delta's
new special status
224
00:15:40,466 --> 00:15:43,733
{\an1}and pelican nest sites
off limits to fishermen,
225
00:15:43,766 --> 00:15:45,666
{\an1}the population exploded.
226
00:15:48,300 --> 00:15:50,700
With the birds'
insatiable appetites,
227
00:15:50,733 --> 00:15:55,266
{\an1}the impact on fish numbers
in the delta could be serious.
228
00:15:55,300 --> 00:16:01,400
{\an8}♪♪
229
00:16:01,433 --> 00:16:05,666
Sebastian Bugariu
from BirdLife Romania
230
00:16:05,700 --> 00:16:10,100
is out to determine how fast the
pelican population is growing.
231
00:16:10,133 --> 00:16:12,500
{\an1}[ Engine revving ]
232
00:16:13,900 --> 00:16:18,933
{\an1}And the best way to do that
is to get a bird's-eye view.
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00:16:18,966 --> 00:16:25,000
{\an8}♪♪
234
00:16:25,033 --> 00:16:28,933
Nesting pelicans
are unmissable from the air.
235
00:16:30,433 --> 00:16:33,666
It's not long
before Sebastian locates
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00:16:33,700 --> 00:16:36,333
{\an1}the delta's largest colony.
237
00:16:40,733 --> 00:16:43,900
{\an1}And it looks bigger than ever.
238
00:16:43,933 --> 00:16:50,966
{\an8}♪♪
239
00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:55,733
{\an1}In total, he finds
almost 18,500 birds
240
00:16:55,766 --> 00:16:59,133
{\an1}in this one megacolony.
241
00:16:59,166 --> 00:17:03,800
{\an1}Across the delta, pelican
numbers have nearly quadrupled
242
00:17:03,833 --> 00:17:05,633
{\an1}in less than a decade.
243
00:17:05,666 --> 00:17:15,400
{\an8}♪♪
244
00:17:15,433 --> 00:17:17,266
{\an1}[ Birds squawking ]
245
00:17:17,300 --> 00:17:20,166
{\an1}The Danube delta offers more
than just fish
246
00:17:20,200 --> 00:17:22,733
{\an1}to the migrating pelicans.
247
00:17:25,233 --> 00:17:28,900
{\an1}It's also a pristine habitat
for the winged visitors.
248
00:17:32,500 --> 00:17:35,733
{\an1}Over 200,000 hectares
of reed beds
249
00:17:35,766 --> 00:17:38,433
{\an1}take root in these wetlands.
250
00:17:38,466 --> 00:17:44,066
{\an8}♪♪
251
00:17:44,100 --> 00:17:48,033
Almost the size
of Yosemite National Park,
252
00:17:48,066 --> 00:17:52,800
{\an1}it's the largest habitat of its
kind anywhere in the world.
253
00:17:52,833 --> 00:17:57,233
{\an8}♪♪
254
00:17:57,266 --> 00:18:01,066
{\an1}The reed bed functions
as Europe's most important
255
00:18:01,100 --> 00:18:04,300
{\an1}natural water-purification
system...
256
00:18:07,300 --> 00:18:09,766
{\an1}...trapping sediment
and impurities,
257
00:18:09,800 --> 00:18:13,300
{\an1}allowing them to be filtered
and broken down.
258
00:18:16,933 --> 00:18:18,566
{\an1}Reed beds are vital
259
00:18:18,600 --> 00:18:22,100
for the health
of the entire delta ecosystem.
260
00:18:22,133 --> 00:18:23,600
{\an1}[ Birds chirping ]
261
00:18:23,633 --> 00:18:28,133
{\an1}For pelicans, the plants
are the perfect nesting sites.
262
00:18:28,166 --> 00:18:31,333
{\an8}♪♪
263
00:18:31,366 --> 00:18:34,833
{\an1}The reeds are trampled
into flat platforms,
264
00:18:34,866 --> 00:18:37,433
{\an1}ideal for raising chicks.
265
00:18:37,466 --> 00:18:42,566
{\an8}♪♪
266
00:18:42,600 --> 00:18:44,533
{\an1}There are enough reeds here
267
00:18:44,566 --> 00:18:48,800
{\an1}to support tens of thousands
of nesting pelicans.
268
00:18:48,833 --> 00:18:56,033
{\an8}♪♪
269
00:18:56,066 --> 00:18:59,700
But elsewhere,
vast tracts of reed bed
270
00:18:59,733 --> 00:19:02,700
have been lost
to human activity.
271
00:19:03,933 --> 00:19:07,000
{\an1}Scientists believethe sudden explosion of pelicans
272
00:19:07,033 --> 00:19:11,133
{\an1}in the delta could be due
to habitat loss elsewhere.
273
00:19:12,066 --> 00:19:15,466
{\an1}With many nesting locations
no longer available,
274
00:19:15,500 --> 00:19:17,466
{\an1}it's likely the birds
have no choice
275
00:19:17,500 --> 00:19:22,666
{\an1}but to flock to the pristinedelta in massive concentrations.
276
00:19:22,700 --> 00:19:30,366
{\an8}♪♪
277
00:19:30,400 --> 00:19:35,000
{\an1}It's not just pelicans
seeking refuge in the wetlands.
278
00:19:37,700 --> 00:19:41,900
{\an1}For thousands of years,
Europe's rivers and waterways
279
00:19:41,933 --> 00:19:44,933
have been shaped
by an extraordinary creature.
280
00:19:47,166 --> 00:19:52,933
{\an1}This dam was builtby the largest rodent in Europe.
281
00:19:54,033 --> 00:19:58,666
{\an1}Beavers spend most
of their lives in the water.
282
00:19:58,700 --> 00:20:02,966
{\an1}But before they dive in,they top up with waterproof oil,
283
00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:05,733
which secretes
from their glands.
284
00:20:05,766 --> 00:20:07,566
{\an1}[ Birds chirping ]
285
00:20:07,600 --> 00:20:11,366
{\an1}They cover themselves
from head to toe...
286
00:20:11,400 --> 00:20:18,833
{\an8}♪♪
287
00:20:18,866 --> 00:20:21,933
{\an1}...before heading out
for a swim.
288
00:20:24,966 --> 00:20:29,933
{\an1}His ancestors grew up
to one and a half meters long.
289
00:20:30,900 --> 00:20:33,033
{\an1}He might be a lot smaller,
290
00:20:33,066 --> 00:20:35,733
but his impact
is still enormous.
291
00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:41,533
{\an1}Beavers control the flow
of water by building dams
292
00:20:41,566 --> 00:20:45,233
{\an1}from carefully selected
branches.
293
00:20:45,266 --> 00:20:47,666
{\an1}[ Birds chirping ]
294
00:20:48,833 --> 00:20:53,400
{\an1}Their orange teeth contain iron,
making them strong enough
295
00:20:53,433 --> 00:20:56,300
{\an1}to cut through even the biggest
of tree trunks.
296
00:20:56,333 --> 00:21:05,066
{\an8}♪♪
297
00:21:05,100 --> 00:21:10,233
{\an1}The rodents' dams have
a huge impact on their habitat.
298
00:21:10,266 --> 00:21:12,166
{\an1}Flooding is reduced,
299
00:21:12,200 --> 00:21:15,400
{\an1}which in turn gives birth
to clearings and wetlands
300
00:21:15,433 --> 00:21:18,466
{\an1}within the forest.
301
00:21:18,500 --> 00:21:22,266
{\an1}These slow-moving waters provide
a vital habitat
302
00:21:22,300 --> 00:21:25,100
for hundreds
of freshwater creatures...
303
00:21:26,866 --> 00:21:29,333
{\an1}...nurseries for young fish
304
00:21:29,366 --> 00:21:32,033
{\an1}and breeding grounds
for frogs and insects.
305
00:21:32,066 --> 00:21:38,700
{\an8}♪♪
306
00:21:38,733 --> 00:21:42,366
{\an1}But even the mighty beaver's
work is dwarfed
307
00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:45,366
{\an1}by human efforts to control
the environment.
308
00:21:48,333 --> 00:21:52,600
{\an1}To tame the Danube
and generate electricity,
309
00:21:52,633 --> 00:21:54,166
{\an1}two massive dams were built
310
00:21:54,200 --> 00:21:57,300
{\an1}across the river's
Iron Gates Gorge.
311
00:22:00,200 --> 00:22:03,700
{\an1}These are the biggest barriers
on the Danube.
312
00:22:03,733 --> 00:22:08,700
{\an8}♪♪
313
00:22:08,733 --> 00:22:10,900
{\an1}But there are over 60 others.
314
00:22:12,966 --> 00:22:18,400
{\an1}In some parts, the river meets
a wall every 16 kilometers
315
00:22:19,833 --> 00:22:23,400
{\an1}As a result, the Danube
is a vastly different river
316
00:22:23,433 --> 00:22:26,000
than the one
it was destined to be.
317
00:22:26,033 --> 00:22:31,133
{\an8}♪♪
318
00:22:31,166 --> 00:22:36,266
{\an1}Damming has slowed and warmed
its waters.
319
00:22:36,300 --> 00:22:39,866
{\an8}♪♪
320
00:22:39,900 --> 00:22:45,166
{\an1}This change impacts
every creature on the Danube,
321
00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:50,166
{\an1}from its largest residents...
to its smallest.
322
00:22:53,566 --> 00:23:03,333
{\an8}♪♪
323
00:23:03,366 --> 00:23:05,766
{\an1}Below the surface,
324
00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:09,333
{\an1}primitive insects grow
in the murky waters.
325
00:23:11,166 --> 00:23:14,233
{\an1}These bizarre invertebrates
have barely changed
326
00:23:14,266 --> 00:23:17,800
{\an1}in over 300 million years.
327
00:23:19,466 --> 00:23:24,000
{\an1}Under the water, the creatures
grow for around three years
328
00:23:24,033 --> 00:23:25,633
before emerging.
329
00:23:28,466 --> 00:23:33,500
{\an1}It's only when it surfaces that
its identity becomes apparent.
330
00:23:33,533 --> 00:23:36,466
{\an1}[ Birds chirping ]
331
00:23:36,500 --> 00:23:38,800
The mayfly.
332
00:23:38,833 --> 00:23:42,300
{\an1}This is the last stage
of the insect's life,
333
00:23:42,333 --> 00:23:46,733
{\an1}and it now has just a few hours
to live.
334
00:23:46,766 --> 00:23:53,066
{\an8}♪♪
335
00:23:53,100 --> 00:23:59,133
{\an8}♪♪
336
00:23:59,166 --> 00:24:03,800
{\an1}The evening air comes alive
as the mayflies all swarm
337
00:24:03,833 --> 00:24:07,433
{\an1}during a single evening to
perform their courtship dance.
338
00:24:07,466 --> 00:24:14,733
{\an8}♪♪
339
00:24:14,766 --> 00:24:17,966
{\an1}This is a frenzied drive
to procreate,
340
00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:21,066
{\an1}the very last thing they'll do
on earth.
341
00:24:21,100 --> 00:24:30,200
{\an8}♪♪
342
00:24:30,233 --> 00:24:33,966
{\an1}Each female will lay
around 3,000 eggs,
343
00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:37,200
{\an1}which are dispersed
on the surface of the water.
344
00:24:37,233 --> 00:24:43,366
{\an8}♪♪
345
00:24:43,400 --> 00:24:49,266
{\an8}♪♪
346
00:24:49,300 --> 00:24:52,766
{\an1}Though small, these creatures
are a vital part
347
00:24:52,800 --> 00:24:56,733
{\an1}of the aquatic food chain.
348
00:24:56,766 --> 00:24:58,666
{\an1}[ Birds chirping ]
349
00:24:58,700 --> 00:25:00,600
{\an1}Throughout their life cycle,
350
00:25:00,633 --> 00:25:03,500
{\an1}they feed numerous birds
and fish.
351
00:25:06,900 --> 00:25:09,300
But within days
of their emergence,
352
00:25:09,333 --> 00:25:12,033
the only sign
of the mayflies' existence
353
00:25:12,066 --> 00:25:14,733
{\an1}are their ghost-like shells.
354
00:25:16,933 --> 00:25:20,700
{\an1}Even in death, the insects
affect the landscape.
355
00:25:23,400 --> 00:25:27,000
{\an1}Their corpses fertilize
the riverbanks,
356
00:25:27,033 --> 00:25:29,366
{\an1}helping new plants grow.
357
00:25:30,733 --> 00:25:33,766
{\an1}But industrialization
and water pollution
358
00:25:33,800 --> 00:25:37,466
{\an1}have led to terrible
consequences for the mayfly.
359
00:25:39,166 --> 00:25:42,700
{\an1}They once flourished
across the continent.
360
00:25:42,733 --> 00:25:48,000
{\an1}Today, 98% of the Europeanmayfly population has been lost.
361
00:25:49,800 --> 00:25:54,033
{\an1}But the Tisza River remains
a mayfly stronghold.
362
00:25:54,066 --> 00:26:01,733
{\an8}♪♪
363
00:26:01,766 --> 00:26:09,333
{\an8}♪♪
364
00:26:09,366 --> 00:26:16,866
{\an8}♪♪
365
00:26:16,900 --> 00:26:20,933
{\an1}Downstream, the Danube delta
is a last safety net
366
00:26:20,966 --> 00:26:23,900
{\an1}for many other creatures.
367
00:26:23,933 --> 00:26:29,900
{\an8}♪♪
368
00:26:29,933 --> 00:26:35,900
{\an8}♪♪
369
00:26:35,933 --> 00:26:40,466
{\an1}Marsh frogs are one ofthe delta's most iconic animals.
370
00:26:42,433 --> 00:26:47,233
{\an1}And in spring, their calls can
be heard from dawn till dusk.
371
00:26:47,266 --> 00:26:49,533
{\an1}[ Frogs chirping ]
372
00:26:49,566 --> 00:26:57,866
{\an8}♪♪
373
00:26:57,900 --> 00:27:01,366
{\an1}They're the largest frog
in Europe,
374
00:27:01,400 --> 00:27:03,500
{\an1}with a volume to match.
375
00:27:03,533 --> 00:27:05,500
{\an1}[ Frogs chirping ]
376
00:27:05,533 --> 00:27:13,966
{\an8}♪♪
377
00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:17,833
{\an1}But this symphony of sound
brings dangers.
378
00:27:20,333 --> 00:27:25,500
{\an1}Almost every other predator
in the delta eats marsh frogs.
379
00:27:25,533 --> 00:27:28,366
{\an8}♪♪
380
00:27:28,400 --> 00:27:31,666
{\an1}They're a protein-rich prize
381
00:27:31,700 --> 00:27:34,666
for the herons
that stalk the shallows.
382
00:27:34,700 --> 00:27:44,433
{\an8}♪♪
383
00:27:44,466 --> 00:27:54,200
{\an8}♪♪
384
00:27:54,233 --> 00:27:57,900
{\an1}The frogs have little
in the way of defense.
385
00:27:59,000 --> 00:28:03,733
{\an1}Diving underwater or leaping
away are their only options.
386
00:28:03,766 --> 00:28:10,200
{\an8}♪♪
387
00:28:10,233 --> 00:28:11,700
But right now,
388
00:28:11,733 --> 00:28:15,833
{\an1}their attention is focused
on more important matters.
389
00:28:15,866 --> 00:28:18,666
{\an1}This is mating season,
390
00:28:18,700 --> 00:28:20,433
{\an1}and the shallow waters
of the delta
391
00:28:20,466 --> 00:28:23,566
{\an1}are heaving with amorous frogs.
392
00:28:23,600 --> 00:28:26,933
{\an1}[ Frogs chirping ]
393
00:28:26,966 --> 00:28:30,266
{\an1}This male is looking
for suitable females.
394
00:28:32,266 --> 00:28:34,133
{\an1}But they all seem to be hiding.
395
00:28:35,433 --> 00:28:38,766
{\an1}For now, he can only find
other males.
396
00:28:43,166 --> 00:28:46,366
{\an1}But hopefully soon these waters
will be littered
397
00:28:46,400 --> 00:28:48,533
with frog spawn.
398
00:28:48,566 --> 00:28:51,133
{\an1}[ Frogs chirping ]
399
00:28:51,166 --> 00:28:53,600
{\an8}♪♪
400
00:28:53,633 --> 00:28:58,533
{\an1}The Danube delta is a
treasure trove of biodiversity.
401
00:29:01,766 --> 00:29:05,566
{\an1}Over half of all European
freshwater fish species
402
00:29:05,600 --> 00:29:07,466
{\an1}live in its waters.
403
00:29:09,200 --> 00:29:11,466
{\an1}Millions of aquatic residents
404
00:29:11,500 --> 00:29:14,500
{\an1}inhabit this dense
underwater jungle...
405
00:29:16,900 --> 00:29:19,133
{\an1}...relying on the reeds
and roots to protect them
406
00:29:19,166 --> 00:29:21,933
{\an1}from the strong currents
and dangers.
407
00:29:24,200 --> 00:29:27,466
{\an1}But even in the slow-moving
waters of the delta,
408
00:29:27,500 --> 00:29:29,833
{\an1}they're not completely safe.
409
00:29:31,866 --> 00:29:34,966
{\an1}Submerged on the edge
of a shallow channel,
410
00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:37,866
{\an1}this female fen raft spider
411
00:29:37,900 --> 00:29:40,866
{\an1}could spend up to half an hour
underwater...
412
00:29:40,900 --> 00:29:42,866
{\an8}♪♪
413
00:29:42,900 --> 00:29:47,666
{\an1}...surviving on the thin layer
of oxygen trapped in her hair.
414
00:29:49,933 --> 00:29:53,766
But she surfaces
when it's time to hunt.
415
00:29:53,800 --> 00:29:59,133
{\an8}♪♪
416
00:29:59,166 --> 00:30:00,966
{\an1}Unlike many spiders,
417
00:30:01,000 --> 00:30:05,333
{\an1}the fen raft spider doesn't use
a web to catch its dinner.
418
00:30:06,833 --> 00:30:09,666
{\an1}She uses the surface tension
of the water
419
00:30:09,700 --> 00:30:13,233
{\an1}to pick up vibrations
from her prey...
420
00:30:16,233 --> 00:30:19,900
{\an1}...above
and
below the surface.
421
00:30:19,933 --> 00:30:23,366
{\an8}♪♪
422
00:30:23,400 --> 00:30:25,300
{\an1}Perched atop the water,
423
00:30:25,333 --> 00:30:29,300
{\an1}she allows herself to drift
across her territory...
424
00:30:29,333 --> 00:30:32,066
{\an1}waiting for telltale vibrations
425
00:30:32,100 --> 00:30:35,533
{\an1}to reach her antennae-like
hairs.
426
00:30:35,566 --> 00:30:37,466
{\an1}[ Insects chirping ]
427
00:30:37,500 --> 00:30:41,166
For her,
the movement of an insect
428
00:30:41,200 --> 00:30:43,833
{\an1}is like ringing a dinner bell.
429
00:30:43,866 --> 00:30:49,666
{\an8}♪♪
430
00:30:49,700 --> 00:30:55,500
{\an8}♪♪
431
00:30:55,533 --> 00:31:00,900
{\an1}These hunters have over 30different insects on their menu.
432
00:31:04,566 --> 00:31:08,633
But sometimes
a bug just isn't enough.
433
00:31:09,700 --> 00:31:13,066
This stickleback
is just centimeters away
434
00:31:13,100 --> 00:31:15,400
{\an1}from the spider's grasp.
435
00:31:15,433 --> 00:31:20,700
{\an8}♪♪
436
00:31:20,733 --> 00:31:24,966
{\an1}But luckily for the fish,
she's full.
437
00:31:25,000 --> 00:31:26,600
For now.
438
00:31:26,633 --> 00:31:30,900
{\an8}♪♪
439
00:31:30,933 --> 00:31:36,433
{\an1}Europe's fish have much bigger
problems than predators.
440
00:31:37,433 --> 00:31:41,700
{\an1}In its cold coastal waters,
three-spiked stickleback
441
00:31:41,733 --> 00:31:45,466
{\an1}are beginning a perilous journey
upstream.
442
00:31:48,300 --> 00:31:50,966
{\an1}They've spent two years
in the sea.
443
00:31:51,000 --> 00:31:53,500
{\an1}Now they've reached adulthood,
444
00:31:53,533 --> 00:31:57,900
{\an1}an innate urge to fight
the current is taking hold.
445
00:31:57,933 --> 00:32:02,333
{\an1}The stickleback are heading
to their spawning grounds,
446
00:32:02,366 --> 00:32:05,300
{\an1}in the freshwater rivers
and streams of Europe.
447
00:32:05,333 --> 00:32:09,266
{\an8}♪♪
448
00:32:09,300 --> 00:32:14,233
{\an1}This is a habit over
a million years in the making.
449
00:32:17,166 --> 00:32:21,066
{\an1}As adults, they are now
10 centimeters long,
450
00:32:21,100 --> 00:32:24,400
{\an1}easy prey for endless predators.
451
00:32:27,666 --> 00:32:30,066
{\an1}Many of the stickleback
will not make it
452
00:32:30,100 --> 00:32:32,533
{\an1}to their spawning grounds.
453
00:32:37,133 --> 00:32:42,166
{\an1}But their species depends
on the brave few that succeed.
454
00:32:42,200 --> 00:32:48,066
{\an8}♪♪
455
00:32:48,100 --> 00:32:51,200
{\an1}In Europe's waterways,
there are some hurdles
456
00:32:51,233 --> 00:32:53,966
{\an1}that their ancestors
never had to face.
457
00:32:54,000 --> 00:32:59,800
{\an8}♪♪
458
00:32:59,833 --> 00:33:05,700
{\an8}♪♪
459
00:33:05,733 --> 00:33:09,600
{\an1}They've reached a lock.
460
00:33:10,933 --> 00:33:12,866
{\an1}They can smell the way,
461
00:33:12,900 --> 00:33:15,700
{\an1}but the water pressure
feeding through the small gap
462
00:33:15,733 --> 00:33:19,466
{\an1}is stronger than anything
they've encountered before.
463
00:33:19,500 --> 00:33:23,866
{\an8}♪♪
464
00:33:23,900 --> 00:33:28,166
The call upstream
forces them forward.
465
00:33:28,200 --> 00:33:32,066
One by one,
they fight the current.
466
00:33:33,433 --> 00:33:36,466
But only some are strong enough.
467
00:33:38,366 --> 00:33:41,800
{\an1}All this way...for nothing.
468
00:33:43,900 --> 00:33:47,066
{\an1}For this stickleback,
this is the end of the line.
469
00:33:49,766 --> 00:33:54,300
{\an1}But the rest of the shoal
moves on.
470
00:33:57,200 --> 00:34:00,900
{\an1}They still have many kilometers
to cover
471
00:34:00,933 --> 00:34:04,133
{\an1}and many more man-made obstacles
in their way.
472
00:34:04,166 --> 00:34:09,533
{\an8}♪♪
473
00:34:09,566 --> 00:34:13,200
{\an1}Dams are a death sentence
for fish populations,
474
00:34:13,233 --> 00:34:16,766
{\an1}and on the Danube, they've
pushed more than one species
475
00:34:16,800 --> 00:34:18,766
{\an1}to the brink of extinction.
476
00:34:18,800 --> 00:34:25,200
{\an8}♪♪
477
00:34:25,233 --> 00:34:27,366
{\an1}[ Birds chirping ]
478
00:34:27,400 --> 00:34:31,400
{\an1}For thousands of years, the
delta has relied on its river
479
00:34:31,433 --> 00:34:36,100
{\an1}depositing sediment downstream
to create new habitats.
480
00:34:37,333 --> 00:34:39,166
{\an1}But in the last century,
481
00:34:39,200 --> 00:34:43,500
{\an1}industrialization on the Danube
has had a devastating effect.
482
00:34:43,533 --> 00:34:46,100
{\an7}-Most of the rivers in Europe
have been altered
483
00:34:46,133 --> 00:34:49,666
{\an7}in all kinds of ways --
straightened, diked, dammed.
484
00:34:49,700 --> 00:34:52,166
{\an7}But all those measures upstream,
of course,
485
00:34:52,200 --> 00:34:54,100
{\an1}have an impact downstream.
486
00:34:54,133 --> 00:34:57,200
{\an1}-Dams stop sediment
reaching the delta.
487
00:34:57,233 --> 00:35:01,133
And without it,
the delta can't replenish.
488
00:35:03,800 --> 00:35:05,300
{\an1}In some parts of the region,
489
00:35:05,333 --> 00:35:09,700
{\an1}land is even being reclaimed
by the sea.
490
00:35:09,733 --> 00:35:14,600
{\an8}♪♪
491
00:35:14,633 --> 00:35:19,166
{\an1}And vital habitat is vanishing
as a result.
492
00:35:21,200 --> 00:35:27,033
{\an1}Like sandbanks, which provide
breeding grounds for sea birds.
493
00:35:27,066 --> 00:35:28,633
{\an1}[ Birds squawking ]
494
00:35:31,633 --> 00:35:36,000
{\an1}This sandbank is home tothousands of herring-gull nests.
495
00:35:36,033 --> 00:35:41,633
{\an8}♪♪
496
00:35:41,666 --> 00:35:47,266
{\an8}♪♪
497
00:35:47,300 --> 00:35:52,366
{\an1}Right now, the chicks look like
little balls of fluff,
498
00:35:52,400 --> 00:35:56,866
{\an1}but they will be ready to leave
the nest in just a few weeks.
499
00:35:58,133 --> 00:36:02,600
{\an1}Their parents are happy to leave
them for hours at a time
500
00:36:02,633 --> 00:36:05,566
{\an1}while they hunt for food,
501
00:36:05,600 --> 00:36:08,766
{\an1}as there's very few predators
here on the sandbank.
502
00:36:10,833 --> 00:36:13,166
{\an1}But that doesn't stop the chicks
from panicking
503
00:36:13,200 --> 00:36:15,700
{\an1}at any sign of danger.
504
00:36:15,733 --> 00:36:24,700
{\an8}♪♪
505
00:36:24,733 --> 00:36:28,700
{\an1}This chick has been spooked
by a low-flying pelican.
506
00:36:29,833 --> 00:36:35,733
{\an8}♪♪
507
00:36:35,766 --> 00:36:38,400
{\an1}But it's a false alarm.
508
00:36:39,566 --> 00:36:44,466
{\an1}Despite the lack of real danger,
the chick has now lost his way.
509
00:36:44,500 --> 00:36:49,866
{\an8}♪♪
510
00:36:49,900 --> 00:36:53,933
{\an1}Unfortunately, his feathers
aren't yet water resistant.
511
00:36:53,966 --> 00:37:02,566
{\an8}♪♪
512
00:37:02,600 --> 00:37:05,433
{\an1}He soon realizes his mistake.
513
00:37:08,533 --> 00:37:12,166
{\an1}His other reaction to danger
is a little less charming.
514
00:37:15,133 --> 00:37:18,766
{\an1}This morning's breakfast makes
its second appearance.
515
00:37:23,200 --> 00:37:25,966
For some birds,
this may be a technique
516
00:37:26,000 --> 00:37:29,266
for losing weight
before a flight.
517
00:37:29,300 --> 00:37:33,000
{\an1}But his wings aren't yet
fully formed.
518
00:37:34,100 --> 00:37:36,700
{\an1}So now he looks for cover.
519
00:37:36,733 --> 00:37:42,800
{\an8}♪♪
520
00:37:42,833 --> 00:37:46,466
{\an1}When he finally manages to find
his nest,
521
00:37:46,500 --> 00:37:49,466
{\an1}it's time to sleep off
the adventure.
522
00:37:49,500 --> 00:37:52,066
{\an1}[ Birds crying in distance ]
523
00:37:54,000 --> 00:37:57,400
{\an1}Sandbanks like these
are essential
524
00:37:57,433 --> 00:37:59,733
{\an1}for ground-nesting birds.
525
00:37:59,766 --> 00:38:03,000
Fortunately,
efforts are under way
526
00:38:03,033 --> 00:38:06,500
{\an1}to replace these habitats
where they have vanished.
527
00:38:06,533 --> 00:38:10,400
{\an8}♪♪
528
00:38:10,433 --> 00:38:12,666
{\an1}The Netherlands relies on dams
529
00:38:12,700 --> 00:38:15,466
{\an1}to protect its land
from the sea.
530
00:38:18,300 --> 00:38:19,800
But recently,
531
00:38:19,833 --> 00:38:24,000
{\an1}the floodgates on the country's
Haringvliet were opened.
532
00:38:24,033 --> 00:38:27,100
{\an1}For the first time
in almost 50 years,
533
00:38:27,133 --> 00:38:30,266
{\an1}the river was reconnected
to the North Sea.
534
00:38:30,300 --> 00:38:32,933
{\an1}And the impact has been
extraordinary.
535
00:38:35,500 --> 00:38:38,366
{\an1}Nature is returning.
536
00:38:39,333 --> 00:38:42,166
Migratory fish,
like the stickleback,
537
00:38:42,200 --> 00:38:46,766
{\an1}are now able to reach their
freshwater spawning grounds,
538
00:38:46,800 --> 00:38:50,766
and coastal birds
are rediscovering this estuary.
539
00:38:53,800 --> 00:38:56,333
{\an1}But more dams upstream
540
00:38:56,366 --> 00:38:59,433
{\an1}means sediment still can't reach
these areas.
541
00:39:02,266 --> 00:39:05,833
{\an1}So organizations like
the World Wide Fund for Nature
542
00:39:05,866 --> 00:39:10,733
{\an1}are stepping in to replace
the estuary's missing sediment.
543
00:39:10,766 --> 00:39:17,233
{\an8}♪♪
544
00:39:17,266 --> 00:39:21,166
{\an1}This extraordinary measure
creates sandbanks,
545
00:39:21,200 --> 00:39:26,733
{\an1}restoring vital habitat
for Europe's coastal creatures.
546
00:39:26,766 --> 00:39:30,633
{\an1}Birds and seals can now use
these man-made sites
547
00:39:30,666 --> 00:39:32,700
for breeding.
548
00:39:35,466 --> 00:39:38,433
{\an1}-There's so many things you can
do to give space to the river,
549
00:39:38,466 --> 00:39:40,000
{\an1}where you then have a win-win
550
00:39:40,033 --> 00:39:42,066
{\an1}between, let's say,
river restoration,
551
00:39:42,100 --> 00:39:46,200
{\an1}ecological restoration
of rivers, flood protection.
552
00:39:46,233 --> 00:39:48,966
-There is hope
that Haringvliet represents
553
00:39:49,000 --> 00:39:52,066
the beginning
of a global change,
554
00:39:52,100 --> 00:39:56,933
{\an1}reconnecting rivers from source
to sea.
555
00:39:59,733 --> 00:40:03,366
{\an1}Healthy waterways allow
natural processes
556
00:40:03,400 --> 00:40:07,600
{\an1}to shape the landscape
with each changing season.
557
00:40:11,233 --> 00:40:15,233
{\an1}Every spring, the remote
forests of the Danube delta
558
00:40:15,266 --> 00:40:18,133
{\an1}are hit by a deluge of water.
559
00:40:18,166 --> 00:40:22,100
{\an8}♪♪
560
00:40:22,133 --> 00:40:25,833
{\an1}These half-submerged willow
trees become fortresses
561
00:40:25,866 --> 00:40:29,300
{\an1}protected by freshwater moats...
562
00:40:31,966 --> 00:40:34,966
{\an1}...as floodwaters force
the delta's animals
563
00:40:35,000 --> 00:40:37,633
{\an1}up into the branches.
564
00:40:37,666 --> 00:40:42,133
{\an8}♪♪
565
00:40:42,166 --> 00:40:46,766
{\an1}Over 30 different species
of birds nest here
566
00:40:46,800 --> 00:40:49,266
{\an1}in huge mixed colonies.
567
00:40:49,300 --> 00:40:53,566
{\an8}♪♪
568
00:40:53,600 --> 00:40:59,566
{\an1}Cormorants, spoonbills,
egrets, and herons
569
00:40:59,600 --> 00:41:03,133
{\an1}all nest side-by-side
in the willow trees.
570
00:41:03,166 --> 00:41:05,600
{\an1}[ Birds squawking ]
571
00:41:07,266 --> 00:41:10,866
{\an1}The treetop nests may keep
the chicks safe
572
00:41:10,900 --> 00:41:12,966
{\an1}from ground attacks,
573
00:41:13,000 --> 00:41:17,233
{\an1}but the wetlands are home
to aerial assassins...
574
00:41:19,566 --> 00:41:22,366
{\an1}...including the Danube's
most prolific villains.
575
00:41:22,400 --> 00:41:24,733
{\an1}[ Birds squawking ]
576
00:41:24,766 --> 00:41:31,266
Rooks, ravens,
magpies, and crows --
577
00:41:31,300 --> 00:41:35,733
{\an1}some of the most intelligent
animals on the planet.
578
00:41:35,766 --> 00:41:40,200
{\an1}The crows have deliberately
built their nest here,
579
00:41:40,233 --> 00:41:44,566
{\an1}perfectly positioned to stake
out their neighbors' nests.
580
00:41:47,233 --> 00:41:50,600
{\an1}Like these cormorants.
581
00:41:51,833 --> 00:41:54,466
{\an1}This is a critical
breeding ground
582
00:41:54,500 --> 00:41:57,533
{\an1}for the fish-hunting birds.
583
00:41:57,566 --> 00:42:02,033
{\an1}Each nest produces
up to six chicks.
584
00:42:02,933 --> 00:42:06,833
{\an1}Around half the size ofthe more common great cormorant,
585
00:42:06,866 --> 00:42:13,133
{\an1}the Danube has Europe's largest
colony of pygmy cormorants.
586
00:42:13,166 --> 00:42:16,400
{\an1}Their chicks haven't yet learned
to fly
587
00:42:16,433 --> 00:42:20,066
{\an1}and could be a tasty treat
for a hungry crow.
588
00:42:23,066 --> 00:42:25,800
{\an1}But even the largest species
are at risk
589
00:42:25,833 --> 00:42:28,200
{\an1}when their parents leave
the nest.
590
00:42:28,233 --> 00:42:34,500
{\an8}♪♪
591
00:42:34,533 --> 00:42:40,766
{\an8}♪♪
592
00:42:40,800 --> 00:42:46,666
{\an1}With no adults around,the opportunistic crow moves in.
593
00:42:49,700 --> 00:42:51,866
{\an1}Fortunately for the chicks,
594
00:42:51,900 --> 00:42:55,766
{\an1}this winged villain
was only after their dinner.
595
00:42:55,800 --> 00:43:01,666
{\an8}♪♪
596
00:43:01,700 --> 00:43:03,666
{\an1}[ Birds squawking ]
597
00:43:03,700 --> 00:43:06,633
{\an1}Thanks to this breeding site
in the Danube delta,
598
00:43:06,666 --> 00:43:10,566
{\an1}cormorant populations have
exploded in the last 40 years.
599
00:43:13,000 --> 00:43:15,233
{\an1}But beyond this oasis,
600
00:43:15,266 --> 00:43:19,400
{\an1}there's one European bird
that needs a helping hand.
601
00:43:22,866 --> 00:43:25,733
{\an1}The northern bald ibis
has been extinct
602
00:43:25,766 --> 00:43:30,100
{\an1}in the wilds of Europe
for over 300 years.
603
00:43:30,133 --> 00:43:34,200
{\an1}But a small population survive
in captivity.
604
00:43:34,233 --> 00:43:35,700
{\an1}[ Birds chirping ]
605
00:43:35,733 --> 00:43:40,633
{\an1}Now a team of scientists areundertaking a pioneering project
606
00:43:40,666 --> 00:43:44,733
{\an1}to bring this ibis back
to the wild
607
00:43:44,766 --> 00:43:46,833
{\an1}by raising captive birds,
608
00:43:46,866 --> 00:43:51,833
{\an1}and teaching them their
ancient migration routes.
609
00:43:52,833 --> 00:43:55,900
{\an1}The project is based
near Germany's Lake Constance,
610
00:43:55,933 --> 00:43:58,533
{\an1}the ibis's ancient
summer feeding ground.
611
00:44:00,400 --> 00:44:05,266
{\an1}Here, captive-born chicks are
raised by human foster mothers.
612
00:44:05,300 --> 00:44:10,933
{\an8}♪♪
613
00:44:10,966 --> 00:44:15,900
{\an1}The chicks visually imprint
on the first animal they see,
614
00:44:15,933 --> 00:44:18,533
{\an1}and this connection is for life.
615
00:44:18,566 --> 00:44:21,566
-I've raised
about five generations now.
616
00:44:21,600 --> 00:44:23,600
{\an8}Each bird has
different characters.
617
00:44:23,633 --> 00:44:25,033
{\an7}Some of them are more shy.
618
00:44:25,066 --> 00:44:26,900
{\an8}Some of them
are more adventurous.
619
00:44:26,933 --> 00:44:30,700
{\an1}Even in years, they will know
that we are the foster parents.
620
00:44:30,733 --> 00:44:33,500
{\an1}They will know that we raised
them and trained with them.
621
00:44:33,533 --> 00:44:36,700
{\an1}So it's pretty exciting
that they will recognize us
622
00:44:36,733 --> 00:44:38,233
{\an1}for the rest of their lives.
623
00:44:38,266 --> 00:44:40,400
{\an1}[ Birds chirping ]
624
00:44:40,433 --> 00:44:44,500
{\an8}♪♪
625
00:44:44,533 --> 00:44:48,900
{\an8}-Using the birds' innate impulse
to follow their human mothers,
626
00:44:48,933 --> 00:44:52,333
{\an1}the team have spent the last
three months teaching the ibis
627
00:44:52,366 --> 00:44:55,600
{\an1}to follow a microlight airplane
through the skies.
628
00:44:55,633 --> 00:44:57,233
{\an1}[ Woman speaking German ]
629
00:44:57,266 --> 00:44:59,233
{\an1}The mission is to teach
these birds
630
00:44:59,266 --> 00:45:03,133
{\an1}the ancient migration routes
to their wintering grounds,
631
00:45:03,166 --> 00:45:08,200
{\an1}which are almost 900 kilometers
away, in central Italy.
632
00:45:08,233 --> 00:45:10,700
{\an1}[ Women shouting in German ]
633
00:45:10,733 --> 00:45:12,833
[ Engine starts ]
634
00:45:14,633 --> 00:45:17,666
{\an1}Today is the moment of truth.
635
00:45:20,933 --> 00:45:24,400
{\an1}The team takes to the air...
636
00:45:24,433 --> 00:45:31,000
{\an8}♪♪
637
00:45:31,033 --> 00:45:33,533
{\an1}...with the ibis following
close behind.
638
00:45:33,566 --> 00:45:36,333
{\an8}♪♪
639
00:45:36,366 --> 00:45:39,500
{\an1}The birds' instincts kick in.
640
00:45:41,666 --> 00:45:45,566
{\an1}They fly in formation
and stay close to their mother.
641
00:45:45,600 --> 00:45:48,700
{\an8}♪♪
642
00:45:48,733 --> 00:45:51,166
{\an1}Each bird is fitted
with a radio tag
643
00:45:51,200 --> 00:45:53,066
{\an1}to track their route
644
00:45:53,100 --> 00:45:56,200
{\an1}and capture information
about how they migrate.
645
00:45:56,233 --> 00:46:00,300
{\an8}♪♪
646
00:46:00,333 --> 00:46:03,533
{\an1}The flight goes perfectly.
647
00:46:03,566 --> 00:46:07,266
{\an1}In total, they will cover
almost 900 kilometers.
648
00:46:07,300 --> 00:46:11,133
{\an1}A new hope for endangered birds
in Europe and across the world
649
00:46:11,166 --> 00:46:13,433
{\an1}becomes a reality.
650
00:46:13,466 --> 00:46:15,100
{\an1}-It is pretty amazing.
651
00:46:15,133 --> 00:46:17,100
{\an1}It's the best feeling,
652
00:46:17,133 --> 00:46:19,800
actually flying
with the birds over the Alps.
653
00:46:19,833 --> 00:46:22,800
And the birds are only following
because you are the person
654
00:46:22,833 --> 00:46:24,866
{\an1}that is sitting inside
the microlight.
655
00:46:24,900 --> 00:46:27,400
{\an1}They trust you so much,they would go anywhere with you.
656
00:46:27,433 --> 00:46:30,433
{\an1}And I would have never believed
that there is the possibility
657
00:46:30,466 --> 00:46:32,666
{\an1}to bond with an animal
like that.
658
00:46:32,700 --> 00:46:37,466
{\an8}♪♪
659
00:46:37,500 --> 00:46:40,933
{\an1}-After intensive training,
all 30 birds make it
660
00:46:40,966 --> 00:46:45,033
{\an1}to their wintering grounds
in Italy...
661
00:46:45,066 --> 00:46:49,833
{\an1}locking the route into their
memory for future migrations.
662
00:46:50,933 --> 00:46:53,366
One day,
they'll pass this knowledge on
663
00:46:53,400 --> 00:46:56,633
{\an1}to their own wild-born chicks.
664
00:46:56,666 --> 00:47:02,033
{\an8}♪♪
665
00:47:02,066 --> 00:47:07,333
{\an8}♪♪
666
00:47:07,366 --> 00:47:08,733
Across Europe,
667
00:47:08,766 --> 00:47:11,533
{\an1}the success of reintroduction
programs like these
668
00:47:11,566 --> 00:47:13,500
{\an1}are turning back the clock
669
00:47:13,533 --> 00:47:16,733
{\an1}after decades of species
and habitat loss
670
00:47:16,766 --> 00:47:19,033
{\an1}and will help countless
other animals.
671
00:47:20,633 --> 00:47:24,700
A helping hand
is all nature needs.
672
00:47:24,733 --> 00:47:25,833
{\an1}-Nature is so resilient,
673
00:47:25,866 --> 00:47:27,900
{\an1}and I think that's
what inspires me so much,
674
00:47:27,933 --> 00:47:29,566
{\an1}is that if you let it go,
675
00:47:29,600 --> 00:47:32,633
you get the most
beautiful things coming back.
676
00:47:34,866 --> 00:47:38,966
{\an1}-In the Danube delta,the rewilding of natural systems
677
00:47:39,000 --> 00:47:46,600
{\an1}is already having a huge impact,
as Europe discovers a new wild.
678
00:47:46,633 --> 00:47:48,900
{\an8}♪♪
679
00:47:48,933 --> 00:47:50,433
[ Bird squawks ]
680
00:47:50,466 --> 00:47:58,266
{\an8}♪♪
681
00:48:00,166 --> 00:48:05,166
{\an8}♪♪
682
00:48:05,200 --> 00:48:10,233
{\an8}♪♪
683
00:48:10,266 --> 00:48:13,166
{\an7}-To order "Europe's New Wild"
on DVD,
684
00:48:13,200 --> 00:48:16,966
{\an8}visit ShopPBS
or call 1-800-PLAY-PBS.
685
00:48:17,000 --> 00:48:20,233
{\an8}Also available
on Amazon Prime Video.
686
00:48:20,266 --> 00:48:28,833
{\an8}♪♪