1 00:00:37,204 --> 00:00:40,364 There are only a dozen peaks in the world 2 00:00:40,444 --> 00:00:43,444 that rise five miles high. 3 00:00:50,564 --> 00:00:55,044 All of them are here in the Himalayas. 4 00:01:04,244 --> 00:01:08,284 Lethally cold, scarred by gales and blizzards, 5 00:01:09,004 --> 00:01:13,324 these mountains are among the most hostile places on Earth. 6 00:01:22,884 --> 00:01:26,724 Yet, a few special animals manage to live here. 7 00:01:34,324 --> 00:01:35,724 Snow leopards. 8 00:01:37,964 --> 00:01:40,324 Like all creatures of the high mountains, 9 00:01:40,524 --> 00:01:44,004 they have had to adapt both their body and their behaviour, 10 00:01:44,084 --> 00:01:45,804 in order to survive. 11 00:01:53,604 --> 00:01:57,244 Life at extreme altitude has shaped 12 00:01:57,324 --> 00:02:00,524 some of the toughest animals on the planet. 13 00:02:22,364 --> 00:02:25,724 The sun-baked mountains of the Arabian Peninsula. 14 00:02:30,324 --> 00:02:33,484 They may only be a fraction of the height of the Himalayas, 15 00:02:34,804 --> 00:02:37,844 but they are still so dizzyingly steep 16 00:02:37,924 --> 00:02:42,244 that in many places it's almost impossible to get a foothold. 17 00:02:50,764 --> 00:02:55,444 Yet, Nubian ibex have made this their home. 18 00:03:06,524 --> 00:03:10,324 The ibex choose the steepest cliffs to raise their young 19 00:03:11,324 --> 00:03:14,004 in safety, beyond the reach of predators. 20 00:03:24,644 --> 00:03:28,964 But living this sanctuary comes with a cost. 21 00:03:32,484 --> 00:03:35,444 These nursery slopes are so steep, 22 00:03:35,524 --> 00:03:38,684 there is almost no standing water up here. 23 00:03:46,964 --> 00:03:51,484 So, to drink, an ibex family must descend into the valley, 24 00:03:53,724 --> 00:03:55,524 a thousand feet below. 25 00:03:58,404 --> 00:04:01,084 The mothers pick out the safest way down. 26 00:04:03,444 --> 00:04:07,564 With soft cloven hooves that grip better than any climbing shoe, 27 00:04:07,644 --> 00:04:10,484 they are the most accomplished mountaineers. 28 00:04:22,204 --> 00:04:26,004 But the newborn kids are still having to find their feet. 29 00:04:33,124 --> 00:04:35,404 This is their first descent. 30 00:04:37,524 --> 00:04:40,084 One mistake could make it their last. 31 00:04:59,364 --> 00:05:02,924 Following the adults, the kids finally reach the valley. 32 00:05:07,044 --> 00:05:10,564 But once on level ground, they're vulnerable. 33 00:05:19,164 --> 00:05:22,004 Red foxes lie in wait. 34 00:05:36,204 --> 00:05:37,524 At the first sign of danger, 35 00:05:37,604 --> 00:05:41,124 the young ibex instinctively run back to steeper ground. 36 00:05:55,004 --> 00:05:57,524 But heading for this particular rocky outcrop 37 00:05:57,604 --> 00:05:59,124 could be a mistake. 38 00:06:00,764 --> 00:06:02,764 It's a 30-foot drop. 39 00:06:05,324 --> 00:06:08,684 The fox has them trapped, or so it seems. 40 00:06:27,644 --> 00:06:30,644 This is what ibex were born to do. 41 00:06:46,924 --> 00:06:49,404 Scattering makes it hard for the fox to pick a target. 42 00:07:05,004 --> 00:07:07,804 And it certainly can't follow them up here. 43 00:07:09,044 --> 00:07:12,284 All it can do is wait for one to slip and fall. 44 00:07:33,444 --> 00:07:35,844 But these youngsters are fast learners 45 00:07:35,924 --> 00:07:39,284 and they're now almost as sure-footed as their parents. 46 00:08:14,204 --> 00:08:17,084 The fox will have to find its meal elsewhere. 47 00:08:23,604 --> 00:08:26,364 It's just not been a good day. 48 00:08:34,484 --> 00:08:37,924 Now, at last, the young ibex can drink. 49 00:08:41,164 --> 00:08:45,244 But they'll soon need to return to the safety of the sheer cliffs. 50 00:08:50,924 --> 00:08:54,444 Mastering precipitous terrain is always challenging, 51 00:08:55,204 --> 00:08:58,844 but there are more fundamental problems for life in the mountains. 52 00:09:17,124 --> 00:09:20,404 The Alps, Europe's highest peaks. 53 00:09:21,404 --> 00:09:24,924 It's winter, and food is desperately short. 54 00:09:36,284 --> 00:09:39,644 The golden eagle has to spend every daylight hour 55 00:09:40,444 --> 00:09:45,044 scanning the slopes for something, somewhere, to eat. 56 00:09:54,444 --> 00:09:57,964 Her seven-foot wingspan allows her to glide effortlessly 57 00:09:58,044 --> 00:10:01,324 for a hundred miles in a single day. 58 00:10:10,444 --> 00:10:13,444 Her extraordinary eyes enable her to spot prey 59 00:10:13,524 --> 00:10:15,804 from two miles away. 60 00:10:24,764 --> 00:10:28,044 But she is not the only one who's looking for food. 61 00:10:29,844 --> 00:10:33,164 When she spots a chance, she must move fast. 62 00:10:37,844 --> 00:10:41,284 She can dive at 200 miles an hour, 63 00:10:41,364 --> 00:10:43,364 only a peregrine is faster. 64 00:11:16,844 --> 00:11:21,164 During winter, even eagles rely almost entirely on carrion. 65 00:11:22,444 --> 00:11:25,964 It's a dead fox, and it could sustain her for days. 66 00:11:29,924 --> 00:11:32,124 Other scavengers must defer. 67 00:11:35,164 --> 00:11:37,964 The hungry crows soon regain their courage. 68 00:11:40,404 --> 00:11:43,204 They'll try any trick to steal a morsel. 69 00:11:51,164 --> 00:11:53,644 And they are annoyingly persistent. 70 00:12:15,524 --> 00:12:18,884 But this mob are the least of her worries. 71 00:12:26,484 --> 00:12:29,164 A bigger eagle takes control. 72 00:12:33,924 --> 00:12:36,804 But this kill is too important to give up, 73 00:12:39,204 --> 00:12:40,844 so she must fight. 74 00:12:56,044 --> 00:12:58,804 For the moment, she's won the carcass back. 75 00:13:00,124 --> 00:13:04,004 But a kill like this will attract every eagle for miles around. 76 00:13:31,924 --> 00:13:35,404 As ever, the strongest wins the lion's share. 77 00:13:38,684 --> 00:13:41,124 Unable to defend the carcass any longer, 78 00:13:41,204 --> 00:13:44,364 the first eagle must now continue its search. 79 00:13:46,044 --> 00:13:49,044 It may be many days before she feeds again. 80 00:13:54,004 --> 00:13:55,724 Only the most competitive 81 00:13:55,804 --> 00:13:58,804 will survive the perils of the mountain winter. 82 00:14:27,484 --> 00:14:30,804 An avalanche, 100, 000 tonnes of snow 83 00:14:30,884 --> 00:14:33,804 travelling at 80 miles an hour, 84 00:14:33,884 --> 00:14:36,804 capable of smashing everything in its path. 85 00:15:15,404 --> 00:15:17,404 The mountains of North America 86 00:15:17,484 --> 00:15:20,804 are hit by thousands of avalanches every year. 87 00:15:34,364 --> 00:15:37,444 Yet, one animal spends the whole winter 88 00:15:37,524 --> 00:15:42,404 slumbering within the snow on these avalanche-prone slopes. 89 00:15:52,284 --> 00:15:55,764 And when spring comes, they emerge. 90 00:16:08,684 --> 00:16:10,604 All across these mountains, 91 00:16:10,684 --> 00:16:15,084 grizzly bears make their winter dens up to 10, 000 feet up 92 00:16:15,164 --> 00:16:17,804 in the deep snow of leeward slopes. 93 00:16:20,004 --> 00:16:22,924 And while they were half asleep in the depths of winter, 94 00:16:23,004 --> 00:16:24,804 their young were born. 95 00:16:28,844 --> 00:16:33,364 Now, these cubs are taking their first steps into the outside world. 96 00:16:57,004 --> 00:16:59,764 This mother is leading her three youngsters 97 00:16:59,844 --> 00:17:02,404 to a place where they can find food. 98 00:17:07,924 --> 00:17:11,484 They need to descend as quickly as possible. 99 00:17:13,884 --> 00:17:16,044 The debris from an avalanche is clear evidence 100 00:17:16,444 --> 00:17:19,924 that this slope is still dangerously unstable. 101 00:17:32,004 --> 00:17:34,564 This is not a place to dawdle. 102 00:17:40,684 --> 00:17:42,484 And they have another reason to keep moving. 103 00:17:44,724 --> 00:17:49,164 After five months in the den, these bears are very hungry. 104 00:17:54,564 --> 00:17:57,244 Bears that have hibernated throughout these peaks 105 00:17:57,324 --> 00:17:59,804 now all descend to the valleys, 106 00:17:59,884 --> 00:18:02,044 where spring comes earliest. 107 00:18:10,084 --> 00:18:14,684 In the Rockies, seasonal change is swift and dramatic. 108 00:18:24,764 --> 00:18:30,284 In just a few days, the slopes turn from white to green. 109 00:18:51,684 --> 00:18:56,004 Meadows that only a few weeks ago were buried beneath the snow 110 00:18:56,084 --> 00:18:58,524 are now full of life. 111 00:19:16,604 --> 00:19:21,004 But in these mountains, the good times will not last long. 112 00:19:22,364 --> 00:19:25,164 So the bears must feed as fast as they can. 113 00:19:29,244 --> 00:19:30,524 During the summer months, 114 00:19:30,604 --> 00:19:35,044 an adult can put on 180 kilos, gorging on plants. 115 00:19:35,964 --> 00:19:37,564 And if they can catch them... 116 00:19:39,364 --> 00:19:40,804 ...a marmot or two. 117 00:19:44,684 --> 00:19:49,204 But, just now, the bears have something else on their minds. 118 00:19:52,604 --> 00:19:54,164 It's becoming warmer, 119 00:19:54,244 --> 00:19:57,724 and the bears are keen to shed their thick winter coats. 120 00:20:00,524 --> 00:20:04,084 Mothers show the cubs what to do about this. 121 00:20:14,244 --> 00:20:16,044 They'll soon catch on. 122 00:20:18,804 --> 00:20:22,924 Some trees, it seems, are particularly suitable for rubbing. 123 00:20:23,844 --> 00:20:25,244 Bears have their favourites, 124 00:20:25,844 --> 00:20:28,764 and will travel long distances to visit them. 125 00:20:31,604 --> 00:20:34,644 Some itches just have to be scratched. 126 00:20:55,684 --> 00:20:59,684 There are now around 30 bears in this one valley. 127 00:21:06,004 --> 00:21:11,204 As they rub, each leaves an individual and recognisable scent. 128 00:21:14,884 --> 00:21:18,364 So the trees soon carries a list of who's around. 129 00:21:19,284 --> 00:21:22,244 Which might help individuals to avoid a fight. 130 00:21:23,764 --> 00:21:25,844 To best spread their scent. 131 00:21:26,524 --> 00:21:29,324 they really have to put their back into it. 132 00:22:10,684 --> 00:22:12,604 But the summer is short. 133 00:22:13,044 --> 00:22:15,684 Itches satisfactorily scratched, 134 00:22:16,564 --> 00:22:18,164 it's time to eat. 135 00:22:21,404 --> 00:22:22,524 In a couple of months, 136 00:22:22,604 --> 00:22:25,924 they will have to return to their dens to hibernate. 137 00:22:26,004 --> 00:22:29,004 So now they must put on as much weight as they can. 138 00:22:36,164 --> 00:22:40,604 Winter in the mountains returns fast and hits hard. 139 00:22:55,124 --> 00:22:59,044 Temperature in the Rockies will drop to -54 degrees. 140 00:23:00,164 --> 00:23:04,924 So cold, that moisture in the air freezes into tiny crystals 141 00:23:05,004 --> 00:23:07,084 called diamond dust. 142 00:23:30,364 --> 00:23:31,444 This bobcat 143 00:23:31,524 --> 00:23:34,764 is one of the few hunters to remain active in winter. 144 00:23:38,604 --> 00:23:42,004 Most of his prey is now hidden beneath the snow 145 00:23:42,084 --> 00:23:44,404 that covers his entire territory. 146 00:23:50,084 --> 00:23:54,204 He hunts by listening for the faintest sound of movement. 147 00:23:54,924 --> 00:23:58,804 And to prevent crunching footsteps from revealing his presence, 148 00:23:58,884 --> 00:24:01,964 he uses boulders as stepping stones. 149 00:24:21,724 --> 00:24:22,924 A mouse. 150 00:24:24,324 --> 00:24:26,204 But one is not enough. 151 00:24:42,204 --> 00:24:45,284 The deeper the snow, the harder it is to detect prey, 152 00:24:46,604 --> 00:24:49,644 and the rewards for the effort can be disappointing. 153 00:24:52,684 --> 00:24:54,124 To say the least. 154 00:24:59,644 --> 00:25:01,764 By mid-winter, the snow is so deep, 155 00:25:01,844 --> 00:25:04,724 the bobcats are forced to leave their territories 156 00:25:04,804 --> 00:25:07,084 to try and find easier hunting. 157 00:25:31,364 --> 00:25:34,284 And this bobcat may be in luck, 158 00:25:35,644 --> 00:25:38,604 for this particular valley is blessed. 159 00:25:43,844 --> 00:25:45,884 A river here never freezes. 160 00:25:48,964 --> 00:25:53,724 It's fed by a volcanic hot spring that heats these waters 161 00:25:53,804 --> 00:25:57,204 to 50 degrees warmer than the surrounding air. 162 00:26:02,564 --> 00:26:06,364 Hungry animals of all kinds come here to feed. 163 00:26:30,164 --> 00:26:32,724 Throughout the winter, the river is full of food 164 00:26:33,524 --> 00:26:36,044 for those who know how to catch it. 165 00:26:47,404 --> 00:26:50,404 Here, even the coyotes have become fishermen. 166 00:26:54,564 --> 00:26:58,884 But hunting is hard for a cat that's not used in getting its feet wet. 167 00:27:08,044 --> 00:27:10,724 So he must choose his target with care. 168 00:27:23,124 --> 00:27:24,804 Goldeneye ducks. 169 00:27:25,964 --> 00:27:28,564 But can he get close enough to pounce? 170 00:28:00,084 --> 00:28:03,204 Perhaps he'll have more luck on the other side. 171 00:28:19,444 --> 00:28:23,844 Here, steam from the river warms the surrounding trees. 172 00:28:24,764 --> 00:28:28,044 So, up in the branches, there could be prey. 173 00:28:33,364 --> 00:28:35,444 If only he could get to it. 174 00:28:37,204 --> 00:28:38,884 It's twenty feet up. 175 00:28:55,884 --> 00:28:57,724 At last, a squirrel. 176 00:28:59,924 --> 00:29:02,964 Not much, but enough to keep him going. 177 00:29:06,044 --> 00:29:10,164 To survive a winter in these mountains takes tenacity, 178 00:29:11,204 --> 00:29:14,284 and bobcats have that in abundance. 179 00:29:31,084 --> 00:29:33,804 Snow on the equator. 180 00:29:35,364 --> 00:29:36,564 Unlike the Rockies, 181 00:29:36,644 --> 00:29:39,964 in these mountains there are no marked seasons. 182 00:29:52,404 --> 00:29:54,524 This is Africa's Mount Kenya. 183 00:29:55,724 --> 00:29:59,884 It's over 17, 000 feet high, which makes its summit 184 00:29:59,964 --> 00:30:03,324 some 30 degrees colder than the surrounding savannah. 185 00:30:08,324 --> 00:30:13,524 Giant heathers, lobelias and groundsel grow on its upper slopes. 186 00:30:14,444 --> 00:30:16,324 They all thrive in the tropical sun. 187 00:30:18,044 --> 00:30:20,564 After all, every day is summer. 188 00:30:23,164 --> 00:30:29,604 But once the sun sets, every night becomes as bitterly cold as winter. 189 00:30:37,644 --> 00:30:41,084 The temperature drops to five degrees below freezing... 190 00:30:42,044 --> 00:30:45,524 ...turning the mountainside into a garden of ice. 191 00:31:05,884 --> 00:31:07,444 Everything freezes. 192 00:31:08,804 --> 00:31:13,044 But the cabbage groundsels have a way of protecting themselves. 193 00:31:18,964 --> 00:31:23,364 They close up their leathery leaves to form an insulating blanket 194 00:31:23,724 --> 00:31:26,564 that shields their vulnerable central bud. 195 00:31:38,164 --> 00:31:40,084 Night comes to an end... 196 00:31:43,844 --> 00:31:45,124 ...and the sunshine returns. 197 00:31:50,724 --> 00:31:55,884 The groundsels spread their leaves wide to bask in the sunshine once again. 198 00:32:14,524 --> 00:32:17,084 Dawn, in the high Andes... 199 00:32:26,044 --> 00:32:29,764 Here too, the rising sun brings rapid relief 200 00:32:29,844 --> 00:32:33,004 to animals living amongst these volcanic peaks. 201 00:32:36,724 --> 00:32:41,324 Mountain viscacha, are up early to claim the best places 202 00:32:41,404 --> 00:32:43,724 to catch the sun's first rays. 203 00:33:04,684 --> 00:33:09,124 For others up here, the sunrise is even more welcome. 204 00:33:12,044 --> 00:33:14,404 At over 14, 000 feet, 205 00:33:14,484 --> 00:33:17,604 this is the highest flamingo colony in the world. 206 00:33:20,204 --> 00:33:24,804 At night, it gets so cold that even this salty water freezes over. 207 00:33:27,524 --> 00:33:30,244 And now the flamingos are trapped in the ice. 208 00:33:35,764 --> 00:33:38,604 Eventually, the sun thins the ice. 209 00:33:39,644 --> 00:33:43,324 But it's still a struggle for the flamingos to break free. 210 00:34:03,524 --> 00:34:06,484 Walking on thin ice is always risky. 211 00:34:17,724 --> 00:34:20,364 And it's hard to retain one's dignity, 212 00:34:21,724 --> 00:34:24,484 especially when you're wearing stilts. 213 00:34:37,444 --> 00:34:39,044 At these altitudes, 214 00:34:39,364 --> 00:34:44,524 the sun's power can quickly turn from salvation to threat. 215 00:34:50,844 --> 00:34:53,004 The atmosphere is so thin, 216 00:34:53,084 --> 00:34:56,764 there is very little protection from ultraviolet radiation. 217 00:34:58,204 --> 00:35:02,124 By mid-morning, it's risky to linger out in the open. 218 00:35:05,484 --> 00:35:08,084 The viscacha are forced to head for the shade. 219 00:35:13,444 --> 00:35:16,604 Out on the lake, there is nowhere to hide. 220 00:35:22,964 --> 00:35:26,764 The white crust of the Soda Lake reflects the sun's glare 221 00:35:27,284 --> 00:35:30,564 and increases the impact of its ultraviolet rays. 222 00:35:35,684 --> 00:35:39,964 By mid-day, uncovered human skin will burn in four minutes. 223 00:35:45,924 --> 00:35:48,844 But this doesn't seem to bother the flamingos. 224 00:35:49,684 --> 00:35:51,964 In fact, they are on parade. 225 00:36:22,084 --> 00:36:23,604 During the breeding season, 226 00:36:23,684 --> 00:36:27,204 the flamingos perform these peculiar courtship dances 227 00:36:27,284 --> 00:36:29,844 even through the hottest time of the day. 228 00:36:36,524 --> 00:36:39,684 They're so eager, they don't even pause to feed. 229 00:36:58,444 --> 00:37:02,844 The rules are something of a mystery, but after a month of dancing 230 00:37:02,924 --> 00:37:07,444 all the birds will have paired off and will be getting ready to mate. 231 00:37:13,804 --> 00:37:17,844 Up here, there are few other creatures to bother the flamingos. 232 00:37:18,204 --> 00:37:22,604 But then, few other creatures could even tolerate these conditions. 233 00:37:25,964 --> 00:37:28,604 So, for animals that have the endurance, 234 00:37:29,284 --> 00:37:31,964 mountains can be sanctuaries. 235 00:37:44,244 --> 00:37:49,404 But rocky peaks, which to us, perhaps, seem a symbol of permanence, 236 00:37:50,044 --> 00:37:52,484 are more fragile than they appear. 237 00:37:56,484 --> 00:37:58,164 Today, in the Alps, 238 00:37:58,564 --> 00:38:02,884 human encroachment is changing even the highest summits. 239 00:38:16,364 --> 00:38:20,924 In the Rockies, rising temperatures are shortening winter hibernation 240 00:38:21,004 --> 00:38:24,124 and stifling the growth of valuable food plants. 241 00:38:30,084 --> 00:38:33,644 And in the Andes, some glaciers have shrunk 242 00:38:33,724 --> 00:38:37,164 by 50% in just 30 years. 243 00:38:46,684 --> 00:38:49,404 Even the Himalayas are now vulnerable. 244 00:38:53,404 --> 00:38:55,684 With most of the world's tallest peaks 245 00:38:55,764 --> 00:38:58,484 and covering a third of a million square miles, 246 00:38:58,564 --> 00:39:01,444 this is the greatest mountain range of all. 247 00:39:08,324 --> 00:39:12,924 And here, temperatures are now rising faster than the global average. 248 00:39:14,164 --> 00:39:18,284 As the snow line retreats further and further up these peaks, 249 00:39:18,964 --> 00:39:21,804 there is less and less space for wildlife. 250 00:39:22,284 --> 00:39:23,884 And that is a challenge 251 00:39:23,964 --> 00:39:28,204 for one of the most majestic of all mountain creatures. 252 00:39:46,884 --> 00:39:48,444 The snow leopard. 253 00:39:52,364 --> 00:39:53,644 Seldom seen. 254 00:39:54,044 --> 00:39:57,164 The detail of their lives has long been a mystery. 255 00:39:58,164 --> 00:40:02,684 But now at last, helped by the latest remote camera technology, 256 00:40:03,204 --> 00:40:06,244 we're getting closer to them than ever before. 257 00:40:11,484 --> 00:40:12,924 They're very rare. 258 00:40:13,004 --> 00:40:16,044 Only about four of them in forty square miles. 259 00:40:17,644 --> 00:40:20,764 There is simply not enough prey to sustain more. 260 00:40:26,524 --> 00:40:28,644 They live solitary lives. 261 00:40:29,164 --> 00:40:31,164 Nonetheless, they are well aware 262 00:40:31,244 --> 00:40:34,044 of the presence and the movements of their neighbours 263 00:40:34,124 --> 00:40:37,604 because they leave messages in a few special places. 264 00:40:40,844 --> 00:40:43,764 They rub particular rocks with their cheeks. 265 00:40:47,364 --> 00:40:49,884 And they spray them with urine. 266 00:40:52,364 --> 00:40:55,844 The two perfumes create a unique signature. 267 00:41:01,004 --> 00:41:04,924 Any other leopard can know which of its neighbours passed this way, 268 00:41:05,684 --> 00:41:07,604 without ever making direct contact. 269 00:41:11,364 --> 00:41:14,884 But there are times when snow leopards must come together 270 00:41:15,484 --> 00:41:17,764 and the event is often violent. 271 00:41:30,564 --> 00:41:33,324 An adult female and her daughter. 272 00:41:43,444 --> 00:41:47,284 She has devoted the last two years to raising her cub, 273 00:41:47,844 --> 00:41:50,204 and very soon, it will be weaned. 274 00:41:53,044 --> 00:41:57,124 For now, the cub is still entirely dependent on its mother. 275 00:42:02,884 --> 00:42:06,724 But staying together as long as this could cause problems. 276 00:42:11,124 --> 00:42:13,124 The female is now in heat again, 277 00:42:13,204 --> 00:42:16,644 and any male that smells her signature will know that. 278 00:42:27,204 --> 00:42:30,764 From this moment on, her cub's life is at risk. 279 00:42:33,684 --> 00:42:36,524 Males kill cubs that are not their own. 280 00:42:41,924 --> 00:42:46,284 But the mother is now driven by an urge that she cannot control. 281 00:42:49,924 --> 00:42:52,924 She lets the males know exactly where she is. 282 00:43:06,604 --> 00:43:09,924 From up here, she can be heard from miles around. 283 00:43:29,164 --> 00:43:32,884 A young male emerges from the wilderness, eager to find her. 284 00:43:36,724 --> 00:43:42,244 Snow leopards meet so infrequently that there is uncertainty and tension. 285 00:43:50,764 --> 00:43:52,684 And it's about to get worse. 286 00:44:01,284 --> 00:44:03,844 Another bigger male has arrived. 287 00:44:12,964 --> 00:44:16,204 The mother and cub are trapped between the rivals. 288 00:44:21,804 --> 00:44:24,524 The cub is now in danger. Mother must act fast. 289 00:44:26,724 --> 00:44:29,324 To divert the males' attention from her cub, 290 00:44:29,404 --> 00:44:31,604 she rolls over submissively. 291 00:44:44,604 --> 00:44:48,684 With the males fixed on the female, the cub has a chance to escape. 292 00:44:55,524 --> 00:44:58,564 The males close in on the mother from both sides, 293 00:44:58,644 --> 00:45:00,844 keen to claim her for their own. 294 00:45:05,244 --> 00:45:06,964 A fight is inevitable. 295 00:45:28,364 --> 00:45:31,564 The female moves to escape and protect her cub. 296 00:45:32,404 --> 00:45:34,444 But the big male follows her. 297 00:45:46,164 --> 00:45:49,684 He will not let her leave until he has mated with her. 298 00:46:07,164 --> 00:46:12,204 With the males gone, the female is at last reunited with her cub. 299 00:46:15,604 --> 00:46:17,684 But she has been injured. 300 00:46:27,844 --> 00:46:31,404 The cub, however, is alive, thanks to its mother. 301 00:46:41,444 --> 00:46:45,204 Until her injury heals, she won't be able to hunt. 302 00:46:48,204 --> 00:46:51,764 Mountain animals survive on the very edge of existence. 303 00:46:55,324 --> 00:46:58,284 Mother and cub were not seen again. 304 00:47:06,804 --> 00:47:09,364 Until, over a month later, 305 00:47:09,444 --> 00:47:12,524 high on a ridge, a remote camera was triggered. 306 00:47:16,964 --> 00:47:18,364 The female cat, 307 00:47:18,684 --> 00:47:22,004 she's no longer limping but she's now alone. 308 00:47:27,844 --> 00:47:32,924 Then an hour after the female has left, the camera is triggered again. 309 00:47:39,484 --> 00:47:45,684 It's her cub, taking her first steps towards adulthood and independence. 310 00:47:47,644 --> 00:47:50,364 She is unlikely to see her mother again. 311 00:47:51,164 --> 00:47:54,684 But every now and then, they will be reunited 312 00:47:54,764 --> 00:47:58,244 through the messages they leave on the marking rocks. 313 00:48:01,684 --> 00:48:04,604 Her mother has succeeded in raising her, 314 00:48:05,284 --> 00:48:07,884 but life ahead will be challenging, 315 00:48:08,444 --> 00:48:11,364 and she will spend nearly all of it, alone. 316 00:48:14,404 --> 00:48:16,844 Only the toughest can survive 317 00:48:17,204 --> 00:48:21,284 among the savage beauty of the world's highest mountains. 318 00:48:36,764 --> 00:48:40,884 Revealing a new perspective on the lives of golden eagles in the mountains, 319 00:48:40,964 --> 00:48:43,084 would take two very different approaches. 320 00:48:50,804 --> 00:48:54,204 A traditional wildlife crew set out to film wild eagles 321 00:48:54,284 --> 00:48:55,884 closer than ever before. 322 00:49:00,764 --> 00:49:02,084 Whilst an aerial team 323 00:49:02,164 --> 00:49:06,004 aim to capture the hunting flights of eagles high in the mountains. 324 00:49:13,644 --> 00:49:16,524 The helicopter crew soon have success in filming 325 00:49:16,604 --> 00:49:18,844 wild eagles high over the Alps. 326 00:49:18,924 --> 00:49:22,324 But there was one part of the story even they couldn't follow. 327 00:49:26,604 --> 00:49:30,724 Golden eagles can stoop at 200 miles an hour. 328 00:49:32,764 --> 00:49:36,484 To capture an eagle's eye view of such a dramatic flight 329 00:49:36,564 --> 00:49:39,124 would take a more extreme approach. 330 00:49:46,284 --> 00:49:49,924 I'm Aaron Durogati and I'm a professional paraglider pilot. 331 00:49:51,004 --> 00:49:53,164 Aaron believes that to fly like a bird, 332 00:49:53,244 --> 00:49:55,404 he must think like one too. 333 00:49:55,484 --> 00:49:58,524 It's a very special feeling to fly with eagles, 334 00:49:58,604 --> 00:50:01,644 because I'm really looking how they are thermalling 335 00:50:01,724 --> 00:50:03,164 and where they go to soar. 336 00:50:03,244 --> 00:50:05,324 This helped me to become a better pilot 337 00:50:05,404 --> 00:50:08,244 and I try to take inspiration from the nature. 338 00:50:08,684 --> 00:50:11,404 Wearing a specially designed helmet camera, 339 00:50:11,564 --> 00:50:14,884 Aaron's aim is to film the perspective of a diving eagle. 340 00:50:19,764 --> 00:50:22,124 But, before he can jump off a mountain, 341 00:50:22,524 --> 00:50:24,044 first he needs to climb it. 342 00:50:26,604 --> 00:50:31,564 It's a tough 3, 000-metre ascent for Aaron and his wingman, Armin, 343 00:50:31,644 --> 00:50:35,484 as Director Emma Brennand waits for news in the valley below. 344 00:50:39,724 --> 00:50:43,244 The ascent is slowed by a series of dangerous crevasses. 345 00:50:47,484 --> 00:50:51,244 After a tricky climb, they finally reach their launch site. 346 00:50:55,004 --> 00:50:56,924 But the weather up here is unpredictable, 347 00:50:57,004 --> 00:51:00,844 and a change in wind direction makes it impossible to take off. 348 00:51:04,964 --> 00:51:08,964 Aaron and Armin are forced to overnight in the summit shelter, 349 00:51:09,284 --> 00:51:13,324 and with the cold knocking out their comms, Emma is worrying. 350 00:51:14,204 --> 00:51:16,484 They're well-trained mountain guides, 351 00:51:17,084 --> 00:51:19,244 but it doesn't make it any easier to know that. 352 00:51:19,684 --> 00:51:22,484 I think it's going to be a fairly restless night for me as well. 353 00:51:23,484 --> 00:51:26,284 Whilst the paragliders prepare for a night on the mountain, 354 00:51:28,524 --> 00:51:32,564 cameraman, Barrie Britton is setting out early on a more cautious quest 355 00:51:32,644 --> 00:51:35,204 to film wild golden eagles from a hide. 356 00:51:41,204 --> 00:51:43,604 Got to get everything set while it's still dark 357 00:51:43,684 --> 00:51:46,804 and the eagles can't see what we're up to. 358 00:51:47,404 --> 00:51:49,724 Or if they saw any movement around the hide, 359 00:51:49,964 --> 00:51:53,164 then they'd fly away, probably wouldn't come back for a few days. 360 00:51:53,244 --> 00:51:56,044 They are notoriously difficult birds to film. 361 00:51:57,764 --> 00:52:01,244 Even hide work is not entirely without risks. 362 00:52:02,324 --> 00:52:04,244 It's, uh, -20 outside, 363 00:52:04,324 --> 00:52:06,884 so this is a crucial part of the operation. 364 00:52:06,964 --> 00:52:09,724 Making sure the fire works so we don't freeze to death. 365 00:52:10,924 --> 00:52:12,644 Well, that's all the hairs gone on my hand. 366 00:52:12,724 --> 00:52:13,924 Oh, well. 367 00:52:14,724 --> 00:52:17,524 And we just have to be really quiet 368 00:52:17,604 --> 00:52:20,964 and hope the eagles come in when first light comes up. 369 00:52:22,044 --> 00:52:23,884 Eight sedentary hours later, 370 00:52:24,604 --> 00:52:27,244 Barry's only reward is a dead leg. 371 00:52:29,844 --> 00:52:31,644 We haven't done a single shot today. 372 00:52:33,284 --> 00:52:34,684 Nothing's come. 373 00:52:36,204 --> 00:52:38,004 Anyway, that's the way it goes. 374 00:52:39,324 --> 00:52:41,764 After a long night on top of the mountain, 375 00:52:41,844 --> 00:52:44,204 the weather is only getting worse. 376 00:52:44,284 --> 00:52:47,604 The team need to get down, but visibility is so poor 377 00:52:47,684 --> 00:52:50,444 that descending on foot past the crevasses is too risky. 378 00:52:51,764 --> 00:52:56,484 Aaron decides it's safer to fly, but it will be a bumpy ride. 379 00:53:13,204 --> 00:53:17,444 Thick cloud makes it hard to avoid the mountains, let alone film them. 380 00:53:19,724 --> 00:53:22,244 Thankfully, they make it down in one piece. 381 00:53:23,164 --> 00:53:24,524 Much to Emma's relief. 382 00:53:25,044 --> 00:53:26,924 We are very, very glad to see you both. 383 00:53:27,004 --> 00:53:28,884 Yeah, it's a bit hard up there. 384 00:53:29,884 --> 00:53:33,324 The team spend the next two weeks chasing weather windows. 385 00:53:35,764 --> 00:53:37,804 Until, at last, a clear flight. 386 00:53:53,164 --> 00:53:55,604 Trying to mimic a diving eagle, 387 00:53:55,684 --> 00:54:00,404 the flying looks spectacular, but the helmet cam-shots are less so. 388 00:54:03,004 --> 00:54:04,564 To stay safe at these speeds, 389 00:54:04,644 --> 00:54:08,044 Aaron must turn his head regularly to check his glider, 390 00:54:08,124 --> 00:54:10,004 and that is making the shots unusable. 391 00:54:14,524 --> 00:54:17,204 The team must quickly come up with a new plan. 392 00:54:22,804 --> 00:54:25,084 Back in the hide, all has been quiet, 393 00:54:25,364 --> 00:54:28,884 until Barry spots an eagle scavenging on a fox carcass. 394 00:54:36,764 --> 00:54:39,204 Barry repositions his hide to keep watch. 395 00:54:47,604 --> 00:54:48,804 Good stuff. 396 00:54:49,724 --> 00:54:52,524 After a hundred hours in the hide, 397 00:54:52,604 --> 00:54:54,604 finally, his luck changes. 398 00:54:57,324 --> 00:54:59,364 That's one terrifying bird there. 399 00:55:00,044 --> 00:55:03,564 For me, it's fantastic just to see them so close. 400 00:55:04,684 --> 00:55:05,964 It's just beautiful. 401 00:55:08,884 --> 00:55:12,964 With Barry's success, it's now down to the paragliding team. 402 00:55:13,044 --> 00:55:16,644 They've come to the Mont Blanc range with a new plan. 403 00:55:18,444 --> 00:55:22,564 Aaron's decided that the best way to keep safe and get stable shots 404 00:55:22,644 --> 00:55:24,484 is to fly tandem with the cameraman. 405 00:55:27,644 --> 00:55:30,444 We're gonna try and mimic how an eagle flies, 406 00:55:30,524 --> 00:55:32,484 which is pretty hard because they are basically like, 407 00:55:32,564 --> 00:55:33,684 the top bird of prey. 408 00:55:34,564 --> 00:55:38,164 John is nervous. It's his first ever flight. 409 00:55:39,804 --> 00:55:42,084 Three, two, one. Go. 410 00:55:43,604 --> 00:55:45,604 Oh! 411 00:55:47,284 --> 00:55:48,724 Yes! 412 00:55:52,404 --> 00:55:54,284 - So how's it? - Oh, man. 413 00:55:54,364 --> 00:55:55,524 That was a shock. 414 00:55:56,284 --> 00:56:00,004 Overcoming his initial fears, John begins filming. 415 00:56:01,444 --> 00:56:04,724 If we can go right of this, that'll be cool. 416 00:56:05,484 --> 00:56:07,724 The tandem wing allows John to get the shots 417 00:56:07,804 --> 00:56:10,444 that Aaron was unable to get flying solo. 418 00:56:11,724 --> 00:56:13,844 Awesome, Aaron. Very good. 419 00:56:14,724 --> 00:56:16,804 But it's not all plain sailing. 420 00:56:21,444 --> 00:56:24,284 The feeling of discomfort only gets worse 421 00:56:24,364 --> 00:56:26,724 as Aaron begins the eagle dive. 422 00:56:35,844 --> 00:56:37,284 I feel sick. 423 00:56:38,524 --> 00:56:39,804 Oh, man. 424 00:56:41,084 --> 00:56:43,204 Flying low and fast like an eagle 425 00:56:43,284 --> 00:56:45,324 leaves little room for error. 426 00:56:57,324 --> 00:56:58,604 A little bit too much, you think? 427 00:56:58,684 --> 00:56:59,804 Yeah. 428 00:57:00,084 --> 00:57:02,444 Sorry, what did you call it? An unplanned landing? 429 00:57:02,524 --> 00:57:03,684 Yeah. 430 00:57:05,804 --> 00:57:08,884 They might not be as majestic as a golden eagle, 431 00:57:08,964 --> 00:57:11,764 but they do capture a unique perspective 432 00:57:12,324 --> 00:57:15,724 that conveys an eagle's life as never before. 433 00:57:20,804 --> 00:57:24,924 Next time, we explore the world's jungles. 434 00:57:26,844 --> 00:57:31,604 Places of surprise and invention unrivalled on Earth... 435 00:57:32,724 --> 00:57:36,124 where the battle for survival is at its most intense.