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In the heart of Southeast Asia
is an ancient kingdom...
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..with over 3,000 kilometres
of coastline.
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But beyond its golden shores...
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00:00:28,320 --> 00:00:29,920
..there are secret worlds.
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Home to mysterious creatures...
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..and forest giants.
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00:00:51,480 --> 00:00:53,600
This is a fast-changing country...
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..where East and West collide.
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People and animals must work
together to survive.
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00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:14,880
Forming unique relationships.
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00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:20,600
A spiritual land...
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..full of magic and wonder.
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This is Thailand.
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00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:55,320
Thailand's north
is a wild and rugged land.
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Cloaked in forest,
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00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:00,360
hiding ancient communities
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and unexpected partnerships.
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00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:24,520
Here, in the jungles of Phu Kao,
live some unusual primates.
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Phayre's leaf monkeys.
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They live up to their name,
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eating the leaves of around
100 different types of plant.
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But this low-calorie diet
means they've got to eat a lot.
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So, they need to keep moving.
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00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:12,400
In all the hurry, youngsters risk
getting lost among the greenery.
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But babies are born bright orange,
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making them easier
for parents to spot.
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When he's a few months old,
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this baby will turn grey,
like his parents.
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00:03:37,080 --> 00:03:40,520
But, for now,
he remains highly visible.
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Sisters and aunts share
in the childcare.
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It helps them practise
their parenting skills.
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00:04:02,400 --> 00:04:06,320
But this new mother seems
reluctant to release her infant.
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Being this protective
doesn't allow her much time to rest.
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She's yet to learn the benefits
of sharing.
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On the move again.
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It's hard work travelling in the
tree tops with a baby in your arms.
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Feeding is more difficult, too.
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This mother is tired and hungry.
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00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:27,000
And with others keen
to care for her baby...
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..she accepts their help.
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Now, she can concentrate on
the important task
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of eating more leaves,
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knowing her baby is in safe hands.
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In this remote region of Thailand,
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strong partnerships have long formed
an essential part of life.
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00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:11,560
Northern Thailand
is a diverse landscape.
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00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:17,800
Almost two-thirds of it
is dominated by forested mountains.
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This green veil hides some
of the world's rarest creatures.
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Like the leopard...
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00:06:30,520 --> 00:06:32,600
the Malayan tapir...
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00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:35,840
..and the binturong.
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00:06:35,840 --> 00:06:41,400
Isolation has also protected
ancient communities,
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where people and nature
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forge surprising alliances.
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00:06:55,120 --> 00:06:59,920
Thailand's northern mountains began
to form 50 million years ago,
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when Indian and Eurasian
plates collided
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and the highest peak was born.
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00:07:08,920 --> 00:07:12,280
Doi Inthanon is known as
"The Roof of Thailand".
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It stands over 2,500 metres high.
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00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:27,200
Temperatures here
drop to near freezing,
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00:07:27,200 --> 00:07:30,360
bathing the morning forest
in cool, moist air.
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Beneath this sea of mist
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lies an enchanting world
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of wild woods
and white-water streams.
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As water flows through this forest,
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it absorbs carbon dioxide
from the soil and air,
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making it more acidic.
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00:08:11,480 --> 00:08:15,080
It eats away at the limestone rock
of the mountains,
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creating worlds within worlds.
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00:08:23,320 --> 00:08:25,240
Over millions of years,
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00:08:25,240 --> 00:08:29,200
streams and rivers
have carved a maze of caverns.
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00:08:36,240 --> 00:08:40,040
So far, more than 4,000
have been discovered.
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Tham Lod Cave is 50 metres tall.
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00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:18,280
Thousands of Cook's swifts nest
in its cathedral-like vaults.
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00:09:18,280 --> 00:09:20,800
But they can't nest in peace.
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A predator prowls these walls.
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This cave racer snake
is two metres long,
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helping it bridge gaps
to scale this cavern.
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To escape the snake,
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the swifts build their nests
in the most inaccessible places.
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00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:11,400
At night, they keep dead still,
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hoping the danger passes.
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When dawn breaks over the mountains,
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the swifts can once more
take to the safety of the air.
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00:10:56,560 --> 00:11:00,480
As they leave the cave,
their droppings rain down.
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00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:15,360
Insect remains in the guano may be
appealing to the carp,
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00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:19,880
but others also take advantage
of this fertile sprinkling.
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Anpa visits the cave most days.
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SHE SPEAKS IN OWN LANGUAGE:
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In Buddhism,
heavenly favour can be earned
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00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:06,200
by small acts of respect
or kindness
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known as "making merit".
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00:12:42,440 --> 00:12:48,080
Anpa's ritual of collecting this
guano also has earthly benefits.
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00:13:14,120 --> 00:13:19,440
This natural alliance reaffirms
Anpa's spiritual beliefs,
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as well as providing
valuable nitrogen
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and phosphorus for the soil.
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00:13:29,920 --> 00:13:32,880
Traditional small-scale farming
in the mountains
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00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:35,120
requires a close
connection with nature.
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00:13:37,440 --> 00:13:39,520
So, too, does modern-day practice.
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00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:45,520
In north-eastern Thailand,
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where there was once forest,
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there is now farmland.
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00:13:49,680 --> 00:13:51,680
And people here still maintain
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an important relationship
with wildlife.
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00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:02,800
Mr Tanon is on a personal mission.
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00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:08,280
By bending and breaking the spines
of banana palm leaves,
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00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:11,520
he creates new homes for a rare
and secretive mammal.
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00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:29,720
Among these dry, dead leaves,
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00:14:29,720 --> 00:14:31,400
lives the painted bat.
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00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:39,760
Painted bats have adopted
this unusual roosting site...
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00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:44,480
..because there's a short supply
of natural forest in this region.
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HE SPEAKS IN OWN LANGUAGE:
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These bats were a rare sight.
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But 16 years ago, a breeding
population was rediscovered here.
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00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:31,280
It's easy to see why they are known
locally as the "butterfly bat".
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For Mr Tanon, the reward for this
partnership
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is simply to see the natural
beauty of these bats on the wing.
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00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:06,960
Sometimes all it takes
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is one person to make a difference.
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00:16:29,040 --> 00:16:30,960
In northern Thailand,
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00:16:30,960 --> 00:16:35,400
the lives of animals and people
are deeply entwined
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and the natural world
is an integral part of religion.
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00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:49,080
Under the full moon, there's
one event that happens each year,
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00:16:49,080 --> 00:16:51,960
symbolising the letting go
of past problems
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00:16:51,960 --> 00:16:54,840
and welcoming new hope
for the future.
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00:17:00,280 --> 00:17:03,720
In Buddhist culture,
sky-borne lanterns
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00:17:03,720 --> 00:17:07,720
represent a move away
from darkness into the light.
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00:17:38,760 --> 00:17:41,600
The festivals of
Yi Peng and Loy Krathong
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bring families
and friends together.
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00:18:03,480 --> 00:18:06,200
Celebrating the elements of nature,
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00:18:06,200 --> 00:18:09,720
they honour Phra Mae Khongkha -
the water goddess.
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00:18:20,880 --> 00:18:24,800
"Loy", in Thai, means "to float"
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00:18:24,800 --> 00:18:28,600
and small baskets, or "krathongs",
fill the village river.
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00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:35,440
These elaborate rituals
help communities to live in harmony
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00:18:35,440 --> 00:18:37,960
and show respect
for the natural world.
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00:18:52,600 --> 00:18:56,720
The connection between people
and nature is a complex one.
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00:18:58,360 --> 00:19:02,640
And there's one creature with which
the people of northern Thailand
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have had an enduring relationship.
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00:19:06,520 --> 00:19:08,560
But it has not always
been a happy one.
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00:19:24,080 --> 00:19:26,040
The Asian elephant.
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00:19:27,680 --> 00:19:31,440
These giants can weigh up
to five tonnes.
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00:19:31,440 --> 00:19:34,520
So, you don't want to cross paths
with one in thick jungle.
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00:20:08,240 --> 00:20:11,400
This is an elephant this woman
knows well.
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00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:16,600
She was rescued by Lek
from a life of toil and hardship.
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00:20:21,320 --> 00:20:24,120
The felling of the forests for
hardwood timber
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00:20:24,120 --> 00:20:26,800
was once common in northern
Thailand,
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00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:29,400
and elephants
were used as tractors.
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00:20:33,720 --> 00:20:36,480
When logging was made illegal
in 1989,
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00:20:36,480 --> 00:20:41,200
many elephants were forced to earn
their keep in the tourist industry.
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00:20:45,720 --> 00:20:49,760
SHE SPEAKS IN OWN LANGUAGE:
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00:21:13,280 --> 00:21:16,280
Now, Lek is working
to change the lives
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00:21:16,280 --> 00:21:19,640
of Thailand's domesticated
elephants.
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00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:30,400
She's rescuing them
from illegal logging sites,
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00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:33,000
circuses and tracking camps,
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00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:35,360
and giving them a new life.
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00:21:40,560 --> 00:21:43,960
Caboo suffered an injury in a
logging camp
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when she was two years old.
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00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:51,000
But she had to carry on working
for another 23 years -
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00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:53,600
until Lek came to her rescue.
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00:22:12,960 --> 00:22:17,000
The elephants roam here without
chains, meeting others,
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and forging new bonds.
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Lek's sanctuary also enables
visitors to meet these giants.
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EXCITED CHATTER
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00:22:46,280 --> 00:22:48,960
SNORTING
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00:22:51,520 --> 00:22:54,360
THUNDER RUMBLES
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00:23:00,520 --> 00:23:05,440
In the wild, Asian elephants live in
family groups of related females.
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00:23:07,280 --> 00:23:13,000
But these individuals have welcomed
Lek to be part of the herd.
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Elephants are highly intelligent
and emotional animals.
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00:24:20,120 --> 00:24:23,040
And after years
of psychological trauma,
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these individuals are now putting
their trust in Lek.
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RUMBLING AND SPLASHING
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In Thailand,
there isn't always the space
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to release large numbers of
them back into the wild.
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So, these elephants are likely to
spend the rest of their days
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in this sanctuary.
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With Lek's love and dedication,
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they'll get the care they need,
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and now have a second chance
at life.
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In Thailand's northern mountains,
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there are a few places where great
tracts of forest still remain.
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00:26:02,760 --> 00:26:05,120
Especially on the border
with Myanmar.
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It's the largest area of protected
land in mainland Southeast Asia.
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00:26:15,440 --> 00:26:19,600
At its heart, the wilderness
of Huai Kha Khaeng,
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is home to some of Thailand's
rarest and most elusive creatures...
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..such as banteng.
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00:26:33,360 --> 00:26:36,240
They normally
live deep within the forest,
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but, during the dry season,
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come out into the clearings to feed
on the last remaining grasses.
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00:26:43,880 --> 00:26:48,080
These wild cows are believed
to be the ancestors
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of all cattle in Southeast Asia.
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Each herd is comprised of a male,
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several females,
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and their playful calves.
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Huai Kha Khaeng
is one of the few places
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where numbers seem to be growing.
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Sambar deer also like to graze here
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and are useful sentinels,
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00:27:45,120 --> 00:27:47,280
alert to the sounds of the forest.
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They need to be.
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00:27:51,800 --> 00:27:54,560
Large predators live here, too.
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00:28:02,040 --> 00:28:05,360
Armed rangers are here to protect
the rarest of them all.
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00:28:06,520 --> 00:28:08,960
The Indochinese tiger.
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00:28:08,960 --> 00:28:15,080
It is estimated there are only 200
of these tigers left in Thailand.
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00:28:15,080 --> 00:28:17,240
And they face extinction
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00:28:17,240 --> 00:28:20,600
due to habitat loss and poaching.
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00:28:30,440 --> 00:28:34,320
The rangers pass on any information
they find to scientists...
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00:28:36,280 --> 00:28:40,440
..who are also working hard
to prevent the tigers' decline.
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00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:44,440
It's a great collaboration
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between the Department
of National Parks,
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00:28:47,160 --> 00:28:49,360
Wildlife And Plant Conservation,
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00:28:49,360 --> 00:28:52,480
and the Wildlife
Conservation Society.
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00:28:56,120 --> 00:28:58,120
But it's tough work for everyone.
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00:29:00,280 --> 00:29:03,600
Tigers are almost impossible
to find.
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00:29:24,880 --> 00:29:27,640
The best way for Som Pot
and the tiger research team
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00:29:27,640 --> 00:29:32,160
to work out how many live here
is by using camera traps.
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00:29:33,640 --> 00:29:36,840
They've revealed that here
in Huai Kha Khaeng -
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00:29:36,840 --> 00:29:39,360
just four hours' drive
from Bangkok -
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00:29:39,360 --> 00:29:41,400
there's a significant
tiger population.
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00:29:50,720 --> 00:29:53,680
Many Thai people are unaware
these secretive cats
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00:29:53,680 --> 00:29:55,960
still exist in their country.
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00:30:12,400 --> 00:30:14,560
To know where
to put the camera traps,
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00:30:14,560 --> 00:30:17,520
the team need to understand
the tigers' territory.
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00:30:19,200 --> 00:30:22,840
To do that, they follow
a number of key individuals
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00:30:22,840 --> 00:30:25,160
using satellite collars.
225
00:30:29,880 --> 00:30:34,560
Today, Som Pot's tracking
one particular tiger.
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00:30:34,560 --> 00:30:40,080
Its satellite collar shows it keeps
returning to the same place.
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00:30:41,400 --> 00:30:44,480
It's a good chance to
get vital camera-trap footage.
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00:30:53,280 --> 00:30:55,000
The tiger has made a kill...
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00:30:57,560 --> 00:30:59,080
..a male sambar deer.
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00:31:03,120 --> 00:31:05,800
They must work quickly,
with minimal disturbance.
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00:31:05,800 --> 00:31:07,840
THEY MURMUR QUIETLY
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00:31:12,520 --> 00:31:14,760
FLIES BUZZ
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00:31:22,760 --> 00:31:24,680
THEY SPEAK IN OWN LANGUAGE
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00:31:24,680 --> 00:31:27,880
Later that night, the tiger returns.
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00:31:37,800 --> 00:31:42,200
Camera-trap footage has been vital
for documenting the tigers here.
236
00:31:44,760 --> 00:31:48,320
Tiger stripe patterns
are like fingerprints -
237
00:31:48,320 --> 00:31:50,320
unique to each individual.
238
00:31:59,840 --> 00:32:04,680
The database shows around 70 tigers
roamed these forests.
239
00:32:14,840 --> 00:32:18,280
Numbers have almost doubled
in a decade
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00:32:18,280 --> 00:32:21,880
and that's because of people like
Som Pot and his team.
241
00:32:41,840 --> 00:32:46,320
Restoring natural harmony in the
forests of northern Thailand
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00:32:46,320 --> 00:32:49,080
is also vital for preserving the
spiritual lives
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00:32:49,080 --> 00:32:50,800
of the people that live here.
244
00:32:56,920 --> 00:33:00,480
These men are from the
Black Lahu hill tribe.
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00:33:01,960 --> 00:33:06,280
Their ancestors lived in the
Himalayan foothills
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00:33:06,280 --> 00:33:10,600
for over 2,000 years, settling here
within the last century.
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00:33:13,200 --> 00:33:15,800
They believe spirits dwell
in this forest.
248
00:33:22,200 --> 00:33:25,800
For Papa,
cooperating with them is vital.
249
00:33:25,800 --> 00:33:27,920
HE SPEAKS IN OWN LANGUAGE:
250
00:33:38,160 --> 00:33:43,240
The Black Lahu have a unique
relationship with nature,
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00:33:43,240 --> 00:33:47,040
with an animist faith
that predates Buddhism.
252
00:33:51,560 --> 00:33:55,760
This tree will become a bridge
to the spirit world.
253
00:33:58,160 --> 00:34:01,760
HE CHANTS, OTHERS PLAY PIPES
254
00:34:01,760 --> 00:34:03,680
An offering is made.
255
00:34:03,680 --> 00:34:07,160
THEY PLAY NOTES
256
00:34:07,160 --> 00:34:11,320
Papa believes this cord will pull
his wife's lost soul
257
00:34:11,320 --> 00:34:15,080
along the tree trunk
back from the forest.
258
00:34:15,080 --> 00:34:16,720
HE CHANTS
259
00:34:22,600 --> 00:34:25,600
By tying the cord around her wrist,
260
00:34:25,600 --> 00:34:29,920
the spirit doctor reconnects Nalor
with her soul.
261
00:34:30,960 --> 00:34:34,080
A Lahu will never cut a spirit cord,
262
00:34:34,080 --> 00:34:37,120
wearing it until it falls off.
263
00:34:39,840 --> 00:34:44,600
This sacred connection with the
forest is cause for celebration.
264
00:34:44,600 --> 00:34:48,600
MUSIC PLAYS, THEY CLAP IN TIME
265
00:34:54,840 --> 00:35:00,280
By dancing, the Lahu show their joy
to their creator spirit, Gui Sha.
266
00:35:04,640 --> 00:35:07,400
The Lahus' spiritual relationship
with the forest
267
00:35:07,400 --> 00:35:11,080
protects their loved ones
and strengthens the community.
268
00:35:54,440 --> 00:35:57,120
These remote mountain worlds
269
00:35:57,120 --> 00:36:00,240
not only hide ancient traditions,
270
00:36:00,240 --> 00:36:03,520
they also hide age-old showdowns.
271
00:36:06,880 --> 00:36:09,600
Up here lurks one of
northern Thailand's
272
00:36:09,600 --> 00:36:11,560
more surprising creatures.
273
00:36:13,680 --> 00:36:15,200
The big-headed turtle.
274
00:36:17,560 --> 00:36:22,120
As his name suggests,
he has an enormous head,
275
00:36:22,120 --> 00:36:24,320
with super-sized jaws.
276
00:36:32,320 --> 00:36:36,360
Food can be hard to come by
in this fast-moving water,
277
00:36:36,360 --> 00:36:40,760
but as he only needs to eat every
few days, there's no real urgency.
278
00:36:42,240 --> 00:36:44,160
And he knows where he's going.
279
00:36:49,160 --> 00:36:54,320
Long claws and a muscular
tail propel him upstream.
280
00:37:02,240 --> 00:37:05,120
He's a little on the slow side,
281
00:37:05,120 --> 00:37:06,760
but it helps him save energy.
282
00:37:12,640 --> 00:37:15,640
He's got to where he wants to be.
283
00:37:15,640 --> 00:37:17,400
It's now a waiting game.
284
00:37:29,320 --> 00:37:33,760
Other ancient creatures are
drawn from the forest to the water.
285
00:37:45,200 --> 00:37:47,320
Freshwater crabs.
286
00:37:49,480 --> 00:37:53,000
It's likely their ancestors
ended up here,
287
00:37:53,000 --> 00:37:55,600
300km from the coast,
288
00:37:55,600 --> 00:37:59,600
when the mountains formed
millions of years ago.
289
00:38:30,760 --> 00:38:35,880
To a crab, the big-headed turtle
looks much like a rock...
290
00:38:39,000 --> 00:38:40,880
..and that's just what he wants.
291
00:38:53,760 --> 00:38:57,280
Now those jaws make sense.
292
00:38:57,280 --> 00:38:59,440
The ideal crab cracker.
293
00:38:59,440 --> 00:39:01,120
CRUNCHING
294
00:39:14,800 --> 00:39:17,520
Over millennia,
remote forest streams
295
00:39:17,520 --> 00:39:20,960
have brought these unlikely
animals together.
296
00:39:24,840 --> 00:39:29,280
Thailand's mountainous north
is an ancient land...
297
00:39:32,280 --> 00:39:35,800
..but there are places where people
have had a big influence
298
00:39:35,800 --> 00:39:37,440
in recent years.
299
00:39:39,080 --> 00:39:43,760
Like here, in the hills of
Mae Hong Son.
300
00:39:43,760 --> 00:39:48,680
Commercial logging cleared parts
of this land,
301
00:39:48,680 --> 00:39:52,400
creating new opportunities
for other kinds of plant.
302
00:40:02,320 --> 00:40:06,360
Sunflowers now carpet
these mountains.
303
00:40:12,200 --> 00:40:15,880
They were first brought to Thailand
from Central America
304
00:40:15,880 --> 00:40:18,560
as garden plants
about 70 years ago.
305
00:40:19,520 --> 00:40:22,280
But no-one quite knows
how they got to the slopes.
306
00:40:24,000 --> 00:40:28,080
Up here, they spread like wildfire.
307
00:40:38,240 --> 00:40:41,600
Many tourists
come to admire the spectacle.
308
00:40:49,280 --> 00:40:52,880
The people of the North
have embraced this interloper...
309
00:40:59,320 --> 00:41:01,680
..adopting it as
a provincial mascot.
310
00:41:12,840 --> 00:41:18,840
The Mexican sunflower is now part of
the fabric of northern Thailand.
311
00:41:30,920 --> 00:41:34,000
Where farmland is replacing forest,
312
00:41:34,000 --> 00:41:37,080
wildlife finds new ways to flourish.
313
00:41:47,640 --> 00:41:52,680
Weaver ants have colonised
much of this man-made landscape.
314
00:41:57,440 --> 00:42:02,080
Hundreds of them work as a team
to build their home out of leaves,
315
00:42:02,080 --> 00:42:04,240
protecting them against
the elements.
316
00:42:20,640 --> 00:42:23,240
To lash the leaves together,
317
00:42:23,240 --> 00:42:25,880
gangs of workers pull as one.
318
00:42:29,520 --> 00:42:33,920
Bridges are built, helping ants
move quickly around the site.
319
00:42:49,480 --> 00:42:52,120
To hold their construction together,
320
00:42:52,120 --> 00:42:55,400
they rely on the youngest members
of the colony -
321
00:42:55,400 --> 00:42:57,280
grubs.
322
00:43:07,400 --> 00:43:10,560
When they're in their final stages
of development,
323
00:43:10,560 --> 00:43:12,240
they produce strands of silk...
324
00:43:15,160 --> 00:43:18,240
..and make the perfect glue gun.
325
00:43:35,480 --> 00:43:39,360
In just a few hours,
their new home is complete.
326
00:43:42,280 --> 00:43:45,280
Their nest happens
to be on a mango farm.
327
00:43:47,680 --> 00:43:49,800
But it's no ordinary orchard.
328
00:44:00,160 --> 00:44:04,360
Mr Bunchu has recruited this army
of miniature warriors
329
00:44:04,360 --> 00:44:05,920
to defend his fruit.
330
00:44:07,640 --> 00:44:09,680
They'll eat any pests.
331
00:44:12,160 --> 00:44:16,440
And by tying these strings between
mango trees,
332
00:44:16,440 --> 00:44:20,320
Mr Bunchu helps the ants
get to new foraging grounds,
333
00:44:20,320 --> 00:44:22,320
expanding their empire
334
00:44:22,320 --> 00:44:24,760
and protecting his orchard.
335
00:44:44,560 --> 00:44:49,280
Healthy ant colonies
mean fewer pesticides
336
00:44:49,280 --> 00:44:52,480
and the weaver ants
give the farmer something else.
337
00:44:55,000 --> 00:44:58,840
Mr Bunchu
likes to harvest their eggs.
338
00:45:26,520 --> 00:45:30,000
He takes only a little
from each nest,
339
00:45:30,000 --> 00:45:33,560
separating the ants
so they can return to the colony.
340
00:45:35,760 --> 00:45:38,880
These eggs are a Thai delicacy...
341
00:45:38,880 --> 00:45:41,320
and a favourite dish of the North.
342
00:45:51,240 --> 00:45:53,520
By working WITH wildlife,
343
00:45:53,520 --> 00:45:55,760
farmers in northern Thailand
344
00:45:55,760 --> 00:46:00,480
are able to benefit from nature's
bounty, and help it flourish.
345
00:46:16,560 --> 00:46:18,680
But the greatest rewards of all
346
00:46:18,680 --> 00:46:22,760
are found in the shadows of these
northern mountains.
347
00:46:22,760 --> 00:46:29,160
The soil here is watered by rivers
that flow down through this land,
348
00:46:29,160 --> 00:46:30,880
irrigating the rice fields.
349
00:46:38,920 --> 00:46:42,600
Thailand exports more than
9 million tonnes of rice a year.
350
00:46:51,760 --> 00:46:55,640
Every rice plant is vital
for Mr Thipuin's crop...
351
00:46:57,720 --> 00:46:59,480
..but there's constant threat.
352
00:47:01,280 --> 00:47:05,360
White-backed plant hoppers
invade the paddy fields.
353
00:47:10,840 --> 00:47:14,440
They suck the sap and stunt
the growth of the rice plants,
354
00:47:14,440 --> 00:47:16,000
reducing the yield.
355
00:47:18,960 --> 00:47:21,640
But living beneath these mountains,
356
00:47:21,640 --> 00:47:25,200
the farmers have their
own natural pest control.
357
00:47:31,080 --> 00:47:34,520
Every evening, it stirs.
358
00:47:55,000 --> 00:47:59,880
300,000 wrinkle-lipped bats emerge
359
00:47:59,880 --> 00:48:02,520
to hunt for insects on the wing.
360
00:48:25,800 --> 00:48:31,160
This living ribbon of bats
is a welcome sight for the farmers.
361
00:48:31,160 --> 00:48:33,400
HE SPEAKS IN OWN LANGUAGE:
362
00:48:53,520 --> 00:48:57,360
It's estimated that, by eating
white-backed plant hoppers,
363
00:48:57,360 --> 00:48:59,880
these bats rescue enough rice
364
00:48:59,880 --> 00:49:03,720
to feed 26,000 people
in Thailand each year.
365
00:49:07,200 --> 00:49:10,280
And by planting his rice
in the flight path,
366
00:49:10,280 --> 00:49:14,040
Mr Thipuin will benefit from
these hungry little helpers.
367
00:49:18,400 --> 00:49:22,440
In these northern mountains,
success and survival
368
00:49:22,440 --> 00:49:24,640
rely on working together
369
00:49:24,640 --> 00:49:28,160
and exploiting opportunities
when they arise.
370
00:49:29,880 --> 00:49:33,000
Ancient beliefs, modern ideas,
371
00:49:33,000 --> 00:49:35,440
and unexpected alliances
372
00:49:35,440 --> 00:49:39,720
all help to maintain
the natural harmony.
373
00:49:52,200 --> 00:49:55,480
The toughest challenge
for the northern Thailand team
374
00:49:55,480 --> 00:49:57,960
was filming Indochinese tigers.
375
00:49:59,280 --> 00:50:03,720
There are only about 350 left
in the wild.
376
00:50:03,720 --> 00:50:07,200
The only place
they stood any chance of success
377
00:50:07,200 --> 00:50:09,960
was in the forest of
Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary.
378
00:50:13,840 --> 00:50:17,240
Producer James Hemming teamed up
with the scientists
379
00:50:17,240 --> 00:50:18,640
who've devoted their lives
380
00:50:18,640 --> 00:50:21,120
to understanding the habits
of these creatures...
381
00:50:22,480 --> 00:50:26,840
..sometimes using quite unusual
tracking techniques.
382
00:50:26,840 --> 00:50:28,040
Yeah.
383
00:50:28,040 --> 00:50:30,440
Yeah, that's really...
384
00:50:30,440 --> 00:50:31,800
It's quite potent!
385
00:50:31,800 --> 00:50:34,960
Scent marks define tiger territory.
386
00:50:34,960 --> 00:50:36,680
They're like signposts,
387
00:50:36,680 --> 00:50:40,040
providing vital clues
to their whereabouts.
388
00:50:44,280 --> 00:50:45,680
Two different tigers?
389
00:50:48,000 --> 00:50:52,920
Even so, finding them
is far from easy.
390
00:50:54,080 --> 00:50:57,360
The team have only got
three weeks in this forest,
391
00:50:57,360 --> 00:51:00,040
which is four times
the size of Greater London.
392
00:51:07,600 --> 00:51:09,000
HE SNIFFS
393
00:51:09,000 --> 00:51:12,240
James is going to need more
than a sniff to succeed.
394
00:51:14,120 --> 00:51:15,520
Wow!
395
00:51:15,520 --> 00:51:16,760
Yeah.
396
00:51:18,600 --> 00:51:20,600
Camera traps are his best chance
397
00:51:20,600 --> 00:51:23,920
of getting footage
of these elusive animals.
398
00:51:25,000 --> 00:51:26,560
The cameras need to be rigged
399
00:51:26,560 --> 00:51:30,400
at key locations in the forest where
they'll be triggered by motion.
400
00:51:33,040 --> 00:51:34,760
And to film a passing tiger,
401
00:51:34,760 --> 00:51:37,880
it's really important to
get the frame size right.
402
00:51:37,880 --> 00:51:39,280
Pretty good.
403
00:51:40,440 --> 00:51:41,920
Yeah. It's all good.
404
00:51:41,920 --> 00:51:43,640
Cool. OK.
405
00:51:45,440 --> 00:51:46,960
THEY MURMUR
406
00:51:46,960 --> 00:51:51,360
For the scientists, camera traps
have also proved essential.
407
00:51:51,360 --> 00:51:56,040
Not just for research, but in
helping police with anti-poaching.
408
00:51:56,040 --> 00:51:59,680
In 2015, camera-trap images
proved that a tiger
409
00:51:59,680 --> 00:52:04,320
which once roamed these forests,
had been illegally poached.
410
00:52:04,320 --> 00:52:07,120
It led to the prosecution
of three men.
411
00:52:12,000 --> 00:52:15,440
The crew aren't relying
just on camera traps.
412
00:52:15,440 --> 00:52:18,080
Wildlife cameraman Graham MacFarlane
413
00:52:18,080 --> 00:52:21,160
and guide Kwanchi,
are also in the field.
414
00:52:21,160 --> 00:52:25,360
A tiger could be ten metres from you
and you wouldn't see it.
415
00:52:33,560 --> 00:52:36,520
This place is covered
with animal prints.
416
00:52:36,520 --> 00:52:39,120
There's elephant, loads of deer.
417
00:52:39,120 --> 00:52:41,960
It's a really good sign,
all prey for the tiger.
418
00:52:41,960 --> 00:52:44,760
I've got a really good feeling
about this place.
419
00:52:47,760 --> 00:52:50,680
And there's a fresh tiger track,
just down there.
420
00:52:50,680 --> 00:52:54,200
(Great news. Well spotted, Kwanchi!)
421
00:52:54,200 --> 00:52:57,640
Graham is using
a more traditional method,
422
00:52:57,640 --> 00:53:00,840
waiting it out in a hide
near a spring.
423
00:53:00,840 --> 00:53:03,680
So, I've got my camera there,
my seat,
424
00:53:03,680 --> 00:53:06,400
my little window out on the world.
425
00:53:10,720 --> 00:53:13,520
As Graham settles in,
426
00:53:13,520 --> 00:53:16,840
the camera traps start
to bring in results.
427
00:53:32,000 --> 00:53:35,240
A leopard is caught on camera.
428
00:53:35,240 --> 00:53:37,800
But no sign of tigers.
429
00:53:39,880 --> 00:53:44,200
A few days later, scientist Som Pot
may have found the breakthrough
430
00:53:44,200 --> 00:53:48,960
that James needs - the rotting
remains of a tiger kill.
431
00:53:50,560 --> 00:53:53,680
"Come to Thailand!" they said.
"Full of beaches(!)"
432
00:53:53,680 --> 00:53:55,280
FLIES BUZZ
433
00:53:56,600 --> 00:53:59,320
The tiger could return at any time,
434
00:53:59,320 --> 00:54:01,880
so the team need to work swiftly.
435
00:54:01,880 --> 00:54:05,680
I really hope this works.
It could be the best chance we have
436
00:54:05,680 --> 00:54:08,000
of actually filming a tiger here.
437
00:54:08,000 --> 00:54:10,600
Now all they can do is wait.
438
00:54:16,280 --> 00:54:19,120
Patience is also key for Graham.
439
00:54:21,040 --> 00:54:23,200
Another day in the office.
440
00:54:23,200 --> 00:54:26,000
Still no tiger. I'm not going to
give up yet.
441
00:54:33,920 --> 00:54:36,600
As it's the height
of the dry season,
442
00:54:36,600 --> 00:54:39,760
the spring is proving to
be a busy place.
443
00:54:48,240 --> 00:54:50,360
A Malay tapir.
444
00:54:50,360 --> 00:54:52,600
Such an unusual-looking animal.
445
00:54:55,920 --> 00:54:59,280
But this binturong
has Graham baffled.
446
00:54:59,280 --> 00:55:02,440
I shall have to look that one up
in the mammals book.
447
00:55:02,440 --> 00:55:04,240
That's is pretty cool, though.
448
00:55:06,440 --> 00:55:10,080
And there are signs
that predators may be close.
449
00:55:10,080 --> 00:55:13,840
I just saw one of those barking
deers with a massive scar.
450
00:55:13,840 --> 00:55:16,840
I can only imagine
it was a...lucky escape.
451
00:55:16,840 --> 00:55:18,880
Possibly from a tiger.
452
00:55:21,760 --> 00:55:23,600
It makes me nervous.
453
00:55:25,800 --> 00:55:28,320
Graham is right to be nervous.
454
00:55:28,320 --> 00:55:31,720
A ranger was recently attacked
here by a tiger.
455
00:55:33,200 --> 00:55:38,120
But, right now, there's a far bigger
threat that no-one had anticipated.
456
00:55:42,360 --> 00:55:44,160
A forest fire.
457
00:55:44,160 --> 00:55:45,400
Out of control.
458
00:55:46,680 --> 00:55:50,080
James and the team are forced
back to base.
459
00:55:58,160 --> 00:56:01,160
It's weird, because
it was quite sunny earlier...
460
00:56:02,320 --> 00:56:05,480
..and now with the wind's picked up,
and it's so smoky.
461
00:56:07,360 --> 00:56:10,120
The langurs all left
at the same time.
462
00:56:10,120 --> 00:56:12,120
They went that way.
463
00:56:12,120 --> 00:56:13,160
So, I guess...
464
00:56:15,560 --> 00:56:18,400
..if the fire does come this way,
I'll head that way, too.
465
00:56:22,240 --> 00:56:24,800
Graham's time in the hide is over.
466
00:56:28,880 --> 00:56:30,640
Back at the headquarters,
467
00:56:30,640 --> 00:56:34,440
the fires are now dangerously close
to James and the team.
468
00:56:36,520 --> 00:56:41,480
It's suddenly become, within, like,
ten minutes, incredibly smoky.
469
00:56:41,480 --> 00:56:43,200
We're actually having to evacuate.
470
00:56:46,480 --> 00:56:49,680
Pretty worried, to be honest.
It's just so unpredictable.
471
00:56:58,120 --> 00:57:00,320
Holy Moley...
472
00:57:07,760 --> 00:57:10,760
The team managed to get out safely,
473
00:57:10,760 --> 00:57:14,280
and despite the fires,
the camera traps were saved.
474
00:57:18,160 --> 00:57:19,400
Wow...
475
00:57:23,280 --> 00:57:26,200
Look... I mean,
look at the size of him.
476
00:57:26,200 --> 00:57:28,040
Fantastic. Wow...
477
00:57:31,160 --> 00:57:34,280
It's lucky that we got this?
Yes! Really?
478
00:57:36,720 --> 00:57:39,080
Healthy. Really healthy.
479
00:57:39,080 --> 00:57:41,960
Good body condition.
Which is great.
480
00:57:41,960 --> 00:57:45,840
This must mean there's plenty
of animals to, you know, hunt.
481
00:57:55,320 --> 00:57:57,760
I'm over the moon
that we actually managed to,
482
00:57:57,760 --> 00:57:59,440
you know, get the footage.
483
00:57:59,440 --> 00:58:03,240
Thank you very much. It was great.
You're welcome.
484
00:58:04,320 --> 00:58:07,360
Over the course
of the last 20 years,
485
00:58:07,360 --> 00:58:09,840
tiger numbers have increased here.
486
00:58:09,840 --> 00:58:14,920
And there is new hope for
Thailand's biggest land predator.
38709
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