All language subtitles for Untamed Romania 2018

This story begins at
the heart of Europe.

Where bright lights shine
throughout the night.

Days come and go.

Time slips by.

Millions of people call
these cities their home.

But beyond the hustle and bustle,

it's easy to forget
there is another world out there.

A place of natural wonder.

One of the largest
wildernesses in Europe.

Where vast ancient
forests still grow.

And great mountains
reach up to kiss the sky.

Winding waters twist and turn.

Beasts steeped in myth
and legend roam free.

They all face the
same challenge:

To survive the twists and
turns of the changing seasons.

Attempting to outlast
the frozen winter months.

Nurture future generations
during the spring and summer.

And prepare for winter by
reaping autumn's bounty.

In Europe's most
spectacular land.

This is Untamed Romania.

The Carpathian Mountains.

Stretching for 1600 kilometres,

through seven different
countries,

these mountains are the
backbone of Romania.

Winter here is a cruel mistress.

She leaves little in her
path but ice and snow.

Only a handful of specialists
brave her frozen embrace.

And only the most
hardy will survive.

But as winter's icy
grip begins to loosen.

Deep in the forests,
sleeping giants begin to stir.

Brown bears have slept through the worst
of winter, sheltering from the cold.

Resting whilst food is scarce.

This young bear probably hasn't eaten
for weeks, and he's not the only one.

There could be up to 5,000 bears
in Romania's forested heartland.

At this time of year, they scour the cold
forest floor for roots, nuts and insects.

These slopes are home to a
variety of expert foragers.

Wild boar.

Their unfussy diet rivals our own;
they will eat almost anything.

This female has become
separated from her herd,

perhaps distracted by
her search for food.

But this makes her vulnerable.

She's heavily outnumbered.

Unable to outrun the wolves,
she must face them head on.

Her fierce defence has
put the wolves off.

She'll need to rejoin her
herd, sooner rather than later.

A boar could fatally
wound a wolf.

But these creatures of
folklore also need to eat.

And they will soon
have young to feed.

Living in tight family packs,
they act and hunt as one.

Wolves patrol and protect
their territory together,

which can stretch for
hundreds of square kilometres.

But their domain
is about to change.

Spring flutters her eyes awake.

Longer, warmer days awaken
the plants and trees.

And there are many of them here.

Over one third of Europe's plant
species are found in Carpathia.

Beech trees are one of the most
prevalent across the country.

Their budding leaves are one
of the first signs of spring.

These little green gems will slowly grow
over the year, soaking up the sun's rays.

Below the budding canopy,
among the undergrowth,

smaller forest residents
begin to wake up.

As the days slowly grow warmer,

fire salamanders awaken
from their winter slumber.

They're never found too
far from running water.

Legend has it that these
amphibians are forged in flames.

Living among fallen
branches, their hiding places

were sometimes collected
by people for firewood.

When placed upon fire,

the fire salamander would
suddenly emerge from the flames,

earning their name.

The reality is
quite the opposite.

Fire salamanders begin
their life in water.

They are one of the few amphibians
to give birth to live young.

And after carrying her
offspring through the winter,

this mother has found the
perfect birthing pool.

These young salamanders
are water bound for now,

and are left to fend for themselves.

Each day they'll grow a little
stronger and a little brighter,

until the time comes for them
to return to the undergrowth.

Some have seen the seasons
come and go for many years.

But, for others,
this is a whole new world.

These bear cubs are
just a few months old.

At this age,
life is all fun and games.

And this forest clearing
makes a perfect playground.

The family will stick together for two to
three years, learning valuable lessons.

This little one needs a bit
more practise than his siblings.

All over the Carpathians, small
streams trickle down the mountainsides.

Many end up feeding into
Romania's greatest river.

The Danube.

Flowing through 10
different countries,

this vast river is the
second longest in Europe.

Down the ages, the Danube has
worn through ancient stone.

Twisting and turning through forests,
shaping the landscapes seen today.

And where the Danube meets the Black Sea,

some of Romania's most
spectacular wildlife flourishes.

This is the Danube Delta.

A seemingly endless
maze of waterways,

marshes,

and forests.

Covering almost 6,000
square kilometres.

Resulting in one of the most
diverse ecosystems in Europe.

With spring's arrival,
there is a fresh bounty for all.

But the celebration is fleeting.

The delta becomes a grandstand
for the fiercest of competitions.

It's breeding season for
the local wild horses.

Groups of males test their
strength against each other.

Only the strongest stallions
will get the chance to mate.

A short distance away,

an established stallion
guards over his herd.

He alone can mate
with these mares.

But a potential
challenger emerges.

Violence is the only option,

but a broken jaw or leg could mean a
slow, torturous death.

With the challenger defeated,
the stallion returns to his females.

His family is secure. For now.

All over the delta, young families
are raising the next generation.

In late spring, whiskered terns
spend the day feeding their young.

Sometimes this means the
chicks are left alone.

Without the protection of their parents,
they're at their most vulnerable.

Danger is all around.

Oblivious to the risk,

one chick decides now is the perfect
time for an unsupervised swim.

But at such a young age,

his soft feathers are not quite ready
for such an ambitious adventure.

He could easily become
waterlogged or exhausted.

The remaining chick begins
to follow its sibling.

But a parent returns
just in time.

The other guides the novice
swimmer back to the nest.

Disaster is narrowly averted,
and the family is safely reunited.

Spring's bloom also brings fresh
vigour to the delta's plant life.

Access to light is the greatest
struggle amongst the life of plants.

These waters are ruled by those
that can seize the surface.

One of the most successful
have evolved a defence

mechanism that is
deployed day and night.

When the moon is at its highest,

lily flowers hold their
delicate petals firmly clasped,

protecting what is
most important to them.

Pollen,
the key to their survival.

Whilst closed, the flowers shelter their
sticky pollen from the morning dew.

But as the sun rises and the
temperature is just right,

these flowers begin to unfurl.

With the sun beaming down, insects are
soon attracted to their enticing odour.

Bringing with them
pollen from other lilies,

fertilising the flowers and ensuring the
next generation of these dynamic plants.

These vast forests of water
lilies also provide shelter

and protection for much
of the delta's wildlife.

Including Europe's
largest native frog.

Reaching up to 17 centimetres long,

maintaining their formidable
size is no easy task.

Fortunately for these marsh frogs,
the delta is full of tasty snacks.

If they can catch them.

Marsh frogs don't
give up easily.

Being the biggest frog around
means you also fall the hardest.

But their persistence
normally pays off.

Beneath the lily pads,
there is a darker world.

A place of murk and mystery.

Home to over 100 fish species.

And occasionally, a
prehistoric giant.

A mammoth beast that has navigated the
seas and rivers for millions of years...

The beluga sturgeon.

Sometimes referred to as living fossils,

these prehistoric fish have barely
changed form in over 200 million years.

It's one of the largest
freshwater fish in the world.

A full-sized adult can reach six metres
in length and weigh over a tonne.

As solitary animals, these monolithic
beasts cruise the gloomy depths, alone.

Above these bottom dwellers, others find
that teamwork yields the best results.

Great white pelicans are the
masters of collaboration.

Many thousands migrate here in the spring
from warmer climates such as Africa,

the Middle East and even
the Indian Subcontinent.

Cruising the delta's waterways, they herd
schools of fish into one anothers path.

This clever fishing technique increases
everyone's chance of catching a meal.

Fish, crustaceans and various
amphibians are always on the menu.

Once they've exhausted these waters,
it's time to do what pelicans do best.

Take to the skies.

They can travel 100
kilometres a day searching for

food before returning
to their nesting ground.

It's not just animals that have
made their home in the delta.

This is Histria.

An ancient city built by the Greeks,
two and a half thousand years ago.

Once a vibrant trading centre,

its streets would have been filled
with merchants and tradesmen.

But now these ruins are home
to much wilder residents.

And some of them are
cold-blooded killers.

Dice snakes.

These serpents spend the
winter in hibernation,

emerging in the
warmer months to hunt.

But this female has no interest
in ground squirrels or birds.

Because this snake
is a fish hunter.

And bottom-feeding gobies
are her favourite prey.

But finding them isn't easy.

Dice snakes lack gills,
so a quick breath is often required.

Time for round two.

Despite a final struggle, the goby's
fate has long since been sealed.

Once her catch is consumed,
she will seek refuge from the midday heat.

During Romania's hottest season,

even cold-blooded killers cannot
survive the sun at its peak.

Summer has arrived,

pulling the country
into her warm embrace.

Her days are long,
slow and hot.

Perhaps the season's most
spectacular event is born from

humble beginnings,
among the depths of the Mureș River.

Deep under this water,

millions of tiny creatures have been
patiently waiting for three years.

The arrival of summer triggers these
mayfly larvae to head to the surface.

At first, just a few.

Then, a few more.

By the end of the day,
millions will have taken to the sky.

This spectacle lasts less than a day.

In this brief time,
the mayflies must race to mate,

then travel upriver to lay their eggs,

after which their lives
will come to an abrupt end.

Other life cycles here
have a much slower pace.

The Carpathian Mountains are home to some
of the most ancient forests in Europe.

Seas of green stretch as
far as the eye can see.

These great forests have
stood the test of time.

They are representative of what much of
Europe looked like around 3,000 years ago.

A mix of beech, birch,
oak and pines cover a third of Romania.

Like the animals that live among them,

many of these trees help
and support one another.

Vast networks of roots
connect families of trees,

supplying one another
with vital nutrients.

Even in death, each tree continues
giving life to the forest.

Collapsing slices a gap
in the dense canopy,

drenching the new clearing
in bright sunlight.

As the tree begins to rot,

it releases important nutrients,
acting as a natural fertiliser.

Under these perfect conditions,

new plant life quickly establishes,

irresistible to hungry herbivores.

Which are the perfect prey
for Europe's largest feline.

The Eurasian lynx.

This adept predator is
a secretive character.

Its preferred hunting technique

is to ambush prey using the
dense cover of the forest.

But this female has
other priorities.

At just a few weeks old, her cubs
won't be able to hunt for a while yet.

For them,
it's all about playtime.

They're always looking
for new playgrounds.

It's exhausting work
for their mother.

These cubs will spend their
first year with their mother,

exploring the forest's secrets,

watching and learning how to
survive through the seasons.

Whilst others care for their
young high above the forests.

The Apuseni Mountains.

This geological mosaic
of volcanic rock and

limestone has been forged
over millions of years.

They are also home to one of
the world's most iconic raptors.

The king of the skies.

The golden eagle.

A powerful predator.

But he is also wise.

Every flight is calculated.

Patrolling his kingdom,
he carefully scans the land below.

Eagles have some of the best
eyesight in the natural world.

It's estimated to be up to eight
times stronger than the average human.

Powerful enough to spot a meal
from over three kilometres away.

A lone hare.

The perfect prey for this
warrior-king of birds.

In a full stoop, he can reach speeds
of up to 320 kilometres per hour.

The hare doesn't stand a chance.

But the eagle won't keep
the meal to himself.

He must return to his home.

For he is also a father.

His young chick is quick
to devour its share.

It'll soon be ready to leave the nest,
and establish a kingdom of its own.

The skies these eagles soar through are
living out a life cycle of their own.

Midsummer sees the Carpathians'
highest levels of rainfall.

The forest is soon drenched
with life-sustaining water.

It also shapes what lies
deep beneath the surface.

As water seeps into the ground,
it enters a very different world.

One of darkness and damp.

Around 4,000 caves can be found
within the Apuseni Mountains alone.

Many are filled with
stalactites and stalagmites.

As water creeps through
the rock and stone,

it deposits salts and minerals,
forming these eerie statues.

But these caves are also a tomb.

These fearsome skeletons are
the remains of cave bears.

A distant cousin of the brown bear,

the cave bear became extinct
around 27,000 years ago.

Perhaps due to climate
change or hunting.

Other species have come
close to a similar fate.

Deep in the forest clearings,

lives one of Romania's rarest
and most endangered mammals.

The Eurasian bison.

Unrivalled in strength and size,
it is Europe's largest land mammal.

Hulking, hairy beasts,

some standing nearly two metres tall
and weighing as much as a tonne.

Many thousands once
roamed across Europe.

By the early 20th century,

habitat loss and hunting
had led to their near-extinction.

Today, only a few small herds
can be found in this wilderness.

Other forest-dwellers
have had better luck.

With this bountiful time
of year in full swing,

many bears are attracted to the rich
foods found in this forest clearing.

Flavoursome flower buds
and succulent grasses.

But sometimes what you want
most is right under your nose.

For this female finding it
is easier said than done.

But even the biggest beasts can
be scared by the smallest things.

Finally, she finds what
she's been looking for.

A large ant colony is a nutritious,
conveniently packaged treat.

Many of Romania's bears have
survived the tougher seasons.

Now, with full bellies,
they can finally kick back and relax.

A sunny meadow is
the perfect spot.

And the view isn't
too bad either.

All over the country,
meadows burst with colour.

These rolling plains are amongst the
most diverse ecosystems in Europe.

Their perfumed petals attract an
equally colourful squadron of insects,

in search of sweet nectar.

Of the species of butterfly
native to Romania,

the large blues are without
doubt some of the most unusual.

This female chooses the colourful
marsh gentian to deposit her eggs.

Soon, the young caterpillar's insatiable
appetite takes itself high and low.

Using a fine strand of silk,
this individual abseils to the ground.

Although not everything
goes quite to plan.

Regardless, the caterpillar
continues searching for food.

The meadow floor, however,
harbours many dangers.

Red ants search for anything
edible to feed their own brood.

They have an excellent sense of smell,

and this individual has locked on to
the defenceless young caterpillar.

Using a set of powerful jaws,

the ant seizes its prize and
heads straight back to the colony.

Other worker ants appear
intrigued by the new arrival.

Rather than attack, they amazingly
treat it as one of their own.

Because this caterpillar has developed
an ingenious survival strategy.

It mimics the scent of these ants,

even making the same noise
as the colony's queen,

thus deceiving the workers.

Some ants feed it.

While others ensure its skin is
kept clean and free from parasites.

Despite this five-star treatment, the ants
get nothing in return for their efforts.

The caterpillar grows bigger and
stronger, transforming within its cocoon.

Eventually,
it is almost ready to break free.

Once out, the butterfly
rushes to exit the nest.

With no more mimicking scent,

now is the only time the ants
might realise they've been duped.

The butterfly prepares
for its maiden flight.

Living for just a few weeks
as a butterfly,

it will soon mate and
repeat one of nature's most

extraordinary and complex
life cycles all over again.

With so many insects to be
found among the flower meadow,

white storks are never very far away.

Today, they're drawn together
for an impromptu feast.

And the food's being
served by an unusual chef.

The freshly cut grass
means insects and other

small prey are flushed
out and easily located.

But they can't forage for too long.

Many of these storks have
important deliveries to make.

Storks' time for raising chicks coincides
with the summer's abundant supply of food.

Both parents have been
ferrying edible cargo

to their nest since the
chicks first hatched,

around nine weeks ago.

The chicks are getting big
now, with appetites to match.

Close by, other siblings are
forced to find their own meals.

A local orchard has
the ripest apples.

And these young bears are
happy to help themselves.

Autumn has finally arrived.
Nature's most talented artist.

She paints the forest
with masterful strokes.

Her dazzling vision is unequalled
in richness and intensity.

And she has one
last, timely gift.

The autumn bounty.

Fruits and berries are
the sweetest treats.

Beech trees occasionally bestow
an exceptionally generous gift.

Every few years, all over Carpathia,

beech nuts simultaneously
fall to the ground.

It's thought that this tactic
guarantees an abundance of nuts,

so many in fact,
that the animals which feast upon them -

couldn't possibly finish them all.

Giving the leftover nuts a better
chance to take root and grow.

For much of Romania's wildlife,

it is the last chance to fatten
up before winter returns.

The clock is ticking for
this bear family to take

on calories before they
sleep through the winter.

Starvation is a
very real threat.

Whilst some are gorging,
others have very different priorities.

And none more so than
on Piatra Craiului.

Located in the Southern Carpathians, this
is one of Romania's most iconic ridges.

The steep slopes are a haven for plant
life found nowhere else in the world.

Many of the country's unique plant
species are found on such ridges.

And where plant life flourishes,
herbivores are never far away.

Including the most resilient of
mountain inhabitants...

Chamois.

They are found upon the highest
and most inaccessible slopes.

Bucks spend most of the year alone, but in
the autumn months they seek out females.

Competition to secure
mating rights can be tough.

This male must be vigilant that no
others get too close to his females.

A rival buck is closing in.

But this hasn't gone unnoticed.

The resident male quickly descends the
steep slopes to intercept the challenger.

His astute tactic has worked.

The challenger retreats.

He must continue his search
elsewhere, and alone.

The dominant buck
returns to the females.

Further down the slopes,
confrontations can be deadly.

Winter is knocking
at autumn's door.

Pushing creatures of
the forest to extremes.

A large male bear has sniffed out the
wolf pack's latest victim...

A red deer.

The pack won't give up their
hard-earned prize without a fight.

This powerful giant could weigh more
than all of his opponents combined.

If the pack refuse to
give up their kill,

the bear won't hesitate
to unleash his full fury.

The wolves escape unharmed,
although the message is clear:

their prize is lost.

Once the bear has
taken his fill,

there might be some scraps
left for the pack...

If they're lucky.

Winter's imminent arrival
pushes many to their limit.

The resilient few who've
made it this far may

now witness the year's
final transformation.

As snow begins to fall across the land,

only the most adaptable will face
the season's harshest months.

This female lynx will roam the snowy
slopes through the depths of winter.

Her thick winter coat
keeps her warm and dry.

A solitary creature,
she will wander these slopes alone,

seeking out what little
prey she can find.

Others prefer to return
to their cosy dens.

Spending the cold months ahead,
drifting in and out of sleep.

The mountains become a still
and frozen landscape once more.

And so this story
reaches its end.

It is not only a tribute
to Romania's wilderness.

But also to its people.

Many of whom understand the problems
facing both environment and wildlife.

Poaching, irresponsible hunting

and illegal fishing could
mean irreversible loss.

Ancient forests, that have stood
the test of time, are also at risk.

Excessive consumption of resources
threaten fragile ecosystems.

These are not the only
problems nature faces,

but they are amongst the most important.

All disrupt the delicate
balance of Romania's wilderness.

Some of the Carpathians'
forests already bear deep scars.

But, with time,
new growth and balance can return.

Preserving this country's
wilderness relies on

humankind to step back
and allow nature to heal.

Romania is home to more than
half of Europe's virgin forests,

making it one of the most extensive
wildernesses on the continent,

a very rare and precious gift.

And if the delicate wetlands of
the Danube Delta are to thrive,

great care is required to preserve one
of Europe's most unique ecosystems.

The continuing conservation and
expansion of these protected areas

could one day result in the largest
national park network in Europe,

serving nature
and local communities alike.

Becoming an example of truly
sustainable development.

This great country would
be at the forefront of

global nature travel destinations,

making Romania a world
leader in conservation.

But there is another reason these
amazing landscapes should be protected.

To ensure that future generations share
the same privilege

that we all enjoy today.

To meander down waterways.

And witness nature's
spectacular beauty.

To hear the call of a golden eagle
echo across a mountain valley.

To walk amongst the woods
and glimpse at a bear.

This is a gift that
all can celebrate.

This is a gift that
all can pass on.