This tool is beta test, If You got some problem please contact us
# | Start | End | Original | Translated |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 00:00:32,920 | 00:00:34,400 | DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: A Perfect' Planet'. | DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: A Perfect' Planet'. |
2 | 00:00:50,400 | 00:00:54,400 | We live in a world with a violent atmosphere. | We live in a world with a violent atmosphere. |
3 | 00:00:57,440 | 00:01:03,840 | Rain clouds form, and powerful winds carry their fresh water around the globe. | Rain clouds form, and powerful winds carry their fresh water around the globe. |
4 | 00:01:06,040 | 00:01:10,600 | Without this, our perfect planet simply couldn't function... | Without this, our perfect planet simply couldn't function... |
5 | 00:01:11,760 | 00:01:15,920 | ...for all life on land depends on the weather. | ...for all life on land depends on the weather. |
6 | 00:01:29,000 | 00:01:34,360 | We all know that the weather can change on a daily, even hourly, basis. | We all know that the weather can change on a daily, even hourly, basis. |
7 | 00:01:36,320 | 00:01:40,720 | But annual weather patterns have been stable for millennia... | But annual weather patterns have been stable for millennia... |
8 | 00:01:42,280 | 00:01:46,960 | ...and it's this reliability on which life depends. | ...and it's this reliability on which life depends. |
9 | 00:01:47,080 | 00:01:48,480 | (ANIMALS AND BIRDS CALL) | (ANIMALS AND BIRDS CALL) |
10 | 00:01:52,720 | 00:01:56,960 | Every year in October, the weather brings a dramatic transformation | Every year in October, the weather brings a dramatic transformation |
11 | 00:01:57,080 | 00:02:00,840 | to this tiny patch of forest in Zambia. | to this tiny patch of forest in Zambia. |
12 | 00:02:05,960 | 00:02:08,360 | Storm clouds begin to build. | Storm clouds begin to build. |
13 | 00:02:12,280 | 00:02:13,960 | (THUNDER CRASHES) | (THUNDER CRASHES) |
14 | 00:02:16,080 | 00:02:22,680 | And right on cue, straw-coloured fruit bats start to appear. | And right on cue, straw-coloured fruit bats start to appear. |
15 | 00:02:28,400 | 00:02:33,280 | They've travelled hundreds, if not thousands, of miles to be here. | They've travelled hundreds, if not thousands, of miles to be here. |
16 | 00:02:40,720 | 00:02:44,760 | And they always arrive at exactly the same time. | And they always arrive at exactly the same time. |
17 | 00:02:47,920 | 00:02:51,600 | They know that these rains will transform this forest, | They know that these rains will transform this forest, |
18 | 00:02:51,720 | 00:02:55,280 | allowing countless fruit trees to ripen. | allowing countless fruit trees to ripen. |
19 | 00:02:59,600 | 00:03:04,040 | And the bats gorge on the new-found abundance. | And the bats gorge on the new-found abundance. |
20 | 00:03:23,120 | 00:03:25,440 | For just 12 weeks every year, | For just 12 weeks every year, |
21 | 00:03:25,560 | 00:03:31,160 | this forest becomes home to ten million fruit bats. | this forest becomes home to ten million fruit bats. |
22 | 00:03:35,120 | 00:03:38,760 | One of the greatest gatherings of mammals on Earth, | One of the greatest gatherings of mammals on Earth, |
23 | 00:03:38,880 | 00:03:43,840 | all crowding into an area no bigger than a dozen football pitches. | all crowding into an area no bigger than a dozen football pitches. |
24 | 00:03:47,440 | 00:03:50,080 | From this hub, the bats fan out, | From this hub, the bats fan out, |
25 | 00:03:50,200 | 00:03:54,120 | consuming more than 300,000 tonnes of fruit, | consuming more than 300,000 tonnes of fruit, |
26 | 00:03:54,240 | 00:03:57,960 | spreading the seeds and regenerating the forests. | spreading the seeds and regenerating the forests. |
27 | 00:04:17,520 | 00:04:23,240 | Africa's largest wildlife migration - entirely dependent on the rain | Africa's largest wildlife migration - entirely dependent on the rain |
28 | 00:04:23,360 | 00:04:26,440 | that comes to this small corner of Zambia | that comes to this small corner of Zambia |
29 | 00:04:26,560 | 00:04:30,080 | at the same time each year. | at the same time each year. |
30 | 00:04:45,600 | 00:04:49,760 | Every second, over 13 million tonnes of water | Every second, over 13 million tonnes of water |
31 | 00:04:49,880 | 00:04:54,680 | evaporate from our oceans, forming clouds. | evaporate from our oceans, forming clouds. |
32 | 00:05:01,040 | 00:05:04,160 | The spin of the Earth and the prevailing winds | The spin of the Earth and the prevailing winds |
33 | 00:05:04,280 | 00:05:07,000 | determine where these clouds blow. | determine where these clouds blow. |
34 | 00:05:08,800 | 00:05:12,120 | As a consequence, some places get less rain... | As a consequence, some places get less rain... |
35 | 00:05:14,040 | 00:05:15,720 | ...and others much more. | ...and others much more. |
36 | 00:05:18,560 | 00:05:20,680 | The Amazon rainforest... | The Amazon rainforest... |
37 | 00:05:21,760 | 00:05:23,520 | (THUNDER CRASHES) | (THUNDER CRASHES) |
38 | 00:05:23,640 | 00:05:26,600 | ...one of the wettest places on Earth. | ...one of the wettest places on Earth. |
39 | 00:05:36,760 | 00:05:39,280 | It gets three metres of rain a year... | It gets three metres of rain a year... |
40 | 00:05:40,520 | 00:05:46,560 | ...so life has learned to deal with the near-daily downpours. | ...so life has learned to deal with the near-daily downpours. |
41 | 00:05:51,880 | 00:05:56,080 | Every year, for thousands of years, the persistent rains | Every year, for thousands of years, the persistent rains |
42 | 00:05:56,200 | 00:05:59,760 | have flooded vast tracts of the Amazon... | have flooded vast tracts of the Amazon... |
43 | 00:06:01,720 | 00:06:06,200 | ...turning the jungle into a seasonal wetland. | ...turning the jungle into a seasonal wetland. |
44 | 00:06:08,320 | 00:06:13,000 | Anything living here must either climb or swim. | Anything living here must either climb or swim. |
45 | 00:06:17,880 | 00:06:21,960 | But there's one extraordinary animal that has turned this deluge | But there's one extraordinary animal that has turned this deluge |
46 | 00:06:22,080 | 00:06:25,600 | from a disaster into an opportunity. | from a disaster into an opportunity. |
47 | 00:06:31,640 | 00:06:36,400 | This fire ant has reached the edge of her known world. | This fire ant has reached the edge of her known world. |
48 | 00:06:40,040 | 00:06:44,520 | Her way forward has now become blocked by the rising waters. | Her way forward has now become blocked by the rising waters. |
49 | 00:06:50,360 | 00:06:53,920 | She's one of many, and in a few minutes | She's one of many, and in a few minutes |
50 | 00:06:54,040 | 00:06:57,200 | their underground home will be submerged. | their underground home will be submerged. |
51 | 00:07:03,800 | 00:07:10,280 | Forced to evacuate, workers and soldiers try to save the larval young. | Forced to evacuate, workers and soldiers try to save the larval young. |
52 | 00:07:11,840 | 00:07:16,600 | As their nest floods, the colony seems to be doomed. | As their nest floods, the colony seems to be doomed. |
53 | 00:07:24,640 | 00:07:28,240 | But from chaos comes order. | But from chaos comes order. |
54 | 00:07:30,240 | 00:07:34,520 | The fire ants band together, each locking legs with its neighbours. | The fire ants band together, each locking legs with its neighbours. |
55 | 00:07:37,720 | 00:07:40,200 | They're building a living raft. | They're building a living raft. |
56 | 00:07:43,080 | 00:07:48,720 | Each ant is covered in fine hairs that trap air against its body. | Each ant is covered in fine hairs that trap air against its body. |
57 | 00:07:52,880 | 00:07:58,640 | As the raft forms, this air creates a cushion for them all to float on. | As the raft forms, this air creates a cushion for them all to float on. |
58 | 00:08:01,720 | 00:08:04,040 | This is the power of the colony. | This is the power of the colony. |
59 | 00:08:05,760 | 00:08:09,040 | By working together, they've become unsinkable. | By working together, they've become unsinkable. |
60 | 00:08:13,560 | 00:08:15,800 | And no-one gets left behind. | And no-one gets left behind. |
61 | 00:08:28,680 | 00:08:33,600 | Pulled from the shallows, the colony is now at the mercy of the flood. | Pulled from the shallows, the colony is now at the mercy of the flood. |
62 | 00:08:39,360 | 00:08:41,360 | Holding tight to the larvae | Holding tight to the larvae |
63 | 00:08:41,480 | 00:08:44,480 | and keeping their queen hidden at the centre of the raft, | and keeping their queen hidden at the centre of the raft, |
64 | 00:08:44,600 | 00:08:48,200 | the colony drifts into deeper water... | the colony drifts into deeper water... |
65 | 00:08:53,840 | 00:08:59,280 | ...where they're vulnerable to fish that now swim through the flooded forest. | ...where they're vulnerable to fish that now swim through the flooded forest. |
66 | 00:09:05,120 | 00:09:10,720 | Those that lose their grip must get back to the safety of the raft. | Those that lose their grip must get back to the safety of the raft. |
67 | 00:09:22,200 | 00:09:26,040 | With jaws that join to become a surgical needle, | With jaws that join to become a surgical needle, |
68 | 00:09:26,160 | 00:09:29,800 | this pond skater could suck an ant dry. | this pond skater could suck an ant dry. |
69 | 00:09:41,040 | 00:09:47,200 | But together, the colony is strong, and it's time to repel boarders. | But together, the colony is strong, and it's time to repel boarders. |
70 | 00:09:58,640 | 00:10:02,080 | The ants can travel like this for weeks. | The ants can travel like this for weeks. |
71 | 00:10:05,040 | 00:10:08,400 | They've even come to depend on the flood to carry them | They've even come to depend on the flood to carry them |
72 | 00:10:08,520 | 00:10:10,760 | to new feeding grounds. | to new feeding grounds. |
73 | 00:10:23,800 | 00:10:27,760 | At last, the ants can make their raft secure. | At last, the ants can make their raft secure. |
74 | 00:10:33,560 | 00:10:36,800 | Surging forward, they claim their new home... | Surging forward, they claim their new home... |
75 | 00:10:37,960 | 00:10:41,240 | ...evicting current tenants without hesitation. | ...evicting current tenants without hesitation. |
76 | 00:10:45,280 | 00:10:48,600 | One of the first to safety is their larval queen, | One of the first to safety is their larval queen, |
77 | 00:10:48,720 | 00:10:51,160 | carried from the heart of the raft. | carried from the heart of the raft. |
78 | 00:10:57,960 | 00:11:01,800 | This palm will be their home for the next three months, | This palm will be their home for the next three months, |
79 | 00:11:01,920 | 00:11:06,680 | until the floodwaters recede and they can head back underground. | until the floodwaters recede and they can head back underground. |
80 | 00:11:20,120 | 00:11:23,320 | The average temperature of our planet hasn't varied | The average temperature of our planet hasn't varied |
81 | 00:11:23,440 | 00:11:28,040 | by more than a single degree Celsius in 10,000 years. | by more than a single degree Celsius in 10,000 years. |
82 | 00:11:29,720 | 00:11:32,480 | This has made our climate stable, | This has made our climate stable, |
83 | 00:11:32,600 | 00:11:35,840 | allowing animals to fine-tune their behaviour | allowing animals to fine-tune their behaviour |
84 | 00:11:35,960 | 00:11:39,240 | around predictable weather patterns. | around predictable weather patterns. |
85 | 00:11:42,200 | 00:11:44,160 | October in the Amazon. | October in the Amazon. |
86 | 00:11:46,200 | 00:11:48,440 | The heaviest rains have come to an end, | The heaviest rains have come to an end, |
87 | 00:11:48,560 | 00:11:53,240 | and the falling river level exposes a new landscape. | and the falling river level exposes a new landscape. |
88 | 00:11:55,800 | 00:12:01,120 | Three weeks ago, these mile-wide sandbars didn't exist. | Three weeks ago, these mile-wide sandbars didn't exist. |
89 | 00:12:03,480 | 00:12:07,720 | In another three months, they'll be back under water. | In another three months, they'll be back under water. |
90 | 00:12:10,200 | 00:12:16,360 | But now they provide a crucial opportunity for giant river turtles. | But now they provide a crucial opportunity for giant river turtles. |
91 | 00:12:19,040 | 00:12:23,880 | They've been coming here at precisely this time of year for generations. | They've been coming here at precisely this time of year for generations. |
92 | 00:12:28,880 | 00:12:33,960 | 50,000 of them - a quarter of the world's population. | 50,000 of them - a quarter of the world's population. |
93 | 00:12:38,240 | 00:12:40,120 | They're all here for one reason. | They're all here for one reason. |
94 | 00:12:41,840 | 00:12:47,240 | But their window of opportunity is short, so timing is everything. | But their window of opportunity is short, so timing is everything. |
95 | 00:12:52,120 | 00:12:57,760 | Scaling the three-metre-high banks will take this female higher and drier | Scaling the three-metre-high banks will take this female higher and drier |
96 | 00:12:57,880 | 00:13:00,440 | than she's been for months. | than she's been for months. |
97 | 00:13:02,640 | 00:13:06,200 | She's come here to lay her eggs. | She's come here to lay her eggs. |
98 | 00:13:07,720 | 00:13:09,680 | But others have beaten her to it. | But others have beaten her to it. |
99 | 00:13:20,280 | 00:13:26,000 | The early arrivals have already claimed nearly every inch of the beach... | The early arrivals have already claimed nearly every inch of the beach... |
100 | 00:13:27,200 | 00:13:29,640 | ...and there are still many more turtles to come. | ...and there are still many more turtles to come. |
101 | 00:13:35,600 | 00:13:39,400 | Wherever she turns, the space is taken. | Wherever she turns, the space is taken. |
102 | 00:13:39,520 | 00:13:41,280 | (SAND PATTERS) | (SAND PATTERS) |
103 | 00:13:48,240 | 00:13:52,080 | But being fashionably late does have an advantage. | But being fashionably late does have an advantage. |
104 | 00:13:55,240 | 00:13:56,920 | Had she arrived earlier, | Had she arrived earlier, |
105 | 00:13:57,040 | 00:14:02,280 | her eggs might have been dug up by those searching for somewhere to lay. | her eggs might have been dug up by those searching for somewhere to lay. |
106 | 00:14:07,480 | 00:14:09,920 | She's found her spot. | She's found her spot. |
107 | 00:14:16,800 | 00:14:21,200 | Settling down, she lays nearly 100 eggs. | Settling down, she lays nearly 100 eggs. |
108 | 00:14:25,880 | 00:14:29,440 | Burying them keeps them safe from predators, | Burying them keeps them safe from predators, |
109 | 00:14:29,560 | 00:14:33,040 | and the warm sand incubates the clutch. | and the warm sand incubates the clutch. |
110 | 00:14:40,360 | 00:14:45,760 | They must hatch before the river rises again and floods the sandbar. | They must hatch before the river rises again and floods the sandbar. |
111 | 00:14:50,160 | 00:14:54,080 | Any turtles that lay after her may have left it too late. | Any turtles that lay after her may have left it too late. |
112 | 00:15:01,280 | 00:15:04,320 | Hopefully, she has got her timing right. | Hopefully, she has got her timing right. |
113 | 00:15:17,880 | 00:15:22,840 | Two months on, and the hatchlings emerge into the world. | Two months on, and the hatchlings emerge into the world. |
114 | 00:15:32,760 | 00:15:35,840 | They were laid at the perfect time. | They were laid at the perfect time. |
115 | 00:15:35,960 | 00:15:38,840 | Hundreds scramble for the river | Hundreds scramble for the river |
116 | 00:15:38,960 | 00:15:41,200 | just as the water starts to rise. | just as the water starts to rise. |
117 | 00:15:43,400 | 00:15:46,160 | Those still to hatch aren't so lucky. | Those still to hatch aren't so lucky. |
118 | 00:15:52,680 | 00:15:56,000 | This year, the heavy rains have returned early. | This year, the heavy rains have returned early. |
119 | 00:15:56,120 | 00:15:57,440 | (THUNDER RUMBLES) | (THUNDER RUMBLES) |
120 | 00:16:17,600 | 00:16:20,480 | The nesting beach is beginning to flood. | The nesting beach is beginning to flood. |
121 | 00:16:28,720 | 00:16:31,720 | Most hatchlings can escape in time. | Most hatchlings can escape in time. |
122 | 00:16:39,480 | 00:16:41,760 | Those still below ground... | Those still below ground... |
123 | 00:16:43,080 | 00:16:45,160 | ...will drown in their nests. | ...will drown in their nests. |
124 | 00:16:50,440 | 00:16:55,160 | For thousands of years, giant river turtles have timed their breeding | For thousands of years, giant river turtles have timed their breeding |
125 | 00:16:55,280 | 00:16:59,160 | around the Amazon's reliable cycles of rain. | around the Amazon's reliable cycles of rain. |
126 | 00:17:02,840 | 00:17:06,040 | But today, our weather is changing. | But today, our weather is changing. |
127 | 00:17:10,720 | 00:17:17,000 | Disastrous early floods like this used to happen once every 20 years. | Disastrous early floods like this used to happen once every 20 years. |
128 | 00:17:17,120 | 00:17:22,320 | Now the turtles have to deal with them every four. | Now the turtles have to deal with them every four. |
129 | 00:17:36,880 | 00:17:40,720 | Winds may carry huge amounts of rain to the Amazon, | Winds may carry huge amounts of rain to the Amazon, |
130 | 00:17:40,840 | 00:17:45,760 | but they don't provide this service to every corner of the planet. | but they don't provide this service to every corner of the planet. |
131 | 00:17:47,440 | 00:17:53,680 | A third of the land receives less than 25 centimetres of rain a year. | A third of the land receives less than 25 centimetres of rain a year. |
132 | 00:17:58,440 | 00:18:03,640 | Deserts are scarred by desiccating winds and baked by the sun. | Deserts are scarred by desiccating winds and baked by the sun. |
133 | 00:18:06,680 | 00:18:11,960 | But even weather as challenging as this can be perfect for the locals. | But even weather as challenging as this can be perfect for the locals. |
134 | 00:18:17,480 | 00:18:21,200 | As darkness falls in the coastal deserts of South Africa, | As darkness falls in the coastal deserts of South Africa, |
135 | 00:18:21,320 | 00:18:23,960 | the dunes come alive... | the dunes come alive... |
136 | 00:18:24,080 | 00:18:25,520 | (HIGH-PITCH ED CALL) | (HIGH-PITCH ED CALL) |
137 | 00:18:25,640 | 00:18:29,720 | ...with the call of a surprising desert dweller. | ...with the call of a surprising desert dweller. |
138 | 00:18:31,400 | 00:18:33,760 | (HIGH-PITCH ED CALL) | (HIGH-PITCH ED CALL) |
139 | 00:18:37,920 | 00:18:39,320 | (CALL CONTINUES) | (CALL CONTINUES) |
140 | 00:18:49,920 | 00:18:54,120 | A rain frog - not what you'd expect | A rain frog - not what you'd expect |
141 | 00:18:54,240 | 00:18:59,240 | in a place that gets just seven centimetres of rain a year. | in a place that gets just seven centimetres of rain a year. |
142 | 00:19:03,960 | 00:19:07,800 | To survive here, she has to avoid the heat of the day | To survive here, she has to avoid the heat of the day |
143 | 00:19:07,920 | 00:19:09,840 | buried in the sand. | buried in the sand. |
144 | 00:19:12,440 | 00:19:17,920 | But each night, she heads out on her hunt for moisture. | But each night, she heads out on her hunt for moisture. |
145 | 00:19:21,720 | 00:19:26,040 | Short stumpy legs and a plump body are ideal for digging... | Short stumpy legs and a plump body are ideal for digging... |
146 | 00:19:28,960 | 00:19:31,920 | ...but not so good for getting around. | ...but not so good for getting around. |
147 | 00:19:35,800 | 00:19:42,120 | She can't hop, so she waddles across the dunes. | She can't hop, so she waddles across the dunes. |
148 | 00:19:49,560 | 00:19:53,800 | The world's slowest steeplechaser. | The world's slowest steeplechaser. |
149 | 00:19:58,000 | 00:20:02,120 | Obstacles are tackled with dogged perseverance. | Obstacles are tackled with dogged perseverance. |
150 | 00:20:09,120 | 00:20:13,640 | She can travel a whopping 38 metres a night, | She can travel a whopping 38 metres a night, |
151 | 00:20:13,760 | 00:20:18,960 | no mean feat when you're the same size and shape as a marshmallow. | no mean feat when you're the same size and shape as a marshmallow. |
152 | 00:20:24,720 | 00:20:26,480 | Termites. | Termites. |
153 | 00:20:26,600 | 00:20:29,920 | They are 75% water - | They are 75% water - |
154 | 00:20:30,040 | 00:20:34,200 | a meal and a drink in one. | a meal and a drink in one. |
155 | 00:20:38,120 | 00:20:41,800 | But she's not the most agile predator. | But she's not the most agile predator. |
156 | 00:20:44,040 | 00:20:47,960 | Maybe if they just came a little closer... | Maybe if they just came a little closer... |
157 | 00:20:52,400 | 00:20:53,400 | Oh, clear. | Oh, clear. |
158 | 00:20:56,280 | 00:20:59,040 | Perhaps if they stop moving... | Perhaps if they stop moving... |
159 | 00:21:20,040 | 00:21:21,360 | At last! | At last! |
160 | 00:21:22,960 | 00:21:26,280 | But now she has another challenge. | But now she has another challenge. |
161 | 00:21:26,400 | 00:21:32,960 | To swallow her food, she must squash in her eyeballs to push it down her throat. | To swallow her food, she must squash in her eyeballs to push it down her throat. |
162 | 00:21:41,920 | 00:21:43,880 | Termites may be juicy, | Termites may be juicy, |
163 | 00:21:44,000 | 00:21:47,720 | but they don't provide her with quite enough water to survive. | but they don't provide her with quite enough water to survive. |
164 | 00:21:51,480 | 00:21:53,720 | It rarely rains here, | It rarely rains here, |
165 | 00:21:53,840 | 00:21:59,200 | but coastal deserts do get another reliable source of moisture. | but coastal deserts do get another reliable source of moisture. |
166 | 00:22:10,440 | 00:22:11,400 | At night, | At night, |
167 | 00:22:11,520 | 00:22:14,640 | cool moist air is blown in from the ocean, | cool moist air is blown in from the ocean, |
168 | 00:22:14,760 | 00:22:18,920 | forming fog banks that shroud the desert in mist. | forming fog banks that shroud the desert in mist. |
169 | 00:22:30,800 | 00:22:35,440 | It condenses on vegetation, wetting the sand beneath. | It condenses on vegetation, wetting the sand beneath. |
170 | 00:22:35,560 | 00:22:40,880 | So it's here that she waits, absorbing moisture through her skin. | So it's here that she waits, absorbing moisture through her skin. |
171 | 00:22:48,920 | 00:22:52,200 | Rain frogs are so dependent on this water | Rain frogs are so dependent on this water |
172 | 00:22:52,320 | 00:22:58,680 | that they can only survive in places with at least 100 days of fog a year. | that they can only survive in places with at least 100 days of fog a year. |
173 | 00:23:00,960 | 00:23:05,920 | And on the foggiest nights, when other frogs have emerged onto the dunes, | And on the foggiest nights, when other frogs have emerged onto the dunes, |
174 | 00:23:06,040 | 00:23:09,880 | she takes her opportunity to find love. | she takes her opportunity to find love. |
175 | 00:23:17,280 | 00:23:21,080 | Male rain frogs are smaller than the females, | Male rain frogs are smaller than the females, |
176 | 00:23:21,200 | 00:23:26,120 | and his stubby legs make it hard to hold on, | and his stubby legs make it hard to hold on, |
177 | 00:23:26,240 | 00:23:30,440 | so he glues himself onto her back. | so he glues himself onto her back. |
178 | 00:23:41,760 | 00:23:46,560 | Still locked in their embrace, the pair head back beneath the sand, | Still locked in their embrace, the pair head back beneath the sand, |
179 | 00:23:46,680 | 00:23:51,600 | where they'll lay their eggs, safe from the heat of the desert sun. | where they'll lay their eggs, safe from the heat of the desert sun. |
180 | 00:24:00,040 | 00:24:03,600 | But there's one desert that gets so cold | But there's one desert that gets so cold |
181 | 00:24:03,720 | 00:24:07,760 | that liquid water simply can't exist. | that liquid water simply can't exist. |
182 | 00:24:10,560 | 00:24:14,400 | Winter in Mongolia's Gobi Desert... | Winter in Mongolia's Gobi Desert... |
183 | 00:24:15,960 | 00:24:18,840 | ".40 degrees below freezing. | ".40 degrees below freezing. |
184 | 00:24:21,560 | 00:24:26,200 | One of the driest and most extreme environments in the world. | One of the driest and most extreme environments in the world. |
185 | 00:24:32,800 | 00:24:36,480 | Most animals can't survive weather like this... | Most animals can't survive weather like this... |
186 | 00:24:39,000 | 00:24:44,680 | ...but there's one unique mammal that manages to eke out a living here. | ...but there's one unique mammal that manages to eke out a living here. |
187 | 00:24:47,360 | 00:24:54,080 | The Gobi is home to the last 1,000 wild Bactrian camels on Earth... | The Gobi is home to the last 1,000 wild Bactrian camels on Earth... |
188 | 00:24:56,240 | 00:24:59,040 | ...surviving at the very edge of what's possible. | ...surviving at the very edge of what's possible. |
189 | 00:25:00,240 | 00:25:01,480 | (CAMEL GRUNTS) | (CAMEL GRUNTS) |
190 | 00:25:02,680 | 00:25:08,520 | Even camels need moisture, but any water here is now frozen solid. | Even camels need moisture, but any water here is now frozen solid. |
191 | 00:25:12,440 | 00:25:15,480 | It's down to the bull to find a solution. | It's down to the bull to find a solution. |
192 | 00:25:15,600 | 00:25:17,160 | (GRUNTING CONTINUES) | (GRUNTING CONTINUES) |
193 | 00:25:22,400 | 00:25:28,200 | Setting off with his herd, his search could cover thousands of square miles. | Setting off with his herd, his search could cover thousands of square miles. |
194 | 00:25:34,280 | 00:25:39,000 | Driving them forward, he can keep going for days on end. | Driving them forward, he can keep going for days on end. |
195 | 00:25:49,720 | 00:25:52,960 | Herds come together from across their vast range... | Herds come together from across their vast range... |
196 | 00:25:54,640 | 00:25:56,840 | ...all looking for the same thing. | ...all looking for the same thing. |
197 | 00:26:05,400 | 00:26:11,040 | These long-distance specialists can smell moisture from 30 miles away... | These long-distance specialists can smell moisture from 30 miles away... |
198 | 00:26:12,080 | 00:26:13,960 | ...and they've picked up a scent. | ...and they've picked up a scent. |
199 | 00:26:19,080 | 00:26:23,000 | Even in the Gobi, one of the driest places on Earth, | Even in the Gobi, one of the driest places on Earth, |
200 | 00:26:23,120 | 00:26:27,400 | wind can provide a rare source of moisture. | wind can provide a rare source of moisture. |
201 | 00:26:29,560 | 00:26:33,640 | Snow is blown to this desert from Siberia. | Snow is blown to this desert from Siberia. |
202 | 00:26:35,640 | 00:26:40,680 | Where it settles is impossible to predict, and it may not last long. | Where it settles is impossible to predict, and it may not last long. |
203 | 00:26:47,880 | 00:26:53,000 | But for now, at least, this bull has found what he's been searching for. | But for now, at least, this bull has found what he's been searching for. |
204 | 00:27:03,280 | 00:27:05,160 | In the cold, dry air, | In the cold, dry air, |
205 | 00:27:05,280 | 00:27:07,320 | snow doesn't melt... | snow doesn't melt... |
206 | 00:27:09,320 | 00:27:11,520 | ...so it must be eaten. | ...so it must be eaten. |
207 | 00:27:20,720 | 00:27:24,840 | The Gobi's windblown snow is a lifeline | The Gobi's windblown snow is a lifeline |
208 | 00:27:24,960 | 00:27:28,080 | that will sustain his herd throughout the winter. | that will sustain his herd throughout the winter. |
209 | 00:27:36,120 | 00:27:39,200 | Even in this most hostile of places, | Even in this most hostile of places, |
210 | 00:27:39,320 | 00:27:43,600 | weather still provides just enough for survival. | weather still provides just enough for survival. |
211 | 00:27:55,440 | 00:27:59,560 | The largest, most unpredictable weather on the planet | The largest, most unpredictable weather on the planet |
212 | 00:27:59,680 | 00:28:02,600 | starts far out at sea. | starts far out at sea. |
213 | 00:28:07,880 | 00:28:12,240 | Hurricanes, typhoons and tropical cyclones | Hurricanes, typhoons and tropical cyclones |
214 | 00:28:12,360 | 00:28:16,040 | are violent, short-lived megastorms. | are violent, short-lived megastorms. |
215 | 00:28:17,640 | 00:28:20,600 | But there's a far more reliable weather system | But there's a far more reliable weather system |
216 | 00:28:20,720 | 00:28:22,840 | that originates over the ocean... | that originates over the ocean... |
217 | 00:28:24,000 | 00:28:28,320 | ...one that is eagerly anticipated by all in its path. | ...one that is eagerly anticipated by all in its path. |
218 | 00:28:31,360 | 00:28:37,840 | Monsoons are seasonal winds that blow at the same time each year... | Monsoons are seasonal winds that blow at the same time each year... |
219 | 00:28:40,320 | 00:28:45,080 | ...and they carry colossal amounts of water from the ocean to the land. | ...and they carry colossal amounts of water from the ocean to the land. |
220 | 00:28:52,640 | 00:28:54,160 | Christmas Island. | Christmas Island. |
221 | 00:28:55,680 | 00:28:58,960 | A remote speck of rock in the Indian Ocean. | A remote speck of rock in the Indian Ocean. |
222 | 00:29:03,680 | 00:29:09,760 | For the last four months, its forest interior has remained dry and dusty. | For the last four months, its forest interior has remained dry and dusty. |
223 | 00:29:12,800 | 00:29:16,680 | Life here is waiting for change. | Life here is waiting for change. |
224 | 00:29:19,920 | 00:29:24,720 | In November, the first storms of the monsoon reach the island. | In November, the first storms of the monsoon reach the island. |
225 | 00:29:24,840 | 00:29:27,080 | (THUNDER CRASHES) | (THUNDER CRASHES) |
226 | 00:29:42,360 | 00:29:46,720 | They're a welcome relief for those that have suffered through the dry. | They're a welcome relief for those that have suffered through the dry. |
227 | 00:29:51,320 | 00:29:56,320 | And they are vital for the island's most numerous residents. | And they are vital for the island's most numerous residents. |
228 | 00:30:10,200 | 00:30:13,720 | The red crabs of Christmas Island. | The red crabs of Christmas Island. |
229 | 00:30:17,160 | 00:30:21,520 | They've spent the dry season sheltering in damp burrows | They've spent the dry season sheltering in damp burrows |
230 | 00:30:21,640 | 00:30:23,080 | beneath the leaf litter. | beneath the leaf litter. |
231 | 00:30:26,480 | 00:30:30,360 | Crabs breathe through gills that must be kept moist. | Crabs breathe through gills that must be kept moist. |
232 | 00:30:35,200 | 00:30:38,360 | So it's only with the return of the annual monsoon | So it's only with the return of the annual monsoon |
233 | 00:30:38,480 | 00:30:42,600 | that these land crabs can finally emerge. | that these land crabs can finally emerge. |
234 | 00:30:49,960 | 00:30:56,000 | With the humidity now high enough, they can begin an epic trek to the coast. | With the humidity now high enough, they can begin an epic trek to the coast. |
235 | 00:31:08,360 | 00:31:13,360 | Every red crab comes together from across the island, | Every red crab comes together from across the island, |
236 | 00:31:13,480 | 00:31:16,120 | and they do so in their millions. | and they do so in their millions. |
237 | 00:31:17,520 | 00:31:20,920 | 50 million, to be precise. | 50 million, to be precise. |
238 | 00:31:35,400 | 00:31:40,760 | They've come to release their eggs that can only develop in the ocean. | They've come to release their eggs that can only develop in the ocean. |
239 | 00:31:42,160 | 00:31:45,000 | There's just one small problem. | There's just one small problem. |
240 | 00:31:46,040 | 00:31:47,560 | They may be crabs... | They may be crabs... |
241 | 00:31:48,800 | 00:31:50,640 | ...but they can't swim. | ...but they can't swim. |
242 | 00:31:54,680 | 00:31:57,000 | They're scared of the sea. | They're scared of the sea. |
243 | 00:32:10,920 | 00:32:12,880 | But they don't have a choice. | But they don't have a choice. |
244 | 00:32:14,520 | 00:32:18,600 | They must release their eggs on the highest tide. | They must release their eggs on the highest tide. |
245 | 00:32:25,040 | 00:32:28,800 | Each carries around 100,000 eggs, | Each carries around 100,000 eggs, |
246 | 00:32:28,920 | 00:32:31,480 | so over just two or three nights, | so over just two or three nights, |
247 | 00:32:31,600 | 00:32:34,760 | trillions are released into the ocean... | trillions are released into the ocean... |
248 | 00:32:37,160 | 00:32:40,760 | ...though some are more successful than others. | ...though some are more successful than others. |
249 | 00:33:05,760 | 00:33:10,480 | Once their work is clone, the crabs will return to the forest. | Once their work is clone, the crabs will return to the forest. |
250 | 00:33:27,280 | 00:33:30,080 | Then, four weeks later, | Then, four weeks later, |
251 | 00:33:30,200 | 00:33:32,800 | on the next highest tide... | on the next highest tide... |
252 | 00:33:37,840 | 00:33:40,040 | ...having hatched out to sea, | ...having hatched out to sea, |
253 | 00:33:40,160 | 00:33:45,400 | a new generation of red crabs returns to the same beach. | a new generation of red crabs returns to the same beach. |
254 | 00:33:46,880 | 00:33:49,200 | In good years like this one, | In good years like this one, |
255 | 00:33:49,320 | 00:33:53,360 | countless millions arrive back on the shores of Christmas Island, | countless millions arrive back on the shores of Christmas Island, |
256 | 00:33:53,480 | 00:33:55,880 | turning the beaches red. | turning the beaches red. |
257 | 00:34:13,080 | 00:34:17,720 | Like their parents, they also need moisture in the air to breathe. | Like their parents, they also need moisture in the air to breathe. |
258 | 00:34:20,320 | 00:34:22,440 | So before the rains move on, | So before the rains move on, |
259 | 00:34:22,560 | 00:34:28,440 | the young crabs must undertake their own epic journey into the forest, | the young crabs must undertake their own epic journey into the forest, |
260 | 00:34:28,560 | 00:34:31,920 | where they'll wait out the next few months of dry. | where they'll wait out the next few months of dry. |
261 | 00:34:52,240 | 00:34:53,960 | The Christmas Island crab - | The Christmas Island crab - |
262 | 00:34:54,080 | 00:34:58,960 | entirely reliant on the return of the monsoon. | entirely reliant on the return of the monsoon. |
263 | 00:35:09,800 | 00:35:15,680 | The annual rhythms of the weather shape life across our planet. | The annual rhythms of the weather shape life across our planet. |
264 | 00:35:18,120 | 00:35:20,280 | In some parts of the world, | In some parts of the world, |
265 | 00:35:20,400 | 00:35:22,920 | seasonal cycles of wet and dry | seasonal cycles of wet and dry |
266 | 00:35:23,040 | 00:35:24,880 | can bring dramatic change. | can bring dramatic change. |
267 | 00:35:26,520 | 00:35:32,360 | And there are few places where this is more apparent than Southern Africa. | And there are few places where this is more apparent than Southern Africa. |
268 | 00:35:39,520 | 00:35:41,440 | The Zambezi River. | The Zambezi River. |
269 | 00:35:43,280 | 00:35:49,560 | It flows across six countries and drains half a million square miles. | It flows across six countries and drains half a million square miles. |
270 | 00:36:03,400 | 00:36:06,360 | At the peak of the wet season, | At the peak of the wet season, |
271 | 00:36:06,480 | 00:36:09,440 | 5,000 tonnes of water cascade | 5,000 tonnes of water cascade |
272 | 00:36:09,560 | 00:36:12,680 | over Victoria Falls every second. | over Victoria Falls every second. |
273 | 00:36:15,520 | 00:36:22,240 | And yet, each year when the rains stop, these falls run dry. | And yet, each year when the rains stop, these falls run dry. |
274 | 00:36:30,080 | 00:36:33,640 | It's almost as if someone turns off the tap. | It's almost as if someone turns off the tap. |
275 | 00:36:38,960 | 00:36:40,160 | Ma)'- | Ma)'- |
276 | 00:36:43,720 | 00:36:44,720 | December. | December. |
277 | 00:36:48,680 | 00:36:49,760 | Wet season. | Wet season. |
278 | 00:36:54,040 | 00:36:55,360 | Dry season. | Dry season. |
279 | 00:36:57,760 | 00:37:02,280 | It's happened like this for thousands of years. | It's happened like this for thousands of years. |
280 | 00:37:07,800 | 00:37:12,560 | But there are signs that the weather here is changing. | But there are signs that the weather here is changing. |
281 | 00:37:13,640 | 00:37:14,880 | In recent yea rs, | In recent yea rs, |
282 | 00:37:15,000 | 00:37:20,520 | the volume of water flowing over Victoria Falls has dropped by half... | the volume of water flowing over Victoria Falls has dropped by half... |
283 | 00:37:25,160 | 00:37:28,400 | ...a concern for animals that have come to rely on | ...a concern for animals that have come to rely on |
284 | 00:37:28,520 | 00:37:31,800 | the natural rhythms of wet and dry. | the natural rhythms of wet and dry. |
285 | 00:37:45,000 | 00:37:51,000 | Zambia's Luangwa River is a major tributary of the Zambezi. | Zambia's Luangwa River is a major tributary of the Zambezi. |
286 | 00:37:52,760 | 00:37:55,760 | Every year, as the dry season takes hold, | Every year, as the dry season takes hold, |
287 | 00:37:55,880 | 00:37:59,280 | it dwindles into pools. | it dwindles into pools. |
288 | 00:38:02,200 | 00:38:05,840 | Accommodation starts to get tight for the locals. | Accommodation starts to get tight for the locals. |
289 | 00:38:05,960 | 00:38:07,120 | (HIPPO GRUNTS) | (HIPPO GRUNTS) |
290 | 00:38:09,760 | 00:38:14,520 | With no other water around, the river becomes a magnet for visitors. | With no other water around, the river becomes a magnet for visitors. |
291 | 00:38:20,640 | 00:38:25,000 | Millions of red-billed quelea flock to the water's edge. | Millions of red-billed quelea flock to the water's edge. |
292 | 00:38:29,760 | 00:38:33,560 | These seed-eaters need to drink every clay... | These seed-eaters need to drink every clay... |
293 | 00:38:52,640 | 00:38:55,240 | ...and Nile crocodiles know it. | ...and Nile crocodiles know it. |
294 | 00:38:56,880 | 00:38:59,120 | They may not have eaten for six months. | They may not have eaten for six months. |
295 | 00:39:00,480 | 00:39:05,160 | For them, the dry season is the start of the good times. | For them, the dry season is the start of the good times. |
296 | 00:39:14,880 | 00:39:19,360 | And they are not the only ones to depend on this time of year. | And they are not the only ones to depend on this time of year. |
297 | 00:39:24,840 | 00:39:31,520 | Carmine bee-eaters have flown hundreds of miles from the rainforests of the Congo... | Carmine bee-eaters have flown hundreds of miles from the rainforests of the Congo... |
298 | 00:39:32,720 | 00:39:35,600 | ...arriving at the peak of the dry season, | ...arriving at the peak of the dry season, |
299 | 00:39:35,720 | 00:39:40,840 | when steep sandbanks are exposed by the falling water. | when steep sandbanks are exposed by the falling water. |
300 | 00:39:46,800 | 00:39:52,240 | They're a perfect place to nest, out of reach of predators from above. | They're a perfect place to nest, out of reach of predators from above. |
301 | 00:40:02,200 | 00:40:07,360 | Bee-eater burrows can extend for two metres into the soft river sand. | Bee-eater burrows can extend for two metres into the soft river sand. |
302 | 00:40:08,560 | 00:40:11,600 | Already home to 6,000 nests, | Already home to 6,000 nests, |
303 | 00:40:11,720 | 00:40:16,520 | real estate at Bee-eater Towers is in high demand. | real estate at Bee-eater Towers is in high demand. |
304 | 00:40:20,480 | 00:40:24,120 | But it pays not to build too close to the neighbours. | But it pays not to build too close to the neighbours. |
305 | 00:40:34,960 | 00:40:39,600 | As more birds arrive, competition for the best nesting sites heats up. | As more birds arrive, competition for the best nesting sites heats up. |
306 | 00:40:51,080 | 00:40:52,800 | It's thirsty work. | It's thirsty work. |
307 | 00:41:03,520 | 00:41:07,600 | In the sudden commotion, they're vulnerable from below... | In the sudden commotion, they're vulnerable from below... |
308 | 00:41:09,920 | 00:41:10,880 | ...and above. | ...and above. |
309 | 00:41:15,280 | 00:41:17,600 | African fish eagles. | African fish eagles. |
310 | 00:41:25,920 | 00:41:28,680 | They are permanent residents here. | They are permanent residents here. |
311 | 00:41:28,800 | 00:41:33,640 | But at this time of the year, they don't just eat fish. | But at this time of the year, they don't just eat fish. |
312 | 00:41:38,040 | 00:41:41,440 | The safest place to be is inside a burrow. | The safest place to be is inside a burrow. |
313 | 00:41:43,320 | 00:41:48,960 | But an eagle fly-by sends shockwaves of panic through the colony. | But an eagle fly-by sends shockwaves of panic through the colony. |
314 | 00:42:00,920 | 00:42:06,720 | The eagle's strategy is to pin their prey against the river bank. | The eagle's strategy is to pin their prey against the river bank. |
315 | 00:42:11,040 | 00:42:15,760 | With the colony in disarray, the predators have the advantage. | With the colony in disarray, the predators have the advantage. |
316 | 00:42:56,120 | 00:43:00,240 | These fish eagles also choose to breed in the dry season | These fish eagles also choose to breed in the dry season |
317 | 00:43:00,360 | 00:43:04,480 | because they need the bee-eaters as food for their chicks. | because they need the bee-eaters as food for their chicks. |
318 | 00:43:12,000 | 00:43:16,920 | But this year's dry season shows no sign of letting up. | But this year's dry season shows no sign of letting up. |
319 | 00:43:24,640 | 00:43:27,560 | Parts of the river are now bone dry, | Parts of the river are now bone dry, |
320 | 00:43:27,680 | 00:43:31,520 | forcing huge male hippos from their home. | forcing huge male hippos from their home. |
321 | 00:43:42,240 | 00:43:43,960 | With nowhere left to turn, | With nowhere left to turn, |
322 | 00:43:44,080 | 00:43:47,920 | they must converge on the few remaining patches of water. | they must converge on the few remaining patches of water. |
323 | 00:43:48,040 | 00:43:49,480 | (HIPPO GRUNTS) | (HIPPO GRUNTS) |
324 | 00:43:49,600 | 00:43:52,480 | But these are already occupied. | But these are already occupied. |
325 | 00:44:04,520 | 00:44:06,960 | The resident bull here | The resident bull here |
326 | 00:44:07,080 | 00:44:11,400 | can't tolerate another big male in his shrinking pool. | can't tolerate another big male in his shrinking pool. |
327 | 00:44:13,920 | 00:44:15,440 | (HIPPO BELLOWS) | (HIPPO BELLOWS) |
328 | 00:44:41,720 | 00:44:44,400 | The newcomer is banished. | The newcomer is banished. |
329 | 00:44:56,200 | 00:44:58,960 | Still, the sun bakes the land... | Still, the sun bakes the land... |
330 | 00:45:01,800 | 00:45:05,600 | ...with devastating consequences. | ...with devastating consequences. |
331 | 00:45:37,200 | 00:45:40,200 | Hundreds of nests are wiped out. | Hundreds of nests are wiped out. |
332 | 00:45:48,240 | 00:45:52,160 | Southern Africa has experienced dry seasons | Southern Africa has experienced dry seasons |
333 | 00:45:52,280 | 00:45:55,160 | for thousands of years. | for thousands of years. |
334 | 00:45:56,320 | 00:45:58,920 | But this is something different. | But this is something different. |
335 | 00:46:03,560 | 00:46:09,760 | Record high temperatures and the lowest rainfall in nearly 40 years | Record high temperatures and the lowest rainfall in nearly 40 years |
336 | 00:46:09,880 | 00:46:15,160 | have thrown parts of Africa into one of the worst droughts in a century. | have thrown parts of Africa into one of the worst droughts in a century. |
337 | 00:46:22,520 | 00:46:23,960 | (THUNDER CRASHES) | (THUNDER CRASHES) |
338 | 00:46:30,320 | 00:46:36,680 | Across the planet, our once stable climate is changing. | Across the planet, our once stable climate is changing. |
339 | 00:46:41,240 | 00:46:43,360 | Weather is less reliable... | Weather is less reliable... |
340 | 00:46:46,000 | 00:46:49,000 | ...and is getting more extreme. | ...and is getting more extreme. |
341 | 00:46:52,840 | 00:46:55,400 | Wildfires are becoming more frequent. | Wildfires are becoming more frequent. |
342 | 00:47:11,280 | 00:47:13,760 | Droughts are more intense. | Droughts are more intense. |
343 | 00:47:25,040 | 00:47:29,320 | And storms are more ferocious. | And storms are more ferocious. |
344 | 00:47:33,040 | 00:47:38,280 | All this from a recent rise in global temperatures | All this from a recent rise in global temperatures |
345 | 00:47:38,400 | 00:47:41,280 | of just a single degree Celsius. | of just a single degree Celsius. |
346 | 00:47:42,880 | 00:47:46,400 | Yet if climate change continues unchecked, | Yet if climate change continues unchecked, |
347 | 00:47:46,520 | 00:47:52,400 | we may see a rise of almost five degrees by the end of the century. | we may see a rise of almost five degrees by the end of the century. |
348 | 00:47:54,360 | 00:47:58,640 | We can only imagine what this will do to our weather. | We can only imagine what this will do to our weather. |
349 | 00:48:17,720 | 00:48:21,040 | There are a few things more daunting for the wildlife film crew | There are a few things more daunting for the wildlife film crew |
350 | 00:48:21,160 | 00:48:25,920 | than the prospect of finding a very rare animal in a vast area. | than the prospect of finding a very rare animal in a vast area. |
351 | 00:48:30,080 | 00:48:34,040 | But that is the mission in Mongolia's Gobi Desert - | But that is the mission in Mongolia's Gobi Desert - |
352 | 00:48:34,160 | 00:48:37,360 | to film an animal numbering less than 500 | to film an animal numbering less than 500 |
353 | 00:48:37,480 | 00:48:41,440 | in a wilderness of half a million square miles. | in a wilderness of half a million square miles. |
354 | 00:48:47,600 | 00:48:50,440 | We're all loaded up, we got 40 cases of gear, we got nine vehicles. | We're all loaded up, we got 40 cases of gear, we got nine vehicles. |
355 | 00:48:50,560 | 00:48:52,920 | We're off, we're heading to the Gobi. | We're off, we're heading to the Gobi. |
356 | 00:48:55,680 | 00:48:58,320 | DAVID: From the capital, Ulaanbaatar, | DAVID: From the capital, Ulaanbaatar, |
357 | 00:48:58,440 | 00:49:03,760 | it'll take the team five days to cross Mongolia in the depths of winter, | it'll take the team five days to cross Mongolia in the depths of winter, |
358 | 00:49:03,880 | 00:49:10,360 | travelling in a convoy of large camping trucks - home for the next five weeks. | travelling in a convoy of large camping trucks - home for the next five weeks. |
359 | 00:49:28,000 | 00:49:33,800 | 1,000 miles later, the convoy reaches the Gobi and makes camp. | 1,000 miles later, the convoy reaches the Gobi and makes camp. |
360 | 00:49:37,720 | 00:49:40,880 | Well, we have woken up on our first morning | Well, we have woken up on our first morning |
361 | 00:49:41,000 | 00:49:44,000 | and it's about an hour-and-a-half before sunrise | and it's about an hour-and-a-half before sunrise |
362 | 00:49:44,120 | 00:49:47,200 | and, rather foolishly, we let the fire go out last night, | and, rather foolishly, we let the fire go out last night, |
363 | 00:49:47,320 | 00:49:50,720 | so it's a cool minus 20 in here. | so it's a cool minus 20 in here. |
364 | 00:49:50,840 | 00:49:54,360 | Everything's frozen solid - toothpaste, hot sauce for breakfast, | Everything's frozen solid - toothpaste, hot sauce for breakfast, |
365 | 00:49:54,480 | 00:49:55,920 | even the AP's pee bottle, | even the AP's pee bottle, |
366 | 00:49:56,040 | 00:49:57,480 | so that's nice. | so that's nice. |
367 | 00:50:00,800 | 00:50:04,600 | Finding a scarce animal in an area the size of Belgium | Finding a scarce animal in an area the size of Belgium |
368 | 00:50:04,720 | 00:50:07,560 | is clearly no small task... | is clearly no small task... |
369 | 00:50:07,680 | 00:50:10,560 | (MUFFLED RADIO CONVERSATION) | (MUFFLED RADIO CONVERSATION) |
370 | 00:50:10,680 | 00:50:14,320 | ...but impossible without the help of local researchers. | ...but impossible without the help of local researchers. |
371 | 00:50:15,440 | 00:50:20,200 | Each day, the team scour thousands of square miles. | Each day, the team scour thousands of square miles. |
372 | 00:50:20,320 | 00:50:22,560 | JOHN: It's a huge area, and there's only 450 camels, | JOHN: It's a huge area, and there's only 450 camels, |
373 | 00:50:22,680 | 00:50:26,280 | so it really is a bit like a needle in a haystack. | so it really is a bit like a needle in a haystack. |
374 | 00:50:27,400 | 00:50:31,080 | A truly enormous haystack. | A truly enormous haystack. |
375 | 00:50:35,120 | 00:50:36,920 | - 450 camels... - (LAUGHS) | - 450 camels... - (LAUGHS) |
376 | 00:50:37,040 | 00:50:38,400 | ...28,000 square miles. | ...28,000 square miles. |
377 | 00:50:38,520 | 00:50:40,360 | - Easy, yeah? - Yeah. | - Easy, yeah? - Yeah. |
378 | 00:50:40,480 | 00:50:43,480 | And when scanning the horizon for camels, | And when scanning the horizon for camels, |
379 | 00:50:43,600 | 00:50:45,720 | mistakes are all too easy. | mistakes are all too easy. |
380 | 00:50:45,840 | 00:50:47,160 | Another bush. | Another bush. |
381 | 00:50:48,320 | 00:50:50,440 | A bush. Sorry. | A bush. Sorry. |
382 | 00:50:51,800 | 00:50:54,720 | Sometimes there's not even a bush to look at. | Sometimes there's not even a bush to look at. |
383 | 00:50:54,840 | 00:50:56,320 | - See anything? - Nothing. | - See anything? - Nothing. |
384 | 00:50:57,600 | 00:50:59,640 | Another hill climbed. | Another hill climbed. |
385 | 00:50:59,760 | 00:51:01,320 | Another trail followed. | Another trail followed. |
386 | 00:51:01,440 | 00:51:03,240 | Another dead end. | Another dead end. |
387 | 00:51:03,360 | 00:51:06,680 | Thankfully, the experts remain positive. | Thankfully, the experts remain positive. |
388 | 00:51:06,800 | 00:51:08,240 | I hope you can see them soon. | I hope you can see them soon. |
389 | 00:51:08,360 | 00:51:10,080 | - Yeah, yeah. - Please. | - Yeah, yeah. - Please. |
390 | 00:51:12,920 | 00:51:16,000 | Two weeks since leaving the UK - just hoping that we haven't... | Two weeks since leaving the UK - just hoping that we haven't... |
391 | 00:51:17,280 | 00:51:18,840 | ...been slightly overambitious on this one. | ...been slightly overambitious on this one. |
392 | 00:51:18,960 | 00:51:21,680 | Getting slightly worried it might actually be impossible. | Getting slightly worried it might actually be impossible. |
393 | 00:51:23,840 | 00:51:25,080 | (SIGHS) | (SIGHS) |
394 | 00:51:27,480 | 00:51:29,360 | - Hmm. - It's good support there, thanks. | - Hmm. - It's good support there, thanks. |
395 | 00:51:30,640 | 00:51:33,840 | Eventually, the team spot their first camel, | Eventually, the team spot their first camel, |
396 | 00:51:33,960 | 00:51:37,920 | but, unfortunately, it spotted them first. | but, unfortunately, it spotted them first. |
397 | 00:51:38,040 | 00:51:40,440 | Very far away. | Very far away. |
398 | 00:51:40,560 | 00:51:44,240 | Poaching has made the surviving camels very nervous | Poaching has made the surviving camels very nervous |
399 | 00:51:44,360 | 00:51:48,240 | and once they start running, they can keep going for miles. | and once they start running, they can keep going for miles. |
400 | 00:51:50,440 | 00:51:52,200 | (WIND HOWLS) | (WIND HOWLS) |
401 | 00:51:52,320 | 00:51:57,400 | And when the winter winds kick off, all signs of camel vanish. | And when the winter winds kick off, all signs of camel vanish. |
402 | 00:51:57,520 | 00:52:01,520 | So for about the last 24 hours, we've been experiencing the Gobi winds. | So for about the last 24 hours, we've been experiencing the Gobi winds. |
403 | 00:52:01,640 | 00:52:03,640 | It's been gusting up to 70 miles an hour all night, | It's been gusting up to 70 miles an hour all night, |
404 | 00:52:03,760 | 00:52:06,680 | and the temps have probably been down to almost negative 50 with the wind-chill. | and the temps have probably been down to almost negative 50 with the wind-chill. |
405 | 00:52:06,800 | 00:52:08,960 | We just have to hunker down. We can't film in this. | We just have to hunker down. We can't film in this. |
406 | 00:52:13,280 | 00:52:17,280 | When the gale eases, the search reveals new hope. | When the gale eases, the search reveals new hope. |
407 | 00:52:17,400 | 00:52:20,640 | We got a load of fresh camel tracks here. | We got a load of fresh camel tracks here. |
408 | 00:52:22,200 | 00:52:24,440 | Ana' all tracks head one way - | Ana' all tracks head one way - |
409 | 00:52:24,560 | 00:52:29,760 | towards the even more remote mountainous southern Gobi. | towards the even more remote mountainous southern Gobi. |
410 | 00:52:33,880 | 00:52:37,320 | The team must decide if they should follow. | The team must decide if they should follow. |
411 | 00:52:37,440 | 00:52:41,000 | Do you think that landscape is likely to be better for us? | Do you think that landscape is likely to be better for us? |
412 | 00:52:41,120 | 00:52:44,440 | More camels and closer encounters or...? | More camels and closer encounters or...? |
413 | 00:52:44,560 | 00:52:46,400 | What's your gut telling you? | What's your gut telling you? |
414 | 00:52:48,760 | 00:52:52,720 | Because of the wintertime, we need to see some snow... | Because of the wintertime, we need to see some snow... |
415 | 00:52:52,840 | 00:52:55,160 | - Mmm. - ...to see camels. | - Mmm. - ...to see camels. |
416 | 00:52:56,200 | 00:53:00,840 | To survive in this waterless desert, the camels depend on finding snow. | To survive in this waterless desert, the camels depend on finding snow. |
417 | 00:53:02,000 | 00:53:06,200 | So with none in sight, the team decide to try their luck | So with none in sight, the team decide to try their luck |
418 | 00:53:06,320 | 00:53:08,880 | in the icy mountains to the south. | in the icy mountains to the south. |
419 | 00:53:13,000 | 00:53:16,920 | Sure enough, there's snow - and lots of it. | Sure enough, there's snow - and lots of it. |
420 | 00:53:20,560 | 00:53:24,680 | But the larger camping trucks struggle in the mountainous terrain | But the larger camping trucks struggle in the mountainous terrain |
421 | 00:53:24,800 | 00:53:27,760 | and the team are forced to go on without them, | and the team are forced to go on without them, |
422 | 00:53:27,880 | 00:53:33,480 | leaving them somewhat more exposed to the winter conditions. | leaving them somewhat more exposed to the winter conditions. |
423 | 00:53:33,600 | 00:53:35,040 | It's been down to minus 25 over the last week. | It's been down to minus 25 over the last week. |
424 | 00:53:35,160 | 00:53:40,160 | So very thin canvas tents will be a whole new experience in the Gobi Desert for us. | So very thin canvas tents will be a whole new experience in the Gobi Desert for us. |
425 | 00:53:41,400 | 00:53:44,640 | I'm wearing, currently, two pairs of trousers, thermals, | I'm wearing, currently, two pairs of trousers, thermals, |
426 | 00:53:44,760 | 00:53:48,440 | thermals on top, two pairs of jumpers, three coats, two hats, | thermals on top, two pairs of jumpers, three coats, two hats, |
427 | 00:53:48,560 | 00:53:51,400 | so I think I should be all right. | so I think I should be all right. |
428 | 00:53:51,520 | 00:53:52,520 | (EXHALES) | (EXHALES) |
429 | 00:53:54,760 | 00:53:55,960 | TOBY: All right, Eddie? | TOBY: All right, Eddie? |
430 | 00:53:56,080 | 00:53:58,400 | Oh, I'm terrific, yeah. (LAUGHS) | Oh, I'm terrific, yeah. (LAUGHS) |
431 | 00:53:58,520 | 00:54:00,120 | Really terrific. | Really terrific. |
432 | 00:54:00,240 | 00:54:01,520 | (SIGHS CONTENTEDLY) | (SIGHS CONTENTEDLY) |
433 | 00:54:01,640 | 00:54:03,000 | ED: I'm all cosy. | ED: I'm all cosy. |
434 | 00:54:04,320 | 00:54:07,480 | I'm not. I'm cold. (LAUGHS) Really cold. | I'm not. I'm cold. (LAUGHS) Really cold. |
435 | 00:54:10,800 | 00:54:16,400 | As Adiya predicted, with snow come camels. | As Adiya predicted, with snow come camels. |
436 | 00:54:16,520 | 00:54:19,880 | The signs are everywhere. | The signs are everywhere. |
437 | 00:54:22,560 | 00:54:28,080 | But having travelled so far, they can't risk anything ruining this chance. | But having travelled so far, they can't risk anything ruining this chance. |
438 | 00:54:28,200 | 00:54:30,400 | (QUIETLY) Camels don't seem to like the cars so... | (QUIETLY) Camels don't seem to like the cars so... |
439 | 00:54:31,800 | 00:54:33,000 | ...now we walk. | ...now we walk. |
440 | 00:54:34,920 | 00:54:37,480 | ED: We've been walking for about five miles now | ED: We've been walking for about five miles now |
441 | 00:54:37,600 | 00:54:39,360 | and hiking across this landscape, | and hiking across this landscape, |
442 | 00:54:39,480 | 00:54:43,240 | it really does give you a new-found respect for the camels. | it really does give you a new-found respect for the camels. |
443 | 00:54:49,120 | 00:54:51,920 | We've seen some camels way out on the plain here, | We've seen some camels way out on the plain here, |
444 | 00:54:52,040 | 00:54:56,400 | but in order not to scare them, John's going to head out on his own. | but in order not to scare them, John's going to head out on his own. |
445 | 00:55:09,040 | 00:55:11,800 | Yeah, yeah, I can see him. He's, urn... | Yeah, yeah, I can see him. He's, urn... |
446 | 00:55:11,920 | 00:55:13,400 | ADIYA: Going to south? | ADIYA: Going to south? |
447 | 00:55:13,520 | 00:55:17,240 | ED: Yeah, he's going to the south, he's just this side of the ridge. | ED: Yeah, he's going to the south, he's just this side of the ridge. |
448 | 00:55:24,160 | 00:55:26,240 | - ADIYA: The camels come to john. - They are? | - ADIYA: The camels come to john. - They are? |
449 | 00:55:26,360 | 00:55:27,840 | - The camels are coming to john? - Of course they are. | - The camels are coming to john? - Of course they are. |
450 | 00:55:27,960 | 00:55:29,200 | - Yes! - Really? | - Yes! - Really? |
451 | 00:55:34,080 | 00:55:35,600 | - (RADIO BEEPS) - JOHN: Maybe grab the bags | - (RADIO BEEPS) - JOHN: Maybe grab the bags |
452 | 00:55:35,720 | 00:55:38,400 | and come down to where I am now by these bushes | and come down to where I am now by these bushes |
453 | 00:55:38,520 | 00:55:40,800 | and we'll see if we can't slip down into the oasis. | and we'll see if we can't slip down into the oasis. |
454 | 00:55:46,320 | 00:55:48,280 | ED: (QUIETLY) This is just amazing. It's hard fought. | ED: (QUIETLY) This is just amazing. It's hard fought. |
455 | 00:55:49,400 | 00:55:51,520 | But the reward is so worth it, | But the reward is so worth it, |
456 | 00:55:51,640 | 00:55:55,600 | because right now we're about 100 metres away... | because right now we're about 100 metres away... |
457 | 00:55:56,960 | 00:56:01,840 | ...from some of the rarest and hardiest mammals on the planet. | ...from some of the rarest and hardiest mammals on the planet. |
458 | 00:56:04,280 | 00:56:05,480 | Oh, what a privilege! | Oh, what a privilege! |
459 | 00:56:07,840 | 00:56:11,880 | DAVID: The team film behaviour very few people have seen... | DAVID: The team film behaviour very few people have seen... |
460 | 00:56:13,720 | 00:56:18,000 | ...rare images of one of the world's most endangered creatures. | ...rare images of one of the world's most endangered creatures. |
461 | 00:56:19,720 | 00:56:22,760 | Once widespread across Central Asia, | Once widespread across Central Asia, |
462 | 00:56:22,880 | 00:56:27,680 | this uninhabited desert is the wild camels' final home. | this uninhabited desert is the wild camels' final home. |
463 | 00:56:29,600 | 00:56:33,440 | Were it not for Adiya's team, it might have disappeared altogether, | Were it not for Adiya's team, it might have disappeared altogether, |
464 | 00:56:33,560 | 00:56:39,080 | but because of their work, we may yet save this icon of the Gobi. | but because of their work, we may yet save this icon of the Gobi. |