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00:00WOLVES
00:23Wolves, once hunted to near extinction, now roam the forests.
00:31Birds, once scarce, fly high in the sky.
00:42Hidden secrets can be discovered in the ocean depths.
00:48Even bears can be found, high up in the mountain ranges.
01:00This is a country of extreme landscapes and dramatic backdrops.
01:04There's a whole array of diverse, unusual and stunning wildlife.
01:16In an ancient wilderness that is being rediscovered.
01:26This is one of our closest neighbors, France.
01:33We may be familiar with its fine wine, haute cuisine and rural beauty.
01:41But there is another side of this land that may surprise.
01:45This is the wild side of France.
01:59France is more than twice the size of the UK.
02:02But with a similar population, it has far greater expanses of wilderness.
02:06Parts of this wilderness are being returned to how they once were.
02:16With the reintroduction of some iconic species.
02:19This film will give an impression of France's wild side.
02:35Once, many years ago, brown bears would have existed across the whole of France.
02:40Just imagine the sight of this magnificent creature, roaming across the land.
03:00They were once a hunter's prized trophy.
03:03And by the 1930s, these fearsome bears had all but gone from the French forests.
03:08But in recent years, a small number of brown bears have been reintroduced to the Pyrenees in the south of France.
03:17Bears need a seasonal abundance of high energy foods.
03:23They will eat insects, berries, plants and fish.
03:38Naturalists would like to reintroduce more of these top predators.
03:55They believe it would bring a more natural balance back to the French countryside.
03:58Across the whole of France, there is a great variety of wildlife.
04:15Some of which may surprise.
04:16We journey from the Pyrenees to the far east of France, to a famous mountain range.
04:27The Alps.
04:28While known for its ski resorts and stunning scenery, there is also plenty of space for wildlife.
04:44This is a Crown National Park.
04:47Its high mountain summits form a dramatic skyline full of snowy glaciers.
04:51From the top of these, water floods down, forming icy, fast flowing rivers.
05:01Within the lower torrents is a small bird with unique abilities.
05:08The dipper feeds on insect larvae that live in the riverbeds.
05:11Despite the freezing temperatures, it dives deep into the glacial water.
05:23Using its wings to swim, it can reach depths of two meters.
05:28And remain there for up to 15 seconds.
05:33It will do this several times a day in order to feed its young.
05:36Moving up to the high altitude pastures of these mountains, there is an animal that lives below ground, in a deep system of underground burrows.
06:02These are Alpine marmots.
06:06They come up to the surface to play, mate, and to feed.
06:12They are social creatures, and live in small family groups.
06:21Alpine marmots used to be widely hunted, due to the belief that their fat would ease rheumatism when rubbed on the skin.
06:28In some areas of France, they have been successfully introduced, under a common sight.
06:33Marmots are highly defensive animals, and have developed a kind of collective surveillance system.
06:39Sentinels take turns to guard their territory.
06:42With a range of different calls, they can warn others of any potential danger.
06:46A short, single whistle sees everyone take cover.
06:47And there is good reason.
06:48The legendary golden eagle.
06:49The eagle's eyesight is far superior to ours.
06:51It is far superior to ours.
06:52Sentinels take turns to guard their territory.
06:55With a range of different calls, they can warn others of any potential danger.
07:00A short single whistle sees everyone take cover.
07:05And there's good reason.
07:08The legendary golden eagle.
07:15The eagle's eyesight is far superior to ours.
07:19The marmot's warning system has to be good.
07:22As it is indeed a fearsome predator.
07:33Eagles have existed here for hundreds of thousands of years.
07:37Far longer than any human settlers.
07:40They have built their homes in the highest parts of the mountains.
07:49To protect their nests, they can be fiercely territorial.
07:59If another eagle gets too close, they will fight.
08:03Sometimes to the death.
08:05The eagle rules the skies, but they're not alone at the summit.
08:23Amazingly, these chamois thrive on a vertical existence.
08:28And there are other animals that have managed to carve out a life in such seemingly inaccessible cliff tops.
08:45Further south, in the peaks of the Verdun Canyon, a small creature can be found that seems to almost defy the laws of gravity.
08:53The wall creeper.
09:03Known locally as the butterfly bird.
09:08Arnaud Petit and Stephanie Bode share a passion with this small bird for terrifying heights.
09:14They're leading European climbers.
09:21They brave the sheer and frightening cliff faces to catch a glimpse of these delicate birds.
09:43The butterfly bird has large feet with solid curved claws, which enable it to stand with perfect balance.
09:56It gets its name because of the way it scales the cliffs by fluttering its colourful wings.
10:15Its wide wings enable it to take advantage of the rising currents and effortlessly reach great heights.
10:34It gets its name.
10:35More effort is required by the climbers.
10:36And occasionally, their balance is not quite as perfect.
10:37And occasionally, their balance is not quite as perfect.
10:41Arnaud and Stephanie Bode share the nesting choice of the butterfly bird.
10:48They pitch their portal ledge into the side of the cliff, high above the huge emptiness below.
10:59Sleeping at such a great height is like being suspended momentarily out of time.
11:28Far below the mountain tops, it's the depths of the forest that can be a frightening place for some.
11:51Far below the mountain tops, it's the depths of the sea.
11:52Far below the mountain top, the cruel seas, the
12:05moon upon the top.
12:08It's early spring, and these two wolf cubs
12:37are just three weeks old.
12:42It's the first time they've ventured out of their dark den
12:44to see their surroundings.
12:48They'll need to learn who is friend
12:50and who is foe in their forest home.
12:59As daylight comes, there is a whole new world
13:02above their den to explore.
13:07Their mother returns to check on them.
13:17The pups are cared for by all members of the pack,
13:32but the mother is the dominant figure.
13:35Wolves were hunted almost to extinction in France in the 1930s.
13:46Now, as a protected species, their numbers are growing.
13:51By winter, the small cubs will be almost fully grown
14:07and ready to travel with the pack.
14:09Heading further north, and past the Alps,
14:13there is another mountain chain which borders Germany,
14:17the Vosges Mountains.
14:20The Vosges Mountains.
14:23Heading further north and past the Alps, there is another mountain chain which borders Germany, the Vosges Mountains.
14:42Across these, geese can be seen in the autumn, as they make their way to southern climes to spend the winter.
14:53For thousands of years, the adults have been guiding their young along these airborne routes.
14:59Geese have a remarkable homing instinct, allowing them to return to the same area year after year, even when their migration takes them halfway around the world.
15:14The youngsters in the family group follow their parents, taking advantage of the current, and flying as if part of a platoon.
15:23The young will stay with their parents until the next breeding season.
15:33They have an innate knowledge of the direction and distance they should travel, but not necessarily where they should be aiming for.
15:40So, following their parents for their first migration means they will reach their winter breeding ground.
15:49Adult geese will use visual references, including rivers and mountains, to guide themselves.
15:58Adult geese will use visual references, including rivers and mountains, to guide themselves.
16:11Adult geese will be angle, during blue floats over vels.
16:12Three children who need more people to follow them are in their own world where the birds have built.
16:13After the taşer?
16:14Do not go to alara.
16:15Don't worry, it's the way to move, the birds send behavior to the Megahea.
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16:17claim that her men have a large island for 1993.
16:18Rocking Neo4 entrepreneurship has lost 1710.
16:20But here's secret, many antennas.
16:21They have often been an facility that has worked on their field for the fitting of isolation.
16:23To pull at the center of each of the different.
16:24and A
16:24public obtuse and act.
16:25hodically built the Kid's searching for the shown.
16:26A third-and-the show is, at the same time, we have seen the highest mountain she Mini,
16:41They stop at night to rest in marshlands, by rivers or by lakes.
17:11Come dawn, they'll have to wait for the fog to lift, before taking to the air again.
17:31When the sun's rays are strong enough to create rising winds, they will set off, knowing that they can now be carried along.
17:41To be continued...
17:48To be continued...
17:50To be continued...
17:54On route to their winter home,
18:19geese can cover up to 300 kilometers in just one day.
18:23By next year, the youngsters will be able to take this journey alone.
18:40We travel now across the country, to the north of France,
18:43to a very special place not far from Paris.
18:52Here lies one of the largest forests in the country.
18:55Covering more than 50,000 acres, this is the forest of Fontainebleau.
19:01This legendary and ancient forest has been the playground of kings for centuries.
19:08There is a proud history of deer hunting in France.
19:13Generations have driven hounds through this forest.
19:17Their dogs have scoured the thick undergrowth and rocky outcrops hundreds of times,
19:22hoping to catch a scent of prey.
19:25This is the opposite.
19:31This is one of the largest forests for quieren not-set.
19:35This is very Еnasiac.
19:37This is the islandess island of Siobhara.
19:39This is a island of Siobhara.
19:42This is a island of Siobhara,
19:44the Associate of Supreme Court of June.
19:46The forest of Fontemplar, full of oaks, pine and beech trees, is home to a huge variety of animals.
20:05One of those is the red deer.
20:19These two ten-pointer stags are seven years old and have been together all their lives.
20:27It's not uncommon for stags to form partnerships, but these particular two have become almost
20:33inseparable.
20:40They work as allies, warning each other of danger, and sharing food, such as tender ivy
20:51or willow leaves.
20:56In the hot weather, they will linger in water to keep cool and get rid of annoying midges.
21:14It's rare for these two males to be out of each other's sight.
21:37They know their territory very well and have a network of trails to follow.
21:47This comes in useful should they need to escape from hunting dogs.
21:52There are hundreds of red deer in Fontainebleau.
21:55They have no natural predators, so a fair game for hunters.
22:15When they sense danger, they will flee as quickly as possible.
22:22They are not easy to escape from hunting dogs.
22:49Their long legs give them an advantage as they plunge into the river water and out of sight.
23:19The water also helps to dilute their scent, which dogs can trace for hours.
23:49The water also helps to dilute their scent.
24:03The water also helps to dilute their scent.
24:09These two stags will spend the winter, spring and summer together.
24:30But when autumn arrives, it's a different story.
24:39Their antlers have lost their velvet texture.
24:42Their coats have grown and darkened.
24:45They're now full of testosterone and can think only of one thing, the female deer, or hinds.
25:05They mingle with the hinds to get their scent.
25:10In turn, their calls excite the females and help to stimulate their ovulation.
25:16From this moment, there will be no more sharing between the males.
25:33There can only be one winner.
25:37This is a battle without compromise.
25:40It will only end when one of the males backs down and surrenders.
25:55The hinds can only watch and wait.
26:14Finally, the cry of victory.
26:29The females gather around their triumphant hero.
26:33The champion will stay with his harem for about a month, fighting off any male who tries to enter his territory.
26:54But then, when the mating season is over, all will change once again.
27:04Battles will be forgotten.
27:06And the two stags of Fontainebleau will once again become close allies.
27:16Our journey now takes us to the west of France.
27:19Near the Atlantic Sea is the region of Poitou-Charente.
27:23It's home to one of the largest wetlands in France, known as the Poitou-Charente Marshes.
27:36Here, seawater meets freshwater.
27:42In this unusual habitat, the wildlife flourishes.
27:47And in the spring, it is teeming with new life.
27:52There's one creature here who has to undergo an incredible transformation.
28:01The dragonfly.
28:05This small larva has spent more than a year under the water.
28:23Tonight, it will undergo an amazing metamorphosis.
28:26It appears to almost inflate its new body, so that it can break out of its old skin.
28:39It's new feet emerge, but the dragonfly can't use them yet, as they're still too soft.
28:54It must wait for them to harden.
28:57In this position, it's vulnerable. Falling now would be certain death.
29:07Not far from the dragonfly's precarious perch, another new birth is about to happen.
29:26These are greater horseshoe bats, a protected species across Europe.
29:43The bats will often roost in old, disused buildings in the late spring and summer.
29:48Going out after sunset to hunt and feed.
29:52This is a maternity roost.
29:58And it's time for the new babies to be born.
30:19For this female, the contractions have begun.
30:29The head appears first.
30:32The mother begins by cleaning her newborn.
30:35She licks it and frees its ears, which were stuck to its head.
30:40Once the baby is free, it begins to suckle, and will do so for the first month of its life.
30:51The mother wraps her wings around her precious bundle, protecting it from any danger.
30:57Back on the moonlit water, the dragonfly's feet are at last hard enough.
31:21Finally, it can leave its former body.
31:25Now the miracle can happen.
31:32Its soft and intricate wings unfurl gradually.
31:55early morning has arrived.
32:14And the transformation is complete.
32:18Four independent wings on a perfectly aerodynamic body.
32:25The small larva that came out of the water last night has become one of the most sophisticated flying creatures in the world.
32:43Soon it will find a partner, and the cycle will begin again.
33:08The Poitvan Marshes is a fascinating area.
33:18It was once completely covered with wetland, full of insects.
33:23Around the 10th century, monks started the process of drying up the swamps.
33:33They built dams to stop the water rising, and dug canals to evacuate rainwater, and to free up the fertile soil.
33:42The land could then be used for agriculture.
33:49But some areas were left untouched.
33:54Many species of birds come to nest here.
34:04Within this area is a dense, hidden forest, which serves as a nursery for a colony of herons.
34:13These fledglings are three weeks old and are constantly hungry.
34:31One of the three youngsters stands back, while the other two devour everything their mother regurgitates.
34:49Usually both parents will help feed the offspring.
34:56But here the male has disappeared.
34:58So the mother has to work twice as hard to feed her young.
35:01She'll fly up to 30 kilometers hunting for food in the swamps, and competition can be fierce.
35:19Competition within the nest is also fierce.
35:35The two strongest chicks have united against the weakest and smallest.
35:42More frail and less active, he can only eat the leftovers.
35:46The problem is, there aren't any.
35:49A single parent cannot possibly feed all three.
35:55Instinctively, they attack their little brother, in what is a struggle for survival.
36:00The weakest of the three will die, so that the other two can live.
36:17The laws of nature can often seem cruel.
36:21Moving back down to the south of France, there is an area known as the Cévennes.
36:35a maze of mountains, deep valleys, and winding rivers.
36:48The river water descending from the granite mountains
36:51has carved out the distinctive contours of this stunning area.
36:56Over time, the water has dug out canyons hundreds of meters deep.
37:00In the cliffs of these spectacular canyons,
37:07there is an extraordinary animal,
37:10the griffon vulture.
37:13Until recent years, vultures had almost completely disappeared.
37:19Successful reintroduction programs have dramatically increased
37:22the number of these formidable birds.
37:26Vultures live in colonies, and they work together to scavenge them.
37:30for food.
37:32It's six in the morning,
37:34and the sun hasn't yet penetrated the depths of the canyons.
37:42Without the warmth of the sun, the vultures do not fly.
37:49In spite of hunger, there's no question of moving yet.
37:52At last, the air can carry them.
38:02Like an air squadron, dozens of vultures fill the sky.
38:03Dozens of vultures fill the sky.
38:07Like an air squadron, dozens of vultures fill the sky.
38:34The warm currents help them gain height.
38:37As part of their scavenging strategy, they divide up the territory.
38:46The large birds fly over several kilometers, scanning every inch of their land, but never
38:52losing sight of the other vultures.
38:55If one of them spots something, it immediately dives down.
39:01The other vultures haven't seen it, but they've noticed the absence of one of them.
39:07This means, there's something to eat down below.
39:09In a matter of seconds, the entire colony gather around for the feast.
39:16The work of one benefits all.
39:24Sharing is the price to pay for the colony's survival.
39:30Each bird can now return to its nest, with a share of the spoils for its youngsters.
39:38The return of these imposing birds across this region is widely celebrated.
39:45Vultures eat rotting carcasses, helping to prevent the spread of disease.
39:50Cleansing the wilderness.
39:51Cleansing the wilderness.
39:52its youngsters.
40:00The return of these imposing birds across this region is widely celebrated.
40:10Vultures eat rotting carcasses, helping to prevent the spread of disease, cleansing
40:16the wilderness.
40:22To the north of the Savene mountain range is a region called the Losea.
40:32With its high plateaus, it's famous for its dramatic scenery and numerous pretty villages.
40:45The source of many rivers can be found here, the most famous of which is the River Tarn.
41:10In the spring, the tarn is at its most powerful, with exciting, fast-flowing tarns.
41:24Within this river is a creature which is beginning to make a comeback in France.
41:32The otter.
41:39With its streamlined body, the otter is a skillful predator.
41:48It has powerful webbed feet and whiskers which help it detect the slightest movement of any
41:57underwater prey.
42:00The otter's habitat stretches over 40 kilometres of river.
42:19Otters are a threatened species across Europe, but with the help of protection laws and water
42:24quality improvement, there is evidence that its numbers are gradually recovering.
42:34As a hunter, the otter is fearsome.
42:37Everyone goes into hiding.
42:39If a fish sees an otter, it's already too late.
42:46In this river, the otter reigns supreme.
43:05The mountains of the Lozea are home to an insect which is unique to this area, a black bee.
43:21It's only thanks to intensive conservation efforts that the pure breed of this bee can still be found here.
43:33This flower-loving insect is a workaholic.
43:36Its short life is dedicated to the good of the hive and the production of honey.
43:44Yves Ely is an expert beekeeper.
43:48He's spent years helping to protect the bees of this region.
43:53He follows in a long-standing tradition of this area.
43:56To houses bees, Yves builds them traditional trunk hives, which are similar to their natural habitat.
44:19In these chestnut tree trunks, thousands of workers live around their queen.
44:36They feed and groom each other.
44:38In the process, they pass on pheromones, chemical signals, which reveal information about the health of their queen and the state of the colony.
44:46Chemical signals also help with foraging.
44:49Honeybees use scent to locate flowers from a distance.
44:58When a successful forager returns to the hive, it passes the scent of the flowers to its nest mates, to help them find the same patch of flowers.
45:07Through a series of dances, it indicates the direction, distance and even the quantity of pollen available.
45:15To help conserve the black honeybee, Yves attempts to create a new swarm every year.
45:26It's a skillful operation.
45:29He coaxes the queen bee into entering the trap just above the hive.
45:33Almost immediately after she's left the hive, a new queen bee will take over.
45:51To avoid inbreeding and preserve the species, Yves takes the old queen to a far away site, where there are no other species.
46:20During its life, a bee will have to fulfil several roles, cleaner, nursemaid, builder, before they are finally promoted to nectar gatherer.
46:49Then, after only 30 days, it will fall to the ground, struck down by exhaustion.
47:02During its short life, a bee can produce several grams of honey.
47:06Eve is hopeful that these colonies will continue to produce honey for many years to come.
47:19About 170 kilometres off the south-eastern coast of France, in the Mediterranean Sea, lies the island of Corsica.
47:32Two thirds of this majestic island is made up of mountains, which form a single chain along its entire length.
47:49Famous for its high red cliffs, sandy beaches and headlands.
47:53This is the Scandola Reserve.
47:56Scandola is one of the oldest reserves in France.
48:01and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
48:14As a protected site, it's home to some stunning and rare wildlife, including osprey.
48:35The sea conceals another extraordinary landscape.
48:52Jean-Marie Domenici is the curator of this site and has spent his life protecting the wildlife here.
49:05Teeming with life, the waters are home to a whole variety of fish, some quite rare.
49:30It's a diver's paradise.
49:37As well as fish, the reserve is full of unusual plant life, seaweed and coral.
49:53Scandola Reserve is one of the Mediterranean's most important ecosystems.
50:11An extensive and extraordinary underwater prairie.
50:16It's a favourite spot for many fish species to spawn their eggs.
50:25The eggs laid here are carried by the current outside the limits of the reserve.
50:30And help nurture all the neighbouring marine sites.
50:34There is one particular and strange looking fish that fascinates Jean-Marie.
50:39The grouper would normally live on the sea floor at depths of up to 300 metres.
50:48But here, in this protected area, it can be seen much closer to the surface.
50:53Jean-Marie is able to study it in close-up.
51:00The grouper is a hermaphrodite.
51:15It's born as a female, but by the age of 16, it changes sex to become a male.
51:22Males and females come together in the early summer to reproduce.
51:26As part of their courtship, the males change colour as a means of seduction.
51:39The grouper almost disappeared from the Mediterranean coasts.
51:52But now, thanks to reserves like Scandola, it once again thrives.
52:05Close to the Scandola reserve is a beach, where fresh water joins the sea, the Fango Delta.
52:13In these natural ponds lives an animal that has existed for millions of years.
52:17The turtle.
52:23Although found in many different places, the European pond turtle is under threat from water pollution and habitat destruction.
52:30And its numbers have been declining.
52:33Here, though, it appears to be flourishing.
52:36As a cold-blooded reptile, it needs the sun's rays for energy.
52:40During the day, it will bask on the shore or on rocks.
52:43But this shy species will dive back into water it disturbs.
52:49Underwater, it will hunt for fish, insects or mollusks.
53:01It's the mating season, and the courtship technique of the turtle is a curious one.
53:13The male approaches the female suddenly.
53:19Pinning her in place, as he bites her face and neck as they mate.
53:22If not careful, the technique can inflict serious injuries on the female.
53:31It's a brutal affair, but necessary in order to continue the line.
53:35Moving inland towards the centre of Corsica, the terrain is full of dense thorny bushes.
53:52To survive in this prickly environment, you need a very thick skin.
53:56The king of this terrain is the wild boar.
54:14Most wild boars live in close-knit groups of around 20.
54:22They mainly consist of females and their young.
54:24Females will normally have between four and eight babies,
54:30and they are very protective of them.
54:31Boars are scavengers, and eat almost anything they come across,
54:36including grass, nuts, roots, even small reptiles.
54:39Older males do not usually stay in the group.
54:40They lead a largely solitary life.
54:41Now they lead a largely solitary life.
54:43What we live as the fish?
54:44Well Originally, there is a pre-p artistic martial arts.
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54:47Next is the Miss Unit's.
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54:50And this is a park to go back our two Germans.
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55:06be advised in one of three mutants in sixth haifikわか towards Terœ manos-Key Crisp.
55:07To keep cool, they will roll in mud.
55:27Covering their body in a thick layer also helps get rid of irritating ticks.
55:35During the mating season, large solitary males will travel across the countryside in search
56:03of female groups.
56:05They are capable of covering several kilometres of varied terrain every day.
56:10This breeding strategy helps to maintain a strong population.
56:17Not just here on the island of Corsica, but across the whole of France.
56:24The wild side of France is extensive and can be extraordinary.
56:31The wild side of France is extensive and can be extraordinary.
56:38There is rural beauty, where time seems to have stood still.
56:45Alongside this is a rugged wilderness, which can protect the world.
56:52The wild side of France is extensive and can be extraordinary.
57:00Here, formidable birds soar above the mountains.
57:03Wolves have made their home in the forest.
57:07And even bears can be seen in their natural habitat.
57:14From coastline to mountain top.
57:15France is a beautiful mountain of the land.
57:20The wild, the wild, the wild, the wild, the wild, the wild, the forest.
57:31And even bears can be seen in their natural habitat.
57:40From coastline to mountaintop, France is a country of extreme and surprising beauty,
57:49with wildlife that never ceases to feed our imagination.
58:19For more information, visit www.fema.org
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