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00:05When you see this symbol, you know you're watching television that's educational and
00:10informational. The more you know on NBC. Hey everyone, I'm Chanel Jones. It's all
00:17aboard for an animal adventure in Europe, right here on Wild Child. Coming up,
00:23light is an uphill climb for these wild goats. And Europe's bison and their
00:29precious calves are back home on the range. Plus a big nest for a big bird
00:36famous for delivering babies. And they're not just furry, they're friendly. Get
00:43ready. It's time for Wild Child.
01:07Europe is better known for its cultural landmarks and for its wildlife. But forests
01:12across the continent are still home to incredible animals like bears, wolves, and
01:18even Siberian tigers. We begin with some agile mountain dwellers who seem to have
01:23no fear of heights.
01:30Any field guide to Europe is filled with natural wonders.
01:36From icy tundras
01:43to rocky shores
01:51to green forests, to green forests. Wild animals are everywhere.
02:01But the mountains are home to some true originals.
02:16This bright-eyed bird is certainly large, but is in fact still a chick.
02:25It's a baby Eurasian eagle owl.
02:32Known to be one of the largest owls in the world, this species blends in seamlessly with
02:37its environment thanks to their model feathers.
02:46As adults, they are easy to miss while nesting on rocky cliff faces.
02:58Another creature completely at home on rocky terrain is the alpine ibex, a breed of wild goat.
03:10They have carved a niche for themselves in the rugged European alps.
03:23These agile goats are more like furry four-wheel drive machines. All weather, all terrain, all the time.
03:34Their pincer-like toes and impeccable balance allow them to go places most others wouldn't dare.
03:44Steep, natural slopes aren't the only challenges they're willing to tackle.
03:52These nimble, gravity-defying ibex are often seen scaling the almost vertical walls of this dam in Italy.
04:00Why? Not just because they can, but to reach the salt and mineral deposits on the stone masonry
04:08to make up for what lacks in their veggie diet.
04:12Only the females and kids are light enough to shimmy up this extreme salt lick.
04:19Talk about taking adaptations to the max.
04:29As we make our way into the deep woods, we can get a close-up meeting with the national animal
04:36of Finland,
04:38the Eurasian brown bear.
04:44There was a time when these giants were found in vast regions of forest across Europe.
04:51With human expansion and the clearing of woodlands, their distribution has been reduced to much smaller pockets,
04:59areas, usually in extensive forests and steep rocky areas.
05:07Bears are omnivores, meaning they can enjoy both plants and meat in their diet.
05:13Using their strong paws and large teeth, this family can dig up all sorts of creepy crawlies.
05:21One cub is more interested in sneaking away to goof around with its friend.
05:28Why snack when there's a good wrestle to be had?
05:38One cub has struck gold.
05:39Back with the rest of the bears, one cub has struck gold.
05:43It's log-licking good.
05:49This fallen tree is like a buffet, and the mother bear is using her weight to rock and roll anything
05:56tasty out of it.
05:59It's bottoms-up for the whole clan.
06:03Even though they are all busy foraging, this mama bear is still on alert, ready to protect her babies from
06:11any creatures that stray too close.
06:15These carefree cubs have about two years to enjoy their mother's care and learn the ways of the wild so
06:22they can go out on their own.
06:24Until then, it's back to goofing around.
06:33When we return, the largest land animal in Europe can travel for miles.
06:39And a pair of lovebirds with an impressive nest full of joy.
06:45Plus, these gentle lap cats have purred their way into many hearts.
06:50European favorites, European favorites, when Wildchild comes right back.
06:56We'll be right back to The More You Know on NBC.
07:02We now return to The More You Know on NBC.
07:13Europe, the world's second smallest continent, is a rich tapestry of landscapes and cultures
07:23with more than 50 countries and territories based in this region.
07:29It's natural wonders exist within its many borders.
07:35The majestic Swiss Alps.
07:39Germany's lush black forest.
07:43And the sparkling Greek island of Santorini.
07:46Germany, being small drops in this continent's ocean of spectacular locations.
07:57Europe's wildlife is as diverse and fascinating as the environments they inhabit.
08:09Many popular domestic breeds also hail from this part of the planet.
08:14These beloved creatures being a bit like many ambassadors for their homelands.
08:25No passport necessary.
08:33With so many different types of weather and terrain,
08:39the animals that thrive in Europe have really had to adapt.
08:46European bison might be a touch smaller than their North American relatives,
08:51but in their home range, they still hold the title of largest land animals.
09:01Their bulky size is a big factor that helps their calves survive into adulthood.
09:14A mature bison is equipped with strong shoulder muscles and curved horns.
09:19Natural security systems that pose a significant threat to any would-be predators.
09:31Calves instinctively know that the safest place for them is by their mother's side within the herd.
09:38Such a beautiful bond.
09:46Of course, every wild child has to become independent sooner or later.
09:53These striped and snouted little adventurers have decided to go on a road trip.
10:00It doesn't take long for them to make a trail of their own going off-road.
10:07They've found the perfect spot to give their snouts a workout.
10:13These super sniffers may not have the best eyesight,
10:17but their sensitive noses are excellent at leading the way to tasty morsels.
10:23Meanwhile, out on the water, class is in session.
10:27But these Eurasian coot chicks aren't getting paddling lessons.
10:31Instead, they're learning the fine art of diving.
10:36An adult coot can dive down over 20 feet in search of plant life to eat.
10:41It's a tasty skill the young must master.
10:46Coots can hold their breath for a good 15 seconds, proving the right snack is worth waiting for.
10:55A pair of baby Eurasian wild cats are warming up for an expedition.
11:00Their mission? Some early morning rock climbing.
11:05These kittens are really putting their growing paws to the test.
11:13Another animal that is full of surprises in Europe's woods
11:17is the hedgehog, dotted around the continent in pockets of ample populations.
11:25Wild hedgehogs are shy by nature and not considered territorial.
11:32When frightened, their go-to defense is to curl up in a spiky ball.
11:38This keeps them relatively safe because even the most eager predators don't want a face full of spikes.
11:46When we return, stork soul mates that use teamwork to make the dream work.
11:52And these finicky eaters are ready for dinner.
11:56Fun and furry animal stories when Wildchild returns.
12:03We'll be right back to The More You Know on NBC.
12:09We now return to The More You Know on NBC.
12:18Some animals are more famous for their image than for their actual characteristics.
12:23Why is it that the stork, a large wading bird that migrates hundreds of thousands of miles each year,
12:29has come to symbolize the arrival of brand new babies?
12:33Let's take a closer look at these majestic birds.
12:41One animal that is thriving at the intersection of urban and wild environments is the white stork,
12:47the national animal of both Lithuania and Poland.
12:52These lovebirds are monogamous, staying with their partners for life.
13:00After sharing incubation duties for about a month, these parents have been rewarded with a nest full of fluffy hatchlings.
13:10Their large nests are made from various sticks and branches, plus other plant materials,
13:16and can often be found on top of houses and telephone poles throughout Europe.
13:23Parenting is a team effort for white storks, both happily taking turns gathering food and caring for their chicks.
13:33After rearranging the nest to its satisfaction, this proud stork can finally settle down and warm the babies.
13:44White storks often live in groups.
13:47Here, it looks like there are a few new arrivals to this nesting neighborhood.
13:54Like most baby animals, the chicks love to eat, consuming up to 60% of their body weight per day.
14:03Not only do they eat fast, they grow fast as well.
14:08After their first week of life, chicks lose their thin covering of down, replacing it with a thicker, fluffier coating.
14:19By the one-month mark, their flight feathers are in, and they're ready to start testing them out.
14:26After only eight weeks, young storks leave the nest and become independent.
14:33When fully grown, white storks have wingspans that stretch over five and a half feet wide.
14:42But there's no need to rush off from the nest.
14:45These tall, elegant birds have 30 to 40 years of life ahead of them.
14:51Plenty of time to enjoy their European surroundings.
14:58Coming up, after a nonstop day, it's a tisket, a tasket, and a basket full of kittens.
15:06And how their stripey fur keeps these little ones safe.
15:11More European animal stories when Wild Child returns.
15:17We'll be right back to The More You Know on NBC.
15:23We now return to The More You Know on NBC.
15:35Not all of Eurasia's favorite animals are wild.
15:39These tiny walking clouds are Persian kittens.
15:47Something popular has appeared in the living room.
15:51The food plate.
15:54Dinner is served.
16:00Not afraid to stain their luscious white fur, these kittens are happy to dive right in.
16:07Paws and all.
16:13That face fur acts a bit like a bib.
16:17Good thing, as some of these hungry kitties are messy eaters.
16:27At this tender age, the kittens are still developing their grooming skills, so the occasional bad hair day is to
16:35be expected.
16:39Some of the kitties are beginning to drop off.
16:43It's been a long day.
16:45All that adventure has finally caught up with them.
16:50It's bedtime.
16:54Of course, there are always a few rascals that refuse to go down without a fight.
17:03But sooner or later, even the most restless kittens are out of fuel.
17:14Persian kittens aren't the only ones that are worn out.
17:19As the day wanes in Europe, many diurnal animals are finally slowing down.
17:28This row of Black Schnauzer pups is officially in doggy dreamland.
17:37Heading back into the woods and this bush bed is full of tired little piggies.
17:43Their stripe coats help these young wild boars blend in with the vegetation as they sleep.
17:51A mother and lamb are content to rest their legs in a soft grass bed out in the open.
18:09Another round of lynx have chosen to snuggle up in amongst some rocks.
18:17And with that, it's the end of another action-packed day for the baby animals of Europe.
18:29The European countries are working together to rewild damaged ecosystems,
18:34creating more green spaces in cities and reducing excessive heat and flooding
18:39may help save amazing wild animals.
18:43I'm Chanel Jones.
18:44Thanks for watching.
18:45Join us next time on Wild Child.
18:58with her!
19:23Go to the beach!
19:27When you're here in the background,
19:56Transcription by CastingWords
19:58CastingWords
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