Aux côtés de Frédéric Fougea, nous traversons les régions sauvages de France à la rencontre des ours, des loups et d’autres espèces étonnantes qui peuplent discrètement notre territoire. Un documentaire immersif qui révèle la beauté brute, les trésors naturels et les paysages grandioses de l’Hexagone.
Opus 1 https://youtu.be/pqrQhofAvR8
Opus 2 https://youtu.be/9WZQz9RPjck
Opus 3 https://youtu.be/CpkM0qAkBNY
Épisode 1 00:00
Épisode 2 01:30:52
Épisode 3 03:10:52
Réalisé par Frédéric FOUGEA
Raconté par Jacques Malaterre
There exists on our planet
a land blessed by nature, a country where the rich,
fertile, and well-watered soil has given birth to exceptional wildlife. This country is France. You are going to discover it
as if for the very first time. What is this large deer looking at,
as the new day dawns? It’s a territory
filled with extraordinary nature, a land which, by its diversity,
has attracted man for thousands of years. The animals living in these climes
have fabulous adventures to recount. However,
they’re not part of another world. We men and women share their lives. They struggle to survive,
combat one another, and make peace. They choose their mates, and deploy all their strength
to raise their young. They transform themselves
and acquire unsuspected powers. They travel long distances. Some men protect them,
while others care for them. Some even form alliances with them. From the highest mountain tops
to the ocean shores, here are the secrets of this country. The outstanding destinies
of these little-known animals, and the men and women
who live in contact with them. It’s a fascinating journey
into the secret land of wild France. Our story begins in the high mountains. At first glance, everything appears calm,
but a closer look reveals a survival zone. Animals and plants
are engaged in a race against the clock. It’s a struggle
to resist the harshness of winter. Animals here are clothed
in a layer of fat and a coat of fur, which enables them
to resist the polar-like cold. They sleep for six months, lowering their cardiac rhythm
to one beat per minute, and reducing their body temperature
down to four degrees Celsius. To take advantage of the sun
for as long as possible, plants begin to blossom under the snow. When spring arrives,
everyone emerges from their shelters. We’re in the Pyrenees mountain chain, home to the continent’s
most powerful animal. The brown bear is a force of nature. Just out of his den, this huge, solitary beast
has one vital need, to devour everything
he can get his paws on. He hasn’t eaten anything for months and has lost a third
of his weight during the winter. The bear’s vision isn’t very keen, but he has an incredible nose, capable of smelling food
from ten kilometers away. His sense of smell
has detected a dead, wild sheep beyond the summits. To satisfy his appetite, the bear can travel
several kilometers every day. He’s the marathon runner of the mountains. In the spring,
his diet requires an abundance of protein, and the sheep will be perfect. This is not the time
to think about anything else, but what’s that underneath? Earthworms will make a wonderful snack. While not enough
to restore any reserves of fat, it is tasty all the same. Now, off for the sheep again. A protein diet is all well indeed,
but there’s also fruit. The vitamins in fruit are good for health. Now for the main dish, no more stopping. What about ants? They’re protein. The problem with the ants
is that they itch. They crawl under the fur. There must be some termites
under this bark. We’ve got to deal with the ants first. Just a quick stop to clean up,
and a trout passes between the paws. That’s hard to resist. Besides, the soft flesh of the fish
is full of calcium, good for the bones. What’s that? Raspberries. Sorry, it’s too tempting. The technique is a bit tiresome,
but each mouthful deserves to be savored. Our gourmet spreads
the seeds he ingests in the mountains, unknowingly participating
in their biodiversity. After living in the French mountains
for a quarter of a million years, the bear almost disappeared
in the 20th century, but the good news, he’s back again. Mammals represent
a third of the bear’s diet, and if he attacks
a domestic herd by chance, it’s because they’re easy to catch and because the bear
doesn’t know that such meat is off-limits. The old folks tell children
that if they run into a bear, they should speak politely to him, as the animal has a gift
for understanding a man. If you come across one, don’t run. Just walk away as naturally as possible. To the east, the Alps rise up,
forming a 1,200-kilometer mountainous arc. It’s a colossus that controls the climate
and maintains the water reserves that irrigate the plains. We’re in the Écrins National Park, 150 summits surpassing 3,000 meters
and 10,000 hectares of glaciers. This territory is the realm
of a legendary animal, the golden eagle. A number of people
have decided to devote their lives to preserving this ecosystem. Among them, one such man has been roaming
these mountains since his childhood. Christian is impassionate
by everything that lives here. Although, the golden eagle
has won over his heart. Every year,
he tracks them by finding their nests, determining the number of youngsters, and making certain
that the conditions will allow them to soar through the skies
for a long time to come. The first animal breeders settled
in these mountains 5,000 years ago. The eagle has lived here
for 300,000 years. He’s very possessive
of the territory he occupies. If another eagle tries to enter it,
he attacks. The combat is merciless. He is capable of killing the intruder. During his ascension, Christian crosses a number
of different types of terrains, from the bottom of the valley
to the glaciers. It’s as if he were traveling
from the south of France to the polar circle. Each sector
has its own plants and animals. Three kilometers of uneven land reveals
as much as 3,000 kilometers of the planet. Their only common element is the water
that the mountain expels into the valleys. Following the torrents, Christian has discovered
a small bird with unique abilities. The dipper feeds on small aquatic mollusks
that live in the river beds. As strange as it may seem, it is capable
of diving into glacial waters. No other bird can move
under the water as well as the dipper. It swims with its wings. To feed its young, it dives down to a depth of two meters
and remains there in apnea for 15 seconds. He does this several times a day. The mountain altitudes
inhabited by man stop here. At 1,600 meters, a new world begins. The huge forest of conifers
with large trees, pines, and spruces. A terrain
reminiscent of the Siberian tiger. The eagle prefers to create his nest
at the edge of the forest, but finding it is no mean feat since the imposing bird
is extremely discreet. Be sure to keep your distance, since the animal,
although strong and powerful, is afraid of us. The King of Birds is fierce. The eagle’s hunting ground is higher up,
where trees are more rare, where the terrain opens up
to his piercing eyes, and where grass reigns supreme. On leaving the forest, we cross an area
that Christian calls the combat zone. The tree’s branches
fall to the ground exhaustedly. It’s pain for those who dare. The alpine grass takes over, a terrain that resembles the tundra
of the Great North. Since prehistoric times,
to flee our hunter ancestors, the marmot has taken refuge
in these high prairies. To go about their daily activities, marmots have developed
a collective surveillance system. Sentinels take turns of guard duty
on their colony’s territory. In this way,
they can raise their young in peace and spend their time
playing and living together. Even more outstanding,
they have their own language. From a distance,
they can indicate to others the nature, and proximity of any potential danger. A repeated whistling signifies
that the danger is approaching, be on your guard. A short whistle means
everyone must take cover. During the time
Christian has been observing him, the eagle has become accustomed
to his presence, and sometimes a miracle can take place. The eagle’s eyesight
is eight times superior to that of man, and his field of vision is 300 degrees. Nothing escapes his sight. The eagle gains high altitudes
in order to choose his prey. It’s a bitter law of nature, but without marmots,
there would probably be no eagles. The final step of the ascension,
the summits. On these vertiginous slopes, we sometimes hear the sound
of falling rocks. It’s the chamois,
whose refuge is vertical. The eternal snow
on the glacier resemble the polar circle. One would think that nothing
could live faced with these elements, but that is not the case. Usually, the snow is white,
but in the spring, it can be pink. This is due to algae
which flourish in the snow. What do they feed on? Water. These microscopic particles
color the snow. It’s the blood of the glaciers. The Mercantour Massif
is further south in the Alps. An important event has taken place
in the bowels of the earth. During the first days of April,
a birth has been announced. Two brothers are born
in a deep and dark den. This wolf cub is three weeks old. It’s the first time
he’s seen the light of day. The youngsters’ curiosity
is aroused by the smells and sounds coming towards them. The two brothers are ready for adventure, eager to go out
and discover the world above. Their mother isn’t there. There she is. Maybe they should’ve stayed in. They still don’t realize
that they are powerful predators. Like their mother, they won’t understand
that herds of sheep are forbidden to them, that they frighten children for no reason, and some people would prefer them
not to live on French soil, but in spite of the fear they generate,
the law is on their side. From the highest mountaintops
to the inaccessible cliffs, survival strategies
are invented everywhere. A prime example
are the peaks of the Verdon Canyon. What could possibly survive
on the vertical rock faces where moving around defies
the laws of gravity? Yet, there’s a surprising, rare,
and little-known animal living here. A tightrope walker
with a perfect sense of balance, the butterfly bird. This vertical life is the passion
of Arnaud and Stefanie, both European leading climbing champions. During their ascension,
they come across a variety of lives. Small flowers appear as if by magic, or this old Phoenician juniper bush. It’s more than a thousand years old, and its roots grow deep
and far under the rock. However, their favorite sight, the one that fascinates them the most
is the butterfly bird, also known as the Tikadrama. It stands vertically,
thanks to the morphology of its feet, which are large
with very solid, curved claws and thumbs facing downward. It’s called the butterfly bird because it roams along the cliffs
by opening its wings in fits and starts. Its wide wings enable it
to take advantage of the rising currents and to reach the heights
with a minimum of effort. Equaling the bird’s likeness
is a challenge for the two champions. However, the challenge has its limits. Arnaud and Stéphanie
like to sleep above the emptiness below. Sleeping on the cliffs
is like being suspended, momentarily out of time. The plains of Alsace and the Vosges mountain chain
in northeastern France is a surprising region. In the autumn,
geese arrive from northern Europe and cross France on their way
to southern climates to spend the winter. For thousands of years, the adults have been guiding
their newborns along these airborne routes. This family consists of a father,
a mother, and their six youngsters. The two adults fly ahead
and when one of them gets tired, the other takes over. The youngsters follow them. Since this is their first journey, they stay close to their parents
and obey their slightest movements. They take advantage of the current
and fly as if part of a platoon. The parents are not from the same species. The mother is a blue goose,
whereas the father is a grey goose. Their offspring are therefore mixed. Some have the yellow beak of their father
and the others, their mother’s pink beak. Things have not gone
as smoothly as planned this year. A young female
has been giving her parents trouble. She spends her time doing
useless acrobatic movements when she should be saving her energy. The youngster refuses
to do as her siblings do. Her constant lagging behind
and falling out of formation is wreaking havoc within the group. Mother often has to put her youngster
back on the right track. The parents use visual references,
including rivers, mountains, and sometimes even our manmade roads
to guide themselves. Tonight, they decide
to make a stop at Lake Kruš. Of course,
the young rebel does her own thing. The family will spend the night
on the banks of the lake. Our family has been awake since dawn,
but it’s still too early to fly. They have to wait for the fog to lift. True to her independent nature, the young rebel leaves
on her own to explore the surroundings, totally unaware of the danger. The family is ready to leave. The father is confident
and gives a signal for departure. The sun’s rays are strong enough
to create rising winds that will carry them along. At the other end of the lake, however, our young miss is beginning to realize that she can’t hear
the shouts of her family. They’ve left without her. What now? Young geese
don’t have a migratory instinct. Without their parents to guide them,
they have no idea where to go. Follow the water,
fly up to the sky, and hope to spot them. Call her mother in the hope
that her cries will reach her. Heading southwest,
the family has left on a long journey, crossing the plains
and then soaring over the mountains, covering 300 kilometers in one day. The mother has just realized
that she’s forgotten her youngster. She’s got to find her immediately. As she flies back to the lake, the father continues the journey
with his young. He’ll slow down the rhythm knowing
that his companion will join him soon. The mother checks every part
of the landscape. There she is. With one flap of the wings,
mother and daughter are reunited. She places her youngster
in her wake and redoubles their efforts, hoping to join the family
before nightfall. There they are. Has the young rebel learned her lesson? Adult geese are extraordinarily patient
with their young, and confident as well. They never give up on them. The plains of Alsace are rich and fertile. Man has lived here for a long time
on the banks of the Rhine, cultivating its hills. Just above these medieval villages,
a medium-sized massif rises up, the Vosges. A sumptuous flora transforms
this relief into a magic forest. Beech, oak, spruce,
and pine trees grow here in abundance, rivaling each other in terms of size. Some of these centuries-old trees
can reach a height of 15 meters. It’s a rich and protected habitat
for a large fauna that enjoys the generosity of this forest. Another animal with a ravenous appetite
lives in these forests. More discreet than the bear,
but just as energetic. The badger
is the most home-loving of mammals. Miss Badger lives here. Her life is organized
with great precision. She wakes up at 7:00. She takes care of a little business
behind the big tree at 7:05. Breakfast at 7:10. She cleans herself up at 7:15, followed by a tour
of the property until eight o’clock. Although her schedule
doesn’t usually change, today an important project
is going to disturb her routine. This morning, she feels
the pressing need to start a family. Finding a Mr. Badger
is therefore, of vital importance. She knows,
since she’s already picked up the scent, where to find a handsome male partner. However, before choosing her lucky mate, Mrs. Badger has to find a home
for her future family. Like any respectable badger, she needs a home with one main entrance
and several secondary exits. More important, however,
is finding the right terrain. Digging begins. This ground is too light,
better look elsewhere. Oh, sorry, madame. This might do. No, it won’t do at all. Here? Not so great either. This looks just right. A high ceiling with visible beams. A fox has already done a good part
of the work. This will be just fine. Mr. Badger will help
with the finishing touches. Miss Badger knows
that a few respectable males live on the other side of the lake. What’s important
is to avoid a fickle, unfaithful male. Certain males accept
the invitation willingly, only to leave the moment
the youngsters are born. A male has left his odor as he passed by. Where is he hiding? In a universe of caves and labyrinths, one can search for weeks
without finding one another. There he is. What’s more,
he looks like a hard worker. That’s a good sign. He agrees. Miss Badger is happy. No, the house
is on the other side of the lake. This way, Mr. Badger. Mr. and Mrs. Badger
can now furnish their family home. To do so,
they have to dig out 40 tons of earth to create galleries on several levels. Soon, five young badgers
will be waking up at 7:00 a.m., doing their business at 7:05,
having breakfast at 7:10, and cleaning at 7:15. Going down towards the plains
of central France, thousands of hectares of nature
surround the spaces inhabited by man. Just outside of Paris, there’s a forest
whose beauty and unique nature attracted the kings
of France for centuries. Fontainebleau is a royal forest. For 1,500 years, it has been protected
by the kings of France. In this forest
of oak moors and desert sand, in these illusively-shaped rocky massifs, the world’s royalty
would come together to ride and hunt. Dogs have been through the undergrowth
of this magic forest thousands of times. An incredible story
has been perpetuated here for centuries. It’s a story of complicity
and rivalry between two kings. One often talks about inseparable deer, and it’s true that two deer
can spend their entire life together. These two 10-pointer royal males
are a perfect example. The two friends are both seven years old
and have been together since birth. The first deer is fearful, deeply worried,
and spends his time waiting for danger. The second deer is careless
and sometimes oblivious to danger. The fearful deer’s ears
can hear the slightest sound within a radius of 300 meters. The careless animal, however,
has a quality cultivated to perfection, his nose. He knows how to find
the best food in any season. Willow leaves and tender ivy. We can understand
why these two deer form a couple. They warn each other of the danger
and share the food they find. They are partners in everything
and are never out of each other’s sight. The deer have a territory
they know by heart, and a network of trails
that they use all their lives and which cross our paths. These routes
are transmitted from doe to deer, from generation to generation. The deer has been hunted
by the wolf for thousands of years. To escape their highly organized packs,
they have developed a number of tricks. Although wolves are coming back to France, the danger often comes
from their descendants, dogs. The tricks, however,
for escaping them are the same. Getting away from the pack
as quickly as possible, but especially getting rid of the odor
that dogs can trace for hours. Passing through dry terrain
in order to weaken the odor. Entering the water and hiding,
using it as camouflage. The odor spreads in the water
and becomes imprecise. Even the sharp noses
of the dogs are losing their trail. The deer have escaped the pack. The careless deer remains calm, but his fearful partner
is still stressed out. Once again, they help each other. When it’s time to rest, they find a well-protected
hiding place to shelter. They spend the entire winter,
spring and summer together, but with the changing of season
comes the fateful moment of their lives when their story shifts dramatically. It’s autumn, their antlers
have lost their velvet texture. Their coat has grown and turned black. A hormone in their body
is multiplied a thousandfold, testosterone. They can only think of one thing,
the does. Each deer approaches
the herd from a different side. One through the plain,
the other from the water. Testing their power of seduction, mingling with the females
to smell their fragrance. The squall stimulates
the female’s ovulation and activates their going into heat. From that moment on,
sharing is impossible. The fearful one becomes fearless. Complicity is totally forgotten. Forcing the other to give up
in front of the females. The does await the verdict. The fearful deer is the strongest. His bellowing
rings out like a cry of victory. The careless deer surrenders. The females gather around their hero. He will mate with them for an entire month and prevent any new pretender
from stealing his throne. His careless friend will remain alone, but when the first cold days
of winter arrive, as if nothing had happened, the two friends will become allies
once again for a new season of complicity. Wild animals have lived side by side
with us for thousands of years, and they’ve had to adapt
to our presence and our activities. Some are dangerous,
but others can be beneficial. A great many animals
have passed through Marie’s hands. Ever since she was a child,
when she recognized her calling, Marie has been coming
to the aid of animals in need. Her reputation has gone far
beyond the borders of her community. As soon as an animal is in difficulty,
it’s she who is called upon. The most frequent animal wounds
are from accidents with cars. For a variety of reasons, newborns and youngsters
fall from their nests. Hunting is sometimes the cause as well. In the spring she receives
more than 120 species in her home, meaning up to 70 baby bottles
administered per day. Marie’s dilemma
is that she has to provide affection to all of her convalescing animals. However, this affection has to include
getting them used to the presence of man, without doing too much since there’s a risk
of the animal becoming too attached to its human benefactors. Marie is like a surrogate mother, and a maternal relationship
is created with each animal. The treatment
she administers to sparrows is the same for all the youngsters. Warmth, constancy,
and permanent attention. The little owls with their golden eyes
and their grumbling look are very playful. They like to play
hide-and-seek with Marie. Games like these create complicity. Most of the animals
know how to call for Marie when they need her. In her presence,
their innate fears vanish, and ironically, prey and predator
make peace with each other. In Marie’s opinion, the animals
are receptive to encouragement. Simply telling them
to go on, hang in there, do it for her gives them the strength
to fight the illness. Animals are like us, she says. If you encourage them,
if you love them, if you motivate them, they’ll make the effort. She feels that some of them
even get better just to please her. However, she doesn’t want them
to get too attached to her and forget their wild impulses. When an animal is back in good health,
Marie needs all of her courage. Releasing them isn’t easy. A part of Marie leaves with them. Giving back their freedom
is Marie’s special gift. On the Atlantic side of France
in the Poitou-Charentes region, there is a very unique type
of territory known as the Marais Poitevin. It’s a natural space shaped by man, 100,000 hectares of inundated land. Today, these spaces where seawater
and freshwater come together have created an incredible ecosystem
with flourishing wildlife. Julian has been exploring these wetlands
ever since his childhood, and he knows all its secrets. Julian is a living memory
of this territory. His passion is to talk about the land
in the manner of town criers of the past. This inveterate storyteller
spreads the word about the wetlands to anyone ready
to be charmed by its tales. He guides us through its meanders to discover the incredible stories
of the wildlife living here. Part of the swamp land
is filled with water all year long, the Rozalea. In spring, all the creatures
give life to a new generation. One of them requires a transformation
reminiscent of a science-fiction story to create its offspring. The dragonfly undergoes a metamorphosis. The small larva has spent
more than a year under the water. Its perilous transformation
will take place tonight. A high ground is required. Tonight, its life is going to change. The ugly aquatic larva is going to become
the handsome emperor dragonfly. The liberation can begin. Sucking in the air
and inflating its new body, its thorax breaks the envelope. It sheds its former skin. Its new feet come out easily,
but the dragonfly can’t use them yet. They’re still too soft. No question of falling now. Wait for the feet to harden. The mutant is now
in a totally vulnerable state. At last, its feet are ready. They’re going to be able
to grip its former head. Extracting the abdomen, the final step
before leaving its former body. The young dragonfly deploys its new body. The wings and fowl are humid and soft. Any movement could attract
the curiosity of a predator. It’s a critical moment. Suddenly, the miracle occurs. The wings are deployed,
never to close up again. In the early morning, it’s finally ready. The dragonfly flaps its wings
and reveals its attractive new appearance. Four independent wings
on a perfectly aerodynamic body. The small aquatic larva
that came out of the water last night has become one of the most sophisticated
flying creatures in the world. No machine can come close
to the perfection and dexterity of a dragonfly in flight. Soon it will find a partner, and the cycle will begin again. When man first arrived here
in prehistoric times, the site was an immense marshland
invaded by insects. In the 12th century,
communities of monks settled here, and began the monumental task
of drying up the swamps. They built dams
to prevent the water from rising, dug canals to evacuate the rainwater,
thus freeing the incredibly fertile soil. Agriculture and animal breeding prospered, giving these formerly hostile lands
an unimaginable wealth. In a part of the marshes, Julian knows of an area left fallow by man
and which has been taken over by animals. The ash trees
which were once used for firewood, have been abandoned. They have since been deployed,
giving birth to a magnificent space. It’s a secret spot
that can only be seen from the sky, a forest, where in spring, one hears
the shouts of a thousand youngsters. It’s a nursery for colonies of herons,
the Heronniere. Although it’s a paradise for some,
it’s also a scene of tragedy for others. These fledglings are three weeks old
and are constantly hungry. Their parents spend
every day searching for food to satisfy their ravenous appetites. Something, however, is not right. One of the three youngsters stands back while the other two devour
everything their mother regurgitates, and yet he’s hungry too. Usually,
the adults take three to four-hour shifts, but the male in his family disappeared. The mother is required
to execute a constant aerial ballet to feed her young. She has to fly up to 30 kilometers
to find fishing sites. Competition is fierce in the swamp. She’s not the only one
fishing for a family of four. The mother doubles her efforts
for her three youngsters, but a struggle
among the brothers has already begun. The two strongest siblings
have joined together against the weakest. More frail and less active,
he can only eat the leftovers. The problem is there aren’t any. A single parent
cannot possibly feed all three. Instinctively,
they attack their little brother. It’s not just a simple rivalry,
but a fratricidal struggle for survival. The weakest of the three will die
so that the other two can live, and there’s nothing
the mother can do to prevent it. The laws of nature can often be merciless. The best way to understand the complexity
of this region is from the sky. The Marais Poitevin
is an extraordinary labyrinth of an infinite number of canals. They drain the water towards the sea. This network of land arteries
acts as a filter on the water that descends
from the center of the country. The wetlands capture alluvia, treat it, and cast
clean, healthy water into the sea. These high-quality waters are a godsend for the reproduction
of the region’s species. A great many birds come here
to nest and to lay their eggs, but the countryside
abounds with predators of all kinds. Frank is one of these. His passion is finding the greatest number
of fledglings in a period of a few days. Frank, however,
is a blessing for his prey. His mission,
for the Museum of Natural History, is to give the young birds he finds,
an identity tag. He travels through the swamps
from morning till night, looking for the most hidden areas. His objective is to protect those who have unknowingly placed themselves
in harm’s way. The short-eared owl nestles on the ground. This tendency can often be fatal, since they cannot tell the difference
between high grass and a cultivated field. This species of owl
is threatened with extinction. Frank’s job is to alert farmers to the fact that beneath their feet,
they possess a real treasure. He asked them to be careful
not to cut the birds into shreds as they reap their crops. This knowledge
and this reverence for life make each of us capable of preserving
what lives next to us. More and more bird species
nowadays live close to man because in our environment,
there are fewer natural predators. Without knowing it,
we offer them our protection. The jackdaw is a small, mischievous bird
whose delicate odor Frank adores. For Frank, smelling the aroma of a bird
is a way of capturing its essence while still allowing it to remain free. Thanks to people like Frank, millions of birds
are identified every year, allowing them
to follow their migratory routes, making it possible
to intervene in the event of an epidemic. Julian has other surprises
in store for us. When night falls over the marshes, other creatures wake up
and leave to go hunting. The Rhinolophus bat is one
of many species living in France, but for one of these bats,
hunting is over for the day. She has to rush back to her colony’s nest
since the big moment has arrived. Tonight, she’s going to give birth
to her first infant. Like swallows,
bats live under man-made roofs. Although Rhinolophus bats
prefer living in the community, our future mother
finds a more isolated space in order to give birth in privacy. The contractions have begun. The head appears first. The mother begins
by cleaning her offspring. She licks it and frees its ears,
which are stuck to its head. The newborn is free and it descends naturally,
searching for her nipples. With her wings, she envelops and protects
the youngster from a possible fall. The Massif Central in the center of France
possesses numerous volcanoes eroded by time. Further south, we find the incredible diversity
of the Cévennes region. The river water
descending from the granite mountains have carved the contours
of this calcareous region. Over time, the water has dugout canyons
hundreds of meters deep. In recent years, an extraordinary animal
has once again taken up residence on the cliffs of this region, the griffon vulture. It lives in colonies and is dependent on the actions
of the group. The vulture has invented
a collective strategy for finding its prey. It’s a sophisticated procedure
that is repeated every day. It’s 6:00 a.m., and the sun hasn’t yet penetrated
the depth of the canyons. Without the warmth of the sun,
the vulture cannot fly. Despite its hunger,
there’s no question of moving yet. At last, the air can carry them. Like an air squadron,
dozens of vultures take off. They gain altitude,
thanks to the warm currents. They can now fully demonstrate
the exceptional talent of dividing up the territory. The large birds take their positions
over several kilometers. They scan every inch
of their hunting ground, but never lose track of the other vultures
for a very good reason. If one of them spots a prey,
it immediately dives down after it. The other vultures haven’t seen the prey, but they’ve noticed
the absence of one of them. This means there’s something
to eat down below. In a matter of seconds, the entire colony
gathers around for the feast. The work
of one individual benefits everyone. Sharing is the price to pay
for the colony’s survival. Each bird can now return to its nest with a part of the treasure
for its youngsters. The formidable work of vultures
rids the nature of corpses and their bacterial pollution, thus preventing the contamination
of the water table. Thanks to them, these lands are now clean
to the benefit of all the inhabitants. To the north of the Cévennes, the Lozère region with its higher plateaus
is lashed by the wind. Protestants took refuge here
to escape being massacred during the great religious wars. This was once the scene
of numerous combats of faith. Despite its austere nature, it’s here that the greatest number
of rivers are born. One of the most famous
takes its source on Mont Lozère, the Tarn. During the first warm rays
of the sun in the spring, the Tarn reaches its optimum strength. Eric wants to challenge the river
when it’s at its most dangerous. However, before measuring himself
against its force, the extreme kayak-racing champion
wants to feel its currents. He wants to become one with the river
and go as far as it will allow him. Eric knows that he can’t fight its power. The slightest error is unforgivable. The force of the currents
will crush, shatter, and drown him. Eric experiences extreme pressure. During such moments, a feeling
of completeness invades his spirit. His passion was born on this river. Ever since, when spring arrives,
he comes to pay tribute to it. The rivers cross and nourish the land, just as the blood
in our veins nourishes our bodies. They are the country’s precious treasures. The rivers of France
have attracted a newcomer from a bygone nearer, the otter. With nostrils capable
of filling underwater, eyes that can change shape to adapt
to different modifications of light, streamlined body, powerful webbed feet, and nasal hairs that enable the otter
to detect the slightest movement of any underwater prey, the otter has a huge number of powers. Beauty, however, attracts jealousies. The otter’s thick, soft, and warm fur
made it the victim of hunters in the past, who used the fur
to clothe kings and queens. The otter reigns
over 40 kilometers of the river. When he leaves to hunt for food,
this aquatic beauty can be terrifying. Everyone goes into hiding. If a fish sees an otter,
it’s already too late. If you see one, don’t try to challenge it. The otter can remain underwater
for eight minutes. An insect endemic to the Cévennes
lives in the Lozère mountains, the black bee. It has existed on our planet
since prehistoric times, and yet it might have disappeared were it not for people
who watch over it and protect it. This flower-loving insect is a workaholic. It works much more than necessary,
in fact. Which is what enables man
to enjoy some of the honey it produces above all, for itself. Yves is a very special kind of beekeeper, and his honey is famous
for its aroma and its unique taste. Yves’ ability
for getting the best out of his bees stems from his thorough knowledge
of their society and roles. His talents borders on alchemy. To house his bees, Yves builds them trunk hives which are imitations
of their natural habitat. In these chestnut tree trunks, thousands of workers
live around their queen. The black bee has a highly sophisticated
sense of vision, reminiscent of advanced technology. Attracted by vivid colors, it looks for the nectar
of the finest flowers. However, on its return trip
to the hive to conserve its energy, it passes from color
to black and white mode, a subtle moderation for the bee. When the scout detects
an important source of food, it transmits the information to the hive. By a series of dances and gesticulations,
it indicates the direction, the distance, and even the quantity of pollen available. This is how
the pollen gatherers are recruited. To preserve the health of his bees, Yves practices
a delicate operation every year. He creates a new swarm. He coaxes the old queen
into entering the trap just above. As soon as she’s inside,
he can claim victory. The departure of the old queen provokes
the rapid and spontaneous appearance of a very dynamic,
very prolific new queen. However, he also wants to preserve
and protect the species and prevent the black bee
from disappearing as a result of inbreeding with other bees. He therefore transports
the old queen to a secret site where no other variety of bee lives. He won’t take any honey
as he allows these swarms to reorganize. In this way,
the black bee species can be preserved. A bee lives for barely 30 days, becoming in turn, a cleaner, nursemaid,
builder, domestic, and guardian. It’s only after this entire series
of initial tasks that the bee can become a nectar gatherer. Then one day, it falls to the ground, struck down by fatigue. Throughout its entire existence,
a bee produces about seven grams of honey. To the south of the shores
of mainland France lies an island of majestic beauty. From its mountainous barriers,
extraordinary valleys, ravines, and canyons, a legend recounts that the sun
made such intense love with the sea that a child was born, Corsica. We’re now in the Scandola reserve. Dominated
by the Genoese towers of Galeria, the cliffs plunge gracefully
into the Mediterranean. Scandola is dedicated to the preservation
of the island’s natural land and sea treasures. This unique site has been classified
as UNESCO World Heritage. The symbol of the reserve, the osprey,
which almost disappeared here, is back again. Although Scandola on land is magnificent, it’s under the sea that this reserve
conceals its greatest treasures. To protect this exceptional heritage, one man has devoted his adult life
for more than 30 years. Jean-Marie is the curator of the site. He has an appointment
with a creature from the ocean depths. Each time he dives, as if it knew, the carnivorous creature
rises from the abyss, but it does so without any warning. It chooses its hour. The fish here have no fear of man. They’re not hunted
and we represent no danger for them. This herbarium is one
of the Mediterranean’s major ecosystems. It’s an underwater prairie
which provides nature with 20 liters of oxygen
per square meter per day. Scandola is a favorite spot
for fish to spawn their eggs. The eggs laid here
are carried by the current outside the limits of the reserve and nurture
all the neighboring marine depths. All of these fish species will flourish and guarantee their presence
on the country’s coasts. There it is, waiting. The grouper is accustomed
to living in total safety at a depth of 100 meters. However, in these protected waters it has no qualms
about swimming to the surface. Why does it systematically greet him? Is it accustomed to this man in a bubble? Who are you? The love life of the grouper
is one of the world’s most surprising, to say the least. The grouper is a hermaphrodite. All young groupers are born as females and at the age of ten
change sex and become males. Males and females come together
in early summer to reproduce. They dance and change colors
as a means of seduction. This is the astounding nuptial parade
of the groupers. The grouper almost disappeared
from the Mediterranean coasts, but it once again reigned supreme,
thanks to reserves like Scandola. The Fango Delta is just
a few hundred meters away from Scandola, a beach where freshwater joins the sea. In these natural ponds, a species of animal that has existed
since the beginning of time flourishes, the cistude. It’s the mating season, and this particular turtle
has a curious seduction tactic. As a cold-blooded reptile before mating, it has to recover its energy,
thanks to the sun’s rays. Quickly, to the solarium. No time to lose
before the crowd takes the best places. Oops, too late. This makeshift raft
will do just fine as a deck chair. No, this is definitely not a good idea. Over there, an isolated female? The technique is quite simple. Without her seeing, to take his mate by surprise
and keep her head underwater to prevent her from moving and breathing. No one in the colony
seems to be shocked in the least. The cistude turtle is somewhat brutal,
but that’s how they reproduce. As soon as one moves away from the coast, this mountainous island
becomes prickly and hostile, with a marquee of thick, sharp-cutting,
and thorny bramble bushes. To survive in this vegetal barbed wire, one needs to be made of bronze
and have an incredibly thick skin. The king of this terrain is the wild boar. Most wild boars
live in groups and never separate. Certain individuals, however,
have a fairly surprising behavior. This large male is a case in point. He’s coupled with all the females, resulting in the birth
of a great many young boars. Is he getting bored? Is he frustrated
by the attitude of the sows which no longer call him in their favor? Or is he filled
with an irrepressible spirit of conquest? The male abandons his herd
in search of adventure in other valleys. Equipped with the world’s
most extraordinary snout, the boar can distinguish odors
on the ground left by other animals several days ago. A herd of boar
came by here three days ago. About 15 individuals,
lots of youngsters, mothers. Wait a minute, an uncoupled sow. Just what he needs. He’s three days late. In three days, the group
has covered a great deal of territory. His snout, however,
can guide him over dozens of kilometers without the slightest wrong turn. The only thing that could make him
lose the trail is the water. Has the female crossed the river? It’s over there. Time to cross over. In spite of his hunger,
the armored warrior continues his trek. Day and night,
he stubbornly follows the invisible trail, which brings him closer
to his female with every passing hour. After two days without stopping,
he senses his reward is near. There they are. The herd and the young female. That’s definitely her. As if they understand each other with a sense of modesty
characteristic of their species, the two animals join together
to find a discreet site far from curious eyes. Now, it’s time for a nice bath
to coat the body with a thick layer of mud in order to eliminate any ticks
that could sting and itch. The adventure he has just experienced
has whetted his appetite, and he’s ready once again
to leave in search of new conquests. The sexual drive
of these large, solitary males has an important genetic function
for the different boar populations. Thanks to these adventurous individuals, the wild boar herds will not deteriorate
as a result of inbreeding. The gentleness of the climate and the fantastic
Mediterranean location of Corsica have attracted a number of different
populations throughout the ages. Some of them
have settled in the mountains. In the commune of Venaco, the inhabitants have preserved
the gestures of the ancestors. Animals other than wild boars
travel long distances through the Corsican mountains. At the end of spring,
when the sun’s rays warm the earth, goats and sheep
head naturally for the summits. The herds do not need anyone,
not even the dogs that follow them, to reach the cooler climates
of the mountains. Paul is their shepherd. He’s been following them for 30 years. When they decide to leave, he has to go. He leaves the village to spend five months
at an altitude of more than 1,800 meters. After a day of climbing,
the animals on their own, find the pastures
where they’ll be spending the hot months. The summer can now arrive. An uncontrollable instinct flows
through the veins of these animals. In the past, some sheep
left for the mountains and became what they were
before being domesticated by man, wild sheep. In the neighboring valley, the boar has finally found a herd
with which he can enjoy spending time without having to head for the mountains. A few hundred kilometers away,
the bear is looking for a winter den. He puts together a few branches
and makes a soft, downy nest in the shadow of the spruce trees. The deer are back together. The two rivals
have forgotten their rivalry. A new year of complicity can begin. The vultures continue
to look for a new treasure, which they don’t have to share this time. The bat is now teaching her young to hunt. The two wolf cubs have become adolescents and follow their pack
without fear of the lightning. The dragonfly has found a partner and will give birth
to a new generation of dragonflies. The marmots take advantage
of the last days of sunshine before their long hibernation. Mr. and Mrs. Badger have had an argument. They’ve decided
to separate by mutual consent. The entire family has succeeded
in crossing France from north to south. What remains now
is to cross the high mountains, a final ordeal
that requires all their strength. The difficulties of traveling
have changed the attitude of the young rebel. Her parents sometimes
even let her lead the formation. With enormous courage, these birds have been confronting
the elements for thousands of years in order to survive
and continue to feed our imagination. The geese will spend
the winter in southern climes, and return in the spring to once again soar
above the fascinating lands of France. The Atlantic winds blow
on a country blessed by nature, a country where the rich, fertile,
and well-watered soil has given birth to an exceptional wildlife. This country is France. You’re about to see it as never before. Where are these cranes heading
on such a beautiful morning? They are crossing a land
whose beauty has captivated man since the dawn of time, France. The animals that live here
have fabulous adventures to recount. Some challenge one another and fight. Others help each other
and form friendships, passing on their knowledge
to the little ones. They can lie, pretend, and even cheat. They can be cruel. They travel vast distances
high above our heads. They choose partners for life
or just for the night. Some men look out for them. Some even form alliances with them. From the highest mountaintops
to the shores of the great oceans, these are the secrets
of the French wilderness. An epic voyage
into this untamed land. Wild France. Our story begins
in a valley in the Jura. Deep in the forest,
an important event has just taken place. He has just fallen
from his mother’s womb. Nature whispers its first instruction, “Don’t let anyone see you.” His first hours are crucial. If a predator finds him, it’s over. Perhaps, that’s why his
mother has moved away. Sleep. Slowly build up the strength. No. The will to live is too strong. Now try to find his balance. Nature is so well-prepared
that in a few steps, the fawn has found the answer. The answer, and his mother. She can’t stay near him too long. They are too visible. A quick signal
and he is out of sight once more. Wait until she returns. Wait to grow up. One day,
the little prince will become a king. He’s a young fawn, and he has his whole life ahead of him. A wall of mountains 300 km long rises up at the border
with Switzerland, the Jura. As the name suggests, it was formed
during the Great Jurassic period, 200 million years ago, when dinosaurs still roamed the planet. Once submerged
by tropical seas, today it is covered
by a vast wild forest. The first man here hunted mammoths
and woolly rhinoceroses. Then farmers tried their luck here and stayed. This kingdom is ruled
by the last big cat in Europe, a creature of legend, the lynx. Legendary, yet fragile, in the 20th century, the lynx disappeared. It is now making a comeback
in the Jura. A handful of men watch over them. Stefan Regazzoni is one such man. He has surveyed the mountains
and tracked these big cats for 20 years. He studies how they live. Last spring, Stefan found a mother’s den, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There were three cubs,
still half blind. Have they survived? They should be grown up by now. His mission is to find them again. Not an easy task. Lynxes are the most secretive animals, most active at twilight. They rarely leave a trace
of their presence. The lynx often lies in wait, hiding and waiting for its prey
exactly where it knows they will be. It prefers, though,
to stalk its prey, following without making
the faintest noise and catching them
before they have a chance to escape. It hides away its victims and comes back
over several days to feed. Stefan has just entered
the mother’s territory. When you’re looking for a lynx,
it will always see you first. Stefan senses he’s being watched. She’s protecting her cubs. It means they’re still alive. That’s where they’re hiding. Only two of them. One must have died. Through play,
they learn how to hunt. Their mother is watching over them. She knows he’s here. Here they have everything they need
to survive. Soon she’ll bring them along to hunt. When they can fend for themselves, they’ll leave
and each find their own territory. The lynx has once again returned. In the forest of France lives
another legendary being, a giant that has watched men pass beneath
for many ages, the oak. The oak arrived
from Italy 10,000 years ago, but how did he make the journey? That’s one
of nature’s most beautiful secrets. It lives
for hundreds of years and provides services
to a multitude of living creatures. Some have built their homes in it. Some feed off the bark. Some eat the leaves and some eat those that eat the leaves. Some feed on its roots and others on its fruit, acorns. The oak’s main problem
is that its acorns cannot become oaks under its shade. Where they land,
there isn’t enough light. Among its inhabitants, one little animal
does the oak a great service without even realizing it. Every autumn,
the squirrel prepares his winter store. As soon as the acorns are ripe,
he begins his frantic task. The most important thing is
to hide them well so no one can steal them, but there are spies everywhere. Another lost acorn. All his neighbors are thieves. They watch him come and go, trying to find
where he has buried his treasure. Why him? The big nose didn’t see anything. He must have seen it. This time he won’t have his treasure. It was right there. No, there. Maybe here. This seems like a good place. Better go a bit further. He won’t follow this far away. The big noses are lazy. That’s right.
Get lost! The acorn is safe and one of nature’s wonders
has been carried out. Over the next few weeks, our squirrel will bury thousands
of acorns in the forest. Sometimes he will travel
hundreds of meters to find a good hiding place. The oak’s great fortune lies
in the squirrel’s imperfect memory. When winter arrives,
he’ll feed from his various hiding places, but he won’t remember half of them. The oak will benefit greatly
from his forgetfulness, as the following spring,
in a distant clearing, the squirrel’s forgotten fruits
will germinate and, in turn,
become oaks themselves. That’s how
over thousands of years these immovable giants
have conquered foreign lands. From southern Italy, the oak has managed
to spread beyond its borders. In the west of the country, a strong headland rises up
towards the Atlantic, a granite peninsula caressed
by an ocean of untold riches. The horizon for many travelers. A paradise for so many creatures. From here,
men left to conquer the world. Here they returned and built the cities of their dreams. We are in Brittany. Pushed by the wind
and pulled by the moon. Water and land have lived side by side
for thousands of years. A very long time ago, life left the depth of the ocean
and seized the shore. Deep down,
the rocks bear witness to this time. Every year here,
in Cap Fréhel, an incredible story
of life and death takes place. In spring, the cliffs welcome an animal
that has traveled from distant northern lands,
from Iceland, and Greenland. A flying penguin capable
of covering 6000 km a year, diving to depths of 180 m,
and living at sea for months on end. The guillemot
is a tuxedo-wearing phenomenon. They nest on the cliffs of the cape
so they can be safe from predators. To stop them from rolling
and falling off the cliffs, the guillemot eggs are pear-shaped. If they roll, they come back. Clever. For one of them,
today is the big day. The chick is now three weeks old. His parents hatched him,
fed him, and protected him. Now the moment has come
to leave the nest and head out to sea. His parents know
that now they must abandon him. Alone. Into the void. Get him to jump. Call him
until he makes up his mind. How? He can’t fly. The only option is to jump. Impossible, but he has to. They call again and again. Further away,
another chick decides to jump. The big beaks are there. Many young birds don’t make it to the sea. Now it’s his turn. They’ve seen him. He ignores his parents
and waits for the night. Does he know
that seagulls stop hunting at sunset? This is it. He can do it. His parents are there. Now he can leave. He’ll be back next spring with a mate
and a beautiful black and white coat. The sea doesn’t just attract animals. Many men and women
have a mysterious attraction to the deep. That is the case
for Frederica Picard. For the last 20 years, she has been forming a close friendship
with an ambassador dolphin. Ambassadors are dolphins
that have decided to leave their pods for closer contact
with the human world. Some individuals go
from port to port. They seem
to desire relationships with us. Frederica believes they are messengers. Every year she has a rendezvous
with one of them, Donnie. Today, she has decided
to bring her daughter. Adelie hasn’t seen Donnie
since she was 12. The time has come
to make contact again. The encounter
with Donnie changes from year to year. She knows
that her friend is close. The dolphin reminds us of our inner child, our life force, joy. She says that you have to become one
with the spirit of the dolphin, half asleep, half awake, in a semi-conscious state. Donnie helps her reconnect
with herself. He decides when he wants to leave, maybe to find his fellow dolphins. Do these messengers
from the sea have knowledge to teach us? Perhaps we will find out
in the future when Donnie returns. This peaceful world can be transformed
into a white fury. How can anything possibly survive
in this hell? On our coasts, one mammal has decided
to spend his entire life in the water. It is an animal
of extraordinary abilities. The seal is a wonder of evolution. To live in these extreme conditions,
it has developed highly precise skills. First, it takes in very little air
before diving but stores oxygen
in its muscles. Then it slows its heart rate
to five beats a minute. Finally, it drops the temperature
of its extremities, concentrating body heat
around its heart. Our mammal has one obsession in life, doing nothing
and having a good sleep. More than anything,
he hates being disturbed during a nap. The young have no respect
for the adult’s peace and quiet. Better find another spot. Nothing will stop him
from doing nothing. Floating does have its benefits, rocking gently, opening his nostrils
once every 15 minutes. Really though, the best naps are to be had
on dry land in the sunshine. In his colony
during working hours, the worthiest have their spot. Here are the females
and a large male. Best not to disturb him. A rock just below the low tide will do. The advantage? It’s easy to get on. The best position here
is the banana attitude. Beware,
keep your flippers dry. Through them,
the sun heats your entire body. Complete bliss. When the tide rises,
just let it carry you up. Now for a change,
find a quiet place. Seals spend 15 hours a day sleeping. The rest of the time,
they’re thinking about their next nap. In central France,
a great wild river crosses the country, the Loire. Over time, it has carved out the curves
of a majestic valley. Its many rivers and streams
have guided migrating birds for thousands of years. One of them we think we know well, but its private life is more surprising
than it seems. This young pair of swans
have been traveling for several days. They’re looking for a quiet place
to spend their honeymoon. Under the arches
of the Chateaux Chenonceau, they can finally be together
and start a family. With swans, though, everything must be done correctly. She’s a virtuous maiden and won’t grant a suitor favor
without a committed courtship. Seduction in a thousand ways. They synchronize their movements
in perfect harmony. A few weeks later,
life suddenly hatches out. From their love, three chicks are born
to their great pride, two white and one gray. It may mean nothing, but the gray was born
a few hours after the others. Swans can swim from birth
but will have to learn to fly. With their first steps,
the three little ones head for the water, two white and one gray. Is it because of his color or his late hatching? For now,
the little gray is on its own. The first lesson, learn to eat. The best way is by observing. How does she do it? To reach their favorite food,
they need long necks. The little ones are still lacking
that particular attribute, and these delicacies are out of reach. At last, they feed off the treats
collected by their elders. Under their parent’s wings, the two whites
and the gray will learn about life. Their fluffy dawn will turn one day
to feathers. They have four months to learn to fly, to strengthen their wings, and become birds. It’s September. The chicks have grown
and are now ready for the big moment. Under the watchful gaze of their parents,
they’re about to take off. The two whites are the first to try. There they go. Gone. They will never come back. Now for the gray. The white pair managed it. Why not him? Does he want to stay
with his parents forever? In the swan world, the young have to leave
and search for food elsewhere. It’s a matter of life and death. The father attacks his son. Fear made him fly. How do his parents feel now
that the last chick has left for good? Are they proud or relieved? Their mission is accomplished. Their only duty
was to train their offspring, white or gray. As for him, he’ll soon find a group
of young swans his age. It is October, and for one inhabitant
of these woods, it’s time to find a winter shelter. This morning,
Hedgehog must reach the place where he will sleep
through the harsh winter cold, the old stump
on the edge of the park. Hedgehog is blind as a bat. To get around,
he must push straight ahead. The stump is on the other side of the park
behind the castle. First, he must cross Diana’s Garden. This park is looked after by a gardener
with a particular style. For the benefit
of all the park users, Gregoir’s gardening methods
are completely free from chemicals. By introducing lace wings
onto his rosebushes, he can remove a large number of aphids, reinforcements
for the overworked ladybirds. In order to spend
the next six months without food, Hedgehog must feast now. Today’s menu: snails, leaf-wrapped slugs,
and a raw snake. Where have they gone? This morning, the slimy delicacies
have deserted the vegetable patch. Not there either. Who is behind this shortage? Gregoir has a recipe
to get rid of pests. He adorns his patch
with thyme, sage, and chives. He plants them here and there. It does the trick. Hedgehog uses the smell
to get rid of the 500 fleas that live under his 7000 spines. For insecticide,
Gregoir sprays nettle juice, natural and very effective. Today he faces an unexpected invasion, a slug attack. Gregoir has found the answer: Hedgehog. A feast and just in time. Gregoir would like Hedgehog
to stay longer in his garden, but his spiky friend has other plans. Behind Catherine’s Garden,
his well-earned hideaway, he is finally in his winter garden. He scratches the ground
and makes a nest with a few leaves. It’s ready. Adapting ourselves to nature
and helping him without abusing. Gregoir says nature looked after itself
for millions of years. In order to sleep
for the entire winter, Hedgehog can adjust his body temperature and keep it just three degrees
above the outside temperature, as if the whole world is balanced
within a few degrees. Another globetrotter awakes
at the end of winter to begin a great journey. He often lives nearby
but hides underground in October and hibernates
until the frosts have disappeared. Here lives Mr. Toad and tonight is his big night. An irresistible force calls him from several kilometers away
to the place where he was born. He has to get there
before sunrise, but how can he resist the taste
of a juicy earthworm? He hasn’t eaten for six months. Delicious. He’s off again. What’s this journey for? To find a mate, for at this journey’s end
awaits the future Mrs. Toad. Mr. Toad is not alone. Just like him, hundreds of suitors have awoken tonight
to fulfill their destiny. They’re all heading
in the same direction. Some males have found
a less tiring way to travel, hanging on the back of a female. Female toads are larger than the males. Do or die. Everyone will meet at the pond, but there are often
more males than females. If only he could find one
before he gets there. Never mind. Here, the humans have built a towpath
so they can cross the main road, safer but busier. Tonight,
while the humans sleep, hundreds of amphibians
will cross the village. Not all will make it. Mr. Toad is resigned to traveling alone. If he wants a mate,
he’ll have to be the first to arrive. There it is, the pond where he was born. Now to find his princess. There she is. Those golden eyes and that skin. Mr. Toad is thrilled. The two lovers will spend several days
stuck to each other. Mrs. Toad will lay 7000 eggs in the water, and Mr. Toad,
well-placed, will fertilize them all. Then Mr. Toad will return
to his summer home, alone. Every year in February, millions of amphibians
perform the same ritual. If you see them on the road,
please don’t run over them. Love is calling them. To the south of the Loire, the Massif Central slopes gently down
to the Great Plains in the bends of the Auvergne,
the land of a hundred valleys. In this area of hills and plateaus, men have built thousands
of villages and fortresses. They have redrawn the landscape
in harmony with nature. Here lives a mysterious animal
that is seldom seen. Its agility is as famed as its discretion. This golden eyed creature
is called a genet. Where is she going so early this morning? This panther-like animal came over
from Africa in the Middle Ages. Domesticated by lords
for its grace and ability, it soon became a favorite at court. This elegant and useful companion
spread terror among the rodent population. It protected against the plague and so it took its place
with men and women, a place which has since been taken
by another, more docile predator, the cat. She continues to stalk
her old hunting grounds. Her favorite prey are mice
and other small rodents. As in the past, she has been drawn
to where they are most abundant, her rival’s territory. Cats are lazy
and have everything done for them. Why did they become the favorites? She chose freedom and discomfort
over warmth and cat biscuits. Though she may be unwelcome, an inferior hunter won’t stop her
from roaming where she likes. The genet sees and hears everything. She lies hidden
and watches her prey. As a hunter,
she is without equal. In the time of kings,
it was beyond debate. The tomcat has sensed her and will chase her out. Quicker above
and quicker below. With her appetites satisfied, she offers the imposter a punishment
of his choice. This is the genet’s life now. She refuses human company. Even if she comes hunting
on our grounds, she always returns
to her nest in the trees. We preferred the cat. Well, she chose her way of life. In the southeast of France is Provence. Two ancient mountain ranges plunge
into the blue water of the Mediterranean, the Maurs and the Esteril. In summer,
they become dry and thorny, a scrubland of green oaks
and shaft-tipped pines. It’s the perfect environment
for an animal. Tortoise’s priority of the day
is to find a sunny spot. Unlike us,
she isn’t heated from the inside. She seeks the sun’s warmth. To be at her best,
she needs to reach 25 degrees. Her lizard cousin has the same aim, to bask in the sun,
ideally with the least amount of effort. This is their sundeck. Now, stay still. Warming every part of their bodies. This morning, however,
they have an uninvited guest. Tortoise is invincible. She fears nothing and no one, except him, the fearsome enemy
that returns every year, the tortoise’s worst nightmare. Daniel Manzo, Canadair’s pilot, commanding officer of Marseille-Provence. A fire started in the Maures. Immediate response. Two aircraft are in operation. Tortoise knows
where to find a pond in a territory, but the fire is much faster
than her. Lake Saint Croix loads six tons of water
and targets 15,000. The temperature rises. In a few minutes,
the tortoise is going to boil in her own shell. She can’t go on. This is the end. Tortoise came here
in the sun to raise the temperature. She succeeded. Now she has to get it back down. Hermann’s tortoises have lived exclusively
on the shores of the Mediterranean for millions of years. Many of them perish in forest fires. It’s one of the reasons
their survival is under threat. The heart of Provence lies in the hills
that join the sea to the Alps, a land of fragrance and color, a landscape whose famous light
has attracted the greatest painters and whose warmth is a joy
to countless species. Provence could tell a thousand stories, though none is more astonishing
than the transformation of a pitiful, slithering creature
into a majestic winged princess. This story takes place
beneath an olive tree. The wild fennel is home
to two neighbors, the flamboyant swallowtail
and the discrete hummingbird hawk moth. From the start, the odds are against
these two future butterflies. The swallowtail’s color cries out, poison. The moth’s camouflage
has the opposite aim. Still, on the ground,
two caterpillars have a common predator: carnivorous ants. This formidable hunter has no mercy
for anything that enters its territory. In order to become Butterfly, Swallowtail
must quickly find a firm stalk. Moth who has changed color along the way
must bury himself and lie still. One goes up high. The other stays low. Swallowtail attaches itself
with a silk thread. Moth sleeps on the ground, hardens, and forms a pupa. Swallowtail becomes a chrysalis. Ten days later,
the incredible metamorphosis. Today, their lives will change. They inflate and break their cocoons. They unfurl their wings and let them dry, drawing in the sun’s energy. Suddenly, the moth is ready. Now it’s Swallowtail’s turn. She has grace, but no control. With wings
that beat 80 times a second, the hummingbird hawk-moth
is a wonder of precision. Being able to hover, it is the only one to feed
without landing. The swallowtail’s large wings
are its pride, but difficult to maneuver. The two companions are reunited
by the scent of the same flower and its delicious nectar. The verbena will keep the two friends busy
for days. Then they will depart
and start their new lives. The animals
of the French countryside do not always have
such peaceful relationships. In some places,
the story is quite different. This is the case for two legendary rivals, the crow, and the fox. The Crow family home. This morning,
Master Crow has decided to teach his daughter
a few of his old tricks. Her first lesson of the day
is to imitate her father. Well, it was her first attempt. The vixen lives in the same area
with her cubs. To feed all these mouths, Mother Fox is trapped
in a perpetual dance between her den
and her hunting grounds. Master Crow knows this well and sees an opportunity
to feed himself at Mother Fox’s expense. First of all, find her den. This is a chance to show
his daughter how to trick a fox. Master Crow can eat anything, but he particularly enjoys
what the vixen has caught. It’s a good trick,
but the best is yet to come. Here is Master Crow delighted
to show his daughter his cunning plan. When it comes to trickery, crows are experts. The vixen is on her hunting ground. The trick is to get her attention and play the injured bird. Mother Fox knows
this meal could feed her entire litter. He pulls her as far as possible
from her abandoned prey. The young crow understands the trick. She refuses to share. Another lesson she’ll have to learn. Master Crow has deceived Mother Fox, but she’ll get her own back soon enough. The crow and the fox are always trying
to trick each other. Their rivalry is centuries old. It may be that flatterers thrive
on fools’ credulity but remember, little cubs, that a bird in the hand
is worth two in the bush. In the southwest lies Aquitaine,
the third-largest region of France, and natural spaces
with incredible diversity. It is November. A family of cranes is
heading south across France. The family consists of a father,
a mother, and their youngest daughter, Mademoiselle. This year, she has to choose the one
with whom she will spend the rest of her life. Finding a good husband won’t be easy. They have come from Sweden across France in two days. They fly day and night, exchanging calls
to maintain contact. They know exactly where they’re going. Every feature below them is fixed
in their memory. Rivers, villages,
and motorways are their landmarks. It is a huge effort, and Mademoiselle,
less experienced than her parents, is at her limit. It can’t be far. They’re already crossing paths
with other travelers. Argiésans with its lakes, moors, wheat fields, and wonderful roosts. They have come from all
over Northern Europe, Norway, Baltic lands,
Finland, and Poland. Fifty thousand cranes congregate here
to spend three winter months. The site used to be a lignite mine,
polluted and toxic. It was closed ten years ago,
leaving behind 1700 hectares of wasteland. Then the cranes came and found the site,
much to their liking. So much so
that thousands now come here. Mademoiselle’s family has chosen a roost
in the smaller marsh. You might think the cranes would gather
based on where they come from, the Swedes with Swedes,
the Germans with the Germans. Not at all. They love to mingle and meet up
with the same friends year after year. Mademoiselle’s family settled down
with their Norwegian, Lithuanian,
and German neighbors. Elegant and well-mannered,
Mademoiselle attracts a number of gazes. She is not an easy catch. Among the suitors are widowers and immature youths
who still don’t know what they’re doing. She is not interested. She has the whole winter
to make up her mind. Time for a rest. With a head under a wing,
she can’t be disturbed by noisy neighbors. With her feet in the water,
she can’t be attacked by foxes. Life in Argiésans
follows an unchanging rhythm, waking up, chatting, grooming, and more chatting. Mademoiselle uses this time
to check out her suitors. She doesn’t like these ones. At about 8:00,
everyone leaves in search of food. Near the roofs
are a number of wheat fields. The leftovers from the harvest are plenty
for Mademoiselle’s family. Today’s menu is all-you-can-eat,
seeds, and grubs, but Mademoiselle has lost her appetite. There he is,
right in front of her, young and definitely single. This is it. They are hypnotized
by one another. As with swans,
cranes take their time over seduction. They spend time
getting to know each other. He offers her pebbles and plants. She offers him
her most sophisticated ballet. Courtship will last several weeks, and they will get to know
each other intimately. Mademoiselle has finally
found her soulmate. They will remain together
for the rest of their days. In the spring, they will head back north
to nest and start a family. For cranes,
Argiésans are a heaven. At the union of the Pyrenees
and the Atlantic, lies a magnificent land, the Basque Country. A colorful land of soft, rolling hills. Just a stone’s throw
from Saint-Jean-de-Luz in an area known as Espelette, a story unchanged
by thousands of years of human contact continues to play out. In these mountains, a small primitive breed of horse
still roams free. Pottoks live in harems
with around 20 mares and their foals
and one lone male. The herd in the lowland is led
by an experienced mare. Her stallion,
White Mane is proud and possessive. Sometimes, without warning,
his urges go to his head. All his fillies are pregnant. None of them accepts his advances. It’s impossible
to force an unwilling mare. He wants new females
and knows where to find them. In these parts, there have always been two herds
one lowland and the other Highland. White Mane was born in the Highlands
but had to leave. There are many mares, but they belong to a powerful stallion
who was ruled unchallenged for eight years. Black Mane is wise and tolerant,
as long as no one touches his females. He lets them wander wherever they like. Life in the Highlands
is much more peaceful. This calm won’t last. White Mane only has one thought, to challenge the Highland stallion, to take one or two of his females
and maybe even his territory. Desire runs through his veins. Black Mane isn’t as young as he was. He’s counting on his strength
and his spirit to defeat him. He doesn’t realize
that Black Mane is, in fact, his father. This morning he feels the world is his. White Mane is consumed by his desire, and he wants a female now. Black Mane has seen him. Combat is unavoidable. The son has the upper hand
but is not as cunning as his father. Black Mane attacks the ligaments
of his neck with his teeth. If he cuts them, White Mane will die. The young stallion retreats. White Mane doesn’t fear wind or rain, but he must bow to his father. He will have to be content with his herd and wait until the spring
to cover his mares. One day, he’ll return to the Highlands and defeat Black Mane. Legend says that the rhythm
of the gallop of these little horses inspired traditional Basque music. The pottoks continue
to stamp the rhythms of the hooves on the mountains
of the Atlantic coast. The deeper we go into the Pyrenees,
the wilder it becomes. The terrain gets deeper,
and the animals are more dangerous. Bears have been reintroduced here
and wolves are coming back. Their return means a rebirth
of old traditions that have practically disappeared. When the first shepherds
brought their flocks here to graze, they formed an unlikely alliance, a unique arrangement of dog,
sheep, and their shepherd. Little Patou was born only a few days ago. This is a crucial moment in his life. Will he be accepted? Will he adapt? He must hear and smell the sheep
day and night. That’s it. Patou has been adopted. Even though his predatory instinct
remains deep within, he will start to believe
he’s one of them, A lamb. The same goes
for his brothers and sisters. For the young Patou,
home is in the sheep pen. He will stay near his mother
and siblings for several weeks. Soon the time will come
for him to be separated. The services of a young Patou
have been required in the valley. Patou is now eight weeks old. He is about to meet the group
that will become his family for life, his flock. First, the matron. It should be fine. What about her deputies? That’s another matter. To them, he is an intruder. It will take some time
before he is fully accepted. He will live with them
for the next year and will finally begin his great adventure
as a Patou, up in the summer pastures where the bear reigns. It’s June. The flocks are making the journey
up to the mountains. Christian is a shepherd. He will spend four months in one
of the most dangerous summer pastures in the Pyrenees. He’s accompanied by his sheepdog, a border collie,
who helps him control his flock. Young Patou accompanies his flock
for the first time. He doesn’t yet understand his job,
and for now, he’s just enjoying
being in the great outdoors. They come from many valleys,
four flocks, each with their own Patou. In all, Christian will be responsible
for more than a thousand sheep. Young Patou creates a protective zone
around his flock. He is ready to ward off any intruder, wild animals,
dogs, or even people, but he has never seen a bear. Christian was chosen
by the four farmers for his expertise. Last summer saw the loss of 150 sheep,
victims of stray dogs, bad weather, and three particularly tenacious bears. That’s why he’s been chosen
for this pasture. Christian became a shepherd
at the age of 30, spending a season
at the side of an old shepherd. He chose the job out of love
for the mountain, the sheep, and freedom. He’s ready
for the arrival of his animals now. Though, bad weather, the shepherd’s sworn enemy
is on its way too. The Patou is a perfect ally
for repelling intruders, though Christian knows
that he too must keep his distance. They must remain untamed
and close to the sheep they protect. The four flocks have arrived. He can count them
with a single glance. There are four Patous
on these pastures. He is the youngest. He tries to make friends straight away, but the elders aren’t interested. He’ll have to learn on his own. When night falls on the mountain, the shepherd
can no longer protect his sheep. Now, the Patou keeps guard. This morning,
Christian found part of the flock missing. There is nothing worse
for a shepherd than lost sheep. Off to find them, immediately. Young Patou smells something unfamiliar. The Patous’ mission
is to protect the sheep when the shepherd isn’t there. Thanks to them, there are ten times fewer deadly attacks
on the flocks. Christian has found the missing sheep. He has no idea of the bravery
Patou has shown. This is how life goes
in the mountain pastures: climbing hills, breathing in the wind,
and tasting the wide open spaces. The young Patou will fulfill his role
wholeheartedly for the rest of his days. Even though he will
never be his master’s dog, the alliance between man
and dog is well understood. If you come across Patous, respect their work. Go around them and if you can’t, then turn back. In the Jura, two months have
passed since he was born. The fawn still follows his mother. He wants to be big
and walk on his own, but his instinct tells him
that he is prey. The oak still trusts the squirrel
to scatter its fruits. Hedgehog has found a girlfriend. He would like her to wake up. The good days
are just around the corner. The seal has found a calm spot
to sleep in peace. Master Crow and his daughter
are still squabbling over everything. Mr. Toad can’t find his stump. Someone must have moved it. Unbelievable. Little Gray has turned white and has found company. Young Patou is no longer a novice. He’s even won the acceptance
of his elders. The young lynxes have left home. Their mother is now looking
for a new companion for the winter. It’s the season of love. White Mane is sure the mares
won’t be able to resist him any longer. The moment has come. Mademoiselle and her companion take flight
for Northern Europe. They will mate and give birth to a new generation. The crane’s departure signals
the return of spring. Next winter they will return with their little ones. There are wildlands where nature still conceals
some of her most beautiful secrets. The Alps. A colossal mass of rock,
1,300 kilometers long. Hundreds of 3,000 meter peaks hold millions of cubic
meters of ice within. Steep slopes. Patches of rock exposed to the winds. Air that is truly low on oxygen. How have living creatures adapted
to these extreme conditions in this world
where winter lasts eight months, where the temperatures
can plummet to minus 40 degrees? How are they able to mate. Raise their young. Conquer new territories Cover vast distances? How do they withstand
these brutal conditions? From the highest mountain peaks
to the deepest valleys. These are the astonishing stories of animals at one
with the violence of the elements. An epic voyage
in the last sanctuary in Europe. This is Italy, the Dolomites. This rock is an ancient coral reef. It was pushed out of the sea
millions of years ago. Petrified coral at 3,000 meters. Winter is almost over. There is nothing to eat. Many animals are weak. This young deer is looking
for any food he can find. This is the worst time of the year. A she-wolf is on the hunt. However, she is not alone. She has her family all around her. She-wolf leads the pack with her mate,
her alpha male. This young deer isn’t easy prey,
but She-wolf has a plan. On her signal, the action can begin. This young deer has never seen a wolf,
but he knows what he has to do. It’s in his genes. He has a trick to escape. He draws them right into his herd. That’s exactly what She-wolf had planned. Now, she can identify
the easiest prey, a sick deer. This young deer was able
to escape the wolves by sacrificing one of his own. A very effective response to wolf attacks. Not the most glorious strategy perhaps,
but it does have an advantage. It removes sick deer
and stops the spread of disease. That is the wolf’s role
in the natural world. At this time of year,
deer gather in large herds. More ears to hear any dangers. More eyes to see them coming. To battle against the cold, they put certain parts of their body
into hibernation and lower their heart rate. Conserving energy is the key to survival
in these glacial conditions. This wolf pack has just captured its prey
with a minimum of effort. This is their first meal in days. Excited by the food, the eldest son tests the limits
of the family hierarchy. He challenges his father, the alpha male. He must follow the rules. Parents eat before their cubs. However, the son does not want to obey. He must wait his turn just like the others. Wolves only have
one competitor in the Alps. Brown bears. This one smelled
fresh meat from miles away and he’s hungry. Alpha is in no mood to back off. Normally, he would have retreated like She-wolf. Today, Alpha wants to show his offspring
that he’s still in charge. Alpha wants to stop the bear from eating and harass him until he leaves. Brown bears aren’t afraid of wolves. He’s the strongest and he knows it. Alpha is no longer able to lead. Immediately,
all eyes turn to the other son. Everyone submits to the new leader but not she-wolf. She will not abandon
her lifelong companion. When wolves find a partner,
the bond is for life. In the Alps, finding food in the winter
is a daily challenge. To manage it, some animals have come up
with rather surprising strategies. This is the Gran Paradiso Massif. There is hunger in the valley. Most of the trees have been stripped. No more fruit, no more seeds, and the insects are hidden under the bark. To avoid dying of starvation, some small birds have come up
with a very clever technique. They gather in groups of several species. They start by looking
for an unexplored tree. Whoever finds one alerts the others. Now, they can all take their positions
on that day’s tree. At the top, is the crossbill. They keep a lookout. Below them, willow tits break pine cones
to extract the nuts. Lower down on the branches,
crested tits, and tree creepers, search for the tiny spiders
hiding under the lichen. At the bottom, coal tits and blue tits, are getting excited
about a butterfly larva. All these different species have found
a very effective way of feeding themselves by helping one another. At the first sign of danger,
they warn each other. When they are fed,
they can return to their individual nests to protect themselves
against the harsh conditions. A snowstorm. It quickly becomes brutally cold. A few hours of this can be lethal. What protection do they have? Some have specially adapted coats. They are capable of withstanding
temperatures of minus 50 degrees. Some prefer to spend
the winter underground. They maintain their body temperature
at four degrees. Their heart beats once a minute,
and above all, they sleep for a long time. A very long time. Except when they’re cold. Marmots know that the more of them
they are, the easier it is to stay warm. To have a lot of marmots,
you need to have a family. This brings us to another challenge
in the high mountains, how to find a mate when spring arrives. Some have found a rather unusual way, mountain speed dating. This is the Beaufortain Massif. Once a year there’s a gathering here, on a precise date known only by the population
of European common frogs. After nine months of deep sleep, this young male has just woken up
with an irresistible urge, to find a mate. This bachelor knows exactly
where he needs to go. A peat bog three kilometers away. Why is he in such a hurry? Where he’s going, there will only be one female
for every five males. Everyone’s going there at the same time, so only the first to arrive
will find a partner. A female. The idea is to grab her
and not let her go. Oh, it’s a male. This is it, we’re here. A melted spot in the middle of the ice. Look at that beauty. Those golden eyes. That brown skin. She’s the one. He’s sure of it. Now she must accept him on her back. The secret is to show off
your smooth moves. She’s moving too much. Now, the problem is this gang of suitors who will stop at nothing
to steal his sweetheart. It might be better to look elsewhere. Here, can he cut in? The young male
will not find a mate this year, and yet he is not defeated. In a place full of eggs,
he is able to spread his sperm by himself. He will have offspring,
and that is the most important thing. Common frogs do not live in pairs. They couple up for one week a year
and then go their separate ways. As the snow melts,
the season of birth begins. Suddenly, throughout the landscape, delicate, defenseless creatures
are brought into the world. To protect their little ones, parents make inaccessible
homes in the trees. They dig impenetrable dens underground. They build nests on the sheer cliff faces. For those that live on open ground,
there is no refuge. Their young are vulnerable everywhere. This is the Ecrins National Park. Here, the Ibex have developed
a collective surveillance system. This is an adult female. She is on duty for her community. This young ibex has just been born. He is not the only one. All the births have taken place
in the last few days. The matriarch’s job
is to look out for the baby snatcher. The golden eagle. Female ibex keep watch in groups
over the herd’s young. A kind of high-altitude nursery. The alarm is raised. Too fast. Despite their dedication,
the females regularly lose little ones. During the warmer months,
the males settle higher up. Raising the young isn’t their thing. They prefer doing nothing really, apart from
scratching their back with their horn. While the male works tirelessly,
the females move on to another activity. Educating their young. A young kid and his mother
have set off on a journey, one that will lead them
to a scarcely believable feat. For the last 50 years, all the mothers in this region
have led their young on a two-day march to carry out what appears to be
an initiation ceremony. The young kid is learning the mountain and is enthralled
by the agility of his feet. The incredible grip of his hooves. He tests his abilities
and cannot see their limit. However, he has no idea what is in store. He follows his mother
with total confidence. The kid suddenly realizes
that he is standing above a sheer drop. What are they doing here? They are on the dam at Lake Cingino. A wall 50 meters high. The kid doesn’t know it yet, but he is a master of balance. Why did his mother bring him here? To reach the mineral salts
that seep through the dam. The kid has conquered his fear,
and now he can copy his mother and taste
the succulent nectar of the rock. Their concave hooves act like ultra-powerful,
non-slip shock absorbers, suckers that stick to the rock face. Their sense of balance
is an evolutionary marvel. Little Ibex has just learned something
that will be essential to his survival. He will return here every year
to maintain his health. All the mothers here have passed on
this knowledge to their young since the dam has existed. For the kid, it’s the beginning
of his passage into adulthood. In a few months,
at the beginning of autumn, he will be weaned and ready
to leave his mother for the winter. He will go with the males, and when his horns have grown, he will be able
to scratch his back with them like a proper adult. The education of offspring
is a huge challenge in the high mountains. The main obligation is the length of time, just four months to teach them
to look after themselves before winter. Most parents spend considerable time
and energy on this task. What about their young? Do they give the same
back to their parents? Do the young look after their elders
when they are less fit and healthy? Thanks to advances in knowledge,
the veil is slowly being lifted on a world whose richness
we could scarcely have imagined. The world of trees. In the great beech forests of the Alps, we have recently uncovered
a story of parents and their children that only exists in fables. The story of the immortal tree stump. Hidden under moss,
this tree stump is all that remains of a giant tree
that fell more than 500 years ago. It must surely have died by now, but it hasn’t. However, it has no more leaves
to capture the sun’s energy. How is it still alive? Science has uncovered the answer. The surrounding trees have decided to help and keep it alive. They give it food. Who are these kind trees? First, is the inner circle. The direct descendants of the stump. They grew from its fruits. Further out are its grandchildren
and great-grandchildren. There are even trees
that aren’t from the same family, nor even the same species. They all form
a support network to feed it. Why have they protected it from death? A useless old stump. Perhaps they care about it. Affection from one tree to another. The story of this immortal tree stump
opens our eyes to an unexpected world. Why do trees help each other? One tree on its own cannot protect itself
against the cold and the wind. It can’t conserve the water it needs
nor fight off attacks by parasites, but a forest can. The trees depend on one another. Together they can live for hundreds,
even thousands of years. They bring benefits to a considerable number
of living creatures. They act as homes, food stalls, shelters, and restaurants. This generosity is the fruit of one of nature’s
most extraordinary forces. The solidarity between trees. With these model parents
and incredible children, we might start believing in an ideal world where everyone treats
each other with kindness. That is not the case. Some parents do nothing for their young
but manage completely fine. Let’s take a look
at the absolute worst of them. His name is Blue. Behind the facade
of a pretty inoffensive butterfly lies the greatest
con artist on the mountain. To start off with, he has good intentions. Seduction starts with coupling up. Once she has been fertilized, the mother seeks out
the purple flower of the Burnet. She deposits her egg
and abandons her little one, who becomes a caterpillar. Who will feed and protect it? Now, begins the great con trick
of the baby Blue. Operation Scent Disguise. He takes the scent of an ant larva. This is it. Intrigued by the scent,
a worker ant investigates. What is this young ant larva doing here? Back to the anthill, quick! The trick has worked. The shortsighted ant
brings the baby back to the nursery. Now the ants feed the trickster by mouth, day after day, month after month,
throughout the whole winter. The baby turns white and grows big. The ants don’t even notice
the gigantic size of this larva. In spring, the metamorphosis occurs and on the crucial day
the baby leaves his cocoon. The scent disguise immediately vanishes. He only has seconds before the ants turn
and cut him into pieces, so he gets out quickly. He unfurls his wings and that’s it. The imposter
can finally become a butterfly. There are those that take advantage
of the work of others, like Blue. There are those who sacrifice everything
for the collective, like the ants. There are those who fly solo
and take whatever falls at their feet, like bears. Even if it itches. What is the best strategy
for surviving in these mountains? To act alone or in a group? Bears are solitary,
but they still help others, like their beloved raspberries,
for example. After digesting them, they disperse their seeds
throughout the mountains in their droppings. They help the raspberries
without realizing it. There are also creatures
with mutual relationships that depend on one another. The next story is barely believable. It is a story of an alliance
between a tree and a bird. The tree is the Swiss pine. It grows right on the limit
of where is possible, beyond 2,000 meters. The hardiest of trees. It can live for hundreds of years but it has a huge problem. Its cones do not open on their own. Their fruits are imprisoned within. This means a Swiss pine
cannot reproduce on its own. This is where the bird comes in. A rather peculiar bird at that. The nutcracker. The nutcracker has
one great passion in life, hoarding. Small ones, medium ones,
rough ones, chubby ones. He knows exactly how many there are
and checks they’re all in their place. That one is a medium. Where do they go? There. A little one, it can stay there. A big one, there. That one, on the side. Mid-September is the beginning
of pine nut season. By instinct, the nutcracker heads
to the largest food store in the area. The Bernoises,
one of the highest forests in Europe, home to a community
of centuries-old Swiss pines. At this time of the year,
they produce vast quantities of fruit. This is what the nutcracker is here for. First, to detach the cones. Put them on the block. Then to get to work. His powerful beak is the perfect tool. With surgical precision,
he can extract 200 pine nuts an hour. He stores them behind his tongue. In his crop, he can carry 30 at a time
and store them in a safe place. There is a method for hiding them well. First, dig a hole. Then, bury them deep. No, not that one. One, two, three. What he doesn’t realize is that this wood is also a magnet
for all the thieves in the region. They are waiting for the right moment. The nutcracker covers the hole
with a bit of moss and that’s it. The nutcracker works relentlessly
from morning to night. He picks, transports, and stashes
100,000 pine nuts in three weeks. As soon as his back is turned,
thieves ransack all his stashes. They rob him
of three-quarters of his fortune. Faced with the theft of his pine nuts,
the nutcracker has a solution. He covers many kilometers
to hide his riches. He even hides them
in the most remote places. The good news is that he forgets
a large number of his hiding places. That’s how Swiss pines produce offspring and how they move around. A tree that teams up with a bird
to reproduce. We now know that helping one another
is a powerful force in the natural world. The other force is competition. Until now, it was believed that survival
of the fittest ruled the world but we are beginning
to change our minds. Competition is everywhere, but at its most visible
during the mating season. A stag gathers his does. A rival appears
from the neighboring valley. Will the victor take the does? Officially, yes. However, while the two challengers
are busy fighting, a young pacifist begins his courtship. He manages to woo a doe without fighting. With all due respect to the two fighters, the rule that might makes right
isn’t always observed. In reality, in more extreme environments, competition is less decisive because it has one great drawback, it uses up a lot of energy. In the mountains, energy is a commodity
one must manage with care. As soon as
the stag’s fighting is finished, the ibex rams begin their duels. The issue is the same. The marmots are preparing for sleep. The hares are changing color. One day the great white blanket is back. Winter descends on the world. Those who are not prepared
will not survive. Wolves are among the best-adapted for the grueling life
that is about to begin. Their power comes
from their strong family structure. What happens if it disappears? It’s time to return to the story
of the she-wolf and her alpha male. We must go back a year
to the tragic end of She-wolf’s winter. That accident marked
the start of an adventure that changed her life in the Alps. She-wolf’s companion
has succumbed to his wounds and She-wolf hasn’t summoned
the strength to leave his body. Her place in the pack
has already been taken. The absence of the other female has caused
one of her daughters to go into heat. She is ready to have cubs. She is the new alpha female. What will she do? If she returns to her pack,
she will have to confront her daughter. She must leave. Why does she make this choice? It’s because she isn’t really alone. In a few weeks, she will bring another
litter of cubs into the world. In a wolf pack, only the alpha female
is allowed to reproduce. If she stayed,
her cubs risked being killed at birth. She-wolf was born in these mountains but her instinct is telling her to leave. As far away as possible. To find a new land for her future family. Where to? What lies beyond these mountains? She’s yet to find out. She-wolf heads north. To avoid any encounter with other wolves,
she takes a route along the mountain tops. She-wolf is not the first. Many wolves leave their packs
each year in search of a new life. They travel vast distances. Hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. Scientists can follow their movements
with tracking collars. She-wolf leaves the Dolomites in March
and enters Austria. In a few days,
she crosses several mountain ranges. Then, she turns west toward the Tyrol. She only has three weeks to go. Then, she will give birth. A lone wolf is never really alone. She has many eyes on her. Like the lammergeier. What is this huge bird after? The lammergeier is returning to the Alps
after a century of absence. Like wolves,
they had been wiped out by humans. People saw them
as evil dragons and child killers. Was it the eyes circled in red? The strange beard? With a wingspan of three meters, the largest vulture in Europe
is also the best glider. This male is six years old. He was born in the Mercantour Massif
but left when he was very young. Every year he covers thousands
of kilometers high above the Alps. What is he looking for? For now, he is following She-wolf. Is he waiting for her to die from hunger? When it comes to diet, as you will see, the lammergeier
has quite particular tastes. Now, we know why the lammergeier
is following She-wolf. Her nose. His efforts are finally rewarded. The lammergeier
is not like other vultures. Its diet does not contain flesh or skin. He has his own special recipe. First, he breaks the carcass
into smaller pieces. Then, he takes the chosen morsel
50 meters up in the air, drops it delicately on a protruding rock,
and that’s it. Dinner is served. Broken bones. That’s all the bearded vulture eats. His stomach contains
the most powerful digestive acid in the living world. He only eats fresh bones,
not old dry ones. She-wolf keeps moving
50 to 60 kilometers a day. From the Zillertal in the Tyrol,
she crosses Austria from east to west. Then, she enters Switzerland
through the Canton Crescent and passes through Saint-Gotthard
and Monte Rosa. She skirts the imposing Matterhorn. In only a few weeks,
she covers more than 1,000 kilometers. She is now in France,
in the Mont-Blanc Massif. She’s exhausted
and weakened from the journey. She must find somewhere to rest. She will soon give birth. Wolves give birth in the family’s den. Dug by the ancestors
deep under the ground. It lies at the heart of their territory. It is passed down
from generation to generation. She-wolf does not have a territory. She has to find a nice dry spot
with access to fresh water nearby. Halfway up a hill
to see any incoming danger. A hole under an old tree stump. Perfect. She gave birth during the night. A litter of eight cubs. Two of the little ones died at birth. She ate them
so as not to attract other predators. Many other animals
would eat her cubs if they could. Foxes, crows, martens, wild boar. A lynx, the hardest predator
to detect in the mountains. She can smell it, but can’t see it. Lynx can lay in wait for hours. It is waiting for her
to leave in search of food. She knows it, but she’s hungry. For three weeks she has eaten nothing
but grass and earthworms. If she was still with a pack, she could leave her cubs
with the other females. When the alpha mother gives birth,
her daughters all start producing milk. The lynx is giving up for today, but it could be back at any time and kill her young
with one flash of its claws. She-wolf is trapped and there is
an intrepid explorer in her litter. A nightmare for a lone she-wolf. What about the lynx? Three hungry little ones
are waiting for her too. She’s a mother and works
like all other parents in spring. Protecting and feeding her young. In the 20th century, lynx totally disappeared from the Alps. Then, several survivors
were reintroduced in Switzerland. Thankfully, the plan worked. Today, lynx can be found
across the alpine region. The cubs are now two months old. It’s time to discover the world
and learn by watching the adults. She-wolf must be careful
not to lose one along the way. Little adventurer is the most dangerous. Led by his curiosity,
he can wander off without warning. Their predatory instincts
are still completely dormant. They will not learn
to hunt before they are a year old. At two months, the cubs are ready
to be weaned off their mother’s milk. Their mother gradually reduces the amount and begins to feed them instead
with regurgitated meat. Prey hunted by the pack. None of that is possible for She-wolf. A wolf’s education
is a mixture of leniency and limitations. Nothing is out of bounds for a young wolf. He has to have his own experiences and learn to handle
the consequences of his actions. Like learning how to recognize
friends and enemies. She-wolf has found a new den, but there still isn’t anything to eat
except for a few insects. This is the most difficult time. She is running out of milk. The more they need,
the less she can provide. They lick her mouth
to make her regurgitate food but her stomach is empty. She’s got to find a solution. There’s one possibility. Sheep. They are easy to catch. However, if she wants to eat a sheep, she will have to overcome
an old adversary. Humans. The first people to live in the Alps
settled here during the Bronze Age, four thousand years ago. They were shepherds. This was the beginning
of the long battle with the wolves. Today, in order to protect their animals, some people
have decided to kill the wolves. However, there is a man
fighting in a different way. He is a considerable challenger for any wolf
that wants to feed on livestock. This man has chosen
to combat them in his own way. Matthias Korneli. This year, Matthias has agreed to take a flock in the most dangerous
summer pastures in the Alps. To face the wolf packs of Vago. Last year, 35 sheep were killed here. Local farmers
have entrusted him with 650 sheep. They have spent the winter
sheltered in pens, and now they need to eat soft,
tender grass to fatten up and give birth. Matthias’ mission
is to take them up to the pasture and protect them
from all dangers for two months. His challenge, to return at the end of the summer
with all the sheep. Something no shepherd
has managed here for years. The wolves are back. She-wolf is waiting for her chance. A single sheep
could feed her cubs for days. The high plateaus of Vago between the
mountain ranges of Albris and Deboli. Lago delle querce is just
behind the pastures assigned to Matthias. To accompany him on his mission, he has a crack team
that he has selected and trained himself. He has two types of dogs. Herding dogs, light and fast, and those that guard the flock,
heavy and powerful. Raga is a female Beauceron. She loves her job
and is by far the most active. She spends her time looking out for sheep
that stray from the flock and guiding them back. She does it all to please Matthias. Leo is a little Pyrenean shepherd,
light and quick, with the heart of a lion. They can count on his vigilance
at all times. He doesn’t miss a thing. The elderly Kay is retired. She doesn’t work anymore, but everyone still pretends
she’s essential to the team. Soon, she won’t be able to make
the journey up into the mountains. Matthias is leading his flock
onto the most dangerous ground, where the highest number of attacks
have taken place. This is the Valley of peril. This has a purpose. They must be clear right from the start. Matthias and his dogs are here and they’re not afraid. She-wolf has heard the message but she has sensed a greater danger. A wolf pack is close by. They are many and ready to attack. The guard dogs take their positions. Thor takes the higher ground. He watches everything, smells everything, hears everything. Rea goes into the middle of the flock. She is attached to the sheep and mothers them
as if they were her own pups. Mora takes care of the outer areas. Sometimes she ventures far from the flock to leave her scent, mark her territory, and challenge any wolf
that tries to get close. What about Marsden, the young Molossus? He patrols their territory
around the perimeter of the flock. The Wolves work as a team. They observe and surround their prey. The scent of the sheep
whets their appetites. The wolves aren’t looking for a fight. They prefer to find food
without running into trouble. If the dogs hold their ground,
the wolves will look elsewhere. The first meeting
will stay in the wolves’ memories. They will remember the scents
of Thor, Mora, and Marsden. Next time, they’ll pass them by. Matthias and his dogs
guard the flock and protect each other. They act instinctively like a pack thanks to the genes
of their common ancestor. The wolf. This is Matthias’ pack. Since he’s been doing this job,
he has looked after more than 15,000 sheep and has only lost three of them to wolves. Matthias is never for
or against the wolves. To him, all life is sacred,
even that of the wolf. The wolves are back. He’ll handle it. She-wolf hasn’t come back. She is still looking for food. At ten weeks old,
Adventure is the most active in the pack. He is drawn to anything that moves. Now, he’s on the trail
of a delicious meal. An ibex bone, all for himself. Personalities are forged during play. There are leaders and there are followers. Those that give up easily, and some that never let go. She-wolf continues her journey
in search of more hospitable lands. She crosses the Vago, the Chartreuse Massif,
and reaches La dent de l’Ours. She is looking for a peaceful place
where she can settle down. Today she picked up a urine scent. This is a sign that marks a boundary
that shouldn’t be crossed. She-wolf has just entered
the territory of another pack. They are close. Wolves will kill if they spot an intruder, but there is another danger. They are coming up from the valley. There are many of them too. Humans and wolves do not get along. She-wolf knows. It’s in her genes. She senses that she must flee. She has reached the end of the road. Behind her,
a mountain riddled with dangers. In front of her, an unknown world. We now know that many wolves
travel across our cities and villages. They move at night. Without making a sound. Since they have returned, the trails of many different wolves
have been studied. They cross anything in their way,
rivers, motorways, and even high-speed railway lines. They take astonishing risks. Nothing can stop them. She-wolf has managed to cross
the Ubaye Valley. She’s found a new
and more peaceful territory. No scents of humans. No dogs. It’s a land of plenty, with abundant food. She-wolf
has just found a wildlife reserve, the Mercantour National Park, a manmade sanctuary
that protects all species. It is a new territory but there is another presence, the lammergeier. He has returned
to the precise spot where he was born and he has started a family. She-wolf has succeeded
in keeping her six cubs alive and well but winter is coming. She’s going to need some help. It’s time for her to call out
to other wolves. A wolf’s call is so powerful. It can be heard for dozens of kilometers. Tonight, no one hears her. Far away in another valley, a young wolf has heard her calls. They meet in the early hours. She-wolf has traveled 1,300 kilometers. She left the Dolomites in the winter, and crossed almost the entire range
of the Alps all on her own. She gave birth in the Mont Blanc Massif, then turned south,
crossed the Vago, the Ecrins, and settled in the Alps of Haute Provence. Several weeks later,
a camera trap took these images. She-wolf has started a new pack
and now has her own territory. She-wolf’s journey
tells an even greater story. Wolves almost disappeared
from Europe in the 20th century. Only a few isolated families
survived in the Italian Alps. Then, in the 1990s,
a few lone wolves, just like She-wolf, began to reconquer the territories
their ancestors had lost. By traveling,
by forming new packs far from home, they gradually repopulated the mountains. Today, they number almost 2,000. Wolves are the symbol
of the regeneration of the Alps. What can we learn from all these stories? What have
all these mountain dwellers taught us? Before answering that,
we must ask the wise elders, those who were there
before the animals and the humans who have lived in the mountains
for millions of years, the plants. How do they survive for months,
covered by snow, in darkness and freezing cold? During their short time in the light, how do they share out
the scarce resources available? Two thousand species
of high-altitude plants live here under the watchful eye of Pascal,
their gardener. They have developed a number of strategies to endure the extreme conditions
of the high mountains. Between one and two thousand meters high,
many of them are engaged in combat. To assert its dominance, the Jacob’s Ladder colonizes entire areas
and suffocates its rivals. The yellow rattle latches
on the root of a neighboring plant and draws out its sap to feed itself. The most dreaded of them all,
shaggy hogweed, poisons its neighbors. Here, quite clearly,
the strong eliminate the weak. We assume that’s how nature works but that’s not entirely true. Up above the clouds,
the rules are different. Up there, where nothing else can grow. When the poverty of the soil is compounded
by extreme climate conditions, the rules change and life reveals
one of its most wondrous secrets. Moss campion is a plant
shaped like a cushion. Inside, the temperature
is ten degrees warmer than outside, a microclimate that allows
several species to take refuge there. Like this blue gentian
that would perish without its help. Each little flower
presses against its neighbor not to kill it,
but to conserve and share water and heat. The strangest of them all
also lives at the highest altitude. The mysterious rock jasmine
and its pleasant honey scent. This one is perhaps a hundred years old. It may appear to be a single plant, but in fact it shelters a multitude
of tiny, invisible creatures. Bacteria, mites,
and insects live as a community with the rock Jasmine. It is itself an entire ecosystem
capable of living completely autonomously. These plants demonstrate
one of the fundamental mechanisms of the natural world. When there is nothing left,
it isn’t the strongest that succeed, but those that held one another. The tougher the conditions, the more vital it becomes
to work together. That’s the lesson
from the inhabitants of the Alps. Here, they all know it. The female ibex that help each other
look after their kids. The mischievous birds
that gather together to find food. The deer that keep warm
by huddling together. The lammergeier that rely
on wolves to find their bones. The trees that give to their elders. The wolves that sacrifice everything
to protect their power. The Swiss pines that rely
on the nutcracker to sow their seeds. The wolves that overcome
remarkable challenges to share their life with other wolves. The men who rely on their dogs
to watch over their flocks. All of them know that
they are not the strongest. That the mountain is much
more powerful than them. That’s why they help each other.
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