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- [Narrator] This story begins at the heart of Europe.

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Where bright lights shine throughout the night.

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Days come and go.

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Time slips by.

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Millions of people call these cities their home.

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But beyond the hustle and bustle, it's easy to forget there is another world out there.

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A place of natural wonder.

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One of the largest wildernesses in Europe.

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Where vast ancient forests still grow.

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And great mountains reach up to kiss the sky.

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Winding waters twist and turn.

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Beasts steeped in myth and legend roam free.

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They all face the same challenge:

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To survive the twists and turns of the changing seasons.

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Attempting to outlast the frozen winter months.

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Nurture future generations during the spring and summer.

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And prepare for winter by reaping autumn's bounty.

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In Europe's most spectacular land.

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This is Untamed Romania.

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The Carpathian Mountains.

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Stretching for 1600 kilometres, through seven different countries, these mountains are the backbone of Romania.

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Winter here is a cruel mistress.

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She leaves little in her path but ice and snow.

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Only a handful of specialists brave her frozen embrace.

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And only the most hardy will survive.

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But as winter's icy grip begins to loosen.

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Deep in the forests, sleeping giants begin to stir.

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

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Resting whilst food is scarce.

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

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

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

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These slopes are home to a variety of expert foragers.

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Wild boar.

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

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This female has become separated from her herd, perhaps distracted by her search for food.

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But this makes her vulnerable.

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She's heavily outnumbered.

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

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Her fierce defence has put the wolves off.

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

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A boar could fatally wound a wolf.

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But these creatures of folklore also need to eat.

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And they will soon have young to feed.

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

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Wolves patrol and protect their territory together, which can stretch for hundreds of square kilometres.

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But their domain is about to change.

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Spring flutters her eyes awake.

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Longer, warmer days awaken the plants and trees.

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And there are many of them here. Over one third of Europe's plant species are found in Carpathia.

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

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

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

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Below the budding canopy, among the undergrowth, smaller forest residents begin to wake up.

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As the days slowly grow warmer, fire salamanders awaken from their winter slumber.

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They're never found too far from running water.

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Legend has it that these amphibians are forged in flames.

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Living among fallen branches, their hiding places were sometimes collected by people for firewood.

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When placed upon fire, the fire salamander would suddenly emerge from the flames, earning their name.

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The reality is quite the opposite.

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Fire salamanders begin their life in water.

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

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And after carrying her offspring through the winter, this mother has found the perfect birthing pool.

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These young salamanders are water bound for now, and are left to fend for themselves.

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Each day they'll grow a little stronger and a little brighter, until the time comes for them to return to the undergrowth.

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

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

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These bear cubs are just a few months old.

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At this age, life is all fun and games.

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And this forest clearing makes a perfect playground.

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

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

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

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Many end up feeding into Romania's greatest river.

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The Danube.

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Flowing through 10 different countries, this vast river is the second longest in Europe.

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

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

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And where the Danube meets the Black Sea, some of Romania's most spectacular wildlife flourishes.

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This is the Danube Delta.

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A seemingly endless maze of waterways, marshes, and forests.

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Covering almost 6,000 square kilometres.

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Resulting in one of the most diverse ecosystems in Europe.

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

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But the celebration is fleeting.

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The delta becomes a grandstand for the fiercest of competitions.

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It's breeding season for the local wild horses.

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Groups of males test their strength against each other.

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Only the strongest stallions will get the chance to mate.

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A short distance away, an established stallion guards over his herd.

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He alone can mate with these mares.

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But a potential challenger emerges.

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Violence is the only option, but a broken jaw or leg could mean a slow, torturous death.

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

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His family is secure. For now.

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

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

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Sometimes this means the chicks are left alone.

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

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Danger is all around.

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Oblivious to the risk, one chick decides now is the perfect time for an unsupervised swim.

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But at such a young age, his soft feathers are not quite ready for such an ambitious adventure.

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He could easily become waterlogged or exhausted.

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The remaining chick begins to follow its sibling.

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But a parent returns just in time.

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The other guides the novice swimmer back to the nest.

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

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

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

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

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One of the most successful have evolved a defence mechanism that is deployed day and night.

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When the moon is at its highest, lily flowers hold their delicate petals firmly clasped, protecting what is most important to them.

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Pollen, the key to their survival.

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

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But as the sun rises and the temperature is just right, these flowers begin to unfurl.

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

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Bringing with them pollen from other lilies, fertilising the flowers and ensuring the next generation of these dynamic plants.

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These vast forests of water lilies also provide shelter and protection for much of the delta's wildlife.

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Including Europe's largest native frog.

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Reaching up to 17 centimetres long, maintaining their formidable size is no easy task.

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

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If they can catch them.

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Marsh frogs don't give up easily.

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

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But their persistence normally pays off.

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Beneath the lily pads, there is a darker world.

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A place of murk and mystery.

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Home to over 100 fish species.

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And occasionally a prehistoric giant.

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

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The beluga sturgeon.

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Sometimes referred to as living fossils, these prehistoric fish have barely changed form in over 200 million years.

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

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

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

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

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Great white pelicans are the masters of collaboration.

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Many thousands migrate here in the spring from warmer climates such as Africa, the Middle East and even the Indian Subcontinent.

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

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

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

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

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Take to the skies.

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They can travel 100 kilometres a day searching for food before returning to their nesting ground.

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

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This is Histria.

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

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Once a vibrant trading centre, its streets would have been filled with merchants and tradesmen.

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But now these ruins are home to much wilder residents.

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And some of them are cold-blooded killers.

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Dice snakes.

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These serpents spend the winter in hibernation, emerging in the warmer months to hunt.

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

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Because this snake is a fish hunter.

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And bottom-feeding gobies are her favourite prey.

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But finding them isn't easy.

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

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Time for round two.

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

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

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During Romania's hottest season, even cold-blooded killers cannot survive the sun at its peak.

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Summer has arrived, pulling the country into her warm embrace.

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Her days are long, slow and hot.

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Perhaps the season's most spectacular event is born from humble beginnings, among the depths of the Mureș River.

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Deep under this water, millions of tiny creatures have been patiently waiting for three years.

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

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At first, just a few.

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Then, a few more.

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

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This spectacle lasts less than a day.

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In this brief time, the mayflies must race to mate, then travel upriver to lay their eggs, after which their lives will come to an abrupt end.

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Other life cycles here have a much slower pace.

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

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

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These great forests have stood the test of time.

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

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

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Like the animals that live among them, many of these trees help and support one another.

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Vast networks of roots connect families of trees, supplying one another with vital nutrients.

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

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Collapsing slices a gap in the dense canopy, drenching the new clearing in bright sunlight.

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As the tree begins to rot, it releases important nutrients, acting as a natural fertiliser.

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Under these perfect conditions, new plant life quickly establishes irresistible to hungry herbivores.

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

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The Eurasian lynx.

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This adept predator is a secretive character.

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Its preferred hunting technique is to ambush prey using the dense cover of the forest.

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But this female has other priorities.

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

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For them, it's all about playtime.

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They're always looking for new playgrounds.

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It's exhausting work for their mother.

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These cubs will spend their first year with their mother, exploring the forest's secrets, watching and learning how to survive through the seasons.

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Whilst others care for their young high above the forests.

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The Apuseni Mountains.

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This geological mosaic of volcanic rock and limestone has been forged over millions of years.

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

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The king of the skies.

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The golden eagle.

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A powerful predator.

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But he is also wise.

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Every flight is calculated.

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Patrolling his kingdom, he carefully scans the land below.

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

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

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

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A lone hare.

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The perfect prey for this warrior-king of birds.

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

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The hare doesn't stand a chance.

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

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He must return to his home.

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For he is also a father.

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His young chick is quick to devour its share.

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

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

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Midsummer sees the Carpathians' highest levels of rainfall.

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The forest is soon drenched with life-sustaining water.

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It also shapes what lies deep beneath the surface.

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

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One of darkness and damp.

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

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Many are filled with stalactites and stalagmites.

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As water creeps through the rock and stone, it deposits salts and minerals, forming these eerie statues.

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But these caves are also a tomb.

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These fearsome skeletons are the remains of cave bears.

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A distant cousin of the brown bear, the cave bear became extinct around 27,000 years ago.

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Perhaps due to climate change or hunting.

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Other species have come close to a similar fate.

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Deep in the forest clearings, lives one of Romania's rarest and most endangered mammals.

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The Eurasian bison.

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

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Hulking, hairy beasts, some standing nearly two metres tall and weighing as much as a tonne.

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Many thousands once roamed across Europe.

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By the early 20th century, habitat loss and hunting had led to their near-extinction.

236

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

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Other forest-dwellers have had better luck.

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00:59:04,314 --> 00:59:11,793

With this bountiful time of year in full swing, many bears are attracted to the rich foods found in this forest clearing.

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Flavoursome flower buds and succulent grasses.

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

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01:00:08,980 --> 01:00:12,613

For this female finding it is easier said than done.

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01:00:36,950 --> 01:00:40,863

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

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01:00:50,520 --> 01:00:53,023

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

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01:00:59,100 --> 01:01:03,743

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

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01:01:36,710 --> 01:01:40,900

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

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01:01:40,900 --> 01:01:46,269

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

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01:01:51,219 --> 01:01:53,470

A sunny meadow is the perfect spot.

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01:02:00,707 --> 01:02:03,057

And the view isn't too bad either.

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01:02:12,300 --> 01:02:15,743

All over the country, meadows burst with colour.

250

01:02:23,800 --> 01:02:28,603

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

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01:02:39,860 --> 01:02:46,628

Their perfumed petals attract an equally colourful squadron of insects, in search of sweet nectar.

252

01:02:54,802 --> 01:03:01,850

Of the species of butterfly native to Romania, the large blues are without doubt some of the most unusual.

253

01:03:07,550 --> 01:03:11,783

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

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01:03:33,910 --> 01:03:39,983

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

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01:03:48,270 --> 01:03:52,833

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

256

01:04:17,672 --> 01:04:21,255

Although not everything goes quite to plan.

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01:04:30,170 --> 01:04:34,326

Regardless, the caterpillar continues searching for food.

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01:04:44,490 --> 01:04:48,203

The meadow floor, however, harbours many dangers.

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01:04:51,700 --> 01:04:55,793

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

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01:05:03,520 --> 01:05:10,223

They have an excellent sense of smell, and this individual has locked on to the defenceless young caterpillar.

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01:05:16,170 --> 01:05:23,555

Using a set of powerful jaws, the ant seizes its prize and heads straight back to the colony.

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01:05:42,690 --> 01:05:45,873

Other worker ants appear intrigued by the new arrival.

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

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Because this caterpillar has developed an ingenious survival strategy.

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It mimics the scent of these ants, even making the same noise as the colony's queen, thus deceiving the workers.

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Some ants feed it.

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

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

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

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Eventually, it is almost ready to break free.

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Once out, the butterfly rushes to exit the nest.

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With no more mimicking scent, now is the only time the ants might realise they've been duped.

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The butterfly prepares for its maiden flight.

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Living for just a few weeks as a butterfly, it will soon mate and repeat one of nature's most extraordinary and complex life cycles all over again.

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01:09:08,810 --> 01:09:15,808

With so many insects to be found among the flower meadow, white storks are never very far away.

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

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

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The freshly cut grass means insects and other small prey are flushed out and easily located.

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But they can't forage for too long.

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Many of these storks have important deliveries to make.

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

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Both parents have been ferrying edible cargo to their nest since the chicks first hatched, around nine weeks ago.

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

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

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01:11:33,370 --> 01:11:35,833

A local orchard has the ripest apples.

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And these young bears are happy to help themselves.

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Autumn has finally arrived.

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Nature's most talented artist.

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01:12:56,380 --> 01:12:59,433

She paints the forest with masterful strokes.

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Her dazzling vision is unequalled in richness and intensity.

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And she has one last, timely gift.

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The autumn bounty.

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Fruits and berries are the sweetest treats.

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Beech trees occasionally bestow an exceptionally generous gift.

295

01:13:52,020 --> 01:13:58,023

Every few years, all over Carpathia, beech nuts simultaneously fall to the ground.

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It's thought that this tactic guarantees an abundance of nuts, so many in fact, that the animals which feast upon them couldn't possibly finish them all.

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

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For much of Romania's wildlife, it is the last chance to fatten up before winter returns.

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01:14:55,930 --> 01:15:01,280

The clock is ticking for this bear family to take on calories before they sleep through the winter.

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Starvation is a very real threat.

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Whilst some are gorging, others have very different priorities.

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And none more so than on Piatra Craiului.

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01:15:44,950 --> 01:15:51,166

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

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

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01:16:09,180 --> 01:16:13,533

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

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

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Including the most resilient of mountain inhabitants:

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Chamois.

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They are found upon the highest and most inaccessible slopes.

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

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01:17:17,240 --> 01:17:20,163

Competition to secure mating rights can be tough.

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01:17:24,390 --> 01:17:28,573

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

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01:17:48,530 --> 01:17:50,813

A rival buck is closing in.

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01:18:00,130 --> 01:18:01,813

But this hasn't gone unnoticed.

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01:18:02,740 --> 01:18:07,010

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

316

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His astute tactic has worked.

317

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The challenger retreats.

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01:18:48,790 --> 01:18:52,363

He must continue his search elsewhere, and alone.

319

01:19:00,700 --> 01:19:03,593

The dominant buck returns to the females.

320

01:19:17,996 --> 01:19:21,195

Further down the slopes, confrontations can be deadly.

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01:19:25,820 --> 01:19:27,753

Winter is knocking at autumn's door.

322

01:19:33,190 --> 01:19:35,673

Pushing creatures of the forest to extremes.

323

01:20:02,220 --> 01:20:06,393

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

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A red deer.

325

01:20:26,460 --> 01:20:30,303

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

326

01:20:38,000 --> 01:20:42,203

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

327

01:21:07,121 --> 01:21:14,146

If the pack refuse to give up their kill, the bear won't hesitate to unleash his full fury.

328

01:21:34,802 --> 01:21:41,213

The wolves escape unharmed, although the message is clear: their prize is lost.

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01:21:51,440 --> 01:21:56,215

Once the bear has taken his fill, there might be some scraps left for the pack.

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If they're lucky.

331

01:22:15,330 --> 01:22:19,233

Winter's imminent arrival pushes many to their limit.

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01:22:23,560 --> 01:22:29,532

The resilient few who've made it this far may now witness the year's final transformation.

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01:22:50,920 --> 01:22:57,783

As snow begins to fall across the land, only the most adaptable will face the season's harshest months.

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01:23:27,680 --> 01:23:32,623

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

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01:23:35,130 --> 01:23:40,130

Her thick winter coat keeps her warm and dry.

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01:23:52,000 --> 01:23:59,020

A solitary creature, she will wander these slopes alone, seeking out what little prey she can find.

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01:24:36,380 --> 01:24:39,473

Others prefer to return to their cosy dens.

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

339

01:25:13,749 --> 01:25:18,022

The mountains become a still and frozen landscape once more.

340

01:25:34,289 --> 01:25:37,043

And so this story reaches its end.

341

01:25:39,740 --> 01:25:42,423

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

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01:25:43,360 --> 01:25:45,663

But also to its people.

343

01:25:54,440 --> 01:26:00,823

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

344

01:26:09,360 --> 01:26:17,033

Poaching, irresponsible hunting and illegal fishing could mean irreversible loss.

345

01:26:24,710 --> 01:26:29,771

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

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01:26:42,230 --> 01:26:47,185

Excessive consumption of resources threaten fragile ecosystems.

347

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These are not the only problems nature faces, but they are amongst the most important.

348

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All disrupt the delicate balance of Romania's wilderness.

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01:27:09,160 --> 01:27:13,896

Some of the Carpathians' forests already bear deep scars.

350

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

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01:27:25,380 --> 01:27:33,003

Preserving this country's wilderness relies on humankind to step back and allow nature to heal.

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01:27:37,050 --> 01:27:48,723

Romania is home to more than half of Europe's virgin forests, making it one of the most extensive wildernesses on the continent, a very rare and precious gift.

353

01:27:52,120 --> 01:28:01,438

And if the delicate wetlands of the Danube Delta are to thrive, great care is required to preserve one of Europe's most unique ecosystems.

354

01:28:09,950 --> 01:28:21,643

The continuing conservation and expansion of these protected areas could one day result in the largest national park network in Europe, serving nature and local communities alike.

355

01:28:22,500 --> 01:28:26,483

Becoming an example of truly sustainable development.

356

01:28:29,750 --> 01:28:38,833

This great country would be at the forefront of global nature travel destinations, making Romania a world leader in conservation.

357

01:28:46,730 --> 01:28:50,543

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

358

01:28:56,340 --> 01:29:02,153

To ensure that future generations share the same privilege that we all enjoy today.

359

01:29:11,540 --> 01:29:13,623

To meander down waterways.

360

01:29:16,960 --> 01:29:20,023

And witness nature's spectacular beauty.

361

01:29:24,760 --> 01:29:28,733

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

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01:29:36,530 --> 01:29:39,633

To walk amongst the woods and glimpse at a bear.

363

01:29:52,510 --> 01:29:56,164

This is a gift that all can celebrate.

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01:29:57,920 --> 01:30:01,603

This is a gift that all can pass on.