(light dramatic music) - [Narrator] A remote archipelago lies off the coast of Africa. (light music) Islands at the edge of the
world, they were once called. They were taken by Spanish conquistadors on their way to America. Today, they attract millions
of tourists each year. Human history has certainly left its mark, but the seven islands
still have their wild side. (light music continues) (wind whooshing) Sand dunes, forests,
volcanic peaks, lava deserts. Far from other continents, unique landscapes have
developed on the Canaries. It all started 20 million years ago. (dramatic music) Deep in the Atlantic something is brewing; volcanoes erupt on the seabed. (dramatic music continues)
(waves crashing) The Earth's crust pierces
the surface of the sea. (light guitar music) The Canaries were born of
fire and have yet to settle. (light music) In the beginning, a volcanic
island devoid of life. Within months, bacteria
invade the naked rock. Algae and lichen follow. Green on the black lava. The world of the fire mountains, the visible beginnings of life itself. Mount Teide rises almost
4,000 meters above the sea. It's a sleeping giant. It last erupted in 1909. (light music) Innumerable eruptions created one of the world's great natural wonders. Volcanoes, craters, and
hardened lava streams merge in a rugged, forbidding landscape. (waves crashing) (ethereal music) While the islands were a
glowing desert of hot mud, the ocean floor teemed with life. But below the surface, too,
volcanoes are unstable habitats. Hot gases can escape
the earth at any time, poisoning the surrounding water. Immobile lifeforms meet an untimely end. (ethereal music continues) Ancient creatures continue to inhabit this strange nether world, many
are bizarre and mysterious. (light music) When cold water meets molten lava, the result can be powerful explosions that sink entire coastlines. Or complex networks of underwater caves stretching far inland. (light music continues) These caves are home to sea
creatures that prefer the dark. Isolated from the outside world, surreal life forms have developed in a submarine cave on Lanzarote. (light music) Tiny white crabs, barely
a centimeter long, completely blind. Rays have inhabited the
seas since ancient times. As have these bizarre angel sharks. (light music) As the islands rose from the seabed, these creatures had to adapt
to their changed environment. More and more species
emerged from the deep. (waves crashing) The island of El Hierro rose
just one million years ago, making it the archipelago's
youngest and smallest island. It was home to an animal whose
ancestors came from Africa, but now has one last refuge: tiny, inaccessible Roque Chico de Salmor. (waves crashing)
(light music) It's hard to believe any
animal could exist here. (gulls cawing)
(light music continues) But there is one. It is the El Hierro giant lizard. Between 150 and 200 of them
live on the barren rock. They grow to more than half a meter, despite the apparent lack of food. The sparse vegetation shouldn't
support so many lizards, and yet these animals even find the energy to reproduce here. (leaves rustling) (light music) The cliffs of La Gomera
rise out of the sea like a desert mountain range, dry and hot. (light music continues) At higher elevations, however, the island's appearance changes. Crowded in deep mist, a
living fossil has survived. The monteverde cloud forest. Laurel trees grow close together, forming an impenetrable thicket. The forests are a remnant
of the tertiary era, the last of their kind on the planet. (birds chirping)
(light music continues) A rare bird inhabits the
lower level of the forest, where the vegetation is thinner. (wings flapping) The laurel pigeon. Like the forest itself, the
pigeon is also a living fossil. It arrived from Africa when
the Canaries were young. Cut off from the mainland
for 20 million years, it can only exist in
this restricted habitat. (pigeon cooing)
(birds chirping) Of course, the animal most
associated with the islands is the canary. This is its original
ancestor, the Atlantic canary. (birds chirping) Spanish explorers took
the bird to Europe for its beautiful song and as a symbol of luxury and sophistication. (birds chirping) Canaries like sweet things, they were once known as sugar birds. Today's canaries are still
drawn to the ripe fruit of the arbutus tree. (birds chirping) The fruit they drop is
left behind for others. (leaves rustling)
(birds chirping) For example, the common chaffinch. (leaves rustling) You can't be too selective on an island surrounded by the ocean,
resources are scarce. You just have to adapt. (light music) From afar, if it looks like
a lush, green paradise, but the area around El Teide
is a barren volcanic desert. Freezing cold, blistering
heat, thin dry air and powerful ultraviolet rays
are the lot of this volcano. The Mount Teide bugloss can withstand the difficult conditions, growing a tower of red
blossoms three meters high. But it only manages this once in its life. The more flowers, the higher
its chance of being pollinated by passing insects, all its
energy focused on this one hope of creating the next generation. (bugs buzzing) (waves crashing) Far from the mainland
different species developed with very specific abilities. (light music) On a rocky outcrop on Tenerife lives one of the most endangered plants
on Earth: lotus maculatus. There are just 11 left in the world. (light music continues) This plant entered into a
unique partnership to survive. With a reptile. The lizards feed on the plant's blossoms. The sweet nectar of the lotus
maculatus is especially tasty. The secret of the plant's survival: its pollen is located on
the tip of the blossoms. When the lizard stretches for the nectar, pollen is brushed onto its head. The lizard then moves on to the next plant and pollinates it. Without the lizards, lotus
maculatus couldn't reproduce, it would vanish forever. (light music)
(birds chirping) Life on the Canary Islands
is dominated by lava and ash. At the foot of the
volcanoes is neither water nor fertile earth, and yet
a tough fighter survives: the Canary Islands pine. This tree uses a strong taproot to anchor itself to the ground. Additional roots spread
out in a wide network to gather nutrients from a broad area. (light music continues) Because the root systems are so expansive, there's plenty of space between the trees. (light music continues) The sparse pine forests
around Mount Teide are home to a bird whose origins
remain shrouded in mystery. (birds chirping) The Tenerife blue chaffinch. The plumage of the males is
a striking shade of blue. The chaffinches prefer
mountainous regions, building their nests in
the largest, oldest pines. And they're not the only birds here. (birds chirping) These sparse forests are also inhabited by African blue tits and woodpeckers. This young blue tit can already fly, but it still depends on
its parents for food. (birds chirping) The chaffinches, on the other hand, will breed later in the year. These females still have
time for minor disputes. Finally, the moment arrives. (birds chirping) (ground rustling) Pine cone season. The seeds of the pine
trees are rich in protein. The chaffinches have matched
their breeding season to the lifecycle of the trees. In summer, ripe cones fall to the ground. It's easy for the birds to
get to the nourishing seeds. (birds chirping) This is the perfect time
to rear their young. (birds chirping) (light music) At heights of 2,000 meters and more, giant Canary Island pines
withstand cold, heat and drought. But living in a volcanic neighborhood can be extremely dangerous. (dramatic music)
(lava whooshing) Glowing lava ignites whatever it touches. (fire rustling)
(light dramatic music) Volcanic eruptions destroy
everything in their path. Fires spread unhindered,
scarring the landscape. (light dramatic music)
(fire crackling) Once the fire has run its course, the full extent of the
destruction becomes apparent. The Canary Island pines are
the only life left standing. Their bark protected the sensitive pith. The secret of their survival
lies in their needles that burn up fast and then extinguish. The flames have nothing to
hold onto in the sparse forest and pass on. Fire brings new colors to the forest. (light music) For some plants, fire is a
source of life, not death. The ashes leave minerals
in the soil that help the plants to germinate. (light music continues) In summer, the cooler,
damper Alisio trade wind reaches the northern side of the island. The steep slopes block it's progress, rising air cools and condenses, thick clouds flow into
the parched forests. (light music continues) In places, magical forests have sprung up, a far cry from the arid volcanic desert. Life in here is determined by the clouds. The mist helps lichen, ferns
and moss grow on the trees. (light music continues) Here, the pine needles
guarantee the existence of an evergreen paradise. The long thin needles comb the clouds, creating water drops that
fall directly onto the roots. (light music continues)
(water dripping) (waves crashing) On Fuerteventura, there
are no mountain forests to be watered by the trade winds. Life here must withstand heat and drought. (birds squawking) The cream-colored courser
prefers running to flying. This graceful bird scans
its surroundings for danger in an upright position,
stretching its neck as high as it can. With its sand colored
plumage it's almost invisible in the rocky scree. These birds lay their
eggs in open terrain. Their mother's soft plumage
is their only protection in the harsh, stony desert. (birds chirping) Cream-colored coursers
are shy, quiet birds, but mothers encourage their unborn chicks with delicate high-pitched calls. Soon, the offspring will reply, but first they must survive
the most perilous period. (ravens cawing)
(ominous music) Brown-necked ravens settle
on an old volcanic cone. (ravens cawing) There's little to hunt in this landscape, but during the breeding
season the ravens target eggs and helpless chicks. (ominous music continues)
(ravens cawing) The stone-curlew does everything slowly to avoid drawing attention to itself. (ground rustling) (light dramatic music)
(raven caws) The brown-necked ravens
continue to patrol the skies. When the courser feels
threatened, it hunkers down, relying on its natural camouflage. (raven caws) Brooding mothers only move
at the last possible moment to draw the ravens away from their eggs. (ominous music continues) But ravens are intelligent birds. They spot the slightest change
in the surrounding landscape. Bird's eggs are easy prey. This time, the mother
wasn't careful enough. She must watch as her brood is destroyed. (ravens cawing) For the others, the struggle
for survival continues. This female is more fortunate. Her eggs have remained
undiscovered so far. After three long weeks,
the eggs will soon hatch. (birds chirping) (waves crashing)
(light dramatic music) A winter storm has gathered
in the north Atlantic. Now it sweeps the islands. (light dramatic music continues) Hurricanes whip the water into a frenzy. (thunder rumbling)
(light dramatic music) Temperatures drop below zero. A blizzard follows. (light dramatic music continues) Unheard of weather for the Canaries. (wind whistling)
(light dramatic music) The snow falls for days, masses of cold air collide with the flanks of the high volcanoes. The fire mountains become a sea of white. (light dramatic music continues) Lower down, water
cascades from the heights. (water splashing) The forest that usually
survives on moisture from the clouds soaks up the
excess water like a sponge. (light music)
(water pattering) The colorful blossoms of
the canary shrub mallow are bright spots in the monotonous green of the winter forest. (light music continues)
(water pattering) There's a reason the plant has
picked the winter to bloom. (birds chirping) Its blossom attracts migrant birds. These plants have adapted
to the pollinating birds. The chiffchaff is after the sweet nectar. As it reaches in, its head
touches the plants stamens, shaking the pollen loose, which it transfers to the next blossom. (birds chirping) (light dramatic music) After days, the storm finally moves on. Temperatures rise rapidly. The snow will soon vanish, but for awhile El Teide
shows a very unfamiliar face. (light music) (waves crashing) On Fuerteventura, too, the storm is over. (light music continues) The first cream-colored courser
has hatched from its egg. Wet, blind, and completely helpless. This young bird can't survive
without its mother's warmth, but it'll have to leave the
nest in just a few hours. (baby squeaking) The mother must now pay
close attention to the brood. The second chick will hatch it any moment. These stone-curlews hatched at dawn. (birds chirping) They're still a little unsteady. Their only protection is the camouflage of their mottled plumage. (ominous music) A raven is particularly keen
on freshly-hatched chicks. It's watching for telltale movements. (ravens cawing)
(ominous music) Meanwhile, the courser
chick's feathers have dried. The young bird is determined
to explore its surrounding, The parents are now especially attentive, surveying the landscape. The second chick emerges from its egg. This is a critical moment. The mother immediately
removes the bright egg shell. It mustn't attract the
attention of the raven. (light dramatic music) It's early morning and the stone-curlews begin to coax their young out of the nest. (light dramatic music continues) They're barely able to stand,
but it's time to explore. Step by unsteady step,
the freshly-hatched chicks make their way over the stony ground. (birds chirping)
(light dramatic music) With one just four hours old, the courser chicks are also
starting on their first journey. (birds chirping) Using food as a lure, the
parents lead their young as far from the nest as possible. It will be four long
weeks before they can fly and the greatest danger will have passed. (ravens cawing) (chicks chirping) (ominous music) The erosion of wind and
weather has smoothed the summits of the volcanoes. (light music) But Mount Teide, rising
7,500 meters from the seabed, is a spectacular sight. El Teide, third highest
island volcano in the world, it'll continue to grow as long as it stays active beneath the surface. Between the islands there
are deep underwater canyons. (light music continues) Conditions here are ideal
for the great marine mammals. Pilot whales are nomads. They cross the world's
oceans in family groups. (whales screeching)
(light music continues) Each pod is led by a dominant male. His knowledge and experience decide the fate of his relatives. Some pilot whales have gotten used to the perfect conditions between the islands and stay here permanently. (light music continues) (water splashing) The whales are not the only
marine mammals in the vicinity. Common dolphins cruise the seas in search of rich fishing areas, constantly communicating with each other. (light music continues) As befits a sophisticated society, pilot whales are also always in contact. Each family has its own
dialect that it uses to coordinate its movements
over great distances. (light music continues) The pilot whales have developed an extremely sensitive
sonar system to detect prey. Although the whales spend much
of their time on the surface, they mainly hunt large deep sea squid. They can pinpoint their prey's
location with great accuracy, even 800 to a thousand
meters below the surface. (light music continues) While diving, the whales
work together closely. Once they vanish into the depths, their survival depends on their relatives. (gulls cawing) Shrieking gulls circle
the Roque Chico de Salmor. They breed in a large
colony on this sheer rock rising out of the sea. (gulls cawing) The chicks hide, only
showing themselves when the parents arrive with fresh food. (gulls cawing) The gull colony is a godsend
for the El Hierro giant lizard. Without the gulls, the lizards would starve
on the barren rock. (gulls cawing) (light dramatic music) The chicks are clumsy and vulnerable. The hungry lizards observe
them from close by. (gulls cawing)
(light dramatic music) (light music) Every minute, more adult gulls take off from the rock and fly away. (waves crashing)
(light music continues) Their destination: the
high plateau on El Hierro, the main land to this tiny rock. (gulls cawing)
(light music continues) The plateau is home to
a swarm of grasshoppers. Since biblical times,
these Moroccan locusts have been considered a plague, but they're a blessing for the gulls that can simply grab them in their beaks. (light music continues) The great feast lasts a month. Long enough to rear their young on nutritious insect protein. (light music)
(wings flapping) The gulls make their return
journey laden with fresh food. An ornithological airlift ensures the chicks on the rock never go hungry. (gulls cawing) There are more grasshoppers
than the chicks could possibly consume. (gulls cawing) Occasionally, they'll have to wait while the adult tries to bring
up the remains of its prey. This is the moment the
lizards have been waiting for. They eat whatever the
gulls have left behind. There's more than enough
insects to go round in this breeding season. (gulls cawing) (light dramatic music) The excess protein helps
the lizards see out the rest of the year, and even breed. It's the secret of their survival. Roque de Salmor gives them shelter, the breeding gulls do the rest. (waves crashing)
(light dramatic music) The Canary Islands are a
small, fascinating world with an amazing range of climates, landscapes, and unique species. (birds chirping)
(light music) Animals and plants have entered
into unusual partnerships on these remote islands. And life forms that have
long disappeared elsewhere survive on the Canaries. (light music continues) The entire archipelago is a confined world where one aspect of
life depends on another. But if just one element fails, the entire system could collapse. (light music continues) If that were to happen, the Canary Islands would return to what they were millions of years ago: a barren volcanic desert. (light music continues) (light music) (light dramatic music)
