[narrator] The peaks
of the Tatra Mountains. This is the kingdom of the Tatra chamois. Islands in a hazy sea of cloud. Conditions are extreme
at these heights, where no trees are growing. A borderland of snow and ice, where two survival specialists
have thrived since the Ice Age. Other animals only arrived here
later from lower-lying regions. Each one braves the mountainous
world in its own way. Even in sunshine, everyone in
this wilderness above the clouds lives in constant danger. [marmot calls] Up here, everyone's a survivor. This is their story. The Carpathian Mountains stretch
out across the center of Europe. Their highest part lies
between Poland and Slovakia - the Tatras, the smallest
high mountain range in the world. Over 20 peaks more than
2,500 meters high cover an area of only
20 by 30 kilometers across. One of the mountains is Kriváň, a national symbol of Slovakia
whose name means "bent" or "crooked". It lies in the middle
of the Tatra National Park... and is home to a crooked-horned
Tatra native, the Tatra chamois, an animal with a special history. Chamois are best equipped
for life in the high peaks. During the last Ice Age,
they wandered to Central Europe, along with reindeer and muskoxen, when the Continent
was still largely frozen. When the glaciers melted, the reindeers
and muskoxen disappeared with them. Only the chamois remained, since the Ice Age continued
at the higher altitudes. These expert climbers sustained themselves
in the coldest mountain regions of Europe, the Alps or the Carpathians. Isolated from each other,
they continued to evolve. Today, the Tatra chamois
forms its own subspecies. In the Tatra Mountains,
the chamois are the only large animals that live the whole year round
above the treeline. Winter has lasted
for six months up here. In late May or early June,
the females withdraw to a peaceful spot where, after
a six-month gestation period, they give birth to one,
or less commonly, two or three kids. The offspring tag along behind
their mother, just hours after birth, even in this rough terrain. A kid will be suckled for three months, during which time they stick
closely to the milk source. Only when the mother is grazing
do they take a rest, lying down on the slopes. There's so much to discover. On one of the last remaining snowfields,
a Tatra marmot appears out of its den, another Ice Age remnant. Back then, they also lived
down in the lowlands. Today, only the mountaintops can
provide the cold temperatures they like. While the chamois are active
the whole year round, marmots hibernate for six or seven months,
living off fat reserves. Recently awake, the first job is
to cushion their dens with new grass, to make them comfortable
for the newly arrived offspring. What chamois and marmots
have in common is their history. Both found refuge here in
the Tatra Mountains after the Ice Age, like castaways on a cold island
in the warm sea. [birds twittering] After the glaciers receded,
other species colonized the mountains, animals that are not exactly
perfectly suited to the giddy heights. Brown bears can climb,
just not as elegantly as the chamois. Also foxes and wolves. Red deer and Eurasian lynx are
faced with different challenges up here than in the low-lying areas. The mountain lakes of the Tatras also attract some unexpected visitors
at 2,000 meters altitude. When the ice begins to melt, some unusual ramblers
are taking a romantic stroll. Until recently these grass frogs
were comfortably buried in the ground, away from the frost
or hidden in earthy dens. It's surprising that they're
living up this high. Their body temperatures
depend on their surroundings, and it's much colder here all year
round than down in the valley. The lake water is only
a little above zero degrees. But the frogs get started right away
with their mating ritual. After all, it's not going
to get much warmer. Often, several males attach
themselves to a sweetheart. All females try to lay their gelatinous
mass of eggs at the lake's edge. Hundreds of frogs cluster together. It's flatter here and the temperatures
are more comfortable, compared to the middle of the lake. An advantage for the tadpoles, they can grow faster and leave
the lake as small frogs in good time before
the early winter season. Even after the last ice has melted, the temperature in the lake
never climbs above four degrees. Water, either in the form
of snow and ice, or as a liquid, characterizes the Tatra Mountains. Rocky cliffs plummet
down into the valley... and canyons jut into the stony surface. Hollows and step-like cascades
provide the perfect hunting ground for the white-throated dipper. They can find plenty of insects
and larvae here the whole year round. Because the streams are so steep
and fast, they don't freeze easily. Over the millennia,
these fast-flowing streams have fashioned nesting places
for the birds into the rocks. As soon as the chicks
have been served, the dipper has to head off again
in search of more provisions. Their favorite food is caddisfly larvae. These live in tubular receptacles,
made by sticking sand grains together. They protect the larvae from many
predators and make them heavier, so that the current
can't just wash them away. The whole stream is full of them. When a white-throated dipper
snaps up one of the larvae, it first has to knock it
out of its protective container. Sometimes they pick up other
insects along the way and bring an entire beakful
back to the nest. Gradually, the days get longer. The sun now sets earlier
behind Kriváň Mountain. Within a fortnight, all the female
chamois have had their kids. Just a week after the birth, the mothers
gather in "kindergarten groups", looking after the offspring together. They really do help each other out. This "aunt" is busy suckling a whole herd, mostly the offspring of other females, while the off-duty mums get some rest. In the event of a female dying,
others even adopt her offspring. The youngsters are bursting
with energy from their feast. Even now, they can jump up
over two meters high in the air. Footage like this is only possible
when the chamois feel undisturbed. The does are highly alert
when the kids are still young. They can see, smell and hear very well... but sometimes they just
like to join in the fun. On the next slope,
the yearlings are playing, adolescent chamois born last summer. The ability to move quickly and securely
in this terrain is a vital survival skill. The time as a young kid
is the most dangerous period in the whole life of a chamois. Only half of them survive
to the following year. Bears are too cumbersome
to catch these swift animals. They're well aware of that and mostly
just feed on grass in the summer. Lynx prepare ambushes under cover and can even take down adult chamois. They kill their victims by strangulation. This lasts for several minutes, so clinging on to a chamois around here
is too dangerous for the big cat. They'd be risking a bad fall. The biggest threat to the youngsters
comes from the air. Golden eagles like preying
on the young chamois. These birds of prey rely on the kids
for about a third of their food intake. As soon as the eagle has set off, being carried up on warm
air currents to save energy, the warning cries begin. [marmot calls] A marmot has noticed the bird. The chamois does gather round the kids. As the eagle continues
to approach, they make off. The bird of prey tries to create
panic among the chamois, to then swoop down on a youngster,
making it stumble and fall down the slope. This attack is unsuccessful, however,
and the herd quickly settles down again. Summer sun warms the slopes of the Tatras, to the advantage
of not only the eagles. The updraughts help to bring other
species into the high mountains, those who wouldn't even manage it
under their own steam. Millions of insects are thrust
upwards by the wind. As small as they appear, the redistribution of this biomass
has a major effect. The insects land on meadows,
but also on snowfields, where they are highly visible. This water pipit simply
has to pick them up, as if from a white tablecloth. Even the chamois benefit from
the wind-wafted insect hordes. They're digested then excreted
over the meadows by the pipits, fertilizing the ground
with nutritious dung. The result - grass, flowers and herbs. Such lush, juicy grass only appears
up here for four months. So the chamois and marmots enjoy
this warm season to the fullest. Their winter fur hangs off
the chamois in clumps. Yet winter can always creep back into
the mountains at any time of year. Then the snow falls, even in June. These marmots only awoke
from hibernation a few days ago and they're hungry, very hungry. After all, they've lost
a third of their body weight. They need one-and-a-half kilos
of grass and herbs per day in order to build up fat reserves
again for the coming winter. A few days like this
don't concern them, however. Right from birth, they've been
equipped for Arctic conditions. Besides, compared to the icy winter
temperatures, it is now positively mild. The chamois certainly don't mind
this little bit of snow either. Older animals paw patches
of grass clear, while the youngsters
continue to suckle with their mothers. Only if the weather was to continue
like this for several weeks, would things get bad for
the marmots and chamois. Further down in the valley,
the streams are still flowing, but they're shallow enough
for two species of fish. Brown trout like to inhabit
such fast-flowing waters. To conserve energy, they use the
slipstream behind roots and boulders. While European bullheads
crouch on the river floor. They're poor swimmers and let
the bubbling water churn over them. The streamlined trout
fishtail against the current, even understanding how to exploit
the water turbulence to save energy. Life in and around the mountain
streams requires cunning strategies, and not only for fish. Like the alpine meadow grass, which
develops bulbils instead of blossoms, from which secondary grass grows. When the bulbils get heavier,
the mother stems bend downwards... and actually plant
the young offshoots in the ground, until they've put down roots and
can't be swept away by the current. With this method, the plants
can prevent seeds drifting off and being washed up in unsuitable places. It's now midsummer in
the Tatra Mountains, and life is good for the deer. Plenty of vegetation and
comfortable temperatures - up to around 20 degrees. Although perfect for deer, this is too
warm for the true high mountain animals. So even the chamois
take a little drink to cool off. They graze early in the morning. Then they don't have to move around
a lot during the day and can keep their body temperatures
from rising much higher. Sometimes, the last snowfields
can provide some relief. A snowy cushion for whole-body cooling. In summer, the numerous bears
of the Tatra Mountains are always in the places
with the freshest grass. But they also don't have any objection
to a bit of cooling ice right now. And those who can't find any spots
of remaining snow, to offset the warm summer days, can simply retreat to the shade of a cave. Down in the valley, the mountain streams
have joined up at the River Bela, which is full of sandbanks. It's mostly so shallow that the water is
now warmed to around ten degrees. Besides the brown trout,
graylings also live here, with their fan-like extended dorsal fins. They also like things a little warmer. Graylings can grow
up to half a meter long and hunt insects and their larvae,
but also small fish. Summer is also breeding season and the
Bela teems with a variety of young fish. They like to gather in shallow water. It's warmer there,
so they can grow faster. In the deep parts,
trout are also lurking. In summer,
there's an abundance of life... above, as well as below, the waterline. Shrimps and insect larvae attach
themselves to the rocks in the current. Mayfly larvae are among the most
common inhabitants of the River Bela. They feed on dead plant life and algae. They also get stuck
into dead fish, however. Adult mayflies really do only live
for a few hours or days, with the single goal of procreation. But the trout are skilled hunters... and snatch many mayflies from the air. Grey wagtails only have to peck
insects from the water surface. They're so numerous that the birds fly
back to their nests with beaks brimming. Towards evening,
when the caddisflies start out, the air above the river
starts to get crowded. On summer nights like this,
a strange event takes place. The transformation of one of the biggest
water-based predatory insects. For several years, stonefly larvae,
up to five centimeters long, have preyed on other insects. Now they're clambering out of the water,
at their final ever molting. The shell breaks open and the completed animal
fights its way out, completely missing the pupal stage
of many other insects. From its protective husk,
a delicate aerial creature emerges, fed by fat reserves gathered
while in the larvae stage. Large adult stoneflies
live from four to six weeks to mate and lay eggs. The larvae husks remind one
of their predatory past, clinging like brooches
to the stone surface. From September onwards, the roars of the red deer ring through the smallest
high mountain range in the world. [red deer calling] The high point of their year
is about to begin. While the male deer have spent
the summer mostly hidden in forests, they now gather above the treeline. They need space for their rutting. [red deer calling] They make themselves heard
the whole day through. They want to attract females
and frighten off competitors. In contrast to their would-be partners,
the males have to make quite an effort. The hinds can have offspring every year. Males, on the other hand,
only get the chance to sire children when they're in their prime, between ten and 12 years,
and in full strength. They have to prevail over the other
males to conquer a herd like this. The females are not in competition
with each other, however. Younger, weaker stags
only get a look in if the dominant male isn't vigilant. But this alpha animal drives this
hoodlum away from his women. The young stag will have
to wait for a few years before he's ready to win
his own herd. He may only get the chance once
in his entire life, in a single year. That's why red deer are
so prepared to take big risks. Sometimes a threat is all that's
needed for one to give up. But if two equally strong males meet,
a fight breaks out. It boils down to the "ultimate success"
in the life of a stag, who gets to hand his genes down
to the next generation. In contrast to the lowlands,
clashes in the high mountain areas are especially dangerous. It's a very steep slope. Heavy animals like the red deer can hardly stop themselves
once they start to slip down. [red deer calls] The dominant male wins. The offspring born to the females
the following year will be his. So the exhausting rutting was worth it... [red deer calls] ..even if he lost a quarter
of his body weight. He also gave his all,
but he wasted the chance. The fight on the edge
of the abyss has cost him his life. But his death
will allow others to survive. The cadaver attracts
a female bear with her young. In autumn, they normally live mostly
on blueberries and cranberries. This dead deer offers
not only some variety, but an easy opportunity
to put on some winter fat. When the cold season arrives, they'll
retreat to their dens to hibernate. And so they need enough resources
to get them through. [bird caws] Even for the bears, this is
too big a feast to manage alone. Soon nothing will be left
of the unlucky mountain combatant. Autumn is coming and the grass
on the slopes is turning golden. Almost like the yellowish-brown
summer coats of the chamois. They'll stay in the mountains
in winter, just like the marmots. [marmot calls] Now they start heading back to their dens. Each one has taken on
around one-and-a-half kilos of extra fat for the cold months. As early as October,
the first snow falls, which will cover wide areas of
the Tatra Mountains for half a year. The deer wander down into the valley,
where the snow isn't as high. So the peaks once again
belong to the chamois. As soon as the frost begins, however, these mountain dwellers
get down to business. Mating season begins. This shaking is already part
of the trial of strength. They plump up the manes on their backs
to make themselves look bigger. This is the first round
in the bucks' conflict. A test with consequences. Whoever has the larger mane
appears more powerful. If neither comes out clearly on top,
the second round begins. A frantic chase... at speeds of up to
50 kilometers an hour. Thanks to their spreadable hooves
with soles like hard rubber, the chamois are sure-footed. In order to save breath, chamois have more red blood cells
than other animals, helping to absorb more oxygen. Both animals run until they're worn out. The one standing highest up
at the end wins the contest. They can normally avoid the third round,
which is a direct fight. Nonetheless, the winner has to stay alert. The females are only fertile
for a few hours. So he constantly checks whether
one of them is ready to mate. Even chamois sometimes
put a foot wrong and break a leg. An easy job for a lynx. Around 15 of the rare cats
live in the Tatra National Park. When they've killed some prey,
they don't eat it all at once, but rather eat what they want
and then store the leftovers. These are dragged into a cave, then the lynx keeps
popping back to its cold store until the whole chamois
has been polished off. It's a female and she's not alone. A second lynx says hello... before being joined by two others. A whole family. It's a mother with three
almost fully grown offspring. Rare footage of these shy predators
in their natural habitat. One lynx after the other eats its fill
inside the cave, while the others play outside. Next year, the young cats
will leave their mother to head out alone in the Tatra Mountains. The ridges of Kriváň Mountain
are covered in snow. Down in the valley,
the River Bela has still not iced over, despite the severe frost. Luckily for the white-throated dipper. They need open water to survive. But there is some ice in the river,
down on the bed. Free-floating ice crystals
get frozen to the ground, then start growing upwards as icebergs. An unusual phenomenon. Normally, ice freezes from top to bottom. Water is heaviest at a temperature
of four degrees and sinks downwards. That's how fish and other aquatic
creatures can survive in frozen lakes, only if they're deep enough. The current in the river is strong... and has many deep points like this one, offering plenty of areas
for the dippers to go diving. They can hunt for caddisfly larvae
the whole winter through. And even if it gets icier, this diving zone in the Tatra Mountains
will remain for these rare birds. In the shadow of Kriváň, the temperature sometimes sinks
as low as minus 30 degrees. For many creatures, a death zone. [wind howls] But the chamois are tough. They search for places as sheltered
from the wind as possible. Then they scrape a few
blades of grass clear... and simply wait for the storm to pass. They've also developed certain
astonishing adaptive strategies. To save energy, they can even
lower their body temperatures. As the winter wears on,
the snow cover gets thicker and thicker. Old, wise females always know
where there's something to eat, however. They lead and the herd follows. The chamois are now constantly active
during the day to find enough food. Taking breaks, like in summer,
is not an option anymore. Often enough this means
walking through deep snow. Their thick winter coats
protect them from the cold. It warms up quickly in the sun,
being dark colored. The chamois stay in one place until
they've eaten everything on offer... before heading off again. At the start of the year, these hikes
become more and more dangerous. Now the group has to walk
beneath a snow slab. The experienced doe
knows the risk and hesitates. Wherever the sun shines on the snow, things can easily start to slip, and a great drama unfolds. [rumbling] This avalanche takes a large
number of the herd with it. The chamois suffocate
under a meter-thick snow load. Later on, ravens find
a few remains on the surface. A fox chases a raven
away from the chamois' leg. Then he suddenly disappears into the snow. With their excellent sense of smell, the foxes have tracked the dead
chamois through the snow. And now these crafty tunnel-diggers are not interested in sharing
with anyone else. No matter what the weather,
the foxes are active for days. They dig one tunnel after another, up to the dead chamois, which is lying
around two meters deep in the snow... an activity which has never
before been captured on film. The avalanche site
is like an enormous freezer, whose contents can get
the foxes through the winter. Bit by bit they gather up
the remains of the chamois, to secure the best offcuts for themselves. Yet the food store lies open and its scent attracts
two wolves at night-time. They make use of the foxes' tunnels,
extending them. This is much easier than digging
for themselves or even hunting. At dawn, the wolves disappear
with full stomachs. They've profited from others' misfortune. A constant narrative in
the Tatra Mountains since the Ice Age. In the smallest high
mountain range on Earth, the Tatra chamois have lived on,
despite the extreme conditions, predators, freezing cold and avalanches. Poachers, however, brought them
to the brink of extinction by the turn of the millennium. Since then, the chamois have
increased in number again, from 200 to 1,500, thanks to strict protection. The Tatra National Park
is their safe haven.
