Mountains (Full Episode) | Hostile Planet

The script opens with a snow leopard struggling to find food in the harsh mountain environment. It's a depiction of the extreme conditions at high altitudes, where animals face intense competition and unpredictable weather. The early arrival of spring in the Arctic Circle poses a challenge to barnacle geese, with many nests failing. However, one family of geese manages to survive, although they must now deal with the challenge of feeding their chicks on a grassy area a mile away from their nest, atop a precarious 400-foot pinnacle.

This paragraph details the desperate situation of barnacle geese chicks who must feed within 36 hours of hatching or face starvation. The chicks are unable to fly for a month, and their parents have chosen a nest on a high cliff to avoid predators, but this means a dangerous journey to reach food. The first chick falls and doesn't survive, but the third chick manages to make the perilous leap, cushioned by the snow, although it's left stunned and exposed.

The script discusses the broader impact of climate change on mountain ecosystems worldwide. It highlights how the warming temperatures are causing seasons to become unpredictable, affecting the survival rates of chicks hatched on cliffs. The narrative shifts to a snow leopard in the Himalayas, which is also struggling due to the rising temperatures. The leopard must patrol a vast territory to find enough food, and the scarcity of prey is pushing it to the brink of starvation.

The paragraph describes an army of Gelada monkeys in Africa that must climb higher in the mountains to find grass, their primary food source. As the number of monkeys increases, competition becomes fierce, especially for an old male who must defend his family from challengers. The male猴s must prove his strength in a relentless cycle of moving, feeding, and fighting, all while the climate warms and the grass retreats to higher altitudes.

This section tells the story of mountain goats that must descend into the valley to reach a salt lick, an essential mineral for their diet. The journey is fraught with danger, especially for a young kid, as they have to cross swollen rivers due to record-breaking summer heat and heavy snowmelt. The script emphasizes the risks these animals take to fulfill their dietary needs.

The script shifts to winter, where animals face new challenges. Heavy snow forces ibex down from the ridges into the valley, making them vulnerable to predators like the snow leopard, which relies on stealth to hunt. The leopard's visibility is compromised by the white snow, and its energy is wasted as it fails to catch its prey. The paragraph also discusses how the jet stream's slowing due to a warming atmosphere leads to mega storms that threaten the survival of even the toughest animals.

Golden eagles are highlighted as successful inhabitants of mountain ranges, using the brutal winter conditions to their advantage. The female eagle is described as having a special sensory organ that detects changes in air pressure, allowing her to locate air currents for flight. With a seven-foot wingspan, she can reach great heights and dive at incredible speeds, making her one of the fastest animals on the planet.

The paragraph describes the challenges golden eagles face in finding and securing food during winter. They are often forced to scavenge, and a carcass can attract competition. The script details a confrontation between a male and a female eagle over a carcass, highlighting the intensity and danger of such encounters, as well as the eagles' powerful talons and the potential for deadly fights.

The script concludes with the story of a snow leopard that, despite being badly injured after a successful hunt, manages to recover within just a few days and is seen hunting again. This showcases the incredible resilience of mountain animals and their ability to survive in extreme conditions.

The final paragraph reflects on the ability of mountain animals to triumph in their harsh environments, finding shelter, food, and companionship. It emphasizes that snow leopards are still breeding in the Himalayas, serving as a testament to their adaptability in a changing world, and that their offspring represent hope for the future.