The Western Ghats are an ancient mountain range, 西高止山脉是一座古老的山脉,
where rain forests burst with an explosion of life, 热带雨林爆发出生命的爆发,
Rivers nurture wild animals 河流养育野生动物
and provide water to billions of people. 为几十亿人提供水源.
Age old human cultures live alongside rare 古老的人类文化与稀有的
and dangerous creatures. 还有危险的生物.
The rain drenched peaks of the Western Ghats hold the key 雨淋过的西高坛山峰掌握着关键
to life in Southern India. 在印度南部生活.
These are India's monsoon mountains. 这些是印度的季风山脉.
The Western Ghats mountains stretch 1,600 kilometers, 西高止山脉绵延1600公里,
from Mumbai all the way to the Southern tip of India, 从孟买一直到印度南端,
running parallel to India's west coast. 与印度西海岸平行.
The spine of hills cover 6% of India's landmass, 山脊覆盖了印度6%的陆地,
but provides a home to over 30% of its plant 但它提供了一个超过30%的工厂
and animal species. 以及动物种类.
Deadly snakes,rare primates and supreme predators all made 致命的蛇,稀有的灵长类动物和超级食肉动物都是由
in the Western Ghats. 在西部的高塔.
It's one of the most biodiverse places in the world. 它是世界上生物多样性最丰富的地方之一.
Humans have found a home here too. 人类也在这里找到了家.
For thousands of years, 几千年来,
man has lived side by side with nature 人类与自然并肩生活
and benefited from the fertile land. 受益于肥沃的土地.
The secret to this explosion of life lies 生命爆发的秘密在于
in the very mountains themselves. 就在山上.
Huge peaks rise into the path of monsoon clouds, 巨大的山峰耸立在季风云的路径上,
triggering rainfall and producing one 引发降雨并产生降雨
of the wettest climates in India. 印度最潮湿的气候之一.
Tropical rainforests thrive. 热带雨林茁壮成长.
This jungle canopy is home 这个丛林树冠是家
to one of India's most elusive animals. 印度最难以捉摸的动物之一.
Hidden among the leafy branches is the rarest macaque 藏在枝繁叶茂的树枝间的是最稀有的猕猴
in the world, 在这个世界上,
the lion-tailed macaque. 狮子尾猕猴.
Their dark bodies and gray manes make them difficult 他们深色的身体和灰色的鬃毛使他们很难相处
to spot among the shadows. 在阴影中发现.
The thick fur of their manes help to keep out the worst 它们浓密的鬃毛有助于抵御最坏的情况
of the rain. 下雨的感觉.
These primates are jungle specialists. 这些灵长类动物是丛林专家.
They spend most of that time eating fruits. 他们大部分时间都在吃水果.
And there's always food close at home in the forest. 在森林里,家里总是有食物.
These jackfruits are barely ripped, 这些菠萝蜜几乎没有裂开,
but that doesn't bother the hungry macaque. 但这并不困扰饥饿的猕猴.
Its large canines are strong enough 它的大犬齿足够强壮
to tear through the fruit's tough,spiny skin. 撕开果实坚硬多刺的表皮.
Figs are another jungle staple. 无花果是另一种丛林主食.
And these are much more accessible to other creatures 其他生物更容易接近它们
in the canopy too. 也在树冠里.
The Malabar giant squirrel uses its long tail 马拉巴尔巨松鼠用它的长尾
as a counterweight to help it balance while it feeds. 作为配重帮助它在进食时保持平衡.
Malabar squirrels are one of the largest squirrels 马拉巴松鼠是最大的松鼠之一
in the world. 在世界上.
They can grow to be half a meter long, 它们可以长到半米长,
and weigh up to three kilos. 体重可达3公斤.
Like their neighbors the macaques, 就像他们的邻居猕猴一样,
giant squirrels spend time grooming each other. 大松鼠花时间互相梳理.
It reinforces bonds and helps keep parasites at bay. 它加强了联系,有助于阻止寄生虫.
But the jungle is full of creatures 但是丛林里到处都是生物
with a far less friendly bites. 被咬得不那么友好.
The leech tests the air groping around 水蛭测试四处摸索的空气
to find a blood meal. 找到一顿血餐.
It will latch onto any passing mammal, 它会抓住任何经过的哺乳动物,
but it's no more than a nuisance to lion-tailed macaque. 但这只不过是狮子尾猕猴的麻烦.
There are far deadlier predators in the jungle. 丛林里有更致命的食肉动物.
The king cobra,the largest venomous snake in the world. 眼镜王蛇,世界上最大的毒蛇.
These giant reptiles can grow to be over five meters long. 这些巨大的爬行动物可以长到5米长.
They are the true kings of the jungle. 他们是真正的丛林之王.
Venturing down to the forest floor is a risky business. 冒险到森林里去是一件冒险的事.
The cobra's eyesight is so sharp. 眼镜蛇的视力很敏锐.
It can spot prey moving a hundred meters away. 它能发现100米外的猎物.
But luckily for the lion-tailed macaque, 但幸运的是狮子尾猕猴,
it's not on its menu. 它不在菜单上.
King cobras eat only other snakes. 眼镜王蛇只吃其他蛇.
The hump-nosed pit viper could be in danger, 驼鼻毒蛇可能有危险,
but it's only 30 centimeters long, 但它只有30厘米长,
too small to be much of a meal. 太小了,一顿饭吃不下.
A three meter rat snake is more appealing. 一条三米长的老鼠蛇更吸引人.
Locked onto its target, 锁定目标,
the cobra cracks its prey by smell, 眼镜蛇靠嗅觉击碎猎物,
but not with its nostrils. 但不是用鼻孔.
It smells with its tongue. 它用舌头闻.
Chemical scent particles stick to its tongue 化学气味颗粒粘在它的舌头上
and transfer to receptors on the roof of its mouth, 然后转移到嘴顶的受体上,
known as the Jacobson's organ. 被称为雅各布森风琴.
The forks in its tongue work in stereo enabling the Cobra 舌头上的叉子以立体声的方式工作,使眼镜蛇能够工作
to pinpoint prey,but deadly accuracy. 精确定位猎物,但绝对准确.
King cobra inject more venom 眼镜王蛇注入更多的毒液
in a single bite than any other snake, 一口咬了一口,
enough to kill an elephant. 足以杀死一头大象.
But snakes have a built-in resistance for the poison. 但是蛇对毒药有一种内在的抵抗力.
It takes a lot more venom to kill a snake than a mammal. 杀死蛇比杀死哺乳动物需要更多的毒液.
So a snaky can king cobra delivers a massive dose. 所以蛇形罐头眼镜王蛇能提供大量的剂量.
One bite is all it takes. 一口就够了.
In a matter of minutes, 几分钟之内,
the cobra's venom shuts down the rat snake's nervous system. 眼镜蛇的毒液会关闭鼠蛇的神经系统.
Proteins in the poison start digesting the prey, 毒物中的蛋白质开始消化猎物,
before the cobras even finished swallowing. 在眼镜蛇吞咽完之前.
Danger is everywhere in the Indian jungle. 印度丛林里到处都是危险.
Even the smallest animals can be deadly. 即使是最小的动物也可能致命.
A swarm of ants overwhelms a spider hundreds 一群蚂蚁压倒了一只蜘蛛
of times their size. 是他们的两倍大.
A second spider intervenes,but this is no rescue mission. 第二只蜘蛛介入,但这不是救援任务.
Spiders think nothing of making a meal of their own kind. 蜘蛛不喜欢自己做一顿饭.
The ants overpower it almost immediately. 蚂蚁几乎立刻征服了它.
It's lucky to escape with its life. 幸运的是能逃过一劫.
Staying out of sight is the best way to stay alive. 远离视线是活下去的最好方法.
A draco lizard is perfectly camouflaged to blend 德拉科蜥蜴被完美地伪装成可以混合的动物
in the tree bark. 在树皮里.
Keeping still,he hope it disappears. 别动,他希望它消失.
But today,this draco wants to be noticed. 但今天,这个德拉科想要引起注意.
He's looking for a mate. 他在找伴侣.
A bright flap of skin called the dewlap, 一层明亮的皮肤叫做露珠,
advertise of his presence to females. 向女性宣传他的存在.
But he's attracted the wrong kind of attention, 但他引起了错误的注意,
a vine snake. 藤蔓蛇.
Horizontal pupils give the vine snake, 水平的瞳孔给了藤蔓蛇,
acute binocular vision. 敏锐的双眼视觉.
It can judge distance with pinpoint accuracy. 它能精确地判断距离.
This is one of the thinnest snakes in the world. 这是世界上最瘦的蛇之一.
Its body is just two centimeters wide, 它的身体只有两厘米宽,
but it's two meters long. 但它有两米长.
Its mouth stretches right to the back of its head, 它的嘴一直伸到脑后,
and open so wide that it can swallow prey at whole. 张开的如此之大以至于它可以吞下整个猎物.
The slender serpent moves slowly mimicking a creeper sway 这条细长的蛇模仿爬行动物的摆动缓慢地移动
in the breeze,a perfect disguise in a world of plants. 微风中,植物世界的完美伪装.
But the draco senses danger and plays its trump card, 但德拉科察觉到了危险,打出了自己的王牌,
flexing its ribcage spreads out a membrane of skin 弯曲它的胸腔展开一层皮肤
to make a simple but effective wing. 做一个简单但有效的翅膀.
More than half of India's 238 species of amphibians live 印度238种两栖动物中有一半以上生活在
in the rainforest of the Western Ghats. 在西高止山脉的雨林里.
Many are found nowhere else on earth. 很多在地球上其他地方都找不到.
With primitive lungs,amphibians supplement their air intake 两栖动物拥有原始的肺,补充它们的空气摄入量
by absorbing oxygen through their skin. 通过皮肤吸收氧气.
The purple or pig-nosed frog was only identified 紫色或猪鼻子的青蛙只被确认
by scientists in 2003. 在2003年被科学家发现.
It spends 50 weeks of the year buried underground. 它一年中有50周被埋在地下.
The purple frog is unique in India. 紫蛙在印度是独一无二的.
Its closest relatives live 3,000 kilometers away 它的近亲住在3000公里外
in the Seychelles. 在塞舌尔.
Pig-nosed frogs are living fossils and proof 猪鼻蛙是活化石和证据
of the Western Ghats ancient origins. 西高止山脉的古老起源.
There were throwback 有回溯
to a time India and Africa were connected. 印度和非洲曾经有联系.
150 million years ago,the supercontinent Gondwana, 1.5亿年前,冈瓦纳大陆,
began to split apart, 开始分裂,
and the triangular landmass 三角形的陆地
that is now modern India broke away. 这就是现代印度的分裂.
This Indian plate drifted northwards, 印度板块向北漂移,
over a volcanic hotspot, 在火山热点上,
boiling magma pushed up into the Earth's crust 沸腾的岩浆被推上地壳
and heated the land. 加热了大地.
The edge of the Indian plateau morphed and faulted 印度高原的边缘变形并断裂
into a crumpled line of mountains. 变成一条皱巴巴的山脉.
By the time India bumped into mainland Asia 当印度撞上亚洲大陆的时候
and began pushing up the Himalayas, 开始向上推喜马拉雅山,
the Western Ghats were long established 西方的高止山脉由来已久
and already home to a wealth of wildlife. 这里已经有很多野生动物了.
It's early summer,the height of the breeding season 现在是初夏,繁殖高峰期
for king cobras. 为了眼镜王蛇.
This male is looking for a mate, 这只雄性正在寻找配偶,
but the snake he's found is not a female, 但他发现的蛇不是雌性,
it's a rival male. 它是一只竞争对手.
This patch of forest isn't big enough for both of them, 这片森林对他们俩来说都不够大,
it's a serpentine standoff. 这是一场曲折的对峙.
They ground a warning at each other, 他们互相发出警告,
a low frequency hiss. 低频嘶嘶声.
Air was sucked into their elongated lungs 空气被吸入他们细长的肺部
and squeezed out through the mouth 从嘴里挤出来
as each snake constrict its body. 每一条蛇都会收缩身体.
Neither is willing to back down. 双方都不愿让步.
The only option is to fight. 唯一的选择就是战斗.
This is a battle of strength,not weaponry. 这是一场力量之战,不是武器之战.
The huge snakes are immune to each other's venom. 巨蛇对彼此的毒液免疫.
Each weighs up to nine kilograms, 每只重9公斤,
and uses all its might and muscle 用它所有的力量和肌肉
to try and grapple the other to the ground. 把另一个抓在地上.
Finally,the strongest snake triumphs. 最后,最强壮的蛇获胜了.
The loser slinks off to find a new territory. 失败者潜逃去寻找新的领地.
Tensions are running high above the first floor too. 一楼上空的紧张局势也在加剧.
Up in the canopy, 在树冠上,
a new assert his alpha male status. 一个新的男性来维护他的男性地位.
As soon as younger males start to show an interest 一旦年轻男性开始表现出兴趣
in his harem of the females, 在女人的后宫里,
the dominant male chases them out of the troop. 占优势的雄性会把它们赶出部队.
He's taking no chances and won't tolerate any competition. 他不会冒险,也不会容忍任何竞争.
It's the end of summer, 夏天快结束了,
monsoon clouds have been building over the Arabian Sea, 阿拉伯海的季风云层正在形成,
sucking up moisture from the ocean. 从海洋中吸取水分.
Now they sweep towards land, 现在他们向陆地扫去,
pulled in by the low pressure void 被低压空隙拉进来
of India's hot,dry interior. 印度炎热干燥的内陆.
They slammed straight into the Western Ghats. 他们直接撞上了西部的高塔.
The tallest peak is Anamudi,the elephant's head. 最高的山峰是阿纳穆迪,大象的头.
It reaches 2,695 meters, 高达2695米,
and is the highest point in India outside the Himalayas. 是印度喜马拉雅山以外的最高点.
Rain-filled clouds are forced up the steep slopes 充满雨水的云层被推上陡坡
where they cool and condense. 它们在那里冷却和凝结.
On the Western Ghats exposed to peaks, 在暴露在群峰之下的西部高塔上,
Nilgiri tahr brave the relentless mist and rain, Nilgiri tahr勇敢面对无情的雾和雨,
also known as cloud goats. 又称云山羊.
They're well-adapted to wet weather. 它们很适应潮湿的天气.
Water runs off their coarse,short hair like a rain coat, 水像雨衣一样从他们粗糙的短发上流过,
keeping their skin warm and dry. 保持皮肤温暖干燥.
One of India's most ancient tribes also make their home 印度最古老的部落之一也是他们的家园
in the high plateau of the Western Ghats. 在西高止山脉的高原上.
The Toda people are peaceful pastoralists, 托达人是和平的牧民,
buffalo herders with a reverence for the natural world. 对自然世界充满崇敬的水牛牧民.
The dome roofs of their houses mirror the rolling hills 他们房子的圆顶反映出连绵起伏的山峦
of their homeland. 他们的祖国.
Low doorways are designed to keep out wild animals. 低矮的门道被设计用来阻挡野生动物.
Milk is the main source of protein for the Toda people, 牛奶是托达人蛋白质的主要来源,
and butter was traditionally used as currency. 黄油传统上被用作货币.
But buffalo were far more than a commodity, 但水牛不仅仅是一种商品,
they are sacred. 它们是神圣的.
The Toda believed that the goddess Teikirshy, 托达相信女神泰基尔希,
created buffalo first among animals, 在动物中首创水牛,
and then created the Toda man to care for them. 然后创造了托达人来照顾他们.
The only time a buffalo is ever killed is when a man dies. 唯一一次水牛被杀是在一个人死的时候.
It's believed that the buffalo's spirit, 人们相信水牛的灵魂,
will keep the man company on his journey to the afterlife. 会在他来世的旅途中陪伴他.
The Toda believe that the next world is much like this one 托达人相信下一个世界和这个世界很相似
but it has a harder surface. 但它有一个更硬的表面.
Instead of wearing down the land, 而不是破坏土地,
wandering souls wear down their own legs. 游荡的灵魂会磨坏自己的腿.
When they have no limbs left,they are reborn 当他们失去四肢时,他们就重生了
as Toda people or buffalo. 作为托达人或水牛.
The Toda believe that people have lived 托达人相信人们
in the Western Ghats since the birth of humankind. 自从人类诞生以来,在西方的高止山脉.
Today,there are fewer than 1,400 left, 今天只剩下不到1400人,
clinging to their traditional way of life. 坚持他们传统的生活方式.
The Western Ghats are known locally as Sahyadris, 西部的高止山脉在当地被称为Sahyadris,
the benevolent mountains. 仁山.
The peaks are a natural barrier 山峰是天然屏障
to the monsoon weather system and intercept the rains. 季风天气系统和拦截降雨.
The Southern forests 南方森林
on the Western spokes release water vapor back into the air 在西方辐条释放水蒸气回到空气中
where it condenses and falls again as rain. 在那里它凝结又像雨一样落下.
This double deluge makes these tropical jungles, 这两次洪水形成了热带丛林,
some of the wettest places in India. 印度一些最潮湿的地方.
Some areas received 10 meters of rainfall every year. 一些地区每年降雨量达10米.
The rainforests team with life, 热带雨林队有生命,
but the benevolent mountains sustained life hundreds 但仁山却维持了数百人的生命
of kilometers away too. 也在几公里之外.
The coastal plains of Kerala, 喀拉拉邦的沿海平原,
sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, 夹在阿拉伯海和西高塔之间,
are some of the richest land in India. 是印度最富饶的土地之一.
Running from the hills,washes down to the coast, 从山上跑下来,冲到海岸,
and the rivers and streams are ladened 河流和溪流都变浅了
with fertile sediments. 有肥沃的沉积物.
Fruit seeds sprout where they fall. 水果种子在落下的地方发芽.
Kerala's backwaters are elaborate of channels. 喀拉拉邦的死水是由水道组成的.
Rivers replaced roads. 河流取代了道路.
The west coast of India is where ancient man first set foot 印度西海岸是古代人最早涉足的地方
on the sub-continent, 在次大陆,
and here he stayed. 他留下来了.
Every non-African person 每个非非洲人
in the world can trace their roots back 在这个世界上可以追溯到他们的根源
to the first of humankind 对人类的第一个
who settled in this land of plenty. 他们定居在这片富饶的土地上.
Today,the beaches are still crawling midlife. 如今,海滩上仍然爬满了中年人.
Armies of ghost crabs emerge at twilight to feed. 黄昏时分,成群的鬼蟹出现觅食.
The tastiest morsels are found on wet sand, 最美味的食物是在湿沙上发现的,
but getting to them means running a gauntlet 但找到他们就意味着挑战
of breaking surf. 打破海浪.
A beetle is packed with protein and worth the effort, 甲虫富含蛋白质值得付出努力,
but crabs aren't the only hunters here. 但是螃蟹不是这里唯一的猎手.
It pays to keep one eye on the sky. 一只眼睛盯着天空是值得的.
A young brahminy kite scours the shore for food. 一只年轻的婆罗门风筝在岸边搜寻食物.
the crab shells are almost translucent 蟹壳几乎是半透明的
so they can be hard to spot against the sand. 所以在沙滩上很难发现它们.
But to a kite with laser sharp eyesight, 但是对于一个有着激光敏锐视力的风筝来说,
ghost crabs are easy targets. 鬼蟹很容易成为目标.
Thanks to the Western Ghats, 多亏了西方的高塔,
the rainforests and coastal plains, 热带雨林和沿海平原,
get more than their fair share of rain each year. 每年得到的雨水超过了他们应得的份额.
But on the eastern side of the mountains, 但是在山脉的东边,
it's a very different story. 这是一个完全不同的故事.
The Deccan plateau is a vast expensive basalt 德干高原是一个巨大而昂贵的玄武岩
that comprises the main parts of Southern India. 包括印度南部的主要部分.
The Western Ghats mountain range blocks monsoon clouds 西高止山脉阻挡了季风云
and forces them to release rain on their western side. 迫使他们在西边降雨.
East of the mountains,the woodlands and plains 东部的山脉,林地和平原
at the plateau received just a 10th of this rainfall. 在高原地区,降雨量只有这一数字的十分之一.
Forests here are very different from the damp,dark jungles. 这里的森林与潮湿黑暗的丛林截然不同.
The trees have broad leaves which soak up 这些树的叶子很宽,可以吸收水分
as much sunlight as possible, 尽可能多的阳光,
but it dropped in the dry season to conserve moisture. 但在旱季,为了保持水分,气温下降了.
Chital deer browse on the nutrient-packed leaves, 鹿在营养丰富的树叶上觅食,
and where there are herbivores,there are hunters. 哪里有食草动物,哪里就有猎人.
Tigers,these big cats usually hunt at night, 老虎,这些大猫通常在晚上打猎,
but with extra mouths to feed, 但是有更多的嘴要喂,
this mother must try and seize every opportunity she can. 这位母亲必须尽力抓住每一个机会.
But she's not always successful, 但她并不总是成功的,
only one in 20 tiger hunt ends in a kill. 每20只老虎中只有一只以捕杀告终.
There's a much smaller 有一个小得多的
but more efficient predator at large here. 但这里的捕食者效率更高.
Indian wild dogs or dhole are pack animals. 印度野狗是驮畜.
They live in tight-knit groups led by an alpha pair 他们生活在由一对阿尔法人领导的紧密联系的群体中
and are organized in a strict social hierarchy. 在严格的社会等级制度中组织起来.
Every dog in the pack knows its place. 每只狗都知道自己的位置.
Unlike tigers,the dogs don't use scout as a strategy, 与老虎不同的是,狗不会用侦察兵作为策略,
their tactic is teamwork. 他们的策略是团队合作.
Dholes whistle to keep in contact during a hunt. 打猎时用口哨保持联系.
Each individual has an important role to play. 每个人都有重要的作用.
They work like a well-oiled machine. 它们工作起来就像一台润滑良好的机器.
The chital's tail flashes white to warn others of danger, 它的尾巴闪着白色的光警告其他人有危险,
but it also helps the dogs 但它也有助于狗
to keep track of their 跟踪他们的
Working together,dhole can bring down prey 10 times, 一起工作,多尔可以击落猎物10次,
their own size 他们自己的尺寸
The whole pack feed on the kill together, 整群人一起吃杀戮,
and it pays to be quickly. 而且很快就会得到回报.
An adult can swallow four kilos of meat, 一个成年人能吞下4公斤肉,
almost a quarter of its own body weight in under an hour. 在不到一个小时的时间里几乎是它体重的四分之一.
Even the tigers get a meal at last. 最后连老虎也吃了一顿.
She may have failed to make her own kill 她可能没能自食其果
but she's wily enough to take advantage of a rival success. 但她足够狡猾,可以利用竞争对手的成功.
Tigers are a universal symbol of the power of nature 老虎是大自然力量的普遍象征
and they're revered throughout India. 他们在整个印度都受到尊敬.
But few go to such lengths to express their admiration 但很少有人会如此不遗余力地表达他们的钦佩之情
for tigers as the people of the Western Ghats. 对于老虎来说,就像西高止山脉的人一样.
Every September,during the Dussehra festival, 每年九月,在杜塞赫拉节期间,
folk dancers from the tribe, 部落的民间舞蹈演员,
let their inner animal run wild, 让他们内心的动物狂奔,
and dance the Hulivesha,the tiger dance. 跳胡里维沙舞,跳老虎舞.
The dancers moves mimic the big cats stealth and power. 舞者的动作模仿大猫的潜行和力量.
Lemons held in their mouths, 嘴里叼着柠檬,
symbolize the animal's deadly grip on its prey. 象征着动物对猎物的致命抓地力.
These men have been dancing the hulivesha, 这些人一直在跳胡里维沙舞,
since they were children, 因为他们还是孩子,
taught by their fathers and grandfathers. 由他们的父亲和祖父教导.
They grew up in a village in the Western Ghats, 他们在西高止山脉的一个村庄长大,
close to the forest and surrounded by nature. 靠近森林,被大自然包围.
The tiger dance is a way for them 跳老虎是他们的一种方式
to express their deep connection to wildlife. 表达他们与野生动物的深厚联系.
Traveling around villages to perform their dance, 环游村庄表演舞蹈,
brings spectators from far away. 把观众从很远的地方带来.
it takes many hours to paint and decorate their bodies, 要花很多时间来粉刷和装饰他们的身体,
but the patterns were last several days. 但这种模式持续了好几天.
The men about acrobatics, 关于杂技的男人们,
but the dance has a deeper meaning. 但舞蹈有更深的含义.
But hulivesha is a celebration of the wild world, 但是胡利维沙是野生世界的庆典,
and the reminder of man's dependence on nature. 提醒我们人类对自然的依赖.
The Western Ghats keep rain away from the deck and plateau, 西部的高塔使雨水远离甲板和高原,
but the mountains still play a crucial role 但是山脉仍然起着至关重要的作用
in supplying it with water. 给它供水.
The mountains harvest rain channeling it down the hillsides 山上的雨水顺着山坡流下来
and feeding it to streams and rivers. 把它喂给小溪和河流.
The uplift caused, 引起的隆起,
when the Western Ghats mountains were formed means 当西高止山脉形成的时候
that all Southern India's major rivers flow west to east, 印度南部所有的主要河流都由西向东流动,
across the deck and plateau. 穿过甲板和高原.
They include some 其中包括一些
of the country's most spectacular waterfalls, 这个国家最壮观的瀑布之一,
and they are a lifeline to the whole of Southern India. 他们是整个南印度的生命线.
They supply water to nearly a quarter of a billion people. 他们为将近25亿人供水.
One of such river,the Calvary,is considered sacred. 其中一条河流,加略山,被认为是神圣的.
It's known as the Ganges of the south 它被称为南方恒河
and worshiped all along its length. 一直崇拜它.
An entire temple has been built 整座庙宇都建起来了
in the hills around the river source. 在河源周围的山上.
People come from all over Southern India to bathe 人们从印度南部各地赶来洗澡
in this holy water. 在这圣水里.
The same family priests has been presiding, 同一个家族的牧师一直在主持,
over these rituals for nine generations. 九代人的仪式.
The river is a lifeline for animals too. 这条河也是动物的生命线.
It provides sanctuary for dozens of bird species. 它为许多鸟类提供了庇护所.
A male egret performs an elaborate courtship display. 一只雄性白鹭表演了一场精心制作的求偶表演.
Special wispy feathers on his back are designed 他背上设计了特殊的羽毛
to catch a female's eye. 吸引女性的目光.
It works. 它起作用了.
But the female changes her mind 但是女人改变了主意
at the last minute. 在最后一刻.
Undeterred,he starts his dance again 他毫不犹豫地又开始跳舞
in an attempt to win her favor and mate. 为了赢得她的好感和伴侣.
Stokes and pelicans already have young. 斯托克斯和鹈鹕已经有了幼崽.
Hoards of hungry chicks, 一群饥饿的小鸡,
wait noisily for their hardworking parents 吵吵嚷嚷地等待他们勤劳的父母
to bring back food. 带回食物.
Their legs aren't strong enough for them 他们的腿不够强壮
to stand up right yet, 站起来吧,
and they're vulnerable on the slippery rock. 他们在光滑的岩石上很脆弱.
The Calvary also hide some river monsters. 加略山也藏有一些河怪.
A pair of eyes peeping above the water, 一双眼睛在水面上窥视,
give one predator away. 送走一个掠食者.
Mugger crocodiles can grow 劫匪鳄鱼可以生长
to be four and a half meters long. 有四米半长.
Moving through the shallow stirs up tiny fish. 在浅水中移动会激起小鱼.
A heron takes advantage of the feeding opportunity, 苍鹭利用了觅食的机会,
but it's taking a risk. 但这是在冒险.
A mugger can snatch a meal from the riverbank 抢劫犯可以从河岸上抢一顿饭
in the blink of an eyes. 转眼间.
Fortunately,this crocodile doesn't seem hungry. 幸运的是,这条鳄鱼看起来并不饿.
Crocodiles are cold-blooded. 鳄鱼是冷血动物.
They rely on the elements to maintain their body temperature 它们依靠这些元素来维持体温
and spend plenty of time basking in the sun. 花大量的时间晒太阳.
Under each bony scale is a cluster of blood vessels 每个骨鳞下都有一簇血管
that absorb heat like tiny solar panels. 像微型太阳能板一样吸收热量.
Muggers can't sweat,but if they get too warm, 抢劫犯不会出汗,但如果他们太热了,
they release heat through their mouth. 它们通过嘴释放热量.
These are social animals with a strict dominance hierarchy. 它们是群居动物,有严格的统治等级.
Males fight for supremacy over territory, 男性为争夺领土的霸权而战,
and battles can sometimes be brutal. 战斗有时是残酷的.
Two of India's giants thrive in the Western Ghats, 印度的两个巨人在西高海拔地区茁壮成长,
thanks to the river systems that originate in the mountains. 多亏了发源于山区的河流系统.
Gaur are the biggest species of wild cattle on the planet. 高卢是地球上最大的野生牛种.
Adults can stand over two meters at the shoulder 成人可以站在两米以上的肩膀上
and brandish horns that can be a meter long. 挥舞着一米长的角.
They're one of the world's largest land animals, 它们是世界上最大的陆地动物之一,
and can weigh over a ton. 重量超过一吨.
Only tigers are capable of preying on these giant cows, 只有老虎才能捕食这些巨型奶牛,
but gaur had been known to fight back 但众所周知,高尔会反击
and kill tigers in self-defense. 为了自卫杀死老虎.
The only animal here to outstrip gaur 这里唯一超越高尔的动物
in size are elephants. 大象的体型很大.
The Western Ghats are home to the largest wild population 西高止山脉是最大的野生种群的家园
of Asian elephants in the world. 世界上亚洲象的数量.
This female is the matriarch of her family. 这个女人是她家的女家长.
She's the oldest and leads a herd of her sisters, 她年纪最大,领导着一群姐妹,
daughters and their young. 女儿和她们的孩子.
Elephants live in very close-knit groups. 大象生活在非常紧密的群体中.
This two months calf is taught everything he needs 这头两个月大的小牛需要什么就教什么
to know by his family. 让家人知道.
A mud bath is fun 泥浴很有趣
but it also helps protect an elephant skin from insect bites 但它也有助于保护大象的皮肤免受昆虫的叮咬
and acts like sunscreen. 就像防晒霜.
Adult elephants need to eat over 130 kilos 成年大象需要吃掉130多公斤
of vegetation every day. 每天的植被.
They roam great distances in a never-ending search for food. 他们长途跋涉,无休止地寻找食物.
The matriarchs knowledge of pathways, 母系对路径的了解,
water sources and grazing opportunities has been passed down 水源和放牧的机会已经传下来了
to her through generations. 一代又一代.
And in turn,she too passes it on. 反过来,她也会把它传下去.
During the drier months, 在干旱的月份,
rivers recede and expose fresh green banks of grass. 河流退去,露出绿油油的草地.
The shoots are full of nutrients, 嫩枝营养丰富,
and elephants gather from far and wide 大象从四面八方聚集
to picnic on these lawns. 在这些草坪上野餐.
A mouthful of mud may not seem advertising 满嘴泥似乎不是广告
but it supplements an elephant's mineral intake. 但它补充了大象的矿物质摄入量.
Elephants roam all over the Western Ghats 大象在西部的高塔上到处游荡
but their wonderings bring them dangerously close 但他们的惊异使他们险些接近
to another inhabitant. 另一个居民.
Man benefits from the incredible productivity 人类得益于难以置信的生产力
of the rain-soaked western slopes. 雨水浸透了西边的山坡.
Spices such as black pepper and cardamom are cultivated 香料,如黑胡椒和豆蔻是栽培
in huge quantities here, 在这里,数量巨大,
fueling India's historic spice trade. 推动了印度历史性的香料贸易.
And the fertile hills provide the ideal climate 肥沃的山丘提供了理想的气候
for one particular type of camellia,tea. 一种特殊类型的茶花,茶.
The slopes are a patchwork of plantations. 山坡是一片种植园.
A century ago,unbroken forest stretched 一个世纪前,绵延不绝的森林
for 150,000 square kilometers, 15万平方公里,
across the Western Ghats. 穿过西部的高塔.
Today,scattered fragments make up less than 13,000. 今天,零散的碎片还不到13000块.
The region's high rainfall, 该地区的高降雨量,
means tea fields need never be irrigated. 意味着茶园永远不需要灌溉.
And the sloping landscape keeps their roots, 斜坡上的景色让它们的根,
from getting waterlogged. 以免淹水.
It's perfect tea country, 这是个完美的茶乡,
but the state disrupt ancient animal migration routes, 但是国家破坏了古老的动物迁徙路线,
and elephants have no choice,but to cross the plantations. 大象别无选择,只能穿过种植园.
They don't eat the tea 他们不喝茶
but sometimes they do cause damage to villages, 但有时会对村庄造成破坏,
as many as 400 people are killed by elephants 多达400人被大象杀死
in India every year. 每年在印度.
Gaur also visit tea plantations. 高尔还参观了茶园.
In this organic tea field where no herbicides are used, 在这个不使用除草剂的有机茶园里,
gaur provide a very useful service. 高尔提供了非常有用的服务.
They graze on weeds that grow between the rows of tea, 它们在一排排茶叶之间的杂草上吃草,
keeping the plantation clear. 保持种植园的清洁.
Gaur and elephant venture out of the forest, 高尔和大象冒险走出森林,
but lion-tailed macaques never cross cultivated areas. 但狮子尾猕猴从不穿越耕地.
Small groups are isolated 小团体是孤立的
in the remaining patches of forest. 在剩下的森林里.
This baby is the newest addition 这个婴儿是最新加入的
to a macaque family led by a dominant male. 一个由雄性主导的猕猴家族.
She will stay with the troop all her life fitting 她将终生与部队在一起
into the hierarchy as she gets older. 随着年龄的增长,她逐渐进入等级制度.
But this young male, 但是这个年轻的男性,
will eventually break away from his family 最终会离开他的家庭
and join a bachelor group. 加入单身汉团体.
He's already showing signs of independence. 他已经有独立的迹象了.
The little male investigates every nook and cranny looking 小个子男人调查每个角落和缝隙
for things to eat. 吃东西.
As well as fruit and seeds, 还有水果和种子,
insects,birds,eggs and lizards are all 昆虫、鸟、蛋和蜥蜴都是动物
on the macaques menu. 在猕猴菜单上.
They'll even eat young squirrels 他们甚至会吃小松鼠
if they find an unguarded nest. 如果他们发现一个无人看守的巢穴.
This older macaque has found a good meal. 这只年长的猕猴找到了一顿好饭.
He quickly and quietly gathers as much food as possible, 他迅速而安静地收集尽可能多的食物,
before more dominant troop member claims the supply. 在更有优势的部队成员要求补给之前.
His extendable cheek pouches can hold 他的可伸缩的眼袋可以容纳
as much as his stomach. 就像他的胃一样.
Up in the canopy,he can finish his meal in peace, 在树冠上,他可以安静地吃完饭,
but his future is uncertain. 但他的前途未卜.
The balance between man and animals, 人与动物之间的平衡,
is becoming increasingly fragile. 变得越来越脆弱.
As India gallops forward into the 21st century 当印度奔向21世纪
and its population edges over 1.2 billion, 人口超过12亿,
it's getting harder to make space for wildlife. 为野生动物腾出空间越来越难了.
The crops and spices harvested on the slopes 山坡上收获的庄稼和香料
of the Western Ghats are exported all over the world. 其中一种西方的高塔被出口到世界各地.
From Kerala's back quarters, 从喀拉拉邦的后方,
they're sent out across the Indian ocean, 他们被派往印度洋,
the birthplace of the monsoon rains 季风降雨的发源地
that plays such a vital role in the mountains biodiversity. 在山区生物多样性中起着至关重要的作用.
The benevolent mountains have plenty to give, 仁山有很多可以给予,
but man could be taking too much. 但人类可能吃得太多了.
Lion-tailed macaques only live here in the rainforest 狮尾猕猴只生活在雨林里
of the Western Ghats. 在西方的高塔.
They're one of the most endangered primates in the world. 它们是世界上最濒危的灵长类动物之一.
Less than 1% of their original habitat survives. 只有不到1%的原始栖息地存活下来.
It's only in the last century 只是在上个世纪
that the Western Ghats have been exploited by man. 西方的高塔已经被人类利用了.
People have been living in harmony with nature here 这里的人们一直与自然和谐相处
for 12,000 years. 12000年了.
Surrounded by such biodiversity, 被这样的生物多样性所包围,
they see themselves as part of the natural world. 他们视自己为自然界的一部分.
But sharing space with some forest animals can be risky. 但是与一些森林动物共享空间是有风险的.
This family have had to evacuate their house. 这家人不得不撤离他们的房子.
There's an unwanted guest making itself at home 家里有个不受欢迎的客人
in their kitchen,a king cobra, 在他们的厨房里,一条眼镜王蛇,
but help is on the way. 但救援正在路上.
Gowri Shankar is a local snake handler. Gowri Shankar是当地的一位蛇处理者.
He works to keep king cobras 他为养眼镜王蛇而工作
and people safe from each other. 以及彼此安全的人.
In many parts of Asia, 在亚洲的许多地方,
fear of deadly snakes means they're often killed on site. 对毒蛇的恐惧意味着它们经常被当场杀死.
Gowri and his colleague,Prashanth, Gowri和他的同事Prashanth,
plan to take this one alive. 计划活捉这个人.
Here in the Western Ghats, 在西高塔,
most people are remarkably tolerant 大多数人都非常宽容
of living alongside such a daunting reptile. 和这种令人生畏的爬行动物生活在一起.
Many believe king cobras control the thunder and rain, 许多人相信眼镜王蛇控制着雷电和雨水,
something they see plenty of. 他们经常看到的东西.
They are revered as goddesses of fertility, 他们被尊为生育女神,
harming them is taboo. 伤害他们是禁忌.
But extracting a four meter cobra from its hiding place, 但是从藏身处取出一条4米长的眼镜蛇,
under the eaves is no easy task. 在屋檐下不是一件容易的事.
Although they don't attack humans as prey, 虽然它们不会把人类当作猎物来攻击,
a king cobra can be a dangerous house guest. 眼镜王蛇可能是危险的客人.
One bite packs enough poison to kill 20 men. 一口就足以杀死20个人.
It's out of the house,but that's only half the battle. 它不在家里,但这只是战斗的一半.
Cobra's like to hide in dark corners, 眼镜蛇喜欢躲在黑暗的角落里,
and Gowri hopes this one will slink Gowri希望这次能成功
into the sack he's prepared, 放进他准备好的袋子里,
but it's proving to be uncooperative. 但事实证明这是不合作的.
The snake's reactions are lightning fast 蛇的反应很快
and it has a strike distance of two meters, 它的打击距离是两米,
Gowri is well within range. 戈里在射程之内.
A change of tactic, 改变策略,
finally gets the mighty snake under control. 终于把那条大蛇控制住了.
Gowri and Prashanth rescue an average Gowri和Prashanth拯救了一个普通人
of 22 king cobras from situations like this every year. 每年都有22条眼镜王蛇在这种情况下死亡.
The snake is taken a safe distance away from the village 那条蛇被带到离村子安全的地方
and released back to the forest. 然后被放回森林.
King cobras are an icon of the Western Ghats surviving 眼镜王蛇是西方高塔幸存下来的象征
in an ancient ecosystem 在古老的生态系统中
and protected by the reverence of man. 受到人类的崇敬.
The Western Ghats is one 西高止山脉就是其中之一
of the world's most remarkable biodiversity hotspots, 世界上最引人注目的生物多样性热点,
intercepting monsoon clouds and harvesting rainfall. 拦截季风云和收集降雨.
The mountains have a profound effect 群山影响深远
on the climate of Southern India. 印度南部的气候.
They are home to wild creatures, 它们是野生动物的家园,
from flying lizards and deadly snakes 从飞行的蜥蜴和致命的蛇
to endangered primates and formidable hunters. 给濒临灭绝的灵长类动物和可怕的猎人.
Humans have lived alongside animals here for millennia, 几千年来,人类一直和动物生活在一起,
but the 20th century has taken its toll 但20世纪已经付出了代价
on this ancient ecosystem. 在这个古老的生态系统里.
Much of its forest has been destroyed 它的大部分森林都被毁坏了
to make room for crop cultivation, 为了给农作物种植腾出空间,
and many species are now staring extinction in the face. 许多物种正面临灭绝.
But the spirit of the hulivesha tiger dance runs deep 但是胡利维沙虎舞的精神根深蒂固
in the indigenous people of the Western Ghats, 在西高止山脉的土著居民中,
and they do make room for wild animals. 它们确实为野生动物腾出了空间.
There is plenty for everyone here 这里每个人都有很多
as long as man continues to find his niche 只要人类继续找到自己的生存空间
without destroying that of others. 不破坏别人的.