The Alps - Realm of the Golden Eagle Episode Rating Graph

Several ice ages have not only radically reshaped the peaks and valleys of the Alps, they have also changed wildlife. A few species have survived from before the last glacial period, but most of today's classic Alpine animals and plants have immigrated from the east and the north of Europe where cold conditions had defined limits of life. Ibex and chamois have come from the Himalayas, marmots from Siberia, mountain hares from beyond the polar circle. After the ice age, the receding ice cut off their way back. Cold-loving species like the mountain hare and the ptarmigan were forced to permanently colonize the higher regions of the Alps and to remain, until this day, on the arctic island in the very heart of a climatically moderate Europe.

When winter bears down on the Alps, the mountains show their grimmest face. Extreme masses of snow, furious storms and low temperatures bring distress to the golden eagle's realm and, last but not least, to the majestic raptor itself. The classic winter drama played out among the Alps - wild inhabitants have been captured in many gripping scenes - from an avalanche breaking and devouring a herd of chamois to the long slow-motion drop of one of the animals, from the hick-hack between ravens and eagle about one of winter's victims to the survival strategy of crossbills breeding in the middle of winter to profit from an abundance of spruce seeds. Marmots have found the most comfortable way to pass the frosty season - they hibernate in their underground dens for half the year. Here they also mate and give birth to their young - scenes that have never been documented on film before.