Saving paradise

The breathtaking beauty of some natural sites should not obscure their role as unique ecosystems. Within them, animal species and nature live in harmony. Sadly, their wealth makes them a prime target for men’s greed. The fight to protect them is a relentless one, and the people who lead it have become true heroes of our time.

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Created By	Éric Ellena
Status	Returning Series
Original Name	Merveilles de la nature
First Air Date	December 1, 2021
Last Air Date	December 18, 2025
Seasons	1
Episodes	15
Episode Runtime	0min
Language	French
Original Language	French
Production Countries	Brazil, Chile, France
Production Companies	French Connection Films Duo2 Cabala Producciones ARTE GEIE
Networks	ARTE ARTE PLANÈTE+

S01E14

Japan: Yakushima — The Enchanted Forest

Off southern Japan, Yakushima Island rises from the East China Sea, its peaks nearing 2,000 meters (formed 15 million years ago when magma solidified beneath the ocean). Isolation and a lack of large predators fostered a rare symbiosis between endemic Japanese macaques and sika deer. The island’s highlands hold the world’s last cedar-dominated ecosystem, with some trees dating back to antiquity, surviving centuries of logging. This mystical landscape inspired Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke. After years of human exploitation, Yakushima now strives to restore its natural balance.

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