Destination Wild: India

The Indian monsoon forest is a place of retreat and extremes. From the drought of the dry season to the floods of the monsoon, all animal inhabitants are subject to the laws of nature. The Bengal tiger, Asia's largest predator, reigns supreme here. Indian elephants roam the forest following the migration routes of their ancestors. And in the jungle, the king cobra lies in wait for prey. Whether migrating, raising their young or defending themselves against predators - only the most resourceful and inventive animals survive the brutal dry season before the monsoon.

The deserts of India are an extreme habitat. Predators and their prey fight for food, water and territory in the barren salt plains and burnt grasslands. The Indian leopard is perfectly adapted to these dry conditions. Striped hyenas and the Indian wolf also hunt here. The rare Asiatic lion is only found in Gir National Park. Young and old face the challenge of surviving in the desert. Under the extreme conditions, the animals have developed extraordinary adaptations to withstand the heat and lack of water.

From the high peaks of the Himalayas to the mountain rainforests of the Western Ghats, India's mountains are the last refuge for some of the subcontinent's rarest species. Snow leopards, Indian rhinoceros, Indian elephants and western red panda all find their habitat here. Wandering giants, master hunters and exotic animals fight to survive in India's unforgiving and magnificent mountainous regions.