South Korea: Earth's Hidden Wilderness Page #2

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if it's safe to dive.

Wal Soo Ra is the oldest living

Haenyeo.

In fact, she is the oldest diver

anywhere in the world.

She is now 94 years old.

The dive captain has decided

they will dive.

Conditions are not ideal

but the conch season is short

and they must make

the most of it.

An experienced Haenyeo can dive

to depths of 20 metres

and hold her breath for more

than two minutes.

This places significant stresses

on the body.

There is a very real risk

of blackout,

as the Haenyeo repeatedly travel

between the surface and the sea bed.

As they dive,

their heart rate slows,

and blood is shifted from their

extremities to their core...

..increasing the availability

of oxygen.

The Haenyeo benefit

from this adaptation,

to enable them to keep working

on their long, cold dives.

But it's exhausting work,

even for the younger divers.

She may not be able to hold her

breath for as long as she once did,

but, at 94, Wal Soo Ra is still

capable of diving all day.

The women work together

against a rising tide.

The waters here are changeable...

..and the longer they stay,

the greater the risk.

But the season is short...

..so the women must persist...

..and reap the harvest

while it is there.

Back on the Korean mainland,

deep in the forests of Yangpyeong...

..there are other female workers,

reaping a harvest.

Eastern honey bees.

Workers collecting pollen.

They belong to an enormous colony...

..of 30,000 bees.

The colony has made its home here

in this hollow tree...

..which offers shelter

from the elements.

Inside the tree is a complex

and cooperative society.

All the bees are dedicated

to the colony...

..at times vibrating their bodies

to produce heat and maintain

a perfect temperature

for the next generation.

But the bees are not alone

in the forest.

An Asian giant hornet

has identified their location.

The hornet studies the nest

before returning to its own colony.

This scout has information to share.

Using an advanced form

of chemical communication,

the scout passes on details

of the exact location

of the honey bees' nest.

The scout returns.

The bees shake in unison

to warn off the hornet.

But this time he is not alone.

The hornets do sometimes eat the

bees themselves

but they are more interested

in the protein-rich larvae inside.

Individual bees have no chance

against the hornets.

Gradually they weaken

the bees' defence.

There are many casualties.

But it will take more than this

to overcome the colony.

The bees prepare to fight back.

The counterattack is started

by a handful of worker bees.

It appears suicidal.

But the bees are programmed to lay

down their lives

for the survival of the colony.

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