BBC One – Asia – Filming giant flying squirrels in Taipei

One of Asia’s most densely populated cities, Taipei is a sprawling urban landscape that supports a surprisingly diverse wildlife. Amidst the bustling streets and towering skyscrapers, a variety of animals have carved out niches for themselves to co-exist with the human population, making their homes in the city’s buildings.

As someone who grew up in Taipei, I have long been fascinated by the diverse wildlife that thrives in urban settings. Growing up surrounded by these creatures sparked my interest in the natural world, which eventually led me to pursue a career in wildlife films. From insects and birds to snakes and amphibians, I have witnessed how in many parts of Asia, humans demonstrate an incredible ability to co-exist with wildlife, allowing different species to thrive alongside the human population.

For A crowded continent In this episode of Asia, we’re going to capture the compelling stories of this coexistence, focusing on mammals that are both close and less familiar than common urban species like rats or mice. Our search spanned three years, during which we spoke with scientists, photographers and locals across Asia. However, most of the stories we came across involved animals that were just passing through cities rather than living in city buildings.