BBC One – Asia – Filming giant flying squirrels in Taipei

One of Asia’s most densely populated cities, Taipei is a vast urban landscape that is home to a surprisingly diverse range of wildlife. Amid the bustling streets and towering skyscrapers, various animals have carved out niches to coexist with the human population, making their homes within the city’s buildings.

As someone who grew up in Taipei, I have long been captivated by the diverse nature that thrives in urban environments. Growing up surrounded by these creatures sparked my interest in the natural world, which ultimately led me to pursue a career in wildlife filmmaking. From insects and birds to snakes and amphibians, I have witnessed how, in many parts of Asia, humans demonstrate an incredible ability to coexist with wildlife, allowing various species to flourish alongside human populations.

For A crowded continent episode of the Asia series, we set out to capture the fascinating stories of this coexistence, focusing on mammals that can be identified with and that are less known than common urban species such as rats and mice. Our search lasted three years, during which we contacted scientists, photographers and people from all over Asia. However, most of the stories we encountered involved animals simply roaming through cities rather than taking up residence in urban buildings.