Back from the Brink is back this evening with simple solutions and success stories

The show acknowledges that the planet is paying the price for generations of environmental mismanagement but rather than playing up the doom and blame game, the programme focuses on the ways in which smart human intervention can bring Europe’s wildlife ‘back from the brink’.

The success stories covered by Derek Mooney and the RTÉ Cork team include the return of the magnificent osprey to Ireland. This fish-eating bird of prey was persecuted into extinction here more than 200 years ago but has survived in Norway. So, the National Parks and Wildlife Service here teamed up with their Norwegian counterparts for a reintroduction programme. They carefully collected 10 eggs from eyries there and flew them to Ireland by private jet to a secret location on the south east coast.

While the eggs were laid in Norway, they were hatched here so it is hoped that the birds will actually return to Ireland. 

“They are a stunningly beautiful bird and once they fledge they migrate to Africa for two years. Nine of these 10 birds survived and they have all headed off now. So we’ll be waiting to see them come back in two years. There was so much care and effort put into this project by the NPWS — we only turn up for the filming. It’s a wonderful collaboration to repopulate Europe with species that are no threat to anyone,” notes Derek.

It’s hard not to be caught up in Derek’s excitement when he’s talking about filming orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar between Spain and Africa.

“We had seen stories starting in 2020 about orcas damaging sail boats there and wanted to find out more. Sail boats were advised to switch motors off if they met orcas but these young orcas led by a matriarch started interacting with the vessels in a very specific and unusual way.”

Derek explains that they discovered that the older female seemed to be teaching the juveniles to specifically target the rudders of the boats: “They weren’t just ramming the boats, they were deactivating the boats in a very planned way. The footage is absolutely amazing, it’s just incredible. Now we don’t know why but there have been 300 interractions — not attacks — like this in the last few years. But now the advice has changed and it’s to keep your engines on and to keep going if you’re in this area. This information protects the orcas and also protects the humans there.”

The show also looks at how an ancient breed of wild Irish goat might be a solution to the problem of wildfires. The goats are brought to Howth Head and eat the scrub and gorse which can burn easily in dry weather. “They make natural fire-breaks,” says Derek.

Often it’s simpler solution to problems that are covered and celebrated on this programme.

Another example is the way eagle owl population has been protected in Slovenia. The numbers of eagle owl in the country’s Karst region had been dropping in a worrying way. “The area was becoming known as ‘the Bermuda Triangle for eagle owls,” notes Derek.

A bit of research revealed that the owls were perching on top of telegraph poles while looking out for prey — but with their six-feet wingspan they were hitting the wire while taking off and were being electrocuted.

“These eagle owls can be a bit clumsy as they take off and they have a massive wingspan. So conservationists teamed up with the Slovenian equivalent of the ESB and now there is thick insulation on the wires near the poles.” Another problem there was rock-climbers were accidentally disturbing the eagle owls as they nested on rocky outcrops. Signs letting the climbers know to avoid particular areas also contributed to the eagle owls’ population increase.

“It doesn’t have to be complicated — sometimes it’s a simple solution and getting people on board that works,” Derek explains.

" Back From the Brink is telling a story of hope. It celebrates the people who are trying to make a difference in the climate and biodiversity crisis. This environmental disaster can be reversed. It will take all of us to make a difference. The fight isn't over yet, but the clock is ticking."

And just like diverse groups such as rock-climbers and electricity supply companies have worked in harmoniously to achieve wildlife wins, the show itself is a testament to collaborative working. The series is made by RTÉ Cork in conjunction with the European Broadcasting Union — the other member broadcasters include Northern Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and Spain. The show then has the potential to be broadcast in 52 countries across the continent.

“It’s such a clever format and it works really well, that’s the beauty of this. (RTÉ) Cork is great and produces high end documentaries shown all over the world. It’s a small team but it’s incredible what they can do.”

• Two-part documentary Back From The Brink will be on RTÉ One on Sunday, May 12 and 19 at 6.30pm