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Adventures of a Waterdrop

Content and Experience Team

Created on December 9, 2025

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Transcript

Start

Adventures of a Waterdrop

A Journey through Wild Asia

Experience Asia through the lens of a waterdrop

YOU create your own journey and explore at your own pace. Before you begin, review the tabs below for helpful background information:

The Water Cycle

Your Journey

Navigation

ARE YOU READY?

Begin Here

Welcome to the Cloud

Select your form! This is how you will arrive on Earth:

Hail

Raindrop

Snowflake

Start

Start

Start

Fog

Start

Instructions

SNOWFLAKE

Select your destination! This is where you will land on Earth:

Mount Kailash
Mount Everest

You've Arrived at Mount Everest!

Let's explore one of the most extreme habitats on Earth...

Click to Explore

Mountain Trekking

Mount Everest Extremes

Click on each bubble to learn more about Mount Everest. Click the arrow in the bottom right corner when you're ready to move on.

Location

Mount Everest is the tallest peak in the world, located in the Himalayan mountain range on the border of Nepal and Tibet.

Offering some of the most extreme weather on Earth, Mount Everest experiences temperatures as low as -80 degrees Fahrenheit (-62 Celcius), winds over 100mph (160km/h), and extremely low oxygen levels.

Weather

Elevation

Mount Everest was last measured in 2020 at 29,032 feet (8848.86 meters) tall

Formation

Mount Everest was formed through the collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, and is still growing. Mount Everest gains 4mm in height every year.

After 2PM, conditions grow increasingly treacherous at the peak with unpredictable blizzards and high winds. Due to the combination of extreme weather, low oxygen and exhaustion, explorers are advised to begin their descent by 2PM.

Exploration

Test Your Knowledge!

Take a short quiz to see how much you've learned so far!

Blizzard Party!

On the next page, you'll be challenged to melt as many snowflakes as possible in under 20 seconds. Are you ready?

Let's Go!

Skip Activity

Blizzard Party!

Click on as many snowflakes as you can to melt them before the time runs out!

Play Again

Your Next Journey

Where to Next?

Edit

Evaporate and Return to the Cloud

Follow the Wind

Get Packed Into a Glacier

Ngozumpa Glacier at Cho Oyu

Click the buttons to learn more about the importance of glaciers. Click the arrow in the bottom right corner to move on.

What is a glacier?

Why are glaciers important?

Threats to glaciers

See a Glacier

Where to Next?

Water molecules can stay packed in a glacier for thousands of years! You're welcome to sit here and enjoy the music for as long as you'd like, but when you're ready, your next journey is waiting for you...

Evaporate and Return to the Cloud

Melt

You've Arrived at Mount Kailash!

Mount Kailesh is one of the great peaks of the Himalayas

Explore Mount Kailesh!

Extreme Animals

Difficulty:

Animals who live in places with year-round snow cover need to have what it takes to survive! Can you find some of the animals that live near Mount Kailash?

Good job!

You found all the words. Now let's see what the animals look like!

Skip Activity

Mount Kailash

Click on each animal's name to learn more about it!

Gazelle

Antelope

Bharal

Pika

Leopard

Fox

When you're ready to move on click the arrow

Test Your Knowledge!

Take a short quiz to see how much you've learned so far!

Where to Next?

Choose the next part of your journey.

Evaporate and Return to the Cloud

Ride the Wind to Nepal

Journey Down the Brahmaputra River

RAINDROP

Select your destination! This is where you will land on Earth:

Terai Plains, Nepal
Gobi Desert, Mongolia
Tanguar Haor, Bangledash

You've Melted! Welcome to the Terai Plains!!

It appears you've melted and ended up in the Monsoon Region during wet season! Click the buttons to learn more:

What's a Monsoon?

Why are monsoons important?

From the Film

Watch the Rain

Move on to the next page to learn about some of the animals that rely on monsoons

You've Arrived in the Terai Plains!!

It's Wet Season in the Monsoon Region! Click the buttons to learn more:

What's a Monsoon?

Why are monsoons important?

From the Film

Watch the Rain

Move on to the next page to learn about some of the animals that rely on monsoons

Animals That Rely on Monsoon Waters

Below are some of the animals that rely on monsoon waters. Select each animal's name to reveal what it looks like! Click the arrow in the bottom right corner when you're ready to move on.

Swamp Deer

Gaur

The Greater One-Horned Rhinocerous

The Gaur, also known as Indian Bison, is the largest wild bovine in the world. These animals thrive on increased food and water that flood the plains during wet season.

The Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros is an endangered species with only around 4000 individuals left in the wild. This animal relies on mud pools created during wet season to keep cool.

The Swamp Deer is an amphibious herbivore whose diet relies heavily on aquatic vegetation from monsoon waters

Test Your Knowledge

Take a short quiz to see how much you've learned so far!

Raindrop Dance Party!

On the next page, you'll be challenged to smash as many rainclouds as possible in under 20 seconds. Are you ready to practice your super quick moves?

Let's Dance!

Skip Activity

It's Monsoon Season!

Smash as many rainclouds as you can before the timer runs out!

Play Again

Your Next Journey

Choose Your Next Move

Where will your journey take you?
Travel Down the Ganges River
Evaporate and Return to the Cloud
Ride the Monsoon Winds to Bangladash

You've Melted! Travel Down the Ganges River!

It appears that you have melted! Explore topics shared in the blue buttons to learn more about the Ganges River. Click the arrow in the bottom right corner to move on.

About the Ganges

Ganges Impact

Threats to the Ganges

See the Ganges

Travel Down the Ganges River!

Explore topics shared in the blue buttons to learn more about the Ganges River. Click the arrow in the bottom right corner to move on.

About the Ganges

Ganges Impact

Threats to the Ganges

See the Ganges

Test Your Knowledge

Take a short quiz to see how much you've learned!

Ganges River Animals

Can you find all the animals hidden along the Ganges River? Some have really great camouflage! Find and click on the animals to match them with their name. Click the arrow in the bottom right corner to move on.

Ganges River Dolphin

Indian Wolf Snake

Gharial

Bengal Monitor Lizard

Indian Softshell Turtle

Sarus Crane

Smooth-Coated Otter

Mahseer

Helpful tip: once you've found an animal, you can click on its image on the side panel to enlarge it and look closer.

Where to Next?

Select the next part of your journey.
Evaporate and Return to the Cloud
Enter the Bay of Bengal

The Bay of Bengal

Just passing through! Click on the yellow rings to learn more about the Bay of Bengal. Select the arrow in the bottom right corner to move on.

Where to Next?

Choose the next part of your journey.
Evaporate and Return to the Cloud
Tour an Indonesian Island
Visit a Coral Reef

Welcome to the Indian Ocean!

The biodiversity here needs healthy, clean water! Select each picture to learn more about coral reefs. Click the arrow in the bottom right corner to move on.

Coral Reef Exploration

Learn about some of the animals who rely on healthy coral reefs for survival. Find an animal by clicking on a yellow glowing ring. How many animals from the film Wild Asia: Life at Extremes can you find?

Test Your Knowledge!

Take a short quiz to see how much you've learned!

Where to Next?

Choose the next part of your journey
Evaporate and Return to the Cloud
Visit the Island of Java
Catch a Wave to Bali

You've Arrived in Tanguar Haor!

Explore the wetlands of Bangladash

Animals of the Wetlands

Difficulty:

Many animals depend on the watery wetlands of Tanguar Haor! Can you find the animals hidden in the word search?

Good job!

You found all the words. Now let's see what the animals look like!

Skip Activity

Wetland Animals Revealed

Click on the name to reveal what the animal looks like!

Swamphen

Pintail

Otter

Osprey

Eel

Heron

Where to Next?

Choose the next part of your journey.
Evaporate and Return to the Cloud

Travel down the Brahmaputra River

You've Melted! Travel Down the Brahmaputra River

It appears you've melted! Click the buttons below to learn about one of the major rivers of the Ganges Delta. Click the arrow in the bottom right corner to move on.

The Source

Grand Canyon

Threats

Travel Down the Brahmaputra River

Click the buttons below to learn more about one of the major rivers of the Ganges Delta. Click the arrow in the bottom right corner to move on.

The Source

Grand Canyon

Threats

Test Your Knowledge!

Take a short quiz to see how much you've learned!

Animals of the Brahmaputra

Can you find all the animals hidden along the Brahmaputra? Some have really great camouflage! Find and click on the animal to match it with its name. Click the arrow in the bottom right to move on.

Barasingha

Bengal Tiger

Hispid Hare

One-Horned Rhinoceros

River Dolphin

Clouded Leopard

Pallas Fishing Eagle

Asian Elephant

Helpful tip: once you've found an animal, you can click on its image on the side panel to enlarge it and look closer.

Where to Next?

Choose the next part of your journey.
Merge with the Ganges River
Evaporate and Return to the Cloud

You've Arrived at the Gobi Desert!

Click the arrow in the bottom right corner to explore some of the extreme animals that live here.

Extreme Animals

Difficulty:

Many animals have adapted to survive the extreme environment of the Gobi Desert, but they couldn't survive without you! Can you find all the animals in the word search?

Good job!

You found all the words. Now let's see what the animals look like!

Skip Activity

Extreme Animals

Let's take a look at the animals who depend on you! Click each button for more information. Click the arrow in the bottom right corner to move on.

Dzeren

Mazaalai

Jerboa

Takhi

Khulan

Viper

Where to Next?
Choose your next journey

Journey North on a Khulan!

Evaporate and Return to the Cloud

Mongolian Steppe

Just passing through! Click the glowing yellow rings below to explore the Steppe Corridor. Select "Next" when you're ready to move on.

Next >

Mongolian Steppe

Just passing through! Click the glowing yellow rings below to explore the Steppe Corridor. Select "Next" when you're ready to move on.

Next >

HAIL

Select your destination! This is where you will land on Earth:

Kashmir Valley, India
Kathmandu, Nepal
Khövsgöl Lake, Mongolia

You've Arrived at Kashmir Valley, India!

Here, you'll find a Himalayan ecosystem in the northern point of India that supports rich biodiversity. Select the glowing yellow rings to learn more. Click the bottom right arrow to move on.

Hailstorms in Kashmir Valley

What does hail look like? Hail can come down as small pellets or large, more devastating ones. Watch these two short videos to see different hail sizes in action. Press the arrow in the bottom right corner to move on.

Test Your Knowledge!

Can you guess all the ways water impacts Kashmir Valley?

Where to Next?

Select the next part of your journey

Take the Indus River System to the Indian Ocean
Evaporate and Return to the Cloud

You've Arrived at Kathmandu, Nepal!

A vibrant city in Nepal that relies on the Himalayas

360 View of Kathmandu

Busy City Life

About Kathmandu

Hydrating Millions

Difficulty:

The people living in Kathmandu, Nepal rely on a variety of water sources for drinking, agriculture, and industry. Can you find all the listed water sources that impact Kathmandu in the word search?

Good job!

You found all the words. Now let's see what the animals look like!

Skip Activity

The Bagmati River System

There are many water sources that are vital for the wellbeing of Kathmandu, Nepal including water carried from the Himalayas, natural springs, and rainwater. The Bagmati is the primary, sacred river system in the Kathmandu Valley, which flows through the city before merging with other waterways. Select the arrow in the bottom right corner to continue on your journey...

Where to Next?

Select the next part of your journey.

Terai Plains, Nepal
Travel Down the Ganges River
Evaporate and Return to the Cloud

You've Arrived at Lake Khövsgöl, Mongolia!

Click each button to learn more. Select the arrow in the bottom right corner to move on.

Khövsgöl background

Hailstorms

Calm Summer Morning

Test Your Knowledge

Take a short quiz to see how much you've learned!

Where to Next?

Choose the next part of your journey. You are always welcome to return to the cloud to view your other options.

Evaporate and Return to the Cloud
Ride on Southbound Winds

FOG

Select your destination! This is where you will arrive on Earth:

Bali

Mount Kinabalu

Java

You've Arrived in Bali, Indonesia!

Explore the rice paddies of Bali

A rice paddy farmer goes to work in Indonesia on a peaceful, misty morning. (Click below to watch)

Watch

Water is Essential

Bali's Rice Paddies are significant to the country's cultural heritage. Bali's fertile soil and optimal rainfall have allowed rice farming to be fruitful for thousands of years.Click each picture below to learn more!

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

Tegalalang Rice Terraces

Sidemen Rice Terraces

Animals of the Rice Paddies

Can you find all the animals living in the rice paddies? Find and click on the animals to match them with their names. Click the arrow in the bottom right corner to move on.

White Lesser Heron

Little Egret

Dragonfly

Sacred Kingfisher

Coppersmith Barbet

Sapi Bali

Javan Plover

Rice Field Frog

Helpful tip: once you've found an animal, you can click on its image on the side panel to enlarge it and look closer.

Where to Next?

Choose the next part of your journey!

Evaporate and Return to the Cloud
Ride a Wave to the Nearest Island
Roll with the Mist to a Malaysian Forest

You've Arrived on Mount Kinabalu, Borneo!

Drift through a Malaysian cloud forest

Mount Kinabalu

Foggy Forest

Misty Malayasian Countryside

Test Your Cloud Knowledge

Take a short quiz to see how much you've learned

Where to Next?

Choose the next part of your journey!

Evaporate and Return to the Cloud
Visit a Mangrove Forest
Explore Rice Paddies

You've Arrived in Java!

Take a misty adventure through the mangrove forests of Indonesia.

Watch the clouds roll over Java on a misty morning (Click the button below)

Watch

Java's Mangrove Forest

Can you find all the animals hidden in the mangrove forest? Some have really great camouflage! Find and click on the animals to match them with their name. Click the arrow in the bottom right corner to move on.

Long-tailed Macaque

Brahminy Kite

Mangrove Crab

Small-clawed Otter

Javan Mongoose

Dog-faced Water Snake

Mudskipper

Fishing Cat

Helpful tip: once you've found an animal, you can click on its image on the side panel to enlarge it and look closer.

From the Film: Meet the Mudskipper!

Meet an animal featured in Wild Asia: Life at Extremes

Habitat

Adaptations

Where to Next?

Choose the next part of your journey!

Evaporate and Return to the Cloud
Hop to the Nearest Island
Visit a Coral Reef
Clouds in the Forest
  • Kinabalu Park is a tropical montane cloud forest
  • The high-altitude ecosystem in combination with warm, humid air rising from the lowlands creates a persistent presence of clouds.
  • Warm air rises and cools in these higher regions, condensing to form clouds.
Lake Khövsgöl

Lake Khövsgöl experiences long, freezing winters and short, cool summers. Winters experience heavy snowfall and the lake remains frozen with thick ice. Permafrost can be found in these regions year-round. Animals that rely on this habitat include elk, moose, reindeer, brown bears, wolves, beavers, and snow leopards

You Are Here
Brahmaputra River

The Brahmaputra River originates in the Himalayan mountain range and flows through China, Bangladesh, and Northeastern India before merging with the Ganges River.

You Found a Blue Grouper!

Blue Groupers enjoy living in coral reefs where they mainly live alone. Adults have a darker, almost black coloration with yellow fins, while younger ones are often more vividly blue.

Sidemen Rice Terraces
  • Peaceful rice paddies with Mount Agnung in the background.
  • These paddies are quieter and more remote than others.
  • Home to a variety of animals including birds, eels, amphibians, snakes, and insects.
  • Domesticated animals like ducks and cattle have been integrated to eat pests and fertilize the soil.
Navigation Buttons
Return to the Cloud

At any point throughout your journey, you can select the "Return to the Cloud" button to evaporate and start a new adventure.

You Are Here

Click on the pink blinking button in the top right-hand corner at any point to view a map of your current location. All pink buttons reveal something!

You Are Here
Gobi Desert

The Gobi Desert is a large desert and grassland region found in Southern Mongolia and Northern China

Mount Kinabalu

The island of Borneo is split between Indonesia and Malaysia. Mount Kinabalu and Kinabalu Park are found on the Malaysian side of the island. Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Malaysia

You Are Here

Kashmir Valley

Kashmir Valley is located in northwestern India between the Himalayan mountain range to the northeast and the Pir Panjal range to the southwest.

You found a Family of Pallas Cats!

From the Film - as featured in Wild Asia: Life at Extremes, the Pallas cat can be found roaming wild in the dry grasslands, scree slopes, and mountain steppes of Mongolia. These four kittens watch as their mother heads out to hunt. A female Pallas cat needs to catch dozens of rodents a day to feed her kittens.

Why is the Ganges Important?

The Ganges River makes a great impact....

  • It holds cultural significance to 1.2 billion people as a prominent religious destination for Hinduism. There are many festivals and sacred places along the river, including Rishikesh, a meditation center located where the Ganges leaves the Himalayas.
  • It provides drinking water to nearly half a billion people.
  • The river's water is vital for agriculture, drinking, fishing, and industry.
  • The river experiences seasonal floods from monsoons creating fertile floodplains that allow nearby habitats to thrive.
Tibetan Gazelle (Goa)

The Tibetan Gazelle, also known as Goa, can be found around the Mount Kailash region in herds. They are smaller and more graceful than the Chiru.

You Are Here
Tanguar Haor

The wetlands of Tanguar Haor are found in the northeastern corner of Bangladash.

You Are Here
Ganges River

The Ganges River flows through India and Bangladash from the Himalayan mountain range to the Bay of Bengal

You Are Here
Mount Kailash

Mount Kailash is a sacred Himalayan peak in Tibet, near the borders of India and Nepal. Elevation: 6638 meters (21,778 feet)

Osprey

While Ospreys can be found in many places around the world, Ospreys commonly migrate to Tanguar Haor during the winter months. Some Ospreys are known to stay here year-round.

Tengalalang
  • Tengalalang is a smaller landscape, concentrated in a steep, terraced valley.
  • Major tourist attraction with photo opportunities including swings and nests.
  • Greenest time to visit is between the months of March and May.
  • Home to many animals including birds, amphibians, snakes, eels, and insects.
  • Domesticated animals introducted to keep pests away.
You Are Here

The Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the world's third largest oceans, found between the continents Africa, Asia, and Australia.

You Are Here
Terai Plains

The Terai Plains make up the southern lowland region of Nepal that lies to the south of the outer foothills of the Himalayas

Monsoon Flooding

Monsoon flooding of the Brahmaputra is one of the greatest threats to the river and surounding habitats and communities. As climate change speeds up the melting of glaciers and affects weather patterns, flooding has become more disasterous than before, causing landslides and accelerated erosion along riverbanks.

Smooth-Coated Otter

The smooth-coated otter is the largest native Asian otter, commonly found in wetlands, rivers, and lakes. These short-haired mammals have a diet of fish, crustaceans, and small amphibians and their presence is seen as a key indicator of a healthy ecosystem.

You Found a Mongolian Gazelle!

Mongolian Gazelles make spring and autumn migrations along the Steppe Corridor following food (grasses). Current threats to their habitat include fragmentation from roads, railways, and fences.

You found a Family of Pallas Cats!

From the Film - as featured in Wild Asia: Life at Extremes, the Pallas cat can be found roaming wild in the dry grasslands, scree slopes, and mountain steppes of Mongolia. These four kittens watch as their mother heads out to hunt. A female Pallas cat needs to catch dozens of rodents a day to feed her kittens.

Coral is Alive!
  • Corals are made up of colonies of individual polyps that use minerals in the salt water to develop strong calcium carbonate skeletons.
  • Corals are hosts to a type of photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae, which provide them with food, help protect them from disease, and create vibrant, colorful reefs.
You Are Here
Terai Plains

The Terai Plains make up the southern lowland region of Nepal that lies to the south of the outer foothills of the Himalayas

Coral Reefs are at Risk!
  • Corals are sensitive to temperature and pH fluctuations in the water. If the water becomes too warm or too acidic, it can lead to an event called coral bleaching.
  • In poor conditions, corals will expel their zooxanthellae algae, leaving them exposed to breakage and disease.
  • Coral bleaching events are happening more frequently due to water pollution and climate change.
The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon

The Brahmaputra River is responsible for creating the world's deepest canyon, the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon (or the Tsangpo Gorge). It reaches depths of 19,714 feet (6009 meters) which makes it significantly deeper than the Grand Canyon in the United States.

You Are Here
Ngozumpa

The Ngozumpa Glacier at the Cho Oyu Summit of the Himalayas is Nepal's largest glacier.

You Are Here
Mount Everest

Mount Everest of the Himalayas is the highest peak on Earth. Elevation: 8848 meters (29,032 feet)

You Are Here
Gobi Desert

The Gobi Desert is a large desert and grassland region found in Southern Mongolia and Northern China

You Are Here
Mount Kailash

Mount Kailash is a sacred Himalayan peak in Tibet, near the borders of India and Nepal. Elevation: 6638 meters (21,778 feet)

You Are Here

Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain of Malaysia, located on the island of Borneo

Barred Spiny Eel

The barred spiny eel (also known as the Indian Spiny Eel) is native to shallow wetland habitats across Asia. Recognized for its distinctive patterns and elongated shape, this bottom-dweller is an important part of the food web for many animals in the region.

You Found a Moorish Idol!

From the Film - as featured in Wild Asia: Life at Extremes, Moorish Idols are common to find in coral reefs in the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, and Pacific. They prefer shallow, clean waters, are easy to distinguish by their black and yellow coloration, and feed on algae, sponges, and small invertabrates. They rely on coral for shelter from predators and only venture out into open waters in large groups to spawn. Preyed on by large groups of Grey Reef Sharks, only the smartest and fastest survive.

Hailstorms

Hailstorms can be expected in Kashmir Valley during warm spring and summer months. Hailstorms are an increasing and often destructive seasonal occurrence here. The valley's geography, combined with atmospheric instability from climate change contributes to the increasing frequency of these storms.

What is a Monsoon?

A monsoon is a wind pattern characterized by cool, dry winters and wet, rainy summers. In the summer: warm air heats up oceanic waters and monsoon winds blow from sea to land. This causes humid air and frequent, heavy rainshowers over monsoon regions. In the winter: the winds shift in the opposite direction, blowing cool air from land to sea. This creates dry monsoon winters.

Photo credit: Yogendra Joshi, August, 2015. Beauty of Monsoon.

Mangrove Habitats

Surrounding coastal habitats include the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, recognized as the world's largest mangrove forest. The Sundarbans are found in the vast delta formed by the Meghna, Brahmaputra, and Ganges rivers merging Mangrove forests help prevent coastal erosion and provide habitats for a number of unique species like the mudskipper. There are four main regions of the Sundarbans that remain protected as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Coral Reefs are Important!
  • Coral reefs make up less than 1% of the ocean floor, but support approximately 25% of the ocean's biodiversity.
  • Over 3/4 of all coral species can be found in the Coral Triangle region of Southeast Asia.
  • Coral reefs provide food and shelter to an abundance of species, from tiny polyps to sharks.
  • Coral reefs act as natural barries, protecting the coastline from erosion caused by waves and storm surges.
Why is the Ganges Important?

The Ganges River makes a great impact....

  • It holds cultural significance to 1.2 billion people as a prominent religious destination for Hinduism. There are many festivals and sacred places along the river, including Rishikesh, a meditation center located where the Ganges leaves the Himalayas.
  • It provides drinking water to nearly half a billion people.
  • The river's water is vital for agriculture, drinking, fishing, and industry.
  • The river experiences seasonal floods from monsoons creating fertile floodplains that allow nearby habitats to thrive.
What is a glacier?

Glaciers can be thought of like giant rivers made of ice. Some areas receive snow that never melts, and that snow packs down over years and years, forming glaciers. Because of gravity, glacier are always on the move, but they move very slowly. As they move, they carve away and erode the ground they pass over, creating valleys and lakes.

Mongolian Steppe Corridor

The Mongolian Steppe Corridor is a large part of the Eurasian Steppe, which holds the world's largest stretch of grasslands. This corridor is crucial for wilflife, nomads, and horsemen.

Why are Glaciers Important?

There are many reasons we should care about our world's glaciers!

  • Glaciers hold most of our world's fresh drinking water.
  • They help regulate ecosystems by providing cold, fresh water to streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans.
  • They create vital habitats for specially adapted animals.
  • They act as Earth's air conditioner by reflecting solar energy back into space.
You Are Here
Brahmaputra River

The Brahmaputra River originates in the Himalayan mountain range and flows through China, Bangladesh, and Northeastern India before merging with the Ganges River.

Kathmandu, Nepal
  • The largest city of Nepal with over 4 million living in the city and surrounding metropolitan region.
  • Has a subtropical climate with average temperatures between 28F (-2C) and 90F (32C).
  • Sits at an elevation of 4344 ft (1324 m).
  • Experiences air, soil, and water pollution challenges from urban and industrial development.
The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon

The Brahmaputra River is responsible for creating the world's deepest canyon, the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon (or the Tsangpo Gorge). It reaches depths of 19,714 feet (6009 meters) which makes it significantly deeper than the Grand Canyon in the United States.

You Are Here

Kashmir Valley

Kashmir Valley is located in northwestern India between the Himalayan mountain range to the northeast and the Pir Panjal range to the southwest.

You Are Here
Ngozumpa

The Ngozumpa Glacier at the Cho Oyu Summit of the Himalayas is Nepal's largest glacier.

The Bhagirathi and the Alaknanda merge to form the Ganges River

Threats to the Ganges

Human impact is currently the largest threat to the overall health of the Ganges River...

  • The Ganges River is currently one of the most polluted waterways on Earth.
  • Lack of regulation allows untreated sewage, industrial waste, and chemical runoff from agriculture to pollute the river.
  • Unsustainable water use and pollution heavily degrade Ganges habitats and threaten wildlife.
You Are Here

Kathmandu, Nepal

Kathmandu is the largest city in Nepal with over 4 million living in city and surrounding area.

Why are Monsoons Important?

Plants and animals rely heavily on monsoon waters! Monsoons:

  • Sustain grasslands
  • Replenish wetlands
  • Fill natural waterholes, rivers, lakes, and water reserves used for agriculture.
  • Stimulate breeding season for animals
  • Provide food, water and shelter for animals
  • Bring essential rainfall to agricultural communities that grow crops like rice, wheat, sugarcane, and tea.

Photo credit: Nikhil More, August, 2016. Monsoon Maharashtra India Rain Landscape.

You Are Here
Brahmaputra River

The Brahmaputra River originates in the Himalayan mountain range and flows through China, Bangladesh, and Northeastern India before merging with the Ganges River.

Khulan

The Khulan, aka the Mongolian Wild Donkey, is an endangered species found in Gobi desert and steppe environments. They travel long distances and are essential for their ability to create water points in dry riverbeds.They are threatened by climate change, overhunting, and habitat fragmentation from roadways and railways.

You Are Here
Lake Khövsgöl

Lake Khövsgöl is the largest lake in Mongolia

You Are Here
Tanguar Haor

The wetlands of Tanguar Haor are found in the northeastern corner of Bangladash.

What is a Monsoon?

A monsoon is a wind pattern characterized by cool, dry winters and wet, rainy summers. In the summer: warm air heats up oceanic waters and monsoon winds blow from sea to land. This causes humid air and frequent, heavy rainshowers over monsoon regions. In the winter: the winds shift in the opposite direction, blowing cool air from land to sea. This creates dry monsoon winters.

Photo credit: Yogendra Joshi, August, 2015. Beauty of Monsoon.

Frozen Beginnings

The Brahmaputra River forms from the glaciers surrounding Mount Kailash and winds through Tibet, India, and Bangledash before joining the Ganges River in the Ganges Delta.

Snow Leopard

From the Film - as featured in Wild Asia: Life at Extremels, snow leopards are solitary animals that can be found in high altitudes of the Himalayas, including around Mount Kailash. Their thick fur, snowshoe-like paws, and powerful build allow them to thrive in cold, snowy environments.

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The Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the world's third largest oceans, found between the continents Africa, Asia, and Australia.

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Java, Indonesia

Java is a major tropical island in Indonesia made up by volcanic mountains with many active volcanoes.

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Terai Plains

The Terai Plains make up the southern lowland region of Nepal that lies to the south of the outer foothills of the Himalayas

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Gobi Desert

The Gobi Desert is a large desert and grassland region found in Southern Mongolia and Northern China

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Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain of Malaysia, located on the island of Borneo

Why are Monsoons Important?

Plants and animals rely heavily on monsoon waters! Monsoons:

  • Sustain grasslands
  • Replenish wetlands
  • Fill natural waterholes, rivers, lakes, and water reserves used for agriculture.
  • Stimulate breeding season for animals
  • Provide food, water and shelter for animals
  • Bring essential rainfall to agricultural communities that grow crops like rice, wheat, sugarcane, and tea.

Photo credit: Nikhil More, August, 2016. Monsoon Maharashtra India Rain Landscape.

Monsoon Flooding

Monsoon flooding of the Brahmaputra is one of the greatest threats to the river and surounding habitats and communities. As climate change speeds up the melting of glaciers and affects weather patterns, flooding has become more disasterous than before, causing landslides and accelerated erosion along riverbanks.

Jatiluwih Rice Paddies
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Largest agricultural site in Bali spanning over 600 hectares (approx. 1500 acres), covered mostly in terraced fields.
  • Home to an abundance of wildlife and domesticated animals
  • Greenest between the months of February and April.
The Water Cycle

Understanding the water cycle will help you on your journey.

  • Condensation - water that has evaporated floats up into the sky, where cooler air temperatures cause it to condense and form clouds.
  • Precipitation - water droplets in clouds get too heavy and fall back down to Earth in the form of rain, hail, snow, or an icy mix (sleet).
  • Collection (Surface Runoff) - water runs off, collecting in streams, rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater reservoirs.
  • Evaporation - water droplets warm up in sunlight, changing from liquid to gas, and rise into the sky.
  • Transpiration - the biological release of water vapor from plants through tiny pores in their leaves. Transpiration directly contributes to the creation of fog.
Tibetan Fox

From the Film - as featured in Wild Asia: Life at Extremes, the Tibetan fox is found exclusively on the high Tibetan plateau, including Mount Kailash. Its oddly shaped, broad bone structure, short muzzle, and thick fur are adaptations that help it survive and hunt pikas on the harsh and windy plateau.

Northern Pintail

The Northern Pintail is a migratory bird that visits the wetlands of Tanguar Haor during the winter months and travels to Europe during the summer months.

Takhi

The Takhi, aka Przewalski's horse, is an endangered species of wild horse found in Gobi desert and steppe environments. Takhi live and travel in groups of 5-15, eat grassy vegetation, use special ways of communicating with one another and have complex social behaviors.

Mudskipper Habitat
  • Mudskippers can be found in tropical and subtropical mudflats, mangrove swamps, and saltwater wetlands.
  • They thrive in the intertidal zone and spend a significant amount of time on land in these regions.
Himalayan Pika

From the Film - as featured in Wild Asia: Life at Extremes, Himalayan pikas are small, round burrowing animals that can be found at high altitudes around Mount Kailash. These furry herbivores don't hibernate, but they collect and store food, creating "haypiles" for winter. Pikas alert one another by whistling when predators are nearby. These animals have developed a symbiotic relationship with communities of yak herders, using the yaks to shield them from their main predator, the Tibetan fox.

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Mount Everest

Mount Everest of the Himalayas is the highest peak on Earth. Elevation: 8848 meters (29,032 feet)

You Found a Hawksbill Sea Turtle!

The Hawksbill Sea Turtle is a critically endangered species of sea turtle that can be found coral reefs around the world, including the Coral Triangle of Southeast Asia. These turtles primarily feed on sea sponges, but occasionally eat algae, hard coral, and jellyfish.

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Terai Plains

The Terai Plains make up the southern lowland region of Nepal that lies to the south of the outer foothills of the Himalayas

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Mount Kailash

Mount Kailash is a sacred Himalayan peak in Tibet, near the borders of India and Nepal. Elevation: 6638 meters (21,778 feet)

You Found a Grey Reef Shark!

From the Film - as featured in Wild Asia: Life at Extremes, the Grey Reef Shark is the Moorish Idol's primary predator. These sharks are often seen in warm shallow waters near the drop-offs of coral reefs, and are known for hunting prey in large groups.

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Bali, Indonesia

Bali is a tropical island situated where Indian and Pacific oceans merge. Bali is bordered on the south by the Indian Ocean and bordered by the Bali Sea to the north, which feeds into the Pacific.

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Java, Indonesia

Java is a major tropical island in Indonesia made up by volcanic mountains with many active volcanoes.

Himalayan Runoff

Glaciers in the Himalayan mountains melt, filling the Indus River System, the Jhelum, and the Chenab. This snowmelt provides essential hydration to the area during dry months. These rivers are vital for communities living in Kashmir that rely on the water for agriculture, drinking water, and industry.

Tibetan Antelope (Chiru)

The Tibetan Antelope, also known as Chiru, is the main species of antelope found around Mount Kailash. Due to its thick wool and soft underfur, Chiru are able to survive in the extremely cold temperatures of the region.

Grey-Headed Swamphen

The Grey-Headed Swamphen is native to India and has an omnivorous diet. The birds primarily eat plants, but will occasionally supplement their diet with snails, small fish, and insects.

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Kathmandu, Nepal

Kathmandu is the largest city in Nepal with over 4 million living in city and surrounding area.

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The Bay of Bengal

The Bay of Bengal makes up the northeastern section of the Indian Ocean and is bordered by many Asian countries.

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Terai Plains

The Terai Plains make up the southern lowland region of Nepal that lies to the south of the outer foothills of the Himalayas

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The Bay of Bengal

The Bay of Bengal makes up the northeastern section of the Indian Ocean and is bordered by many Asian countries.

Gobi Pit Viper

These venomous snakes can only be found in this region of Northern Asia in rocky terrain and desert regions. They hide under rocks or underground to avoid extreme temperature swings. Their coloration provides them with excellent camouflage and they use infrared sensing pits to detect their prey.

You Found a Sea Bunny!

From the Film - as featured in Wild Asia: Life at Extremes, the Sea Bunny sea slug fears nobody! Despite being blind, deaf, and oblivious to everything, this sea slug has a secret weapon - it's extremely toxic! The Sea Bunny's favorite food is a highly toxic sea sponge, which in turn makes this slug highly toxic to everything that dares to try eating it.

Frozen Beginnings

The Brahmaputra River forms from the glaciers surrounding Mount Kailash and winds through Tibet, India, and Bangledash before joining the Ganges River in the Ganges Delta.

Bengal Tigers

The tiger sequence in the film Wild Asia: Life at Extremes was filmed in a community forest in the Terai Plains of western Nepal!

Hailstorms in Khövsgöl

Khövsgöl hailstorms are some of the most extreme in the region. Hail is commonly expected in the summer months of June, July, and August, and their intensity appears to be increasing with climate change. Hail causes damage to yurts, vehicles, animal pastures, and crops

Large Marine Ecosystem

The Bay of Bengal is a large marine ecosystem rich in biodiversity. It faces threats that include rising sea levels from global warming, coastal erosion, pollution, and over-fishing.

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Mongolian Steppe

The Steppe Corridor in Mongolia is a vast grassland region connecting the Gobi Desert and Siberian Taiga

You Found a Coral Grouper!

Coral Groupers are predatory fish that have a vibrant red coloration with distinctive bright blue spots. These large-mouthed fish live in the warm, tropical waters of Southeast Asian reefs, grow over a foot in length, and feed on smaller fish and invertebrates.

Glaciers are at Risk!

Humans have contributed to the overall warming of the planet by burning fossil fuels and releasing an abundance of carbon into the atmosphere. Due to this, glaciers are melting faster. As the glaciers melt,

  • The supply of freshwater decreases.
  • Sea levels rise, threatening coastlines.
  • Rapid melting increases the frequency and severity of flooding.
  • Temperatures continue rising, creating a negative feedback loop.
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Mount Kailash

Mount Kailash is a sacred Himalayan peak in Tibet, near the borders of India and Nepal. Elevation: 6638 meters (21,778 feet)

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The Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the world's third largest oceans, found between the continents Africa, Asia, and Australia.

Monsoon Impact

The Bay of Bengal largely contributes to the essential monsoon season of South Asia, with its warm waters fueling the winds that bring heavy precipitation to the surrounding regions.

Dzeren

The Dzeren, aka the Mongolian Gazelle, is native to Gobi desert and steppe environments. Often traveling in groups of 20-30 individuals, these animals feed on grasses and migrate in spring and autumn to find new sources of food.

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Bali, Indonesia

Bali is a tropical island situated where Indian and Pacific oceans merge. Bali is bordered on the south by the Indian Ocean and bordered by the Bali Sea to the north, which feeds into the Pacific.

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Java, Indonesia

Java is a major tropical island in Indonesia made up by volcanic mountains with many active volcanoes.

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Ganges River

The Ganges River flows through India and Bangladash from the Himalayan mountain range to the Bay of Bengal

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Ganges River

The Ganges River flows through India and Bangladash from the Himalayan mountain range to the Bay of Bengal

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Bali, Indonesia

Bali is a tropical island situated where Indian and Pacific oceans merge. Bali is bordered on the south by the Indian Ocean and bordered by the Bali Sea to the north, which feeds into the Pacific.

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Kashmir Valley

Kashmir Valley is located in northwestern India between the Himalayan mountain range to the northeast and the Pir Panjal range to the southwest.

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Mount Everest

Mount Everest of the Himalayas is the highest peak on Earth. Elevation: 8848 meters (29,032 feet)

You Found a Daisy Parrothead Fish!

Daisy Parrothead fish are commonly found in the warm, tropical waters of the Indian Ocean near coral reefs. They are the most widespread species of Parrothead fish, recognized by their bright blue and yellow coloration.

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Brahmaputra River

The Brahmaputra River originates in the Himalayan mountain range and flows through China, Bangladesh, and Northeastern India before merging with the Ganges River.

Mazaalai

The Mazaalai, aka the Gobi Bear, is a critically endangered species with less than 40 individuals remaining. They travel long distances to find water and eat plants, insects, and small animals. They live in protected areas with isolated oasis complexes, can survive the extreme heat and cold of the desert, and will travel over 100 miles in search of water.

Bharal

Bharal, also known as Himalayan Blue Sheep, can be found near rocky landscapes and wooded areas around Mount Kailash. These slate-colored caprids are more closely related to goats and antelopes than sheep, and are known for their graceful and agile climbing abilities on steep terrain.

The Bhagirathi and the Alaknanda merge to form the Ganges River

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Java, Indonesia

Java is a major tropical island in Indonesia made up by volcanic mountains with many active volcanoes.

Indian Pond-Heron

While there are more than one species of Heron found in Tanguar Haor, the Indian Pond-Heron is native to the area. This bird relies on shallow aquatic habitats such as wetlands, rice paddies, ponds, and rivers as its hunting grounds, and has a diet consisting of small fish, crustaceans, and insects.

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Tanguar Haor

The wetlands of Tanguar Haor are found in the northeastern corner of Bangladash.

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Mount Kailash

Mount Kailash is a sacred Himalayan peak in Tibet, near the borders of India and Nepal. Elevation: 6638 meters (21,778 feet)

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Mount Everest

Mount Everest of the Himalayas is the highest peak on Earth. Elevation: 8848 meters (29,032 feet)

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Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain of Malaysia, located on the island of Borneo

About the Ganges
  • The Ganges River is considered a sacred river by the surrounding cultures that rely on it.
  • The river winds approximately 1569 miles (2525 km) from the Himalayas through India and Bangledash before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
  • The Ganges Delta is the world's largest river delta formed by the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers depositing sediment in the Bay of Bengal.
  • The Ganges Delta is the Bengal Tiger's largest habitat.

Wetlands

Kashmir Valley has wetlands! These wetlands are vital for supporting the rich biodiversity of the region, creating a safe haven for many Asian migratory birds in the winter. The wetlands also help provide flood control for surrounding regions.

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Terai Plains

The Terai Plains make up the southern lowland region of Nepal that lies to the south of the outer foothills of the Himalayas

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Kathmandu, Nepal

Kathmandu is the largest city in Nepal with over 4 million living in city and surrounding area.

Everyone's Path will be Different

Every choice you make takes you on a unique journey through ecosystems in Asia. You will explore the importance of water as well as the plants and animals that depend on it. It is okay if you don't see everything!Choose paths that interest you the most. If you aren't feeling it, move on to a new destination! When you are finished exploring, simply close out of Genially. You will start your journey by selecting the form you'd like to arrive on Earth as:

  • Snowflakes will explore extreme environments and meet animals with unique adaptations.
  • Raindrops will experience wetlands, monsoons, and dry desert climates.
  • Hail will land in unique places during thunderstorms.
  • Fog will arrive in exotic places like rice-paddies and cloud forests
Jerboa
  • From the Film - as seen in Wild Asia: Life at Extremes, this animal does not directly depend on water, but obtains hydration through eating grasshoppers and other insects.
  • The Jerboa's adaptations include massive eyes for night vision, large ears to hear predators, long tail for balance, and kangaroo-like legs to escape predators.
About the Ganges
  • The Ganges River is considered a sacred river by the surrounding cultures that rely on it.
  • The river winds approximately 1569 miles (2525 km) from the Himalayas through India and Bangledash before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
  • The Ganges Delta is the world's largest river delta formed by the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers depositing sediment in the Bay of Bengal.
  • The Ganges Delta is the Bengal Tiger's largest habitat.
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Mongolian Steppe

The Steppe Corridor in Mongolia is a vast grassland region connecting the Gobi Desert and Siberian Taiga

Threats to the Ganges

Human impact is currently the largest threat to the overall health of the Ganges River...

  • The Ganges River is currently one of the most polluted waterways on Earth.
  • Lack of regulation allows untreated sewage, industrial waste, and chemical runoff from agriculture to pollute the river.
  • Unsustainable water use and pollution heavily degrade Ganges habitats and threaten wildlife.
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Bali, Indonesia

Bali is a tropical island situated where Indian and Pacific oceans merge. Bali is bordered on the south by the Indian Ocean and bordered by the Bali Sea to the north, which feeds into the Pacific.

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Mount Everest

Mount Everest of the Himalayas is the highest peak on Earth. Elevation: 8848 meters (29,032 feet)

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Kashmir Valley

Kashmir Valley is located in northwestern India between the Himalayan mountain range to the northeast and the Pir Panjal range to the southwest.

Mudskipper Adaptations
  • Mudskippers are amphibious, meaning they live both on land and in water.
  • They have strong pectoral fins that allow them to "walk" on land.
  • They breathe through their skin, which means they always have to keep their skin moist. They stay near water and apply mud to themselves to stay hydrated. If they spend too much time submerged, they can drown!
  • Mudskippers have unique eyes that allow them 360 degree vision. Their eyes can move independently of one another to spot predators and prey.

Natural Springs

Kashmir is known for its many natural springs that provide drinking water and water for agriculture. Due to pollution, deforestation, and urban development, these natural springs are at risk.

Mongolian Steppe Corridor

The Mongolian Steppe Corridor is a large part of the Eurasian Steppe, which holds the world's largest stretch of grasslands. This corridor is crucial for wilflife, nomads, and horsemen.

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Ganges River

The Ganges River flows through India and Bangladash from the Himalayan mountain range to the Bay of Bengal

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The Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the world's third largest oceans, found between the continents Africa, Asia, and Australia.

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Tanguar Haor

The wetlands of Tanguar Haor are found in the northeastern corner of Bangladash.

Bengal Tigers

The tiger sequence in the film Wild Asia: Life at Extremes was filmed in a community forest in the Terai Plains of western Nepal!

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Brahmaputra River

The Brahmaputra River originates in the Himalayan mountain range and flows through China, Bangladesh, and Northeastern India before merging with the Ganges River.

You Found a Mongolian Gazelle!

Mongolian Gazelles make spring and autumn migrations along the Steppe Corridor following food (grasses). Current threats to their habitat include fragmentation from roads, railways, and fences.

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Lake Khövsgöl

Lake Khövsgöl is the largest lake in Mongolia

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Lake Khövsgöl

Lake Khövsgöl is the largest lake in Mongolia

Calm, summer morning near Lake Khövsgöl, Mongolia