The Carpathian mountains stretch across seven European countries; a land of vast primeval forests, steep gorges and isolated peaks, that offers a precious refuge for some of the continent’s most charismatic creatures. Over the course of a summer, a mother brown bear struggles to find enough food for herself and her two young cubs. Long summer days are spent fattening up in preparation for the harsh winter ahead. For the youngsters, it’s a time to learn the essential survival skills they’ll need to make it to adulthood - and it could be a matter of life or death. Only around half of bear cubs will survive to their first birthday, and danger is never far away.