- 2 days ago
This episode takes viewers to the Arctic and Antarctic circles to observe hardiest polar animals—including polar bears, wolf cubs, elephant seals, and king penguin chicks—using animatronic "spy" cameras....
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AnimalsTranscript
00:01The animal world is full of spectacle and wonder.
00:06But what's it like to be right in the heart of the action?
00:11To find out, our team of spy creatures goes undercover.
00:17They not only look like the animals they film,
00:22they behave like them too.
00:29Armed with the latest camera technology,
00:34they are heading across the globe.
00:43From the heat of the tropics,
00:48to the lands that lie in the north,
00:53from the islands of the southern seas,
00:59to the snow and ice of the frozen poles,
01:05our spies reveal the astonishing variety of life that thrives there,
01:11from inside their world.
01:21On their final assignment, our spy creatures explore the lands of ice and snow,
01:27beyond the Arctic and Antarctic circles.
01:35In this polar realm, animals find astonishing ways to survive,
01:39in an extreme and freezing climate.
01:51It's winter, on the remote island of South Georgia, in the Southern Ocean.
02:00Spy Albatross patrols the rugged coast for signs of life.
02:05Even in this hostile land, animals still thrive.
02:22The city of King penguins and their chicks,
02:27200,000 in all.
02:31The city of King penguins and their chicks.
02:42standing a metre high.
02:50Among the multitude, there's a special addition.
03:04Spy Check is here, to reveal life in the colony.
03:14In this barren land, the chicks must stick together.
03:26Preening each other is one way of making friends.
03:44Now a fully fledged member of the colony, he's free to find out more.
03:52Both parents care for their chicks, feeding them fish stored in their stomachs.
03:58They're six months old.
04:00It will be eight more months before they're fledged.
04:03No other penguin devotes so much time to rearing their young.
04:10Sheath Bills are one of the few other birds to thrive here.
04:15They scavenge on anything they can.
04:19Even Spy Check is worth a try.
04:37Sheath Bills are more an irritation than a threat.
04:44The chicks have far bigger things to worry about.
04:53Giant petrels.
05:03He seeks out the weak and injured.
05:11His aim is to create panic.
05:23Separating a chick from the colony.
05:29But parents work together to shield any chick in danger.
05:47The petrel seeks an easier victim.
06:00Not the time for a malfunction.
06:09Luckily, there's plenty of life left in Spy Check.
06:18In a colony so vast, the petrel will soon find a more appetising meal.
06:29Order restored, the chicks' lives are about to change.
06:38Their parents' food stocks have run out.
06:43There's nothing left to give.
06:49It's time to go fishing once more.
06:57The chicks won't see their parents again for at least three months.
07:08Ahead lies the Southern Ocean and a round trip of over a thousand miles.
07:33The chicks must now face the full brunt of the weather alone.
07:38It will be a long wait.
07:39Their next meal is many months away.
07:48As our penguin chicks hunker down for winter, spring is arriving in the Arctic's far north.
07:58Icebergs cast adrift from glaciers are sculpted by rising temperatures.
08:10What once was frozen sea now gives way to open water.
08:16Only rafts of drifting ice remain.
08:20But it's not just the ice that's on the move.
08:27Spy walrus is perfectly suited for navigating these waters.
08:34Based on a young walrus, it should be readily accepted.
08:40This is just what it's looking for.
08:48Atlantic walrus hauled out on what little ice remains.
08:58A new walrus is always of interest.
09:05This small family pod has been at sea all winter.
09:10They gave birth when the water was frozen.
09:18Ice still provides a safe platform to rest on.
09:22But now, there's not enough room for everyone.
09:29Fortunately, the male is quite happy to snooze in the ocean.
09:43And he doesn't mind letting everyone know.
09:59He needs his sleep.
10:03Walrus can stay awake for four days when searching for food.
10:12He can doze for ten hours at a time, only waking to change position.
10:25He's even happy to sleep on his front.
10:29Despite needing a breath every ten minutes.
10:41Male walrus are notoriously grumpy.
10:44But most of it's just for show.
10:58This strange knocking sound is a warning to rival males.
11:02It can carry ten miles or more.
11:18Back with the walrus family, their ice raft is fast disappearing.
11:24Time to find dry land.
11:27But first, they check out the new visitor.
11:33Walruses use their tusks for finding food and fighting.
11:37But they have only friendly intentions here.
11:51Inspection over, the family look for a safer place to haul out.
11:57They're joined by spy gerfalcon.
12:00Based on the only falcon found this far north.
12:07In the water, the calf is vulnerable to predators.
12:12For security, the family keep him surrounded.
12:18They may travel over 200 miles without stopping or sleeping.
12:27But today, they're not going far.
12:31Their favourite beach is close by.
12:36A popular spot with shallow waters rich in clams and other food.
12:43This will be their summer home until the ice returns.
12:52There are some who choose to follow the retreating ice.
12:58Spy falcon heads further north.
13:05The frozen realm of the world's most formidable predator.
13:15Polar bears use the ice for hunting.
13:22But each year, the spring melt arrives earlier, making conditions more challenging.
13:32She must use the fragile ice as stepping stones.
13:45To gain a closer look, another spy is needed.
13:57It could be a risky mission.
14:00The planet's largest carnivore has a fearsome reputation.
14:06And they like to hunt alone.
14:14As a precaution, spy bear has a nifty trick.
14:20Let's go.
14:31First, our room in the north side of the forest makes it look powerful.
14:33The place is for fervent.
14:35The frontal lobe has a big ton of.
14:36The distance looses the hazard.
14:37The one-to-the-the-the-the- BAI.
14:43You should not be so strong, such as the wind-to-the-the-the-brain.
14:47The enemy is safe.
14:48Fortunately, polar bears aren't territorial.
14:56They're more inquisitive than aggressive.
15:00The bear continues her quest for seals,
15:07slipping into the water with hardly a star.
15:20Hidden between the ice flows, she can move quickly and silently.
15:26But seals haul out where they can see bears approaching.
15:31And this seal has met polar bears before,
15:36with the scars to prove it.
15:42She must use what cover she can.
15:49She takes a bearing and dives.
15:58She aims for a surprise attack.
16:03That means getting close.
16:09But there's too much ice to cover.
16:17She must change her technique.
16:27Keeping downwind gives her the advantage.
16:31But hunting on melting ice has its own problems.
16:39It's risk.
16:52She spreads her weight as best she can.
17:00But this wasn't in the plan.
17:21When the ice is melting, most hunts fail.
17:44Rolling squeezes water from her fire, vital for maintaining insulation.
17:57Perhaps all is not lost.
18:00She's picked up a scent, a trail that leads to land.
18:12She can smell food from 20 miles away.
18:17But the trail ends here.
18:24A whale carcass.
18:30A hundred tons of blubber.
18:33And a beacon for every bear in the neighbourhood.
18:37Including her spy.
18:45The hungry bear soon joins the feast.
18:56When there's plenty of food, they don't mind sharing.
19:01Here, there's enough to last them a year.
19:13As the climate changes, such bonanzas become lifesavers for hungry bears.
19:24Further south, beyond the sea ice, is Norway's Hornoia Island.
19:31It's early spring, and millions of seabirds are returning to breed, having spent winter fishing at sea.
19:44Among them is the island's most famous inhabitant.
19:52Puffins are rarely seen on snow.
19:54But here, winter lingers far into spring.
19:58To gain a head start, they must pair up as soon as they can.
20:04But one puffin is very much on its own.
20:08A spy in disguise.
20:11It isn't lonely for long.
20:22Puffins are sociable and inquisitive.
20:33Spy Puffin greets them with a head flick.
20:37And they soon return the gesture.
21:07He's surrounded by males searching.
21:09For their long-lost partners.
21:13They pair for life, but only spend time together in the breeding season.
21:19After so long apart, it's hard to recognise who's who.
21:33Even Spy Puffin is given the once-over.
21:35Even Spy Puffin is given the once-over.
21:53The male waits by his old nest burrow, hidden beneath the snow.
21:59This is where his partner will return.
22:04Could this be her?
22:08Or maybe her?
22:12Or even her?
22:17There's only one way to find out.
22:20A bob and head rub.
22:30She's definitely the one.
22:35But a male, who's young and single, is out to try his luck.
22:43He'll happily muscle in on a devoted couple.
22:51But no male gives up the love of his life without a fight.
23:02Despite her commitment, a strong male might turn her head.
23:08Her partner must prove he's still worthy.
23:12She's never the only one for her, and she's been able to find out.
23:16She and her boys are given the three.
23:23She makes a great deal.
23:23And the women who's been able to survive the trail.
23:43The love rival loses.
23:51Her mate has proved he's still a good catch.
24:01Bonds restored.
24:03They join others as they go fishing.
24:32Back in South Georgia, four months have passed and the chicks are still waiting for their
24:37parents to return.
24:42With warming seas, the fishing grounds are moving south, meaning their parents must travel
24:48further.
24:51Despite their fluffy appearance, some have lost 70% of their fat reserves.
24:58Close to starvation, they must conserve the little energy they have.
25:09But their wait may soon be over.
25:34They've been away for a third of a year and are desperate to feed their hungry chicks.
25:43Another penguin can is here to greet the weary travellers.
25:49Their bellies are stuffed with squid and krill.
25:57Over the next few days, hundreds of thousands will return.
26:05But while they were away, things have changed.
26:13Their beach has been invaded.
26:176,000 elephant seals now separate them from their hungry chicks.
26:28Spy chick is waiting too.
26:39It won't be easy.
26:41Unfortunately, the bulls weigh four tons and are easily riled.
26:54The penguins will just have to wait.
27:12As peace returns, it's the opportunity they need.
27:24Safest to go on tiptoe.
27:26Safest to go on tiptoe.
27:26Safest to go on tiptoe.
27:39Safest to go on tiptoe.
27:49So far, so good.
27:58Maybe, not so good.
28:20It's now or never.
28:43He's cleared the way.
28:45It's the break they need.
28:50But that was the easy bit.
28:58Somehow, they must find their own check among all the identikit versions.
29:17A seemingly impossible task.
29:31Especially as their checks have changed over the last four months.
29:37But they have a solution.
29:45Call and hope their check answers back.
29:53Each parent's call is unique.
29:57Once identified, the check can't contain his excitement.
30:09After so long apart, it's a moment worth celebrating.
30:27Food at last.
30:32Preservatives in her stomach mean it's as fresh as the day it was caught.
30:40With full bellies and their parents around, the chicks will be safe for another few months.
30:54On the Arctic islands of Svalbard, young seabirds face a different challenge.
31:04It's now summer, and guillemots are among the many birds raising their young.
31:12An Arctic fox bears witness to this yearly spectacle.
31:26Among the returning flocks, our spy is surrounded by little orcs.
31:34They nest among the boulders.
31:43While guillemots nest on the sheer cliffs above.
31:50All this life brings opportunities for predators.
31:55Spy fox is staking out a den of arctic foxes.
32:07These youngsters have been raised here over the last three months.
32:13Now they're coming of age, they play the games that hone their hunting skills.
32:27High above, the guillemot chicks are ready to leave their nests.
32:40Below is a drop of 300 metres, and there's only one way down.
32:47Somehow, they must make it to the sea.
32:54The chick has never flown before.
33:06But her father is with her all the way.
33:11Falling short is the greatest danger.
33:24But she makes a textbook landing.
33:29More are encouraged to follow.
33:45For the foxes, they're tantalisingly out of reach.
34:00While the youngsters hope for better luck, bouldercam takes over filming duties.
34:09It's just one of the many spy cans hidden here.
34:18For now, the fox cubs bide their time.
34:26Above, more novice flyers are warming up.
34:30Ready or not, she must make the leap of faith.
34:53She falls short, an opportunity for the fox.
35:04The chick is still 300 metres from the sea, but her father's calls are beckoning her.
35:18She's in a race for her life.
35:22To keep up, another spy creature is needed.
35:26One based on a snowy owl.
35:30The chick might seem an easy meal, but this meal bites back.
35:45It's running rings round this novice hunter.
35:54But there's a long way to go.
35:57To reach the sea, the chick must cross the boulder field.
36:10And danger lurks wherever she turns.
36:18But this bird has spirit.
36:27And the boulders offer places to hide.
36:43All the time, she's edging closer to the sea.
36:49It seems her bravado is outfoxing the fox.
37:17But she's not safe yet.
37:30She's made it.
37:31She's made it.
37:33A hard lesson for the fox.
37:36A happy reunion for the chick.
37:40She'll return to the cliffs in five years time, when she is ready to breed.
37:47By then, the fox cubs will be seasoned hunters.
37:56While it's summer in the Arctic, Antarctica is facing the lowest temperatures found anywhere else on Earth.
38:08Remarkably, emperor penguins choose this time to have their young.
38:18This tobogganing version of penguin camp is here to discover how they survive.
38:38As temperatures reach 40 degrees below, the chicks try to tuck themselves into their mother's pouch.
38:49As the blizzard strengthens, their parents turn their backs to the biting wind.
39:03But even this is not enough.
39:17To stay warm, they must huddle together.
39:30A chick on its own won't survive for long.
39:44Just in time.
39:49But he urgently needs the warmth of the huddle.
40:00His mother must find a place to tuck in.
40:14In the jostle for position, accidents are inevitable.
40:25His mother's only thought is to protect him from harm.
40:34It's not the only danger he faces.
40:37Here, winds can reach 100 miles per hour for days at a time.
40:45And a time to go.
40:47The way of the huddle is out.
40:47The way of the huddle's huddle's.
41:11In the jostle, the huddle's.
41:14Somehow they must share the warmth
41:18But the last to join are stuck on the outside
41:21Taking the brunt of the storm
41:29But there's help
41:30Those on the inside take tiny steps
41:33That move the huddle in waves
41:38Step by step the penguins move
41:41From the inside to the outside
41:48In this way the warmest penguins
41:50Soon cover the coolest birds
41:55By rotating position
41:56No penguin is left out in the cold
41:59And all get a turn in the warm centre
42:03The huddle is so efficient
42:05Penguins in the inner core often overheat
42:10Then the colony breaks down
42:14The coldest penguins now form a new huddle
42:27As others join
42:29They soon become warm and snug once more
42:35When the blizzard ends
42:37The penguins separate
42:42Our spy can join them once more
42:57The chicks have made it
43:00They now take a little ice and snow
43:03In their stride
43:24As Antarctica freezes
43:27It's midsummer in Ellesmere Island
43:29Just 500 miles from the North Pole
43:32It's home to the Arctic wolf
43:35The world's most successful pack hunter
43:42Summer is pupping season
43:47After three months in the den
43:49They're big enough for the great outdoors
43:56There's so much to see
44:19There's so much to see
44:24Already they've made a friend
44:43The pups are big enough to meet the rest
44:45To the family
44:54Their older brothers and sisters
44:56Now have young playmates
45:04Their parents share in leadership duties
45:09They rally the family
45:11To go hunting
45:16When all are ready
45:17They leave together
45:23Spy pup tries to follow
45:29But it's no match for the agile wolves
45:49Spy snowy owl takes up the filming baton
45:54It can fly long range
45:55And cruise at 15 miles per hour
45:59Perfect for tracking wolves on the move
46:09They have 75,000 square miles to hunt in
46:16They head into wind to try to catch a scent
46:21Perhaps from prey 20 miles away
46:25It's a testing time for such tiny parks
46:31To discover what lies ahead
46:33Our eye in the sky takes the lead
46:40Musk ox are prime prey for Arctic wolves
46:51Downwind
46:52The wolves are difficult to detect
46:59But musk ox are easily spooked
47:08So they carefully take up position
47:18Selecting the young or infirm
47:22But the pups have yet to learn the rules
47:30Their covers blown
47:35The herd cluster together
47:47Forming a protective circle around their calves
47:51The wolves surround them
47:57This time the pups stay still
48:04The pack calculates its next move
48:17They split the herd
48:23As the pups watch and learn
48:28They've singled out the oldest animal
48:33But a fully grown musk ox weighs 400 kilos
48:36And can kill a wolf
48:41And its thick woolly coat
48:43Is almost impenetrable
48:46Their aim is to tire her out
48:57Those at the front keep the musk ox distracted
49:02Those at the back anchor her down
49:22Such battles can last an hour
49:35Exhausted
49:35Exhausted
49:36She gives up the fight
49:41It's enough food for the whole family
49:43Including the pups
49:45But they must wait
49:46The hunters get the first reward
49:52Once they've had their fill
49:54The cubs are called
49:56They're curious
49:58It's the first time they've tasted fresh meat
50:09It's also their first lesson in survival
50:21Back at the den
50:22Spy pup is waiting
50:24The pups return with spoils from the hunt
50:34For all the meal will keep hunger at bay for a week
50:40It's now time to relax once more
50:51Before our spy creatures mission ends
50:54They return to South Georgia
50:58Spy king penguin is on duty once more
51:03It's the elephant seals breeding season
51:05And females with pups are everywhere
51:11It's a busy time for this beach master
51:13He has around a hundred females to look after
51:20Each is in need of attention
51:22He doesn't want them to stray
51:30But while his back is turned
51:32He's vulnerable
51:37There are plenty of other males
51:39Hoping to steal them away
51:42This one isn't big enough
51:44To challenge the beach master
51:52He has to be sneaky instead
51:56But the beach master is always on guard
51:59He roars a warning
52:05His nose amplifies the sound
52:10For the intruder
52:11The message is loud and clear
52:17It's followed up with a charge
52:28The rival backs down
52:33Spy penguin becomes the first casualty
52:36As the rival makes his escape
52:44With a spy creature down
52:46Backup is required
52:50Meet the largest spy yet
52:58To cope with his massive bulk
53:01He's an inflatable version
53:06His head is filled with water
53:08For added stability
53:13He seems to fit right in
53:18While the beach master recovers from his brawl
53:22The young male considers his next move
53:28It's worth another try
53:39He must be as discreet as he can
53:47But that requires a willing partner
53:59He's been rumbled
54:00And he knows it
54:04This is an act of war
54:10As the rival retreats
54:12The female leaves the battleground
54:18They must fight once more
54:20With spy elephant seal
54:23In the very heart of it
54:27The beach master rises to full height
54:34Let the battle commence
54:52Fighting can be lethal
55:07Outmatched
55:08His rival retreats again
55:14Another victory for the heavyweight champion
55:24He'll spend the whole summer fighting
55:26Every day is another battle
55:37Despite being in the danger zone
55:39Our spy survived
55:43But the young pretender still has some fight left in him
55:49Best he picks on someone his own size
56:12It didn't stand a chance
56:18It's a deflated end
56:20For spy elephant seal
56:25As ever the sheath bill won't miss an opportunity
56:30For a moment
56:31He's king of the castle
56:37Despite its early demise
56:39Spy elephant seal was part of something remarkable
56:44With the help of new technology
56:47Our spy creatures joined animal families
56:50To discover how they survive in every part of the world
56:55Wherever they went
56:56They gave us an intimate view of animal life
56:59And captured behaviour never seen before
57:04What they filmed made us smile
57:06And made us wonder
57:10They even touched our hearts
57:14But in the end
57:15The animals told their own stories
57:18While our animatronic team brought new insights
57:21Into the animals that share our planet
57:24With many adventures
57:26Along the way
57:32Intrepid adventures and lethal encounters
57:34Steve Backshaw comes face to face
57:36With some of the world's scariest animals
57:38Deadly 60 streaming now on iPlayer
57:59We'll see you next time
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