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1
00:00:01,867 --> 00:00:03,800
MY NAME IS JEREMY WADE.
2
00:00:03,800 --> 00:00:06,800
I'M AN EXPLORER
AND FISHING DETECTIVE.
3
00:00:06,800 --> 00:00:09,600
I'M ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT
FOR MYSTERIOUS FISHY TALES
4
00:00:09,600 --> 00:00:12,067
THAT DON'T QUITE ADD UP.
5
00:00:12,067 --> 00:00:13,900
CAREFUL! CAREFUL! CAREFUL!
6
00:00:13,900 --> 00:00:15,400
WHOO!
THAT WAS A BIG ONE.
7
00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:17,867
AND ONE SUCH STORY
THAT I'VE JUST HEARD ABOUT
8
00:00:17,867 --> 00:00:21,600
FROM THE FAR WILD EAST OF RUSSIA
HAS REALLY SNAGGED MY INTEREST.
9
00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:24,700
A FISHING TRIP
GONE HORRIBLY WRONG.
10
00:00:24,700 --> 00:00:27,100
THREE MEN
MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEAR
11
00:00:27,100 --> 00:00:29,800
ON A REMOTE AND WILD RIVER
IN RUSSIA.
12
00:00:29,800 --> 00:00:31,300
IT HAS ALL THE HALLMARKS
13
00:00:31,300 --> 00:00:34,233
OF A CLASSIC "RIVER MONSTERS"
INVESTIGATION --
14
00:00:34,233 --> 00:00:36,233
TELLTALE CLUES
THAT THIS WAS NOT
15
00:00:36,233 --> 00:00:38,333
JUST A SIMPLE FISHING ACCIDENT.
16
00:00:38,333 --> 00:00:41,400
I BELIEVE THEY ENCOUNTERED
SOMETHING IN THE WATER,
17
00:00:41,400 --> 00:00:43,967
SOMETHING BIG ENOUGH
AND TERRIBLE ENOUGH
18
00:00:43,967 --> 00:00:46,800
TO CAUSE THE DEATH
OF NOT JUST ONE MAN...
19
00:00:46,800 --> 00:00:48,633
BUT OF ALL THREE.
20
00:01:07,067 --> 00:01:10,067
OCTOBER 2009.
21
00:01:10,067 --> 00:01:15,367
THE AMUR RIVER
IN THE FAR WILD EAST OF RUSSIA.
22
00:01:15,367 --> 00:01:18,133
THREE MEN SET OUT
ON A FISHING TRIP.
23
00:01:18,133 --> 00:01:20,067
[ SPEAKING RUSSIAN ]
24
00:01:20,067 --> 00:01:21,500
[ LAUGHS ]
25
00:01:25,467 --> 00:01:30,667
IT'S THE KIND OF TRIP
THEY'VE MADE MANY TIMES BEFORE.
26
00:01:30,667 --> 00:01:32,800
ONLY THIS TIME, IT'S DIFFERENT.
27
00:01:32,800 --> 00:01:34,833
[ LAUGHS ]
28
00:01:34,833 --> 00:01:37,500
[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]
29
00:01:41,067 --> 00:01:44,467
THIS TIME, THEY NEVER RETURN.
30
00:01:56,133 --> 00:02:00,267
A YEAR LATER, THE BODIES
OF TWO OF THE MEN ARE FOUND --
31
00:02:00,267 --> 00:02:02,133
OR WHAT'S LEFT OF THEM.
32
00:02:02,133 --> 00:02:05,867
LONG DEAD, APPARENTLY DROWNED.
33
00:02:05,867 --> 00:02:09,500
THE THIRD BODY
IS NEVER RECOVERED.
34
00:02:12,267 --> 00:02:13,500
OVER THE YEARS,
35
00:02:13,500 --> 00:02:16,333
THERE HAVE BEEN MANY RUMORS
OF DISAPPEARANCES,
36
00:02:16,333 --> 00:02:19,533
DEATHS, AND MONSTERS
CONNECTED WITH THE AMUR RIVER.
37
00:02:19,533 --> 00:02:23,133
BUT IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO GET
ANY MORE INFORMATION.
38
00:02:23,133 --> 00:02:25,233
IT'S AS IF THERE'S SOMETHING
IN THE WATER
39
00:02:25,233 --> 00:02:28,867
THAT THEY DON'T WANT THE
OUTSIDE WORLD TO KNOW ABOUT.
40
00:02:28,867 --> 00:02:31,333
SO I'VE HAD NOTHING CONCRETE
TO GO ON.
41
00:02:31,333 --> 00:02:33,067
UNTIL NOW.
42
00:02:39,700 --> 00:02:43,167
RUSSIA IS A PLACE
I'VE NEVER BEEN TO BEFORE.
43
00:02:43,167 --> 00:02:46,067
IT'S THE LARGEST COUNTRY
IN THE WORLD,
44
00:02:46,067 --> 00:02:49,533
AND THE AMUR IS THE WORLD'S
10th-LONGEST RIVER.
45
00:02:50,667 --> 00:02:52,667
AT 2,700 MILES,
46
00:02:52,667 --> 00:02:56,067
IT'S NEARLY TWICE AS LONG
AS THE COLORADO.
47
00:02:58,900 --> 00:03:04,067
THE REGION IS HOME TO SOME OF
THE LARGEST LAND PREDATORS --
48
00:03:04,067 --> 00:03:06,067
TIGERS AND BEARS.
49
00:03:06,067 --> 00:03:08,967
BUT WHAT'S IN THE RIVER?
50
00:03:11,100 --> 00:03:14,467
LEGEND HAS IT THE RIVER
WAS CARVED OUT
51
00:03:14,467 --> 00:03:16,400
BY A HUGE BLACK DRAGON
52
00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:19,833
AS IT DRAGGED ITS BODY
FROM THE SEA.
53
00:03:19,833 --> 00:03:22,533
AND SOMETHING STILL LURKS
IN ITS DEPTHS,
54
00:03:22,533 --> 00:03:24,567
KILLING FISHERMEN TO THIS DAY.
55
00:03:24,567 --> 00:03:26,700
I WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT IT IS.
56
00:03:26,700 --> 00:03:31,067
WHAT I NEED ARE FACTS.
57
00:03:31,067 --> 00:03:33,867
AND AFTER THREE DAYS
OF TRAVELING,
58
00:03:33,867 --> 00:03:36,733
I ARRIVE AT THE TOWN
OF NIKOLAYEVSK
59
00:03:36,733 --> 00:03:38,567
NEAR THE RIVER'S MOUTH.
60
00:03:38,567 --> 00:03:40,633
ONCE A WEALTHY PLACE,
61
00:03:40,633 --> 00:03:42,967
IT'S NOW MORE LIKE
A GHOST TOWN.
62
00:03:47,167 --> 00:03:48,900
I'M LOOKING FOR DETAILS
63
00:03:48,900 --> 00:03:52,533
OF WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED
TO THOSE THREE FISHERMEN.
64
00:03:52,533 --> 00:03:56,233
IN THIS REMOTE LOCATION
WHERE FEW OUTSIDERS TRAVEL,
65
00:03:56,233 --> 00:03:59,533
GETTING INFORMATION
IS NOT GOING TO BE EASY.
66
00:03:59,533 --> 00:04:01,567
SO I GO FISHING --
67
00:04:01,567 --> 00:04:06,500
AT A SMALL FEEDER STREAM
ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN.
68
00:04:07,600 --> 00:04:11,767
PEOPLE IN ISOLATED COMMUNITIES
CAN BE SUSPICIOUS OF STRANGERS,
69
00:04:11,767 --> 00:04:13,700
SO I'M USING MYSELF AS BAIT...
70
00:04:13,700 --> 00:04:16,067
OH! OH!
71
00:04:16,067 --> 00:04:19,067
...TO SEE IF THE NOVELTY
OF AN OUTSIDER
72
00:04:19,067 --> 00:04:21,200
MIGHT TEMPT SOMEBODY TO TALK.
73
00:04:21,200 --> 00:04:25,400
I...I THINK I JUST
BRIEFLY HOOKED SOMETHING.
74
00:04:26,533 --> 00:04:28,833
BUT I DON'T WANT TO STRIKE
TOO EARLY
75
00:04:28,833 --> 00:04:31,567
AND REVEAL THAT
IT'S INFORMATION I'M AFTER --
76
00:04:31,567 --> 00:04:34,967
NOT UNTIL I'VE GAINED
THEIR TRUST.
77
00:04:34,967 --> 00:04:36,833
[ CHUCKLES ]
78
00:04:41,267 --> 00:04:43,133
THIS ONE.
79
00:04:43,133 --> 00:04:45,067
OKAY.
BLUE FOX.
80
00:04:45,067 --> 00:04:47,200
OKAY.
THANK YOU.
81
00:04:48,467 --> 00:04:54,067
FISHING FOR ME IS OFTEN ABOUT
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX.
82
00:04:55,067 --> 00:04:56,600
MY EFFORTS ARE REWARDED.
83
00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:59,867
I GET AN INVITATION
TO JOIN THEM INSIDE THEIR HOME,
84
00:04:59,867 --> 00:05:01,667
BUT FIRST I WANT TO PROVE
85
00:05:01,667 --> 00:05:04,567
THAT I'M CAPABLE
OF BRINGING A FISH IN.
86
00:05:23,267 --> 00:05:24,967
WHOA.
87
00:05:31,367 --> 00:05:33,533
BUT WHEREVER I FISH,
88
00:05:33,533 --> 00:05:36,700
I SEEM TO RUN INTO COMPETITION
I WASN'T EXPECTING.
89
00:05:36,700 --> 00:05:39,100
HEY! I'VE GOT A DOG HERE.
[ CHUCKLES ]
90
00:05:40,967 --> 00:05:44,633
NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!
91
00:05:44,633 --> 00:05:46,433
[ CHUCKLES ]
92
00:05:46,433 --> 00:05:47,833
IN THE AMAZON,
93
00:05:47,833 --> 00:05:52,700
I'VE HAD TO COMPETE WITH CAIMAN
FOR THE FISH ON THE LINE.
94
00:05:52,700 --> 00:05:55,467
AND IN ALASKA,
A BEAR TOOK MY FISH.
95
00:05:55,467 --> 00:05:57,333
BUT A DOG IS A FIRST.
96
00:05:57,333 --> 00:06:00,800
WELL, I DON'T WANT A DOG
WITH A HOOK IN ITS MOUTH.
97
00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:03,767
THAT WOULD NOT BE --
THAT WOULD NOT BE FUN.
98
00:06:11,633 --> 00:06:15,233
WHAT A LOVELY FISH --
LOVELY CHUM SALMON.
99
00:06:15,233 --> 00:06:19,133
BEAUTIFUL COLORATION,
PINK BAND DOWN THE SIDE,
100
00:06:19,133 --> 00:06:21,100
THOSE DARK SPOTS ON THE BACK.
101
00:06:21,100 --> 00:06:24,300
I'M TOLD THIS RIVER IS STUFFED
WITH SALMON.
102
00:06:24,300 --> 00:06:25,900
INTERESTING.
103
00:06:25,900 --> 00:06:28,833
I THINK YOU'RE STARTING TO SEE
THAT SORT OF METAMORPHOSIS
104
00:06:28,833 --> 00:06:31,333
THAT THEY UNDERGO
WHEN THEY COME IN THE RIVERS --
105
00:06:31,333 --> 00:06:33,233
THAT SORT OF HOOK
ON THE LOWER JAW,
106
00:06:33,233 --> 00:06:34,533
HUMP OF THE BACK THERE.
107
00:06:34,533 --> 00:06:36,933
A LOT OF THE LOCALS
ARE KEEPING THESE FOR THE POT.
108
00:06:36,933 --> 00:06:38,367
I THINK WHILE NOBODY'S LOOKING
109
00:06:38,367 --> 00:06:40,400
I MIGHT SLIP THIS ONE BACK,
THOUGH.
110
00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:42,433
THIS CATCH IS SIGNIFICANT,
111
00:06:42,433 --> 00:06:46,600
BECAUSE NO MONSTER CAN EXIST
WITHOUT A FOOD SUPPLY.
112
00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:51,100
THIS ABUNDANCE OF SALMON
WOULD FULFILL THAT ROLE.
113
00:06:52,533 --> 00:06:57,367
I JOIN IGOR POROSHAN AND
HIS FRIENDS INSIDE TO WARM UP.
114
00:06:57,367 --> 00:07:00,067
AND AS WE TALK, I'M HOPING
I'LL GET THE INFORMATION
115
00:07:00,067 --> 00:07:01,967
I HAVE COME HERE FOR.
116
00:07:01,967 --> 00:07:06,367
DOES ANYONE KNOW OF THE
FISHERMEN WHO DISAPPEARED?
117
00:07:06,367 --> 00:07:08,067
Wade:
OTHER FISH?
118
00:07:08,067 --> 00:07:11,100
[ SPEAKING RUSSIAN ]
119
00:07:11,167 --> 00:07:15,767
UH, BAY OF --
UM, PO RUSSKI...
120
00:07:15,767 --> 00:07:18,067
AFTER SOME GENERAL
FISHING CHAT,
121
00:07:18,067 --> 00:07:21,700
IGOR TELLS ME A KEY FACT ABOUT
THE THREE MEN WHO VANISHED.
122
00:07:21,700 --> 00:07:24,467
DO SVIDANIYA.
123
00:07:24,467 --> 00:07:27,067
WELL, I'VE MANAGED TO FIND OUT
A LITTLE BIT MORE.
124
00:07:27,067 --> 00:07:29,200
THE FISHERMEN ACTUALLY
WEREN'T FROM HERE.
125
00:07:29,200 --> 00:07:32,100
THEY WERE FROM A TOWN A LITTLE
WAY FURTHER UP THE RIVER.
126
00:07:32,100 --> 00:07:34,633
[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]
127
00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:38,700
WITH SOME BORROWED TRANSPORT,
128
00:07:38,700 --> 00:07:42,400
I HEAD WEST TO THE TOWN
OF INNOKENTYEVKA.
129
00:07:44,633 --> 00:07:47,767
[ ENGINE REVS ]
130
00:07:47,767 --> 00:07:52,933
WITH FEWER THAN 5,000 PEOPLE,
THIS FISHING COMMUNITY
131
00:07:52,933 --> 00:07:56,867
IS ONE OF JUST A HANDFUL
ALONG THIS STRETCH OF THE AMUR.
132
00:07:58,933 --> 00:08:02,133
THERE'S A TOUGH MIX OF RACES
AND CULTURES
133
00:08:02,133 --> 00:08:05,433
ALL BROUGHT TOGETHER
FOR ONE REASON -- FISH.
134
00:08:05,433 --> 00:08:08,933
WITH SUCH A SMALL POPULATION,
IT SHOULDN'T BE TOO HARD
135
00:08:08,933 --> 00:08:11,600
TO FIND SOMEONE
WHO KNEW THE FISHERMEN.
136
00:08:18,333 --> 00:08:21,067
THE MAN I MEET IS A NEVE,
137
00:08:21,067 --> 00:08:23,433
ONE OF THE MANY TRIBES
OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
138
00:08:23,433 --> 00:08:26,200
WHO ORIGINALLY INHABITED
THIS REGION.
139
00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:27,767
HIS NAME IS EDUARD,
140
00:08:27,767 --> 00:08:31,700
AND HIS COUSIN WAS ONE OF THE
FISHERMEN WHO DIED THAT DAY.
141
00:08:31,700 --> 00:08:34,633
TREADING GENTLY,
I ASK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED.
142
00:08:34,633 --> 00:08:37,667
[ SPEAKING RUSSIAN ]
143
00:08:37,667 --> 00:08:41,467
HIS COUSIN WENT FISHING
WITH TWO OTHER PEOPLE
144
00:08:41,467 --> 00:08:45,533
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO,
AND...THEY DISAPPEARED.
145
00:08:45,533 --> 00:08:48,833
TWO BODIES WERE ACTUALLY FOUND
THE NEXT YEAR.
146
00:08:48,833 --> 00:08:51,333
THE OTHER PERSON
HASN'T BEEN FOUND.
147
00:08:53,333 --> 00:08:54,500
[ SPEAKING RUSSIAN ]
148
00:08:54,500 --> 00:08:55,933
VERY QUICKLY,
149
00:08:55,933 --> 00:08:58,833
I ELIMINATE SOME OF THE MORE
OBVIOUS POSSIBILITIES.
150
00:08:58,833 --> 00:09:01,300
SO THIS REALLY
SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING
151
00:09:01,300 --> 00:09:03,733
THAT DOESN'T HAVE
AN EASY EXPLANATION.
152
00:09:03,733 --> 00:09:06,600
ONE OF THE GUYS ON THE BOAT
WAS INEXPERIENCED.
153
00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:07,900
IT WAS HIS FIRST TIME OUT.
154
00:09:07,900 --> 00:09:10,267
BUT THE OTHER TWO PEOPLE
WERE VERY EXPERIENCED,
155
00:09:10,267 --> 00:09:11,567
KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING.
156
00:09:11,567 --> 00:09:14,067
THE BOAT WAS DESIGNED TO BE
ON THAT KIND OF WATER.
157
00:09:14,067 --> 00:09:15,667
IT WAS A SEAGOING BOAT.
158
00:09:15,667 --> 00:09:17,667
AND THE WEATHER WAS NOTHING
OUT OF THE ORDINARY.
159
00:09:17,667 --> 00:09:22,833
AND THREE PEOPLE
SOMEHOW DISAPPEARED.
160
00:09:22,833 --> 00:09:25,467
I ASK WHAT
THEY WERE FISHING FOR,
161
00:09:25,467 --> 00:09:27,367
AND HE'S CURIOUSLY EVASIVE.
162
00:09:27,367 --> 00:09:30,367
THEY WERE CLEARLY
NOT FISHING FOR SALMON.
163
00:09:30,367 --> 00:09:34,133
THIS STRANGE CONVERSATION
LEAVES ME WITH MORE QUESTIONS
164
00:09:34,133 --> 00:09:35,567
THAN ANSWERS.
165
00:09:35,567 --> 00:09:39,100
I GET THE FEELING THAT
SOMETHING'S BEING CONCEALED.
166
00:09:39,100 --> 00:09:43,233
CAN YOU SHOW ME
WHERE IT HAPPENED?
167
00:09:43,233 --> 00:09:45,967
HE DOES, HOWEVER,
AGREE TO SHOW ME ON THE MAP
168
00:09:45,967 --> 00:09:48,467
WHERE THEY WOULD HAVE
BEEN HEADING.
169
00:09:54,833 --> 00:09:56,800
WELL, HE'S SHOWN ME
WHERE IT HAPPENED.
170
00:09:56,800 --> 00:09:58,300
I THINK WHAT I'VE GOT TO DO NOW
171
00:09:58,300 --> 00:10:00,033
IS ACTUALLY GET OUT
ON THE RIVER.
172
00:10:00,033 --> 00:10:03,567
I HAVE A SUSPICION THAT WHAT
THEY WERE FISHING FOR
173
00:10:03,567 --> 00:10:07,067
MAY SOMEHOW BE RESPONSIBLE
FOR THIS TRAGIC EVENT.
174
00:10:08,567 --> 00:10:10,900
THERE'S SOMETHING LURKING
IN THE RIVER
175
00:10:10,900 --> 00:10:12,833
THAT NO ONE
WANTS ME TO KNOW ABOUT.
176
00:10:12,833 --> 00:10:15,567
AND I WON'T LEAVE
UNTIL I'VE CAUGHT IT.
177
00:10:24,633 --> 00:10:28,000
I'M IN THE FAR EASTERN WILDS
OF RUSSIA
178
00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:30,300
INVESTIGATING A TRAGIC EVENT --
179
00:10:30,300 --> 00:10:34,400
THREE FISHERMEN WHO NEVER
RETURNED FROM A FISHING TRIP.
180
00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:37,600
I'VE BEEN GIVEN THE LOCATION
OF WHERE IT HAPPENED.
181
00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:40,367
MY INVESTIGATION
NEEDS TO BE THOROUGH.
182
00:10:40,367 --> 00:10:42,400
ONCE ALL THE OBVIOUS
POSSIBILITIES
183
00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:43,867
HAVE BEEN CROSSED OFF,
184
00:10:43,867 --> 00:10:46,933
I CAN TAKE A HARD LOOK
AT THE SUSPECTS IN THE WATER.
185
00:10:46,933 --> 00:10:49,400
AND SINCE I'VE NEVER
FISHED HERE BEFORE,
186
00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:51,200
I'VE NO IDEA WHAT'S DOWN THERE.
187
00:10:51,200 --> 00:10:53,300
THIS IS PRETTY MUCH
WHERE THE BOAT WENT DOWN.
188
00:10:53,300 --> 00:10:54,633
AND JUST LOOKING AROUND,
189
00:10:54,633 --> 00:10:56,333
THIS ISN'T THE OPEN SEA.
190
00:10:56,333 --> 00:10:58,000
THIS IS THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER.
191
00:10:58,000 --> 00:10:59,433
IT'S RELATIVELY SHELTERED.
192
00:10:59,433 --> 00:11:00,967
NOT ONLY THAT, I'M THINKING
193
00:11:00,967 --> 00:11:03,933
THAT IF THE PEOPLE ON BOARD WERE
EVEN SEMI-COMPETENT SWIMMERS,
194
00:11:03,933 --> 00:11:06,500
THEY WOULD HAVE HAD HALF
A CHANCE TO REACH THE SHORE.
195
00:11:06,500 --> 00:11:08,967
THE KNOWLEDGE
OF THESE FISHING GROUNDS
196
00:11:08,967 --> 00:11:11,967
WOULD HAVE BEEN HANDED DOWN
THROUGH GENERATIONS.
197
00:11:11,967 --> 00:11:13,767
THERE WAS SOMETHING ELSE
INVOLVED --
198
00:11:13,767 --> 00:11:15,533
NOT JUST THE WEATHER
AND THE WATER.
199
00:11:15,533 --> 00:11:20,333
SO WHAT THEY WERE FISHING FOR
HAS TO BE SOMEHOW RESPONSIBLE.
200
00:11:24,433 --> 00:11:26,433
SOME FISHERMEN
HAVE JUST STOPPED BY,
201
00:11:26,433 --> 00:11:29,567
AND THEY'VE GOT SOMETHING
IN A NET THEY WANT ME TO SEE.
202
00:11:32,667 --> 00:11:36,067
THEY'VE ASKED NOT TO HAVE
THEIR FACES SHOWN,
203
00:11:36,067 --> 00:11:40,267
FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT SOMETHING
SUSPICIOUS IS GOING ON HERE.
204
00:11:40,267 --> 00:11:44,067
PERHAPS THEY WERE POACHING,
BUT WHAT FOR?
205
00:11:53,133 --> 00:11:57,167
THIS IS A SEAL THAT'S GOT
DROWNED IN THE NET.
206
00:11:57,167 --> 00:11:59,067
I WASN'T EXPECTING THIS.
207
00:11:59,067 --> 00:12:02,900
I HAD IT IN MY MIND THAT
I WAS ABOUT TO SEE A FISH,
208
00:12:02,900 --> 00:12:06,100
BUT COULD A SEAL BE THE MONSTER
OF THE AMUR RIVER?
209
00:12:06,100 --> 00:12:08,433
BEARDED SEALS AVERAGE
600 POUNDS.
210
00:12:08,433 --> 00:12:10,400
TANGLED AND THRASHING IN A NET,
211
00:12:10,400 --> 00:12:13,667
THEY ARE EASILY BIG ENOUGH
TO DRAG A CARELESS FISHERMAN
212
00:12:13,667 --> 00:12:14,867
TO HIS DEATH.
213
00:12:14,867 --> 00:12:17,967
SO THERE'S LOTS OF THEM AROUND,
APPARENTLY,
214
00:12:17,967 --> 00:12:20,667
BUT MAINLY OUT IN THE MOUTH
OF THE RIVER.
215
00:12:20,667 --> 00:12:23,333
I ASK IF SEALS
CAUSE FISHING ACCIDENTS.
216
00:12:23,333 --> 00:12:26,933
THEY REPLY THAT THEY'VE NEVER
HEARD OF THAT HAPPENING.
217
00:12:26,933 --> 00:12:29,700
THE THING ABOUT NETS IS THEY ARE
QUITE SORT OF INDISCRIMINATE.
218
00:12:29,700 --> 00:12:31,800
THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY FISHING
FOR A LARGE ANIMAL,
219
00:12:31,800 --> 00:12:33,533
THE SIZE OF THOSE MESHES.
220
00:12:33,533 --> 00:12:35,500
FAR TOO BIG FOR SALMON.
221
00:12:35,500 --> 00:12:38,067
SO IF THEY WEREN'T TRYING
TO CATCH SEALS OR SALMON,
222
00:12:38,067 --> 00:12:39,833
THEN WHAT WERE
THEY FISHING FOR?
223
00:12:39,833 --> 00:12:43,500
AGAIN I CAN'T SEEM TO GET
AN ANSWER.
224
00:12:44,933 --> 00:12:47,467
ON THE SURFACE,
PEOPLE ARE HELPFUL,
225
00:12:47,467 --> 00:12:50,233
BUT ON ANOTHER LEVEL,
NO ONE IS TALKING.
226
00:12:50,233 --> 00:12:52,600
THIS PLACE
HAS A VEIL OF SECRECY
227
00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:55,400
THAT I NEED TO PENETRATE.
228
00:12:59,867 --> 00:13:03,533
FISH MARKETS USUALLY PROVIDE ME
WITH INFORMATION.
229
00:13:03,533 --> 00:13:05,333
WITH NONE AROUND,
230
00:13:05,333 --> 00:13:09,300
I HEAD INSTEAD
TO THE FISH PROCESSING PLANT.
231
00:13:11,833 --> 00:13:14,067
THE VAST SALMON POPULATIONS
232
00:13:14,067 --> 00:13:17,567
HAVE DRAWN NOT JUST PREDATORS
LIKE SEALS TO THE AMUR RIVER,
233
00:13:17,567 --> 00:13:20,733
BUT PEOPLE AS WELL.
234
00:13:20,733 --> 00:13:22,600
AND EVERYONE'S INVOLVED,
235
00:13:22,600 --> 00:13:27,067
YOUNG AND OLD, EVERY RACE
AND CULTURE IN THE WHOLE AREA.
236
00:13:27,067 --> 00:13:30,900
BUT INSTEAD OF FINDING ANSWERS,
MY SUSPICIONS ONLY DEEPEN.
237
00:13:30,900 --> 00:13:32,767
PEOPLE ARE FRIENDLY ENOUGH,
238
00:13:32,767 --> 00:13:36,467
BUT AGAIN NO ONE SEEMS TO WANT
TO GIVE ANYTHING AWAY.
239
00:13:36,467 --> 00:13:38,967
JUST WHAT IS GOING ON?
240
00:13:44,500 --> 00:13:47,433
SO ONCE AGAIN,
I USE MYSELF AS BAIT
241
00:13:47,433 --> 00:13:51,200
TO TRY AND GAIN THEIR TRUST.
242
00:13:51,200 --> 00:13:53,600
THERE ARE FISH
OFF THE FACTORY'S DOCK,
243
00:13:53,600 --> 00:13:55,733
BUT I'M NOT SEEING
ANY MONSTERS.
244
00:14:00,567 --> 00:14:02,100
IT'S NOT QUITE.
245
00:14:02,100 --> 00:14:05,600
IT'S A BIT ROACH-LIKE,
ABOUT 4 OR 5 OUNCES.
246
00:14:05,600 --> 00:14:07,400
AND IT WAS CAUGHT ON A HOOK
247
00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:10,533
WITH A LITTLE BIT
OF SILVER PAPER ATTACHED.
248
00:14:14,100 --> 00:14:16,067
FINALLY, THE PLANT'S MANAGER
249
00:14:16,067 --> 00:14:19,433
TELLS ME OF A FISH THAT LIVES
JUST OFF THE DOCK,
250
00:14:19,433 --> 00:14:22,333
A FISH BIG ENOUGH TO DESTROY
FISHERMEN'S TACKLE,
251
00:14:22,333 --> 00:14:24,767
SO IT'S NEVER BEEN CAUGHT.
252
00:14:24,767 --> 00:14:27,167
I TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE.
253
00:14:27,167 --> 00:14:30,633
IF THIS STORY IS RIGHT,
I'M NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES.
254
00:14:30,633 --> 00:14:33,367
I'M USING MY MONSTER ROD,
A WIRE TRACE,
255
00:14:33,367 --> 00:14:37,633
AND LINE WITH A BREAKING
STRAIN OF 200 POUNDS.
256
00:14:37,633 --> 00:14:40,933
THIS PLACE WOULD CERTAINLY
APPEAL TO A MONSTER --
257
00:14:40,933 --> 00:14:45,167
AN EASY, VAST, AND READY SUPPLY
OF FISH SCRAPS TO FEAST UPON.
258
00:14:45,167 --> 00:14:47,400
BUT WITH ALL THIS FREE FOOD,
259
00:14:47,400 --> 00:14:50,433
WILL IT FIND
MY OFFERING APPEALING?
260
00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:12,333
THE ANSWER RIGHT AFTER THIS.
261
00:15:29,933 --> 00:15:32,067
I'M IN THE FAR EAST OF RUSSIA
262
00:15:32,067 --> 00:15:35,667
ON THE 10th-LONGEST RIVER
IN THE WORLD, THE AMUR,
263
00:15:35,667 --> 00:15:38,267
A PERFECT HIDEOUT
FOR A MONSTER.
264
00:15:38,267 --> 00:15:40,667
MY ONLY LEAD,
ACCORDING TO THE PEOPLE
265
00:15:40,667 --> 00:15:42,933
WHO WORK HERE
IN THE SALMON PROCESSING PLANT,
266
00:15:42,933 --> 00:15:45,533
IS THAT A MONSTER FISH LIVES
JUST OFF THE DOCK,
267
00:15:45,533 --> 00:15:48,100
FATTENING UP FROM THE WASTE
FROM THE PLANT.
268
00:15:54,833 --> 00:15:57,300
A BITE.
269
00:15:57,300 --> 00:15:58,900
[ SIGHS ]
270
00:16:00,200 --> 00:16:02,433
IT'S ANOTHER SURPRISE.
271
00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:05,433
I'LL TRY AND SWING THIS IN.
272
00:16:05,433 --> 00:16:08,100
BASICALLY,
PUTTING A LUMP OF DEAD FISH
273
00:16:08,100 --> 00:16:11,067
OUT BY THE WASTE SHOOT
AT THE FISH FACTORY,
274
00:16:11,067 --> 00:16:14,167
AND I'LL JUST SEE
IF I CAN JUST SWING THIS IN.
275
00:16:17,067 --> 00:16:18,400
THAT'S A CATFISH.
276
00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:20,767
THAT LOOKS INCREDIBLY LIKE
A WELS CATFISH,
277
00:16:20,767 --> 00:16:24,533
BUT WELS CATFISH
DON'T EXIST OUT HERE.
278
00:16:24,533 --> 00:16:28,100
BUT THAT LOOKS LIKE
A VERY CLOSE RELATIVE ANYWAY.
279
00:16:28,100 --> 00:16:33,167
WELS CATFISH GROW VERY BIG --
200 POUNDS OR SO.
280
00:16:35,133 --> 00:16:37,567
IF THESE THINGS GROW
TO THAT KIND OF SIZE,
281
00:16:37,567 --> 00:16:39,067
THAT COULD BE THE CULPRIT.
282
00:16:39,067 --> 00:16:41,367
THAT COULD BE THE FISH
WE'RE LOOKING AT.
283
00:16:41,367 --> 00:16:46,567
I'VE CAUGHT GIANT WELS CATFISH
FROM THE RIVER EBRO IN SPAIN.
284
00:16:48,367 --> 00:16:51,667
FISH SO BIG, THEY NEARLY
PULLED ME INTO THE RIVER.
285
00:16:53,200 --> 00:16:55,067
SO, THIS IS A PREDATOR,
286
00:16:55,067 --> 00:16:58,833
AND THE REASON
IT'S HANGING OUT HERE, I GUESS,
287
00:16:58,833 --> 00:17:02,767
IS BECAUSE OF ALL THE FOOD,
ALL THE DEAD FISH.
288
00:17:02,767 --> 00:17:06,833
AND WITH THE ANNUAL RUN OF
SALMON EVERY YEAR, I DON'T KNOW,
289
00:17:06,833 --> 00:17:09,633
IT'S POSSIBLE THAT THIS SPECIES
290
00:17:09,633 --> 00:17:11,867
COULD GROW
TO AN INTERESTING SIZE.
291
00:17:11,867 --> 00:17:15,200
IT TURNS OUT THAT THERE ARE
TWO SPECIES OF CATFISH
292
00:17:15,200 --> 00:17:16,567
LIVING IN THE AMUR,
293
00:17:16,567 --> 00:17:19,567
AND ONE IS POTENTIALLY
A TRUE RIVER MONSTER.
294
00:17:19,567 --> 00:17:21,367
CALLED THE SOLDATOV CATFISH
295
00:17:21,367 --> 00:17:24,067
AFTER A FAMOUS
RUSSIAN FISH BIOLOGIST,
296
00:17:24,067 --> 00:17:26,667
IT'S SAID TO GROW
TO A SIMILAR SIZE
297
00:17:26,667 --> 00:17:29,500
AS THOSE INFAMOUS
WELS CATFISH FROM EUROPE
298
00:17:29,500 --> 00:17:31,467
THAT I'VE INVESTIGATED BEFORE.
299
00:17:31,467 --> 00:17:34,433
BUT VERY LITTLE
IS ACTUALLY KNOWN ABOUT IT.
300
00:17:34,433 --> 00:17:35,933
COULD A GIANT CATFISH,
301
00:17:35,933 --> 00:17:38,900
FATTENED ON THE FISH WASTE
FROM THIS PLANT,
302
00:17:38,900 --> 00:17:40,700
BE THE MONSTER OF THE AMUR?
303
00:17:44,267 --> 00:17:46,767
BUT IT'S NICE TO CATCH A FISH,
304
00:17:46,767 --> 00:17:50,267
AND A PREDATORY FISH,
OUT OF THIS RIVER.
305
00:17:50,267 --> 00:17:52,700
I'VE LITTLE DOUBT
THAT WHAT LIVES HERE
306
00:17:52,700 --> 00:17:54,933
AND SMASHES
THE FISHERMEN'S TACKLE
307
00:17:54,933 --> 00:17:57,567
IS A GIANT,
OVERFED ONE OF THESE.
308
00:17:57,567 --> 00:17:59,800
BUT IS IT RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE DISAPPEARANCE
309
00:17:59,800 --> 00:18:01,100
OF THREE FISHERMEN?
310
00:18:07,533 --> 00:18:09,133
TO GET MORE INFORMATION,
311
00:18:09,133 --> 00:18:14,267
ONE OF THE LADS TELLS ME
ABOUT A MAN CALLED MISHA.
312
00:18:14,267 --> 00:18:16,667
HE'S A HUNTER AND FISHERMAN,
313
00:18:16,667 --> 00:18:20,133
AND I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW
WHAT HE THINKS
314
00:18:20,133 --> 00:18:24,167
ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY
OF A SUPERSIZED CATFISH.
315
00:18:24,167 --> 00:18:26,167
[ SPEAKING RUSSIAN ]
316
00:18:33,533 --> 00:18:36,967
THIS IS A STORY THAT MISHA
HEARD ABOUT ON THE RIVER HERE.
317
00:18:36,967 --> 00:18:40,067
THERE WERE TWO FISHERMEN,
WENT OUT NETTING ONE DAY.
318
00:18:40,067 --> 00:18:42,867
NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY
ABOUT THAT.
319
00:18:42,867 --> 00:18:45,133
[ MEN LAUGHING ]
320
00:18:45,133 --> 00:18:47,133
BUT WHAT HAPPENED
IS THAT THEY GOT A VERY BIG FISH
321
00:18:47,133 --> 00:18:48,200
IN THEIR NET.
322
00:18:48,200 --> 00:18:50,667
AND HE SAYS
THIS WAS ABOUT 700 KILOS,
323
00:18:50,667 --> 00:18:52,800
ABOUT 1,500 POUNDS --
VERY LARGE FISH.
324
00:18:52,800 --> 00:18:56,767
AND THEY WERE TRYING TO PULL
THE NET IN WITH THE FISH IN IT,
325
00:18:56,767 --> 00:19:00,067
SO THEY WERE OVER ONE SIDE
OF THE BOAT.
326
00:19:04,833 --> 00:19:08,667
THIS FISH WAS SO BIG THAT
IT ACTUALLY FLIPPED THE BOAT,
327
00:19:08,667 --> 00:19:11,300
AND THEY FELL
INTO THE COLD WATER.
328
00:19:11,300 --> 00:19:14,067
THIS WAS IN LATE AUTUMN,
329
00:19:14,067 --> 00:19:16,200
AND THE WATER WAS SO COLD
THAT THEY ACTUALLY DIED.
330
00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:20,067
IT'S THE CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE
I NEEDED
331
00:19:20,067 --> 00:19:23,700
THAT THERE IS A FISH BIG ENOUGH
HERE TO DROWN FISHERMEN.
332
00:19:23,700 --> 00:19:27,767
THIS FISH THEY HAD IN THE NET,
WHAT KIND OF FISH WAS IT?
333
00:19:27,767 --> 00:19:31,833
BUT WHAT HE STARTS TO DESCRIBE
TO ME IS NO CATFISH.
334
00:19:31,833 --> 00:19:34,933
IT'S SOMETHING
EVEN MORE MONSTROUS.
335
00:19:48,600 --> 00:19:50,700
I'M IN THE EASTERN PART
OF RUSSIA
336
00:19:50,700 --> 00:19:52,333
TO FIND A RIVER MONSTER
337
00:19:52,333 --> 00:19:54,367
THAT CAUSED THE DEATH
OF THREE FISHERMEN.
338
00:19:54,367 --> 00:19:56,067
BUT WHAT IS IT?
339
00:19:56,067 --> 00:19:58,900
I'VE DISCOVERED THE PRESENCE
OF A GIANT CATFISH,
340
00:19:58,900 --> 00:20:02,233
AND I'VE JUST HEARD A REPORT
OF ANOTHER INCIDENT --
341
00:20:02,233 --> 00:20:04,633
TWO FISHERMEN WHO WERE DRAGGED
TO THEIR DEATHS
342
00:20:04,633 --> 00:20:06,967
BY A FISH OF STAGGERING SIZE.
343
00:20:10,833 --> 00:20:12,867
AND HE SAYS
IT'S A VERY BIG FISH,
344
00:20:12,867 --> 00:20:16,033
THIS ONE, ABOUT 1,500 POUNDS,
345
00:20:16,033 --> 00:20:20,967
A VERY POWERFUL FISH,
AND IT'S GOT A BIG MOUTH.
346
00:20:20,967 --> 00:20:24,133
1,500 POUNDS
IS A COLOSSAL SIZE.
347
00:20:24,133 --> 00:20:26,200
CAN YOU GIVE ME
SOME MORE DETAILS OF THIS FISH?
348
00:20:26,200 --> 00:20:27,467
CAN YOU DESCRIBE IT
TO ME?
349
00:20:27,467 --> 00:20:29,833
[ SPEAKING RUSSIAN ]
350
00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:41,233
BUT THE FISH HE'S DESCRIBING
IS NOT A CATFISH.
351
00:20:41,233 --> 00:20:44,100
IT'S SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY.
352
00:20:44,100 --> 00:20:46,467
WHAT HE'S SAYING
IS THAT IN BODY SHAPE,
353
00:20:46,467 --> 00:20:48,533
IT'S VERY REMINISCENT
OF A SHARK,
354
00:20:48,533 --> 00:20:51,033
EVEN THOUGH WE'RE TALKING
ABOUT A FISH HERE
355
00:20:51,033 --> 00:20:52,367
THAT LIVES UP RIVERS.
356
00:20:52,367 --> 00:20:55,767
HE SAYS ESPECIALLY THE TAIL --
THAT IS QUITE SHARKLIKE.
357
00:20:55,767 --> 00:20:58,633
BUT IT'S GOT, RUNNING DOWN
ITS BACK AND DOWN ITS SIDES,
358
00:20:58,633 --> 00:21:01,567
IT'S GOT ROWS OF SPIKES,
AND HE SAYS THEY'RE VERY SHARP
359
00:21:01,567 --> 00:21:04,833
AND YOU CAN HURT YOURSELF IF YOU
COME INTO CONTACT WITH THOSE.
360
00:21:04,833 --> 00:21:06,333
AND IT'S GOT A BIG MOUTH.
361
00:21:06,333 --> 00:21:09,867
THIS IS A PREDATORY FISH THAT
NORMALLY FEEDS ON OTHER FISH --
362
00:21:09,867 --> 00:21:12,133
ON SMALLER FISH.
363
00:21:12,133 --> 00:21:15,800
AND IT'S ALSO GOT THESE FEELERS
HANGING FROM ITS SNOUT.
364
00:21:15,800 --> 00:21:20,800
AND I PUT ALL OF THAT TOGETHER,
AND TO ME THAT SAYS STURGEON.
365
00:21:20,800 --> 00:21:22,367
BUT IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE
ANY STURGEON
366
00:21:22,367 --> 00:21:24,067
I'VE HEARD ABOUT BEFORE.
367
00:21:28,733 --> 00:21:33,133
THIS FISH THEY HAD IN THE NET,
WHAT KIND OF FISH WAS IT?
368
00:21:33,133 --> 00:21:35,367
[ SPEAKING RUSSIAN ]
369
00:21:38,833 --> 00:21:44,800
FINALLY, I HAVE A NAME
FOR MY CULPRIT -- KALUGA --
370
00:21:44,800 --> 00:21:50,167
A MONSTER FISH THAT HAS KILLED
FISHERMEN IN THE PAST.
371
00:21:50,167 --> 00:21:53,200
COULD THE THREE MEN
HAVE BEEN DROWNED
372
00:21:53,200 --> 00:21:57,067
TRYING TO WRESTLE A HUGE
STURGEON INTO THEIR BOAT?
373
00:21:57,067 --> 00:21:59,667
A 1,500-POUND MONSTER
374
00:21:59,667 --> 00:22:02,900
WOULD SURELY BE THE FISH
OF A LIFETIME.
375
00:22:02,900 --> 00:22:05,467
BUT CAN I CATCH ONE?
376
00:22:05,467 --> 00:22:08,400
AT LEAST NOW THAT I KNOW
WHAT I'M AFTER,
377
00:22:08,400 --> 00:22:10,767
I CAN PREPARE ACCORDINGLY.
378
00:22:12,733 --> 00:22:16,267
STURGEON HAVE LONG,
SENSITIVE NASAL FEELERS.
379
00:22:16,267 --> 00:22:18,933
SO RATHER THAN A WIRE TRACE,
380
00:22:18,933 --> 00:22:21,867
I USE A THIN, SUPER-TOUGH,
BRAIDED LINE
381
00:22:21,867 --> 00:22:23,700
THAT'S HARDER TO DETECT.
382
00:22:29,967 --> 00:22:33,933
FROM MY PREVIOUS STURGEON
FISHING EXPERIENCE IN THE U.S.,
383
00:22:33,933 --> 00:22:36,433
I KNOW THAT FISH --
WELL, NOT JUST STURGEON --
384
00:22:36,433 --> 00:22:38,500
ALL FISH WILL HANG OUT
IN DEEP WATER.
385
00:22:38,500 --> 00:22:41,100
IF YOU'VE GOT A SCOOP
ON THE BOTTOM,
386
00:22:41,100 --> 00:22:44,067
YOU TEND TO GET FOOD
WITH THE CURRENT COMING DOWN,
387
00:22:44,067 --> 00:22:46,067
AND IT DEPOSITS
AT THE UPSTREAM END.
388
00:22:46,067 --> 00:22:48,933
IT SORT OF TUMBLES AROUND
IN A SORT OF A VERTICAL EDDY.
389
00:22:48,933 --> 00:22:52,233
AND THAT'S THE PLACE WHERE ANY
FISH WOULD NATURALLY HANG OUT
390
00:22:52,233 --> 00:22:53,900
TO INTERCEPT FOOD COMING DOWN.
391
00:22:53,900 --> 00:22:57,433
OUT HERE ON THIS FAST RIVER,
THE DANGERS ARE TANGIBLE.
392
00:22:57,433 --> 00:22:58,900
IT'S INCREDIBLY DEEP,
393
00:22:58,900 --> 00:23:01,867
AND THE CURRENT IS STRONGER
THAN IT LOOKS.
394
00:23:01,867 --> 00:23:05,300
IT'S A PLACE THAT CAN AND HAS
SWALLOWED UP FISHERMEN
395
00:23:05,300 --> 00:23:06,833
AND LEFT LITTLE TRACE.
396
00:23:06,833 --> 00:23:09,800
BUMP ON THE BOTTOM IN A SEC.
397
00:23:09,800 --> 00:23:12,933
I CAN JUST FEEL THAT BUMPING
ON THE BOTTOM.
398
00:23:12,933 --> 00:23:15,067
BUMP.
399
00:23:15,067 --> 00:23:17,133
BUMP.
[ REEL CLICKS ]
400
00:23:18,367 --> 00:23:22,267
STURGEON HAVE BEEN ON EARTH
FOR 200 MILLION YEARS
401
00:23:22,267 --> 00:23:26,067
AND HAVE HARDLY CHANGED SINCE
THE TIME OF THE DINOSAURS.
402
00:23:26,067 --> 00:23:29,167
INDIVIDUALS CAN LIVE
AS LONG AS 100 YEARS.
403
00:23:29,167 --> 00:23:31,700
KNOWING WHAT I KNOW
ABOUT STURGEON,
404
00:23:31,700 --> 00:23:33,533
I'M PREPARING FOR ANYTHING.
405
00:23:33,533 --> 00:23:36,767
I'VE CAUGHT A 300-POUND
WHITE STURGEON IN OREGON
406
00:23:36,767 --> 00:23:39,700
WHICH TOOK ME OVER HALF AN HOUR
TO GET IN.
407
00:23:39,700 --> 00:23:41,433
WHITE STURGEON ARE HUGE,
408
00:23:41,433 --> 00:23:44,267
BUT KALUGA APPARENTLY CAN GET
EVEN BIGGER.
409
00:23:44,267 --> 00:23:45,800
THERE WE GO.
THERE WE GO.
410
00:23:45,800 --> 00:23:46,967
THERE WE GO.
411
00:23:46,967 --> 00:23:48,967
THERE WE GO.
412
00:23:48,967 --> 00:23:52,500
WHITE STURGEON CAN WEIGH
AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT,
413
00:23:52,500 --> 00:23:55,567
BUT KALUGA APPARENTLY CAN WEIGH
EVEN MORE.
414
00:23:55,567 --> 00:23:57,600
THE BIGGEST KALUGA ON RECORD
415
00:23:57,600 --> 00:24:01,867
TIPPED THE SCALES
AT A STAGGERING 2,205 POUNDS,
416
00:24:01,867 --> 00:24:05,533
BIGGER THAN THE HEAVIEST
RECORDED WHITE STURGEON.
417
00:24:05,533 --> 00:24:07,300
THEY HAVE THE POTENTIAL
418
00:24:07,300 --> 00:24:10,833
OF BEING THE BIGGEST
RIVER MONSTER OF ALL TIME.
419
00:24:10,833 --> 00:24:13,833
BUT TO CATCH ONE,
I'M GOING TO HAVE TO CHANGE
420
00:24:13,833 --> 00:24:18,500
THE TACTICS I'D NORMALLY USE
FOR HUNTING STURGEON.
421
00:24:18,500 --> 00:24:20,900
MOST STURGEON SPECIES
HAVE A MOUTH
422
00:24:20,900 --> 00:24:23,633
SHAPED FOR FEEDING
ON THE BOTTOM.
423
00:24:25,067 --> 00:24:28,567
BUT THE KALUGA IS UNIQUE
IN THE STURGEON WORLD.
424
00:24:28,567 --> 00:24:30,967
IT'S AN ACTIVE PREDATOR.
425
00:24:30,967 --> 00:24:34,833
WITH A FORWARD-OPENING MOUTH,
IT HUNTS SALMON AND OTHER FISH,
426
00:24:34,833 --> 00:24:37,800
ENGULFING THEM
IN ITS CAVERNOUS JAWS.
427
00:24:37,800 --> 00:24:40,133
I'M JUST GONNA TRY SOMETHING
A BIT DIFFERENT.
428
00:24:40,133 --> 00:24:41,933
I'M GONNA TRY
AN ARTIFICIAL LURE.
429
00:24:41,933 --> 00:24:44,800
BECAUSE THE KALUGA IS
A PREDATOR, IT EATS SMALL FISH,
430
00:24:44,800 --> 00:24:46,400
I PUT SOMETHING ON WHICH --
431
00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:49,333
WELL, THAT'S GONNA VAGUELY
RESEMBLE SOMETHING ALIVE
432
00:24:49,333 --> 00:24:50,800
DOWN THERE ON THE BOTTOM.
433
00:24:50,800 --> 00:24:53,667
IT'S SORT OF A CARICATURE
OF A FISH, THIS, REALLY.
434
00:24:53,667 --> 00:24:55,467
I'M GONNA LET IT FALL DOWN
TO THE BOTTOM.
435
00:24:55,467 --> 00:24:57,067
WE'RE GONNA DRIFT
WITH THE CURRENT,
436
00:24:57,067 --> 00:24:58,900
AND I'M JUST GONNA LIFT THE ROD
UP AND DOWN.
437
00:24:58,900 --> 00:25:01,233
SO THIS IS JUST GONNA FLUTTER,
PARTICULARLY THIS TAIL.
438
00:25:01,233 --> 00:25:03,067
IT'S GONNA FLUTTER IN THE WATER.
439
00:25:03,067 --> 00:25:06,667
AND IT SHOULD ATTRACT -- JUST
THE MOVEMENT AND THE VIBRATION.
440
00:25:06,667 --> 00:25:09,933
IT'S THE KIND OF THING
THAT WILL ATTRACT THE ATTENTION
441
00:25:09,933 --> 00:25:11,100
OF A PREDATOR.
442
00:25:21,667 --> 00:25:22,967
SUDDENLY, IT STRIKES ME
443
00:25:22,967 --> 00:25:25,367
THAT THERE ARE NO OTHER
FISHERMEN OUT HERE,
444
00:25:25,367 --> 00:25:28,933
AND NOW I FIND OUT WHY.
445
00:25:28,933 --> 00:25:31,067
RIVER POLICE.
446
00:25:37,667 --> 00:25:41,633
I'M POLITELY TOLD THAT FISHING
FOR KALUGA IS ILLEGAL.
447
00:25:41,633 --> 00:25:43,533
IF I HAD CAUGHT ANYTHING,
448
00:25:43,533 --> 00:25:46,267
I'D HAVE BEEN
IN SERIOUS TROUBLE.
449
00:25:46,267 --> 00:25:50,200
JUST AS I'M STARTING TO MAKE
HEADWAY IN THIS INVESTIGATION,
450
00:25:50,200 --> 00:25:52,200
THIS IS A REAL BLOW.
451
00:25:52,200 --> 00:25:55,200
HERE, THERE'S NO CONCEPT
OF CATCH AND RELEASE.
452
00:25:55,200 --> 00:25:57,533
I HAVE TO STOP FISHING.
453
00:25:59,233 --> 00:26:03,200
THIS WOULD EXPLAIN WHY PEOPLE
HAVEN'T BEEN TALKING.
454
00:26:03,200 --> 00:26:05,133
THEY WERE BREAKING THE LAW.
455
00:26:05,133 --> 00:26:07,633
WHY ARE PEOPLE WILLING
TO RISK THEIR FREEDOM
456
00:26:07,633 --> 00:26:09,667
JUST TO CATCH A FISH?
457
00:26:18,400 --> 00:26:21,367
TO UNRAVEL THIS MYSTERY,
I GO TO TALK TO THE HEAD
458
00:26:21,367 --> 00:26:24,133
OF THE WILDLIFE PROTECTION
AUTHORITY IN THIS REGION.
459
00:26:24,133 --> 00:26:26,467
HIS NAME IS VALENTIN.
460
00:26:28,300 --> 00:26:29,333
[ SPEAKING RUSSIAN ]
461
00:26:29,333 --> 00:26:30,400
GOOD DAY.
462
00:26:30,400 --> 00:26:31,733
[ BOTH CHUCKLE ]
463
00:26:31,733 --> 00:26:35,733
CAN YOU TELL ME,
ARE THERE MANY IN THE RIVER?
464
00:26:35,733 --> 00:26:38,967
[ SPEAKING RUSSIAN ]
465
00:26:38,967 --> 00:26:42,800
HE TELLS ME THE AMUR
WAS ONCE FULL OF THESE GIANTS.
466
00:26:46,300 --> 00:26:48,933
THE SITUATION IN THE SOVIET ERA
467
00:26:48,933 --> 00:26:52,433
IS THAT THERE WAS A BAN
ON FISHING FOR KALUGA.
468
00:26:52,433 --> 00:26:56,700
BUT IN THE '90s, WITH
THE COLLAPSE OF THE U.S.S.R.,
469
00:26:56,700 --> 00:27:00,167
THIS REGION SAW SOMETHING
OF A FREE-FOR-ALL.
470
00:27:00,167 --> 00:27:04,067
AND APPARENTLY, KALUGA
CAME UNDER RELENTLESS ATTACK.
471
00:27:04,067 --> 00:27:06,500
THE KALUGA
HAS NEARLY BEEN WIPED OUT.
472
00:27:06,500 --> 00:27:09,133
WHY IS IT THAT PEOPLE
KEEP FISHING FOR THEM?
473
00:27:09,133 --> 00:27:12,400
WHAT MAKES IT SO VALUABLE,
SO ATTRACTIVE TO THE POACHERS?
474
00:27:12,400 --> 00:27:15,300
[ SPEAKING RUSSIAN ]
475
00:27:18,400 --> 00:27:20,600
JUST GETTING MY HEAD
AROUND THE NUMBERS HERE.
476
00:27:20,600 --> 00:27:22,767
THE THING THAT'S DRIVING
THIS WHOLE SITUATION
477
00:27:22,767 --> 00:27:24,067
IS THE EGGS OF THE KALUGA.
478
00:27:24,067 --> 00:27:28,200
THIS IS A TYPE OF STURGEON,
AND IT CARRIES CAVIAR.
479
00:27:28,200 --> 00:27:31,067
ABOUT 13% TO 14%
OF THE BODY WEIGHT
480
00:27:31,067 --> 00:27:34,767
OF A MATURE FEMALE FISH
IS CAVIAR.
481
00:27:34,767 --> 00:27:40,633
APPARENTLY, TODAY IN MOSCOW,
ONE KILO, TWO POUNDS OF CAVIAR,
482
00:27:40,633 --> 00:27:44,500
ARE GONNA BRING IN
ABOUT 500 U.S. DOLLARS.
483
00:27:44,500 --> 00:27:47,800
TO A FISHERMAN,
THIS IS LIKE STRIKING GOLD.
484
00:27:47,800 --> 00:27:50,333
FOR A SALMON FISHERMAN HERE,
485
00:27:50,333 --> 00:27:54,067
JUST ONE KALUGA
COULD BRING THEM THE SAME MONEY
486
00:27:54,067 --> 00:27:57,133
AS WORKING FOR 3 1/2 YEARS
SALMON FISHING.
487
00:27:57,133 --> 00:28:00,367
SO, I MEAN, YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY
UNDERSTAND THE TEMPTATION.
488
00:28:00,367 --> 00:28:05,067
AND GIVEN THIS LEVEL
OF MOTIVATION,
489
00:28:05,067 --> 00:28:07,133
VALENTIN IS JUST NOT OPTIMISTIC
AT ALL
490
00:28:07,133 --> 00:28:09,333
ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE KALUGA
IN THIS RIVER.
491
00:28:09,333 --> 00:28:13,300
IT DOES SEEM VERY MUCH
AS IF THE FISH HERE IS DOOMED.
492
00:28:13,300 --> 00:28:18,233
LATER, I FIND OUT JUST HOW BAD
THIS PROBLEM REALLY IS.
493
00:28:18,233 --> 00:28:21,533
BECAUSE OF THE HIGH VALUE
OF CAVIAR ON THE BLACK MARKET,
494
00:28:21,533 --> 00:28:25,100
POACHING IS RUN BY MAFIA-STYLE
ORGANIZED CRIME.
495
00:28:25,100 --> 00:28:26,400
PEOPLE WOULDN'T TALK
496
00:28:26,400 --> 00:28:30,567
BECAUSE THEY WERE SCARED
OF THE REPERCUSSIONS.
497
00:28:30,567 --> 00:28:32,633
[ GULLS CRYING ]
498
00:28:34,067 --> 00:28:36,667
COULD THE THREE FISHERMEN
WHO DISAPPEARED
499
00:28:36,667 --> 00:28:39,733
HAVE COME ACROSS
ONE OF THE LAST GIANTS
500
00:28:39,733 --> 00:28:43,600
AND IN THE ENSUING BATTLE,
LOST THEIR LIVES?
501
00:28:43,600 --> 00:28:45,900
AND PERHAPS
THE BIGGEST QUESTION --
502
00:28:45,900 --> 00:28:49,467
ARE THERE ANY KALUGA STURGEON
LEFT IN THE AMUR AT ALL?
503
00:28:49,467 --> 00:28:53,067
I'M FINDING MYSELF
IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION.
504
00:28:53,067 --> 00:28:56,367
I WANT TO SEE IF THERE ARE
ANY MONSTERS OUT THERE,
505
00:28:56,367 --> 00:28:58,967
BUT THE KALUGA IS PROTECTED.
506
00:28:58,967 --> 00:29:00,833
THERE'S A POSSIBLE WAY
AROUND THIS.
507
00:29:00,833 --> 00:29:02,067
PEOPLE HERE HAVE SAID
508
00:29:02,067 --> 00:29:05,867
THAT I COULD GO
AND CATCH ONE BY ACCIDENT.
509
00:29:05,867 --> 00:29:07,800
BUT TECHNICALLY,
THIS WOULD BE POACHING,
510
00:29:07,800 --> 00:29:10,067
EVEN THOUGH I'D BE PUTTING
THE FISH BACK ALIVE.
511
00:29:10,067 --> 00:29:13,667
BUT TO CATCH ONE LIKE THIS
WOULD BE MORALLY WRONG.
512
00:29:13,667 --> 00:29:15,067
I'M HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD.
513
00:29:15,067 --> 00:29:17,133
I'VE GOT THE BOAT,
I'VE GOT THE FISHING GEAR,
514
00:29:17,133 --> 00:29:18,933
I'VE GOT THE FOOD --
EVERYTHING I NEED --
515
00:29:18,933 --> 00:29:21,933
AND I'M JUST SO RELUCTANT TO
GIVE UP, HAVING COME THIS FAR.
516
00:29:21,933 --> 00:29:23,833
SO I'VE BEEN
LOOKING INTO WAYS --
517
00:29:23,833 --> 00:29:26,233
IS THERE ANY WAY
I CAN JUST CIRCUMVENT THIS?
518
00:29:26,233 --> 00:29:28,667
AND I THINK I'VE FOUND A WAY.
519
00:29:28,667 --> 00:29:32,367
VALENTIN HAS PUT ME IN TOUCH
WITH A TEAM OF SCIENTISTS HERE
520
00:29:32,367 --> 00:29:35,100
MONITORING FISH STOCKS
ON THE AMUR.
521
00:29:35,100 --> 00:29:36,933
THEY'VE ALLOWED ME
TO JOIN THEM.
522
00:29:36,933 --> 00:29:40,300
THIS IS MY ONLY CHANCE
OF SEEING A KALUGA --
523
00:29:40,300 --> 00:29:42,667
IF, OF COURSE,
THERE ARE ANY LEFT.
524
00:29:44,833 --> 00:29:47,800
BUT THE FIRST THING I WITNESS
IS NOT A FISH
525
00:29:47,800 --> 00:29:49,733
BUT CLEAR PROOF THAT POACHERS
526
00:29:49,733 --> 00:29:52,667
HAVEN'T GIVEN UP
ON TRYING TO FIND KALUGA.
527
00:29:59,633 --> 00:30:04,000
TWO BOATS GOING AT HIGH SPEED,
528
00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:06,400
ONE AFTER THE OTHER,
ON THE OTHER SIDE.
529
00:30:06,400 --> 00:30:10,300
AND APPARENTLY THAT IS A POLICE
BOAT CHASING SOME POACHERS.
530
00:30:10,300 --> 00:30:14,500
AND AT THE MOMENT, I THINK
THE POACHERS ARE GETTING AWAY.
531
00:30:14,500 --> 00:30:17,833
THE DISTANCE BETWEEN
THE TWO BOATS IS LENGTHENING.
532
00:30:17,833 --> 00:30:20,100
THE THING ABOUT THE VALUE
OF CAVIAR
533
00:30:20,100 --> 00:30:22,567
IS THAT WITH THE PROFITS
THAT YOU MAKE,
534
00:30:22,567 --> 00:30:26,067
YOU CAN AFFORD A FASTER BOAT
THAN WHAT THE POLICE HAVE GOT.
535
00:30:26,067 --> 00:30:27,667
OUT HERE ON THIS VAST RIVER,
536
00:30:27,667 --> 00:30:30,733
TRYING TO CATCH ANYTHING
IS GOING TO BE HARD ENOUGH.
537
00:30:30,733 --> 00:30:32,667
BUT SOMETHING AS RARE
AS A KALUGA
538
00:30:32,667 --> 00:30:34,733
IS GOING TO BE
ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.
539
00:30:34,733 --> 00:30:37,967
BUT THEN, THEY SAY THAT ABOUT
MANY FISH I GO IN SEARCH OF.
540
00:30:40,600 --> 00:30:43,067
A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO FISH
WITH LINE ALL THE TIME
541
00:30:43,067 --> 00:30:45,467
HAVE THIS IDEA THAT FISHING
WITH NETS IS VERY EASY --
542
00:30:45,467 --> 00:30:48,500
YOU JUST PUT THE NET OUT
AND YOU EMPTY OUT THE RIVER.
543
00:30:48,500 --> 00:30:50,767
BUT IT'S ACTUALLY
QUITE TECHNICAL.
544
00:30:50,767 --> 00:30:53,600
IF THERE'S TREES,
OTHER SNAGS ON THE BOTTOM,
545
00:30:53,600 --> 00:30:55,167
THEY'LL CATCH ONTO THOSE,
546
00:30:55,167 --> 00:30:58,033
BUT ALSO, ON THE BOAT,
YOU'RE FEEDING IT OUT.
547
00:30:58,033 --> 00:31:00,133
IT CAN CATCH ONTO BITS
OF THE BOAT,
548
00:31:00,133 --> 00:31:01,367
HENCE THE CLOTH THERE,
549
00:31:01,367 --> 00:31:03,467
BUT ALSO BITS OF CLOTHING
AS WELL --
550
00:31:03,467 --> 00:31:04,900
BUTTONS, THINGS LIKE THAT.
551
00:31:04,900 --> 00:31:06,667
I'M ONLY ALLOWED TO DO THIS
552
00:31:06,667 --> 00:31:09,633
BECAUSE I'M WITH A LICENSED
SCIENTIFIC TEAM.
553
00:31:09,633 --> 00:31:12,200
BUT AS WE WAIT
FOR A CHANCE ENCOUNTER
554
00:31:12,200 --> 00:31:14,133
WITH ONE OF THESE RARE GIANTS,
555
00:31:14,133 --> 00:31:17,467
I'M ABOUT TO WITNESS
ANOTHER SIDE TO THIS DISASTER.
556
00:31:34,767 --> 00:31:39,067
I'M IN RUSSIA TRACKING DOWN
A NEW RIVER MONSTER,
557
00:31:39,067 --> 00:31:41,400
A HUGE STURGEON
CALLED THE KALUGA.
558
00:31:41,400 --> 00:31:43,100
BUT I'VE DISCOVERED THESE FISH
559
00:31:43,100 --> 00:31:44,867
HAVE BEEN PUSHED TO THE EDGE
OF EXTINCTION
560
00:31:44,867 --> 00:31:47,933
BY MAFIA-STYLE ORGANIZED CRIME.
561
00:31:47,933 --> 00:31:51,067
MY ONLY CHANCE TO ENCOUNTER
ONE OF THESE MONSTERS
562
00:31:51,067 --> 00:31:52,867
IS WITH A TEAM OF SCIENTISTS.
563
00:31:52,867 --> 00:31:56,067
BUT SOMETHING'S WRONG OUT HERE
ON THE RIVER.
564
00:31:58,967 --> 00:32:00,467
THIS IS ACTUALLY QUITE SPOOKY.
565
00:32:00,467 --> 00:32:02,200
IT LOOKS LIKE A MIGRATION
OF FISH.
566
00:32:02,200 --> 00:32:04,633
THERE'S ALL THESE FINS
STICKING OUT OF THE WATER.
567
00:32:04,633 --> 00:32:06,600
AND WHAT IT IS,
IT'S SALMON UPSIDE DOWN
568
00:32:06,600 --> 00:32:08,700
AND THEIR TAIL FINS
BREAKING THE SURFACE,
569
00:32:08,700 --> 00:32:12,067
AND THEY'RE ALL SORT OF DRIFTING
DOWN WITH THE CURRENT.
570
00:32:12,067 --> 00:32:13,533
AND THEY'RE ALL DEAD.
571
00:32:13,533 --> 00:32:17,067
OF COURSE, IT'S NORMAL FOR
SALMON TO DIE AFTER SPAWNING.
572
00:32:17,067 --> 00:32:19,667
I WONDER IF THAT'S
WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE.
573
00:32:21,833 --> 00:32:24,567
EVEN MORE OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING
TOO MANY OF.
574
00:32:28,067 --> 00:32:29,700
DEAD SALMON.
575
00:32:29,700 --> 00:32:30,900
AND A LOT OF THEM NOW
576
00:32:30,900 --> 00:32:33,300
IN FAIRLY ADVANCED STAGES
OF DECOMPOSITION,
577
00:32:33,300 --> 00:32:35,433
WHICH SOMETIMES
MAKES THEM FALL APART
578
00:32:35,433 --> 00:32:37,067
AND NICELY GO THROUGH THE NET.
579
00:32:37,067 --> 00:32:39,833
OTHER TIMES, YOU JUST GET
ENDLESS, SMELLY FRAGMENTS
580
00:32:39,833 --> 00:32:41,167
JUST ALL OVER THE PLACE.
581
00:32:41,167 --> 00:32:43,400
JUST SEEING
ALL THESE DEAD FISH --
582
00:32:43,400 --> 00:32:46,200
I MEAN, IT'S UNPLEASANT JUST
FROM A VISCERAL POINT OF VIEW,
583
00:32:46,200 --> 00:32:48,400
JUST THE SMELL OF DEATH.
584
00:32:48,400 --> 00:32:52,067
THIS ONE IS...
585
00:32:52,067 --> 00:32:54,667
PRETTY HORRIBLE.
586
00:32:54,667 --> 00:32:56,400
THAT WAS A MALE FISH.
587
00:32:56,400 --> 00:32:58,133
IT LOOKED LIKE THAT FISH
HADN'T SPAWNED.
588
00:32:58,133 --> 00:33:01,900
AND THE MORE WE SET OUR NETS,
THE MORE I GET THE FEELING
589
00:33:01,900 --> 00:33:05,467
THAT SOMETHING OUT OF THE
ORDINARY IS HAPPENING HERE.
590
00:33:05,467 --> 00:33:07,633
SOME OF THE ONES
THAT HAVE ACTUALLY BROKEN OPEN
591
00:33:07,633 --> 00:33:09,067
'CAUSE THEY'RE SO DECOMPOSED --
592
00:33:09,067 --> 00:33:10,700
THEY'VE STILL GOT
LOTS OF EGGS IN.
593
00:33:10,700 --> 00:33:12,633
SO THIS ISN'T NORMAL.
594
00:33:12,633 --> 00:33:14,933
NORMALLY, DEAD SALMON
HAVE NO EGGS.
595
00:33:14,933 --> 00:33:17,833
THEY'VE SOWED THE SEEDS
OF THE NEXT GENERATION.
596
00:33:17,833 --> 00:33:20,633
BUT...
597
00:33:20,633 --> 00:33:23,067
THIS ISN'T A NORMAL SITUATION.
598
00:33:23,067 --> 00:33:25,300
THERE'S SOMETHING GOING ON HERE.
599
00:33:31,933 --> 00:33:34,500
BACK AT THE SCIENTISTS'
RESEARCH VESSEL,
600
00:33:34,500 --> 00:33:36,200
TAKING A BREAK FROM NETTING,
601
00:33:36,200 --> 00:33:39,067
I FIND SOME SALMON STILL ALIVE
CLOSE TO SHORE
602
00:33:39,067 --> 00:33:40,700
AND DECIDE TO PERFORM A TEST
603
00:33:40,700 --> 00:33:43,800
USING A THERMOMETER BORROWED
FROM THE SCIENTISTS.
604
00:33:49,533 --> 00:33:53,433
SO THERE'S A VERY DRAMATIC
DIFFERENCE IN WATER TEMPERATURE.
605
00:33:53,433 --> 00:33:55,433
I COULD FELL IT WITH MY HANDS,
606
00:33:55,433 --> 00:33:57,800
BUT ACCORDING
TO THE THERMOMETER,
607
00:33:57,800 --> 00:34:01,100
IN THE STREAM, THE WATER
WAS 10 DEGREES CELSIUS.
608
00:34:01,100 --> 00:34:03,533
49 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT...
609
00:34:03,533 --> 00:34:05,433
AT THE MOUTH OF THE STREAM,
610
00:34:05,433 --> 00:34:08,600
WHERE THE SALMON
ARE MILLING AROUND, IS 15.
611
00:34:08,600 --> 00:34:10,833
58 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT...
612
00:34:10,833 --> 00:34:12,633
AND THEN HERE,
613
00:34:12,633 --> 00:34:15,233
AT THE SIDE OF THE RIVER, WHERE
THE DEAD SALMON ARE, IS 25.
614
00:34:15,233 --> 00:34:17,833
76 DEGREES.
615
00:34:17,833 --> 00:34:20,367
THAT'S A MASSIVE
OVERALL DIFFERENCE
616
00:34:20,367 --> 00:34:22,933
OF 27 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
617
00:34:24,733 --> 00:34:27,100
I MEAN, THAT'S JUST
SUCH A DIFFERENCE,
618
00:34:27,100 --> 00:34:30,333
AND THE DIFFERENCE IT MAKES TO
THE FISH, AGAIN, VERY GRAPHIC --
619
00:34:30,333 --> 00:34:32,400
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
BEING ALIVE AND BEING DEAD.
620
00:34:32,400 --> 00:34:34,067
THE SCIENTISTS TELL ME
621
00:34:34,067 --> 00:34:36,567
THAT THE TEMPERATURE
IN THE RIVER
622
00:34:36,567 --> 00:34:40,633
SHOULD BE ABOUT THE SAME AS IT
IS IN THE SPRING-FED STREAM.
623
00:34:40,633 --> 00:34:42,433
BUT BEFORE I ARRIVED,
624
00:34:42,433 --> 00:34:46,167
THIS REGION HAD THE BIGGEST
HEAT WAVE IN LIVING MEMORY,
625
00:34:46,167 --> 00:34:48,633
MAKING THE RIVER
TEMPERATURE SOAR
626
00:34:48,633 --> 00:34:51,333
TO A LEVEL
THAT SALMON CAN'T SURVIVE.
627
00:34:53,833 --> 00:34:56,767
IS THIS DISASTER A RESULT
OF GLOBAL WARMING?
628
00:34:56,767 --> 00:35:00,233
THE SCIENTISTS DON'T KNOW,
BUT WITHOUT A FOOD SUPPLY,
629
00:35:00,233 --> 00:35:03,400
IT'S ANOTHER NAIL
IN THE KALUGA'S COFFIN.
630
00:35:05,567 --> 00:35:08,400
I ASK VICTOR,
ONE OF THE SCIENTISTS,
631
00:35:08,400 --> 00:35:09,933
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME
632
00:35:09,933 --> 00:35:12,800
HE SAW A MONSTER KALUGA
FROM THIS RIVER?
633
00:35:12,800 --> 00:35:15,600
[ SPEAKING RUSSIAN ]
634
00:35:18,067 --> 00:35:21,067
SO, VICTOR GREW UP
ON THE BANKS OF THIS RIVER --
635
00:35:21,067 --> 00:35:22,700
ON THE BANKS OF THE AMUR --
636
00:35:22,700 --> 00:35:25,667
HAS BEEN FISHING HERE
SINCE HE WAS A SMALL BOY.
637
00:35:25,667 --> 00:35:29,567
THE BIGGEST KALUGA HE'S SEEN
WAS ABOUT 1,300 POUNDS.
638
00:35:29,567 --> 00:35:33,933
THE BIGGEST ONE HE'S CAUGHT
HIMSELF WAS ABOUT 1,200 POUNDS.
639
00:35:33,933 --> 00:35:37,200
AND THE FISH THAT LENGTH,
HE SAYS, IS ABOUT 16 FEET LONG.
640
00:35:37,200 --> 00:35:39,600
AND HE REMEMBERS --
THIS IS INTERESTING --
641
00:35:39,600 --> 00:35:41,067
FISHERMEN ARE LIKE THIS --
642
00:35:41,067 --> 00:35:43,067
HE REMEMBERS THE EXACT DATE
THAT IT WAS CAUGHT --
643
00:35:43,067 --> 00:35:45,267
ON THE 6th OF AUGUST 1981.
644
00:35:45,267 --> 00:35:46,900
IT'S BEEN MORE THAN 30 YEARS
645
00:35:46,900 --> 00:35:49,367
SINCE HE CAUGHT
A MONSTER KALUGA HERE,
646
00:35:49,367 --> 00:35:52,200
BUT HE GOES ON
TO TELL ME A STORY
647
00:35:52,200 --> 00:35:53,600
THAT COULD PROVIDE A CLUE
648
00:35:53,600 --> 00:35:56,700
TO EXPLAIN THE MYSTERY
OF THE MISSING FISHERMEN.
649
00:36:00,067 --> 00:36:02,933
ABOUT 40 YEARS AGO, THERE WAS
A FISHERMAN FROM HIS VILLAGE
650
00:36:02,933 --> 00:36:06,500
WHO WENT OUT ONE DAY
SETTING HOOKS.
651
00:36:06,500 --> 00:36:08,200
VERY INTERESTING TECHNIQUE.
652
00:36:08,200 --> 00:36:10,467
THESE HOOKS HAVE NO BAIT
ON THEM.
653
00:36:10,467 --> 00:36:14,067
THEN FISH WILL ACTUALLY BUMP
INTO THE LINE, GET CAUGHT UP.
654
00:36:14,067 --> 00:36:19,067
AND THIS FISHERMAN WENT OUT
ON HIS OWN TO PULL IN THE LINE,
655
00:36:19,067 --> 00:36:21,333
AND HE DIDN'T COME BACK.
656
00:36:25,633 --> 00:36:27,700
WHEN THEY RECOVERED THE BOAT,
657
00:36:27,700 --> 00:36:29,533
THEY WERE ABLE
TO PIECE TOGETHER
658
00:36:29,533 --> 00:36:30,767
WHAT PROBABLY HAPPENED.
659
00:36:30,767 --> 00:36:31,900
YEAH.
THANK YOU.
660
00:36:35,433 --> 00:36:38,167
THE MAN MUST HAVE BEEN
RETRIEVING THE LONG LINE.
661
00:36:38,167 --> 00:36:40,633
LONG LINES CAN BE
HUNDREDS OF YARDS LONG,
662
00:36:40,633 --> 00:36:42,733
WITH HOOKS
AT REGULAR INTERVALS.
663
00:36:46,900 --> 00:36:50,067
SOMEWHERE ON THE LINE
WAS A KALUGA.
664
00:36:52,767 --> 00:36:55,167
AS IT FELT ITSELF BEING PULLED
TOWARDS THE SURFACE,
665
00:36:55,167 --> 00:36:56,300
IT PANICKED.
666
00:36:58,833 --> 00:37:01,633
IN A FLASH,
THE TABLES WERE TURNED.
667
00:37:04,200 --> 00:37:06,067
AS THE FISH TOOK OUT MORE LINE,
668
00:37:06,067 --> 00:37:08,167
SEVERAL OF
THE ALREADY RETRIEVED,
669
00:37:08,167 --> 00:37:10,833
6-INCH SHARPENED HOOKS
STUCK THE FISHERMAN.
670
00:37:12,367 --> 00:37:14,667
UNABLE TO FREE HIMSELF,
671
00:37:14,667 --> 00:37:17,500
THE MAN WAS DRAGGED
TO HIS DEATH.
672
00:37:23,933 --> 00:37:27,833
THIS STORY HAS EERIE ECHOES
OF A CASE I INVESTIGATED
673
00:37:27,833 --> 00:37:31,533
IN THE CONGO LOOKING
FOR THE SUNI, A GIANT CATFISH.
674
00:37:31,533 --> 00:37:33,667
BUT EVEN THE BIGGEST OF THESE
675
00:37:33,667 --> 00:37:37,700
WOULD BE DWARFED BY THE KALUGA
I'M HUNTING FOR HERE.
676
00:37:37,700 --> 00:37:40,633
THAT FISH PULLED A MAN
OUT OF A SMALL DUGOUT.
677
00:37:44,767 --> 00:37:47,267
LONG-LINING IS ILLEGAL
ON THIS RIVER,
678
00:37:47,267 --> 00:37:50,067
BUT IF THE THREE FISHERMEN
WERE POACHING,
679
00:37:50,067 --> 00:37:53,400
THEY MAY HAVE BEEN USING
A LONG LINE AS WELL AS A NET,
680
00:37:53,400 --> 00:37:56,067
WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN
DOUBLY DANGEROUS.
681
00:37:56,067 --> 00:37:59,200
IN THE CHAOS OF A HUGE,
THRASHING KALUGA,
682
00:37:59,200 --> 00:38:01,633
WERE THEY ALL DRAGGED
TO THEIR DEATHS?
683
00:38:01,633 --> 00:38:05,800
I HAVE PROVED IN THE PAST
THAT A MAN IN THE WATER
684
00:38:05,800 --> 00:38:10,067
IS NO MATCH FOR A FISH
NOT EVEN HALF HIS WEIGHT.
685
00:38:10,067 --> 00:38:12,467
SO A 1,500-POUND ANGRY GIANT
686
00:38:12,467 --> 00:38:15,567
COULD EASILY TAKE OUT
THREE MEN.
687
00:38:15,567 --> 00:38:18,133
BUT ARE THERE ANY GIANTS LEFT?
688
00:38:18,133 --> 00:38:21,733
WE SET OUT AGAIN IN ONE
OF THE SMALL FISHING BOATS
689
00:38:21,733 --> 00:38:23,800
TO TRY AND NET ONE,
690
00:38:23,800 --> 00:38:28,400
JUST LIKE THOSE DEAD FISHERMEN
DID A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
691
00:38:28,400 --> 00:38:29,833
THE DIFFERENCE IS,
692
00:38:29,833 --> 00:38:32,467
OUR INTENTIONS
ARE NOT TO KILL THE KALUGA.
693
00:38:32,467 --> 00:38:36,433
BUT THE HUGE, THRASHING MONSTER
DOESN'T KNOW THAT.
694
00:38:36,433 --> 00:38:39,067
WE SET NET AFTER NET,
695
00:38:39,067 --> 00:38:42,700
EACH DRIFT AND RETRIEVE
TAKING OVER TWO HOURS,
696
00:38:42,700 --> 00:38:45,100
BEFORE MOVING TO ANOTHER SPOT.
697
00:38:45,100 --> 00:38:48,333
AND WITH MORE AND MORE
DEAD SALMON SHOWING UP,
698
00:38:48,333 --> 00:38:52,067
THERE SEEMS TO BE NOTHING LEFT
ALIVE IN THIS RIVER.
699
00:38:54,067 --> 00:38:55,600
BUT THEN...
700
00:38:55,600 --> 00:38:57,733
BUBBLES BREAKING THE SURFACE
701
00:38:57,733 --> 00:39:01,900
ARE A SIGN THAT SOMETHING'S
COMING UP FROM DEEP BELOW.
702
00:39:01,900 --> 00:39:03,333
OH, MORE BUBBLES HERE.
703
00:39:03,333 --> 00:39:05,867
THERE'S SOMETHING VERY
DEFINITELY ALIVE IN OUR NET.
704
00:39:05,867 --> 00:39:08,867
THAT IS A BIG FISH.
705
00:39:20,267 --> 00:39:23,467
I'VE COME TO RUSSIA
TO CONFRONT A RIVER MONSTER,
706
00:39:23,467 --> 00:39:25,133
A STURGEON CALLED THE KALUGA
707
00:39:25,133 --> 00:39:28,067
THAT I HAD NO IDEA EXISTED
UNTIL NOW --
708
00:39:28,067 --> 00:39:31,133
TESTIMONY TO HOW SECRETIVE
THE LOCAL PEOPLE ARE
709
00:39:31,133 --> 00:39:34,600
WITH REGARD TO THIS GIANT
AND THE FORTUNES IT DELIVERS.
710
00:39:34,600 --> 00:39:37,433
IT'S A LIVING DINOSAUR
ON THE VERGE OF EXTINCTION
711
00:39:37,433 --> 00:39:40,800
BECAUSE POACHERS ARE DETERMINED
TO FIND AND KILL
712
00:39:40,800 --> 00:39:42,300
EVERY LAST ONE.
713
00:39:43,300 --> 00:39:45,367
BUT AFTER WEEKS OF SEARCHING,
714
00:39:45,367 --> 00:39:49,600
I FINALLY HAVE ONE OF THESE
RARE BEASTS IN MY SIGHTS.
715
00:39:56,533 --> 00:40:00,300
SO THIS IS IT -- THE KALUGA
STURGEON OF THE AMUR RIVER.
716
00:40:00,300 --> 00:40:03,967
NOW, THIS IS BIG BY NORMAL
FRESHWATER FISH STANDARDS.
717
00:40:03,967 --> 00:40:05,467
BUT BY THE STANDARDS
718
00:40:05,467 --> 00:40:08,500
OF WHAT THIS FISH
CAN POTENTIALLY GROW TO,
719
00:40:08,500 --> 00:40:09,967
THIS IS A SMALL ONE.
720
00:40:09,967 --> 00:40:13,833
BUT I'VE NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY
AND RELIEVED
721
00:40:13,833 --> 00:40:16,433
TO FIND A FISH ALIVE.
722
00:40:16,433 --> 00:40:18,500
THESE FISH GROW
WELL OVER 1,000 POUNDS.
723
00:40:18,500 --> 00:40:20,967
A BIG ONE OF THESE,
15 FOOT LONG --
724
00:40:20,967 --> 00:40:24,867
I CAN WELL BELIEVE NOW THE
STORIES OF THOSE SMASHING BOATS.
725
00:40:24,867 --> 00:40:29,700
I'M AFRAID THAT THE LAST
OF THE GIANTS MAY BE GONE.
726
00:40:29,700 --> 00:40:33,433
BUT AS FORTUNES CAN STILL BE
MADE FROM THE FISH THAT REMAIN,
727
00:40:33,433 --> 00:40:36,500
THIS STORY CAN ONLY END
IN TRAGEDY FOR THE KALUGA,
728
00:40:36,500 --> 00:40:41,033
AND SOMETIMES FOR THE FISHERMEN
WHO STILL HUNT THEM ILLEGALLY.
729
00:40:43,333 --> 00:40:45,733
DESPITE HAVING HEARD
THOSE STORIES
730
00:40:45,733 --> 00:40:47,633
OF DEATHS AND DISAPPEARANCES,
731
00:40:47,633 --> 00:40:50,267
THE REAL VICTIM
IS ACTUALLY THIS FISH,
732
00:40:50,267 --> 00:40:52,633
WHICH WE'VE FISHED
VERY HARD FOR.
733
00:40:52,633 --> 00:40:55,000
THIS IS THE BIGGEST ONE
THAT I'VE SEEN.
734
00:40:55,000 --> 00:40:59,067
THIS THING'S BEING HUNTED REALLY
TO THE EDGE OF EXTINCTION,
735
00:40:59,067 --> 00:41:01,933
ALL FOR THE SAKE
OF ITS VALUABLE EGGS.
736
00:41:01,933 --> 00:41:03,600
THAT'S REALLY VERY SAD,
737
00:41:03,600 --> 00:41:07,133
AND I REALLY HOPE THAT
THIS POPULATION COMES BACK.
738
00:41:10,100 --> 00:41:13,233
BUT EVEN IN THE FACE
OF THIS HUMAN ONSLAUGHT,
739
00:41:13,233 --> 00:41:16,267
NATURE HAS A SURPRISING ABILITY
TO CLING ON.
740
00:41:17,667 --> 00:41:21,400
AS THIS RARE LIVING DINOSAUR
RETURNS TO THE DEEP,
741
00:41:21,400 --> 00:41:23,067
I FIND SOMETHING IN THE BOAT
742
00:41:23,067 --> 00:41:25,667
THAT GIVES ME
A GLIMMER OF HOPE.
743
00:41:28,267 --> 00:41:29,533
IT'S QUITE SOMETHING
744
00:41:29,533 --> 00:41:32,467
WHEN I THINK THAT I'VE HEARD
SO MUCH ABOUT THIS FISH,
745
00:41:32,467 --> 00:41:36,133
PARTICULARLY IN TERMS
OF THE VERY LARGE SIZE
746
00:41:36,133 --> 00:41:37,867
THAT IT CAN REACH --
747
00:41:37,867 --> 00:41:40,933
OVER 1,000 POUNDS,
15, 16 FOOT LONG.
748
00:41:40,933 --> 00:41:43,333
AND TO THINK
THAT WHEN I PUT THIS BACK,
749
00:41:43,333 --> 00:41:45,100
OVER THE COURSE OF MANY YEARS,
750
00:41:45,100 --> 00:41:48,200
IT COULD GROW BIG ENOUGH
TO DRAG PEOPLE OUT OF BOATS.
751
00:41:48,200 --> 00:41:55,433
BUT HERE IT IS --
A PERFECT MINIATURE KALUGA.
752
00:41:56,967 --> 00:42:00,433
WITHOUT DOUBT, IT'S MY
SMALLEST-EVER RIVER MONSTER.
753
00:42:00,433 --> 00:42:02,733
BUT IN TERMS
OF THE SIGNIFICANCE
754
00:42:02,733 --> 00:42:04,133
AND HOPE IT CARRIES,
755
00:42:04,133 --> 00:42:08,267
IT COULD BE THE BIGGEST
OF MY ENTIRE CAREER.
59015
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