Original subtitles

Endless miles of dense forests,

rushing rivers, and towering mountains

encompass what is considered the last true frontier

in North America.

Welcome to Alaska, a place where the wild stretches

as far as the eye can see.

Staking claim as the largest and most sparsely populated

US state, it boasts a staggering 663,000 square miles

of land, which also happens to be

home for some of the continent's most iconic animals.

If you look up there is a good chance

you will spot a bald eagle watching as you

roam along a river's edge.

This elegant bird of prey is a symbol of vision.

And if one soars across your path

it's a sign that you should trust where you were going

and what you will become.

My path in life had landed me here

on the search for an animal so elusive that they

are only ever seen at a glance.

As a flash of fur in the underbrush or shadow moving out

of focus that you barely happened to catch

from the corner of your eye.

To encounter a wolverine in the wild is next to impossible.

But for me, part of the dream was to at least try.

Whenever the crew and I can't find animals in the wild

we work with sanctuaries that have rescued

or raised them in captivity.

And today, we will be working alongside Steve Kroschel.

Oh man, it is beautiful out today.

And we're about to meet Steve.

He's the man who can speak with all animals,

but specifically the wolverine.

Pretty excited to meet him.

I've got my little stuffed wolverine here, Gulo, who I've

had since I was a little kid.

Eight years old, my mom made this for me.

And I've been carrying it ever since.

And I figured, no better place to bring this stuffed animal

than to Alaska.

Here he comes, this is Steve.

Steve!

I heard talking.

Sorry, we walked through the gate.

We didn't know if anybody was here yet.

Well, I can hear things and the birds stopped singing.

So I thought, what's going on here?

- I'm Coyote. - Nice to see you.

Nice to see you too.

A fee of those around here too-- coyotes.

No, I know.

That's-- well, it's a nickname I've had

since I was a little kid.

So I know it's kind of unusual, but it's an original thing.

Coyote Peterson?

Coyote Peterson, that's it.

You've got a show on the internet.

Yes, YouTube.

We've been doing it for about two years now,

all sorts of different animals.

And hopefully today--

You got one here.

Yes, this is my wolverine.

It's not alive though.

No, this is not as alive as the wolverines you're used to.

And I told myself, if I ever actually

make it to Alaska to see a wolverine

Gulo is coming with me.

- Oh God. - Yeah.

Well, you want to see a live one?

Yes, if we can get close to live wolverines today,

that would be pretty awesome.

What do you mean close?

As close as you'll let me get.

So who is Steve Kroschel?

Well, to put it simply, he is a man who cares about animals.

So much so that he has dedicated his life to building

an incredible wildlife sanctuary that is home

to many rescued Alaskan animals, including moose, lynx,

weasels, and of course the wolverine.

But we aren't allowed to see that yet.

Aside from being the man who cares for

and speaks to animals, he's also an incredibly successful

filmmaker.

Steve has produced and directed several award

winning documentaries.

And is world renowned as being the master of avalanches.

That's right, if you have ever seen an avalanche

on screen there is a good chance Steve is the one who filmed it.

This has been a dream of mine since I was eight years old

and you can help me realize that today.

If you're willing to train me and let me get close.

I know, it's crazy right?

How much time do we have?

Well, we need to get this episode today.

So it's 8 o'clock right now and I'd like to be working

with the wolverine wolverine--

Today, today, today?

Today.

So let's say eight hours.

Can you turn me into somebody that's

ready to be in an enclosure with a wolverine in eight hours?

If you're willing to train me, I'm willing to do

whatever it takes.

Train you?

Train me to the point where you feel I am ready to be

in the presence of a wolverine.

I mean--

Is that a yes?

I think that's yes.

I think that's a yes, guys.

All right, let's try something here.

All right, let's let the trading begin.

Yeah, dude we're in!

So Steve, I noticed that you don't wear any shoes.

Is there a reason for this?

Yeah, actually.

I can afford shoes, but I don't like to wear them.

I really feel better-- and this is scientifically backed,

you know.

Your physiology changes immediately

when you connect to the Earth.

And all creatures, all animals, are connected to the Earth--

fish, birds everything, except people.

Because of the rubber soled shoes.

So you're missing out.

OK, well because I am walking in your steps today--

- No, no, don't do that. - No, no, no, no.

No, no, no.

Your feet aren't-- do you do this a lot?

No, but-- Oh God.

- if I'm going to learn from you,

I need to be walking the same way that you

do and connect with the planet.

OK.

This is where it begins.

So you got like a date, is that it?

Yeah, eight hours.

Eight hours before wolverine comes.

See, my little wheels are turning in my head.

OK.

Oh cool, are these all your skulls?

Yeah well, this is like a [inaudible]...

Hey, check this out.

Wow!

Here's a wolverine skull right here.

That is a wolverine skull.

There's some wolves here, but anyway--

Wow.

Can I hold it?

Yeah, sure, yeah.

OK, so I've seen wolverine skulls in museums.

This is actually the first time I

have ever physically held one.

Even-- really?

Yeah, honest-- honest to goodness.

OK, so Steve, I know this is going

to seem a little bit weird, but hold on to the skull.

Trust me.

OK, I'm going to put my hand inside of the jaws

and I want you to just apply a little pressure.

Now, press down.

I'll tell you when to stop. Keep going.

Oh God.

Keep going, keep going, keep going.

OK, that's good.

Yeah, well Jiminy Christmas.

Wow, those canines are unbelievably sharp.

Look at the indentation that that put into my hand.

OK, now that I feel like I know what it's

like to be slightly bitten by wolverine,

let's get into the training.

Ah Jesus.

I think at this point,

Steve either thought I was completely crazy

or that I was simply willing to do

whatever it would take to get face-to-face

with the wolverine.

Then all of a sudden I was presented with my first test.

What was that?

You got a nice little coming.

Relative of the Wolverine.

In that pipe?

Yeah.

Is it a weasel?

It's a mystery animal.

Mystery animal?

You know what, I'm going to get--

I'm going to get a little jar of jelly and I'll reveal it.

How's that?

That sounds really good.

OK, Steve, whenever you're ready.

I've got a--

I went in the cabin and got this jelly.

OK

I need to find a stick.

About like this long?

Is that good?

Just get a little bit on the end.

Like that?

It's growling again, he smells that.

Hurry, hurry, hurry.

This is a mini wolverine on steroids.

Right.

First test, I can do this.

On three--

You do the countdown for me.

No, I can't do it.

Let's switch.

Dude, it's OK.

It's OK. I got it.

Calm it down.

It'll bite you on the face!

It's OK, count me down.

One, two-- ah!

Whoa!

Did you see how fast that pine marten

came out of that little box?

And I still have all my fingers.

How'd I do, Steve?

Oh, that's good enough.

In my mind, I was certain that it

was time to meet the wolverine.

I was barefoot, I felt the power of the wolverine's teeth,

and I passed the pine marten test with flying colors.

In my second test, Steve needed me

to cut a gift for the wolverine out of moose hide.

That is your offering to the animal.

It's a peace offering.

This will help you to understand what

size the wolverine would like.

And just-- you're going to put feeling into.

Even while you're cutting it, you're going

to think about wolverines.

And you're getting into the wolverine's frequency,

you're dialing in.

Right now, go ahead.

Don't cut yourself.

I'm also-- Bigger!

Bigger?

Yeah, that looks like you're insulting him.

Oh boy.

OK, he says bigger.

It's still wet down here.

Oh, it absolutely stinks.

OK, and this has got to be the one that is all still rotting

right there.

This looks like the face of a Sasquatch.

All right Steve, I think I got a piece.

That looks good.

There is no greater

stench than rotting moose hide.

Steve instructed me to literally rub

the rotting skin all over the inside of the arena.

The sense of smell in a wolverine

is very, very, very akin.

One molecule per 5 million.

OK?

Yours is like one in 125,000.

The only thought going through my mind,

other than washing my hands, was when in the world

am I going to see this Wolverine?

Next, he had me carry a 40 pound slab

of cow ribs for nearly a mile.

I was to place it in the arena as an offering

to the wolverine and a sign that I came in peace.

After that, he said I needed to work on my speed,

so I sprinted.

Next, it was my balance, so I balanced.

Steve believed that conditioning me both physically and mentally

was the only way I stood any chance at surviving

an encounter with a wolverine.

I knew I was getting close.

And as Steve headed off on his own,

he instructed me to enter the arena and take a nap.

He said that if I fell asleep listening

to the call of the raven, that it would guide me to a dream

that would tell of my destiny.

Coyote, what's up man?

What's going on?

Well, it is mid-afternoon at this point.

It's hot.

We haven't seen Steve for hours.

I'm beginning to wonder at this point,

is Steve turning me into Steve?

Or is Steve turning me into a wolverine?

The crazy thing about Steve

is that even when you don't think he's listening,

he's listening.

My feet were weathered and worn, my hands ached.

And just when I felt that I couldn't go any further,

Steve sat me down and told me that my training was complete.

He said that I still wasn't ready to meet the wolverine,

but that it was time to learn how to speak their language.

And if I could accomplish that or at least

get to a point where I wasn't asking for my face to be clawed

off that maybe, just maybe, I would be ready to meet

the phantom of the North.

This next part is probably one of the strangest things

I have ever done.

But when the teacher instructs, the student

would be wise to listen to his teachings.

What's going on right now Coyote?

At this point, I am going to learn a little bit

about the vocalizations that it takes

to interact with the wolverine.

If the Wolverine comes at you, it's [WOLVERINE NOISES] Ah!

Nah!

Nah!

Can you do that?

Ah!

OK, that's good enough.

I can tell you can do it.

You got to remember that because he will do things

to you in which you won't like.

But I noticed you have a whole bunch

of variation in everything that you do and I want to make--

Ah!

Ah!

Yeah, that's-- that's--

He's coming at you and he's got that meat.

And you're trying to pull him--

Ah!

That's it.

That's it.

And then-- and then, if he's chewing on it-- if he's

doing what you want him to do.

Just go hi--

Just give him positive reinforcement.

Hi--

Just-- you got to keep talking the whole time

because he doesn't know you.

Hi, hi, hi.

Yeah, at some point--

Nah!

No, no, no-- only if he comes at you.

OK.

No, no-- that wasn't good enough.

What if he makes full contact?

Then, then he just-- Nah!

Really good-- - Nah!

OK, that's good. And I'll get there--

Nah!

Oh, God. That's good.

Don't do anymore.

It's good?

You hear that?

He said that.

He said it's good.

I think I'm there guys.

I think-- I think he's ready.

And I think I'm ready.

I'm sure you're sitting there in front of your screen,

thinking to yourself, Coyote, what goes through one's mind

before they get into an enclosure with a wolverine?

I'm excited.

Because for 25 years, I've been trying to get to this point.

But at the same time my heart is moving at about a million miles

a second.

And I am nervous, I'm not going to lie.

But I need to make sure that that wolverine does

not realize that I'm nervous.

Because if it does, it's going to completely

control the situation.

And I need to keep my cool and get this animal

up close for the cameras.

Gulo, my little buddy, it's been a long journey

to get to this point.

This is where I leave you behind and I

get in with the real, living, breathing wolverine.

Mark, are you ready for this?

I'm as ready as I'm gonna be, man.

Let's do it.

We are about to get into an enclosure

with a real, live wolverine.

Whoa!

This is the wolverine coming out.

Let's see if he'll go up this log here.

There we go.

The animal was incredible, just as I

had envisioned in my dreams.

And as it scaled the log and came to a stop,

there was no hesitation between us.

As instantly we came face-to-face.

My dream of meeting a wolverine had come true.

Here you go.

OK, ready?

I think we're good.

All right.

Cool, did you get that?

Yeah.

That was incredible.

That was it.

I just made a connection with a wolverine.

This is good, right?

He's-- he's accepting the fact that I have him on the tether.

Yeah, OK.

Just let him walk.

Let's let him meet your wolverine.

You've got a hold of him, he's meeting your wolverine.

They could have a child.

Oh my God. It's OK.

It's OK.

This is completely natural.

Look at that.

What is that?

What is that there?

It's OK.

It's OK.

Wow. Let him go.

Go! Go!

Don't get too close.

Hi.

Hi.

Hear that?

That's good. That's good.

Let him go. Let him be there.

Let him be there. That's good.

That's good.

OK.

Now we're going to go back.

I can't believe it.

Now we've got to see if Steve will

actually let me into the enclosure

and get it off of the harness.

Go ahead. Go ahead.

OK, now Mark is coming in with us.

You know that, right? Yeah.

I was about to be the first animal show

host in history to enter an enclosure

with an unharnessed wolverine.

In an enclosure right now a wolverine.

I'm going to turn this GoPro on and just set this over here

by the moose skin and the cow meat.

So Coyote, you're over there now.

OK.

By that moose pipe.

OK.

This is my gift.

You're right there.

OK.

And then Mark is right behind Coyote.

OK.

OK, I'm going to let him go now.

OK. There we go.

OK.

Now I'm going to get over on this side and be behind you.

And I'm going to watch.

OK.

I think he's so preoccupied--

OK, at this point the wolverine

is off of the harness.

We are in an enclosure with the animal.

Here he comes to you.

Hi, hi, hi.

OK, let him pull it.

Let him pull it.

Do I let go?

No, no, just let him pull on it.

OK, now let go.

Oh he likes that.

I knew it.

That soft part of the moose's belly.

Watch your hands. Watch your hands.

OK.

Very nice.

That's your gift to him.

OK.

Now I would get up and walk over here with me.

Just watch him.

Just don't get any--

I wouldn't get any closer.

He'll defend his kill.

OK.

I am about two feet away from the wolverine right now.

It's OK.

Just let him do whatever he wants.

What I want you to do now--

if he gets that a little bit further,

I want you to grab that piece of meat.

And take it and put it over here.

And see if he takes it and puts it back.

If you do that, you're developing a relationship

with him without insulting him.

Hurry, hurry, hurry.

Pick it up and throw it back over here.

Hurry, hurry, hurry.

Here he comes.

Here he comes.

Oh he now sees that the meat is not there.

It's right here.

OK, let him have it. Let him have it.

Let him have it. That's enough.

OK.

That's very nice. didn't--

Didn't struggle too much.

Well, he didn't jump from the meat to you.

OK.

So this is a good sign that he's accepting

you in the sense of he's letting you into his private world now.

OK.

That is incredible.

That's like-- I just can't believe I just saw it.

Yep, here it is.

OK, I'm watching him.

Here you go.

Hi.

His hand is [inaudible].

You watch your hands.

Go ahead.

Be careful.

OK, I'm going to him drag.

That's too close. That one was him.

I'm going to give you my shirt.

I'm going to give you my shirt. OK, put that on?

You think he'll feel a little more comfortable?

Put that on. OK.

Put that on.

You're taking over my--

see that's all the holes in there.

OK.

I'm going to drag the meat back again, just real slowly.

See if we can do that again.

OK, do it quickly.

Let's just let it be natural.

Trust me.

Just let me let the wolverine come up to me.

OK.

Don't-- don't--

Hi.

Here, look, look.

You get that.

Look how strong he is.

He's actually pulling me forward.

He definitely got it from me.

That's OK.

I'm going to let him--

I'm going to let him-- That's enough.

That's enough. That's enough.

Really, seriously.

OK, we'll let him eat.

Come on, close, close, close.

Look at that.

From right at this position you can see

just how powerful his jaws are.

He's just razoring through that meat.

He's also just--

All right, we're done.

We're not done. He's OK.

No, no, no, no, no, no.

We got meat.

And you, I need you to go this way.

Go this way.

OK, I'll get behind the meat.

OK, open that door.

Well, when Steve says that's enough, that's enough.

At this point, the wolverine is getting a little too rowdy.

And Steve said, out of the cage.

But that has to be the coolest thing that I've ever done

while hosting an animal show.

My heart is racing and it was absolutely unbelievable.

So what you did there--

the relationship that I've had with this wolverine in it's

entire life, and for 36 years working with the wolverines,

what you did--

unprecedented, no one's ever done that.

I haven't even done some of what you just did.

And it touched you.

With it's teeth, it's nose-- you had made contact,

also he allowed you.

But you've taken-- what we've did today,

is we pushed all the knowledge I had all the way.

And you pressed down all that that wolverine will give me--

the benefit of the doubt--

the benefit of the doubt-- the benefit of the doubt

of being a nice animal.

Being with proper etiquette protocol for a human being.

And you brought it to that far from reality.

OK.

That far from reality.

That's pretty close.

That's pushing the envelope.

Steve, I cannot thank you enough for that experience, my friend.

There are no words that can come out of my mouth

right now that can truly explain what

it was like to be in that enclosure with the wolverine.

I can see the relief on your face.

All that stress, I know how hard it was

for you to let me get in there.

All your pieces and parts, yeah.

All my fingers are still intact.

I made contact with the wolverine.

And today you helped me realize a dream that I've had

since I was eight years old.

And I don't know how I can ever thank

you enough for what today was.

And all those kids out there that just watched this episode,

that experienced and got to see a wolverine for the first time,

you helped me do that.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Hey, I'm going to hug you.

Yes.

That was--

It's been so much fun.

I want my shirt back.

Yes, no, you get-- you need this.

I can see what it was like for you to be having that wolverine

jump all over your back.

Maybe I'll send it to you and when it has a few more holes.

I don't know.

Yeah, I love the big, huge paw mark that's on the back here.

And all those claw marks.

Oh my gosh there really is a wolverine track there.

- There is. - Yikes.

That is awesome.

I'm Coyote Peterson.

Be brave.

Stay wild.

We'll see you on the next adventure.