1 00:00:02,840 --> 00:00:06,480 The wolf. A highly intelligent predator. 2 00:00:07,520 --> 00:00:09,160 With a bad reputation. 3 00:00:12,040 --> 00:00:15,720 To many, they are cunning and ruthless killers. 4 00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:19,720 But I want to find out if there's another side 5 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:21,440 to this feared carnivore. 6 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:25,880 I've always had a fascination with wolves ever since I was a kid. 7 00:00:25,880 --> 00:00:29,160 They symbolise the wild like no other animal. 8 00:00:30,360 --> 00:00:32,200 My name is Gordon Buchanan. 9 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:33,720 I'm a wildlife cameraman. 10 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:38,520 I'm travelling to the Arctic to get closer to wild wolves 11 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:41,360 than anyone has ever been before. 12 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:46,760 I want to actually understand the true nature of the wolf, 13 00:00:46,760 --> 00:00:48,800 separate fact from fiction. 14 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:52,800 I'll be dropped deep into wolf territory. 15 00:00:52,800 --> 00:00:55,520 These are animals that have killed people 16 00:00:55,520 --> 00:00:58,600 and I've got two of them just five metres away. 17 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:01,440 I'm putting my life on the line... 18 00:01:02,400 --> 00:01:04,960 Is this too close? Is this too close? 19 00:01:04,960 --> 00:01:07,800 Jesus wept...! Oh, my God. 20 00:01:09,040 --> 00:01:12,680 ..to get an unprecedented view of wolf family life. 21 00:01:13,680 --> 00:01:15,280 Come on, pups, out you come. 22 00:01:16,720 --> 00:01:19,080 I'll meet the characters in a pack. 23 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:23,320 Scruffy! 24 00:01:23,320 --> 00:01:25,160 You little swine! 25 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:30,320 And discover if the big, bad wolf is as dangerous as we imagine. 26 00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:32,960 Don't even think about it. 27 00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:50,000 To get inside a wolf pack I'm travelling to a wilderness 28 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:54,120 so remote that the wolves here have never seen people. 29 00:01:56,840 --> 00:01:59,840 It's taken me four days to reach Ellesmere Island 30 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:01,240 in the Canadian Arctic. 31 00:02:04,320 --> 00:02:05,800 Near the North Pole, 32 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:09,080 it's home to the most isolated wolves in the world. 33 00:02:13,640 --> 00:02:16,200 I'm here to try to follow a family of wolves 34 00:02:16,200 --> 00:02:19,640 during the most important three months of their lives. 35 00:02:24,760 --> 00:02:26,680 From spring, when they have pups... 36 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:31,680 ..until the return of the brutal Arctic winter. 37 00:02:40,720 --> 00:02:46,120 Two years ago a biologist flew over and spotted a pack in this area. 38 00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:48,320 I've come to see if they're still here. 39 00:02:52,160 --> 00:02:53,520 Oh, look! Look, look! 40 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:56,920 Wow! One, two, three, four, five, six. 41 00:02:57,880 --> 00:02:58,920 Wow! Look at that! 42 00:03:01,040 --> 00:03:02,080 How incredible! 43 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:07,400 Great. Just staring up at me. 44 00:03:13,720 --> 00:03:14,760 Yes! 45 00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:17,320 Brilliant. 46 00:03:19,840 --> 00:03:22,960 This is the first of two trips I'll be making to the Arctic. 47 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:27,320 I've brought supplies to keep me going for three weeks. 48 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:39,840 Well, now that I've found the wolves, 49 00:03:39,840 --> 00:03:42,120 I'm...I'm going to stay here 50 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:44,640 and I'm going to set up camp right over here. 51 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:53,880 The Arctic wolves here have never seen people. 52 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:56,960 I have no idea how they'll react. 53 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:00,120 They might think I'm their next meal. 54 00:04:11,120 --> 00:04:15,200 Oh, my goodness me, that is sensational. 55 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:18,720 I do not believe it. 56 00:04:19,680 --> 00:04:20,720 He's stopping. 57 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:27,680 This is the closest I've ever been to a wild wolf. 58 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:34,680 I feel incredibly vulnerable. 59 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:38,200 Wolves take down animals five times my size. 60 00:04:47,560 --> 00:04:50,000 It is an unbelievable start to this. 61 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:55,480 My heart is still racing when the wolf leaves. 62 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:03,120 It's amazing to see wolves that close, 63 00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:06,640 but mixed with that is a little bit of apprehension. 64 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:09,600 But the truth is, I'm not alone here. 65 00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:12,040 I have a director and a soundman. 66 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:16,440 If I was alone, I think it would be a very different experience. 67 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:21,480 Wolves are at their most dangerous when they lose their fear of people 68 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:25,000 and it seems that these wolves don't have any fear to begin with. 69 00:05:33,400 --> 00:05:35,880 The wolves here are the top predator. 70 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:41,720 They live in one of the most extreme places on earth. 71 00:05:44,440 --> 00:05:49,360 In winter, temperatures plummet to minus 50 degrees. 72 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:56,280 The sun sets in October and doesn't rise again for four months. 73 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:00,720 The climate is so harsh 74 00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:03,320 that no people live on this part of the island. 75 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:08,000 These wolves have never been hunted. 76 00:06:10,040 --> 00:06:15,040 That makes them bold but it could also make them very dangerous. 77 00:06:22,240 --> 00:06:25,440 The fact is wolves have attacked, killed 78 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:27,160 and injured people in the past. 79 00:06:28,160 --> 00:06:32,200 In 2000, here in Canada, there was someone camping in the wild 80 00:06:32,200 --> 00:06:35,120 and they were pulled from their tent in their sleeping bag 81 00:06:35,120 --> 00:06:37,200 and set upon by wolves. 82 00:06:37,200 --> 00:06:39,720 He was only really saved by the fact that he was with people. 83 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:41,280 Had he been alone, 84 00:06:41,280 --> 00:06:44,120 he would have almost certainly been killed by those wolves. 85 00:06:45,760 --> 00:06:48,280 That's why I'm putting up an electric fence. 86 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:51,000 I'm camping alone 87 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:54,160 to increase my chances of getting close to the pack. 88 00:06:54,160 --> 00:06:57,160 The camera crew is based half a mile away, 89 00:06:57,160 --> 00:06:59,720 so won't be much help if I run into trouble. 90 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:03,120 So, in theory, it's working now. 91 00:07:04,440 --> 00:07:09,160 I hate to do it, but I think I'm going to test it just... 92 00:07:09,160 --> 00:07:10,400 just to make sure. 93 00:07:11,680 --> 00:07:14,600 Am I? Oh, God, I don't want to do that. 94 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:15,720 It must be working. 95 00:07:16,880 --> 00:07:18,040 Oh, bugger it. 96 00:07:18,040 --> 00:07:19,560 Ay-yayaya! It's working! 97 00:07:23,240 --> 00:07:24,280 That's... Oh! 98 00:07:24,280 --> 00:07:26,160 Yeah, that's working as well. 99 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:32,920 The pack are watching me from the other side of the valley. 100 00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:34,720 But I don't know how long they'll be here. 101 00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:39,800 Wolves stay in one place when they have a den with pups. 102 00:07:41,640 --> 00:07:45,120 I'm hoping that's what this pack is doing. 103 00:07:45,120 --> 00:07:48,160 My tent's in a perfect position for a stakeout. 104 00:07:50,160 --> 00:07:51,440 Hey... 105 00:07:51,440 --> 00:07:52,480 This is, er... 106 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:55,640 ..my house, my home. 107 00:07:55,640 --> 00:07:57,800 This is where I'll be sleeping. 108 00:07:57,800 --> 00:08:02,640 Erm...and I have the most unbelievable view. 109 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:10,160 Literally, the first thing I'll see when I open my tent in the morning 110 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:12,680 is erm...the hillside where the wolves are. 111 00:08:15,400 --> 00:08:16,840 But what a place. 112 00:08:16,840 --> 00:08:19,400 What a... What a campsite. 113 00:08:21,240 --> 00:08:22,640 It really is brilliant. 114 00:08:27,280 --> 00:08:31,200 While they're here, I can observe them 24 hours a day. 115 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:35,800 At this time of year, the sun never sets. 116 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:39,320 It's spring. 117 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:43,160 A time when this barren land is bursting with new life. 118 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:52,800 Young arctic hare and baby foxes are everywhere. 119 00:08:55,080 --> 00:08:57,960 But there's also a creature from the ice age 120 00:08:57,960 --> 00:09:00,040 that I hope doesn't come too close. 121 00:09:01,960 --> 00:09:05,200 Muskox are one of the Arctic's most powerful animals. 122 00:09:06,160 --> 00:09:08,000 They look like something from Star Wars. 123 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:13,360 And they're notoriously bad-tempered. 124 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:32,480 It's unsettling camping here 125 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:35,720 and the constant daylight makes it difficult to rest. 126 00:09:37,720 --> 00:09:39,760 It's hard to sleep when the sun is shining. 127 00:09:41,240 --> 00:09:43,920 Everything's telling you that you shouldn't be in bed 128 00:09:43,920 --> 00:09:46,360 but it's 2.15 in the morning. 129 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:52,000 So the best thing to do is try and make things as dark as possible. 130 00:09:55,240 --> 00:09:56,400 These help. 131 00:10:06,760 --> 00:10:09,640 Today, I want to find out if the pack have a den. 132 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:14,280 My plan is to track their movements for as long as I can stay awake. 133 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:19,160 But the wolves have other ideas. 134 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:21,640 Oh, my word... 135 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:26,760 The wolf that approached me yesterday is back. 136 00:10:27,920 --> 00:10:29,920 And this time, it's not alone. 137 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:37,560 Both of the wolves are about 40 metres away from me. 138 00:10:37,560 --> 00:10:39,400 My heart is racing. 139 00:10:40,360 --> 00:10:42,840 Wolves might approach for two reasons, 140 00:10:42,840 --> 00:10:44,560 to see if I'm a threat 141 00:10:44,560 --> 00:10:46,480 or to find out if I'm worth eating. 142 00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:51,560 Oh, jeez! They are right in front of me. 143 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:53,560 My God...! 144 00:10:54,520 --> 00:10:55,720 Oh, my God. 145 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:01,800 Hey, wolf.... 146 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:03,720 I'm just going to turn this round. 147 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:12,000 I tell you what, this is quite unnerving. 148 00:11:13,640 --> 00:11:15,800 I'm being circled by wolves 149 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:17,640 and I'm not sure if I like it. 150 00:11:27,680 --> 00:11:29,360 Being this close to a wolf, 151 00:11:29,360 --> 00:11:30,560 I'm just reminded that... 152 00:11:32,080 --> 00:11:35,960 ..these are animals that have injured people. 153 00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:39,520 These are animals that have killed people 154 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:41,120 and I've got two of them... 155 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:44,520 ..five metres away. 156 00:11:51,320 --> 00:11:53,320 She's coming right up to my little fence. 157 00:11:54,520 --> 00:11:55,800 Oh, my word...! 158 00:11:55,800 --> 00:11:57,200 Look at those eyes! 159 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:00,840 All the better to see you with. 160 00:12:00,840 --> 00:12:02,280 She is just stunning. 161 00:12:08,520 --> 00:12:11,280 I definitely feel safer when they back off a bit. 162 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:17,280 My goodness. 163 00:12:18,320 --> 00:12:22,360 I don't think I've seen such a beautiful animal in my life. 164 00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:32,040 I never imagined that wolves would get this close. 165 00:12:33,120 --> 00:12:35,800 It's a perfect chance to try and work out who's who. 166 00:12:38,280 --> 00:12:39,480 It really is amazing. 167 00:12:39,480 --> 00:12:40,920 There's so few places in the world 168 00:12:40,920 --> 00:12:44,040 that you can get this close to an animal of this size. 169 00:12:45,160 --> 00:12:48,520 And the closer these wolves come, you start to see differences. 170 00:12:49,680 --> 00:12:51,440 It looks like these are two females. 171 00:12:51,440 --> 00:12:53,520 They're both full-size. 172 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:57,120 This wolf is much more mature-looking. 173 00:12:57,120 --> 00:12:58,520 You can see it in her face. 174 00:12:58,520 --> 00:12:59,920 She's older, definitely. 175 00:12:59,920 --> 00:13:01,360 Marginally bigger. 176 00:13:01,360 --> 00:13:04,120 A lot more hair around her face, 177 00:13:04,120 --> 00:13:05,640 like a lion's mane almost. 178 00:13:07,320 --> 00:13:08,720 But look at this. This is... 179 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:12,960 This could be major news. 180 00:13:13,920 --> 00:13:15,880 On her belly, towards the back end, 181 00:13:15,880 --> 00:13:16,920 it's bare. 182 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:18,400 You can almost see the nipples. 183 00:13:19,600 --> 00:13:22,480 And what that means and what that tells me 184 00:13:22,480 --> 00:13:26,040 is that this is a breeding female 185 00:13:26,040 --> 00:13:28,720 and the great hope is that, before too long, 186 00:13:28,720 --> 00:13:31,400 I'm going to get a look at these pups. 187 00:13:32,600 --> 00:13:34,720 This is a huge relief. 188 00:13:34,720 --> 00:13:37,880 Pups mean that this pack will stay in one place. 189 00:13:39,560 --> 00:13:42,000 Now I need to find their den. 190 00:13:44,640 --> 00:13:46,800 This new mum is pale, like the moon, 191 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:48,960 so I've named her Luna. 192 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:59,000 This is the only time of year wolves can raise young. 193 00:13:59,960 --> 00:14:01,720 But they don't have long. 194 00:14:03,200 --> 00:14:06,600 Here in the High Arctic, spring and summer only last three months. 195 00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:12,040 It's a brief respite from freezing temperatures. 196 00:14:12,040 --> 00:14:14,560 But conditions remain tough 197 00:14:14,560 --> 00:14:17,440 and some years wolves don't breed at all. 198 00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:26,520 I'm hoping this pack has a den with pups on the opposite hillside. 199 00:14:27,920 --> 00:14:30,800 I spend hours trying to find it. 200 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:36,120 Eventually, my perseverance pays off. 201 00:14:37,080 --> 00:14:38,320 Look... 202 00:14:38,320 --> 00:14:39,640 That has to be a den! 203 00:14:49,080 --> 00:14:51,800 This den is an amazing find 204 00:14:51,800 --> 00:14:55,120 because it is the only way to keep track of these wolves, 205 00:14:55,120 --> 00:14:58,280 to get them at a time of year that they can't move around freely, 206 00:14:58,280 --> 00:15:01,520 and that's when they're denning, that's when they've got pups. 207 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:06,320 And I can't help but imagine what's going on underground. 208 00:15:07,280 --> 00:15:09,640 You know, there has to be pups in there. 209 00:15:11,080 --> 00:15:12,600 The question is, how many? 210 00:15:14,320 --> 00:15:17,560 If I'm going to work my way inside a wolf family, 211 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:20,560 then gaining the trust of Luna will be key. 212 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:39,840 Camping next to a wild wolf pack is incredible. 213 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:41,040 HOWLING 214 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:44,120 But I do wish they weren't such noisy neighbours. 215 00:15:44,120 --> 00:15:45,200 HOWLING CONTINUES 216 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:49,080 GORDON YAWNS 217 00:15:50,720 --> 00:15:51,920 Goodness me! 218 00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:52,960 Lord... 219 00:15:52,960 --> 00:15:55,440 It makes it very difficult to sleep sometimes. 220 00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:57,840 GORDON YAWNS, THE WOLVES HOWL 221 00:15:57,840 --> 00:15:58,880 Oh, it's very wearing. 222 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:01,320 But I can't complain because... 223 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:03,640 ..I get to wake up to... 224 00:16:05,920 --> 00:16:07,040 ..wolves howling. 225 00:16:09,640 --> 00:16:11,160 This is the best way to wake up. 226 00:16:11,160 --> 00:16:12,200 Ever. 227 00:16:12,200 --> 00:16:13,240 HOWLING CONTINUES 228 00:16:14,840 --> 00:16:17,040 Wolves communicate by howling. 229 00:16:17,040 --> 00:16:20,120 Every pack member has a distinct voice. 230 00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:22,280 HOWLING 231 00:16:24,160 --> 00:16:26,040 HOWLS 232 00:16:26,040 --> 00:16:28,280 This morning, the biggest wolf I've seen so far 233 00:16:28,280 --> 00:16:30,920 is rallying the pack to go hunting. 234 00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:33,160 HOWLS 235 00:16:34,440 --> 00:16:36,920 This big male must be the head of the family. 236 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:39,760 I'm going to call him Romulus. 237 00:16:40,720 --> 00:16:42,680 HOWLS 238 00:16:43,840 --> 00:16:46,040 Wolf packs are like human families. 239 00:16:47,920 --> 00:16:50,080 Romulus and Luna are mum and dad. 240 00:16:52,160 --> 00:16:54,720 All the other wolves are probably their offspring 241 00:16:54,720 --> 00:16:56,040 from different years. 242 00:16:57,440 --> 00:16:58,920 Hang on, let me just count them... 243 00:16:59,960 --> 00:17:02,600 We've got one, two at the front. 244 00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:04,320 Three, four, 245 00:17:04,320 --> 00:17:05,960 five, six. 246 00:17:07,720 --> 00:17:12,000 All six of them galloping and trotting along the skyline there. 247 00:17:15,640 --> 00:17:18,040 And my guess is 248 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:19,960 the two at the back 249 00:17:19,960 --> 00:17:23,200 are possibly last year's pups, they're yearlings. 250 00:17:24,240 --> 00:17:25,480 A little bit smaller. 251 00:17:26,800 --> 00:17:28,600 And they're a lot more playful. 252 00:17:38,640 --> 00:17:41,680 Arctic wolves hunt for food in a territory 253 00:17:41,680 --> 00:17:44,200 which can cover over 1,000 square miles. 254 00:17:47,640 --> 00:17:50,160 In spring, there are lots of young animals. 255 00:17:58,480 --> 00:18:02,800 But here, there's no such thing as an easy meal, 256 00:18:02,800 --> 00:18:04,400 even if you are a big, bad wolf. 257 00:18:15,000 --> 00:18:18,280 And if the wolves go anywhere near a skua's nest, 258 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:20,880 they're dive-bombed until they move on. 259 00:18:33,240 --> 00:18:35,320 The pack can spend days hunting, 260 00:18:35,320 --> 00:18:38,960 but Luna usually returns within an hour to watch over the den. 261 00:18:43,320 --> 00:18:47,800 This is a great opportunity to see if I can start to win her trust, 262 00:18:47,800 --> 00:18:49,960 so I move in closer. 263 00:18:56,880 --> 00:18:58,440 GORDON WHINES 264 00:18:59,760 --> 00:19:01,440 WHINING 265 00:19:04,160 --> 00:19:05,640 WHINING 266 00:19:05,640 --> 00:19:09,640 By making whining noises and avoiding eye contact, 267 00:19:09,640 --> 00:19:12,480 I act submissively, to try and put her at ease. 268 00:19:13,440 --> 00:19:14,480 WHINES 269 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:20,560 WHINES 270 00:19:22,360 --> 00:19:23,400 WHINES 271 00:19:24,640 --> 00:19:25,880 WHINES 272 00:19:27,280 --> 00:19:29,280 She seems nervous. 273 00:19:29,280 --> 00:19:32,000 So I make myself smaller and less threatening. 274 00:19:33,840 --> 00:19:35,720 WHINES 275 00:19:37,440 --> 00:19:38,760 WHINES 276 00:19:39,760 --> 00:19:41,280 WHINES 277 00:20:07,240 --> 00:20:09,880 I try something a little different to draw her in. 278 00:20:22,760 --> 00:20:24,920 It's clear that me getting close to the wolves 279 00:20:24,920 --> 00:20:27,280 is completely on their terms. 280 00:20:27,280 --> 00:20:29,000 I just tried to get closer to Luna there 281 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:30,600 and she moved away, 282 00:20:30,600 --> 00:20:33,200 kept a distance of about 60 metres. 283 00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:35,000 Didn't let me close that distance. 284 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:36,640 So, it's not that she's fearful, 285 00:20:36,640 --> 00:20:39,760 it's just that she's the boss. 286 00:20:39,760 --> 00:20:42,760 She dictates what happens and when. 287 00:20:45,080 --> 00:20:49,040 I think the best thing I can do now is leave Luna alone for a few days. 288 00:20:50,040 --> 00:20:52,720 That way, she can get used to me being around. 289 00:20:59,360 --> 00:21:00,760 It's been a week 290 00:21:00,760 --> 00:21:03,560 and I'm starting to get a sense of the pack's routine. 291 00:21:06,400 --> 00:21:09,640 Romulus leads the family out on hunts twice a day. 292 00:21:10,600 --> 00:21:13,080 Sometimes, they don't have to go that far. 293 00:21:14,640 --> 00:21:17,160 Arctic hares are approaching the den. 294 00:21:18,480 --> 00:21:21,600 Their young live in groups of up to 200, 295 00:21:21,600 --> 00:21:24,720 making them irresistible to hungry wolves. 296 00:21:40,440 --> 00:21:43,720 The youngest wolves of the pack are faster and more agile 297 00:21:43,720 --> 00:21:45,040 than the older wolves. 298 00:21:51,400 --> 00:21:54,160 But arctic hares are built for speed. 299 00:21:57,520 --> 00:22:00,400 Accelerating up to 40 miles per hour. 300 00:22:05,000 --> 00:22:07,760 The hares often outpace the wolves. 301 00:22:15,320 --> 00:22:18,800 The two yearlings are the pack's troublesome teens 302 00:22:18,800 --> 00:22:21,680 and now they're taking an interest in me. 303 00:22:21,680 --> 00:22:24,720 I do wonder what they think when they see me standing here. 304 00:22:24,720 --> 00:22:26,960 Because they certainly don't see me as a threat. 305 00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:33,160 And I wonder, I really do... 306 00:22:34,880 --> 00:22:36,960 ..if they don't see me as a threat... 307 00:22:38,280 --> 00:22:41,240 ..whether they see me as a potential source of food. 308 00:22:45,600 --> 00:22:47,040 I shouldn't be surprised 309 00:22:47,040 --> 00:22:49,640 that one of the most intelligent animals on the planet... 310 00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:55,320 ..has found a way of dismantling my fence, 311 00:22:55,320 --> 00:22:57,000 without getting shocked. 312 00:22:58,960 --> 00:23:02,160 If they get into my food supplies, I'll be in big trouble. 313 00:23:11,760 --> 00:23:14,960 Apart from the yearlings, no other wolf will come near. 314 00:23:15,960 --> 00:23:19,880 To get to know the shyer members of the pack, I put out remote cameras. 315 00:23:21,680 --> 00:23:24,200 But the youngest wolves strike again. 316 00:23:25,280 --> 00:23:26,720 OK, here comes a wolf. 317 00:23:26,720 --> 00:23:28,240 It's one of the yearlings. 318 00:23:29,320 --> 00:23:31,360 Straight up to the camera trap. 319 00:23:34,920 --> 00:23:38,440 Everything that wolves find, they test with their teeth. 320 00:23:38,440 --> 00:23:40,720 They don't use their paws to feel things out. 321 00:23:40,720 --> 00:23:42,480 The most sensitive part of their body 322 00:23:42,480 --> 00:23:45,080 are their lips, their mouths, their nose. 323 00:23:47,520 --> 00:23:51,200 Every camera I put out becomes a new chew toy 324 00:23:51,200 --> 00:23:53,080 for the pack's two teenagers. 325 00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:58,640 Yearlings appear a little bit darker than every other wolf. 326 00:24:00,560 --> 00:24:04,280 These wolves don't start off white, they're born brown or grey. 327 00:24:04,280 --> 00:24:07,240 And as they grow older, they become whiter and whiter. 328 00:24:08,480 --> 00:24:11,720 At least I can now identify one yearling from the other. 329 00:24:11,720 --> 00:24:13,840 This one I'm calling Scruffy. 330 00:24:13,840 --> 00:24:15,520 He's bigger and darker. 331 00:24:16,800 --> 00:24:19,320 You can see how big he is. 332 00:24:19,320 --> 00:24:21,360 You'd never think that he was just a year old. 333 00:24:28,720 --> 00:24:31,640 Scruffy seems to be enjoying the use of my cameras. 334 00:24:48,760 --> 00:24:50,040 The next morning, 335 00:24:50,040 --> 00:24:53,280 it's looks like Scruffy has developed a taste for my kit. 336 00:24:54,640 --> 00:24:57,200 Keep away from my stuff, Scruffy. 337 00:24:59,360 --> 00:25:00,400 Scruffy...! 338 00:25:04,680 --> 00:25:07,320 He decides he likes my camping stool. 339 00:25:10,760 --> 00:25:12,200 You little swine! 340 00:25:13,160 --> 00:25:14,200 Scruffy... 341 00:25:15,160 --> 00:25:16,960 Scruffy... 342 00:25:16,960 --> 00:25:20,680 Absolutely no respect whatsoever for people's private property. 343 00:25:22,640 --> 00:25:24,480 This is bad news. 344 00:25:24,480 --> 00:25:26,880 If Scruffy thinks my stuff is up for grabs, 345 00:25:26,880 --> 00:25:28,800 he could destroy my camp. 346 00:25:28,800 --> 00:25:31,680 GORDON CHUFFS 347 00:25:33,040 --> 00:25:34,360 CHUFFS 348 00:25:34,360 --> 00:25:37,320 I try my best howl to get him to drop it. 349 00:25:37,320 --> 00:25:41,640 HOWLS 350 00:25:44,480 --> 00:25:49,040 HOWLS 351 00:25:50,400 --> 00:25:53,280 I sit down in the hope I can draw him away from the stool. 352 00:25:53,280 --> 00:25:57,000 HOWLS 353 00:25:59,440 --> 00:26:04,120 HOWLS 354 00:26:07,160 --> 00:26:13,080 HOWLS 355 00:26:16,520 --> 00:26:18,400 HOWLS 356 00:26:23,280 --> 00:26:24,960 He's coming straight towards me. 357 00:26:27,120 --> 00:26:31,160 Yeah, being fixed in that stare is not the most comfortable of things. 358 00:26:31,160 --> 00:26:32,280 Heavens above...! 359 00:26:33,480 --> 00:26:34,760 Is this too close? 360 00:26:34,760 --> 00:26:36,200 Is this too close? 361 00:26:37,360 --> 00:26:39,320 Jesus wept... Oh, my God! 362 00:26:40,640 --> 00:26:42,000 That is unnerving. 363 00:26:43,040 --> 00:26:44,080 Hey, Scruff. 364 00:26:45,880 --> 00:26:47,200 You go from... 365 00:26:49,640 --> 00:26:53,040 ..being comfortable to being decidedly uncomfortable. 366 00:26:54,120 --> 00:26:56,960 You are enormous. You might only be one year old... 367 00:26:58,280 --> 00:26:59,920 ..but you're a big old wolf. 368 00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:03,560 Hey, fella, did you like my howling? 369 00:27:05,320 --> 00:27:06,960 Gee whiz, you are beautiful. 370 00:27:08,640 --> 00:27:11,360 GORDON HOWLS 371 00:27:12,320 --> 00:27:13,760 You like that, don't you? 372 00:27:14,880 --> 00:27:16,200 You can tell he's nervous. 373 00:27:17,120 --> 00:27:20,560 But I don't know if he's as nervous as I am. 374 00:27:22,440 --> 00:27:25,880 I suppose that's what I came here for, to get close to these animals, 375 00:27:25,880 --> 00:27:27,320 but being this close... 376 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:30,080 ..worries me. 377 00:27:32,720 --> 00:27:37,200 Because, as much as I think I understand these animals... 378 00:27:38,760 --> 00:27:41,160 ..you can't always read them. 379 00:27:41,160 --> 00:27:43,240 I don't always know what's on their mind. 380 00:27:45,680 --> 00:27:48,440 Eventually, Scruffy gets bored of me 381 00:27:48,440 --> 00:27:49,480 and the stool. 382 00:27:50,440 --> 00:27:51,480 Not bad. 383 00:27:53,040 --> 00:27:54,600 Not too bad at all. 384 00:27:56,720 --> 00:27:57,760 Oh... 385 00:27:58,760 --> 00:27:59,800 Still works. 386 00:28:01,040 --> 00:28:02,080 Thanks, Scruffy. 387 00:28:04,680 --> 00:28:07,720 I'm gradually overcoming my fear of these wolves. 388 00:28:10,840 --> 00:28:13,400 Now I've survived this encounter with Scruffy, 389 00:28:13,400 --> 00:28:16,000 I want to see if I can get closer to Luna. 390 00:28:28,640 --> 00:28:32,320 It's been a couple of days since I last tried to get near Luna 391 00:28:32,320 --> 00:28:34,760 and I think it's time to give it another go. 392 00:28:37,520 --> 00:28:39,880 I came here to see another side to wolves. 393 00:28:39,880 --> 00:28:42,160 That means seeing them raise pups 394 00:28:42,160 --> 00:28:45,000 and it all rests on Luna trusting me. 395 00:28:51,160 --> 00:28:53,480 Luna is at the den. 396 00:28:54,800 --> 00:28:56,320 Just glancing round at me. 397 00:28:58,400 --> 00:29:01,120 You know, I'm not worried about those looks. 398 00:29:02,720 --> 00:29:05,480 She's just checking that I'm still here. 399 00:29:06,640 --> 00:29:07,960 Glances around again. 400 00:29:07,960 --> 00:29:09,720 She's obviously aware of me. 401 00:29:16,880 --> 00:29:17,920 Oh, look! 402 00:29:17,920 --> 00:29:19,560 I can see a pup! I can see a pup! 403 00:29:25,000 --> 00:29:26,600 It is! 404 00:29:26,600 --> 00:29:28,320 A tiny little head popping up. 405 00:29:36,080 --> 00:29:37,560 Wow...! 406 00:29:38,560 --> 00:29:39,840 I... 407 00:29:39,840 --> 00:29:42,160 I don't know, I was expecting them to be white, 408 00:29:42,160 --> 00:29:43,760 but there's a little brown head. 409 00:29:46,280 --> 00:29:49,480 The briefest glimpse of a wolf pup. 410 00:29:53,280 --> 00:29:54,320 Oh, magic! 411 00:29:56,400 --> 00:29:58,120 That's amazing. It really is. 412 00:29:59,440 --> 00:30:01,560 I am so delighted. 413 00:30:04,320 --> 00:30:06,840 Wolves can have up to ten pups in a litter. 414 00:30:07,960 --> 00:30:10,080 I'm desperate to find out if there are more 415 00:30:10,080 --> 00:30:11,720 hidden in the den. 416 00:30:11,720 --> 00:30:15,360 But before I can move closer, the whole pack returns from a hunt. 417 00:30:18,480 --> 00:30:22,120 It's way too soon for me to approach with all of them around. 418 00:30:22,120 --> 00:30:25,160 So, I'm going to try the next best thing. 419 00:30:28,040 --> 00:30:29,280 BEEPING 420 00:30:29,280 --> 00:30:30,720 We have power. 421 00:30:30,720 --> 00:30:33,800 This has never been used before with wolves. 422 00:30:34,920 --> 00:30:37,560 In fact this has never been used before with any animal. 423 00:30:37,560 --> 00:30:39,080 It's very much a prototype. 424 00:30:39,080 --> 00:30:43,440 But it's a rock crawler that can handle this rugged terrain 425 00:30:43,440 --> 00:30:46,400 and it's fitted with two little HD cameras 426 00:30:46,400 --> 00:30:48,520 that I'm hoping to drive up the slope 427 00:30:48,520 --> 00:30:50,040 and get a good look at the den. 428 00:30:50,040 --> 00:30:51,720 Two potential problems, 429 00:30:51,720 --> 00:30:53,440 the terrain is really difficult 430 00:30:53,440 --> 00:30:55,120 but the real danger is that 431 00:30:55,120 --> 00:30:59,840 the wolves don't take too kindly to this and rip it to pieces. 432 00:31:00,960 --> 00:31:04,360 It's designed to handle the terrain but not a pack of six wolves. 433 00:31:05,320 --> 00:31:06,360 We'll see... 434 00:31:16,800 --> 00:31:18,840 OK, I see a wolf. 435 00:31:22,600 --> 00:31:25,120 I'm a bit concerned 436 00:31:25,120 --> 00:31:27,360 about the interest the wolves are showing. 437 00:31:45,000 --> 00:31:47,400 OK, there's a bit of difficult manoeuvring. 438 00:31:47,400 --> 00:31:49,760 Let me see if I can nudge it forward... 439 00:31:51,920 --> 00:31:52,960 Oh, dear... 440 00:31:58,280 --> 00:32:00,400 It's all part of a learning process. 441 00:32:00,400 --> 00:32:03,520 And I've learnt that there's part of the den up there on the right. 442 00:32:04,760 --> 00:32:07,200 It's the bit with the buggy sticking out of it. 443 00:32:10,800 --> 00:32:13,720 I might still get a view inside the den. 444 00:32:15,000 --> 00:32:16,080 I've found a hole. 445 00:32:17,640 --> 00:32:22,000 After a lot of manoeuvring, I get the picture I was hoping for. 446 00:32:25,440 --> 00:32:27,320 Oh, I can see a pup! I can see a pup! 447 00:32:29,200 --> 00:32:32,600 Amazingly, looking straight into the camera. 448 00:32:33,760 --> 00:32:35,720 Theses wolves are incredible. 449 00:32:36,680 --> 00:32:38,640 They have never seen this kind of thing before 450 00:32:38,640 --> 00:32:40,360 and they don't scurry back into the den. 451 00:32:44,080 --> 00:32:45,920 Oh, my word...! 452 00:32:45,920 --> 00:32:48,320 That is just glorious! 453 00:32:50,800 --> 00:32:52,680 Oh, you beauty! Two pups! 454 00:32:52,680 --> 00:32:54,040 Oh, wow! 455 00:32:54,040 --> 00:32:55,480 They are just adorable! 456 00:32:58,160 --> 00:33:01,680 These pups were born deaf and blind. 457 00:33:01,680 --> 00:33:04,000 But now their senses are developing 458 00:33:04,000 --> 00:33:06,600 and they're starting to explore the world around them. 459 00:33:10,360 --> 00:33:12,760 I might get the pups to come and investigate it. 460 00:33:12,760 --> 00:33:14,000 They're looking at it. 461 00:33:16,920 --> 00:33:19,120 They're about four weeks old 462 00:33:19,120 --> 00:33:21,520 and their first teeth are coming through. 463 00:33:32,120 --> 00:33:34,320 These wolves are unbelievable. They really are. 464 00:33:38,720 --> 00:33:39,800 Three pups! 465 00:33:40,760 --> 00:33:42,240 Gee whiz! 466 00:33:42,240 --> 00:33:44,520 I do not believe it! 467 00:33:50,280 --> 00:33:51,320 Wow! 468 00:33:51,320 --> 00:33:53,040 I feel as if I'm right in there. 469 00:33:54,480 --> 00:33:57,000 That I am actually a member of the pack. 470 00:33:59,080 --> 00:34:01,240 It's great! I'm loving this. 471 00:34:10,160 --> 00:34:13,360 If I can follow these pups as they grow up, 472 00:34:13,360 --> 00:34:17,440 I'll get a unique insight into wolf family life. 473 00:34:35,040 --> 00:34:38,280 I think all the wolves are beginning to trust me more. 474 00:34:54,360 --> 00:34:57,680 The pups are spending more and more time above ground. 475 00:35:01,840 --> 00:35:03,800 And they're feeding regularly. 476 00:35:06,960 --> 00:35:10,520 By my count, Luna is suckling them over five times a day. 477 00:35:13,120 --> 00:35:18,120 No-one has ever been this close to a wild wolf pack before 478 00:35:18,120 --> 00:35:19,680 and there are signs 479 00:35:19,680 --> 00:35:23,480 that they're starting to see me as one of the family. 480 00:35:23,480 --> 00:35:26,240 I think a wolf has peed on my binoculars! 481 00:35:29,440 --> 00:35:31,320 I left them here 482 00:35:31,320 --> 00:35:32,760 and I saw a wolf come down, 483 00:35:32,760 --> 00:35:34,240 but I was up that way and... 484 00:35:35,280 --> 00:35:36,960 - SNIFFS - Yep. 485 00:35:36,960 --> 00:35:39,240 That's... That's wolf urine. 486 00:35:39,240 --> 00:35:40,480 SNIFFS 487 00:35:40,480 --> 00:35:42,280 It's very pungent. 488 00:35:42,280 --> 00:35:44,040 SNIFFS 489 00:35:44,040 --> 00:35:45,560 They wouldn't get up that high. 490 00:35:48,360 --> 00:35:51,080 It's all smelling a little bit wolfy round about here! 491 00:35:52,160 --> 00:35:53,800 That's a good thing. 492 00:35:53,800 --> 00:35:57,080 Scent marking, that's erm...that's a territorial thing. 493 00:35:57,080 --> 00:35:59,160 So, maybe they're not marking their territory, 494 00:35:59,160 --> 00:36:01,760 but they're accepting me as part of their group, 495 00:36:01,760 --> 00:36:03,840 that I now belong to them. 496 00:36:11,760 --> 00:36:15,200 I've tried to film wolves many times before 497 00:36:15,200 --> 00:36:17,680 but I've never got this close. 498 00:36:20,240 --> 00:36:22,640 In other parts of the world, it wouldn't be possible. 499 00:36:24,200 --> 00:36:28,400 Wolves often live in dense forests where you just can't see them. 500 00:36:31,160 --> 00:36:34,560 But here, I'm in an unprecedented position 501 00:36:34,560 --> 00:36:36,880 to watch everything they do. 502 00:36:38,320 --> 00:36:41,240 And I'm already surprised by what I'm learning. 503 00:36:45,360 --> 00:36:48,880 This pack works hard for one reason, 504 00:36:48,880 --> 00:36:50,280 to support Luna 505 00:36:50,280 --> 00:36:51,600 and the pups. 506 00:36:53,880 --> 00:36:55,880 She can't leave the den for long, 507 00:36:55,880 --> 00:36:57,400 so they bring food to her. 508 00:37:00,680 --> 00:37:02,720 EXCITED WHINING 509 00:37:03,920 --> 00:37:05,680 Only Luna can feed the pups, 510 00:37:05,680 --> 00:37:08,520 so it's crucial she is kept well-fed. 511 00:37:10,560 --> 00:37:12,960 Poor Luna's looking a little bit 512 00:37:12,960 --> 00:37:15,240 threadbare at the moment. 513 00:37:18,480 --> 00:37:21,560 Having pups takes its toll. 514 00:37:23,760 --> 00:37:28,400 You can't look your best when you've got little ones to be looked after. 515 00:37:31,080 --> 00:37:32,640 Even though Luna's hungry, 516 00:37:32,640 --> 00:37:34,440 the pups come first. 517 00:37:35,520 --> 00:37:37,600 She's now weaning them onto solid food. 518 00:37:40,040 --> 00:37:43,760 Amazingly, I see her make them work for their dinner. 519 00:37:45,120 --> 00:37:49,120 This is the first important step in teaching them how to hunt. 520 00:37:52,280 --> 00:37:55,280 But it's not just Luna that raises the pups. 521 00:38:02,960 --> 00:38:05,480 The whole pack is working together 522 00:38:05,480 --> 00:38:08,360 to make sure that these pups survive. 523 00:38:11,800 --> 00:38:16,440 There is some kind of sense of moral responsibility within these animals. 524 00:38:17,400 --> 00:38:18,440 There has to be. 525 00:38:21,600 --> 00:38:24,520 You can't give up food that you have caught 526 00:38:24,520 --> 00:38:26,160 and give it to another wolf 527 00:38:26,160 --> 00:38:29,320 without there being a moral justification. 528 00:38:31,000 --> 00:38:32,800 It won't be morality like us, but... 529 00:38:34,040 --> 00:38:36,240 ..it'll be a kind of wolfish morality. 530 00:38:40,640 --> 00:38:42,720 Work for the good of the pack. 531 00:38:42,720 --> 00:38:44,120 Strength is in the pack. 532 00:38:45,640 --> 00:38:47,440 If you look after the pack, 533 00:38:47,440 --> 00:38:49,200 the pack will look after you. 534 00:38:51,280 --> 00:38:53,000 Those are the wolf rules. 535 00:38:55,440 --> 00:38:57,960 I thought there'd be more fighting in a wolf pack. 536 00:38:58,920 --> 00:39:01,240 But they feel more like a loving family. 537 00:39:02,520 --> 00:39:05,200 As if to prove their devotion to each other, 538 00:39:05,200 --> 00:39:07,440 they howl together several times a day. 539 00:39:08,400 --> 00:39:10,880 And the pups are learning to join in. 540 00:39:10,880 --> 00:39:13,760 LOUD HOWLING 541 00:39:35,560 --> 00:39:38,080 A DISTANT HOWL 542 00:39:38,080 --> 00:39:39,960 In this open landscape, 543 00:39:39,960 --> 00:39:42,480 howls can be heard over ten miles away. 544 00:39:43,840 --> 00:39:45,880 It's how the family keep in touch. 545 00:39:48,480 --> 00:39:51,360 In another month, the pups will leave the den 546 00:39:51,360 --> 00:39:52,920 and travel with the adults. 547 00:39:52,920 --> 00:39:54,800 HOWLING 548 00:39:54,800 --> 00:39:57,000 If they get split up, 549 00:39:57,000 --> 00:39:58,440 howling is one of the only ways 550 00:39:58,440 --> 00:40:00,560 they'll be able to get back together. 551 00:40:03,480 --> 00:40:06,440 HOWLING 552 00:40:11,360 --> 00:40:14,320 It's the end of my second week here 553 00:40:14,320 --> 00:40:16,400 and the pack's routine is changing. 554 00:40:20,400 --> 00:40:24,040 They need to prepare the pups for the impending Arctic winter 555 00:40:24,040 --> 00:40:25,920 and that means one thing... 556 00:40:26,920 --> 00:40:27,960 Food. 557 00:40:29,280 --> 00:40:33,000 Romulus is leading the other four adults on hunts more frequently. 558 00:40:37,040 --> 00:40:40,680 There's a real pressure on the wolves to keep these pups eating. 559 00:40:43,520 --> 00:40:45,360 For them to survive the winter, 560 00:40:45,360 --> 00:40:48,160 they need to put on as much weight as possible. 561 00:40:58,000 --> 00:41:01,200 I'm spending a lot of time near the den 562 00:41:01,200 --> 00:41:03,600 and I'm starting to figure out 563 00:41:03,600 --> 00:41:06,160 how to make them more comfortable around me. 564 00:41:21,880 --> 00:41:23,320 Ignoring her is the best bet. 565 00:41:24,320 --> 00:41:28,600 It just seems to be that when you act naturally, 566 00:41:28,600 --> 00:41:31,600 like drinking water out of a stream like a wolf, 567 00:41:31,600 --> 00:41:33,040 they come much closer. 568 00:41:34,200 --> 00:41:39,000 Part of the learning process is that staring at them, 569 00:41:39,000 --> 00:41:40,800 constantly looking at them, 570 00:41:40,800 --> 00:41:42,640 doesn't seem to work. 571 00:41:44,880 --> 00:41:46,200 Ignoring them does. 572 00:41:49,440 --> 00:41:53,200 Today, the rest of the pack has been out hunting for six hours 573 00:41:53,200 --> 00:41:55,560 and there's no sign of their return. 574 00:41:58,800 --> 00:42:01,240 The pups are getting really hungry. 575 00:42:02,280 --> 00:42:05,400 So, she has to resort to emergency supplies. 576 00:42:07,080 --> 00:42:10,000 What wolves will do is, once they've made a kill, 577 00:42:10,000 --> 00:42:14,600 if it's something that's big and they can't eat it all in one go, 578 00:42:14,600 --> 00:42:18,920 they'll leave these little food parcels all round their territory. 579 00:42:20,400 --> 00:42:24,240 And that's something they can return to and they can feed on 580 00:42:24,240 --> 00:42:27,200 when they haven't had any luck catching something. 581 00:42:28,360 --> 00:42:30,360 But I can imagine, 582 00:42:30,360 --> 00:42:33,080 if you're leaving hundreds and hundreds of little food parcels 583 00:42:33,080 --> 00:42:34,480 all around your territory, 584 00:42:34,480 --> 00:42:36,560 an area that is vast, 585 00:42:36,560 --> 00:42:40,120 you can't possibly remember where every single one of them is. 586 00:42:41,320 --> 00:42:44,240 So it's a bit like, erm...hunting through your house 587 00:42:44,240 --> 00:42:45,520 looking for your car keys. 588 00:42:45,520 --> 00:42:47,040 You know they're there somewhere 589 00:42:47,040 --> 00:42:49,160 but it might take a little while to locate them. 590 00:42:51,960 --> 00:42:54,800 The food caches around the den have been eaten. 591 00:42:55,920 --> 00:42:58,640 But there will be food buried further afield. 592 00:43:01,400 --> 00:43:03,280 It's a chance for me to approach the pups. 593 00:43:04,360 --> 00:43:08,160 An opportunity to see wolf development like never before. 594 00:43:30,800 --> 00:43:35,840 I cannot believe that I am this close to wolf pups at a den. 595 00:43:37,600 --> 00:43:40,480 It is beyond my wildest dreams. 596 00:43:44,160 --> 00:43:46,160 At this distance, 597 00:43:46,160 --> 00:43:49,800 you can really get a good view of these pups. 598 00:44:00,640 --> 00:44:04,280 It seems that the smallest pup is the most dominant one. 599 00:44:06,360 --> 00:44:08,480 There's not much in it sizewise, 600 00:44:08,480 --> 00:44:10,240 but just being this close, 601 00:44:10,240 --> 00:44:13,760 you can tell that one is marginally smaller, 602 00:44:13,760 --> 00:44:16,160 but considerably more dominant. 603 00:44:19,280 --> 00:44:23,280 It's the dominant pup that seems to be the most adventurous one. 604 00:44:25,480 --> 00:44:27,400 They're kind of ranked in order. 605 00:44:27,400 --> 00:44:29,760 There's super-adventurous. 606 00:44:30,720 --> 00:44:32,080 Adventurous. 607 00:44:32,080 --> 00:44:33,320 And stay-at-home. 608 00:44:34,480 --> 00:44:38,200 It always seems to be the same third one that stays back. 609 00:44:39,360 --> 00:44:43,240 And it's kind of encouraged by the others to head further out. 610 00:44:49,560 --> 00:44:52,120 The pups all look healthy now 611 00:44:52,120 --> 00:44:54,120 but when food gets scarce 612 00:44:54,120 --> 00:44:57,320 it's the dominant pup that is most likely to survive. 613 00:45:03,040 --> 00:45:06,280 Soon, the pups will leave the warmth and safety of the den. 614 00:45:07,280 --> 00:45:09,600 Life is going to get a lot harder. 615 00:45:10,840 --> 00:45:13,960 At least, while I'm here, I'll help keep an eye on them. 616 00:45:17,480 --> 00:45:20,440 This is the best baby-sitting job I've ever had. 617 00:45:22,400 --> 00:45:27,760 It is amazing, really, to be trusted and accepted by a wild animal. 618 00:45:28,960 --> 00:45:31,880 Wolves are super-cool. 619 00:45:33,800 --> 00:45:36,320 I've been really amazed by them. 620 00:45:37,880 --> 00:45:40,840 Amazed by how they live 621 00:45:40,840 --> 00:45:44,920 and also amazed by how they've let me get so close to them. 622 00:45:47,520 --> 00:45:51,520 It's amazing, really, to be able to form some kind of 623 00:45:51,520 --> 00:45:54,560 cross-species relationship with wolves, 624 00:45:54,560 --> 00:45:57,720 to the point that they'll let you 625 00:45:57,720 --> 00:45:59,600 look after their young 626 00:45:59,600 --> 00:46:01,120 while they go off hunting. 627 00:46:03,160 --> 00:46:05,560 If that's not being welcomed into the pack, 628 00:46:05,560 --> 00:46:07,080 I don't know what is. 629 00:46:15,440 --> 00:46:18,520 After an hour, Luna returns with food. 630 00:46:21,280 --> 00:46:24,160 She's only been able to find an old muskox leg. 631 00:46:28,400 --> 00:46:31,240 And there's barely enough meat on the bone for each pup. 632 00:46:34,600 --> 00:46:35,920 It's a worrying sign. 633 00:46:39,440 --> 00:46:41,440 My wolf family have a problem. 634 00:46:48,640 --> 00:46:50,800 The Arctic summer doesn't last long. 635 00:46:52,080 --> 00:46:56,160 It's a time when all animals race to feed their offspring, 636 00:46:56,160 --> 00:46:58,600 preparing them for the approaching winter. 637 00:47:06,720 --> 00:47:10,400 This should be the easiest time of year to find food. 638 00:47:11,640 --> 00:47:13,160 But my wolves are struggling 639 00:47:13,160 --> 00:47:15,800 to bring back anything substantial for the pups. 640 00:47:18,000 --> 00:47:21,560 In six weeks, they will face freezing temperatures. 641 00:47:23,880 --> 00:47:27,480 On their current diet, the pups have little chance of surviving. 642 00:47:30,760 --> 00:47:33,360 What they desperately need is a big meal. 643 00:47:39,160 --> 00:47:41,320 I've only got four days left. 644 00:47:42,560 --> 00:47:46,240 I want to leave knowing that the pups are getting enough to eat. 645 00:47:47,560 --> 00:47:51,720 To do that, the pack will need to bring down a muskox. 646 00:47:57,520 --> 00:48:01,640 Herds of muskox move through wolf territories in search of grazing. 647 00:48:02,800 --> 00:48:06,360 They are the most dangerous creature a wolf can hunt. 648 00:48:07,320 --> 00:48:08,360 Look at this... 649 00:48:09,360 --> 00:48:10,920 It's the remains of a muskox. 650 00:48:12,520 --> 00:48:14,480 And a pretty big one. 651 00:48:14,480 --> 00:48:15,520 Look at this... 652 00:48:16,480 --> 00:48:18,200 My goodness! 653 00:48:18,200 --> 00:48:22,480 It's like something from the distant past. 654 00:48:22,480 --> 00:48:24,200 And I suppose it is. 655 00:48:24,200 --> 00:48:28,400 Muskox are one of the few animals to have survived the last ice age 656 00:48:28,400 --> 00:48:31,440 and, really, this animal evolved alongside wolves, 657 00:48:31,440 --> 00:48:33,520 but they evolved alongside animals 658 00:48:33,520 --> 00:48:35,760 that are long-extinct - sabre-toothed cats. 659 00:48:35,760 --> 00:48:38,120 So, they are equipped to deal with predators 660 00:48:38,120 --> 00:48:40,080 that are much bigger than the wolf. 661 00:48:40,080 --> 00:48:41,840 Looking at this in detail, 662 00:48:41,840 --> 00:48:44,640 you realise what these wolves are up against. 663 00:48:45,800 --> 00:48:49,840 If muskox are under attack, they can ram into a wolf. 664 00:48:50,800 --> 00:48:53,040 They're powerful enough to break the spine of a wolf, 665 00:48:53,040 --> 00:48:54,600 if they get a direct hit. 666 00:48:54,600 --> 00:48:56,360 But, also, what they'll do is gore, 667 00:48:56,360 --> 00:48:59,960 like any animal with horns is designed to do, 668 00:48:59,960 --> 00:49:03,560 and that would go right through a wolf. 669 00:49:04,520 --> 00:49:06,760 For wolves to get a significant meal, 670 00:49:06,760 --> 00:49:10,000 they have to take on one of these huge animals. 671 00:49:10,000 --> 00:49:12,920 Can you imagine facing off an animal like this, 672 00:49:12,920 --> 00:49:15,480 that weighs over 400 kilos? 673 00:49:15,480 --> 00:49:17,840 It stands nearly five foot at the shoulder. 674 00:49:18,800 --> 00:49:23,000 And these, in comparison, tiny wolves square up to them. 675 00:49:25,960 --> 00:49:27,200 Rather them than me. 676 00:49:32,360 --> 00:49:35,400 Two days later, I can't believe the pack's luck. 677 00:49:36,560 --> 00:49:39,240 A muskox herd has moved into our valley. 678 00:49:40,320 --> 00:49:43,440 This could be the opportunity the family needs. 679 00:49:44,800 --> 00:49:46,800 They are huge. 680 00:49:49,000 --> 00:49:51,280 Now that is one animal I'm scared of. 681 00:49:51,280 --> 00:49:52,680 And they've got a bad attitude 682 00:49:52,680 --> 00:49:55,720 towards anything that looks like a predator. 683 00:49:59,880 --> 00:50:01,560 Right, I'm not too happy about this 684 00:50:01,560 --> 00:50:04,520 because the muskox are coming straight towards me. 685 00:50:08,360 --> 00:50:11,040 I'm in a very dangerous position, 686 00:50:11,040 --> 00:50:13,680 trapped between the wolves and their prey. 687 00:50:24,200 --> 00:50:26,720 Now, this could get interesting. 688 00:50:28,320 --> 00:50:29,920 How's this going to play out? 689 00:50:38,520 --> 00:50:41,840 It looks like they're going to cross right over towards the wolves. 690 00:50:42,920 --> 00:50:44,120 It's crazy. 691 00:50:48,000 --> 00:50:50,240 Muskox are aggressive 692 00:50:50,240 --> 00:50:52,200 and pose a danger to the pups. 693 00:50:54,960 --> 00:50:56,880 The wolves are up on their feet. 694 00:50:58,200 --> 00:51:00,560 They're heading right up towards the wolves. 695 00:51:00,560 --> 00:51:01,680 Holy mackerel... 696 00:51:02,640 --> 00:51:05,040 Now these wolves are going to have to spring into action. 697 00:51:06,000 --> 00:51:07,200 My God... 698 00:51:12,520 --> 00:51:15,720 They're really relaxed. God, these wolves are super-cool! 699 00:51:18,480 --> 00:51:21,920 My wolves are hungry, but this is a big herd. 700 00:51:23,000 --> 00:51:25,160 The pack are outnumbered two to one. 701 00:51:26,120 --> 00:51:29,080 It's not often that a meal comes straight towards a wolf 702 00:51:29,080 --> 00:51:31,840 but that's what seems to have happened here. 703 00:51:31,840 --> 00:51:35,600 Now the wolves have to really think carefully 704 00:51:35,600 --> 00:51:37,960 whether this is worth it, 705 00:51:37,960 --> 00:51:40,120 whether they stand a chance. 706 00:51:43,040 --> 00:51:45,960 Scruffy shows his inexperience 707 00:51:45,960 --> 00:51:47,800 and is pushed back by a bull. 708 00:51:58,760 --> 00:52:00,440 Oh, she's making a go for it! 709 00:52:03,360 --> 00:52:04,680 They're going for it. 710 00:52:04,680 --> 00:52:06,200 They're going for the muskox. 711 00:52:06,200 --> 00:52:07,840 They're going for the muskox. 712 00:52:07,840 --> 00:52:10,040 Jesus, they've set panic in amongst the herd. 713 00:52:17,240 --> 00:52:19,600 Luna and Romulus are leading the charge. 714 00:52:21,040 --> 00:52:22,760 They don't want them to get up on the hill 715 00:52:22,760 --> 00:52:24,760 because they'll lose them on the flat. 716 00:52:43,040 --> 00:52:45,320 Oh, my God, this is unbelievable! 717 00:52:48,200 --> 00:52:50,360 The muskox have regained the advantage. 718 00:52:52,080 --> 00:52:54,160 Two massive bulls, 719 00:52:54,160 --> 00:52:55,560 about ten females. 720 00:52:57,080 --> 00:52:59,120 Maybe they don't stand a chance? Crikey... 721 00:53:00,160 --> 00:53:01,960 Scruffy strays too close. 722 00:53:02,920 --> 00:53:04,800 A bull seizes the opportunity. 723 00:53:07,040 --> 00:53:09,760 In the confusion, the rest of the herd make a break... 724 00:53:10,720 --> 00:53:12,080 Oh, my word! 725 00:53:12,080 --> 00:53:14,920 ..with Luna and Romulus in pursuit. 726 00:53:20,280 --> 00:53:22,720 That was exciting. 727 00:53:24,240 --> 00:53:25,560 Phew...! 728 00:53:36,080 --> 00:53:38,680 It's gone midnight and I am shattered. 729 00:53:38,680 --> 00:53:39,840 HOWLING 730 00:53:39,840 --> 00:53:41,440 But also delighted. 731 00:53:43,920 --> 00:53:46,400 I'm hoping I'll wake up to Luna feeding the pups 732 00:53:46,400 --> 00:53:48,640 the muskox meal they badly need. 733 00:54:04,920 --> 00:54:07,920 The next morning, there's still no sign of Luna. 734 00:54:08,880 --> 00:54:11,480 It's my last day and I'm starting to worry. 735 00:54:12,600 --> 00:54:15,200 The pups haven't fed for eight hours. 736 00:54:17,400 --> 00:54:20,680 Luna has never left them for this long before. 737 00:54:21,760 --> 00:54:25,400 The pups aren't weaned and no other wolf can keep them alive. 738 00:54:28,840 --> 00:54:30,160 There's no sign of the pack. 739 00:54:31,800 --> 00:54:33,440 So I head out to look for them. 740 00:54:44,920 --> 00:54:46,640 I find muskox, 741 00:54:46,640 --> 00:54:48,920 but the wolves are nowhere to be seen. 742 00:54:50,800 --> 00:54:52,720 You can see from this viewpoint 743 00:54:52,720 --> 00:54:55,120 how hard the wolves have to work to survive. 744 00:54:55,120 --> 00:54:57,480 It is wild. It's the wildest place on earth. 745 00:54:57,480 --> 00:55:01,200 We are so far north that, beyond this, it's the North Pole. 746 00:55:02,160 --> 00:55:03,600 There is nothing. 747 00:55:05,000 --> 00:55:06,720 And we don't know how far they go. 748 00:55:06,720 --> 00:55:10,120 There's lots of questions about exactly where they're going to hunt. 749 00:55:11,840 --> 00:55:16,200 It may well be that they even go into those mountains and beyond. 750 00:55:19,200 --> 00:55:20,400 Even on this short walk, 751 00:55:20,400 --> 00:55:22,680 I've realised that it's going to be impossible 752 00:55:22,680 --> 00:55:24,120 to follow the wolves on foot. 753 00:55:29,160 --> 00:55:31,400 When I get back to the den, 754 00:55:31,400 --> 00:55:32,800 I can't see the pups. 755 00:55:35,760 --> 00:55:38,240 I've only got a few hours until I have to leave. 756 00:55:39,480 --> 00:55:41,080 And I'm worried about them. 757 00:55:52,320 --> 00:55:54,320 I wonder if I can call the pups out? 758 00:55:55,800 --> 00:55:58,280 They've heard my voice 759 00:55:58,280 --> 00:56:01,560 and they haven't acted too adversely to it so... 760 00:56:03,840 --> 00:56:04,880 Pup, pup, come on. 761 00:56:06,120 --> 00:56:08,000 Come on, pups. Out you come. 762 00:56:19,400 --> 00:56:20,840 It is unbelievable. 763 00:56:22,080 --> 00:56:25,280 I never imagined, when I first arrived here, 764 00:56:25,280 --> 00:56:27,920 when I was looking at this den from across the valley, 765 00:56:27,920 --> 00:56:32,040 that I would one day be sitting right on top 766 00:56:32,040 --> 00:56:33,760 listening to the pups inside. 767 00:56:35,360 --> 00:56:36,640 Pretty special. 768 00:56:44,600 --> 00:56:48,080 Their mum, Luna, has been away for 12 hours. 769 00:56:49,280 --> 00:56:51,080 Longer than ever before. 770 00:56:53,280 --> 00:56:55,360 The pups are starving. 771 00:57:02,000 --> 00:57:05,520 I never expected to get this close to wild wolves. 772 00:57:06,840 --> 00:57:09,040 Or to get so attached to them. 773 00:57:10,640 --> 00:57:15,880 To come here and actually get to know these wolves 774 00:57:15,880 --> 00:57:19,920 has been a complete revelation to me. 775 00:57:19,920 --> 00:57:23,000 You know, wolves are far more incredible 776 00:57:23,000 --> 00:57:24,880 than I could ever have imagined. 777 00:57:24,880 --> 00:57:26,920 I've really fallen for them in a big way. 778 00:57:28,200 --> 00:57:30,640 I desperately want to help the pups, 779 00:57:30,640 --> 00:57:32,520 but...I can't. 780 00:57:35,400 --> 00:57:39,760 All I can do is hope that Luna feeds them soon 781 00:57:39,760 --> 00:57:43,400 and they're all still alive when I come back in six weeks. 782 00:57:48,640 --> 00:57:51,320 When I return, everything has changed. 783 00:57:51,320 --> 00:57:54,200 My wolf family are on the move... 784 00:57:55,560 --> 00:57:57,520 ..and I struggle to keep up with them. 785 00:57:59,560 --> 00:58:00,600 Oh, wow! 786 00:58:01,560 --> 00:58:05,320 It's a crucial time as they try to feed up for the Arctic winter. 787 00:58:06,920 --> 00:58:09,280 That is a sign of desperation. 788 00:58:09,280 --> 00:58:11,760 That's a sign that the wolves are finding things tough. 789 00:58:11,760 --> 00:58:15,240 Tensions rise as they clash with a rival pack. 790 00:58:15,240 --> 00:58:17,480 These guys have pushed my pack out. 791 00:58:17,480 --> 00:58:19,200 I hope nothing bad's happened. 792 00:58:20,160 --> 00:58:22,920 And I see a new side to my wolf family. 793 00:58:24,000 --> 00:58:27,200 If ever I was going to be attacked by a wolf, 794 00:58:27,200 --> 00:58:29,040 now would seem like a good time.