1 00:00:37,720 --> 00:00:40,119 Summer in the polar regions 2 00:00:40,200 --> 00:00:42,159 and the sun never sets. 3 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:47,999 Imagine a single day that lasts for months. 4 00:00:51,560 --> 00:00:54,839 Some polar animals will face great challenges 5 00:00:54,920 --> 00:00:57,679 as their ice world vanishes around them. 6 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:03,519 Others must use this special time wisely, 7 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:06,719 for summer's riches will not last. 8 00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:38,799 The summer is just beginning and the increasing power of the sun 9 00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:42,519 is creating a spectacular new landscape. 10 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:56,119 This melting ice sheet in the Arctic is 150 miles long 11 00:01:56,200 --> 00:01:58,599 with a thousand waterfalls. 12 00:02:04,040 --> 00:02:10,199 Vast expanses of ice that were once stone-still have come to life. 13 00:02:34,760 --> 00:02:39,719 The polar bear's world is melting away under the constant summer sun. 14 00:02:48,960 --> 00:02:51,319 As the season advances, 15 00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:54,839 the frozen surface of the ocean disintegrates. 16 00:02:54,920 --> 00:02:58,519 Soon, the ice here will have totally vanished. 17 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:12,679 The polar bear family have to adapt to their rapidly changing home. 18 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:23,759 For the two cubs, this is a whole new watery world. 19 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:27,639 It's the first time they have seen the sea-ice break up. 20 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:36,239 They're only six months old 21 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:40,079 and will be dependent on their mother for another two years. 22 00:03:44,680 --> 00:03:47,119 They have much to learn. 23 00:03:55,680 --> 00:03:57,839 Their first swimming lesson, 24 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:01,719 and they're not sure that they want it. 25 00:04:12,440 --> 00:04:16,079 For their mother, swimming is second nature. 26 00:04:19,120 --> 00:04:24,399 But the cubs still prefer to have ice beneath their feet whenever they can. 27 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:40,039 Soon, it will be impossible to avoid the water. 28 00:04:45,360 --> 00:04:48,799 This lone male has lived through a dozen summers 29 00:04:48,880 --> 00:04:51,399 and is perfectly at home in the sea. 30 00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:00,439 He can swim up to 50 miles a day. 31 00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:07,279 He's hungry and he's searching this ice maze for seals. 32 00:05:17,280 --> 00:05:21,639 But travelling across this increasingly fragile ice-scape 33 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:25,479 is hard work for an animal weighing over half a ton. 34 00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:42,279 It's also harder to hunt when you have to swim. 35 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:47,239 In open water, the odds are in the seals' favor. 36 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:09,959 Lean months lie ahead for the polar bears. 37 00:06:10,040 --> 00:06:15,519 They will have to adopt new hunting strategies or risk starvation. 38 00:06:21,320 --> 00:06:24,959 The northern part of the earth is now tilting towards the sun 39 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:29,519 and all around the Arctic the sea-ice continues its retreat. 40 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:44,959 The last remnants of the ice-world drift with the wind and the tides. 41 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:09,079 The sun's heat may be gentle at these latitudes, 42 00:07:09,160 --> 00:07:12,399 but it is continuous for 24 hours a day 43 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:16,039 and it carves the ice into magical shapes. 44 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:36,999 Those that need ice have to visit the glacier fronts to find it. 45 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:45,319 A comfortable bed is hard to come by. 46 00:07:55,120 --> 00:07:59,599 A polar bear's fur is so dense that water is easily shaken off. 47 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:09,559 And ice absorbs water like a towel. 48 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:32,639 That's better! 49 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:39,199 There's now little chance of catching seals 50 00:08:39,280 --> 00:08:42,799 and this bear may not eat again until the end of summer. 51 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:50,679 It's better to save energy and doze in the sun. 52 00:09:00,800 --> 00:09:06,639 The warmth of the sun's rays is now bringing the Arctic lands back to life. 53 00:10:05,920 --> 00:10:07,839 Red phalaropes. 54 00:10:07,920 --> 00:10:10,319 They've flown all the way from the tropics 55 00:10:10,400 --> 00:10:13,479 to feed in these rich Arctic waters. 56 00:10:13,960 --> 00:10:17,439 They stir up the tiny creatures that are now flourishing here 57 00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:19,919 with a special spinning dance. 58 00:10:26,040 --> 00:10:30,599 All excellent fuel, as they hurry to rear the next generation. 59 00:10:34,440 --> 00:10:38,839 The Arctic terns have made an even longer journey to breed here. 60 00:10:38,920 --> 00:10:42,719 They have flown 11 ,000 miles from the Antarctic. 61 00:10:45,640 --> 00:10:48,559 Their newly hatched chicks will need to grow fast 62 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:50,559 if they're to accompany their parents 63 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:53,679 when they return south in only six weeks' time. 64 00:10:57,920 --> 00:11:02,279 An eider duck has chosen to nest in the center of the tern colony, 65 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:05,479 hardly a tranquil place to raise your young. 66 00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:13,399 But the noisy neighbors have a feisty attitude to life 67 00:11:13,480 --> 00:11:15,719 and that can be very valuable. 68 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:30,919 A hungry bear looking for a meal 69 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:34,679 can destroy hundreds of nests in a single raid. 70 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:38,399 Defensive squadrons of terns take off immediately. 71 00:11:46,640 --> 00:11:49,679 Sharp beaks stab down from above. 72 00:11:49,760 --> 00:11:53,519 The bear has nothing in his armory that can cope with this. 73 00:12:09,320 --> 00:12:12,719 The terns have drawn blood from his muzzle. 74 00:12:22,160 --> 00:12:25,319 He leaves, in search of an easier meal. 75 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:33,239 The eiders survive thanks to their choice of neighbors. 76 00:12:40,680 --> 00:12:43,799 And the ducklings begin their sprint to maturity. 77 00:12:48,560 --> 00:12:50,679 Fishing continues around the clock 78 00:12:50,760 --> 00:12:55,319 as the terns race to rear their young before the return of the freeze. 79 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:10,079 So the rich waters of summer fuel the breeding of all these visitors 80 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:13,479 and enable them to build up the reserves they will need 81 00:13:13,560 --> 00:13:15,999 for the long return journey south. 82 00:13:28,880 --> 00:13:34,599 Inland, the winter snows have gone, revealing a vast, treeless wilderness. 83 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:47,519 The male snowy owl is finding plenty of lemmings to bring to his mate. 84 00:13:52,200 --> 00:13:54,399 But they're not just for her. 85 00:14:02,480 --> 00:14:05,479 She is brooding their rather scruffy young. 86 00:14:07,720 --> 00:14:10,279 She tears the meal into beak-sized chunks 87 00:14:10,360 --> 00:14:12,799 that the owlets can swallow whole. 88 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:15,839 Each of them can eat two lemmings a day. 89 00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:28,879 The male has no time to rest. 90 00:14:28,960 --> 00:14:32,319 Over the course of the summer, he will have to provide his family 91 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:34,959 with over a thousand lemmings. 92 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:41,719 The hungry owlets keep the adults working around the clock. 93 00:14:45,480 --> 00:14:49,639 The arctic summer may be short but the days are long. 94 00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:55,039 Everyone must take advantage of the 24-hour daylight, 95 00:14:55,120 --> 00:14:57,839 none more so than the owls' tiny neighbors, 96 00:14:57,920 --> 00:15:00,239 the Lapland buntings. 97 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:17,959 Both parents feed their growing family continuously. 98 00:15:29,560 --> 00:15:32,199 A mere 10 days after hatching 99 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:35,359 and they will all have left in record time. 100 00:15:39,320 --> 00:15:41,799 The last needs a little encouragement. 101 00:15:50,760 --> 00:15:53,399 The owlets have also left their nest 102 00:15:53,480 --> 00:15:56,879 and turned into football-sized balls of fluff. 103 00:15:56,960 --> 00:16:01,279 But they still depend on their parents for food and protection. 104 00:16:07,160 --> 00:16:08,359 A skua. 105 00:16:09,760 --> 00:16:12,599 Their mother's talons are her best weapons. 106 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:39,399 The owlets are dangerously exposed out on the tundra, 107 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:42,319 so they must hurry to change from balls of fluff 108 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:44,519 to fully-feathered adults. 109 00:16:44,600 --> 00:16:48,039 And to do that they need more lemmings. 110 00:16:58,080 --> 00:17:00,959 A lemming doesn't last long these days. 111 00:17:10,320 --> 00:17:14,639 Times are harder for the wolves here in the high Arctic. 112 00:17:30,320 --> 00:17:34,479 The cubs are now six weeks old and increasingly hungry. 113 00:17:46,600 --> 00:17:50,519 The adults have to struggle to feed their growing family. 114 00:17:56,040 --> 00:17:59,039 Somewhere on this vast expanse of tundra 115 00:17:59,120 --> 00:18:01,679 there must be larger prey. 116 00:18:13,760 --> 00:18:16,759 Musk oxen are on the move. 117 00:18:23,720 --> 00:18:27,279 They're heading into the valleys, where the brief summer rains 118 00:18:27,360 --> 00:18:29,359 will produce fresh grazing. 119 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:43,559 This is an opportunity that must be seized, 120 00:18:43,640 --> 00:18:46,639 even if it means travelling 80 miles in a day. 121 00:18:56,320 --> 00:18:58,599 Their task is a formidable one. 122 00:19:00,880 --> 00:19:03,519 Musk oxen are immensely powerful 123 00:19:04,360 --> 00:19:06,479 and their sharp horns can kill. 124 00:19:15,960 --> 00:19:19,879 A heavily armored bull would be an unwise choice. 125 00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:24,479 Even two wolves would find it a struggle to bring it down. 126 00:19:32,120 --> 00:19:33,319 A calf. 127 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:36,439 Much easier. 128 00:19:57,920 --> 00:20:02,479 The two wolves work together to split the herd and isolate their victim. 129 00:20:23,320 --> 00:20:27,119 It seems that the wolf cubs will at last eat well. 130 00:20:32,120 --> 00:20:33,959 But the herd regroups. 131 00:20:42,520 --> 00:20:44,879 The cavalry ride to the rescue. 132 00:20:50,360 --> 00:20:54,839 The whole herd encircles the calf with a protective wall of horns. 133 00:20:59,920 --> 00:21:04,039 For the musk oxen, it's all for one and one for all. 134 00:21:18,080 --> 00:21:23,519 For the wolves, another attack would be not only futile but dangerous. 135 00:21:26,720 --> 00:21:28,679 They have spent a lot of energy 136 00:21:28,760 --> 00:21:31,319 and have nothing whatever to show for it. 137 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:50,719 Their failure will be felt most keenly back at the den. 138 00:22:03,640 --> 00:22:06,599 They have nothing to take back to the family. 139 00:22:27,160 --> 00:22:31,599 The pack are forced to move on in search of better hunting. 140 00:22:37,640 --> 00:22:39,879 They must find something soon 141 00:22:39,960 --> 00:22:43,559 in this vast wilderness to feed their growing family. 142 00:22:45,880 --> 00:22:48,919 The brief Arctic summer is almost over. 143 00:23:08,280 --> 00:23:13,559 At the southern end of the planet, the long summer days transform life, 144 00:23:13,640 --> 00:23:18,479 just as they do in the north, but the cast here is very different. 145 00:23:26,720 --> 00:23:28,239 King penguins. 146 00:23:30,040 --> 00:23:34,959 A parent, returning with food, must recognize its chick's call 147 00:23:35,040 --> 00:23:38,679 amongst a chorus of 400,000 birds. 148 00:24:01,400 --> 00:24:03,519 Huge colonies like this one 149 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:07,279 are found all along the north coast of South Georgia. 150 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:15,079 King penguins are active throughout the long summer days, 151 00:24:15,160 --> 00:24:19,239 so they have to deal with an uncharacteristic polar problem. 152 00:24:29,200 --> 00:24:34,519 By midday, the temperature can reach a sizzling 17 degrees centigrade. 153 00:24:38,920 --> 00:24:41,759 Any effort can lead to overheating. 154 00:24:42,160 --> 00:24:45,199 It's best not to overexert oneself. 155 00:24:48,640 --> 00:24:51,679 The heavily insulated penguins stretch out 156 00:24:51,760 --> 00:24:54,519 so their naked feet can cool in the breeze. 157 00:25:07,160 --> 00:25:10,199 Their gigantic neighbors use a different approach. 158 00:25:10,800 --> 00:25:14,999 Wet sand cools the backs of these elephant seals 159 00:25:15,080 --> 00:25:17,639 and also acts as a sunscreen. 160 00:25:27,280 --> 00:25:30,919 The chicks, in their downy coats that have kept them warm all winter, 161 00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:34,039 are in even greater danger of overheating. 162 00:25:50,960 --> 00:25:53,879 It will be two months before they can swim properly, 163 00:25:53,960 --> 00:25:57,439 but a dip in the shallow river brings a little relief. 164 00:26:15,800 --> 00:26:19,759 There is, however, another way to cool the blood. 165 00:26:23,920 --> 00:26:28,559 This murky pool has become a penguin spa. 166 00:26:36,120 --> 00:26:40,719 It's a great way to cool the feet, but there is no reason to stop there. 167 00:26:40,800 --> 00:26:44,479 You can indulge yourself with the full treatment. 168 00:26:59,280 --> 00:27:01,719 Mud, glorious mud! 169 00:27:15,640 --> 00:27:17,359 For the fully feathered adults, 170 00:27:17,440 --> 00:27:20,319 there's a cleaner, more invigorating option. 171 00:27:26,160 --> 00:27:29,479 The bracing waters of the Southern Ocean. 172 00:28:32,400 --> 00:28:36,199 The 100-mile long island of South Georgia 173 00:28:36,280 --> 00:28:39,439 lies on the northern fringe of Antarctica. 174 00:28:47,960 --> 00:28:51,159 Ice-free all year, its rich coastal waters 175 00:28:51,240 --> 00:28:55,439 make it a popular breeding destination for all beach lovers. 176 00:29:05,000 --> 00:29:11,119 In summer, 95% of the world's population of Antarctic fur seals come here. 177 00:29:13,160 --> 00:29:14,439 Packed tightly together, 178 00:29:14,520 --> 00:29:18,719 they form one of the densest gatherings of marine mammals on Earth. 179 00:29:23,200 --> 00:29:26,479 The island's beaches are filling fast and will soon be crammed 180 00:29:26,560 --> 00:29:30,239 with five million of these summer visitors. 181 00:29:32,440 --> 00:29:37,199 Space is at a premium, as every female needs a dry patch of sand 182 00:29:37,280 --> 00:29:40,079 the size of a beach towel for herself. 183 00:29:47,600 --> 00:29:49,719 And for good reason. 184 00:29:55,800 --> 00:30:00,799 Virtually all of them give birth within just 10 days. 185 00:30:14,000 --> 00:30:17,639 It's crucial to establish a strong bond with your baby 186 00:30:17,720 --> 00:30:19,879 in such a crowded colony. 187 00:30:28,240 --> 00:30:31,879 The pups grow quickly on rich, high-fat milk. 188 00:30:42,280 --> 00:30:45,759 After giving birth, the females are ready to mate, 189 00:30:45,840 --> 00:30:50,439 so each male guards up to 15 of them in his small patch of beach. 190 00:30:51,160 --> 00:30:55,879 A bull may only hold a territory for one season in his entire life. 191 00:30:57,600 --> 00:31:02,239 So, when a challenger arrives, he will risk everything to retain it. 192 00:31:35,680 --> 00:31:38,639 Their sharp teeth inflict terrible injuries. 193 00:31:54,600 --> 00:31:58,399 Many bulls die from exhaustion after these fights. 194 00:32:03,800 --> 00:32:07,839 In the heat of the battle, the pups are also in real danger. 195 00:32:25,400 --> 00:32:27,919 The defeated bull makes his escape, 196 00:32:28,000 --> 00:32:31,999 but the colony still suffers from the side-effects of the battle. 197 00:32:40,120 --> 00:32:44,079 Many of the pups get lost in the violence and confusion. 198 00:33:21,000 --> 00:33:23,959 This time, there is a happy ending. 199 00:33:33,320 --> 00:33:34,839 As summer progresses, 200 00:33:34,920 --> 00:33:38,679 even more of the Southern Ocean is gradually opening up. 201 00:33:47,120 --> 00:33:49,759 The summer melt, as it moves south, 202 00:33:49,840 --> 00:33:52,799 arrives first at the Antarctic Peninsula, 203 00:33:52,880 --> 00:33:55,559 the most northern tip of the continent. 204 00:33:59,200 --> 00:34:03,439 As the ice retreats, a dramatic 500-mile-long coastline 205 00:34:03,520 --> 00:34:07,319 is revealed for the first time in seven months. 206 00:34:14,480 --> 00:34:19,959 This new seascape is home to one of the most numerous mammals on the planet. 207 00:34:22,840 --> 00:34:24,279 Crabeater seals, 208 00:34:24,360 --> 00:34:28,599 over 15 million live here amongst the drifting ice floes. 209 00:34:39,640 --> 00:34:43,439 They owe their existence here to living organisms so small 210 00:34:43,520 --> 00:34:44,999 you might hardly notice them. 211 00:34:48,680 --> 00:34:52,959 The underside of the sea-ice is stained by algae. 212 00:34:53,800 --> 00:34:56,119 These microscopic plants 213 00:34:56,200 --> 00:34:59,639 support the most important Antarctic creatures of all. 214 00:35:01,840 --> 00:35:02,999 Krill. 215 00:35:04,800 --> 00:35:08,839 They have been grazing on the algal layer throughout the winter. 216 00:35:10,640 --> 00:35:15,039 As the ice melts, more of the algae are released into the water. 217 00:35:18,000 --> 00:35:21,959 Both algae and krill flourish in the summer sun. 218 00:35:28,440 --> 00:35:32,159 The krill collect the algae in the sieve-like basket 219 00:35:32,240 --> 00:35:35,919 formed by the interlocking hairs between their front legs. 220 00:35:44,760 --> 00:35:49,719 There are 300 million tons of krill in the Southern Ocean, 221 00:35:50,240 --> 00:35:54,959 with a greater combined weight than that of any other animal on the planet. 222 00:36:00,360 --> 00:36:04,199 Almost all the animals of the Antarctic depend on krill, 223 00:36:05,000 --> 00:36:07,519 including its giants. 224 00:36:09,240 --> 00:36:10,839 Humpback whales. 225 00:36:21,280 --> 00:36:24,439 They drive the krill to the surface 226 00:36:24,520 --> 00:36:29,359 and then strain it from the water with the baleen sieves in their mouths. 227 00:36:46,440 --> 00:36:51,559 Humpbacks often feed in teams, so the overspill from one huge mouth 228 00:36:51,640 --> 00:36:54,199 can be collected by another just behind. 229 00:37:29,880 --> 00:37:33,159 The abundance of krill attracts other visitors 230 00:37:33,240 --> 00:37:35,519 to the peninsula in the summer. 231 00:37:37,400 --> 00:37:39,999 Antarctic minke whales. 232 00:37:40,800 --> 00:37:46,599 Their pointed heads and short dorsal fins give them speed and endurance. 233 00:37:53,760 --> 00:37:55,879 And they need both. 234 00:38:03,320 --> 00:38:05,719 There are other whales here, too. 235 00:38:08,440 --> 00:38:09,679 Killers! 236 00:38:16,160 --> 00:38:19,679 This is an extended family of mothers and their young. 237 00:38:22,360 --> 00:38:27,959 And a male with a huge dorsal fin almost two meters high. 238 00:38:39,520 --> 00:38:41,759 A lone minke whale. 239 00:38:47,600 --> 00:38:51,279 It's just what this group of killer whales are looking for. 240 00:38:54,200 --> 00:38:57,639 Working as a team, as they have done for decades, 241 00:38:57,720 --> 00:39:01,319 they fan out across the strait in search of their quarry. 242 00:39:12,120 --> 00:39:13,759 And they've found it. 243 00:39:13,840 --> 00:39:18,519 The minke races away, pursued by outriders on each flank. 244 00:39:47,400 --> 00:39:50,159 Terrified, the minke heads for the shore. 245 00:39:51,920 --> 00:39:56,199 It's so desperate to escape it almost beaches itself. 246 00:40:06,080 --> 00:40:08,839 It makes a desperate break for freedom. 247 00:40:18,600 --> 00:40:21,039 Two hours and 20 miles later, 248 00:40:21,120 --> 00:40:24,119 the minke is still alive and swimming strongly. 249 00:40:25,720 --> 00:40:29,119 It's only real defense is its endurance. 250 00:40:29,640 --> 00:40:31,439 But the killers work as a team, 251 00:40:31,520 --> 00:40:34,719 with fresh ones replacing the outriders in relays. 252 00:40:47,960 --> 00:40:53,319 And as the minke tires, the battering and the biting begins. 253 00:41:06,800 --> 00:41:11,399 Sea birds are attracted by the smell of fresh blood rising from the water. 254 00:41:30,240 --> 00:41:32,919 The killers try to flip the minke over. 255 00:41:33,000 --> 00:41:36,159 If they can manage to keep its blowhole underwater, 256 00:41:36,240 --> 00:41:37,959 it will drown. 257 00:41:42,360 --> 00:41:46,839 One forces the minke's whole body down below the surface. 258 00:42:02,320 --> 00:42:04,759 And then, the final strike. 259 00:42:09,320 --> 00:42:12,799 The team drag the minke under for the last time 260 00:42:13,200 --> 00:42:16,039 and the hunters, finally, can feed. 261 00:42:32,800 --> 00:42:36,399 As the summer advances, the most southerly stretches 262 00:42:36,480 --> 00:42:40,039 of the Antarctic Ocean are released from the ice. 263 00:42:49,600 --> 00:42:53,079 Adélie penguins have been feeding in the open ocean. 264 00:43:05,440 --> 00:43:07,759 The most southerly of all penguins, 265 00:43:07,840 --> 00:43:10,279 they're returning to the Antarctic continent 266 00:43:10,360 --> 00:43:12,599 with stomachs full of krill. 267 00:44:04,680 --> 00:44:09,839 The sea-ice has finally retreated all the way back to the beach, 268 00:44:09,920 --> 00:44:14,319 so the walk back to the colony is as short as it will ever be, 269 00:44:15,120 --> 00:44:17,639 crucial for the half million penguins here 270 00:44:17,720 --> 00:44:21,879 who are hurrying to raise their chicks before the freeze returns. 271 00:44:25,400 --> 00:44:28,759 Most of the pairs have two chicks to care for. 272 00:44:31,640 --> 00:44:36,839 Each chick requires nearly 30 kilograms of food before it's fully grown. 273 00:44:41,400 --> 00:44:43,399 Most of their catch is krill 274 00:44:43,480 --> 00:44:46,439 and Adélie penguins consume a staggering 275 00:44:46,520 --> 00:44:49,559 one and a half million tons of it a year. 276 00:44:57,560 --> 00:45:01,399 There are no land-based predators in Antarctica. 277 00:45:03,880 --> 00:45:07,079 The threat here comes from the skies. 278 00:45:18,040 --> 00:45:19,999 A South Polar skua. 279 00:45:39,560 --> 00:45:43,079 An unguarded chick is an easy catch. 280 00:46:11,600 --> 00:46:13,879 Nothing can save the chick now. 281 00:46:31,560 --> 00:46:36,479 But now the parents can focus all their attention on the second. 282 00:46:57,120 --> 00:47:01,119 Only half of these chicks will survive to adulthood. 283 00:47:01,520 --> 00:47:05,919 But there are thousands more parents with young in this huge colony. 284 00:47:08,880 --> 00:47:10,839 Parents that cannot rest, 285 00:47:10,920 --> 00:47:13,439 for their young must be fit and strong 286 00:47:13,520 --> 00:47:17,639 if they're to survive the dangers that autumn will bring. 287 00:47:53,240 --> 00:47:56,119 In summer, the frozen oceans melt 288 00:47:56,200 --> 00:48:00,039 and the polar animals disperse to feed amongst the broken ice. 289 00:48:01,960 --> 00:48:05,119 So, even finding them in this vast expanse of sea 290 00:48:05,200 --> 00:48:08,239 and drifting ice floes wouldn't be easy. 291 00:48:14,040 --> 00:48:17,799 In the Arctic, the aim was to get close to a polar bear family 292 00:48:17,880 --> 00:48:20,439 and film them in this fast-melting world. 293 00:48:28,280 --> 00:48:33,119 Firstly, the team had to use a ship capable of breaking through the pack ice 294 00:48:33,200 --> 00:48:37,119 around the 2,000-mile-long coastline of Svalbard. 295 00:48:40,280 --> 00:48:43,719 Producer Miles Barton and cameraman Ted Giffords 296 00:48:43,800 --> 00:48:47,999 are checking out fjords known to be frequented by bears. 297 00:48:49,920 --> 00:48:51,439 We've just seen a bear that was walking around 298 00:48:51,520 --> 00:48:53,199 in front of a glacier over there. 299 00:48:53,280 --> 00:48:56,399 We've just arrived, so this is kind of a test more than anything, 300 00:48:56,480 --> 00:48:58,039 but we're going to go and see if we can film it. 301 00:48:59,360 --> 00:49:02,999 We're seeing how smoothly we can make this operation work. 302 00:49:10,600 --> 00:49:15,039 Stay on Channel Six. Can you give me directions to the bear, please? 303 00:49:15,840 --> 00:49:19,599 The plan is that the team's stabilized aerial camera, 304 00:49:19,680 --> 00:49:21,479 now fitted to the speedboat, 305 00:49:21,560 --> 00:49:24,999 will give perfectly stable shots of the bear swimming. 306 00:49:25,960 --> 00:49:27,959 Spin this around or we'll lose it. 307 00:49:28,040 --> 00:49:29,439 The fellow's over here, yeah? 308 00:49:29,520 --> 00:49:32,319 - Got him, yeah. - I can't get any tighter. 309 00:49:32,400 --> 00:49:34,159 You shoot it? 310 00:49:37,200 --> 00:49:38,679 Wahey! 311 00:49:40,720 --> 00:49:44,399 - That's nice. - Nice sparkle, nice liquid look. 312 00:49:44,480 --> 00:49:46,559 - Going to let him go. - Okay, cut. 313 00:49:50,080 --> 00:49:52,039 After their initial success, 314 00:49:52,120 --> 00:49:54,439 the weather takes a turn for the worse. 315 00:49:55,800 --> 00:49:57,959 We're used to the Baja. 316 00:49:58,800 --> 00:50:02,919 For five days, there are no more polar bears to be found. 317 00:50:05,560 --> 00:50:11,199 The captain decides to take a break and parks up in the pack ice. 318 00:50:13,520 --> 00:50:18,759 But after all that fruitless searching by the crew, a bear visits them. 319 00:50:23,000 --> 00:50:25,839 A large and inquisitive adult male. 320 00:50:32,560 --> 00:50:35,079 So, the team decides to follow him. 321 00:50:38,760 --> 00:50:41,359 The open water between boat and bear 322 00:50:41,440 --> 00:50:45,479 means the crew can safely film from surprisingly close range 323 00:50:45,560 --> 00:50:47,039 without disturbing him. 324 00:50:47,120 --> 00:50:49,599 That's nice. Oops. 325 00:50:53,120 --> 00:50:54,799 The bear is so relaxed 326 00:50:54,880 --> 00:50:57,759 he even begins to hunt right alongside them. 327 00:50:59,160 --> 00:51:01,879 He's looking for a seal inside. 328 00:51:01,960 --> 00:51:03,959 But he's just completely ignoring us. 329 00:51:04,040 --> 00:51:07,039 Just hold it there. Just hold it there for a minute. 330 00:51:07,720 --> 00:51:10,319 He's going to climb up. Ready? 331 00:51:13,360 --> 00:51:15,519 That's a big bear. 332 00:51:20,320 --> 00:51:22,639 That's pretty good, pretty good. 333 00:51:23,200 --> 00:51:25,799 The closest we've been to a polar bear so far. 334 00:51:27,760 --> 00:51:30,719 Despite this remarkably close encounter, 335 00:51:31,400 --> 00:51:35,319 the team still wants to film a family of bears. 336 00:51:35,400 --> 00:51:39,199 These female and two cubs to starboard side. 337 00:51:39,280 --> 00:51:40,719 She's at two... 338 00:51:40,800 --> 00:51:42,359 There's good news on the radio. 339 00:51:43,560 --> 00:51:46,479 - Oh, there's a cub. - Yeah, I've seen the cubs. 340 00:51:47,520 --> 00:51:51,639 They're looking straight at us. Look at that. That's amazing. 341 00:51:52,120 --> 00:51:54,519 As the mother looks distinctly hungry, 342 00:51:54,600 --> 00:51:59,359 they will need to keep at least 15 feet of open water between her and the boat. 343 00:52:01,120 --> 00:52:03,319 Having a good look at us. 344 00:52:04,200 --> 00:52:05,439 Oh, look at them, look at the cubs. 345 00:52:05,520 --> 00:52:07,559 - Yeah. 346 00:52:13,200 --> 00:52:15,879 Jason, just go when you need to. 347 00:52:17,320 --> 00:52:19,959 Oh, here she comes. Bloody hell. 348 00:52:22,280 --> 00:52:25,399 Mother bears are always desperate for food for their cubs, 349 00:52:25,480 --> 00:52:28,239 so the crew could be the perfect supper. 350 00:52:29,840 --> 00:52:30,879 She's getting in. 351 00:52:30,960 --> 00:52:33,519 Oh, my God, she's going to go in the water there. 352 00:52:33,600 --> 00:52:36,999 The 15-footgap was just enough. 353 00:52:37,080 --> 00:52:38,839 That was amazing. 354 00:52:40,240 --> 00:52:42,119 Hands are freezing. 355 00:52:43,720 --> 00:52:46,999 - We have to go. - Okay. 356 00:52:48,680 --> 00:52:50,959 Do you want to get close up to the cubs? 357 00:52:51,040 --> 00:52:53,319 Still rolling. Yeah, that's cute. 358 00:52:53,400 --> 00:52:54,879 She's going in the water, okay. 359 00:52:54,960 --> 00:52:57,719 And water and then... Stay with the cubs. 360 00:52:58,720 --> 00:53:01,119 Okay, the cubs for a nice splash. 361 00:53:03,560 --> 00:53:09,159 Go on, cubs. Yeah! Hooray! Well done, well done. 362 00:53:10,280 --> 00:53:11,679 Great stuff. 363 00:53:13,000 --> 00:53:15,559 She looked like she wanted to get in the boat once or twice. 364 00:53:17,920 --> 00:53:20,519 Sometimes it's quite shocking to actually look up from the monitor 365 00:53:20,600 --> 00:53:23,719 and realize they're about 15 feet away from you. 366 00:53:24,040 --> 00:53:26,079 But a lovely family group. 367 00:53:29,840 --> 00:53:33,279 The boat-based camera has helped to get remarkably close shots 368 00:53:33,360 --> 00:53:34,519 of the bear family. 369 00:53:34,600 --> 00:53:37,239 But how would it cope in the more extreme conditions 370 00:53:37,320 --> 00:53:38,679 of the Southern Ocean? 371 00:53:48,400 --> 00:53:51,639 Another Frozen Planet team headed south. 372 00:53:51,720 --> 00:53:55,719 The plan is to use the same camera system to film the hunting strategy 373 00:53:55,800 --> 00:53:59,759 of the most spectacular marine predators in Antarctica. 374 00:54:02,120 --> 00:54:03,599 Killer whales. 375 00:54:05,960 --> 00:54:10,439 The team enlisted the help of scientists Bob Pitman and John Durban. 376 00:54:11,480 --> 00:54:14,079 They had put satellite tags on the whales 377 00:54:14,160 --> 00:54:17,119 and so could locate them for the camera team. 378 00:54:19,120 --> 00:54:22,679 Doug Allan operates the camera rig from the wheelhouse, 379 00:54:22,760 --> 00:54:25,519 while Doug Anderson films from the deck. 380 00:54:27,280 --> 00:54:30,759 - Yeah, there. See it? - It just surfaced right with them. 381 00:54:30,840 --> 00:54:33,119 Okay, there's a killer whale at 11 o'clock, 382 00:54:33,200 --> 00:54:36,799 about 200 meters, heading towards those two seals on the floe. 383 00:54:36,880 --> 00:54:39,919 - Good. - This could be really good. 384 00:54:40,320 --> 00:54:42,999 At last, having tracked the group for several days, 385 00:54:43,080 --> 00:54:46,039 the whales look as if they are about to hunt. 386 00:54:46,920 --> 00:54:48,439 Yeah, they're going to go in for it. 387 00:54:52,360 --> 00:54:54,079 There it goes! 388 00:54:57,440 --> 00:54:58,799 Four whales here. 389 00:54:58,880 --> 00:55:02,879 Um, two adult females, a juvenile and a big adult male. 390 00:55:02,960 --> 00:55:04,359 Swimming in formation, 391 00:55:04,440 --> 00:55:08,319 the killers create a wave to wash the seal off the floe. 392 00:55:09,160 --> 00:55:11,279 It's all pretty intense. 393 00:55:11,360 --> 00:55:12,759 Oh, another wave. 394 00:55:13,400 --> 00:55:14,439 - Yes, we have... - Wave. 395 00:55:15,000 --> 00:55:19,399 - Wow! - Yeah, he's in the water. 396 00:55:19,840 --> 00:55:22,079 Having successfully filmed several hunts 397 00:55:22,160 --> 00:55:24,479 with the boat-based cameras from above, 398 00:55:24,560 --> 00:55:27,399 the team are keen to see what's happening underwater. 399 00:55:29,640 --> 00:55:31,639 Only one way to find out! 400 00:55:35,560 --> 00:55:37,599 Time to launch the dinghy. 401 00:55:46,040 --> 00:55:48,639 Doug Anderson approaches the seal and the killers 402 00:55:48,720 --> 00:55:51,319 with an underwater camera mounted on a pole. 403 00:56:00,920 --> 00:56:06,319 For the first time, the team can see how the whales create the killer wave. 404 00:56:06,400 --> 00:56:08,239 There it is. 405 00:56:11,280 --> 00:56:13,559 The underwater camera also reveals 406 00:56:13,640 --> 00:56:16,439 surprisingly cautious behavior by the whales. 407 00:56:17,400 --> 00:56:20,759 They seem wary of being bitten by the much smaller seal. 408 00:56:22,560 --> 00:56:25,319 And they even blow bubbles to confuse it. 409 00:56:26,640 --> 00:56:28,759 They're so cautious with the seals. 410 00:56:28,840 --> 00:56:31,359 You know, at the end of the day, the seal's got a big mouth full of teeth 411 00:56:31,440 --> 00:56:34,119 and these whales just don't take risks. 412 00:56:43,400 --> 00:56:44,959 Having dealt with the seal, 413 00:56:45,040 --> 00:56:48,039 the whales turn their attention to the dinghy. 414 00:56:49,480 --> 00:56:53,439 First, they get right up close for a better look at Doug. 415 00:57:00,480 --> 00:57:03,599 Then, they line up to create the kind of wave 416 00:57:03,680 --> 00:57:05,759 that washed the seal off the floe. 417 00:57:05,840 --> 00:57:07,279 Oh! 418 00:57:09,440 --> 00:57:13,359 For a moment, the crew get an uncomfortably close seal's eye view 419 00:57:13,440 --> 00:57:15,879 of this remarkable hunting strategy. 420 00:57:21,360 --> 00:57:23,279 Look at that, look. 421 00:57:23,360 --> 00:57:26,199 See that, Bob? The juvies are making waves. 422 00:57:27,960 --> 00:57:31,839 It's a great feeling being there, being so close to the behavior, 423 00:57:31,920 --> 00:57:34,839 actually having the water coming into the boat. 424 00:57:34,920 --> 00:57:35,999 From our point of view, you know, 425 00:57:36,080 --> 00:57:39,879 it's all about trying to get the feeling of being with these whales, 426 00:57:39,960 --> 00:57:43,439 and with these whales, there's no bother with that because they're so confident. 427 00:57:43,520 --> 00:57:47,039 They just want to be all around you and checking you out. 428 00:57:47,120 --> 00:57:48,599 I mean, I can't imagine that I'm going to have 429 00:57:48,680 --> 00:57:50,559 another experience like this in my career, you know. 430 00:57:50,640 --> 00:57:52,759 These come along rarely, 431 00:57:52,840 --> 00:57:56,239 and you just feel happy and lucky when they do come. 432 00:57:57,880 --> 00:58:00,639 You just don't get better days than that.