Original subtitles

Narrator: A REMOTE SWAMP IN FINLAND.

THE MELT REVEALS A GLUT OF FOOD.

THIS IS BEAR TERRITORY.

AND EVERY SPRING THEY GORGE ON THE SPOILS.

BUT A MOTHER WOLF \hNEEDS FOOD TOO.

\hWITH SEVEN PUPS TO FEED, SHE’S ON A COLLISION COURSE

WITH THE GREEDY BEARS.

♪

(GROWLING)

THIS IS HER BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL.

SPEED, AGILITY, AND WIT.

VERSUS SIZE, STRENGTH, \h\h\hAND BAD TEMPERS.

(GROWLING)

SHE’S GOT TO BE LIGHT ON HER FEET TO STAY ALIVE.

ONE SLIP, AND IT’S OVER.

(HOWLING)

(WIND BLOWING)

IT MAY NOT LOOK LIKE IT, \h\hBUT SPRING IS EMINENT

IN THE FROZEN NORTH.

WOLVES IN THE ARCTIC HAVE BEEN ACTIVE THROUGHOUT THE WINTER.

HUNTING ELK, MOOSE, OR REINDEER TO STAY ALIVE.

A SINGLE WOLF IS RELATIVELY WEAK.

\h\hBUT AS A PACK, THEY’RE FORMIDABLE.

THEY’RE FAST AND TOUGH.

(GROWLING)

ENDURANCE AND TEAMWORK IS KEY TO WOLF SUCCESS.

BEARS ARE DIFFERENT.

THEY SLEEP THE COLD WINTER AWAY.

BUT NOW THE TEMPERATURE RISES,

AND THIS LANDSCAPE IS SET TO CHANGE.

MOTHER BEAR EMERGES FROM \h\hA SIX MONTH SLUMBER.

SHE HOPED FOR SOMETHING WARMER.

SPRING IS LATE THIS YEAR.

FOOD IS PARAMOUNT.

BUT AS LONG AS IT SNOWS, \h\hFINDING ANY IS TOUGH.

\h\hHER TWO YEARLING CUBS DENNED WITH HER.

\h\h\h\hTHEY’RE HUNGRY, SCOURING THE ICY GROUND

FOR ANYTHING TO EAT.

THE CUBS HEAR HOWLING.

(HOWLING)

WOLVES ARE NEARBY.

(BIRDS SQUAWKING)

\h\hWHEN THIS LAST SNOW STOPS, LIFE WILL CHANGE

FOR ANOTHER VERY DEVOTED MOTHER.

♪

SHE-WOLF IS ON THE MOVE.

SHE’S THE ALPHA FEMALE OF A PACK

OF EXPERT REINDEER HUNTERS.

(GRUNTING)

BUT, WITH THE SUN, THE \hHERDS MIGRATE SOUTH.

HER PACK WILL FOLLOW THEM.

BUT SHE-WOLF HAS A DILEMMA.

\h\hSHE’S DENNED NEARBY, AND SHE MUST STAY BEHIND

TO TEND TO HER PUPS.

AND THAT MEANS MEETING THE BEARS IN THE SWAMP.

WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE PACK.

FOR SHE-WOLF, IT WON’T \h\hBE AN EASY SUMMER.

THE BEARS OWN THE SWAMP.

\h\h\hAND IT’S VERY VALUABLE TERRITORY.

WITH THE MELT, A BUFFET OF CARCASSES WILL BE REVEALED.

LIVES LOST IN THE HARSH WINTER,

AND REMAINS CAST ASIDE BY HUNTERS.

\h\hTHE BEARS RISE FROM THEIR HIBERNATION DENS

TO FATTEN UP ON THE SPOILS.

(GROWLING)

IT’S THEIR SUMMER FEAST.

THE SURROUNDING FOREST BELONGS TO THE WOLVES.

(HOWLING)

IT’S SHE-WOLF’S FORTRESS, \h\h\h\hAND HER NURSERY.

\h\hTHE REINDEER ARE THE WOLVES’ WINTER MAINSTAY.

\h\hBUT THEY’RE ON AN 800 MILE MIGRATION SOUTH FOR THE SUMMER.

AND THE WOLF PACK WILL FOLLOW.

ONLY THE ALPHA PAIR WILL STAY \hTO TEND THEIR BROOD, ALONE.

WITHOUT REINDEER, THEY \hWILL NEED TO COMPETE

WITH BEARS FOR FOOD.

(GROWLING)

\hWHEN BROWN BEARS AWAKE, THEY NEED TO EXERT DORMANT MUSCLES.

DURING HIBERNATION, THE BEARS DON’T EAT,

DRINK, PEE, OR POOP.

FOR HALF A YEAR, THEY \hHARDLY MOVE AT ALL.

BUT SPECIAL METABOLIC \h\hADAPTATIONS STOP

THEIR MUSCLES FROM WASTING AWAY.

THESE TWO MALES ENGAGE IN A WRESTLING WORKOUT

TO GET THE BLOOD PUMPING.

FRIENDLY, FOR THE TIME BEING.

BEARS HUNT ALONE.

BUT, IN THE SWAMP, \hTHERE’S NO NEED.

\h\hAS THE SNOW STARTS TO MELT, THE FAMILIAR SCENT

OF CARRION FOCUSES THEM.

\hWHILE THE WOLVES PREPARE TO LEAVE WITH THE REINDEER.

NEW LIFE SLOWS THE HERD DOWN,

SO THEY MUST STAY ON THE MOVE.

THE PACK IS ADAPTED TO FOLLOW.

\hHUNTING IN THE SNOW IS TOUGH FOR MOST PREDATORS,

BUT WOLVES ARE BUILT FOR THIS.

\hLIKE ALL MEMBERS OF THE DOG FAMILY,

\hTHEY WALK ON THE TIPS OF THEIR TOES

\h\hWITH THE HEEL NOT TOUCHING THE GROUND.

IT MAKES THEM FAST RUNNERS, \h\hEVEN IN THE THICK SNOW.

\h\hSTRONG, BLUNT CLAWS PROVIDE GRIP AS THEY MOVE THROUGH ICE.

THE REAR PAWS FALL EXACTLY \h\hWHERE THE FRONT LIFTS,

SO THEY’RE SILENT.

\h\hA PACK IS HELD TOGETHER BY THE STRONGEST OF FAMILY BONDS.

♪

\h\h\hSHE-WOLF AND HER ALPHA ARE THE LEADERS.

\hTHEY’RE THE FIRST TO EAT FROM A KILL,

AND THEY ALONE HAVE THE RIGHT TO BREED.

THEY DECIDE WHEN THE PACK EATS, SLEEPS, AND TRAVELS.

(GRUNTING)

WITH THE REINDEER MOVING ON,

\hTHE TIME HAS COME FOR THE WOLF PACK TO SPLIT.

THE PUPS DEMAND THEIR MOTHER,

\hAND SHE-WOLF NEEDS THE SUPPORT OF ALPHA.

\h\h\hANOTHER WOLF WILL HAVE TO TAKE THE LEAD.

(GROWLING)

WOLVES USE ATTITUDE \hAND BODY LANGUAGE

\hTO DEMONSTRATE DOMINANCE AND LEADERSHIP IN THE PACK.

(WHIMPERING)

ALPHA HANDS OVER THE REIGNS \hTO HIS SECOND IN COMMAND,

THE BETA WOLF.

HE WILL LEAD THE REINDEER HUNT,

WHILE THE ALPHA PAIR STAY NEAR THE SWAMP.

(HOWLING)

AS IF SAYING THEIR GOODBYES, \h\hTHE WOLVES START TO HOWL.

HOWLING STRENGTHENS SOCIAL \h\h\hBONDS AMONGST WOLVES.

THEY CAN HEAR EACH OTHER HOWL UP TO 10 MILES AWAY.

THIS WAY, THEY KEEP IN TOUCH.

A UNIT, EVEN WHEN THEY’RE APART.

ALPHA AND SHE-WOLF HEAD FOR THE DEN,

UNAWARE OF THE BATTLE AHEAD.

♪

THEIR OPPONENT IS A HEAVYWEIGHT.

\h\hA GRAY WOLF GENERALLY WEIGHS UNDER 100 POUNDS,

BUT A BROWN BEAR CAN \h\hWEIGH OVER 1,000.

LIKE THE SWAMP KING.

\h\hONE OF THE BIGGEST MALE BEARS IN THE AREA.

\h\h\hHE’S PATROLLING HIS TURF, FOLLOWING HIS NOSE.

HE CAN SMELL A MEAL FROM 20 MILES AWAY.

\hHIS IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL NOSES

IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM.

A BEAR’S NOSE PAD IS WIRED WITH HUNDREDS

\hOF TINY MUSCLES THAT MANIPULATE THE NOSTRILS

\h\h\h\hTO SMELL FROM DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.

HE CAN TELL WHICH SCENTS ARE NEW AND WHICH ARE OLD

BY THE DIFFERENCE IN INTENSITY.

THE AIR PASSES INTO AN INTRICATE WEB OF MUCUS MEMBRANES.

HERE, A HEAT EXCHANGER \hWARMS AND HUMIDIFIES

COLD AIR BEFORE IT ENTERS THE LUNGS.

\h\hTHEN, AIR IS DETOURED TO THE BACK OF THE NOSE,

WHERE ODOR CHEMICALS \h\h\hARE PROCESSED.

10 MILLION NERVE STRANDS AND \hONE BILLION RECEPTOR CELLS

FIRE ELECTRICAL SIGNALS DIRECTLY TO THE BRAIN.

HIS NOSE IS 10 TIMES MORE \hPOWERFUL THAN A WOLF’S.

\hTHE SWAMP KING TRACKS DOWN THE ROTTING FEAST.

BUT A YOUNGER BEAR IS \hALREADY TUCKING IN.

\hHIS HUNGER MAKES HIM ORNERY, AND DANGEROUS.

BUT THE YOUNG BEAR IS HAVING HIS FIRST

DECENT MEAL IN OVER SIX MONTHS.

HE’S NOT ABOUT TO GIVE IT UP TO THE SWAMP KING

WITHOUT A FIGHT.

THE FIRST CARCASS IN THE SWAMP

HAS BEEN CLAIMED BY A BIG, YOUNG BEAR.

(GROWLING)

AND THE BIGGER SWAMP KING IS MOVING IN FOR A PIECE.

HIS REPUTATION PRECEDES HIM,

AND THE YOUNG BEAR BACKS OFF.

\h\h\hBUT THE KING IS LOOKING FOR A FIGHT.

♪

(GROWLING AND PANTING)

\h\hTHE YOUNG BEAR IS NO MATCH FOR THE SWAMP KING.

AS THE BIGGEST AND STRONGEST,

HE CLAIMS THE CARCASS \hAND THE TERRITORY.

IF THIS WAS A ONE-ON-ONE \h\h\h\h\h\h\hWITH A WOLF,

WOLF WOULD BE DEAD.

\hSTANDING NINE FEET TALL, THE KING MARKS

THE SITE WITH HIS SCENT.

NOW, HE’S DOMINANT, SO HE GETS TO EAT FIRST.

\h\h\h\hAND UNLESS A BIGGER, STRONGER BEAR CHALLENGES HIM,

HE CAN HAVE AS MUCH AS HE WANTS.

OTHERS HAVE TO WAIT THEIR TURN.

IN LESS THAN A MONTH, ALL THE SNOW IS GONE.

SPRING IS FINALLY HERE.

\h\h\hICY PLAINS TRANSFORM INTO LAKES AND LUSH BOREAL FORESTS,

FULL OF LIFE.

THE BEARS ARE IN THEIR ELEMENT.

THEY HAVE ONLY A SHORT \hSUMMER TO FATTEN UP,

AND THE PROTEIN FROM \h\hTHE ROTTING MEAT

IS GOING A LONG WAY.

THEY MUST MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME.

BUT THE RAVENS ARE A PROBLEM.

\h\h\h\hTHEY’RE A GIVEAWAY, SHOUTING "HERE’S THE FOOD!"

\hSHE-WOLF IS BOUND TO HER DEN IN THE FOREST.

\h\hHER PARTNER, ALPHA, HASN’T KILLED FOR DAYS,

AND THEY HAVE MANY \h\hMOUTHS TO FEED.

THEN, SHE SEES THEM.

RAVENS.

(RAVENS CAWING)

SHE SUMMONS HER MATE.

(HOWLING)

\h\h\h\hWITH THE REINDEER GONE, CARRION IS THE NEXT BEST THING.

\h\hBUT WHEN THE PAIR ARRIVE AT THE FEAST,

THEY’RE FACED WITH \hA WELCOME PARTY.

WOLF AND BEAR ARE HERE \h\hFOR THE SAME THING.

DEAD MEAT.

BUT THE BEARS HAVE LAID CLAIM.

\h\hTHE TWO WOLVES ARE HOPELESSLY OUTNUMBERED,

\h\hBUT THEY’RE HUNGRY, AND SO ARE THEIR PUPS.

THEY WILL NEED A GAME PLAN TO GET

THE BIG BEARS OFF THE CARCASS.

A YOUNG BEAR APPROACHES.

PERFECT.

HE’S NOT VERSED IN WOLF TACTICS,

AND WILL SCARE EASILY.

\hTHE WOLVES STAGE A MOCK CHARGE ON THE YOUNG BEAR.

♪

(GROWLING AND GRUNTING)

\h\h\h\h\hAND, AS PLANNED, IT DISTRACTS THE BIGGER ADULTS.

SOME COME TO THE YOUNG ONE’S AID,

\h\h\hAND LEAVE THE CARCASS UNATTENDED.

JUST WHAT SHE-WOLF \hWAS WAITING FOR.

SHE JUST NEEDS A LITTLE MEAT.

(GROWLING)

\h\h\hTHE BEARS HAVE BEEN FOOLED, AND THEY KNOW IT.

MOST OF THE CARCASS \h\hIS STILL THERE,

\hSO THEY GET BACK TO THE BUSINESS OF FATTENING UP.

LITTLE DO THEY KNOW, \h\hTHEY HAVEN’T SEEN

THE LAST OF THE WOLVES.

\h\hSHE-WOLF GULPS DOWN HER STEAL FROM A SAFE DISTANCE.

\h\hIT’S PARAMOUNT THAT SHE EATS FAST.

\hSHE’S THE ONE WHO WILL FEED THE PUPS.

HER LARGE, SIMPLE STOMACH IS ADAPTED

FOR STORING FOOD INSTEAD \h\h\hOF QUICK DIGESTION.

TODAY, ALL SHE GOT \h\hWAS A MOUTHFUL,

BUT IT WILL HAVE TO DO,

THE PUPS ARE WAITING.

SHE-WOLF RACES TO THE DEN.

HER MUSCLES ARE LEAN FROM \hHER PURE PROTEIN DIET,

SO HER SKELETON CAN BE LIGHT.

SHE’S BUILT FOR RUNNING.

SHE COULD COVER UP TO 100 MILES A DAY,

RUNNING FOR HOURS ON END.

SHE LEAVES THE SWAMP, AND \hDUCKS INTO THE FOREST.

HER SECRET FORTRESS.

HER YEARLINGS ARE WAITING FOR HER.

THEY WERE BORN LAST SUMMER.

\hSOME WILL MOVE INTO THEIR OWN TERRITORIES

WHEN THEY’RE TWO YEARS OLD.

OTHERS WILL STAY WITH THIS PACK.

FOR NOW, THEY ARE TASKED \hWITH GUARDING THE DEN.

\h\h\h\h\h\hBUT THEY’RE NOT SHE-WOLF’S PRIORITY TODAY.

\h\h\h\hTHE FOREST IS A REFUGE FROM THE BEARS.

\h\hTHEY DON’T BOTHER FOLLOWING THE WOLVES

INTO THIS DIFFICULT TERRAIN.

A NETWORK OF SCENT TRAILS GIVES NEWS

OF WHAT EVERYONE HAS BEEN UP TO.

THE YOUNGSTERS ARE HOPING FOR SCRAPS.

\h\hBUT THEY KNOW IT’S NOT THEIR TURN TO EAT.

SHE HEADS STRAIGHT BACK TO HER \hDEN TO FIND THE LITTLE ONES.

IT’S FEEDING TIME.

\hTHE ALPHA FEMALE HAS RETURNED FROM THE SWAMP

WITH A FRESH MEAL FOR HER YOUNG.

SHE MAKES SURE SHE \hWASN’T FOLLOWED.

(WHIMPERING)

AT SIX WEEKS OLD, HER \hPUPS ARE NOT READY

TO HUNT WITH THE PACK.

BUT, THEY’RE WEANING \h\h\h\hOFF HER MILK,

AND NOW NEED SOMETHING MORE.

\h\hTHEY SMACK THEIR LIPS TO BEG FOR FOOD.

SHE REGURGITATES THE MEAT SHE STOLE FROM THE BEARS.

AND THE PUPS ATTACK IT.

FROM NOW ON, MEAT IS THEIR FOOD OF CHOICE.

AND THERE’S PLENTY MORE \hWHERE THIS CAME FROM.

\h\hBUT IT MEANS THE WOLVES MUST FACE THE BEARS AGAIN.

THE LANKY YEARLINGS KEEP A WATCHFUL EYE

ON THEIR YOUNGER SIBLINGS.

THE PUPS WILL NEVER BE ALONE.

WHEN THE WHOLE PACK REGROUPS,

EVERY MEMBER WILL HELP RAISE AND PROTECT THEM.

FOR NOW, THE DEN IS STILL THE SAFEST PLACE FOR THEM.

WITH TUMMIES FULL, \h\hIT’S NAP TIME.

\h\hYOUNG WOLVES ARE NOT READY TO FACE THE BEARS,

SO SHE-WOLF RETURNS TO THE \h\hSWAMP TO GET MORE FOOD.

IT’S RISKY, BUT SHE’S DESPERATE.

\h\h\hMOTHER BEAR AND HER YEARLING CUBS HAVE PUT ON

GOOD WEIGHT SINCE THEY WOKE UP.

(GROWLING)

THE CUBS WERE BORN \hOVER A YEAR AGO,

\h\hBUT STILL SUCKLED ON THEIR MOTHER THROUGHOUT HIBERNATION.

\h\h\hSHE’S A SINGLE PARENT, WITH NO HELP

\h\hFROM HER MATE OR OTHER BEARS IN RAISING THE CUBS.

THE TRIO IS JOINED BY SEVERAL OTHER BEARS,

THANKS TO THE FOOD IN THE SWAMP.

BEARS WILL TOLERATE EACH OTHER,

BUT UNLIKE WOLVES, THEY \hDON’T WORK TOGETHER.

\h\h\h\h\h\hSOME OF THE CUBS ARE EXPERIENCING THEIR FIRST SUMMER.

WHILE THE OLDER BEARS HAVE BEEN COMING HERE

EVERY YEAR FOR DECADES.

BECAUSE THERE’S ANOTHER REASON

FOR SO MANY BEARS IN ONE PLACE.

MATING SEASON IS HERE.

A TIME WHEN MALE BEARS BECOME VERY AGGRESSIVE.

♪

THE SWAMP KING IS RUBBING HIS SCENT ON MORE TREES.

HE’S SENDING MESSAGES \hTO THE OTHER BEARS.

HE’S AVAILABLE.

THE KING PICKS UP THE SCENT OF ANOTHER MALE.

HE’S GOT COMPETITION.

AN INTRUDER ON HIS TURF.

\hFEMALE BEARS WANT A MALE WITH GOOD GENES.

AND, FOR BEARS, GOOD GENES ARE \h\hREVEALED BY WINNING FIGHTS.

MOTHER BEAR ALREADY HAS CUBS,

\h\h\h\hSO SHE’S NOT INTERESTED IN MATING.

BUT THE SWAMP KING IS KNOWN TO KILL THE CUBS

SPAWNED BY RIVAL MALES, \h\hFORCING THE FEMALE

TO ACCEPT HIM AS A NEW MATE.

MOTHER BEAR SENSES THE DANGER.

\hSHE CHASES HER YOUNG UP THE TREES TO SAFETY.

(GROWLING AND GRUNTING)

THE KING WILL HAVE TO CHALLENGE THE INTRUDER

\h\hIF HE’S GOING TO IMPRESS THE FEMALES.

AND A FIGHT BETWEEN RIVAL \h\hMALES CAN BE DEADLY.

IT’S MATING SEASON FOR THE BEARS OF THE SWAMP,

AND TENSION IS RUNNING HIGH.

THIS IS THE SWAMP KING’S TURF.

HE’S LOOKING FOR A MATE.

BUT NOW, THERE’S AN INTRUDER \h\h\h\hWITH THE SAME AGENDA.

SHE-WOLF IS ALSO ON THE SCENE.

SHE’S BACK TO GET MORE FOOD FOR THE YEARLINGS.

HER TIMING HAS TO BE PERFECT.

A BEAR FIGHT COULD COUNT IN HER FAVOR.

(GROWLING)

\h\h\h\h\hTHE SWAMP KING CHALLENGES THE INTRUDER.

(GROWLING AND ROARING)

BUT WITH ONE SWIPE OF A MASSIVE PAW,

THE KING IS DETHRONED.

THE INTRUDER IS THE NEW RULER.

THE SWAMP KING IS DEPOSED.

THE SOCIAL UPHEAVAL DISTRACTS THE BEARS,

AND SHE-WOLF TAKES HER CHANCE.

THIS TIME, SHE SCORES BIG.

THE INTRUDER LETS HER GO.

\h\hHE HAS NO ENERGY LEFT AFTER THE FIGHT.

\h\h\hSHE’LL GORGE BEFORE RETURNING TO THE FOREST.

\h\h\h\hTHE YEARLING WOLVES ARE DELIGHTED AT THE WELCOME MEAL.

THEY HUNT RODENTS AND BIRDS, BUT STILL NEED

HANDOUTS FROM THE ALPHA PAIR TO BUILD STRENGTH

FOR THE LOOMING WINTER.

UNLIKE THE BEARS, THE WOLVES \h\h\hARE INCREDIBLY SOCIAL.

THE YOUNGSTERS WILL ALWAYS HAVE

A STRONG BOND WITH THEIR PACK.

\hTHEIR MOTHER TEACHES THEM HOW TO BE WOLVES.

EVERYTHING SHE DOES IS A LESSON.

\h\hINCLUDING HIDING MEAT AND STORING IT FOR LATER.

WOLVES ALSO SCENT MARK THEIR FOOD.

BUT IT’S NOT A WARNING.

HER PHEROMONES INVITE HER YOUNGSTERS TO EAT.

\h\h\h\hAND THEY’RE PERFECTLY ADAPTED FOR THEIR MEATY DIET.

EVERYTHING ABOUT A WOLF’S \h\hTEETH SAYS CARNIVORE.

POINTED INCISORS AND LONG, SHARP CANINES KILL QUICKLY,

WHILE INTERLOCKING JAWS ALLOW CANINES

TO HOLD ON TO PREY.

\hCARNASSIAL TEETH ARE SHARP FOR CUTTING MEAT,

AND PREMOLARS ARE USED \h\hFOR CRUSHING BONES.

CHUNKS OF MEAT ARE \hSWALLOWED WHOLE,

AND NO GRINDING IS NEEDED.

SO THE MOLARS ARE REDUCED.

THEY WASTE VERY LITTLE.

EVERY LAST PIECE OF MEAT \hIS EATEN OFF THE BONE.

(HOWLING)

AS THE SUMMER TURNS, \h\h\hSTORMS ROLL IN.

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

\h\h\hANOTHER SIGN THAT THE SEASONS ARE FOREVER MOVING.

AND WITH THEM, THE ANIMALS \h\hOF THE SWAMP MUST ADAPT

IF THEY WANT TO SURVIVE.

AS FALL APPROACHES, BEARS ENTER A STATE

\hOF EXCESSIVE EATING KNOWN AS HYPERPHAGIA.

THEY’LL CONSUME UP TO 90 POUNDS A DAY.

THE AIM IS TO DOUBLE \h\hTHEIR BODY WEIGHT

BEFORE HEADING INTO HIBERNATION AGAIN.

IT’S THE ONLY WAY \hTHEY’LL SURVIVE

ANOTHER WINTER OF NOT EATING.

BUT THE FEAST IS RUNNING OUT.

AND, WITH THE STAKES SO HIGH,

THE BEARS ARE GETTING DESPERATE.

SCARS TELL STORIES OF BATTLES \h\h\hOVER FEMALES AND FOOD.

DOWNPOURS MAKE THE SWAMP \hTREACHEROUS AND MUDDY.

BUT FOR A BEAR, WATER \h\hIS NOT A PROBLEM.

DESPITE THEIR WEIGHT AND SIZE,

BEARS ARE EXCELLENT SWIMMERS.

THEY PROPEL THEMSELVES WITH \h\hTHEIR GIANT FRONT PAWS,

\h\h\h\h\hAND WATER DOESN’T PENETRATE THEIR THICK FUR.

UNLIKE WOLVES, BEARS \h\hCAN EAT MUCH MORE

THAN JUST MEAT TO BULK UP.

\h\hTHEY CROSS THE POND TO GET TO ONE

OF THEIR OTHER FAVORITE FOODS.

BERRIES.

\h\h\h\hA BEAR CAN EAT OVER 200,000 BERRIES IN ONE DAY.

\h\h\hWITH A DIET SO DIVERSE, THEIR TEETH

\h\h\h\hARE SPECIALLY ADAPTED MULTI-TOOLS.

BEARS’ INCISORS ARE FLAT BLADES

\h\h\hUSED FOR CLIPPING GRASS, CUTTING ROOTS, AND DICING MEAT.

THEIR CANINES ARE HUGE.

GREAT FOR RIPPING OPEN LOGS,

OR DELIVERING A KILLING BITE.

BROWN BEARS LACK THE FLESH SHEARING CARNASSIAL TEETH

OF TYPICAL CARNIVORES.

MOLARS ARE BROAD AND FLAT,

PERFECT FOR GRINDING \h\hTOUGH VEGETATION.

THEY’RE NOT PICKY EATERS.

WHILE THEY ARE CAPABLE \h\hOF HUNTING FOR MEAT

AND PICKING FRUIT TOO, THEY’RE \h\h\hREALLY BUILT FOR DIGGING.

THEIR CLAWS ARE LIKE SHOVELS,

POWERED BY ENORMOUS \hSHOULDER MUSCLES.

\hTHEY DIG UP JUICY ROOTS BURIED UP TO 10 FEET DEEP

WITH PAWS THE SIZE OF DINNER PLATES.

SEPARATED BONES IN \hA BEAR’S FOREARM

ENABLE IT TO ROTATE ITS LIMBS.

\h\h\hTHIS IMPROVES ITS ABILITY TO DIG, CLIMB,

AND MANIPULATE ITS FOOD.

\h\hUNLIKE WOLVES, BEARS WALK ON THE ENTIRE FOOT.

LARGE, FLAT PAWS CAN \hBEAR GREAT WEIGHT,

BUT COME AT THE COST OF SPEED.

THEIR NON-RETRACTABLE CLAWS, UNBELIEVABLY,

ARE THE SIZE OF AN ADULT FINGER.

THE BOUNTY OF THE SWAMP WILL SOON BE A MEMORY.

WINTER IS COMING.

THE BEARS ARE NOW CONSTANTLY \h\h\h\hPATROLLING THE SWAMP.

THEY’RE ALL HERE.

THEY’RE DESPERATE, AND THEY’RE GREEDY.

(BIRDS CAWING)

SHE-WOLF IS PROWLING THE EDGES AS USUAL.

SHE MUST TAKE ON THE BEARS AGAIN

IF HER PUPS ARE TO EAT.

THERE’S NO ROOM FOR A TRUCE.

\hAND IT’S COME DOWN TO THE LAST CARCASS.

♪

IN THE SWAMP, THE BEARS \h\h\hARE PANIC FEEDING.

\h\h\h\h\h\hWINTER IS FAST APPROACHING, AND WITH ONLY

ONE CARCASS LEFT, THERE’S \hNOT A LOT TO GO AROUND.

SHE-WOLF IS ALSO DESPERATE.

THIS IS HER LAST CHANCE AT \hA FREE MEAL FOR THE PUPS

BEFORE THE PACK RETURN \h\hWITH THE REINDEER.

THE SWAMP IS NOW A BATTLEFIELD.

FAT BEARS VERSUS SHE-WOLF.

BEARS ARE USED TO FIGHTING.

THEY’RE MUCH BIGGER, AND \hTHEY HAVE THE NUMBERS.

SHE-WOLF HAS MUCH TO LOSE.

\hIF SHE GETS INJURED, THE PUPS AND YEARLINGS

WILL PROBABLY STARVE.

ALL ARE DRAWN TO THE SWAMP.

TENSION IS BUILDING.

SHE-WOLF AND HER ALPHA \h\hWILL NEED A MIRACLE

TO GET THE BEARS OFF THE CARCASS.

BEARS HATE SHARING \hWITH EACH OTHER,

\hNEVER MIND LOSING MEAT TO THE WOLVES.

SHE-WOLF SPOTS AN OPPORTUNITY.

\hA YOUNG BEAR WITH A MOUTHFUL OF MEAT.

IF SHE CAN SCARE HIM WITH \h\hANOTHER FALSE ATTACK,

HE MIGHT DROP IT.

♪

AND HER PLAN WORKS.

\h\h\hTHE STAKES ARE COSTLY FOR THE BEARS.

ALPHA SCOOPS IT UP.

\h\hTHE BEARS CAN’T AFFORD MORE THEFT.

THEY STAND THEIR GROUND.

(GROWLING)

\h\h\hIT’S TOUGHER TO BREAK THROUGH THE BEAR FORTRESS.

THE WOLF PAIR MUST \h\hWORK AS A TEAM.

IT’S WHAT THEY KNOW BEST.

THEY CONSTANTLY TRY TO TURN THE BEARS.

\hNIPPING A HUNGRY BEAR TAKES COURAGE.

BUT WOLVES HAVE PLENTY.

\h\hIF THE BUM BITING CAN ENTICE THE BEARS

\h\hTO CHASE ONE WOLF, THE OTHER CAN PLUNDER.

\hTHE WOLVES SCORE A COUPLE OF MOUTHFULS.

BUT IT’S NOT ENOUGH.

THE BEARS ARE GETTING TIRED.

\hTHEY CAN’T KEEP UP WITH THE FAST WOLVES.

AND IT GIVES SHE-WOLF THE BREAK SHE NEEDS.

THIS TIME, SHE GETS THE PRIZE.

\hTHE BEARS DON’T HAVE THE ENERGY FOR A CHASE.

\h\hAGAINST ALL ODDS, THE WOLVES FOOLED THE BEARS,

AND THE WOLF PUPS WILL GET ONE LAST

BIG MEAL BEFORE WINTER COMES.

\h\h\h\hTHE WINNER IN NATURE IS NOT ALWAYS

THE BIGGEST OR THE STRONGEST.

\hIT’S THE ONE BEST ADAPTED TO SURVIVE.

AND WHEN SURVIVAL IS AT STAKE,

THE MOST BASIC OF RULES APPLY.

\h\hTAKE WHAT YOU NEED, THE WAY YOU KNOW BEST.

(GROWLING)

\hNEXT SUMMER, THE WOLVES WILL BE BACK

TO RAID THE SWAMP AGAIN.

AND, THERE WILL BE MORE OF THEM.

♪