Original subtitles

STEVE BACKSHALL: Whales... (WHALESONG)

..ocean giants, ancient mariners.

Their songs, majesty and sheer size

Their songs, majesty and sheer size

fill us with joy and awe.

In their vast shadow,

a human can feel very small.

They were here long before us...

..caring for their young...

..caring for their young...

..hunting...

..voyaging.

But now we are changing their world.

But now we are changing their world.

So now I want to see through their eyes,

meeting them on their terms

to find how their future and ours are inseparable.

to find how their future and ours are inseparable.

(RAPID CLICKING)

I've dived with whales and dolphins right across the globe...

..and have seen just how much we're changing their world.

..and have seen just how much we're changing their world.

(GROANING)

The noise we make in our seas

The noise we make in our seas

'is drowning their voices out.' (VARYING TONAL WHISTLES)

Modern fishing practices can deplete the food they rely on.

Modern fishing practices can deplete the food they rely on.

And a changing climate is forcing them into longer migrations...

And a changing climate is forcing them into longer migrations...

..putting their young at risk.

Now I've come to my home seas...

Now I've come to my home seas...

..to find out what we can do to adapt...

..and help ensure their future success.

..and help ensure their future success.

Our wild coastline

is the last true wilderness in Great Britain.

is the last true wilderness in Great Britain.

And to my mind, for majesty and beauty,

equals anywhere on the planet.

It's also a magnet for whales.

It's also a magnet for whales.

Twenty-eight different types have been recorded here.

That's around one third of the species in the world.

(VOCALISING)

Some, like orca...

(VOCALISES)

(VOCALISES)

..Risso's Dolphins...

..and bottlenose dolphins,

live here all year round.

live here all year round.

Others, like humpback whales...

..fin whales

..fin whales

and sei whales,

are just passing through.

But the future of all of them hangs in the balance.

But the future of all of them hangs in the balance.

The whale is considered a great conservation success story.

The whale is considered a great conservation success story.

They survived the era of commercial whaling

when we slaughtered more than three million of them.

But the return of the whale has coincided

But the return of the whale has coincided

with monumental changes for our planet.

Threats like climate change, disturbance and pollution

Threats like climate change, disturbance and pollution

are altering the whale's world faster than ever before.

Now it's time for us to act.

Now it's time for us to act.

So I want to meet the people

who are working hard to find solutions.

who are working hard to find solutions.

And to discover what we can all do

to secure a brighter future for whales and for us.

to secure a brighter future for whales and for us.

Our seas might be home to a huge range of whales and dolphins...

Our seas might be home to a huge range of whales and dolphins...

..but the oceans are vast,

and much of whales' lives are hidden from view.

and much of whales' lives are hidden from view.

Finding out how many there are

and how they're faring is an enormous challenge.

and how they're faring is an enormous challenge.

But there is a global hotspot for cetacean life...

in Scotland.

in Scotland.

So that's where I'm starting my journey.

I'm joining a pioneering team of scientists

I'm joining a pioneering team of scientists

who have perfected the art of finding whales

using not just sight but sound.

For the next few days, we're gonna be at sea in the Silurian,

a state-of-the-art research vessel

a state-of-the-art research vessel

which is specialising in whale acoustics.

It is the perfect platform for monitoring whales in these waters.

Morning you all! MAN: Morning, Steve.

Whales make all kinds of different sounds.

Whales make all kinds of different sounds.

(WHALESONG)

From humpback song...

..to the complex clicks of sperm whales.

..to the complex clicks of sperm whales.

(RAPID CLICKING)

And here on the Silurian,

Scientist Jenny Hampson is using these sounds

Scientist Jenny Hampson is using these sounds

as a way of finding them.

So this is our hydrophone, it acts like an underwater microphone

So this is our hydrophone, it acts like an underwater microphone

allowing us to monitor the acoustic environment underneath the waves.

We don't know what we're gonna find on our three-day journey.

but it's not long before we have our first encounter.

but it's not long before we have our first encounter.

We have company.

A pod of common dolphins.

Utterly spectacular!

They're set apart by the golden hourglass shape

They're set apart by the golden hourglass shape

that runs down their sides,

and we have a decent sized pod here.

They're super, super social. Very playful.

They're super, super social. Very playful.

Uberintelligent.

'Dolphins are also the masters of communication.'

'Dolphins are also the masters of communication.'

(VARYING TONAL WHISTLES)

Over 6,000km away, in the Bahamas...

Over 6,000km away, in the Bahamas...

..I experienced their use of sound first-hand.

Freediving allowed me to enter their world as silently as possible...

(VARYING TONAL WHISTLES)

(RAPID CLICKING)

(RAPID CLICKING)

..and hear and even feel their vocalisations.

Scientists here are decoding their language.

They've found that whistles are used for long-distance communication...

(VARYING TONAL WHISTLES)

..and as calls, between mothers and calves when they're separated.

And burst pulses, packets of clicks spaced tightly together,

tell us about the dolphin's emotional state...

tell us about the dolphin's emotional state...

..from aggressive to amorous.

(RAPID CLICKING)

As our seas become awash with man-made noise,

As our seas become awash with man-made noise,

dolphins' intricate communications can be drowned out.

(ENGINE RUMBLING)

(ENGINE RUMBLING)

So it's more important than ever that we better understand them.

So it's more important than ever that we better understand them.

And here on the Silurian, in Scottish seas,

I want to take it a step further, by listening in to the hydrophone

I want to take it a step further, by listening in to the hydrophone

to hear another incredible way they use sound.

(DOLPHINS VOCALISING)

(DOLPHINS VOCALISING)

That's so clear.

Absolutely amazing.

(VARYING TONAL WHISTLES AND RAPID CLICKING)

(VARYING TONAL WHISTLES AND RAPID CLICKING)

It's a kind of range of clicks and splats,

which is echolocation.

This is biosonar,

which is just a way of building up a picture of things in your world

without using sight.

without using sight.

Every sound they record helps Jenny and the team

build a picture of how many whales and dolphins are in these waters.

build a picture of how many whales and dolphins are in these waters.

Data that can be used to better protect them.

The study of whales and dolphins

has been aided by technology invented for military use.

has been aided by technology invented for military use.

In the 1950s, the American Navy detected a mysterious sound...

..a metallic-like "boing".

(METALLIC BOING SWELLS)

For decades, no one could work out where it came from.

For decades, no one could work out where it came from.

And it was only when scientists started to listen to the ocean,

that they were able to solve the mystery.

that they were able to solve the mystery.

The source was an animal that's found in British waters,

but is one of the hardest to spot.

The minke whale.

The minke whale.

The minke whale can be really tricky to spot.

They're quick, they don't have an evident blow or spout,

They're quick, they don't have an evident blow or spout,

and so the best way of finding them is the old-fashioned way,

watching out for the characteristic shape

of their dorsal fin as they crest the surface.

of their dorsal fin as they crest the surface.

Behind us! Oh, wow, look.

Behind us! Oh, wow, look.

Just there. Very close!

Sleek and streamlined,

Sleek and streamlined,

minke whales can dive for up to 20 minutes,

only surfacing for an instant before heading down again.

only surfacing for an instant before heading down again.

(SHUTTER CLICKS)

It's in this fleeting moment,

that Jenny tries to take photographs.

Minke whales have notches and nicks that they have in their dorsal fins

that it makes it really easy to recognise individuals.

Currently, we have 260 identifiable minke whales in our catalogue,

Currently, we have 260 identifiable minke whales in our catalogue,

and the more we see them, the more we learn.

During the last century,

During the last century,

over 130,000 minke whales were killed in the North Atlantic

by the whaling industry,

the most of all whale species in this region.

the most of all whale species in this region.

Jenny's visual IDs are an essential tool

Jenny's visual IDs are an essential tool

to help us find out how they're faring now.

(BIRDS SQUAWKING)

(BIRDS SQUAWKING)

As I've seen, Scottish waters are a hotspot for cetaceans.

As I've seen, Scottish waters are a hotspot for cetaceans.

But some species found here are fighting for survival.

(VOCALISES)

My mission to reveal what we can do

My mission to reveal what we can do

to help whales and dolphins thrive in the modern world

has brought me to British seas.

With bountiful shallows and deep ocean hunting grounds,

With bountiful shallows and deep ocean hunting grounds,

predators flock here.

And the most formidable...

..is the orca, or killer whale.

..is the orca, or killer whale.

They're supremely intelligent,

and that means they could be well equipped

to adapt in the face of man-made challenges.

They learn bespoke techniques for hunting different species

They learn bespoke techniques for hunting different species

in different parts of the world...

..depending on what food is available.

But sometimes what they hunt comes as something of a surprise.

But sometimes what they hunt comes as something of a surprise.

While observing orca in Northern Norway,

I witnessed them targeting a very unlikely prey.

I witnessed them targeting a very unlikely prey.

Wh-What is that?

They're hunting something.

These orca have turned their attention

to a tiny seabird called a little auk.

(SQUAWKING)

(SQUAWKING)

You can see it jumping and leaping out of the water

You can see it jumping and leaping out of the water

trying to escape them and then diving down.

It almost looks like they're playing with their food.

But there's likely to be more to it than that.

One suggestion is that it's teaching their calves.

One suggestion is that it's teaching their calves.

So they're learning skills that they might use in later life

on bigger more substantial prey.

on bigger more substantial prey.

For now, though, the lesson's over,

and the little auk's fate is sealed.

and the little auk's fate is sealed.

(BIRDS SQUAWKING)

Orca may appear brutal, even cruel,

but that is a part

of their creative and experimental way of finding food.

of their creative and experimental way of finding food.

They're always testing the boundaries, learning

and ultimately adapting.

But this can also lead them into harm's way.

Something that can be seen in action on the Scottish Coast,

Something that can be seen in action on the Scottish Coast,

where every year in early summer, groups of orca return.

Some are fish-feeding orca from Iceland,

but once here, they switch...

..supersizing their prey to seals.

Seals are abundant on these shores.

Seals are abundant on these shores.

The coves and inlets offer shelter.

And beneath the surface...

..precious kelp forests, full of fish,

provide plenty of food.

A place to investigate anything that catches their eye.

Right now,

that's me.

But, unfortunately for the seals,

But, unfortunately for the seals,

they're a target for orca.

(GRUNTING AND BARKING)

Swimming close to the shoreline,

the orca search every cove.

Turning sideways hides their dorsal fins

and allows them to approach undetected.

and allows them to approach undetected.

Keeping track of an agile seal is no easy task.

The seal is shared among the pod.

The seal is shared among the pod.

But eating marine mammals has a hidden cost.

But eating marine mammals has a hidden cost.

Chemical pollutants are causing serious problems

Chemical pollutants are causing serious problems

for marine life all over the world.

Among the most insidious

Among the most insidious

are a group known as PCBs,

"forever chemicals", once used in electrical equipment.

(SHIP HORN BLARES)

(SHIP HORN BLARES)

Even though they were banned here in the 1980s...

..they're still finding their way into our waters.

..they're still finding their way into our waters.

These chemicals travel over great distances...

..and concentrate as they travel up the food chain

into those feeding on the largest prey,

into those feeding on the largest prey,

the apex predators like orca.

(VOCALISES)

They are now one of the most polluted animals in the world.

They are now one of the most polluted animals in the world.

Exposure to PCBs can cause a range of health problems,

Exposure to PCBs can cause a range of health problems,

including cancer and infertility.

And some scientists think

And some scientists think

that within a hundred years these contaminants could cause

half of the world's orca populations to collapse.

half of the world's orca populations to collapse.

It's a shocking prediction,

It's a shocking prediction,

and one that's already being played out here in Scotland...

..with one particular group, the West Coast community.

..with one particular group, the West Coast community.

Like lots of the groups found here,

Like lots of the groups found here,

the West Coast community once had many members.

But in recent years their numbers have dwindled.

But in recent years their numbers have dwindled.

In 2016, the body of one of the females in the group, Lulu,

was washed ashore.

was washed ashore.

Her autopsy revealed that she had a hundred times safe levels of PCBs...

..making her one of the most contaminated cetaceans ever recorded.

..making her one of the most contaminated cetaceans ever recorded.

Lulu never had a calf.

No calves have been born within the West Coast community

No calves have been born within the West Coast community

for 31 years.

And it's now thought that only two members of this group survive,

And it's now thought that only two members of this group survive,

known as John Coe and Aquarius.

Both elderly males.

Both elderly males.

For orca enthusiast Steve Truluck,

it was this group's predicament that triggered a lifelong obsession.

it was this group's predicament that triggered a lifelong obsession.

I was told the story about them, and I was just completely blown away,

and I just kinda made it my mission to make sure that I saw them

and I just kinda made it my mission to make sure that I saw them

before... before they actually go, before the last two go.

With a distinctive notch at the base of his dorsal fin,

With a distinctive notch at the base of his dorsal fin,

there's no mistaking John Coe.

And after years of trying to find him,

in 2019, Steve finally had his wish granted.

in 2019, Steve finally had his wish granted.

It's John Coe! That's John Coe! See the massive nick?

This encounter led to Steve becoming an advocate for orca...

..and a whale spotting guide.

Now he helps others experience the joy of seeing them

Now he helps others experience the joy of seeing them

and understand more about their plight.

Look at that!

We've got John Coe and Aquarius! We've got the ultimate next to us.

We've got John Coe and Aquarius! We've got the ultimate next to us.

This is unbelievable! (WHOOPING)

What a steal! (LAUGHS)

What a steal! (LAUGHS)

Who wouldn't be amazed at seeing that? It's incredible.

They're just gorgeous. I mean, they're just amazing animals.

And yeah, just incredible being in their presence.

And yeah, just incredible being in their presence.

As exhilarating as seeing them was for Steve,

it's an experience tinged with tragedy.

it's an experience tinged with tragedy.

Highly polluted

and with no females left to breed with,

there is no way to save this group.

there is no way to save this group.

And it's not just orca affected by chemical pollution.

And it's not just orca affected by chemical pollution.

Other top predators can succumb too.

It's always a sad sight

It's always a sad sight

to see a majestic marine predator like this washed ashore.

This is a Risso's dolphin.

There's no obvious cause of what killed the animal,

There's no obvious cause of what killed the animal,

but in so many places,

when a top-of-the-line predator like this washes up on shore,

when a top-of-the-line predator like this washes up on shore,

the levels of pollutants in their body are so high

that they have to be disposed of like toxic waste.

that they have to be disposed of like toxic waste.

The imminent demise of the West Coast community

is surely proof that we have no time to lose.

is surely proof that we have no time to lose.

Many countries have agreed to eliminate PCB waste,

but progress is woefully slow.

but progress is woefully slow.

With an ever-increasing number of new chemicals

that could have yet untold consequences,

that could have yet untold consequences,

it's imperative that we prevent them

from entering our oceans in the first place.

Only then, can we help ensure orca's survival in our seas.

Only then, can we help ensure orca's survival in our seas.

While Scotland's orca are under fire,

While Scotland's orca are under fire,

elsewhere, new revelations are giving us hope

that some species may find other, extraordinary ways to succeed.

that some species may find other, extraordinary ways to succeed.

(VARYING TONAL WHISTLES)

We're learning all the time

just how diverse our whales and dolphins are.

But sometimes, a discovery is made

that challenges everything we thought we knew.

For the next part of my journey,

For the next part of my journey,

I'm heading to the Isle of Lewis, in Scotland's Outer Hebrides,

because the dolphins here

have been spotted doing something remarkable.

have been spotted doing something remarkable.

Risso's dolphins.

Look at that!

Look at that!

(VARYING TONAL WHISTLES)

Risso's dolphins are unmistakable.

They're stocky with blunt heads...

They're stocky with blunt heads...

..and bear the crisscross of battle scars...

..often caused by rough and tumble with other Risso's dolphins.

..often caused by rough and tumble with other Risso's dolphins.

Risso's are generally quite shy,

and that makes them really difficult to study.

and that makes them really difficult to study.

In fact, finding out anything about their lives has been a real struggle.

Luckily, in the Hebrides, there's one scientist

who's made it her life's work to get to know them.

who's made it her life's work to get to know them.

Nicola Hodgins has spent 14 years

Nicola Hodgins has spent 14 years

studying Risso's dolphins in these waters.

NICOLA: So this is definitely one of the Risso's favourite spots.

NICOLA: So this is definitely one of the Risso's favourite spots.

They've been coming here repeatedly.

Year after year, we get the same individual dolphins.

It's a really important place for Risso's.

It's a really important place for Risso's.

So you kind of get to know individual personalities and characters?

Absolutely, yeah, yeah.

And I guess that would mean that you would be very kind of hardwired

And I guess that would mean that you would be very kind of hardwired

to pick out anything unique in individual animals.Indeed, yeah.

In 2011, Nicola spotted something she'd never seen before.

In 2011, Nicola spotted something she'd never seen before.

We had some dolphins come in front of us.

Initially, we thought to ourselves they looked like Risso's dolphins.

Initially, we thought to ourselves they looked like Risso's dolphins.

And then there was a bottlenose dolphin.

And then all of a sudden there was an individual

who just looked completely different to any dolphin I've ever seen before

who just looked completely different to any dolphin I've ever seen before

and any species that we know are in these waters.

Even though it was far out at sea,

Even though it was far out at sea,

Nicola managed to snap a photo of the mystery dolphin.

We could see this individual was much larger than a Risso's dolphin.

We could see this individual was much larger than a Risso's dolphin.

So, Risso's have got a very blunt head,

they don't have a discernible beak,

whereas bottlenose dolphins have quite a discernible beak,

and this individual had a tiny, tiny, little, kind of snub nose.

and this individual had a tiny, tiny, little, kind of snub nose.

And we just knew we had something really special.

What Nicola had discovered was a hybrid dolphin,

What Nicola had discovered was a hybrid dolphin,

produced by a bottlenose female and a Risso's male.

But then it goes a step weirder, right?

But then it goes a step weirder, right?

Because if you have hybrid animals like that,

they're supposed to be sterile, they're not supposed to be able to breed.No.

they're supposed to be sterile, they're not supposed to be able to breed.No.

Whereas we now have evidence of these hybrid dolphins

actually reproducing and having young of their own.

Would it be too much to say that this could be evolution in action,

Would it be too much to say that this could be evolution in action,

and we could be seeing the birth of a completely new species?

I don't think it's too much to say that, and I think a one off,

I don't think it's too much to say that, and I think a one off,

you can maybe just put it down to chance,

but this is a repetitive thing

that's happening with multiple individuals.

that's happening with multiple individuals.

The reasons these dolphins have hybridised aren't yet clear,

but Nicola thinks it could point to something unsettling.

but Nicola thinks it could point to something unsettling.

Is there a possibility that this could be a response

to larger changes in the environment?

Absolutely. We're seeing a lot of changes

Absolutely. We're seeing a lot of changes

in distribution of different species.

So possibly the waters here are no longer perfect

for either Risso's or bottlenose for one reason or another,

for either Risso's or bottlenose for one reason or another,

but they might be perfect for something

that's kind of in between the two? Yeah, absolutely.

Evidence suggests that whales and dolphins all over the world

are venturing further towards the poles,

are venturing further towards the poles,

and scientists think this could be down to climate change.

Warming oceans can radically alter whales' habitats,

Warming oceans can radically alter whales' habitats,

pushing them into new waters,

where they mix with new species.

There's still much we need to learn

until we can fully understand the impact of climate change.

until we can fully understand the impact of climate change.

But we do know that the UK is a place

where the movement of whales can be studied

where the movement of whales can be studied

because some spectacular species pass through here

on their mighty migrations.

And when they do,

local enthusiasts head out to spot them,

making valuable contributions to science.

Some keep watch over whales from land.

Others take to the water.

The sea kayak is the perfect tool for the citizen scientist

so more and more members of the public,

so more and more members of the public,

armed with nothing more than a camera and a paddle,

are heading out into our coastal seas

and learning more about our whales and dolphins

and learning more about our whales and dolphins

and the information they are bringing back

is leading to a much greater understanding

of the world of the whale.

of the world of the whale.

In the far Southwest of Britain,

In the far Southwest of Britain,

one local resident has been doing exactly that.

Rupert Kirkwood has made it his life's mission

Rupert Kirkwood has made it his life's mission

to try to get close to whales

by paddling around every corner of this coastline.

RUPERT: I absolutely love calm water,

so I go to whichever beach around Devon and Cornwall

is the calmest on the day,

is the calmest on the day,

and I paddle off out to sea

and may not come back for 10 or 12 hours.

Rupert always has his camera close at hand

to capture any marine life he sees.

As I'm paddling along silently,

when there's no wind, you can hear the creatures.

(WHALE BLOWS, SHUTTER CLICKS)

You can hear the... (MIMICS WHALE BLOWING)

..the puff of the porpoise.

..the puff of the porpoise.

You can hear the splash of dolphins.

If you're really lucky

you can hear the blow of a minke whale.

you can hear the blow of a minke whale.

(WHALE BLOWS)

I feel very honoured

to be surrounded by these amazing creatures.

By far and away my most exciting encounter

I have had so far is a very close meeting

I have had so far is a very close meeting

off the far tip of Cornwall.

I heard a... (MIMICS BOOMING SPLASH) ..in the distance.

I heard a... (MIMICS BOOMING SPLASH) ..in the distance.

(BOOMING SPLASH) 'So I sat'

actually with my camera up, ready and running.

Suddenly the fin of a humpback,

the pectoral fin came out,

slapped the water.

This humpback then proceeded to swim all around my kayak,

This humpback then proceeded to swim all around my kayak,

engulfing these huge bait balls of fish.

Because humpback whales can be identified

by the markings on the underside of their tail flukes,

scientists were able to use Rupert's photographs

scientists were able to use Rupert's photographs

to catalogue this individual for the very first time.

It's rather nice that my humpback

is now the most widely seen humpback around the UK.

is now the most widely seen humpback around the UK.

It was also one of the first individual humpbacks

It was also one of the first individual humpbacks

to be identified in English waters.

But since then, there have been over 100 recorded

around the United Kingdom.

around the United Kingdom.

Thanks to people like Rupert,

we're starting to learn just how important these waters might be

we're starting to learn just how important these waters might be

as a stopping off point for passing migrants like humpbacks.

Adding to the growing evidence

that these seas should have greater protection for whales.

Humpbacks might appear to be doing well,

but there's no doubt that our changing world is putting

all our whales and dolphins under huge pressure.

all our whales and dolphins under huge pressure.

And in the final part of my journey, I want to show how,

And in the final part of my journey, I want to show how,

even if you can't venture out to sea...

..any one of us can still do something to help protect them.

..any one of us can still do something to help protect them.

I've seen first-hand

I've seen first-hand

how whales are adapting to survive in the modern world.

(RAPID CLICKING)

From the ways they communicate...

From the ways they communicate...

..and hunt,

to the epic voyages they undertake.

I've also witnessed how we impact their world.

I've also witnessed how we impact their world.

Our whaling industry nearly wiped some species out in the past.

Our whaling industry nearly wiped some species out in the past.

And the pollution in our seas

threatens their survival in the future.

Now they need our help.

Luckily, many people are taking notice...

..and doing what they can.

And at Chanonry point, in Scotland, there's a perfect spot

And at Chanonry point, in Scotland, there's a perfect spot

to witness the passion people have for these animals.

Chanonry Point is a narrow spit of land

Chanonry Point is a narrow spit of land

jutting out into the Moray Firth.

At the exact right time of the tide

salmon pour through here and the predators follow,

salmon pour through here and the predators follow,

making it the best place in the nation

to see dolphins from the land.

Oh!

These are bottlenose dolphins.

Around 200 are found here in the Moray Firth...

..a sea inlet that fills with salmon

as they run from the ocean towards neighbouring rivers.

as they run from the ocean towards neighbouring rivers.

We have the biggest bottlenose in the world in our waters.

We have the biggest bottlenose in the world in our waters.

They can be over 3.5m in length,

even getting close to 4m, and that is a big animal.

At times they are so close,

At times they are so close,

it feels like you could reach out and touch them.

There is something so, so special about this place,

having a pod of wild predators hunting mere metres away

having a pod of wild predators hunting mere metres away

from the dog walkers and people snapping selfies,

from the dog walkers and people snapping selfies,

but every once in a while, you have to look back and see the human faces,

see the effect that it's having on people,

the sense of pure joy, and I can feel it myself.

the sense of pure joy, and I can feel it myself.

Oh, what! Ooh! Ee-hee-hee-hee!

It's a time when their world and ours truly meets.

Not many places in the world that happens.

Not many places in the world that happens.

But it's not just the public that come here,

But it's not just the public that come here,

experts are also drawn to these waters

in the hope of learning more.

Barbara Cheney specialises in monitoring bottlenose dolphins

Barbara Cheney specialises in monitoring bottlenose dolphins

and has tracked entire dynasties in the Moray Firth.

We're quite a special project here

because it's one of the longest-running in the world.

They've been studying the bottlenose dolphins

They've been studying the bottlenose dolphins

in the Moray Firth since 1989,

and actually, we're into our fourth generation.

Barbara uses ground-breaking technology

to assess the health of individual dolphins.

to assess the health of individual dolphins.

(SHUTTER CLICKS)

Her camera's equipped with lasers which can measure the dolphins...

Her camera's equipped with lasers which can measure the dolphins...

..and she sends up drones

to get detailed images of their width,

a great indication of how healthy they are.

a great indication of how healthy they are.

The big goal with science is data over time.

What are you starting to learn now?

Although they're still a small population,

there's only just over 200, actually they're doing quite well

compared to other cetacean populations around the world.

So we know that the abundance has been increasing

So we know that the abundance has been increasing

over the last three decades.

We know that reproduction has been increasing as well,

so it's actually all really good news, which is great.

so it's actually all really good news, which is great.

One of the reasons Barbara thinks the dolphins are doing so well here

is that, thanks in part to her research,

is that, thanks in part to her research,

the Moray Firth has been granted extra protection for marine life.

That means disturbance from activities like fishing,

That means disturbance from activities like fishing,

development and boat traffic are kept to a minimum.

We know that when we protect areas of our ocean

and create safe havens

it can do wonders for whale populations around the world.

it can do wonders for whale populations around the world.

(SHIP HORN BLARES)

In New Zealand, the port of Auckland

used to be a hotspot for ship strikes with whales like Bryde's.

used to be a hotspot for ship strikes with whales like Bryde's.

But local researchers and the government worked together

But local researchers and the government worked together

to introduce lower speed limits for boats,

making sure whales have time to move out of the way.

And in Mexico, anti-hunting laws and restrictions on fishing gear

have created an ecotourism industry

have created an ecotourism industry

that sees grey whales better protected...

..and now actively seeking out human contact.

..and now actively seeking out human contact.

Our individual actions can add up to make a big difference.

Our individual actions can add up to make a big difference.

And here in Scotland, the protected waters of the Moray Firth

seem to offer the resident bottlenose everything they need.

seem to offer the resident bottlenose everything they need.

But even so, they can still get into trouble.

During high tide, the bays are filled with water.

But when the tide recedes, which it does at speed,

But when the tide recedes, which it does at speed,

there's nothing but dry land.

This expanse of sandbars and mudflats and salt marshes is Nigg Bay.

This expanse of sandbars and mudflats and salt marshes is Nigg Bay.

It's a wonderland for birdlife and seals.

And in 2016, it was the setting for a real-life dolphin drama.

And in 2016, it was the setting for a real-life dolphin drama.

It was here that a young female bottlenose dolphin,

It was here that a young female bottlenose dolphin,

known as Spurtle, was stranded.

Passersby, Michael Robertson and Lorraine Culloch,

Passersby, Michael Robertson and Lorraine Culloch,

were the first people to spot her.

LORRAINE: Aw, she just looked so sad.

I've never seen anything so sad,

and it actually looked like it was crying.

and it actually looked like it was crying.

It was quite emotional.

MICHAEL: I'd probably go as far as to say it was the saddest face I'd ever seen.Yeah.

It was unbelievable, even looking at the photos now, that's awful. It's quite emotional.

It was unbelievable, even looking at the photos now, that's awful. It's quite emotional.

She was suffering from sunburn,

with the skin on her side beginning to bubble up.

with the skin on her side beginning to bubble up.

Michael knew she needed professional help,

so called the British Divers Marine Life Rescue Service,

or BDMLR -

experts in helping stranded whales and dolphins.

experts in helping stranded whales and dolphins.

When the BDMLR comes, they included us in the rescue.

We'd monitored her breathing.

But basically 14 hours we had to wait

until the tide came back in, so they could refloat her.

until the tide came back in, so they could refloat her.

We slept in the van in a layby all night.

The next morning, when the tide eventually came back in,

The next morning, when the tide eventually came back in,

Spurtle was refloated.

It seemed unlikely she'd still have enough strength to swim.

It seemed unlikely she'd still have enough strength to swim.

But to everyone's relief,

But to everyone's relief,

she headed slowly out into open water.

There's no doubt that Michael and Lorraine's quick thinking

There's no doubt that Michael and Lorraine's quick thinking

and the rescue team's dedicated care

saved her life,

but no one knew whether she'd survive the ordeal.

but no one knew whether she'd survive the ordeal.

In the coming months and years,

her sunburn wound, which at first looked deadly,

healed into a distinctive scar like a paint splash

healed into a distinctive scar like a paint splash

And the best possible sign that she's returned to full health

And the best possible sign that she's returned to full health

is that she's recently had a calf of her own.

Here at Chanonry Point...

..all eyes are on the water

hoping to get a glimpse of her.

Spurtle! It's Spurtle!

Oh, my gosh. I don't believe it.

The... W-Wow!

The... W-Wow!

Well, so we've just had a glimpse

of one of the most special individual dolphins in our waters.

of one of the most special individual dolphins in our waters.

A true tale of survival.

An animal that has gone through stress and pain

An animal that has gone through stress and pain

that it's almost impossible to imagine

and is back here in front of us,

alive and well.

Evidence that these animals

Evidence that these animals

will battle against impossible odds to survive,

and now she's back with a calf of her own.

and now she's back with a calf of her own.

It just doesn't get any better than this.

Whales and dolphins have the unparalleled ability

to fill us with joy.

And my journey with them is something

that will stay with me for a lifetime.

It's also been a wake-up call.

I've seen how our actions are threatening their world.

I've seen how our actions are threatening their world.

(RAPID CLICKING)

I've also seen how people are doing their very best to help them.

I've also seen how people are doing their very best to help them.

Even the smallest action,

be it making a phone call

or reporting a sighting...

..can lead to meaningful change.

Whales are adapting as well as they can.

Now we need to adapt, and fast,

if we're to give them, and us, a brighter future.

They've been around for 50 million years,

They've been around for 50 million years,

and they could be around for 50 million more,

but only if we ensure the health of their seas.

To capture the astonishing diversity of whales that are in British waters,

To capture the astonishing diversity of whales that are in British waters,

we took to land,

sea... and air.

(DRONE WHIRRING)

(DRONE WHIRRING)

But when it came to tracking Orca...

..we knew we'd have our work cut out.

..we knew we'd have our work cut out.

These incredible predators roam up to 160km a day

in the search for food.

So for our wildlife cameraman, Louis Labrom,

pinpointing their location was to be no easy task.

The challenge we've set ourselves is quite tricky.

Where do we go? Where's the best spot?

Where are they gonna come to? It's a difficult challenge.

Luckily, we weren't doing it on our own.

We were joining a network of around 200 volunteers,

We were joining a network of around 200 volunteers,

including local people and those taking part

in a citizen science event called Orca Watch.

They record any orca they see,

giving us some idea of how they're faring here.

These are his photos from 2km away.

These are his photos from 2km away.

Orca enthusiast Steve Truluck was also on hand.

The whole thing is you have to be in it

for the long game, and you have to wait.

for the long game, and you have to wait.

With the whole of the Caithness coast and the Northern Isles to cover,

With the whole of the Caithness coast and the Northern Isles to cover,

the volunteers face a daunting task.

Luckily, the landscape gives them a helping hand.

There are some parts of the coastline here

that almost appear to be natural lookout posts.

that almost appear to be natural lookout posts.

Any orca coming, you can see it from miles away.

You've got a cracking view here of everywhere.

You've got a cracking view here of everywhere.

You can actually see right down to the cliff.Yeah.

Sure enough, it's not long before we hear of a sighting.

Sure enough, it's not long before we hear of a sighting.

Oh, really? WOMAN: Yeah.Ooh.

A fisherman off of Durness has seen a pod of orcas.

One massive male. Oh!

We drop everything and head to where we expect to intercept them...

We drop everything and head to where we expect to intercept them...

..but the orca outsmart us.

There's been a post put up that the orcas were seen at a place called Sandwood Bay,

There's been a post put up that the orcas were seen at a place called Sandwood Bay,

which is the total opposite direction of where we are.

So, yeah, unfortunately, no luck today. They've gone the other way.

So, yeah, unfortunately, no luck today. They've gone the other way.

Over the coming days,

Louis tries again...

Louis tries again...

..and again,

in the hopes of getting a glimpse of them.

(VOCALISING)

But the orca have been covering vast areas of water every day

But the orca have been covering vast areas of water every day

and always staying one step ahead of our cameras.

Louis' not giving up, but I have to tear myself away

Louis' not giving up, but I have to tear myself away

and head 200km south,

to capture another wildlife spectacle...

..the Moray Firth's bottlenose dolphins...

Yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah!

..feasting on salmon.

Oh, yes. Metres from shore, Tom. Metres from shore.

You've always got a good chance of seeing dolphins at Chanonry.

You've always got a good chance of seeing dolphins at Chanonry.

If only the orca further north were this predictable.

That's great.

That's great.

But Louis' finally got some good news.

WOMAN: (ON PHONE) They're heading down towards Balchrick, just now.

A whale watcher has spotted some orca out at sea,

A whale watcher has spotted some orca out at sea,

and Louis takes a leap of faith and hops onboard a passenger ferry,

in the hope he'll see them as they pass.

in the hope he'll see them as they pass.

We're getting on the ferry! (LAUGHS)

I'm not getting my hopes up, but also it would be...

I'm not getting my hopes up, but also it would be...

incredible, incredible to see them.

And finally, out of nowhere,

an unmistakable flash of black and white.

Yeah, there they are. Yeah. Got 'em. Got 'em.

Yeah, there they are. Yeah. Got 'em. Got 'em.

Alright, yes!

This is the much-loved pod of orca known as the 27s.

This is the much-loved pod of orca known as the 27s.

And great news...

There's a little one. '..they have a calf.'

(CHEERING AND WHOOPING)

Now their pod is eight members strong.

Now their pod is eight members strong.

Wah-hoo! Wah!

These guys have put in so much hard work, and...

they're all so passionate about it,

they're all so passionate about it,

and some of them have been out for weeks.

And now they get to see it, and I'm here seeing it with them, so...

I'm not crying, it's just the wind in my eyes!

I'm not crying, it's just the wind in my eyes!

(SHUTTERS CLICKING)

(SHUTTERS CLICKING)

With two incredible wildlife encounters filmed at the same time,

I can't wait to catch up with the crew,

once they're back on shore.

How are we?

How are we?

Very, very happy. Mm. Good.

What an amazing job!

Well, orca on the British Isles, it was really wonderful to see.

Well, orca on the British Isles, it was really wonderful to see.

It's our last day filming, so last-day luck.

Revealing the challenges orca face was only possible

Revealing the challenges orca face was only possible

because of the passionate people doing their best

to help whales in any way they can.

And it's that passion we'll need to harness,

across nations and oceans,

if we're to ensure the future of whales in our seas.

if we're to ensure the future of whales in our seas.

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