1 00:00:12,613 --> 00:00:15,714 Bear: These emperor penguins are about to undertake 2 00:00:15,816 --> 00:00:19,301 One of the greatest feats of endurance on the planet. 3 00:00:35,836 --> 00:00:38,404 A single egg. 4 00:00:40,141 --> 00:00:44,710 It's taken almost all this mother's energy to create. 5 00:00:49,050 --> 00:00:52,868 Time to entrust it to her mate. 6 00:00:55,639 --> 00:00:59,074 While she leaves to feed at sea. 7 00:01:06,867 --> 00:01:10,702 Now it's up to dad. 8 00:01:14,575 --> 00:01:18,977 He must carry the egg through the world's worst winter. 9 00:01:19,080 --> 00:01:25,200 (wind howling). 10 00:01:27,037 --> 00:01:32,508 Risk his own life to keep the chick growing inside alive. 11 00:01:38,682 --> 00:01:42,935 Just one of the many remarkable stories of how 12 00:01:43,037 --> 00:01:47,272 Life triumphs at the ends of the earth. 13 00:01:48,209 --> 00:01:54,313 (theme music plays). 14 00:02:16,837 --> 00:02:19,271 When winter hits the polar regions, 15 00:02:19,340 --> 00:02:22,107 The temperature can drop as low as 16 00:02:22,209 --> 00:02:25,777 Minus 120 degrees fahrenheit. 17 00:02:26,881 --> 00:02:29,448 Almost nothing grows. 18 00:02:29,750 --> 00:02:33,569 Winds build into some of the strongest on earth. 19 00:02:34,238 --> 00:02:37,706 You've got land and sea locked in ice. 20 00:02:38,776 --> 00:02:41,210 And weeks of perpetual darkness. 21 00:02:42,913 --> 00:02:46,148 Only a few remarkable animals have what it takes 22 00:02:46,250 --> 00:02:50,802 To survive here, and every day is a struggle 23 00:02:50,905 --> 00:02:54,406 Against the elements and each other. 24 00:02:54,775 --> 00:02:58,710 (growling). 25 00:03:00,181 --> 00:03:03,248 Now the poles are changing faster than 26 00:03:03,350 --> 00:03:05,834 Anywhere else on the planet. 27 00:03:06,136 --> 00:03:11,173 (crashing). 28 00:03:13,510 --> 00:03:15,978 And getting through the coldest days, 29 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:18,814 That's just the beginning of the battle. 30 00:03:50,948 --> 00:03:52,648 Late fall. 31 00:03:52,750 --> 00:03:55,667 Polar bears are grounded. 32 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:02,040 Once the sea has frozen over 33 00:04:02,142 --> 00:04:05,410 They can head out and begin hunting. 34 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:11,800 But since the 1970s that's taking longer. 35 00:04:18,876 --> 00:04:22,411 Hunger claws for an extra three weeks. 36 00:04:25,816 --> 00:04:30,402 And this young male must face other challenges. 37 00:04:35,909 --> 00:04:38,527 An older rival. 38 00:04:53,410 --> 00:04:57,913 (growling). 39 00:05:03,737 --> 00:05:09,975 (growling). 40 00:05:18,969 --> 00:05:24,940 (growling). 41 00:05:25,042 --> 00:05:28,577 The largest of all land predators. 42 00:05:31,048 --> 00:05:34,800 Male polar bears lead a life of violence. 43 00:05:35,803 --> 00:05:40,038 But today punches are being pulled. 44 00:05:46,647 --> 00:05:50,465 Sparring partners test strength and skill. 45 00:05:55,973 --> 00:05:59,207 Preparing for tougher times. 46 00:06:00,611 --> 00:06:05,047 When the battle for food and mates will be real. 47 00:06:05,549 --> 00:06:11,203 (growling). 48 00:06:18,946 --> 00:06:22,614 But first, patience. 49 00:06:25,035 --> 00:06:27,836 Wait for winter. 50 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:49,608 The magic number. 51 00:06:50,878 --> 00:06:53,912 28.8 fahrenheit. 52 00:06:54,848 --> 00:06:58,200 Sea water begins to freeze. 53 00:07:03,941 --> 00:07:07,209 An ice kingdom is born. 54 00:07:07,945 --> 00:07:11,680 Almost limitless hunting grounds. 55 00:07:14,435 --> 00:07:18,904 The harshest season is when polar bears thrive. 56 00:07:25,012 --> 00:07:28,880 The arctic plunges into 24 hours of night. 57 00:07:39,443 --> 00:07:43,345 Around the poles the planet's magnetic field puts on an 58 00:07:43,447 --> 00:07:47,082 Unearthly display. 59 00:07:51,738 --> 00:07:55,774 In the north the aurora borealis. 60 00:08:02,182 --> 00:08:07,102 And in the south the aurora australis. 61 00:08:16,513 --> 00:08:20,015 Winter here looks heavenly. 62 00:08:21,235 --> 00:08:25,637 But for these emperor penguins it's hell on earth. 63 00:08:32,012 --> 00:08:35,146 All of them are male. 64 00:08:35,516 --> 00:08:38,633 And if the eggs they're carrying are to survive, 65 00:08:38,902 --> 00:08:42,771 All of them must stand strong. 66 00:08:45,175 --> 00:08:51,846 (wind howling). 67 00:09:04,711 --> 00:09:09,548 Each one takes their turn in the full force of the wind. 68 00:09:14,838 --> 00:09:18,707 All the time balancing their eggs on their toes. 69 00:09:20,944 --> 00:09:23,712 Just beyond the ices deadly reach. 70 00:09:26,383 --> 00:09:32,904 (wind howling). 71 00:09:56,413 --> 00:09:57,812 (penguin call). 72 00:09:57,914 --> 00:10:02,767 75 days of sacrifice finally over. 73 00:10:04,738 --> 00:10:09,007 (penguin calls). 74 00:10:14,448 --> 00:10:17,315 It was worth it. 75 00:10:17,401 --> 00:10:22,737 (penguin calls). 76 00:10:22,839 --> 00:10:27,309 Just 6 ounces, he's got a lot of growing to do. 77 00:10:29,613 --> 00:10:34,566 Soon the ice on which they stand will all be gone. 78 00:10:47,381 --> 00:10:52,667 This is canada's last land before the arctic pack ice. 79 00:11:04,815 --> 00:11:08,867 Somehow an eight-strong pack of arctic wolves 80 00:11:08,969 --> 00:11:11,786 Survives here. 81 00:11:22,616 --> 00:11:28,870 (yipping). 82 00:11:29,639 --> 00:11:31,706 During the brutal winter 83 00:11:31,808 --> 00:11:35,243 Finding food is a daily struggle. 84 00:11:40,550 --> 00:11:45,804 But after almost three months of darkness a ray of hope. 85 00:11:52,112 --> 00:11:55,580 (barking). 86 00:12:10,881 --> 00:12:14,082 Arctic hares are one of the few other creatures 87 00:12:14,184 --> 00:12:17,168 That survive here. 88 00:12:18,205 --> 00:12:22,307 Gathering in huge groups offers protection. 89 00:12:25,946 --> 00:12:28,780 And now the sun has returned, 90 00:12:28,882 --> 00:12:32,534 The element of surprise is gone. 91 00:12:51,037 --> 00:12:57,175 ♪ ♪ 92 00:13:12,442 --> 00:13:17,111 A lot of effort for no return. 93 00:13:20,450 --> 00:13:23,601 There are bigger opportunities here, 94 00:13:23,703 --> 00:13:26,771 But they come with greater risks. 95 00:13:31,778 --> 00:13:34,212 Musk oxen. 96 00:13:36,082 --> 00:13:39,868 One of the arctic's true survivors. 97 00:13:56,503 --> 00:13:59,838 Bear: In their search for food the arctic wolf pack 98 00:13:59,940 --> 00:14:03,408 Can cover 50 miles in a day. 99 00:14:18,775 --> 00:14:21,809 These musk oxen have spent all winter 100 00:14:21,912 --> 00:14:25,446 In this frozen waste land. 101 00:14:30,904 --> 00:14:33,838 They're built to survive. 102 00:14:40,280 --> 00:14:44,866 But just one adult would feed the entire pack. 103 00:14:50,941 --> 00:14:55,310 To witness wolves hunt musk oxen in winter is so rare 104 00:14:55,412 --> 00:15:01,165 It's never been captured on camera, until now. 105 00:15:06,506 --> 00:15:08,573 (rumbling). 106 00:15:08,675 --> 00:15:11,976 This herd has a youngster. 107 00:15:12,679 --> 00:15:16,614 (rumbling). 108 00:15:17,083 --> 00:15:19,250 (whining). 109 00:15:19,336 --> 00:15:24,105 But it's protected behind a united front. 110 00:15:30,313 --> 00:15:32,413 Armed with slashing horns, 111 00:15:32,515 --> 00:15:36,100 Adults weight up to 700 pounds. 112 00:15:44,844 --> 00:15:47,345 (rumbling). 113 00:15:50,016 --> 00:15:54,235 (bellow, whining). 114 00:15:54,337 --> 00:15:58,172 The wolves search for weakness in their defense. 115 00:16:10,403 --> 00:16:13,137 Try to get them on the run. 116 00:16:24,250 --> 00:16:29,804 (snorting). 117 00:16:32,742 --> 00:16:37,979 (growling, barking). 118 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:50,041 The mother won't leave her calf, 119 00:16:50,577 --> 00:16:53,044 But her instincts work against her. 120 00:16:54,748 --> 00:17:00,968 (growling, barking). 121 00:17:04,808 --> 00:17:08,576 (grunting). 122 00:17:20,040 --> 00:17:25,777 (growling, barking). 123 00:17:30,583 --> 00:17:36,070 (rumbling). 124 00:17:47,801 --> 00:17:52,370 In such a brutal landscape, one animal's survival often 125 00:17:52,472 --> 00:17:56,074 Depends on another's fate. 126 00:18:12,475 --> 00:18:15,643 In the south, the sun's power is increasing. 127 00:18:16,713 --> 00:18:21,799 (chattering, calling). 128 00:18:27,841 --> 00:18:31,809 It's been 12 weeks since he hatched. 129 00:18:37,383 --> 00:18:42,103 In fewer than four months, all this will have melted. 130 00:18:44,240 --> 00:18:48,159 By then chicks must be ready to swim. 131 00:18:49,846 --> 00:18:53,281 (chattering, calling). 132 00:18:53,383 --> 00:18:57,201 His life depends on how quickly he grows. 133 00:18:57,604 --> 00:19:02,740 (chirping). 134 00:19:05,612 --> 00:19:12,333 In just 150 days his body weight must increase 70 times. 135 00:19:30,904 --> 00:19:35,106 (chirping, calling). 136 00:19:35,608 --> 00:19:40,111 Strengthening sun promises easier times. 137 00:19:42,081 --> 00:19:46,801 But down here promises are easily broken. 138 00:19:58,348 --> 00:20:03,100 Antarctica's freezing winds have become more ferocious. 139 00:20:03,436 --> 00:20:06,837 (howling wind). 140 00:20:06,940 --> 00:20:10,474 A hole in the planet's ozone layer is disrupting 141 00:20:10,577 --> 00:20:14,078 The atmosphere, altering the weather. 142 00:20:16,583 --> 00:20:21,168 (howling wind). 143 00:20:21,271 --> 00:20:24,171 Even though dad hasn't returned from fishing, 144 00:20:24,274 --> 00:20:26,674 The chick now needs so much food, 145 00:20:26,776 --> 00:20:30,111 Mum must go too. 146 00:20:36,502 --> 00:20:40,304 His instincts are to follow. 147 00:20:48,414 --> 00:20:51,782 But it's a mistake. 148 00:20:52,101 --> 00:20:56,003 He's walking away from safety. 149 00:20:59,943 --> 00:21:04,578 (calling). 150 00:21:07,183 --> 00:21:12,903 (calling). 151 00:21:37,814 --> 00:21:41,248 Unless he makes it back to the colony, 152 00:21:41,367 --> 00:21:43,301 He will die. 153 00:22:00,903 --> 00:22:02,903 (penguin calls). 154 00:22:03,006 --> 00:22:05,639 Bear: In antarctica a storm has hit the 155 00:22:05,742 --> 00:22:07,942 Emperor penguin colony. 156 00:22:16,903 --> 00:22:20,371 It's taken a heavy toll. 157 00:22:25,945 --> 00:22:32,266 (calling). 158 00:22:35,338 --> 00:22:40,674 But most have survived, keeping each other alive. 159 00:22:51,537 --> 00:22:55,740 Separated chicks must now find their parents. 160 00:22:57,443 --> 00:23:00,344 (calling). 161 00:23:00,513 --> 00:23:06,434 Somewhere amongst 17,000 penguins, 162 00:23:09,305 --> 00:23:12,006 Is his father. 163 00:23:19,348 --> 00:23:22,833 (calling). 164 00:23:24,771 --> 00:23:27,671 His call is unique. 165 00:23:33,012 --> 00:23:36,814 Reunited and safe. 166 00:23:37,683 --> 00:23:41,836 These chicks have learned an important life lesson. 167 00:23:42,672 --> 00:23:47,174 The colony only survives by standing together. 168 00:23:58,070 --> 00:24:02,239 Spring races across the arctic. 169 00:24:07,580 --> 00:24:11,182 The change brings new challenges. 170 00:24:22,211 --> 00:24:25,146 A young female. 171 00:24:33,573 --> 00:24:37,508 She depends on seals for food. 172 00:24:38,077 --> 00:24:42,246 The only prey with enough calories to sustain her. 173 00:24:51,240 --> 00:24:56,076 As the ice melts, escape routes are now everywhere. 174 00:24:59,715 --> 00:25:02,800 Her chances plummet. 175 00:25:21,971 --> 00:25:33,347 (sniffing). 176 00:25:33,449 --> 00:25:36,700 Bears have an acute sense of smell. 177 00:25:37,103 --> 00:25:41,238 (sniffing). 178 00:25:41,541 --> 00:25:45,442 They can detect seals from nearly 2 miles. 179 00:25:56,973 --> 00:26:00,107 This one's closer. 180 00:26:13,472 --> 00:26:16,674 (sniffing). 181 00:26:49,308 --> 00:26:55,713 ♪ ♪ 182 00:26:58,868 --> 00:27:05,372 (cawing). 183 00:27:24,076 --> 00:27:28,545 News of her kill carries on the wind. 184 00:27:30,583 --> 00:27:34,802 A huge male, he needs food too, 185 00:27:35,271 --> 00:27:38,539 And he doesn't care how he gets it. 186 00:27:41,127 --> 00:27:44,845 (grunting). 187 00:27:46,415 --> 00:27:52,269 (cawing). 188 00:27:55,608 --> 00:27:58,409 (roaring). 189 00:28:02,415 --> 00:28:04,982 Just bones. 190 00:28:12,341 --> 00:28:15,576 She's taken her fill. 191 00:28:15,678 --> 00:28:18,078 Now she must leave. 192 00:28:18,180 --> 00:28:22,332 A hungry male polar bear can turn cannibal. 193 00:28:36,849 --> 00:28:41,602 Summer in the poles has always been a time of transformation. 194 00:28:56,102 --> 00:28:59,570 But now the arctic is changing faster than 195 00:28:59,672 --> 00:29:03,474 At any rate in recorded history. 196 00:29:04,910 --> 00:29:08,579 The climate is warming. 197 00:29:25,080 --> 00:29:29,967 Polar bears face immediate survival choices. 198 00:29:30,069 --> 00:29:35,239 Head deeper in to the ice or swim for land. 199 00:29:38,711 --> 00:29:43,847 Either way four lean months lie ahead. 200 00:29:48,404 --> 00:29:51,972 Climate change at the poles will bring challenges for 201 00:29:52,074 --> 00:29:57,244 Many, but for some it's opportunity. 202 00:30:07,907 --> 00:30:11,475 Over 50 years the average temperature here has risen 203 00:30:11,577 --> 00:30:15,412 By around 5 degrees fahrenheit. 204 00:30:19,568 --> 00:30:22,302 Gentoo penguins like it warmer than their 205 00:30:22,404 --> 00:30:25,506 Ice loving emperor cousins. 206 00:30:33,415 --> 00:30:37,568 It exposes the bare rock they need for nesting. 207 00:30:43,075 --> 00:30:46,476 The waters here are so rich successfully raising 208 00:30:46,579 --> 00:30:49,813 Two chicks is far more likely. 209 00:30:50,249 --> 00:30:56,470 (chirping, calling). 210 00:30:56,572 --> 00:31:00,207 Who'll feed first is decided by a chase. 211 00:31:04,113 --> 00:31:10,734 (chirping, calling). 212 00:31:27,269 --> 00:31:30,804 Chicks are at all stages. 213 00:31:32,608 --> 00:31:35,776 The oldest are ready for the sea. 214 00:31:41,784 --> 00:31:46,436 But they're first taste of the ocean may also be their last. 215 00:31:58,550 --> 00:32:02,069 Bear: A changing climate around antarctica is helping 216 00:32:02,171 --> 00:32:05,238 Gentoo penguin populations. 217 00:32:07,343 --> 00:32:12,512 But even in summer conditions can deteriorate rapidly. 218 00:32:33,502 --> 00:32:37,270 Storms blow brash ice into shore. 219 00:32:45,514 --> 00:32:49,833 The route back to the colony is blocked. 220 00:32:55,107 --> 00:32:59,593 Fledglings must negotiate a maze of floating ice. 221 00:33:06,235 --> 00:33:10,837 It's all too easy to get left behind. 222 00:33:12,608 --> 00:33:16,977 (chirping, calling). 223 00:33:18,547 --> 00:33:22,099 And that's not the only danger. 224 00:33:33,846 --> 00:33:38,932 Pushing through brash ice is hard work. 225 00:33:39,668 --> 00:33:43,804 But this is not a safe place to rest. 226 00:34:05,094 --> 00:34:11,181 ♪ ♪ 227 00:34:19,074 --> 00:34:21,808 Panic drives them on. 228 00:34:23,245 --> 00:34:28,682 (chirping, calling). 229 00:34:35,240 --> 00:34:37,858 A leopard seal. 230 00:34:42,581 --> 00:34:46,900 A 12 foot long penguin predator. 231 00:34:52,107 --> 00:34:55,909 Attention turns to the straggler. 232 00:35:36,568 --> 00:35:42,038 The more he struggles, the easier he is to find. 233 00:36:06,548 --> 00:36:13,170 ♪ ♪ 234 00:36:28,637 --> 00:36:32,205 Leopard seals like to toy with their victims. 235 00:36:47,439 --> 00:36:52,876 With so much prey about, there's no rush. 236 00:37:03,272 --> 00:37:05,705 (calling). 237 00:37:30,549 --> 00:37:37,237 ♪ ♪ 238 00:38:01,013 --> 00:38:05,582 (calling, growling). 239 00:38:05,667 --> 00:38:09,436 A last act of defiance. 240 00:38:11,406 --> 00:38:13,673 (chirping, calling). 241 00:38:16,445 --> 00:38:19,446 The one that got away. 242 00:38:30,242 --> 00:38:34,611 Still, there's plenty of other penguins to play with. 243 00:38:53,982 --> 00:38:57,467 Summer intensifies. 244 00:38:59,171 --> 00:39:02,972 Ice continues to retreat. 245 00:39:09,748 --> 00:39:13,500 Polar bears are stranded. 246 00:39:16,972 --> 00:39:19,973 Their toughest time. 247 00:39:30,202 --> 00:39:34,237 Surviving on fat built up last winter. 248 00:39:35,340 --> 00:39:38,641 Reserves are running low. 249 00:39:46,468 --> 00:39:49,736 There's almost nothing to eat. 250 00:39:51,406 --> 00:39:53,322 Almost. 251 00:39:53,408 --> 00:39:57,243 (sniffing). 252 00:40:02,901 --> 00:40:06,069 At this time of year beluga whales arrive 253 00:40:06,171 --> 00:40:08,905 In canada's shallows. 254 00:40:10,909 --> 00:40:14,310 A sanctuary for newborns. 255 00:40:14,546 --> 00:40:19,566 These waters can be 18 degrees warmer than the open sea. 256 00:40:22,204 --> 00:40:26,873 (clicking, whistling). 257 00:40:30,245 --> 00:40:33,646 This could be his life line. 258 00:40:38,470 --> 00:40:42,172 They're tantalizingly close. 259 00:40:55,737 --> 00:40:58,371 (squeaking, clicking). 260 00:40:58,740 --> 00:41:02,442 One of the few whales with flexible necks. 261 00:41:02,978 --> 00:41:06,045 The belugas easily see him coming. 262 00:41:19,644 --> 00:41:23,146 With each dive, he wastes precious energy, 263 00:41:25,550 --> 00:41:29,903 And his chances of surviving summer get slimmer. 264 00:41:40,582 --> 00:41:44,434 Ar: On the shores of hudson bay a hungry polar bear is 265 00:41:44,536 --> 00:41:48,571 Desperately trying to hunt beluga whales. 266 00:41:49,574 --> 00:41:53,910 Catching them in open water has proved almost impossible. 267 00:41:56,581 --> 00:41:59,148 (squeaking, clicking). 268 00:41:59,267 --> 00:42:02,869 But he can't let this opportunity slip away. 269 00:42:04,973 --> 00:42:07,974 A change in tactic. 270 00:42:10,445 --> 00:42:14,113 From the rock prey is easier to spot. 271 00:42:19,638 --> 00:42:23,439 If only they would come in range. 272 00:42:43,411 --> 00:42:48,948 Built for the cold, suffering in the sun. 273 00:43:06,468 --> 00:43:12,672 ♪ ♪ 274 00:43:34,312 --> 00:43:37,280 Finally. 275 00:43:39,868 --> 00:43:42,001 A calf. 276 00:43:42,103 --> 00:43:45,338 Not fat like an adult but perhaps just enough 277 00:43:45,440 --> 00:43:48,508 To keep starvation at bay. 278 00:43:54,549 --> 00:43:57,834 Hunting beluga whales might make the difference between 279 00:43:57,936 --> 00:44:01,337 Life and death for these bears. 280 00:44:02,273 --> 00:44:05,642 But if the ice-free season gets longer. 281 00:44:05,744 --> 00:44:08,811 Even this may not be enough. 282 00:44:19,274 --> 00:44:22,475 Polar animals have evolved to survive the coldest, 283 00:44:22,577 --> 00:44:25,511 Harshest conditions on earth. 284 00:44:25,613 --> 00:44:29,015 But now the polar regions are warming more rapidly 285 00:44:29,117 --> 00:44:31,801 Than anywhere else. 286 00:44:31,903 --> 00:44:34,837 This means new opportunities for some, 287 00:44:34,939 --> 00:44:37,340 But for the most cold adapted, 288 00:44:37,442 --> 00:44:40,843 There are seriously challenging days ahead. 289 00:44:41,246 --> 00:44:45,748 The question is, can they find new ways to adapt 290 00:44:45,850 --> 00:44:49,035 To a fast changing world. 291 00:45:07,572 --> 00:45:11,374 The emperor penguin parents are on the home stretch. 292 00:45:35,617 --> 00:45:38,568 Together they have traveled thousands of miles 293 00:45:38,670 --> 00:45:41,304 Keeping their chicks fed. 294 00:45:48,012 --> 00:45:51,614 (calling). 295 00:45:55,336 --> 00:45:58,938 He hatched out at under a pound, 296 00:45:59,307 --> 00:46:04,210 Now he's over 20, almost as big as his parents. 297 00:46:08,917 --> 00:46:12,135 (calling). 298 00:46:12,804 --> 00:46:16,205 Soon they'll stop returning with food, 299 00:46:16,307 --> 00:46:19,375 Chicks will be catching their own. 300 00:46:31,873 --> 00:46:38,044 (chirping). 301 00:46:47,539 --> 00:46:52,675 (chattering, calling). 302 00:46:52,977 --> 00:46:57,013 This family have done everything they can, 303 00:46:57,382 --> 00:47:01,133 In the hope that their chick will one day return. 304 00:47:02,303 --> 00:47:05,605 And the incredible story of life at the poles 305 00:47:05,707 --> 00:47:07,940 Will continue. 306 00:47:18,803 --> 00:47:20,069 Captioned by cotter captioning services.