>> YOU ARE ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE ONE OF THE GREATEST GATHERINGS OF WILDLIFE ON THE PLANET LIVE!
WE'RE ON THE EDGE OF THE LAST FRONTIER AND ABOUT TO HEAD INTO THE WILDS OF ALASKA.
>> BROWN BEARS.
BLACK BEARS.
EAGLES, ORCAS, THEY'RE ALL COMING TOGETHER FOR A SPECTACULAR SUMMERTIME FEAST THAT'S FUELED BY 300 SALMON.
>> ONE OF THE GREATEST GATHERINGS OF WILDLIFE IS HAPPENING RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.
>> WE'RE READY.
THEY'RE HUNGRY.
THIS IS "WILD ALASKA LIVE"!
♪ >> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "WILD ALASKA LIVE."
IT'S US, THE KRATT BROTHERS.
AND WE ARE IN ALASKA.
17 ACKER OF WILD COUNTRY.
A BEAUTIFUL GLACIER RIGHT BEHIND US, REALLY IMPRESSIVE.
NOT A BAD PLACE TO BE, HUH, CHRIS?
CHRIS: THERE IS NO PLACE I'D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW.
WE'VE GOT A LOT OF DIFFERENT CREATURES TO ENCOUNTER ALL WEEK LONG.
AND NOW WE'VE GOT AMAZING FOOTAGE OF BROWN BEARS RIGHT ON THE TIDAL FLATS.
>> A MOTHER AND CUBS.
CHRIS: YEAH, BIG CUBS.
WE'RE GOING TO GET A LOT MORE INTO THOSE BEARS.
>> WHAT ARE THEY EATING?
GRASSES?
>> WE ARE AT OUR BASE HERE IN TONGUS NATIONAL FOREST.
>> WE OUR CAMERA TEAM AND EXPERTS SET UP IN PLACES ALL ACROSS ALASKA.
THEY'VE GOT THE CAMERAS AT THE READY TO FILM WHAT THE ANIMALS ARE DOING AS THEY VENTURE OFF THE BEATEN TRACK TO FIND OUT HOW THE ICONIC WILDLIFE HERE MAKES THE MOST OF THE SUMMER FEAST.
>> YES.
>> AND WE'VE EVEN GOT AN EAGLES' EYE VIEW FROM A HELICOPTER WE HAVE RIGGED WITH CAMERAS.
DEBBIE AND DANIEL ARE UP THERE.
>> BOY, THAT LOOKS GREAT.
>> GREAT STUFF.
HEY, DEBBIE.
>> GOOD JOB.
YOU ARE GETTING GREAT STUFF.
LOVE THE SETUP.
>> DANIEL, NICE SHOT.
>> IT CERTAINLY LOOKS AMAZING FROM THE AIR, DON'T YOU THINK, STEVE?
STEPHANIE: YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.
ABSOLUTELY.
AND THE HELICOPTER HOVERING WAY ABOVE THOSE BEARS AS THEY WANDERED THROUGH THOSE MEADOWS HAVING NO EFFECT ON THE BEHAVIOR.
IT'S A GREAT EAGLE EYE VERSION TO LOOK DOWN ON THEM AND SEEING THEM GO THROUGH THEIR NATURAL BEHAVIOR WHICH IS JUST AMAZING.
YOU CAN'T APPRECIATE ALASKA UNLESS YOU ARE IN THE AIR.
IT IS A PLACE OF UNBELIEVABLE SCALE.
EVERY TIME I'VE FLOWN OVER ALASKA OR LOOK DOWN AND SEEN MILE UPON MILE OF UNCLIMBED MOUNTAINS, RIVERS, LAKES AND FOREST.
EVERYTHING HERE THAT'S ANYTHING TO DO WITH NATURE IS ULTIMATELY RELYING ON THIS, SALMON.
I'M GOING TO FOLLOWING THE MIGRATION OF THESE FISH, ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING OF ALL ANIMALS AND ALSO LEARNING A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE PREDATORS THAT TOTALLY RELY ON THEM.
>> AND WE ARE 700 MILES AWAY FROM YOU, STEVE.
YOU'RE OVER THERE IN THAT DIRECTION.
I'M LIZ BONHAM.
WE'RE HERE.
IT'S REMOTE.
AND IT HAS THE HIGHEST DENSITY OF BROWN BEARS.
THE BROWN BEARS ARE EVERYWHERE.
THE SALMON RUN IS HAPPENING HERE.
THOSE LIVE SHOTS THAT YOU'VE BEEN WATCHING ARE IN THAT MEADOW.
NOT EVEN A MILE AWAY FROM US.
AND WE'RE GOING TO BRING ALL OF THIS INCREDIBLE FEAST LIVE.
THIS IS WHERE LIZ IS.
WE CAN SHOW YOU EXACTLY WHERE SHE IS.
SHE'S IN CAT MINE NATIONAL PARK WITH THE BEARS.
SHE IS GOING SEE A LOT OF BROWN BEARS.
IT'S ONE OF THE BEST WILDLIFE SPOTS ON THE PLANET, RIGHT?
AND MARTIN AND I ARE IN THE HEART OF THE NATIONAL FOREST.
WE HAVE TELL RAT TO RE-, GLACIAL FIELDS, LAKES, RIVERS ALL EXTENDING TO THE PACIFIC COAST.
AND RIGHT NOW ALL OVER ALASKA SALMON ARE ON THE MOVE.
WHAT THEY DO AND THE SUCCESS OF THEIR JOURNEY AFFECTS EVERY ANIMAL AND THE PEOPLE HERE TOO.
YEAH, AND LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT OUR MAP HERE AND SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE SALMON RIGHT NOW.
YOU'VE GOT AY SALMON -- SALMON ARRIVING OVER HERE ON THE CHILL CAT RIVER KIND OF WHERE WE ARE HERE.
LET ME SEE.
AND SO THE BALD EAGLES ARE LINING UP THERE TO GET THEIR FILL RIGHT THERE.
THOSE IMPRESSIVE YELLOW BEAKS ARE GOING TO EAT A LOT OF SALMON IN THE COMING DAYS.
RIGHT HERE ON THE LOWER BRANCHES OF THE YUKON, RIGHT THERE, ABOUT THERE, WOLVES ARE STALKING THE WILDERNESS.
THEY ARE ON THE POWL FOR EVERY OPPORTUNITY.
AND THEY EVEN EAT FISH THAT CLIMB THESE WATERWAYS.
>> YES, AND NOW OUT OVER HERE IN THE WEST, IS BRISTOL BAY.
BROWN BEARS WILL BE MAKING THE MOST OF THE SALMON ON THE MOVE HERE.
THESE BEARS LOOK LIKE THEY ARE TAKING IT EASY.
BUT THEY CAN EXPLODE INTO ACTION IN AN INSTANT AND YOU WILL SEE THEIR RAW POWER.
AND RIGHT OVER HERE IN THIS SPECTACULAR FORD OF THIS AREA, THESE OR CAS WILL FOCUS ON A LOT OF THINGS FROM MARINE MAMMALS TO WILD FISH.
THESE ARE WILD ANIMALS THAT YOU WON'T SEE ANYWHERE IN THE PLANET.
ALL THIS WEEK WE'LL BE TAKING YOU INTO THE AMAZING PLACE WE CALL ALASKA.
>> THE MAGIC OF ALASKA IS THE NATURAL BEAUTY.
>> WE'VE GOT ONE OF THE BEST OFFICES IN THE WORLD, TO BE HONEST.
>> SALMON AND SUMMER GO HAND IN HAND.
AND IT'S THE HIGHLIGHT OF EVERYONE'S SUMMER.
>> HERE IN ALASKA, THERE'S ALWAYS A SURPRISE AROUND THE CORNER.
WE'VE GOT BEARS.
WE'VE GOT EAGLES.
WE'VE GOT WHALES.
AND IT'S WONDERFUL TO SHARE THIS WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
>> WHEN YOU'RE OUT HERE ON THE WATER IT'S LIKE NOWHERE ELSE I'VE EVER BEEN.
IT'S JUST A CHANCE TO LIVE FREE.
>> I THINK EVERYBODY LIVING OUT HERE AND WORKING TOGETHER, ITA ALL TAKES TEAMWORK.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT I LOVE THE MOST.
>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S A DAY THAT GOES BY THAT I DON'T FEEL LIKE THE LUCKIEST PERSON ON THE LA NET.
CAN'T GET BET -- ON THE PLANET.
>> CAN'T GET BETTER THAN THIS.
>> WELL, GREAT.
>> WOW!
SUCH PRIDES FROM ALASKANS FROM THEIR HOME IN THE WILDERNESS.
THAT IS REAL CRI COOL.
>> OH, YEAH.
CHRIS: AND WE CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THE ALASKAN LANDSCAPE, HOW IMPRESSIVE AND HOW HUGE IT IS.
WE'LL BE MEETING A LOT OF ANIMALS ALL WEEK.
AND LET'S TAKE A MOMENT TO CHECK IN WITH OUR CAMERAS THAT WE'VE GOT SETUP AROUND THE HEADQUARTERS HERE.
WE HAVE A BEAVER CAM IN A LODGE RIGHT BEHIND US HERE IN A LAKE.
>> IT'S GREAT TO HAVE A LODGE SO CLOSE.
WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CHECK IN ON THAT.
>> YES, AND LOOK RIGHT INSIDE.
THE BEAVER IS JUST RESTING.
>> YEAH, IT'S KIND OF COOL WHEN OUT HERE.
IT LOOKS REALLY DRY AND COMFORTABLE INSIDE THE BEAVER LODGE.
>> YEAH, THE BEAVER LODGES ARE IN THE WATER BUT THEIR RAISED UP SO THEY'RE NICE AND DRY UP ABOVE THE WATER LINE.
>> AMAZING.
WE'LL BE CHECKING IN WITH SOME LOCAL EXPERTS ALONG THE WAY.
SO NOW LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO PETE SNIDER A RANGER HERE AT THE NATIONAL FOREST.
HOW ARE YOU DOING?
>> I'M DOING GREAT.
>> LOOKING AROUND, IT'S A LUSH LANDSCAPE.
IT'S GREEN.
IT SEEMS WET.
IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
CAN YOU TELL US WHY TONGUS IS SO SPECIAL?
>> IT'S GIGANTIC.
IT'S THE LARGEST TELL RANT RAIN FOREST IN THE WORLD.
WE GET A LOT OF RAIN.
THAT RAIN GIVES US INCREDIBLE VEGETATION AMOUNTS.
ALL THE PEOPLE AND ANIMALS HAVE TO ADAPT IT TO.
IT'S REALLY NEAT.
>> NOT ONLY IS THIS A SPECIAL PLACE BUT IT'S A SPECIAL TIME OF YEAR, THE SUMMER.
CAN YOU TELL US WHY THE SUMMER IS SO IMPORTANT TO ALASKAN WILDLIFE?
>> IT'S WHEN THE SALMON COME BACK.
THEY COME BACK IN INCREDIBLE NUMBERS AND EVERYTHING'S WAITING FOR IT, THE BEARS, OTHER FISH SPECIES.
>> AND WE'VE GOT LIVE SALMON COMING IN RIGHT NOW.
THESE ARE THE SOCK EYES, RIGHT?
>> THEY HAVE THE CHANGE OF COLOR.
THEY LOOK GREAT.
WOW!
HEY, PETE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> MY PLEASURE.
>> WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN.
AND THERE'S SO MUCH GOING ON HERE IN ALASKA.
>> YOU CAN FOLLOW THE ACTION ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER USING #-- ALASKALIVE.
>> HEY, AN JOIN THE FUN AND TAKE OUR ANIMAL PERSONALITY QUIZ TO FIND OUT THE ANIMAL YOU'RE MOST LIKE.
THE QUIZ IS AT PBS.ORGWILD ZS ALASKA, LIVE.
>> WHO ARE YOU GOING FOR?
>> I'M NOT SURE.
BUT I'M DEFINITELY GOING TO TAKE THE QUIZ.
>> BE SURE TO TAKE THE QUIZ WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND WE'LL REVEAL ALL THE RESULTS AFTER THE SHOW.
>> THERE'S ONE ANIMAL THAT MIGHT REPRESENT ALASKA MORE THAN ANY OTHER.
IT'S BIG, TOUGH, AND WILD JUST LIKE ALASKA.
YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, RIGHT?
>> OH, YEAH.
>> I'M TALKING ABOUT THE BROWN BEAR.
>> THE BROWN BEAR.
ONE OF THE LARGEST LAND PREDATORS ON THE PLANET.
AT 10 FEET TALL ON ITS HIND LEGS THIS IS 1,000 POUNDS OF EXPLOSIVE MUSCLE, FORMIDABLE HUNTERS THEY CAN SNIFF OUT FOOD FOR MORE THAN SIX MILES AWAY.
AND THEY CAN REACH TOP SPEEDS OF 30 MILES PER HOUR AS THEY CHASE DOWN PREY.
THEY'RE FOUND ALL OVER THE HEMISPHERE BUT BY FAR, THE BIGGEST ARE IN ALASKA.
RIGHT NOW, AS MILLIONS OF SALMON INVADE THE RIVERS, THE BEARS MUST FEAST.
DEDICATED MOMS, THEY'LL TEACH THEIR CUBS TO DO THE SAME, FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS DEVOURING UP TO 90 POUNDS UP TO FATTY FISH AWAY TO PILE ON POUNDS BACK ON BEFORE WINTER STRIKES AGAIN.
>> AND THAT'S WHY WE HAVE COME TO CAT MINE NATIONAL PARK TO OBSERVE THESE MAGNIFICENT PREDATORS.
DANIEL HAS SOME FOOTAGE OF LIVE BEARS JUST BEHIND US LESS THAN A MILE AWAY.
THERE IS A MOTHER AND CUBS.
THEY'RE FEEDING ON THE GRASSES, HIGHLY NUTRITIOUS FOOD WAITING IF FOR SALMON RUN TO BEGIN IN EARNEST.
THAT'S SUCH A WONDERFUL SIGHT.
THIS LAKE IS FULL OF BEARS.
NOW, WE'RE ON THE SOUTHEAST COAST OF CAT, MY.
IT'S ONE OF THE MOST PROTECTED AND PRESS TEEN PLACES IN THE PLANET.
IT'S RUGGED GROUND THAT STRETCHES OVER 2,000 MILES.
AND OVER THERE ARE 14 ACTIVE VOLCANOS.
TO GET TO A PLACE LIKE THAT YOU HAVE TO LAND ON THE BEACH I'M STANDING ON IN A LITTLE SIX-SEATER PLANE.
THE NEAREST PLACE TO HERE IS ABOUT 300 MILES AWAY.
THIS IS HOW ISOLATED WE ARE HERE.
BUT THAT'S THE VERY REASON WHY WE CAME HERE TO EXPERIENCE THE ROLE, NATURAL FORCE OF THIS PLACE AND TO BRING YOU ITS WILDLIFE IN ITS MOST MAGNIFICENT FORM.
WE ARE SHARING THIS COASTLINE WITH BROWN BEARS, OF COURSE.
WHEN YOU ENTERTARY HOME YOU HAVE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS.
WE'VE GOT 20 TENTS SETUP.
SATELLITE DISH AND THAT'S SURROUNDED ABOUT 300 METERS OF ELECTRIC PLACES.
IT REALLY DOES FEEL LIKE HOME.
VERY SPECIAL PLACE INDEED.
NOW, THE SPORTS HUNTING OF BEARS HASN'T BEEN ALLOWED HERE SINCE 1917 WHICH MEANS THAT BEARS PRETTY MUCH CONSIDER YOU PART OF THE FURNITURE HERE.
THEY HAVE NO REAL TRON FEAR YOU.
YOU'RE JUST ANOTHER ANIMAL IN THEIR HOME.
SOMETIMES THEY CAN GET A LITTLE BIT CLOSE.
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.
THIS HAPPENED JUST TWO DAYS AGO JUST OUTSIDE OUR CAMP.
A BEAR WALKING ON THE BEACH, LOOK AT HOW CLOSE IT IS.
ANOTHER BEAR ARRIVED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS AND TOOK A LITTLE PEAK.
WE WERE COMPLETELY MESMERIZED BY THEM.
THEY WEREN'T PHASED BY US AT OFF.
THAT WAS JUST TWO BEARS.
BY CATMY IS HOME TO 2,300.
WITH SO MANY BEARS HERE, WE CAN'T GO THIS ALONE BUT DON'T WORRY WE'RE IN THE CAPABLE HANDS OF ONE OF THE BEST BEAR LOVERS.
SAMYRA.
YOU HAVE OBSERVED THE BEARS HERE FOR 20 YEARS NOW.
HOW DOES ONE BEHAVE IN THE WORLD OF THE BROWN BEAR?
>> WELL, RESPECT IS KEY.
RESPECT THE BEARS, THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND LEARN HOW TO READ THEIR BODY LANGUAGE.
>> BODY LANGUAGE IS ALL.
IS IT DIFFICULT TO KNOW WHAT THEY MEAN, WHAT THEIR INTENTIONS ARE?
>> ONCE YOU GET TO SEE HOW THE BEARS REACT TO EACH OTHER, THAT'S -- YOU JUST LEARN FROM THAT.
SO YOU TO BEHAVE LIKE A BEAR.
>> YOU HAVE TO BEHAVE LIKE A BEAR.
>> NOW, ONE OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS DID GET -- >> WELL, HE DIDN'T GET CLOSE.
THE BEAR GOT REALLY, REALLY CLOSE TO HIM.
IT LOOKS A LITTLE BIT PRECARIOUS.
WHEN A BEAR WALKS TOWARDS YOU, WHAT'S THE PROTOCOL?
WHAT DO YOU DO?
>> YOU WANT TO SIT DOWN.
YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S A NONCONFRONTATIONAL BODY LANGUAGE THAT KEEPS THEM RELAXED.
WE LET THEM GET A CERTAIN DISTANCE AND WE STAND UP.
MIMICKING THE BEAR, WE'LL STAND UP.
>> YOU ALSO HAVE TO THINK THAT THEY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES.
>> EXACTLY.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR KEEPING US COMPANY.
THIS PLACE IS SO UNSPOILED.
IT'S SO WILD, SO UNTOUCHED.
IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE TO OBSERVE NATURAL, UNHINDERED BEAR BEHAVIOR.
WE'VE GOT LIVE CAMERAS ALL ALONG THE COASTLINE.
WE HAVE DANIEL UNTIL THE HELICOPTER GETTING MAGNIFICENT IMAGES ALREADY.
WE ARE WELL AND TRULY SURROUNDED BY BEARS.
AND THAT'S FWAWS SALMON RUN IS BEGINNING.
THE BEARS ARE COMING DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAINS.
TAKE A LOOK THAT WONDERFUL IMAGE OF A MOTHER AND TWO CUBS.
THEY'RE NOT SPRING CUBS.
I THINK THEY'RE EITHER -- WELL, I WOULD SAY 2 YEARS OLD.
WE WILL CHECK IN WITH SAMYRA LATER.
OF COURSE, WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO LOOK FOR MORE BEARS WITH YOU, GET THEM LIVE.
WE'RE GOING MOVE UP THE COAST OF THE MOUTH OF A RIVER TO SEE IF ANY BEARS ARE THERE FISHING FOR SALMON.
BEARS ARE NOT THE ONLY ANIMALS THAT RELY ON THE SALMON RUN.
THIS ENTIRE ECHO SYSTEM WOULD NOT EXIT WITHOUT THE RUN.
THIS IS ONE HUGELY IMPORTANT FISH.
>> SALMON, THESE INCREDIBLE FISH ARE THE LIFE BLOOD OF ALASKA.
FROM 1,000 MILES OUT AT SEA, THEIR UNSTOPPABLE NEED TO BREED IS CALLING THEM HOME.
RIGHT NOW, 300,000 000 ARE RUSHING BACK.
YET EVERY SINGLE SALMON KNOWS EXACTLY WHICH ONE IT CAME FROM.
AS THEY TRAVEL FROM SALT WATER TO FRESH WATER, THEIR BODIES GO THROUGH AN EXTRAORDINARY TRANSFORMATION.
THEIR VERY INTERNAL CHEMISTRY WILL CHANGE.
SKIN WILL GO FROM SILVER TO CRIMSON RED.
THEIR BONES WILL DEFORM TO CREATE AN IMPOSING HOOKED JAW, TURNING THEM INTO THE ULTIMATE BREEDING MACHINES.
BY MIDSUMMER, THE WATER WAYS WILL BE CHOKED WITH SALMON.
ONE GROUP OF FISH SUPPORTING THE ENTIRE ALASKAN ECOSYSTEM, EVERYTHING FROM BEARS TO EAGLES, EVEN HUMANS DEPEND ON THIS PHENOMENAL FISH.
>> SITTING AND AMONGST THE WATER FALL LIKE THIS, YOU REALLY GET A SENSE OF QUITE WHAT IT IS THAT THESE SALMON ARE TAKING ON.
I'VE GOT THIS CAM HERE WHICH WILL ENABLE ME TO GET A LITTLE VIEW INTO THE SALMON'S WORLD.
DOZENS OF THESE FISHES SWIMMING RIGHT UP THIS LITTLE TURN HERE.
IT'S JUST AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF FISH HERE.
AND SCENES LIKE THIS ARE PLAYING OUT ALL OVER ALASKA IN SIMILAR STREAMS AND RIVERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
FISH HEADING BACK TO THE RIVERS THAT THEY WERE BORN IN.
OR OCCASIONALLY AS PAR OF MANAGEMENT PLANS RELEASED.
AND AS I COME UP CLOSE HERE WITH THIS CAMERA, HOPEFULLY YOU CAN SEE WHAT GIVES THIS PARTICULAR FISH ITS NAME.
SO THIS SPECIES IS THE DOG SALMON.
AND IT GETS THAT NAME FROM THE HUGE TEETH WHICH ARE VERY CANINE LIKE.
AND THEY'RE VERY, VERY PROMINENT PARTICULARLY THAT TIME OF YEAR BECAUSE THEY'RE COMING IN STREAM AND THEY'RE TRANSFORMING.
SO THEY'RE GOING BETWEEN A FISH THAT'S BEEN A PREDATOR OUT AT SEA TO ONE THAT IS ABSOLUTELY CHARGED WITH SWIMMING FOR FIGHTING.
AND EVENTUALLY FOR BREEDING.
ABSOLUTELY ALL OVER ME RIGHT NOW AS THEY THRASH THEIR WAY UP THROUGH THE WATER FALL.
OK.
I'M JUST GOING SLIP INTO THE WATER HERE AND SEE IF I CAN MOVE DOWN INSIDE THE SEVEN.
TRY AND GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF A SHOT.
SO THE CHUM NOT ONLY HAVE THOSE PROMINENT TEETH BUT THEY ALSO HAVE VERY DIFFERENT MARKINGS.
SO THEY HAVE CALICO, PURPLE BANDS THAT RUN UP AND DOWN THEIR BODIES.
VERY, VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER SPECIES, VERY EASY TO TELL APART.
LET'S SEE IF I CAN GET DOWN TO THE MASSES OF SALMON.
THIS IS WHERE QUITE A LOT OF THE FISH ARE.
SO THIS IS -- THESE ARE LIVE SHOTS FROM THE CAMERA.
YOU CAN SEE QUITE AS MANY FISH AS THERE ARE HERE.
AND THEY FOUND THEIR WAY BACK UP.
USUALLY A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT METHODS.
THEY NAVIGATE USING THE SUN, USING THE STARS, USING THE WORLD'S MAGNETIC FIELD BUT ALSO WITH AN INCREDIBLE SENSE OF SMELL.
THEY CAN SMELL ONE SINGLE DROP OF THE WATER THAT COMES FROM THE RIVER THEY WERE BORN IN.
I'M FINDING MORE ABOUT THESE ANIMALS BUT ALSO AN AWFUL LOT MORE ABOUT THE EXPLOSION OF LIFE THAT'S CAUSED BY THE MIGRATION AS THEY HEAD INLAND.
>> WOW, THANKS, STEVE.
THE MORE YOU SEE THE SALMON, THE MORE THEY BECOME INTERESTING.
>> I MEAN, THEIR JOURNEY IS ONE OF THE MOST ABSOLUTELY JOURNEYS OF ANY CREATURE IN THE WORLD.
>> THIS QUESTION IS COMING IN FROM ASHER.
AND ASHER WANTS TO KNOW ARE GRIZZLY BEARS AND BROWN BEARS THE SAME THING?
>> GREAT QUESTION.
AND YOU KNOW WHAT, THEY ARE BOTH BROWN BEARS.
GRIZZLY BEARS IS A SPECIAL NAME FOR BROWN BEARS THAT LIVE IN THE LOWER 48 USUALLY AROUND, YOU KNOW, MONTANA, WYOMING, PLACES LIKE THAT.
LET'S GET INTO BLACK BEARS.
THIS IS JOHN NYREY.
SO JOHN, GOOD TO SEE YOU.
AND HOW MANY BLACK BEARS DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE HERE IN TONGUS NATIONAL FOREST?
>> THERE ARE MANY THOUSANDS.
THERE ARE PROBABLY 1,000 BLACK BEARS.
CENTER WE HAVE 20.
138 OF THOSE CUBS BORN IN THIS HABITAT.
>> WE COULD WALK AROUND -- >> AS A MATTER OF FACT, YEAH.
>> THAT IS A HUGE DENSITY OF BEARS.
NOW, YOU CAN PROBABLY SEE SOME SIGNS, YOU KNOW, IF YOU START LOOKING AROUND.
>> LIKE RIGHT BEHIND US WITH THIS BEAR TRAIL.
SHALL WE CHECK THIS BEAR TRAIL?
>> DEFINITELY.
>> IT'S NOT A PLACE THAT PEOPLE COME AT ALL.
THE BEARS USE IT REGULARLY.
YOU CAN COME TO SEE THAT.
IN THE MEADOW THERE ARE HORSE HAILS JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO HERE.
AND THERE'S COW PARSNIP AND ANGELICA, GRASSES THAT THE BEARS EAT.
>> A BUNCH OF FUN STUFF TO EAT.
>> AFTER THEY'VE EATING THEIR FILL, THEY MOVE BACK INTO THIS PLACE RIGHT AMONGST THE THREES HERE AND LAY DOWN.
>> SO LAY DOWN RIGHT HERE, UP HERE?
>> CAN YOU SEE THE DAY BED UP HERE?
>> OH, YES.
>> AND SOME POOP TOO.
>> THERE ARE STEPS UP HERE.
>> YEAH, LOOK THAT PILE OF POOP HERE.
AND THIS IS WAY A BIOLOGIST TELLS WHAT IT'S BEEN EATING.
YOU SEE A LOT O VEGETATION.
BITS OF SEED.
SO THE BEARS HAD TO POOP AND HAS A LIE RIGHT THERE IN THAT WONDERFUL DEPRESSION THAT WE CALL THE DAY BED.
>> AMAZING.
SO JOHN, DO YOU THINK THIS AREA IS A GOOD PLACE WHERE WE'VE GOT OUR CAMERA SET UP?
>> I THINK IT'S THE BEST PLACE BECAUSE THE SALMON ARE MOVING INTO THE CREEK AND YOU'VE GOT THE SALMON MOVING ON AT THEM.
>> ONE OF OUR CAMERAS CAUGHT THIS.
>> THAT'S A SCREAM RIGHT THERE.
WE GOT THAT JUST A FEW DAYS AGO WHILE WE WERE HERE GETTING READY.
SO THIS IS FANTASTIC.
>> THEY OBVIOUSLY DON'T MIND OUR CAMERAS BECAUSE WE ALSO SAW THIS JUST?
MORNING.
YEP, WE GOT TO SEE THAT.
AND LOOK, SHE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW THAT OUR CAMERAS ARE THERE.
THAT'S THE MOM.
>> CURIOUS CUBS.
[LAUGHTER] >> SO WE'RE GOING TO BE KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR THIS FAMILY.
WE MIGHT EVEN SEE THEM LIVE.
>> YEAH, WE KNOW THAT THE BLACK BEARS ARE NOW CELEBRATING THE ARRIVAL OF THE SALMON.
BUT ANOTHER PREDATOR HAS BEATEN THEM TO IT.
UP IN THE CANINE NATIONAL PARK, 550 MILES FROM HERE AMONG THE SPECTACULAR FIORDS OCEAN PREDATORS HAVE BEEN FEASTING ON THE FISH.
JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, MARNL BIOLOGIST, DAN OHLSSON HE WENT IN SEARCH OF ORCA A THE FIRST SIGNS OF THE FISH WENT TOGETHER STARTED TO BUILD.
ORCA, OFTEN CALLS THE WOLVES OF THE SEA HAVE A FEARSOME REPUTATION.
SLEEK PACK HUNTERS, OVER 25 FEET LONG.
WITH A TOP SPEED OF 30 MILES PER HOUR.
THEY ARE PERFECTLY SIGN -- DESIGNED FOR HUNTING.
BUT THERE IS FAR MORE TO THESE PODS THAN FIRST MEETS THE EYE.
EACH ONE IS A UNIQUE FAMILY CARING UNIT.
AND RIGHT NOW THE FAMILY HAS ARRIVED.
THAT THE COASTLINE BRINGING DOZENS OF ORCA FAMILIES, HERE TO ENJOY THE FEAST.
GIVING RESEARCHES A CHANCE TO OBSERVE THEIR BEHAVIORS CLOSE UP.
>> HERE WE GO, 2:00.
LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE A DORSAL FIN OUT HERE.
>> DAN OHLSSON IS STUDYING COMMUNICATION WITHIN THESE INCREDIBLE FAMILY UNITS.
THE FIRST RESEARCH THIS YEAR BEGAN JUST EIGHT WEEKS AGO.
DAN'S PRIORITY IS TO ESTABLISH WHO IS HERE?
>> HERE WE GO.
OH, THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.
>> EACH ORCA HAS A UNIQUE THIN SHAPE AND PATTERN.
AND HE NEEDS TRAFFIC RECORDS.
>> CAN THEY JUST SERVICE FIVE TIMES RIGHT THERE IN THE SAME SPOT.
>> THEY'RE COMING UP NOW.
>> OH, YES,.
>> RECORDING THIS FAMILY'S BEHAVIOR AND COMMUNICATIONS IS ONLY USEFUL TO DAN IF HE CAN WORK OUT WHO THEY ARE.
BUT THIS POD HAS HIM STUMPED.
>> I'M GETTING A SENSE THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT GOING TO BE EASY TO IDENTIFY.
IT'S POSSIBLE THESE ARE BRAND-NEW WHALES TO ALL OF US WHICH IS SUPER EXCITING.
AND IT'S AN AWFUL YEAR TO START OUR RESEARCH YEAR.
>> WITH A POSSIBLE NEW FAMILY ADDED TO THE ARCHIVES, DAN DROPS A HYDROPHONE AND HE RECOGNIZES HIS VOICE IS OF A DIFFERENT POD.
>> ONE, HE ALREADY KNOWS WELL.
>> OH, THAT ONE'S AWESOME.
>> THAT IS THE 1988 POD.
>> WE'VE BEEN LISTENING TO THESE CALL FIRST 15 YEARS.
AND IT'S KIND OF LIKE YOUR FAVORITE ROCK GROUP, YOU KIND OF KNOW THE VOICES A BIT.
>> DAN'S RESEARCH IS REVEALING, HOW UNIQUE ORCA COMMUNICATION IS TO EACH FAMILY.
>> THEY STAY WITHIN THE FAMILY.
SO THEY HAVE A REPERTOIRE OF 10-15 CALLS THAT BELONG ONLY TO THAT FAMILY.
>> AND ONE GOES -- [LAUGHTER] >> IT WILL BE GREAT TO GET PHOTOGRAPHS OF THIS POD THIS YEAR.
WE HAD ONE THAT WAS MISSING DURING TWO ENCOUNTERS THIS YEAR.
AND WE'RE FEARFUL THAT IT'S BEEN PASSED ON.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT LIKE DETECTIVE WORK.
>> OH, RIGHT HERE.
>> THAT'S BRIT.
A 13-YEAR-OLD OFFSPRING OF THE GRANDMOTHER IN THIS GROUP.
I CAN SEE FROM A NOVEP DOWN LOW THIS IS A CALF THAT WE THOUGHT WAS MISSING.
SO WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE THIS CALF STILL ALIVE.
THAT'S AWESOME.
>> AND THERE'S MORE GOOD NEWS FOR THIS GROUP.
>> OH, WOW.
>> OVER THE WINTER THERE'S BEEN ANOTHER ADDITION TO THE POD, A NEW CALF ENJOYING ITS FIRST ALASKAN SUMMER FEAST.
A QUHEEFLDELAN BE STUDYING FOR YEARS TO COME.
>> IT'S ALWAYS EXCITING TO SEE A NEW CALF.
IT ZPWIVES US THE GLAD IT'S HEALTHY AND VIBRANT.
IT DOESN'T GIVE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.
>> WOW!
WE HAVE BEEN SO FORTUNATE TO GET SPECIAL ACCESS AND PERMISSION FROM THE NATIONAL OCEAN YANGE AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION TO FILM THOSE ORCA.
AND DAN IS DOING SOME EXCELLENT WORK THAT WILL HELP US TO LEARN ABOUT AND PROTECT SUCH AN AMAZING ANIMAL.
DOWN HERE ON SOUTHWEST AT LEAST THEY HAVE BEEN GOING DOWN.
AND STEVE WILL BE OFF ON HIS OWN ADVENTURE LOOKING FOR THESE MASTER PREDATORS.
AND HERE AT THE HOME BASE, WE'VE SEEN SO MANY AMAZING ANIMALS.
WE'VE HAD BLACK FWEER HOME BASE.
WE'VE HAD BALD EAGLINGS.
>> DON'T FORGET SALMON.
>> YES, LOTS OF SAY SAY MON.
OVER IN CAT MINE NATIONAL PAVERAGET >> WE ARE INDEED IN BROWN BEAR COUNTRY.
AND TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.
IT'S FROM OUR CAM RAM IN THE HELICOPTER.
DANIEL IS DOING SUCH AN INCREDIBLE JOB.
YOU KNOW, TO BRING UM THREE DOUBS THAT AGE IS NO SMALL FETE FOR A BEAR CONSIDER SHE GAVE BIRTH IN THE DAY.
SHE HAD TO NURSE HIM OF THE DAY.
AND SHE'S LOST HALF OF HER BODY FAT.
THIS IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT.
THEY'RE ON A MEADOW EATING.
UNTIL THE SALMON RUN REALLY QUICKS IN IN EARNEST.
>> THERE ARE SALMON HERE ALREADY.
THIS MORNING WHEN THE TIED WAS OUT IT WAS ALL REALLY QUICKING OFF.
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.
WE WERE LOOKING AT THIS LIVE THIS MORNING.
A YOUNG MALE BEAR THRASHING AROUND IN THE SHALLOWS.
WHEN THE TIED RESTREET.
THE SALMON GET SUCK.
AND THEY CAN JUST GET THEIR FILL.
AND THEY'VE BEEN REALLY SUCCESSFUL THIS MORNING.
AND AT THIS STAGE OF THE SALMON RUN, THE VERY BEGINNING THEY EAT THE WHOLE SALMON.
>> LATER, YOU CAN TAKE THE SKIN AND THING A'S AND THE A'S.
THEY WANT TO GET THEIR FILL OF ALL OF THEIR NEW STUFF.
AS THE SALMON RUN HEATS UP MORE BIG OLDER BLEARS COME DOWN THE SHORELINE AND TO THE RIVER MILES AND THAT'S WHERE IT'S GOING TO GET INTERESTING BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO BE PUSHING THE YOIRNING AIRS SOUTH.
>> SPEAKING, TAKE A LOOK AT THIS ADORABLE 6 YERD BEAR.
>> THE BEHAVIOR HERE IS WHAT I FIND TRULY HAPPENING.
HE LOOKS A LITTLE SCRAWNY.
A ANOTHER MAIL SAID IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS YOU'RE NOT FISHING.
THE 6-YEAR-OLD NOT WALKING AWAY.
NOSS RUNNING LIKE OTHER 6-YEAR-OLDS WANT.
AND THAT'S TELLING THE MALE BEAR, I'M RESPECTFUL OF YOU.
BUT I'M NOT CARED.
THAT'S GOING TO BE A LONG WAY TO MOVE UP THE HIERARCHY IN THE COMING YEARS.
>> IT'S SO THOSE BODY LANGUAGE, THE SCIENCE THAT ARE REALLY TELLING AND REALLY PERCEIVEED WHAT'S GOING ON IN THAT VERY.
TAKE A LOOK AT HIS STANDS THERE.
HE RECOGNIZES THIS BIGGER OLDER MAN.
>> LOOK AT THAT BODY LANGUAGE, THEY'VE HAD A SERIOUS ENCOUNTER BEFORE THAT'S FOR SURE.
BUT THE WAY HE WALKS UP ABOVE THE BEARS AND BEHIND HIM IS AGAIN A SIGNAL THAT, LISTEN, I'M NOT MUCH OF A PUSHOVER AS SOME OH BEARS ARE MY AGE.
I'M GOING TO WORK.
WE LOST HIM FAR COUPLE OF DAYS.
AND YOU MIGHT THINK.
THIS IS A SCRAWNY LOOKING BEAR.
HE'S NOT GETTING ANY FISH.
HE'S ONLIES THAT.
BUT EVERY SINGLE GUY IS CONVINCED THAT BECAUSE OF THE WAY HE'S CONVINCE.
HE'S GOING TO BE A DOCK NANT MALE IN THE FUTURE.
AN THAT'S A LOVELY THING WHEN YOU THINK HE'S NOT GOING TO MAKE IT EMPTY.
THEY ARE GOOD ENOUGH FOR NOW UNTIL THE SAM MON -- BUT THIS 6-YEAR-OLD ARE ONLY FOCUSING ONLY ON ONE THING AND THAT INCLUDES SOME OF THE BEARS THAT ARE REALLY CLOWE TO US.
>> THEY'RE NOT FAR FROM US AT ALL.
THEY'RE IN THE MEADOW, I THINK OR IN THE GRASS SLANDS.
>> OH, THIS IS ANOTHER MOTHER AND CUBS.
YOUNGER CUBS IT SEEMS.
NOW THIS IS REALLY INTERESTING.
THEY ARE WAITING -- ESPECIALLY WHEN THE TIED IS TURNING.
THE MOTHER NEEDS TO TEACH THEM HOW TO FISH IN ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS.
INCLUDING TITLE WATER.
EVERY NOW AND THEN IT CAN MEAN THAT SHE'S GOING KEEP OUR SCRUBS.
>> OR ALL OF IF BEARS HERE ARE WAITING IFER THE SALMON.
IT'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT FOOD SOURCE ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING WHAT THEY'VE BEEN THROUGH THIS WINTER.
>> BROWN BEARS IN NORTH AMERICA, SPEND SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR DEEP UNDER GROUND SHELTERING FROM THE BITTER COFMENTE -- COLD.
AND THEY DON'T EMERGE UNTIL LATE SPRING.
>> THEY'VE BEEN GIVING BIRTH TO NEW CUBS INSIDE THEIR WINTER DENSE.
>> THEY WOULD HAVE LOST 10% OF THEIR BODY WEIGH.
THEIR PRIORITY IS FOOD.
IN CAT MINAL NATIONAL PARK THERE IS'S A LOT MORE VEGETATION.
>> AND VERAGE BEAR WILL EAT THREE KILLERS OF THIS.
>> FOR THE FEMALE.
THE CHALLENGE TO EAT OFF HAS TRIPLED.
>> THEY ARE STILL DEMANDING MILK AND WILL DO SO FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS OR.
SO -- IT'S A HUGE INVESTMENT FOR HER.
SO SHE MUST KEEP THEM SAFE.
WHILE THEY PLAY, SHE'S ON THE LOOK OUT FOR DANGER.
THIS ADULT MALE LOSING HIS WINTER CODE COULT KILL AND EAT WINTER CUB.
TO AVOID ANY CONFLICT, THE MOTHER INSTINCTIVELY MOVED HER FAMILY OWNED.
BUT HE'S NOT INTERESTED IN THEM.
HE'S WITH A FEMALE AND THEY'RE QUOTING.
>> MALES CAN TRAIL FEMALES FOR UP TO TWO WEEKS GUARDING AGAINST RIVAL WHO IS WILL APPROACH >> IT'S BUN OF THE FEW TIMES BROWN BEARS CHOOSE TO BE SOCIABLE.
>> SAFELY BACK ON THE BEACH.
THE MOTHER AND HER CUBS CAN RELAX.
BUT WITH MORE AND MORE BEARS, GATHERING FOR THE FEAST.
SHE'S GOING TO HAVE OUR WORK CUT OUT KEEPING YOU LIE LITTLE ARRIVE.
>> NOW THAT MOTHER THERE IS WEARING A COLOR BECAUSE SHE'S PART OF A PROJECT CALLED THE CHANGING TIDES PROJECT.
HER AND OTHER BEARS THAT HAVE COURAGE ARE GIVING ABOUT THEIR BEHAVIOR, THEIR MOVEMENT WHICH IS GOING TO HELP THEM TO PROTECT THEM.
AND.
YOU'VE COME ACROSS THIS MOTHER BEFORE, HAVEN'T YOU SAMYRA.
>> HOW ARE THEY?
>> IS SHE A GOOD MOTHER.
AN EXPERIENCED MOTHER.
>> SHE'S A REALLY GOOD MOTHER.
THOSE CUBS ARE REALLY HEALTHY RIGHT NOW.
>> HOW DIFFICULT IS TO RAISE THE SOMMER.
THEY HAVE A 50% MORTALITY RACE.
>> THEY HAVE A PRETTY GOOD CHANGS.
>> I BELIEVE ONE OF THE BIG THREATSES IS.
>> THE BIG KNEEL BEARS WILL ESPECIAL LE SPRING CUBS AND WE'LL TAKE NOTICE.
SO SHAR SHE'S BEEN ABLE TO KEEP HER CUBS AND THEY'RE WAITING IF THE SAL MOB.
HERE'S SOMETHING I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT BROWN BEARS.
THEY'VE GOT A TASTE FOR CLOWNS.
WE'VE GOT FOOTAGE OF AN A.
>> HOW CATCH A CLAM THAT'S BURROWING INTO THE SANT?
>> THE SLAM COULD FACE IT.
AND IT TRIES TO GET AWAY UNDER THE SAND.
AND SPRAYS UP THE STRING OF WATER.
>> THAT'S AMAZING.
>> HOW QUICKLY DO THE CUBS LEARN HOW TO DO IT?
YOU KNOW -- R DIGGING AWAY.
THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING LRDS.
>> WITHIN THEIR SPRING CUBS.
WHETHER IT'S CLIMBING OR FISHING.
>> IT'S JUST A WONDERFUL THING TO SEE.
DO ALL THE BEARS BENEFIT FROM THE CHANCE THEM?
>> MOST THEY DO.
WHUNS A.
AND PRESUMING IT'S NOT WORTH THE EVERETT.
>> IT'S A WORD FOR WORD RATIO.
>> IT'S A GOOD THING FOR MOTHERS ANCOME OUT TO THE TIDAL FLAT WITHOUT THE THREAT OF THE BIG MALES.
>> WHEN SHE'S OUT ON THE TIDAL FLAT THERE'S NOTHING TO ON CURE HER VIEW.
>> WE'RE GOING TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE FOR ANNA.
IT WILL BE FANTASTIC TO GET THEM LIVE FOR YOU.
WE'RE GOING TO HEAD TOWARDS THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER AND CHECK OUT WHERE OTHER BEARS ARE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE SUN.
>> THAT IS GREAT THAT WE HAVE SEEN THIS MOM WITH THE YOUNG CUBS.
IF LIZ SEES THAT BEAR FAMILY AGAIN.
ANNA AND THE CUBS, WE'LL GET STRAIGHT BACK TO HER.
>> WE'VE GOT A CAMERA HIGH UP IN A TREATMENT WE'VE BEEN WATCHING THIS CHICK.
IT'S JUST SIX WEEKS OLD.
AND HE NEEDS TO GROW AND DEVELOP FAST DURING THIS SHORT SUMMER.
>> LOOK AT THAT.
THAT'S AWESOME FOOTAGE.
>> PIECES OF MEAT.
>> YEAH.
>> AND THERE'S ONE ANIMAL HERE THAT LOOKS A LITTLE BIT SLEEPY IN THE DAYTIME.
I'M TALKING ABOUT THIS PORCUPINE.
WHAT ARE A FACE.
>> JUST RESTING ON THE RAILING, RIGHT?
>> OH, THAT'S A CHARACTER.
THERE'S A LITTLE SHAKE.
THERE YOU GO.
NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.
BUT CHECK OUT WHAT THESE GUYS GET UP TO WHEN OUR BACKS ARE TURNED.
LOOK AT HIM.
HE IS ROLLING UP A VISITING CENTER DOORMAT.
THEY GET INTO SOMETHING.
THEY DON'T GIVE UP.
AND THEN THIS GUY GOT JOINED BY TWO MORE PORCUPINES.
THEN IT STARTED GETTING A LITTLE BIT INTERESTING, EVEN MORE INTERESTING BECAUSE THE PORCUPINES VISITED OUR SET.
STARTED CHEWING ON THE BLOCKS AND THE STAGING.
AND STARTED CHEWING ON THE -- NOT THE ELECTRIC, THE CAMERA CABLES.
>> SO.
>>.
YOU CAN SEE WHY THEY HAVE STRONG TEETH.
>> YES.
>> THE PORCUPINE TO CHOOSE THIS IS OK. >> OK. NOW STEVE -- STEVE HAS IT WASHED AWAY IN THE RIVER.
>> HOW ARE YOU DOING, STEVE?
>> THESE ARE THE DANGERS OF MIHMING LIVE.
>> YOU CAN GET SWEPT AWAY BAY CARPET OF SALMON.
RIGHT NOW IS WHERE YOU GET THE GREATEST ACCIDENT THAT IS SFEAST HAPPENING.
IT'S MOSTLY DOWN BY THE SOUND.
YOU SEE IT.
THE CAUSE OF ALL THE GIRLS.
SOME OF THOSE WILL BE FEEDING ON THE DEAD AND DYING SALMON.
SOME OF THE SMALLEST PART.
SWEEPING DOWN AND TAKING THE EGGS PRETTY MUCH AS SOON AS THEY'RE RELEASED BY THE FEMALES.
THESE GIRLS ARE TOO SMALL ACTUALLY EAT THE RACE.
EVERYTHING WANTS TO EAT SALMON.
>> THEY HAVE TO BE BACK.
RIGHT NOW THERE ARE SO MILLION HERE THAT IT IS SIMPTLY BETH TAKING.
THEY ARE -- IT APPEARS TO BE COMPLETELY THINK WITH THEM, THE AIR.
>> WE HAVE ONE THAT SAYS'S FAR.
PROBABLY, ABSOLUTELY STUFFED.
IT'S CRAWL FULL OF FIRN.
>> THAT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE CLASSIC AMERICAN ICON WHEN THEY HAVE THE WHITE HEAD AND WHY TALLAHASSEE.
.
TRUST ME.
THIS IS STALE REMARKABLE BIRD.
IF IT WASN'T IT WOULD LOOK LIKE A FLYING BAND DOOR.
BUT I VALUES TO SAY THAT THE ANIMAL THAT WE ALL WANT TO SEE FEEDING ON SALMON ARE BEARS.
WE DO HAVE A LIVE BEAR RIGHT NOW.
IF WE LOOK DOWN WE HAVE GOT A BROWN BEAR STROLLING AROUND NONCHALANTLY WALKING AROUND THE RIVER.
YOU SEE GIRLS HOVERING OVER ITS HEAD.
THEY WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANY OPPORTUNITY THAT COMES THEIR WAY.
BUT THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT TIME OF YEAR FOR THE BEAR, YOU KNOW?
SOME OF THESE ANIMALS MIGHT DOUBLE THEIR BODY WEIGHT FEASTING ON THESE SALMON.
OUR FRIENDS, CHRIS AND MARTIN HAVE A GOOD PERSON TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT HOW THESE BEARS ARE BUILT.
>> NOW, SOME OF YOU MIGHT BE THINKING, JUST WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BLACK AND BROWN BEARS OTHER THAN THE COLOR?
WE'RE JOINED BY DR. JOY SPS RYDENBURG.
AND SHE'S BROUGHT ALOSE LONG THESE AMAZING BEAR SKULLS.
TALK US THROUGH THE SKULLS.
TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BLACK BEAR SKULL AND THE BROWN BEAR SKULL.
>> YOU ARE HOLDING A BLACK BEAR SKULL.
THE FRONT OF IT HAS AN ICONIC SHAPE TO IT.
THIS IS A VERY STRAIGHT LINE FROM THE FOREHEAD ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE NOSE WHAT YOU MIGHT CALL A ROMAN NOSE.
THAT'S THE CLASSIC PROFILE.
ALSO IT'S A SMALLER SKULL COMPARED TO A BROWN BEAR.
IF YOU HOLD THESE UP YOU'LL SEE THAT THE BLACK BEAR SKULLS ARE HALF OF THE BROWN BEARS.
>> BOTH OF THESE BEARS HAVE AN OMNIVOROUS DIET.
WHAT CAN CECI -- WHAT CAN WE SEE FROM THE JAW?
>> THESE TEETH CAN EAT PLANT MATERIAL.
YOU HAVE AN PARENT THAT IS AN OMNIVORE.
THEIR TEETH IS SPECIALIZED MORE FOR MEAT COMPARED TO THE GUY WHO CAN EAT PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING.
TAKE A LOOK AT THEAS SHARP TEETH.
THEY'RE VERY POINTY.
>> YOU SEE LOTS OF POINTS.
>> LET'S TRY THAT OUT ON MY BROTHER.
[LAUGHTER] >> AND WITH THAT BITE, THAT BITE MIGHT BE POWERFUL.
I SEE THE SAGITTAL CREST.
>> YOU SEE A DISHING OF THE FRONT OF THE FACE.
AND THIS HIGH FOREHEAD DOESN'T MEAN IT'S SMALLER, IT MEANS THERE ARE MUSCLE AREA SO IT GIVES THEM THAT ROUND TEDDY BEAR FACE.
>> AND IT ALLOWS TO THE SLOPE OF THE NOSE.
>> IT'S ALL CONCAVE HERE.
>> THANKS A LOT, JOY.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME.
>> IT'S NOT JUST THE WILDLIFE THAT DEPENDS ON THE SALMON RUN.
THESE FISH ARE IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE.
FOR GENERATIONS ALASKAN NATIVES HAVE BEEN STEWARDS OF THIS LAND AND THE SALMON HAVE BEEN THEIR LIFE BLOOD.
>> WE LIVE ON THE GREATEST SALMON AREA IN THE WORLD.
IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
>> YOU KNOW HEN THE SALMON ARE COMING BECAUSE YOU CAN SMELL IT IN THE AIR.
I KNOW IT SOUNDS GOOFY BUT ALL THE ELDERS USED TO TELL US THE WIND CHANGES, IT'S USUALLY RAINY.
THE WEST WIND PICKS UP AND YOU KNOW THE SALMON ARE COMING.
YOU REALLY CAN LIKE THE SMELL OF FISH IS IN THE AIR.
SALMON AND SUMMER GO HAND IN HAND.
IT IS -- IT'S THE HIGHLIGHT OF EVERYONE'S SUMMER HERE, I BELIEVE.
>> HOW MANY DO YOU THINK WE'VE GOT TODAY?
>> I GUESS 45.
>> I'LL SAY 47.
>> 44.
>> NO, 43.
>> IT JUST BRINGS OUT NEW EXCITEMENT IN ALL OF US THAT YOU KNOW THAT YOU'RE PUTTING AWAY FOOD THAT'S GOING TO SUSTAIN YOUR FAMILY FOR THE WHOLE WINTER.
THAT'S A REALLY GOOD FEELING.
>> SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, 10.
>> IN 2 UPIC -- IN THE UPIC LANGUAGE THE WORD FOR FOOD IS THE SAME WORD FOR FISH.
>> OH, NO, 31.
>> 42 AND I AM THE WINNER.
[LAUGHTER] >> BIG WINS TODAY.
I THINK EVERYBODY HERE IT ALL TAKES TEAMWORK.
WE'RE INDEPENDENT BUT WE DEPEND ON EACH OTHER FOR SURVIVAL.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT I LOVE THE MOST REALLY.
WE'RE LIKE ONE BIG FAMILY.
WE ARE TEACHING OUR YOUNGER GENERATIONS TO CARRY ON THE WAY WE HAVE FOREVER.
AND WE USE TRADITIONAL U KNIVES AND WE PRACTICE OUR TRADITIONAL WAVES OF STORING AND HANGING SALMON WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP OUR CULTURE ALIVE ESPECIALLY IN OUR YOUNGER GENERATIONS.
WE DO RELY HEAVILY ON WHAT NATURE PROVIDES US AND FROM CHILDHOOD YOU'RE TAUGHT TO TREAT THE LAND WITH RESPECT AND THAT IN RETURN IT WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU.
SOME ALL FISH AND ALL ANIMALS ARE WELL RESPECTED.
THERE'S NO WASTE.
YOU HAVE TO OTHERWISE THE EARTH WON'T TAKE CARE OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WOULDN'T SURVIVE.
IT MEANS EVERYTHING TO US.
>> OH, AND CHECK THIS OUT.
WE HAVE LIVE EAGLE FOOTAGE COMING IN RIGHT NOW.
>> WOO!
>> IN FLIGHT.
AW, LOOK AT THAT.
>> COMING DOWN.
>> THEY ARE JUST POWERFUL FLYERS.
>> NOW IT COULD BE HUNTING, RIGHT?
THEY'RE BIG SALMON EATERS.
>> YOU KNOW HOW I LOVE IS THEY CAN LOOK EASILY AT ANY DIRECTION.
THEY KEEP THEIR BODY STEADY AND THEY LOOK AROUND.
>> ALASKANS HAVE A STRONG CONNECTION TO NATURE.
WE ARE JOINED BY CARLA.
SALMON IS A BIG PART OF THE CULTURE.
>> WITHOUT THE SALMON, MY ANCESTORS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SUSTAIN THEMSELVES PS AND SURVIVE OVER THE THOUSANDS OF YEARS THAT WE'VE BEEN HERE.
SO THEY'RE VERY IMPORTANT FOR US.
>> AND KLINKET CULTURE IS THRIVING.
>> IT'S VERY ALIVE AND WELL TODAY.
WE HAVE SEEN A MAJOR RESURGENCE IN OUR LANGUAGE.
AND EVEN OUR WRITTEN WORD HAS SEEN A LOT OF HIGHER INTEREST COMING UP IN THESE -- YOUNGER AGE GROUPS.
SO IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL, YEAH.
>> AND THERE'S SUCH A CONNECTION WITH THE WILDLIFE, YOU KNOW, THAT YOU SHARE THE LAND WITH.
>> WITHOUT OUR CONNECTION TO THE WILDLIFE, TO OUR SALMON AND OUR LANGUAGE, WE LOSE OUR CULTURE.
WE TRY TO KEEP THOSE THINGS INTACT.
THAT'S GREAT.
>> THAT'S GREAT.
WELL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, CARLA.
LET'S SEE HOW LIZ IS GETTING ALONG WITH THE BROWN BEARS.
>> SOUNDS GOOD.
>> WELCOME BACK.
WE ARE LIVING AMONGST THE BROWN BEARS HERE IN ONE OF THE MOST PRISTINE AND PROTECTED NATURAL PARKS THAT THERE ARE IN THE WORLD.
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS WE'VE JUST COME TO THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER AND JUST AROUND THE BEND, WE HAVE A BEAR FISHING FOR SALMON.
THE SALMON RUN HASN'T STARTED IN EARNEST.
BUT THEY'RE ENOUGH THAT THEY'RE ATTRACTING THE YOUNGER BEAR.
THIS IS A REALLY GOOD PLACE TO LEARN HOW TO FISH OR TO SORT OF FLEX YOUR BEAR MUSCLES ONCE YOU'VE SEPARATED FROM YOUR MOTHERS.
YOU'RE SHALLOWER AND IT'S A BIT OF A BOTTLENECK.
THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF RIVERWAYS ALL ALONG THE COAST BUT IT'S A MAGNIFICENT SIGHT.
LOOK AT HIM LOOKING FOR HIS FIRST SALMON IF YOU NEEDED ANY MORE PROOF THAT THE BEARS ARE COMING, THEY ARE EVERYWHERE.
LET'S GO OF THE HELICOPTER AND SEE WHAT DANIEL IS CAPTURING FOR US.
THE MOTHER AND CUBS IN THE MEADOWS.
BECAUSE THE SALMON RUN HASN'T REALLY KICKED OFF IN EARNEST, THE BEARS ARE FEEDING UP ON THE HIGHLY NUTRITIOUS PROTEIN, YOUNG SHOOTS OF GRASSES AND IT'S BENEFICIAL FOR A LACTATING MOM ESPECIALLY SINCE SHE'S COME OUT OF HIBERNATION A FEW MONTHS AGO.
THE BEARS ARE COMING DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAINS.
AND WE'VE GOT WORD THERE ARE BIGGER MALES HEADING TOWARDS THE COAST.
WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO INVESTIGATE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE MALES TRY TO VY FOR TOP POSITION.
THE MALES WANT TO HAVE THE BEST POSITION TO GET THE MOST FISH.
THERE YOU HAVE IT.
MORE BEAUTIFUL, MAGNIFICENT IMAGES OF BEARS.
I CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT I'M WITNESSING.
AND I'VE ONLY BEEN HERE FOR THREE DAYS.
THERE IS ANOTHER APEX PREDATOR AROUND, THE WOLF.
>> WE'VE HAD GOOD SITINGS.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ANNA AND HER CUBS, OR FOR THE OTHER BEARS?
BECAUSE WOLVES LIKE TO FISH SALMON AS WELL.
WE'LL BE INVESTIGATING THAT ON WEDNESDAY.
WE'LL TRY TO GET YOU AN AMERICAN TV FIRST, A LIVE WOLF ON TELEVISION.
SO WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.
>> REALLY INTERESTED IN SEEING MORE WOLVES.
NOW, WILDLIFE MAKE THE MOST OF THE SKEANL SUMMER IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT WAYS.
WHILE MOST ARE BUSY FEEDING, OTHERS ARE JUST RELAXING AT WHAT TEAMS TO BE THEIR FAVORITE RESORT.
>> THAT WAS HARD TO BELIEVE, HUH, CHRIS?
>> I THOUGHT SO TWO.
JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO I HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT SOME OF THESE GIANT BEASTS AT THEIR ISLAND RETREAT.
>> WEIGHING AS MUCH AS A CAR, WITH TEETH NEARLY THREE FEET LONG AND A FACE ONLY A MOTHER COULD LOVE.
THERE'S NOTHING ON EARTH QUITE LIKE THE WALRUS.
BRISTOL BAY IS HOME TO THOUSANDS OF THESE MASSIVE BEASTS.
AND AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, ROUND ISLAND IS THE PLACE TO SEE WHAT COULD BE ALASKA'S MOST UNUSUAL SPECTACLE, THE BIGGEST GATHERING OF WALRUS ON THE PLANET.
>> AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE HEADED, WALRUS ISLAND.
THE SEA NICE THIS BAY MELTED A FEW MONTHS AGO MEANING THE WALRUS CAN ACCESS A BOUNTY OF FOOD UNDER THE WAVES.
>> WALRUS ARE SO IMPORTANT FOR THE WHOLE ECOO SYSTEM OUT HERE.
WHEN THEY'RE FEEDING, THEY CHURN UP THE BOTTOM RELEASING ALL KINDS OF INVERTEBRATES THAT LIVE IN THE MUCK AND THEIR FOOD SOURCE FOR SMALLER FISH AND IT'S A WHOLE FOOD CHAIN CREATED BY THE FEEDING BEHAVIOR OF THE WALRUS.
ONCE ON THE ISLAND, IT'S CLEAR TO SEE WHY THIS PLACE IS SO SPECIAL.
THIS IS WILD AALASKA, ONE OF THE MOST REMOTE SPECIAL PLACES YOU CAN FIND.
>> PERFECT WALL RULLS HABITAT.
BUT THIS WILD ISLAND IS THERES.
IT'S THEIR DOMAIN.
AS THE MIST ROLLS IN, IT'S TIME TO HEAD ACROSS THE ISLAND, TO A WALRUS HOT SPOT WHERE I'M HOPING HUNDREDS WILL BE OUT.
THIS WILL GIVE US A GREAT VANTAGE POINT OF THE WONDERFUL SPECTACLE.
>> WALRUS DOWN BELOW.
LOOK AT AT THEM DOWN THERE.
THEY LOOK LIKE BIG FAT SAUSAGES.
THE NUMBERS ON THIS ISLAND CAN GET UP TO 14,000.
IT'S THE BIGGEST WALRUS SPECTACLE ANYWHERE ON THE PLANET.
WHAT MAKE THIS IS SPECTACLE SO UNIQUE IS THAT EVERY SINGLE WALRUS ON THIS ISLAND IS MALE.
THE FEMALES HAVE PICKUPS AT THIS TIME OF YEAR -- PUP AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR AND ARE FAR NORTH.
GIVING FEMALE SPACE TO RAISE THEIR YOUNG, THE MALES COME SOUTH FOR THE ULTIMATE BACHELOR'S VACATION.
>> CHECK IT OUT.
THEY'RE JABBING AT EACH OTHER.
WE'RE NOT TALKING LITTLE NUDGES.
WE'RE TALKING FULL-ON JABS.
BUT THOSE JABS DON'T HURT THE WALRUS MUCH.
THEY HAVE SUCH THICK SKIN AND A THICK LAYER OF BLUBBER UNDERNEATH.
THEY PROBABLY HARDLY FEEL IT.
IT'S A FORM OF COMMUNICATION.
THESE WALRUS ARE MOLTING AT THIS TIME OF YEAR.
AND EVEN THE SHEDDING PROCESS IS IMPORTANT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
YOU CAN SEE DOWN THERE, THERE ARE LOTS OF LITTLE INSECTS PICKING AWAY AT THE DEAD SKIN OF THE WALRUS.
THEY'RE GETTING FOOD FROM THE WALRUS.
SO THESE WALRUS ARE A KEY SPECIES BUT ALSO THE ECOO SYSTEMS ON LAND.
-- ECOSYSTEMS ON LAND.
>> WOW, CHRIS THAT LOOKED AWESOME TO BRING BACK SOME MEMORIES -- >> AND ALSO THE SMELLS.
BUT REALLY THOSE ARE SOME REALLY CHARISMATIC CREATURES.
>> OH, LOOK.
WE'VE GOT EAGLES.
CAN WE SEE THEM CLOSER?
WELL, LET'S SEE.
THERE ARE WE GO.
THAT'S AN IMMATURE ONE.
>> WE ARE GOING TO REALLY GET INTO THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE EAGLES AND THE FEATHER.
>> WHEN THEY'RE YOUNG THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR BALD -- THEIR WHITE FEATHERS.
OK. >> FACEBOOK LIVE.
>> WE'D LOVE TO SEE -- JOIN US ON FACEBOOK LIVE AFTER THE SHOW WHERE WE'LL BE ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT ALASKA AND ALL THE AWESOME CREATURES HERE.
>> SO WE'RE NEARLY OUT OF TIME.
THAT HOUR HAS REALLY FLOWN BY.
>> OK, NOW, WE HAVE -- WE HAVE A QUESTION THAT WE REALLY NEED TO KNOW THE ANSWER TO.
IT'S ABOUT THE ANIMAL PERSONALITY THAT YOU ARE.
>> WELL, I TOOK THE QUIZ AND I TURNS OUT I'M A SALMON.
>> WELL, YOU BETTER WATCH OUT BECAUSE I'M AN ORCA.
AND OUR AUDIENCE IS THE BEAVER.
>> CHECK OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING ON WEDNESDAY'S SHOW.
HERE IT COMES -- >> WE GO DEEP INSIDE THE ICE TO EXPLORE THE GLACIER.
WILDLIFE FAMILIES OF AIR, LAND AND SEA.
RACE TO RAISE THEIR YOUNG BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT.
AND CATMY GETS WILDER AS ALASKA'S SUMMER FEAST CONTINUES.
>> I CAN'T WAIT!
>> YEAH, THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF GREAT CREATURE ACTION COMING UP.
WE WILL SEE YOU ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
>> BYE!
KEEP ON CREATURE ADVENTURING!
>> ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR.
>> WE ARE AT A REMARKABLE MOMENT.
>> YES!
>> WE'RE PULLING FARTHER THAN ANY EXPLORATION EVER HAS.