0:00:02 > 0:00:04The world is full of animal families.
0:00:04 > 0:00:07Tales of life and death happen every day.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11For the youngest members, growing up is tough, really tough.
0:00:11 > 0:00:16These stories recreate their rollercoaster lives,
0:00:16 > 0:00:18here on Wild Tales.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25We're following three fantastic animal characters.
0:00:25 > 0:00:31For Newky, the African wild dog pup, it's all about family.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33A really big family.
0:00:38 > 0:00:43For Cara, the caribou calf, life's one long journey.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Right from day one she's on the move.
0:00:47 > 0:00:53And Hugh is facing a world full of ice and snow.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56But he'll have plenty of fun along the way.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03So, where do we start?
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Well, hold on...
0:01:06 > 0:01:09you're about to find out.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15First up is the Canadian wilderness
0:01:15 > 0:01:17where a herd is on the move.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25These are caribou, heading north on their annual migration.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31They're basically North American reindeer,
0:01:31 > 0:01:35but they're not exactly Santa's little helpers!
0:01:36 > 0:01:39These guys are seriously tough.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Not that they're exactly guys -
0:01:43 > 0:01:44they're all females.
0:01:44 > 0:01:49And nearly all of them are pregnant, carrying unborn calves inside.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56One of them is carrying Cara, the calf we'll be following.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02And right now she's getting bashed around all over the place.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08And there's still a long way to go.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12Their migration is a 400-mile trek
0:02:12 > 0:02:15over the roughest wilderness terrain in Canada.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23For two months these girls trudge through snow, climb mountains,
0:02:23 > 0:02:24and survive blizzards.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27All to get to just the right spot.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33Here - the Canadian tundra.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37A vast plain on the edge of the Arctic circle.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42By the time they get there any snow will have melted.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44But they're not there yet.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50And right now it's becoming a race against time.
0:02:56 > 0:03:01The mums need to reach their calving grounds on the tundra
0:03:01 > 0:03:03before the calves are born,
0:03:03 > 0:03:06otherwise they'll give birth too soon
0:03:06 > 0:03:09and the calves could be left behind.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16Let's just hope these girls make it.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26Next, we're over to Botswana in Southern Africa.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29This is the Okavango Delta.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34A water-filled wildlife paradise.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38Packed with all those animals you'd expect to see in a wildlife show.
0:03:39 > 0:03:44But as far as we're concerned, it's just going to the dogs.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46Literally.
0:03:46 > 0:03:52These are African wild dogs, a lot rarer than your average mutt.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59They're big on family, with some fairly new arrivals on the scene.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04Like Newky, a six-week old pup who started life underground.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12And he's only just come out into the open.
0:04:12 > 0:04:18Now, he's got the run of the place along with his brothers and sisters.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21All of them born at exactly the same time.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Just imagine that birthday party!
0:04:25 > 0:04:31The family also includes loads of aunts, uncles and grown-up siblings,
0:04:31 > 0:04:33and of course mum and dad.
0:04:35 > 0:04:40It's one big family, and they all live together,
0:04:40 > 0:04:42all of the time.
0:04:44 > 0:04:50That should be a recipe for disaster but there's a strict pecking order.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53With mum and dad running the show...
0:04:54 > 0:04:57..and the other adults vying for position.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03So what about Newky and the other pups?
0:05:05 > 0:05:07Well, they're spoilt rotten.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13Wild dog pups are both seen AND heard.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19But it's not all fun and games for Newky.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23And things are going to get a lot tougher.
0:05:30 > 0:05:36It's back to Canada now, up into the Arctic circle.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40This place is cold -
0:05:40 > 0:05:42up to 30 degrees below.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47But we're heading underneath the snow where it's 40 degrees warmer.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54This is our Polar Bear mum, snuggled up in her den.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58Sshhh, you need to be quiet down here.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02This girl's flickering in and out of a deep sleep.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06She's been here since winter began, hibernating.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12And her two cubs haven't yet been born.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16For now, they're both safe, away from the cold.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22But eventually they'll all end up out in the open.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25Out here.
0:06:25 > 0:06:31That's dad, trudging across the sea ice,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34braving the winter winds alone.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41But don't feel too sorry for him -
0:06:41 > 0:06:44he won't raise a paw to look after those cubs.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50And cold weather doesn't bother him.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53That fur is super thick,
0:06:53 > 0:06:57even better than fur is fat.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00This guy's got a thick layer of blubber under the skin
0:07:00 > 0:07:02to keep him warm inside.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Down in the den, mum is even warmer.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16It won't be long now before her cubs are born.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22But how will they cope with this strange new world?
0:07:30 > 0:07:34Back in Botswana, Newky's having the time of his life.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39But things are getting serious for the adults.
0:07:40 > 0:07:46They need meat. And hunting, like everything else in wild dog society,
0:07:46 > 0:07:48is a family affair.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51Not that Newky does any hunting.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57He may have teeth, and a taste for meat,
0:07:57 > 0:08:01but his legs wouldn't keep up with a dog pack running at full pelt.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08He'll stay back at the den, along with his aunt as babysitter.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12The adults say a final goodbye and they're off.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17Prey isn't that easy to come by.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20They'll cover a lot of ground in their search for food.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24But it's hard to know who's got the hardest job.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26Finding prey is one thing,
0:08:26 > 0:08:30but looking after this rowdy bunch is no picnic.
0:08:30 > 0:08:36Thankfully, Aunt Tess has the perfect comforter - wild dog milk.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Now that's pretty weird.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44Mum's the only female who has pups round here.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47Aunt Tess hasn't had any at all,
0:08:47 > 0:08:50but she still produces milk.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55Feeding can be a painful operation.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57Ouch!
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Tess can only take so much.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Those teeth are sharp.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Newky and the pups are just having fun.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12But Tess could do with the adults getting back...soon.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27In Canada, our polar bear mum is getting ready to give birth
0:09:27 > 0:09:29in the safety of the den.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34The winter storms are still raging on outside.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37But you wouldn't know it down here.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39Mum's out for the count,
0:09:39 > 0:09:43and even giving birth doesn't completely wake her up.
0:09:46 > 0:09:53Somewhere amongst all that fur is Hugh, our polar bear cub.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55Now, where is he?
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Ah, there he is.
0:09:58 > 0:09:59He's tiny.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04Weighing only half a kilo next to mum's 300.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07That's about the same as half a bag of sugar.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10Whereas mum's more like six bags of cement.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14Hugh's the first one out.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18His little sister is still inside.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Right now, his fur isn't all that thick...
0:10:22 > 0:10:26..and he's got hardly any fat under the skin.
0:10:27 > 0:10:32It's still pretty cold in here, so Hugh snuggles up to mum.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35She's like a giant duvet.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39He'll stay down here for three or four months
0:10:39 > 0:10:43until he's big enough to cope with the outside world.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49And until then he'll be on a diet of mum's fat-filled milk,
0:10:49 > 0:10:52which will leave him 15 times bigger.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56He's a real drain on mum.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00She hasn't eaten a thing since entering the den,
0:11:00 > 0:11:04and she won't eat or drink until she leaves.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08Just imagine that - not eating for half a year!
0:11:08 > 0:11:10She must be starving.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17She'll need to find food soon after she gets out.
0:11:17 > 0:11:22Otherwise her milk could just stop flowing and Hugh just won't survive.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35In the tundra now, it's summer.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40And Cara's mum has finally finished her journey, just in time -
0:11:40 > 0:11:42she's already giving birth.
0:11:44 > 0:11:45The herd are nearby.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49Many of them bursting at the seams.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53Say hello to Cara the calf!
0:11:55 > 0:12:01She's only just been born, and mum's still licking away all that mess.
0:12:03 > 0:12:09This time, just after the birth, is when mother and calf bond.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11They get used to each other's smell.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15And learn each other's calls.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20It's the only way they'll find each other in a crowd.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25But Cara can't lie down for long.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29Stuck on the ground, she's a pre-packed ready meal for predators.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32Bears on the prowl,
0:12:32 > 0:12:37and sharp-eyed eagles that could easily carry off a calf.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Cara needs to be up on her feet.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44Come on, you can make it.
0:12:44 > 0:12:45Just a bit more.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47There!
0:12:52 > 0:12:57Amazing. Only a few hours old, and already she's walking.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Right now she needs to stay with mum.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06She's still on a liquid-only diet.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08And only mum's milk will do.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13She'll grow quickly,
0:13:13 > 0:13:18and those little legs won't stay shaky for much longer.
0:13:19 > 0:13:25But mum sometimes seems to forget that Cara's only just been born.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27Woah, where are you going?
0:13:29 > 0:13:33She's on the move looking for better grazing.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37Cara needs to keep up or she's in danger of being left behind.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42Come on, Cara!
0:13:54 > 0:13:57In Botswana, Newky's bored of just feeding,
0:13:57 > 0:14:01and where HE goes the other pups soon follow.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06With the pack still out searching for food,
0:14:06 > 0:14:10the babysitter is running out of ways to calm these guys down.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13As always, Newky is the ring leader,
0:14:13 > 0:14:16leading the pups in a mad dash around the den.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20It's all getting a little too much for Tess.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23But how are mum and dad getting on?
0:14:27 > 0:14:31The pack is already several miles from the den.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34While their range covers over 300 square miles,
0:14:34 > 0:14:38they won't travel far while the pups are small.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45And here's what they're looking for...
0:14:46 > 0:14:49..a group of impala.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54These are extremely nervy animals.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04The slightest noise or smell will send them running.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13So these guys have to play it cool.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22This is where being in a pack really comes into its own.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30They speed up and fan out.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37And as the impala break away, the dogs keep them in their sights.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41They're weeding out the weakest animal,
0:15:41 > 0:15:45one of the old, the sick, or the young.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48With the selection made, they go in for the kill.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02After the chase comes the prize.
0:16:02 > 0:16:08But they can't risk attracting lions or hyenas that would steal the prey.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11So they stay quiet,
0:16:11 > 0:16:14bolting down food as quickly as possible.
0:16:16 > 0:16:17But what about Newky?
0:16:20 > 0:16:24Sure he's had milk, but he needs meat too.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28And after what Tess has put up with,
0:16:28 > 0:16:32surely she deserves some reward for her troubles?
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Let's just hope the pack get back soon.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51So far, Cara's kept up with mum out on the tundra.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54And she's finally found her feet.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57She's even started to run.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02But it's no longer just mum she has to deal with.
0:17:02 > 0:17:07Life as a caribou means dealing with the herd.
0:17:09 > 0:17:10Cara sticks close to mum.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14She could so easily get lost here.
0:17:16 > 0:17:21This far north, you get almost 24 hours of sunlight a day.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23The grass just keeps on growing.
0:17:23 > 0:17:28And caribou are lean, mean, lawn-mowing machines.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34Even Cara's started on the stuff, and she's only a week old.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38She spends all her time eating,
0:17:38 > 0:17:43sleeping, and exercising those legs.
0:17:49 > 0:17:54You'd think with all those other caribou eyes to keep an eye on Cara,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57mum wouldn't need to worry about losing her.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00No such luck.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02It's only when Cara takes a look around
0:18:02 > 0:18:05that she realises what's wrong.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11Mum wandered off to find better grazing,
0:18:11 > 0:18:14leaving Cara on her own.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Maybe this caribou's familiar?
0:18:22 > 0:18:23Obviously not.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27Unlike wild dogs, there's no babysitting here.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34Cara is completely alone.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38She may have started grazing, but she still needs mum's milk.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42And without her, she won't survive for long.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45Let's just hope she finds her... and soon.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01It's over to the ice and snow of the Arctic now,
0:19:01 > 0:19:04where spring has sprung.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08Mum somehow knows it's time to come out.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15It was really starting to smell down there.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20This is the first fresh air she's had in months.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22But she won't leave the den
0:19:22 > 0:19:27until she knows everything's safe for Hugh and his sis to come out.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30It's male bears she's worried about.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33Males are bigger than females.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35They wouldn't take on mum
0:19:35 > 0:19:39but they would eat the cubs if they got the chance.
0:19:40 > 0:19:46For now, the coast is clear and Hugh doesn't want to wait any longer.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49His sister isn't far behind.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55Up until now the den has been their entire world.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58They've never seen what's outside.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03Wa-hey!
0:20:05 > 0:20:08While there are no other bears around,
0:20:08 > 0:20:11mum lets them take their first steps.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15It's the first time they've ever felt fresh snow.
0:20:15 > 0:20:22So many things to see, smell, touch and roll.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24Come on, sis!
0:20:24 > 0:20:27It's like a giant winter playground.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33It's all so much fun.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36Much better than that stuffy den.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43But while Hugh and his sister may just want to lark about,
0:20:43 > 0:20:46mum is always on high alert.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49She'll be tied to the den for a few weeks yet,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52at least until the cubs are a bit stronger.
0:20:52 > 0:20:57And until then there's always the chance a male will wander too close.
0:20:59 > 0:21:04Maybe it's best to take Hugh and his sis back inside.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06At least for now.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22In Botswana, Mum and Dad are with the pack,
0:21:22 > 0:21:25bolting down food like there's no tomorrow.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31Meanwhile, back at the den,
0:21:31 > 0:21:36Newky and the pups will have to wait to get their share of the food.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40But Tess has lost all patience.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44Dealing with rowdy pups isn't easy,
0:21:44 > 0:21:48even with the whole pack doling out discipline.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50Dealing with them on your own...
0:21:50 > 0:21:54well, that's enough to leave anyone tearing their hair out.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01For Newky and his brothers and sisters,
0:22:01 > 0:22:03play fighting is the game of the day.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08But it's not all just fun and games.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14These guys are working out where they stand in the pecking order.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19So far, Newky is top pup.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26He certainly gives as good as he gets.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36The babysitter has now just given up.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41Best to just lie down and wait till it's all over.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48Mum and dad ARE on their way back, but it's getting late.
0:22:49 > 0:22:55While Newky's running around like he owns the place, Tess is dog tired.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00Newky doesn't realise anything's wrong,
0:23:00 > 0:23:04but Tess's milk won't last if she doesn't get food soon.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09If she has to look after these guys for much longer,
0:23:09 > 0:23:11she'll end up barking mad.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29In the Arctic, Hugh's growing up fast
0:23:29 > 0:23:34and he's now just about ready to leave the den for good.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38Mum makes another quick check for males in the vicinity.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42And they're off!
0:23:44 > 0:23:49Mum leads Hugh and his sister on their first trip away from the den,
0:23:49 > 0:23:51towards the sea ice.
0:23:54 > 0:24:01Finding food is now the top priority and mum's timed their emergence well.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05Seals are out on the ice having their pups right now.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Easy prey for a polar bear.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11But they won't stay out for long.
0:24:13 > 0:24:18Mum needs to shift up a gear if she wants to get herself an easy meal.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23It's gonna be a long trek.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28But feet equipped with a non-slip grip
0:24:28 > 0:24:31make walking on ice "SNOW" problem!
0:24:32 > 0:24:36Of course, Hugh and his sister have only got short legs,
0:24:36 > 0:24:39so they still need the odd rest.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42Another excuse to play.
0:24:44 > 0:24:50Mum's not having any of it. She can't afford to wait around for long.
0:24:50 > 0:24:55She hasn't eaten for months, and if she doesn't get some food soon,
0:24:55 > 0:25:01all that milk that Hugh and his sister like so much, will dry up.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04She needs to keep going.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06And so do Hugh and his sis.
0:25:17 > 0:25:22Over in the tundra, Cara's still desperately searching for her mum.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27She's lost, and on her own she won't survive for long.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29But it's not over yet.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32Those first few days alone with mum
0:25:32 > 0:25:36now provide Cara with a toolkit for survival.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38Despite the clamour of the herd,
0:25:38 > 0:25:42mum can still pick out Cara's distinctive sound.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47It's like a homing beacon, and they head straight to each other.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54A quick sniff confirms mum's got the right one.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57And Cara's suddenly a lot safer.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01She'll be keeping mum within her sights after that close shave.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11Although there are some things even her mum can't save her from.
0:26:14 > 0:26:19On the other side of the tundra, a golden eagle is watching.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23It's already taken out a caribou calf Cara's size.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29But that chick will need more before it's ready to leave the nest.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Cara is in real danger.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40But as the eagle takes off...
0:26:40 > 0:26:43she's blissfully unaware.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46An eagle can spot a calf from two miles away,
0:26:46 > 0:26:50and predators take out one in every five caribou calves
0:26:50 > 0:26:51from each new season.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58Cara's short life is coming to a head.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08But surely it can't be over so soon?
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Next time on Wild Tales -
0:27:18 > 0:27:20as the eagle closes in,
0:27:20 > 0:27:23how will Cara survive?
0:27:25 > 0:27:29Will Newky's family return before Tess goes completely mad?
0:27:32 > 0:27:36And will Hugh's mum find food, before her milk runs dry?
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Find out next time on Wild Tales.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk