0:00:02 > 0:00:04The world is full of amazing animal families.
0:00:04 > 0:00:07Tales of life and death happen every day.
0:00:07 > 0:00:12For the youngest members, growing up is tough, really tough.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16These stories recreate their rollercoaster lives...
0:00:16 > 0:00:19Here on Wild Tales.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25We're following three fantastic animal characters.
0:00:27 > 0:00:32For Newky, the African wild dog pup, the future is far from certain.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37Cara, the caribou calf,
0:00:37 > 0:00:41has some seriously big problems to deal with.
0:00:43 > 0:00:48And Hugh is about to face his biggest change so far.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53So, where do we start?
0:00:54 > 0:00:59First up is the Okavango Delta in Botswana in Southern Africa,
0:00:59 > 0:01:03where a lone lion was causing trouble for Newky and his family.
0:01:05 > 0:01:10Lions will kill wild dogs if they get the chance -
0:01:10 > 0:01:12pups and adults.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14ROARING
0:01:14 > 0:01:18And once the rest of the pride joined in,
0:01:18 > 0:01:22it all got deadly serious for Newky.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26How would he ever survive this?
0:01:38 > 0:01:42With the dust still settling from the lion attack,
0:01:42 > 0:01:44the wild dogs take stock.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49They've escaped.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53But they're not exactly in one piece.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57Some of the adults are injured, but what about Newky?
0:01:58 > 0:02:01The pack's on high alert.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Checking the perimeter of the den,
0:02:07 > 0:02:11making sure the lions have definitely gone.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15And there's Newky.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18He's survived.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26But not all the pups were so lucky.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28Like Newky's brother.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36Mum and Dad move in,
0:02:36 > 0:02:40checking for any signs of life.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45While Newky just looks on from the sidelines.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48It's no use.
0:02:48 > 0:02:53Lions are the biggest killers of wild dog pups, but they don't eat them.
0:02:53 > 0:02:58It's all about territory. They just can't stand the competition.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Newky stays close to his brothers and sisters.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08And the adults rally round to lick the wounded.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13Wild dogs heal quickly,
0:03:13 > 0:03:16and even a dog that can't hunt will be brought food
0:03:16 > 0:03:17by the rest of the pack.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23They're all understandably a little quieter than usual.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30Even Newky's not his usual boisterous self.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39Mum and dad stay with the dead pup and the others join them.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48It's a big loss for the pack.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53But it could have been so much worse.
0:03:58 > 0:04:03It's a tough lesson for Newky, but it's one he needs to learn.
0:04:04 > 0:04:09Stay together as a pack to survive, no matter what.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15It's a lesson he won't soon forget.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30Over to the Canadian tundra
0:04:30 > 0:04:35where Cara's life has gone from bad to worse.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39Bloodthirsty mosquitoes forced the herds to get bigger...
0:04:41 > 0:04:43..And bigger.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48Attracting a full grown grizzly.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50How would Cara get out of this?
0:04:55 > 0:04:59Right now, she's sticking to Mum like glue.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04The bear stalks.
0:05:04 > 0:05:05Closer and closer.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07BEAR GROWLS
0:05:08 > 0:05:10But the herd don't just panic.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16The caribou stay together, in tight formation.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20Patrolling the perimeter,
0:05:20 > 0:05:23the grizzly looks for any weaknesses in the herd -
0:05:23 > 0:05:26the old, the sick,
0:05:26 > 0:05:27the young.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30Cara would be a perfect choice.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Grizzlies are capable of immense bursts of speed,
0:05:35 > 0:05:40so the herd keep a buffer zone between themselves and the bear
0:05:40 > 0:05:44at all times, an invisible shield.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48So far it's a stalemate.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Finally, the grizzly makes its move.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59And the herd moves, too.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06Cara races to keep up.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Staying with mum is her only chance.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20It's working for the caribou.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25But the grizzly attacks again.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28And again. He's not giving up so easily.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32Each time the caribou keep their distance.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34And Cara races to keep up.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38Eventually the grizzly calls it a day.
0:06:40 > 0:06:41Cara's survived.
0:06:41 > 0:06:46And if she's learnt anything from all this, it's stay with the herd.
0:06:53 > 0:06:54Further north in Canada,
0:06:54 > 0:06:58up into the Arctic Circle,
0:06:58 > 0:07:01we left Hugh and his sister
0:07:01 > 0:07:04about to find their lives turned upside down.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07The weather was shifting up a gear.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11And these guys were in for a big change.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14# Ole, ole, ole, ole
0:07:14 > 0:07:16# Feeling hot, hot, hot. #
0:07:16 > 0:07:18Spring is coming to an end.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23The sun's out, the temperature is rising.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26Everyone loves summer, right?
0:07:27 > 0:07:29Well, no.
0:07:29 > 0:07:34Summer in the Arctic is nothing short of a disaster for polar bears.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Hugh's world is literally melting into the sea.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46All polar bears have to suffer this seasonal break-up of ice.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52Once it starts they just have to swim for it.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58And boy, can they swim!
0:07:58 > 0:08:01Partially webbed paws, the size of dinner plates,
0:08:01 > 0:08:05allow an adult male to swim more than 60 miles
0:08:05 > 0:08:07without stopping for a rest.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13That's more than enough to reach solid land.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20And that's just where Hugh's family's heading right now.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23Mum's kept afloat by her thick layer of fat,
0:08:23 > 0:08:25like an all over set of armbands.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30But Hugh and his sister don't have all that much fat yet,
0:08:30 > 0:08:35so they need to be careful, and keep up with mum.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Not much further now.
0:08:41 > 0:08:42There.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44Hugh's made it.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49A quick shake gets rid of any excess water.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53This is a completely new experience for Hugh and his sister.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57It's a whole new world, without any ice and snow.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01But mum's an old hand.
0:09:01 > 0:09:06She just wants to find a safe place to rest as quickly as possible.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11And she's not alone.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15Males have also left the sea-ice,
0:09:15 > 0:09:17and without seals to hunt,
0:09:17 > 0:09:21this guy's even more hungry than usual.
0:09:22 > 0:09:28Hugh and his sister follow mum as she heads for the perfect viewpoint.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31She needs to know where that male is at all times.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36It's unlikely to take mum on.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39After all, she's a big old bear.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43But if Hugh and his sister don't stick close by,
0:09:43 > 0:09:45the male WILL kill them.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48Let's just hope they stay close.
0:09:57 > 0:10:03In Botswana, the pack are still reeling from the lion attack.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06They're twitchy, unnerved by it all.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11But Newky and the pups are getting restless.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16They don't really understand why it's no longer all fun and games.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22Mum and dad know that if lions found them once,
0:10:22 > 0:10:24chances are they'll find them again.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29The pack are gearing up for something big.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33Mum gathers up the pups.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38It's time to ship out and find a new home.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50This is a dangerous time for the wild dogs.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52The adults are used to travelling,
0:10:52 > 0:10:55they know the dangers to look out for.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59But Newky and the pups have never left the den before.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03This is a whole new adventure.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10Far too exciting to spend time worrying about what's out there.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17Of course, it's a different story for the adults,
0:11:17 > 0:11:19as they herd the pups together.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24They know how serious this move is
0:11:24 > 0:11:27and they're even more jumpy than before.
0:11:29 > 0:11:35But for Newky and the pups, it's still just one big game.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43They've all got a lot to learn when it comes to being adult wild dogs.
0:11:45 > 0:11:51The pack is on tenterhooks, and with good reason.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Hyenas are nearby.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58These guys may not be as big or dangerous as lions,
0:11:58 > 0:12:03but they're not exactly a barrel of laughs either.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06How will it all end for Newky?
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Things aren't looking good for Hugh.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26A male is approaching.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32And Mum has moved them all to higher ground to get a better view.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40She's restless and it's all starting to rub off on Hugh and his sister.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46They head up the rocks
0:12:46 > 0:12:48as quickly as they can.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52But this male is taking his time.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57Hot weather just doesn't agree with polar bears
0:12:57 > 0:12:59and everything seems to slow down.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05Eventually, he wanders off.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10And at last, mum gets the chance to relax.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17It's the middle of the day, and it's hot out here,
0:13:17 > 0:13:21but at least now Hugh and his sister can take a well earned feed.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25Mum's just happy they're safe.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29There are no seals to hunt out here,
0:13:29 > 0:13:33and she'll pretty much starve for the whole summer.
0:13:33 > 0:13:38But at least Hugh and his sister will stay well fed.
0:13:39 > 0:13:45Without milk now, they'd never survive through the next winter.
0:13:45 > 0:13:50They're all baking in the midday heat.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53With that thick fur and layer of fat,
0:13:53 > 0:13:56it's not easy being a polar bear in the summer.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01No wonder Hugh just wants to sleep.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08Surely this weather's got to change soon.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22Out on the tundra, Cara and the herd may have escaped the grizzly,
0:14:22 > 0:14:25but their old friends, the mozzies are back.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29With a vengeance.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31These guys aren't as easy to shake off.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38They're still hungry for caribou blood
0:14:38 > 0:14:42and when they get going, Cara has no alternative but to run.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54She's running as fast as she can
0:14:54 > 0:14:57and yet still she can't outpace the mozzies.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00She's almost wiped out.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08But this scourge does have an Achilles heal.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12Strong winds would be enough to ground the mosquitoes.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16Unfortunately, down here there isn't even a slight breeze.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24So the caribou move up to higher, less sheltered ground.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32And standing in the wind, Cara and her mum finally get some relief.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41But it won't last.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44The grazing is just too poor up this high
0:15:44 > 0:15:47and caribou are ultimately led by their stomachs.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53They stay as long as they can.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00But the whole herd is eventually forced back onto lower ground.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Back with the mosquitoes.
0:16:06 > 0:16:07And back on the run.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Nothing stands in their way.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16Including water.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21The last time Cara came across a river
0:16:21 > 0:16:24she nearly didn't make it, caught up in the current.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28But that wasn't really a river.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31This is a river.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36The herd aren't about to stop and they dive in.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44How will Cara cope with a river this size?
0:16:55 > 0:17:00In Botswana, Newky and the pack are facing a pair of hyenas.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03They're on their way to a new home,
0:17:03 > 0:17:06and this is the last thing the adults need.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09It's no laughing matter.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13A hyena's jaws can crack through bone,
0:17:13 > 0:17:16but Newky and the pups don't realise
0:17:16 > 0:17:20that these hyenas could be just as deadly as the lions.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Mum takes charge, and leads them away.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31The rest of the pack has no choice but to stand its ground.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33DOG BARKS
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Dad leading the defence.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38HYENA CRIES
0:17:39 > 0:17:44It's all about saving the pups, at all costs.
0:17:44 > 0:17:45HYENAS CRY
0:17:53 > 0:17:54And it's working.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03These guys have escaped the hyenas.
0:18:03 > 0:18:08And as far as they're concerned, it's back to the adventure.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13Mum leads the pups into their new home.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21It's unfamiliar territory, and every smell is different,
0:18:21 > 0:18:23but they soon settle in.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28The rest of the adults are still out there,
0:18:28 > 0:18:32but they eventually turn up in dribs and drabs.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Including dad.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44They've got rid of the hyenas and they've all survived.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50Newky gets to sit back and relax with the other pups,
0:18:50 > 0:18:54while mum gets the job of tidying up.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56This den was already here,
0:18:56 > 0:19:00and while mum might look as though she's making a mess,
0:19:00 > 0:19:06she's actually re-digging a den that the pack has used in the past.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11Newky and the pups are still getting used to their new world.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14But they'll soon get a chance to go exploring.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30We left Hugh's family flaking out on the rocks,
0:19:30 > 0:19:32desperate to cool down.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Things weren't looking good.
0:19:37 > 0:19:38But then...
0:19:42 > 0:19:44That's no mirage.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46As the day wears on,
0:19:46 > 0:19:50they stumble upon the only remaining patch of snow in the whole area.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56Hugh and his sister are two seriously lucky bears.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59This feels much more like home.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06Mum's still hot.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10And to cool her down, she even eats the snow.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12She needs the odd drink.
0:20:12 > 0:20:18She'd usually get all the water she needs from the food she eats,
0:20:18 > 0:20:22but of course, she's not really eating right now,
0:20:22 > 0:20:25just the odd edible plant or berry.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Hugh and his sister are still getting regular feeds,
0:20:28 > 0:20:30so they're fine.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32And they just want to play.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36Rolling in the snow.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40This is the life.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49Unfortunately, Hugh's not really looking where he's going.
0:20:56 > 0:20:57Whoops!
0:20:57 > 0:20:59That'll teach Hugh to poo where he plays.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03It'll take ages to get that stain out.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Eventually, Hugh and his sister just settle down,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13chilling out, soaking up the cold.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19It's still really hot out there, just look at that heat haze.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23They've got weeks of this ahead of them,
0:21:23 > 0:21:27and even this snow will eventually melt.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31Hugh could really do with a seasonal fast forward right now,
0:21:31 > 0:21:36but he's just gonna have to muddle through as best he can.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Cara's facing the impossible.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51Water stretching out as far as she can see.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55She might just want to sit this one out.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02But it doesn't look as though she's got a choice.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Mum plunges in.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07And Cara isn't about to be left behind, no matter what.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16This river is far bigger than the one she crossed before.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19It's deep and fast.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26But Cara's a lot tougher now
0:22:26 > 0:22:29and so far, she doesn't seem to be doing too badly.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37Underwater, you can see that caribou are built for swimming.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43Large, flexible hooves turn into powerful paddles.
0:22:46 > 0:22:52And thick, hollow hairs act as built-in lifejackets,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55trapping air and keeping them afloat.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02For Cara, there's still a long way to go.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10And as the currents get worse,
0:23:10 > 0:23:12some of the caribou start to struggle.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19Cara is using mum as a shield against the current.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25She's over halfway.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28But her legs are getting tired.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33Mum could so easily storm ahead.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Will Cara keep up the pace?
0:23:47 > 0:23:51In Botswana, Newky and the pups have just moved in to their new den.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56It's all new and exciting.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03With different nooks and crannys to explore.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Mum and dad need a rest after all that chaos.
0:24:11 > 0:24:17And all the adults get their head down for a good, long dog-nap.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21They've used this den before,
0:24:21 > 0:24:25and they're not interested in exploring.
0:24:25 > 0:24:30But as far as Newky's concerned, this place is brand spanking new.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36And why sleep when there's a whole new world to mess around in?
0:24:39 > 0:24:42Now it's starting to feel like home.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46There are plenty of fresh scraps to play with.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51The adults try to ignore all the rushing around
0:24:51 > 0:24:53and just get some shut-eye.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58They're bushed and need to get some strength back.
0:24:59 > 0:25:04But Newky's too excited to rest.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10He just wants to kick back and have some fun.
0:25:16 > 0:25:17THUNDER RUMBLES
0:25:17 > 0:25:19But playtime won't last for ever.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23There's an ominous black cloud out on the horizon.
0:25:23 > 0:25:28So far, it's all been pretty dry round here,
0:25:28 > 0:25:29but it's about to change.
0:25:29 > 0:25:30THUNDER
0:25:30 > 0:25:35Newky is about to get his first taste of wet weather -
0:25:35 > 0:25:36Botswana style.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50Cara's still fighting against the current
0:25:50 > 0:25:52and struggling to keep up with mum.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57Like all caribou she's a born swimmer,
0:25:57 > 0:26:00but right now, she's about fit to drop.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08If she stops pushing those paddle-like feet of hers,
0:26:08 > 0:26:10she'll drown.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13There's no time to rest out here.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17Come on, Cara! Keep going!
0:26:21 > 0:26:25The front-runners have already made it to the other side.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30And Cara's now got the end in her sights.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38Mum's pushing on towards that far bank.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41- But wait, Cara's in trouble. - CARA BARKS
0:26:41 > 0:26:43She's trapped.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47And mum's out of sight.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51Not every caribou makes it in one piece.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53Whether it's a leg caught in the rocks
0:26:53 > 0:26:55or a shattered ankle.
0:26:57 > 0:27:02Cara will be lucky to survive at all.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07If she could just get round that rock.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Come on, Cara.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Surely it can't all end here?
0:27:17 > 0:27:21Next Time on Wild Tales -
0:27:21 > 0:27:24how will Cara escape the river?
0:27:29 > 0:27:34Will Hugh finally get some relief from that baking sun?
0:27:35 > 0:27:39And what will the wet weather bring for Newky?
0:27:39 > 0:27:43Find out next time on Wild Tales.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:52 > 0:27:56E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk