0:00:02 > 0:00:04The world's full of animal families.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06Tales of life and death happen every day.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10For 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.
0:00:26 > 0:00:31Cara, the caribou calf, is once again running for her life.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40Hugh is trying out some Polar Bear hunting moves with his sister.
0:00:44 > 0:00:49And Newky, the African wild dog pup, gets his first taste of adulthood.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53So, where do we start?
0:00:55 > 0:00:59First up is Northern Canada.
0:00:59 > 0:01:04where Cara faces a snow covered world that's no winter wonderland.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06HOWLING
0:01:06 > 0:01:09The cold she can deal with...
0:01:10 > 0:01:14..but there's something lurking in the woods...
0:01:14 > 0:01:18with big eyes and big teeth.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25Cara and her mum are on high alert.
0:01:28 > 0:01:33The woods are alive with big bad wolves.
0:01:33 > 0:01:38Caribou are their only prey at this time of year.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41The wolves need the element of surprise to hunt.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45But the caribou are wise to that game.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51They've headed out over a frozen lake.
0:01:54 > 0:01:59Out there they'll have plenty of time to spot danger approaching.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02Cara sticks close to mum.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06She knows better than to stray from the herd.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10The wolves just look on from the sidelines. But they're hungry.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12And they can't wait forever.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17They're looking for older, slower adults
0:02:17 > 0:02:21and young inexperienced calves.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25Cara would make a perfect wolf-sized snack.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32Although she's not about to give in so easily.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35The wolves leave the woods.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39But the caribou see them coming.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48With a head start. They have the upper hand.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53The caribou have the edge when it comes to speed.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58The wolves just can't get close enough.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05These guys literally run rings around them.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14The wolves know when to call it a day.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18And they skulk back to the woods.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Cara's safe out in the open.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31But this place is lousy for finding food.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35Lichen doesn't grow on frozen lakes.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37Cara and the herd have a choice.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40Protection out on the lake.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43Or food over by the trees.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47Where the advantage shifts... to the wolves.
0:03:56 > 0:04:01Staying with the snow, it's over to the Arctic
0:04:01 > 0:04:07where we left Hugh and his sister following mum out onto the sea ice
0:04:07 > 0:04:09to face the long Arctic winter.
0:04:16 > 0:04:21Now, with the days getting longer, that winter is finally behind them.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26It's been tough for Hugh with no den to snuggle up in.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28But he's made it.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30It's spring.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34And the seals are out on the ice again,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37looking after their young.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Mum plans to take full advantage.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45Hugh and his sister still have some growing up to do.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50And they need to pack in as much food as they can right now.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53There could be a long walk ahead.
0:04:59 > 0:05:04But soon enough, Mum sniffs something out.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08That nose of hers is a real life saver.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15And it's not long before they find the remains of a seal.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Hugh and his sister dive straight in.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25But mum seems a little unsure.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28She starts eating.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32But she's still not convinced.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36After all, if she's found the kill,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39a male could just as easily sniff it out.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45And they won't be play-fighting now that they're out on the ice.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49They'll try to take whatever they find.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52Hugh had better keep an eye out.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54There could be trouble ahead.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11It's the Okavango next,
0:06:11 > 0:06:16where we left Newky heading out on his first proper hunt.
0:06:16 > 0:06:21When they found the impala, the adults went in for the chase.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29But Newky only got to watch.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36It's all changed in the wild dog pack.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Time has really moved on.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43Newky is now a year old. A young adult.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48And his life is about to get a lot tougher.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51He's already proved he can run with the pack.
0:06:51 > 0:06:57But up until this point he's only been a spectator on the hunts.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01Now he'll need to run up front and actually take down the prey.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07It's a whole new responsibility.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12And it's not the only one.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17The pack has a new litter of tiny pups.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Newky's younger brothers and sisters.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24They're only just out of the den.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28The latest additions to the family.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32And the new focus of attention.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37You have to admit these guys are cute.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Running around just like Newky was at that age.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47With bags of energy.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52Like all pups, they're tied to the den,
0:07:52 > 0:07:54reliant on the adults for food.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59And Newky's now got a whole new role ahead of him.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05He's no longer a carefree rabble-rouser.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08He's a responsible adult.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12Will he live up to the challenges ahead
0:08:12 > 0:08:16to take down the prey on his first proper hunt
0:08:16 > 0:08:19and bring home the bacon?
0:08:30 > 0:08:34Cara and the herd are still out on the ice.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38The wolves are back amongst the trees.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40Biding their time.
0:08:40 > 0:08:45For the caribou, the ice has been a real life-saver.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48And the herd stay out as long as they can.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51But there's no food out here.
0:08:52 > 0:08:57So in the end they're forced to choose with their stomachs.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01And Cara heads closer to the trees.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05Closer to the wolves.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Cara finally gets to feed on a patch of freshly dug lichen.
0:09:14 > 0:09:21And with her head stuck in a hole, the wolves get closer.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28And closer.
0:09:39 > 0:09:44Snow flies in every direction as the chase begins.
0:09:47 > 0:09:52Cara is once again running for her life.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55She heads out over the lake.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59But it won't save her now.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03The caribou have lost their head start
0:10:03 > 0:10:05and the wolves are closing in.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10One of these guys is coming down.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20Surely it can't be Cara?
0:10:34 > 0:10:39Hugh's family are still busy tucking into the leftovers.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43And if they're not careful, they're gonna mess up
0:10:43 > 0:10:45that nice white fur of theirs.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51Gulls are standing close by,
0:10:51 > 0:10:56waiting to step in as soon as the bears leave.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Hugh and his sister are making the most of their meal.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03But Mum is still on high alert.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09These two have grown up a lot
0:11:09 > 0:11:12and they're far bigger than they used to be.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17But they're still nowhere near big enough to cope
0:11:17 > 0:11:19with a full grown adult male.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Even a juvenile, like this one.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Attracted in by the smell.
0:11:27 > 0:11:33This guy's only young, but that's as close as Mum's willing to get.
0:11:33 > 0:11:39For Hugh, it's a vision of his own future as Mum leads them away,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42giving up without a fight.
0:11:42 > 0:11:47The male won't bother following when food is there for the taking.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52And mum can't afford to fight over it.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57If she gets injured, Hugh wouldn't stand a chance...yet.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04They need to get as far away from the male as possible.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08That could have been a close call for Hugh.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23Newky and the pack have left the pups at the den with mum
0:12:23 > 0:12:25and they're heading out on the hunt.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29Newky is keeping up with the older dogs.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34But he'll have to do a lot more than that to prove himself as an adult.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38This time he'll need to take part in the chase,
0:12:38 > 0:12:40right up to the kill.
0:12:42 > 0:12:47It's not long before the dogs spot the prey.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50A group of impala.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57These antelopes are familiar to Newky and he knows the drill.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Stay quiet...
0:13:01 > 0:13:06..and get into position until... it kicks off!
0:13:07 > 0:13:11Newky's now right up front. A real team player.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15He's running faster than he's ever run before.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19An impala is singled out.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24And the team closes ranks.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32The dogs have piled in.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35They've got no table manners.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38They eat quickly, clearing away the kill
0:13:38 > 0:13:40before it attracts other predators.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45Newky's made his first ever kill.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50But before he gets a chance to really take it all in...
0:13:53 > 0:13:56..there's a gatecrasher to the party.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59Man, that's quick. Let's see it again.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05That's one bold hyena.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10And he's cleared away a good chunk of the kill.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13That was food that would have fed the adults.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16And the pups.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Will these guys have enough food left?
0:14:21 > 0:14:25And will that Hyena be back to steal more?
0:14:40 > 0:14:44For Hugh and his sister, the coast is clear.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47And with the male busy eating at the kill,
0:14:47 > 0:14:51they get a chance for some after dinner play in the snow.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57Even Mum gets to take it easy.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04But it's not all just fun and games.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11It's time for Hugh to try out a bit of seal hunting.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Along with his sister.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24They haven't quite got the hang of it yet.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32But Mum's keen to see how well they cope on their own.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37Hugh could do with a little more practice.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45Oh, dear!
0:15:46 > 0:15:50For a couple of hot-headed bears, this is a good way to cool off.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59And they don't seem to be taking it very seriously.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06But even with all this messing about, they are learning.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12After all, they'll soon be doing this for real.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34Cara's up there with the herd. Once again, she's running for her life.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38The wolves are in hot pursuit.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Cara may be slightly faster on her feet.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48But the wolves are no slouches.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53This time they caught the caribou by surprise.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55And they work together to hunt.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00They're trying to single out the easiest prey
0:17:00 > 0:17:03and separate it from the rest of the herd.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13Divide and conquer is their game.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17And Cara knows not to fall into that trap.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20She stays with the others. No matter what.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30Eventually, an older adult takes a wrong turn.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42The rest of the herd escapes.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47As the wolves won't need to hunt again for several days,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Cara gets a chance to rest.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53She's been lucky...this time.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59But the caribou wintering grounds are never truly safe.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05The wolves need to eat,
0:18:05 > 0:18:08and they won't leave the herd alone.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11Cara had better get used to them.
0:18:22 > 0:18:27Back at the kill, Newky is eating food with the other one year olds.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32They're not pups any more, but as the youngest ones out here,
0:18:32 > 0:18:35they still get first stab at the food.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41Dad keeps the older adults back.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47They're on the lookout for trouble after that surprise hyena attack.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53They've already lost part of the kill,
0:18:53 > 0:18:58and with new pups back at the den, they can't afford to lose any more.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03The hyena is still hungry.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10The dogs opt to stand their ground.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16One hyena versus the whole pack
0:19:16 > 0:19:18should put the odds in the dogs' favour.
0:19:27 > 0:19:32Newky's right in there, biting away with Dad and the older adults.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36With a Hyena's jaws powerful enough to bite through bone,
0:19:36 > 0:19:40it pays to attack at the other end.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44Man, that's gotta hurt.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Between them, they start to push the hyena away.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58The dogs get another chance to eat,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01with Newky bolting down as much as he can.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04But not for long.
0:20:05 > 0:20:12The hyena's still not giving up, sneaking in closer and closer.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14These guys know they can take it now
0:20:14 > 0:20:18and a few more bites to the bum should send it packing.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22Who's laughing now?
0:20:25 > 0:20:28In the end, dogged determination pays off.
0:20:34 > 0:20:39The hyena is gone, and Dad now takes his turn at the table.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42Newky sits it out.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45He's had his chance to eat.
0:20:47 > 0:20:52The other adults push in when they can.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56But the dogs can't stay for long.
0:20:56 > 0:21:01They need to finish the kill and get back to the pups
0:21:01 > 0:21:04before that Hyena comes back.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17Cara's survived for the whole winter.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21And the worst of the weather is now behind her.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25It's spring, and she's now almost the same size as the adults.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31Mum's got another calf growing inside her now.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35But Cara won't be getting a new brother or sister to play with.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41She'll be travelling with the other first year calves from now on.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45No more mum by her side.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49Just another female in the herd.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56They're all on the brink of their migration north
0:21:56 > 0:21:58to the summer grounds.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04It's a long journey, with plenty of tough times ahead.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13But after what Cara's been through, she's used to that.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29In the Arctic, After getting thoroughly soaked,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32Hugh and his sister are rubbing against the ice
0:22:32 > 0:22:35to soak up all the water from their fur.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38Using it like a piece of blotting paper.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43They've still got some growing up to do.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47But they've learnt a lot.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53And in six months, maybe a year,
0:22:53 > 0:22:56they'll leave mum's side for good.
0:22:58 > 0:23:03And Hugh will end up trudging across the sea ice on his own.
0:23:04 > 0:23:10But until then, there's still time for a little more of mum's milk.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14If you're gonna spend the rest of your life alone,
0:23:14 > 0:23:19you may as well cram in as many home comforts as you can.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34Newky and the rest of the adults
0:23:34 > 0:23:37are heading back to the pups after finishing off the kill.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40That hyena didn't come back.
0:23:44 > 0:23:49And Newky proved he's got what it takes to be an adult wild dog.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53He helped take down the kill
0:23:53 > 0:23:56and was willing to get stuck in when the chips were down.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Now, as he wanders back into the den,
0:24:01 > 0:24:05he gets to experience another side to adult life.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12The pups run up to greet him and beg for food.
0:24:12 > 0:24:17It wasn't that long ago that Newky was doing the same thing.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21But now he's the one throwing up food for them to eat.
0:24:22 > 0:24:27OK, the pups are now the centre of attention,
0:24:27 > 0:24:29but at least Newky's alive.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33And to be honest, he's done well to get that far.
0:24:38 > 0:24:43They've all survived. And as these Wild Tales come to an end...
0:24:45 > 0:24:49..it's worth taking another look at how these guys got here.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52It's not been easy.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55They've all have had some pretty hard times to deal with.
0:24:55 > 0:25:00But it's certainly been one rollercoaster of a ride.
0:25:00 > 0:25:05It's hard to believe they all started out so small.
0:25:05 > 0:25:10It was a big old world for Hugh, with such short legs.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14And travelling caused them all problems.
0:25:21 > 0:25:26Although, for Newky, staying at home was hardly any better.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35And Cara's problems went from big...
0:25:35 > 0:25:38to very small.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50They've all had problems.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54But it's how they've dealt with them that matters.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58And they've certainly learnt a lot along the way.
0:25:58 > 0:26:03Learning what to eat was a good start.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05Newky had a second-hand diet.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11While Cara had to dig through the snow to find food.
0:26:11 > 0:26:16And Hugh just sat back and watched Mum in action.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22In fact, watching adults was a big help for all of them.
0:26:24 > 0:26:29Although in the end, it was about staying safe
0:26:29 > 0:26:32and sticking together.
0:26:43 > 0:26:48These guys have all got very different futures ahead of them.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51But one things for sure -
0:26:51 > 0:26:55growing up has probably been the hardest thing they'll ever do.
0:26:55 > 0:27:01And let's not forget, they've had plenty of fun along the way.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18It's finally time to say goodbye...
0:27:18 > 0:27:20to Newky...
0:27:20 > 0:27:22Cara...
0:27:22 > 0:27:24And Hugh.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28Hopefully, they'll have long futures ahead of them.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31But now, we've got to leave them.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Because the world's a big place.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37And there are plenty more Wild Tales to tell.