0:00:17 > 0:00:20Shark Bay, Western Australia.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27Home to more than 3,000 bottlenose dolphins.
0:00:32 > 0:00:37Here, a devoted mother called Puck battles to keep her little calf Samu
0:00:37 > 0:00:40alive in a very dangerous world.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45Every summer, thousands of tiger sharks
0:00:45 > 0:00:48come to the bay, looking for an easy meal.
0:00:52 > 0:00:53Many of the calves are taken.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55The shark, the shark!
0:00:58 > 0:01:03The survival of Puck's baby calf Samu will depend on the devotion of his mum,
0:01:03 > 0:01:05and the strength of his family.
0:01:08 > 0:01:13For the first time, the extraordinary behaviour of a family of dolphins
0:01:13 > 0:01:14has been captured on camera.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20All the drama of Samu's first few months
0:01:20 > 0:01:23is played out in the shallow waters of Shark Bay...
0:01:25 > 0:01:28..where only the lucky few survive.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44500 miles north of Perth,
0:01:44 > 0:01:50a group of islands stretch out into the rough waters of the Indian Ocean,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53sheltering a vast, shallow bay beyond.
0:01:57 > 0:02:03A World Heritage Site, its enormous sea-grass beds carpet the shallows,
0:02:03 > 0:02:06creating one of the richest marine environments on Earth.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15Several hundred families of bottlenose dolphins live here
0:02:15 > 0:02:18and one of the largest is called the Beachies.
0:02:24 > 0:02:29Puck began her family 15 years ago.
0:02:29 > 0:02:34Heavily pregnant, she is about to give birth to her eighth calf.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41With Puck today are two of her daughters,
0:02:41 > 0:02:45two granddaughters and her only son, India.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50At five years old he is still a bit of a mummy's boy
0:02:50 > 0:02:52and never far from her side.
0:02:55 > 0:03:01Janet Mann has been following the lives of the bay's dolphins for 23 years.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06We have the entire Puck family.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Puck is the one with all speckles.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13In fact, she is due any day now.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15She's enormous.
0:03:16 > 0:03:21Puck was the first dolphin Janet got to know when she started her study.
0:03:22 > 0:03:23Hiya, Puck!
0:03:25 > 0:03:27She's really quite extraordinary.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29She was just a young animal back then.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34We know every calf she's had, every trial and tribulation she's endured.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38Oh, you are wide.
0:03:38 > 0:03:44So much of what we understand about dolphin mothers and their calves comes from Janet's study.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50Now 33 years old, Puck is an old-hand at being a mum.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54At the end of her year-long pregnancy,
0:03:54 > 0:03:58this will be her eighth and probably her last calf.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08She's already lost four babies, at least one to sharks.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13This new calf will be especially precious.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23Very little is known about the first days of a calf's life.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26It's a rare opportunity for Janet to learn more.
0:04:30 > 0:04:36They're all very close and they just sort of stay together tight and rest.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43All the dolphin families in Shark Bay are mostly made up of females.
0:04:46 > 0:04:52Just like cuddling in humans, the Beachies spend a lot of time touching and petting.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58Family is everything for dolphins.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05Son India swims alongside Puck.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12At five-and-a-half years old, he is still unusually attached to her.
0:05:17 > 0:05:22Most young males leave the female families at around four years old,
0:05:22 > 0:05:24but India isn't in any hurry to go.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31He knows it's a big bad world out there with the big bad boys
0:05:31 > 0:05:35so he's staying close to Mum for now.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39He is not going to want to give all this nice family fun up,
0:05:39 > 0:05:41but he might have to.
0:05:41 > 0:05:46With Puck's new baby due soon, India's days with the Beachies are numbered.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55Across the bay, most of the females have already had their calves,
0:05:55 > 0:05:59timing their arrival to well before the big sharks arrive.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06Puck's baby is dangerously late.
0:06:08 > 0:06:13Over the next month, tiger shark numbers will increase tenfold
0:06:13 > 0:06:16as they head south to their hunting grounds in the bay.
0:06:20 > 0:06:25For Puck's calf to stand the best chance of surviving, she needs to have it soon.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29Newborns are easy prey.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44By late morning, Puck is leading her family into the Monkey Mia Flats.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Its one of their favourite places to fish
0:06:50 > 0:06:53and where their nickname, the Beachies, comes from.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Most dolphins only hunt in deep water,
0:07:00 > 0:07:04but the Beachies family are shallow-water experts.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Puck's enormous belly prevents her joining the hunt.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15Bouncing along the sea bed, she risks getting stranded.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19We've got the whole Puck family going after this big school of mullet.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22They've just been chasing it closer and closer to the shore.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Puck's not going all the way to the beach cos she's too big.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34With belly swollen to more than three times its normal size,
0:07:34 > 0:07:39Puck retreats into the safety of deeper water and wisely waits for the family to return.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45It's every dolphin for themselves, as they chase down their prey.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48There they go, right into the beach.
0:07:49 > 0:07:55Reaching speeds of up to 20mph, Puck's son India chases the shoal towards the shore.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01Oh, yeah! we've got some serious hunting here.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08It's high-risk in this shallow water, India could easily strand.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13I saw India catch a big one, he's a good hunter.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21Everything the Beachies do is recorded in minute detail.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Across Shark Bay, Janet's research team follow
0:08:27 > 0:08:29different families of dolphins.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35She's found the bay's females live in very specific areas.
0:08:35 > 0:08:40And each has adapted how they hunt to best exploit their environment.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45Off the rocky shores to the north
0:08:45 > 0:08:49live the surfer mums who've gone to even greater extremes than the Beachies,
0:08:49 > 0:08:53chasing their prey right onto the beach.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58To the south, in the deep channels,
0:08:58 > 0:09:01there are dolphins who show just how intelligent they are
0:09:01 > 0:09:03by using tools.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07The females here wear sponges on their beaks.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10It's thought they use them to protect themselves
0:09:10 > 0:09:13while feeling around for food on the sea bed.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19They're the only dolphins ever recorded using tools.
0:09:23 > 0:09:29Shark Bay is the only place in the world where dolphins hunt in such diverse and unique ways.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Fishing over, the Beachies family re-unite.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Hi, guys!
0:09:48 > 0:09:51India must soon leave the Beachies.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54When he does, he will spend a lifetime roaming the bay
0:09:54 > 0:09:58with other males, becoming a much more generalist hunter.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06For now, he is safe with his mum and sisters.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Here's Puck right here with India.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13He just stroked her along the side.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19Right now Puck seems to be very tolerant of India.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22I don't know if that will happen when the baby is born.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27She might really have to push India out of the way.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29Puck can't support two calves at once
0:10:29 > 0:10:32and certainly not a giant one along with a little one.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42Home, for the research team, is this mobile caravan.
0:10:42 > 0:10:47It's been a long day following different families in the bay.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51The life stories of more than 1,600 dolphins
0:10:51 > 0:10:54are stored in this state-of-the-art database.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59Every birth, every death,
0:10:59 > 0:11:02every interaction, is input with painstaking detail.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08When I started this research project in the 1980s,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11virtually nothing was known about wild bottlenose dolphins.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Since then, we have learned a tremendous amount.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18But we still haven't followed a single animal
0:11:18 > 0:11:20from birth to very old age.
0:11:23 > 0:11:28Puck could be the first wild dolphin whose entire life story is known.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36Three weeks later and Puck is still waiting for her baby to be born.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40Today, she's out hunting alone.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48These grassy meadows are exceptionally rich feeding grounds,
0:11:48 > 0:11:50but it's dangerous hunting out here.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58The tiger sharks are arriving
0:11:58 > 0:12:01and this is their favourite place to feed.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07A stealth hunter, it uses the cover of the sea-grass
0:12:07 > 0:12:09to creep up on its prey.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Puck needs to watch out.
0:12:18 > 0:12:23As she searches in the sea grass, she'll be unaware of any shark approaching.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30If a tiger shark closes in from behind,
0:12:30 > 0:12:32her sonar cannot detect it.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Distracted, Puck could easily be attacked.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55Once detected, Puck can easily out-swim a shark.
0:12:59 > 0:13:04But when her calf arrives, it won't be so easy for her to escape.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11It gets very shallow in here, this is the low tide too.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16Dugongs! Mother and a calf.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Look at this little baby!
0:13:22 > 0:13:24Look at that!
0:13:27 > 0:13:30More than 10,000 dugongs live in Shark Bay.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33It's the largest population in the world.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40Grazing on the grass beds, they're the most vulnerable to shark attack.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44In the shallows they have less room to manoeuvre.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46The calf swims on top of its mum.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50That way it's protected from the tiger sharks,
0:13:50 > 0:13:54which could make a good meal of a dugong calf.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Much slower swimming than dolphins,
0:13:57 > 0:14:01thousands of dugong calves are taken by the sharks every summer.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05We've got dolphins and dugongs together here.
0:14:05 > 0:14:06Hey, Puck.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Oh, you are wide.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14Looking for clues as to when Puck might give birth,
0:14:14 > 0:14:18Janet lowers a special microphone into the water.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20WHISTLING
0:14:21 > 0:14:23Oh, a whistle!
0:14:23 > 0:14:25I thought I heard a whistle there.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Something extraordinary is happening.
0:14:34 > 0:14:39Puck uses her unique call to identify herself to other dolphins.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42Yet strangely there are no other dolphins around.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Janet believes Puck is calling to her unborn calf.
0:14:48 > 0:14:53If she's right, it's an astonishing discovery.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56She's basically advertising to the calf,
0:14:56 > 0:14:59"I'm your mum, I'm your mum, hear me, hear me."
0:14:59 > 0:15:04And hopefully the baby then knows where to go after it's born.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18Puck only calls to her unborn calf when she's alone.
0:15:18 > 0:15:23Janet suspects this happens in the week before the calf is born.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28She thinks the birth is imminent.
0:15:37 > 0:15:38Oh!
0:15:41 > 0:15:43It's a shark,
0:15:43 > 0:15:48that's a pretty big one, I don't know, three metres, maybe?
0:15:48 > 0:15:51The tiger shark numbers are starting to build up.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00Soon, thousands more tiger sharks will arrive in the bay.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04Having already lost one calf to sharks,
0:16:04 > 0:16:06this is the worst possible timing for Puck.
0:16:10 > 0:16:16More than 75% of the dolphins bear the scars of their attacks.
0:16:16 > 0:16:21Many of the mothers have been bitten, bravely trying to protect their calves.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24I'm a little worried about Puck's calf.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28She's really having the calf at peak shark-attack time.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32Most of the calves are born by December.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35This way, the calf has a little bit of time
0:16:35 > 0:16:39to learn how to breathe, stay with the mum, won't get into trouble...
0:16:39 > 0:16:43but Puck's got a big family, maybe they can look out for her.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Puck and her unborn calf are in grave danger.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52Perhaps sensing her vulnerability, Puck's family gather around her
0:16:54 > 0:16:57but there's one member of the Beachies missing.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Mummy's boy, India, has disappeared.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13The next day, the rest of the team keep an eye on Puck,
0:17:13 > 0:17:15and look out for missing India.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21With still no sign of Puck giving birth,
0:17:21 > 0:17:25Janet heads North to study the surf mums of Peron.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29Here in Shark Bay, everybody has different hunting tactics,
0:17:29 > 0:17:32but that's particularly true for the females, not the males,
0:17:32 > 0:17:36and the females pass them on from mother to daughter.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41Janet is here to find out which daughters are carrying on the surfing tradition.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46Jeez, look at that!
0:17:51 > 0:17:55Down on the beach, hunting conditions are perfect.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57We got here this morning at Peron Point
0:17:57 > 0:18:00and it looks like there might be some beaching early this morning.
0:18:10 > 0:18:15It's high tide, and huge shoals of mullet are feeding in the shallows.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Travelling at speeds of up to 20mph,
0:18:24 > 0:18:27they drive the mullet onto the beach.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Trapped, the fish have nowhere to turn.
0:18:39 > 0:18:45Flattening out their bodies like surfboards, they skim in just inches of water.
0:19:03 > 0:19:09The surf mums are the only dolphins in the world who hydroplane and beach like this.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27It looks fun, but this a high-risk game.
0:19:28 > 0:19:34They could easily strand, but with a few effortless wriggles, they're back in the water.
0:19:36 > 0:19:41What's so fascinating is that it's only the mums and their daughters who surf like this.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46I'm getting a lot of exercise this morning walking up and down the beach.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48The surfing mums have new calves.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51It's vital Janet gets photos,
0:19:51 > 0:19:56so she can follow the daughters who are keeping the surfing tradition going.
0:19:56 > 0:20:02We want to know, after they graduate from nursing, whether the calves are going to be beachers.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07I've got good shots of all of them so I'm pretty happy about that.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13It's been a good day for Janet but there is still no news on Puck or missing India.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22The next day, Janet is back on the water looking for them both.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28That's probably India.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30It's a relief to see India safe and well,
0:20:30 > 0:20:33but Janet is in for a surprise.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37Instead of hanging out with the other young boys, as most do,
0:20:37 > 0:20:40he's with a notorious female and her calf.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43Janet is not impressed.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45India should not be with Nikki at all.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50Nikki is the only mother in the bay I would call a bad mother.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52She ignores her offspring.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56Sometimes they make it to weaning, but then don't survive after that.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00India seems to have got it all wrong.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Nikki is a dolphin with no scruples.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09Oh, that is so uncool.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13Nikki sped in and she basically stole his fish
0:21:13 > 0:21:17and that is extremely rude behaviour for a dolphin to do.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19I cannot believe she did that
0:21:19 > 0:21:24because dolphins are very polite when it comes to hunting behaviour.
0:21:24 > 0:21:29So I'm hoping he'll find some better company soon.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40A mile away, Janet finds the rest of the Beachies family.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43She immediately sees Puck is behaving differently.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Notice Puck comes up first.
0:21:46 > 0:21:51I wonder if she's, you know, breathing more, "I need more oxygen."
0:21:51 > 0:21:55You can actually often see she closes one eye. I think she's tired.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Puck's up right now. Flexing!
0:21:58 > 0:22:00Ooh, she really did a big flex then.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02See that?
0:22:03 > 0:22:07Could this be the moment everyone has been waiting for?
0:22:08 > 0:22:11Puck is arching her back and then stretching it out.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18Slowed down, Puck lifts her head back and stretches.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22It's a subtle, but very distinct movement.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26Puck is about to become a mother for the eighth time.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34The labour could take several more hours.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40With the light fading, the team reluctantly head back to base.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51No-one knows where dolphins go to have their calves.
0:22:55 > 0:23:00But that night, somewhere in the bay, Puck gives birth.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16The Beachies family have a new arrival.
0:23:30 > 0:23:35Puck's precious eighth calf is a boy named Samu.
0:23:45 > 0:23:51No more than a few hours old, the baby instinctively shadows his mum's every move.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Samu calls continuously to her,
0:23:57 > 0:23:59as if to say, "I'm here, I'm here."
0:23:59 > 0:24:01WHISTLING
0:24:24 > 0:24:28In the first hours of Samu's life, he is on a huge learning curve.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32Less than a metre long,
0:24:32 > 0:24:35Samu must first perfect the art of breathing and swimming.
0:24:38 > 0:24:43Bobbing up and down, Samu's movements are jerky and uncoordinated.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53His tiny dorsal fin is still floppy from being squashed up inside Mum.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00Puck doesn't let her baby out of her sight for a second.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Until now, Puck has chosen to be alone with Samu,
0:25:09 > 0:25:13perhaps giving him time to adjust to his new world.
0:25:24 > 0:25:30Then, something remarkable happens, as the rest of the Beachies family start to arrive.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37As if to celebrate, Puck's daughters and grandchildren are gathering
0:25:37 > 0:25:40to welcome the youngster into this close-knit family.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48Whether she called them in will never be known,
0:25:48 > 0:25:52but at last the rest of the Beachies family meet little Samu.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06With her family around her, Puck can afford to relax,
0:26:06 > 0:26:08knowing there's safety in numbers.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18The research team have been out since dawn looking for Puck.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21It's now the height of the shark season.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25Samu has been born at the worst time.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Oh, look at it go...
0:26:32 > 0:26:38We've been waiting for Puck to have her calf and now she's finally here, we're all so relieved
0:26:38 > 0:26:43that we can actually see the calf and that the calf is actually good and healthy.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49HIGH-PITCHED CALLS
0:26:52 > 0:26:55Though Puck's been calling to Samu since before he was born,
0:26:55 > 0:26:59it's thought it will take him a week to learn her call.
0:27:06 > 0:27:11He swims very close to Puck's head, listening intently to her whistle.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19The one thing he must avoid is getting separated from her.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23This would mean certain death.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28Puck may not eat for a week,
0:27:28 > 0:27:31she cannot risk losing sight of him for a moment.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39- Oh, shark!- Is that a shark?
0:27:39 > 0:27:41That's a shark, a long one.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49Approaching from behind, the family are unaware it's closing.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52Samu is in grave danger.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57This shark looks like a tiger. It looks huge.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00Yeah...he's big.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09Oh, the shark...the shark!
0:28:13 > 0:28:17One of Puck's daughters rushes in to help protect Samu.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22Without the family, Samu could easily be eaten.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26What happened next will never be known,
0:28:26 > 0:28:29but it's likely the rest of the Beachies mobbed
0:28:29 > 0:28:33or even rammed the shark with their beaks, chasing it away.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36- Is it Puck?- They're up in front.
0:28:36 > 0:28:37Take a waypoint.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45- Is that the shark? - No, I don't see it.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48On your left? At 11, it's coming up, it's coming up!
0:28:50 > 0:28:52This is another one.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54It's a hammerhead.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03With the family now on full alert, it's not getting
0:29:03 > 0:29:05anywhere near Samu.
0:29:05 > 0:29:10But seeing two sharks so soon after the birth doesn't bode well.
0:29:10 > 0:29:16Round here, only half of the calves survive beyond their third year.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18Most are lost in the first few weeks of life.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26Danger over. Samu is finally able to feed.
0:29:30 > 0:29:34Puck's milk is five times richer than human milk.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36Suckling every few minutes,
0:29:36 > 0:29:39he'll gain weight fast.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42He is going to need all his strength to survive.
0:29:53 > 0:30:00With a new baby at the heart of the family, the affectionate Beachies seem closer than ever.
0:30:20 > 0:30:27Three days pass and the research team is once again out looking for the Beachies.
0:30:27 > 0:30:33They catch up with Puck and Samu as she leads him out into deep water for the first time.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36It's his first big challenge.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44Deep water is a much more dangerous place for Samu.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47He could easily get lost.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50He's still learning his mother's call.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59Sensing the danger, Samu stays close to her side,
0:30:59 > 0:31:03mirroring her every move as he's swept along in Puck's slipstream.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13Samu seems a little bit more co-ordinated today.
0:31:13 > 0:31:18A little less skittish and keeping up well with Mum.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22Normally calves can only dive a metre or so in their first week of life,
0:31:22 > 0:31:29but Samu is diving deeper and for longer than any other calf the researchers have seen before.
0:31:29 > 0:31:30It's a good sign.
0:31:35 > 0:31:41With Samu doing so well, Puck is finally able to start fishing again.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44She heads for a bait-ball.
0:31:47 > 0:31:52Mothers lose a lot of weight in the first weeks of their calf's life.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56While Puck's nursing, she needs to increase her food intake by 50%.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03Later that afternoon, something very unexpected happens
0:32:03 > 0:32:06as visitors from across the bay start arriving.
0:32:08 > 0:32:14Mothers and calves from at least three different families are gathering to meet Samu.
0:32:19 > 0:32:23Just how the news of the birth travelled so far
0:32:23 > 0:32:27and how only the mums with their calves know where to come is unknown.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36But just as the Beachies family seemed to welcome Puck and Samu,
0:32:36 > 0:32:39the bay's other mums seem to want to do the same.
0:32:47 > 0:32:52It's Samu's first chance to meet other baby calves.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56But young females also are drawn to the gathering.
0:32:56 > 0:33:02Fascinated by newborns, these wannabe mums often try to lure them away to play.
0:33:05 > 0:33:11With so many dolphins all milling together, it's a challenge for Puck to keep track of Samu.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20He is extremely sensitive to motion.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24It's how he knows how to follow his mum.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26Until he's learnt her call,
0:33:26 > 0:33:30there's a risk Samu will chase any fast-moving dolphin that comes close.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38A mischievous young female deliberately rushes past Samu,
0:33:38 > 0:33:41knowing the newborn will instinctively follow.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44Another female look's to be stealing.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48She's trying to take Samu.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50Ooh!
0:33:50 > 0:33:52Puck is having none of it.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55It's the only time female dolphins
0:33:55 > 0:33:58ever show aggression towards each other.
0:33:58 > 0:34:03Rushing past Samu is the only way Puck can retrieve him.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12The young female meant no harm to Samu,
0:34:12 > 0:34:17but Puck isn't taking any more chances and leads him away to safety.
0:34:19 > 0:34:23The sooner Samu learns her call, the better.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32It's been a fascinating day for the research team,
0:34:32 > 0:34:35but as they return to base, there's another surprise.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41Puck's older son India has reappeared.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46No longer in the bad company of the rogue mother,
0:34:46 > 0:34:49he's finally joined up with other young males.
0:34:51 > 0:34:57When boys leave their families, it can take them up to 15 years to form an all-male alliance.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05Once formed, they'll stay together for the rest of their lives.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18Many young males go missing when they leave their families.
0:35:18 > 0:35:23Seeing India finally join up with his new teenage mates is good news.
0:35:26 > 0:35:31It looks like India is finally cutting his ties with Puck and the Beachies family.
0:35:32 > 0:35:38Even with his new-found friends, a young dolphin like India is still vulnerable.
0:35:42 > 0:35:47A big adult male gang has arrived, and they've cornered a female to mate with.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52These encounters can be brutal.
0:35:57 > 0:36:02Not far away, India and his mates need to be very careful.
0:36:02 > 0:36:07They could easily be beaten up and chased out of the area by the gang.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13India's little group take flight.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15It's a wise move.
0:36:21 > 0:36:26It's now late summer and four months since Samu's birth.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32Shark numbers are still at their peak.
0:36:34 > 0:36:40Across the bay, they've been feasting on scores of dugong and dolphin calves.
0:36:49 > 0:36:53Has Samu survived his first, most critical months?
0:36:56 > 0:37:01Janet is out on patrol looking for Puck and her baby.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05She catches up with the family on the Monkey Mia Flats.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09I'm just really anxious to see them, you know?
0:37:12 > 0:37:15Oh, look, there's Samu!
0:37:15 > 0:37:18Then finally she sees Samu.
0:37:20 > 0:37:25Not only is he thriving, but he has a new playmate.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28This is exciting. We have the whole Puck family here.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35Here come the kids.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37Hello.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46Samu is now almost a metre long.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51He's looking very strong.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03His young playmate was born shortly after him.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10Look at them.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13- They are best pals. - They are best pals.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20But as Puck passes the boat, the team get a stark reminder
0:38:20 > 0:38:24of just how much danger she and the family are facing.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26Oh, she has a shark bite.
0:38:26 > 0:38:27Did you see that?
0:38:27 > 0:38:30Did you see that scar? That's a new one!
0:38:30 > 0:38:32That's new, that's bad!
0:38:33 > 0:38:36It's on the same side as her previous shark bite.
0:38:36 > 0:38:42Looks like whatever happened, she got in the way of the tiger shark or something. The calf looks fine.
0:38:42 > 0:38:47It's highly likely Puck took the bite, protecting little Samu.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50Dolphin mums will risk their lives to protect their calves.
0:38:50 > 0:38:55I noticed this morning that Puck has a good-sized shark bite scar,
0:38:55 > 0:38:57but she's healed up.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59They heal remarkably fast.
0:38:59 > 0:39:05There's not a mark on Samu, so obviously he remains unscathed.
0:39:05 > 0:39:10But since nearly 80% of the dolphins here have shark bite scars,
0:39:10 > 0:39:12he's bound to get one sooner or later.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18Puck's choice of this shallow, sandy bay is no chance.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20It's the safest place for Samu to play.
0:39:20 > 0:39:27During shark season like this, it's the perfect spot. Shallow, beautiful water.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29You can see everything around you.
0:39:29 > 0:39:34If a big tiger shows up, they'll be able to see it from miles away.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36Look at him, he's a cutie.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47Now Samu is three months old, Puck allows him a lot more freedom.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55He races along, chasing a tiny shoal of fish.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03It's the first time he's been this far away from Puck
0:40:03 > 0:40:06and he's clearly enjoying his freedom.
0:40:06 > 0:40:13Skimming along on his back, he's trying to trap the fish just beneath the surface.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17Belly up, the fish is backlit and easier for him to see.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21- Get it, get it, get it! Over there! - Go, go, go!
0:40:25 > 0:40:26No, he missed it!
0:40:26 > 0:40:29It's right behind you! We can get it...
0:40:34 > 0:40:41Little Samu is just starting to use his sonar, but perfecting it will take some time.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45JANET LAUGHS
0:40:48 > 0:40:53Determined to give it a go, this is his very first proper attempt at catching a fish.
0:40:56 > 0:41:01Oh, he got a fish right there. He did. He got one.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03- It was, like, this big.- First fish!
0:41:03 > 0:41:09It will be some months before he can join the rest of the family chasing bigger fish in the shallows.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14I don't know where Puck is.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17Oh, she's way down there, right in line with the end of the cliff.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23300 metres away, mum Puck is showing how the experts fish.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35Then suddenly,
0:41:35 > 0:41:38as if Samu realises Mum is nowhere to be seen,
0:41:38 > 0:41:40he starts anxiously calling for her.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42WHISTLING
0:41:45 > 0:41:48From the far end of the bay, she immediately answers,
0:41:48 > 0:41:51her calls telling him exactly where she is.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53WHISTLING
0:42:01 > 0:42:05Now he knows her call, Samu rushes off to find her.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15Reunited, she leads him towards the shore.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24The two touch.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27It's as if Puck is reassuring him that all is OK.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32Samu suckles for the briefest of moments.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38One small fish is not enough to keep a growing calf going.
0:42:44 > 0:42:50Despite his increasing independence, the bond between mother and son remains extremely strong.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05As the endlessly energetic Samu rushes off to play,
0:43:05 > 0:43:10closing one eye, Puck grabs the chance for a quick nap.
0:43:18 > 0:43:20It's tiring raising a youngster.
0:43:24 > 0:43:29Lying still in the shallows, Puck sleeps with half of her brain awake.
0:43:32 > 0:43:35She has to consciously breathe or she would drown.
0:43:39 > 0:43:41While his mum snoozes,
0:43:41 > 0:43:43Janet is watching Samu.
0:43:45 > 0:43:49She sees something she's never seen before.
0:43:51 > 0:43:54Samu joins up with one of Puck's granddaughters.
0:43:56 > 0:44:00The young female appears to be giving him fishing lessons.
0:44:00 > 0:44:03Look, she's got the little fish and she's, like,
0:44:03 > 0:44:06she's, like, knocking little Samu with her little fish in her mouth.
0:44:06 > 0:44:09Oh, and she's letting it go ahead of her again.
0:44:09 > 0:44:12She let it go. She's catching it.
0:44:12 > 0:44:14It does look like she's showing him.
0:44:16 > 0:44:21She is repeatedly catching and dropping an injured fish in front of Samu.
0:44:21 > 0:44:24She keeps grabbing it very closely in front of him,
0:44:24 > 0:44:26like this is how you grip it,
0:44:26 > 0:44:28it almost looks like she's showing him how to grip it.
0:44:28 > 0:44:32It's the first time Janet has ever seen behaviour like this.
0:44:33 > 0:44:37That was the closest I've seen to teaching so far.
0:44:37 > 0:44:40What is so exceptional is that the young female
0:44:40 > 0:44:45appears to be consciously showing Samu how to catch a fish.
0:44:45 > 0:44:50Examples of teaching in the animal kingdom are very, very rare.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53If Puck's granddaughter really is teaching Samu,
0:44:53 > 0:44:57it's strong evidence of how self-aware and intelligent dolphins are.
0:45:05 > 0:45:07Another four weeks pass.
0:45:11 > 0:45:13And there's a familiar face.
0:45:13 > 0:45:16Puck's wayward son India is back.
0:45:22 > 0:45:26The pull of the family is too strong.
0:45:34 > 0:45:39For the moment, Puck tolerates his return, letting him hang out with the family.
0:45:47 > 0:45:51Young Samu plays with his older brother while he can...
0:45:54 > 0:45:59..but the day will soon come when India will have to go for good.
0:46:04 > 0:46:08Winter has returned to Shark Bay.
0:46:08 > 0:46:13The waters are cooling and the tiger sharks are finally leaving.
0:46:13 > 0:46:18I really like May because things are calming down.
0:46:18 > 0:46:23The sharks are gone and the males and females actually have some nice interactions.
0:46:23 > 0:46:30The males aren't harassing the females like they do six to eight months out of the year.
0:46:31 > 0:46:38With the big sharks finally gone, Samu has survived the most dangerous first few months of his life.
0:46:42 > 0:46:47Seeing Samu growing up so strong and independent bodes well for his future.
0:46:53 > 0:46:58He is already showing all the signs of becoming one of the bay's top males.
0:47:01 > 0:47:06But one day, he too will have to leave the loving companionship of the Beachies.
0:47:13 > 0:47:18At 33 years old, Puck's long reign of the Beachies will soon come to an end.
0:47:25 > 0:47:29This wonderful dolphin has taught Janet more than any other.
0:47:35 > 0:47:41A wise and gentle mother, Puck's shown her children how to survive in the dangerous waters of Shark Bay
0:47:41 > 0:47:45and shown us the richness of dolphin family lives,
0:47:45 > 0:47:50if we just choose to look beneath the surface.
0:48:16 > 0:48:22Making The Dolphins Of Shark Bay was a real challenge for the British and Australian film crew.
0:48:24 > 0:48:29Dolphins are capable of swimming at speeds of over 20mph.
0:48:29 > 0:48:34Quick witted and elusive, the team were up against it from the very start.
0:48:37 > 0:48:40To tell Puck and Samu's remarkable story,
0:48:40 > 0:48:43director Nick Stringer decided the only way to do it
0:48:43 > 0:48:46was to use a miniature high definition camera called a pole-cam.
0:48:49 > 0:48:54Nobody's really ever told the story of a family of dolphins before.
0:48:54 > 0:49:00It was a very ambitious vision and probably one of the biggest challenges I'd ever faced.
0:49:00 > 0:49:04We're getting some nice stuff over the sea grass beds. I'm happy about that.
0:49:04 > 0:49:07It's going really well. The little camera is working!
0:49:07 > 0:49:11Using the pole-cam was a two-man operation.
0:49:11 > 0:49:16The camera, no larger than a water bottle, was operated by Ben Cunningham.
0:49:16 > 0:49:19Live images of the dolphins were then fed back to Nick,
0:49:19 > 0:49:21who was watching on a small monitor.
0:49:21 > 0:49:26Tilt down and right, Ben, tilt down and left.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29He was then able to guide Ben towards the dolphins.
0:49:32 > 0:49:35That's a beautiful shot. Look at that!
0:49:41 > 0:49:44But the team didn't have it all their own way.
0:49:45 > 0:49:48The filming was immensely challenging.
0:49:48 > 0:49:50Shark Bay is one of the windiest places in Australia
0:49:50 > 0:49:55and when we did get out on the water, visibility was often terrible...
0:49:57 > 0:50:01..and the dolphins were very difficult to get close to.
0:50:01 > 0:50:04Our patience was severely tested.
0:50:06 > 0:50:09Ten metres, 12 o'clock. Roll it.
0:50:09 > 0:50:13The team's biggest challenge was trying to film young Samu.
0:50:13 > 0:50:17Swimming away, just out of range, I think. Cut it.
0:50:17 > 0:50:20He appeared to be playing games with the crew...
0:50:20 > 0:50:24- Rolling.- ..coming tantalisingly close to the boat before swimming away.
0:50:24 > 0:50:27He might go behind. Gone behind.
0:50:30 > 0:50:33Man, that was close. Right there.
0:50:33 > 0:50:38There were times when I thought it was going to be an impossible task.
0:50:38 > 0:50:42Five metres, maybe, four...
0:50:44 > 0:50:45Come this way!
0:50:48 > 0:50:50Could you see that?.
0:50:53 > 0:50:58When Puck finally brought Samu up to the boat, it was a magical moment.
0:50:58 > 0:51:00Ten metres, 11 o'clock.
0:51:02 > 0:51:03Roll it.
0:51:08 > 0:51:10Tilt down and left.
0:51:13 > 0:51:15Here it comes.
0:51:16 > 0:51:19Yes!
0:51:19 > 0:51:20Got it!
0:51:25 > 0:51:29It's coming in...yes!
0:51:32 > 0:51:36Getting them here on a day like this is just what we've been waiting for.
0:51:36 > 0:51:39It's been worth the wait, definitely. Yeah.
0:51:39 > 0:51:43It all seems to be coming together at the end of the shoot, as ever.
0:51:50 > 0:51:55With shots of young Samu in the bag, the team moved north to Peron
0:51:55 > 0:51:58to try and film the hydroplaning dolphins.
0:52:00 > 0:52:04It was hard enough trying to follow the dolphins from the boat,
0:52:04 > 0:52:08but the crew's next challenge was to try and follow them on foot.
0:52:08 > 0:52:13It was to become the wildlife-filming equivalent of an army boot camp.
0:52:14 > 0:52:18Getting the hydroplaning was a real key part of the film
0:52:18 > 0:52:25because it's such a dynamic and fantastic bit of behaviour.
0:52:25 > 0:52:29The crew had just arrived at Peron after a long drive.
0:52:31 > 0:52:34Can you see that? There's a dolphin.
0:52:34 > 0:52:37Dolphins, right down there.
0:52:39 > 0:52:43To spot dolphins immediately was really unexpected.
0:52:45 > 0:52:49Come on, Ben, let's go. Let's go. Quick, quick!
0:52:49 > 0:52:52Ben and Nick try and catch up with the dolphins,
0:52:52 > 0:52:56but soon find themselves chasing them up and down the beach.
0:53:03 > 0:53:08By late morning, they've failed to capture a single shot
0:53:08 > 0:53:13and the only wildlife around is a growing number of flies.
0:53:13 > 0:53:16The flies are unbelievable.
0:53:16 > 0:53:18They're such a pain.
0:53:18 > 0:53:22You just don't know when the action's going to start. It could happen like that.
0:53:22 > 0:53:30To help the team out, biologists Eric and Shay set up a lookout high above them on the cliffs.
0:53:30 > 0:53:32We're really able to spot...
0:53:32 > 0:53:35pretty much anywhere on this little beach where the dolphins are
0:53:35 > 0:53:40and tell Nick and Ben to hurry up and run over there and see if they can get a shot of it.
0:53:40 > 0:53:43It's stifling already.
0:53:43 > 0:53:47It's going to be about 35, 40 today, I reckon.
0:53:50 > 0:53:54Then, up on the cliff, Eric spots some movement.
0:53:55 > 0:54:00Oh, here comes one, just around the point where the birds are flying off.
0:54:00 > 0:54:06She's really close in so she might do it. I'm going to let them know.
0:54:06 > 0:54:09Just coming around the point by the birds.
0:54:09 > 0:54:15- She's really close into shore so she looks like she might start hydroplaning.- 'Roger.'
0:54:15 > 0:54:17Let's see if we can get it. Come on!
0:54:17 > 0:54:21Normally, natural history shoots are a game of patience.
0:54:21 > 0:54:27This one is turning into a chase in 40-degree heat.
0:54:27 > 0:54:28Oh, there she goes.
0:54:28 > 0:54:32They've already run more than five miles this morning.
0:54:32 > 0:54:34Oh, this sand is hard work.
0:54:36 > 0:54:39She's starting to do it, she's starting to hydroplane.
0:54:39 > 0:54:41She's really close. I don't know if you guys can see her.
0:54:41 > 0:54:45OK. Thanks. We're on it, over.
0:54:47 > 0:54:51What's happening, Nick?
0:54:51 > 0:54:52Looks like she's looking for fish.
0:54:52 > 0:54:56What they seem to be doing is herding them away from the rocks
0:54:56 > 0:54:59towards the beach so they can get them on the hydroplane.
0:55:04 > 0:55:08Whoa, that's a first for us.
0:55:08 > 0:55:10There she goes.
0:55:13 > 0:55:17Look at that. She's just come up on the beach. Did you see that?
0:55:21 > 0:55:25It's incredible. It's incredible to be so close to it.
0:55:30 > 0:55:32Oh, that's a big one
0:55:32 > 0:55:36and her calf is just right there, watching her.
0:55:36 > 0:55:38Yeah, she just got that big mullet!
0:55:38 > 0:55:41She's taking it out deeper now and chomping on it.
0:55:51 > 0:55:53That's what I really love about this job.
0:55:56 > 0:55:58Just when they thought it was over...
0:55:58 > 0:56:02- Hi, Janet.- ..a radio call comes in from the other end of the beach.
0:56:02 > 0:56:06'Nick, we've got Cha-Cha and Flamenco coming towards you guys.'
0:56:06 > 0:56:10OK. Which side of the bay are they coming in, over?
0:56:10 > 0:56:12'They're straight out from where my hand is pointing.'
0:56:12 > 0:56:17- OK. We're going to run to the other end of the beach right now.- 'Go!'
0:56:17 > 0:56:24With the camera and equipment weighing over 25 kilos, it's hard work.
0:56:24 > 0:56:26If we're not fit by the end of this...
0:56:29 > 0:56:32They're chasing something.
0:56:32 > 0:56:34- He's chasing.- Going, Ben.
0:56:34 > 0:56:36Coming up!
0:56:42 > 0:56:45They consume over five litres of water each.
0:56:50 > 0:56:54As the daylight fades, they try to grab the last few shots.
0:56:56 > 0:56:58They've run more than 15 miles.
0:57:01 > 0:57:08I think my calves are growing, and my thirst is great, and the flies are swarming, but you know,
0:57:08 > 0:57:12it's about the dolphins and we're getting some great stuff.
0:57:14 > 0:57:17I am not going up the beach again, you guys.
0:57:22 > 0:57:25I didn't realise I'd be marathon training.
0:57:25 > 0:57:30Well, it's getting to the end of day now,
0:57:30 > 0:57:33and we've had an extraordinary day.
0:57:35 > 0:57:43We've seen, gosh, at least five or six, seven big chases of fish.
0:57:43 > 0:57:46Yeah, we captured some really, really nice stuff, I think.
0:57:51 > 0:57:53And lots of flies!
0:57:55 > 0:57:58I just swallowed one.
0:58:01 > 0:58:05I was looking at them on your lips, James. I couldn't even see your lips.
0:58:05 > 0:58:08We're not out of food at all!