0:00:02 > 0:00:04HOWLING
0:00:05 > 0:00:07At the end of the earth,
0:00:07 > 0:00:09there's a world
0:00:09 > 0:00:11where wolves have no fear of man.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18I've got two of them, five metres away.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22My name is Gordon Buchanan.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24I'm a wildlife cameraman.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28I'm attempting to do something extraordinary...
0:00:30 > 0:00:32..to join a wild wolf pack.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36I want to discover the true nature
0:00:36 > 0:00:39of this feared and powerful predator.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41HOWLING
0:00:41 > 0:00:45In the spring, I got closer than I could ever have imagined
0:00:45 > 0:00:47to a family of Arctic wolves.
0:00:47 > 0:00:48I can see a pup!
0:00:51 > 0:00:52Wow!
0:00:53 > 0:00:57I fell in love with three young pups
0:00:57 > 0:00:59and watched over them as they grew.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03If that's not being welcomed into the pack, I don't know what is.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05HOWLING
0:01:05 > 0:01:08I'm going back to find out if the pups have made it.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12To try to get closer to wild wolves than anyone before.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17It's going to be tough,
0:01:17 > 0:01:19but if I succeed,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22it could change our understanding
0:01:22 > 0:01:24of these incredible animals.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42It's autumn in the Arctic
0:01:42 > 0:01:46and I'm back to try and reunite with my wolf family.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51When I was last here six weeks ago, the pups were in trouble.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57The parents were off on a hunting trip,
0:01:57 > 0:01:59leaving them alone and starving.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05I've got no idea if they're still alive.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11The wolf pack lives near the North Pole
0:02:11 > 0:02:14in one of the most remote places on the planet.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18Canada's Ellesmere Island
0:02:18 > 0:02:21is the tenth-largest island in the world
0:02:21 > 0:02:24and it's almost totally uninhabited.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29It's taken me four days just to get here.
0:02:33 > 0:02:34During the summer,
0:02:34 > 0:02:38scientists put a GPS tracking device on one of the wolves.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44The signal shows that at least that wolf is alive.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51I'm getting butterflies, being back in this familiar territory,
0:02:51 > 0:02:55in the hope that I might see the wolves again and see them soon.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59I'm heading to the wolves' last known position.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17There's no sign of the pack,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19but there is an abandoned den.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25Well, I was hoping that, when I touched down in this location,
0:03:25 > 0:03:27the pups would be apparent.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31This is an area that they've spent a lot of time.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36We've seen the satellite signal from the radio-collared wolf
0:03:36 > 0:03:38constantly returning to this area.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40So, all the indication was that this was a rendezvous site,
0:03:40 > 0:03:44a place where all the wolves get together, erm...
0:03:44 > 0:03:45and there's no-one here.
0:03:49 > 0:03:55HE HOWLS
0:03:56 > 0:03:57There is someone at home.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04But it's a weasel, not a wolf.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14A few hours later, the GPS sends a new signal.
0:04:21 > 0:04:22Hang on, I see something down there.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25There's a musk ox carcass.
0:04:26 > 0:04:27That's a good sign.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34No, there they are! There, look!
0:04:35 > 0:04:37One, two, three pups.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Six adults.
0:04:41 > 0:04:42A full hand.
0:04:45 > 0:04:46Great!
0:04:47 > 0:04:51I just was so worried that I wasn't going to see the wolves again
0:04:51 > 0:04:53and that, if I was going to see them,
0:04:53 > 0:04:55that they were going to be without the pups.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57So, to find the whole pack
0:04:57 > 0:04:58and three pups...
0:05:00 > 0:05:02..is the best thing ever.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23All over the world, wolves avoid people.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30But here on Ellesmere, these wolves have no fear.
0:05:31 > 0:05:32Look, look, look, look!
0:05:34 > 0:05:35Coming straight towards me.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42I think...they remember me.
0:05:49 > 0:05:50They have really grown.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53Hey, chaps...
0:05:55 > 0:05:57Just don't pull anything off the helicopter,
0:05:57 > 0:05:58we're going to need that!
0:06:02 > 0:06:04Hey, pups.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06Look at you.
0:06:06 > 0:06:07You remember me, don't you?
0:06:10 > 0:06:13They're completely transformed. I don't even recognise them.
0:06:17 > 0:06:18That's amazing.
0:06:18 > 0:06:19Just wonderful.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27I'm trying to get closer to wild wolves than anyone before.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33I want to take myself to the edge with this ferocious hunter...
0:06:34 > 0:06:37..to develop a new understanding.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43The helicopter's heading back to a tiny weather station,
0:06:43 > 0:06:44about half an hour's flight away.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50It's the only human settlement for hundreds of miles.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56You can tell they're a little bit cautious.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58The one in the middle,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00who was the biggest one when I last saw them,
0:07:00 > 0:07:02still is.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04I've got a funny feeling,
0:07:04 > 0:07:05just by looking at their faces,
0:07:05 > 0:07:07that that is a male
0:07:07 > 0:07:09and two females.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11I'm calling the male pup Banjo.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15He looks really strong and confident.
0:07:15 > 0:07:16This female, I've named Lola.
0:07:18 > 0:07:19And this one,
0:07:19 > 0:07:21the shyest, least confident,
0:07:21 > 0:07:22is Meg.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26It's brilliant to see them.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30But I'm worried about what lies ahead.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34The chances are that only one or two of these pups
0:07:34 > 0:07:36will live to see its first birthday.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42There's six adult wolves in the pack.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44Three of them really stand out.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48I certainly remember this yearling.
0:07:48 > 0:07:49This is Scruffy.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51He's very curious.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Luna, the mother, is more protective.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59She's keeping an eye on her pups
0:07:59 > 0:08:00and me.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Romulus, the father,
0:08:04 > 0:08:06the biggest, eldest male.
0:08:07 > 0:08:08He's proud, strong...
0:08:09 > 0:08:10..and aloof.
0:08:14 > 0:08:15It still feels unnerving,
0:08:15 > 0:08:19camping right next to a pack of wild wolves,
0:08:19 > 0:08:21even with my two crew members.
0:08:43 > 0:08:44Ay-ah! Oh...!
0:08:44 > 0:08:45That's hot!
0:08:47 > 0:08:51There's been big changes since I was last here.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53The pack have all left the den
0:08:53 > 0:08:55and they've got the pups with them.
0:08:56 > 0:09:01They have travelled at least 20 miles from the den to here,
0:09:01 > 0:09:04but I can imagine, in the time that I've been away,
0:09:04 > 0:09:06they've covered many, many more miles.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11I was here the moment they popped their head out of the den
0:09:11 > 0:09:13and I've kind of watched them grow up.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16And now that they're really learning to become wolves...
0:09:17 > 0:09:20..I want to try and find out what's round the corner for them.
0:09:28 > 0:09:33For the last few months, the sun has been shining 24 hours a day.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37In summer, the Arctic bursts into life.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50But times of plenty are short-lived.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54Now, at the end of August,
0:09:54 > 0:09:56the sun is dipping below the horizon again.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00From here on,
0:10:00 > 0:10:03every day will be half an hour shorter.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13And in just over six weeks,
0:10:13 > 0:10:15constant day
0:10:15 > 0:10:17will have turned into constant night.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22The sun won't rise for four whole months.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Temperatures can drop to minus 50.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Autumn is a critical time for the pups.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37I want to see if they can get strong enough to survive
0:10:37 > 0:10:39the brutal winter ahead.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51It's been a long and exhausting day.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54I'm going to try and get some sleep.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13# Diddle li-de-dee
0:11:13 > 0:11:14# Di-di-di dee
0:11:14 > 0:11:16# The Big Rock Candy Mountain... #
0:11:17 > 0:11:18Oh, yi-yi-yi! It's cold...
0:11:22 > 0:11:24Next morning, I put out remote cameras
0:11:24 > 0:11:27by the carcass I spotted from the helicopter.
0:11:30 > 0:11:31That is a big, old beast.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34It looks like a male musk ox.
0:11:35 > 0:11:36Yeah, it's a male.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39A fair old size.
0:11:39 > 0:11:40God, the weight...!
0:11:40 > 0:11:42The weight in the head alone is incredible.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Most of the meat has gone.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47There is... There's one leg left.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50They'll definitely come back.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52It's the perfect place to set up the camera traps.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02The second I move back, the pups are in to investigate.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07OK, we've got one of the pups heading towards the carcass.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15And there's their big brother, Scruffy,
0:12:15 > 0:12:16chief childminder.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30It's not the most appetising-looking meal, but...
0:12:31 > 0:12:34..this is exactly what the pack needs right now.
0:12:35 > 0:12:36Especially the pups.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39There's a lot of eating in a musk ox.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51Any pup that enters winter slightly malnourished,
0:12:51 > 0:12:52slightly underweight,
0:12:52 > 0:12:54is just not going to have the reserves
0:12:54 > 0:12:58to see it through those long, dark, cold months.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02But, at the moment, they have everything they need.
0:13:03 > 0:13:04Companionship...
0:13:06 > 0:13:08..protection...
0:13:08 > 0:13:09and a whole lot of grub.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19It's not at all what you'd imagine a pack of wolves
0:13:19 > 0:13:21feeding at a kill site would be like.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26I'm really surprised by how little squabbling there is.
0:13:26 > 0:13:27Not like the family I grew up in.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30We fought over everything.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35With this family, strength is in the pack,
0:13:35 > 0:13:37so every meal must be shared.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44Curiosity has got the better of one of the wolves.
0:13:46 > 0:13:47It's Scruffy.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52In the spring, Scruffy was the wolf I got closest to.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57He was fascinated by my electric fence.
0:13:58 > 0:13:59Scruffy...!
0:14:01 > 0:14:02You little swine!
0:14:03 > 0:14:05And my camping stool.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10Absolutely no respect whatsoever for people's private property!
0:14:11 > 0:14:13And eventually, by me.
0:14:14 > 0:14:15You are enormous.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18You might only be one year old,
0:14:18 > 0:14:19but you're a big old wolf.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26Now that I'm back, he's just as curious.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29And I'm just as nervous.
0:14:30 > 0:14:31Hey, Scruffy...
0:14:34 > 0:14:37But if I'm going to be accepted by this family,
0:14:37 > 0:14:39I have to stay calm.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45What Scruffy is doing is sniffing me out.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50These wolves very much kind of see the world through their noses,
0:14:50 > 0:14:52not through their...their eyes.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56Scruffy's sense of smell is like having a superpower.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00His nose is thousands of times more sensitive than mine.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04I hope it's telling him I'm friend,
0:15:04 > 0:15:05not food!
0:15:06 > 0:15:08I still wouldn't turn my back on him, though.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13I always like to keep my eyes on the wolf that's at my back.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16Which I think's just wise.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22The meat on the carcass is running out.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26That's bad news
0:15:26 > 0:15:27for the wolves
0:15:27 > 0:15:28and for me.
0:15:30 > 0:15:31They're abandoning this kill.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35And that's going to make it a lot harder to follow them.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40The pups aren't ready to hunt yet.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42Their teeth are still growing.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46I'm surprised they're going with the adults.
0:15:52 > 0:15:53Back in the spring,
0:15:53 > 0:15:57the adults left the pups at the den for long periods to go hunting.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05Any food they caught, they'd bring back to them.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13But now that they're older, it seems that Banjo, Lola and Meg
0:16:13 > 0:16:16have no choice but to travel with the pack.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22Adult wolves can go 50 miles in a day in search of food.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27I'm concerned about the demands this could place on the pups.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30And I don't like being left behind.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41I really hoped that I could just pick up where I left off
0:16:41 > 0:16:45and I'm realising that it's going to be much, much harder this time.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Just looking at the mountains in the distance,
0:16:48 > 0:16:51this is all places that the wolves can get to
0:16:51 > 0:16:54and I'm going to try and follow them.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Keeping up with the wolves isn't going to be easy.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Next day, there's still no sign of them.
0:17:14 > 0:17:15I need help.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19Great. Thank you very much.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40An all-terrain quad bike could give me a fighting chance
0:17:40 > 0:17:41of staying with the family.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52It'll be hours until I get a new position from the GPS collar.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57So, my best strategy now is to go looking for them.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18The distances covered by Arctic wolves are immense.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23Their territories can be up to 7,000 square kilometres,
0:18:23 > 0:18:27much larger than for wolves living further south,
0:18:27 > 0:18:29because prey here is so scarce.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42Grasses and other vegetation are stunted,
0:18:42 > 0:18:44supporting only the toughest grazers.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48One animal in particular
0:18:48 > 0:18:51has adapted well to life on this meagre diet.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55The prehistoric-looking musk ox.
0:18:59 > 0:19:04For the musk ox, this time of year is all about the opposite sex.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09Massive bulls, weighing up to half a tonne,
0:19:09 > 0:19:11patrol their herds,
0:19:11 > 0:19:15sniffing females to see who's in season.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19Keeping an eye on rivals is essential.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23And showing them who's boss, even more so.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52These testosterone-filled bulls are deadly right now.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57This is not good for wolves,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00because musk ox are one of the few prey available.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08I've spent the whole day searching for the wolves,
0:20:08 > 0:20:10but I haven't found them.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19It's just so isolated up here.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26Sometimes, it feels like another planet.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38I've been worrying about the wolves all night.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42But then, great news.
0:20:43 > 0:20:44A GPS location from the collar
0:20:44 > 0:20:47shows they're heading back in my direction.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04I think I've got them but way, way, way off there.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11I think it might just be the six adults.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15The pups aren't with them, I don't think.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22Oh, no, they are.
0:21:23 > 0:21:24All of them.
0:21:25 > 0:21:26The whole lot.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29They look like hamsters!
0:21:30 > 0:21:34They are just tiny specks coming straight towards me.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42I wonder how long it'll take them to cover that ground.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44Because I was over there myself yesterday
0:21:44 > 0:21:49and it took me about two hours to get back here.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54Holy mackerel!
0:21:54 > 0:21:56They're just going straight down the slope.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59Almost down a cliff!
0:22:01 > 0:22:05Amazing that they're taking the pups on a journey like that.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07You talk about the dangers that they face.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10You know, forget musk ox, forget the weather,
0:22:10 > 0:22:14kind of just dealing with the landscape is incredibly dangerous.
0:22:16 > 0:22:17Here they come...
0:22:19 > 0:22:21So, they're going be here in five minutes.
0:22:21 > 0:22:22Great.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30Really lovely just to see the whole pack
0:22:30 > 0:22:32picking their way across the tundra.
0:22:34 > 0:22:35Where are the pups?
0:22:39 > 0:22:43Really incredible that they're following the pack.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47One of the pups is going slower than the others.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50It's Meg.
0:22:50 > 0:22:51She's looking skinny.
0:22:53 > 0:22:54I hope she's OK.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07They're heading straight for the carcass.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11They obviously haven't had any success out hunting.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20It's not surprising the pups are hungry.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22They must be absolutely ravenous
0:23:22 > 0:23:25covering miles and miles every single hour.
0:23:27 > 0:23:32And the adults are well used to periods of starvation.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34It's just part of being a wolf.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37Hunger is something new to these pups.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Hunger is something they're going to have to get used to.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44I'm going move in a little bit closer.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48I think these pups are happy enough with me.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51They'll tolerate a little bit more proximity.
0:23:59 > 0:24:04They are completely absorbed in what they're doing.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07And, actually, I think we've got to that stage
0:24:07 > 0:24:10that they're not that fussed about me at all.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18If ever I was going to be attacked by a wolf,
0:24:18 > 0:24:20now it would seem like a good time.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28Banjo's got the only meaty bit left.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Lola and Meg have decided to leave him to it.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37Back in the spring,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40I remember one pup always dominating the other two.
0:24:41 > 0:24:42That must have been Banjo.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47From their first days inside the den,
0:24:47 > 0:24:48pups compete for their mother's milk.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Meg was always at the back of the queue.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58But, hopefully, she'll be fine,
0:24:58 > 0:25:01so long as her family can make a new kill.
0:25:11 > 0:25:12HOWLING
0:25:12 > 0:25:15HOWLING CONTINUES
0:25:15 > 0:25:17I'm about to be serenaded.
0:25:17 > 0:25:18HOWLING
0:25:20 > 0:25:22I think I should just lie back and enjoy this.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25HOWLING
0:25:28 > 0:25:30I would join in but I think I'd spoil it.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32HOWLING
0:25:34 > 0:25:38Howling is the best way to rally the pack before they move on.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45HOWLS
0:25:47 > 0:25:49They seem to be going for a wander.
0:25:53 > 0:25:54I wonder if they'll let me tag along?
0:26:12 > 0:26:15Walking along the tundra with wolves in front of me,
0:26:15 > 0:26:18wolves by my side and wolves behind me...
0:26:19 > 0:26:22..you get this enormous sense of...of freedom.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28Really peaceful.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36Hi, Scruffy.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38Come on, lad.
0:26:38 > 0:26:39Come on.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42And I think I've come to understand them.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44I think...I think I know where I stand with them.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49They don't see me as a threat. I don't see them as a threat.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00Amazing opportunities like this don't come around that often.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03So, I think, you know, you just have to trust your instincts...
0:27:05 > 0:27:06..go with your gut,
0:27:06 > 0:27:07walk with the wolves.
0:27:14 > 0:27:19I'm really starting to feel like part of this family.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52Next morning, I'm delighted to see my wolves are still around.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Scruffy's suddenly spotted something and kind of trotted towards it,
0:28:01 > 0:28:04and he's stuck his nose in a hole
0:28:04 > 0:28:07and I think that it was a lemming that he spotted.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14Collared lemmings are small, hamster-like rodents.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20It's surprising how many there are here in the barren tundra.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24Lemmings live off roots, shoots and insects...
0:28:27 > 0:28:28..if they can find them.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33They burrow into the soil, making little chambers for sleeping.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35But that's not always deep enough
0:28:35 > 0:28:38to escape a determined pair of wolf paws.
0:28:40 > 0:28:41GROWLS
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Scruffy's done well,
0:28:54 > 0:28:57but a lemming's just a snack,
0:28:57 > 0:29:01and it's the only food I've seen my wolves catch since I got here.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06The pack needs a proper kill.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14For hours, all is quiet.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21Then, suddenly, they spot something.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26Just down there, there's a herd of musk ox.
0:29:31 > 0:29:32They're in hunting mode.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37Romulus and Luna are out in front.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50So, we've got three wolves moving down towards the...the musk ox.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02This could get really interesting.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09They used the cover of the hill to get much closer.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11And now they're really close.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16These wolves haven't made a kill in coming up for two weeks now
0:30:16 > 0:30:19and they will be getting to that desperate point.
0:30:19 > 0:30:20They will be getting hungry.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24Their supplies from their previous kill are running low
0:30:24 > 0:30:27and they have to catch something, they have to make a kill.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31They have to get enough food for these pups.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35Now the wolves are having a good old look.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37And what each one of these wolves is doing
0:30:37 > 0:30:40is just trying to detect any weakness,
0:30:40 > 0:30:42any vulnerability in any of the herd.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48It's real David and Goliath stuff
0:30:48 > 0:30:50when you see the wolf standing beside a musk ox.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59Oh, he's just charged it, look!
0:31:04 > 0:31:07Behind the bull, the rest of the musk ox have bunched together.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11They're protecting a calf.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16They've pushed it into the middle of the defensive ring
0:31:16 > 0:31:18and are standing head-on to the wolves.
0:31:20 > 0:31:21Whoa, charge again!
0:31:22 > 0:31:26This is really dangerous and the stakes couldn't be higher.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31If my wolves make a kill, it could save the whole pack from starving.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35But even the slightest injury could be fatal.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40They don't dash in towards a herd of musk ox
0:31:40 > 0:31:41because that's going to spook them
0:31:41 > 0:31:43before they can do what they really need to do,
0:31:43 > 0:31:45which is get a good, close look.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50The pack have decided this is too risky.
0:31:52 > 0:31:53These wolves are only here
0:31:53 > 0:31:55because they've become experts
0:31:55 > 0:31:58at bringing down these formidable animals.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03But there's just not an individual in this group that they can tackle.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06It is just a waste of energy.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11You can see the pups watching on.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15These pups will be picking up everything,
0:32:15 > 0:32:17watching the moves that the adults make.
0:32:19 > 0:32:23They will only survive out here if they make the right decisions.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25If they don't make any mistakes.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29I'm concerned about these pups.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33Especially the timid one, Meg.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47I would dearly love to give them something to eat.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50But the rules here are strict.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53We're not allowed to feed them.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05You are beautiful. Look at you.
0:33:07 > 0:33:08Scruff, Scruff...
0:33:11 > 0:33:13He is my favourite wolf.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16He is so bold.
0:33:18 > 0:33:19Incredibly curious.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22I suppose that's just part of being a wolf
0:33:22 > 0:33:24that's just over one year old.
0:33:29 > 0:33:30No...!
0:33:31 > 0:33:32Breaking the camera trap.
0:33:37 > 0:33:38No...!
0:33:43 > 0:33:45Every day that goes by,
0:33:45 > 0:33:47I'm feeling more and more comfortable with my wolves.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53I want to see if I can build a whole new level of trust.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57It's great that Banjo's so confident.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03But maybe I've taken this too far.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14I just have to hold my nerve.
0:34:19 > 0:34:20Scruffy...!
0:34:37 > 0:34:39I don't like you going behind me, you know that.
0:34:45 > 0:34:46You are still a wolf.
0:34:48 > 0:34:49Is it my scent that you're getting?
0:34:51 > 0:34:52Rather him than me.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55I haven't washed in weeks.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02I think I can see how this fearsome predator
0:35:02 > 0:35:05eventually became man's best friend.
0:35:06 > 0:35:07Hey, Scruffy...
0:35:13 > 0:35:14Don't even think about it.
0:35:23 > 0:35:24Look at the size of you.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32He's actually quite nervous.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34He's flinching at the slightest sound I make.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48I think I might be getting over my slight fear of Scruffy.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52I think he's just incredibly inquisitive.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54He just wants to have a good old look.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57I think I am understanding him more than I did.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02He's still an enormous wolf,
0:36:02 > 0:36:06but he just wants to get as close to me
0:36:06 > 0:36:07as I want to get to him, really.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09I suppose that's how it's working.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16Having Scruffy touch me was amazing.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19That's the first time he's been so close.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24My instinct tells me I can get even closer.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52Next morning, my wolves have left again.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56The GPS shows they're over a day away by quad bike.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59Too far to follow.
0:37:02 > 0:37:06With the wolves gone, other animals dare to surface.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15An Arctic fox is scouting for scraps.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20Animals like these depend on the wolves' kills.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26A gyrfalcon pays a visit.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32These are the largest falcons in the world.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39Normally, they hunt birds and small mammals,
0:37:39 > 0:37:42but this one's also been scavenging.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47He's having to compete with a skua.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00It's great to see all this other life,
0:38:00 > 0:38:03but I'm missing my wolf family
0:38:03 > 0:38:05and my time is running out.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08OK, we're running.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12Yeah, it's getting colder and colder.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16It's getting well into minus temperatures now.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19And outside, with the wind-chill, it's freezing.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Inside, it's not much better.
0:38:23 > 0:38:28And I'm kind of rapidly realising why no-one's tried to study wolves
0:38:28 > 0:38:31in this part of the world so far into the season.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36I'm just kind of worried that it's going to get to the point
0:38:36 > 0:38:38where it's just too hard
0:38:38 > 0:38:40and I'm going to run out of time.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44And I'm...I'm desperate not to leave
0:38:44 > 0:38:46without kind of having some kind of closure
0:38:46 > 0:38:50and finding out that the pups are OK.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55That they've kind of...the family have done the best for them
0:38:55 > 0:38:59and that they can survive as the endless night approaches.
0:39:15 > 0:39:20Next morning, the GPS shows my wolves are still in the same spot.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26It's well outside their normal territory.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31They must have gone there looking for food.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37Since it's too far to go on the quad bike,
0:39:37 > 0:39:39I've called in the helicopter.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58We've got a good sense of how big the pack's territory is
0:39:58 > 0:40:01and this seems to be outside their territory.
0:40:02 > 0:40:03A long way outside their territory.
0:40:11 > 0:40:12No, there they are there, look.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14There they are.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19OK, I'm trying to count them.
0:40:20 > 0:40:21I think they're all here.
0:40:23 > 0:40:24Can't quite tell.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28And what they're doing here, I don't know.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31But then I see a dead musk ox.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34That's why they're here.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44They've almost travelled 100 miles since the last time I saw them
0:40:44 > 0:40:46and that's a long, long, long way for a pup.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50We've got... Actually this isn't...
0:40:51 > 0:40:53I don't recognise that wolf.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59No, I really don't know that wolf.
0:41:00 > 0:41:01This is not our pack.
0:41:03 > 0:41:04These aren't my wolves.
0:41:08 > 0:41:09Two big males.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11I don't quite know what's going on.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15These wolves look a whole lot bigger than mine.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19We've got a number of strange wolves.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21I'm trying to look for someone that I recognise.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26It looks like a pack with a lot of big, big, big wolves in it.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33Look at this wolf.
0:41:33 > 0:41:34Gosh, just looks so different.
0:41:34 > 0:41:35Looks foreign.
0:41:39 > 0:41:40Right. I'm going to get out.
0:41:46 > 0:41:47Yeah, I am worried,
0:41:47 > 0:41:49because this is the location that I got the GPS collar from.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51Right here.
0:41:51 > 0:41:52And I arrive
0:41:52 > 0:41:54and it's not our wolves.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59If a wolf moves into another wolf's territory...
0:42:01 > 0:42:03..it's bad news.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08My wolves probably came to check out this rival pack's kill.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13That's the most dangerous thing a wolf can do.
0:42:15 > 0:42:16I'm really worried.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23Oh, gosh, I hope nothing bad's happened.
0:42:30 > 0:42:31I just don't know what's going on.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36I have to wait for the...the next GPS coordinate.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46When the new position eventually comes in,
0:42:46 > 0:42:48it shows they're back in their territory.
0:42:57 > 0:42:58I can see them.
0:43:09 > 0:43:10This is really strange.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13I'm used to them coming right up to me.
0:43:14 > 0:43:15But they seem subdued.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22One, two, three, four, five...
0:43:22 > 0:43:24Can't see everyone but I think they're all spread out.
0:43:25 > 0:43:27But we've got the pups, all three.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33Unless I was looking at one of the adults. Erm...
0:43:41 > 0:43:44Actually, I can only see two of the pups.
0:43:46 > 0:43:47Yeah...
0:43:48 > 0:43:50I don't know where the third one is.
0:43:54 > 0:43:56No. I can't see it.
0:44:13 > 0:44:14Hey, guys.
0:44:16 > 0:44:17Hey, wolves.
0:44:18 > 0:44:19What's going on here?
0:44:20 > 0:44:23One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight...
0:44:31 > 0:44:32I can only see two of the pups.
0:44:38 > 0:44:41Erm... Hang on, it's got to be there.
0:44:42 > 0:44:43It has to be there. Come on.
0:44:52 > 0:44:54They're all starting to lie down.
0:44:55 > 0:44:56It doesn't look good.
0:44:59 > 0:45:01It's Meg that's gone.
0:45:02 > 0:45:04She was the shyest pup,
0:45:04 > 0:45:05always trailing behind.
0:45:07 > 0:45:10That's the first time I've seen them all together like that
0:45:10 > 0:45:12and not been able to count everyone.
0:45:19 > 0:45:24It is entirely likely that they encountered the other pack
0:45:24 > 0:45:26once they'd strayed into their...their territory.
0:45:27 > 0:45:29I've been contemplating all the dangers
0:45:29 > 0:45:32that the pups have faced since I've been with them
0:45:32 > 0:45:34and the one thing that I actually overlooked
0:45:34 > 0:45:37was the danger that comes from wolves themselves.
0:45:40 > 0:45:42If the rest of the pack ran away,
0:45:42 > 0:45:44it may be that Meg was just too slow.
0:45:49 > 0:45:52It looks like she's been killed by the rival pack.
0:46:18 > 0:46:21What I wanted to do before I left was to just...
0:46:22 > 0:46:25..maybe have confidence in the fact that
0:46:25 > 0:46:27all the pups were going to be OK.
0:46:27 > 0:46:29And I wanted to leave them...
0:46:30 > 0:46:34..feeding on a big musk ox, everyone happy and full.
0:46:36 > 0:46:38But then, that's just...
0:46:40 > 0:46:41..no surprise.
0:46:41 > 0:46:43Life is hard up here.
0:46:45 > 0:46:48And the High Arctic is no place for the weak.
0:46:55 > 0:46:58Looking at my family, they appear to be grieving for Meg.
0:47:15 > 0:47:17It's my last night in the Arctic...
0:47:18 > 0:47:21..and the unstoppable winter is on its way, fast.
0:47:31 > 0:47:36I never imagined I'd get so attached to wild wolves.
0:47:38 > 0:47:42Getting so close makes me miss my own family back home.
0:48:03 > 0:48:06I desperately want to catch up with my wolves again.
0:48:08 > 0:48:10I've got to say a proper goodbye.
0:48:20 > 0:48:24When I find them again, they're still on the move.
0:48:27 > 0:48:30Scruffy has spotted some Arctic hare.
0:48:34 > 0:48:37Being light and agile, he stands the best chance of catching one.
0:48:50 > 0:48:52Neither of them can afford to slip.
0:49:24 > 0:49:25This'll be interesting.
0:49:25 > 0:49:27If it was one of the older wolves,
0:49:27 > 0:49:30I reckon that they'd give the pups a bit of food.
0:49:30 > 0:49:32But Scruffy's not letting go.
0:49:32 > 0:49:33A real tussle going on.
0:49:35 > 0:49:36Come on, Scruffy, give 'em a bit.
0:49:36 > 0:49:39One hare doesn't go very far,
0:49:39 > 0:49:42especially if you're like Scruffy and you don't want to share it.
0:49:42 > 0:49:43He's run off with it.
0:49:45 > 0:49:47Banjo's running after him.
0:49:49 > 0:49:51He's not going to give up, look at him.
0:49:51 > 0:49:53He's just chasing Scruffy all over the place.
0:49:55 > 0:49:57And this isn't a game. It looks like a game.
0:49:57 > 0:49:59But that pup is starving.
0:49:59 > 0:50:01It's desperate for food
0:50:01 > 0:50:04and Scruffy's not letting it have any.
0:50:04 > 0:50:05You know, Scruffy caught this hare.
0:50:05 > 0:50:07He's not going to give it up for anyone,
0:50:07 > 0:50:09no matter how much he gets pestered.
0:50:09 > 0:50:12Oh, look! He's got...he's got it off him!
0:50:12 > 0:50:13Look at that!
0:50:13 > 0:50:16Well done, wee man, that's great.
0:50:16 > 0:50:19There's quite a good bit of meat and all of that will go.
0:50:19 > 0:50:21That is high-energy puppy food.
0:50:23 > 0:50:24I like this pup.
0:50:26 > 0:50:28Banjo's persistence has paid off
0:50:28 > 0:50:32and big brother, Scruffy, has rewarded him.
0:50:34 > 0:50:37That's the kind of wolf pup that survives.
0:50:39 > 0:50:43You have to be bold, you have to be aggressive to make it out here.
0:50:45 > 0:50:47Luna got some of that hare as well.
0:50:48 > 0:50:53If Lola begs her mother enough, she'll get a meal, too.
0:50:58 > 0:51:01It's so great to see the family eat.
0:51:03 > 0:51:06If they can keep getting snacks like this,
0:51:06 > 0:51:08the pups could make it.
0:51:09 > 0:51:11HOWLS
0:51:18 > 0:51:22It is extraordinary that you can be this close to a pack of wild wolves.
0:51:24 > 0:51:27You can sort of get a little bit complacent about it
0:51:27 > 0:51:29and then you remind yourself, once you lose them
0:51:29 > 0:51:32and spend hours and hours and miles and miles searching for them,
0:51:32 > 0:51:35that when you do find them and you can just stand
0:51:35 > 0:51:36less than 100 metres away,
0:51:36 > 0:51:38it is really unique.
0:51:43 > 0:51:45Now that they're bedded down,
0:51:45 > 0:51:48this could be my best chance to get close to the family.
0:51:52 > 0:51:56I've had a lot of amazing experiences with these wolves,
0:51:56 > 0:51:58but this feels special.
0:52:04 > 0:52:07Don't be afraid. I'm just going to loiter about here.
0:52:11 > 0:52:12What a beauty!
0:52:15 > 0:52:19You know, as much as I've tried to get close to this family,
0:52:19 > 0:52:21there's a boundary,
0:52:21 > 0:52:23there's this limit...
0:52:23 > 0:52:26limit that they're comfortable with,
0:52:26 > 0:52:29which is as it should be, really.
0:52:39 > 0:52:40Steady.
0:53:00 > 0:53:04To be surrounded by wolves is simply incredible.
0:53:05 > 0:53:09It's not something that I'm at all fearful of...
0:53:10 > 0:53:13..because I've seen that the true wolf,
0:53:13 > 0:53:15the real wolf,
0:53:15 > 0:53:18doesn't at all live up to the stereotype.
0:53:19 > 0:53:21They are not a mindless, ruthless killer.
0:53:21 > 0:53:26They are an incredibly caring, doting family member.
0:53:27 > 0:53:32And the most important thing to them is looking after their family,
0:53:32 > 0:53:33looking after their young.
0:53:37 > 0:53:40Getting this close to Scruffy and the pups
0:53:40 > 0:53:44convinces me that you can connect with wild wolves.
0:53:47 > 0:53:49Hey, how're you doing?
0:53:52 > 0:53:56It's such a privilege to get to know these intriguing predators.
0:54:02 > 0:54:06That they're so relaxed is truly extraordinary.
0:54:17 > 0:54:19Having a stare-off with a wolf...
0:54:21 > 0:54:22It is unbelievable.
0:54:24 > 0:54:25And I really worry,
0:54:25 > 0:54:27not just for the pups,
0:54:27 > 0:54:30but for the...the rest of the family,
0:54:30 > 0:54:33all these beautiful creatures.
0:54:33 > 0:54:36You know, what does the future hold for them?
0:54:36 > 0:54:40This is a place that is wild beyond belief.
0:54:42 > 0:54:46And I think wolves symbolise more than anything
0:54:46 > 0:54:47not just the wild...
0:54:50 > 0:54:51..but...
0:54:51 > 0:54:53Too close!
0:55:04 > 0:55:05Selfie!
0:55:07 > 0:55:09You're towering above me.
0:55:09 > 0:55:11You're looking in a playful mood.
0:55:22 > 0:55:24Gosh, that is incredibly close.
0:55:25 > 0:55:26I could reach out and touch you.
0:55:28 > 0:55:29There's a small stick...
0:55:31 > 0:55:34That's as big as sticks come around these parts.
0:55:34 > 0:55:37The nearest tree is 1,000 miles to the south.
0:55:44 > 0:55:45Fetch!
0:55:51 > 0:55:52Look at this...
0:56:03 > 0:56:09Our relationship with wolves is so full of fear and distrust.
0:56:11 > 0:56:13But it doesn't need to be.
0:56:15 > 0:56:19This must have been what it was like when man and wolf first met.
0:56:21 > 0:56:24When there was no fear,
0:56:24 > 0:56:26just curiosity.
0:56:34 > 0:56:36But as soon as it's happened,
0:56:36 > 0:56:37playtime's over.
0:56:40 > 0:56:42The family needs to go hunting.
0:56:49 > 0:56:52And I have to leave before winter sets in.
0:56:55 > 0:56:58I may never see my wolf family again.
0:57:05 > 0:57:09There's something brave and defiant about these wolves...
0:57:10 > 0:57:13..that they're able to survive here at the top of the world
0:57:13 > 0:57:16on the very edge of existence.
0:57:22 > 0:57:26Wolves are one of the most feared and persecuted animals
0:57:26 > 0:57:29on the planet.
0:57:29 > 0:57:33But their true nature shows me how wrong we've been.
0:57:34 > 0:57:37They are a highly intelligent creature
0:57:37 > 0:57:40that only does what it does
0:57:40 > 0:57:41not just to feed itself
0:57:41 > 0:57:43but to...to feed its family.
0:57:44 > 0:57:47And when you put it into a human context, it's...
0:57:47 > 0:57:50it's remarkably similar to our lives.
0:57:50 > 0:57:53We are the strongest when we're with our family.
0:57:53 > 0:57:57We feel happy when we're with our companions.
0:57:58 > 0:58:00And the same goes for...for wolves.
0:58:00 > 0:58:03You know, power is in the pack and power is in the family.
0:58:06 > 0:58:10A huge part of me would love to stay,
0:58:10 > 0:58:13to follow their story,
0:58:13 > 0:58:15to find out what happens next.
0:58:18 > 0:58:20But I've got to go.
0:58:22 > 0:58:25To return home to my family.