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200 million years ago,
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00:00:23,240 --> 00:00:26,528
our planet looked very different
from what it does today.
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00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:29,007
It was entirely covered by sea,
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00:00:29,120 --> 00:00:33,967
which surrounded one single
super-continent we call Pangaea.
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00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:38,610
And then Pangaea began to break up.
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00:00:40,600 --> 00:00:45,128
Life was cast adrift on fragments of land.
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00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:51,808
And these fragments eventually
became our seven continents.
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00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:57,607
We will see how life developed
on each continent,
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00:00:57,720 --> 00:01:03,204
giving rise to the extraordinary
and wonderful diversity that we see today.
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00:01:04,680 --> 00:01:08,810
We'll venture to the frozen wilderness
of Antarctica...
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00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:14,086
...where life thrives against the odds...
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00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:18,643
...and to the riches of South America,
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00:01:18,760 --> 00:01:20,524
full of the unexpected...
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00:01:24,720 --> 00:01:26,802
...from the wilds of Africa...
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00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:33,523
...to the vast expanses of North America
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00:01:33,640 --> 00:01:36,723
and the searing heat of Australia.
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00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:42,884
We'll explore the remote reaches
of Asia...
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00:01:44,040 --> 00:01:46,247
...home to rarely seen creatures...
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00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:53,005
...and Europe,
a world transformed by humanity.
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00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:04,243
And we'll discover how this may be
the most critical moment for life on Earth
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00:02:04,360 --> 00:02:06,089
since the continents formed.
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00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:10,524
We are changing the world so rapidly
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that wildlife is now facing
some of its greatest challenges yet.
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00:02:18,520 --> 00:02:21,410
Never has it been
a more important time
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00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:24,922
to reveal the precious diversity of life
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00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:27,611
on our seven continents.
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This is Seven Worlds, One Planet.
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Of all the continents...
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...one was first sighted by humans
just 200 years ago.
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00:03:32,440 --> 00:03:38,243
And only now are we beginning to
understand what it takes to survive here.
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It's the most hostile of them all.
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98% of mainland Antarctica,
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an area one and a half times
the size of the United States,
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00:04:09,720 --> 00:04:12,530
is covered in ice...
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00:04:12,640 --> 00:04:15,723
...on which virtually nothing can live.
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00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:26,530
So life is dependent on the ocean
that surrounds it.
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00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:31,527
But even the ocean freezes.
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Only one mammal
can live this far south...
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...the Weddell seal.
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(SEAL GRUNTS)
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She has to keep her breathing hole open
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by grinding back the ice with her teeth.
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00:05:04,720 --> 00:05:07,246
Out here on the sea ice,
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all these seals are far from the predators
of the open ocean...
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...so this is the safest place
for her to give birth.
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Leaving the warmth of the womb
and landing on ice
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is the sharpest drop in temperature
any animal ever faces.
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(PUP MEWLS)
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But her pup can't swim
for the first ten days of its life.
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00:05:47,160 --> 00:05:50,607
It's trapped here, out on the ice.
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00:05:53,440 --> 00:05:56,091
(WIND GUSTS)
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(PUP MEWLS)
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She shields her pup from the wind.
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Although it's spring,
temperatures can drop
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to minus 40 degrees Celsius
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00:06:22,440 --> 00:06:25,125
and blizzards can rage for days.
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Three days on,
and the storm is still raging.
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She now faces the hardest of decisions.
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00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:04,444
Does she stay with her pup?
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(MEWLS)
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00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:12,408
Or shelter in the water?
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Now her pup's best chance of survival
is for the storm to pass quickly.
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(WIND HOWLS)
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Some pups didn't make it.
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(YOWLS)
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(MEWLS)
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An answer.
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(YOWLS)
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(MEWLS)
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00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:41,363
If this pup now joins its mother
in the water,
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00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:44,450
it will be safe from any future storm.
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It's minus 2 degrees Celsius,
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but being in water is warmer
than lying on the ice in the howling wind.
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Its chances of surviving here
are now extremely good.
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00:09:22,880 --> 00:09:29,047
Only a few hardy animals can live
all year round as far south as this.
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00:09:31,040 --> 00:09:34,169
Further from the Pole,
on the fringes of the continent,
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lie islands that are free of sea ice.
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(CAWING)
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Here there are other challenges.
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Saint Andrews Bay on South Georgia
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is packed with half a million
king penguins.
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In spring, the chicks are left for days
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00:10:09,160 --> 00:10:13,324
whilst their parents are away
collecting food for them.
84
00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:17,401
There is a simple arrangement.
85
00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:21,161
The chicks must stay exactly
where their parents left them
86
00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:23,965
to be sure of being found again.
87
00:10:25,440 --> 00:10:27,204
(CHEEPS)
88
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(CHEEPS)
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But this chick has decided
to look around.
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There is a lot to be investigated.
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(CHEEPING)
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But it must not stray too far
from its meeting place.
93
00:11:41,840 --> 00:11:45,242
This parent has returned
with food in its crop.
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00:11:46,520 --> 00:11:49,364
But its chick isn't where it left it.
95
00:11:52,960 --> 00:11:56,851
It's hard to stay put
when there's so much to play with.
96
00:11:59,640 --> 00:12:00,766
(GRUNTING)
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Elephant seals are here too.
98
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Very mysterious.
99
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(SEAL GRUNTS)
100
00:12:14,360 --> 00:12:16,681
(SEAL GRUNTS)
101
00:12:21,120 --> 00:12:22,884
(GRUNTING)
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Finding it in the crowd of youngsters
is not going to be easy.
103
00:12:38,960 --> 00:12:42,169
They must recognise each other
by their calls.
104
00:12:42,280 --> 00:12:44,851
(CAWING AND CHEEPING)
105
00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:45,961
(CHEEPS)
106
00:12:47,920 --> 00:12:50,571
But to hear these
in such a noisy colony
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they must be within 15 metres
of each other.
108
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(CAWS)
109
00:12:57,760 --> 00:12:59,205
(CHEEPS)
110
00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:10,570
(CAWS)
111
00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:13,925
(CHEEPS)
112
00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:25,410
Reunited.
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00:13:36,520 --> 00:13:40,923
Saint Andrews beach is one
of the most crowded on the planet,
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and so holding a territory here
is a constant battle.
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This bull elephant seal holds
the mating rights to 60 females.
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(GRUNTS QUIETLY)
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For two months,
he's guarded this stretch of beach.
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00:14:04,280 --> 00:14:08,001
Unable to feed,
he's losing ten kilos a day...
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00:14:09,120 --> 00:14:11,043
...and he's exhausted.
120
00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:18,925
But other bulls are lying around,
waiting their chance.
121
00:14:22,240 --> 00:14:23,401
(GRUNTS)
122
00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:46,129
(GRUNTS)
123
00:14:56,800 --> 00:14:58,165
(PENGUINS CAW)
124
00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:02,806
(GRUNTS)
125
00:15:13,680 --> 00:15:15,444
(GRUNTING)
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00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:31,641
Blubber 15cm thick
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is protection against the cold,
128
00:15:33,720 --> 00:15:37,770
but not from the impact
of a four-tonne opponent.
129
00:16:06,240 --> 00:16:11,485
He holds his ground
and forces the intruder back out to sea.
130
00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:23,931
Life in the Antarctic is harsh indeed,
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00:16:24,040 --> 00:16:26,088
but all these creatures come here
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because the Southern Ocean
is one of the richest on Earth.
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00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:35,642
When, 30 million years ago,
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00:16:35,760 --> 00:16:40,084
the continent broke away
from South America and drifted south,
135
00:16:40,200 --> 00:16:42,931
currents began to swirl right around it.
136
00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:53,886
They are now the strongest
of any currents on the planet.
137
00:16:58,720 --> 00:17:01,405
They sweep up nutrients from the depths
138
00:17:01,520 --> 00:17:06,447
and so create one of the richest
feeding grounds in all the world's oceans.
139
00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:13,965
And some of the creatures
that come here to feast
140
00:17:14,080 --> 00:17:17,323
do so in a most sophisticated way.
141
00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:38,409
Humpback whales.
142
00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:46,444
It's summer,
and they've come here for a banquet.
143
00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:06,250
The cold waters
contain great shoals of krill.
144
00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:12,610
It's estimated that
there are 400 trillion of them
145
00:18:12,720 --> 00:18:15,007
and that their combined weight is greater
146
00:18:15,120 --> 00:18:18,488
than that of any other animal species
on the planet.
147
00:18:22,520 --> 00:18:26,570
To collect them, the humpbacks
blow curtains of bubbles
148
00:18:26,680 --> 00:18:29,411
which the krill won't cross.
149
00:18:36,680 --> 00:18:38,603
The whales then rise,
150
00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:42,122
spiraling inwards
to concentrate the swarm.
151
00:18:55,360 --> 00:18:59,046
Summer in Antarctica is a time of plenty,
152
00:18:59,160 --> 00:19:04,166
when most humpbacks are able to put on
the reserves they need for the whole yea r.
153
00:19:08,040 --> 00:19:12,602
But the wildlife in these waters
faces an uncertain future.
154
00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:20,171
The Southern Ocean is warming.
155
00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:30,521
90% of the world's ice
lies in Antarctica,
156
00:19:30,640 --> 00:19:35,931
and in some parts the rate at which
it's melting is doubling every decade.
157
00:19:38,800 --> 00:19:41,167
Sea levels are rising.
158
00:19:42,840 --> 00:19:46,162
But there is a more immediate threat.
159
00:19:48,320 --> 00:19:51,085
The warming of the coldest region on Earth
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00:19:51,200 --> 00:19:55,046
is having a profound effect
on global weather patterns.
161
00:19:56,720 --> 00:20:01,760
And this change in the climate
is already being felt right here.
162
00:20:04,440 --> 00:20:05,965
(SQUAWKING)
163
00:20:06,080 --> 00:20:10,563
This Grey-headed albatross chick
is four weeks old.
164
00:20:12,560 --> 00:20:17,282
So far, it has been sheltered
from the gales by its parents,
165
00:20:17,400 --> 00:20:21,371
who take turns to collect food for it
out at sea.
166
00:20:26,840 --> 00:20:31,164
It is the only chick
that they will have in two years.
167
00:20:31,280 --> 00:20:32,691
(CHEEPS)
168
00:20:39,280 --> 00:20:43,649
A delicate touching of beaks
strengthens their bond.
169
00:21:03,320 --> 00:21:06,881
But these tender moments
cannot last for ever.
170
00:21:11,760 --> 00:21:15,924
As a chick grows, so does its appetite,
171
00:21:16,040 --> 00:21:20,489
so one parent has to leave to find food
before the other returns.
172
00:21:23,480 --> 00:21:24,606
(CHEEPS)
173
00:21:24,720 --> 00:21:27,724
Parting is a big step,
174
00:21:27,840 --> 00:21:29,763
and they take time over it.
175
00:21:29,880 --> 00:21:31,450
(CHEEPS)
176
00:22:05,600 --> 00:22:08,365
For the first time in its life,
177
00:22:08,480 --> 00:22:10,403
this chick is alone.
178
00:22:19,760 --> 00:22:23,162
The Antarctic is the windiest continent,
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00:22:23,280 --> 00:22:27,763
and in recent years,
climate change has brought storms
180
00:22:27,880 --> 00:22:30,850
that are more frequent
and even more powerful.
181
00:22:30,960 --> 00:22:33,770
(WIND GUSTS)
182
00:22:40,360 --> 00:22:44,410
Winds now regularly reach mph.
183
00:22:51,200 --> 00:22:55,842
But the albatross chicks
must try to stay on their nests.
184
00:23:06,880 --> 00:23:08,848
(CHEEPS)
185
00:23:49,520 --> 00:23:51,761
Surviving the storm is one thing...
186
00:23:53,720 --> 00:23:58,089
...but now, off the nest
in these freezing temperatures,
187
00:23:58,200 --> 00:24:01,010
this chick has just hours to live.
188
00:24:12,880 --> 00:24:16,168
The brutal conditions
have taken their toll.
189
00:24:20,120 --> 00:24:23,806
Some chicks have already succumbed
to exposure.
190
00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:37,287
The bond is so strong
191
00:24:37,400 --> 00:24:40,609
it can be hard for a father to let go.
192
00:24:45,160 --> 00:24:46,924
The albatross population here
193
00:24:47,040 --> 00:24:51,284
has more than halved in the last 15 years.
194
00:24:54,520 --> 00:24:57,808
These albatross are facing extinction.
195
00:25:00,040 --> 00:25:05,046
They simply cannot keep pace
with the changes affecting their world.
196
00:25:27,200 --> 00:25:30,283
More parents are returning
to the colony.
197
00:25:41,120 --> 00:25:43,361
Something is not right.
198
00:25:46,840 --> 00:25:49,161
The nest should not be empty.
199
00:25:59,920 --> 00:26:03,686
The chick is actually
right below its parent,
200
00:26:03,800 --> 00:26:08,249
but because it's not on the nest,
the parent doesn't recognise it...
201
00:26:10,120 --> 00:26:12,122
(CHEEPS)
202
00:26:17,880 --> 00:26:19,769
...and doesn't help it.
203
00:26:24,360 --> 00:26:26,442
Strangely, perhaps,
204
00:26:26,560 --> 00:26:30,690
these albatross do not recognise
their chicks by sight,
205
00:26:30,800 --> 00:26:33,770
sound or smell.
206
00:26:33,880 --> 00:26:37,851
They identify them
by finding them on the nest.
207
00:26:41,320 --> 00:26:45,609
So these violent storms
have created a problem
208
00:26:45,720 --> 00:26:49,770
that the albatross
are not equipped to solve.
209
00:26:57,280 --> 00:26:59,647
If it is to survive,
210
00:26:59,760 --> 00:27:03,242
the chick will have to
get back on the nest by itself.
211
00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:04,931
The chick has made it.
212
00:28:06,720 --> 00:28:09,769
The bond is re-established immediately
213
00:28:09,880 --> 00:28:13,362
and its parent once again
provides the warmth
214
00:28:13,480 --> 00:28:16,211
that the chick so desperately needs.
215
00:28:16,320 --> 00:28:18,004
(CAWS)
216
00:28:24,440 --> 00:28:27,523
It's safe... for now.
217
00:28:48,800 --> 00:28:52,771
Nowhere in Antarctica is survival easy.
218
00:28:54,360 --> 00:28:59,161
Gentoo penguins
travel up to 50 miles every day
219
00:28:59,280 --> 00:29:01,044
to find food,
220
00:29:01,160 --> 00:29:03,766
and they're now returning to their chicks.
221
00:29:05,840 --> 00:29:08,684
They are the fastest penguin in the sea
222
00:29:08,800 --> 00:29:11,406
and can swim at mph.
223
00:29:14,200 --> 00:29:17,443
But other animals can swim much faster.
224
00:29:26,960 --> 00:29:28,371
Orca.
225
00:29:42,360 --> 00:29:45,284
This penguin must rely on its agility.
226
00:29:54,280 --> 00:29:55,930
(HOOTS)
227
00:30:19,920 --> 00:30:21,206
(HOOTS)
228
00:30:34,400 --> 00:30:36,209
(HOOTS)
229
00:30:43,520 --> 00:30:45,010
(HOOTS)
230
00:30:47,080 --> 00:30:48,081
(HOOTS)
231
00:31:06,640 --> 00:31:09,689
With four Dorcas chasing it,
232
00:31:09,800 --> 00:31:12,007
the penguin stood little chance.
233
00:31:39,880 --> 00:31:44,010
Most Gentoo parents
do make it back to the colony.
234
00:31:47,360 --> 00:31:51,206
Today, it's been a good hunt for krill.
235
00:31:54,440 --> 00:31:56,727
Perhaps too good.
236
00:31:59,440 --> 00:32:04,765
The chicks grow, and it seems that
the Mohawk style is back in fashion.
237
00:32:07,800 --> 00:32:09,848
It's just a phase.
238
00:32:09,960 --> 00:32:11,371
He'll grow out of it.
239
00:32:14,840 --> 00:32:17,525
He'll soon lose
these remaining down feathers
240
00:32:17,640 --> 00:32:21,645
and be ready to leave the colony
and collect food for himself.
241
00:32:23,000 --> 00:32:26,129
But doing so is becoming harder
242
00:32:26,240 --> 00:32:28,447
because of climate change.
243
00:32:31,720 --> 00:32:34,451
(RUMBLING)
244
00:32:34,560 --> 00:32:37,803
Glaciers in the region
are now calving faster
245
00:32:37,920 --> 00:32:41,129
than they have done since records began.
246
00:32:48,200 --> 00:32:51,841
And this brash ice now fills the bays.
247
00:33:02,320 --> 00:33:04,766
It's autumn.
248
00:33:06,880 --> 00:33:11,886
The chicks have lost their down feathers
and they're hungry.
249
00:33:12,000 --> 00:33:15,846
They must go to sea for the first time.
250
00:33:19,440 --> 00:33:23,889
But there's now a risk of being crushed
between blocks of ice.
251
00:33:29,720 --> 00:33:32,883
They have to get
to the distant icebergs...
252
00:33:35,280 --> 00:33:39,410
...and so reach the open ocean
that lies beyond.
253
00:33:43,080 --> 00:33:45,731
And that is easier said than done.
254
00:33:55,240 --> 00:33:56,890
A leopard seal.
255
00:33:57,000 --> 00:33:58,764
(CAWING)
256
00:33:58,880 --> 00:34:00,723
Their main predator.
257
00:34:02,400 --> 00:34:05,449
It's a giant... three metres long.
258
00:34:08,120 --> 00:34:11,841
These icy conditions help it to hunt.
259
00:34:19,680 --> 00:34:23,321
The penguins can neither walk nor swim.
260
00:34:33,320 --> 00:34:36,961
They have no way of telling
where the seal will strike.
261
00:35:14,640 --> 00:35:17,086
These are easy pickings.
262
00:35:25,720 --> 00:35:27,370
(GRUNTS)
263
00:35:28,880 --> 00:35:31,963
For some, it's time to retreat.
264
00:36:08,080 --> 00:36:10,890
But now it's back to square one.
265
00:36:14,920 --> 00:36:20,290
There's no alternative
but to run the gauntlet once again.
266
00:36:31,920 --> 00:36:33,968
(CAWS)
267
00:36:44,760 --> 00:36:45,966
(CAWS)
268
00:36:53,880 --> 00:36:57,805
The seal seems to be toying
with this penguin.
269
00:37:00,840 --> 00:37:04,322
But safety is in sight.
270
00:37:20,480 --> 00:37:23,165
The ice floe is near the open ocean...
271
00:37:27,040 --> 00:37:30,089
...but this penguin is exhausted.
272
00:37:41,840 --> 00:37:43,410
(PENGUIN CAWS)
273
00:37:48,520 --> 00:37:50,090
(SEAL GRUNTS)
274
00:37:54,520 --> 00:37:56,010
(PENGUIN CAWS)
275
00:37:56,120 --> 00:37:57,804
(SEAL GROWLS)
276
00:38:09,520 --> 00:38:12,330
Perhaps it's not worth it, after all.
277
00:38:38,360 --> 00:38:40,283
Winter is coming.
278
00:38:43,680 --> 00:38:48,561
Antarctica now undergoes
a major transformation.
279
00:38:51,400 --> 00:38:57,009
Every day, 40,000 more square miles
of sea freeze over.
280
00:38:58,800 --> 00:39:03,442
By the end of winter,
the continent has doubled in size.
281
00:39:05,720 --> 00:39:10,009
This is by far
the largest desert in the world.
282
00:39:12,160 --> 00:39:14,322
(WIND HOWLS)
283
00:39:27,560 --> 00:39:32,202
But the frozen surface of the sea
hides a great secret.
284
00:39:40,640 --> 00:39:43,007
It may be hostile above the ice,
285
00:39:43,120 --> 00:39:46,408
but below it, conditions are so stable
286
00:39:46,520 --> 00:39:50,445
that life over millennia
has had time to diversify.
287
00:39:55,320 --> 00:39:58,688
Creatures here grow to a great size.
288
00:39:58,800 --> 00:40:02,202
Predatory impertinent worms
are three metres long.
289
00:40:06,720 --> 00:40:10,441
These dramas only become visible
when seeded up.
290
00:40:15,200 --> 00:40:18,124
We're only just beginning to discover
the details
291
00:40:18,240 --> 00:40:21,210
of the lives of such strange creatures.
292
00:40:26,680 --> 00:40:29,331
Subbranch are hermaphrodites.
293
00:40:31,960 --> 00:40:37,490
Each individual possesses
both male and female reproductive organs,
294
00:40:37,600 --> 00:40:43,607
so to mate, one subbranch
just needs to find another subbranch,
295
00:40:43,720 --> 00:40:45,768
and anyone will do.
296
00:40:47,360 --> 00:40:49,806
But nonetheless, this is a challenge
297
00:40:49,920 --> 00:40:52,287
when their tiny eyes can barely see.
298
00:41:05,200 --> 00:41:08,090
Some do get lucky.
299
00:41:15,920 --> 00:41:18,571
They're fertilizing each other,
300
00:41:18,680 --> 00:41:20,921
and both will produce young.
301
00:41:27,560 --> 00:41:30,166
When it's hard to find a partner,
302
00:41:30,280 --> 00:41:33,443
it pays not to have to worry
about your gender
303
00:41:44,160 --> 00:41:48,484
Sea anemones may look like plants,
but actually are animals,
304
00:41:48,600 --> 00:41:54,448
and feed by catching edible particles that
drift within reach of their tentacles.
305
00:41:58,080 --> 00:42:00,447
But being rooted to the sea floor
306
00:42:00,560 --> 00:42:03,131
makes them vulnerable to predators.
307
00:42:06,320 --> 00:42:11,565
An ocean-going jellyfish, a meter
or so across, searching for food.
308
00:42:25,760 --> 00:42:28,001
The jellyfish senses prey.
309
00:42:49,760 --> 00:42:53,765
But it's the sea anemones
that have made the catch,
310
00:42:53,880 --> 00:42:56,008
and they've grabbed a monster.
311
00:43:08,000 --> 00:43:12,164
A rare feast
for these stationary predators.
312
00:43:17,120 --> 00:43:21,364
They devour their catch
over the next four days.
313
00:43:33,840 --> 00:43:39,006
Life here under the ice
has remained unchanged for millennia.
314
00:43:40,040 --> 00:43:42,202
But in the last 200 years
315
00:43:42,320 --> 00:43:47,042
much of Antarctica's wildlife
has had to face new predators.
316
00:43:51,440 --> 00:43:53,408
Human beings.
317
00:43:53,520 --> 00:43:55,921
(BELL TOLLS)
318
00:43:56,040 --> 00:44:00,409
We devised new hunting techniques
and used them so mercilessly
319
00:44:00,520 --> 00:44:04,047
that we almost exterminated
the great whales.
320
00:44:07,000 --> 00:44:12,404
These whaling stations on South Georgia
were at the center of this industry.
321
00:44:12,520 --> 00:44:14,010
(CREAKING)
322
00:44:23,560 --> 00:44:29,329
More than one and a half million whales
were slaughtered in Antarctic waters.
323
00:44:32,200 --> 00:44:36,091
The blubber was stripped
from their massive bodies
324
00:44:36,200 --> 00:44:41,240
and boiled down in vats
to make margarine and soap.
325
00:44:43,880 --> 00:44:48,090
And the largest animal ever recorded...
326
00:44:48,200 --> 00:44:53,604
a 33meter blue whale,
perhaps over 100 years old...
327
00:44:53,720 --> 00:44:57,611
was butchered on this ramp
in just two hours.
328
00:45:06,400 --> 00:45:09,961
This reckless slaughter marked a new low
329
00:45:10,080 --> 00:45:12,731
in our relationship
with the natural world.
330
00:45:42,800 --> 00:45:46,009
Southern right whales
were hit the hardest.
331
00:45:49,720 --> 00:45:52,883
They were so trusting and inquisitive
332
00:45:53,000 --> 00:45:56,243
that they swam right up
to the whalers' boats.
333
00:45:58,640 --> 00:46:02,122
And the whalers called them right whales
334
00:46:02,240 --> 00:46:05,608
because they were
the right whales to hunt.
335
00:46:06,840 --> 00:46:08,251
(HOOTS)
336
00:46:11,600 --> 00:46:13,728
(HOOTS)
337
00:46:13,840 --> 00:46:18,482
Mothers with calves
were targeted first.
338
00:46:21,360 --> 00:46:25,729
To give birth, females came
to the same sheltered bays
339
00:46:25,840 --> 00:46:30,084
and would not leave their calves
alone at the surface.
340
00:46:31,360 --> 00:46:32,930
In just decades,
341
00:46:33,040 --> 00:46:37,807
a population of 35,000 was so reduced
342
00:46:37,920 --> 00:46:41,129
that only 35 of the females survived.
343
00:46:45,520 --> 00:46:47,921
But times have changed.
344
00:46:48,040 --> 00:46:53,843
A ban on the commercial hunting
of whales introduced in 1986
345
00:46:53,960 --> 00:46:59,205
has stopped all but Japan,
Norway and Iceland.
346
00:47:02,680 --> 00:47:08,244
Our relationship to these remarkable
creatures has undergone a huge shift.
347
00:47:11,440 --> 00:47:15,206
Scientists are now learning
a great deal about these whales...
348
00:47:19,480 --> 00:47:22,563
...but we still don't know
how long they live.
349
00:47:26,120 --> 00:47:29,249
It's thought
that some individuals alive today
350
00:47:29,360 --> 00:47:32,682
were around
at the time of the mass slaughter...
351
00:47:34,240 --> 00:47:40,805
...yet these 60-tonne whales remain
gentle and inquisitive around humans.
352
00:47:48,560 --> 00:47:51,564
By putting a stop
to commercial hunting,
353
00:47:51,680 --> 00:47:56,004
this population of whales
has now grown to over 2,000.
354
00:48:19,120 --> 00:48:22,203
The recovery of life in Antarctic waters
355
00:48:22,320 --> 00:48:27,770
may have a significance that extends
far beyond the reaches of the continent
356
00:48:27,880 --> 00:48:30,167
and will affect us all.
357
00:48:34,120 --> 00:48:37,090
Just off the coast of Elephant Island,
358
00:48:37,200 --> 00:48:43,606
we have recently witnessed what might be
the greatest feeding spectacle on Earth.
359
00:48:48,120 --> 00:48:49,929
On the horizon,
360
00:48:50,040 --> 00:48:55,444
over 150 whales have gathered
to feast on krill.
361
00:49:04,280 --> 00:49:08,842
This is the largest congregation
of great whales ever filmed.
362
00:49:21,840 --> 00:49:26,368
These are mostly fin whales,
up to 26 metres long.
363
00:49:28,880 --> 00:49:32,089
Humpback whales are dwarfed
in comparison.
364
00:49:35,200 --> 00:49:40,047
Thousands of animals
from all over Antarctic waters
365
00:49:40,160 --> 00:49:41,650
are making their way here.
366
00:49:54,280 --> 00:49:58,842
These seas are once again
beginning to brim with life.
367
00:50:02,880 --> 00:50:07,283
And scientists have discovered
that the Southern Ocean,
368
00:50:07,400 --> 00:50:09,209
and the life within it,
369
00:50:09,320 --> 00:50:13,211
soaks up more than twice as much
carbon from the atmosphere
370
00:50:13,320 --> 00:50:15,448
as the Amazon rainforest.
371
00:50:24,520 --> 00:50:27,000
By protecting Antarctica,
372
00:50:27,120 --> 00:50:30,408
we don't just protect the life here,
373
00:50:30,520 --> 00:50:36,209
we are helping to restore
the natural balance of the entire planet.
374
00:50:59,920 --> 00:51:01,604
DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: Saint Andrews Bay
375
00:51:01,720 --> 00:51:05,725
provides one of the most spectacular
sights in the whole of the Antarctic,
376
00:51:05,840 --> 00:51:10,880
but to get there the team will have to
cross the roughest seas in the world,
377
00:51:11,000 --> 00:51:13,844
and nerves are starting to show.
378
00:51:13,960 --> 00:51:16,281
The wind is picking up already!
379
00:51:18,160 --> 00:51:23,405
It'll take ten days at sea
to reach this remote location.
380
00:51:23,520 --> 00:51:28,208
And it's not long before
they start to feel a bit green.
381
00:51:30,960 --> 00:51:33,440
No, there's some big waves
coming now.
382
00:51:33,560 --> 00:51:39,488
With these conditions lasting days,
all who can take shifts at the helm.
383
00:51:41,080 --> 00:51:44,641
And you get given a talk
to say if you fall in the water here,
384
00:51:44,760 --> 00:51:47,650
there's nothing anyone can do,
they can't save you.
385
00:51:47,760 --> 00:51:51,367
It's so cold, you'll die
in under a couple of minutes.
386
00:51:51,480 --> 00:51:52,641
Wow!
387
00:51:57,680 --> 00:51:58,761
(RETCHES)
388
00:51:58,880 --> 00:52:02,009
Below deck,
Rolf hasn't yet found his sea legs.
389
00:52:06,000 --> 00:52:09,049
For me, this is like punishment
or prisoner ship or whatever.
390
00:52:09,160 --> 00:52:13,051
I mean, I can't understand at all
how people do this voluntarily,
391
00:52:13,160 --> 00:52:17,051
people dream of being on a boat
or sailing or anything.
392
00:52:17,160 --> 00:52:20,130
Look at that.
I mean, how much the boat is moving,
393
00:52:20,240 --> 00:52:22,163
I feel like in a washing machine.
394
00:52:23,400 --> 00:52:27,166
The island of South Georgia
finally appears.
395
00:52:30,480 --> 00:52:34,724
It's a relief to step onto solid land.
396
00:52:38,560 --> 00:52:41,245
Yeah, the seasickness
is already forgotten, to be honest,
397
00:52:41,360 --> 00:52:43,089
but it's all forgotten.
398
00:52:44,280 --> 00:52:46,089
It's just out of this world.
399
00:52:47,600 --> 00:52:50,171
It's so wonderful
that these places still exist.
400
00:52:55,160 --> 00:53:00,007
They will spend the next three weeks
in Saint Andrews Bay.
401
00:53:01,520 --> 00:53:06,082
Rolf is here to film the king penguins
in this enormous colony.
402
00:53:07,240 --> 00:53:12,690
And Mark must capture
the elephant seals' intense mating season.
403
00:53:12,800 --> 00:53:14,450
(SEAL GRUNTS)
404
00:53:16,560 --> 00:53:20,360
On such a crowded beach,
fights can break out anywhere.
405
00:53:20,480 --> 00:53:22,403
(GRUNTS)
406
00:53:24,640 --> 00:53:27,849
Males are up to six metres long
407
00:53:27,960 --> 00:53:30,281
and they are pumped
full of testosterone.
408
00:53:32,880 --> 00:53:37,568
The bulls take little notice of the crew
and will stop at nothing.
409
00:53:37,680 --> 00:53:39,728
Oh, my God.
410
00:54:05,280 --> 00:54:06,850
That went from nothing
411
00:54:06,960 --> 00:54:09,804
to being nearly steam-hollered
by four huge males.
412
00:54:11,120 --> 00:54:12,849
(GRUNTS)
413
00:54:16,640 --> 00:54:18,847
Beyond the chaos of the beach,
414
00:54:18,960 --> 00:54:22,089
Rolf has king penguins in front of him,
415
00:54:22,200 --> 00:54:24,680
and, thankfully, he's smiling again.
416
00:54:24,800 --> 00:54:27,167
I would really call them
the gentlemen penguins
417
00:54:27,280 --> 00:54:31,080
because they are very polite,
they are charming, they have humor...
418
00:54:31,200 --> 00:54:35,250
there are so many funny, lovely moments.
419
00:54:35,360 --> 00:54:38,603
I absolutely adore the penguins for that.
420
00:54:38,720 --> 00:54:40,802
But as weeks go by,
421
00:54:40,920 --> 00:54:45,926
the reality of living amongst penguins
comes to the fore.
422
00:54:47,240 --> 00:54:51,450
Every morning I think,
"Wow, it's-it's stinky,"
423
00:54:51,560 --> 00:54:56,441
but then I realise these smells
come out of my suit
424
00:54:56,560 --> 00:54:58,449
and it's myself!
425
00:54:58,560 --> 00:54:59,561
Ugh.
426
00:55:06,080 --> 00:55:11,291
Back on the beach, the team
is using a stabilized camera rig.
427
00:55:11,400 --> 00:55:14,483
They can now react faster to fights.
428
00:55:15,600 --> 00:55:18,365
So far on this shoot,
we've seen a lot of quick fights
429
00:55:18,480 --> 00:55:20,767
but we haven't seen
some extended fights
430
00:55:20,880 --> 00:55:26,125
where you see one bull
paired equally against another bull.
431
00:55:27,480 --> 00:55:29,244
These fights are rare.
432
00:55:29,360 --> 00:55:31,931
The team will need to be at the ready.
433
00:55:32,040 --> 00:55:34,725
- Mark, Mark, Mark.
- Let's get running.
434
00:55:40,320 --> 00:55:41,446
Ooh, hello.
435
00:56:00,320 --> 00:56:02,561
- These are two huge, evenly matched boys.
- I know.
436
00:56:02,680 --> 00:56:04,560
Wow, I never thought
we'd be this close to them.
437
00:56:04,640 --> 00:56:05,640
I know. Nor did I.
438
00:56:05,680 --> 00:56:08,843
This is really tense.
We've just got to watch out.
439
00:56:13,960 --> 00:56:15,291
Got there.
440
00:56:19,280 --> 00:56:21,851
I never thought I'd see it that close
441
00:56:21,960 --> 00:56:26,921
and be able to move around it as this
kind of aggressive ballet is happening.
442
00:56:27,040 --> 00:56:28,451
(SEAL GRUNTS)
443
00:56:29,800 --> 00:56:31,643
And it does make you quite tense.
444
00:56:33,880 --> 00:56:38,329
The shoot is going well,
but the crew are noticing worrying signs.
445
00:56:40,560 --> 00:56:42,244
It's a really hot day today.
446
00:56:44,320 --> 00:56:50,521
30 years ago, the front of that glacier
was right down on the beach.
447
00:56:50,640 --> 00:56:52,290
It's retreated a huge amount.
448
00:56:53,680 --> 00:56:56,763
I don't really know what climate change
is going to mean
449
00:56:56,880 --> 00:56:59,690
for all the wildlife that's living here.
450
00:57:00,800 --> 00:57:06,125
Parts of the Antarctic are warming five
times faster than the rest of the world.
451
00:57:07,800 --> 00:57:09,450
If this trend continues,
452
00:57:09,560 --> 00:57:13,406
it will threaten the very existence
of these polar creatures.
453
00:57:16,040 --> 00:57:18,361
On the last day of filming,
454
00:57:18,480 --> 00:57:23,520
the team can't help but reflect
on the future of the wildlife here.
455
00:57:23,640 --> 00:57:25,529
For me, it's emotional,
456
00:57:25,640 --> 00:57:29,008
because I know this might have been
a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
457
00:57:30,160 --> 00:57:34,290
I will definitely take big memories
with me and I will be sad.
458
00:57:36,720 --> 00:57:39,485
It's a really special place, you know,
so...
459
00:57:41,120 --> 00:57:42,929
I don't know.
460
00:57:43,040 --> 00:57:44,565
(PENGUINS CALL)
461
00:57:46,240 --> 00:57:49,528
I just hope we can keep these places...
462
00:57:50,800 --> 00:57:52,006
...and protect them.
463
00:57:57,280 --> 00:57:58,964
(SOBS QUIETLY)
464
00:58:09,080 --> 00:58:10,286
Next time...
465
00:58:11,320 --> 00:58:13,288
...the largest continent on Earth.
466
00:58:17,160 --> 00:58:18,889
A world of extremes...
467
00:58:20,040 --> 00:58:23,362
...where rarely seen animals
roam the land.
468
00:58:30,800 --> 00:58:31,881
Asia.
36539
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