Original subtitles

(soft instrumental music)

- [Narrator] An island off the coast of Australia

has become a hunting ground

for one of the nation's most resilient predators,

the dingo.

For these impressive hunters,

family is what matters the most.

To successfully rear the next generation,

dingoes must work relentlessly around the clock.

Danger lurks both above and below

but the most severe of threats

comes from mother nature.

Survival for the robust predators

hinges on the pack's profound bond.

However, in the world of the dingo, there are no guarantees.

(dingoes howling)

(dramatic music)

Just off the east coast of Australia

rest the tranquil Fraser Island.

The pristine landmass

stretches for around 1,800 square kilometers.

Surrounded by the ocean,

it's waters are teaming with life.

Tuna herd schooling fish into the shallows,

while terns dive on the fleeing prey from above.

On land,

the shoreline is adorned with over 100 kilometers

of pristine white beaches.

In fact, sand is prevalent throughout the wild island.

Like a waterfall it cascades from higher ground

giving shape to its surroundings.

The entire landmass is formed from the granular material

making Fraser the largest sand island on earth.

Over 2 million years,

the fine granules have been carried by the current and wind

congregating here to form the giant landmass we see today.

Mountains now stand where there was once water.

The jagged formations are formed from sand

and sculpted by the elements.

Despite the sandy foundations, trees take root and thrive

giving birth to vast forests.

The lush vegetation is fed by many streams,

lakes

and springs that flow throughout much of the island.

A bountiful fresh water supply has given plant life

the perfect conditions to grow.

And it's not just plants thriving in the forest.

The iconic calls of the laughing kookaburra

also resonate throughout the lush habitat.

With plenty of trees to set up home in,

more than 350 species of bird have found sanctuary

in the unique environment.

Over the years, Fraser Island has become a safe Haven

for many wild residents,

including one of Australia's mightiest predators,

the dingo.

From head to tail, the impressive mammals

reach up to 120 centimeters in length.

Social by nature, they live in packs of three to 10.

Fraser Island is home to 130 of the famed predators.

These hardy animals are found throughout much of Australia.

Similar in appearance to the domestic dog,

the dingoes origin is unclear.

For years, it has been theorized that Asian seafarers

first introduced the distinctive animals to Australia

as far back as 15,000 years ago.

Like domesticated dogs,

it was believed that dingoes came from the gray Wolf.

However, recent facts point out that dingoes

could in fact be a separate species from wolves,

like the coyote or jackal.

Their origin and classification may be in debate

but the powerful animals have become apex predators.

For over 10 years,

one researcher has studied Fraser Islands dingoes.

His work gives an unprecedented glimpse

into the trials and tribulations of a dingo pack.

Rob Appleby and the research team have tagged a family

to keep track of their movements.

At six years of age, this male is the leader of the pack.

His one-year-old son, Joshua, is close by.

The young dingo's sister, Layla,

is also a key member of the group.

Their four year old mother completes the family.

Her bulging tummy

indicates there will soon be more pack members.

The mother's due date is just around the corner.

With new life on the way the pack of four has work to do.

As the leader,

the father busies himself marking the families' territory.

Patrolling their surroundings

is part of a dingo's daily routine.

It's thirsty work.

The dedicated father has already covered 40 kilometers

of his pack's territory.

While the parents are busy patrolling,

the siblings can concentrate on finding food.

Surrounded by the ocean

the best feasts can often be found

on Fraser Islands many beaches.

Layla is picking through the remains

of a washed up dolphin carcass.

Her brother is nearby

and joins his sister on the beach.

For now, the two are at ease in each other's company

but this will not always be the case.

Male dingoes are thought to leave the pack

when the next litter of pups is born.

Joshua will either stray from his family of his own accord

or face being forced out by his parents.

Layla on the other hand can stay

and help raise her new siblings.

Life will be very different for the young dingoes

but until their new brothers and sisters arrive,

they can afford to relax.

(water flowing)

August beckons the start of new life.

A mother humpback has traveled from the south pole

to raise her young in Fraser Island's warm waters.

Back on land it is also a crucial period

for our Dingo family.

The pack's mother has recently given birth

and is now breastfeeding.

With pups to provide for she must find plenty of food.

The hunt sends the Dingo parent into the shallows.

Highly tuned, the predator soon snacks an impressive catch.

Once the mother has found enough food,

she heads back to the forest.

(birds chirping)

Her young family is the motivation for the long trek.

She is not the only one raising the young dingoes,

their father is also on babysitting duty.

The pups are kept in secluded dens

to keep them safe while their resourceful parents hunt.

Outside of the young dingoes safe haven,

the task facing the new parents becomes apparent.

The Dingo mother and father have a large nine strong litter

to provide for.

While the pups grow,

the parents will keep them in the forest

and for good reason.

White-bellied sea eagles patrol the skies above.

They are a natural predator of Dingo pups.

Sheltered beneath the dense canopy,

the tiny dingoes are difficult to pinpoint from above.

The forest is the safest place for the young pups.

Their dens also give them extra protection

from the threat in the skies.

The parent dingoes carefully select these shelters

throughout the forest.

Raising such a large family is a daunting task.

And it's not long until the pack receive their first blow.

Rangers have reported Layla has died.

She was playing a crucial role

in caring for the nine strong litter.

Without the helping hand of their daughter,

the pack's chance of keeping their pups safe

has drastically dropped.

However with the pups now reaching six weeks of age

and growing fast,

there is no time to mourn.

Life rolls on and the parent dingoes

continue to provide regular food drops.

And one observant pup has sensed the meal

before any of its siblings.

Grabbing the bird carcass,

the young Dingo thinks twice about taking it back to the den

and its hungry brothers and sisters.

This feast is only going one way.

The cunning pup has been called Whitesock

due to his distinguishing foot markings.

Another tiny sibling also emerges,

much smaller than Whitesock.

This one has the title of Little.

The two pups were born on the same day

but dingoes can grow at different rates.

Their forest home may provide protection from the skies

but there are threats lurking within.

Armed with sharp claws

and reaching up to two meters in length,

the lace monitor could easily take a pup.

Venomous threats also lurk on the forest floor.

The death adder has powerful enough venom

to kill a fully grown Dingo.

(suspense music)

When one of these deadly creatures

ventures too close to the litter,

the pack move their pups to another den.

But even with their vigilant parents disaster can strike.

One of the litter has tragically died.

With no visible wounds,

the young Dingo was likely bitten by a venomous snake.

The pups gather around the fallen member of the pack.

One of the young dingoes

tries to cover the body of its lifeless sibling.

Death seems to be confusing for the pups.

The large litter is now down to eight.

Tragedy is unfortunately not uncommon

in the world of the dingo.

For the parents there is no time to grieve.

They must continue to work around the clock

to find food for the remainder of their litter.

(birds chirping)

Having been relocated to another den,

life for the pups must go on.

With their parents busy finding them food,

the litter is often left to their own devices.

So there's plenty of time for play

while they wait for their next meal.

In their parent's absence,

another adult Dingo pays the pups a visit.

The large male is not their father.

It is in fact, their older brother, Joshua.

He has not left the pack like older males often do.

Instead, the dedicated brother

has remained to help look after the pups.

Such behavior from a male is incredibly rare.

It is as if the caring brother

has taken the place of his late sister.

Joshua's presence may be unusual

but he can only boost the chances of the pups' survival

As a father, mother, and son unit,

the guardian dingoes hunt around the clock

for their large litter.

Utilizing its incredible sense of hearing

the Dingo father scans for prey.

Once the supreme hunter locks onto a target

it's time to strike.

But unfortunately he has mistimed his leap.

These hunting styles are typical of wild canidae species.

A fact that contributes to the theory

that the Dingo does not belong to the domestic dog family.

As a proficient predator,

the Dingo has many different techniques.

The mother has sensed prey in the undergrowth,

using her tail like a whip and stomping her feet

she is trying to scare her target out into the open.

Patience is the key to a successful hunt.

The unique hunting method

has stirred a rodent from its burrow.

This is the moment she's been waiting for

but she too has missed her target.

With both parents having no luck,

it is now down to Joshua.

However, on his search for food,

he has strayed into a lapwing nesting site

and these birds do not take kindly to trespassers.

The Dingo wisely chooses to look elsewhere

for his next meal.

After the repeated failures of the day,

Joshua waits for the night to launch his next hunt.

Raising an eight strong litter has become a 24 hour job.

Back at the den, all the pups can do is wait

and hope their brother is successful.

Under the cover of darkness,

Joshua has locked on to another potential target.

With a hungry litter to feed, he must find his mark.

Finally, the hardworking Dingo hits his target.

A sizeable Bandicoot.

With no time to spare Joshua swallows his catch whole.

There is more hunting to be done.

In the darkness,

the highly tuned Dingo has sensed another Bandicoot.

Not stopping for rest,

he carries his second catch off into the night.

Ever the caring brother,

Joshua is heading back to the waiting pups.

On route he stops at a Creek

to submerge the unfortunate Bandicoot.

This method of dispatching prey

is unique to Fraser island dingoes.

Dutifully, he head towards the den.

In one night, the hardworking Dingo

makes four food drops for his hungry siblings.

When morning arrives,

the pups mother also returns from a hunting trip.

As ever, Joshua is also on hand to help his parents.

For the pups,

their food is delivered via regurgitation.

It may seem unappealing

but it is the best way to serve a hungry litter.

At only around 10 weeks old,

the young dingoes also need their mother's milk to survive.

While its brothers and sisters feed,

Little must wait patiently on the sidelines.

Whenever the tiny pup tries to feed

its larger siblings push the weaker Dingo away.

With their dutiful older brother looking over them,

the litter take a post food nap.

However, when conditions are hot and dry,

the pack cannot let their guard down.

Wildfires can ignite at any moment.

Within seconds, huge areas of woodland

are engulfed in flames.

Tinder dry from days without rain the whole forest,

including the Dingo den

is in danger of being completely destroyed.

A wildfire of this ferocity will burn for days.

For the Dingo family,

their only chance of survival

is if they manage to out run the intense flames.

(thunder roars)

After days of wildfire,

rain finally descends on Fraser Island.

It doesn't take long for the water to quench the flames

but the damage has already been done.

Much of the forest has been reduced to ashes.

The Dingo den has been completely destroyed.

Where the little ones played

there are now only burned remains.

The fallen tree they sheltered in stills smolders.

But, despite the carnage,

Whitesock remains by his burnt-out home.

The young Dingo may have survived the flames

however it's family are nowhere in sight.

Hungry and alone the pup retreats to the burnt-out den

and calls for its pack.

The desperate cries are in vain.

With no family in sight, the pup must provide for itself.

But all it can find amongst the carnage

is a small patch of grass.

A termite nest could provide some much needed protein.

Yet catching enough of the flying insects

is proving difficult.

To survive, Whitesock must reunite with the pack

but their fate is still undetermined.

While the greenness of the forest may have faded,

there is life that has withstood the flames.

From the outside,

the eucalyptus trees have been badly burned

but underneath the inner trunk lives.

Other plant species like the Banksia family

use the deadly wildfire to their advantage.

Heat triggers the seed pods to open

and drop seeds onto the forest floor.

With the Ash providing plenty of nutrients

and the fire burning away other rival plants,

the Banksia will soon take root.

It is not long until life begins to emerge from the ashes.

(birds chirping)

Plants are not the only ones making a remarkable recovery.

The rest of the pups have made it to safety.

Their mother has secured the litter a new den.

Even the smallest of the pups, Little,

has survived the blaze.

Seven of the litter are back together

but Whitesock is yet to make an appearance.

However the resilient young pup

has successfully tracked down the new den.

Whitesock is reunited with its mother.

The family can now get back on track.

Before heading out to find food,

the mother Dingo takes a well earned nap.

Even when their parent is at rest

the pups do not go hungry.

Joshua has returned with yet another meal.

The older brother's devotion to the litter

is unquestionable.

But even he can grow tired of his pestering siblings.

The Dingo family have quickly settled into their new home.

United once more,

the pack constantly howls to stay in contact.

(dingoes howling)

The telltale calls do not just keep the group together,

they also help strengthen social bonds.

After a turbulent time, the pups have grown strong.

Survival rates for Dingo pups is only around 20 to 30%

but with their older brother watching over them,

this litter has appeared to defy the odds.

Now they have grown strong.

The pups must start feeding on whole prey.

They can no longer rely on their parents to help them feed.

The new dining method takes some getting used to.

After hours of gnawing, the pups have made a little progress

but the new feeding technique is causing friction.

For the smallest pup, Little,

it can only watch from the sidelines

while its stronger siblings get the best pick

of the carcass.

The new feeding method means life will only get harder

for the tiny Dingo.

Those that do secure themselves some meat

take it away to feast in peace.

The brash and strong Whitesock

takes the last of the carcass for himself.

Just, as it seems Little is going hungry,

the big pup allows his smaller sibling to join the feast.

As the litter grows, their older brother, Joshua,

starts to become heavier handed.

It seems aggressive, but it is only playful.

The older Dingo is teaching his sibling how to fight.

Sparring amongst the pups starts immediately.

Fighting is just one life lesson.

They must also start mimicking

their elders hunting techniques.

For now fruitlessly chasing birds

is all this young Dingo can master.

Another is practicing it skills on some unfortunate ants.

It will be awhile until the pups become established hunters.

For Joshua, his time as part of the pack

is coming to an end.

His mother is becoming aggressive.

Joshua may have devoted his time to his siblings

but he cannot stay with his parents forever.

He must establish his own territory

as is the way of the Dingo.

By October Fraser Island's young animals have grown strong.

The humpback car from the bay

will soon have to set off to the Antarctic sea.

As for the Dingo pups,

they are now venturing from their forest home.

The litter has grown too big to be predated on by eagles.

Without the threat from above,

the young dingoes can now frequent

Fraser Island's many beaches.

It is not just the pups that have taken a big step,

Joshua has found a partner

and is embarking on a life away from the pack.

The devoted brother can now set out to secure a territory

and start a litter of his own.

Fraser Island has provided the Dingo family

with a unique home, unlike any other.

Rich in both flora

and fauna,

it gifted the pack

with everything they needed.

Although the sandy realm has not been

without its challenges.

Tragedy became a reality for the pack

as they lost precious family members.

However, in an unexpected turn of events,

the pups' brother came to the rescue.

Mother nature had another grave threat in store for the pack

but as a family, the resilient dingoes soldiered on

and became stronger than ever.

A brother's devotion to his siblings

was key to bringing in the next generation

of one of Australia's most iconic predators,

the dingoes.

(soft instrumental music)