Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:00,533 --> 00:00:03,353
(fire crackling)
2
00:00:05,638 --> 00:00:09,238
(light dramatic music)
3
00:00:09,275 --> 00:00:11,795
- You know, the origin story
of Yellowstone National Park
4
00:00:11,828 --> 00:00:12,898
really is the ultimate battle
5
00:00:12,929 --> 00:00:15,399
between David and Goliath,
6
00:00:17,100 --> 00:00:20,020
the regular guy against the
impossibly huge behemoth
7
00:00:20,053 --> 00:00:22,073
that is the United
States government.
8
00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:26,180
Ferdinand Hayden
spearheaded the whole thing.
9
00:00:29,012 --> 00:00:30,152
The truth was,
he'd been fighting
10
00:00:30,180 --> 00:00:32,150
against the odds his whole life.
11
00:00:35,635 --> 00:00:36,565
He grew up destitute.
12
00:00:36,603 --> 00:00:41,543
His dad was an alcoholic
who died when Hayden was 10
13
00:00:42,926 --> 00:00:44,386
and his mother abandoned him.
14
00:00:45,929 --> 00:00:47,629
He went to work on
his uncle's farm,
15
00:00:47,664 --> 00:00:51,994
and when he turned 18, he
packed the few things he had
16
00:00:52,018 --> 00:00:55,288
and walked, I mean,
actually walked,
17
00:00:55,321 --> 00:00:58,191
300 miles to Oberlin
College in Ohio.
18
00:01:02,028 --> 00:01:05,028
Imagine that, he just
walked to a college,
19
00:01:05,065 --> 00:01:06,475
went to the president's
office and said,
20
00:01:06,516 --> 00:01:10,486
"Hey, I don't have any
money, but if you enroll me,
21
00:01:12,355 --> 00:01:15,325
I intend to change the
world for the better."
22
00:01:17,644 --> 00:01:18,394
And they did.
23
00:01:20,847 --> 00:01:22,667
And he did too.
24
00:01:22,699 --> 00:01:26,039
(light dramatic music)
25
00:01:31,891 --> 00:01:36,131
(light dramatic music continues)
26
00:01:41,935 --> 00:01:46,155
(light dramatic music continues)
27
00:01:47,924 --> 00:01:50,134
They didn't expect
to see what they saw,
28
00:01:53,429 --> 00:01:58,069
and when they saw it, they
could never forget it.
29
00:02:04,057 --> 00:02:05,857
Ferdinand Hayden was
hired to lead a team
30
00:02:05,892 --> 00:02:07,412
into the Northwest Territories,
31
00:02:10,747 --> 00:02:12,147
and the 32 men headed west.
32
00:02:12,866 --> 00:02:15,436
(light music)
33
00:02:17,987 --> 00:02:20,107
They weren't here to
protect Yellowstone.
34
00:02:21,207 --> 00:02:24,187
They were here to tear it to
shreds in the name of progress.
35
00:02:25,879 --> 00:02:30,469
Gold interests, railroad
parents, Congress.
36
00:02:32,435 --> 00:02:35,085
Powerful people wanted
this land for themselves.
37
00:02:39,242 --> 00:02:42,102
But something happened during
their three month journey,
38
00:02:44,380 --> 00:02:49,420
and slowly but surely,
their mission changed.
39
00:02:52,005 --> 00:02:54,785
So, as we celebrate
the 150th anniversary
40
00:02:54,824 --> 00:02:56,264
of Yellowstone National Park,
41
00:02:57,544 --> 00:03:01,334
we take a look back in
time at the events that led
42
00:03:01,364 --> 00:03:06,404
to the preservation
of this magical place.
43
00:03:13,693 --> 00:03:17,013
(light dramatic music)
44
00:03:21,201 --> 00:03:26,391
(light dramatic music)
(wind whistling)
45
00:03:34,063 --> 00:03:36,483
After nearly six months
under the crushing grip
46
00:03:36,516 --> 00:03:40,436
of winter in Yellowstone, the
brutal conditions ease up,
47
00:03:43,006 --> 00:03:45,206
temperatures rise, and
it's finally time for
48
00:03:45,241 --> 00:03:48,981
Yellowstone's wildlife to
take center stage again.
49
00:03:49,012 --> 00:03:53,372
(triumphant music)
(elk squawking)
50
00:03:53,399 --> 00:03:57,149
Some are returning from long
journeys away from the park,
51
00:03:57,186 --> 00:03:59,456
some have been taking
refuge for the winter,
52
00:04:01,207 --> 00:04:04,087
and some are seeing spring
for the very first time.
53
00:04:05,962 --> 00:04:08,512
This is an entirely
new Yellowstone,
54
00:04:08,548 --> 00:04:11,598
transformed and filled with
vibrant burgeoning life
55
00:04:11,634 --> 00:04:12,444
in every corner.
56
00:04:13,953 --> 00:04:15,493
Even the Hayden Expedition
57
00:04:16,356 --> 00:04:19,076
hard at work surveying
the land took note
58
00:04:20,209 --> 00:04:23,179
as the newest members of each
species were put on display.
59
00:04:26,149 --> 00:04:30,519
(triumphant music)
(bear cub whines)
60
00:04:30,553 --> 00:04:33,493
(light dramatic music)
61
00:04:41,864 --> 00:04:45,084
(ground rustling)
62
00:04:53,343 --> 00:04:56,113
A little nicer than when
we were here last time, no?
63
00:04:58,031 --> 00:05:00,981
You know, spring is
definitely on its way.
64
00:05:02,518 --> 00:05:06,438
All that snow up there, that's
lifeblood of Yellowstone.
65
00:05:07,307 --> 00:05:10,157
You can see a lot of
it's already melted off.
66
00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:13,380
You know, the runoff
here feeds the park
67
00:05:13,413 --> 00:05:17,003
with over 60,000 gallons of
fresh water every second.
68
00:05:18,017 --> 00:05:20,267
It's like the alarm
clock that wakes up
69
00:05:20,303 --> 00:05:24,043
all of Yellowstone,
signals of coming seasons.
70
00:05:25,558 --> 00:05:29,048
Maybe life's gonna get a
little easier here for a while.
71
00:05:29,078 --> 00:05:31,098
All the animals
come out to play.
72
00:05:34,017 --> 00:05:36,097
This whole place
gets reborn now.
73
00:05:40,773 --> 00:05:43,293
(light music)
74
00:05:47,013 --> 00:05:49,103
As the days get
longer and warmer,
75
00:05:54,070 --> 00:05:56,060
snow and ice melt into life
76
00:05:56,089 --> 00:05:57,989
giving water that
soaks the ground
77
00:05:58,024 --> 00:06:00,044
and trickles into
Yellowstone Lake.
78
00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:04,150
(light music continues)
79
00:06:10,837 --> 00:06:14,217
(light music continues)
80
00:06:16,075 --> 00:06:18,125
The water refreshes the lake,
81
00:06:23,015 --> 00:06:24,845
and the sudden
overflow drains through
82
00:06:24,884 --> 00:06:26,904
to Yellowstone River at roughly
83
00:06:26,936 --> 00:06:29,966
20,000 cubic feet per second.
84
00:06:30,006 --> 00:06:34,076
(water splashing)
(light dramatic music)
85
00:06:34,110 --> 00:06:36,980
The longest un-dammed
river in North America,
86
00:06:37,013 --> 00:06:39,123
the Yellowstone is
wild and untame.
87
00:06:39,148 --> 00:06:43,188
(light dramatic music continues)
88
00:06:43,219 --> 00:06:46,119
Nothing can stop it from
doing what it wants to do.
89
00:06:49,192 --> 00:06:53,512
And as it drops in elevation,
it only grows stronger
90
00:06:53,546 --> 00:06:57,026
and the power of its force
goes on full display.
91
00:06:59,018 --> 00:07:04,108
(dramatic music)
(water splashing)
92
00:07:06,209 --> 00:07:09,179
The lower falls feed the
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone,
93
00:07:11,030 --> 00:07:13,420
where rushing water has
plowed through the earth
94
00:07:13,449 --> 00:07:15,319
for 160,000 years,
95
00:07:18,971 --> 00:07:21,961
leaving behind a ravine
4,000 feet across,
96
00:07:21,991 --> 00:07:26,061
1,200 feet deep
and 24 miles long.
97
00:07:27,130 --> 00:07:29,670
It's a testament to
the river's power
98
00:07:29,699 --> 00:07:31,229
and the vastness of time.
99
00:07:35,972 --> 00:07:41,142
(dramatic music)
(birds chirping)
100
00:07:41,561 --> 00:07:43,111
(crows cawing)
101
00:07:43,146 --> 00:07:45,646
But sometimes the river
shows off its strength
102
00:07:45,681 --> 00:07:47,901
in much more destructive ways.
103
00:07:47,934 --> 00:07:50,254
(dramatic music)
(rain pattering)
104
00:07:50,286 --> 00:07:55,156
In 2022, higher than expected
rains in the spring combined
105
00:07:55,191 --> 00:07:58,091
with the melting snow to
create an unprecedented series
106
00:07:58,127 --> 00:08:00,197
of floods that
overtook the park.
107
00:08:03,015 --> 00:08:04,695
The river spilled
over their banks
108
00:08:04,734 --> 00:08:06,304
to never before seen heights,
109
00:08:09,138 --> 00:08:12,088
causing some of the roads
and bridges to be washed away
110
00:08:12,124 --> 00:08:15,164
and affected all of
Yellowstone's residents.
111
00:08:15,194 --> 00:08:17,334
- Things were changing
in the matter of minutes.
112
00:08:17,363 --> 00:08:19,883
- It's left us totally
severed from the outside world
113
00:08:19,916 --> 00:08:21,376
- And it's utter devastation.
114
00:08:24,170 --> 00:08:27,160
- [Kevin] The park had to
evacuate over 10,000 visitors
115
00:08:29,091 --> 00:08:32,131
as entire sections became
submerged in water.
116
00:08:32,845 --> 00:08:35,345
(light dramatic music)
117
00:08:35,381 --> 00:08:38,131
The damage to the manmade
structures in the park
118
00:08:38,167 --> 00:08:41,197
and gateway communities
will take years to replace.
119
00:08:43,222 --> 00:08:46,192
But even though this was a
once every thousand years flood
120
00:08:48,094 --> 00:08:50,564
the ecosystem will fix itself.
121
00:08:50,596 --> 00:08:52,416
(birds chirping)
122
00:08:52,448 --> 00:08:55,418
Flooding is just a part of the
cycle of Yellowstone's life.
123
00:08:56,519 --> 00:09:00,059
Balance will be restored
without any help from mankind.
124
00:09:01,741 --> 00:09:06,311
(birds chirping)
(light music)
125
00:09:06,345 --> 00:09:09,575
Destruction is actually
needed for the park
126
00:09:09,615 --> 00:09:11,395
to maintain balance.
127
00:09:11,434 --> 00:09:13,444
(dramatic music)
128
00:09:13,469 --> 00:09:18,039
Sometimes it's in the form of
water, sometimes it's fire.
129
00:09:19,158 --> 00:09:21,308
When the Hayden Expedition
first approached Yellowstone
130
00:09:21,344 --> 00:09:24,934
150 years ago, they
took note of multiple
131
00:09:24,964 --> 00:09:27,274
forest fires in the distance.
132
00:09:27,300 --> 00:09:30,170
They'd arrived at the
beginning of fire season,
133
00:09:30,202 --> 00:09:33,072
which runs from July
to late September.
134
00:09:34,040 --> 00:09:36,180
Hayden and his men were
laying eyes on something
135
00:09:36,208 --> 00:09:38,278
that affected
Yellowstone repeatedly
136
00:09:40,396 --> 00:09:44,276
ever since the last
great glacial retreat 14,000 years ago.
137
00:09:47,286 --> 00:09:50,136
Put simply, Yellowstone
had burned before
138
00:09:53,926 --> 00:09:55,236
and it would burn again.
139
00:09:57,697 --> 00:09:59,177
- In the American West,
140
00:09:59,215 --> 00:10:01,045
fires continue to
crackle through thousands
141
00:10:01,083 --> 00:10:03,093
of acres of brush
and timberland.
142
00:10:04,136 --> 00:10:07,066
- [Kevin] In 1988,
Yellowstone faced
143
00:10:07,106 --> 00:10:09,156
its largest fire on record.
144
00:10:09,191 --> 00:10:11,411
(helicopter whirring)
(dramatic music)
145
00:10:11,444 --> 00:10:13,214
- [Reporter] Firefighters
say they are battling
146
00:10:13,245 --> 00:10:15,665
the worst fire conditions
they've ever seen
147
00:10:15,698 --> 00:10:17,128
in Yellowstone National Park.
148
00:10:19,085 --> 00:10:20,415
- [Kevin] A perfect
storm developed
149
00:10:20,453 --> 00:10:23,363
when several smaller fires
merged into a single raging
150
00:10:23,389 --> 00:10:28,279
inferno that scorched nearly
800,000 acres of park land.
151
00:10:30,896 --> 00:10:33,146
More than a third
of Yellowstone.
152
00:10:33,182 --> 00:10:35,652
(dramatic music)
(helicopter whirring)
153
00:10:35,685 --> 00:10:38,385
(fire crackling)
154
00:10:39,538 --> 00:10:42,338
(sirens wailing)
155
00:10:42,375 --> 00:10:44,405
- [Reporter] Firefighters
are hosing down roofs
156
00:10:44,443 --> 00:10:47,153
at Mammoth Hot Springs, the
Yellowstone Park's headquarters,
157
00:10:47,179 --> 00:10:49,229
directly in the
path of the fires.
158
00:10:50,583 --> 00:10:53,273
- [Kevin] It led to America's
largest firefighting effort
159
00:10:53,302 --> 00:10:57,212
at the time, costing
120 million dollars
160
00:10:59,058 --> 00:11:00,428
- Army soldiers are being sent
161
00:11:00,459 --> 00:11:03,609
to the front lines to battle
a very stubborn enemy:
162
00:11:03,646 --> 00:11:04,926
forest fires.
163
00:11:04,964 --> 00:11:07,204
(dramatic music)
(helicopter whirring)
164
00:11:07,233 --> 00:11:09,353
- But despite the money
and the manpower...
165
00:11:11,637 --> 00:11:14,387
(thunder cracking)
166
00:11:16,175 --> 00:11:18,285
it was mother nature that
did what it always does;
167
00:11:26,402 --> 00:11:29,442
restoring order through
massive rain and snowstorms.
168
00:11:31,857 --> 00:11:37,147
(wind whistling)
(light music)
169
00:11:39,532 --> 00:11:43,522
Fire is actually a necessary
part of Yellowstone's balance.
170
00:11:43,552 --> 00:11:45,542
(light music)
171
00:11:45,571 --> 00:11:50,531
High above, the cones of
lodgepole pine trees require
172
00:11:52,144 --> 00:11:53,364
the extreme heat of
forest fires to open.
173
00:11:55,081 --> 00:12:00,241
(light music)
(birds chirping)
174
00:12:02,822 --> 00:12:04,072
They then release their seeds
175
00:12:04,106 --> 00:12:06,106
over newly charred areas...
176
00:12:06,142 --> 00:12:11,312
(light music)
(birds chirping)
177
00:12:13,616 --> 00:12:15,016
and replant the forest.
178
00:12:16,552 --> 00:12:19,392
(light dramatic music)
179
00:12:22,291 --> 00:12:25,131
The burn scars from 1988's
fire will take several
180
00:12:25,161 --> 00:12:27,401
more decades to fully disappear.
181
00:12:28,864 --> 00:12:30,324
But one thing is certain;
182
00:12:32,084 --> 00:12:34,674
the forest, just like
everything else in the park,
183
00:12:34,703 --> 00:12:36,473
will be reborn.
184
00:12:36,505 --> 00:12:39,335
(wind whistling)
185
00:12:39,375 --> 00:12:44,445
(light dramatic music)
(water sloshing)
186
00:12:51,170 --> 00:12:56,330
(bear snorting)
(water sloshing)
187
00:12:59,178 --> 00:13:01,028
The animals in
Yellowstone also go
188
00:13:01,063 --> 00:13:02,523
through periods of transition.
189
00:13:03,716 --> 00:13:08,466
Each year in the spring, many
of them began their migration
190
00:13:08,504 --> 00:13:12,094
from winter grounds back to
their spring and summer homes.
191
00:13:12,124 --> 00:13:17,254
(lively music)
(birds chirping)
192
00:13:22,368 --> 00:13:26,108
As many as 20,000 elk
begin an epic migration
193
00:13:26,138 --> 00:13:28,208
to the higher
plateaus of the park.
194
00:13:28,974 --> 00:13:32,394
(lively music continues)
195
00:13:34,029 --> 00:13:36,329
There they'll be met
by fresh green grass
196
00:13:36,365 --> 00:13:39,345
that will keep them fed
for the next six months.
197
00:13:42,671 --> 00:13:44,311
But as the waters dash downhill
198
00:13:48,110 --> 00:13:51,280
and thousands of bison
embark on a journey uphill...
199
00:13:54,033 --> 00:13:56,153
(light dramatic music)
200
00:13:56,185 --> 00:13:59,045
it's only a matter of time
before there's a conflict.
201
00:13:59,772 --> 00:14:02,462
(bison grumbling)
202
00:14:03,576 --> 00:14:06,996
This bison herd has been on
the move for several days.
203
00:14:08,063 --> 00:14:10,223
This calf was born in April
204
00:14:10,249 --> 00:14:12,999
and she's about to face
her first big test.
205
00:14:14,854 --> 00:14:16,714
She finds herself on the banks
206
00:14:16,739 --> 00:14:18,669
of the raging Yellowstone River
207
00:14:18,707 --> 00:14:20,237
cutting clear across her path.
208
00:14:22,461 --> 00:14:26,171
The entire herd must cross it
to get to greener pastures.
209
00:14:26,198 --> 00:14:30,218
(light dramatic music)
(water splashing)
210
00:14:30,252 --> 00:14:33,062
Bison are the largest
mammal in North America,
211
00:14:35,691 --> 00:14:36,961
but even the adults struggle
212
00:14:36,992 --> 00:14:39,062
against the power of
the spring runoff.
213
00:14:40,062 --> 00:14:44,502
(water splashing)
(light dramatic music)
214
00:14:45,918 --> 00:14:48,098
For the young,
it's trial by fire.
215
00:14:50,706 --> 00:14:52,466
Or in this case, water.
216
00:14:55,511 --> 00:14:58,451
The calf is especially
susceptible to the rushing current.
217
00:15:00,983 --> 00:15:06,063
(light dramatic music)
(water splashing)
218
00:15:09,041 --> 00:15:11,831
Mom thinks fast,
using her massive body
219
00:15:11,860 --> 00:15:13,260
to break up the current,
220
00:15:13,963 --> 00:15:18,273
(light dramatic music continues)
221
00:15:24,757 --> 00:15:27,437
(calf bleating)
222
00:15:28,978 --> 00:15:31,048
Other members of the
herd are less lucky
223
00:15:34,950 --> 00:15:37,050
and a fully grown
cow is taken under.
224
00:15:39,705 --> 00:15:42,385
(ominous music)
225
00:15:44,059 --> 00:15:46,399
The calf survives her
first test in Yellowstone.
226
00:15:47,713 --> 00:15:51,133
(ominous music continues)
227
00:15:52,952 --> 00:15:54,472
There will be another
test tomorrow.
228
00:15:55,754 --> 00:15:59,274
(ominous music continues)
229
00:16:05,864 --> 00:16:09,394
(ominous music continues)
230
00:16:13,505 --> 00:16:16,455
In spring, all of Yellowstone's
animals are on the move
231
00:16:18,193 --> 00:16:21,563
as they spread across the
park's 2.2 million acres.
232
00:16:21,597 --> 00:16:24,327
(birds chirping)
233
00:16:25,517 --> 00:16:27,937
But the rocky mountainous
terrain makes traveling
234
00:16:27,970 --> 00:16:30,760
a slow and treacherous process.
235
00:16:30,789 --> 00:16:34,039
(suspenseful music)
236
00:16:38,614 --> 00:16:41,454
(light dramatic music)
237
00:16:44,386 --> 00:16:47,156
The bald eagle doesn't have
to worry about the terrain,
238
00:16:51,110 --> 00:16:54,130
gliding effortlessly
over the massive canyons,
239
00:16:55,114 --> 00:16:56,984
building nests atop
the mighty forest
240
00:16:57,016 --> 00:16:59,296
of ferns and cypress trees
241
00:17:03,722 --> 00:17:05,642
and resting comfortably
near the top
242
00:17:05,674 --> 00:17:07,044
of Yellowstone's food chain.
243
00:17:11,113 --> 00:17:13,853
Every inch of the
park is their kingdom.
244
00:17:13,882 --> 00:17:17,302
(light dramatic music)
245
00:17:18,404 --> 00:17:21,124
Bad news for the ground
squirrels that dot the valley.
246
00:17:21,907 --> 00:17:26,127
(light dramatic music continues)
247
00:17:31,433 --> 00:17:34,343
But the bald eagles aren't
the only guns in town.
248
00:17:37,489 --> 00:17:41,589
Yellowstone is also home to
an ever growing population
249
00:17:41,627 --> 00:17:43,677
of golden eagles.
250
00:17:43,712 --> 00:17:47,422
(light dramatic music continues)
251
00:17:48,867 --> 00:17:51,467
With a young
hatchling in her nest,
252
00:17:51,503 --> 00:17:55,023
this female golden eagle will
be hunting for two this spring
253
00:17:56,458 --> 00:17:59,388
which means the bald eagle
will face stiff competition.
254
00:18:00,662 --> 00:18:04,372
(light dramatic music continues)
255
00:18:09,888 --> 00:18:14,108
(light dramatic music continues)
256
00:18:16,962 --> 00:18:20,682
With dive speeds of
150 miles per hour,
257
00:18:20,716 --> 00:18:22,046
there's no land animal on earth
258
00:18:22,084 --> 00:18:24,054
that can outrun
the golden eagle.
259
00:18:25,904 --> 00:18:28,364
And she swoops in for the kill.
260
00:18:28,390 --> 00:18:31,630
(birds chirping)
261
00:18:31,660 --> 00:18:33,450
(light dramatic music)
262
00:18:33,479 --> 00:18:36,399
But the bald eagle won't
give up his meal so easily.
263
00:18:37,616 --> 00:18:40,346
(dramatic music)
264
00:18:46,842 --> 00:18:49,292
(dramatic music continues)
265
00:18:49,328 --> 00:18:51,458
This chase is costing
the bald eagle
266
00:18:51,497 --> 00:18:55,077
valuable calories that he could
be using to hunt other prey.
267
00:18:58,871 --> 00:19:00,111
So he relents.
268
00:19:07,212 --> 00:19:12,172
And the golden eagle brings
the kill back to the nest.
269
00:19:12,684 --> 00:19:15,104
(ominous music)
270
00:19:22,427 --> 00:19:25,147
(water trickling)
271
00:19:25,797 --> 00:19:29,017
(birds chirping)
272
00:19:36,375 --> 00:19:38,985
(bear grunts)
273
00:19:40,812 --> 00:19:44,032
(moose grumbles)
274
00:19:45,984 --> 00:19:47,574
(light dramatic music)
275
00:19:47,603 --> 00:19:50,823
While many species rely on
seasonal migration to escape
276
00:19:50,856 --> 00:19:52,136
the effects of winter,
277
00:19:53,091 --> 00:19:55,531
some endure the
months of brutal cold
278
00:19:55,561 --> 00:19:59,081
by hunkering down into
states of suspended slumber.
279
00:20:01,466 --> 00:20:05,066
The Boreal chorus frogs
freeze into balls of ice.
280
00:20:06,238 --> 00:20:10,128
Their hearts stop beating and
they shut down their lungs.
281
00:20:14,346 --> 00:20:17,166
But when the spring thaw
brings them back from the dead
282
00:20:18,016 --> 00:20:19,986
their bass-filled guttural croon
283
00:20:20,018 --> 00:20:21,938
is the soundtrack
of Yellowstone.
284
00:20:21,970 --> 00:20:27,110
(frogs croaking)
(ominous music)
285
00:20:33,498 --> 00:20:35,178
(light music)
286
00:20:35,217 --> 00:20:38,217
Grizzly bears also emerged
from their winter long slumber.
287
00:20:40,222 --> 00:20:43,112
This adult male has
been living off body fat
288
00:20:43,141 --> 00:20:46,251
for five months and
hasn't had anything to eat
289
00:20:46,278 --> 00:20:49,078
or drink since entering
his den for the winter.
290
00:20:51,199 --> 00:20:53,269
It's a misconception
that grizzlies wake
291
00:20:53,302 --> 00:20:56,172
up from hibernation
ravenous with hunger.
292
00:20:57,539 --> 00:21:00,239
While they do immediately
begin searching for food,
293
00:21:01,994 --> 00:21:04,204
they're lethargic for
the first two weeks.
294
00:21:07,215 --> 00:21:09,465
It's like a state of
walking hibernation
295
00:21:09,501 --> 00:21:12,151
while they wait for their
metabolism to restart.
296
00:21:22,948 --> 00:21:24,218
Fortunately, for this bear,
297
00:21:24,249 --> 00:21:26,469
he doesn't have to
hunt for a meal today.
298
00:21:28,887 --> 00:21:32,107
(water splashing)
299
00:21:35,527 --> 00:21:38,177
(wind howling)
300
00:21:44,052 --> 00:21:46,472
This elk carcass is what's
known as winter kill,
301
00:21:47,389 --> 00:21:49,959
the end result of the
incredibly harsh winter.
302
00:21:49,992 --> 00:21:53,062
(light dramatic music)
303
00:21:53,095 --> 00:21:55,545
The meat stays fresh,
preserved by the snow.
304
00:21:57,049 --> 00:21:59,789
As the snow retreats,
the easy feasts
305
00:21:59,818 --> 00:22:01,138
are first come first serve.
306
00:22:01,169 --> 00:22:06,269
(light dramatic music)
(crow caws)
307
00:22:07,192 --> 00:22:10,282
The bear eats his fill,
but he's not alone.
308
00:22:11,396 --> 00:22:14,446
The scent of the decaying flesh
has attracted a lone wolf.
309
00:22:16,218 --> 00:22:18,598
He'll wait for the
grizzly to fill up,
310
00:22:18,637 --> 00:22:21,687
(light dramatic music)
311
00:22:21,723 --> 00:22:24,463
(grizzly grumbles)
312
00:22:26,862 --> 00:22:31,102
(light dramatic music continues)
313
00:22:36,922 --> 00:22:39,862
(light dramatic music continues)
314
00:22:39,891 --> 00:22:42,061
When the wolf is done,
315
00:22:43,161 --> 00:22:46,081
a pack of coyotes will
enjoy the leftovers.
316
00:22:50,986 --> 00:22:53,156
And later, birds will
pick the bones clean.
317
00:22:54,106 --> 00:22:56,856
One dead elk taken by the winner
318
00:22:56,892 --> 00:22:58,292
has given life to several.
319
00:23:00,779 --> 00:23:02,209
(light music)
320
00:23:02,247 --> 00:23:04,927
Thanks to Ferdinand
Hayden and his men,
321
00:23:04,966 --> 00:23:08,016
the food chain is
still perfectly intact,
322
00:23:08,053 --> 00:23:11,573
just like it was 150
years ago when they fought
323
00:23:11,606 --> 00:23:13,056
to protect Yellowstone.
324
00:23:14,593 --> 00:23:18,063
Many of the sites they saw are
the same ones we see today.
325
00:23:20,148 --> 00:23:23,068
But still, I wonder
what it would've been
326
00:23:23,101 --> 00:23:25,351
like laying eyes on this
land for the first time.
327
00:23:27,439 --> 00:23:30,059
(light music)
328
00:23:32,778 --> 00:23:35,358
(foil rustling)
329
00:23:43,555 --> 00:23:45,285
(fire crackling)
330
00:23:45,323 --> 00:23:48,043
You know, sometimes
I wish I could jump
331
00:23:48,076 --> 00:23:49,726
into a time machine and go back
332
00:23:49,761 --> 00:23:55,051
and join Hayden in
his Expedition just to see what they saw.
333
00:23:56,034 --> 00:23:58,124
Times like now
when I'm starving,
334
00:23:59,221 --> 00:24:02,141
I'm just happy to
follow the journals.
335
00:24:02,174 --> 00:24:06,964
But these guys, Congress
sent 'em back here to figure
336
00:24:06,995 --> 00:24:08,905
out how to mine, how
to exploit this land.
337
00:24:08,947 --> 00:24:10,147
So a lot of the men
338
00:24:10,182 --> 00:24:15,172
on the expedition were
scientists, academics.
339
00:24:16,087 --> 00:24:19,137
They weren't necessarily
burly mountain men.
340
00:24:19,174 --> 00:24:22,284
And so after a long
day of traversing
341
00:24:22,310 --> 00:24:25,030
they still had to
find something to eat.
342
00:24:25,063 --> 00:24:26,953
They didn't hunt,
they didn't eat,
343
00:24:26,982 --> 00:24:28,982
and they weren't used to that.
344
00:24:29,017 --> 00:24:31,087
Judging by the journals,
345
00:24:32,120 --> 00:24:34,310
they spent a lot of time
thinking about food.
346
00:24:38,343 --> 00:24:40,383
When they did get
the occasional deer
347
00:24:41,329 --> 00:24:47,049
or elk or even a black
bear, times were good.
348
00:24:49,471 --> 00:24:54,411
But other times, 32 men were
sharing a couple of grouse.
349
00:24:57,028 --> 00:24:58,428
I'm sure it was times
like that when they all
350
00:24:58,463 --> 00:25:01,933
questioned the monumental task
that was in front of them.
351
00:25:01,967 --> 00:25:04,017
(birds chirping)
(fire crackling)
352
00:25:04,052 --> 00:25:05,422
You know, it's a lot easier
353
00:25:05,453 --> 00:25:10,063
for David to defeat Goliath
when David's well fed.
354
00:25:15,213 --> 00:25:16,033
Hot.
355
00:25:17,516 --> 00:25:20,366
(light dramatic music)
356
00:25:25,323 --> 00:25:28,293
Much like the men on
the Hayden Expedition,
357
00:25:28,326 --> 00:25:30,226
every living thing
in Yellowstone is
358
00:25:30,262 --> 00:25:32,412
in constant search
for its next meal.
359
00:25:41,256 --> 00:25:44,226
As the park's newest arrivals
enjoy their first spring
360
00:25:44,259 --> 00:25:47,209
they grow bigger and
require more food.
361
00:25:48,964 --> 00:25:51,734
This means learning new skills.
362
00:25:51,766 --> 00:25:53,346
(light music)
(birds chirping)
363
00:25:53,385 --> 00:25:56,195
These grizzly cubs
were born in February,
364
00:25:57,222 --> 00:25:59,022
After two months of
nursing and sleeping,
365
00:25:59,057 --> 00:26:01,237
it's time to leave the den so
366
00:26:01,276 --> 00:26:04,076
that their mother can teach
them the ways of the world.
367
00:26:06,147 --> 00:26:08,317
They'll need me to
sustain their body weight,
368
00:26:12,787 --> 00:26:14,287
and that means
learning how to hunt.
369
00:26:18,443 --> 00:26:21,233
It may look like they're
playing because they are,
370
00:26:23,148 --> 00:26:25,128
but that's not
all they're doing.
371
00:26:26,651 --> 00:26:28,141
It's called play fighting,
372
00:26:31,273 --> 00:26:33,513
and it's how the young
cubs learn to use
373
00:26:33,541 --> 00:26:34,981
their teeth and claws.
374
00:26:35,010 --> 00:26:38,380
(light music continues)
375
00:26:44,753 --> 00:26:47,123
(light music continues)
376
00:26:47,155 --> 00:26:49,735
These young mountain
lions do the same.
377
00:26:49,774 --> 00:26:53,194
(light dramatic music)
378
00:27:00,135 --> 00:27:02,335
Harmlessly chasing and
pouncing on each other
379
00:27:05,273 --> 00:27:08,033
as they practice the art
of survival in the wild.
380
00:27:08,059 --> 00:27:12,249
(light dramatic music continues)
381
00:27:19,638 --> 00:27:23,358
(light dramatic music continues)
382
00:27:27,445 --> 00:27:30,745
Wolves also play fight to keep
their hunting skills sharp.
383
00:27:30,782 --> 00:27:35,442
(wolf barking)
(light music)
384
00:27:41,226 --> 00:27:46,306
(light dramatic music)
(wolves howling)
385
00:27:51,920 --> 00:27:54,360
Wolves are a native
species in Yellowstone
386
00:27:54,389 --> 00:27:56,659
and were abundant when
the Hayden Expedition
387
00:27:56,691 --> 00:27:59,311
came through in 1871.
388
00:27:59,344 --> 00:28:01,854
But shortly after the
park was established,
389
00:28:01,880 --> 00:28:03,480
they were hunted
nearly to extinction.
390
00:28:04,616 --> 00:28:09,436
There were no wolves in the
park for a century, but in 1995,
391
00:28:10,288 --> 00:28:13,738
they were reintroduced
in Yellowstone.
392
00:28:13,775 --> 00:28:17,745
(triumphant music)
(wolves barking)
393
00:28:17,779 --> 00:28:19,649
The revival in the park exceeded
394
00:28:19,681 --> 00:28:21,451
conservationists' expectations.
395
00:28:23,284 --> 00:28:25,754
Exploding elk populations
were brought back
396
00:28:25,787 --> 00:28:27,767
to sustainable level.
397
00:28:27,806 --> 00:28:29,836
In turn, plants that the elk fed
398
00:28:29,874 --> 00:28:32,314
on once again began to thrive,
399
00:28:32,343 --> 00:28:35,353
allowing eroding riverbeds
to return to their true form.
400
00:28:37,265 --> 00:28:39,375
Some scientists
believe that the wolves
401
00:28:39,417 --> 00:28:42,237
have helped rebalance
the entire ecosystem.
402
00:28:43,171 --> 00:28:47,161
(triumphant music)
(wolf howling)
403
00:28:47,192 --> 00:28:50,312
Now, on Yellowstone's
150th anniversary,
404
00:28:51,429 --> 00:28:53,779
the springtime here
looks and feels every bit
405
00:28:53,815 --> 00:28:55,165
as it did when Ferdinand Hayden
406
00:28:55,200 --> 00:28:58,850
and his team first
arrived in the 1870s.
407
00:28:58,887 --> 00:29:01,587
(light music)
408
00:29:01,623 --> 00:29:04,813
(birds chirping)
409
00:29:04,843 --> 00:29:06,963
As serene as the
verdant valleys are,
410
00:29:09,214 --> 00:29:11,404
as playful the parade
of youth may be,
411
00:29:13,985 --> 00:29:16,665
along with it comes a
dangerous undercurrent.
412
00:29:16,704 --> 00:29:21,384
(light music)
(birds chirping)
413
00:29:22,944 --> 00:29:25,004
Spring is the first time
when the newest member
414
00:29:25,029 --> 00:29:27,549
of each species learns
the ways of the world.
415
00:29:27,582 --> 00:29:30,202
(light dramatic music)
416
00:29:30,235 --> 00:29:33,115
Yesterday, this bison calf
learned a dangerous lesson
417
00:29:33,154 --> 00:29:35,194
about crossing the
Yellowstone River.
418
00:29:37,258 --> 00:29:40,148
Unfortunately, she'll
learn another today.
419
00:29:40,178 --> 00:29:45,248
(light dramatic music)
(calf grunting)
420
00:29:45,934 --> 00:29:47,044
While winter kill leaves plenty
421
00:29:47,068 --> 00:29:49,038
of easy meals for the wolves,
422
00:29:51,990 --> 00:29:53,370
eventually, those run out
423
00:29:56,227 --> 00:29:59,407
and bison calves are
the next in line.
424
00:29:59,447 --> 00:30:02,017
(dramatic music)
425
00:30:04,035 --> 00:30:09,185
(bison grunting)
(dramatic music continues)
426
00:30:14,012 --> 00:30:18,552
(dramatic music continues)
(bison grunting)
427
00:30:19,484 --> 00:30:22,274
The bison know exactly
why the wolves are here.
428
00:30:23,788 --> 00:30:28,478
(light music)
(birds chirping)
429
00:30:31,796 --> 00:30:33,796
(wolves howling)
430
00:30:33,832 --> 00:30:35,302
The wolves use a wide range
431
00:30:35,333 --> 00:30:38,603
of vocalizations to
communicate their strategy.
432
00:30:38,636 --> 00:30:41,316
(wolves howling)
433
00:30:43,308 --> 00:30:46,238
And that strategy is to
cut off the bison's path.
434
00:30:48,880 --> 00:30:50,400
The bison can't escape,
435
00:30:53,535 --> 00:30:56,335
so the females form a tight
circle around the young
436
00:30:56,371 --> 00:31:01,381
in the middle and the
males form the perimeter
437
00:31:02,544 --> 00:31:03,864
circling the females.
438
00:31:03,895 --> 00:31:05,905
(light dramatic music)
439
00:31:05,947 --> 00:31:07,727
These bulls are not giving up
440
00:31:07,765 --> 00:31:10,015
their offspring without a fight.
441
00:31:10,051 --> 00:31:15,091
(light dramatic music)
(wolves howling)
442
00:31:19,928 --> 00:31:24,518
(light dramatic music)
(wolves howling)
443
00:31:30,004 --> 00:31:35,084
(light dramatic music)
(bison grumbling)
444
00:31:38,363 --> 00:31:40,533
The bison have won
the standoff today.
445
00:31:44,903 --> 00:31:46,403
There will be another tomorrow.
446
00:31:50,808 --> 00:31:53,428
(bison howls)
447
00:31:58,950 --> 00:32:04,040
(dramatic music)
(birds squawking)
448
00:32:09,961 --> 00:32:15,051
(bison bellows)
(light dramatic music)
449
00:32:19,938 --> 00:32:24,258
(light dramatic music continues)
450
00:32:29,864 --> 00:32:34,074
(light dramatic music continues)
451
00:32:35,870 --> 00:32:39,110
(birds chirping)
452
00:32:43,895 --> 00:32:45,875
(water splashing)
453
00:32:45,913 --> 00:32:47,573
The Hayden Expedition
was dazzled
454
00:32:47,598 --> 00:32:51,118
by the confluence of wolves
and bison and grizzly bears.
455
00:32:52,337 --> 00:32:54,457
They wrote about it in
their journals often.
456
00:32:55,373 --> 00:32:57,743
But there's another
creature that they wrote
457
00:32:57,775 --> 00:33:00,695
about even more,
one that emerges
458
00:33:00,728 --> 00:33:02,658
from hibernation each spring.
459
00:33:02,697 --> 00:33:03,917
(light dramatic music)
460
00:33:03,948 --> 00:33:07,038
This beast so
terrified the pioneers
461
00:33:07,068 --> 00:33:09,718
that they had to find
a defense against it
462
00:33:09,754 --> 00:33:11,344
or risk their entire mission.
463
00:33:11,372 --> 00:33:14,892
(water splashing)
(light dramatic music)
464
00:33:14,926 --> 00:33:16,486
When the snow melts, it runs
465
00:33:16,527 --> 00:33:20,107
to the lower elevation and
fuels the rivers and streams.
466
00:33:21,816 --> 00:33:24,086
But it also creates
stagnant pools,
467
00:33:25,153 --> 00:33:28,163
giving mosquitoes the perfect
opportunity to lay eggs.
468
00:33:29,490 --> 00:33:32,330
Their onslaught is a theme
in their journal entries.
469
00:33:33,511 --> 00:33:36,151
(dramatic music)
470
00:33:40,385 --> 00:33:42,795
One of the geologists
even considered leaving
471
00:33:42,837 --> 00:33:44,307
to protect his sanity.
472
00:33:47,308 --> 00:33:50,378
That was all until they came
across some ancient knowledge.
473
00:33:55,733 --> 00:33:56,483
Here's a good one.
474
00:34:00,405 --> 00:34:02,785
Indigenous Americans have
been burning bison dung
475
00:34:02,824 --> 00:34:04,934
for thousands of years.
476
00:34:04,959 --> 00:34:07,849
It's actually a
great replacement
477
00:34:07,879 --> 00:34:10,029
for wood if you need
to start a fire.
478
00:34:10,064 --> 00:34:12,134
And for some reason,
mosquitoes just,
479
00:34:12,917 --> 00:34:14,367
well, they just hate it.
480
00:34:15,219 --> 00:34:17,759
So about halfway
through the expedition
481
00:34:17,789 --> 00:34:19,109
they started smudging.
482
00:34:19,874 --> 00:34:21,514
That's what they called it.
483
00:34:21,542 --> 00:34:26,012
And after that, no more journal
entries about mosquitoes.
484
00:34:27,432 --> 00:34:30,122
You know, if there's something
I like less than picking
485
00:34:30,151 --> 00:34:34,091
up bison patties, it's being
eaten alive by mosquitoes.
486
00:34:36,824 --> 00:34:39,164
You know, the funny thing is
487
00:34:39,193 --> 00:34:40,553
there's so many things that
could have derailed Hayden
488
00:34:40,578 --> 00:34:44,328
and his men from finishing
their mission out here,
489
00:34:46,417 --> 00:34:49,097
but it wasn't the wolves,
it wasn't the grizzlies,
490
00:34:49,754 --> 00:34:51,064
it wasn't even the US Congress
491
00:34:51,089 --> 00:34:53,069
that almost knocked
'em off course,
492
00:34:56,911 --> 00:34:58,351
it was the damn mosquitoes.
493
00:35:04,969 --> 00:35:07,109
Just don't throw the bison crap
494
00:35:07,138 --> 00:35:09,338
into the fire until
after you've eaten.
495
00:35:10,708 --> 00:35:13,328
(light music)
496
00:35:14,011 --> 00:35:15,931
Hayden and his men found a cure
497
00:35:15,963 --> 00:35:18,133
for the scourge
of biting insects,
498
00:35:19,267 --> 00:35:23,117
but one man's wildly annoying
pest is the main attraction
499
00:35:23,154 --> 00:35:25,914
for some of Yellowstone's
more colorful visitors.
500
00:35:25,940 --> 00:35:31,010
(light dramatic music)
(birds chirping)
501
00:35:33,748 --> 00:35:36,448
Over 150 species
of birds migrate
502
00:35:36,484 --> 00:35:41,694
to Yellowstone each spring to
feast on the ample insects.
503
00:35:41,722 --> 00:35:46,392
(light music)
(birds chirping)
504
00:35:53,868 --> 00:35:57,538
(light music continues)
(birds chirping)
505
00:35:57,572 --> 00:36:00,342
For many of these birds,
where there's mosquitoes,
506
00:36:01,859 --> 00:36:03,139
there's a full belly.
507
00:36:07,448 --> 00:36:08,348
But that's not all.
508
00:36:10,034 --> 00:36:12,674
The abundance of insects
lured fish to the surface
509
00:36:12,703 --> 00:36:14,293
of lakes and rivers.
510
00:36:14,322 --> 00:36:19,362
(water splashing)
(light music continues)
511
00:36:21,045 --> 00:36:23,055
Those fish are a handsome
catch for Yellowstone's
512
00:36:23,097 --> 00:36:28,167
birds of prey, including
the mighty osprey.
513
00:36:31,956 --> 00:36:36,236
(dramatic music)
(bird cawing)
514
00:36:36,277 --> 00:36:40,157
When these raptors hunt,
it's a sight to behold.
515
00:36:44,235 --> 00:36:46,735
They use their excellent
vision to spot fish
516
00:36:46,771 --> 00:36:48,411
in the river below
517
00:36:48,439 --> 00:36:51,889
and dive talons first to
latch onto their meal.
518
00:36:51,926 --> 00:36:54,696
(suspenseful music)
(water splashing)
519
00:36:54,729 --> 00:36:57,429
(water bubbling)
520
00:37:06,908 --> 00:37:11,698
(wind whistling)
(birds chirping)
521
00:37:11,729 --> 00:37:14,229
(light music)
522
00:37:18,486 --> 00:37:21,156
The birds, the insects,
523
00:37:22,723 --> 00:37:25,433
the fish, the trees,
524
00:37:27,211 --> 00:37:31,401
even the rivers, they're all
part of the cycle of life
525
00:37:33,968 --> 00:37:36,118
in a land that is
reborn each spring.
526
00:37:36,971 --> 00:37:42,161
(majestic music)
(birds chirping)
527
00:37:43,294 --> 00:37:47,154
It's an incredible time to
see Yellowstone National Park
528
00:37:47,932 --> 00:37:50,382
so full of life and color.
529
00:37:50,418 --> 00:37:53,138
(goat bleating)
(majestic music continues)
530
00:37:53,170 --> 00:37:56,120
The vibrance is exactly
what Ferdinand Hayden
531
00:37:56,157 --> 00:37:58,287
and the men who joined
him wanted to preserve.
532
00:37:59,894 --> 00:38:01,114
It's exactly what
they were talking
533
00:38:01,145 --> 00:38:04,325
about when they pleaded
with the US Congress,
534
00:38:04,365 --> 00:38:07,165
promising that the American
people would benefit more
535
00:38:07,201 --> 00:38:10,121
by just seeing this
place than they would
536
00:38:10,154 --> 00:38:13,214
from any railroad or any
gold pulled from the ground.
537
00:38:16,027 --> 00:38:17,927
He believed that
Yellowstone would be a place
538
00:38:17,962 --> 00:38:20,152
where anyone could
come and visit,
539
00:38:20,181 --> 00:38:23,071
come and be inspired by
the sight and sounds,
540
00:38:27,438 --> 00:38:28,808
and he was right.
541
00:38:28,839 --> 00:38:31,429
(epic music)
542
00:38:35,379 --> 00:38:38,299
There's something about staring
out at the landscape here,
543
00:38:41,352 --> 00:38:44,312
taking in the natural world
just as it was intended to be,
544
00:38:47,908 --> 00:38:50,008
just gives you a little reset.
545
00:38:54,248 --> 00:38:59,148
Even if it only lasts a day or
only an hour, it's priceless.
546
00:38:59,704 --> 00:39:02,864
(epic music continues)
547
00:39:02,890 --> 00:39:05,830
(bugs trilling)
(frogs croaking)
548
00:39:05,860 --> 00:39:09,250
(fire crackling)
(light music)
549
00:39:09,280 --> 00:39:11,200
You know, sometimes I
think what I might say
550
00:39:11,232 --> 00:39:13,352
if I ever got a chance to
talk to people who lived
551
00:39:13,384 --> 00:39:14,174
in the past,
552
00:39:16,087 --> 00:39:17,957
I think if I met
Ferdinand Hayden,
553
00:39:17,988 --> 00:39:22,438
it'd probably be, probably
be just two words.
554
00:39:24,395 --> 00:39:25,175
Thank you.
555
00:39:27,531 --> 00:39:34,971
(light dramatic music)
556
00:39:35,021 --> 00:39:39,571
Repair and Synchronization by
Easy Subtitles Synchronizer 1.0.0.0
42934
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.