Man vs. Wild (2006–2020): Season 6, Episode 5 - Malaysian Archipelago - full transcript

I'M BEAR GRYLLS.
WHOO!

AND I'M GONNA SHOW YOU
WHAT IT TAKES TO GET OUT ALIVE

FROM SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS
PLACES ON EARTH.

I'VE GOT TO MAKE IT THROUGH
A SERIES OF CHALLENGES...

IN THE SORT OF PLACES WHERE
YOU WOULDN'T LAST LONG

WITHOUT THE RIGHT
SURVIVAL SKILLS.

THIS TIME, I'M BEING DROPPED
INTO A GROUP OF ISLANDS --

PART OF
THE MALAY ARCHIPELAGO...

...SETTING UP
SYSTEMS FOR SURVIVAL

IN A REGION THAT CONTAINS

SOME OF THE MOST REMOTE
LOCATIONS ON THE PLANET...



...SCALING SHEER CLIFF FACES...

THAT WAS HARD WORK.

...TESTING MY HUNTING SKILLS
TO TRAP WILD ANIMALS...

[ PIG SQUEALS ]

...FREE-DIVING TO 30 FEET
IN SEARCH OF FOOD...

FLIPPING BRILLIANT!

...TO SHOW YOU
WHAT IT TAKES TO SURVIVE.

I'M ABOVE THE CELEBES SEA,
A STRETCH OF TROPICAL WATER

SITUATED BETWEEN
MALAYSIA AND THE PHILIPPINES.

HEADING FOR A GROUP OF ISLANDS

WITH ALMOST NO HABITATION
ON THEM.

PART OF THE BIGGEST
ARCHIPELAGO ON EARTH.

THE REEF BELOW ME
IS PART OF THE CORAL TRIANGLE,

AND IT'S ABSOLUTELY VAST.



IT'S ALMOST
THE SIZE OF AUSTRALIA.

I'M GONNA SHOW YOU
HOW TO STAY ALIVE

ON REMOTE ISLANDS LIKE THESE,

WHERE SO MANY CASTAWAYS
BEFORE ME HAVE FAILED.

OKAY. WE NEED ALTITUDE.
TAKE US UP.

Man:
OKAY. LET'S GO.

THIS WILL BE
THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE.

OKAY. ABOUT 30 SECONDS.

WE'RE AT 10,000 FEET.

THIS IS ONE JUMP
I'VE GOT TO GET RIGHT.

OKAY.
HE'S CLIMBING OUT NOW.

HERE GOES.

I'M AT TERMINAL VELOCITY --
AROUND 130 MILES AN HOUR.

WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR NOW

IS A SAFE POINT OF ENTRY
CLOSE TO THE ISLAND.

I CAN'T LAND ON THE ISLAND.
JUST TREES AND CLIFFS.

THE BEACH IS TOO NARROW, AND
THE REEF WILL CUT ME TO SHREDS.

I'M HEADING FOR DEEP WATER.

I NEED TO LAND THIS WELL.

IT'S DIFFICULT
TO JUDGE DISTANCE

WITH JUST OCEAN BENEATH ME.

READY FOR IMPACT.

I'VE GOT TO FLY IT
ALL THE WAY IN.

NOW GET TO GET CLEAR OF THIS
RIG AND MAKE FOR THE SHORE.

IT DOESN'T LOOK
VERY FAR FROM HERE,

BUT I'VE LEARNED FROM EXPERIENCE

DISTANCES AT SEA
CAN BE DECEPTIVE.

WHAT YOU THINK
MIGHT ONLY BE HALF A MILE

CAN OFTEN END UP
TAKING YOU AGES.

COME ON. YOU NEED TO STICK
WITH ME IN THIS BIT.

I'VE GOT TO WATCH MYSELF
ON THE CORAL REEF.

ONE CUT OUT HERE
COULD SPELL BAD NEWS.

STEEP-SIDED ISLANDS LIKE THIS

ARE THOUGHT TO BE THE REMAINS
OF THE CONE OF A VOLCANO,

MOST OF WHICH
HAS NOW BEEN ERODED AWAY.

IT'S A REMOTE
AND HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT

THAT HAS HAD
LITTLE HUMAN INTERFERENCE.

NOTHING VERY BEACH-AND-COCONUT
ABOUT THIS ISLAND. LOOK.

THE PRIMARY RAINFORESTS
ARE HARD PLACES TO SURVIVE.

EVERYTHING'S JUST
LOCKED INTO A BATTLE HERE --

A BATTLE
FOR LIGHT AND FOR SURVIVAL.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES THEM TOUGH.

LET'S HEAD UP FIRST.

TO UNDERSTAND
WHAT'S AVAILABLE ON THE ISLAND,

YOU NEED TO GET A CLEAR VIEW.

AND FOR THAT,
YOU NEED HIGH GROUND.

TRULY HELLISH TERRAIN,
ALL OF THIS.

EVERYTHING'S GRABBING ONTO YOU,
CUTTING AND PULLING YOU BACK.

I WOULD NEVER GET UP THIS --
LOOK.

THAT IS ALL JUST SO SLIPPY.

YOU CAN SEE THIS VINE.
IT GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP.

BUT IT'S WAY TOO THIN
TO GET AHOLD OF.

THESE ONES ARE A BIT THICKER.

THESE ROOTS FAN OUT
FROM THE TRUNK,

TRYING TO GET A PURCHASE
INTO THE SHALLOW SOIL.

AND THAT IS DEFINITELY
GONNA BE STRONG ENOUGH FOR ME.

OKAY. LET'S GIVE THIS A GO.

[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]

IT'S AROUND FOUR STORIES
TO THE TOP.

ONCE I'VE COMMITTED,
THERE'S NO TURNING BACK.

PBHT!

THE BEST TECHNIQUE

IS TO USE YOUR LEGS
TO DRIVE YOUR BODY UPWARDS.

RELY ON JUST YOUR ARMS,

AND YOU'RE GONNA
EXHAUST YOURSELF SO FAST.

THESE SORT OF THINGS,
YOU JUST GOT TO PACE YOURSELF.

[ SIGHS ]

DOING A CLIMB LIKE THIS
IS POSSIBLE NOW.

BUT AS YOUR BODY WEAKENS
WITH LIMITED FOOD AND WATER,

IT COULD SOON
BECOME IMPOSSIBLE.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

[ PANTING ]

SORRY.
I CAN'T TALK AT THE MOMENT.

BUT...DON'T KNOW
HOW LONG THIS WILL BE.

TRY AND GET SOME BLOOD
AND OXYGEN BACK IN THE LUNGS

AND WORK OUT THE NEXT THING.

WHEW!

GETTING AWAY FROM IT, IT'S
HARD WORK GETTING OUT OF THAT.

YOU KNOW,
IT'S A LONG WAY DOWN THERE.

OKAY. I WANT TO GET ACROSS
TO THESE THINNER ONES OVER HERE.

GET OUT THAT WAY.

OKAY, GOING RIGHT AFTER.
ME FIRST.

DON'T MOVE.

OKAY.

[ BREATHES HEAVILY ]

WHOA! PBHT! WHOA! PBHT!
PBHT!

THESE THIN VINES FEEL STRONG
ENOUGH TO TAKE MY WEIGHT,

BUT THEY'RE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT
TO CLIMB,

ESPECIALLY AS MY ARMS
FEEL LIKE LEAD WEIGHTS NOW.

[ Strained ]
PRETTY DARN AWKWARD POSITION.

WE'RE UP THIS BIT.

JUST GOT TO GET TO THE TOP,

AND THEN I CAN SORT OUT
MY NEXT MOVE.

IT'S GOOD NOW. IT'S GOOD.

I FEEL A BIT LIKE I'VE DONE

ONE OF THOSE
MILITARY P.T. ROPE SESSIONS.

YOU JUST CAN'T SEE ANYTHING
THROUGH ALL THIS CANOPY.

LET'S KEEP MOVING ON.

SEE IF WE CAN GET A VIEW OUT
FROM OVER THERE.

IT'S SO HUMID UNDER
THE CANOPY OF THE JUNGLE HERE.

WORKING THIS HARD CAN DEHYDRATE
YOU IN LESS THAN 30 MINUTES.

THIS IS THE SORT OF LEAF
THAT WOULD HAVE WATER IN IT.

LOOK -- IT'S
CLINGING TO THE BRANCH.

ANY RAINWATER IS GONNA COME DOWN
HERE AND COLLECT IN THERE.

BUT NOT IN THAT ONE.

THE SURVIVOR NEEDS TO BUILD
A MENTAL MAP OF WHERE THEY ARE,

DETAILING RESOURCES AND LAYOUTS
AS YOU DISCOVER THEM.

THIS IS MORE LIKE IT.

A PROPER VIEW
OUT OVER THE JUNGLE CANOPY.

BASICALLY GOT
A BIG LAND MASS OVER THERE,

STEEP BANKS ON BOTH SIDES,

AND THEN DENSE JUNGLE CANOPY,
AS WELL, DOWN BELOW.

GET DESERTED ON AN ISLAND
AND YOU'LL NEED A BASE.

THE SHORELINE'S
THE PERFECT PLACE.

THE SHORE
IS WHERE YOU'LL FIND FOOD

AND SEE RESCUE
IF IT COMES YOUR WAY,

AND WITH A BIT OF LUCK,
PROVIDE THE ISLAND SURVIVOR

WITH THE MOST PRIZED COMMODITY
OF ALL -- FRESH WATER.

WHEN IT RAINS ON THE ISLAND,

ALL THE WATER'S GONNA GO
ONE WAY, AND THAT'S DOWN.

MIGHT BE MY BEST CHANCE
OF FINDING DRINKING WATER.

LOOK -- IT'S ANOTHER
LITTLE ISLAND OVER THERE.

YOU KNOW,
IF I LACK RESOURCES HERE,

MEANS I GOT A BACKUP PLAN
OVER THERE.

FOR THE TIME BEING, THOUGH,

WE NEED TO FIND OUT EXACTLY
WHAT WE'VE GOT ON THIS ISLAND.

OKAY. COME ON.

SCAVENGING IS A KEY ELEMENT
TO SURVIVAL,

AND THE SHORELINE IS A GREAT
PLACE TO FIND MATERIALS.

SO MUCH OF SURVIVAL IS JUST
ABOUT SEEING THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

A CLAMSHELL -- GREAT FOR
COLLECTING WATER WHEN IT RAINS.

TAKE THAT.

LOOK. EVEN THIS SORT OF THING.
NOT SURE WHAT I'D DO WITH THAT.

BUT I CAN COME BACK FOR THAT,
EVEN IF IT'S ONLY FOR FIREWOOD.

YOU MAY NOT NEED
THE STUFF NOW...

A LITTLE BOTTLE RIGHT THERE.

...BUT IT MIGHT
COME IN USE LATER.

ONE MAN'S JUNK
IS ANOTHER MAN'S TREASURE.

IT'S A GOOD HAUL.

NOW TO MOVE ON AND SEE WHAT
ELSE THIS ISLAND HAS TO OFFER.

EVEN ROCK POOLS LIKE THIS

ARE ACTUALLY GOOD PLACES
TO FIND FRESH WATER.

ALL THESE, LIKE, POCKETS HERE.

AND IF IT'S RAINED
AFTER THE TIDE HAS GONE OUT,

THESE WILL OFTEN BE
FULL OF DRINKABLE WATER.

UGH. BUT NOT THAT.
THAT'S REALLY SALTY.

NOPE.

SUCCESSFUL SURVIVAL INVOLVES
FOUR BASIC PRINCIPLES --

PROTECTION, SYSTEMS TO ASSIST
YOUR RESCUE, WATER, AND FOOD.

YOUR FIRST PRIORITY IS SHELTER.

GOOD BIT OF BEACH THERE.

AND INSTINCTIVELY, THAT FEELS
A NICE PLACE TO MAKE CAMP.

AND ACTUALLY, LOOK.

THAT'S GONNA BE A GREAT PLACE
FOR A SIGNAL FIRE.

A REALLY GOOD 180-DEGREE VIEW.
TRY AND SPOT ANY PASSING SHIPS.

SO FAR, MY SEARCH FOR
FRESH WATER HAS BEEN FRUITLESS.

LOOKING FOR JUST SIGNS OF ANY
SEEPS, TRICKLES OF RAINWATER.

IT'S DRY NOW,
BUT IF IT RAINS,

THIS WILL MAKE
A GOOD WATER TRAP.

ALSO, LOOK -- A REEF.

AND THAT'S GONNA BE
MY SOURCE OF FOOD.

BUT HUNTING AT NIGHT IS GONNA
REQUIRE LUCK AND INGENUITY.

THERE'S A RAY! WHOO!

I'VE DROPPED INTO
A REMOTE ARCHIPELAGO

OFF THE COAST OF MALAYSIA.

IN A SURVIVAL SITUATION, YOUR
FIRST PRIORITY IS PROTECTION,

AND THIS TREE
COULD BE THE PERFECT SPOT.

BUILD, LIKE, A TREE HOUSE
ACROSS THESE TWO BOUGHS.

ALSO, I'VE SEEN
SO MUCH DRIFTWOOD AROUND.

GONNA MAKE BUILDING IT
QUITE EASY.

AT HIGH TIDE, THE SEA WILL COME
ALL THE WAY UP THIS BEACH.

IT'S ACTUALLY
WHAT THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DO

ON A LOT OF THESE ISLANDS
AROUND HERE.

THEY BUILD THEIR HOUSES
ABOVE THE WATER.

THIS GIVES THEM COOL WINDS
TO KEEP MOSQUITOS AT BAY

AND DIRECT ACCESS
TO FISHING GROUNDS.

OKAY. LET'S GET UP THERE
AND THEN DRAG THE OTHERS UP.

YOUR SHELTER
ALWAYS NEEDS A SOLID BASE.

JUST MAKE SURE
IT'S HIGH ENOUGH.

THE LAST THING YOU WANT IS TO
GET CAUGHT IN THE RISING TIDE.

THAT'S PROBABLY ENOUGH.

EASY AS THAT. GOOD.

THERE ARE
TONS OF CLIMBING PLANTS

THAT YOU CAN USE IN THE JUNGLE

WHICH ARE LONG, STRONG,
AND REALLY FLEXIBLE.

JUST WEAVE THIS RATA VINE
OVER AND UNDER

EACH OF THESE POLES,
JUST TO HOLD IT WELL IN PLACE.

THAT'S NOT GONNA COME UNDONE.

PLATFORM BUILT.

NOW TO SORT OUT FOOD, AND
THAT MEANS MORE CONSTRUCTION.

IN THE JUNGLE, A TORCH
WILL SCARE AWAY ANY PREY.

BUT IN THE SEA, LIGHT
WILL ATTRACT SOME FISH IN.

BUILDING A FIRE OVER THE WATER

COULD BE YOUR BEST CHANCE
OF GETTING SOME SUPPER.

BUT TO CATCH A FISH,
I'M GONNA NEED TO MAKE A SPEAR.

JUST WEAVING IN A BIT OF VINE

JUST HELPS
TO KEEP THESE PRONGS APART.

AND FOUR PRONGS GIVES ME
FOUR TIMES THE KILLING AREA.

SPEAR DONE.

OKAY. LET'S GET THIS LIT.

A LAYER OF SAND ON THE PLATFORM

WILL STOP THE FIRE
BURNING THROUGH MY TRIPOD.

THERE YOU GO.
THAT'S ALL TAKING.

WE'LL LET THAT BUILD UP
AND LET THE FIRE DO THE WORK.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
HUNT FISH AT NIGHT

USING LIGHTS ON THEIR BOATS.

I'M HOPING MY FIRE
WILL HAVE THE SAME EFFECT.

THE FIRE'S BEEN BURNING
FOR A WHILE NOW.

IT'S JUST A QUESTION, REALLY, OF
LETTING THE FISH COME IN TO IT.

THE LIGHT SPARKS A FOOD CHAIN
BY ATTRACTING PLANKTON,

WHICH DRAWS IN THE SMALL FISH,
PULLING THE LARGER ONES.

AND IT'S THE BIG FELLAS
THAT I'M AFTER.

THEY MOVE FAST, THOUGH.

IT'S KIND OF HARD
WHEN IT'S QUITE WAVY

JUST TO TELL
WHAT'S SHADOW AND WHAT'S...

WHAT'S FISH.

JUST GOT TO BE PATIENT.

HOLD ON.
BETTER WATCH OUT.

I GOT IT!

ONE OF THE PRONGS.

ONLY ONE OF THE PRONGS
HAS CAUGHT IT.

THERE'S A RAY! WHOO!

LET'S GET THAT BACK TO CAMP.
COME ON. COME ON.

THIS MAKES THE EFFORT
OF BUILDING THE FIRE

SO WORTHWHILE.

IT'S A GREAT CATCH.
AND THE HEART THUMPING.

THAT'S A
BLUE-SPOTTED STINGRAY, THIS.

BUT IT'S GOT THIS VENOMOUS BARB
ON ITS TAIL.

SO, YOU CAN JUST SEE THERE.

REALLY, TO COOK THIS, PUT IT
STRAIGHT ON THE FIRE LIKE THAT.

IT'S AN AMAZING MOMENT
IN YOUR LIFE

WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU'RE CAPABLE

OF HUNTING AND CATCHING
YOUR OWN FOOD.

AND I FIND
IT GIVES ME A CONFIDENCE.

WITHOUT YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
TO GIVE YOU SUPPORT,

IT'S THESE SMALL VICTORIES THAT
BOOST THE SURVIVOR'S MORALE

AND DETERMINATION TO CARRY ON.

VERY BONY, BUT IT'S FOOD.

AND FOOD, FOR THE SURVIVOR,

IS ANOTHER DAY
THAT YOU CAN STAY ALIVE.

BUT AHEAD OF ME LIES THE
PROBLEM OF FINDING FRESHWATER,

AND WITH IT BRINGS
A NEW SET OF CHALLENGES.

STRAIGHT DOWN THE HILL.

I'M ON A GROUP OF ISLANDS

BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINES
AND MALAYSIA.

LOOK -- IT'S ANOTHER
LITTLE ISLAND OVER THERE.

SUCCESSFUL ISLAND SURVIVAL
INVOLVES DEVELOPING SYSTEMS

FOR PROTECTION, WATER,
FOOD, AND RESCUE.

TO IMPROVE
YOUR CHANCES OF RESCUE,

YOU NEED TO LET PEOPLE KNOW
THAT YOU'RE HERE.

HERE, THAT'S GREAT.

MASSIVE VIEWS OUT TO SEA
IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.

WHICH MAKES THIS A PERFECT
PLACE TO BUILD A SIGNAL FIRE.

AND WHAT I WANT IS DRY,
SMALL TWIGS.

IT'S GONNA GO UP FAST.

THIS TRIPOD WILL
KEEP MY FIRE OFF THE GROUND,

AND THE GREEN FOLIAGE
WILL HELP KEEP THE TINDER DRY.

A COUPLE OF BITS OF POLYSTYRENE
JAMMED INTO THE TOP

CREATE MASSES OF BLACK SMOKE
THAT YOU'RE GONNA SEE FOR MILES.

AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE
WHO SURVIVE FROM DESERT ISLANDS

DO SO BECAUSE THEY'RE SPOTTED

RATHER THAN HAVING MADE IT OUT
ON A RAFT THEY'VE BUILT.

AND THAT'S WHY
A SIGNAL FIRE LIKE THAT

REALLY IS A TOP PRIORITY.

WATER IS MY NEXT CONCERN.

ONE SOLUTION
IS TO COLLECT AND STORE

AS MUCH RAINWATER AS POSSIBLE.

THERE'S MASSES
OF THIS DRIFTWOOD BAMBOO AROUND.

SPLITTING THIS
IS GONNA ACT AS, LIKE, GUTTERING

FOR THE RAIN TO RUN OFF.

BY BUILDING
A ROOF TO MY SHELTER,

I CAN USE IT TO COLLECT WATER,
AND WATER HERE IS EVERYTHING.

THEY ACT LIKE ROOF TILES.

THE TOP EDGE SHEDS THE WATER,

AND THE CHANNEL BENEATH
COLLECTS IT.

GOT 3/4 OF THE ROOFING DONE.

JUST USE
THIS OLD BIT OF BROKEN-UP BOAT

AS THE LAST BIT.

LET'S GET THE WATER SORTED NOW.

THE NETTING WILL JUST WORK
AS A BIT OF CORDAGE

TO TIE UP THESE BAMBOO ENDS,

AND THAT'S
WHERE THE WATER'S GONNA DRIP --

OFF THE GUTTER, INTO THOSE.

AND THEN IF YOU GET
A TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR,

THAT'S GONNA FILL UP VERY FAST.

I'LL SET A WHOLE ROW OF THESE
ALONG HERE.

BUT EVEN IN THE WET SEASON, YOU
CAN'T RELY ON IT RAINING HERE.

IT'S ONLY
A CONSISTENT WATER SUPPLY

THAT CAN ASSURE
YOUR LONG-TERM SURVIVAL.

THERE COULD BE
A FRESHWATER SPRING

ON ONE
OF THE NEIGHBORING ISLANDS.

IF THERE IS,
I'M GONNA TRY AND FIND IT.

IF I CAN FIND A FEW OF THESE,
I CAN MAKE A SIMPLE PADDLEBOARD.

THE OTHER ISLAND LOOKS
A MILE OR SO OFFSHORE.

A SMALL RAFT
WILL HELP ME GET THERE.

JUST TIE THE TWO MIDDLE ONES
TOGETHER FIRST.

NOW, THAT ISLAND'S NOT FAR.

DEFINITELY WORTH A PADDLE AND
A BIT OF AN EXPLORATORY MISSION

TO SEE IF THERE'S
ANYTHING DIFFERENT OVER THERE.

OKAY. LET'S GO PADDLING.

FROM A DISTANCE, ALL
THESE ISLANDS LOOK THE SAME.

BUT FOR THE SURVIVOR, EVERY
EXPEDITION IS AN OPPORTUNITY.

THERE'S ACTUALLY
QUITE A STRONG CURRENT

BETWEEN THESE TWO ISLANDS.

I FEEL THIS IS GETTING PUSHED.

I HAVE TO STEER
INTO THE CURRENT

TO AVOID BEING SWEPT AWAY FROM
THE ISLAND AND INTO OPEN WATER.

SO, LET'S WORK HARD.
10 MINUTES, WE'LL BE THERE.

LET'S GET THIS UP
AND LEAVE THIS HERE.

WE'VE GOT TO SEE
WHAT WE FIND ON THIS ISLAND.

[ BIRDS CHIRPING ]

IT'S A STEEP CLIMB, BUT GETTING
TO A HIGH POINT IS VITAL.

IT ALLOWS YOU TO UNDERSTAND
THE SHAPE OF THE ISLAND.

YOU CAN SEE THIS VERY CLEARLY
DROPS OFF ON BOTH SIDES.

THERE ARE CLEAR SIGNS
OF ANIMALS UP HERE.

A GAME TRAIL HAS BEEN WORN
ALONG THE RIDGE.

WILDLIFE APPEARS TO BE USING
THIS AS THEIR THOROUGHFARE.

YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE
THEIR PRINTS. SEE THAT?

HOOF MARK.

AND THAT GIVES ME AN IDEA.

THIS IS HOW IT WORKS SOMETIMES.

YOU'RE OUT
LOOKING FOR ONE THING,

AND THEN ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY
PRESENTS ITSELF.

SO, YOU'VE GOT THE ISLAND,

AND THEN YOU'VE GOT
THIS CLEAR TOP RIDGE

THAT RUNS
THE WHOLE LENGTH OF IT.

AND MAYBE IF I MAKE, LIKE,
A BRUSHWOOD FENCE

EITHER SIDE OF IT, LIKE THAT,

IT CAN ACT AS A FUNNEL.

THEN IF I COME 'ROUND HERE,

STEADILY DRIVE AND HERD

ANY WILDLIFE
THROUGH A CHOKE POINT.

AND THAT'S A PLACE
TO SET A TRAP.

OKAY. LET'S DO IT.

THE SURVIVOR IS AN OPPORTUNIST.

YOU NEED TO KEEP YOUR EYE OPEN

FOR ANYTHING
THAT CAN AID YOUR SURVIVAL.

AS LONG
AS THEY'RE NOT FRIGHTENED,

WILDLIFE APPROACHING A BARRIER

WILL CHOOSE
THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE.

YOU CAN SEE THIS FENCE.

BOTH SIDES LIKE AN ARROW,
JUST GUIDING ANY GAME

DOWN TO THIS KILLING ZONE.

I'M GONNA BUILD
A TRADITIONAL MALAYSIAN TRAP

USED BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
TO CATCH SMALL MAMMALS.

AND THIS JUST LOOPS UNDER THERE.

THAT JUST SLIPS INTO THAT.

AND THIS ROPE
I SCAVENGED FROM THE BEACH

WILL MAKE THE PERFECT NOOSE.

OKAY.
LET'S JUST TRIGGER THIS.

MAKE SURE IT ALL WORKS PROPERLY.

STAND BACK.

ANIMAL COMES ALONG,
STANDS ON THE PRESSURE PLATE.

CAUGHT.

AS A SIGN OF RESPECT,

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
ASK THE SPIRITS FOR PERMISSION

BEFORE THEY ENTER THE JUNGLE
TO HUNT.

FOR ME, A QUIET MOMENT WILL
ALLOW THE JUNGLE TO SETTLE,

WHICH COULD INCREASE
MY CHANCE OF SUCCESS.

THE IDEA IS THAT
WE DON'T STARTLE ANY ANIMAL.

WE JUST WANT TO GENTLY
CORRAL THEM ALONG THE ISLAND.

IT'S NO SURPRISE
THAT ANIMALS ARE HERE.

CREATURES HAVE COLONIZED
MANY OF THESE ISLANDS

BY SWIMMING BETWEEN THEM.

LIKE ME, THEY'RE IN SEARCH
OF FOOD AND FRESHWATER.

SOMETIMES
YOU JUST GOT TO STOP AND WATCH.

WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR
IS SMALL FLICKERS OF MOVEMENT.

THAT'S WHAT GIVES GAME AWAY.

MOVE BACK UP.
SWEEP THE OTHER SIDE AGAIN.

CRISSCROSSING THE RIDGE

WILL DRIVE WILDLIFE
TOWARDS MY SNARE.

LOOK. STRAIGHT DOWN.
ARE YOU ROLLING ON THIS?

STRAIGHT DOWN THE HILL.

SEE THE BACK END OF HIM?
BLACK BACK END.

IT'S A PIG. SEE HIM?

OKAY, THAT IS
WHAT WE WANT TO KEEP MOVING

UP TOWARDS THE RIDGELINE,
TOWARDS OUR FUNNEL.

COME ON.

AMONGST THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
OF BORNEO,

THE BEARDED PIG IS
A SOUGHT-AFTER SOURCE OF FOOD

AND THE RAINFORESTS
AND MANGROVES OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

A PERFECT HABITAT.

SEE THROUGH THE BUSH?

HE'S JUST MOVING ALONG.

YOU CAN HEAR HIM MOVE
PRETTY STEADILY.

[ LEAVES RUSTLING ]

HE'S NOT DISTRESSED,
WHICH IS GOOD.

OKAY. LET'S KEEP MOVING.

[ THUNDER RUMBLING ]

THE THUNDER HASN'T FAZED HIM.

HE'S STILL MOVING
TOWARDS THE TRAP.

HE'S LITERALLY ABOUT 4 FOOT
FROM THE SNARE THERE.

HE'S FRUSTRATINGLY CLOSE,
BUT THERE'S NOTHING I CAN DO.

HERE COMES THE RAIN, AS WELL.

I'VE JUST GOT TO HOLD MY NERVE.

GO ON. GO ON.

THERE WE GO. THERE WE GO.

[ PIG SQUEALS ]
WE GOT HIM.

I'M ON A REMOTE ISLAND
OFF THE COAST OF MALAYSIA

IN PURSUIT OF A WILD PIG THAT
I'M DRIVING TOWARDS A TRAP.

LOOK, LOOK, LOOK,
LOOK, LOOK, LOOK. GO ON.

GO ON. ONE STEP. GO ON.

[ PIG SQUEALS ]
WE GOT HIM.

JUST GOT AROUND
THE BACK TROTTER THERE.

JUST LET HIM SETTLE
FOR A SECOND.

STAY THERE.
STAY THERE.

[ PIG YELPS ]

OKAY. HE'S DEAD.

STRAIGHT THROUGH THE HEART,
BEHIND THE SHOULDER BLADE.

SURVIVAL IS NOT PRETTY, AND THIS
IS SOMETHING I DO NOT ENJOY.

BUT A BIG PART OF SURVIVAL
IS FOOD,

AND A LOT OF FOOD ON THAT
THAT I CAN USE.

AND I'VE GOT HIM
JUST IN THE HEART THERE.

HE WOULD HAVE DIED STRAIGHTAWAY.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT WORKED.
THAT REALLY WORKED.

YEAH, WE DIDN'T SPOOK HIM.

WE DIDN'T MAKE HIM RUSH
THROUGH THERE.

HE JUST WALKED NICE AND STEADILY
INTO THAT AND THEN WAS SNARED.

OKAY.
LET'S GET HIM BACK TO CAMP.

WILD PIG IS AN IMPORTANT FOOD
SOURCE FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

A BIG KILL
CAN LAST A FAMILY FOR WEEKS.

NOW TO LEAVE
WHAT I'VE CALLED PIG ISLAND

AND HEAD BACK TO BASE.

I'LL BE GLAD TO SEE
SOLID GROUND AGAIN.

SHARKS CAN SMELL BLOOD
OVER A MILE AWAY.

WHEN YOU'RE TIRED AND
IN REMOTE SITUATIONS LIKE THIS,

YOUR FEARS CAN SOMETIMES
RUN AWAY WITH YOU.

I ALWAYS FEEL
A LITTLE BIT VULNERABLE,

SWIMMING IN THE OCEAN WITH
A CARCASS THAT'S DRIPPING BLOOD.

MADE ME WORK FOR IT, THIS PIG.

IN THESE HUMID CONDITIONS,
THE CARCASS WON'T LAST LONG.

BEFORE I BUTCHER IT,

I'M GONNA BUILD
A SIMPLE RACK ABOVE A FIRE

AND PRESERVE THE MEAT
BY DRYING IT.

AND THEN, REALLY,
WE WANT THIS AS EMBERS.

OKAY.
LET'S LET THAT BUILD UP.

THIS PIG WILL PROVIDE FOOD
FOR SOME TIME.

BUT NOURISHMENT
ISN'T THE ONLY ADVANTAGE

TO BE GAINED
FROM A BIG KILL LIKE THIS.

AND IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD,

SO MUCH OF AN ANIMAL
GOES TO WASTE.

BUT IN SURVIVAL, YOU DON'T
WANT TO WASTE ANYTHING.

THERE ARE AROUND 60 FEET
OF GUTS IN A PIG LIKE THIS.

ONCE CLEANED AND DRIED,
I CAN USE IT AS CORDAGE.

AND ORIGINALLY,

THIS IS WHAT FISHING WIRE
WOULD HAVE BEEN MADE OUT OF.

VERY, VERY STRONG.

ANIMAL STOMACHS

HAVE TRADITIONALLY BEEN USED
AS WATER BOTTLES,

WHICH COULD BE A LIFESAVER
FOR ANYONE STUCK OUT HERE.

SMELLS OF VOMIT.

BUT ONCE IT'S DRIED OUT,

THAT'S GONNA HOLD AT LEAST
2 PINTS OF WATER IN THAT.

NOW THAT THE FIRE
IS ESTABLISHED,

I CAN START DRYING THE MEAT
BY SMOKING IT.

BACTERIA NEEDS MOISTURE
TO SURVIVE.

THIS PROCESS
WILL STOP BACTERIA SPREADING

AND CREATE SOMETHING
SIMILAR TO JERKY.

THAT'S NOT TOO HOT,
IT'S NOT GONNA COOK IT,

BUT THERE'S ENOUGH SMOKE
AND HEAT TO DRY THAT OUT.

AND I'LL JUST COVER IT.

MIGHT TAKE A COUPLE OF DAYS.

BUT ONCE IT'S DRIED OUT
AND SMOKED,

THAT MEAT'S GONNA LAST A MONTH.

BUT I'M NOT GONNA PRESERVE
ALL OF IT.

SOME IS FOR SUPPER TONIGHT.

FOR ME,
IT'S NOT ABOUT THIS MEAL.

IT'S ACTUALLY ABOUT WHAT
THE PIG CAN GIVE ME LONG-TERM.

BY REMEMBERING THAT,
I CAN GET OVER

FINDING THE ACTUAL KILL ITSELF
SO DIFFICULT.

PRIME PIG MEAT.

ACTUALLY,
IT DOESN'T TASTE THAT GREAT.

A FULL STOMACH
PUTS FUEL BACK IN YOUR TANK,

AND OUT HERE, THAT'S A MUST.

IN THIS ENVIRONMENT,
THE SURVIVOR NEEDS TO KEEP BUSY

TO INCREASE
BOTH RESOURCES AND MORALE.

I'M ON A MALAYSIAN ISLAND,
AND THE HEAVENS HAVE OPENED.

THAT'S SO GOOD.

OH, WHEN IT'S LIKE THIS,

IT REALLY IS
JUST A SPECTACULAR PLACE.

FOR THE ISLAND SURVIVOR,
RAIN CHANGES EVERYTHING.

IT'S JUST BEEN SO STICKY, HUMID.

YOU KNOW, WHEN IT'S LIKE THIS,
FOR ME, THIS IS MY HEAVEN TIME.

OH!

GET AN OPPORTUNITY LIKE THIS,
AND SAVOR IT.

RAINFALL IS UNPREDICTABLE HERE,
EVEN IN THE WET SEASON.

THE QUEST FOR FOOD NEVER ENDS.

THE REEF SHOULD BE
A RICH FISHING GROUND,

AND THIS PLASTIC BOTTLE
WILL HELP IN THE HUNT.

CUT THE REST OF THAT OFF.

BUT IF I'M TO STAND A CHANCE
OF CATCHING ANYTHING,

I'M GONNA NEED TO BE
ABLE TO SEE UNDERWATER.

AND THEN WHAT I'M LEFT WITH

IS AN EYEPIECE AND THEN,
LIKE, AN APERTURE.

LOOK THROUGH THAT,
THROUGH THE WATER,

AND SEE WHAT'S MOVING
UNDER THE SURFACE.

IT'S SIMPLE BUT IMPROVISED
OUT OF JUST WHAT I'VE FOUND.

KIND OF SEE THE LINE OF THE REEF
ALL THE WAY AROUND THE ISLAND.

IT'S THAT PALE COLOR ABOUT
A COUPLE OF HUNDRED FEET OUT,

AND THAT'S WHERE I'M GONNA GO
AND TRY AND GET SOMETHING.

2 MILLION SQUARE MILES
OF WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE

THE RICHEST MARINE ENVIRONMENT
ON THE PLANET

LOOKS A LITTLE SPARSE
FROM HERE.

BUT MANY FISHERMEN BELIEVE
THAT CLOUD COVER INCREASES

YOUR CHANCE OF SUCCESS,
AS NOCTURNAL FEEDERS

ARE ENCOURAGED TO FORAGE
DURING THE DAY.

IT'S PROBABLY A GOOD PLACE
TO START DIVING, HERE.

ABOUT 20 FOOT OF WATER,
JUST ON THE EDGE OF THE REEF.

OKAY. LET'S USE THIS,
HAVE A LOOK UNDER THERE.

SO, YOU'VE GOT REALLY GOOD
VISIBILITY WITH THIS.

LOTS OF LITTLE ANCHOVIES
DOWN ON THE REEF.

HAVE A LOOK AT THAT.

WHAT THIS DOES, IT JUST
BREAKS THE SURFACE TENSION

AND GIVES ME A WINDOW
TO WHAT'S DOWN THERE.

NOW I KNOW
THIS IS A GOOD LOCATION.

I'VE GOT TO
GET MYSELF READY TO DIVE.

SO MUCH OF THE SKILL

OF BEING ABLE TO
HOLD YOUR BREATH UNDERWATER

IS ACTUALLY
ABOUT THE MENTAL GAME.

IF I CAN GET MY BODY
INTO A MEDITATIVE STATE,

EVERYTHING BEGINS TO SLOW DOWN

AND I CAN USE MY OXYGEN
MORE EFFICIENTLY.

THIS ROCK WILL SAVE ME
BOTH TIME AND ENERGY

GETTING DOWN TO THE SEABED.

THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
RELY ON THE REEF SO MUCH

THAT THEY'VE TRAINED THEMSELVES
TO BE EXPERT FREE DIVERS,

LEARNING TO HOLD THEIR BREATH

FOR UP TO FIVE MINUTES
AT A TIME.

THEY CAN DIVE
TO DEPTHS OF 40 FEET,

FORAGING AND SPEARING FISH
ON THE OCEAN FLOOR.

[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]

WHOO!

IT'S JUST AMAZING DOWN THERE.

SO MUCH GOING ON IN THAT REEF.
THIS ROCK'S HELPED ME LOADS.

OKAY. LET'S GO AGAIN. COME ON.

[ BREATHES DEEPLY ]

CORAL IS MADE UP OF MILLIONS
OF TINY ANIMALS CALLED POLYPS.

COLLECTIVELY, THEY FORM
THE SKELETON OF THE REEF.

OVER 2,000 SPECIES OF FISH
SHARE THIS REEF,

SOME FEEDING OFF THE CORAL

OR USING IT AS PROTECTION
FOR OTHER FISH.

I THOUGHT I SAW SOME
LITTLE ANTENNAE OF CRAYFISH

POKING OUT FROM THE CORAL.

TRY AND SEE IF I CAN SEE IT
FROM UP HERE, THOUGH.

GONNA TRY TO KEEP MY EYE ON HIM
AND GET HIM OUT.

[ INHALES DEEPLY ]

I'M BEGINNING TO HOLD MY BREATH
FOR MUCH LONGER NOW.

THE CRAYFISH HAS WEDGED ITSELF
UNDER SOME ROCKS,

WHICH COULD MAKE IT REALLY HARD
FOR ME TO GET HIM OUT.

THIS FELLA'S NOT GIVING UP
WITHOUT A FIGHT.

WITH INCREDIBLE SPEED,
IT TAIL-FLIPS AWAY.

SWIMMING BACKWARDS,

CRAYFISH CAN KEEP THEIR EYES
LOCKED ON THEIR ENEMY.

WHOO!

I HAD HIM!

BROKE ONE OF THE PRONGS.

AND LITERALLY
JUST WENT LIKE LIGHTNING,

STRAIGHT PAST MY HEAD...

AND GONE!

BOY, I WAS SO CLOSE.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF PUFF.

MY EYES ARE REALLY
STARTING TO STING NOW.

BUT AFTER ALL THIS EFFORT,

I'M NOT GONNA LET THIS MEAL
GET AWAY.

A CRAYFISH LIKE THIS
WOULD BE QUITE A PRIZE.

BUT WITH ONE PRONG DOWN,
BURNING LUNGS,

I'M FINDING IT HARD

TO MAKE ANY IMPRESSION
ON HIS ARMOR PLATING.

BUT AS WITH MOST THINGS,

PERSEVERANCE
BRINGS ITS REWARDS.

WHAT A CRAYFISH!

ABSOLUTELY FLIPPING BRILLIANT!

LET'S GET HIM BACK TO SHORE

BEFORE HE ESCAPES
OUT OF THESE PRONGS.

I LOVE CRAYFISH.

AFTER SO MUCH TIME UNDERWATER,

I CAN'T WAIT TO TUCK INTO ONE
OF MY FAVORITE SEAFOOD DISHES.

IT'S HARD WORK, THE FREE DIVING,
BUT IT'S ALSO REALLY FUN.

YOU KNOW, I LOVE --
I LOVE THAT SORT OF THING.

I DO SO MUCH OF IT
BACK HOME WITH MY KIDS,

HAVING COMPETITIONS --

WHO CAN HOLD THEIR BREATH
FOR THE LONGEST UNDERWATER?

[ SNIFFS ]

I CONSTANTLY
HAVE TO REMIND MYSELF

OF MY FAMILY AND MY FRIENDS.

IT'S THIS HOPE

THAT GETS THE SURVIVOR THROUGH
EACH AND EVERY DAY.

OKAY, IT SHOULD BE READY.

LOOK AT THAT.
IT'S A WHOLE TAIL.

POWER, MUSCLE, AND GREAT ENERGY.

MEALS IN THE WILD DON'T COME
MUCH BETTER THAN THIS --

ENERGY-GIVING
AND TASTES GREAT, TOO.

HAPPY BEAR FACE.

ON REMOTE ISLANDS,

YOU CAN'T RELY ON RAINWATER
ALONE FOR YOUR SURVIVAL.

WHAT YOU NEED IS TO FIND

A CONSISTENT SUPPLY
OF FRESHWATER.

ALL YOU GOT TO DO
IS TRACK IT DOWN.

I CAN'T DRINK THAT.

I'M ON AN ARCHIPELAGO

THAT CONTAINS SOME OF THE MOST
REMOTE ISLANDS ON THE PLANET.

I'VE BUILT A SHELTER...

PUT SYSTEMS IN PLACE
FOR RESCUE...

BEEN HUNTING FOR FOOD BOTH
ABOVE AND BENEATH THE WATER.

NOW I'M HEADING BACK
TO WHAT I'VE CALLED PIG ISLAND

IN SEARCH
FOR A FRESHWATER SOURCE.

THE FACT THAT THERE ARE
ANIMALS ON THIS ISLAND

MEANS THAT THERE MUST BE A
SUPPLY OF FRESHWATER SOMEWHERE.

ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS FIND IT.

WE'RE IN THE SWAMP. LOOK.

I CAN'T DRINK THAT.

IT'S BRACKISH.

A MIX OF SALT WATER
WITH ALL THE RAIN COMING DOWN.

WHETHER IT'S FROM A SPRING
OR FROM RAIN,

THERE IS FRESHWATER COMING
INTO THE SWAMP FROM SOMEWHERE.

WHOA!

THE WHOLE PLACE JUST STINKS.

WATER RUNS ONE WAY -- DOWNHILL.

IF IT'S SPRINGWATER,

YOU CAN WORK BACKWARDS
AND FIND ITS SOURCE.

THE STORY OF "ROBINSON CRUSOE"

WAS BASED UPON REAL-LIFE SAILOR
ALEXANDER SELKIRK.

THE REASON SELKIRK SURVIVED FOR
FIVE YEARS ON A DESERT ISLAND

WAS THAT HE HAD AN ABUNDANT
SUPPLY OF FRESHWATER.

TO EXIST HERE LONG-TERM,
FRESHWATER IS EVERYTHING.

LOOK TO BE GETTING QUITE NEAR
THE HIGH POINT HERE.

BUT THERE'S NO SIGN
OF WATER YET.

ROOTS CLING TO THE ROCK FACE,
STRETCHING OUT FROM THE TREE,

AS THEY, TOO, SEARCH FOR WATER.

THESE ONES ARE GOOD.

THE BENEFIT
OF CLIMBING A LATTICE OF VINES

IS THAT IF ONE SNAPS, THE
OTHERS WILL ARREST YOUR FALL.

IT'S LOOKING GOOD.

GO ON, THEN.

THE MAIN STRUCTURAL MATERIAL
ON THESE ROOTS

HAS A SIMILAR TENSILE STRENGTH
TO SOME STEEL.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

[ COUGHING ]

NOW, THAT'S THE SORT OF VIEW
I'VE BEEN AFTER.

NEARING THE TOP OF THE ISLAND,
THE CANOPY OPENS UP...

LET'S KEEP MOVING ON.

...WHICH MAKES COVERING GROUND
MUCH EASIER.

DRY RIVERBED. LOOK.

THE STREAM HERE IS EMPTY.

IT MUST ONLY FLOW
WHEN IT RAINS.

IT'S MUCH CLEARER HERE.

OPEN TO THE SKIES, AND THAT'S
WHY ALL THIS MUD IS SO WET.

KEEP FOLLOWING THIS DOWN.

WHOLE POOLS OF WATER HERE!

FOUND ANOTHER ONE.

AHH!

IT'S LIKE THE WHOLE
TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN HERE

IS A GIANT WATER-CATCHMENT AREA.

IT DOESN'T GET
ANY BETTER THAN THIS.

THE DRY RIVERBED IS A FUNNEL,

AND THIS
IS WHERE IT'S COLLECTING.

[ ENGINE RUMBLING IN DISTANCE ]

HOLD ON.

ABOVE THE NOISE OF THE JUNGLE,

I CAN SUDDENLY HEAR
THE SOUND OF AN ENGINE.

AT SEA, SOUND CAN TRAVEL
AN INCREDIBLE DISTANCE.

CAN'T SEE IT, BUT I CAN
MOST DEFINITELY HEAR IT.

IT MIGHT SOUND CLOSE,
BUT IT COULD BE MILES OFFSHORE.

BUT IF THAT'S A BOAT,

THAT MEANS YOUR PRIORITIES
HAVE GOT TO CHANGE.

NOW, THAT WATER
IS NOT GONNA GO ANYWHERE,

BUT A BOAT IS GONNA KEEP MOVING.

OF PEOPLE
REPORTED LOST IN THE WILD,

UNDER 20%
FIND THEIR OWN WAY OUT.

THE VAST MAJORITY
SURVIVE BY BEING RESCUED.

NO DOUBT!
SEE WHAT THAT IS!

IT'S A FISHING BOAT
ANCHORED OFFSHORE.

AND SOMETIMES THE DECISION
WHETHER TO STAY OR GO

IS A HARD ONE FOR THE SURVIVOR.

SOMETIMES IT'S MADE EASY.
OKAY, LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.

REMOTE ISLANDS LIKE THIS
ARE HARD,

BUT WITH THE CHALLENGES
COME THE REWARDS.

OVER HERE!

THIS ADVENTURE HAS FORCED ME TO
THINK SMART AND BE RESOURCEFUL,

BUT THAT'S SURVIVAL FOR YOU.

TO SHARE MY FAVORITE MOMENTS
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