Spy in the Wild (2017–…): Season 2, Episode 4 - The Poles - full transcript

DAVID TENNANT (VO): The animal world
is full of spectacle and wonder.

But what's it like to be right
in the heart of the action?

To find out, our team of spy creatures
goes undercover.

They not only look
like the animals they film...

they behave like them too.

Armed with the latest camera technology...

they are heading across the globe.

From the heat of the tropics...

to the lands that lie in the north.

From the islands of the southern seas...

to the snow and ice of the frozen poles.



Our spies reveal the astonishing variety
of life that thrives there...

from inside their world.

On their final assignment,
our spy creatures explore

the lands of ice and snow
beyond the Arctic and Antarctic circles.

In this polar realm,
animals find astonishing ways to survive

in an extreme and freezing climate.

It's winter on the remote island
of South Georgia in the Southern Ocean.

Spy albatross patrols the rugged coast
for signs of life.

Even in this hostile land,
animals still thrive.

A city of king penguins and their chicks...

200,000 in all.

They're one of the world's tallest
penguins, standing a metre high.

Among the multitude,
there's a special edition.

Spy chick is here to reveal life
in the colony.



In this barren land,
the chicks must stick together.

Preening each other is one way
of making friends.

Now a fully-fledged member of the colony,
he's free to find out more.

Both parents care for their chicks

feeding them fish stored in their stomachs.

They're six months old.

It will be eight more months
before they're fledged.

No other penguin devotes so much time
to rearing their young.

Sheathbills are one of the few other birds
to thrive here.

They scavenge on anything they can.

Even spy chick is worth a try.

Sheathbills are more an irritation
than a threat.

The chicks have far bigger things
to worry about.

Giant petrels.

He seeks out the weak and injured.

His aim is to create panic...

Separating a chick from the colony.

But parents work together
to shield any chick in danger.

PENGUINS SCREECH

The petrel seeks an easier victim.

Not the time for a malfunction!

Luckily, there's plenty of life left

in spy chick.

In a colony so vast

the petrel will soon find
a more appetising meal.

Order restored,
the chicks' lives are about to change.

Their parents' food stocks have run out.

There's nothing left to give.

It's time to go fishing once more.

The chicks won't see their parents again
for at least three months.

Ahead lies the Southern Ocean

and a round trip of over 1,500 kilometres.

The chicks must now face the full brunt
of the weather alone.

It will be along wait.

Their next meal is many months away.

As our penguin chicks
hunker down for winter

spring is arriving in
the Arctic's far north.

Icebergs cast adrift from glaciers
are sculpted by rising temperatures.

What once was frozen sea
now gives way to open water.

Only rafts of drifting ice remain.

But it's not just the
ice that's on the move.

Spy walrus is perfectly suited
for navigating these waters.

Based on a young walrus,
it should be readily accepted.

This is just what it's looking for.

Atlantic walrus,
hauled out on what little ice remains.

A new walrus is always of interest.

This small family pod
has been at sea all winter.

They gave birth when the water was frozen.

WALRUS GRUNTS

Ice still provides
a safe platform to rest on...

but now there's not enough room
for everyone.

Fortunately, the male is quite happy
to snooze in the ocean.

WALRUS SNORES

And he doesn't mind
letting everyone know.

WALRUS FARTS

WALRUS GRUNTS

He needs his sleep.

Walrus can stay awake for four days
when searching for food.

He can doze for ten hours at a time,
only waking to change position.

WALRUS GRUNTS

He's even happy to sleep on his front.

Despite needing a breath every ten minutes.

Male walrus are notoriously grumpy,
but most of it's just for show.

KNOCKING SOUND ECHOES

This strange knocking sound
is a warning to rival males.

It can carry 16 kilometres or more.

Back with the walrus family,
their ice raft is fast disappearing.

Time to find dry land.

But first, they check out the new visitor.

Walruses use their tusks
for finding food and fighting

but they have only
friendly intentions here.

Inspection over, the family
look for a safer place to haul out.

They're joined by spy gyrfalcon

based on the only falcon
found this far north.

In the water,
the calf is vulnerable to predators.

For security,
the family keep him surrounded.

They may travel over 300 kilometres
without stopping or sleeping.

But today, they're not going far.

Their favourite beach is close by.

A popular spot with shallow waters
rich in clams and other food.

This will be their summer home
until the ice returns.

There are some who choose
to follow the retreating ice.

Spy falcon heads further north.

The frozen realm of the world's
most formidable predator.

Polar bears use the ice for hunting...

...but each year,
the spring melt arrives earlier

making conditions more challenging.

She must use the fragile ice
as stepping stones.

To gain a closer look,
another spy is needed.

It could be a risky mission.

The planet's largest carnivore
has a fearsome reputation...

and they like to hunt alone.

As a precaution,
spy bear has a nifty trick.

Fortunately,
polar bears aren't territorial.

They're more inquisitive than aggressive.

The bear continues her quest for seals.

Slipping into the water with hardly a stir.

Hidden between the ice floes,
she can move quickly and silently

but seals haul out
where they can see bears approaching

and this seal has met polar bears before...

...with the scars to prove it.

She must use what cover she can.

She takes a bearing and dives.

She aims for a surprise attack.

That means getting close.

But there's too much ice to cover.

She must change her technique.

Keeping downwind
gives her the advantage.

But hunting on melting ice
has its own problems.

She spreads her weight
as best she can...

...but this wasn't in the plan.

When the ice is melting,
most hunts fail.

POLAR BEAR GRUNTS

Rolling squeezes water from her fur

vital for maintaining insulation.

Perhaps all is not lost.

She's picked up a scent...

a trail that leads to land.

She can smell food from 30 kilometres away

but the trail ends here.

A whale carcass.

100 tonnes of blubber and a beacon
for every bear in the neighbourhood...

including our spy.

The hungry bear soon joins the feast.

When there's plenty of food,
they don't mind sharing.

Here, there's enough to last them a year.

POLAR BEARS GROWL

As the climate changes

such bonanzas become
lifesavers for hungry bears.

Further south, beyond the sea ice,
is Norway's Hornoya Island.

It's early spring and millions of seabirds
are returning to breed

having spent winter fishing at sea.

Among them is the island's
most famous inhabitant.

Puffins are rarely seen on snow

but here, winter lingers far into spring.

To gain a head start, they must pair up
as soon as they can.

But one puffin is very much on its own.

A spy in disguise.

It isn't lonely for long.

Puffins are sociable and inquisitive.

Spy puffin greets them with a head flick...

and they soon return the gesture.

PUFFINS CRY

SPY PUFFIN CRIES

He's surrounded by males searching
for their long-lost partners.

They pair for life, but only spend time
together in the breeding season.

After so long apart,
it's hard to recognise who's who.

Even spy puffin is given the once over.

PUFFIN CRIES
- SPY PUFFIN CRIES

The male waits by his old nest burrow,
hidden beneath the snow.

This is where his partner will return.

Could this be her?

Or maybe her?

Or even her?

There's only one way to find out.

They bob and head rub.

She's definitely the one.

But a male who's young and single
is out to try his luck.

He'll happily muscle
in on a devoted couple.

But no male gives up
the love of his life without a fight.

Despite her commitment,
a strong male might turn her head.

Her partner must prove he's still worthy.

The love rival loses.

Her mate has proved
he's still a good catch.

Bonds restored,
they join others as they go fishing.

Back in South Georgia,
four months have passed

and the chicks are still waiting
for their parents to return.

With warming seas,
the fishing grounds are moving south

meaning their parents must travel further.

Despite their fluffy appearance,
some have lost 70% of their fat reserves.

Close to starvation, they must conserve
the little energy they have.

But their wait may soon be over.

The first promising sign.

They've been away for a third of a year

and are desperate to feed
their hungry chicks.

Another penguin cam is here
to greet the weary travellers.

Their bellies are stuffed
with squid and krill.

Over the next few days,
hundreds of thousands will return.

But while they were away,
things have changed.

Their beach has been invaded.

Six thousand elephant seals now
separate them from their hungry chicks.

Spy chick is waiting too.

It won't be easy.

The bulls weigh four tonnes
and are easily riled.

The penguins will just have to wait.

ELEPHANT SEAL GRUNTS

As peace returns...

it's the opportunity they need.

Safest to go on tiptoe.

So far, so good.

Maybe not so good.

ELEPHANT SEAL GRUNTS

ELEPHANT SEAL GRUNTS

It's now or never.

ELEPHANT SEAL ROARS

He's cleared the way.

It's the break they need.

But that was the easy bit.

Somehow, they must find their own chick
among all the identikit versions.

A seemingly impossible task.

CHICKS CRY

Especially as their chicks have changed
over the last four months.

But they have a solution.

PENGUIN CALLS

PENGUINS CALL

Call and hope their chick answers back.

CHICK CRIES

Each parent's call is unique.

Once identified,
the chick can't contain his excitement.

CHICK CALLS

After so long apart,
it's a moment worth celebrating.

CHICK CRIES

Food at last.

Preservatives in her stomach mean it's
as fresh as the day it was caught.

With full bellies and their parents around

the chicks will be safe
for another few months.

On the Arctic islands of Svalbard,
young seabirds face a different challenge.

It's now summer

and guillemots are among
the many birds raising their young.

An Arctic fox bears witness
to this yearly spectacle.

Among the returning flocks,
our spy is surrounded by little auks.

They nest among the boulders...

...while guillemots nest
on the sheer cliffs above.

All this life brings opportunities
for predators.

Spy fox is staking out a den
of Arctic foxes.

FOXES SQUEAK

These youngsters have been raised here
over the last three months.

Now they're coming of age,
they play the games

that hone their hunting skills.

FOXES CRY

FOX SQUEALS

High above, the guillemot chicks
are ready to leave their nests.

Below is a drop of 300 metres...

and there's only one way down.

Somehow, they must make it to the sea.

The chick has never flown before.

But her father is with her all the way.

Falling short is the greatest danger.

But she makes a textbook landing.

More are encouraged to follow.

For the foxes,
they're tantalisingly out of reach.

While the youngsters hope for better luck

boulder cam takes over filming duties.

It's just one of the many spy cams
hidden here.

For now, the fox cubs bide their time.

FOXES SQUEAK

Above, more novice flyers are warming up.

Ready or not,
she must make the leap of faith.

CHICK CHIRPS

She falls short.

An opportunity for the fox.

CHICK CHIRPS

The chick is still 300 metres from the sea

but her father's calls are beckoning her.

GUILLEMOT CRIES

She's in a race for her life.

To keep up, another spy creature is needed.

One based on a snowy owl.

The chick might seem an easy meal...

...but this meal bites back.

It's running rings round
this novice hunter.

But there's along way to go.

To reach the sea,
the chick must cross the boulder field...

CHICK CHIRPS

...and danger lurks wherever she turns.

But this bird has spirit...

CHICK CRIES

...and the boulders offer places to hide.

All the time,
she's edging closer to the sea.

It seems her bravado is out-foxing the fox.

CHICK CRIES

But she's not safe yet.

She's made it.

A hard lesson for the fox.

A happy reunion for the chick.

She'll return to the cliffs
in five years' time

when she is ready to breed.

By then, the fox cubs
will be seasoned hunters.

It's mid-summer in Ellesmere Island

just 800 kilometres from the North Pole.

It's home to the Arctic wolf.

The world's most successful pack hunter.

Summer is pupping season.

After three months in the den,
they're big enough for the great outdoors.

There's so much to see.

Spy pup.

A new companion, perhaps.

PUPS WHINE

A bow and wagging tail means
"come and play".

Already, they've made a friend.

PUPS YELP

The pups are big enough to meet
the rest of the family.

Their older brothers and sisters
now have young playmates.

WOLF HOWLS

Their parents share in leadership duties.

They rally the family to go hunting.

WOLVES HOWL

When all are ready, they leave together.

Spy pup tries to follow...

but it's no match for the agile wolves.

Spy showy owl takes up the filming baton.

It can fly long range and cruise
at 25 kilometres per hour.

Perfect for tracking wolves on the move.

They have over 100,000
square kilometres to hunt in.

They head into wind to
try to catch a scent.

Perhaps from prey 30 kilometres away.

It's a testing time for such tiny pups.

To discover what lies ahead

our eye in the sky takes the lead.

Musk ox are prime prey for Arctic wolves.

Downwind,
the wolves are difficult to detect.

But musk ox are easily spooked.

So they carefully take up position.

Selecting the young or infirm...

PUPS YELP

...but the pups have
yet to learn the rules.

Their cover's blown.

The herd cluster together...

...forming a protective circle
around their calves.

The wolves surround them.

This time, the pups stay still.

The pack calculates its next move.

They split the herd...

...as the pups watch and learn.

They've singled out the oldest animal.

But a fully-grown musk ox
weighs 400 Kilos and can Kill a wolf...

and its thick woolly coat
is almost impenetrable.

Their aim is to tire her out.

Those at the front
keep the musk ox distracted.

Those at the back anchor her down.

Such battles can last an hour.

Exhausted, she gives up the fight.

It's enough food for the whole family,
including the pups.

But they must wait.

The hunters get the first reward.

Once they've had their fill,
the cubs are called.

They're curious.

It's the first time
they've tasted fresh meat.

It's also their first lesson in survival.

Back at the den, spy pup is waiting.

The pups return with spoils from the hunt.

For all, the meal will keep hunger
at bay for a week.

It's now time to relax once more.

Before our spy creatures' mission ends,
they return to South Georgia.

Spy king penguin is on duty once more.

It's the elephant seals' breeding season

and females with pups are everywhere.

It's a busy time for this beach master.

He has around 100 females to look after.

Each is in need of attention.

He doesn't want them to stray.

But while his back is turned,
he's vulnerable.

There are plenty of other males
hoping to steal them away.

This one isn't big enough
to challenge the beach master.

He has to be sneaky instead.

But the beach master is always on guard.

He roars a warning.

ELEPHANT SEAL ROARS

His nose amplifies the sound.

For the intruder,
the message is loud and clear.

It's followed up with a charge.

The rival backs down.

Spy penguin becomes the first casualty
as the rival makes his escape.

ELEPHANT SEAL GRUNTS

With a spy creature down,
backup is required.

Meet the largest spy yet.

To cope with his massive bulk,
he's an inflatable version.

His head is filled with water
for added stability.

He seems to fit right in.

While the beach master recovers
from his brawl

a young male considers his next move.

It's worth another try.

He must be as discreet as he can.

But that requires a willing partner.

FEMALE CRIES

ELEPHANT SEAL ROARS

He's been rumbled and he knows it.

This is an act of war.

As the rival retreats,
the female leaves the battleground.

They must fight once more

with spy elephant seal
in the very heart of it.

ELEPHANT SEALS GRUNT

The beach master rises to full height.

Let the battle commence.

ELEPHANT SEALS ROAR

Fighting can be lethal.

Outmatched, his rival retreats again.

Another victory
for the heavyweight champion.

ELEPHANT SEAL GRUNTS

He'll spend the whole summer fighting.

Every day is another battle.

Despite being in the danger zone,
our spy survived

but the young pretender
still has some fight left in him.

Best he picks on someone his own size.

AIR HISSES

It didn't stand a chance.

It's a deflated end for spy elephant seal.

AIR WHISTLES

As ever, the sheathbill
won't miss an opportunity.

For a moment, he's king of the castle.