|
National Geographic America s Endangered Species Don t Say Goodbye
|
| 00:00:10 |
For years Susan Middleton |
| 00:00:15 |
"I took pictures of rare artifacts |
| 00:00:19 |
...none of if was alive. |
| 00:00:22 |
But the I began to want to show |
| 00:00:27 |
"There, that's beautiful, great." |
| 00:00:32 |
At the same time, |
| 00:00:33 |
David Littschwager worked as |
| 00:00:37 |
"Smile with your eyes." |
| 00:00:40 |
"It was, you know, a glamorous life- |
| 00:00:45 |
But, I always wanted to make pictures |
| 00:00:49 |
"Chin up just a little bit." |
| 00:00:52 |
"Chin up, chin up." |
| 00:00:56 |
One day, in 1986, |
| 00:00:58 |
Susan and David took a photograph of |
| 00:01:03 |
It was the beginning of an obsession. |
| 00:01:05 |
"Excuse me." |
| 00:01:07 |
Ever since, |
| 00:01:08 |
the two photographers have taken |
| 00:01:12 |
on the brink of extinction. |
| 00:01:22 |
"These creatures are known as |
| 00:01:27 |
But we're treating them as |
| 00:01:30 |
their personalities." |
| 00:01:33 |
"We want to see them face-to-face, |
| 00:01:41 |
"Oooh! Ah!" |
| 00:01:45 |
This series now their mission in life |
| 00:01:52 |
"Oh, beautiful!" |
| 00:01:54 |
"We fall in love with these creatures. |
| 00:01:57 |
What 2042X we're trying to show is |
| 00:02:00 |
that we experience." |
| 00:02:02 |
"That's pretty funny..." |
| 00:02:02 |
"I don't want him down here." |
| 00:02:05 |
David and Susan's portraits |
| 00:02:08 |
magazine covers, museum exhibits. |
| 00:02:14 |
mean that these creatures will survive? |
| 00:02:21 |
For the two photographers, it's an |
| 00:02:26 |
to show the faces of creatures |
| 00:02:30 |
"These creatures are in danger. |
| 00:02:35 |
people can see them, maybe we can |
| 00:02:38 |
them with us here on earth." |
| 00:02:41 |
"Okay, beak here." |
| 00:02:43 |
"Great, great." |
| 00:03:35 |
The first Europeans on this continent |
| 00:03:41 |
it was called... nature. |
| 00:03:47 |
America seemed to be an endless |
| 00:03:53 |
Bison wandered along the Potomac, |
| 00:03:56 |
grizzly bears strolled |
| 00:04:00 |
Human beings did not even know it was |
| 00:04:06 |
but we learned. |
| 00:04:09 |
Hundreds of creatures |
| 00:04:13 |
Even our National symbol was |
| 00:04:21 |
But then America did something |
| 00:04:26 |
In 1973, we passed a law |
| 00:04:34 |
The Endangered Species Act protects |
| 00:04:38 |
plants and animals |
| 00:04:43 |
Today, there are over |
| 00:05:02 |
David and Susan's quest to photograph |
| 00:05:07 |
has taken them over |
| 00:05:11 |
- through all 50 states and |
| 00:05:19 |
"We drive because we have thousands |
| 00:05:24 |
and we can't plan too far ahead |
| 00:05:27 |
because we have to adapt ourselves to |
| 00:05:30 |
so we have to be in Texas when |
| 00:05:33 |
when a butterfly emerges from its |
| 00:05:42 |
This time, they're driving toward |
| 00:05:46 |
and the prairies of the West. |
| 00:05:53 |
Once the great plains were a song about freedom. |
| 00:05:58 |
Buffalo roamed, prairie dogs ranged everywhere, but they had |
| 00:06:04 |
a dangerous habit, they ate grass - and so did a new animal |
| 00:06:09 |
the prairie. |
| 00:06:12 |
cattle ranchers went to war - in the end, the ranchers w |
| 00:06:21 |
But it was another creature that suffered most. The |
| 00:06:24 |
black-footed ferret has a monotonous |
| 00:06:32 |
"It was an accident. People weren't |
| 00:06:35 |
but when you kill off one creature, |
| 00:06:38 |
and something else is gone." |
| 00:06:42 |
The ferret disappeared from the |
| 00:06:47 |
until a tiny group suddenly turned up. |
| 00:06:51 |
In 1987, all the black-footed ferrets |
| 00:06:55 |
just 18 animals, were brought to live |
| 00:07:00 |
Most biologists thought the animal |
| 00:07:03 |
ferrets are highly susceptible to |
| 00:07:07 |
"Everything that goes in that |
| 00:07:10 |
with an animal or even in close |
| 00:07:14 |
has to be wiped down. Um, so we could |
| 00:07:19 |
then take a look at the equipment." |
| 00:07:23 |
"We've never been in a situation |
| 00:07:27 |
tightly quarantined and, of course, |
| 00:07:31 |
the showering process and |
| 00:07:34 |
all of our equipment had to be |
| 00:07:39 |
"It feels like we're in some kind of |
| 00:07:43 |
devoted only to ferrets." |
| 00:07:45 |
"We'll just need to rinse the bottoms |
| 00:07:51 |
Okay, now we can get you guys some |
| 00:07:54 |
where anytime you're in contact |
| 00:07:56 |
that has a black-footed ferret in it. |
| 00:07:58 |
You can just close that first set |
| 00:08:02 |
"It's not unlike the way you feel |
| 00:08:05 |
and see a loved one all hooked up |
| 00:08:11 |
"This is the young of the year." |
| 00:08:13 |
"Their very survival is so precarious |
| 00:08:16 |
"She's pretty inquisitive." |
| 00:08:20 |
"If it weren't for a very rigorous |
| 00:08:23 |
there would no longer be any |
| 00:08:28 |
You know it's a ferret "factory". |
| 00:08:30 |
The point is production- |
| 00:08:35 |
"This is the perfect time |
| 00:08:37 |
because we have almost |
| 00:08:40 |
We have animals that have |
| 00:08:45 |
There's the male grabbing |
| 00:08:47 |
"Oh, yeah. Oh my God." |
| 00:08:48 |
"If she's not interested |
| 00:08:50 |
they'll start hissing and chattering." |
| 00:08:52 |
"What does the sound like"? |
| 00:08:53 |
"It sound like a... |
| 00:08:57 |
like, they're fightin' |
| 00:08:59 |
"So it feels kinds of voyeuristic." |
| 00:09:00 |
"It's little voyeuristic." |
| 00:09:05 |
In the past ten years, |
| 00:09:07 |
over a thousand ferrets |
| 00:09:14 |
"You'd think that an animal |
| 00:09:18 |
might be easy to photograph, |
| 00:09:28 |
"You really need everything to be |
| 00:09:33 |
but two minutes is a long time |
| 00:09:37 |
"Wow. So, there's no such thing as |
| 00:09:43 |
"No." |
| 00:09:46 |
"Yeah, Ah! Ah..." |
| 00:09:48 |
"He's okay, |
| 00:09:54 |
"Do you want to try |
| 00:09:57 |
"Yeah, we'll start Gypsy." |
| 00:09:59 |
"Let's try gypsy." |
| 00:10:01 |
"Come out, Gypsy." |
| 00:10:03 |
"Um, beautiful." |
| 00:10:04 |
"Yeah. When she has her head up |
| 00:10:06 |
I think that's her best look." |
| 00:10:18 |
In 1991, the first captive-bread |
| 00:10:24 |
the black-footed ferret |
| 00:10:30 |
But many of the released ferrets |
| 00:10:34 |
no way of knowing whether |
| 00:10:36 |
for ferrets will ultimately die out |
| 00:10:42 |
freedom of the wild. |
| 00:10:54 |
"When you're driving across America, |
| 00:10:57 |
so many plants and animals |
| 00:11:00 |
They're losing their homes. |
| 00:11:03 |
We're building a human world |
| 00:11:09 |
>From Wyoming the road goes East... |
| 00:11:17 |
But they're not going to find |
| 00:11:20 |
they're meeting one of the greatest |
| 00:11:25 |
distinguished scientist, |
| 00:11:29 |
"It's a sobering fact there is |
| 00:11:34 |
They're have always been species |
| 00:11:38 |
but now human activity's pushing it |
| 00:11:42 |
we're in the midst of |
| 00:11:45 |
that's the greatest since |
| 00:11:49 |
65 million years ago. |
| 00:11:51 |
"What I hope you'll succeed in doing |
| 00:11:57 |
a vivid presence in the lives |
| 00:12:01 |
Make it clear to them that every |
| 00:12:05 |
has a billion year history, |
| 00:12:09 |
Bring us face to face with |
| 00:12:14 |
Make us know that they're |
| 00:12:18 |
They're not just something out there |
| 00:12:22 |
but they're part of our existence, |
| 00:12:36 |
Fifty million years ago an animal, |
| 00:12:40 |
crawled back into the sea. |
| 00:12:45 |
It had no enemies, so it had no fear. |
| 00:12:52 |
the manatees of Florida |
| 00:12:59 |
Every year speedboats kill |
| 00:13:03 |
Over 90% of all manatees bear |
| 00:13:08 |
"What we're looking at right here |
| 00:13:11 |
from a propeller that just gashed |
| 00:13:15 |
Biologist Ed Gerstein is working |
| 00:13:19 |
"And after they've been hit once |
| 00:13:22 |
why don't they learn to |
| 00:13:23 |
"Why don't they... yeah..." |
| 00:13:28 |
two captive-born manatees- |
| 00:13:33 |
"The common perception was that |
| 00:13:36 |
and they're slow, but actually |
| 00:13:39 |
are very intelligent." |
| 00:13:41 |
"Hand signal given." |
| 00:13:43 |
"Okay, this is run number six, |
| 00:13:47 |
Ed's coworker is his wife, Laura. |
| 00:13:49 |
"Run number six is |
| 00:13:52 |
"Each animal has an individual |
| 00:13:57 |
he's so crafty, he just is |
| 00:14:01 |
and then when he decides to work, |
| 00:14:10 |
"Stormy had been trained to leave |
| 00:14:12 |
after he sees the strobe light |
| 00:14:15 |
If he doesn't hear a sound he'll |
| 00:14:18 |
and push the solid white panel. |
| 00:14:19 |
If he hears it, |
| 00:14:22 |
"Touch. That's correct." |
| 00:14:27 |
"These animals have very good |
| 00:14:31 |
The problem is boats put out |
| 00:14:35 |
So, we hope, from our research, |
| 00:14:39 |
to put on a boat to make boats |
| 00:14:43 |
they can get out of the way." |
| 00:14:49 |
Stormy and Dundee |
| 00:14:54 |
just do what they've always done, |
| 00:14:58 |
and almost constantly. |
| 00:15:02 |
"They eat 30, or I forget how many |
| 00:15:07 |
and how can these animals get so big |
| 00:15:11 |
- free diet - lettuce? |
| 00:15:16 |
"Stormy likes to play tricks. |
| 00:15:22 |
If he were a human he'd be |
| 00:15:31 |
"There's no feeling quite like |
| 00:15:39 |
"Here we go." |
| 00:15:40 |
"Great." |
| 00:15:50 |
"Wow! A little too close." |
| 00:15:55 |
"They're very curious animals |
| 00:15:59 |
they come over to inspect." |
| 00:16:02 |
"Stormy come back. Oh, beautiful!" |
| 00:16:08 |
"There's so much feeling behind |
| 00:16:11 |
You can just see it |
| 00:16:15 |
"Oh, no. Way too close. Ah!" |
| 00:16:23 |
"The more you're around them, |
| 00:16:24 |
eh, it's almost like you can |
| 00:16:30 |
"Somebody get it." |
| 00:16:31 |
"You can get it." |
| 00:16:32 |
"Looks like a big smile." |
| 00:16:33 |
"Go for it." |
| 00:16:38 |
All told, 415 manatees died in 1996. |
| 00:16:51 |
"When you look at the world, eh, |
| 00:16:57 |
It's just one other thing |
| 00:16:59 |
and so many things are going and the, |
| 00:17:04 |
you know, it'll be a shame." |
| 00:17:19 |
Three thousand miles later, |
| 00:17:22 |
the Sacramento River Delta |
| 00:17:28 |
But the Delta green ground beetle |
| 00:17:39 |
"Four times before we've gone out |
| 00:17:43 |
never finding this thing." |
| 00:17:45 |
"They have big eyes, they're |
| 00:17:48 |
they're day active, so this is |
| 00:17:50 |
"Well, this time we are meeting |
| 00:17:55 |
and, uh, it's like bringing in the big guns. |
| 00:18:01 |
"The best way to spot them is |
| 00:18:05 |
very quiet and them just gaze." |
| 00:18:09 |
"You look straight at it, |
| 00:18:11 |
it's like it blends in so perfectly." |
| 00:18:15 |
"I could see if David and I weren't |
| 00:18:18 |
with experts and they can't find it, |
| 00:18:26 |
"Eureka." |
| 00:18:27 |
"Wow." |
| 00:18:28 |
"You can see it?" |
| 00:18:29 |
"It's at four o'clock from... eh, |
| 00:18:31 |
"Even when she was pointing it out, |
| 00:18:35 |
"How do you know it's real?" |
| 00:18:39 |
"Fifth try is a charm." |
| 00:18:42 |
"Uh, toward his legs. Yep." |
| 00:18:51 |
"Every color of the rainbow is |
| 00:18:54 |
have a microscope to see it. |
| 00:18:59 |
"Why did nature do that?" |
| 00:19:04 |
"It's very easy to dismiss the bugs |
| 00:19:10 |
but science is revealing, every year, |
| 00:19:15 |
these little things on which we and |
| 00:19:22 |
They cleanse the water, they create |
| 00:19:32 |
the very air we breathe." |
| 00:19:44 |
Ten thousand years ago, |
| 00:19:47 |
the mountains of California. |
| 00:19:53 |
gold in splendid isolation |
| 00:19:57 |
For over 30 years, this gold has been |
| 00:20:05 |
David and Susan are headed for |
| 00:20:08 |
- the only place on earth where |
| 00:20:13 |
"Dan Christensen, here, |
| 00:20:15 |
Dan Christensen is the man who |
| 00:20:22 |
"It was 1949. I was still |
| 00:20:27 |
My brother and I would go up to |
| 00:20:33 |
It was an incredible experience. |
| 00:20:38 |
and with those beautiful fish- |
| 00:20:49 |
Fifteen years later I started |
| 00:20:50 |
the Department of Fish and Game |
| 00:20:54 |
buried in the files. |
| 00:20:56 |
They said the golden trout in the |
| 00:21:01 |
so I had to go out and find 'em |
| 00:21:08 |
Fishermen caused the problem. |
| 00:21:11 |
They introduced other species of |
| 00:21:15 |
Golden trout were soon overwhelmed |
| 00:21:20 |
"It was only a matter of five or |
| 00:21:23 |
were gone-the just wiped 'em out." |
| 00:21:27 |
"So what did it actually feel like |
| 00:21:29 |
a Little Kern golden trout |
| 00:21:31 |
"Well, it, it felt like finding gold... |
| 00:21:33 |
"Pretty exciting?" |
| 00:21:34 |
"actually. Yeah, |
| 00:21:38 |
Dan spent many years removing all the |
| 00:21:43 |
Only then, could he restore the |
| 00:21:50 |
"We're almost to the creek |
| 00:21:52 |
spot that you can work. |
| 00:21:55 |
We'll go ahead and start collecting |
| 00:21:57 |
"And then we'll set up our aquarium." |
| 00:21:59 |
"Great." |
| 00:22:01 |
"David has to build an aquarium, |
| 00:22:05 |
We have to worry about reflections, |
| 00:22:08 |
we have to worry about keeping |
| 00:22:11 |
So it's really a kind of stage." |
| 00:22:18 |
To find trout Dan goes |
| 00:22:23 |
will be stunned by electricity. |
| 00:22:26 |
"there we go, oh, there he is, |
| 00:22:29 |
Got him. There you go. |
| 00:22:33 |
Okay. |
| 00:22:35 |
"Ready for fish, huh?" |
| 00:22:36 |
"Yeah, I guess I could just |
| 00:22:43 |
"Perfect, he looks really nice." |
| 00:22:47 |
"Okay, stir 'em up and then |
| 00:22:50 |
"For me, the thrill of seeing these |
| 00:22:54 |
"Come on now, come on guys." |
| 00:23:00 |
"These fish are special. |
| 00:23:04 |
This is the only place |
| 00:23:15 |
Dan's labors have brought success. |
| 00:23:20 |
is about to be taken off |
| 00:23:26 |
"I'm happy I could bring these fish |
| 00:23:30 |
in the Little Kern River and |
| 00:23:36 |
"Okay, here we go. Brand new home, |
| 00:23:43 |
"The golden trout |
| 00:23:48 |
"There you go fella. |
| 00:23:54 |
"Maybe some high school kid'll |
| 00:23:57 |
and find these beautiful golden fish |
| 00:24:00 |
if for the rest of his life." |
| 00:24:12 |
"Ah! Road burn. You know, to motels, |
| 00:24:21 |
Sometimes we just get really tired |
| 00:24:29 |
It's a grind... and you never know |
| 00:24:36 |
"The special today is chili. |
| 00:24:38 |
"But, uh, I have done a lot of |
| 00:24:42 |
and this is worth continuing." |
| 00:24:46 |
"I want to stop." |
| 00:24:47 |
"We're not going to get there |
| 00:24:48 |
"I know, but why drive |
| 00:24:53 |
"What is the situation from Flagstaff |
| 00:24:56 |
"Dave, ask them about the weather, |
| 00:24:59 |
"Ah, eh, he's not going to know that." |
| 00:25:01 |
"Yes, he is." |
| 00:25:01 |
"Ah, we're already... heh..." |
| 00:25:03 |
"Let me ask him." |
| 00:25:04 |
"Let's find out from here." |
| 00:25:07 |
"This is a big country and, eh, |
| 00:25:11 |
that it's beautiful. |
| 00:25:17 |
The next place is |
| 00:25:30 |
In those days we had never heard of |
| 00:25:35 |
In a second, we were pumping |
| 00:25:38 |
The old wolf was down. We reached |
| 00:25:43 |
green fire dying in her eyes. |
| 00:25:50 |
The fire nearly died. |
| 00:25:53 |
Only 17 true red wolves stood |
| 00:25:59 |
But then, it was the first animal |
| 00:26:02 |
with a recovery program. |
| 00:26:08 |
Jennifer Gilbreath has worked |
| 00:26:11 |
Alligator River National Wildlife |
| 00:26:16 |
"We don't really see the wolves |
| 00:26:22 |
we know where most of the wolves are |
| 00:26:28 |
"We can learn a lot by tracking |
| 00:26:34 |
the wolves have a place to live |
| 00:26:42 |
When landowners allow it, wolves are |
| 00:26:46 |
but wolves don't know about |
| 00:26:49 |
where they're supposed to be |
| 00:26:55 |
"It's just as much, if not more, |
| 00:27:01 |
"The wolf was actually stalking our, |
| 00:27:05 |
because we keep the ewes |
| 00:27:07 |
"Our neighbor took a shot at him |
| 00:27:09 |
down the field right that, |
| 00:27:11 |
"But he was thinking about lamb chops |
| 00:27:14 |
thinking of. This would be a good |
| 00:27:18 |
"It really would." |
| 00:27:19 |
"And we've got nine of these |
| 00:27:22 |
don't want them being hurt." |
| 00:27:24 |
"Most people feel very strongly |
| 00:27:27 |
A lot of people don't pay any |
| 00:27:32 |
"Well, I heard that you'd seen |
| 00:27:34 |
"Yeah. See 'em, hear tell of 'em, |
| 00:27:39 |
bothering me, but they get off of |
| 00:27:45 |
and they start damaging my property, |
| 00:27:49 |
now you know what that is..." |
| 00:27:50 |
"That's right." |
| 00:27:51 |
"...we talked about that earlier. |
| 00:27:53 |
liked them. |
| 00:27:59 |
"The wolf embodies the concept of |
| 00:28:04 |
All of us grew up with stories like |
| 00:28:07 |
"Three Little Pigs" and it goes back |
| 00:28:13 |
when wolves represented Satan |
| 00:28:17 |
so, because of the myths, |
| 00:28:28 |
"The wolf is more frightened |
| 00:28:31 |
what I expected at all." |
| 00:28:35 |
"And you can feel their fear." |
| 00:28:40 |
"I'm just going to roll it out." |
| 00:28:42 |
"Two frames." |
| 00:28:45 |
"Is there a chance that the wolf |
| 00:28:49 |
"We've never had that happen. |
| 00:28:57 |
"The big bad wolf, just terrified, |
| 00:29:18 |
For the wolves the news has been good. |
| 00:29:23 |
"They've survived, they've bred, |
| 00:29:27 |
- two or three generations." |
| 00:29:29 |
"Come around this way." |
| 00:29:30 |
"It's very near the breeding season |
| 00:29:34 |
and form a pair bond and do, |
| 00:29:38 |
"Ready?" |
| 00:29:53 |
"You wonder: why are we doing this? |
| 00:29:58 |
by putting wolves back in the world? |
| 00:30:02 |
The answer is that we don't want |
| 00:30:06 |
in neat little rows. |
| 00:30:11 |
"We want wildness out there |
| 00:30:14 |
because it puts the wonder |
| 00:30:24 |
"We're going to be late |
| 00:30:26 |
"I, think, you know, I think we must |
| 00:30:28 |
It's not just... |
| 00:30:29 |
"It's not fitting with |
| 00:30:32 |
"Excuse me, can you tell me |
| 00:30:36 |
"Go back to the end of this road |
| 00:30:40 |
and it'd be about seven miles, |
| 00:30:44 |
"Get the, they call it |
| 00:30:47 |
not yellow anymore, it used to be |
| 00:30:50 |
but it's gray now, I think..." |
| 00:30:54 |
"And you make a left... no, |
| 00:30:57 |
"Go to the stoplight." |
| 00:30:58 |
"Huh, huh." |
| 00:30:59 |
"And take your first left." |
| 00:31:01 |
"But we want to be right there." |
| 00:31:02 |
"And we turned off here |
| 00:31:04 |
"Well, maybe you took the wrong, |
| 00:31:06 |
took the first left the first time, |
| 00:31:10 |
"You turn at the 'Yellow Store' |
| 00:31:12 |
that's yellow, just turn left |
| 00:31:16 |
it won't be any problem." |
| 00:31:22 |
Eventually, Susan and David reach |
| 00:31:28 |
deep sand and scrub, |
| 00:31:33 |
"It doesn't look like much at first |
| 00:31:38 |
kind of shrubby-looking oak, |
| 00:31:45 |
magic garden we had no idea |
| 00:31:53 |
"Great, great" |
| 00:31:56 |
"We've never been in a place |
| 00:32:01 |
All these unique creatures tangled |
| 00:32:07 |
"There you go." |
| 00:32:08 |
Eastern indigo snake. |
| 00:32:12 |
Florida mouse |
| 00:32:14 |
Tequesta grasshopper |
| 00:32:17 |
Scrub mint |
| 00:32:19 |
Blue-tailed mole skink |
| 00:32:22 |
Florida scrub jay |
| 00:32:24 |
Gopher tortoise |
| 00:32:29 |
"Somebody tell me where to stop." |
| 00:32:31 |
But of all the unusual creatures |
| 00:32:35 |
soon discover |
| 00:32:38 |
"Two takes - 20,000; |
| 00:32:43 |
When off his bike, Tom Eisner is |
| 00:32:48 |
The pioneer of a technique he calls chemical prospecting |
| 00:32:53 |
He searches for chemicals |
| 00:32:57 |
He's found nerve drugs in millipedes, |
| 00:33:00 |
tiny mint plant, compounds for |
| 00:33:08 |
"There's hidden value to nature. |
| 00:33:12 |
that we take are derived from nature. |
| 00:33:16 |
by plants, animals and microorganisms |
| 00:33:21 |
This is unbelievably important. |
| 00:33:25 |
it were burning every book |
| 00:33:32 |
"What you want to be alert to |
| 00:33:37 |
Often, Tom finds chemicals in nature |
| 00:33:41 |
and death of animals as his tool. |
| 00:33:44 |
"Right there. That's at about |
| 00:33:49 |
spider there which I could spot |
| 00:33:54 |
There it is. It's hungry. |
| 00:34:06 |
Okay, typical strike and rejection. |
| 00:34:15 |
I mean, you can literally enlist |
| 00:34:17 |
in helping you do research. |
| 00:34:20 |
a simple question - |
| 00:34:22 |
What don't you like? |
| 00:34:23 |
And now let's see if she's ready |
| 00:34:30 |
"Oh, wow." |
| 00:34:32 |
"Action." |
| 00:34:33 |
"It eats some, it rejects others |
| 00:34:35 |
why does it reject some? And the |
| 00:34:39 |
chemicals in those items that |
| 00:34:42 |
that protect an insect, could be |
| 00:34:49 |
So the spider becomes your partner |
| 00:34:59 |
"Tom, I'm just completely amazed at |
| 00:35:05 |
David and I have just been |
| 00:35:07 |
endangered species isolated from |
| 00:35:11 |
where we've been in a habitat that's |
| 00:35:13 |
"Well, in nature itself everything |
| 00:35:18 |
in some way dependent on others. |
| 00:35:23 |
to me, an endangered species is like |
| 00:35:29 |
"The longer you study any one area, |
| 00:35:32 |
if any one item becomes extinct, |
| 00:35:39 |
Everything depends on |
| 00:35:51 |
Sixty years earlier, |
| 00:35:55 |
endangered species. Deep into |
| 00:36:00 |
one of the rarest birds in America. |
| 00:36:08 |
It was the first time anyone had ever |
| 00:36:14 |
and the last. |
| 00:36:20 |
"The ivory billed has always had |
| 00:36:25 |
that it's still alive, that it's |
| 00:36:28 |
in some deep dark part |
| 00:36:42 |
"We're finally getting to photograph |
| 00:36:46 |
- but it's not the way we had hoped." |
| 00:36:52 |
The birds' habitat was decimated |
| 00:36:58 |
the ivory-billed woodpecker |
| 00:37:04 |
"It was rare and then |
| 00:37:08 |
specimen is all that's left." |
| 00:37:21 |
"Species do not die of old age, |
| 00:37:27 |
when a species dies, with it dies |
| 00:37:35 |
be recreated. Scientists even begun |
| 00:37:40 |
able to reassemble a species |
| 00:37:56 |
There's only one place in the wild |
| 00:37:59 |
can live. A windy, foggy microclimate |
| 00:38:09 |
"There's endangered species |
| 00:38:13 |
from where we work is this plant, |
| 00:38:19 |
"The Manzanita so rare that its exact |
| 00:38:24 |
for its own protection." |
| 00:38:26 |
"Good morning." |
| 00:38:27 |
"Good morning." |
| 00:38:27 |
"Hi." |
| 00:38:28 |
"Hi." |
| 00:38:29 |
"I'm, David." |
| 00:38:29 |
"Mark." |
| 00:38:30 |
Biologist Mark Albert will take them |
| 00:38:34 |
"Because it is the last |
| 00:38:37 |
it's very, very important that |
| 00:38:40 |
when we're walking around the plant. |
| 00:38:43 |
very carefully watch where I walk |
| 00:38:48 |
just so that we're not disturbing |
| 00:38:52 |
Just follow my footsteps |
| 00:38:55 |
So you want to walk right along |
| 00:39:00 |
"The pressure of our feet |
| 00:39:03 |
the actual plant itself." |
| 00:39:08 |
"So there's some rocks here that we |
| 00:39:11 |
the plant because there are |
| 00:39:13 |
"Is this one okay?" |
| 00:39:13 |
"Yep." |
| 00:39:16 |
"I mean, is this like the only place |
| 00:39:19 |
"Uh, for any length of time, yes." |
| 00:39:23 |
"There it is right there." |
| 00:39:24 |
"So this whole green expanse |
| 00:39:28 |
"This is it." |
| 00:39:29 |
"Oh, my God." |
| 00:39:29 |
"This is the only wild individual |
| 00:39:34 |
"I'd like to get a, eh, |
| 00:39:35 |
Can I just walk in, or..." |
| 00:39:37 |
"If you have to step off the rock |
| 00:39:40 |
try to keep your foot |
| 00:39:45 |
"I mean, it's just not, you know, |
| 00:39:53 |
"It looks like ground cover, |
| 00:39:57 |
you could make of photograph of that |
| 00:40:01 |
"I don't know how we're going |
| 00:40:03 |
"Be careful with your left hand, |
| 00:40:06 |
"But we're not choosing our subjects |
| 00:40:08 |
we're choosing them because they're |
| 00:40:11 |
"Do you think we could do this |
| 00:40:13 |
"Sure. In the small scale, |
| 00:40:22 |
"All living things are amazingly |
| 00:40:26 |
figure out a way to reveal it." |
| 00:40:36 |
This plant can't reproduce by itself, |
| 00:40:41 |
in the wild, so the Manzanita is what |
| 00:40:51 |
"Plants get ignored. Almost |
| 00:40:56 |
on the endangered list are plants. |
| 00:41:01 |
giant panda or the rhino, but |
| 00:41:04 |
how life works. Without plants |
| 00:41:10 |
we wouldn't be here." |
| 00:41:24 |
"Americans are increasingly absorbed |
| 00:41:31 |
with the world of virtual reality. |
| 00:41:38 |
that the real eagle and the rest |
| 00:41:45 |
and satisfying than the artificial |
| 00:41:51 |
the touch and smell and sight and |
| 00:41:56 |
the real world of nature can never |
| 00:42:03 |
"As nature slips away we will |
| 00:42:07 |
we will be deprived and lonely." |
| 00:42:22 |
Arthur Bonner is from |
| 00:42:27 |
"We don't have trees, we don't have |
| 00:42:31 |
insects, butterflies, spiders. |
| 00:42:33 |
The only thing we have growing |
| 00:42:37 |
What did thrive in South Central |
| 00:42:42 |
"It was full of violence. |
| 00:42:44 |
We would beat people with bats, |
| 00:42:49 |
When he was 18 Arthur shot a man |
| 00:42:55 |
in juvenile detention and jail. |
| 00:42:58 |
"Good morning." |
| 00:42:59 |
"Good morning." |
| 00:43:00 |
"My name is, uh, Arthur and, uh, |
| 00:43:05 |
to save an endangered species. |
| 00:43:09 |
When Arthur got out of jail, |
| 00:43:13 |
- his life was soon turned around by |
| 00:43:18 |
the Palos Verdes blue butterfly. |
| 00:43:22 |
"It's only, little small, |
| 00:43:28 |
"Go ahead." |
| 00:43:29 |
"So we all needs to help maintain it. |
| 00:43:35 |
"It's a caterpillar. It won't |
| 00:43:38 |
it won't even hard you, you could |
| 00:43:40 |
it wouldn't do anything to you." |
| 00:43:42 |
"Does it turn into |
| 00:43:44 |
"A moth." |
| 00:43:44 |
"Oh, a moth." |
| 00:43:45 |
"Yeah." |
| 00:43:46 |
"When they come out here and they see |
| 00:43:49 |
the butterflies, the lizards, |
| 00:43:52 |
that they put in their head |
| 00:43:55 |
they tell their friends, 'Well, |
| 00:44:00 |
"Take him out gently." |
| 00:44:09 |
Arthur is one of just three people |
| 00:44:12 |
the butterflies. |
| 00:44:15 |
"I'm very dedicated to coming down |
| 00:44:20 |
I love my work. |
| 00:44:26 |
He uses all his powers of persuasion |
| 00:44:31 |
"Okay girls, which one of you |
| 00:44:36 |
"The, uh, five females that's |
| 00:44:40 |
you know, I bring them in, |
| 00:44:44 |
"There you go, you gave me one." |
| 00:44:47 |
"The butterfly only has a five-day |
| 00:44:52 |
to keep her baby alive." |
| 00:44:54 |
"You're not hungry right now, huh?" |
| 00:44:57 |
"But they don't have to go up |
| 00:45:00 |
to bring it to 'em, I bring it |
| 00:45:02 |
in bed, you know everybody loves |
| 00:45:06 |
"Doesn't want to eat it. That's okay, |
| 00:45:10 |
before the day is over with." |
| 00:45:13 |
Like all creatures, the butterfly |
| 00:45:17 |
If its habitat goes, it goes and |
| 00:45:23 |
a precarious home-a postage stamp |
| 00:45:29 |
"So that's the one that you think |
| 00:45:31 |
"And this is going to be the one |
| 00:45:33 |
due to the fact that it has a, |
| 00:45:36 |
any of the, uh, other pupas that you |
| 00:45:42 |
"It's been an egg, it's been |
| 00:45:45 |
for a whole year." |
| 00:45:52 |
"It emerges in this one-inch |
| 00:45:56 |
out of a little tiny brown package." |
| 00:46:11 |
"It comes out; it exists in the world |
| 00:46:14 |
it finds another of its kind; |
| 00:46:20 |
and the whole process |
| 00:46:24 |
"Now, do you think she's going to |
| 00:46:26 |
"Yes, she will. |
| 00:46:29 |
"Oop, look at that." |
| 00:46:30 |
"Yeah, see, their wings are dried now. |
| 00:46:32 |
"Look at that. |
| 00:46:35 |
"If you'd been in pupation for |
| 00:46:38 |
a little time for you to actually, |
| 00:46:42 |
"Oh, there we go, there we go." |
| 00:46:44 |
"Ah see, what it is, she knows, |
| 00:46:49 |
For ten years, the Palos Verdes |
| 00:46:53 |
to be extinct. It is still considered |
| 00:46:58 |
in the world. |
| 00:47:01 |
"Come here, come here." |
| 00:47:04 |
"Those are my girls. I love 'em all. |
| 00:47:10 |
being extinct just as much |
| 00:47:14 |
They're saving me |
| 00:47:24 |
Less than 30 miles away from |
| 00:47:28 |
a more prominent air borne creature |
| 00:47:33 |
Catalina Island, just west of |
| 00:47:39 |
But the eagles have an unseen enemy |
| 00:47:45 |
long outlawed, still lingers |
| 00:47:48 |
drastically weakening |
| 00:47:54 |
Dave Garcelon has come to Catalina |
| 00:47:58 |
The eggs in his box are dummies. |
| 00:48:04 |
Dave's mission is to switch |
| 00:48:06 |
the contaminated eggs |
| 00:48:13 |
Human beings are now |
| 00:48:16 |
our national symbol. |
| 00:48:18 |
The creature that is supposed to |
| 00:48:28 |
The egg's new home is the |
| 00:48:33 |
runs the Avian Conservation Center. |
| 00:48:36 |
"These eggs that come from |
| 00:48:40 |
We've got to help them every step |
| 00:48:44 |
and repair those and then put them |
| 00:48:48 |
Unfortunately, most of the eggs die." |
| 00:48:51 |
"And, you, you are actually going to |
| 00:49:00 |
"All right. |
| 00:49:08 |
"This is the first egg in five years |
| 00:49:13 |
"Yes, look at that, |
| 00:49:19 |
Twelve days later, the eaglet |
| 00:49:26 |
she'll be placed in her nest again. |
| 00:49:30 |
will her parents except her |
| 00:49:36 |
"I'm really happy we've gotten |
| 00:49:38 |
The eaglet's odds were not good. |
| 00:49:42 |
She definitely would have died if |
| 00:49:44 |
But she survived and she seems like |
| 00:49:47 |
she's going to make it from here." |
| 00:49:54 |
"You look great." |
| 00:49:56 |
"Is that your mark." |
| 00:49:58 |
"Oh, very nice." |
| 00:49:59 |
"Beautiful, wonderful!" |
| 00:50:00 |
"That's great." |
| 00:50:00 |
"Oh, that's ideal." |
| 00:50:04 |
"We don't know if this is |
| 00:50:07 |
for this little eaglet. |
| 00:50:11 |
and feed her and take care of her." |
| 00:50:16 |
"Beak up." |
| 00:50:18 |
"Hey, you." |
| 00:50:39 |
"It's tough to, to watch 'em go. |
| 00:50:45 |
away to college or something, |
| 00:50:51 |
"People ask, 'Why do you take |
| 00:50:53 |
a contaminated environment?" |
| 00:50:58 |
The eagles belong here and maybe |
| 00:51:02 |
to breed without us, but, for now, |
| 00:51:10 |
"We've led to the decline |
| 00:51:13 |
and now we know better. |
| 00:51:18 |
"We're the only ones that can make |
| 00:51:22 |
and plants can't do it on their own." |
| 00:51:28 |
The biologists end the last leg of |
| 00:51:33 |
Now, it's up to the eagles. |
| 00:51:38 |
"Seeing that little eagle on that |
| 00:51:41 |
so fragile, eh, and our hope is that |
| 00:51:46 |
- that they survive and we carry them |
| 00:52:10 |
An hour after the climbers have left, |
| 00:52:16 |
"It's really a symbol of hope to see |
| 00:52:20 |
into the nest and the parents |
| 00:52:25 |
"It's a gesture of hope for |
| 00:52:27 |
but for the human species, too." |
| 00:52:43 |
"Human beings are the masters of |
| 00:52:48 |
and plants with us |
| 00:52:52 |
- or we can say goodbye |
| 00:52:58 |
But whether we realize it or not, |
| 00:53:02 |
for our very survival. |
| 00:53:08 |
they are part of us." |
