# Start End Original Translated
1 00:00:02,000 00:00:07,000 Downloaded from YTS.MX Downloaded from YTS.MX
2 00:00:07,000 00:00:09,000 [waves crashing] [waves crashing]
3 00:00:08,000 00:00:13,000 Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX
4 00:00:14,280 00:00:16,080 [seagull squawking] [seagull squawking]
5 00:00:25,960 00:00:29,040 [female chanting playing] [female chanting playing]
6 00:00:36,040 00:00:39,080 [man] A lot of people say that an octopus is like an alien. [man] A lot of people say that an octopus is like an alien.
7 00:00:41,760 00:00:45,560 But the strange thing is, as you get closer to them, But the strange thing is, as you get closer to them,
8 00:00:45,640 00:00:49,760 you realize that we're very similar in a lot of ways. you realize that we're very similar in a lot of ways.
9 00:00:54,160 00:00:58,200 You're stepping into this completely different world. You're stepping into this completely different world.
10 00:01:06,160 00:01:08,560 Such an incredible feeling. Such an incredible feeling.
11 00:01:10,360 00:01:13,680 And you feel you're on the brink of something extraordinary. And you feel you're on the brink of something extraordinary.
12 00:01:15,760 00:01:19,080 [upbeat orchestral music playing] [upbeat orchestral music playing]
13 00:01:21,920 00:01:24,800 But you realize that there's a line that can't be crossed. But you realize that there's a line that can't be crossed.
14 00:01:25,440 00:01:27,440 [tense music playing] [tense music playing]
15 00:01:47,120 00:01:50,720 It's quite a long time ago now, that day when it all started. It's quite a long time ago now, that day when it all started.
16 00:02:05,280 00:02:06,480 [thunder rumbling] [thunder rumbling]
17 00:02:10,680 00:02:12,080 [seagulls squawking] [seagulls squawking]
18 00:02:25,040 00:02:29,360 This place on the tip of Africa is known as the Cape of Storms. This place on the tip of Africa is known as the Cape of Storms.
19 00:02:35,280 00:02:38,080 My childhood memories are completely dominated My childhood memories are completely dominated
20 00:02:38,160 00:02:41,240 by the rocky shore, the intertidal and the kelp forest. by the rocky shore, the intertidal and the kelp forest.
21 00:02:47,240 00:02:49,240 We had this little wooden bungalow, We had this little wooden bungalow,
22 00:02:50,080 00:02:52,000 literally below the high-water mark. literally below the high-water mark.
23 00:02:52,560 00:02:54,960 So when those huge storms used to come in, So when those huge storms used to come in,
24 00:02:55,560 00:02:59,600 the ocean used to smash the doors down and fill up the bottom of the house. the ocean used to smash the doors down and fill up the bottom of the house.
25 00:03:05,200 00:03:07,200 So it was incredibly exciting as a child So it was incredibly exciting as a child
26 00:03:07,280 00:03:11,400 to literally live in the force of that giant Atlantic Ocean. to literally live in the force of that giant Atlantic Ocean.
27 00:03:20,200 00:03:23,520 Most of my childhood was spent in the rock pools, Most of my childhood was spent in the rock pools,
28 00:03:23,600 00:03:25,480 diving in the shallow kelp forest. diving in the shallow kelp forest.
29 00:03:30,560 00:03:32,360 That's what I most loved to do. That's what I most loved to do.
30 00:03:35,840 00:03:37,960 As an adult, I'd been separated from that. As an adult, I'd been separated from that.
31 00:03:40,680 00:03:42,720 And that was fine at first. And that was fine at first.
32 00:03:44,640 00:03:48,880 Until I went to the central Kalahari about 20 years ago. Until I went to the central Kalahari about 20 years ago.
33 00:03:59,880 00:04:03,240 I was making a film called The Great Dance with my brother. I was making a film called The Great Dance with my brother.
34 00:04:04,600 00:04:05,960 And then I met these men And then I met these men
35 00:04:06,040 00:04:09,400 who were probably some of the best trackers in the world. who were probably some of the best trackers in the world.
36 00:04:12,920 00:04:14,520 To watch these men... To watch these men...
37 00:04:16,040 00:04:19,960 go into the incredible, subtle signs in nature, go into the incredible, subtle signs in nature,
38 00:04:20,040 00:04:22,560 things that my eye couldn't even see, things that my eye couldn't even see,
39 00:04:22,640 00:04:25,520 and then follow them, sometimes for hours, and then follow them, sometimes for hours,
40 00:04:25,600 00:04:27,960 and find hidden animals in the landscape and find hidden animals in the landscape
41 00:04:28,040 00:04:30,400 was just extraordinary to witness. was just extraordinary to witness.
42 00:04:33,240 00:04:36,880 I mean, they just were inside of the natural world. I mean, they just were inside of the natural world.
43 00:04:39,920 00:04:41,680 And I could feel I was outside. And I could feel I was outside.
44 00:04:45,160 00:04:48,400 And I had this deep longing to be inside that world. And I had this deep longing to be inside that world.
45 00:04:58,920 00:05:01,720 I went through two years of absolute hell. I went through two years of absolute hell.
46 00:05:02,240 00:05:04,760 [indistinct chattering] [indistinct chattering]
47 00:05:05,760 00:05:08,520 I had been working hard for a long time, I had been working hard for a long time,
48 00:05:09,440 00:05:10,720 I'd just worn myself out. I'd just worn myself out.
49 00:05:12,600 00:05:14,680 I hadn't slept properly for months. I hadn't slept properly for months.
50 00:05:16,520 00:05:18,160 My family was suffering. My family was suffering.
51 00:05:21,640 00:05:24,200 And I was getting sick from all the pressure. And I was getting sick from all the pressure.
52 00:05:28,320 00:05:30,920 My mind couldn't deal with all that stuff. My mind couldn't deal with all that stuff.
53 00:05:33,440 00:05:36,960 And I didn't wanna see a camera or an edit suite ever again. And I didn't wanna see a camera or an edit suite ever again.
54 00:05:37,040 00:05:38,880 I couldn't even face that. I couldn't even face that.
55 00:05:43,040 00:05:45,400 Your great purpose in life is now... Your great purpose in life is now...
56 00:05:46,640 00:05:47,880 just in pieces. just in pieces.
57 00:05:52,920 00:05:55,640 And you've got this young child that's growing up. And you've got this young child that's growing up.
58 00:05:56,680 00:05:57,520 Tom. Tom.
59 00:06:01,320 00:06:04,520 I just couldn't, in that state, be a good father to my son. I just couldn't, in that state, be a good father to my son.
60 00:06:10,480 00:06:12,640 I had to have a radical change. I had to have a radical change.
61 00:06:15,440 00:06:17,600 And I took inspiration from my childhood, And I took inspiration from my childhood,
62 00:06:17,680 00:06:21,080 and I took inspiration from these master trackers and I took inspiration from these master trackers
63 00:06:21,160 00:06:22,680 I worked with in the Kalahari. I worked with in the Kalahari.
64 00:06:25,680 00:06:27,960 And the only way I knew how to do it was to... And the only way I knew how to do it was to...
65 00:06:28,760 00:06:29,640 be in this ocean. be in this ocean.
66 00:06:36,000 00:06:39,360 In the beginning, it's a hard thing to get in the water. In the beginning, it's a hard thing to get in the water.
67 00:06:40,880 00:06:45,200 It's one of the wildest, most scary places to swim on the planet. It's one of the wildest, most scary places to swim on the planet.
68 00:06:56,120 00:06:59,880 The water drops to as low as eight, nine degrees Celsius. The water drops to as low as eight, nine degrees Celsius.
69 00:07:03,000 00:07:04,600 The cold takes your breath away. The cold takes your breath away.
70 00:07:10,120 00:07:12,000 And you just have to relax. And you just have to relax.
71 00:07:15,760 00:07:18,160 And then you'll get this beautiful window of time And then you'll get this beautiful window of time
72 00:07:18,240 00:07:19,840 for 10, 15 minutes. for 10, 15 minutes.
73 00:07:21,440 00:07:22,320 Suddenly... Suddenly...
74 00:07:23,840 00:07:25,160 everything feels okay. everything feels okay.
75 00:07:33,880 00:07:39,240 The cold upgrades the brain because you're getting this flood of chemicals The cold upgrades the brain because you're getting this flood of chemicals
76 00:07:39,320 00:07:41,480 every time you immerse in that cold water. every time you immerse in that cold water.
77 00:07:45,400 00:07:47,040 Your whole body comes alive. Your whole body comes alive.
78 00:07:50,640 00:07:54,320 And then, as your body adapts, it just becomes easier and easier. And then, as your body adapts, it just becomes easier and easier.
79 00:07:55,240 00:07:58,680 [gentle orchestral music plays] [gentle orchestral music plays]
80 00:08:02,440 00:08:03,400 And eventually... And eventually...
81 00:08:05,920 00:08:07,040 after about a year... after about a year...
82 00:08:08,520 00:08:10,280 you start to crave the cold. you start to crave the cold.
83 00:08:21,600 00:08:22,600 [breathes deeply] [breathes deeply]
84 00:08:25,920 00:08:28,640 What's so amazing about this environment What's so amazing about this environment
85 00:08:28,720 00:08:31,000 is you're in a three-dimensional forest, is you're in a three-dimensional forest,
86 00:08:31,080 00:08:33,760 and you can jump off the top and go wherever you want. and you can jump off the top and go wherever you want.
87 00:08:35,320 00:08:36,640 You're flying, basically. You're flying, basically.
88 00:08:37,040 00:08:40,200 [piano music playing] [piano music playing]
89 00:08:41,640 00:08:43,800 You might as well be on another planet. You might as well be on another planet.
90 00:08:49,440 00:08:53,640 You naturally just get more relaxed in the water. You naturally just get more relaxed in the water.
91 00:08:56,160 00:08:59,120 You get to be able to hold your breath for longer. You get to be able to hold your breath for longer.
92 00:09:03,480 00:09:06,800 Having a scuba tank in a thick kelp forest Having a scuba tank in a thick kelp forest
93 00:09:07,640 00:09:09,160 is not optimal for me. is not optimal for me.
94 00:09:14,440 00:09:18,000 I want to be more like an amphibious animal. I want to be more like an amphibious animal.
95 00:09:26,400 00:09:30,000 Instinctively, I knew not to wear a wet suit. Instinctively, I knew not to wear a wet suit.
96 00:09:33,840 00:09:36,440 If you really wanna get close to... If you really wanna get close to...
97 00:09:37,040 00:09:38,520 an environment like this, an environment like this,
98 00:09:38,600 00:09:42,960 it helps tremendously to have no barrier to that environment. it helps tremendously to have no barrier to that environment.
99 00:09:51,680 00:09:56,200 And I suddenly realized I've got energy to take images and film again... And I suddenly realized I've got energy to take images and film again...
100 00:09:57,640 00:09:59,440 and then picked up my camera again and then picked up my camera again
101 00:09:59,520 00:10:02,080 and started doing the thing I love and what I know. and started doing the thing I love and what I know.
102 00:10:04,440 00:10:07,200 [piano music soars] [piano music soars]
103 00:10:08,120 00:10:10,840 The animals are extremely exotic and strange. The animals are extremely exotic and strange.
104 00:10:27,160 00:10:31,440 It's, like, much more extreme than our maddest science fiction. It's, like, much more extreme than our maddest science fiction.
105 00:10:56,000 00:10:59,000 I remember that day when it all started. I remember that day when it all started.
106 00:11:02,160 00:11:04,400 I found this very, very special area I found this very, very special area
107 00:11:05,240 00:11:08,240 that is protected with a big piece of kelp forest, that is protected with a big piece of kelp forest,
108 00:11:08,840 00:11:12,080 'cause the forest itself actually dampens the swell. 'cause the forest itself actually dampens the swell.
109 00:11:21,640 00:11:23,760 And the whole forest around there And the whole forest around there
110 00:11:23,840 00:11:26,200 is absolutely murky, and you can't see a thing. is absolutely murky, and you can't see a thing.
111 00:11:26,280 00:11:30,120 And in this little 200-meter patch, you can dive And in this little 200-meter patch, you can dive
112 00:11:30,200 00:11:31,280 and observe. and observe.
113 00:11:31,360 00:11:32,880 And it's an incredible place. And it's an incredible place.
114 00:11:41,880 00:11:45,840 And I remember there was this strange shape to my left And I remember there was this strange shape to my left
115 00:11:45,920 00:11:47,240 and just going down... and just going down...
116 00:11:49,080 00:11:52,480 and seeing this really strange thing. and seeing this really strange thing.
117 00:11:52,720 00:11:55,520 [delicate piano music playing] [delicate piano music playing]
118 00:12:11,800 00:12:14,040 The fish even seemed to be confused. The fish even seemed to be confused.
119 00:12:24,320 00:12:25,400 And then, suddenly... And then, suddenly...
120 00:12:30,440 00:12:33,600 [gentle orchestral music plays] [gentle orchestral music plays]
121 00:12:35,160 00:12:37,040 At the time, I didn't know At the time, I didn't know
122 00:12:37,120 00:12:39,040 I'd witnessed something extraordinary. I'd witnessed something extraordinary.
123 00:12:41,760 00:12:44,880 I'd come in at the end of a whole drama. I'd come in at the end of a whole drama.
124 00:12:50,040 00:12:52,440 You think, "What on earth is this animal doing?" You think, "What on earth is this animal doing?"
125 00:12:55,400 00:12:57,680 And I think she was a little bit afraid of me, And I think she was a little bit afraid of me,
126 00:12:57,760 00:13:00,480 so she lifted this incredibly slippery... so she lifted this incredibly slippery...
127 00:13:01,080 00:13:04,120 piece of algae that you can hardly hold with your hands piece of algae that you can hardly hold with your hands
128 00:13:04,200 00:13:07,520 and just wrapped it in this extraordinary cloak around her and just wrapped it in this extraordinary cloak around her
129 00:13:07,600 00:13:09,800 and then stared at me out of the little gap. and then stared at me out of the little gap.
130 00:13:19,080 00:13:21,920 And then, boom, you know, she was gone. And then, boom, you know, she was gone.
131 00:13:44,840 00:13:46,800 It's a hard thing to explain, It's a hard thing to explain,
132 00:13:46,880 00:13:49,480 but sometimes you just get a feeling, but sometimes you just get a feeling,
133 00:13:49,960 00:13:51,200 and you know and you know
134 00:13:51,280 00:13:55,080 there's-- there's something to this creature that's very unusual. there's-- there's something to this creature that's very unusual.
135 00:13:59,160 00:14:00,800 There's something to learn here. There's something to learn here.
136 00:14:04,800 00:14:07,000 There's something special about her. There's something special about her.
137 00:14:17,600 00:14:19,400 And then I had this crazy idea. And then I had this crazy idea.
138 00:14:19,480 00:14:22,280 What happens if I just went every day? What happens if I just went every day?
139 00:14:22,840 00:14:25,720 What happens if I... I never missed a day? What happens if I... I never missed a day?
140 00:14:35,320 00:14:39,280 And, initially, she was clearly being affected by my presence, And, initially, she was clearly being affected by my presence,
141 00:14:39,360 00:14:41,480 so I thought, "I'll leave the camera there, so I thought, "I'll leave the camera there,
142 00:14:41,560 00:14:45,000 and then that will record her going about her business." and then that will record her going about her business."
143 00:14:49,680 00:14:52,320 She sees this shiny new thing in the forest. She sees this shiny new thing in the forest.
144 00:14:58,520 00:15:00,520 Coming at it with a shield, Coming at it with a shield,
145 00:15:01,280 00:15:03,840 just in case it attacked, and put up the shield. just in case it attacked, and put up the shield.
146 00:15:09,000 00:15:11,480 This is something different. This is interesting. This is something different. This is interesting.
147 00:15:13,880 00:15:16,600 Touching it, feeling it, tasting it. Touching it, feeling it, tasting it.
148 00:15:21,840 00:15:25,560 If she was in a playful mood, you couldn't leave it there for too long. If she was in a playful mood, you couldn't leave it there for too long.
149 00:15:25,840 00:15:27,520 She'd just pull the thing over. She'd just pull the thing over.
150 00:15:43,440 00:15:48,680 It took going in every day to really get to know her environment better. It took going in every day to really get to know her environment better.
151 00:15:51,840 00:15:55,640 Initially, it all just seems like much of the same thing. Initially, it all just seems like much of the same thing.
152 00:15:57,480 00:16:01,280 But then, after a while, you see all the different types of the forest. But then, after a while, you see all the different types of the forest.
153 00:16:03,680 00:16:05,200 You get the old-growth forest. You get the old-growth forest.
154 00:16:08,640 00:16:12,200 You get the forest with a lot of different algae growing in the bottom. You get the forest with a lot of different algae growing in the bottom.
155 00:16:14,280 00:16:15,760 You get the misty forest. You get the misty forest.
156 00:16:24,160 00:16:27,880 As I started to map the environment around her den, As I started to map the environment around her den,
157 00:16:29,640 00:16:32,960 it was shocking to see small caves really close to her, it was shocking to see small caves really close to her,
158 00:16:33,040 00:16:34,840 packed with pyjama sharks. packed with pyjama sharks.
159 00:16:37,120 00:16:40,200 And they really are her most serious predator. And they really are her most serious predator.
160 00:16:41,920 00:16:45,080 Their skin is striped. That's why they're called a pyjama shark. Their skin is striped. That's why they're called a pyjama shark.
161 00:16:48,560 00:16:50,360 They're not visual predators. They're not visual predators.
162 00:16:51,880 00:16:55,000 But they have an incredible sense of smell. But they have an incredible sense of smell.
163 00:16:59,320 00:17:01,280 And they are particularly aggressive. And they are particularly aggressive.
164 00:17:11,280 00:17:14,520 They can shove their noses into a small crack. They can shove their noses into a small crack.
165 00:17:16,640 00:17:20,000 So they are deadly little octopus predators. So they are deadly little octopus predators.
166 00:17:22,160 00:17:26,160 And I was thinking, "Well, how long before something happens with these animals?" And I was thinking, "Well, how long before something happens with these animals?"
167 00:17:42,560 00:17:45,800 After visiting her more and more and more, After visiting her more and more and more,
168 00:17:45,880 00:17:49,880 there was a definite moment where... there was a definite moment where...
169 00:17:51,520 00:17:54,280 that fear had subsided tremendously. that fear had subsided tremendously.
170 00:17:59,240 00:18:00,400 She'd see big movement, She'd see big movement,
171 00:18:00,480 00:18:03,000 and she'd be slightly afraid and then look, "Oh, it's him." and she'd be slightly afraid and then look, "Oh, it's him."
172 00:18:04,240 00:18:07,600 And she'd come out and be very curious. And she'd come out and be very curious.
173 00:18:12,320 00:18:16,600 Very interested, very curious, but not taking stupid chances. Very interested, very curious, but not taking stupid chances.
174 00:18:17,840 00:18:21,880 Keeping all the other arms attached to the den Keeping all the other arms attached to the den
175 00:18:21,960 00:18:23,280 and the suckers in place. and the suckers in place.
176 00:18:35,440 00:18:37,040 And then it just happens. And then it just happens.
177 00:18:38,000 00:18:40,240 I put my hand out a tiny bit. I put my hand out a tiny bit.
178 00:18:47,280 00:18:50,440 [gentle music plays] [gentle music plays]
179 00:19:13,280 00:19:16,480 Something happens when that animal makes contact. Something happens when that animal makes contact.
180 00:19:29,120 00:19:31,960 But, at some point, you're gonna have to breathe. But, at some point, you're gonna have to breathe.
181 00:19:34,640 00:19:37,120 So you've got to very gently So you've got to very gently
182 00:19:37,640 00:19:40,320 prize off those suckers prize off those suckers
183 00:19:40,400 00:19:42,400 without disturbing her, without disturbing her,
184 00:19:43,400 00:19:46,320 so that you can actually go up and take a breath. so that you can actually go up and take a breath.
185 00:20:02,880 00:20:04,600 By far the most powerful By far the most powerful
186 00:20:05,640 00:20:07,280 is when it comes out the den is when it comes out the den
187 00:20:08,040 00:20:10,760 because that's when you know there's full trust. because that's when you know there's full trust.
188 00:20:10,840 00:20:14,760 There's no holding the arms back just in case I have to pull back. There's no holding the arms back just in case I have to pull back.
189 00:20:14,840 00:20:17,800 It's like, "I totally trust this human, It's like, "I totally trust this human,
190 00:20:18,520 00:20:20,160 and I'm coming out of the den, and I'm coming out of the den,
191 00:20:21,240 00:20:23,080 and I'm gonna go about my business." and I'm gonna go about my business."
192 00:20:35,400 00:20:38,440 I started to see pretty extraordinary things. I started to see pretty extraordinary things.
193 00:20:40,560 00:20:43,320 They can look spiky. They can look smooth. They can look spiky. They can look smooth.
194 00:20:46,720 00:20:48,760 Grow horns on their heads. Grow horns on their heads.
195 00:20:53,400 00:20:56,400 They can match color, texture, pattern, skin. They can match color, texture, pattern, skin.
196 00:20:57,000 00:20:58,000 It's beautiful. It's beautiful.
197 00:21:12,960 00:21:16,080 Most of the time, she's jetting or crawling or swimming. Most of the time, she's jetting or crawling or swimming.
198 00:21:19,280 00:21:21,040 But occasionally, But occasionally,
199 00:21:21,120 00:21:22,360 two legs come out. two legs come out.
200 00:21:26,440 00:21:27,520 She walks. She walks.
201 00:21:30,360 00:21:32,520 And off she goes, striding away, And off she goes, striding away,
202 00:21:33,120 00:21:34,800 walking bipedally. walking bipedally.
203 00:21:38,880 00:21:42,680 She puts her body into this strange posture that kind of looks like a rock. She puts her body into this strange posture that kind of looks like a rock.
204 00:21:46,920 00:21:51,840 And then two of those arms underneath slowly moving, And then two of those arms underneath slowly moving,
205 00:21:51,920 00:21:54,960 so the rock is just slowly moving away. so the rock is just slowly moving away.
206 00:21:59,920 00:22:01,480 And then she changes And then she changes
207 00:22:01,560 00:22:05,520 into this extraordinary, wobbly, flowy old lady in a dress. into this extraordinary, wobbly, flowy old lady in a dress.
208 00:22:08,960 00:22:11,240 Perhaps she's trying to mimic Perhaps she's trying to mimic
209 00:22:11,800 00:22:14,120 kelp or algae moving in the swell... kelp or algae moving in the swell...
210 00:22:15,720 00:22:18,120 and, at the same time, is slowly moving away. and, at the same time, is slowly moving away.
211 00:22:20,760 00:22:22,600 And this is how she works. And this is how she works.
212 00:22:22,680 00:22:25,920 This incredible creativity to deceive. This incredible creativity to deceive.
213 00:22:29,560 00:22:34,720 An octopus is essentially a snail that's lost its shell in evolution. An octopus is essentially a snail that's lost its shell in evolution.
214 00:22:34,800 00:22:37,120 A very fragile, liquid, soft animal A very fragile, liquid, soft animal
215 00:22:37,200 00:22:39,640 that relies on tremendous intelligence. that relies on tremendous intelligence.
216 00:22:42,600 00:22:46,160 She's got no mother or father to teach her anything. She's alone. She's got no mother or father to teach her anything. She's alone.
217 00:22:47,200 00:22:50,880 'Cause you've got all these different types of predators, all hunting her. 'Cause you've got all these different types of predators, all hunting her.
218 00:22:54,440 00:22:57,040 So, over millions of years, she's had to... So, over millions of years, she's had to...
219 00:22:57,720 00:23:01,480 come up with the most incredible methods to deceive them. come up with the most incredible methods to deceive them.
220 00:23:06,960 00:23:09,360 And she's got to learn fast because And she's got to learn fast because
221 00:23:09,440 00:23:12,040 she's only got just over a year to live. she's only got just over a year to live.
222 00:23:25,760 00:23:30,120 When you're diving alone, everything about my kit has to be perfect. When you're diving alone, everything about my kit has to be perfect.
223 00:23:33,760 00:23:36,240 And I've gotta be prepared for all eventualities. And I've gotta be prepared for all eventualities.
224 00:23:36,320 00:23:39,160 I can't be fiddling around. It's gotta be instinctive. I can't be fiddling around. It's gotta be instinctive.
225 00:23:45,120 00:23:49,560 But, at that point, I was making a lot of mistakes. But, at that point, I was making a lot of mistakes.
226 00:23:53,120 00:23:55,120 One day, she was following me. One day, she was following me.
227 00:23:55,200 00:23:58,800 And that's the most incredible thing, is to be followed by an octopus. And that's the most incredible thing, is to be followed by an octopus.
228 00:23:58,880 00:24:02,040 You know, you're just backing away, moving backwards, You know, you're just backing away, moving backwards,
229 00:24:02,120 00:24:04,520 and this incredible animal is coming towards you. and this incredible animal is coming towards you.
230 00:24:04,600 00:24:07,000 And there's not a lot of fear in it at all. And there's not a lot of fear in it at all.
231 00:24:07,080 00:24:08,720 It's curious, and there's trust, It's curious, and there's trust,
232 00:24:08,800 00:24:10,800 and it's like this fantastic feeling. and it's like this fantastic feeling.
233 00:24:10,880 00:24:13,600 [gentle piano music plays] [gentle piano music plays]
234 00:24:21,080 00:24:22,320 And then, bam! And then, bam!
235 00:24:23,160 00:24:24,760 I dropped one of my lenses, I dropped one of my lenses,
236 00:24:25,360 00:24:28,280 and that thing falling quickly just startles that animal. and that thing falling quickly just startles that animal.
237 00:24:29,040 00:24:32,120 And then it turns and rushes, and it's got a huge fright. And then it turns and rushes, and it's got a huge fright.
238 00:24:39,640 00:24:43,720 And you just... you wanna kick yourself, because it's, you know... And you just... you wanna kick yourself, because it's, you know...
239 00:24:44,400 00:24:48,480 That could have ended in the most incredible interaction and deep trust, That could have ended in the most incredible interaction and deep trust,
240 00:24:48,560 00:24:49,880 and you've ruined it. and you've ruined it.
241 00:24:49,960 00:24:52,640 Now, you know, have you ruined it forever? Now, you know, have you ruined it forever?
242 00:24:53,240 00:24:55,240 Uh, is that animal ever gonna trust you? Uh, is that animal ever gonna trust you?
243 00:24:55,320 00:24:58,120 Has that... has that experience freaked it out too much? Has that... has that experience freaked it out too much?
244 00:25:01,920 00:25:04,080 And then I approached her too fast. And then I approached her too fast.
245 00:25:04,760 00:25:08,520 And that's when she left the den and got a real fright... And that's when she left the den and got a real fright...
246 00:25:11,440 00:25:13,160 and didn't come back to that den. and didn't come back to that den.
247 00:25:16,560 00:25:18,320 And I thought this was over. And I thought this was over.
248 00:25:19,440 00:25:20,400 She was gone. She was gone.
249 00:25:35,120 00:25:39,960 I'd had this experience with these incredible San master trackers. I'd had this experience with these incredible San master trackers.
250 00:25:40,840 00:25:44,960 I just thought, "I wonder if anybody could ever track anything underwater?" I just thought, "I wonder if anybody could ever track anything underwater?"
251 00:25:50,920 00:25:56,640 This animal has spent millions of years learning to be impossible to find. This animal has spent millions of years learning to be impossible to find.
252 00:26:06,000 00:26:08,840 I had to learn what octopus tracks looked like. I had to learn what octopus tracks looked like.
253 00:26:11,200 00:26:15,400 And that was very frustrating at first, so difficult to discern. And that was very frustrating at first, so difficult to discern.
254 00:26:15,480 00:26:17,800 What's the difference between octopus tracks What's the difference between octopus tracks
255 00:26:17,880 00:26:19,440 and heart urchin tracks and heart urchin tracks
256 00:26:19,920 00:26:21,200 and fish tracks... and fish tracks...
257 00:26:22,720 00:26:24,200 and worm tracks? and worm tracks?
258 00:26:26,240 00:26:27,720 And the predation marks. And the predation marks.
259 00:26:30,120 00:26:31,800 The egg casings. The egg casings.
260 00:26:34,560 00:26:36,080 I needed to learn everything. I needed to learn everything.
261 00:26:49,240 00:26:51,200 And then you have to start thinking... And then you have to start thinking...
262 00:26:51,760 00:26:52,880 like an octopus. like an octopus.
263 00:27:00,240 00:27:01,720 It's like being a detective. It's like being a detective.
264 00:27:02,600 00:27:05,200 And you just slowly get all your clues together. And you just slowly get all your clues together.
265 00:27:36,720 00:27:37,920 And then I started to... And then I started to...
266 00:27:38,920 00:27:40,120 make breakthroughs. make breakthroughs.
267 00:27:46,120 00:27:48,280 "Okay, those are the animals she's killing." "Okay, those are the animals she's killing."
268 00:27:57,000 00:28:01,120 So I'm looking at kills. I'm looking at little marks, diggings in the sand, So I'm looking at kills. I'm looking at little marks, diggings in the sand,
269 00:28:01,200 00:28:04,520 little changes in the algal patterns where she's been moving. little changes in the algal patterns where she's been moving.
270 00:28:05,160 00:28:08,920 And then knowing, "Okay, this animal is very close now. And then knowing, "Okay, this animal is very close now.
271 00:28:09,000 00:28:11,800 It's close. It's within one or two meters." It's close. It's within one or two meters."
272 00:28:11,880 00:28:14,760 And then focusing on that small space. And then focusing on that small space.
273 00:28:20,640 00:28:21,800 And then, bang! And then, bang!
274 00:28:22,920 00:28:23,960 She's there. She's there.
275 00:28:30,280 00:28:34,880 Finally, after looking for her for a week, day after day, Finally, after looking for her for a week, day after day,
276 00:28:35,880 00:28:36,960 there she was. there she was.
277 00:28:42,840 00:28:43,720 It's like a... It's like a...
278 00:28:44,440 00:28:48,600 a human friend, like, waving and saying, "Hi, I'm excited to see you." a human friend, like, waving and saying, "Hi, I'm excited to see you."
279 00:28:53,680 00:28:57,160 And I could feel it, like from one minute to the next, And I could feel it, like from one minute to the next,
280 00:28:57,240 00:29:00,440 "Okay, I trust you. I trust you, human. "Okay, I trust you. I trust you, human.
281 00:29:01,320 00:29:04,040 And now you can come into my octopus world." And now you can come into my octopus world."
282 00:29:13,920 00:29:15,480 And she's moving towards me. And she's moving towards me.
283 00:29:16,320 00:29:18,280 And my natural instinct is... And my natural instinct is...
284 00:29:19,560 00:29:21,120 to gently back away. to gently back away.
285 00:29:25,120 00:29:28,720 And then I just wanted to keep still, so I held onto a rock. And then I just wanted to keep still, so I held onto a rock.
286 00:29:34,440 00:29:35,680 She just kept coming... She just kept coming...
287 00:29:37,120 00:29:38,800 and then covered my whole hand. and then covered my whole hand.
288 00:29:39,600 00:29:41,760 I'd been underwater for quite a long time, I'd been underwater for quite a long time,
289 00:29:42,240 00:29:46,960 so I just gently pushed for the surface, thinking she would move off my hand. so I just gently pushed for the surface, thinking she would move off my hand.
290 00:29:49,360 00:29:53,320 But she didn't. She just rode on my hand right to the surface. But she didn't. She just rode on my hand right to the surface.
291 00:29:53,680 00:29:57,080 [gentle orchestral music playing] [gentle orchestral music playing]
292 00:30:10,480 00:30:14,960 There I was, just staring into the eyes of this incredible creature. There I was, just staring into the eyes of this incredible creature.
293 00:30:40,880 00:30:42,720 It was difficult to imagine at first It was difficult to imagine at first
294 00:30:42,800 00:30:45,680 that she was getting anything out of the relationship. that she was getting anything out of the relationship.
295 00:30:45,760 00:30:48,080 Why would a wild animal, doing its thing, Why would a wild animal, doing its thing,
296 00:30:48,640 00:30:50,400 get anything out of this get anything out of this
297 00:30:50,480 00:30:52,480 strange human creature visiting? strange human creature visiting?
298 00:30:56,960 00:30:58,960 And this is where it gets interesting. And this is where it gets interesting.
299 00:31:04,280 00:31:08,160 I think quite stimulating for that huge intelligence. I think quite stimulating for that huge intelligence.
300 00:31:15,240 00:31:19,000 Somehow, she realizes this thing is not dangerous, Somehow, she realizes this thing is not dangerous,
301 00:31:19,560 00:31:22,680 so you go and you interact with this human. so you go and you interact with this human.
302 00:31:26,040 00:31:30,200 And perhaps it does give you some strange octopus level of joy. And perhaps it does give you some strange octopus level of joy.
303 00:31:30,840 00:31:34,080 [delicate piano music playing] [delicate piano music playing]
304 00:32:01,240 00:32:03,720 When you have that connection with an animal When you have that connection with an animal
305 00:32:03,800 00:32:08,120 and have those experiences, it's absolutely mind-blowing. and have those experiences, it's absolutely mind-blowing.
306 00:32:13,920 00:32:16,240 There's no greater feeling on earth. There's no greater feeling on earth.
307 00:32:24,480 00:32:28,400 The boundaries between her and I seemed to dissolve. The boundaries between her and I seemed to dissolve.
308 00:32:30,920 00:32:33,040 Just the pure magnificence of her. Just the pure magnificence of her.
309 00:33:05,320 00:33:08,120 All I could do at the time was just think of her. All I could do at the time was just think of her.
310 00:33:09,720 00:33:11,320 In the water and on land. In the water and on land.
311 00:33:14,600 00:33:17,640 I mean, it just became a bit of an obsession. I mean, it just became a bit of an obsession.
312 00:33:17,720 00:33:20,800 You just want to visit her every day and see what's going on. You just want to visit her every day and see what's going on.
313 00:33:20,880 00:33:22,680 You can't wait to get back in the water. You can't wait to get back in the water.
314 00:33:39,960 00:33:42,400 What goes through her mind? What's she thinking? What goes through her mind? What's she thinking?
315 00:33:44,120 00:33:47,360 Does she dream? If she dreams, what does she dream about? Does she dream? If she dreams, what does she dream about?
316 00:33:59,800 00:34:05,080 She just ignited my curiosity in a way that I had not experienced before. She just ignited my curiosity in a way that I had not experienced before.
317 00:34:15,120 00:34:17,600 It's very useful to come back home It's very useful to come back home
318 00:34:17,680 00:34:21,040 and try and read as many scientific papers as possible. and try and read as many scientific papers as possible.
319 00:34:23,640 00:34:25,320 She's a common octopus. She's a common octopus.
320 00:34:25,400 00:34:28,400 Octopus vulgaris is the scientific name. Octopus vulgaris is the scientific name.
321 00:34:30,480 00:34:32,440 Two-thirds of her cognition Two-thirds of her cognition
322 00:34:33,600 00:34:36,200 is actually outside of her brain, in her arms. is actually outside of her brain, in her arms.
323 00:34:38,240 00:34:42,440 Her entire being is thinking, feeling, exploring. Her entire being is thinking, feeling, exploring.
324 00:34:44,320 00:34:48,560 She's got 2,000 suckers, and she's using all of them independently. She's got 2,000 suckers, and she's using all of them independently.
325 00:34:49,640 00:34:50,640 How do you do that? How do you do that?
326 00:34:50,720 00:34:52,480 Imagine having 2,000 fingers. Imagine having 2,000 fingers.
327 00:34:55,520 00:34:58,760 You can compare her intelligence to a cat or a dog You can compare her intelligence to a cat or a dog
328 00:34:58,840 00:35:01,680 or even to one of the lower primates. or even to one of the lower primates.
329 00:35:02,640 00:35:05,920 A mollusk shouldn't be this intelligent. A mollusk shouldn't be this intelligent.
330 00:35:08,280 00:35:12,200 So many times I'd go and search through the scientific papers, So many times I'd go and search through the scientific papers,
331 00:35:12,280 00:35:14,480 looking for the strange thing I'd seen. looking for the strange thing I'd seen.
332 00:35:15,400 00:35:18,480 And then you'd just come up absolutely blank. There's nothing. And then you'd just come up absolutely blank. There's nothing.
333 00:35:21,400 00:35:23,760 You're going into a place that's under-studied, You're going into a place that's under-studied,
334 00:35:23,840 00:35:29,320 and, almost on a weekly basis, you can find out something new to science. and, almost on a weekly basis, you can find out something new to science.
335 00:35:46,280 00:35:50,280 According to the literature, octopus are supposed to be a nocturnal species. According to the literature, octopus are supposed to be a nocturnal species.
336 00:36:00,920 00:36:02,840 Now, was she more active at night? Now, was she more active at night?
337 00:36:13,520 00:36:15,440 It was a little bit scary in the dark. It was a little bit scary in the dark.
338 00:36:15,520 00:36:17,400 [whales moaning] [whales moaning]
339 00:36:19,240 00:36:22,400 These incredible sounds of the humpback whales These incredible sounds of the humpback whales
340 00:36:22,480 00:36:23,760 coming through the water. coming through the water.
341 00:36:29,800 00:36:31,560 You're on hyperalert. You're on hyperalert.
342 00:36:35,840 00:36:37,920 [whales hooting] [whales hooting]
343 00:36:49,240 00:36:51,560 I couldn't find her. She wasn't in her den. I couldn't find her. She wasn't in her den.
344 00:36:53,920 00:36:56,720 I'd kind of given up and was going back to the shore. I'd kind of given up and was going back to the shore.
345 00:37:01,880 00:37:05,480 Something just made me veer slightly to the left. Something just made me veer slightly to the left.
346 00:37:10,240 00:37:11,320 And there she is... And there she is...
347 00:37:12,720 00:37:14,960 right in extremely shallow water. right in extremely shallow water.
348 00:37:17,800 00:37:19,440 Can't see what she's doing. Can't see what she's doing.
349 00:37:27,800 00:37:30,080 These lightning-fast strikes. These lightning-fast strikes.
350 00:37:35,120 00:37:37,600 Using her arm like this strange weapon. Using her arm like this strange weapon.
351 00:37:40,320 00:37:43,960 Just rolling it up in this fraction of a second. Just rolling it up in this fraction of a second.
352 00:37:50,520 00:37:53,240 And I saw her catch three fish like this. And I saw her catch three fish like this.
353 00:37:54,000 00:37:56,480 I'd never seen her catching a fish during the day. I'd never seen her catching a fish during the day.
354 00:38:00,080 00:38:03,880 Super dangerous out in the deeper forest at night, Super dangerous out in the deeper forest at night,
355 00:38:04,520 00:38:07,520 so this incredibly clever animal retreats to the shallows, so this incredibly clever animal retreats to the shallows,
356 00:38:07,600 00:38:09,960 where it's difficult for these sharks to get to, where it's difficult for these sharks to get to,
357 00:38:10,040 00:38:13,560 and takes advantage of all the wonderful food available there. and takes advantage of all the wonderful food available there.
358 00:38:43,320 00:38:47,280 The first instinct is to try and scare the sharks away. The first instinct is to try and scare the sharks away.
359 00:38:48,920 00:38:51,040 But then you realize But then you realize
360 00:38:51,120 00:38:55,200 that you'd be interfering with the whole process of the forest. that you'd be interfering with the whole process of the forest.
361 00:39:04,120 00:39:08,880 She was out of the den, moving around near the edge of the forest. She was out of the den, moving around near the edge of the forest.
362 00:39:16,480 00:39:17,600 I noticed... I noticed...
363 00:39:18,240 00:39:19,120 the shark. the shark.
364 00:39:26,480 00:39:30,520 Body was slightly hunched forward and was following the scent trail. Body was slightly hunched forward and was following the scent trail.
365 00:39:32,600 00:39:33,680 This is not good. This is not good.
366 00:39:55,320 00:39:58,280 I think, "Thank God she's safe. She's right under the rock." I think, "Thank God she's safe. She's right under the rock."
367 00:40:03,040 00:40:05,840 These things are coming right into that crack. These things are coming right into that crack.
368 00:40:12,480 00:40:17,080 And the next minute, the shark is actually clamped down on one of her arms, And the next minute, the shark is actually clamped down on one of her arms,
369 00:40:17,160 00:40:19,000 doing this terrifying death roll. doing this terrifying death roll.
370 00:40:31,520 00:40:32,960 And I can clearly see... And I can clearly see...
371 00:40:34,080 00:40:35,560 her severed arm in its mouth. her severed arm in its mouth.
372 00:40:40,600 00:40:42,960 [gasps, sighs] [gasps, sighs]
373 00:40:43,040 00:40:45,320 You had that terrible feeling in your stomach. You had that terrible feeling in your stomach.
374 00:41:04,720 00:41:07,840 And thank God she managed to get really deep in that crack. And thank God she managed to get really deep in that crack.
375 00:41:27,320 00:41:32,440 She was moving very badly, slowly, very weak. She was moving very badly, slowly, very weak.
376 00:41:40,760 00:41:43,880 She's bleeding. That smell's in the water. She's bleeding. That smell's in the water.
377 00:41:49,920 00:41:52,200 There's quite a distance to the den. There's quite a distance to the den.
378 00:41:59,640 00:42:01,560 Are these sharks gonna pitch up again? Are these sharks gonna pitch up again?
379 00:42:15,920 00:42:19,440 I thought about helping her back physically to the den. I thought about helping her back physically to the den.
380 00:42:28,600 00:42:30,160 But, luckily, I didn't need to. But, luckily, I didn't need to.
381 00:42:49,680 00:42:50,800 I didn't know... I didn't know...
382 00:42:52,080 00:42:55,960 what was gonna happen to her or if this would make her weak and vulnerable, what was gonna happen to her or if this would make her weak and vulnerable,
383 00:42:56,040 00:42:58,760 and they'd finish her off that night. and they'd finish her off that night.
384 00:43:05,720 00:43:07,280 And I couldn't help feeling... And I couldn't help feeling...
385 00:43:07,920 00:43:10,120 had I been responsible for this? had I been responsible for this?
386 00:43:12,000 00:43:13,840 Was she out because I was there? Was she out because I was there?
387 00:43:15,680 00:43:17,040 I felt very vulnerable. I felt very vulnerable.
388 00:43:17,600 00:43:22,760 As if somehow what happened to her had happened to me in some strange way. As if somehow what happened to her had happened to me in some strange way.
389 00:43:29,920 00:43:35,000 And then this almost felt, psychologically, like I was... And then this almost felt, psychologically, like I was...
390 00:43:35,720 00:43:37,600 going through a type of dismembering. going through a type of dismembering.
391 00:43:38,240 00:43:42,200 You start thinking about your own death and your own vulnerability, You start thinking about your own death and your own vulnerability,
392 00:43:42,280 00:43:44,680 worried about your family, your child. worried about your family, your child.
393 00:43:47,000 00:43:52,000 I hadn't been a person that was overly sentimental towards animals before. I hadn't been a person that was overly sentimental towards animals before.
394 00:43:52,720 00:43:54,240 I realized I was changing. I realized I was changing.
395 00:43:56,680 00:44:00,600 She was teaching me to become sensitized to the other. She was teaching me to become sensitized to the other.
396 00:44:02,520 00:44:04,600 Especially wild creatures. Especially wild creatures.
397 00:44:28,960 00:44:32,840 A scary feeling, going into the water early the next day. A scary feeling, going into the water early the next day.
398 00:44:47,160 00:44:50,600 I was very relieved that she was alive, breathing. I was very relieved that she was alive, breathing.
399 00:44:54,440 00:44:58,520 She's so weak that she can't make those vibrant colors of a healthy octopus, She's so weak that she can't make those vibrant colors of a healthy octopus,
400 00:44:58,600 00:45:00,240 and she's just dull and white. and she's just dull and white.
401 00:45:10,720 00:45:13,680 And now I'm worried, "How is she getting food?" And now I'm worried, "How is she getting food?"
402 00:45:20,000 00:45:21,920 You are crossing a line You are crossing a line
403 00:45:22,000 00:45:24,160 when you interfere in the lives of animals. when you interfere in the lives of animals.
404 00:45:24,800 00:45:27,600 But I was just too overcome But I was just too overcome
405 00:45:28,240 00:45:30,520 with my feelings for her. with my feelings for her.
406 00:45:38,160 00:45:39,720 I don't think it really helped. I don't think it really helped.
407 00:45:42,280 00:45:47,960 And she's right at the back of the den, you know, just not moving much. And she's right at the back of the den, you know, just not moving much.
408 00:45:51,240 00:45:54,400 I was just checking every day to see if she was okay, I was just checking every day to see if she was okay,
409 00:45:55,000 00:45:57,880 wondering, "Is this the last day? Am I not gonna see her?" wondering, "Is this the last day? Am I not gonna see her?"
410 00:46:14,120 00:46:17,520 The big relief came a week or so later, The big relief came a week or so later,
411 00:46:18,560 00:46:22,120 and I could see it had sort of healed over pretty fast. and I could see it had sort of healed over pretty fast.
412 00:46:27,160 00:46:31,440 And then the most amazing thing, to see this... And then the most amazing thing, to see this...
413 00:46:32,120 00:46:35,920 tiny little miniature, perfect miniature arm... tiny little miniature, perfect miniature arm...
414 00:46:36,720 00:46:37,840 starting to grow back. starting to grow back.
415 00:46:46,720 00:46:49,360 And it gave me a strange sort of confidence And it gave me a strange sort of confidence
416 00:46:49,840 00:46:54,120 that she can get past this incredible difficulty. that she can get past this incredible difficulty.
417 00:46:54,920 00:46:59,080 And I felt, in my life, I was getting past the difficulties I had. And I felt, in my life, I was getting past the difficulties I had.
418 00:47:01,840 00:47:05,320 In this strange way, our lives were mirroring each other. In this strange way, our lives were mirroring each other.
419 00:47:13,280 00:47:16,800 My relationship with people, with humans was changing. My relationship with people, with humans was changing.
420 00:47:21,120 00:47:25,560 My son, at this stage, was very interested in everything underwater. My son, at this stage, was very interested in everything underwater.
421 00:47:26,720 00:47:30,280 [soothing orchestral music plays] [soothing orchestral music plays]
422 00:47:44,720 00:47:47,200 And every day, I'd tell him the stories. And every day, I'd tell him the stories.
423 00:47:55,120 00:47:56,760 He'd seen her. He'd met her. He'd seen her. He'd met her.
424 00:47:56,840 00:47:58,680 I'd taken him so many times. I'd taken him so many times.
425 00:48:04,120 00:48:05,960 The arm becomes pretty functional, The arm becomes pretty functional,
426 00:48:06,520 00:48:07,840 even when it's half grown. even when it's half grown.
427 00:48:25,080 00:48:28,360 And then, slowly, as the arm grew, she grew her confidence back. And then, slowly, as the arm grew, she grew her confidence back.
428 00:48:33,240 00:48:37,160 Eventually, about 100 days later, that arm had fully regrown. Eventually, about 100 days later, that arm had fully regrown.
429 00:48:46,000 00:48:49,480 An amazing feeling to think that this animal is capable of that An amazing feeling to think that this animal is capable of that
430 00:48:49,560 00:48:52,880 and can withstand such an attack and fully recover. and can withstand such an attack and fully recover.
431 00:49:17,960 00:49:22,480 After a while, she was just carrying on with her normal activities, After a while, she was just carrying on with her normal activities,
432 00:49:22,560 00:49:26,680 so I then started a whole new development so I then started a whole new development
433 00:49:27,160 00:49:30,320 of seeing even deeper into her world. of seeing even deeper into her world.
434 00:49:37,000 00:49:39,880 It was a nice, calm, clear day. It was a nice, calm, clear day.
435 00:49:41,440 00:49:44,800 She comes around a corner and spots a crab. She comes around a corner and spots a crab.
436 00:49:49,160 00:49:50,720 The problem when you're a crab, The problem when you're a crab,
437 00:49:51,560 00:49:54,080 you're being now hunted by a liquid animal. you're being now hunted by a liquid animal.
438 00:49:56,040 00:49:59,360 She can pour herself through a tiny little crack. She can pour herself through a tiny little crack.
439 00:50:08,320 00:50:10,440 And the crab seems to sense her And the crab seems to sense her
440 00:50:10,920 00:50:16,680 and goes and hides underneath a big, poisonous anemone. and goes and hides underneath a big, poisonous anemone.
441 00:50:20,320 00:50:22,680 And then she waits and hides. And then she waits and hides.
442 00:50:23,640 00:50:26,640 [tense orchestral music plays] [tense orchestral music plays]
443 00:50:46,960 00:50:50,200 And then the crab thinks, "Okay, everything's all right," And then the crab thinks, "Okay, everything's all right,"
444 00:50:50,680 00:50:54,040 and makes the mistake of leaving that anemone. and makes the mistake of leaving that anemone.
445 00:52:12,280 00:52:15,400 [dramatic music playing] [dramatic music playing]
446 00:52:35,640 00:52:36,960 She's quite a messy eater. She's quite a messy eater.
447 00:52:37,040 00:52:39,320 Bits going everywhere. The smell's going out. Bits going everywhere. The smell's going out.
448 00:52:40,960 00:52:45,680 And then you just look around, and you see these brittle stars, And then you just look around, and you see these brittle stars,
449 00:52:45,760 00:52:49,280 surprisingly fast, just being drawn to her. surprisingly fast, just being drawn to her.
450 00:52:55,800 00:52:58,880 Just a mass of them sort of overwhelm her, Just a mass of them sort of overwhelm her,
451 00:52:58,960 00:53:02,200 and she doesn't seem sure of what to do or how to deal with them. and she doesn't seem sure of what to do or how to deal with them.
452 00:53:04,240 00:53:06,920 So I thought, "Yeah, this is like a real problem now. So I thought, "Yeah, this is like a real problem now.
453 00:53:07,200 00:53:11,480 She's always gonna have this problem of brittle stars taking all her food." She's always gonna have this problem of brittle stars taking all her food."
454 00:53:16,480 00:53:19,160 Not that long in the future, Not that long in the future,
455 00:53:19,240 00:53:23,080 she's thought, "Okay, brittle stars are stealing my food," she's thought, "Okay, brittle stars are stealing my food,"
456 00:53:23,160 00:53:26,760 and has this amazing method of just picking them up with her suckers and has this amazing method of just picking them up with her suckers
457 00:53:26,840 00:53:29,080 and gently just throwing them out the den. and gently just throwing them out the den.
458 00:53:32,440 00:53:34,160 Now she's completely the boss. Now she's completely the boss.
459 00:53:43,960 00:53:48,560 She initially adopted the same method to crab hunting with lobster. She initially adopted the same method to crab hunting with lobster.
460 00:53:52,320 00:53:53,600 You just suddenly see... You just suddenly see...
461 00:53:54,640 00:53:56,800 lobsters just shooting out of the reef. lobsters just shooting out of the reef.
462 00:54:16,520 00:54:19,560 I'm thinking now, "She's definitely gonna catch this one." I'm thinking now, "She's definitely gonna catch this one."
463 00:54:30,680 00:54:32,760 Time and time again, they just evade her. Time and time again, they just evade her.
464 00:54:40,560 00:54:42,840 And then, a couple of weeks later, And then, a couple of weeks later,
465 00:54:43,360 00:54:46,400 watching her coming round the side, watching her coming round the side,
466 00:54:47,600 00:54:49,800 corralling me so that corralling me so that
467 00:54:49,880 00:54:53,360 she can then get between the lobster and myself. she can then get between the lobster and myself.
468 00:54:53,440 00:54:56,680 Using me as part of her hunting strategy. Using me as part of her hunting strategy.
469 00:55:00,720 00:55:02,520 And instead of that messy lunge... And instead of that messy lunge...
470 00:55:04,800 00:55:07,160 throwing her web over the top. throwing her web over the top.
471 00:55:10,320 00:55:12,240 And then there's nowhere for it to go. And then there's nowhere for it to go.
472 00:55:20,600 00:55:23,000 This is an animal that is strategizing This is an animal that is strategizing
473 00:55:23,520 00:55:29,440 and working out very quickly how best to hunt a very tricky prey. and working out very quickly how best to hunt a very tricky prey.
474 00:55:36,920 00:55:39,480 A lot of her intelligence is built A lot of her intelligence is built
475 00:55:39,960 00:55:42,920 from the sheer number of prey that she has to catch. from the sheer number of prey that she has to catch.
476 00:55:43,640 00:55:45,120 All sorts of animals. All sorts of animals.
477 00:55:46,520 00:55:50,280 All the mollusks she is capturing, they're quite easy to catch, All the mollusks she is capturing, they're quite easy to catch,
478 00:55:50,880 00:55:53,280 but they've got these incredibly hard shells. but they've got these incredibly hard shells.
479 00:55:57,520 00:56:02,200 Now, how the hell does she kill and eat them? Now, how the hell does she kill and eat them?
480 00:56:06,200 00:56:07,960 At the base of all those arms, At the base of all those arms,
481 00:56:08,040 00:56:10,720 there's a drill that can drill through hard shell there's a drill that can drill through hard shell
482 00:56:13,440 00:56:16,880 and then drop venom in there, like a snake, and then drop venom in there, like a snake,
483 00:56:17,440 00:56:19,800 and see how that mollusk reacts. and see how that mollusk reacts.
484 00:56:23,560 00:56:26,720 But some of these mollusks will only relax But some of these mollusks will only relax
485 00:56:26,800 00:56:30,520 if that drill is precisely in the apex of the shell, if that drill is precisely in the apex of the shell,
486 00:56:31,400 00:56:32,600 on the abductor muscle. on the abductor muscle.
487 00:56:36,160 00:56:38,200 She basically has to do geometry She basically has to do geometry
488 00:56:38,280 00:56:43,320 to work out exactly the precise spot where she needs to drill that shell to work out exactly the precise spot where she needs to drill that shell
489 00:56:43,400 00:56:44,680 in order to get her food. in order to get her food.
490 00:56:48,760 00:56:52,120 This is high-level invertebrate intelligence. This is high-level invertebrate intelligence.
491 00:56:53,080 00:56:58,120 Her ability to learn and remember details. Her ability to learn and remember details.
492 00:57:01,360 00:57:05,080 And it hit me how she was teaching me so much. And it hit me how she was teaching me so much.
493 00:57:11,240 00:57:15,360 You just can't wait to get up in the morning, 'cause there's so much to do You just can't wait to get up in the morning, 'cause there's so much to do
494 00:57:15,960 00:57:19,960 to understand every little tiny mark, to understand every little tiny mark,
495 00:57:20,040 00:57:21,240 every little behavior, every little behavior,
496 00:57:21,320 00:57:24,880 every species and what they're doing, how they're interacting. every species and what they're doing, how they're interacting.
497 00:57:33,400 00:57:36,560 People ask, "Why are you going to the same place every day?" People ask, "Why are you going to the same place every day?"
498 00:57:37,240 00:57:40,240 But that's when you see the subtle differences. But that's when you see the subtle differences.
499 00:57:40,960 00:57:43,040 And that's when you get to know the wild. And that's when you get to know the wild.
500 00:57:46,240 00:57:49,920 So when these thousands of threads going off from the octopus So when these thousands of threads going off from the octopus
501 00:57:50,000 00:57:52,520 to all the other animals, predator and prey, to all the other animals, predator and prey,
502 00:57:52,600 00:57:54,680 and then this incredible forest, and then this incredible forest,
503 00:57:55,560 00:57:57,200 um, just nurturing all of this. um, just nurturing all of this.
504 00:58:01,840 00:58:05,360 And now I know how the helmet shell is connected to the urchin And now I know how the helmet shell is connected to the urchin
505 00:58:05,440 00:58:08,040 and how the octopus is connected to the helmet shell. and how the octopus is connected to the helmet shell.
506 00:58:08,120 00:58:10,760 And as I draw all these lines, And as I draw all these lines,
507 00:58:10,840 00:58:13,440 all these stories are just being thrown up. all these stories are just being thrown up.
508 00:58:28,600 00:58:30,360 It's almost like the forest mind. It's almost like the forest mind.
509 00:58:32,080 00:58:36,000 I really could feel it. That big creature. I really could feel it. That big creature.
510 00:58:37,000 00:58:40,680 It was thousands of times more awake and intelligent than I am. It was thousands of times more awake and intelligent than I am.
511 00:58:42,920 00:58:47,800 This is like a giant underwater brain operating over millions of years. This is like a giant underwater brain operating over millions of years.
512 00:58:51,040 00:58:53,160 And it just keeps everything in balance. And it just keeps everything in balance.
513 00:59:04,800 00:59:07,560 Everything seemed, at this point... Everything seemed, at this point...
514 00:59:08,560 00:59:10,360 sort of perfect in the forest. sort of perfect in the forest.
515 00:59:16,160 00:59:18,120 And, of course, you know... And, of course, you know...
516 00:59:18,440 00:59:20,360 [chuckling] ...you've forgotten... [chuckling] ...you've forgotten...
517 00:59:21,280 00:59:23,520 those predators are ever present. those predators are ever present.
518 00:59:43,280 00:59:45,680 [ominous music playing] [ominous music playing]
519 01:00:06,120 01:00:07,160 Just have this... Just have this...
520 01:00:08,800 01:00:13,240 burnt in my memory, this, like, huge shark just suddenly approaching her. burnt in my memory, this, like, huge shark just suddenly approaching her.
521 01:00:21,440 01:00:24,000 She kept still and tried to hide. She kept still and tried to hide.
522 01:00:29,840 01:00:34,320 Then you just saw the shark swimming on the periphery, picking up her scent. Then you just saw the shark swimming on the periphery, picking up her scent.
523 01:00:41,960 01:00:44,760 And I thought, "Oh, no, this is this whole... And I thought, "Oh, no, this is this whole...
524 01:00:46,360 01:00:47,840 nightmare happening again." nightmare happening again."
525 01:00:47,920 01:00:50,360 [suspenseful music playing] [suspenseful music playing]
526 01:01:14,840 01:01:17,480 [tense, propulsive music plays] [tense, propulsive music plays]
527 01:01:46,000 01:01:47,960 She jets up in the canopy, She jets up in the canopy,
528 01:01:48,040 01:01:53,320 and she's wrapping many leaves of kelp tightly around her body and she's wrapping many leaves of kelp tightly around her body
529 01:01:54,520 01:01:55,960 and then just peering out. and then just peering out.
530 01:02:21,520 01:02:23,320 All the smell's on the kelp, All the smell's on the kelp,
531 01:02:23,400 01:02:26,200 so the shark's now biting and snapping at the kelp. so the shark's now biting and snapping at the kelp.
532 01:02:44,720 01:02:46,160 She's shot out the back. She's shot out the back.
533 01:02:57,280 01:02:59,280 [heavy breathing] [heavy breathing]
534 01:03:00,720 01:03:04,200 She just climbs out over a rock, leaves the water, and I was like... She just climbs out over a rock, leaves the water, and I was like...
535 01:03:09,080 01:03:12,680 I just, you know... almost can't believe my eyes. I just, you know... almost can't believe my eyes.
536 01:03:17,120 01:03:20,320 But the problem is, of course, she's gotta come back. But the problem is, of course, she's gotta come back.
537 01:03:29,240 01:03:32,200 On the other side, the shark picks up her scent again. On the other side, the shark picks up her scent again.
538 01:03:33,320 01:03:35,280 And this crazy chase is on. And this crazy chase is on.
539 01:03:36,720 01:03:39,160 [suspenseful music playing] [suspenseful music playing]
540 01:04:07,840 01:04:09,840 And then, I see her, And then, I see her,
541 01:04:10,880 01:04:13,040 in a very quick movement, in a very quick movement,
542 01:04:14,080 01:04:18,120 picking up maybe close to 100 shells and stones... picking up maybe close to 100 shells and stones...
543 01:04:20,920 01:04:23,320 and then folding her arms and then folding her arms
544 01:04:23,640 01:04:25,120 over her vulnerable head. over her vulnerable head.
545 01:04:26,800 01:04:27,960 And in that moment, And in that moment,
546 01:04:28,600 01:04:31,360 I realized, "This is this crazy thing I saw... I realized, "This is this crazy thing I saw...
547 01:04:32,440 01:04:33,320 so long ago." so long ago."
548 01:04:59,840 01:05:01,960 Next minute, the shark grabs her. Next minute, the shark grabs her.
549 01:05:04,880 01:05:06,360 [suspenseful music playing] [suspenseful music playing]
550 01:05:24,520 01:05:25,840 But I had to breathe. But I had to breathe.
551 01:05:26,880 01:05:28,920 Rush to the surface as fast as you can. Rush to the surface as fast as you can.
552 01:05:31,760 01:05:33,160 Straight back down again. Straight back down again.
553 01:05:38,840 01:05:41,600 And it's like, "Okay, now, this is too crazy." And it's like, "Okay, now, this is too crazy."
554 01:05:42,480 01:05:47,720 Somehow she's managed to maneuver herself into the least dangerous place, Somehow she's managed to maneuver herself into the least dangerous place,
555 01:05:47,800 01:05:49,560 and that's on the shark's back. and that's on the shark's back.
556 01:06:01,240 01:06:04,160 The shark tries to shake her off and is swimming away. The shark tries to shake her off and is swimming away.
557 01:06:06,840 01:06:08,600 Takes a few seconds to figure out, Takes a few seconds to figure out,
558 01:06:09,120 01:06:10,760 "What the hell's going on here?" "What the hell's going on here?"
559 01:06:10,840 01:06:12,560 But you can immediately tell But you can immediately tell
560 01:06:13,120 01:06:14,840 she's now got the upper hand. she's now got the upper hand.
561 01:06:14,920 01:06:16,920 [mellow music playing] [mellow music playing]
562 01:06:27,920 01:06:30,720 As the shark goes near some of the thick kelp... As the shark goes near some of the thick kelp...
563 01:06:32,920 01:06:34,640 she just pushes off the back... she just pushes off the back...
564 01:06:46,400 01:06:48,200 drops the remaining shells drops the remaining shells
565 01:06:49,200 01:06:50,400 and jets away. and jets away.
566 01:06:56,600 01:06:59,600 And the shark, it's just been completely outwitted. And the shark, it's just been completely outwitted.
567 01:07:32,800 01:07:35,720 The shark comes, does one pass, The shark comes, does one pass,
568 01:07:35,800 01:07:38,760 but she's completely safe. There's nothing it can do. but she's completely safe. There's nothing it can do.
569 01:07:39,440 01:07:40,400 And it leaves. And it leaves.
570 01:07:45,720 01:07:51,000 How she can think that quickly and make those life-and-death decisions, How she can think that quickly and make those life-and-death decisions,
571 01:07:51,080 01:07:55,080 uh, it's just, yeah, pretty, pretty incredible. uh, it's just, yeah, pretty, pretty incredible.
572 01:08:18,360 01:08:22,680 I was around for a good 80 percent of her life. I was around for a good 80 percent of her life.
573 01:08:24,440 01:08:27,440 Each moment is so precious because it's so short. Each moment is so precious because it's so short.
574 01:08:31,280 01:08:33,040 There was this one incredible day. There was this one incredible day.
575 01:08:34,080 01:08:35,960 A big shoal of dream fish. A big shoal of dream fish.
576 01:08:37,720 01:08:39,160 Fairly shallow water. Fairly shallow water.
577 01:08:41,560 01:08:43,040 Suddenly, she's... Suddenly, she's...
578 01:08:43,840 01:08:46,080 reaching up for the surface like that. reaching up for the surface like that.
579 01:08:51,920 01:08:53,080 Initially, I thought... Initially, I thought...
580 01:08:54,120 01:08:55,400 "She's hunting the fish." "She's hunting the fish."
581 01:09:02,240 01:09:03,880 Then I was like, "Hold on. Then I was like, "Hold on.
582 01:09:04,360 01:09:07,240 When she hunts, she's strategic, and she's like... When she hunts, she's strategic, and she's like...
583 01:09:07,840 01:09:09,040 focused. focused.
584 01:09:14,920 01:09:17,600 This behavior doesn't feel predatory to me." This behavior doesn't feel predatory to me."
585 01:09:21,640 01:09:24,520 It took a long time to actually, like, process it. It took a long time to actually, like, process it.
586 01:09:26,520 01:09:28,280 But I couldn't help thinking, But I couldn't help thinking,
587 01:09:28,360 01:09:30,280 "She's playing with the fish." "She's playing with the fish."
588 01:09:30,360 01:09:34,080 [gentle piano music plays] [gentle piano music plays]
589 01:09:45,040 01:09:47,960 You see play often in social animals. You see play often in social animals.
590 01:09:48,040 01:09:53,000 Here's a highly antisocial animal playing with fish. Here's a highly antisocial animal playing with fish.
591 01:09:56,480 01:09:58,600 It takes that animal to a different level. It takes that animal to a different level.
592 01:10:10,400 01:10:12,880 Oh, then she completely lost interest in the fish, Oh, then she completely lost interest in the fish,
593 01:10:13,960 01:10:15,000 rushed over... rushed over...
594 01:10:18,000 01:10:19,040 grabbed hold of me. grabbed hold of me.
595 01:10:30,920 01:10:34,400 And that was the last time we had physical contact. And that was the last time we had physical contact.
596 01:10:53,680 01:10:55,880 [thunder rumbling] [thunder rumbling]
597 01:11:05,000 01:11:06,360 If I think back, If I think back,
598 01:11:07,440 01:11:10,520 and I remember it was a very rough day, very turbulent. and I remember it was a very rough day, very turbulent.
599 01:11:17,720 01:11:18,880 Sediment everywhere. Sediment everywhere.
600 01:11:22,440 01:11:23,680 Go down and whoa, Go down and whoa,
601 01:11:24,560 01:11:27,080 there's another big octopus right next to her. there's another big octopus right next to her.
602 01:11:34,520 01:11:38,000 It's very, very rare to see two octopus close together. It's very, very rare to see two octopus close together.
603 01:11:40,560 01:11:42,120 "Oh, my God, what's going on?" "Oh, my God, what's going on?"
604 01:11:48,360 01:11:51,800 And then seeing that both animals are pretty relaxed And then seeing that both animals are pretty relaxed
605 01:11:51,880 01:11:55,120 and realizing, "Okay, and then the mating is beginning." and realizing, "Okay, and then the mating is beginning."
606 01:12:07,080 01:12:12,280 By this stage, I knew quite well the stages of an octopus's life. By this stage, I knew quite well the stages of an octopus's life.
607 01:12:12,840 01:12:16,800 So while I was very excited that this mating was beginning, So while I was very excited that this mating was beginning,
608 01:12:17,400 01:12:18,520 there was a sort of... there was a sort of...
609 01:12:19,360 01:12:22,200 this dread in the bottom of my stomach. this dread in the bottom of my stomach.
610 01:12:31,400 01:12:33,120 She wasn't coming out of that den. She wasn't coming out of that den.
611 01:12:33,600 01:12:37,480 There was no more feeding, no more hunting. There was no more feeding, no more hunting.
612 01:12:39,120 01:12:43,280 A huge part of her body is actually given to those eggs. A huge part of her body is actually given to those eggs.
613 01:12:43,360 01:12:48,160 So she drops in weight, and she loses an enormous amount of strength. So she drops in weight, and she loses an enormous amount of strength.
614 01:12:53,040 01:12:55,720 The eggs are laid right in the back, in the dark. The eggs are laid right in the back, in the dark.
615 01:12:56,280 01:12:57,760 It's impossible to see them. It's impossible to see them.
616 01:13:04,560 01:13:06,920 I just keep going every day and just check. I just keep going every day and just check.
617 01:13:09,120 01:13:13,200 She's oxygenating the eggs with her siphon, looking after them. She's oxygenating the eggs with her siphon, looking after them.
618 01:13:14,440 01:13:16,320 She's just slowly dying She's just slowly dying
619 01:13:16,400 01:13:21,000 and timing her death exactly for the hatching of those eggs. and timing her death exactly for the hatching of those eggs.
620 01:13:27,040 01:13:29,680 I mean, it struck home so hard for me. I mean, it struck home so hard for me.
621 01:13:32,000 01:13:35,920 Here's an invertebrate, essentially a mollusk, Here's an invertebrate, essentially a mollusk,
622 01:13:36,000 01:13:38,080 sacrificing her own life sacrificing her own life
623 01:13:38,720 01:13:39,800 for her young. for her young.
624 01:13:52,400 01:13:54,720 All those eggs hatched. All those eggs hatched.
625 01:13:55,240 01:13:59,120 They're tiny, and they go into the water column. They're tiny, and they go into the water column.
626 01:13:59,760 01:14:01,360 Hundreds of thousands of them. Hundreds of thousands of them.
627 01:14:07,720 01:14:12,600 And the next thing I saw, she's washed out the den, barely alive. And the next thing I saw, she's washed out the den, barely alive.
628 01:14:16,600 01:14:18,960 [gentle, moving music playing] [gentle, moving music playing]
629 01:14:19,040 01:14:21,240 And the fish, you know, feeding on her. And the fish, you know, feeding on her.
630 01:14:21,320 01:14:23,840 A lot of the scavengers coming to feed on her. A lot of the scavengers coming to feed on her.
631 01:14:27,080 01:14:28,640 It was just heartbreaking. It was just heartbreaking.
632 01:14:35,520 01:14:38,520 A part of me just wanted to hold her and chase them away. A part of me just wanted to hold her and chase them away.
633 01:14:40,200 01:14:41,440 But I didn't do that. But I didn't do that.
634 01:14:55,320 01:14:56,360 The next day... The next day...
635 01:14:58,200 01:14:59,160 a big shark came... a big shark came...
636 01:15:12,040 01:15:16,960 and just took her away, you know, into the misty forest. and just took her away, you know, into the misty forest.
637 01:15:30,600 01:15:34,160 Often, I go to the place of her main den. Often, I go to the place of her main den.
638 01:15:36,200 01:15:37,200 [sighs] [sighs]
639 01:15:39,600 01:15:42,320 And I just float above it and feel her there. And I just float above it and feel her there.
640 01:15:44,560 01:15:46,320 [choking up] Of course I miss her. [choking up] Of course I miss her.
641 01:15:48,720 01:15:49,600 Um... Um...
642 01:15:54,240 01:15:55,120 [sighs] [sighs]
643 01:15:59,000 01:15:59,920 But, um... But, um...
644 01:16:05,040 01:16:07,560 I mean, in some crazy way, it was a relief. I mean, in some crazy way, it was a relief.
645 01:16:10,840 01:16:16,760 It was a relief, because the intensity of going every day and tracking her, um... It was a relief, because the intensity of going every day and tracking her, um...
646 01:16:18,200 01:16:20,640 and trying to capture, it was... and trying to capture, it was...
647 01:16:22,360 01:16:23,480 It was tough in a way. It was tough in a way.
648 01:16:23,560 01:16:25,640 I mean, I sort of slept, dreamt... I mean, I sort of slept, dreamt...
649 01:16:27,560 01:16:28,520 this animal. this animal.
650 01:16:28,600 01:16:30,440 I was... You know, I was... I was... You know, I was...
651 01:16:32,840 01:16:35,080 in my mind, thinking like an octopus. in my mind, thinking like an octopus.
652 01:16:35,160 01:16:38,320 And... and it was all so taxing, in a way. And... and it was all so taxing, in a way.
653 01:16:39,120 01:16:40,200 Um... Um...
654 01:16:44,280 01:16:48,200 [delicate, reflective music plays] [delicate, reflective music plays]
655 01:16:51,720 01:16:53,200 But underneath that, But underneath that,
656 01:16:53,760 01:16:56,560 this incredible pride for this animal this incredible pride for this animal
657 01:16:56,640 01:17:01,160 that's been through impossible odds to get to this place. that's been through impossible odds to get to this place.
658 01:17:03,920 01:17:06,000 I mean, an unimaginable life. I mean, an unimaginable life.
659 01:17:25,040 01:17:28,240 [ethereal vocal music playing] [ethereal vocal music playing]
660 01:17:31,120 01:17:36,160 One of the most exciting things ever in my life, taking my son, One of the most exciting things ever in my life, taking my son,
661 01:17:37,160 01:17:38,960 walking along the shore walking along the shore
662 01:17:39,040 01:17:42,200 and just showing him the... the wonders of nature and just showing him the... the wonders of nature
663 01:17:42,280 01:17:43,360 and the details and the details
664 01:17:43,440 01:17:45,120 and the intricacies. and the intricacies.
665 01:17:50,560 01:17:54,120 I was getting so much from the wild, and I could actually now give. I was getting so much from the wild, and I could actually now give.
666 01:17:56,880 01:17:59,120 I had so much energy to give back. I had so much energy to give back.
667 01:18:06,320 01:18:10,560 He's like a little marine biologist now. He knows so much. He's like a little marine biologist now. He knows so much.
668 01:18:16,160 01:18:18,040 And very powerful swimmer. And very powerful swimmer.
669 01:18:21,640 01:18:25,280 And as he gets older, he seems to want to do it more and more. And as he gets older, he seems to want to do it more and more.
670 01:18:35,520 01:18:36,880 To see that develop, To see that develop,
671 01:18:37,600 01:18:42,520 a strong sense of himself... a strong sense of himself...
672 01:18:45,920 01:18:47,720 an incredible confidence, an incredible confidence,
673 01:18:49,280 01:18:51,040 but the most important thing, but the most important thing,
674 01:18:51,600 01:18:52,720 a gentleness. a gentleness.
675 01:18:53,920 01:18:55,400 And I think that's the thing And I think that's the thing
676 01:18:55,480 01:18:59,160 that thousands of hours in nature can teach a child. that thousands of hours in nature can teach a child.
677 01:19:08,040 01:19:10,320 A few months later, after she'd died, A few months later, after she'd died,
678 01:19:10,400 01:19:15,080 he actually found this tiny little octopus. he actually found this tiny little octopus.
679 01:19:18,400 01:19:20,440 [gentle piano music playing] [gentle piano music playing]
680 01:19:20,520 01:19:23,160 It's very rare to see an animal that small. It's very rare to see an animal that small.
681 01:19:27,640 01:19:31,880 They have up to half a million young. A handful survive. They have up to half a million young. A handful survive.
682 01:19:32,560 01:19:36,800 So it's a pretty tough road they have to walk. So it's a pretty tough road they have to walk.
683 01:19:36,880 01:19:39,440 But that's their strategy, live fast and die young. But that's their strategy, live fast and die young.
684 01:19:45,480 01:19:48,880 We kind of imagined that it might be one of her young. We kind of imagined that it might be one of her young.
685 01:19:50,120 01:19:52,440 It was kind of the right size, the right time. It was kind of the right size, the right time.
686 01:19:56,920 01:20:00,120 And it was joyous. It was like, "Well, there she is." And it was joyous. It was like, "Well, there she is."
687 01:20:25,240 01:20:27,040 She'd made me realize She'd made me realize
688 01:20:27,880 01:20:30,480 just how precious wild places are. just how precious wild places are.
689 01:20:40,320 01:20:42,000 You go into that water... You go into that water...
690 01:20:44,520 01:20:46,760 and it's extremely liberating. and it's extremely liberating.
691 01:20:46,840 01:20:47,800 All your... All your...
692 01:20:48,320 01:20:52,360 worries and problems and life drama just dissolve. worries and problems and life drama just dissolve.
693 01:21:02,680 01:21:06,120 You slowly start to care about all the animals, You slowly start to care about all the animals,
694 01:21:06,200 01:21:08,440 even the tiniest little animals. even the tiniest little animals.
695 01:21:13,400 01:21:17,040 You realize that every one is very important. You realize that every one is very important.
696 01:21:21,800 01:21:25,280 To sense how vulnerable these wild animals' lives are, To sense how vulnerable these wild animals' lives are,
697 01:21:26,840 01:21:30,240 and actually, then how vulnerable all our lives on this planet are. and actually, then how vulnerable all our lives on this planet are.
698 01:21:36,640 01:21:42,080 My relationship with the sea forest and its creatures deepens... My relationship with the sea forest and its creatures deepens...
699 01:21:44,880 01:21:47,320 week after month after year after year. week after month after year after year.
700 01:21:52,400 01:21:55,840 You're in touch with this wild place, and it's speaking to you. You're in touch with this wild place, and it's speaking to you.
701 01:21:57,600 01:21:59,000 Its language is visible. Its language is visible.
702 01:22:05,920 01:22:09,320 [orchestral music grows] [orchestral music grows]
703 01:22:14,040 01:22:16,360 I fell in love with her I fell in love with her
704 01:22:16,440 01:22:20,720 but also with that amazing wildness that she represented but also with that amazing wildness that she represented
705 01:22:20,800 01:22:22,880 and... and how that changed me. and... and how that changed me.
706 01:22:37,840 01:22:40,680 What she taught me was to feel... What she taught me was to feel...
707 01:22:41,320 01:22:44,520 that you're part of this place, not a visitor. that you're part of this place, not a visitor.
708 01:22:45,320 01:22:46,880 That's a huge difference. That's a huge difference.
709 01:23:13,480 01:23:16,680 [ethereal vocal music playing] [ethereal vocal music playing]
710 01:23:52,600 01:23:55,280
710 01:23:52,600 01:23:55,280