Summer in
Badlands National Park. (grumbling) Home to the country's
largest mammal, weighing 2,000 pounds... (bellowing) ...the American bison. Badlands is the perfect stage
for their annual rut. ♪ ♪ One of the greatest heavyweight
bouts in the natural world. ♪ ♪ (grumbling) The reigning champion,
a big, old bull. ♪ ♪ Only winners get
the chance to breed. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Today he loses his crown. (bellows) The old bull retreats. (grumbling) ♪ ♪ He'll wait a year
to have another shot. ♪ ♪ To regain his strength,
he needs help. ♪ ♪ In the Badlands, it comes
from a surprising place. He's just got to find it. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (grumbling) ♪ ♪ Badlands National Park,
South Dakota. 244,000 acres split
into two dramatic worlds. The rocky Badlands themselves, carved out of the ground
by wind and rain. ♪ ♪ Beyond them,
an ancient sea of grass. ♪ ♪ Home to the icons
of the Old West. This land has a long
and deep connection to the indigenous peoples
of America. It's the current
and traditional land of the Oglala Lakota tribe. For 12,000 years, people
have used these lands, but prairie dogs have
been here even longer. (chirping) A female black-tailed
prairie dog lives on the grasslands in a family group
known as a coterie. ♪ ♪ In spring it's time for her
to start a family. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ After mating,
she maintains her burrow and collects nesting material. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ In doing so, she becomes
an eco-engineer. ♪ ♪ Her constant gardening
benefits over 100 species. ♪ ♪ In the sprawling sea of grass, the prairie dog town is
an island of life, drawing in species
from far and wide... (barking) ...including predators. ♪ ♪ (chirp) ♪ ♪ Prairie dogs are the perfect
snack for the coyote. ♪ ♪ The female's quest
to start a family could be over
before it's started. ♪ ♪ (chirping) ♪ ♪ She's completely oblivious
to the threat. ♪ ♪ However, the prairie dog
has allies. (chirping) Her neighbors are
on high alert. (distant chirping) (chirping) Each prairie dog town comes with its own
built-in alarm system. (chirping) It's one of the most complex
animal languages ever decoded, with specific calls
for different threats. (chirping) The coyote is spotted,
and short chirps call him out. (chirping) He literally has
nowhere to hide. With the threat gone, they give
the all-clear signal... (yipping) ...a jump-yip. (yipping) (chirp) The key to thriving
in the Badlands is looking out for each other. ♪ ♪ Badlands became
a national park in 1978. The name, an homage
to the Lakota people. Hundreds of years before
the first national park, they named this land
mako sica, "land bad." The rocky features are
also called Badlands, formed by a process that began
75 million years ago as layer upon layer
of sediment built up. Colored bands show
it's been a jungle, a swamp, and an ancient ocean floor. Each has left its mark like
pages in a history book. They may look hostile to life,
but for one specialist, it's the ideal place
to raise a family. (bleats) For bighorn sheep, the Badlands
are the perfect mix of protective fortress
and giant playpen. ♪ ♪ The flock is
brimming with lambs, with no apparent
fear of heights. This female was born with all
the climbing gear she needs. But she still has to learn
how to use it. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ She's encouraged
to start climbing, even though one false move could send her tumbling
hundreds of feet. ♪ ♪ (bleating) ♪ ♪ Just weeks after birth, these lambs already
look like experts: sure-footed, agile
and fearless. ♪ ♪ (grunt) ♪ ♪ (grunt) ♪ ♪ But the Badlands
are treacherous. Despite their confidence,
not every jump goes to plan. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Suddenly this nursery
is missing a lamb. ♪ ♪ She's fallen down a canyon and has a serious wound
on her back. ♪ ♪ Badlands rock shears
like rough sandpaper. ♪ ♪ The lamb's inexperience shows. She's going down where
she should be climbing up. (distant bleating) (grunts) As the sun goes down... (bleats) ...she finds herself alone. (bleats) (echoing bleating) This canyon is
a natural echo chamber. (grumbles) (lamb cries) Her cries for help
will either save her or ring the dinner bell. (howling) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ The lamb survives the night. ♪ ♪ Two million bighorns
once roamed some of America's
toughest terrain, but like many animals,
they've faced a steep decline. Today, Badlands National Park
is a sanctuary for around 250 bighorns. ♪ ♪ While rocky peaks offer safety, down on the open prairie, an unusual spring ritual
begins. ♪ ♪ Male sharp-tailed grouse
gather together in a group called a lek. ♪ ♪ They're here for
a dance competition. The best movers will win
the chance to mate. (chirping) ♪ ♪ The park's flat land
and short grass provide the perfect
dance floor... ♪ ♪ ...where the hens
are the judges. They scout prospective partners
from the sidelines. ♪ ♪ With the stage set,
the males go toe-to-toe. (warbling) Performers rapidly
stamp their feet and shake their tail feathers. (chirping) Each defends his own spot. (chirping) If a dancer doesn't
back down... (chirping) ...they settle it
the old-fashioned way. (chirping) It's no holds barred. (chirping) (chirping) Despite their best efforts, the boys haven't
impressed the hen, but she doesn't have
to choose today. (chirping) The dance floor closes
one hour after sunrise. (birds singing) Competitors will be back every
morning for the next few weeks to prove their worth in
the grasslands of the prairie. ♪ ♪ Badlands National Park
is dominated by grass. ♪ ♪ It's America's largest
mixed-grass ecosystem, where short grass from the west meets long grass from the east. Home to a greater number
of plant species than any other type of prairie. ♪ ♪ But for herbivores in the park,
not all grass is the same. (bison groans) For the battle-weary bison, this is what he's been
looking for: prairie dogs. To regain his strength, he needs nutrient-rich
feeding grounds. ♪ ♪ The grass may be short, but thanks to the prairie dogs,
it's the best in the park. ♪ ♪ There's plenty to go around... ♪ ♪ (chirping) ...so he's given the all-clear. (chirps) As they graze
around their homes, they leave the plants in
a constant state of new growth, making them higher in protein
than the rest of the plains. ♪ ♪ The bison can relax
after a big meal, but there's no rest for
the prairie dog gardeners. ♪ ♪ This female's burrow has been
used by many generations. ♪ ♪ It takes a lot of effort
to keep it in shape. ♪ ♪ Her hard work doesn't just
keep things tidy, it also has a large impact
on the park. ♪ ♪ She recycles the nutrients
in the soil, nourishing more plants and
flowers for everyone to eat. ♪ ♪ Distracted, she doesn't
notice an intruder. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ The first burrowing owl
has arrived. ♪ ♪ He's flown all the way
from Mexico to Badlands National Park
to breed. ♪ ♪ Now he's got to find a home
before his mate arrives. ♪ ♪ (squawk) Despite his name, this burrowing owl
seldom bothers to burrow. ♪ ♪ Why make your own when
the work's already done? ♪ ♪ (chirping) The old prairie dog burrow
looks perfect. ♪ ♪ Good views of the grasslands. ♪ ♪ With its own guard dogs
for spotting any threats. ♪ ♪ Prime real estate secured, he hopes his mate
will arrive soon. Until then he has
nothing to do but wait... ♪ ♪ ...and wait some more. (squawk) ♪ ♪ A few days after the male
lands in the park, his mate arrives from Mexico. ♪ ♪ Somewhat fashionably late. ♪ ♪ She's got high expectations, and immediately inspects
their potential home. ♪ ♪ It's just the right size
to raise a family. ♪ ♪ He showers her with
housewarming gifts. ♪ ♪ Nothing impresses
female burrowing owls more than a big, juicy beetle. ♪ ♪ Soon the pair will breed, and the female will lay
her eggs safely in the burrow. ♪ ♪ While some travel
over a thousand miles to create new life in the park, others come to see the life
that was here long ago. ♪ ♪ Badlands National Park contains one of the world's
richest fossil beds. Relics of sabertooth cats, the ancient ancestors
of rhinos and tortoise have been found here. A Lakota legend tells
of a giant serpent, longer than 100 bison. Two brothers attacked her
and fired magic arrows. Her death throes
tore up the land. Her remains created
the Badlands. ♪ ♪ And they shift and erode
by an inch a year. ♪ ♪ Eventually, wind and rain will
wear them down completely. Storms are rare here,
but can be intense. (thunder) Even a short downpour can
reshape these ancient features. (rumbling) On the northern side
of the park, Sage Creek, one of only
a handful of rivers, is revitalized by rainfall. (crickets chirping) A thirsty traveler
has come to drink. ♪ ♪ A cliff swallow. ♪ ♪ He and many others have flown
almost 3,000 miles to be here, all the way from South America. (cacophony of chirping) He's spent the last few days
scouting the park with his mate, for the perfect
spot to set up home. (chirping) It's got to check
all the right boxes: shade from the midday sun, hard for predators to reach, and near water. ♪ ♪ Once the females give approval, the colony launches
into action. (chirping) Rains aren't only good
for drinking, they also wash sediment
down to the valley. Mud, made from half a million
years of erosion, is the perfect
nest-building material. The land where sabertooth cats
once roamed is now cement for the swallows. (chirping) But with each nest
taking a thousand beakfuls, they've got a lot
of work to do. The rain that helps
swallows build homes also revitalized the grassland. (chirp) Life around the prairie dog
town is beginning to thrive. A herd of bison arrive to graze on the never-ending supply
of lush grass. But bison now occupy
less than one percent of their historical range. ♪ ♪ For a long time, they were
nothing but a memory here. Until, in 1963,
a handful were released into what is now
Badlands National Park. ♪ ♪ Less than 60 years later,
that handful has risen... ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ...to over 1,000 strong. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Today, Badlands National Park
is a glimpse into our past. Nearly half of all
temperate grasslands worldwide have been lost. They are the most endangered
ecosystem on Earth. (grumbling) The park is an island of hope. As bison repopulate
the prairie, life flourishes. Each one, on average, produces
up to 12 quarts of dung, and gallons of urine every day. A natural fertilizer packed
with chemicals and nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus,
and calcium, all amazing for growing plants. (chirp) The prairie dog
helps the bison; the bison help the grasslands. A key relationship that
shapes the Great Plains. When habitats are protected,
wildlife can thrive. (grumbling) (chirping) The bison have left
quite the mess. The burrowing owl is
on clean-up duty. Dung is good for the grass, and the smell helps hide
his nest from predators. He's not the only one
taking advantage of this natural resource. ♪ ♪ So does a rainbow
scarab beetle. ♪ ♪ For him, dung is
an irresistible meal. He's not eaten in months. All he has to do is get to it without being squashed
by an oblivious bison. ♪ ♪ But it's the burrowing owl the beetle should be
more worried about, still on the hunt for presents. ♪ ♪ The beetle would make
an impressive gift. ♪ ♪ Time for a swift exit. ♪ ♪ (buzzing) He's not the most
graceful flyer. (buzzing) But he's found what
he was looking for. (flies buzzing) He's not alone. ♪ ♪ Amongst the grunting bison
and the yipping prairie dogs, it's love at first sight. After a quick meal,
time to get down to business. ♪ ♪ The love bugs burrow
into their new home. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Working together, they create
a series of tunnels. ♪ ♪ Some will act as a pantry, but this lower chamber will
hold something more precious. ♪ ♪ Deep inside
she has laid an egg. ♪ ♪ The dung will provide
enough food to see their offspring
through winter. (grumbling) If it wasn't for the beetles, the grasslands would be
knee-deep in dung, which wouldn't be much fun
for the prairie dogs or their new visitors. (chirping) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Badlands is visited by close
to a million tourists a year who come here to hike,
take in the sights, and rest in
beautiful campsites. ♪ ♪ Now is the best time to be
in a prairie dog town. (chirping) It's pupping season. Curious pups are popping up all
over Badlands National Park. Mom has her hands full. She's spent the last few weeks
tending to her young in the safety of her burrow. It's time to introduce them
to the outside world. (grumbling) Bison must look so odd. Closer to home, there's
something even more scary: their jealous aunt. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ As mom tidies her burrow, dirt is promptly kicked
back in her face. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (squeaking) It's a family feud that's
been brewing for weeks. ♪ ♪ The aunt doesn't like
sharing space. Tempers are fraying. ♪ ♪ It's a literal turf war. ♪ ♪ (chirping) The new mom has had enough. There is no misreading
this signal. (chirping) That should be the end of it. But this dog won't let it lie. ♪ ♪ (shrieking) Mom has to teach
her sister a lesson. With teeth and claws
made for digging, they are formidable fighters. Serious injuries can occur. (squeaking) (squeaking) Family. Can't live with 'em,
can't live without 'em. Nobody messes with
a mom and her pups. (yipping) All clear. The war is over. The old bull's
strength is back, but while everyone is building
a home or starting a family, he remains, sadly, alone. (grumbling) He finds his own source
of comfort: a scratching post. Park rangers have installed
a number of posts and signs, perfect to target
those hard-to-reach itches. (grunt) But his peace is short-lived. (thunder) Weather can change quickly
in the Badlands, even in the summer. (thunder) Storms bring vital rain
to the park that has begun to dry out
under months of hot sun. (thunder) But for some,
rain can be disastrous. (thunder) ♪ ♪ Like the Badlands, the cliff
swallows' home is eroding. Water brought them here, but
now it's destroyed their home. Floodwater has caused
the rock face to collapse. The colony is gone. There's barely a sign
they were ever here. But swallows are industrious. (cacophony of chirping) Just days later,
they've wasted no time. Their nests rebuilt
under a bridge. Once confined to the cliff
faces of western America, the expansion of
roads and bridges has extended
the cliff swallows' range. (chirping) (chirping) The pair are now living
in a first-class high-rise. (chirping) (chirping) The swallows have a great view. Even if they are a little
tightly packed together. (chirping) The bridge is now a swallow
city with its own rush hour. (chirping) (chirping) But it's no utopia. ♪ ♪ A bull snake has
found the swallows. (chirping) (chirping) But he's not here for them. (chirping) The bull snake will eat
a cliff swallow if given the chance. (chirping) There's little the birds
can do to fight him off. (chirping) (chirping) But he's looking for
a less feathery meal: the swallows' eggs. ♪ ♪ The cliff swallow can take her
chances and stay with her eggs or flee. (chirping) (chirping) This early into
the breeding season, it's simply not worth the risk. (chirping) The pair still has time
to start again. (chirping) (chirping) ♪ ♪ The burrowing owls
spent the storm in the safety of their burrow. As they emerge,
they are not alone. (screeching) The first chick is eager
to see the world. It's very hungry. (screeching) Feeding one chick is hard work. Feeding two is a challenge. (screeching) Mom guards, Dad hunts. It's relentless. ♪ ♪ Now there's three chicks. (screeching) Five chicks. (screeching) And imagine his surprise
when the tired dad returns to find seven mouths to feed. (screeching) ♪ ♪ In a week,
the chicks double in size. Just when he thinks
he can get some rest, a latecomer arrives, dwarfed by his siblings. He's got some serious
catching up to do. (screeching) If he's gonna get fed,
he's got to toughen up. (screech) ♪ ♪ Try as he might, he can't get
to the front of the line. (screeching) Late-hatching chicks don't
often make it to adulthood. (screeching) ♪ ♪ But in the insect-rich
prairie dog town, there's plenty to eat. (screeching) He finally gets fed. ♪ ♪ Revitalized,
he's back in the game. ♪ ♪ On your marks, get set, go. (screeching) ♪ ♪ The little burrowing owl
finally learns the meaning of a food coma. ♪ ♪ (grumbling) It's been a year,
and the old bison finally returns
to the battleground. ♪ ♪ With the help of
Badlands National Park and its prairie dogs,
he's back to full strength. ♪ ♪ The herd gathers
for the epic rut fought in the very heart
of the park. ♪ ♪ Contenders arrive. ♪ ♪ Old enemies reunite. ♪ ♪ (grumbling) This could be the old bull's
last chance at domination... (grumbling) ...and to leave a dynasty. ♪ ♪ (thunder) (bellowing) At last year's rut, the old
bull was beaten and weak. But the park has brought him
back to life. (grumbling) He's ready to rut. (grunt) (grumbling) Each female must be won over, then shielded from rival males. ♪ ♪ (bellowing) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ First, a roll in the dust
shows he is fighting fit. ♪ ♪ (grunt) ♪ ♪ (grunt) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ It's his day of reckoning. ♪ ♪ (grumbling) 2,000 pounds of muscle
looking for a fight. (grunting) (rocks clattering) (grunting) (snort) But not just one fight. (grunting) Fight... after fight... after fight. ♪ ♪ And so far, so good. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ But a new arrival is bigger. ♪ ♪ This is everything the old bull
has been preparing for. There's no backing down now. (bellowing) Challenge accepted. ♪ ♪ (bellowing) The pair are evenly matched, but the old bull
has experience. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (bellowing) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ The rival concedes... and retreats. (grumbling) The old bull claims
a hard-won victory. ♪ ♪ (bellowing) ♪ ♪ It's his glory day. His blood will run
in the next generation. Protected, his offspring
will flourish in the park and build on the rising number
of bison native to this land. ♪ ♪ The reintroduction of bison
into the Badlands National Park is a success story to witness. ♪ ♪ It cements a new chapter
in the history of this land. ♪ ♪ The Badlands are
a sanctuary for wildlife. Amongst the fossils,
new life blooms. (chirping) ♪ ♪ Icons now returned, the guardians of
the Great Plains are back to maintain this wilderness
for years to come. (yipping)
