UPLIFTING MUSIC THUD! DOLPHINS CALL www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Copyright Able 2016 50km east off NZ's North Island, in the middle of the Bay of Plenty, White Island erupts out of the sea. OMINOUS ORCHESTRAL MUSIC Spewing noxious fumes for the past 150,000 years, this is NZ's most active volcano. MUSIC INTENSIFIES At its heart bubbles an acid lake, and plumes of sulphur dioxide rise skywards, creating a hell on earth. MUSIC ENDS TRANQUIL MUSIC Surprisingly, this place is also a haven for life. Surrounded by deep, nutrient-rich waters, White Island is an ideal home for a diverse cast of locals... who thrive in habitats the volcano's eruptions have created over time. But every summer, tropical currents that flow south into this neighbourhood cause temperatures to rise, and White Island residents must prepare for their lives to be disrupted. SLOW, INTRIGUING MUSIC The currents bring oceanic visitors from the North, and an all-out battle for survival between them and the locals will erupt. DRAMATIC MUSIC A young dolphin will have to learn the ways of the pod to catch prey. And in the midst of chaos, a first-time breeder will resort to deception and trickery to win his mate. PEACEFUL MUSIC White Island's harshest environment is above the water, on the volcano itself. But this is home to a massive seabird colony. They are Australasian gannets. GANNETS CHIRP Thousands flock here every summer, forming dense colonies that dot the island's coast. The breeding season is now in full swing. QUIRKY MUSIC Some birds dance for a date and hopefully a mate,... PLAYFUL MUSIC ...while others are already busy being parents. From newly hatched chicks... to nearly fledged fluff balls, the colony is raucous with the sounds of new life. GANNETS CHITTER, WINGS FLUTTER The parents keep busy on a constant hunting rotation, and the reason multitudes of seabirds make their home here is revealed beneath the surface. TRANQUIL MUSIC There are countless numbers of fish down here, from two-spot demoiselles... to massive congregations of blue maomao, which school in numerous different formations,... DREAMY, EERIE MUSIC ...all designed to protect them from predators. TENSE MUSIC Kingfish are top predators down here. MENACING MUSIC They'll even mob each other to take a share of prey. But when a kingfish approaches a school of one of its favourite foods, maomao have a strategy to evade those jaws. There's a purpose in this chaos. As a kingfish swims through the school, the maomao appear to change direction... and swim behind it. Again and again, the maomao swim wide around the intruders and circle back to follow in their slipstream. HAUNTING MUSIC With numerous hungry predators prowling, the maomao schools have ample opportunity to rehearse this effective choreography. This White Island local doesn't provoke the blue maomao schooling response on her own, as they're not her target prey. MYSTERIOUS MUSIC This is a female short-tailed stingray, the largest species of marine stingray, with a wingspan reaching over 2m. LOW, OMINOUS MUSIC Short-tailed stingrays cruise the sea floor like giant minesweepers, their electroreceptors detecting signals from crustaceans and small fish hiding beneath the sand. She senses something at the edge of the kelp. OMINOUS MUSIC CONTINUES She undulates her wings to uncover prey,... and her powerful jaws crush the unfortunate creature which chose to hide here. With the warm currents flowing into White Island waters, beyond the volcano's reefs, the first oceanic travellers arrive. INTRIGUING MUSIC Common dolphins are pelagic predators, meaning they rove the open ocean searching for prey. DOLPHINS CLICK They travel together in a family pod, including offspring. RELAXED MUSIC This juvenile is nearly 6 months old. She's still reliant on her mother's milk, but soon, she'll become a member of the hunting party. If she wants her fill of fish, she'll have to learn the secrets of how her pod catches its prey. MAJESTIC MUSIC GANNETS CHITTER, CHIRP Gannet parents return from hunting in the rich fishing grounds in their backyard, each somehow landing at their own nest with pinpoint accuracy. But one gannet lands on the outskirts of the colony. QUIRKY MUSIC He's around 4 years old, and this year is a special one for him. His 2m wingspan has brought him back to his birthplace for his first breeding season. But having spent his winter holiday in Australia, he's a bit late to the party. With no nest or partner, he has a lot of catching up to do if he's to be successful. 1 PEACEFUL MUSIC One of the challenges of living around a volcano is the impact of noxious gases and chemicals. Off White Island's east coast, the volcano's activity leaves evidence of its toxic core beneath the waves. These are the Champagne Pools, named for the continuous stream of bubbles that rise up from volcanic vents on the sea floor. Thick, white carpets of algae and bacteria surround these vents, fed by chemicals released by the bubbles. This can be an advantage for the locals. Some of the residents dine on the algae. But feeding so close to the vents does have consequences. New research has found that volcanic chemicals can alter the behaviour of fish, causing slower reactions when attacked by predators. Some White Island locals have learned to take advantage of this. EERIE MUSIC Scorpionfish are ambush hunters, the most patient of predators. They sit motionless, camouflaging themselves into every background. UNEASY MUSIC But there is a downside to hunting here. DISCORDANT CLASH It's possible the volcanic chemicals also affect the predator's reaction speed at the crucial moment. Moray eels also live in caves and burrows that surround the vents. These ambush hunters often expose just their heads. But when prey is numerous, they are active hunters. ENERGETIC PERCUSSION MUSIC In the Champagne Pools, it can get crowded, and the eels will eventually turn on each other. PERCUSSIVE MUSIC CONTINUES FOREBODING MUSIC Above the waves, the volatile fumes have more drastic effects. Inside the crater, the acid lake bubbles, and noxious gases leave the land barren. In the place of plants grow sulphur crystal chimneys that billow toxic plumes. But not all of the chemicals reach the sky. Mud pools release acid that mixes with rainwater... and flows down through cracks in the crater toward the boulder beach. INTRIGUING MUSIC Shellfish bear the brunt of these acidic streams. But when the streams mix with the ocean, the acid is diluted, allowing these limpets to withstand the harmful chemicals. The further the acid plume reaches out to sea, the weaker it becomes, so most of the White Island underwater locals rarely encounter the volcano's noxious chemicals. MUSIC CRESCENDOES, ENDS DELICATE MUSIC Many of White Island's reefs were formed over the remains of its ancient past ` massive boulders ejected from the volcano's crater, towering pinnacles constructed from cooled lava. SERENE MUSIC And a maze of lava tubes provide habitat for most of the local residents. Pigfish thrive here. CURIOUS MUSIC This male patrols his territory, searching for his harem of mates. This is one of his females, and, remarkably, she is what the male once looked like. All pigfish are born female but have the potential to become male. To maintain his dominance, this male pigfish must constantly chase and harass his females. LOW OMINOUS TONES This causes stress, which boosts their oestrogen level, keeping them female. INTRIGUING STRING MUSIC Without this stress-inducing routine, one of his mates could transform into a male and challenge him as head of the family. OMINOUS MUSIC Another White Island local keeps a low profile down here. A comb starfish emerges from its lair. WHOOSHING Instead of suckers like other starfish, comb stars have pointed, tubed feet, which dig into the sand and pull them across the bottom. With hundreds of feet working in unison, it appears to float like a hovercraft. QUIRKY MUSIC But with no suckers to hold it on the sea floor, this comb star is in danger of being flipped, which reveals its vulnerable tube feet. Fortunately, comb starfish produce a lethal toxin in their bodies which keeps them off the dinner menu. CURIOUS MUSIC PEACEFUL MUSIC The gannets cleverly establish their colony on the southern flank of White Island ` the side most protected from the noxious fumes. Space is limited here,... as gannets prefer flat land to steep slopes. So they nest wing tip to wing tip. CURIOUS MUSIC Close proximity is a common cause for squabbles. GANNETS CHITTER, CHIRP But some neighbours are just plain obnoxious. GANNETS CHIRP At the edge of the colony, the male embarking on his first breeding season sets up his nest. He's chosen a nice, smooth hollow but needs to do some decorating. Across the colony, the gannet eyes a bush that could provide some leaves for his nest. He takes a shortcut over the colony... but mistimes his landing... and learns a critical lesson in colony etiquette. QUIRKY PERCUSSIVE MUSIC GANNETS CHITTER From now on, he'll walk around the perimeter of the colony. INTRIGUING MUSIC When he makes his choice, he's a target for those who fancy his prize. (SQUAWKS) He ends up with used scraps of ice plant, but that will do for now. Back at his nest, a few final touches and his decorating is complete. All he needs now is a mate. 1 RELAXED MUSIC By midsummer, the warm currents that flow south past White Island trigger a banquet of blooming plankton. Blue maomao school just below the surface, stuffing their bellies while food is plentiful. But they're not alone. OMINOUS MUSIC A horde of kingfish approach. But strangely, the blue maomao ignore them this time. TENSE MUSIC These kingfish are also here for the plankton, which are much easier to catch than maomao. MAJESTIC ORCHESTRAL MUSIC Instead of fleeing from the predators, the maomao feed alongside their mortal enemies. The increase in plankton attracts big schools of oceanic travellers, including trevally... and jack mackerel ` just what the common dolphin pod is looking for. But the pod is way off, and finding prey in the featureless ocean requires experience and technique. LOW ORCHESTRAL TONES Like all dolphins, the commons use echolocation to find their prey. DOLPHINS CLICK, WHISTLE Their clicks and whistles travel through the sea in a series of sound waves, which allow them to locate food much further away than their eyes can see. SOFT, SERENE MUSIC But even with this advantage, it can take hours to find food. So to increase their chances of success, sometimes a small pod must grow. UPLIFTING MUSIC As the family cruises through the ocean, they're joined by other common dolphins. Over a day, their numbers increase,... until hundreds of dolphins sweep through the ocean, searching for prey. This is what's known as a superpod. MAJESTIC MUSIC DOLPHINS CLICK Greater numbers are likely to increase the dolphins' chances of finding food.... but can be a bit overwhelming for a 6-month-old. With so many new dolphins around, keeping up with Mum becomes difficult. But echolocation isn't just used for hunting. Each dolphin has its own unique whistle. So when the juvenile is lost in the crowd, she calls out to her mother,... DOLPHINS CALL ...and the two reunite. DOLPHINS CLICK Back on White Island, the late summer heat is overwhelming. With little vegetation surrounding the colony, there's nowhere to hide from the blazing sun. All the gannets pant to keep cool. GANNETS CHIRP (WARBLES) But if left unattended too long, the chicks can die from heat exposure. Some search for shelter in the shadow of their parents. GENTLE STRING MUSIC Another stretches out to fight off the heat, revealing its wing with the first stage of flight feathers growing in. Luckily for these youngsters, a solution can be found... just beneath the waves. This may look like just another seaweed bed, but remarkably, it will help the gannet chicks survive. GANNETS CALL An adult returns to the nest with precious seaweed collected from the waters below. The nurturing parent places the seaweed under the chick on the nest, which absorbs some of the heat rising from the ground. Another parent arrives with seaweed. But this time, she drapes it over her chick, a behaviour that has never before been documented. It's possible this new tactic is the gannets' response to rising temperatures due to climate change. The male gannet without a mate watches other gannets return with underwater treasure. GANNETS SQUAWK, CHIRP But they have no chicks. In the gannet colony, partners also exchange seaweed as a gift... that often leads to mating. CURIOUS MUSIC Perhaps this is just what the male gannet needs to attract a mate. He finds a piece of unclaimed seaweed... just as a female walks towards him. She shows a flicker of interest, but it seems there's more to this mating game than just a piece of seaweed. As he arranges his new prize at the nest, the winds begin to shift, blowing over the colony. And with the wind shift comes the volcanic gas. EERIE MUSIC Gannet guano carpets the colony. UNEASY MUSIC And as the gas mixes with the guano, an eerie haze is released. The adults can endure the noxious gas and could leave if it becomes overwhelming. But with vulnerable chicks in the nest, they have to stay. As night descends, the underwater world prepares for the hours of darkness. Small fish find safe sleeping spots,... while blue maomao retreat from the surface to escape the danger of predators. Kingfish never rest, though. Night-time is when these predators often do their best work. EERIE DRONING In the waters above, a new oceanic visitor arrives. LOW, TENSE MUSIC Others follow. Kingfish have been expecting these visitors all summer, and now they are primed to attack. But these fish have a unique escape strategy. MUSIC BUILDS DELICATE MUSIC They're flying fish. As they propel themselves from the ocean, they spread their pectoral fins and glide to safety. DELICATE MUSIC CONTINUES FOREBODING MUSIC But not all the flyers have a lucky landing. INTENSE PERCUSSION MUSIC INTENSE MUSIC CONTINUES Few survive the onslaught, and those that do are badly injured. The kingfish move on as scales and body parts sink to the sea floor. 1 EERIE MUSIC It's dawn, and a stingray is on cleanup duty after last night's massacre of flying fish. Body parts have no electrical signal, so it uses its sense of smell to find scraps of flesh now scattered across the sea floor. SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC Other scavengers are also on the prowl for leftovers, so competition for food is tough. STRING MUSIC CRESCENDOES SOFT SQUISHING, SHUFFLING A comb starfish moves in on a lump of flesh, but it's no match for a pigfish. In no time, though, it bags a flying fish pectoral fin... all to itself. MYSTERIOUS MUSIC OMINOUS MUSIC Two scorpionfish face off. TENSE WESTERN MUSIC This is the first phase of a battle for dominance. MUSIC INTENSIFIES The winner secures his place at the front of the queue for the dead flying fish. Full of scraps, the stingray heads off to rest and digest. And the dominant scorpionfish relishes the spoils of victory. QUIRKY MUSIC But his prize won't be secure until it's been swallowed. CURIOUS MUSIC GANNETS CALL With a new day's sun, the volcano's noxious gases have dissipated, as the wind changed direction overnight. The male gannet is still without a partner. But this morning, he has another priority. He's off to hunt for breakfast. INTRIGUING MUSIC Gannets have exceptional vision and can see prey near the surface. But to find fish at depths, gannets often band together and look for a dolphin pod to lead them to prey. ELEGANT STRING MUSIC In no time, they spy the superpod,... DOLPHINS CLICK ...and gannets and dolphins sweep the ocean together. MYSTERIOUS STRING MUSIC Out of the blue appears their target ` a school of saury. These small fish roam the ocean in a loose ball. STRING MUSIC CONTINUES DOLPHINS CLICK, WHISTLE But when the dolphins arrive, they tighten ranks. The 6-month-old stays close to its mother to witness the pod's hunting strategy. DRAMATIC ORCHESTRAL MUSIC In a highly efficient operation, some dolphins herd the ball... while others take turns ploughing in to snatch fish. DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES The female demonstrates to her calf how it's done. DOLPHINS CALL Panicked fish swim toward the surface in a futile effort to escape. But danger also lurks above the waves. MUSIC ENDS GANNETS CALL FAINTLY The gannet train has arrived. These birds are plunge divers, falling at up to 145 km/h. SPLASH! DRAMATIC MUSIC Any last-minute corrections could lead to broken necks. But gannets have evolved airbag cushions in their chests and necks that absorb the force of their death-defying dives. They are one of the few species that can plunge-dive and wing-flap underwater to chase prey. DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES Their eye lens changes shape as they hit the surface so they can visually track fish for nearly a minute underwater. The male gannet reaches the frenzy. He waits for the perfect moment, free-falls,... DRUM ROLL CYMBALS CRASH ...and his accuracy is perfect. Witnessing hunts like this allows the young dolphin to learn the skills she will need to survive in the future. GENTLE MUSIC Thanks to the superpod, the male gannet is heavy with fish. He heads back to the colony, but the taste of victory may be short-lived. He is in for a nasty surprise back at his nest. 1 UPLIFTING MUSIC In the White Island gannet colony, treasure has been stolen from a nest while the owner hunts at sea. GANNETS CALL, CHIRP The ice plant is all gone, and now his next-door neighbour eyes up his remaining piece of seaweed. She grabs it to keep her chick cool... just as the male gannet arrives back to an empty nest. CURIOUS MUSIC He spots the culprit, but there's no chance of reclaiming his possession. FURTIVE MUSIC Like his neighbours, the male gannet will now resort to thievery. Close by, he spots a potential mark. He sneaks up... and makes a move. LIGHT-HEARTED MUSIC This is his dance of ownership, and on cue, a female gannet appears at the male's side. CURIOUS MUSIC She accepts his seaweed... and begins courting with the little thief. TENDER MUSIC It's been a long, fruitful summer for the White Island gannets, and soon, the breeding season will be over, and the colony will disperse. But there's no time to rest when food is still abundant. A small group spies yet another flash of silver beneath the waves. SERENE PIANO MUSIC It's a school of jack mackerel, but this time, the gannets are out of their league. Their competition ` OMINOUS MUSIC ...three 150kg striped marlin from the South Pacific. A marlin sneaks up on the mackerel. Dark colouration on top helps her blend into the depths, while her silvery underside resembles the water's surface above. The shimmering blue stripes also break up her outline, so to the mackerel, this massive predator is practically invisible. EERIE MUSIC That's one fish and counting for one of White Island's longest-distance travellers. Back at the gannet colony, the male and his new mate take their relationship to the next level. GANNETS CHIRP, CALL RELAXED MUSIC He'll have many years to perfect his technique, as he and his potential lifelong partner will return to this very nest every year to raise chicks in this hot and wild corner of our big blue backyard.