Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic adventure across the Great Plains of the United States on a mission to understand the connection between the incredible species that call it home. First, Jeff travels

Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic adventure across the Great Plains of the United States on a mission to understand the connection between the incredible species that call it home. First, Jeff travels to the Canadian border to help Native American tribes re-establish bison across tribal lands. Jeff learns how ancient bison herds once shaped the Great Plains and how modern conservationists are fighting to bring those herds back. Later, Jeff works with biologists to manage a delicate population of black-footed ferrets, a species once believed to be extinct. Jeff discovers how wild bison play a vital role in ferret survival and the survival of the Great Plains themselves. Video transcript: Jeff Corwin: The black-footed ferret was once believed to be extinct, but thanks to critical conservation work, and a little bit of luck, this incredible species has been rescued from the brink. Unfortunately, there are only about 400 left in the wild. In order to protect this fragile population, scientists first need to find them. Jeff Corwin: We're back in Montana, this time visiting the Fort Belknap Indian Community, home of the A'aninin and Nakoda tribes. I'm with canine field specialist Melissa Steen and Tule, one of the best black-footed ferret finders in the business. Jeff Corwin: So she's basically going from whole to whole sniffing for the presence of a black-footed ferret. Melissa Steen: There she goes. Jeff Corwin: So what's that behavior mean? Melissa Steen: So when she sits she's telling me she's found something. Jeff Corwin: So these are actually the borrows of prairie dogs from two to 10 feet into the earth, all snaking and twisting and rooting together. And there's potentially a black-footed ferret here taking advantage of the presence of prairie dogs, because they depend on prairie dogs. Jeff Corwin: Prairie dogs are a keystone species. Approximately 150 other species benefit or depend upon prairie dogs for survival, especially the black-footed ferret. Tragically in the 1900s widespread habitat destruction and the arrival of a disease called Sylvatic plague reduced the population by more than 95%. Without prairie dogs, the black-footed ferret almost completely disappeared. The few that remain here at Fort Belknap are some of the last on earth. Melissa Steen: So what we do now is we are going to flag this hole. Tule. Good girl. Then I'm going to take my GPS and mark this spot. And that will help inform where they send people out tonight to help look for the ferret. Jeff Corwin: So the next layer of this incredible conservation project with black-footed ferrets takes us to the spotlight team. Jeff Corwin: Darkness falls quickly over the prairie and I'm teaming up with Chamois Andersen from Defenders of Wildlife. Jeff Corwin: Chamois, just kind of going over the horizon with this spotlight. And what are you looking for? Chamois Anderssen: Yeah, I'm scanning the prairie for what are green eyes, the sheen of the ferret's eyes are green. They look like emeralds. And they're close to the ground, dipping in and out of the prairie dog burrows. It's sort of like playing tag. Jeff Corwin: Finally we find a black-footed ferret. Jeff Corwin: All right. So this is where proof is in the pudding. Jeff Corwin: The black-footed ferret only survives in this subterranean community of prairie dogs. Now do you just put it in the front? Chamois Anderssen: Just straight out like that. Yeah. Correct. And then you want to kind of cover it with the blanket and then we'll take a GPS reading. Jeff Corwin: Okay. So way point is saved. The trap is set. Jeff Corwin: This creature, for all intents and purposes, it was extinct. What happened? Chamois Anderssen: A dog named Shep on a ranch in Meeteetse, Wyoming found a dead black-footed ferret on the property and brought it home to its owners. That's how we realized it was no longer extinct. Jeff Corwin: But as irony would have it, soon after discovery, disease came and wiped out most of those surviving ferrets, didn't it? Chamois Anderssen: Yeah. Jeff Corwin: What caused this collapse, Chamois? Chamois Anderssen: It's Sylvatic plague. When we see these prairie dog towns start to decline because of plague, ferrets quickly blink out. So if we can keep plague at bay, ferrets are healthy again. Jeff Corwin: All right. My friends, an hour has passed. I'm going to check our trap. Look, furry, little body. The hatch is closed. We've got a ferret. All right. To the camper. Jeff Corwin: We take this precious ferret to our field station where biologist Jessica Alexander will collect vital data and administer a life saving vaccine. Jeff Corwin: All right. What's the plan, Jess? Jessica Alexander: So we're going to move this ferret into the induction chamber. Jeff Corwin: Okay. Jessica Alexander: So set it down right here so it's lined up with the front, the end of the trap. We've hit our character limit. Leave us a comment for the rest of the transcript.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic Alaskan adventure to help save some of North America’s most impressive feathered flyers. Jeff begins exploring the old-growth Tongass National Forest and learns how

Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic Alaskan adventure to help save some of North America’s most impressive feathered flyers. Jeff begins exploring the old-growth Tongass National Forest and learns how this ancient ecosystem has shaped the many birds that call it home. Later, Jeff visits the Alaska Raptor Center where he meets iconic bald eagles, beautiful great blue herons, lightning-quick goshawks, and helps rehabilitated birds return to the wild. Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: Hey there, friends. I'm Jeff Corwin and welcome to what is going to be an awesome adventure today on Wildlife Nation. We are exploring one of the great wild frontiers in North America. Of course, I'm talking about Alaska, and to help launch our incredible journey, I'm  with Flash. Flash is a goshawk. And this is Pat. Pat works with Defenders of Wildlife. And Pat, I thought it'd be kind of fun to introduce this adventure with Flash, because this bird has a connection to this ecosystem. Patrick Lavin: Indeed, this bird thrives in this ecosystem, Jeff, and only in this ecosystem, in old-growth  forest, just as we have surrounding us here. Jeff Corwin: What's incredible about the goshawk is they are just superb predators. Their ability to negotiate and navigate through a bramble and tangle of branches is unmatched in the world of raptors. And Pat, this forest where we're standing is unmatched when it comes to national forests, isn't it? Patrick Lavin: That's the Tongass National Forest. It's by far our nation's largest forest and largest intact temperate rain forest in North America. Jeff Corwin: There are many classic celebrated Alaskan species that survive because of this forest. Patrick Lavin: For species like goshawks, wolves, bears, Sitka black-tailed deer. Jeff Corwin: Salmon. Patrick Lavin: Yes, all of these species depend on our keeping the old-growth forest intact. Jeff Corwin: It's lush. It's verdant, it's filled with life. But when it comes to issues like climate change, it's also critically important, isn't it? Patrick Lavin: Forests sequesters carbon, pulls carbon from the atmosphere, stores it in the trees and soil that you see here and does that better than almost any other landscape. So if you can keep the forest intact, allow it to continue serving that function, that's actually a natural carbon mitigation, a  natural solution. We've done a lot of logging in the past in the Tongass and it's removed a lot of habitat for species like the goshawk. Jeff Corwin: But the great news is that there are still millions of acres of Tongass National Forest. So I can't think of a better way for us to launch our incredible Alaskan adventure with Flash, the goshawk at my side. It's a little clue of the great adventure to come. Jeff Corwin: Goshawks belong to an incredibly powerful predatory group of birds known as raptors. These amazing airborne animals come in many shapes and sizes, but for today's adventure, we're connecting with one of the most iconic of them all, the bald eagle. Bald eagles are sea eagles that feed on fish, but also a variety of other forms of prey. They're one of North America's largest birds of prey. They build massive nests and they can live for decades. Jeff Corwin: This morning, we're visiting the world-renowned Alaska Raptor Center to help return a young bald eagle named Diesel back to the wild. Dr. V: This could be a challenge. Jeff Corwin: Why? Dr. V: The bird's up there. Jeff Corwin: Diesel was rescued and brought to the Raptor Center a few months ago after being hit by a car. But today, Diesel has recovered and this bald eagle is ready to fly. Dr. V: The goal is to get the eagle in a corner. We're going to have to move fast. Jeff Corwin: In order to get Diesel back into the wild, first we'll need to capture him. Jeff Corwin: All right. Dr. V: I'm going to have you... Actually don't throw your blanket, but let's just flick it and see. Jeff Corwin: See if we can get him to go down. Dr. V: That's all we needed. Jeff Corwin: Yeah. Dr. V: All right. It's good. You've got your... All right. We're going to move in slowly. Block its exit over there. There you go. Good. Jeff Corwin: There we go. Dr. V: Okay. What have you got? Okay. Are you going to let go? Nope. I am going to give this bird to you, but I want you to keep it really low because her head isn't covered. Jeff Corwin: Okay. Dr. V: So I'm going to keep a hold of things. Jeff Corwin: Yeah, I got them. Jeff Corwin: It will take a few more years for Diesel's feathers to develop the iconic white crown of adult bald eagles. Jeff Corwin: So what do you want to do to kind of keep the stress level down? Dr. V: Once we take away the visual stimulus on this bird, it's going to calm down. Jeff Corwin: So Diesel came to the Raptor Center in early summer. Diesel had a run in with an automobile. Dr. V: Yes. We've hit our character count. Leave us a comment for the rest of the transcript.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure as he explores the conservation success stories of the American crocodile and uncovers how a nuclear power station makes for an ideal crocodile nesting area. To

Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure as he explores the conservation success stories of the American crocodile and uncovers how a nuclear power station makes for an ideal crocodile nesting area. To learn more about the wildlife featured in the episode, visit www.defenders.org/wildlifenation Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: I'm in the beautiful state of Florida, seeing how conservation efforts are working to bring back the American crocodile from the brink of extinction. We are on our way to the Turkey Point nuclear power plant. It's the sixth largest power plant in the United States, and it provides power to the entire southern half of Florida. But it also plays an even more powerful role in the survival of the American crocodile. Jeff Corwin: This is Mike Lloret and he's a wildlife biologist, and he works with Florida Power & Light. And of course, this is Elizabeth from Defenders of Wildlife. And this is all about these most extraordinary creatures, American crocodiles. Elizabeth, they have quite a powerful story, don't they, in North America? Elizabeth Fleming: Yes, they do. They've really had a terrific success story through many decades of conservation effort. Jeff Corwin: And of course, Florida Power & Light and Turkey Point has been a big part of this nuclear headstart program. And I mean that in the best sense of the description, because it's almost like you guys have been able to launch the re-survival of this species, the re-wilding of this species. What made this such a success? Mike Lloret: We have 6,000 acres here. It ended up being fantastic habitat for the American crocodile. The crocodiles come here. We collect the babies. We monitor the adults and we release everybody back into the wild. Jeff Corwin: The power plant is cooled by a massive network of canals that cover 10 square miles and borders a large wildlife reserve. Conservationists have discovered that these canals make the ideal habitat for crocodile nests. Jeff Corwin: So because this is a secure facility providing energy for millions of people in Florida, it's protected. So you have security which protects the crocodiles. Jeff Corwin: American crocodiles almost were extinct due to hunting and habitat loss. At one point, unfortunately,  there were only 100 adult crocodiles left. But thanks to the Endangered Species Act  and organizations, like our sponsor Defenders of Wildlife, they have made an important comeback. There are now over 2,000 American crocodiles surviving in Southern Florida.  Jeff Corwin: Elizabeth, why is it important that we protect crocodiles? Elizabeth Fleming: Because they're part of the natural system in Florida. We have some of the greatest biological diversity in the entire country, and it's because we have so many species like this. Every single one is important. Everyone has a role in the ecosystem and with their loss, it's a loss to us. Mike Lloret: The crocodiles are one of our apex predators down here in south Florida. So we know if there're more crocodiles, that the rest of the ecosystem is doing well. Jeff Corwin: If they're protected, the birds, the fish, the turtles, the plants, all of that gets protected as well. Mike, so what do we need to accomplish today? Mike Lloret: So today we are tagging these baby hatchlings. We are collecting biometric data, which is important to understand the population health of these little guys. And then we're releasing them back into the wild. Jeff Corwin: First off, we measure the crocodile hatchlings. Jeff Corwin: Snout 12.8 centimeters.   Jeff Corwin: Then we get their weight. Jeff Corwin: 58.7 grams there. Jeff Corwin: In order to identify each crocodile in the future, we insert a small microchip called a PIT tag, just under the skin. When it is scanned, it will reveal the identification number of this particular crocodile. Mike Lloret: Now we're going to cut a unique SKU clip number into his tail. Jeff Corwin: My buddy Mike also makes a small incision in the crocodile's scales, according to a specific number pattern. This way, along with the PIT tag, they can be identified for the rest of their lives. But don't worry, it doesn't hurt. Jeff Corwin: Okay there my friends, so we have ourselves a bucket of amazing American crocodiles. And if you thought this was cool, now they're going back home. Elizabeth Fleming: Absolutely. Jeff Corwin: All right, let's do it. Jeff Corwin: We head to the wildlife sanctuary in Turkey Point to return them back to the wild. Jeff Corwin: All right, here we go. This is what it's all about. You ready, Elizabeth? Elizabeth Fleming: Yes, I am. Jeff Corwin: All right. Mike Lloret: Just going to guide them out that way. Jeff Corwin: They're so cute. Elizabeth Fleming: They really are... We've run out of characters. Leave us a comment for the rest of the transcript.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure across central Florida to connect with the giant manatee! This weekend Jeff uncovers the harsh realities manatees face in the wild and works with

Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure across central Florida to connect with the giant manatee! This weekend Jeff uncovers the harsh realities manatees face in the wild and works with conservationists who are racing to save this iconic species. To learn more about the wildlife featured in the episode, visit www.defenders.org/wildlifenation Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: Today's conservation mission begins in central Florida, home to the stunningly beautiful Silver River. Jeff Corwin: Just look how clean the water is here. We can see in some cases, right to the bottom 20 plus feet deep. We can see the various fish species milling about, big river turtles and large mouth bass. All of them sharing this vital habitat. Jeff Corwin: I'm here with Liz Neville from Defenders of Wildlife. Their mission is to help protect and restore Florida's wetland wilderness. Jeff Corwin: This is old wild Florida, isn't it? Liz Neville: It is, Jeff. This to me is the reason to come to Florida. It's beautiful. The peace that I feel from being out here is unlike anything else. Jeff Corwin: The Silver River flows into the mighty Ocklawaha River at the heart of the great Florida riverway. This vast 217 mile system of rivers and springs flows north from central Florida to the Atlantic Ocean. It is critical habitat to countless species, including manatees. Manatees are big, typically 10 feet long and weighing around a thousand pounds. They're curious, slow moving, and spend most of the day grazing on seagrass. Jeff Corwin: They're also constantly migrating through Florida's rivers and coastal habitats to survive. The greatest long term threat to manatees is a loss of warm water habitat and restoring more areas of natural warm water habitat will ensure the manatee's future. The beauty about Silver River is that it has a relatively constant temperature. So when we get those very dangerous cold snaps, which happen here in Florida in winter, manatees can come here and survive. Jeff Corwin: Unfortunately, many manatees are cut off from places like Silver River due to manmade barriers. The Kirkpatrick Dam is a good example. It was built in the 1960s and has obstructed the large scale migration of manatees ever since. Restoring a free flowing Ocklawaha River will not only give manatees better access to Silver River and Silver Springs, but will also provide them with essential, warm water winter habitat and many of Ocklawaha's 20 freshwater Springs, which are currently not accessible due to high water levels from the dam. Jeff Corwin: The reality is there are decisions that happened decades ago that are impacting the environmental integrity of Florida today. Liz Neville: Jeff, it's really about coexistence at the end of the day. So much of the appeal of living in Florida is the beautiful natural environment and the wildlife that we have. So the key to continuing a survival of species and also ensuring a good human quality of life is to work with nature and not against her. Jeff Corwin: In recent years, Florida waterways have seen a dramatic increase in harmful algae blooms. These algae blooms are killing other native vegetation that provide food to manatees and other species. Tragically today, more manatees are dying than any other time in Florida's recorded history. Conservationists are racing to save this keystone species before it's too late.

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Join host Jeff Corwin for a celebration of the Endangered Species Act by connecting with a few of the amazing species that have benefitted from the landmark legislation. To learn more about the

Join host Jeff Corwin for a celebration of the Endangered Species Act by connecting with a few of the amazing species that have benefitted from the landmark legislation. To learn more about the wildlife featured in the episode, visit www.defenders.org/wildlifenation Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: The United States is home to some of the most spectacular landscapes and diverse wildlife on earth, and there's no better example than an iconic bird that's loved and admired from sea to shining sea.   Now that my friends is a powerful stare. For me, the bald eagle is not only a powerful symbol of the United States, but it is an incredible example of environmental stewardship, conservation, and the importance of the Endangered Species Act. Amazingly, not so long ago, this mighty bird species was pushed to the brink of extinction. But today, it is recovered and it is thriving because we all came together and we protected this amazing symbol of the United States. Jeff Corwin: The modern American environmental movement began in 1973 with the passage of landmark legislation called the Endangered Species Act. This crucial bipartisan law empowered our government to protect and manage vulnerable plants and animals, as well as the ecosystems upon which they depend. The Endangered Species Act has saved dozens of other threatened species from the brink of extinction, including one of my favorites, sea turtles. Today, we're exploring the beautiful beaches of Boca Raton, Florida, where several different sea turtle species make their nests. Jeff Corwin: This is Elizabeth Fleming, she works with Defenders of Wildlife. Her backyard is Florida. Her mission is Florida. This is David Anderson, and you're the sea turtle coordinator for Gumbo Limbo. David Anderson: Yes, I am the conservation coordinator for our five miles of beach in Boca Raton. Jeff Corwin: Awesome. Elizabeth, why are beaches like this critical to the survival of sea turtles? Elizabeth Fleming: Well, Florida is globally important for sea turtles. We have the largest nesting aggregations for loggerhead turtles in the entire world. Jeff Corwin: That's kind of amazing. Elizabeth Fleming: It's kind of amazing. Jeff Corwin: David, I think what's so special about Boca Raton is that a few decades ago, people had a sense of foresight. David Anderson: They had foresight to establish parks - beachfront parks in about half of all of Boca Raton's shoreline. Jeff Corwin: We've got a sea turtle nest right here. What species do you think? David Anderson: This is a loggerhead nest. This nest hatched three days ago, so now we are ready to excavate it and inventory its contents. Jeff Corwin: Awesome. Shall we start? David Anderson: Yes, we can start. Basically just start digging straight down, separate all the hatched shells. Elizabeth, can you help me sort. Elizabeth Fleming: I can. Jeff Corwin: Typically, how many stragglers would you find? David Anderson: I would say about half of the time we excavate nests, we find a live hatchling or two or sometimes three or four. Elizabeth Fleming: So they lay a lot of eggs and numbers are on their side to help them survive. Jeff Corwin: What's really promising is we're seeing a lot of empty shells. David Anderson: Right. Jeff Corwin: Which means, a lot of them got out alive. David Anderson: That's right. Elizabeth Fleming: One in 10,000 actually survive to become an adult and breed. The thing is if we just protect their habitat, they will do the rest. Jeff Corwin: They're indicator species. Elizabeth Fleming: Absolutely. Jeff Corwin: They're keystone species. Elizabeth Fleming: They are. Jeff Corwin: They're critical to the environment. They're a part of human culture. Elizabeth Fleming: They are. Jeff Corwin: It would be a sad world without them. Elizabeth Fleming: It sure would. Jeff Corwin: Oh, and it would be a sad world- Elizabeth Fleming: Did you find one? David Anderson: Look at there. Jeff Corwin: Look at that. Elizabeth Fleming: Look at that. Jeff Corwin: And it would be a sad world without this, and this is why this is so important. Because every sea turtle matters. This little straggler, buried deep in the nest, it's been liberated. In a little bit. David Anderson: Yep. Jeff Corwin: It's going home. Jeff Corwin: Of the seven sea turtle species roaming the oceans of our world, six of them make their nests on the beaches of America and all of them are listed as protected animals, under the Endangered Species Act.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure through central Florida as he helps save threatened gopher tortoises from a new real estate development. Later, Jeff uncovers how gopher tortoises contribute to

Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure through central Florida as he helps save threatened gopher tortoises from a new real estate development. Later, Jeff uncovers how gopher tortoises contribute to Florida’s entire ecosystem by providing important habitat for many other species. To learn more about the wildlife featured in the episode, visit www.defenders.org/wildlifenation Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: Our adventure begins in Central Florida, where an amazing species of reptile has lived for  millions of years. Jeff Corwin: So friends, right now, we're working with an incredible project, and it's all about rescuing these amazing creatures. This is the incredible, the iconic, gopher tortoise. Kent, I can't think of a more amazing symbol of old wild Florida than this, but today they're in serious trouble. Why are these tortoises disappearing? Kent Wimmer: Because of development pressures and land uses that don't protect their habitat. Jeff Corwin: In Florida, neighborhoods are popping up left and right. How many people move here every day? Kent Wimmer: 1,000 people a day. Jeff Corwin: To make room for people, means we lose habitat, and a species like this depends on a very specific type of habitat. Jeff Corwin: Gopher tortoises are expert diggers. Every year, they dig out several long tunnels deep underground, where they are protected from weather, fires, and predators.  And these master excavators play a critical role in Florida's entire ecosystem. Kent Wimmer: Gopher tortoises are one of nature's engineers. Over 360 species live in gopher tortoise burrows. They're one of the most important species we have in Florida. Jeff Corwin: We've got Kent from Defenders, and we have Carissa who is from Saving Florida's Gopher Tortoises. Carissa, these tunnels can go how many feet? Carissa Kent: In the center of the State, they'll go down to 25, 35 feet. They dig to the water table. Jeff Corwin: You're talking about 25 feet down. Carissa Kent: Correct. Jeff Corwin: I'm not talking length- Carissa Kent: Length. Jeff Corwin: ... just down. Carissa Kent: Just down. Jeff Corwin: This sandy type soil you find in Florida is ideal for tortoises. But, it's also ideal for homesteading,  real estate, and construction, isn't it? Carissa Kent: Correct. So the same places that tortoises want to live, humans want to live. So, there has to be a balance there somewhere. So we work on projects, unfortunately, that had an old permit system, where the developers are able to purchase a permit to bury them alive. Jeff Corwin: Under Florida regulations, many older gopher tortoise permits still allow developers to destroy their burrows and seal them underground beneath layers of concrete. And many other species that live in their burrows, can be routinely killed.   Jeff Corwin: This lot, which is home to gopher tortoises, is now going to be ripped up, torn down, and made room for a development, a neighborhood. That's where Carissa's group with partners like Defenders come in. We've come to this place, to get whatever tortoises are living here out of harm's way. Because if we don't, they'll be forever buried under a neighborhood of concrete. Carissa Kent: Correct. Jeff Corwin: All right. Shall we go save some tortoises? Carissa Kent: I'm ready. Kent Wimmer: Let's go. Jeff Corwin: Let's do it. Carissa Kent: Let's go. Carissa Kent: All right, found one guys. Kent Wimmer: Hey. Carissa Kent: All right. It's right here. Jeff Corwin: All right. Yep, I can see that. Kent Wimmer: Good job. Carissa Kent: Yeah, I see tracks and some nice little trails right there. So, we're hoping this is definitely  a gopher tortoise that's physically in here. Jeff Corwin: There could be dozen of critters down there, but there's only one way to find out, and we've  got some technology to do that, don't we Carissa? Carissa Kent: We sure do. Jeff Corwin: Carissa carefully feeds a small camera deep into the hole, to see if anyone is at home. Carissa: All right. It's curving to the left a little bit. And- Jeff Corwin: Look at that. A tortoise. Carissa Kent: There is our tortoise. Kent Wimmer: All right. Jeff Corwin: So, we've confirmed tortoise, what do we do? Carissa Kent: It's time to excavate. Jeff Corwin: All right, let's do it. Carissa Kent: All right, let's go. Kent Wimmer: All right. Jeff Corwin: In order to safely excavate the gopher tortoise, we rely on some heavy-duty industrial earth moving equipment to help clear away the top soil. Jeff Corwin: This is about being very, very gentle and approaching this hole as gingerly as possible, isn't it? Carissa Kent: Absolutely. Obviously, we're digging with very, very large machinery here, so our number one goal is not to hurt this tortoise. But we need this machine to get this tortoise out of the ground. So how we do that, is delicately. We've hit our character limit. Leave us a comment for the rest of the transcript.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure to the great state of Alaska as he explores a few of the incredible animals that call it home. Jeff begins on the shores of the icy Cook Inlet helping

Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure to the great state of Alaska as he explores a few of the incredible animals that call it home. Jeff begins on the shores of the icy Cook Inlet helping conservationists monitor a population of endangered beluga whales. To learn more about the wildlife featured in the episode, visit www.defenders.org/wildlifenation Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: For today's adventure, I'm traveling to America's last great frontier, the mighty state of Alaska. Alaska is a place of extremes. It is home to some of the most stunning landscapes on earth and a collection of North America's most iconic species. This morning we're exploring the massive Cook Inlet watershed located south of Anchorage. I'm joining Nicole Whittington-Evans from Defenders of Wildlife and Suzanne Steinert to help the ongoing conservation of the great white canaries of the sea. Jeff Corwin: Incredible. So we've got one beluga there and another one right here.  Nicole, when they come up, it's a flash, isn't it? Nicole Whittington-Evans: Yeah. It's just like a marshmallow surfacing on the water and then going back down. Jeff Corwin: What is bringing them here? Nicole Whittington-Evans: They're coming in to the inlet because they are following salmon. They're feeding on salmon and other fish. Jeff Corwin: The beluga whale is uniquely adapted to life in the Arctic. The absence of a dorsal fin allows them to swim under ice with ease. Their highly developed sense of hearing allows them to use echolocation to communicate with each other and navigate through the icy water that often has low visibility. Jeff Corwin: Suzanne, typically, how many belugas would we see here? Suzanne Steinert: This time of year, Jeff, we could see dozens on one tide cycle. Jeff Corwin: Nicole and Suzanne carefully count and photograph every beluga they find to monitor the health of this critically endangered population.   Jeff Corwin: In the late '80s and early '90s, Cook's Inlet was home to well over a thousand beluga whales, but today the population has plummeted by nearly 80%. What has happened to beluga whales? Nicole Whittington-Evans: In Cook Inlet, we're directly adjacent to the largest population center in Alaska. And through that, there's been a lot of habitat degradation for Cook Inlet belugas. Suzanne Steinert: There are a number of threats that are likely contributing cumulatively to preventing this population from recovering. Jeff Corwin: What is one step do you think that we could do today that would ensure their survival into tomorrow? Nicole Whittington-Evans: We really need to be thinking about how we can reduce our impacts to the climate. Suzanne Steinert: And if they're going to have any chance of survival, we've got to figure out how to better balance human and beluga needs. Jeff Corwin:  Our goal is to ensure that every generation has a chance to perch upon this rock and witness these amazing whales. Thank you guys so much. This was awesome. Nicole Whittington-Evans: Yeah, this was fantastic. There's one right there. Jeff Corwin: There is one right there.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic adventure across California to connect with some of North America’s most magnificent marine mammals. Jeff works alongside conservationists fighting to save a group

Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic adventure across California to connect with some of North America’s most magnificent marine mammals. Jeff works alongside conservationists fighting to save a group of sea lions that unfortunately ate plastic debris floating in the ocean. Next, Jeff explores sea otter habitats in the famous Monterey Bay and discovers amazing insights into sea otter group behavior. Finally, Jeff comes face to face with giant elephant seals and collects important data on elephant seal migration. Jeff learns about the powerful connection between elephant seal mothers and babies and discovers new information about their time in the open ocean. Video transcript: Jeff Corwin: Today, on Wildlife Nation, marine mammals in trouble and the heroes fighting to save them. In California, we'll meet four sea lion pups rescued from disaster. Speaker: One of these animals consumed this plastic bag. Jeff Corwin: Next, we'll visit southern sea otters who nearly went extinct. Speaker: They're wild and they need to stay wild. Jeff Corwin: And, we'll join a conservation research team and their decades of incredible work to better understand the elephant seal. I'm Jeff Corwin and I teamed up with Defenders of Wildlife to celebrate the awesome creatures of North America and the dedicated conservationists working to protect them. And you're invited to join the adventure. This is Wildlife Nation.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic adventure across North America on a mission to help bring bison back to the continent. Jeff travels to the Canadian border to help Native American tribes re-establish

Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic adventure across North America on a mission to help bring bison back to the continent. Jeff travels to the Canadian border to help Native American tribes re-establish new bison herds across tribal lands. Jeff learns how ancient bison herds once shaped the Great Plains and how modern conservationists are fighting to bring those herds back. Later, Jeff travels to the Kodiak Island Archipelago where the native Allutiq people are managing a new population of American bison. Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: Today on Wildlife Nation, strap in and hold on. Speaker: You ready to do it? Yep, right there, you ready? Okay! Jeff Corwin: We're working alongside native tribes to bring bison back to North America. Speaker: It's a wonderful thing, and I'm glad other tribes are participating in this program. Jeff Corwin: From the plains of Oklahoma to the wilderness of Alaska, this is a conservation mission like you've never seen before. The dart is in. We've got ourselves a bison. I'm Jeff Corwin and I've teamed up with Defenders of Wildlife to celebrate the awesome creatures of North America and the dedicated conservationists working to protect them, and you're invited to join the adventure. This is Wildlife Nation.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic adventure to help save some of North America’s most imperiled species. Jeff travels to the plains of Montana to save a delicate population of black-footed ferrets,

Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic adventure to help save some of North America’s most imperiled species. Jeff travels to the plains of Montana to save a delicate population of black-footed ferrets, a species once believed to be extinct. Then, Jeff travels to the spectacular coastline of Big Sur, California, to help prepare young condors for their new life in the wild. Then, Jeff travels to Washington State to connect with the endangered pygmy rabbit and works alongside conservationists fighting to protect these amazing animals and the ecosystem where they live. Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: Today on Wildlife Nation, we're celebrating animals rescued from the brink of extinction. Pam Flick: It truly takes a village to save a species. Jeff Corwin: We'll help save the most endangered mammal in North America from a deadly disease. The hatch is closed. We've got a ferret. We'll help the mighty California condor return to the sky. Look at the size of this bird. It's just amazing. Jeff Corwin: And we'll give the world's tiniest rabbit a shot to survive. When you only have 150 individuals left, this really is our last chance. Jeff Corwin: I'm Jeff Corwin and I've teamed up with Defenders of Wildlife to celebrate the awesome creatures of North America and the dedicated conservationists working to protect them, and you're invited to join the adventure. This is Wildlife Nation.

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