WildCreatures

These puppies were rescued from homelessness and starvation in a northern Ontario community where the stray dog population became too much for the town to handle. Dogs of all ages were rounded up and airlifted to a larger city where they could be cared for and adopted into forever homes. The most fun part of this rescue mission was cuddling with and caring for these adorable puppies. A total of 60 dogs were rescued and given a second chance at life and love.

This baby elephant lives free on the plains of Kenya, Africa. He's very young, and very small, compared with his mother and the other elephants in his herd. He follows them and watches so that he can learn from everything that they do. He cannot yet digest much of the food around him, but he tries to imitate his herd. In the end, he decides that the brush makes a great place to scratch. He will need the protection of the herd, as lions and hyenas also roam freely here, and either would consider such a young elephant to be an easy meal. But the grown elephants around him will not allow this to happen easily. Baby elephants nurse milk from their mothers until they are old enough to graze and digest foliage. As adults, they eat only plants. African elephants are the largest land animals on earth. They grow rapidly to become massive and powerful, and formidable in their ability to defend themselves. But for now, this adorable little fellow will stick close and learn from his elders.

Scuba diving is a relatively new sport. It was only since the turn of the twentieth century that man has been able to produce equipment that allows a human to breath underwater. It was not until the 1950s that the high pressure cylinder would be invented, allowing people to carry an air supply and swim freely under the surface. This changed the way diving was done and made it more affordable and practical, allowing recreational divers to explore the reefs. Scuba is an acronym for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. It is a system that allows a diver to carry pressurized air with a regulator that delivers air as the diver breathes. With the right training and preparation, breathing air 100 feet below the waves can be as easy as breathing on the surface. Scuba diving requires an understanding of the effect of breathing air under pressure, and of the chemical changes that occur in the body while at depth. Although it is a very safe sport, a lack of understanding can cause catastrophic problems and even death. Surfacing too quickly, holding the breath during ascent, and staying too deep for too long can all have serious, even fatal results. But the risks can be minimized with proper precautions and the allure of the deep is powerful enough to make the risks worthwhile. Scuba divers are able to explore a mysterious and beautiful world where creatures swim freely and coral reefs resemble some sort of alien landscape. The ocean is a tranquil and relaxing place one moment, and a hostile world the next. Each creature is part of a delicate balance where they are both predator and prey and the roles can switch in an instant. Divers must be very respectful of the fact that they are guests in this domain and that improper behavior can have severe consequences. Scuba divers often describe the sensation of weightlessness as being similar to floating in space. Drifting on a current, or swimming along over the bottom is like watching the world's biggest movie screen. The animals are colorful and fascinating. Some are immense and awe-inspiring. Each experience is unique and thrilling. The call of the deep is powerful and scuba divers who have become comfortable in this realm describe a feeling of peace and tranquility that touches their souls like nothing else on earth.

The scrawled file is a very unique fish that has the ability to change color for camouflage. It is also very toxic to predators due to its diet of specific corals and sponges that create a buildup of toxins in its flesh. But despite these amazing defenses, there is one thing that poses a threat to the scrawled file fish and that is the presence of burrowing parasites. In order to rid itself of the troublesome creatures, the filefish needs help from smaller, more agile fish, such as these brown chromis. In order to signal the cleaner fish that it is safe for them to approach, larger fish will suspend themselves vertically and the chromis dash in close for a free meal. The small parasites can burrow under scales and cause serious health risks to the filefish if they are allowed to linger on its skin. This is a good example of a symbiotic relationship on the reef. Both creatures benefit from a mutual understanding.

It's not what you drive, it's how you drive it! Winter driving can be a lot of fun, especially when you're a fan of drifting. This Honda Civic owner drives it like he stole it. The full speed slides and drifts are filmed by a drone skimming along just over the road. The powdered snow flies all around and covers the Honda as it spins out. These antics are best reserved for controlled environments with no hazards or traffic.

Common or northern watersnakes are found throughout North America in almost any body of fresh water. Although they can grow to nearly 1.8 m (5 feet), they are not harmful or venomous. They feed on fish, frogs, toads, and crayfish along the shorelines and shallows of lakes. And, despite being as beneficial as they are to maintaining the balance of the ecosystem, they are seen as the true villains of cottage country by many. Fear of snakes ranks as the number two irrational fear in the world, closely behind public speaking. Many people who fear snakes cannot articulate exactly what it is that scares them. Some believe that it is because of their slithery motion, while others say that they expect them to be cold and slimy. But one thing is certain; snakes rarely receive a warm welcome. This snake is doing exactly what would be expected of it as it hunts for fish and frogs in the shallows around a weedy shoreline. The water in Northern Ontario is still cool enough that this snake cannot maintain her body temperature for long. She finds a quiet spot on this family dock to stretch out in the midday sun. Being cold blooded, these snakes must warm themselves in the sun so that they are able to move properly and also to raise their metabolism and digest food. When they lie across a dock, they have no more interest in an interaction than we do. But, like us, they do enjoy a warm, dry spot to catch some rays. Snakes are capable of dislocating their jaws to swallow prey that is much larger than their mouth would usually be. This allows them to slowly work their jaws around a larger animal and over them. Watersnakes are often confused with venomous rattlesnakes due to their markings. But watersnakes are easily distinguished by the round shape of their pupils as opposed to a slit like appearance like a cat. They also lack the heat pits on their faces. And while swimming, a watersnake's body is submerged, while a rattlesnake's body floats on top. These differences will not be completely reassuring to those who are simply afraid of all snakes, but knowing that a visiting snake is of the harmless variety should help ease their minds. Left alone, watersnakes will be on their way after warming up for an hour or two in the sun.

Whale sharks are among the most majestic and beautiful creatures in any of the world's oceans. They can reach an incredible length of 55 feet (18m) and weigh an estimated 100,000 pounds (45,000kg). Their beautiful markings and graceful movements make them a wonder to see and a delight to photograph or video record. These beautiful creatures inhabit most of the world&'s tropical waters and they have been known to travel all around the world to reach feeding or breeding grounds. There is still a lot of mystery surrounding these sharks and scientists admit that they don't understand them well. Kristy has been scuba diving for decades and she has traveled to the Galapagos Islands for an adventure and a chance to swim with the whale sharks that come here from all around the planet. Yet, they are elusive and hard to find at times. Three major ocean currents converge at Darwin Island, and the plankton and krill are brought to the surface in abundance, attracting many small fish and larger creatures such as whale sharks and hammerheads. It is a world like no other and the area is considered one of the most spectacular dive locations known to man. Swimming through the open ocean near Darwin Island, Kristy had her underwater camera with her. She had no idea that she was being followed by a massive shark that was heading right at her. She turned to look behind and was shocked to see the open mouth of this large, pregnant female, almost upon her. She barely got her camera ready as it passed within inches of her and swam directly underneath. The open mouth is an indication that the shark is feeding on plankton or krill. They have large combs instead of teeth and they pose no threat to divers, despite their enormous size. They are as gentle and harmless as any other creature. Whale sharks are also known for occasional curiosity and it is very likely that this one was intentionally swimming close to Kristy to have a look at the unusual creature in its path. It's also possible that it was just unconcerned and knew that it had no reason to fear a diver. But either way, Kristy was treated to the experience of a lifetime as this behemoth passed by her like a submarine. She could have reached out and touched it as it made its way past. She actually drifted right over its back and almost collided with the dorsal fin and tail. Moving slightly, she was able to avoid physical contact with the shark. Although tempting, touching a whale shark is never allowed in most parts of the world. It is best to make every effort to not affect the whale sharks in any way as they feed. Ethical divers do not disturb wildlife when it can be avoided.

At first glance, it seems that cows wonder through pastures living a seemingly carefree life. However, they have complex thoughts and display a multitude of emotions. Moreover, cows characterize with distinguished traits such as being dominant, annoying,<a href="https://rumble.com/v31i6j-14-massive-cows-v-1-chilled-dog.html" target="_blank">curious</a>, mischievous, loving, friendly, and adventurous. Who would have thought that beneath that calm exterior there is a boiling mass of emotions? What is more, some researchers suggest that cows have “best friends” and get stressed when separated. To anyone who works, or has worked, with cows, it comes as no surprise that cows are capable of friendships. There is a beautiful farm near Millbrook, Ontario, Canada with a wide expanse of land that is made up by lush, green pastures and meadows full of grass, clover, and wildflowers. This farm is home to a herd of very happy cows who spend their time grazing and relaxing in the sunshine. Many of the mothers have recently given birth to new spring calves and they enjoy the fresh summer air, occasionally wading into the ponds to cool off, or to cover themselves in mud. The calves run and play together, taking frequent breaks to nurse on their mother’s milk. The <a href="https://rumble.com/v31t93-man-plays-bagpipes-for-cows.html" target="_blank">cows</a> are well taken care of here and they are treated very well. This is a farm that runs much as things used to, when the cattle led a more natural life. A drone was sent up in the air over this farm on a warm, summer day. The intent was to capture footage of the green countryside and beautiful property, as well as the herd of cows enjoying the nice weather. The cows have never seen a drone before, so it was a mystery how they would react. Several high altitude flyovers got no reaction from the cows. The drone was slowly brought closer and lower until it became obvious that the cows were not bothered by the drone, or the noise. Surprisingly, the cows were curious about the mysterious flying object. They walked closer to inspect it, mooed curiously and then slowly gathered in a circle to stare up at it. The drone was slowly backed away and the cows did something even more surprising. They followed it and tried to get a close look. Some cows show annoying and even aggressive antics when it is milking or feeding time. Dominant cows always push their way to the front of the queue, bully and intimidate more sensitive souls, and dictate when and where the group will move around their pasture. In contrast to this, there are gentle cows that will appreciate a scratch behind the ear and are both curious and terrified of any new thing. And there are those cows, too that jump for joy when they see grass for the first time. As they are set free in this video, in a <a href="https://rumble.com/v2zkw6-happy-cows-for-the-first-time-into-the-paddock-after-winter.html" target="_blank">pasture</a> in Netherlands, they instantly jump in the grass, overjoyed with excitement. Apparently, they are ecstatic because of the change of seasons with spring being at the doorstep. What is the best season for celebrating life if not spring?

Swimmers in the Galapagos Islands took advantage of a sunny day and a break between scuba dives to enjoy a dip in an inviting cove. The water was a beautiful blue and the sheltered bay was home to a colony of sea lions that were basking on the shore nearby. Two playful sea lions ventured out to meet the swimmers and they looped and swirled all around them for a few moments before darting back toward the shore. Mesmerized, the swimmers followed the curious and energetic young sea lions and they watched from afar as the sea lions in the colony swam back and forth along the edge of the island. But two of the sea lions were not playful youngsters or tolerant females. The two larger sea lions have the well developed bone crest on their head that tells observers that they are mature males, and full of testosterone. With the increased hormones comes increased territorial aggression. These swimmers quickly found that the younger male was curious and he made a few close passes to inspect them. This seemed harmless enough and he made no move to suggest irritation. But another bull showed up and he turned out to be the dominant male of this colony. Bull sea lions have little sense of playfulness and they are likely to engage in challenging behaviour such as swimming directly at animals near their females. The bull in this case made a few close passes and even opened his mouth, grunting or barking. On one pass, the bull opened wide and snapped at the swimmer in what appears to be a half serious attempt to bite. Sea lions are extremely agile in the water and they can swim circles around a clumsy human, much faster than one would expect, considering their large and blubbery physiques. Realizing that they were unwelcome, these swimmers backed away and kept a greater distance from the colony. This was the message that the sea lion was sending and he was satisfied that they had understood his warning. Sea lions are a joy to watch, and the younger sea lions, as well as the females are likely to approach swimmers and invite them to play. They will dart back and forth, nearly touching humans. They loop and dive and then hang suspended upside down while they stare at people. They almost seem to be smiling and few can resist a friendly invitation to play with them.

Two cyclists out for an afternoon ride pass by a farm. A large dog runs along the fence, eager to catch them. The riders are surprised to see that the dog is joined by his buddy who also enjoys the chase. But this is not another dog. It's a goat! It's a good thing that the fence keeps them from achieving their goal. The question is: who taught the other to chase the bikers?

Scuba diving is an extremely safe sport when procedures and guidelines are followed carefully. But even seasoned divers occasionally make errors. In rare cases, those errors can be dangerous, or even fatal. Dave is a diver who documented his experience in Papua New Guinea. He had a very close call and he was lucky to survive this experience. While exploring the remote islands in Kimbe Bay, PNG, Dave took part in several group dives each day. The entire group used reliable computers and followed their dive guide. Dave was careful to watch his depth and he carefully ascended after each dive, making sure he came to the surface slowly enough to avoid decompression illness (the bends). But while the other divers on the boat skipped occasional dives, Dave didn't miss any. The result was an accumulation of nitrogen in his blood that eventually caught up with him. His dive computer did not indicate any potential problems. He fully believed that he was diving conservatively enough to avoid the bends. The footage of the shark took place at a depth of 22m (70 feet). After 45 minutes, the group ascended carefully. The divers had all accumulated nitrogen while under pressure. But Dave had more than a safe level and the gas created bubbles in his blood stream as the pressure lessened. As he climbed back onto the boat, he began to feel abdominal pain. He experienced nausea and confusion soon after getting out of his wetsuit. His hands and feet were going numb. When he had vision difficulty a few minutes later, he realized he had a serious problem. By now, all he could manage to do was to lie down. Dave's wife and Mark, the tour leader recognized immediately that he was suffering from decompression illness and that he was declining rapidly. By now, his vision was blurred and he was having speech difficulty. They quickly administered oxygen and prepared for an emergency evacuation. Mark began making calls to the Diver's Alert Network, an insurance organization that provides emergency care in incidents such as this one. Captain Alan changed course and headed for shore. The nearest hyperbaric chamber was in Port Moresby, several hours away by jet. Dave was transported by land ambulance to the airport where he was met by Dr. Bobby, the hyperbaric physician, and the pilot. Within minutes, Dave was flown to the chamber. The jet cabin was pressurized to mimic sea level. Nitrogen bubbles in a diver's bloodstream pose a serious danger. They can cause a stroke, brain damage, heart attacks, and paralysis. The symptoms in this case indicated that bubbles were present in Dave's brain and spinal cord. He was at risk of suffering neurological damage and life-threatening complications. When the jet landed, it taxied to the door of the hyperbaric chamber. Dave was unable to walk without assistance. After a very quick introduction to the hyperbaric team, Dave was put inside the chamber and the steel door closed behind him. A technician accompanied him and remained in the chamber throughout the six hour procedure. The chamber was pressurized quickly to mimic a depth of 20m (62 feet). The pressure decreases the bubbles in the bloodstream, lessening the risk of stroke and other problems. It also causes a great improvement in the symptoms that Dave had been feeling. But pressure causes the body to accumulate more nitrogen. To prevent this, Dave and the technician were given pure oxygen at precise intervals. Over the next six hours, pressure was carefully controlled and slowly decreased to simulate a slow and precise ascent from depth. This allows a diver to expel nitrogen through respiration. The controlled reduction in pressure prevents bubbles from forming. By the time pressure was normalized and the door opened, Dave felt much improved. Dr. Bobby and the hyperbaric team have extensive training and great skill. They treat divers from several countries in the South Pacific. They carefully monitored Dave for 4 days after treatment to ensure that his symptoms had been fully resolved. Any recurrence of medical trouble would require a second treatment in the chamber. After 4 days, Dr. Bobby cleared Dave for a flight home. To fly at altitude would create serious risk if a patient has not fully recovered. Dave has many people to thank for saving his life. His wife Kristy, Mark Strickland, Capt. Alan Raabe , Dr. Bobby, the Port Moresby Hyperbaric Team, and the late Max Benjamin for making things happen smoothly. He is also grateful to D.A.N. for providing high quality medical care. After returning home, Dave met with a scuba doctor who made it clear that he had a very close call. Dave continues to dive, but much more cautiously. He has also learned to not place excessive trust in dive computers.

A group of divers had the incredible fortune of being approached by a very curious sea turtle cruising the open ocean. Notice how it greets each diver before moving on to its next destination. So cool!

Kristy is a scuba diver with a love for all of the little creatures that she meets under the waves. She likes to photograph them too. She was enjoying a beautiful dive in a freshwater cenote when she came a across a very bold little blue crab. Cenotes are the rivers that run underground and connect hundreds of miles of caves and caverns in Mexico near Akumal. Parts of the cenote are open above and the light and the clarity of the water provide a fantastic opportunity to photograph the animals. Kristy was surprised to see a crab walking toward her over the sand, out in the open and she photographed him as he walked right in front of her and posed. Kristy got her photos and then lowered herself right to the sand to have a close look. Her little friend turned to stare at her as he walked past and Kristy couldn't resist giving him a little wave. It really seemed as if he held some sort of curiosity about her or her camera. The little crab walked away backwards, keeping his eyes on her the entire time. Then he stopped and did something very unexpected. He began waving back at her with his back legs in a very enthusiastic manner. It's almost as if the little crab understood the greeting and returned it before he walked away and resumed his exploration. Blue crabs are beautiful see, with their colorful shells and legs. They are also quite fascinating as they scuttle around on the sand, peering curiously at everything with their little periscope eyes. It's very easy to perceive human characteristics and behavior when we see animals acting in a human-like way, but it's just as likely that the waving was for another reason. All the same, Kristy and her dive buddies will laugh and talk about this as the time when Kristy waved to a crab and he waved right back.

The orca is the undisputed king and top predator of the oceans. Fearless, powerful, and cunning, they possess enough skill and ability to take down even the largest of animals. Great white sharks abandon feeding grounds when orcas appear. Whales try in vain to outswim them for days before falling prey to these masters of the water. Their communication is sophisticated and they work together to problem solve and overcome almost any defense an animal puts up. They are intimidating and awe-inspiring at the same time. Yet, for all their ferocity and power, there has never been a fatal attack by orcas on humans in the wild. There have been very few reliable records of any threatening behaviour at all. Known as "killer whales", humans do fear them, and for good reason. They are enormous and they could easily crush a human in their formidable jaws. It is wise to maintain a healthy respect for what these creatures could do. It remains a mystery why they do not choose to attack people. This lucky scuba diver was exploring the waters of the Galapagos Islands, filming penguins, sea turtles, sea lions, and a beautiful school of salemas, the abundant fish that are a food source for many marine animals. As the camer focuses on a pair of large Pacific green turtles, a shadow appeared in the distance. Ominous and intimidating, the shadow moved with grace and purpose. The diver knew that there was only one animal in the ocean that it could be. He also knew that he would be at its mercy as it made up its own mind what to do next. There is no outrunning or outsmarting an orca. One must simply wait and watch, knowing that there is no reason for it to harm him if he acts carefully. The orca seemed to inspect the turtles, a common food for an orca. The thick shells crack easily under the pressure of their massive jaws. An orca will crush and separate the two halves of the shell and wedge the turtle between two rocks in order to scoop out the meat that lies within. But the turtles are spared and the orca swims around the scuba divers, inspecting them with interest. Quickly deciding that they are not on the menu, the orca leaves the divers in awe. Excited yells and squeals can be heard by all as they react to their brief and sudden close encounter with the ocean's top predator. They looked into the eyes of the orca and saw what very few humans will ever see. As we learn more about our oceans and the animals that live there, it is hoped that we can regard this world with the wonder and respect that it deserves. We are the guests in this domain.

The Galapagos Islands are home to incredibly diverse and abundant animal life. The locals here have learned to live in complete harmony with nature and they interfere as little as possible. One of the animals that thrives here is the sea lion. They inhabit almost every beach and rocky section of shore along the islands. They also make their way inland at times and they often cross paths with humans. Such was the case with these sea lions at Puerto Chino Beach on San Cristobal Island. They had waddled up the beach and found shade and a flat surface to sleep on. A picnic table under the trees made an ideal bed for one large sea lion, while a second one snoozed underneath it in the shade. This is not unusual as sea lions have little fear of the humans here. Often they are mildly curious, and in the case of the mature males, occasionally they are even aggressive toward humans. When the tourist filming this pair approached the picnic table quietly, he found the slumbering seal lions to be quite amusing. Moving slowly and carefully, he extended his GoPro pole and filmed the scene. The sea lion seems largely unconcerned with the camera, despite opening one eye to keep watch a couple of times. However, at one point, the sea lion lets out a sudden warning bark that clearly tells the camera man to pick another table. Respectfully, he moves back and does just that. Sea lions are extremely entertaining, with their dog like personalities, cute faces and furry bodies. Especially as young pups, they act like you would expect a pet to act and it is hard to resist picking them up and cuddling with them. One little known fact is that sea lions are extremely likely to abandon their young if they have had any contact at all with humans. For this reason, they must be avoided at all costs, even if they beg for attention.

Nature can be beautiful but it can also be harsh. The orca is a perfect example of this contrast. One of the most sophisticated and intelligent animals on earth, it is capable of hunting cooperatively with other orcas, communicating and planning as it does so. Although it is not the largest creature in the ocean, it is undeniably the most formidable. Even great white sharks avoid contact with these super predators. Orcas in the Galapagos Islands are known to eat sharks, sea lions, penguins, and even giant sea turtles. The seemingly impervious shell of the Pacific green turtle is no match for the frighteningly powerful jaws of the orca. With unbelievable crushing force, this orca cracked the shell of an enormous turtle with ease. A group of scuba divers from Canada had been exploring the undersea world from their liveaboard tour boat but they ventured out in two of the inflatable pangas to enjoy a close look at the creatures on the shore line, in between their dives. What they saw was an unbelievable sight. Thrilled to witness the dorsal fin of this giant and see it surfacing nearby, they eagerly shot video and pictures of the once in a lifetime display. It was only after a few minutes that they realized that the orca was hunting in the bay and that they were witnessing the results of an underwater battle for survival as the orca ate a magnificent turtle right in front of them. As the orca surfaced, the split shell could be seen hanging off the dorsal fin of the killer whale. The guides explained that an orca will crush the shell of a turtle and then lodge it between rocks to allow them to scrape out the meat with their jaws. These scuba divers have experienced conflicting emotions on many occasions as they have encountered animals fighting beneath the waves. For both the predator and the prey, these battles are about survival and it is not the place of humans to meddle in the struggles. Their guides have taught them that nature does not need our help. This is especially well understood in the Galapagos Islands where the balance of nature can be more precarious and interference from people can have unthinkable consequences. While it was difficult to witness the end of this beautiful turtle, it was a privilege to be present to witness the spectacle of such a powerful animal in its natural environment. These scuba divers entered the water here an hour later to swim with marine iguanas. While they are well aware that orcas have never killed a human in the wild, the image of the turtle and the immense power of the orca was on their minds as they dove, reminding them that humans are visitors in this unforgiving domain. When people enter the water, they are clumsy and awkward and always at the mercy of the animals who thrive in this world. We must respect those animals that call this home.

The slipper lobster is a very strange looking animal that lives in warm oceans around the world. They are closely related to the lobster but they are instantly recognizable by the flattened plates on their snout that serve as antennae. They have plates of armour, much like other lobsters that provide them with defense from predators. Slipper lobsters are slow moving and they lack the ability to flick their tail rapidly enough to outswim predators. Instead, they flatten themselves against the bottom or retreat into crevices and under rocks and coral. They can exists at depths up to 500m (1500 feet) beneath the surface. Their main food is mollusks such as limpets mussels and oysters. Slipper lobsters have a tough exoskeleton that must be shed by molting in order for the lobster to grow. They form a new shell under the old one and the older shell splits. The lobster works its way out of the old shell and then it uses water to swell the skin cells to make the soft shell larger. They lack the large claws that the maritime lobster possesses. They have strong jaws which they use to crack the shells of small animals. Slipper lobsters are now commonly eaten and they are commercially harvested. As other lobsters have become more difficult to find, slipper lobsters have become a more popular food source. Due to overfishing, the slipper lobster is also much more difficult to find on the reefs now.

Canada geese are loyal partners, mating for life. They are also fiercely protective parents. These young geese are safe under their parents' watch. A full grown goose can be as ferocious as a big watch dog. The goslings have not sprouted feathers yet, and their wings are merely cute, fluffy stubs. Even their uncoordinated sprints after each other are adorable. They will eat constantly and grow in size and strength, just in time to follow their parents south on their annual migration.

These baby crows are being raised by a family for the summer. This is their first introduction to the paddling pool, and as you can see they absolutely love it! These crows are completely wild now but will still say hello when they see their human family outside. They will also frequent the bird feeder in the back yard to get peanuts, their favorite treat.

Trevor is six foot nine but he loves little cars. When Dave showed up at the office with a borrowed Lamborghini, Trevor asked if he could sit in it and take a selfie. It was a tight squeeze, but he got his long legs in and got his picture. You can see that his knees are not far off the roof as he wiggles his way in. He would even have to bend over to see out of the front windshield. Clearly, Italian sports cars are not the most practical rides for people like Trevor.

Fiona and Flossey are two of the most affectionate cows you could ever imagine. They live on a beautiful farm in Millbrook, Ontario where the owners believe that cows deserve respect and proper treatment. They have acres of lush, green meadow to graze on, ponds full of fresh water to drink, and some forested area at the edge of their meadows. The herd wanders freely over the farm and they are watched carefully from the farm house that sits on the hill above. This is life as it should be for these gentle creatures and it is as close to what nature intended as possible. The farmers speak of ethically raised beef, explaining that there will never be veal raised here, there will never be excessive drugs, herd health and happiness is more important than maximizing profit, and there is no need for cruelty and stress on a farm. Dave has become friendly with these farmers, and with the herd of wonderful cows, after he accidentally stumbled upon a mother in distress last year. Her baby had squeezed through the fence while she was giving birth and "Flo" needed a little help getting her calf back. Since that time, Dave has been invited to wander among the cows in the meadow when he likes. The farmers treat their cows with respect and affection and the cows actually love the attention. But Dave has taken things a step further. He has been bringing them corn and rubbing their heads. These already trusting and affectionate cows have become so accustomed to being petted that they actually show jealousy and frustration if the love and affection doesn't come their way fast enough. For Flossey and Fiona, there just isn't enough to go around. Dave literally has his hands full trying to keep them happy!

At this sanctuary for rescued elephants, guests are able to help care for the elephants. This includes helping bathe them in the river. Elephants at the Elephant Nature Park in Chang Mai, Thailand are given a second chance after being rescued from zoos and circus shows. It is here that these magnificent beasts learn to trust and love people again. Guests are able to interact with the elephants in their natural setting.

When most people think of penguins, we usually think of Antarctica, yet only 7 of the 17 known penguin species live there. This small penguin actually lives and thrives at the equator. It is the Galapagos penguin and it finds an abundance of food around the remote islands such as Fernandina, due to the convergence of powerful ocean currents. One of the three main ocean currents, the Humboldt, brings with it cold water and this creates the perfect habitat for anchovies, sardines, and mullet. These fish are the main species that make up the diet of the Galapagos penguins. Flightless birds, they are amazingly agile in the water. Penguins are capable hunters, able to reach speeds of 35km/h (20mph) underwater, using their powerful flippers. These penguins are perfectly at home in the surf, but they spend much of their day on the rocky shores of the Galapagos Islands. They take shelter at night in crevices and caves in the lava debris along the shore. These swimmers were scuba diving in the nearby waters off Fernandina but they passed close to shore as they returned to their dive boat. They hopped in the water to explore a particularly beautiful stretch of coastline. As they were snorkeling in the blue waters near shore, they were joined by sharks, curious penguins, and playful sea lions. The penguins hunted and paid little attention to the swimmers, although they came close for a curious inspection a few times. The sea lions however, rolled and cavorted, inviting the clumsy humans to play and follow them as they dashed back and forth and all around them. Sea lions are truly the clowns of the ocean, seemingly laughing and eager to have fun with anyone who enters their domain. The sea lion even tried to catch one of the penguins in what seemed to be a game, but the penguin was not amused. Wisely, penguins avoid sea lions as they are also known to prey on penguins when the opportunity arises. Penguins and sea lions are both hunted by large sharks, making life in these waters hazardous for both of them. The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most fascinating and beautiful animals on the planet. Many of the remote areas such as this one see so few humans that the animals here have very little reason to fear them. Although people must keep a respectful distance, it is not uncommon to find that the animals here will approach humans curiously if they are careful and quiet. The swimmers in this group enjoyed a once in a lifetime experience as they played with sea lions and penguins in their own habitat and on their own terms.

When the fish were not biting, these fishermen believed it was because there were none to be caught. But this father decided to attach a camera to his hook to see if his sons' claims were correct. When he looked at the footage, he was surprised to see not only a bunch of fish, but that he nearly bonked one on the head when the camera hit the bottom. This father and his sons are fishing in a remote lake in Ontario, Canada. They have chosen a spot in front of a beaver lodge, usually a sure place to catch fish. But as the fish are reluctant to bite, it became difficult to believe that they were there. The camera shows that it was skill, not a lack of fish that made them go back to the cottage empty-handed. The bottom of a lake is a mysterious place and a camera on a string reveals that there is more going on than meets the eye. These fish were actually more curious about the camera than they were about the bait being presented. The lesson in this might be that persistence will pay off eventually and that they shouldn't give up, thinking that nothing lurks below.

Phyllis is a two year old sheep who follows Gertrud around the farm, demanding attention every chance she gets. Whenever Gertrud sits down to take a break, Phyllis appears and nuzzles her affectionately, wanting to be petted. Phyllis was raised from a very young age at A farm in Keene, Ontario. She was bottle fed and treated more like a pet than a farm animal. She adores Gertrud and even tries to get into the house if the door is left open. Phyllis spends most of her time with the flock but runs right for Gertrud whenever she appears. Gertrud runs the farm, along with her son, Hamish. Known as Hamish's farm, it burned down in November 2016 in a tragic accident. They have rebuilt the house and are now working on the barn. Gertrud spent the winter in a trailer on the farm so she could care for the animals while they rebuilt. The animals seem to understand that they are like family and they respond to love and affection. Even Syd, the Cockatoo is part of the fun as he sits perched on her shoulder!