03x02 - Where The Bison Roam

[bunniefuu]

♪ Wild Kratts ♪

MARTIN:
We're here in North America.

CHRIS:
In the Prairies of
the Central Region.

MARTIN:
Checking out these wide
open spaces.

It's us, the Kratt Brothers!
I'm Martin!

I'm Chris!

Prairies are an incredible
grassland habitat.

They're not just your average
backyard lawn.

Prairies have so many different
types of grasses

and flowering plants,
very few trees,

and of course, lots
of creatures.

And there's one animal
that stands out

as the ultimate prairie
creature.

It's the largest land animal
in all of North America!

Oh, yeah, Prairies are a home
where the buffalo roam.

Also known as the great
American bison.

MARTIN:
Check them out munching away
on the grasses.

Everything is pretty dry
out there,

but they'll eat
the dry stuff.

And there is lots of dry stuff
out here,

because there hasn't been
a lot of rain

and we're in the middle
of a drought.

But the bison can
handle this

because they're adapted to move
in a herd far and wide

to where new grass is, and then
when that grass is eaten up,

they move on again,

all across the prairies.

Now, they seem very easy-going
right now,

but bison have the power
and athleticism

to be pretty dangerous
if they want to be.

MARTIN:
And a bison can have
a pretty short fuse,

so you don't want to be standing
in front of one

if they decide to
charge or stampede.

CHRIS:
And bison can even run faster
than most horses.

Pretty impressive
Creature Powers, right?

Not only that, they also hang
out in huge herds.

So you can multiply that power
by hundreds, even thousands,

and you have a thunderous
force.

To the bison we are just these
small, two-legged lightweights.

Yeah, imagine if we
had the size,

strength, and power of
the American bison.

BOTH:
What if?

♪ On adventure with
the coolest creatures ♪

♪ From the oceans
to the trees ♪

♪ The Brothers Kratt are going
places you never get to see ♪

♪ Hanging with
their creature friends ♪

♪ Get ready, it's the hour ♪

♪ We're gonna save
some animals today with ♪

♪ Creature Power ♪

♪ Gonna go wild, Wild Kratts ♪

♪ Gonna go wild, wild,
Wild Kratts ♪

♪ (Wild Kratts)
Gonna go wild, Wild Kratts ♪

♪ Gonna go wild, wild, wild ♪

♪ Cheetah speed
and lizard glide ♪

♪ Falcon flight
and lion pride ♪

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♪ Gonna go wild, wild,
Wild Kratts ♪

♪ (Wild Kratts)
Gonna go wild, Wild Kratts ♪

♪ Gonna go wild, wild,
Wild Kratts ♪

♪ Go wild, wild, Wild Kratts ♪

(Cheering)

Hey, Chris? Did we take
a wrong turn?

No. It says right here,

in the old journal of
th-century explorers

Lewis and Clark,

that the prairie is supposed
to be right here.

But there's nothing
but cornfields.

Hey, don't get me wrong, I love
corn just like the next guy.

Me too, but we've been all
over this area forever

and no sign of prairie,
anywhere.

Well let's keep at it.

Sooner or later we've got
to run into the prairie.

(Gasping)

CHRIS:
Look out!

(Grunting)

That's not the prairie.

What was that?

I heard two clangs and
two oofs.

And whenever I hear two
clangs and two oofs,

do you know who I
think of?

The Kratt Brothers!

Oops, I didn't know we were
searching for prairie

in the exact same area
they were.

Martin? Chris?

(Snoring)

They're okay, but they're
in la-la land,

out in dreamsville.

Well, while they're
sleeping,

we'd better keep looking
for this lost habitat.

How does a whole habitat
just go missing anyway?

Especially one that used
to cover

the whole middle of
North America.

It was all prairie,

a huge sea of grass and
prairie clouds.

Hard to imagine.
I know.

Really hard to imagine.

(Snoring)

Oh, I say Lewis, what a
beautiful extensive valley.

Rich and fertile!

Yes, 'tis true,
Clark,

and such a large plentitude
of majestic buffalo.

Ah, yes, the buffalo
is the prairie

and the prairie is
the buffalo.

What do you say we get
a better look?

What ho! That's
a fabulous idea.

(Screeching)

BOTH:
Activate Peregrine
Falcon Power!

(Cheering)

CHRIS:
Oh, yes, a rich habitat
indeed.

The buffalo, pronghorns,
and elk!

CHRIS:
And don't forget the little
dogs of the prairies

and burrowing owls
and ferrets.

MARTIN:
And prairie wolves!

Ah, Lewis, 'tis a good thing

we have our Creature Power
Suits for this expedition.

I'll say, Clark--
wait!

Lewis and Clark never had
Creature Power Suits.

Uh-oh! 'Tis true!

BOTH:
Whoa!

(Grunting)

Oh...
Ow!

Guys, guys!
Hello?

They're waking up!
Chris, Martin?

Whoa!

What a dream. I dreamed we
were Lewis and Clark

and saw what the prairie looked
like two hundred years ago.

Me too!

It was full of creatures
back then.

A lot like the
African Savanna.

It was beautiful.

Well, these maps
show it.

The prairie used to cover

the whole middle part
of North America.

Now it's only in these
small patches

and most of those don't even
have bison,

elk, grizzlies,

wolves or a lot of other
creatures anymore.

But why is there so little
prairie left?

Oh, yeah!

Found it!

Leave it to super sleuth JZ to
find one of the biggest patches

of prairie left in
North America.

(Sighing)

That's a good day's work,
right there. Have a look.

Wow!

A real patch of prairie.

CHRIS:
With bison too!

Awesome!

Hey, Jimmy can you pass
the binoculars?

Sure thing.

And thanks to my trusty
teleporter,

I don't even have
to get up.

Coming at you!

What?

Uh-oh, teleporter's
on the fritz.

No problem,
got it covered.

Looks like the Activation Ring
needs a good cleaning.

Guess I'll deliver these the
old-fashioned way.

(Gasping)

JIMMY:
Oh, no!

What was that?

My Teleporter
Activation Ring!

No!

Emergency landing!

I've got to get that ring back
from those cows!

Jimmy, wait!

They're not cows,
they're wild bison.

Activation Ring,
where are you?

Oof!
(Grunting)

Oh, there it is!
(Grunting)

Listen, you nice big cow, that's
my Teleporter Activation Ring

that dropped on to your horn,
right there.

So, I'll take it--
(Yelling)

(Groaning)
(Gasping)

(Grunting)

(Yelling)

Okay, I'm going, I'm going!
I get the point!

(Screaming)

Those are some
tough cows.

I told you, Jimmy.

They are in the cow
family,

but they're not
farmyard cows.

They're wild bison.

Oh, yeah! They are serious
-kilogram,

athletically-charged
wild animals.

And the biggest one of all has
our Teleporter Activation Ring.

Uh, "Raging Bull,"

that's what I'll call
him.

Well, I don't think
Raging Bull

is just going to give it back
if we ask him to.

But without that ring,
the teleporter is kaput!

Oh, no! Imagine not being able
to teleport a Power Disc

when you guys are
in trouble.

Okay it's official,
we've got to get it back.

At all costs.

BOTH:
To the Teleport Activation
Ring rescue!

(Grunting)

But how do we get it
off of him?

Think, think, think...

Think, think,
think...

Think, think,
think...

Ow, ow, ow!

Think, think,
think...

I've got it!

It's easy!

This is why I make
these inventions

in the first place.

The Extendo-Arm at
your service!

Now, let's get that ring.

There! Raging Bull is right
over there, Jimmy.

I'll let the master controller
fingers work the control.

Don't mind if I do.

Through there.

Around that.

Oops!

(Grunting)
Sorry.

(Rumbling)
(Gasping)

Oh, no!
It's a stampede!

Bison don't like
strange things

in their environment!
It spooked them!

CHRIS:
When one decides to run,
they all do!

It's the herd mentality;
always stick together.

A -kilometer-per-hour
charge!

These guys can run faster
than most horses.

Oh, my poor Extendo-Arm!

Okay, so now we know bison
can be unpredictable.

They can either stampede
or charge

if they see something
they don't like.

MARTIN:
So, any strange machine
we try to use

will either get gored
or trampled.

Right, no machines.

We need something that'll fit
right into their environment.

I know something that
just might work. Come on!

(Buzzing)

So, this definitely won't
startle a bison,

I'll give you that.

But I'd say it's pretty
possible

that we could get
eaten.

Oh, come on, Chris!
This plan has legs!

Ever since Aviva modified
the grass version

of our Creature Power Suits,
we can go mobile.

That gives us a huge
advantage

over these other blades
of grass.

Well, at least we can get an
up-close look at a prairie

while we're still searching
for Raging Bull.

People think prairies are
just a bunch of grass,

but check it out.

It's so much more: grasses,
sedges, forbs,

lots of different flowering
plants, legumes!

There are almost two hundred
different plants

that make up a healthy
prairie.

Ah...

And big, deep roots that keep
the soil fertile.

No wonder it's home

to so many different
creatures.

And even more back when
Lewis and Clark first saw it.

Prairies! You're so much more
than I ever thought you were.

Oh!

Whoa!

Chris, we found
the bison.

Uh, hi!

Uh, you're going to munch on
this mouthful of grass

until its gone, right?
Whoa!

Until I have nothing left
to hold on to?

Whoa!

Okay, I'm out of here!

Whoa!
Oof!

(Gasping)
A young bison calf.

Hey, little bison buddy.

I'll call you...
Muncher.

Because these bison never
stop munching?

Exactly!

So, Muncher, we're looking for a
bull somewhere in the herd here

with a big ring on his horn.

Have you seen this guy?

(Rumbling)
(Yelling)

Wow, these bison are like
lawnmowers out here.

They'll eat kilograms
of grass a day!

But the awesome thing is
that by doing it

they actually keep the
prairie grasses healthy.

Oh, hey, buddy.

(Squeaking)

And keeping the
grass low,

so that other animals
can live here

and get to the tender,
shorter grass.

(Rumbling)

CHRIS:
And bison are roamers!

The herd just keeps moving,

cutting one area then moving
on to the next.

They're like the caretakers
of the prairie.

A keystone species!
(Laughing)

Chris, we found
a keystone species.

Yes! An animal that's
so important,

such a key part of
his environment--

That he has a huge
effect on it.

Uh-oh! And finding Raging Bull
is key

to getting that teleporter
working again.

He's got to be in here
somewhere.

They're in the middle
of the herd.

I'm having trouble
tracking them now

through all the bison
bodies.

Guys, do you see
Raging Bull?

Not yet, but we're right
in the center of the herd.

(Grunting)
Bison lips!

Look out!

Phew, close one.

(Yelling)

(Gasping)

Whoa!

They're coming in from
all directions!

We've got to take cover!

(Grunting)

(Gasping)

Raging Bull!
Raging Bull!

(Grunting)

No!
No!

(Yelling)

(Grunting)

Yippee!

(Laughing)

I thought that ring was lost
in the herd forever.

I never thought we'd
find Raging Bull

amongst all those
bison.

Okay, so this is good,

but they'll never be able to
get that ring off as grass.

They need to be part
of the crowd.

I've got to work on a bison disc
for the Creature Power suit.

Like there aren't enough bison
in that herd already?

You'd think that all that
grazing

would hurt the grassland
anyway.

Actually, it says here

that three main things make
a prairie a prairie:

little rain, fire,
and grazing.

They all sound like
they'd be bad.

Not for a prairie.

First of all, grasses and
prairie plants grow better

than trees where there's
little rain,

like in the middle of
North America.

Believe it or not,
prairie fires help

because they keep trees
from growing

and burn off any dead plants,
so new blades can grow.

And the bison moving through and
grazing keeps the grass low,

strong, and healthy for both
plants and animals.

Okay, well, if I'm going to add
another grazing bison

to that herd, even the funny-
looking Kratt kind,

I'm going to need a
little help.

Guys, can you hear me?

Is it safe to go back up
there?

You have to.

I need more information to
finish this bison disc.

A hair sample would
really help.

Yeah, and since the
teleporter isn't working,

you'll have to bring it
back here

and pick up the disc
at the same time.

We can't send anything!

But you can't lose track
of Raging Bull either.

If we lose him, we may
never find him again.

Oh, is that all
we have to do?

A creature adventurer's
work is never done.

Let's do this.
Huh?

Ow!

Okay, but first
let's deactivate.

Hi! Can we get a lift?

BOTH:
Whoa!

Whoa, whoa,
whoa!

Whoa!

Thanks for the ride,
buddy!

First things first.

Let's get he bison hair
for Aviva.

Back here, it'll be easiest
to get it from the tail.

Bison patty!
Look out!

Ah!

Great fertilizer,

another reason why bison
are keystone species.

Got it!
Whoa!

Oof!

Forgot that the tail
is the bison's

built-in fly swatter.
Whoa!

(Yelling and grunting)

Quick! Toss down
the hair!

Here, take it.

I'll take it back to the
Tortuga. Thanks, bro!

No problem, I'll stick
with the bison.

(Yelling)

Yes!

(Grunting)
The top of mount bison!

I have arrived!

(Gasping)

The Teleporter
Activation Ring.

Woo!

Woo-hoo!

Ooh, comfy.

Great for keeping warm
during cold,

snowy winters on
the prairies.

(Grunting)

Aw, it's way too
heavy.

Well, I know one thing,

this ring and this bison are
not getting out of my site.

And I've got a comfy place
to wait for Martin

to get back with
that disc...

and catch up with some
reading.

Now, where were Lewis
and Clark?

(Snoring)

I say, Lewis,

those bison horns must come
in quite handy out here.

Oh, aye to that,
Mister Clark.

What with those plains
grizzly bear

and those prairie
wolves afoot,

they don't even seem
concerned.

(Grunting)

Yonder! A calf on the
outside.

(Grunting)

MARTIN:
Ah, the mother bison is
formidable

and the herd is
a force!

'Tis no wonder they mostly
take those

who no longer can keep up
with the herd.

And things that get
scared up

by the bison's feet.

Oh, true, when the herd
comes through,

'tis best to get
out of the way.

(Rumbling)

BOTH:
Earthquake!

(Yelling)

Oh... Oh!
Whoa!

(Grunting)

Oof!

Whoa, those Lewis and Clark
dreams are intense!

It's not an earthquake,
it's a "bison-quake!"

Ah!

Really? A dust bath now?
Whoa!

(Yelling)

I know that dust baths help keep
your skin clear of pesky flies.

I may be pesky,
but I'm not a fly!

Guys, come in.

The sooner, the better
with that disc.

This ride is getting
rougher, you know?

Almost there, Chris.

Just printing it out now!

Get ready for some serious
bison power, Martin.

(Beeping)

Martin, you ready?

Oh, I'm ready.

Activate Bison Power!

Whoa! I've never
felt better.

I'm big and tough
and...

Oops.

Hey, what are you guys
doing down there?

Get up and let's move!

Stop! Martin, easy!

You're wrecking
the place!

Oh... oops.

Martin, get control of
that Bison Power.

I mean, bison are strong,
but they're not clumsy.

They're actually pretty
graceful.

Okay, I'm a bison.
I'm strong, tough

and graceful!

I can even leap six feet high
like a wild bison can.

Better?

Better!
Better!

I'm ready for anything.

Then get ready to get
out here! Pronto!

Right. On my way, faster
than a bison stampede.

Charge!

Hey, how are you?
Nice day, huh?

Ah, good to see you?
Hey, Muncher!

So what do you think, am I part
of the herd now or what?

So, according to the
coordinates Chris sent,

he and Raging Bull should be
around here somewhere.

Have you seen them?

Martin, we're over here!

(Grunting)

Hey, Raging Bull!

I'm part of the
herd now, see?

I've got the hooves,
the horns, the works.

(Grunting)

Oh, by the way, that ring on
your horn, that's ours

and we really need it
back because--

Uh, what's this?

It's not what I think
it is, is it?

Martin, it's the sideways
stance!

The pre-fight ritual!

I think you'll have to
fight him for it!

Uh-oh, I forgot, bison have
headbutting contests

to impress the females.

Somehow, I don't feel
very tough anymore.

I think he's getting
ready to charge!

Just try and knock the ring off
his horn and we're out of here.

Whoa!

(Grunting)

How did I get this job,
anyway?

Well, I got walloped
by Big Red

the kickboxing kangaroo,
remember?

Yeah, and I got flattened
by Necktie

the neck-battling
giraffe.

It should be your
turn.

Huh, you're right.

Well, too late to switch now.
Go for the ring!

Just once!

Okay, maybe twice!

Ah!

I'm trying, but this guy
is super strong!

Ow!
(Straining)

That's it, up!

It's a good thing he's going
easy on you, bro!

(Grunting)

Going easy on me?

If this is easy,

I don't want to see what a
hard bison battle is like.

Sometimes these battles can end
with serious injuries,

but usually someone
backs down before that.

(Panting)
Can I back down yet?

Almost.
Now!

Whoa!

Yes, you did it!
(Gasping)

Oh, no!

(Yelling)

Martin, we've got the ring,
all secure!

We're done?
Oh!

Oh...

We can't take much more.

Let's get out of
here!

Okay, I'll turn on the
turbo bison charge.

-kilometer-per-hour
retreat!

Thanks for the ring.

Catch you later!
(Grunting)

(Snorting and grunting)

Mission accomplished!

We got that teleporter
Activation Ring back.

I'll get you back where
you belong.

And what a beautiful place
the prairie is.

Yeah, much more than just a
whole lot of grass,

that's for sure.

One of the greatest

and rarest habitats
on Earth,

with some of the coolest
creatures ever.

But what happened to make
prairies and bison so rare?

It says that it was
a combination

of people hunting
too many bison

and the prairies getting
destroyed for crops and cattle.

Well, even though it's smaller
and changed a whole lot

since the time that
Lewis and Clark came through,

it's still an incredible
place!

MARTIN:
With the incredible
bison,

a keystone species that helps
make a prairie what it is.

All set for the teleporter
test, guys!

Great! Do you have the
"Thank You" cake we made?

Coming right up!

(Grunting)

And zap it!

Hey, Muncher, save a piece
for me.

A little dry...

(Grunting)

(Laughing nervously)
All yours, buddy.

Enjoy the cake.

ALL:
That's bison power!

So, bison are powerful,
athletic, impressive creatures,

but maybe their most important
Creature Power

is their role as a keystone
species for the prairie.

A prairie wouldn't be a
prairie without bison.

Bison are the great caretakers
of the prairie.

They keep the vegetation
low and healthy

and fertilize the landscape,

so other creatures like
prairie dogs, birds,

pronghorn antelope
can thrive.

Bison live in loose herds
of just a few,

to hundreds or even thousands
of individuals.

The herds can break up one day
into smaller groups

and then come together
again.

It's all based on the food
resources that are available.

The females and younger males
and the calves

are in the middle
of the herd,

with most of the adult males
on the outskirts,

except for the largest
adult male,

who can hang out anywhere
he wants.

In a drought, which is a time
of very little rain,

which is what we have now,

these bison have to keep moving,
seeking out greener grasses.

And that shows how bison are so
in-tune with the prairies.

Prairies have droughts
and bison are roamers.

They graze one area of grass
and then move on,

going to greener grasses

and also giving the prairie they
just grazed time to recover.

Check out these young calves,

they're only a few weeks old
and super cute.

They're stilling drinking milk
from their moms

and just starting to taste
a few nibbles of grass.

MARTIN:
Hey, a dust bath!

It might not look like a great
way to take a bath,

but rolling around in the dust
really works for a bison.

The coating of dust helps get
rid of those pesky insects

and rolling around like that
helps the bison shed hair.

In the beginning of spring,

bison are shedding all
that winter hair

and rolling around on
the ground

is a great way to do it.

CHRIS:
Even though there aren't as many
as there used to be,

some bison still roam the
remaining prairies

of North America.

MARTIN:
And hopefully with a little help
from people,

those calves out there
and all the other bison

will always a home where
the bison roam.

Keep on creature
adventuring!

We'll see you on the
creature trail!

♪