the wolfman
friday, 20.00–21.00
Meet Shaun Ellis – the man who has forsaken a normal human existence to live in captivity with a pack of wolves. This astonishing documentary follows Shaun as he rears three baby wolves and eats, sleeps and hunts with them into adulthood.
Although he is risking his life in the daily presence of feared predators, Shaun’s aim is to better understand wolves by gaining privileged access into their world. “It has cost me my home, family and security,” explains Shaun, “but you have to believe in what you do. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t think I could make a difference.”
Shaun’s pioneering mission has seen him rear brothers Yana, Tamaska and Matsi since birth, teaching the wolves everything they need to know about survival in the wild, and establishing himself as the ‘alpha male’ in their pack. He has taught them how to howl, hunt and kill, and how to interact with each other. He muzzles and licks them, and feeds them from his own mouth. As the leader, he gets priority dining –which means he has to eat the liver and heart of deer. He then has to vomit half-digested food for the others to eat.
As the wolves have grown into adults, it has become ever-more dangerous for Shaun –he has been bitten and lacerated countless times. After each trip to hospital to have his wounds sewn up, the wolves would soon rip out his stitches –but he has found that wolf saliva allows his injuries to heal a lot faster than normal. He is putting himself through this so that humans can understand more about wolf behaviour. “I think some of the closest secrets these guys share with me is their intricate language –the way they communicate with each other,” he says.
To earn their trust and respect he has to be on his guard 24 hours a day. After he sleeps in his caravan overnight, he has to wear clothes the next morning that carry the scent of where he has been, what he has killed and what he has eaten. The wolves can detect everything they need to know about Shaun from his smell alone. “To a wolf, this is a a wolf’s newspaper,” he explains. Shaun’s diet now consists entirely of meat –anything else and the wolves would detect a weakness. Because the wolves trust Shaun, they forgive his lack of natural lupine agility and stealth. At night, when it is pitch black, Shaun often stumbles on rocks and falls in water while he roams the park with his pack. “The wolves look at you in complete disgust,” he says. “But eventually, because they value your position in the pack, they teach you their world.”
Shaun explains the hierarchy of the pack. He is alpha male at the moment, but soon Yana, who is very much an alpha male in the making, will usurp him. Tamaska is beta male and chief protector of the alpha male’s status, while Matsi on the bottom rung is the lookout. The hierarchy informs their unique personalities: while Yana is proud and tenacious and Tamaska is bold and confident, Matsi is nervous and suspicious.
As well as life in the wildlife enclosure, Shaun travels to Poland to come to the aid of a farmer whose livestock is being terrorised by marauding wolves. He attempts to find a solution to the problem with some radical methods which aim to keep the wolves themselves safe from harm. “People’s livelihoods don’t need to go down the pan, but the wolves are just looking after their family like you or I would,” explains Shaun. “Something needs to be done.”
After his trip to Poland, Shaun must re-enter the pack. This is his biggest challenge yet, as the wolves may be hostile to his reappearance, and a new hierarchy could put Shaun in grave danger. Has his two years living like a wolf been worth it?
emzy
hay shaun cant w8 4 ur doc 2 start hope u and hellen r ok hope 2 c u both soon all my love xxAnonymous
He's a fugging tit.Anonymous
Repeated Channel 5. Saturday 11am. Episode 2 next Tuesday and Saturday.Lincoln
Good on you Shaun. You are wonderful. I agree that wild animals have the same rights as the 'civilised' wild human. I love to live with tigers but haven't got the guts.
Anonymous
i grew up on a farm . it wasnt ours.we had horses and stabled them there. the farm dog was a very neglected gsd. i was 6 when i befriended this dog, i followed him everywhere an everywhere i went he went.when he first chased and killed a young rabbit in front of me i nearly died,this dog through neglect had learned how to survive. to this day i have always kept ,rehomed and respected this particular breed, i have a great respect for wolves , and all other wild dogs,i do not believe wild dogs foxes ectsetera kill indiscriminately, they kill to survive, they are not a threat to farmers as people say, they are just trying to survive. the more land we take up to breed meat , the more natural habbitat they loose , which means less hunting ground for them. why carnt people see we need a balance, these creatures have as much right to live on this planet as we do, they sometimes kill live stock because we give them no choice. the human need for more is killing this planet, the greed they seem to harbour outrates their compassion. i live quite a solitary life myself,i envy the wolfman , it must be wonderful to live among the true basis of this world than with the selfish human race. what a refreshing change. lots of love and kisses to this wonderful man and all that continue to support our presious planet and all the wonders of it. got to go, got a desperately poorly skinny fox in my wheely bin, i wonder why. ps good job i saved her a chicken carcase.
Anonymous
i`ve just finished watching the documentary,it`s amazing what lengths people go through in order to become one and to understand an amazing animal such as the wolf,good on ya mate it`s better than the ultimate fighter.look forward to more doco`s
Howard Dennis
Hahaha, i sat next to shaun on new years eve!!! in a chinese resturant in barnstaple !!! haha , i was sat at my table!eating with us, my family know him and invited him n helen, i was talking wif him all nite was good fun!
howard
Anonymous
I have been wanting to watch the wolfman documentory but unfortunately missed it. I work with dogs and train the naturnal way with sheep. Training is based on this understanding of the pack and I would really like to see this incredible man living as a pack animal and how he learns to communinate with the pack. I would much appreiciate if you could let me know how I go about buying this geogrphic version on dvd
Anonymous
I too would like to know where to download this. Some friends of mine are going on about watching now and I REALLY wanna see itaa
Jono Paynter
I think this man is an absolute legend! I was captivated by the whole program and to give ur life to the animals was really great!
linda
Watched the programme on tv last night and was amazed. Having had dogs all my life and being the pack leader in my house, I could relate to Shaun. Would love to sponsor a wolf - how do you go about it. Linda
SHANE
JUST AS EVERYONE ELSE, I TOO THOUGHT THIS WAS AN ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL PROGRAMME AND HATS OFF TO SHAUN FOR DOING WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE WOLVES. I JUST THINK THAT INSTEAD OF YOU ALL DOWN LOADING THE DOCUMENTARY, WHY DON'T YOU BUY IT FROM COMBE MARTIN PARK SO THAT SOME OF THE PROCEEDS CAN GO TOWARDS CARING FOR THE WOLVES AND SHAUN CAN AFFORD TO CARRY ON WITH HIS WONDERFUL WORK.
CAROL WALTERS
WE VISITED COMBE MARTIN PARK IN NOVEMBER WHILE ON HOLIDAY , IT WAS GREAT TO MEET SHAUN , LISTEN TO HIM TALKING ABOUT THE WOLVES PATIONATELY AND LISTENING TO SHAUN AND HELEN HOWLING WITH THE WOLVES AND THEM RESPONDING TO THEM BOTH , WELL DONE FOR CAREING FOR THESE BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS AND GOOD LUCK WITH FUTURE PROJECTS
Ryuu
Wolves are patially my life... i wish i could live with them, altough it is dangerous, it would still be worth the efford. Wolfs are for me the most beatifull creatures in the world, and i am sure that my obsession for these creatures will one day be rewarded:)
Finola
I first met Shaun and his magnificent Wolves in Combe park in September 2004 when I adopted Yana, unfortunately since my divorce, with three growing sons to take care of I couldn't afford to continue with my contridutions.
I was delighted when by chance I came across this documentary on the TV and saw the beautiful little wolf cub I had stroked now a majestic adult wolf. The work Shaun does is wonderful and highly comendable, I just wish I could continue to support him.
If this documentary ever comes out on DVD I would certainly love a copy.
Anonymous
actually saw shaun with the pack at the wildlife park in devon this summer.
mind blowing stuff, shaun is the bravest man i've seen!
was wonderful yet terrifing to watch in the flesh but wouldnt have missed it for the world!
he and the wolves love and respect each other.
never heard or seen shaun on tv, but am going to look out for him now.
well done shaun!
Anonymous
I think he is genious if todays society would learn by living with animals they way he did we could figure out some of lifes greatest mysteries and there would be no need for alot of things we have we could be more natural and more environmentaly friendly to our world
god0fgod
I watched it on national geographic and it was quite good.
Darren Hart
Again, as commented upon by several people, what an excellant documentary. We are big supporters of the Combe Martin Wildlife Park and the efforts of Shaun. Our Sky+ box has had to be replaced today and we have lost the documentary. Does anyone know where we can get a copy or does anyone have it on their Sky+ modem and we'll send you a disc? We hope you can help.
zoe
I don't think I have ever heard of or seen anything so wonderfully inspired in my life!!!! I watched the channel five documentary, and by the time the wolves were howling defensively at the recordings of the strangers I was cheering them and Shaun on! I hope that all of their hard work pays off, allowing the wild wolves who live near ranches the freedom they deserve, whilst also allowing the farmers to continue the work they need undisturbed. This man is making a great contribution to the creation of a world in which animals and humans may live harmoniously alongside one another, and I wish them the very best of luck.
Anonymous
It's on you tube. Type in "shaun ellis - wolfman" and it's in 6 parts ENJOY!!!
nouru
you CAN download this! you would be better changing your browser initially to Mozilla Firefox (google that), then once you are using the firefox browser, you are able to download toolbars for it called "toolbar add-ons" if you google that phrase with the word torrent, so type into google "torrent toolbar add on firefox" and you should be able to install. it installs quickly, and it isnt permanent if you dont want to keep it. but now, you have an extra toolbar on your browser window. if you click on the little arrow next to "search" the menu pops out, i found if you un-check all, then pick some out of the first five or six rows from the top (this is due to the bottom half predominantly searching sites where you need a subscription, bleurgh...) there are a few from the top half also which aren't too helpful, but i find most things there! so you are almost ready. i generally toggle the number of entries to 15 pages, simply because i have the best 15 sites ticked, you will have to just find out yourself! once you have saved your settings, (i think it does it automatically) you can search in the text entry window for "a man among wolves"
there are a few different copies, you will just have to check each window! it takes the leg work out of finding stuff, magic, hope you find it!
Anonymous
Hi... Search for a torrent called . A man among wolves. This is what you are all looking for.. I found this by typing shaun ellis in my searcher..Regards....
Anonymous
you can by th national geographic version on dvd
Anonymous
We missed it too , i have been looking forward to it since we went to Combe Martin a month ago. i have done a search and think it is going to be on National Geographic July 1st ( a long time to wait though)!
Anonymous
I was mega gutted I missed it, becuase I've been to Combe Martin to see the wolves and it was brilliant hearing them howl and how they behave. For the first time ever I wish they made one of those five+1 channels, so I could've been able to see it.
Anonymous
My wife and I missed this documentary, and we really wanted to see it. Anyone got any info as to whether it will be repeated, or where it can be downloaded from?
Anonymous
My sky+ never recorded it, well it did but shows "FAILED" and now I have not seen it!!
anyone know where I can download it from?
Anonymous
i want to watch this documentary again, where can i go and download it?
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