CHRIS: We’re here in North America.

MARTIN: In a habitat called the north-eastern temperate forest.

It’s us, the Kratt brothers.

I’m Chris.

I’m Martin.

You might not see everybody all the time, but this temperate forest is teeming with life.

It’s healthy and in balance, with a whole community of creatures that have evolved to live here together.

MARTIN: Squirrels!

Squirrels depend on trees for their home and food.

Red squirrels love pine cones.

Grey squirrels love acorns.

And the squirrels also help the trees.

A squirrel buries a pine cone or acorn, forgets about it, a new tree grows!

And lynx help balance out the amount of squirrels in the forest by eating them.

With lynx and other predators around, there won’t be too many squirrels eating all the pine seeds.

Everything’s balanced-- big and small.

There are ants who eat the wooded trees.

CHRIS: Frogs and toads who help keep the ants and insects under control, which helps those trees.

Trees provide homes for raccoons!

CHRIS: And the raccoons keep the frogs and toads in check so they don’t down too many of those insects... As long as they look out for coyotes!

Sound confusing?

That’s because it is!

And that’s why nature’s a big a balancing act.

But if something happens to mess up that balance... CHRIS: No!

Whoa!

Ho-ho, yeah!

Everything can get thrown out of whack.

And the whole forest and all the creatures living in it can be in trouble.

Imagine if we had the creature powers to help a forest in trouble!

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 ♪ ♪ Gonna go wild, Wild Kratts ♪ ♪ Gonna go wild, wild, wild ♪ ♪ Cheetah speed and lizard glide ♪ ♪ Falcon flight and lion pride ♪ ♪ Gonna go wild, Wild Kratts ♪ ♪ Gonna go wild, wild, Wild Kratts ♪ ♪ Gonna go wild, Wild Kratts ♪ ♪ Gonna go wild, wild, Wild Kratts ♪ ♪ Go wild, wild, Wild Kratts ♪ CHRIS: Wahoo!

Now this is the way to see North America.

You know it, bro!

Ha-ha!

Wahoo!

Yeah.

Cut some sharper turns, Jimmy!

Come on, faster!

Wahoo!

Give it all you got!

You got it.

BOTH: Whoa!

Wahoo!

All right!

BOTH: Whoa!

This is not the way to see North America.

You can say that again.

Smooth it out, JZ.

Slower!

A few more turns... I’ll give them the old JZ jig-zag.

(Alarm beeping) A creature alert!

Coming in from some Wild Kratts kids, um... in Eastern North America.

Wild Kratts Tortuga HQ.

Mystery, discovery, or rescue?

Mystery, I guess...

Wait no, rescue...

Wait, maybe all three.

Wow, what’s going on?

We’ve got a big problem.

Our clubhouse tree is dying.

Even worse, the whole forest here is dying!

What?

All the trees are dying?

Why?

We don’t know.

We’re worried about all the creatures that live here, too.

They can’t live without their forest.

See?

It’s a mystery and a rescue all rolled into one.

We need help.

You’re not kidding.

Hang tight, we’re on our way!

Jimmy, take her down.

Double speed.

What’s going on?

Whoa!

Did you tell him to give it all he’s got?

I didn’t know he had this much!

BOTH: Whoa!

Oof!

Oh.

Yup, that hurt.

(Blubbering) Oh, hi, guys.

Um, the door is over there.

That’s okay-- window will do.

Boy, are we happy to see you guys.

Oh, yeah?

What’s up?

See, it’s the trees.

They’re losing their leaves in the middle of spring.

They’re sick and we don’t know why.

Wow, not good.

Thanks for the alert, Aidan.

We’re on the case.

We’ll figure it out.

Okay, first we’ve got to inspect these trees.

I’ll do a check up top-- with a little help from this guy.

(Sniffing) Activate squirrel power!

Ready to climb.

Hmm, nothing unusual here on the trunk.

Nothing strange here... or here... or here... AVIVA: So if I zoom in on the live satellite image feed, I can see what’s going on with the whole forest.

Wow, that’s a lot of sick trees.

(Knocking) Got it.

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

Hmm, no one there.

This place is getting pretty weird.

I guess it was just the wind or something.

The wind knocking at the door?

Yeah, right.

Anyway, let’s get back to the tree mystery.

So, where were we?

Yup, everything normal here.

And here... Whoa, back up!

You found something?

Seeds!

Mmm... What?

That doesn’t help.

Believe me, I know that with squirrel power, it’s easy to get distracted by seeds and acorns, but stay focused, bro.

Oh, right.

AIDAN: Hey, look at this.

Is this normal?

Hmm... no, definitely not.

Good spot.

Small holes in the tree... We just may be onto something here.

Holes in the tree?

But where could they have come from?

Do I look like an expert on tree holes?

(Knocking) There’s that somebody again.

I’ll get it this time.

Hello?

(Knocking) Listen here, you... (Sighing) (Knocking) Wait.

Over here.

(Knocking) Shh... Huh?

Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!

Ah-ha!

A woodpecker!

You’re the one making all those holes in the tree.

He’s making holes in my forehead, too.

Hey, come back here!

Guys, come quick!

We’ve found the mystery tree-driller.

We’ve got to stop him before he gets away!

Hurry!

See, there he is.

Oh, a pileated woodpecker.

(Woodpecker knocking) Hmm... and you think he made all the weird holes in the trees?

Yep.

He’s the culprit.

Are you sure?

I mean, did you see him do it?

Well, he made one at the door of the Tortuga.

And almost made another one right here in my forehead.

And he’s been pecking on the trees.

Yeah, he’s definitely the one.

Well, to be sure, we’ve got to see those holes he’s making up close and make sure they match.

Yes, we’ve got to follow the suspect and catch him in the act.

Well, go ahead then, but I’m telling you, he did it.

Follow that woodpecker!

Spy gear ready?

(Beeping) Surveillance monitor, ready.

All are ready.

Ready.

Ready.

Let’s go.

Let the spy mission begin.

Hey, where’d Chris go?

CHRIS: Activate raccoon power!

Thanks, buddy, for the ninja spy power of the raccoon-- clever, crafty creatures of the forest.

(Knocking) Sounds like... he’s that way!

CHRIS: Okay, I’m in close.

Suspect climbing tree.

Uh-huh, he uses those special toes-- two in the front, two in the back-- to help with climbing.

And the stiff tail feathers brace against the trunk for support.

Thanks, Chris.

Keep the data coming!

So, is he drilling yet?

Not yet, but those features are keys to drilling.

Martin, you in position?

He’s heading your way.

The woodpecker has landed.

(Knocking) MARTIN: Oh, yes, he’s doing it!

He’s drilling!

Wow, that’s fast.

His head’s a blur!

Wow!

That’s 16 woodpecker pecks a second!

Impressive.

Ha-ha!

I’m going to call him Headbanger.

Look at the woodchips fly!

(Knocking) AVIVA: I knew it!

I told you, how much evidence do you need?

This woodpecker must be drill happy or something.

He’s just drilling holes everywhere.

CHRIS: Hang on, Aviva.

Not so fast.

Something’s not right...

The holes look different.

Yeah, this hole looks different.

Hmm... It’s bigger, more rectangular.

Not like those smaller round holes in the dying trees.

Well, if you guys need more evidence, go ahead.

But to me, it’s case closed.

When you’re ready to admit that I was right about this guy, you can find me back at the Tortuga.

With an analysis of this feather, maybe I’ll even have another suit by the time you guys are done.

Hey, wait for me!

Okay, Chris, Headbanger stopped off at a dead tree-- maybe his hideout.

I’m going in.

Nice digs.

So this is one of the things you can build with that drilling power.

A cozy, safe nest in a dead tree-- to hide out from bad weather and predators.

Oh, and I can see why so many animals use your nest when you’re done with it-- wood ducks, bats, lots of birds, raccoons, even squirrels, especially in winter.

(Creaking) What?

Uh-oh.

A pine marten!

Oh, no.

Up here the nest is safe from most predators, but not from that tree loving weasel.

Gah!

(Chittering) (Gasping) Oh, go, go!

Oh, no!

Guh... yes!

Ha-ha!

An exit hole!

Oh, pileated woodpeckers build multiple entrances and escapes.

Brilliant!

Uh-oh.

(Gulping) Uh, pine martens are squirrel hunters, too.

Bye!

(Panting) Whoa... oof!

Hoof!

Whoa!

Koki, do you read me?

I’m here, Martin.

Over.

Mayday, mayday.

I’m being chased.

Pick me up in the getaway bike!

Hurry!

Being chased?

By who, Martin?

A marten!

Martin?

Wait, you’re Martin?!

You’re chasing yourself?

No, this marten is!

KOKI: What?

Where?

Oh, he wants to eat me!

Ah, hurry!

Martin wants to eat you?

(Laughing) Hello, you are Martin.

Stop messing around.

You know, we’ve got a serious mission here and all you guys want to do is fool around and play spy.

That’s it.

I’m with Aviva.

We’re heading back.

I’m going to stay and help Chris.

Okay.

Catch you later, Aidan.

A "Martin," now I’ve heard everything.

(Panting) Ahhh!

Whoa!

Gaaaaahhh... oof!

Okay, Martin, done playing around?

No, it really was a marten.

A pine marten, and he almost ate me.

Oh, forget it.

Now I’ll go catch up with Chris.

CHRIS: Aviva!

Yeah, Chris?

Okay, Headbanger’s back on a tree.

And this one has those mystery holes, so let’s see if we can catch him making more.

(Knocking) He’s listening for hollow places where tasty insects might be hiding.

When he hears a hollow echo... he drills.

Ha!

The bill’s drill is a specialized food finder!

Speaking of bill drill, I’ve got a woodpecker suit prototype ready, Chris.

Great!

I can use it to open up these mystery holes a little bit and look for more clues.

Maybe then you’ll finally find the evidence you’re looking for.

Disc on its way.

JIMMY Z: Energize!

All right!

Activate Woodpecker Powers!

♪ Sweet.

Not too shabby, bro.

You know it.

All right, Headbanger, let’s drill into those holes and have a look.

Two toes forward, two toes back-- clamped on.

Tail feathers anchored.

Sharp, hammer-beak ready.

And... da-da-da-da... Whow-wow-wa-wa-wa-waaaooo!

I can’t control this beak!

Waaahhh!

Gaaaaahhh!

Stop this thing!

Chris, hit the deactivation button.

I can’t even think straight!

Ahhhhh!

Got you!

Ah!

BOTH: Waaaahhh... oof!

(Gasping) (Both moaning) Are you okay, bro?

No, Aviva.

Not at all.

Aviva?

I mean Jimmy.

Uh, try again.

Oh... my brain’s still rattling.

Who are all of you?

ALL: You okay, Chris?

It’s me, Martin!

Oh, this suit’s got to be missing something.

A brain just can’t take all that drilling.

Uhhh... oof!

(Knocking) Aviva, check out this woodpecker body scan.

Wow!

Shock absorbers.

That’s what keeps the woodpecker from getting headaches and damaging his brain from drilling so hard!

See, the spongy bone between the beak and skull-- and a flexible lower beak-- absorbs a lot of the incredible drill force, protecting the brain from getting bounced around too much.

KOKI: And those special feathers block the nostrils so woodchips don’t fly up the woodpecker’s nose!

This creature’s loaded with special features!

Sorry, Chris, I forgot to add a few important things.

It’s all good.

Hey, guys, look.

Some bark flaked off where Chris was drilling.

Clues.

It worked!

Hmm... that’s not what it’s supposed to look like.

Hey, what’re all those tunnels?

It’s almost like something was scraping around under the bark and then... look, they dug deeper into the tree.

Someone’s got to go in there and see.

Oh, I’ll go.

No way.

I’m going.

Okay, brother, how many fingers am I holding up?

Brain’s still fuzzy.

Um... four.

It’s two, right?

Okay, you go.

Miniaturize!

Pick a hole, any hole.

I’ll pick... that one!

Okay, ready?

Yep, ready.

I’m going in!

Whoa, this is pretty weird.

I’m walking inside a tunnel, inside a tree.

Oof!

Oh, hi, there.

Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt your lunch.

Wait a second... it’s you!

You’re the one making those strange holes in the tree.

You’re a tree eater, and I caught you in the act!

But, who are you?

Koki, you getting this?

Yeah, Martin.

I’m getting an ID on that little creature.

What?!

It says there’s no match in the entire database of North American animals.

There’s no way it’s from North America.

It’s not?

It’s a UFB?!

Not a UFB!

Oh, yes, a UFB.

We’ve got ourselves an Unidentified Feeding Beetle.

BOTH: Chris!

Martin!

We’ve got an alien beetle invasion on our hands!

What?!

An alien beetle?

You mean it’s not from here?

That’s right, it’s not.

Koki, send out an alert to the Wild Kratts kids around the world.

See if anyone anywhere knows this beetle.

I’m on it.

Hmm.

But the beetle and the woodpecker, they’re both digging holes, right?

Yeah, why are the beetle holes so much worse than the woodpecker holes?

The beetles are eating the layer right under the bark-- the layer that sends water and nutrients to the rest of the tree.

That kills the tree, but woodpeckers only make holes in the tree, and sometimes even help the trees by eating pests, like ants and other bugs inside.

So woodpeckers don’t hurt the trees?

That’s right.

(Bell ringing) Uh, guys, can you give Headbanger a message for us?

Sure, he’s right here.

BOTH: Sorry!

We thought it was you killing the trees, but it wasn’t.

CHRIS: He forgives you.

Hey, Martin, you okay in there?

Are you coming out?

I’m trying, Chris, but there’s not much elbowroom in here.

Excuse me, pal, just trying to get... through... here... Whoa, those’re some serious jaws.

It’s like Attack of the Tree-Eating Aliens.

(Bell ringing) Message coming in.

It’s... it’s from the other side of the Earth-- in China!

Tortuga HQ-- anything on the alien beetle?

Hi, Koki.

Yi, here.

These beetle are aliens for you in North America, but not for me here in China.

They’re from here.

They’re Asian longhorn beetles.

Hmm... Well, then how did they get here from China?

Scientists think they got to North America on ships that were bringing firewood and building timber.

Here in China, their natural predators are Asian woodpeckers and wasps.

Thanks, Yi.

You’re welcome, and good luck.

But now what?

Now that they’re here, we’ve got to stop them from killing all the trees!

Maybe Headbanger can help save the trees.

Since he likes to eat insects, maybe he’ll eat these beetles, too.

Exactly!

In China, the longhorn beetles have natural predators that help control them, but here they don’t yet.

So now that the beetles are here, if these woodpeckers and maybe some wasps figure out how to catch them, they’ll help restore the balance.

(Knocking) Look!

Headbanger’s doing it!

He’s going after the beetle!

BOTH: Yes!

Uh-oh.

Martin!

He’s in there, too!

(Gasping) MARTIN: Earthquake!

Whoa!

Longhorn, excuse me.

I think I know who’s doing this and trust me, you don’t want to know.

What are we going to do?

Woodpecker power?!

Not again... (Beeping) It’s new and improved, with that shock absorber.

Quick, you have to get to Martin before Headbanger does.

Okay.

Activate Woodpecker Power-- take two!

Woo-hoo!

To the creature rescue!

Ha!

The woodpecker shock absorbers are working!

My brain’s not getting rattled!

Wahoo!

This is awesome!

Hurry, Chris!

Aviva, did you put in the tongue feature?

The tongue feature?

It’s in there!

See, the woodpecker’s tongue is 4 inches long.

It starts here and wraps all the way around the woodpecker’s skull, so when the woodpecker sticks his tongue out, he can reach far into the tree.

The insects stick to these brushy bristles on the end.

Left paw button on your suit to activate tongue, Chris.

Will do!

Ooo, I hope he gets there soon... JIMMY Z: Me, too.

Ohhh... he’s close.

Ohhh... Who gets here first?

Ohhhhh... Oh, no, this is going to be close.

I’m through!

Yay!

Wahoo!

Tongue power!

Whoa!

Nice one, bro.

And Headbanger got a beetle.

Uh-oh, but he’s not the only beetle!

The forest is still in trouble as long as all these beetles are around.

Don’t worry.

Now that we have woodpecker power... And the woodpeckers have discovered the beetles...

BOTH: We’ve got a plan.

It’s alien beetle round-up time!

(Knocking) Ready to collect those beetles, guys.

Got one!

As soon as we have the rest, you get a nice comfy ride home to China.

Incoming... woo!

This is working great!

Headbanger and other woodpeckers have learned how to catch them, too.

(Knocking) Great work, Headbanger.

And important, because with most alien invasions in nature, whether it’s alien insects or alien plants, it’s difficult to remove every single one.

So while people do the best they can, nature also adapts-- finding a new balance.

I’d say this is mission accomplished.

We solved the mystery of the dying trees.

We’re bringing as many lost beetles home as we can.

And best of all...

BOTH: Our forest is saved!

(Cheering) Huh?

Ow!

Ah!

Ow!

I told you, I’m not a tree trunk!

(Laughing) So alien invasions can really shock a habitat.

Like this forest right here.

See these sick and dying trees behind me?

They’re ash trees, and all the ash trees in this forest are being attacked.

By who?

The ash borer beetle.

When you peel back the bark, you can see the damage.

See these tracks?

That’s beetles and beetle larvae eating this inner layer.

And that can devastate the entire tree, killing it.

If left unchecked, alien invasions like this can kill off entire forests.

Now, we just have to find some special creature that just might be able to help us help this forest.

Chris, there!

A hairy woodpecker!

What incredible peck speed!

Woodpeckers can peck 25 times per second!

Try that!

CHRIS: Eating insects!

Man, such amazing insect finding creature powers!

And their holes don’t even hurt the tree.

(Bird chirping) A pileated!

Let’s go!

Oh, there he is!

Way up high-- a pileated woodpecker!

One of the largest woodpeckers in North America.

Wow, a few easy hits from that chisel-like beak, and you can see chunks of wood fly right off.

MARTIN: These woodpeckers just might be able to help with that alien beetle invasion.

All right, let’s save these trees.

BOTH: Wild Kratts kids!

Over here!

To the creature rescue!

BOTH: All right!

Good to see you, guys!

We’ve got the woodpecker’s nest boxes.

This is for pileated woodpeckers.

And for hairy ones, too.

So now let’s hang up these nests boxes in and around the sick forest.

Because if we can attract lots of woodpeckers and get them living here, then they might eat some of those alien beetles and help restore the forest.

Let’s go!

♪ CHRIS: Scientists are working hard to figure out different ways to help trees deal with alien invaders.

But remember, we can all do something.

You can all find ways to keep forests healthy.

Keep on creature adventuring.

ALL: See you on the creature trail!

♪ To find out more about cool animals... And collect your own Wild Kratts Creature Powers... Go to the Wild Kratts website... At pbskids.org.

We’ll see you there!

We’ll see you there!