1 00:00:02,500 --> 00:00:05,740 For animals all around the world... 2 00:00:05,740 --> 00:00:09,020 ..their first year is one of the most difficult... 3 00:00:10,180 --> 00:00:11,580 ..and most dangerous. 4 00:00:13,700 --> 00:00:18,740 To survive, they must overcome daily threats and challenges... 5 00:00:20,340 --> 00:00:21,980 ..from rivals... 6 00:00:21,980 --> 00:00:23,580 ..from the elements... 7 00:00:25,340 --> 00:00:27,900 ..and predators. 8 00:00:27,900 --> 00:00:32,580 In this series, three wildlife camera operators will travel 9 00:00:32,580 --> 00:00:36,980 the globe to follow our planet's most iconic species, 10 00:00:36,980 --> 00:00:40,260 as they grow and develop day by day. 11 00:00:42,340 --> 00:00:46,180 As the animal babies approach the end of their first year, 12 00:00:46,180 --> 00:00:50,820 they need to take on the most complex challenges of their lives. 13 00:00:50,820 --> 00:00:53,980 In Kenya, on her first birthday... 14 00:00:53,980 --> 00:00:57,700 ..an elephant calf must work out how to feed herself. 15 00:00:58,900 --> 00:01:00,620 At the edge of the Arctic, 16 00:01:00,620 --> 00:01:03,700 a fox cub must become independent... 17 00:01:03,700 --> 00:01:06,460 ..before the onset of a brutal winter. 18 00:01:07,940 --> 00:01:12,100 In Sri Lanka, a one-year-old macaque must develop the skills 19 00:01:12,100 --> 00:01:15,060 to survive beyond his mother's protection. 20 00:01:15,060 --> 00:01:18,380 They are taking their life in their hands, these monkeys. 21 00:01:18,380 --> 00:01:22,140 And one of our closest cousins - a mountain gorilla - 22 00:01:22,140 --> 00:01:27,220 must learn the coordination to explore Uganda's forest kingdom. 23 00:01:27,220 --> 00:01:31,060 That is just saying, "I'm one-year-old now. Right now." 24 00:01:34,580 --> 00:01:38,380 This is the story of what it takes to survive in the wild. 25 00:01:38,380 --> 00:01:41,460 Half of those cubs...won't make it. 26 00:01:41,460 --> 00:01:45,380 I just want them to come back out of harm's way and be safe. 27 00:01:45,380 --> 00:01:48,740 This is their first year on Earth. 28 00:01:48,740 --> 00:01:52,380 It's almost like seeing your kid ride their bike for the first time. 29 00:02:21,980 --> 00:02:24,060 In southwest Uganda, 30 00:02:24,060 --> 00:02:26,740 an unparalleled island of forest 31 00:02:26,740 --> 00:02:29,980 covers mountain tops close to the equator. 32 00:02:36,460 --> 00:02:39,100 It is known as Bwindi... 33 00:02:39,100 --> 00:02:40,820 ..The Impenetrable. 34 00:02:43,780 --> 00:02:48,740 It's July, and wildlife cameraman Vianet Djenguet is here to follow 35 00:02:48,740 --> 00:02:52,700 the progress of one of the rarest babies in the wild. 36 00:02:52,700 --> 00:02:54,940 One of possibly only 50. 37 00:02:56,180 --> 00:02:59,620 He is tracking her family with the help of Dr Martha Robbins, 38 00:02:59,620 --> 00:03:01,380 of the Max Planck Institute, 39 00:03:01,380 --> 00:03:04,420 who has been unlocking the secrets of this forest 40 00:03:04,420 --> 00:03:06,300 for more than 20 years. 41 00:03:08,140 --> 00:03:11,700 Their tracks lead to a unique habitat in its heart... 42 00:03:15,860 --> 00:03:17,700 ..a swamp. 43 00:03:20,340 --> 00:03:22,500 GRUNTING 44 00:03:22,500 --> 00:03:25,620 The family are Bwindi mountain gorillas. 45 00:03:28,500 --> 00:03:30,700 I just spotted Nyakabara. 46 00:03:36,420 --> 00:03:40,100 One-year-old Nyakabara has a bracelet of white fur, 47 00:03:40,100 --> 00:03:43,100 never seen before in mountain gorillas. 48 00:03:56,500 --> 00:03:58,500 who protects this group of 13. 49 00:04:01,140 --> 00:04:03,540 LOW GORILLA RUMBLE 50 00:04:06,140 --> 00:04:10,700 They are so closely related to us that Vianet must wear a mask 51 00:04:10,700 --> 00:04:14,180 to prevent the spread of any human diseases. 52 00:04:14,180 --> 00:04:17,980 She's just, like, piggybacking on her mother's back. 53 00:04:23,740 --> 00:04:29,500 At 7.5kg, Nyakabara is more than three times her birth weight. 54 00:04:33,060 --> 00:04:36,060 As an infant, she spent her first few months 55 00:04:36,060 --> 00:04:38,100 just sleeping and suckling, 56 00:04:38,100 --> 00:04:39,940 attached to her mother, 57 00:04:39,940 --> 00:04:42,420 and absolutely helpless. 58 00:04:44,500 --> 00:04:46,900 Now, she's alert, active, 59 00:04:46,900 --> 00:04:50,540 and can ride on her mother's back to see what's going on. 60 00:04:53,100 --> 00:04:56,860 Vianet is here to see if, as a one-year-old, she's developing 61 00:04:56,860 --> 00:04:59,700 the vital skills to forage for herself. 62 00:05:01,900 --> 00:05:04,740 But it's not going to happen in the swamp. 63 00:05:04,740 --> 00:05:08,140 The food here is for experts only... 64 00:05:08,140 --> 00:05:10,220 ..thistles. 65 00:05:11,940 --> 00:05:15,380 I'm being very careful with how I hold it cos it's covered in spines, 66 00:05:15,380 --> 00:05:17,140 but the gorillas love this. 67 00:05:17,140 --> 00:05:19,140 It's very high in protein... Right. 68 00:05:19,140 --> 00:05:22,180 ..and there's not very much of it in Bwindi. Oh... 69 00:05:22,180 --> 00:05:23,660 But the way they eat it's amazing, 70 00:05:23,660 --> 00:05:26,300 cos they take their hands and they just... MAKES SCRAPING SOUND 71 00:05:26,300 --> 00:05:29,100 ..go all the way up to get the leaves, and then they fold it a bit 72 00:05:29,100 --> 00:05:30,740 and they put it in their mouth. Wow. 73 00:05:30,740 --> 00:05:33,580 But even if you watch them chew, 74 00:05:33,580 --> 00:05:35,700 they're kind of chewing like this... VIANET LAUGHS 75 00:05:35,700 --> 00:05:38,700 And so I think it's a little bit painful for them to eat! 76 00:05:42,940 --> 00:05:45,540 The nutrients thistles provide 77 00:05:45,540 --> 00:05:48,860 mean it's worth the effort and discomfort. 78 00:05:48,860 --> 00:05:52,860 But the gorillas only make the trip to the swamp once a month. 79 00:05:58,020 --> 00:06:02,020 Nyakabara won't be capable of this level of manual dexterity 80 00:06:02,020 --> 00:06:03,860 for another three years. 81 00:06:06,300 --> 00:06:10,140 But Vianet wants to see if she can master the more basic techniques 82 00:06:10,140 --> 00:06:11,780 of food manipulation. 83 00:06:14,220 --> 00:06:17,140 And that's something she learns by watching her mother handling 84 00:06:17,140 --> 00:06:20,100 around 100 different food plants. 85 00:06:20,100 --> 00:06:21,420 GORILLA RUMBLES 86 00:06:21,420 --> 00:06:23,140 BRANCHES CREAK 87 00:06:24,940 --> 00:06:27,020 At around eight months of age, 88 00:06:27,020 --> 00:06:31,180 mothers become less protective of their babies, and, increasingly, 89 00:06:31,180 --> 00:06:34,100 let them work out how to do things for themselves. 90 00:06:37,060 --> 00:06:40,220 Woody vines are an abundant food plant in the forest, 91 00:06:40,220 --> 00:06:42,980 and gorillas like to eat the pith inside. 92 00:06:45,860 --> 00:06:48,340 GORILLA RUMBLES LOWLY 93 00:06:48,340 --> 00:06:53,620 Nyakabara learns by observation, not instinct. 94 00:06:53,620 --> 00:06:56,860 She has to find a way to get the same results for herself 95 00:06:56,860 --> 00:06:58,740 by trial and error. 96 00:07:15,340 --> 00:07:17,780 VIANET: Look at that, look at that. 97 00:07:20,860 --> 00:07:22,780 I wasn't expecting this. 98 00:07:22,780 --> 00:07:25,700 She's trying to strip the bark. 99 00:07:32,020 --> 00:07:35,020 This is actually the first time I've seen her doing this. 100 00:07:45,860 --> 00:07:47,860 That is a moment! 101 00:07:47,860 --> 00:07:49,860 A milestone... 102 00:07:49,860 --> 00:07:51,900 ..in Nyakabara's life. 103 00:07:56,740 --> 00:07:59,580 Nyakabara has the basics covered. 104 00:08:01,660 --> 00:08:04,340 But the real challenge of growing up in the Bwindi... 105 00:08:04,340 --> 00:08:05,940 ..are the trees. 106 00:08:09,380 --> 00:08:12,260 There are more than 200 species here, 107 00:08:12,260 --> 00:08:15,900 and many bear highly nutritious fruit. 108 00:08:15,900 --> 00:08:20,180 Bwindi mountain gorillas are unique in that they spend several hours, 109 00:08:20,180 --> 00:08:24,380 every day, high up in the trees, foraging for this fruit. 110 00:08:31,900 --> 00:08:36,420 But combining climbing skills with foraging techniques places 111 00:08:36,420 --> 00:08:42,060 huge demands on a one-year-old's dexterity, balance and coordination. 112 00:08:45,140 --> 00:08:49,940 At just two months old, Nyakabara and her mother fell from a tree. 113 00:08:53,220 --> 00:08:58,500 And falls are one reason why only two thirds of infants survive. 114 00:08:58,500 --> 00:09:02,340 By eight months old, she started to climb for herself, 115 00:09:02,340 --> 00:09:06,660 but was very shaky and kept under close control by her mother. 116 00:09:13,740 --> 00:09:18,660 Now, as a one-year-old, her mother gives her free rein to explore. 117 00:09:32,060 --> 00:09:34,700 VIANET LAUGHS 118 00:09:46,140 --> 00:09:48,100 Nyakabara's next challenge 119 00:09:48,100 --> 00:09:51,340 is to combine her climbing and foraging skills. 120 00:10:09,340 --> 00:10:12,420 She literally climbed that tree. 121 00:10:12,420 --> 00:10:16,540 We're talking about five metres tall, that tree. 122 00:10:16,540 --> 00:10:18,340 Away from her mother... 123 00:10:18,340 --> 00:10:19,780 ..just on her own, 124 00:10:19,780 --> 00:10:22,820 exploring her little world. 125 00:10:34,380 --> 00:10:36,020 Oh, man...! 126 00:10:36,020 --> 00:10:38,060 Oh! 127 00:10:38,060 --> 00:10:39,780 Look at that...! 128 00:10:41,620 --> 00:10:43,780 Hanging on with one arm, 129 00:10:43,780 --> 00:10:48,500 Nyakabara has to try and bring the fruit to her for inspection. 130 00:10:51,420 --> 00:10:54,340 NYAKABARA SNIFFS 131 00:10:54,340 --> 00:10:58,500 A sniff tells her that this one is not quite right. 132 00:11:03,340 --> 00:11:06,860 But African star apples have just come into fruit, 133 00:11:06,860 --> 00:11:09,140 and make the perfect snack. 134 00:11:10,980 --> 00:11:12,620 FRUIT CRUNCHES 135 00:11:12,620 --> 00:11:14,100 This is... 136 00:11:14,100 --> 00:11:17,260 This is exactly what I was expecting... 137 00:11:17,260 --> 00:11:19,300 Look! Chest beating, as well! 138 00:11:19,300 --> 00:11:20,940 VIANET CHUCKLES 139 00:11:20,940 --> 00:11:22,100 Brilliant! 140 00:11:23,700 --> 00:11:27,340 That is just saying, "I'm one-year-old now. Right now." 141 00:11:27,340 --> 00:11:29,380 VIANET LAUGHS 142 00:11:29,380 --> 00:11:33,100 "I've reached my first year... 143 00:11:33,100 --> 00:11:34,820 "..on Earth." 144 00:11:37,860 --> 00:11:41,420 It will take three years before this precious baby 145 00:11:41,420 --> 00:11:43,460 can survive here on her own. 146 00:11:46,940 --> 00:11:51,100 But, over the next 12 months, she will hopefully perfect the skills 147 00:11:51,100 --> 00:11:53,020 required to move freely 148 00:11:53,020 --> 00:11:56,700 and confidently 30 metres above the ground, 149 00:11:56,700 --> 00:12:01,260 between the trees of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 150 00:12:14,100 --> 00:12:19,420 8,500km away, at the edge of the Arctic... 151 00:12:28,100 --> 00:12:33,020 ..the Hornstrandir peninsula is the most remote corner of Iceland. 152 00:12:42,180 --> 00:12:43,820 It's September. 153 00:12:43,820 --> 00:12:48,100 Colder weather is taking over from the short summer months. 154 00:12:48,100 --> 00:12:52,980 In just a few weeks, this valley could be blanketed by snow and ice 155 00:12:52,980 --> 00:12:55,780 as the long, desolate winter returns. 156 00:12:58,900 --> 00:13:03,700 Fela is the only white Arctic fox cub in the litter of eight. 157 00:13:05,660 --> 00:13:09,740 At just four months old, he's almost adult size. 158 00:13:09,740 --> 00:13:12,060 But he is not an adult yet, 159 00:13:12,060 --> 00:13:14,860 he still relies on his parents for food. 160 00:13:19,780 --> 00:13:24,420 Autumn is the cut-off time when cubs must learn to get the food they need 161 00:13:24,420 --> 00:13:26,620 to survive their first winter. 162 00:13:32,060 --> 00:13:36,020 Wildlife cameraman Colin Stafford-Johnson is here to see 163 00:13:36,020 --> 00:13:40,260 if Fela has the resourcefulness to come through this crucial period. 164 00:13:52,060 --> 00:13:55,380 FELA SNIFFS 165 00:14:01,380 --> 00:14:03,060 He purposely came downwind of me 166 00:14:03,060 --> 00:14:07,300 so he could give me a really good sniff to see who I was, 167 00:14:07,300 --> 00:14:09,300 and he seemed happy enough. 168 00:14:12,980 --> 00:14:16,980 At around 3kg, Fela is healthy and starting to grow 169 00:14:16,980 --> 00:14:21,260 the thick fur he needs to survive sub-zero winter temperatures. 170 00:14:23,340 --> 00:14:28,620 He was born with acute senses of sight, hearing and smell. 171 00:14:28,620 --> 00:14:32,060 They are all focused towards the moments his parents return 172 00:14:32,060 --> 00:14:34,940 from the hunt with a meal. 173 00:14:34,940 --> 00:14:38,500 But, at this time of year, food is in short supply. 174 00:14:42,940 --> 00:14:47,100 Back in the summer, breeding sea birds provided the only food 175 00:14:47,100 --> 00:14:48,900 for Fela's family. 176 00:14:50,020 --> 00:14:53,420 But there is never enough to support a whole litter, 177 00:14:53,420 --> 00:14:56,620 and competition between the cubs was intense. 178 00:14:56,620 --> 00:14:59,860 CUBS CHIRP AND SQUEAK 179 00:15:04,980 --> 00:15:09,620 Arctic fox cubs generally only have a 50% chance of survival. 180 00:15:14,740 --> 00:15:17,580 I'm seeing the same animals again and again, 181 00:15:17,580 --> 00:15:20,380 I'm really pretty convinced, at this stage, 182 00:15:20,380 --> 00:15:22,940 that there are only four youngsters left. 183 00:15:24,100 --> 00:15:27,300 I hoped that a few more might make it through. 184 00:15:29,220 --> 00:15:33,620 Both parents have been working themselves to the bone all summer, 185 00:15:33,620 --> 00:15:36,500 rushing around this valley, supplying food as much as 186 00:15:36,500 --> 00:15:39,700 they could - but the food is coming to an end and they have to 187 00:15:39,700 --> 00:15:43,980 look after themselves. They have to put on enough weight to condition, 188 00:15:43,980 --> 00:15:45,580 to get through the winter. 189 00:15:50,700 --> 00:15:54,980 The white mother of the cubs has found a sea bird. 190 00:15:54,980 --> 00:15:58,780 Now she has to decide whether she will keep providing for her young. 191 00:16:00,180 --> 00:16:01,660 EXCITED SQUEAKING 192 00:16:01,660 --> 00:16:03,980 A black cub rushes to be fed. 193 00:16:07,300 --> 00:16:09,180 Fela's spotted her too. 194 00:16:11,740 --> 00:16:13,380 CUB WHINES 195 00:16:13,380 --> 00:16:15,460 The dark cub begs... 196 00:16:15,460 --> 00:16:18,100 ..but the vixen is keeping this bird to herself. 197 00:16:18,100 --> 00:16:20,700 WHINING CONTINUES 198 00:16:24,380 --> 00:16:28,500 FELA SQUEALS 199 00:16:28,500 --> 00:16:33,300 Fela flicks his tail, and also calls to demand food. 200 00:16:33,300 --> 00:16:38,980 CUBS CALL 201 00:16:44,100 --> 00:16:46,460 But he too is rejected. 202 00:16:52,940 --> 00:16:56,620 The vixen leaves behind her hungry cubs. 203 00:17:00,180 --> 00:17:03,500 This is a turning point in Fela's life. 204 00:17:08,900 --> 00:17:13,020 He now has to find his own food if he's going to survive. 205 00:17:14,340 --> 00:17:18,780 This is a really dangerous time now for these young animals. 206 00:17:20,580 --> 00:17:23,900 Only the smartest and the most resourceful are now 207 00:17:23,900 --> 00:17:25,780 going to make it through. 208 00:17:59,780 --> 00:18:03,940 Each morning, Colin looks for any sign that Fela is developing 209 00:18:03,940 --> 00:18:06,380 the skills to find food for himself. 210 00:18:13,700 --> 00:18:17,140 Now the breeding sea birds have gone, Fela must learn 211 00:18:17,140 --> 00:18:19,620 to search out alternative foods. 212 00:18:22,460 --> 00:18:25,820 But these are things he may never have tasted before. 213 00:18:27,700 --> 00:18:32,140 So he needs to explore everything within this landscape. 214 00:18:41,460 --> 00:18:43,660 He found something to play with. 215 00:18:48,900 --> 00:18:51,260 He's still acting like a puppy. 216 00:18:52,500 --> 00:18:56,140 Fela is now 40 times his birth weight, 217 00:18:56,140 --> 00:19:00,780 and must concentrate on finding the 500 calories he needs a day. 218 00:19:02,500 --> 00:19:05,740 The quicker he realises he's now on his own 219 00:19:05,740 --> 00:19:08,300 and fully independent, the better. 220 00:19:21,700 --> 00:19:24,740 The first snowfalls have arrived on the hilltops already, 221 00:19:24,740 --> 00:19:27,060 it's a real sign of things to come, 222 00:19:27,060 --> 00:19:31,260 and it's a real reminder of how little time Fela has. 223 00:19:33,740 --> 00:19:38,540 Winter winds can top nearly 200km an hour, 224 00:19:38,540 --> 00:19:41,620 and temperatures can drop to 20 below. 225 00:19:50,500 --> 00:19:54,260 He's so alert to everything, every little movement! 226 00:19:57,780 --> 00:20:00,660 He looks to be... 227 00:20:00,660 --> 00:20:03,140 ..searching the rocks for... 228 00:20:04,780 --> 00:20:06,420 ..I think, spiders. 229 00:20:11,180 --> 00:20:13,940 Fela's instincts are kicking in. 230 00:20:48,660 --> 00:20:54,340 I really came here to witness the early days of Fela's independence, 231 00:20:54,340 --> 00:20:56,980 and that's exactly what I'm seeing right now. 232 00:20:58,260 --> 00:21:01,340 Of course, you think, "Well, a spider - it's not exactly like 233 00:21:01,340 --> 00:21:03,060 "eating a sea bird or something." 234 00:21:03,060 --> 00:21:05,260 But they're full of energy. 235 00:21:06,500 --> 00:21:08,180 Full of nutrition. 236 00:21:08,180 --> 00:21:11,700 And, if he gets enough of them, it'll be plenty to sustain him. 237 00:21:14,660 --> 00:21:17,100 In the remaining days of autumn, 238 00:21:17,100 --> 00:21:21,140 Fela will eat as much as he can to build up his fat reserves. 239 00:21:22,380 --> 00:21:26,660 It's amazing how in just a short time he's... 240 00:21:26,660 --> 00:21:30,100 ..gone from that sort of little ball of fluff that first emerged 241 00:21:30,100 --> 00:21:34,340 above the ground to the resourceful, boisterous, bold character 242 00:21:34,340 --> 00:21:35,980 that he's become. 243 00:21:36,980 --> 00:21:39,380 He'll get through into next spring, 244 00:21:39,380 --> 00:21:42,340 and then it will be time to find a mate of his own. 245 00:21:42,340 --> 00:21:45,340 And, hopefully, these valleys will resound to his calls 246 00:21:45,340 --> 00:21:46,740 in the years to come. 247 00:21:49,300 --> 00:21:51,180 I think there's a good chance they will. 248 00:22:18,660 --> 00:22:22,380 It's June on the tropical island of Sri Lanka. 249 00:22:25,340 --> 00:22:29,580 In a northern province, lies the bustling town of Polonnaruwa. 250 00:22:38,340 --> 00:22:42,940 And, at its heart, the ruins of the island's ancient capital. 251 00:22:44,140 --> 00:22:49,500 A sanctuary that is home to over 1,000 endangered toque macaques. 252 00:22:51,580 --> 00:22:54,420 Wildlife camerawoman Sue Gibson is following 253 00:22:54,420 --> 00:22:58,180 a very high-ranking infant within one of the troops here. 254 00:23:00,900 --> 00:23:05,500 A year ago, Sue filmed the alpha female's newborn son, Jazir, 255 00:23:05,500 --> 00:23:07,180 on his first day. 256 00:23:07,180 --> 00:23:09,580 This is pretty unreal, actually. 257 00:23:09,580 --> 00:23:13,900 I get treated with a little baby boy who's just a few hours old. 258 00:23:17,180 --> 00:23:20,940 Now at 12 months, Jazir is triple his birth weight, 259 00:23:20,940 --> 00:23:23,020 around 1.5kg. 260 00:23:29,260 --> 00:23:32,140 Crikey, I really didn't expect him to be... 261 00:23:32,140 --> 00:23:34,620 ..so different. He really does look quite a lot bigger. 262 00:23:34,620 --> 00:23:36,380 He looks really healthy. 263 00:23:38,260 --> 00:23:41,700 Jazir has grown faster than other babies in the troop, 264 00:23:41,700 --> 00:23:44,380 thanks to his alpha mother. 265 00:23:44,380 --> 00:23:48,620 As top ranking female, she gets priority access to food, 266 00:23:48,620 --> 00:23:51,060 and can provide the richest milk. 267 00:23:53,940 --> 00:23:56,700 Sue is working with Dr Wolfgang Dittus 268 00:23:56,700 --> 00:23:59,220 from the Smithsonian Institute. 269 00:23:59,220 --> 00:24:01,140 For almost half a century, 270 00:24:01,140 --> 00:24:05,060 he has studied how rank affects success in toque macaques. 271 00:24:06,100 --> 00:24:10,180 So, being the son of an alpha female has, you know, been, 272 00:24:10,180 --> 00:24:13,820 really good for him up until now, but the future's still uncertain. 273 00:24:13,820 --> 00:24:17,100 He's done well - thanks to his mum - to get this far, but now 274 00:24:17,100 --> 00:24:21,340 it's going to be progressively more his own ability to find food, 275 00:24:21,340 --> 00:24:25,620 his fighting ability, getting others to help him and helping others. 276 00:24:25,620 --> 00:24:30,060 All those political skills have yet to be learned by Jazir. 277 00:24:32,100 --> 00:24:35,140 JAZIR CHIRPS AND SQUEAKS 278 00:24:37,820 --> 00:24:41,780 Sue is already witnessing Jazir moving away from his mum, 279 00:24:41,780 --> 00:24:43,660 and feeding by himself. 280 00:24:45,300 --> 00:24:48,940 This is great. Jazir foraging on his own - on bugs and berries 281 00:24:48,940 --> 00:24:50,540 and all those insects. 282 00:24:50,540 --> 00:24:53,020 And that is a really important step. 283 00:24:56,860 --> 00:25:00,180 MACAQUES SCREECH AND SQUEAL 284 00:25:00,180 --> 00:25:03,340 He is learning to use his bigger size to outmuscle 285 00:25:03,340 --> 00:25:05,820 his smaller, lower ranking peers. 286 00:25:07,300 --> 00:25:10,460 Giving him the time to discover which food is best, 287 00:25:10,460 --> 00:25:12,100 and where to find it. 288 00:25:15,780 --> 00:25:19,020 Other frustrated infants must wait their turn, 289 00:25:19,020 --> 00:25:22,900 as Jazir crams extra into his cheek pouches for later. 290 00:25:26,780 --> 00:25:30,020 MACAQUES GIBBER 291 00:25:30,020 --> 00:25:35,300 In macaque troops, frustration can build into tension... 292 00:25:35,300 --> 00:25:38,500 ..and tension can boil over into fights. 293 00:25:38,500 --> 00:25:44,180 AGGRESSIVE CHITTERING 294 00:25:44,180 --> 00:25:46,620 They have got some nasty canines. 295 00:25:47,820 --> 00:25:51,300 And they are ONLY for inflicting pain, 296 00:25:51,300 --> 00:25:53,940 and not to help with eating. 297 00:25:53,940 --> 00:25:57,780 MACAQUES SCREECH 298 00:25:57,780 --> 00:26:02,060 Badly wounded macaques can drop down the pecking order... 299 00:26:02,060 --> 00:26:03,900 ..or even die. 300 00:26:05,540 --> 00:26:09,780 It's important Jazir watches older males to learn how to read 301 00:26:09,780 --> 00:26:14,220 these potentially dangerous encounters to avoid getting hurt. 302 00:26:16,860 --> 00:26:21,380 Exaggerated brow movements are used to encourage friendly contact. 303 00:26:28,300 --> 00:26:31,860 But tree shaking by the alpha male tells others 304 00:26:31,860 --> 00:26:34,220 they need to keep their distance. 305 00:26:39,420 --> 00:26:41,500 That's really interesting. 306 00:26:41,500 --> 00:26:44,580 That is a definite moment I've not seen before. 307 00:26:44,580 --> 00:26:47,580 Jazir jumping up and down on a branch... 308 00:26:47,580 --> 00:26:50,220 ..like a lot of the dominant males do. 309 00:26:50,220 --> 00:26:54,940 That's a sign of power and showing your authority. 310 00:26:54,940 --> 00:26:58,780 And it's certainly good to see him going through those motions 311 00:26:58,780 --> 00:27:01,620 because it's something that he'll be using in the years to come. 312 00:27:12,300 --> 00:27:15,980 Jazir is practising skills that could enforce his strength 313 00:27:15,980 --> 00:27:18,620 and power amongst his peers. 314 00:27:20,100 --> 00:27:24,340 But he still needs to learn the final and most difficult lesson... 315 00:27:26,380 --> 00:27:27,820 ..diplomacy. 316 00:27:27,820 --> 00:27:31,420 SQUEAKING AND SQUEALING 317 00:27:32,460 --> 00:27:35,140 He's got a long way to go yet. 318 00:27:35,140 --> 00:27:38,660 He really does need to become socially independent of his mother, 319 00:27:38,660 --> 00:27:40,340 meaning that he needs to form 320 00:27:40,340 --> 00:27:42,700 alliances with older males, especially. 321 00:27:43,860 --> 00:27:45,500 Like all males, 322 00:27:45,500 --> 00:27:48,860 Jazir must leave his family in just a few years' time 323 00:27:48,860 --> 00:27:50,740 to join another troop. 324 00:27:50,740 --> 00:27:52,980 VEHICLE HORN BEEPS 325 00:27:54,420 --> 00:27:57,660 And that means emigrating to the hustle and bustle 326 00:27:57,660 --> 00:27:59,380 of the urban sprawl. 327 00:28:00,900 --> 00:28:03,100 I mean, this is Jazir's future. 328 00:28:03,100 --> 00:28:06,380 He's going to be growing up in a human-dominated world. 329 00:28:08,220 --> 00:28:12,060 He is going to have to leave the tranquillity and the sanctuary 330 00:28:12,060 --> 00:28:14,140 of the temples. 331 00:28:14,140 --> 00:28:18,380 And form - or join - another troop outside of there, 332 00:28:18,380 --> 00:28:20,940 and in this... TRUCK HORN SOUNDS 333 00:28:20,940 --> 00:28:23,980 ..what feels, very chaotic environment. 334 00:28:30,220 --> 00:28:32,540 Life is tough outside the ruins, 335 00:28:32,540 --> 00:28:36,460 as monkeys must steal and raid from humans. 336 00:28:36,460 --> 00:28:41,300 Often seen as pests, they can be chased off or attacked. 337 00:28:41,300 --> 00:28:43,700 TRAFFIC SOUNDS 338 00:28:43,700 --> 00:28:47,660 These monkeys are taking massive risks. 339 00:28:47,660 --> 00:28:52,300 A third of young males don't survive this dangerous transition. 340 00:28:52,300 --> 00:28:54,460 But, by working with other males, 341 00:28:54,460 --> 00:28:57,700 Jazir can improve his chances of joining and thriving 342 00:28:57,700 --> 00:28:59,420 within a new group. 343 00:29:03,060 --> 00:29:07,820 What I really want to see is him forging those new relationships 344 00:29:07,820 --> 00:29:10,620 and allies with other members of the troop. 345 00:29:10,620 --> 00:29:13,980 Because, in a few years, when he leaves, those relationships 346 00:29:13,980 --> 00:29:17,300 are going to be vital for his survival. 347 00:29:28,060 --> 00:29:30,300 As the days pass... 348 00:29:30,300 --> 00:29:33,500 ..Jazir shows a softer side to his character. 349 00:29:47,180 --> 00:29:51,420 It feels like when he's with his peers and others the same age, 350 00:29:51,420 --> 00:29:54,820 or even, like, the slightly older males... 351 00:29:54,820 --> 00:29:56,940 ..there's a bit of a different vibe. 352 00:30:04,340 --> 00:30:06,060 MACAQUE SCREECHES 353 00:30:06,060 --> 00:30:10,700 Jazir has joined a huddle, and is grooming an older male. 354 00:30:10,700 --> 00:30:14,540 This is the way male macaques nurture new friendships. 355 00:30:19,460 --> 00:30:23,940 Taking time to build close ties now means Jazir is more likely 356 00:30:23,940 --> 00:30:26,540 to get support later, when it counts. 357 00:30:28,540 --> 00:30:31,860 This is great, this is really what I was hoping to see. 358 00:30:31,860 --> 00:30:36,540 This intimacy between Jazir and the other male macaques is real proof 359 00:30:36,540 --> 00:30:39,340 that he's building those essential bonds. 360 00:30:39,340 --> 00:30:41,340 It's a huge step forward. 361 00:30:47,500 --> 00:30:50,860 The chances of becoming an alpha male are slim. 362 00:30:52,860 --> 00:30:57,620 But the skills Jazir is mastering now will give him the best shot... 363 00:30:59,060 --> 00:31:03,700 ..at ruling his own troop within Polonnaruwa's ancient kingdom. 364 00:31:14,300 --> 00:31:17,300 Some animal babies are born with an ally... 365 00:31:18,980 --> 00:31:22,180 ..who can help them through times of change. 366 00:31:30,500 --> 00:31:33,580 The vast Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. 367 00:31:37,860 --> 00:31:41,660 25,000 square kilometres of grassland. 368 00:31:44,780 --> 00:31:48,900 It's late August, and the great migration has arrived... 369 00:31:50,140 --> 00:31:52,860 ..1.5 million wildebeest. 370 00:31:52,860 --> 00:31:55,900 THUNDERING HOOVES 371 00:31:57,060 --> 00:31:59,220 This is peak hunting time 372 00:31:59,220 --> 00:32:03,420 for Africa's most successful land predator... 373 00:32:03,420 --> 00:32:05,140 ..the spotted hyena. 374 00:32:07,220 --> 00:32:09,540 HYENA WHOOPS 375 00:32:09,540 --> 00:32:13,620 Spotted hyena clans are ruled by the larger, more aggressive 376 00:32:13,620 --> 00:32:16,620 adult females, with a queen at the top. 377 00:32:18,740 --> 00:32:24,980 In this clan of 60, the second adult in command is Soup. 378 00:32:24,980 --> 00:32:29,100 Bisque and Chowder are her twin daughters. 379 00:32:29,100 --> 00:32:31,300 They are now 11 months old. 380 00:32:34,340 --> 00:32:38,580 Since birth, the sisters have relied on the protection of their mother 381 00:32:38,580 --> 00:32:40,700 and the safety of the den. 382 00:32:40,700 --> 00:32:43,020 CUBS SQUEAK AND GIGGLE 383 00:32:45,300 --> 00:32:48,700 Now, approaching the end of their first year, 384 00:32:48,700 --> 00:32:51,980 they've grown to 25kg... 385 00:32:51,980 --> 00:32:54,140 ..almost half adult size. 386 00:32:56,060 --> 00:32:58,100 At this stage in their development, 387 00:32:58,100 --> 00:33:02,620 they must learn the skills to survive out on the savannah... 388 00:33:02,620 --> 00:33:06,180 ..where they will explore beyond the den and their mother. 389 00:33:11,700 --> 00:33:15,580 Vianet is tracking the cubs during this critical time, 390 00:33:15,580 --> 00:33:19,060 as they learn to identify opportunity from danger. 391 00:33:32,580 --> 00:33:34,660 They've grown up really big. 392 00:33:34,660 --> 00:33:36,140 Let me see... 393 00:33:39,740 --> 00:33:44,340 They look completely different to what I left four months ago. 394 00:33:51,420 --> 00:33:55,980 Vianet is working with Michigan State University scientists. 395 00:33:55,980 --> 00:33:59,420 They've studied hyenas here for over 30 years, and know 396 00:33:59,420 --> 00:34:01,940 what dangers the sisters will face. 397 00:34:03,500 --> 00:34:05,940 Lions are definitely the main threat to hyenas. 398 00:34:05,940 --> 00:34:09,100 They are competitors, they're all going after the same prey together. 399 00:34:09,100 --> 00:34:13,060 Here - lions will actually scavenge from hyenas slightly more often 400 00:34:13,060 --> 00:34:15,060 than hyenas will scavenge from lions. 401 00:34:15,060 --> 00:34:17,660 And, also, because they are competitors, they find cubs, 402 00:34:17,660 --> 00:34:20,820 find hyena cubs, they will kill hyena cubs. 403 00:34:20,820 --> 00:34:25,660 Only half of hyena cubs will survive to their first birthday. 404 00:34:28,900 --> 00:34:32,300 Bisque and Chowder must learn to spot and avoid lions 405 00:34:32,300 --> 00:34:34,340 if they are to make it through. 406 00:34:58,940 --> 00:35:03,420 At this age, the sisters spend less time at the den. 407 00:35:03,420 --> 00:35:06,700 They have started to explore on their own. 408 00:35:06,700 --> 00:35:10,460 Their territory stretches over 3,000 hectares, 409 00:35:10,460 --> 00:35:13,740 and it takes Vianet hours to find them. 410 00:35:17,900 --> 00:35:21,420 This is a really exciting moment because it's time to... 411 00:35:21,420 --> 00:35:22,900 ..move away from the mother. 412 00:35:22,900 --> 00:35:24,540 Exploring... 413 00:35:24,540 --> 00:35:26,140 ..their environment. 414 00:35:26,140 --> 00:35:27,580 It's great. 415 00:35:31,140 --> 00:35:34,900 Bisque and Chowder's highly tuned senses are vital 416 00:35:34,900 --> 00:35:36,940 to surviving this new world. 417 00:35:41,460 --> 00:35:44,580 Sight is their primary tool when hunting. 418 00:35:47,580 --> 00:35:51,380 Scent is vital in identifying whether they have strayed 419 00:35:51,380 --> 00:35:53,700 into a rival clan's territory. 420 00:35:55,900 --> 00:35:59,660 And they can hear hyena calls from 5km away... 421 00:36:01,300 --> 00:36:04,540 ..enabling them to hone in on kills. 422 00:36:04,540 --> 00:36:06,860 I think I've heard a call... 423 00:36:06,860 --> 00:36:08,380 ..at there. 424 00:36:11,660 --> 00:36:15,740 Hyenas will call in others to protect the carcass 425 00:36:15,740 --> 00:36:18,540 from rival clans or lions. 426 00:36:18,540 --> 00:36:22,860 But since an adult can consume 15 kilos at a time, 427 00:36:22,860 --> 00:36:26,060 Bisque and Chowder may not find much of it left. 428 00:36:29,980 --> 00:36:33,180 Another cub has found part of a kill. 429 00:36:40,340 --> 00:36:44,100 And Bisque moves in to make a challenge for it. 430 00:36:44,100 --> 00:36:46,820 LOW WHINE AND GRUNTING 431 00:36:54,100 --> 00:36:56,780 HYENAS SQUEAL AND LAUGH Chowder joins the fight. 432 00:36:56,780 --> 00:36:59,740 So now both sisters can chase off the others 433 00:36:59,740 --> 00:37:01,460 to keep hold of this meal. 434 00:37:03,380 --> 00:37:05,660 This is the first time I've seen this, 435 00:37:05,660 --> 00:37:08,860 trying to crunch food, the bone. 436 00:37:08,860 --> 00:37:11,380 They're becoming carnivore, for sure. 437 00:37:14,660 --> 00:37:18,500 Adult hyenas have reinforced, oversized teeth 438 00:37:18,500 --> 00:37:21,660 and a crushing bite to pulverise bones. 439 00:37:22,860 --> 00:37:27,460 The sisters need four years to develop this phenomenal weaponry, 440 00:37:27,460 --> 00:37:30,460 and must practice at every opportunity. 441 00:37:32,180 --> 00:37:36,460 But feeding alone, they are at their most vulnerable to predators. 442 00:37:38,860 --> 00:37:40,940 They're so young. 443 00:37:40,940 --> 00:37:44,460 They're not quite clear yet what danger is out there. 444 00:37:58,260 --> 00:38:00,740 They can't see what Vianet can. 445 00:38:04,460 --> 00:38:06,620 Just by this tree here... 446 00:38:08,620 --> 00:38:10,900 ..the big, male lion. 447 00:38:10,900 --> 00:38:13,380 LION RUMBLES AND SNORTS 448 00:38:15,340 --> 00:38:18,780 With their heads down, focused only on feeding, 449 00:38:18,780 --> 00:38:21,420 Bisque and Chowder are exposed. 450 00:38:29,020 --> 00:38:30,220 VIANET GASPS 451 00:38:31,740 --> 00:38:33,460 Might be trouble here. 452 00:38:37,900 --> 00:38:39,540 Oh...oh... 453 00:38:39,540 --> 00:38:41,940 LOW RUMBLING 454 00:38:41,940 --> 00:38:44,180 LION SNARLS HYENAS YELP 455 00:38:59,660 --> 00:39:02,860 Right at that moment when the lion was approaching, 456 00:39:02,860 --> 00:39:04,740 my heart was just pounding! 457 00:39:04,740 --> 00:39:08,780 Thinking it might come close and just maybe kill one of those cubs. 458 00:39:08,780 --> 00:39:11,380 This is what they are exposed to. 459 00:39:24,460 --> 00:39:28,540 It's a threat they will have to learn to live with day by day. 460 00:39:30,020 --> 00:39:34,940 But, in their first year, the twins have grown faster and bigger 461 00:39:34,940 --> 00:39:37,620 than all the other cubs in the clan. 462 00:39:40,980 --> 00:39:45,140 If they continue to look out for each other, then the signs are 463 00:39:45,140 --> 00:39:48,380 they will thrive here in the Maasai Mara. 464 00:40:04,100 --> 00:40:08,700 On California's rugged coast, another animal baby must overcome 465 00:40:08,700 --> 00:40:11,740 the challenges of the busy, human world. 466 00:40:22,940 --> 00:40:27,620 The town of Monterey is one of the USA's top fishing ports, 467 00:40:27,620 --> 00:40:32,780 and lands 10,000 tonnes of seafood from the Pacific Ocean every year. 468 00:40:38,780 --> 00:40:42,420 Seafood is also in demand by southern sea otters living 469 00:40:42,420 --> 00:40:44,460 along this stretch of coastline. 470 00:40:51,180 --> 00:40:53,780 Once hunted to the edge of extinction, 471 00:40:53,780 --> 00:40:56,420 they now number just over 3,000. 472 00:40:59,700 --> 00:41:04,580 Sea otters are one of the few animals to master tool use... 473 00:41:04,580 --> 00:41:07,380 ..smashing open molluscs and shellfish on rocks 474 00:41:07,380 --> 00:41:09,260 they bring up to the surface. 475 00:41:11,860 --> 00:41:15,900 It's a complex lesson for any pup to master. 476 00:41:15,900 --> 00:41:17,980 But to survive... 477 00:41:17,980 --> 00:41:19,420 ..they have to crack it. 478 00:41:19,420 --> 00:41:21,220 SHELLFISH CRACKS 479 00:41:24,700 --> 00:41:28,820 It's April, and Colin is in Monterey following Limpet... 480 00:41:31,580 --> 00:41:36,620 ..a five-month-old pup who is fast getting close to independence. 481 00:41:37,740 --> 00:41:40,340 Limpet must master tool use soon, 482 00:41:40,340 --> 00:41:43,740 because he'll have to leave his mother in a matter of weeks. 483 00:41:45,580 --> 00:41:47,980 He has grown a lot! 484 00:41:50,100 --> 00:41:53,100 He's certainly looking much bigger and bolder. 485 00:41:55,980 --> 00:41:59,940 Limpet now weighs 11kg, five times his birth weight. 486 00:42:04,220 --> 00:42:08,100 Newborn sea otters can't dive or swim. 487 00:42:08,100 --> 00:42:11,980 For his first few weeks, Limpet either floated on the surface 488 00:42:11,980 --> 00:42:15,060 or was towed around on his mother... 489 00:42:15,060 --> 00:42:17,780 ..building an intense one-to-one bond. 490 00:42:22,940 --> 00:42:28,060 Male pups have a tendency to rely more heavily on their mothers... 491 00:42:28,060 --> 00:42:30,420 ..but that bond will have to break. 492 00:42:34,020 --> 00:42:37,500 Limpet is still feeding on her milk... 493 00:42:37,500 --> 00:42:40,140 ..but she is rolling to discourage him. 494 00:42:42,540 --> 00:42:45,140 If she finds him too demanding, 495 00:42:45,140 --> 00:42:47,940 she could now enforce weaning and abandon him, 496 00:42:47,940 --> 00:42:50,260 sooner rather than later, 497 00:42:50,260 --> 00:42:52,620 leaving him unprepared. 498 00:42:55,620 --> 00:42:59,940 Only half of sea otter pups make it through their first year. 499 00:43:02,060 --> 00:43:03,620 They always live on the edge, 500 00:43:03,620 --> 00:43:05,860 and that's the thing about sea otters around here. 501 00:43:05,860 --> 00:43:09,100 They're in a resource limited population where their food 502 00:43:09,100 --> 00:43:11,380 is often hard to come by. 503 00:43:11,380 --> 00:43:13,980 Michelle Steadler of Monterey Bay Aquarium 504 00:43:13,980 --> 00:43:16,740 has studied the otters here for 30 years, 505 00:43:16,740 --> 00:43:20,700 and understands the intense pressure that the mothers are under. 506 00:43:20,700 --> 00:43:23,900 They're still lactating - that takes a lot of energy. 507 00:43:23,900 --> 00:43:27,220 And then they're also giving the pup a third of the prey items, 508 00:43:27,220 --> 00:43:29,820 or the food items, that they bring up from the bottom. 509 00:43:29,820 --> 00:43:33,260 And so they're constantly giving, giving to the pup, 510 00:43:33,260 --> 00:43:36,460 and they get skinnier and skinnier as time goes on. 511 00:43:36,460 --> 00:43:40,020 So it's a big draw on their energy resources. 512 00:43:41,620 --> 00:43:45,860 But his next meal is delivered by Mum again... 513 00:43:45,860 --> 00:43:50,940 ..a large burrowing marine worm she dug up in the seabed. 514 00:43:50,940 --> 00:43:53,740 COLIN: Yeah, every time she brings something up, 515 00:43:53,740 --> 00:43:55,820 he's going and grabbing it from her. 516 00:43:55,820 --> 00:43:58,420 He should now be hunting by himself. 517 00:44:01,620 --> 00:44:04,100 Limpet must reduce his demands on his mother 518 00:44:04,100 --> 00:44:06,340 by learning to bring food up. 519 00:44:08,500 --> 00:44:12,260 Because, right now, she has to find twice the amount of food 520 00:44:12,260 --> 00:44:13,900 she needs for herself. 521 00:44:17,820 --> 00:44:20,340 But there might be some hope. 522 00:44:23,300 --> 00:44:25,660 April is squid season. 523 00:44:25,660 --> 00:44:29,020 GULLS CRY 524 00:44:29,020 --> 00:44:34,220 Millions of opalescens squid come to spawn on the seabed here. 525 00:44:34,220 --> 00:44:37,260 A massive seasonal boost for the otters, 526 00:44:37,260 --> 00:44:41,300 and also for fishing fleets that work 24 hours a day. 527 00:44:43,340 --> 00:44:47,780 This should be easy prey for Limpet to practise on. 528 00:44:47,780 --> 00:44:50,020 Oop, oh...! 529 00:44:54,860 --> 00:44:56,740 Oh, look! 530 00:44:57,740 --> 00:45:01,820 Finally, Limpet lands a catch. 531 00:45:01,820 --> 00:45:04,980 That really proves he's getting someplace. 532 00:45:07,220 --> 00:45:11,580 But squid spawning only lasts two weeks. 533 00:45:11,580 --> 00:45:15,020 These easy pickings will soon vanish. 534 00:45:15,020 --> 00:45:20,620 To really succeed, Limpet must learn how to find and open shellfish. 535 00:45:20,620 --> 00:45:25,300 A complex procedure that his mother seemingly performs with ease. 536 00:45:26,620 --> 00:45:29,660 He's been watching his mum over the months, watching her 537 00:45:29,660 --> 00:45:33,380 manipulate all those shellfish, and that's what I want to see him do. 538 00:45:33,380 --> 00:45:35,900 I want to see him dive down to get something, bring it up, 539 00:45:35,900 --> 00:45:37,780 and actually open it up and eat it. 540 00:45:37,780 --> 00:45:39,180 Because that's... 541 00:45:39,180 --> 00:45:42,020 ..that will really mean that he's ready. 542 00:45:44,060 --> 00:45:48,740 To master tool use, a pup first needs to identify a tool. 543 00:45:50,380 --> 00:45:55,060 Sea otters scour the seabed for a suitable stone - or anvil - 544 00:45:55,060 --> 00:45:59,100 which they store in a pocket of skin under their arm. 545 00:45:59,100 --> 00:46:02,780 Then, once they find a mollusc to open, they bring both 546 00:46:02,780 --> 00:46:05,300 to the surface, rest the rock on their belly, 547 00:46:05,300 --> 00:46:06,900 and begin bashing. 548 00:46:06,900 --> 00:46:08,860 THUDDING SOUNDS 549 00:46:08,860 --> 00:46:13,860 It takes a great deal of manipulation, coordination, 550 00:46:13,860 --> 00:46:19,180 force and energy to get to the protein-rich and fatty contents. 551 00:46:21,460 --> 00:46:25,500 Something Limpet has to get to grips with, in the next few days, 552 00:46:25,500 --> 00:46:28,420 to prevent his mother leaving him too soon. 553 00:46:46,220 --> 00:46:50,660 After a couple of days, Limpet surfaces with a stone. 554 00:46:51,820 --> 00:46:53,020 A tool. 555 00:46:55,380 --> 00:46:56,580 That's great. 556 00:46:58,180 --> 00:46:59,580 Wonderful. 557 00:47:02,340 --> 00:47:05,020 All he needs is something to open. 558 00:47:12,540 --> 00:47:14,180 He's got it! 559 00:47:15,660 --> 00:47:17,060 A mussel. 560 00:47:19,340 --> 00:47:20,940 STONE CLACKING 561 00:47:24,340 --> 00:47:25,340 Good job! 562 00:47:39,220 --> 00:47:41,780 Success. Look - he's got it open. 563 00:47:43,300 --> 00:47:45,500 That's a really important thing to see. 564 00:47:47,980 --> 00:47:49,100 Fantastic. 565 00:47:50,420 --> 00:47:53,260 And he's not just, you know, copying his mum any more. 566 00:47:53,260 --> 00:47:55,900 He's not just sort of going through the motions. 567 00:47:55,900 --> 00:47:58,340 He's actually making his own decisions, 568 00:47:58,340 --> 00:48:00,300 so he really has nailed it. 569 00:48:04,420 --> 00:48:09,100 Limpet has reached a fundamental milestone for a sea otter pup - 570 00:48:09,100 --> 00:48:10,300 tool use. 571 00:48:11,740 --> 00:48:15,740 Not only has he unlocked access to a whole host of prey items 572 00:48:15,740 --> 00:48:19,420 in the marine environment, but, by taking some of the pressure 573 00:48:19,420 --> 00:48:21,220 to find food off his mother, 574 00:48:21,220 --> 00:48:24,260 he has bought himself valuable time with her. 575 00:48:26,580 --> 00:48:29,620 He will have a few more weeks in her care and protection 576 00:48:29,620 --> 00:48:32,020 to practise essential life skills... 577 00:48:34,900 --> 00:48:37,660 ..before he embarks on life without her. 578 00:48:42,580 --> 00:48:47,540 Then he'll join other newly weaned pups to start a new adventure 579 00:48:47,540 --> 00:48:49,540 on the coast of California. 580 00:49:08,900 --> 00:49:11,540 The bonds between some babies and their mothers 581 00:49:11,540 --> 00:49:14,100 will last an entire lifetime. 582 00:49:26,900 --> 00:49:29,540 It's October in Samburu, 583 00:49:29,540 --> 00:49:31,380 the end of the dry season. 584 00:49:33,780 --> 00:49:36,220 After five months of baking heat, 585 00:49:36,220 --> 00:49:38,860 all life is desperate for the rains. 586 00:49:46,780 --> 00:49:49,820 Baby African elephant Safina is one year old. 587 00:49:51,740 --> 00:49:53,820 This is her first dry season. 588 00:49:57,580 --> 00:50:01,540 Her mother, Cyclone, is the single-tusked matriarch of this herd 589 00:50:01,540 --> 00:50:03,460 of three mothers and their young. 590 00:50:05,980 --> 00:50:10,540 Each adult needs around 100kg of food each day, 591 00:50:10,540 --> 00:50:15,020 and they will travel around 15km to find it. 592 00:50:16,660 --> 00:50:21,100 But, during drought, mothers can struggle to provide enough milk. 593 00:50:23,420 --> 00:50:28,060 Safina must master her trunk if she's to tackle all the different 594 00:50:28,060 --> 00:50:30,860 foods she needs to survive throughout the year. 595 00:50:40,220 --> 00:50:44,540 Sue is following Safina to see if she can learn the skills to adapt 596 00:50:44,540 --> 00:50:46,860 when resources are limited. 597 00:50:46,860 --> 00:50:48,380 During the dry season, 598 00:50:48,380 --> 00:50:51,900 I'd like to see how much more she's learning from the herd 599 00:50:51,900 --> 00:50:55,260 and one of the things I'm looking out for is how she uses her trunk. 600 00:50:59,140 --> 00:51:02,300 A baby elephant cannot properly feed or drink 601 00:51:02,300 --> 00:51:04,340 without mastering its trunk. 602 00:51:07,220 --> 00:51:11,940 As a newborn, Safina had very little control of her trunk 603 00:51:11,940 --> 00:51:15,860 but was able to use it to express bonds of friendship. 604 00:51:21,140 --> 00:51:25,700 As matriarch, Cyclone decides where the herd feeds next 605 00:51:25,700 --> 00:51:28,740 based on her 46 years of experience. 606 00:51:28,740 --> 00:51:30,940 SHE GROWLS GENTLY 607 00:51:30,940 --> 00:51:35,020 Without the rains, nutritious grasses have withered and died. 608 00:51:36,700 --> 00:51:40,940 The herd can only get enough food by feeding on woody shrubs like acacia. 609 00:51:43,620 --> 00:51:48,460 Stripping bark and leaves whilst avoiding six-centimetre-long thorns 610 00:51:48,460 --> 00:51:51,140 requires trunk strength and dexterity. 611 00:51:54,340 --> 00:51:56,180 Safina tries to mimic Mum. 612 00:52:01,700 --> 00:52:04,940 She's got a lot to learn, Safina, because 613 00:52:04,940 --> 00:52:08,660 that trunk has got thousands of muscles in it - 614 00:52:08,660 --> 00:52:11,100 more than we have in our entire body - 615 00:52:11,100 --> 00:52:14,580 so you can imagine why that would take so long to get a handle of. 616 00:52:16,100 --> 00:52:19,900 For now, Safina continues to suckle every three hours. 617 00:52:22,940 --> 00:52:26,260 In her first year, her milk intake has doubled 618 00:52:26,260 --> 00:52:30,100 and she has tripled in size to 300kg. 619 00:52:31,940 --> 00:52:36,620 To keep growing and developing, it is vital for Safina to learn 620 00:52:36,620 --> 00:52:39,660 from the adults how to feed on these plants. 621 00:52:44,460 --> 00:52:45,980 And, at this age, 622 00:52:45,980 --> 00:52:49,580 Safina is capable of learning new behaviours rapidly. 623 00:52:55,900 --> 00:52:59,540 Ear-spreading and charging towards an unsuspecting victim... 624 00:53:01,140 --> 00:53:02,940 SHE TRUMPETS 625 00:53:02,940 --> 00:53:05,900 ..makes her look bigger and more aggressive. 626 00:53:05,900 --> 00:53:07,460 She's getting feisty! 627 00:53:11,980 --> 00:53:15,020 What's really interesting about Safina's behaviour, 628 00:53:15,020 --> 00:53:19,020 this mock charging, is that this is learned behaviour. 629 00:53:19,020 --> 00:53:21,500 It's not like a lot of other animals, where it's instinctual. 630 00:53:21,500 --> 00:53:25,740 She's actually copying what other members of the herd have done. 631 00:53:27,180 --> 00:53:30,940 During a charge, adults learn to curl their trunk away 632 00:53:30,940 --> 00:53:35,300 from any damaging impacts, something Safina is still grappling with. 633 00:53:47,140 --> 00:53:51,380 Safina gets most of her water from milk, but the adults must find 634 00:53:51,380 --> 00:53:54,780 up to 100 litres of water each, every day. 635 00:53:56,780 --> 00:54:00,900 Now, at the end of the dry season, the only water source left 636 00:54:00,900 --> 00:54:04,420 for all the elephants in the region is what remains 637 00:54:04,420 --> 00:54:06,180 of the Ewaso Ny'iro river. 638 00:54:14,540 --> 00:54:17,780 Elephants don't drink through their trunks like a straw. 639 00:54:19,020 --> 00:54:22,500 They draw water up into their trunks and then 640 00:54:22,500 --> 00:54:24,420 spray that into their mouths. 641 00:54:28,940 --> 00:54:30,940 Up to ten litres at a time. 642 00:54:38,500 --> 00:54:42,340 But Safina is once again struggling to co-ordinate her trunk. 643 00:54:49,780 --> 00:54:52,900 Safina's got right down on her knees to try and get in the water. 644 00:54:52,900 --> 00:54:56,020 I think she's trying to take some of it up just with her mouth, 645 00:54:56,020 --> 00:54:57,340 not just her trunk. 646 00:54:59,020 --> 00:55:01,460 She's going to have to learn that's not the best way to do it. 647 00:55:02,620 --> 00:55:04,900 She needs to copy Mum. 648 00:55:04,900 --> 00:55:08,820 Once the herd's thirst is quenched, Cyclone moves them on 649 00:55:08,820 --> 00:55:11,580 in the relentless search for food. 650 00:55:16,900 --> 00:55:20,940 As matriarch, she must call on her encyclopaedic memory 651 00:55:20,940 --> 00:55:24,180 to remember where enough food can be found. 652 00:55:26,380 --> 00:55:30,220 Safina is learning to map her environment, 653 00:55:30,220 --> 00:55:32,900 and she'll remember all these routes... 654 00:55:34,340 --> 00:55:36,940 ..so, when she's older, she'll know where to come for water, 655 00:55:36,940 --> 00:55:38,820 where the best vegetation is. 656 00:55:52,460 --> 00:55:57,020 Every day, Sue looks for signs that Safina is developing 657 00:55:57,020 --> 00:56:01,060 the trunk control to finally feed herself during this dry time. 658 00:56:04,020 --> 00:56:08,060 Young calves can learn to tackle new foods by watching and testing 659 00:56:08,060 --> 00:56:09,820 what others are eating. 660 00:56:13,420 --> 00:56:14,660 Ooh. 661 00:56:17,260 --> 00:56:19,660 Safina's really beginning to master her trunk now, 662 00:56:19,660 --> 00:56:21,860 if I think back to a few months ago. 663 00:56:23,300 --> 00:56:28,380 Stripping acacia branches, which is quite a talent, 664 00:56:28,380 --> 00:56:29,980 cos they're very spiky. 665 00:56:31,420 --> 00:56:34,740 She's like a sponge, the way that she sort of absorbs all this 666 00:56:34,740 --> 00:56:37,020 information that's going on around her. 667 00:56:39,980 --> 00:56:43,820 The rains are arriving and new shoots will soon emerge. 668 00:56:53,340 --> 00:56:56,380 It will be at least another year before Safina is able 669 00:56:56,380 --> 00:56:58,380 to feed herself completely. 670 00:57:01,100 --> 00:57:05,940 But Safina will be constantly learning across a lifetime 671 00:57:05,940 --> 00:57:08,580 that could span 70 years. 672 00:57:10,980 --> 00:57:15,220 I'm optimistic Safina has the best start in life with a mother 673 00:57:15,220 --> 00:57:17,860 like Cyclone because she's so experienced, 674 00:57:17,860 --> 00:57:20,460 and, when she's her mother's age, 675 00:57:20,460 --> 00:57:22,620 this world could have changed so much. 676 00:57:24,300 --> 00:57:27,100 But she'll have been equipped with the best skills and knowledge 677 00:57:27,100 --> 00:57:29,900 possible to hopefully adapt to that changing world. 678 00:57:37,460 --> 00:57:42,620 Within just a year, these animal babies have transformed... 679 00:57:45,540 --> 00:57:48,260 ..from vulnerable newborns 680 00:57:48,260 --> 00:57:50,220 into confident characters. 681 00:57:52,260 --> 00:57:56,300 As they've grown, they have faced a variety of challenges. 682 00:57:57,940 --> 00:58:00,300 Overcoming their fiercest rivals... 683 00:58:02,620 --> 00:58:05,020 ..escaping from potential disaster... 684 00:58:05,020 --> 00:58:06,900 LOUD CRACK 685 00:58:06,900 --> 00:58:10,380 ..and learning the skills to survive in their environment. 686 00:58:12,340 --> 00:58:15,340 They have beaten the odds 687 00:58:15,340 --> 00:58:18,620 and adapted to this ever-changing world. 688 00:58:20,100 --> 00:58:24,380 They are now ready to take their next steps in the wild 689 00:58:24,380 --> 00:58:28,020 at the end of their first year on Earth.