Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:04,640
{\an2}[dramatic instrumental
music playing]
2
00:00:05,960 --> 00:00:07,840
{\an2}[narrator]
Twenty years of drought
3
00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:11,200
{\an2}have turned the Boteti river
in Botswana to dust.
4
00:00:13,520 --> 00:00:17,360
{\an2}The animals that live here
have to endure
season after season
5
00:00:17,360 --> 00:00:20,920
{\an2}of excruciating hardship
just to keep alive.
6
00:00:22,360 --> 00:00:24,720
{\an2}To survive in this harsh desert,
7
00:00:24,720 --> 00:00:26,480
{\an2}they've had to adapt
their behavior.
8
00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:32,480
{\an2}[thunder rumbling]
9
00:00:32,480 --> 00:00:36,680
{\an2}But now, the long and dry era
is about to change.
10
00:00:39,480 --> 00:00:42,280
{\an2}Water floods
the dusty river bed.
11
00:00:45,800 --> 00:00:47,880
{\an2}Desperation gives way
to hope
12
00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:51,200
{\an2}as the Boteti
flows once more.
13
00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:52,520
{\an2}[zebras yipping]
14
00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:57,560
{\an2}[birds chirping, flies buzzing]
15
00:00:58,480 --> 00:00:59,320
{\an2}[instrumental music playing]
16
00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:04,720
{\an2}The Boteti river
is a jagged lifeline
that runs into a harsh desert.
17
00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:16,400
{\an2}It connects the lush water
wilderness of the Okavango
18
00:01:16,880 --> 00:01:20,040
{\an2}with the fickle wastelands
of the Makgadikgadi pans.
19
00:01:22,520 --> 00:01:26,880
{\an2}For centuries,
the floods of the Okavango
have spilled into the Boteti,
20
00:01:28,640 --> 00:01:30,120
{\an2}and brought the desert to life.
21
00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:31,600
{\an2}[bird calling]
22
00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:38,080
{\an2}But over the past few years,
this supply has gradually
dried up,
23
00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:42,600
{\an2}and what was once
a former paradise,
24
00:01:43,200 --> 00:01:44,760
{\an2}has become a killing field.
25
00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:51,560
{\an2}Herds of zebra fight over
what little water is left.
26
00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:54,640
{\an2}[ominous music playing]
27
00:01:57,480 --> 00:01:58,640
{\an2}[elephant trumpets]
28
00:01:58,640 --> 00:01:59,920
{\an2}[zebras yipping]
29
00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:05,200
{\an2}These last pools are their
dry season lifeline.
30
00:02:13,120 --> 00:02:16,400
{\an2}But they're not
the only creatures struggling
in this harsh environment.
31
00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:18,080
{\an2}[insects buzzing]
32
00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:22,640
{\an2}Surprisingly, some crocodiles
still survive here.
33
00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:27,400
{\an2}They were stranded in this area
when the river stopped flowing.
34
00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:35,480
{\an2}Crocodiles need warm sun
and cool water to regulate
their body temperature.
35
00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:38,840
{\an2}But these shallow pools
are lukewarm.
36
00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:39,800
{\an2}[bird calling]
37
00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:43,680
{\an2}So the crocodiles have devised
an ingenious way to lower
their temperature.
38
00:02:46,920 --> 00:02:49,640
{\an2}They have dug caves
in the dry river bank,
39
00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:54,080
{\an2}where it is ten degrees Celsius
cooler than the outside.
40
00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:55,920
{\an2}[zebra yipping]
41
00:02:57,200 --> 00:03:00,680
{\an2}Crocodiles can walk over land,
but they can't cover distance.
42
00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:07,040
{\an2}The next closest water
is the Okavango Delta,
43
00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:08,800
{\an2}eighty miles to the north,
44
00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:13,800
{\an2}too far for these
short-legged reptiles,
45
00:03:13,800 --> 00:03:14,920
{\an2}[birds calling]
46
00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:18,720
{\an2}making them long-term prisoners
of the Boteti.
47
00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:20,240
{\an2}[insects buzzing]
48
00:03:26,280 --> 00:03:28,200
{\an2}But over the years of drought
49
00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:31,200
{\an2}these crocodiles have not only
learned to keep cool,
50
00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:35,240
{\an2}they have completely changed
their hunting behavior.
51
00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:40,240
{\an2}They now focus
on an unlikely food source.
52
00:03:40,240 --> 00:03:41,840
{\an2}[queleas twittering]
53
00:03:46,680 --> 00:03:50,440
{\an2}Huge flocks of queleas
converge on the Boteti pools.
54
00:03:52,160 --> 00:03:54,840
{\an2}Strength in numbers
is a popular strategy,
55
00:03:55,560 --> 00:03:58,360
{\an2}but sometimes,
flocking is deadly.
56
00:03:59,840 --> 00:04:01,600
{\an2}The birds are also thirsty,
57
00:04:02,360 --> 00:04:04,960
{\an2}and they descend
on the water's edge in force.
58
00:04:14,280 --> 00:04:17,320
{\an2}The collective weight of
the tiny bodies bend the reeds,
59
00:04:17,960 --> 00:04:20,320
{\an2}pushing some of the queleas
into the water.
60
00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:31,640
{\an2}The crocodiles persist
61
00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:35,280
{\an2}and eventually make a full meal
of the tiny birds.
62
00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:42,680
{\an2}Waterlogged survivors
paddle for the shore.
63
00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:51,360
{\an2}But a lurking marabou
is waiting to pick them off.
64
00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:54,760
{\an2}[birds calling in the distance]
65
00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:04,440
{\an2}[instrumental music playing]
66
00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:06,720
{\an2}Evaporation is at its
highest now
67
00:05:07,600 --> 00:05:09,760
{\an2}and the pools are becoming
muddy shallows.
68
00:05:09,760 --> 00:05:10,960
{\an2}[zebras yipping]
69
00:05:15,640 --> 00:05:20,080
{\an2}For one female zebra,
the situation is becoming
increasingly desperate.
70
00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:25,200
{\an2}She's early in her pregnancy
71
00:05:25,200 --> 00:05:29,480
{\an2}and she'll eventually need
fresh, green grass to supply
her unborn calf
72
00:05:29,480 --> 00:05:30,960
{\an2}with milk when it arrives.
73
00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:35,480
{\an2}[zebra snorts]
74
00:05:35,480 --> 00:05:36,760
{\an2}[rhythmic music playing]
75
00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:42,680
{\an2}Water along the Boteti
is so scarce that every pool
is a sought after commodity.
76
00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:50,680
{\an2}Elephants are clever in their
use of the precious water.
77
00:05:52,280 --> 00:05:54,720
{\an2}When they drink,
they don't waste.
78
00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:03,480
{\an2}They step carefully into
the pool to avoid lifting
the mud from the shallows.
79
00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:14,400
{\an2}They need 250 liters a day,
80
00:06:14,960 --> 00:06:16,600
{\an2}so they have to think ahead.
81
00:06:20,920 --> 00:06:23,400
{\an2}They move further down
the dry riverbed.
82
00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:33,560
{\an2}The elephants create mud
by stirring up the water
with their feet.
83
00:06:44,200 --> 00:06:47,120
{\an2}The mud cools them,
and gets rid of parasites.
84
00:06:56,880 --> 00:06:58,840
{\an2}[elephant trumpets]
85
00:06:58,840 --> 00:07:01,680
{\an2}But it's sometimes difficult
for them to haul themselves out.
86
00:07:09,280 --> 00:07:12,520
{\an2}The last part of their daily
routine, is a sand bath.
87
00:07:20,360 --> 00:07:23,160
{\an2}A sprinkle of fine sand
cements the mud
88
00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:25,120
{\an2}and provides protection
from the sun.
89
00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:32,280
{\an2}Unlike most
of the other animals,
90
00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:36,760
{\an2}these elephants can range
into the adjacent desert
to find nutritious food.
91
00:07:37,640 --> 00:07:42,280
{\an2}They hunt down certain twigs
and barks that nourish
their huge frames.
92
00:07:43,520 --> 00:07:45,840
{\an2}But their favorite parts
are the leaves.
93
00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:52,560
{\an2}At first glance, the foliage
of this winter wilderness
seems barren.
94
00:07:54,880 --> 00:07:58,960
{\an2}But acacias have a way
of drawing every drop
of moisture from the soil
95
00:07:58,960 --> 00:08:01,160
{\an2}to keep their
tiny leaves alive.
96
00:08:06,800 --> 00:08:08,280
{\an2}Sooner or later, though,
97
00:08:08,280 --> 00:08:10,520
{\an2}the herd will have to return
to the river,
98
00:08:10,520 --> 00:08:13,440
{\an2}and sometimes they roam further
than they intended.
99
00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:18,680
{\an2}They get thirsty
and have to run back.
100
00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:24,200
{\an2}[zebra yipping]
101
00:08:24,200 --> 00:08:27,000
{\an2}But the water hole
is overcrowded.
102
00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:31,200
{\an2}[zebra snorting]
103
00:08:32,160 --> 00:08:34,040
{\an2}Every animal needs to drink.
104
00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:36,480
{\an2}[soft instrumental music
playing]
105
00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:38,320
{\an2}[yipping continues]
106
00:08:45,560 --> 00:08:47,960
{\an2}The pregnant mare
is in the queue,
107
00:08:47,960 --> 00:08:49,560
{\an2}patiently waiting for access.
108
00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:55,720
{\an2}The front ranks become agitated
and churn the water into mud.
109
00:08:59,560 --> 00:09:01,640
{\an2}This sounds the alarm
for the elephants.
110
00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:03,960
{\an2}-[elephant trumpets]
-[zebras yipping]
111
00:09:04,840 --> 00:09:07,040
{\an2}They know that this water
needs to be saved.
112
00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:09,560
{\an2}But churning it into mud,
113
00:09:09,560 --> 00:09:11,200
{\an2}will mean far less to drink.
114
00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:14,480
{\an2}[elephant trumpets]
115
00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:16,960
{\an2}Eventually, they take charge.
116
00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:19,080
{\an2}[yipping continues]
117
00:09:19,560 --> 00:09:23,360
{\an2}They cannot let the unruly zebra
destroy this precious waterhole.
118
00:09:25,280 --> 00:09:26,320
{\an2}[elephant trumpets]
119
00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:32,240
{\an2}[insects buzzing]
120
00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:37,000
{\an2}More and more zebra
come to drink at the river.
121
00:09:39,720 --> 00:09:41,720
{\an2}[instrumental music playing]
122
00:09:41,720 --> 00:09:44,520
{\an2}But the stagnant pools
have a welcoming committee.
123
00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:53,880
{\an2}The vultures have worked out
124
00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:57,320
{\an2}that every animal in need of
water has to come to the Boteti.
125
00:09:58,000 --> 00:09:59,120
{\an2}Right to them.
126
00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:03,280
{\an2}They know many are already
on the verge of death.
127
00:10:04,680 --> 00:10:06,840
{\an2}All they have to do, is wait.
128
00:10:10,400 --> 00:10:11,480
{\an2}Jackals are clever.
129
00:10:11,480 --> 00:10:12,400
{\an2}[jackal barks]
130
00:10:13,280 --> 00:10:15,200
{\an2}They follow the throng
of scavengers.
131
00:10:15,680 --> 00:10:17,880
{\an2}There may be something in it
for them.
132
00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:23,240
{\an2}[ominous music playing]
133
00:10:40,160 --> 00:10:42,520
{\an2}Eventually, their patience
is rewarded
134
00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:44,200
{\an2}as a zebra collapses.
135
00:10:52,560 --> 00:10:54,120
{\an2}[instrumental music playing]
136
00:10:59,800 --> 00:11:01,120
{\an2}[water splashing]
137
00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:05,240
{\an2}[hippos grunt]
138
00:11:07,160 --> 00:11:08,720
{\an2}Like the stranded crocodiles,
139
00:11:09,200 --> 00:11:11,960
{\an2}hippos are also
heavily reliant on water.
140
00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:18,880
{\an2}And this,
their last polluted pool,
141
00:11:18,880 --> 00:11:19,840
{\an2}is drying.
142
00:11:20,760 --> 00:11:21,840
{\an2}And hardening.
143
00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:53,760
{\an2}In the cool of the night,
they're free to feed
in the surrounding scrub.
144
00:11:55,040 --> 00:11:56,440
{\an2}But when morning comes,
145
00:11:56,840 --> 00:11:59,560
{\an2}they have to return to the cool
of their last wallow...
146
00:12:01,080 --> 00:12:03,440
{\an2}[hippo huffs, grunts]
147
00:12:03,440 --> 00:12:07,240
{\an2}hoping that there's enough mud
to coat their sensitive skins.
148
00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:15,160
{\an2}This remaining pod
hasn't raised young for years.
149
00:12:16,440 --> 00:12:19,920
{\an2}All calves are killed
immediately at birth
by the pod male.
150
00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:27,520
{\an2}There just isn't room
for one more.
151
00:12:50,520 --> 00:12:54,200
{\an2}The hippos are also
long-term Boteti inmates.
152
00:13:00,880 --> 00:13:05,600
{\an2}Another season like this,
and they'll be cemented
in their muddy tomb forever.
153
00:13:17,120 --> 00:13:18,600
{\an2}[flies buzzing]
154
00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:22,560
{\an2}By mid-morning,
the scavengers have reduced
the fallen zebra
155
00:13:22,560 --> 00:13:24,640
{\an2}to a pile of skin and bones.
156
00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:29,360
{\an2}One creature's famine,
is another's feast,
157
00:13:29,360 --> 00:13:30,800
{\an2}and the jackals join in.
158
00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:31,800
{\an2}[bird calling]
159
00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:36,640
{\an2}They've left their territories
out in the desert.
160
00:13:36,640 --> 00:13:37,720
{\an2}[vultures screeching]
161
00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:40,440
{\an2}But like a Cold War meeting
in no-man's land,
162
00:13:41,080 --> 00:13:43,960
{\an2}this encounter is not friendly.
163
00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:45,360
{\an2}[jackal growls, barks]
164
00:13:51,840 --> 00:13:53,200
{\an2}They compete with each other
165
00:13:53,760 --> 00:13:54,960
{\an2}for every bite.
166
00:13:56,800 --> 00:13:57,640
{\an2}[vultures calling]
167
00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:05,600
{\an2}[bird calling in distance]
168
00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:11,960
{\an2}While some jackals work
the Boteti pools,
169
00:14:12,560 --> 00:14:16,480
{\an2}fifty miles into the desert,
others have a different
survival plan.
170
00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:17,640
{\an2}[insects buzzing]
171
00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:24,080
{\an2}Without the summer rain,
these plains are dry and dusty,
172
00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:28,360
{\an2}but this hardy individual can
spend the entire year out here.
173
00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:35,400
{\an2}It knows that where there's
old elephant dung,
there are insects.
174
00:14:35,960 --> 00:14:38,080
{\an2}To find them, it has to listen.
175
00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:47,240
{\an2}It focuses on sound,
176
00:14:47,840 --> 00:14:49,680
{\an2}pinpointing the location.
177
00:14:57,800 --> 00:15:01,480
{\an2}It gets all the nourishment
and moisture that it needs
from this food.
178
00:15:02,600 --> 00:15:03,840
{\an2}But even out here
179
00:15:04,320 --> 00:15:05,880
{\an2}it has competition.
180
00:15:07,240 --> 00:15:11,680
{\an2}The meerkat family comes
out of their den in the morning
to forage for insects.
181
00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:14,240
{\an2}which they dig out with their
long, strong nails.
182
00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:18,960
{\an2}They hunt for food together,
183
00:15:18,960 --> 00:15:20,800
{\an2}alternating sentry duty.
184
00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:22,000
{\an2}[guitar music playing]
185
00:15:26,560 --> 00:15:28,320
{\an2}They don't share their catch,
186
00:15:28,320 --> 00:15:29,880
{\an2}but eat it there and then.
187
00:15:33,640 --> 00:15:36,840
{\an2}The saviors of this desert
environment are termites.
188
00:15:37,800 --> 00:15:40,800
{\an2}They're the favored food
of many insect eaters.
189
00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:48,640
{\an2}These primitive animals form
huge, well-organized colonies
that go deep underground.
190
00:15:53,160 --> 00:15:55,920
{\an2}Harvester termites feed
on any vegetable matter.
191
00:15:56,720 --> 00:16:00,000
{\an2}And when the grasses dry out,
it's time to harvest.
192
00:16:01,800 --> 00:16:04,640
{\an2}The blind workers spread out
over the plains
193
00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:07,400
{\an2}and efficiently
clip the grass blades
194
00:16:07,400 --> 00:16:09,320
{\an2}which are taken underground
to store.
195
00:16:13,720 --> 00:16:18,720
{\an2}A wolf spider has strategically
set up home near
the termites' nest.
196
00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:23,400
{\an2}Because they cannot see,
197
00:16:23,880 --> 00:16:26,680
{\an2}the termite don't even know
she's on the prowl.
198
00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:32,280
{\an2}[suspenseful music playing]
199
00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:48,440
{\an2}She hunts during the day
200
00:16:48,440 --> 00:16:54,200
{\an2}and has a well-developed set of
eight eyes, which she relies on
to track her fast-moving food.
201
00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:04,840
{\an2}She collects as many termites
as she can,
202
00:17:05,320 --> 00:17:10,080
{\an2}greedily stashing them away
to feed on later
in the coolness of her burrow.
203
00:17:11,560 --> 00:17:17,280
{\an2}But the entrance is a tight fit,
and this time, a clump of grass
forms a wedge.
204
00:17:19,360 --> 00:17:21,320
{\an2}With her head
stuck below the ground,
205
00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:24,760
{\an2}she's exposed and vulnerable
to attack from the meerkat clan.
206
00:17:27,960 --> 00:17:30,640
{\an2}With difficulty,
she squeezes in.
207
00:17:33,600 --> 00:17:35,560
{\an2}Eventually, she make it.
208
00:17:39,040 --> 00:17:41,680
{\an2}But the termites
are not out of danger yet.
209
00:17:48,320 --> 00:17:52,800
{\an2}The most vicious
of termite killers has found
the entrance to their nest.
210
00:17:54,920 --> 00:17:56,440
{\an2}[suspenseful music playing]
211
00:17:56,440 --> 00:17:58,880
{\an2}The giant Matabele ants attack.
212
00:18:03,520 --> 00:18:04,880
{\an2}They bite the termites
213
00:18:05,520 --> 00:18:07,560
{\an2}and the sting paralyses them.
214
00:18:13,760 --> 00:18:19,080
{\an2}Systematically,
the ants enter the termite hole
and pull out body after body.
215
00:18:23,680 --> 00:18:29,800
{\an2}The dead and paralyzed termites
are taken to the ants' nest
to be eaten by the colony.
216
00:18:34,720 --> 00:18:38,120
{\an2}As the execution of thousands
of termites continues,
217
00:18:39,080 --> 00:18:44,000
{\an2}slow-moving bull elephants
follow invisible roads towards
a mystery source.
218
00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:45,720
{\an2}[dramatic music playing]
219
00:18:49,560 --> 00:18:54,560
{\an2}They have struck out from
the Boteti and are heading east,
into the dry Makgadikgadi.
220
00:19:00,280 --> 00:19:02,680
{\an2}No one knows
how they navigate,
221
00:19:03,160 --> 00:19:05,560
{\an2}but they head
for far-off water points
222
00:19:05,560 --> 00:19:09,600
{\an2}in an ancient map network
edged into their heritage.
223
00:19:16,640 --> 00:19:22,160
{\an2}When the bulls find a baobab,
they take advantage of the shade
provided by the huge trunks.
224
00:19:23,840 --> 00:19:28,840
{\an2}These tree are like beacons
in the desert, and the elephants
gravitate to them.
225
00:19:31,480 --> 00:19:34,440
{\an2}The elephants stay here through
the hottest hours of the day,
226
00:19:34,920 --> 00:19:39,200
{\an2}when temperatures can easily
reach 45 degrees Celsius.
227
00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:46,960
{\an2}These large, dark animals have
no sweat glands
228
00:19:46,960 --> 00:19:48,840
{\an2}and they overheat
very quickly.
229
00:19:50,800 --> 00:19:54,720
{\an2}Flapping their ears
is the most efficient way
of lowering body heat.
230
00:19:59,520 --> 00:20:00,880
{\an2}The breeze that is generated
231
00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:05,520
{\an2}cools the blood flowing
in thousands of capillaries
near the surface of the skin.
232
00:20:09,480 --> 00:20:12,040
{\an2}They will mobilize
when the temperature drops.
233
00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:18,680
{\an2}But ahead of them lie miles
of endless dry scrubland.
234
00:20:18,680 --> 00:20:20,240
{\an2}[ominous music playing]
235
00:20:26,600 --> 00:20:28,360
{\an2}Some don't make it.
236
00:20:33,240 --> 00:20:35,880
{\an2}Heat exhaustion affects
an elephant radically.
237
00:20:36,440 --> 00:20:39,360
{\an2}These bulls need to time
their journey just right.
238
00:20:40,200 --> 00:20:41,960
{\an2}[flies buzzing]
239
00:20:41,960 --> 00:20:43,480
{\an2}[thunder rumbling]
240
00:20:52,280 --> 00:20:53,600
{\an2}Out on the distant plains
241
00:20:54,600 --> 00:20:57,520
{\an2}the summer rains
have finally arrived.
242
00:21:05,600 --> 00:21:08,200
{\an2}But a 100 miles away
at the Boteti,
243
00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:09,920
{\an2}the skies are still clear.
244
00:21:09,920 --> 00:21:11,520
{\an2}[zebras yipping]
245
00:21:16,720 --> 00:21:19,360
{\an2}Yet the smell of rain
is in the air.
246
00:21:20,720 --> 00:21:23,880
{\an2}An escape route from the Boteti
hell has been opened,
247
00:21:24,680 --> 00:21:27,000
{\an2}and the zebra
jump on it immediately.
248
00:21:29,720 --> 00:21:30,920
{\an2}For the pregnant mare,
249
00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:35,840
{\an2}this is one last gauntlet to run
before a little nourishment
becomes available.
250
00:21:35,840 --> 00:21:37,360
{\an2}[upbeat music playing]
251
00:21:38,640 --> 00:21:41,520
{\an2}She'll eventually have to return
to the Boteti,
252
00:21:41,520 --> 00:21:44,200
{\an2}but for now,
it's not worth thinking about.
253
00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:53,720
{\an2}During this trek, the animals
hardly drink, rest or feed.
254
00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:57,280
{\an2}But at least there's hope
at the other end.
255
00:22:04,360 --> 00:22:06,800
{\an2}Twenty-five thousand animals
make the journey
256
00:22:06,800 --> 00:22:09,640
{\an2}in the second largest
zebra migration in the world.
257
00:22:25,320 --> 00:22:30,520
{\an2}Exhausted, they arrive
at their summer pastures
in a spray of welcome rain.
258
00:22:35,680 --> 00:22:40,400
{\an2}For the next few months
they'll have an unlimited supply
of food and water.
259
00:22:40,400 --> 00:22:42,040
{\an2}[wildebeest grunting]
260
00:22:51,160 --> 00:22:55,280
{\an2}The bull elephants
that struck out earlier,
are ahead of the zebra,
261
00:22:55,280 --> 00:22:58,560
{\an2}and they have found
one of the pools
en route to the plains.
262
00:22:59,360 --> 00:23:02,840
{\an2}Their large shapes are a beacon
to the thirsty herds.
263
00:23:08,280 --> 00:23:10,600
{\an2}But the elephants
are possessive.
264
00:23:11,720 --> 00:23:15,640
{\an2}Perhaps they remember
the previous confrontations
over the Boteti water.
265
00:23:18,320 --> 00:23:21,360
{\an2}The zebra have no choice
but to give way.
266
00:23:24,040 --> 00:23:25,360
{\an2}[instrumental music playing]
267
00:23:25,360 --> 00:23:27,240
{\an2}On the plains
of the Makgadikgadi
268
00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:31,240
{\an2}there are no running streams
or natural springs
of underground water.
269
00:23:32,880 --> 00:23:36,880
{\an2}When the rains stop
at the end of summer,
the pools will dry up.
270
00:23:39,000 --> 00:23:40,520
{\an2}The bulls take their time.
271
00:23:41,480 --> 00:23:44,280
{\an2}But before they finish,
more travelers arrive.
272
00:23:50,840 --> 00:23:53,080
{\an2}The zebras have
to wait a little longer.
273
00:23:53,080 --> 00:23:54,600
{\an2}[birds chirping]
274
00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:03,280
{\an2}Once again the smell of water
makes the weary elephants
quicken their step.
275
00:24:05,040 --> 00:24:06,440
{\an2}The bulls give way.
276
00:24:13,320 --> 00:24:16,800
{\an2}The new arrivals are breeding
herds of elephants with young.
277
00:24:17,840 --> 00:24:20,480
{\an2}They come from the distant
Okavango Delta.
278
00:24:21,520 --> 00:24:24,360
{\an2}They wouldn't be here
if not for the recent rain.
279
00:24:33,120 --> 00:24:34,120
{\an2}[crickets chirping]
280
00:24:34,120 --> 00:24:35,400
{\an2}[upbeat music playing]
281
00:24:40,680 --> 00:24:44,280
{\an2}All the zebra herds have now
reached the grassy plains.
282
00:24:51,520 --> 00:24:55,320
{\an2}They can settle in here
for a few months
and regain their strength.
283
00:24:58,200 --> 00:24:59,880
{\an2}For the expecting mother,
284
00:24:59,880 --> 00:25:02,720
{\an2}the new grass is like
a gift from the gods.
285
00:25:09,640 --> 00:25:11,520
{\an2}And finally she gives birth.
286
00:25:21,400 --> 00:25:24,040
{\an2}The rich pasture is crucial
for the mother's milk,
287
00:25:25,240 --> 00:25:28,280
{\an2}and her new arrival spends
most of the time suckling.
288
00:25:35,360 --> 00:25:39,440
{\an2}For the first few days
of its life, the mother keeps
it away from the herd
289
00:25:39,920 --> 00:25:42,600
{\an2}to imprint her unique smell
and stripe pattern.
290
00:25:45,240 --> 00:25:46,400
{\an2}[zebra foal cries]
291
00:25:49,560 --> 00:25:54,200
{\an2}The little one is well developed
at birth and is following
its mother within an hour.
292
00:26:05,080 --> 00:26:09,120
{\an2}By three months, it will start
to drink water and eat grass.
293
00:26:15,120 --> 00:26:16,960
{\an2}[zebra yipping]
294
00:26:16,960 --> 00:26:19,120
{\an2}Intruders aren't tolerated.
295
00:26:20,120 --> 00:26:23,240
{\an2}The foal's mother chases off
any lost foals.
296
00:26:25,080 --> 00:26:27,560
{\an2}She needs to watch
her new charge closely.
297
00:26:27,560 --> 00:26:29,080
{\an2}[foal braying]
298
00:26:29,080 --> 00:26:31,440
{\an2}Being lost here isn't wise.
299
00:26:33,200 --> 00:26:34,880
{\an2}[zebra yipping in the distance]
300
00:26:39,440 --> 00:26:41,320
{\an2}[ominous music playing]
301
00:27:03,960 --> 00:27:05,440
{\an2}[zebra yipping, braying]
302
00:27:17,760 --> 00:27:21,720
{\an2}The lions have been waiting
patiently for the herds
to arrive.
303
00:27:22,920 --> 00:27:24,840
{\an2}The mother has kept
her foal safe.
304
00:27:28,240 --> 00:27:32,000
{\an2}The pride join the hunter and
they finish the meal quickly.
305
00:27:33,800 --> 00:27:34,960
{\an2}[lion grunts]
306
00:27:34,960 --> 00:27:37,480
{\an2}A small foal doesn't take long.
307
00:27:38,480 --> 00:27:39,880
{\an2}[instrumental music playing]
308
00:27:44,560 --> 00:27:47,440
{\an2}As the weeks pass
on the Makgadikgadi plains,
309
00:27:47,440 --> 00:27:52,400
{\an2}the foal follows her mother
everywhere, moving with the herd
from grass to water.
310
00:28:01,720 --> 00:28:03,240
{\an2}[upbeat music playing]
311
00:28:09,480 --> 00:28:12,440
{\an2}Life is much easier
for the jackals now too.
312
00:28:13,120 --> 00:28:15,720
{\an2}But this water
is only temporary.
313
00:28:21,600 --> 00:28:25,000
{\an2}The jackals know they have
to make the most of summer.
314
00:28:25,480 --> 00:28:28,520
{\an2}Shadowing the lions
is their number one priority.
315
00:28:39,240 --> 00:28:43,360
{\an2}Meanwhile, the foal's mother has
carelessly dropped her guard.
316
00:28:44,520 --> 00:28:45,760
{\an2}[dramatic music playing]
317
00:29:05,560 --> 00:29:06,560
{\an2}[jackal yelps]
318
00:29:07,280 --> 00:29:10,000
{\an2}The jackals are hot
on the lion's heels.
319
00:29:13,840 --> 00:29:18,360
{\an2}The lionesses have gone
to fetch the cubs,
while the male secures the kill.
320
00:29:22,320 --> 00:29:25,280
{\an2}For the scavengers,
now is the time to strike.
321
00:29:33,120 --> 00:29:36,480
{\an2}The vultures' plan
is to intimidate the predator.
322
00:29:39,000 --> 00:29:40,000
{\an2}[lion growls]
323
00:29:43,480 --> 00:29:46,680
{\an2}But this ploy doesn't work
on the big male lion.
324
00:29:50,120 --> 00:29:52,720
{\an2}He has his hands full
keeping control of the kill.
325
00:29:52,720 --> 00:29:53,720
{\an2}[lion growls]
326
00:29:56,720 --> 00:29:59,400
{\an2}The jackals are always waiting
for a gap.
327
00:30:03,920 --> 00:30:06,200
{\an2}But facing the lion
isn't an option.
328
00:30:06,200 --> 00:30:07,520
{\an2}[birds calling]
329
00:30:11,120 --> 00:30:12,600
{\an2}[lion growls]
330
00:30:12,600 --> 00:30:14,840
{\an2}Eventually,
he sneaks a piece...
331
00:30:16,600 --> 00:30:19,040
{\an2}just before
the lionesses reappear.
332
00:30:20,960 --> 00:30:24,360
{\an2}They'd left their two-month-old
cubs in the den during the hunt,
333
00:30:24,360 --> 00:30:26,600
{\an2}and now they lead them back
to the kill.
334
00:30:26,600 --> 00:30:27,920
{\an2}[instrumental music playing]
335
00:30:32,880 --> 00:30:35,720
{\an2}One of the lionesses
tests the father's mood
336
00:30:35,720 --> 00:30:37,360
{\an2}before allowing the cubs near.
337
00:30:42,920 --> 00:30:44,120
{\an2}[lion growls]
338
00:30:44,120 --> 00:30:48,440
{\an2}A swipe from his powerful paw
could cause a serious injury.
339
00:30:50,840 --> 00:30:53,080
{\an2}But he seems willing
to share his meal,
340
00:30:53,080 --> 00:30:55,240
{\an2}and he allows the family
to approach.
341
00:30:57,920 --> 00:30:59,880
{\an2}The cubs aren't so sure.
342
00:31:04,640 --> 00:31:05,960
{\an2}For the zebra foal
343
00:31:05,960 --> 00:31:09,000
{\an2}the tragic death of its mother
is a huge loss,
344
00:31:09,520 --> 00:31:12,360
{\an2}but for the lion family,
it's a windfall.
345
00:31:16,000 --> 00:31:18,680
{\an2}This carcass will keep them fed
for a week.
346
00:31:32,520 --> 00:31:33,920
{\an2}[lion growls]
347
00:31:35,480 --> 00:31:39,160
{\an2}When the cubs
have tried a little meat,
they revert to playing.
348
00:31:43,640 --> 00:31:46,240
{\an2}For the lions
it's been a successful day.
349
00:31:46,240 --> 00:31:47,240
{\an2}[lion cub mews]
350
00:31:54,240 --> 00:31:57,880
{\an2}The ever-patient scavengers
finally get their turn.
351
00:32:01,520 --> 00:32:04,920
{\an2}And the jackal, once again,
steals from the vultures.
352
00:32:06,600 --> 00:32:08,160
{\an2}[lions growl softly
in the distance]
353
00:32:15,200 --> 00:32:16,680
{\an2}[instrumental music playing]
354
00:32:19,000 --> 00:32:22,800
{\an2}If the zebra foal
doesn't stay with the herd,
she'll never make it.
355
00:32:44,000 --> 00:32:46,360
{\an2}Keeping up
is her only hope.
356
00:32:49,360 --> 00:32:50,960
{\an2}[instrumental music playing]
357
00:32:55,040 --> 00:32:56,040
{\an2}[jackal howls]
358
00:32:56,840 --> 00:32:59,560
{\an2}The jackal also has a family
on the plains.
359
00:33:00,720 --> 00:33:02,280
{\an2}[jackal howls]
360
00:33:06,920 --> 00:33:08,000
{\an2}[jackals howling]
361
00:33:13,320 --> 00:33:17,000
{\an2}Jackals pair for life, and they
have pups every summer.
362
00:33:18,880 --> 00:33:19,760
{\an2}[jackal howls]
363
00:33:19,760 --> 00:33:23,560
{\an2}By the time the rains bring an
abundance of insects and food,
364
00:33:23,560 --> 00:33:26,200
{\an2}the pups are old enough
to catch their own.
365
00:33:26,200 --> 00:33:27,200
{\an2}[jackal howls]
366
00:33:28,000 --> 00:33:31,920
{\an2}Although they still need
to learn which of the little
critters are good to eat,
367
00:33:31,920 --> 00:33:33,040
{\an2}and which bite.
368
00:33:34,080 --> 00:33:35,440
{\an2}[jackal yelps]
369
00:33:36,360 --> 00:33:40,680
{\an2}Soon, the pups will start
to follow their parents
on scavenging outings.
370
00:33:41,880 --> 00:33:44,360
{\an2}But that will be
in another month or so.
371
00:33:48,520 --> 00:33:50,520
{\an2}For now,
they stay close to their den,
372
00:33:52,240 --> 00:33:54,960
{\an2}groomed and cared for
by their attentive mother.
373
00:33:59,120 --> 00:34:00,560
{\an2}[crickets chirping]
374
00:34:02,080 --> 00:34:03,480
{\an2}[instrumental music playing]
375
00:34:09,680 --> 00:34:10,920
{\an2}For the remainder or summer,
376
00:34:11,360 --> 00:34:15,600
{\an2}the cycle of life unfolds
on the green plains
of the Makgadikgadi.
377
00:34:18,240 --> 00:34:21,320
{\an2}Endless days of grazing
nourish the herds.
378
00:34:25,240 --> 00:34:28,520
{\an2}Stallions compete for the favor
of the females.
379
00:34:30,200 --> 00:34:34,560
{\an2}And the lone foal
is carried along by the herd,
gaining strength.
380
00:34:45,280 --> 00:34:47,080
{\an2}But the rains
eventually cease,
381
00:34:47,680 --> 00:34:49,240
{\an2}and the clouds disappear.
382
00:34:55,080 --> 00:34:59,080
{\an2}The grasses dry,
leaving bare, sandy patches.
383
00:35:09,480 --> 00:35:13,040
{\an2}Without rain to replenish
the pools, they start to dry.
384
00:35:16,120 --> 00:35:19,200
{\an2}The time has come for the zebras
to leave the plains.
385
00:35:23,920 --> 00:35:25,960
{\an2}Staying here is not an option.
386
00:35:25,960 --> 00:35:28,480
{\an2}Soon there'll be nothing
for them to eat or drink.
387
00:35:30,760 --> 00:35:32,200
{\an2}[zebras yipping]
388
00:35:33,360 --> 00:35:39,120
{\an2}Their 80-mile return journey
to the pools in the dry Boteti
river, will be a grueling trip.
389
00:35:40,360 --> 00:35:41,800
{\an2}[instrumental music playing]
390
00:35:48,280 --> 00:35:52,760
{\an2}For the lone foal,
this will be the most difficult
journey in its life.
391
00:35:56,560 --> 00:36:00,560
{\an2}Some foals are smaller,
but at least they still have
their mothers close.
392
00:36:03,160 --> 00:36:05,600
{\an2}But others already lag behind.
393
00:36:11,000 --> 00:36:13,000
{\an2}In baking temperatures,
394
00:36:13,000 --> 00:36:16,440
{\an2}the zebras reach the edge
of the drying summer pastures.
395
00:36:17,680 --> 00:36:19,160
{\an2}[zebra yipping]
396
00:36:22,160 --> 00:36:25,040
{\an2}The ever-present vultures
track the herds,
397
00:36:25,600 --> 00:36:27,800
{\an2}waiting for the weak to stumble.
398
00:36:32,680 --> 00:36:33,920
{\an2}[vultures screeching]
399
00:36:46,520 --> 00:36:50,920
{\an2}Within a couple of hours, a dead
animal is almost stripped clean.
400
00:36:52,000 --> 00:36:54,360
{\an2}The lapped-faced vultures
do their job.
401
00:36:55,160 --> 00:36:59,400
{\an2}Their powerful beaks
open up the hide
and cut through the tendons,
402
00:37:01,000 --> 00:37:03,800
{\an2}allowing the rest
of the scavengers
access to the innards.
403
00:37:09,200 --> 00:37:10,040
{\an2}[jackal barks]
404
00:37:10,040 --> 00:37:11,280
{\an2}[vultures screeching]
405
00:37:16,480 --> 00:37:18,880
{\an2}The zebras
can't slow their pace,
406
00:37:18,880 --> 00:37:22,040
{\an2}the more they linger,
the faster they dehydrate.
407
00:37:22,040 --> 00:37:23,480
{\an2}[zebra yipping]
408
00:37:25,400 --> 00:37:29,560
{\an2}Their survival now depends
on how quickly they can reach
the Boteti river,
409
00:37:30,280 --> 00:37:32,240
{\an2}and whether
there is still water there.
410
00:37:33,960 --> 00:37:37,360
{\an2}Halfway through their journey,
they get a lucky break,
411
00:37:37,360 --> 00:37:39,160
{\an2}a last pool of rain water.
412
00:37:45,320 --> 00:37:47,040
{\an2}But they're edgy as they drink.
413
00:37:48,120 --> 00:37:50,840
{\an2}Lions often wait around water.
414
00:37:50,840 --> 00:37:52,640
{\an2}[zebras yipping and snorting]
415
00:37:58,800 --> 00:38:01,160
{\an2}They need to drink
as quickly as possible
416
00:38:01,160 --> 00:38:02,640
{\an2}and be on their way again.
417
00:38:02,640 --> 00:38:03,880
{\an2}[zebras yipping]
418
00:38:09,720 --> 00:38:12,640
{\an2}The dry scrubland
lies ahead of them.
419
00:38:12,640 --> 00:38:14,040
{\an2}[ominous music playing]
420
00:38:25,400 --> 00:38:28,200
{\an2}It's the last obstacle
before the Boteti river,
421
00:38:28,960 --> 00:38:31,880
{\an2}but an old stallion
is dropping behind.
422
00:38:38,840 --> 00:38:42,680
{\an2}The harsh conditions separate
the strong from the weak.
423
00:38:45,880 --> 00:38:47,040
{\an2}[zebra moans softly]
424
00:38:56,600 --> 00:38:58,080
{\an2}[vultures cackling]
425
00:39:01,840 --> 00:39:02,840
{\an2}Eventually,
426
00:39:03,440 --> 00:39:06,800
{\an2}the first herd of tired
and traumatized zebras
427
00:39:07,560 --> 00:39:09,600
{\an2}crest the bank of the Boteti.
428
00:39:16,680 --> 00:39:19,680
{\an2}They walk into the river bed
where there should be
flowing water.
429
00:39:21,840 --> 00:39:24,600
{\an2}But all they see
are the desperate hippo.
430
00:39:28,520 --> 00:39:30,200
{\an2}The foal has made the journey.
431
00:39:30,720 --> 00:39:33,120
{\an2}It's endured the most difficult
survival test.
432
00:39:36,160 --> 00:39:40,720
{\an2}And the youngest ones,
born late in summer,
are also lucky to be alive.
433
00:39:44,680 --> 00:39:49,320
{\an2}But for the twentieth
consecutive year,
the river is dry.
434
00:39:53,720 --> 00:39:56,400
{\an2}But there's something
these animals don't know.
435
00:39:56,400 --> 00:39:57,920
{\an2}[instrumental music playing]
436
00:39:57,920 --> 00:39:59,400
{\an2}[water trickling]
437
00:40:03,840 --> 00:40:08,920
{\an2}A little further upstream,
a trickle is dribbling
across the hot sand.
438
00:40:25,560 --> 00:40:27,360
{\an2}It brings new visitors.
439
00:40:28,040 --> 00:40:30,880
{\an2}Tiny fish ride
the head of the flood.
440
00:40:34,760 --> 00:40:37,960
{\an2}Slowly, the stream
gathers momentum.
441
00:40:41,440 --> 00:40:46,480
{\an2}And within hours,
water is charging down
the upper reaches of the Boteti.
442
00:40:55,880 --> 00:40:57,360
{\an2}[birds chirping]
443
00:40:58,040 --> 00:41:01,040
{\an2}The flood has travelled
700 miles from the north.
444
00:41:01,520 --> 00:41:06,040
{\an2}An usual amount of rain
has fallen over the mountains
of neighboring Angola.
445
00:41:08,200 --> 00:41:13,920
{\an2}The waters fill the Okavango
Delta to the highest recorded
flood level in 30 years.
446
00:41:23,320 --> 00:41:27,800
{\an2}For months, this water
has crossed the shallow gradient
of the desert,
447
00:41:27,800 --> 00:41:31,240
{\an2}spilling out of the delta,
and moving steadily south.
448
00:41:33,600 --> 00:41:37,200
{\an2}And as the zebra and elephant
arrive back in the dry Boteti,
449
00:41:38,240 --> 00:41:41,880
{\an2}these far-off rains will soon
be delivering salvation.
450
00:41:44,920 --> 00:41:47,160
{\an2}For the first time in 20 years,
451
00:41:47,160 --> 00:41:49,720
{\an2}the Boteti starts to flow.
452
00:42:01,440 --> 00:42:05,720
{\an2}Suddenly, the crocodiles
that ate nothing more
than little parcels of feathers,
453
00:42:07,440 --> 00:42:09,240
{\an2}have something new
to feast on.
454
00:42:11,520 --> 00:42:13,000
{\an2}[toads croaking]
455
00:42:18,760 --> 00:42:21,400
{\an2}The olive toads that hibernate
through the drought,
456
00:42:21,920 --> 00:42:22,920
{\an2}wake up.
457
00:42:24,880 --> 00:42:27,440
{\an2}They never know how long
the floods will last,
458
00:42:27,440 --> 00:42:29,840
{\an2}so they waste no time
looking for a mate.
459
00:42:33,400 --> 00:42:34,480
{\an2}[toad croaking]
460
00:42:34,480 --> 00:42:35,920
{\an2}Competition is fierce,
461
00:42:36,440 --> 00:42:39,240
{\an2}and the highly desirable
females are mobbed.
462
00:42:39,240 --> 00:42:40,560
{\an2}[toad croaking]
463
00:42:46,200 --> 00:42:50,400
{\an2}The overenthusiastic males
sometimes drown the female.
464
00:42:51,920 --> 00:42:53,640
{\an2}Individuals that survive
the orgy,
465
00:42:54,120 --> 00:42:58,920
{\an2}lay as many as 25 000 fertilized
eggs in long strings
466
00:42:58,920 --> 00:43:00,760
{\an2}in the calm shallows
of the river.
467
00:43:03,040 --> 00:43:05,600
{\an2}The eggs will hatch
within 24 hours.
468
00:43:07,080 --> 00:43:08,160
{\an2}[birds chirping]
469
00:43:08,160 --> 00:43:10,680
{\an2}Soon the quiet backwaters
of the Boteti,
470
00:43:10,680 --> 00:43:13,680
{\an2}writhe with newly-hatched
tadpoles.
471
00:43:15,360 --> 00:43:18,240
{\an2}They stay in the water
and feed on algae.
472
00:43:24,240 --> 00:43:27,440
{\an2}An elephant footprint
can hold thousands.
473
00:43:33,320 --> 00:43:36,560
{\an2}The first froglets
are already emerging.
474
00:43:49,920 --> 00:43:52,960
{\an2}Although hundreds of thousands
make the metamorphoses,
475
00:43:53,560 --> 00:43:54,560
{\an2}thousands are eaten,
476
00:43:55,080 --> 00:43:57,840
{\an2}and very few survive
to become adults.
477
00:44:10,680 --> 00:44:14,880
{\an2}The following day, water reaches
the last Boteti pools,
478
00:44:15,600 --> 00:44:19,080
{\an2}filling the hippos' stagnant
mud wallow to bursting point.
479
00:44:20,680 --> 00:44:22,080
{\an2}[hippos grunting]
480
00:44:29,080 --> 00:44:34,840
{\an2}This year, if the cows give
birth, the dominant bull will
allow the youngsters to live.
481
00:44:43,680 --> 00:44:45,520
{\an2}But despite the rush of water,
482
00:44:46,200 --> 00:44:49,120
{\an2}the surrounding landscape
is still dry and dusty.
483
00:44:51,760 --> 00:44:53,200
{\an2}[ominous music playing]
484
00:44:56,120 --> 00:44:59,240
{\an2}The remaining zebra herds
arrive at the river,
485
00:45:01,120 --> 00:45:03,240
{\an2}but what they find,
surprises them.
486
00:45:06,360 --> 00:45:10,520
{\an2}The oldest ones remember
the last time the Boteti
was in flood.
487
00:45:12,840 --> 00:45:17,080
{\an2}But for the majority,
the flowing river
is a new experience.
488
00:45:18,600 --> 00:45:20,720
{\an2}They approach it cautiously,
489
00:45:23,640 --> 00:45:26,400
{\an2}but soon drop all inhibitions.
490
00:45:26,880 --> 00:45:28,560
{\an2}[instrumental music playing]
491
00:45:33,160 --> 00:45:34,680
{\an2}[bird calling]
492
00:45:38,080 --> 00:45:39,920
{\an2}For the first time in its life,
493
00:45:40,440 --> 00:45:43,320
{\an2}the foal can immerse itself
in the river.
494
00:45:43,320 --> 00:45:44,520
{\an2}[zebra yipping]
495
00:45:50,520 --> 00:45:52,320
{\an2}The elephants arrive too.
496
00:45:53,320 --> 00:45:54,360
{\an2}[elephant trumpets]
497
00:45:54,360 --> 00:45:56,480
{\an2}They have seen
the floods before.
498
00:45:56,480 --> 00:45:58,240
{\an2}They remember them well.
499
00:45:58,760 --> 00:46:00,200
{\an2}[zebras yipping]
500
00:46:02,200 --> 00:46:03,240
{\an2}[elephant trumpets]
501
00:46:03,240 --> 00:46:07,600
{\an2}The tussle for water still lives
in these creatures' minds.
502
00:46:09,360 --> 00:46:12,240
{\an2}But now there is no real need
for confrontation.
503
00:46:16,520 --> 00:46:18,160
{\an2}[zebra yipping]
504
00:46:20,160 --> 00:46:23,800
{\an2}For the elephants,
it's a time for celebration.
505
00:46:30,840 --> 00:46:34,360
{\an2}For the first time in decades,
they can swim.
506
00:47:00,120 --> 00:47:04,760
{\an2}With so much water around,
there is plenty of space
for everyone.
507
00:47:08,200 --> 00:47:09,640
{\an2}[thunder rumbling]
508
00:47:10,600 --> 00:47:12,320
{\an2}And by the end of the winter,
509
00:47:12,960 --> 00:47:15,240
{\an2}rains come to the dusty Boteti.
510
00:47:27,600 --> 00:47:29,040
{\an2}The area greens,
511
00:47:29,040 --> 00:47:30,440
{\an2}[birds calling]
512
00:47:31,840 --> 00:47:35,440
{\an2}and the zebra will now have
grazing here too.
513
00:47:41,680 --> 00:47:46,720
{\an2}The river swells with
the promise of fresh water
that will stay for the year.
514
00:47:48,400 --> 00:47:49,560
{\an2}[thunder rumbling]
515
00:47:49,560 --> 00:47:54,240
{\an2}Eventually, the summer rains
will draw many of the animals
away from the Boteti again,
516
00:47:55,440 --> 00:47:58,480
{\an2}but this time, the migration
will be much easier.
517
00:48:00,920 --> 00:48:04,000
{\an2}And they will a lush paradise
to come back to.
518
00:48:14,680 --> 00:48:17,880
{\an2}But for now, the tough drought
of the past 20 years
519
00:48:18,600 --> 00:48:20,720
{\an2}is already a distant memory.
520
00:48:23,840 --> 00:48:27,840
{\an2}And the Boteti survivors
revel in their new surroundings,
521
00:48:28,640 --> 00:48:30,000
{\an2}[elephant trumpets]
522
00:48:36,200 --> 00:48:37,600
{\an2}blessed by the miracle
523
00:48:38,360 --> 00:48:40,200
{\an2}of the returning river.
524
00:48:43,520 --> 00:48:44,960
{\an2}[hippo grunts]
525
00:49:04,920 --> 00:49:06,440
{\an2}[African music playing]
45428
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.