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1
00:00:10,344 --> 00:00:12,327
Growing up on the savanna,
2
00:00:12,329 --> 00:00:15,948
This calf will face
many dangers.
3
00:00:24,241 --> 00:00:28,110
But a battle this big
is incredibly rare.
4
00:00:31,248 --> 00:00:35,667
Two evenly matched
testosterone-fueled bulls.
5
00:00:53,571 --> 00:00:56,380
No place for a baby.
6
00:01:21,415 --> 00:01:25,670
One day the calf may have
to fight like this.
7
00:01:26,904 --> 00:01:30,720
But there are far more
imminent threats.
8
00:01:31,575 --> 00:01:33,876
A third of all calves
don't make it.
9
00:01:33,878 --> 00:01:36,780
Through their first year.
10
00:01:39,350 --> 00:01:42,234
Like all animals here,
11
00:01:42,236 --> 00:01:48,600
His fate depends on the grass
growing under his feet.
12
00:02:04,575 --> 00:02:09,278
Grasslands cover a quarter
of the land on the planet.
13
00:02:12,449 --> 00:02:17,350
They support the largest animals.
14
00:02:17,370 --> 00:02:20,906
And the biggest herds
to walk the earth.
15
00:02:22,943 --> 00:02:26,912
Life on the these great plains
may look easy...
16
00:02:26,914 --> 00:02:29,548
But don't be fooled.
17
00:02:29,550 --> 00:02:31,633
When conditions turn,
18
00:02:31,635 --> 00:02:35,270
They can become some of
the most volatile landscapes.
19
00:02:35,272 --> 00:02:37,406
On our planet.
20
00:02:38,776 --> 00:02:44,446
A relentless cycle of flood...
21
00:02:44,448 --> 00:02:47,990
Famine...
22
00:02:47,101 --> 00:02:49,968
Freeze and fire.
23
00:02:53,274 --> 00:02:57,309
And as our climate becomes
more unpredictable...
24
00:02:57,311 --> 00:03:01,413
It takes the animals of the
grasslands to hell and back.
25
00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:38,133
Deepest winter on
north america's great plains.
26
00:03:43,707 --> 00:03:47,342
40 below...
27
00:03:47,344 --> 00:03:50,780
And record snowfall.
28
00:03:52,383 --> 00:03:58,203
Bison dig deeper
for diminishing returns.
29
00:03:58,205 --> 00:04:04,760
Dead grass with
the nutrition of cardboard.
30
00:04:06,180 --> 00:04:11,500
23 pounds of the stuff
every day still isn't enough.
31
00:04:13,954 --> 00:04:15,704
They're starving.
32
00:04:21,879 --> 00:04:25,681
The calves are
the most vulnerable,
33
00:04:25,683 --> 00:04:30,602
And if the cold doesn't get
them, another enemy might.
34
00:04:52,943 --> 00:04:57,779
Winter is a wolf's ally.
35
00:04:57,781 --> 00:05:02,234
A time to feed off
the suffering of others.
36
00:05:13,947 --> 00:05:19,670
These are the biggest wolves
in the world.
37
00:05:19,690 --> 00:05:24,306
And at 25 strong, they're
one of the largest packs.
38
00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:35,000
Size matters when
you hunt giants.
39
00:05:41,308 --> 00:05:45,277
Ten times heavier
and well armed,
40
00:05:45,279 --> 00:05:49,810
The bison are stronger,
41
00:05:49,830 --> 00:05:51,733
As long as they
stand their ground.
42
00:05:55,572 --> 00:05:59,474
But wolves create panic.
43
00:06:19,313 --> 00:06:22,800
Running for the woods
is a mistake.
44
00:06:26,670 --> 00:06:30,872
Trees break their formation.
45
00:06:30,874 --> 00:06:32,974
And expose the weak.
46
00:06:49,843 --> 00:06:55,213
Alone, a youngster
is an easy target.
47
00:07:08,545 --> 00:07:12,380
But a mother will risk
her own life to save her calf.
48
00:07:32,569 --> 00:07:37,372
They must make it back
to the safety of the herd.
49
00:07:54,641 --> 00:07:58,743
But deep snow saps
the bison's energy.
50
00:08:10,440 --> 00:08:13,808
Again, the calf is isolated.
51
00:08:21,268 --> 00:08:24,202
Again, it's rescued.
52
00:08:29,643 --> 00:08:34,120
Now there's hope.
53
00:08:34,140 --> 00:08:38,600
As long as the calf can stay
hidden within the ranks...
54
00:09:55,712 --> 00:10:01,333
While the snow remains,
the bison get steadily weaker.
55
00:10:11,778 --> 00:10:13,378
But on the grasslands,
56
00:10:13,380 --> 00:10:19,834
Change is inevitable
and often extreme.
57
00:10:33,183 --> 00:10:37,350
By April,
it's 100 degrees warmer.
58
00:10:37,370 --> 00:10:39,604
Than at the start of the year.
59
00:10:43,176 --> 00:10:46,378
And a new danger is brewing.
60
00:11:03,714 --> 00:11:08,166
Spring, and the start
of storm season.
61
00:11:13,206 --> 00:11:16,374
North america's great plains
are a hot spot.
62
00:11:16,376 --> 00:11:20,879
For some of the most intense
thunderstorms on earth.
63
00:11:25,535 --> 00:11:28,937
Some mutate into supercells.
64
00:11:31,740 --> 00:11:37,212
Monsters with the equivalent
energy of 100 nuclear bombs.
65
00:11:56,349 --> 00:12:00,100
Storms are becoming
more frequent here.
66
00:12:07,210 --> 00:12:10,545
And in grasslands
across the globe,
67
00:12:10,547 --> 00:12:14,699
Weather patterns are
increasingly erratic.
68
00:12:20,540 --> 00:12:25,777
Here the rains are a month early
and hitting hard.
69
00:12:33,370 --> 00:12:38,807
Over a year's worth of rain
in just a couple of months.
70
00:12:53,707 --> 00:12:59,310
Enough to transform the
grasslands beyond recognition.
71
00:13:04,201 --> 00:13:07,869
The worst flood in 50 years.
72
00:13:13,610 --> 00:13:16,377
Four feet of water.
73
00:13:27,641 --> 00:13:30,141
Not a problem for the adults,
74
00:13:30,143 --> 00:13:34,779
And plenty of fresh grass,
75
00:13:34,781 --> 00:13:37,699
But a bit deep for a calf.
76
00:13:40,103 --> 00:13:44,500
Luckily, he has a snorkel.
77
00:14:02,843 --> 00:14:05,760
These floods may
complicate things.
78
00:14:05,780 --> 00:14:07,512
A little in the short term.
79
00:14:10,851 --> 00:14:14,536
But they'll revitalize
life on the savanna.
80
00:14:20,100 --> 00:14:22,844
As the flood waters subside...
81
00:14:28,401 --> 00:14:31,736
They reveal a flush
of new growth.
82
00:14:41,748 --> 00:14:45,330
And fuel a baby boom.
83
00:14:53,376 --> 00:14:58,379
But this can be a dangerous
place to take your first steps.
84
00:15:12,345 --> 00:15:16,247
It's home to more
large predators.
85
00:15:16,249 --> 00:15:19,634
Than anywhere else on earth.
86
00:15:31,140 --> 00:15:36,668
Many thomson gazelle fawns
won't survive their first hour.
87
00:15:46,313 --> 00:15:49,814
Their only hope is to hide.
88
00:15:54,471 --> 00:15:56,170
Mothers clean their newborns.
89
00:15:56,172 --> 00:16:00,308
To remove any scent,
90
00:16:00,310 --> 00:16:02,243
But for this fawn.
91
00:16:02,245 --> 00:16:04,545
There isn't time.
92
00:16:10,403 --> 00:16:14,472
If mum stands guard,
she'll blow its cover.
93
00:16:20,814 --> 00:16:24,699
She has no option
but to walk away.
94
00:16:48,208 --> 00:16:52,844
The cheetah's hunting instinct
is triggered by movement.
95
00:16:54,714 --> 00:16:57,715
A motionless fawn
looks remarkably.
96
00:16:57,717 --> 00:17:00,301
Like a mound of earth.
97
00:17:07,577 --> 00:17:11,790
All it can do is stay down.
98
00:17:11,810 --> 00:17:13,614
Stay still.
99
00:17:13,616 --> 00:17:17,235
Hope someone else
is spotted first.
100
00:17:39,943 --> 00:17:44,145
Cheetahs are patient.
101
00:17:48,101 --> 00:17:52,236
But the fawn will
need to suckle soon.
102
00:17:52,238 --> 00:17:57,141
Worse still, the birth fluid
is attracting flies.
103
00:19:15,772 --> 00:19:17,839
A distraction!
104
00:19:21,894 --> 00:19:26,380
And a narrow escape.
105
00:19:38,845 --> 00:19:41,120
A waterbuck calf.
106
00:19:46,502 --> 00:19:48,402
One fawn's fate.
107
00:19:48,404 --> 00:19:50,972
Is another's fortune.
108
00:19:58,181 --> 00:20:01,365
Surviving its first 24 hours.
109
00:20:01,367 --> 00:20:05,369
Is the greatest challenge
the fawn will face.
110
00:20:13,780 --> 00:20:16,948
Those that make it
can enjoy growing up.
111
00:20:16,950 --> 00:20:21,350
On one of the most productive
places on the planet.
112
00:20:31,381 --> 00:20:36,534
North america's grasslands
support 3 million caribou.
113
00:20:42,508 --> 00:20:46,944
They journey up to
3,000 miles a year...
114
00:20:46,946 --> 00:20:51,282
The longest land migration
on earth.
115
00:21:00,900 --> 00:21:02,243
But on most of the continent,
116
00:21:02,245 --> 00:21:05,579
Mega herds are
a thing of the past.
117
00:21:08,268 --> 00:21:13,237
60 million bison once thundered
across these plains.
118
00:21:15,408 --> 00:21:21,345
Hunting decimated numbers
to just over 1,000 animals.
119
00:21:28,838 --> 00:21:32,506
And bison are still rare today.
120
00:21:37,113 --> 00:21:39,513
Midsummer.
121
00:21:39,515 --> 00:21:42,466
Time to fatten up
before next winter.
122
00:21:45,672 --> 00:21:48,205
But that's getting harder.
123
00:21:53,479 --> 00:21:55,279
Temperatures here have risen.
124
00:21:55,281 --> 00:21:59,400
Three times more
than the global average.
125
00:22:03,740 --> 00:22:08,242
And it's creating plagues
of biting flies.
126
00:22:10,413 --> 00:22:15,966
Each bison loses as much
as a pint of blood every day.
127
00:22:25,411 --> 00:22:30,481
And just when the bulls need
to be at their strongest.
128
00:22:30,483 --> 00:22:33,434
To compete for mating rights.
129
00:22:47,683 --> 00:22:49,133
The winner will sire.
130
00:22:49,135 --> 00:22:52,970
Up to three quarters
of next year's calves.
131
00:23:03,583 --> 00:23:08,869
As the young bison scrap...
132
00:23:08,871 --> 00:23:14,410
An old bull watches on...
133
00:23:14,430 --> 00:23:19,146
Waiting for the perfect moment
to enter the arena.
134
00:23:27,807 --> 00:23:30,775
It's mating season.
135
00:23:35,948 --> 00:23:40,734
An old bull waits for
a worthy challenger to emerge.
136
00:24:08,214 --> 00:24:13,367
Fresh to the fight,
the old bull enters the ring.
137
00:24:36,976 --> 00:24:42,460
The youngster is stronger,
138
00:24:42,480 --> 00:24:45,533
But the old bull
is more experienced.
139
00:24:52,808 --> 00:24:57,770
Targeting the flanks,
he gains the upper hand.
140
00:25:08,608 --> 00:25:11,509
The young rival retreats.
141
00:25:15,140 --> 00:25:17,615
Mating rights secured...
142
00:25:21,270 --> 00:25:25,406
The old bull can enjoy
the good times.
143
00:25:34,383 --> 00:25:37,134
But they won't last long.
144
00:25:52,835 --> 00:25:56,403
The dry season begins.
145
00:25:56,405 --> 00:26:00,241
From now on,
life just gets tougher.
146
00:26:05,314 --> 00:26:09,466
Grass becomes less nutritious,
147
00:26:09,468 --> 00:26:14,271
And elephants struggle to
satisfy their huge appetites.
148
00:26:19,245 --> 00:26:22,313
Like so many grassland animals,
149
00:26:22,315 --> 00:26:25,799
Their only option
is to keep moving.
150
00:26:38,140 --> 00:26:41,482
Elephants can walk
over 100 miles a day.
151
00:26:41,484 --> 00:26:43,834
In their search for food.
152
00:26:46,772 --> 00:26:51,175
And it can lead them
into dangerous territory.
153
00:27:05,308 --> 00:27:10,678
These lions specialize
in bringing down large prey.
154
00:27:17,203 --> 00:27:22,139
Still, it's risky, so they
target the most vulnerable.
155
00:27:24,710 --> 00:27:27,878
Older calves should be safe.
156
00:27:44,246 --> 00:27:47,548
But bravado can be
a dangerous thing.
157
00:29:02,441 --> 00:29:07,277
There's nothing they can do
but move on.
158
00:29:24,513 --> 00:29:28,699
As the sun robs the land
of its water,
159
00:29:28,701 --> 00:29:33,837
The dry season intensifies,
160
00:29:33,839 --> 00:29:38,800
And rain becomes
a distant memory.
161
00:29:47,369 --> 00:29:52,390
Hippos suffer more than most.
162
00:29:56,345 --> 00:29:59,780
He's spent the night grazing,
163
00:29:59,782 --> 00:30:04,101
But now the climbing sun
is a threat.
164
00:30:04,103 --> 00:30:07,971
Hippos can quickly overheat.
165
00:30:07,973 --> 00:30:12,376
He needs deep water and fast.
166
00:30:16,615 --> 00:30:18,348
There is one pool...
167
00:30:23,172 --> 00:30:25,105
But it's occupied.
168
00:30:34,950 --> 00:30:37,301
Each bull hippo
normally commands.
169
00:30:37,303 --> 00:30:40,204
A territory of 200 feet.
170
00:30:47,780 --> 00:30:52,599
Now, 800 of africa's
most bad-tempered animals.
171
00:30:52,601 --> 00:30:55,235
Are crammed together.
172
00:30:57,840 --> 00:31:02,910
And as humans take more water
for irrigation,
173
00:31:02,912 --> 00:31:06,213
There's less room
than ever before.
174
00:31:23,820 --> 00:31:28,235
Somehow he's got
to find a way in.
175
00:31:28,237 --> 00:31:31,371
His life depends on it.
176
00:31:41,884 --> 00:31:46,690
Out of water,
this hippo would soon overheat.
177
00:31:49,475 --> 00:31:53,100
But the water hole
is already full.
178
00:32:01,870 --> 00:32:04,204
It may not look very inviting.
179
00:32:08,344 --> 00:32:13,213
Oxpeckers ravage cracks
in their delicate skin.
180
00:32:17,670 --> 00:32:23,600
And 20 tons of waste a day
has turned it into a cesspit.
181
00:32:28,847 --> 00:32:33,834
But this hell hole
could save his life.
182
00:32:38,774 --> 00:32:41,441
If he's allowed in.
183
00:33:23,680 --> 00:33:26,436
This resident bull is bigger.
184
00:33:36,682 --> 00:33:39,833
But the outsider is desperate.
185
00:33:54,817 --> 00:33:58,335
Five tons of hippo clash.
186
00:34:01,340 --> 00:34:05,675
Testing bulk...
187
00:34:05,677 --> 00:34:09,479
Bite size...
188
00:34:09,481 --> 00:34:12,820
And brute force.
189
00:34:23,712 --> 00:34:27,147
The outsider accepts defeat.
190
00:34:33,405 --> 00:34:38,341
He must venture
into the unknown,
191
00:34:38,343 --> 00:34:43,413
As the stranglehold
of drought tightens.
192
00:35:06,805 --> 00:35:10,730
The earth is parched.
193
00:35:10,750 --> 00:35:14,744
And the grass, tinder-dry.
194
00:35:25,741 --> 00:35:30,877
Fires can sweep across
the plains at 40 miles an hour.
195
00:35:34,716 --> 00:35:38,718
And reach temperatures
of 800 degrees.
196
00:35:54,770 --> 00:36:00,207
Across africa, an area the size
of half the united states.
197
00:36:00,209 --> 00:36:03,443
Burns every year,
198
00:36:03,445 --> 00:36:05,345
And with a warming climate,
199
00:36:05,347 --> 00:36:09,533
Wildfires are set
to spread even further.
200
00:36:19,111 --> 00:36:22,512
Some capitalize on the chaos.
201
00:36:28,704 --> 00:36:33,440
Rollers and bee-eaters
pick off fleeing insects.
202
00:36:40,449 --> 00:36:42,799
Known as the undertaker bird,
203
00:36:42,801 --> 00:36:47,938
Marabou storks
clean up afterwards.
204
00:36:56,882 --> 00:37:00,700
There's nothing left here
for the grazers.
205
00:37:25,177 --> 00:37:29,713
But the grass itself
clings on...
206
00:37:29,715 --> 00:37:33,990
Its deep roots untouched
by the flames.
207
00:37:37,390 --> 00:37:40,807
All it needs now is water.
208
00:37:51,737 --> 00:37:56,773
Hamadryas baboons wait months
for the rains to arrive.
209
00:38:09,137 --> 00:38:13,600
But earth this dry.
210
00:38:13,800 --> 00:38:15,642
Needs more than a shower.
211
00:38:19,810 --> 00:38:21,815
This is one of the most
drought-prone countries.
212
00:38:21,817 --> 00:38:24,467
In the world,
213
00:38:24,469 --> 00:38:26,653
And it's getting worse.
214
00:38:30,442 --> 00:38:36,279
As our climate changes, water
shortages are sparking conflict.
215
00:38:36,281 --> 00:38:39,820
For animals and humans alike.
216
00:38:46,742 --> 00:38:50,777
One of the only
water holes for miles.
217
00:38:55,650 --> 00:38:59,269
It provides enough water
for this band of baboons.
218
00:38:59,271 --> 00:39:01,705
To survive the dry season.
219
00:39:08,513 --> 00:39:13,233
They're relatively strong
in health and numbers.
220
00:39:19,141 --> 00:39:24,577
Further out on the arid plains,
another band is thirsty.
221
00:39:41,680 --> 00:39:43,713
With little to drink out here,
222
00:39:43,715 --> 00:39:48,680
They're forced to the same
water hole below the cliff.
223
00:39:51,706 --> 00:39:57,343
But when two bands meet, it
nearly always ends in violence.
224
00:40:02,734 --> 00:40:06,469
Females and babies
are most at risk.
225
00:40:20,100 --> 00:40:23,203
If the outsiders want to drink,
226
00:40:23,205 --> 00:40:25,738
They'll have to fight.
227
00:40:40,939 --> 00:40:44,274
One water hole.
228
00:40:44,276 --> 00:40:47,377
Two bands of baboons.
229
00:40:50,782 --> 00:40:53,600
The outsiders need to drink.
230
00:40:56,705 --> 00:41:00,607
But the band at the water hole
is stronger.
231
00:41:03,345 --> 00:41:05,945
This is how wars begin.
232
00:41:29,604 --> 00:41:34,774
The best survival strategy here
is to form super bands.
233
00:41:38,180 --> 00:41:40,680
Bigger than the opposition.
234
00:42:15,160 --> 00:42:18,668
The outsiders are
forced to retreat.
235
00:42:22,730 --> 00:42:24,207
But not fast enough.
236
00:42:29,381 --> 00:42:34,968
These baboons use battles to
steal females from each other.
237
00:42:42,143 --> 00:42:46,312
The winners expand their ranks,
238
00:42:46,314 --> 00:42:50,733
While the outsiders
grow even weaker.
239
00:43:13,642 --> 00:43:19,879
All they can do is bide
their time and try again.
240
00:43:38,416 --> 00:43:41,367
As the drought reaches its peak,
241
00:43:41,369 --> 00:43:44,837
Famine becomes a harsh reality.
242
00:43:55,483 --> 00:43:58,670
Just a few months old.
243
00:44:01,390 --> 00:44:04,774
Born at the wrong time.
244
00:44:11,383 --> 00:44:13,966
Mum couldn't produce
enough milk.
245
00:44:25,847 --> 00:44:29,832
She regurgitates precious water,
246
00:44:29,834 --> 00:44:34,170
Desperately trying to cool down
and save herself.
247
00:44:38,376 --> 00:44:41,711
Then says her final goodbye.
248
00:45:07,272 --> 00:45:09,906
Even at the best of times,
249
00:45:09,908 --> 00:45:12,875
Surviving on
the planet's grasslands.
250
00:45:12,877 --> 00:45:15,311
Is no walk in the park.
251
00:45:18,249 --> 00:45:19,832
And as the dry seasons become.
252
00:45:19,834 --> 00:45:23,403
Even more extreme
and unpredictable,
253
00:45:23,405 --> 00:45:26,606
Only the strongest
will have what it takes.
254
00:45:26,608 --> 00:45:28,708
To make it through.
255
00:45:33,281 --> 00:45:35,181
Adaptability...
256
00:45:37,268 --> 00:45:39,702
Unfailing resolve...
257
00:45:42,290 --> 00:45:47,376
And the hope that eventually
better days will return.
258
00:45:53,101 --> 00:45:57,770
Six months older and born
just before the wet season,
259
00:45:57,772 --> 00:46:01,641
This calf had a stronger start.
260
00:46:04,479 --> 00:46:08,381
The matriarch has seen
hard times before.
261
00:46:10,769 --> 00:46:14,303
She knows how to lead
her family through.
262
00:46:29,838 --> 00:46:34,740
Enough water to go round
until the rains return.
263
00:46:51,242 --> 00:46:56,679
Surviving on the grasslands
has never been harder.
264
00:46:59,150 --> 00:47:02,635
Yet young and old,
265
00:47:02,637 --> 00:47:07,640
This herd is still
standing strong,
266
00:47:07,642 --> 00:47:12,512
And hopefully will be
for generations to come.
267
00:47:18,903 --> 00:47:20,837
Captioned by
side door media services
18720
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