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Ethiopia.
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00:00:09,209 --> 00:00:12,613
Home to some of
the rarest creatures on earth.
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00:00:21,421 --> 00:00:24,358
Many of which
are found nowhere else.
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00:00:32,432 --> 00:00:36,270
Here every day
is a battle for survival,
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00:00:39,139 --> 00:00:41,742
Among enchanted forests
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00:00:43,477 --> 00:00:46,179
and Alpine giants.
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00:00:48,715 --> 00:00:52,486
These are the Simien mountains -
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the roof of Africa.
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♪♪
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♪♪
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♪♪
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In the north east of Africa
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00:01:37,831 --> 00:01:41,568
there's a place where animals
tread precarious paths
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00:01:41,568 --> 00:01:43,470
through the clouds.
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00:01:50,344 --> 00:01:53,280
Fog shrouds the fertile earth
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00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:55,382
and fills the clean air.
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00:02:04,091 --> 00:02:06,360
Plants grow in abundance,
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from the mystical
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00:02:10,530 --> 00:02:12,466
to the bizarre.
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00:02:16,803 --> 00:02:18,338
Among the peaks
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live creatures found only here.
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00:02:34,321 --> 00:02:36,757
They are mountain specialists,
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cut off
from the outside world for eons
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by cliffs plunging 5,000 feet.
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Life here has evolved to thrive
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00:02:53,340 --> 00:02:56,309
in this isolated
alpine environment.
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00:03:03,250 --> 00:03:07,320
Days average a full
35 degrees Fahrenheit colder
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00:03:07,320 --> 00:03:09,656
than the surrounding lowlands.
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00:03:11,758 --> 00:03:15,162
Nights regularly plummet
below freezing.
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00:03:19,099 --> 00:03:23,070
Clouds roll in
without a moment's notice,
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00:03:23,070 --> 00:03:25,539
eradicating visibility.
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00:03:28,341 --> 00:03:31,711
Sure-footedness
is essential for survival.
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00:03:36,650 --> 00:03:41,488
This highland domain is in
the northern corner of Ethiopia.
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The Simien Mountains
National Park
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covers just less
than 85 square miles.
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00:03:58,105 --> 00:04:00,073
It includes
some of the country's
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00:04:00,073 --> 00:04:02,375
most spectacular terrain.
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00:04:04,044 --> 00:04:09,349
These mountains that reach more
than 14,800 feet high,
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00:04:09,349 --> 00:04:12,119
originated
through volcanic activity
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00:04:12,119 --> 00:04:13,687
40 million years ago.
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00:04:19,326 --> 00:04:21,428
As thick layers of erupting lava
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cooled and accumulated
on the surface,
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00:04:23,797 --> 00:04:26,399
they were raised
to even greater elevations
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00:04:26,399 --> 00:04:30,303
by a giant plume of magma
beneath the earth's crust.
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00:04:32,739 --> 00:04:38,011
Millennia of erosion carved out
the sheer precipices seen today,
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00:04:39,379 --> 00:04:41,214
leaving towering peaks
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00:04:41,214 --> 00:04:42,749
and high plateaus.
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00:04:48,121 --> 00:04:53,593
Mystical trees grow
on the slopes below 12,000 feet.
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00:04:58,598 --> 00:05:02,102
Remarkably these tree heaths
are a type of heather,
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00:05:02,102 --> 00:05:03,503
also called Erica.
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00:05:08,074 --> 00:05:11,478
Rooted in rich volcanic soil,
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here they transcend
the lowly shrubs of their family
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00:05:14,714 --> 00:05:16,983
to become forests.
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00:05:23,590 --> 00:05:29,529
As wind pushes warm
lowland air up the mountains,
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00:05:29,529 --> 00:05:33,266
it condenses
to flood the forests in fog.
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00:05:36,636 --> 00:05:39,673
It's a blanket
of life-giving moisture.
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00:05:59,759 --> 00:06:02,195
But the fog
isn't the only visitor
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00:06:02,195 --> 00:06:04,998
in the Erica forest
this morning.
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A group of Geladas
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00:06:08,802 --> 00:06:12,372
has started its journey to
the mountain's higher plateaus,
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00:06:12,372 --> 00:06:15,709
where they'll spend the day
feeding in the grasslands.
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00:06:21,615 --> 00:06:25,252
It's a daily trip they make
between feeding grounds up high,
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00:06:25,252 --> 00:06:28,188
and their resting place
lower down the mountain.
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00:06:43,169 --> 00:06:46,506
Every step of the way
is a game for the youngsters,
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00:06:46,506 --> 00:06:49,376
and they use the mountain
as their playground.
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00:07:23,176 --> 00:07:26,813
Geladas are the last remaining
species of a once abundant group
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00:07:26,813 --> 00:07:30,283
of exclusively
grass-grazing primates.
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00:07:35,255 --> 00:07:38,725
Today their sole refuge
is the mountains of Ethiopia,
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00:07:41,461 --> 00:07:45,632
where lush high-altitude grasses
grow in abundance.
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00:07:52,806 --> 00:07:56,710
Social bonds
rule the dynamics of the group.
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00:08:03,750 --> 00:08:07,687
Although the bold male seems
to be in charge of his harem,
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00:08:07,687 --> 00:08:10,457
it's the females
that make the decisions here.
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00:08:14,594 --> 00:08:17,664
Including whether or not
he can stay.
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00:08:21,234 --> 00:08:23,636
If he does not
groom his harem enough,
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00:08:23,636 --> 00:08:26,973
they'll choose another male
to replace him.
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00:08:35,148 --> 00:08:38,685
Geladas
are incredibly vocal creatures.
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00:08:40,420 --> 00:08:43,623
Their call, known as a 'wobble',
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00:08:43,623 --> 00:08:48,595
is more complex than the basic
noises uttered by most primates.
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00:08:52,565 --> 00:08:54,267
While many other species
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00:08:54,267 --> 00:08:57,170
will show familiarity
through lip smacking,
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the Geladas are
the only non-human primate
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to make
the complex mouth movements
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and vocalize at the same time.
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00:09:14,053 --> 00:09:17,390
Theirs is the closest equivalent
to human speech
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in the natural world.
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00:09:26,266 --> 00:09:28,067
For the juveniles,
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00:09:28,067 --> 00:09:31,037
play is more interesting
than casual conversation.
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00:09:42,549 --> 00:09:44,684
For these youngsters
baring teeth
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00:09:44,684 --> 00:09:46,586
is used as a playful expression
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00:09:46,586 --> 00:09:48,254
like laughing.
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00:09:50,657 --> 00:09:52,392
Like people,
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00:09:52,392 --> 00:09:57,130
Geladas display what's known as
Rapid Facial Mimicry -
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00:09:57,130 --> 00:09:59,833
The automatic mimicking
of each other's expressions
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00:09:59,833 --> 00:10:03,536
that shows
shared excitement during play.
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00:10:16,249 --> 00:10:18,585
This helps
to promote social unity
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00:10:18,585 --> 00:10:22,155
and it's most frequent
between mothers and infants.
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00:10:38,671 --> 00:10:40,874
With the adults preoccupied,
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the youngsters
continue to monkey around.
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00:10:48,281 --> 00:10:51,751
And the knobbly tree heaths
are the ultimate jungle gym.
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00:11:43,336 --> 00:11:45,171
The juveniles
aren't the only ones
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00:11:45,171 --> 00:11:47,707
using the trees
to their advantage.
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00:11:58,251 --> 00:12:02,155
Masses of lichen,
aptly named "old man's beard",
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clings to the gnarled branches.
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00:12:11,130 --> 00:12:13,333
Lichens are unique organisms -
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part fungi, part algae.
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00:12:28,815 --> 00:12:31,784
They only grow
in the cleanest air.
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00:12:34,287 --> 00:12:37,323
The mass of old man's beard
in these highlands
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is a testament to the purity
of the environment.
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00:12:45,264 --> 00:12:48,167
Although the lichen
gives little to its host,
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00:12:48,167 --> 00:12:52,238
it does offer some assistance
to another hilltop inhabitant.
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00:13:02,281 --> 00:13:05,151
Resourceful Thick-billed ravens
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use the land's materials
to their advantage.
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00:13:14,260 --> 00:13:16,062
This pair of scavengers
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will use the soft lichen
as bedding for their nest,
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which they will build
high up on the cliffs.
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00:13:23,536 --> 00:13:25,238
They are the biggest birds
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with feet evolved
specifically for perching,
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00:13:31,210 --> 00:13:34,447
with three toes forward
and one backward.
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00:13:49,495 --> 00:13:52,632
These birds live only
in the highlands of Ethiopia
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and Eritrea.
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00:13:57,303 --> 00:14:00,139
They thrive here
amongst the peaks.
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00:14:09,716 --> 00:14:13,820
But it's another scavenger that
excels in this vertical realm
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more than any other bird.
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00:14:36,309 --> 00:14:39,612
The cliffs
alongside a cascading waterfall
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00:14:39,612 --> 00:14:44,150
provide perfect nesting sites
for Ruppell's vultures.
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00:14:53,593 --> 00:14:56,596
These birds,
known collectively as a wake,
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00:14:56,596 --> 00:14:58,264
form breeding colonies
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00:14:58,264 --> 00:15:01,734
that can reach
an astounding 2,000 members.
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00:15:11,144 --> 00:15:12,578
The Ruppell's vulture
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is the highest-flying bird
on the planet.
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They can reach heights
of 37,000 feet -
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the same flying altitude
as a commercial airplane.
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00:15:31,130 --> 00:15:35,268
Their entire biochemistry is
specifically adapted for this.
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00:15:39,172 --> 00:15:40,773
Specialized hemoglobin
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00:15:40,773 --> 00:15:44,143
enables the birds to
efficiently absorb more oxygen
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00:15:44,143 --> 00:15:45,711
at low air pressure,
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00:15:48,481 --> 00:15:52,118
allowing them
to survive at such elevations.
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00:16:00,259 --> 00:16:03,629
Weighing in at almost 20 pounds,
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00:16:03,629 --> 00:16:06,399
they are among the largest
of the vultures.
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00:16:12,438 --> 00:16:14,307
In order to lift this bulk
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00:16:14,307 --> 00:16:18,177
their wings spread
to over 8 feet from tip to tip.
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00:16:24,283 --> 00:16:26,452
They have exceptional eyesight,
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00:16:26,452 --> 00:16:29,589
and use the strong thermal winds
to search for carrion
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00:16:29,589 --> 00:16:31,557
on the cliffs below.
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00:16:47,139 --> 00:16:49,575
They'll never hunt live prey,
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00:16:49,575 --> 00:16:51,344
which sometimes means
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00:16:51,344 --> 00:16:55,248
they must fly up to 95 miles
from their roosting site
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in search of dead meat.
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When they find it,
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00:17:01,053 --> 00:17:03,456
their might helps them
make the most of it.
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00:17:11,497 --> 00:17:13,799
With many scavengers
patrolling the peaks,
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00:17:13,799 --> 00:17:15,401
the Ruppell's vultures
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00:17:15,401 --> 00:17:18,437
must often
bully other birds off a carcass.
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00:17:23,609 --> 00:17:26,045
And today will be no different.
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00:17:31,784 --> 00:17:35,488
As the morning heats up and
thermals rise up the mountains,
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00:17:35,488 --> 00:17:38,724
birds of many other species
take to the skies
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00:17:38,724 --> 00:17:40,626
in search of a meal.
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00:17:57,677 --> 00:18:01,213
Although Ruppell's vultures
are the highest fliers,
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00:18:01,213 --> 00:18:04,283
they're not the fastest.
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00:18:11,223 --> 00:18:14,060
A conspiracy
of Thick-billed ravens
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00:18:14,060 --> 00:18:17,363
beats them to the remains
of a small antelope.
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00:18:22,301 --> 00:18:26,072
For these scavengers,
this is the jackpot.
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00:18:32,211 --> 00:18:35,548
They start with the tastiest
section of the animal -
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the intestines
and the precious fat.
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They must eat quickly;
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it won't be long
before other scavengers
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catch drift of the free meal.
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00:19:07,013 --> 00:19:10,983
Like clockwork, more hungry
birds start to arrive.
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00:19:20,359 --> 00:19:22,061
A few Ruppell's vultures
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are the first uninvited guests
to the feast.
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00:19:32,571 --> 00:19:35,207
The intruders
are six times heavier
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than the Thick-billed ravens,
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00:19:40,212 --> 00:19:43,215
so naturally,
the ravens move aside.
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00:19:46,485 --> 00:19:49,422
And the vultures tuck in.
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00:20:27,827 --> 00:20:30,729
Sated,
the Ruppell's vultures leave,
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00:20:30,729 --> 00:20:33,165
and the ravens move back in.
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00:20:36,135 --> 00:20:40,573
One resident glides peacefully
above the commotion.
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00:20:43,709 --> 00:20:47,046
A colossal and rare
Bearded vulture.
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00:20:52,751 --> 00:20:56,055
His wingspan extends to 10 feet.
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00:21:02,828 --> 00:21:05,564
Although the biggest of these
scavengers,
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00:21:05,564 --> 00:21:08,634
he will not disturb
the ongoing feast.
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The meat doesn't interest him.
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00:21:23,315 --> 00:21:25,784
He's after the bones -
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00:21:27,386 --> 00:21:31,157
Which comprise up to 90 percent
of his diet.
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00:21:35,261 --> 00:21:37,296
He finds a perch nearby,
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00:21:37,296 --> 00:21:41,133
and waits for
the meat-eating frenzy to end.
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00:21:48,607 --> 00:21:51,343
A Tawny eagle
plans his approach.
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00:21:56,749 --> 00:22:00,085
His attempt
at a flyby snatch fails
189
00:22:03,822 --> 00:22:06,725
and he descends
to join the fray.
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00:22:10,462 --> 00:22:12,364
Tawny eagles are notorious
191
00:22:12,364 --> 00:22:15,634
for stealing kills from other
predators and scavengers.
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00:22:19,638 --> 00:22:22,508
But the carcass is too heavy
193
00:22:22,508 --> 00:22:26,278
and he must settle for eating
in the company of others.
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00:22:40,192 --> 00:22:42,628
His presence
doesn't go down well
195
00:22:42,628 --> 00:22:45,264
with a returning
Ruppell's vulture.
196
00:22:57,543 --> 00:23:01,213
But eventually
the eagle is allowed to stay.
197
00:23:01,213 --> 00:23:05,017
The ravens continue to
play it safe on the sidelines.
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00:23:12,625 --> 00:23:16,228
Patience appears to be
their only option.
199
00:23:25,738 --> 00:23:28,774
With every morsel
of the antelope devoured,
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00:23:28,774 --> 00:23:30,676
the crowds disperse.
201
00:23:34,213 --> 00:23:35,614
All that is left
202
00:23:35,614 --> 00:23:39,184
is the skeleton.
203
00:23:39,184 --> 00:23:43,522
And now is the time for the
Bearded vulture to descend.
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00:23:47,426 --> 00:23:50,462
These birds
are the only creatures on earth
205
00:23:50,462 --> 00:23:54,066
that feed
almost entirely on bone.
206
00:23:56,769 --> 00:23:59,204
Their incredibly acidic stomachs
207
00:23:59,204 --> 00:24:03,342
can easily digest bones
weighing up to 9 pounds.
208
00:24:22,361 --> 00:24:25,364
It's been a successful afternoon
for the scavengers,
209
00:24:25,364 --> 00:24:28,467
and this meal
will last them a few days.
210
00:24:30,469 --> 00:24:33,505
Nothing goes to waste here.
211
00:24:49,555 --> 00:24:52,157
For the Geladas
on a lower plateau,
212
00:24:52,157 --> 00:24:55,227
feeding
is a far more relaxed affair.
213
00:25:09,341 --> 00:25:12,311
For many of Africa's
other large primates,
214
00:25:12,311 --> 00:25:13,746
first access to food
215
00:25:13,746 --> 00:25:17,516
is a fiercely enforced privilege
of high rankers.
216
00:25:21,420 --> 00:25:23,122
But competition for resources
217
00:25:23,122 --> 00:25:26,191
is virtually non-existent
between Geladas.
218
00:25:31,497 --> 00:25:33,565
The lush grass
that feeds the troop
219
00:25:33,565 --> 00:25:36,668
grows abundantly
in the rich soil,
220
00:25:39,505 --> 00:25:41,940
well watered
by fog and rain.
221
00:25:45,811 --> 00:25:49,381
It's enough to satisfy
even the biggest troop.
222
00:25:57,456 --> 00:26:02,127
Geladas have a distinct feeding
technique of sitting upright,
223
00:26:02,127 --> 00:26:03,662
shuffling forward
224
00:26:03,662 --> 00:26:06,632
as they pluck the tender blades
with opposable thumbs,
225
00:26:16,141 --> 00:26:20,579
And their quadrifid bottoms
provide plenty of cushioning.
226
00:26:28,053 --> 00:26:30,355
Now, after the mid-year rains,
227
00:26:30,355 --> 00:26:35,394
they eat
both lush blades and seeds.
228
00:26:35,394 --> 00:26:39,465
In a month's time many more
grasses will seed, and the grain
229
00:26:39,465 --> 00:26:43,535
will make up as much as 70
percent of the Gelada's diet.
230
00:26:48,674 --> 00:26:51,810
In the drier times
of January and February
231
00:26:51,810 --> 00:26:55,113
they will turn to the rhizomes
for sustenance.
232
00:27:02,454 --> 00:27:04,022
Whatever the season,
233
00:27:04,022 --> 00:27:06,391
they can rely
on the Simiens' grass
234
00:27:06,391 --> 00:27:08,360
to satisfy their hunger.
235
00:27:15,601 --> 00:27:17,636
While the Gelada's staple grass
236
00:27:17,636 --> 00:27:21,440
carpets great swathes
of the plateaus,
237
00:27:21,440 --> 00:27:26,211
there are some species that
occupy only specific niches.
238
00:27:33,318 --> 00:27:35,420
Fiery Red hot pokers
239
00:27:35,420 --> 00:27:38,223
dot the crevices
of the high escarpment
240
00:27:38,223 --> 00:27:41,159
at around 13,000 feet.
241
00:27:44,730 --> 00:27:48,500
Less rain falls in these highest
reaches of the mountains,
242
00:27:48,500 --> 00:27:51,236
meaning more constant sunshine.
243
00:27:55,641 --> 00:27:57,843
Water gathers in gullies,
244
00:27:57,843 --> 00:28:01,580
making a suitable habitat
for these thirsty plants.
245
00:28:05,584 --> 00:28:07,586
With ample light and moisture,
246
00:28:07,586 --> 00:28:10,589
the Red hot pokers
can flower year-round;
247
00:28:15,494 --> 00:28:19,064
Which means they always have
an array of fluttering visitors
248
00:28:19,064 --> 00:28:20,732
drinking their nectar.
249
00:28:30,108 --> 00:28:33,679
Sunbirds and starlings
are the main beneficiaries.
250
00:28:39,651 --> 00:28:41,186
The Red hot poker
251
00:28:41,186 --> 00:28:43,188
has evolved
to take full advantage
252
00:28:43,188 --> 00:28:46,491
of the constant throngs of
hungry birds and insects.
253
00:28:49,494 --> 00:28:52,264
As the plant grows in height,
254
00:28:52,264 --> 00:28:54,733
the flowers blossom
sequentially.
255
00:28:58,303 --> 00:29:01,707
Thus not all flowers
are on display at once,
256
00:29:01,707 --> 00:29:04,509
rationing the nectar
throughout the year.
257
00:29:08,480 --> 00:29:11,783
This increases the plant's
chances of being pollinated,
258
00:29:11,783 --> 00:29:14,319
allowing the species to thrive.
259
00:29:27,132 --> 00:29:28,433
On the plateau above,
260
00:29:28,433 --> 00:29:30,435
the expansive alpine grass
261
00:29:30,435 --> 00:29:33,105
is more than just fodder
for Geladas.
262
00:29:37,409 --> 00:29:41,980
It is home to a female
Abyssinian grass rat.
263
00:29:45,817 --> 00:29:48,754
Although restricted
to Ethiopia and Eritrea,
264
00:29:48,754 --> 00:29:51,623
this species
is plentiful in these areas.
265
00:30:02,167 --> 00:30:05,704
She lacks any defense
against predators,
266
00:30:05,704 --> 00:30:08,106
and must always be alert.
267
00:30:11,109 --> 00:30:14,379
Especially because
she has a pup to care for.
268
00:30:18,083 --> 00:30:21,586
While she goes on the search
for seeds and bugs to eat,
269
00:30:21,586 --> 00:30:25,190
he remains close to the safety
of their burrow.
270
00:30:40,338 --> 00:30:42,274
With the arrival of fog,
271
00:30:42,274 --> 00:30:44,476
the rats' visibility
is compromised
272
00:30:44,476 --> 00:30:48,447
and foraging is especially risky
for the mother.
273
00:30:52,250 --> 00:30:56,188
The hasty homeward dash
comes just in time.
274
00:31:01,226 --> 00:31:06,198
A lurking Augur buzzard is on
the lookout for a tasty snack.
275
00:31:15,507 --> 00:31:17,476
Although
these rodents are hunted
276
00:31:17,476 --> 00:31:19,811
by a variety
of highland predators,
277
00:31:19,811 --> 00:31:22,147
there is one animal
in particular
278
00:31:22,147 --> 00:31:26,051
that specializes
in grass rat stalking.
279
00:31:47,773 --> 00:31:50,709
The Simien or Ethiopian wolf
280
00:31:50,709 --> 00:31:55,347
lives only above 9,800 feet
in Ethiopia's mountaintops.
281
00:32:01,653 --> 00:32:07,092
Fewer than 500 exist
in these restricted domains,
282
00:32:07,092 --> 00:32:11,062
making them
the rarest canid in the world
283
00:32:11,062 --> 00:32:14,399
and Africa's
most threatened carnivore.
284
00:32:19,371 --> 00:32:24,176
They're pack animals, working
together to defend territories,
285
00:32:25,544 --> 00:32:28,680
but always hunting alone.
286
00:32:31,283 --> 00:32:33,552
Highly specialized
in their diet,
287
00:32:33,552 --> 00:32:36,655
grass rats
are at the top of their menu.
288
00:32:43,161 --> 00:32:45,430
The wolf's elongated skull
289
00:32:45,430 --> 00:32:48,400
allows them to reach
into the rat's burrow.
290
00:32:53,738 --> 00:32:57,442
And just as the grass rats
forage during the day,
291
00:32:57,442 --> 00:32:59,978
so too do the wolves.
292
00:33:08,720 --> 00:33:11,389
This female is on the prowl.
293
00:33:13,692 --> 00:33:15,460
Her highly sensitive ears
294
00:33:15,460 --> 00:33:18,530
have picked up some movement
in the grass.
295
00:33:21,266 --> 00:33:23,201
Unaware of the danger,
296
00:33:23,201 --> 00:33:27,239
the mother rat has left their
burrow to forage once again.
297
00:33:44,689 --> 00:33:47,058
A fatal mistake.
298
00:33:48,627 --> 00:33:53,465
The baby will be forced to fend
for himself from now on.
299
00:33:55,100 --> 00:33:56,835
While wolves are arguably
300
00:33:56,835 --> 00:34:01,072
the Simiens'
most special inhabitants,
301
00:34:01,072 --> 00:34:04,109
there is another life form
in these highest reaches
302
00:34:04,109 --> 00:34:07,145
that is undoubtedly
the mountains' strangest.
303
00:34:13,184 --> 00:34:17,355
A plant of absurd proportions
flourishes up here.
304
00:34:21,092 --> 00:34:24,429
It's known as the Giant lobelia.
305
00:34:30,302 --> 00:34:34,205
It's the tallest plant
on the Afro-alpine plateau,
306
00:34:34,205 --> 00:34:38,343
and can reach the height
of a 3 story building.
307
00:34:41,379 --> 00:34:43,181
This conspicuous growth
308
00:34:43,181 --> 00:34:45,850
enables it to cope with
the extreme temperature swings
309
00:34:45,850 --> 00:34:48,420
that occur
high in the mountains.
310
00:34:55,193 --> 00:34:56,561
Temperature fluctuations
311
00:34:56,561 --> 00:34:59,965
are particularly severe
at ground level,
312
00:35:03,301 --> 00:35:05,470
so the lobelia's large stem
313
00:35:05,470 --> 00:35:08,773
helps to protect
its delicate leaves and flowers
314
00:35:08,773 --> 00:35:11,409
by raising them up
above the ground.
315
00:35:14,679 --> 00:35:16,348
Raised in this way,
316
00:35:16,348 --> 00:35:19,084
the flowers can grow
in towering clusters,
317
00:35:20,585 --> 00:35:22,687
called inflorescences,
318
00:35:25,256 --> 00:35:28,460
attracting the usual suspects
to pollinate them.
319
00:35:53,585 --> 00:35:56,588
Even in these highest reaches
of the mountain,
320
00:35:56,588 --> 00:35:59,057
fog is a common visitor.
321
00:36:01,793 --> 00:36:06,331
It nourishes the flora with its
regular supply of moisture.
322
00:36:10,535 --> 00:36:13,338
It rolls
swiftly up the mountain slopes,
323
00:36:13,338 --> 00:36:15,540
enveloping the landscape.
324
00:36:21,479 --> 00:36:24,649
A peculiar shape
looms through the mist -
325
00:36:33,124 --> 00:36:37,762
The impressive horns
of the endangered Walia ibex.
326
00:36:50,208 --> 00:36:53,511
These wild goats
are true highland dwellers,
327
00:36:53,511 --> 00:36:55,246
preferring the highest peaks,
328
00:36:55,246 --> 00:36:58,783
reaching altitudes
of 15,000 feet.
329
00:37:05,790 --> 00:37:10,228
They mostly eat the old, brown
leaves of the Giant lobelia.
330
00:37:14,265 --> 00:37:17,735
These leaves contain fewer
of the poisonous alkaloids
331
00:37:17,735 --> 00:37:20,672
found in the green leaves.
332
00:37:29,080 --> 00:37:32,717
Walia ibex live nowhere
beyond these mountains.
333
00:37:38,823 --> 00:37:41,226
Hunted
to the brink of extinction,
334
00:37:41,226 --> 00:37:45,730
there are now
only 500 remaining in the wild.
335
00:37:47,765 --> 00:37:50,668
The steep cliffs
of the Simien mountains
336
00:37:50,668 --> 00:37:53,605
are their only sanctuary.
337
00:37:55,807 --> 00:37:58,743
Here they are safer.
338
00:38:01,212 --> 00:38:03,481
Few humans dare to venture
339
00:38:03,481 --> 00:38:06,985
where the ibex so casually roam.
340
00:38:11,589 --> 00:38:14,259
They're able
to walk steadily on the cliffs,
341
00:38:14,259 --> 00:38:18,263
well equippe d with their sharp
edged and concaved hooves.
342
00:38:23,501 --> 00:38:26,538
This dominant male
is in charge of a mixed herd
343
00:38:26,538 --> 00:38:29,340
of females
and subordinate males.
344
00:38:30,575 --> 00:38:33,211
Breeding season
is soon approaching,
345
00:38:33,211 --> 00:38:35,747
and he'll likely
have to fight another male
346
00:38:35,747 --> 00:38:38,583
in order to hold onto his harem.
347
00:38:42,120 --> 00:38:46,758
His 3 foot long horns
attest to his seniority,
348
00:38:46,758 --> 00:38:50,695
with every ring
signaling a year of life.
349
00:39:02,240 --> 00:39:05,677
The females differ dramatically
from their leader.
350
00:39:10,715 --> 00:39:13,318
Their horns
are far more slender,
351
00:39:13,318 --> 00:39:16,588
shorter
and less curved than the males'.
352
00:39:30,668 --> 00:39:33,805
These kids were conceived
during a breeding peak
353
00:39:33,805 --> 00:39:36,407
between March and May.
354
00:39:38,610 --> 00:39:42,380
Born in September during
the lush times after the rains,
355
00:39:42,380 --> 00:39:45,516
they have the best possible
start to life.
356
00:39:49,554 --> 00:39:51,522
They're still clumsy,
357
00:39:51,522 --> 00:39:55,426
and have a lot to learn about
their precariously high home.
358
00:40:11,843 --> 00:40:14,479
Back down on the lowest plateau,
359
00:40:14,479 --> 00:40:17,348
the Geladas
have spent the day feeding.
360
00:40:24,722 --> 00:40:28,159
The sun will set in a few hours
and the troop
361
00:40:28,159 --> 00:40:31,696
needs to start their descent
to the cave they will sleep in.
362
00:40:36,100 --> 00:40:39,170
The air is warmer
at the bottom of the mountain,
363
00:40:39,170 --> 00:40:42,073
and makes
for a secure home base.
364
00:40:49,714 --> 00:40:53,584
But, as usual, the youngsters
aren't quite ready to leave.
365
00:40:55,820 --> 00:40:59,757
A game of cat and mouse
delays the departure.
366
00:41:36,527 --> 00:41:39,464
Although Geladas aren't
an aggressive species,
367
00:41:39,464 --> 00:41:41,666
the youngsters
use every opportunity
368
00:41:41,666 --> 00:41:44,802
to play rough in this soft
grassy landscape.
369
00:42:00,818 --> 00:42:04,188
Even the youngest
tries to join in the fun
370
00:42:11,295 --> 00:42:14,132
But mum soon whisks him away.
371
00:42:21,406 --> 00:42:23,408
He's only about a month old
372
00:42:23,408 --> 00:42:26,411
and will be totally dependent
on his mother's milk
373
00:42:26,411 --> 00:42:28,780
for the next eleven months.
374
00:42:36,120 --> 00:42:38,823
Eating grass is completely
unnecessary for him
375
00:42:38,823 --> 00:42:41,058
at this time in his life.
376
00:42:46,497 --> 00:42:50,067
But he still tries his best
to mimic his mother.
377
00:43:03,347 --> 00:43:06,317
As the sun starts to set
over the mountains,
378
00:43:06,317 --> 00:43:10,388
the charismatic Geladas
begin their downward journey.
379
00:43:16,127 --> 00:43:18,763
The adults
have had their share of food,
380
00:43:18,763 --> 00:43:22,033
while the youngsters
have had their share of fun.
381
00:43:34,378 --> 00:43:37,181
The juveniles will soon mature.
382
00:43:38,616 --> 00:43:40,818
And a new generation
of youngsters
383
00:43:40,818 --> 00:43:44,288
will take over the mountain
as their own playground.
384
00:44:26,731 --> 00:44:31,269
In a land of dizzying heights
and sudden precipices,
385
00:44:31,269 --> 00:44:34,238
life treads a fine line.
386
00:44:40,745 --> 00:44:43,314
Isolated from the world below,
387
00:44:43,314 --> 00:44:45,149
these plants and animals
388
00:44:45,149 --> 00:44:48,352
have evolved
to make best use of their lush
389
00:44:48,352 --> 00:44:51,289
but limited environment.
390
00:44:56,327 --> 00:45:01,332
This specialization means
many have nowhere else to go.
391
00:45:22,753 --> 00:45:26,657
The Simien Mountains
National Park
392
00:45:26,657 --> 00:45:31,195
stands as a stronghold of hope
for these creatures.
393
00:45:34,398 --> 00:45:40,104
Here endangered species
can live on.
394
00:45:40,104 --> 00:45:45,109
Making their homes
in the roof of Africa.
395
00:45:49,680 --> 00:45:54,819
♪♪
396
00:45:54,819 --> 00:46:01,759
♪♪
397
00:46:01,759 --> 00:46:08,766
♪♪
398
00:46:08,766 --> 00:46:14,772
♪♪
399
00:46:14,772 --> 00:46:17,975
♪♪
31004
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