Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:00,959 --> 00:00:03,379
♪ ♪
2
00:00:03,378 --> 00:00:05,128
NARRATOR:
They've roamed our planet
3
00:00:05,130 --> 00:00:08,180
for six million years.
4
00:00:08,175 --> 00:00:14,175
♪ ♪
5
00:00:14,181 --> 00:00:15,931
Powerful giants.
6
00:00:15,933 --> 00:00:24,443
♪ ♪
7
00:00:24,441 --> 00:00:27,071
Yet gentle...
8
00:00:27,069 --> 00:00:28,529
and caring.
9
00:00:28,528 --> 00:00:34,578
♪ ♪
10
00:00:34,576 --> 00:00:36,076
(groaning)
11
00:00:36,078 --> 00:00:37,998
♪ ♪
12
00:00:37,996 --> 00:00:40,616
They love...
13
00:00:40,624 --> 00:00:44,384
they grieve...
14
00:00:44,378 --> 00:00:49,588
but there is so much more
to elephants.
15
00:00:49,591 --> 00:00:50,971
DR. PAULA KAHUMBU:
This is amazing.
16
00:00:50,968 --> 00:00:55,218
♪ ♪
17
00:00:55,222 --> 00:00:57,392
NARRATOR: They have
thoughtful conversations.
18
00:00:57,391 --> 00:00:58,931
(rumbling)
19
00:00:58,934 --> 00:01:01,604
DR. JOYCE POOLE:
It’s not just noise.
20
00:01:01,603 --> 00:01:02,813
It has meaning.
21
00:01:02,813 --> 00:01:05,443
♪ ♪
22
00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:09,740
NARRATOR: They negotiate
and make deals.
23
00:01:09,736 --> 00:01:10,986
♪ ♪
24
00:01:10,988 --> 00:01:13,738
They navigate the modern world.
25
00:01:13,740 --> 00:01:14,870
♪ ♪
26
00:01:14,866 --> 00:01:17,116
As we unlock their secrets,
27
00:01:17,119 --> 00:01:23,999
we begin to see just how much
like us elephants really are.
28
00:01:24,001 --> 00:01:30,011
♪ ♪
29
00:01:32,551 --> 00:01:53,531
♪ ♪
30
00:01:53,530 --> 00:01:58,200
For every elephant
that walks the earth,
31
00:01:58,201 --> 00:02:00,331
one thing rings true.
32
00:02:00,329 --> 00:02:05,959
♪ ♪
33
00:02:05,959 --> 00:02:08,169
Their success rests
34
00:02:08,170 --> 00:02:10,840
on the strength
of their relationships.
35
00:02:10,839 --> 00:02:15,929
♪ ♪
36
00:02:15,927 --> 00:02:20,467
For African elephants, nothing
matters more than family.
37
00:02:20,474 --> 00:02:25,194
♪ ♪
38
00:02:25,187 --> 00:02:27,147
And here on the savanna,
39
00:02:27,147 --> 00:02:30,067
they live in the biggest
groups of all.
40
00:02:30,067 --> 00:02:46,417
♪ ♪
41
00:02:50,545 --> 00:02:52,085
(grumbling)
42
00:02:52,089 --> 00:02:55,049
This four-month-old calf
has been born
43
00:02:55,050 --> 00:02:57,800
into a thirty-strong family.
44
00:02:57,803 --> 00:02:59,393
(snort)
45
00:02:59,388 --> 00:03:01,768
(rumbling)
46
00:03:01,765 --> 00:03:03,925
Around him,
a tight-knit network
47
00:03:03,934 --> 00:03:10,194
of aunts, cousins and sisters,
all looking out for each other.
48
00:03:10,190 --> 00:03:12,360
♪ ♪
49
00:03:12,359 --> 00:03:13,399
(trumpet)
50
00:03:13,402 --> 00:03:14,442
(rumbling)
51
00:03:14,444 --> 00:03:17,784
(bird squawking)
52
00:03:17,781 --> 00:03:21,871
His mother is the highest
ranking in this family.
53
00:03:24,871 --> 00:03:27,961
But she faces a major dilemma.
54
00:03:27,958 --> 00:03:31,878
♪ ♪
55
00:03:31,878 --> 00:03:36,218
A brutal dry season
has taken hold in Zimbabwe.
56
00:03:36,216 --> 00:03:37,546
(snort)
57
00:03:39,928 --> 00:03:41,348
(groan)
58
00:03:41,346 --> 00:03:44,636
She knows of a water source,
59
00:03:44,641 --> 00:03:49,271
but to get there, they’ll
have to take a perilous path.
60
00:03:49,271 --> 00:03:59,911
♪ ♪
61
00:04:01,533 --> 00:04:06,583
Dr. Paula Kahumbu is
one step ahead of the herd.
62
00:04:06,580 --> 00:04:09,750
(rumbling)
63
00:04:12,085 --> 00:04:14,835
She's here to find out
how big families navigate
64
00:04:14,838 --> 00:04:17,918
the difficulties
of the harsh climate.
65
00:04:17,924 --> 00:04:19,974
♪ ♪
66
00:04:19,968 --> 00:04:23,678
But in 30 years of studying
savanna elephants,
67
00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:27,020
she’s never witnessed
anything like this.
68
00:04:27,017 --> 00:04:36,027
♪ ♪
69
00:04:36,026 --> 00:04:37,236
DR. PAULA KAHUMBU:
To think that the elephants
70
00:04:37,235 --> 00:04:38,775
have to come from up here...
71
00:04:38,778 --> 00:04:41,658
♪ ♪
72
00:04:41,656 --> 00:04:43,366
...to get to that water.
73
00:04:43,366 --> 00:04:46,116
They’ve got to get
down this cliff.
74
00:04:46,119 --> 00:04:49,459
♪ ♪
75
00:04:49,456 --> 00:04:51,916
It’s already making me feel
very unsteady.
76
00:04:54,503 --> 00:04:56,843
And my legs feel weak.
77
00:04:56,838 --> 00:04:59,468
I can’t imagine what
it’s like for elephants.
78
00:04:59,466 --> 00:05:01,676
Oh, here they come.
79
00:05:01,676 --> 00:05:07,846
♪ ♪
80
00:05:07,849 --> 00:05:09,099
It’s really hot.
81
00:05:09,100 --> 00:05:11,900
They need water.
82
00:05:11,895 --> 00:05:15,605
But they could easily tumble
and fall off these cliffs.
83
00:05:15,607 --> 00:05:20,487
♪ ♪
84
00:05:20,487 --> 00:05:21,607
(snort)
85
00:05:21,613 --> 00:05:23,283
NARRATOR: The decision
to lead her family
86
00:05:23,281 --> 00:05:28,121
over a 600-foot cliff edge
rests with the matriarch.
87
00:05:28,119 --> 00:05:31,329
♪ ♪
88
00:05:31,331 --> 00:05:33,421
It’s a tough choice.
89
00:05:33,416 --> 00:05:35,786
They desperately need water,
90
00:05:35,794 --> 00:05:38,804
but it means a treacherous
descent for her baby.
91
00:05:38,797 --> 00:05:50,057
♪ ♪
92
00:05:50,058 --> 00:05:51,978
(grunt)
93
00:05:51,977 --> 00:05:55,147
Her mind is made up.
94
00:05:55,146 --> 00:05:56,646
(snort)
95
00:05:56,648 --> 00:06:00,438
(rumbling)
96
00:06:00,443 --> 00:06:11,003
♪ ♪
97
00:06:10,996 --> 00:06:14,366
Her sisters seek out
the safest path.
98
00:06:14,374 --> 00:06:21,674
♪ ♪
99
00:06:21,673 --> 00:06:23,633
PAULA: Wow.
100
00:06:23,633 --> 00:06:25,723
Look at that.
101
00:06:25,719 --> 00:06:28,309
Unbelievable.
102
00:06:28,305 --> 00:06:29,885
They reach out with their trunks
103
00:06:29,890 --> 00:06:31,890
and they roll it up
into a little fist
104
00:06:31,892 --> 00:06:34,272
and touch the ground in front,
105
00:06:34,269 --> 00:06:37,439
and then place their foot
exactly where their trunk went
106
00:06:37,439 --> 00:06:39,439
as a way to test the ground.
107
00:06:39,441 --> 00:06:42,281
♪ ♪
108
00:06:42,277 --> 00:06:46,487
Really surprising for me,
I’ve never seen that before.
109
00:06:46,489 --> 00:06:48,739
And they all seem to do it.
110
00:06:48,742 --> 00:07:02,712
♪ ♪
111
00:07:02,714 --> 00:07:06,384
NARRATOR: One slip, and
gravity will take its toll.
112
00:07:06,384 --> 00:07:09,514
♪ ♪
113
00:07:09,512 --> 00:07:12,432
Weighing 3 to 4 tons,
114
00:07:12,432 --> 00:07:16,102
their bodies aren’t built
for such a steep descent.
115
00:07:16,102 --> 00:07:17,562
♪ ♪
116
00:07:17,562 --> 00:07:21,692
Together, the females keep
the youngest calves hemmed in.
117
00:07:21,691 --> 00:07:23,151
(calf squawks)
118
00:07:23,151 --> 00:07:26,071
(clattering)
119
00:07:26,071 --> 00:07:28,531
♪ ♪
120
00:07:28,531 --> 00:07:30,031
(honk)
121
00:07:30,033 --> 00:07:31,453
PAULA: For these little babies,
122
00:07:31,451 --> 00:07:36,081
it’s really hard work
coming down this escarpment.
123
00:07:36,081 --> 00:07:38,881
Their mothers can't turn around
the way they would normally
124
00:07:38,875 --> 00:07:40,955
to reassure their babies.
125
00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:49,260
♪ ♪
126
00:07:49,260 --> 00:07:52,140
So their mothers
reach out behind,
127
00:07:52,138 --> 00:07:54,518
like a soothing touch,
128
00:07:54,516 --> 00:07:57,936
as a way of staying
in contact with each other.
129
00:07:57,936 --> 00:08:01,816
It’s amazing how important
their tails are to them.
130
00:08:01,815 --> 00:08:04,395
(growling)
131
00:08:04,401 --> 00:08:17,871
♪ ♪
132
00:08:17,872 --> 00:08:19,922
(grumbling)
133
00:08:19,916 --> 00:08:27,296
♪ ♪
134
00:08:27,298 --> 00:08:29,838
The matriarch’s son
is really struggling.
135
00:08:29,843 --> 00:08:32,053
It's a particularly
steep slope here,
136
00:08:32,053 --> 00:08:34,313
and this poor little guy
is sliding.
137
00:08:34,305 --> 00:08:39,225
♪ ♪
138
00:08:39,227 --> 00:08:46,227
(rumbling)
139
00:08:46,234 --> 00:08:51,574
♪ ♪
140
00:08:51,573 --> 00:08:53,323
They’re over halfway down now.
141
00:08:53,324 --> 00:08:57,044
They must have at least a couple
of hundred feet left to go.
142
00:08:57,036 --> 00:09:06,296
♪ ♪
143
00:09:06,296 --> 00:09:08,466
(grumbling)
144
00:09:08,465 --> 00:09:12,385
♪ ♪
145
00:09:12,385 --> 00:09:14,135
All of them, even the baby,
146
00:09:14,137 --> 00:09:16,387
have got some streaks
of moisture
147
00:09:16,389 --> 00:09:18,479
on the side of their faces.
148
00:09:18,475 --> 00:09:22,555
And that’s a secretion
that reveals a level of stress.
149
00:09:22,562 --> 00:09:25,482
♪ ♪
150
00:09:25,482 --> 00:09:29,072
The whole family is
in a state of some tension
151
00:09:29,068 --> 00:09:35,158
as they navigate these narrow,
steep paths down this gorge.
152
00:09:35,158 --> 00:09:37,238
(grunting)
153
00:09:37,243 --> 00:09:41,543
(rumbling)
154
00:09:41,539 --> 00:09:46,129
♪ ♪
155
00:09:46,127 --> 00:09:48,207
(trumpeting)
156
00:09:48,213 --> 00:09:54,593
♪ ♪
157
00:09:54,594 --> 00:09:56,854
NARRATOR:
It's an incredible achievement
158
00:09:56,846 --> 00:09:59,216
for such a young calf.
159
00:09:59,224 --> 00:10:05,444
♪ ♪
160
00:10:05,438 --> 00:10:09,818
His mother relied
on her family's support
161
00:10:09,818 --> 00:10:12,278
and the wisdom
of savanna elephants
162
00:10:12,278 --> 00:10:14,318
who’ve gone before her.
163
00:10:14,322 --> 00:10:16,322
♪ ♪
164
00:10:16,324 --> 00:10:18,794
PAULA: The way that these
elephants use this landscape
165
00:10:18,785 --> 00:10:21,195
is something that
has been learned
166
00:10:21,204 --> 00:10:24,674
and passed on from
generation to generation.
167
00:10:24,666 --> 00:10:29,126
♪ ♪
168
00:10:29,128 --> 00:10:31,168
Once the first elephants
figured out
169
00:10:31,172 --> 00:10:35,092
how to navigate this
incredibly treacherous terrain,
170
00:10:35,093 --> 00:10:37,933
they taught the others,
and they taught the others.
171
00:10:37,929 --> 00:10:41,019
And they’ve continued
to use this pathway.
172
00:10:41,015 --> 00:10:44,935
♪ ♪
173
00:10:44,936 --> 00:10:47,606
For generations they'll continue
doing the same things
174
00:10:47,605 --> 00:10:48,935
as part of their culture;
175
00:10:48,940 --> 00:10:51,480
that’s how they
transmit knowledge.
176
00:10:51,484 --> 00:10:55,154
It’s what makes them
so successful as a species.
177
00:10:55,154 --> 00:11:25,064
♪ ♪
178
00:11:25,059 --> 00:11:27,979
NARRATOR:
Relief for the whole family.
179
00:11:27,979 --> 00:11:32,359
♪ ♪
180
00:11:32,358 --> 00:11:35,608
The adults suck up
the 40 gallons of water
181
00:11:35,612 --> 00:11:37,112
they need a day.
182
00:11:37,113 --> 00:11:47,333
♪ ♪
183
00:11:47,332 --> 00:11:51,002
While the calves enjoy a muddy
reward for their efforts.
184
00:11:51,002 --> 00:11:52,422
♪ ♪
185
00:11:52,420 --> 00:11:54,170
(snort)
186
00:11:54,172 --> 00:12:00,552
♪ ♪
187
00:12:00,553 --> 00:12:04,773
For the next 14 years or so,
this baby's female relatives
188
00:12:04,766 --> 00:12:07,306
will continue to share
their knowhow.
189
00:12:07,310 --> 00:12:11,060
♪ ♪
190
00:12:11,064 --> 00:12:15,404
But like all males,
when he reaches adolescence,
191
00:12:15,401 --> 00:12:17,531
he'll leave the family
192
00:12:17,528 --> 00:12:20,948
and have to find his own way
on the savanna.
193
00:12:22,033 --> 00:12:27,373
♪ ♪
194
00:12:27,372 --> 00:12:29,962
This vast, wooded grassland
195
00:12:29,958 --> 00:12:33,168
stretches across
27 African countries.
196
00:12:33,169 --> 00:12:35,629
♪ ♪
197
00:12:35,630 --> 00:12:39,470
An area larger than
the entire United States.
198
00:12:39,467 --> 00:12:44,507
♪ ♪
199
00:12:44,514 --> 00:12:47,274
The habitat
can support huge herds.
200
00:12:47,266 --> 00:12:50,846
♪ ♪
201
00:12:50,853 --> 00:12:53,903
And the largest mammals
to walk the earth.
202
00:12:53,898 --> 00:12:56,648
♪ ♪
203
00:12:56,651 --> 00:12:59,821
The abundance of food and space
204
00:12:59,821 --> 00:13:03,571
allows their extended families
to roam together.
205
00:13:03,574 --> 00:13:05,834
♪ ♪
206
00:13:05,827 --> 00:13:08,867
But, in this
spectacular wilderness,
207
00:13:08,871 --> 00:13:11,081
the success of every family
208
00:13:11,082 --> 00:13:14,002
depends on their ability
to communicate.
209
00:13:14,002 --> 00:13:22,262
♪ ♪
210
00:13:22,260 --> 00:13:27,390
(rumbling)
211
00:13:27,390 --> 00:13:33,440
♪ ♪
212
00:13:33,438 --> 00:13:37,648
For the last 48 years,
Dr. Joyce Poole
213
00:13:37,650 --> 00:13:41,820
has been eavesdropping
on elephant families.
214
00:13:41,821 --> 00:13:44,781
(Joyce snoring)
215
00:13:44,782 --> 00:13:46,122
(elephant grumbling)
216
00:13:46,117 --> 00:13:48,487
Learning their language.
217
00:13:50,747 --> 00:13:53,247
DR. JOYCE POOLE:
I speak to elephants.
218
00:13:53,249 --> 00:13:56,839
I rumble to them
if they seem upset.
219
00:13:56,836 --> 00:13:59,626
I say hello and things.
220
00:13:59,630 --> 00:14:03,380
Their vocabulary is very large.
221
00:14:05,678 --> 00:14:10,018
Elephants have
over 30 vocalizations.
222
00:14:10,016 --> 00:14:12,136
There are rumbles,
the low-frequency calls,
223
00:14:12,143 --> 00:14:13,903
there are roars.
224
00:14:13,895 --> 00:14:15,645
There are trumpets.
225
00:14:15,646 --> 00:14:18,436
There are cries.
226
00:14:18,441 --> 00:14:22,361
(elephant roaring)
227
00:14:22,361 --> 00:14:24,821
Wants to suckle.
228
00:14:24,822 --> 00:14:25,822
(honk)
229
00:14:25,823 --> 00:14:28,033
Yeah. Ahh-roo.
230
00:14:28,034 --> 00:14:30,664
So that’s when it escalates.
231
00:14:30,661 --> 00:14:34,251
That's when the suckle rumble
didn't work
232
00:14:34,248 --> 00:14:35,708
and then you have to escalate,
233
00:14:35,708 --> 00:14:39,128
so saying "Mom,
put your leg forward."
234
00:14:41,339 --> 00:14:44,839
Mama’s not being
very cooperative.
235
00:14:53,184 --> 00:14:57,694
There’s an allomother,
just like a babysitter.
236
00:14:57,688 --> 00:15:03,278
She doesn’t have any milk,
but she can comfort the baby.
237
00:15:03,277 --> 00:15:06,857
Females from the age of
about three, four years old
238
00:15:06,864 --> 00:15:09,454
will try and take care
of babies.
239
00:15:09,450 --> 00:15:11,660
♪ ♪
240
00:15:11,661 --> 00:15:15,921
(rumbling)
241
00:15:15,915 --> 00:15:17,995
That was called a baroo-rumble.
242
00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:21,300
It’s a kind of "aagh-ooo."
243
00:15:21,295 --> 00:15:23,755
Like, "oh, poor me."
244
00:15:23,756 --> 00:15:26,676
(rumbling)
245
00:15:26,676 --> 00:15:30,596
And the allomother responding
with a reassuring coo-rumble.
246
00:15:30,596 --> 00:15:35,266
(rumbling)
247
00:15:35,268 --> 00:15:36,938
Okay.
248
00:15:36,936 --> 00:15:38,686
That’s lovely.
249
00:15:40,982 --> 00:15:43,072
See how reaching back there,
250
00:15:43,067 --> 00:15:48,947
she’s trying to show the baby
where to suckle.
251
00:15:48,948 --> 00:15:51,658
(rumbling)
252
00:15:51,659 --> 00:15:54,159
So even though the allomother
253
00:15:54,162 --> 00:15:57,752
is not able to produce milk
like Mom does,
254
00:15:57,748 --> 00:16:02,708
she does provide comfort,
and that forms a close bond.
255
00:16:02,712 --> 00:16:05,172
♪ ♪
256
00:16:05,173 --> 00:16:09,683
(rumbling)
257
00:16:09,677 --> 00:16:11,217
He's still making
that little sound,
258
00:16:11,220 --> 00:16:13,600
that's like I want,
it's a, it's a suckle rumble,
259
00:16:13,598 --> 00:16:16,598
but it’s a more complaining one.
260
00:16:16,601 --> 00:16:19,021
Obviously it’s not
getting any milk.
261
00:16:19,020 --> 00:16:25,940
♪ ♪
262
00:16:25,943 --> 00:16:32,243
Okay, now it’s going to Mom
to get some real milk.
263
00:16:32,241 --> 00:16:34,741
♪ ♪
264
00:16:34,744 --> 00:16:36,794
(rumbling)
265
00:16:36,787 --> 00:16:38,207
Argghh...
266
00:16:38,206 --> 00:16:39,616
Suckle rumble.
267
00:16:39,624 --> 00:16:44,304
There, she puts her leg forward
to let the calf suckle.
268
00:16:44,295 --> 00:16:47,465
♪ ♪
269
00:16:47,465 --> 00:16:49,295
Very cute.
270
00:16:49,300 --> 00:16:55,140
♪ ♪
271
00:16:55,139 --> 00:16:56,889
NARRATOR: After decades
decoding the calls
272
00:16:56,891 --> 00:16:59,061
of savanna elephants,
273
00:16:59,060 --> 00:17:00,810
Joyce has discovered a language
274
00:17:00,811 --> 00:17:04,441
more elaborate
than we ever imagined.
275
00:17:08,027 --> 00:17:11,817
(elephant roaring)
276
00:17:11,822 --> 00:17:15,032
JOYCE: Elephants do combine
different types of calls.
277
00:17:15,034 --> 00:17:18,664
They can combine and make
a rumble-roar-rumble.
278
00:17:18,663 --> 00:17:22,963
Or a roar-rumble
or a rumble-trumpet.
279
00:17:22,959 --> 00:17:24,839
A snort-trumpet.
280
00:17:24,835 --> 00:17:28,295
(rumble-roar)
281
00:17:28,297 --> 00:17:30,257
What we don't know is whether,
282
00:17:30,258 --> 00:17:35,008
by combining those
two different types,
283
00:17:35,012 --> 00:17:37,722
they’re making,
in a sense, a new word.
284
00:17:37,723 --> 00:17:39,893
(rumbling)
285
00:17:39,892 --> 00:17:44,692
Elephant conversations
can be incredibly complex.
286
00:17:44,689 --> 00:17:49,279
All of their rumbles contain
infrasonic components,
287
00:17:49,277 --> 00:17:51,817
that is, below the level
of human hearing.
288
00:17:51,821 --> 00:17:54,031
(rumbling)
289
00:17:54,031 --> 00:17:57,121
And elephants can hear
these powerful rumbles
290
00:17:57,118 --> 00:17:59,698
from miles away.
291
00:17:59,704 --> 00:18:02,754
And also pick them up
as vibrations
292
00:18:02,748 --> 00:18:06,088
through their feet and trunk.
293
00:18:06,085 --> 00:18:08,165
Sometimes they can
back-and-forth
294
00:18:08,170 --> 00:18:11,920
for up to an hour.
295
00:18:11,924 --> 00:18:15,304
Literally having
a kind of conversation.
296
00:18:15,303 --> 00:18:17,143
They're having a discussion
about something,
297
00:18:17,138 --> 00:18:19,808
it’s very obvious.
298
00:18:19,807 --> 00:18:23,057
It’s not just noise.
299
00:18:23,060 --> 00:18:24,600
It has meaning.
300
00:18:24,604 --> 00:18:27,864
♪ ♪
301
00:18:27,857 --> 00:18:29,687
They’re so like us.
302
00:18:29,692 --> 00:18:33,362
They communicate about some
of the same things that we do,
303
00:18:33,362 --> 00:18:37,032
and this communication
is part of the glue
304
00:18:37,033 --> 00:18:39,413
that holds
the whole family together.
305
00:18:39,410 --> 00:18:42,960
♪ ♪
306
00:18:42,955 --> 00:18:48,785
NARRATOR: Negotiating, planning
and caring for one another.
307
00:18:48,794 --> 00:18:55,184
Savanna elephants are the most
sociable of all elephants.
308
00:18:55,176 --> 00:18:58,176
And the need to be part
of a big family
309
00:18:58,179 --> 00:19:01,139
is deep-rooted in their DNA.
310
00:19:06,562 --> 00:19:10,862
But for males,
puberty means independence.
311
00:19:10,858 --> 00:19:22,658
♪ ♪
312
00:19:22,662 --> 00:19:25,752
Roaming up to 15 miles a day,
313
00:19:25,748 --> 00:19:30,588
they search for food,
water and mates...
314
00:19:30,586 --> 00:19:35,296
across a landscape
that’s changing fast.
315
00:19:35,299 --> 00:19:44,349
♪ ♪
316
00:19:44,350 --> 00:19:47,440
What was once pristine savanna
317
00:19:47,436 --> 00:19:50,896
is now human settlement
and farmland.
318
00:19:50,898 --> 00:19:56,108
♪ ♪
319
00:19:56,112 --> 00:19:58,162
Elephants that trespass
320
00:19:58,155 --> 00:20:00,565
run the risk
of conflict with people.
321
00:20:00,574 --> 00:20:04,914
♪ ♪
322
00:20:04,912 --> 00:20:10,502
So, bulls stick together
for companionship and safety.
323
00:20:10,501 --> 00:20:16,011
♪ ♪
324
00:20:19,635 --> 00:20:21,925
♪ ♪
325
00:20:21,929 --> 00:20:23,259
It's a daunting time
326
00:20:23,264 --> 00:20:27,314
for young males venturing
into adulthood.
327
00:20:27,309 --> 00:20:31,149
Jasiri is 12 years old.
328
00:20:31,147 --> 00:20:32,647
(grunt)
329
00:20:32,648 --> 00:20:34,938
Like many preteens,
he's bold...
330
00:20:34,942 --> 00:20:36,362
(growls)
331
00:20:36,360 --> 00:20:38,650
...and prone to taking risks.
332
00:20:38,654 --> 00:20:44,204
♪ ♪
333
00:20:44,201 --> 00:20:47,081
He’s known this gang of friends
since childhood.
334
00:20:47,079 --> 00:20:53,209
♪ ♪
335
00:20:53,210 --> 00:20:58,420
Where play fights
were once for fun,
336
00:20:58,424 --> 00:21:00,514
sparring now plays a vital role
337
00:21:00,509 --> 00:21:04,009
in building skills,
strength and confidence.
338
00:21:04,013 --> 00:21:05,103
♪ ♪
339
00:21:05,097 --> 00:21:06,137
(snort)
340
00:21:06,140 --> 00:21:10,350
♪ ♪
341
00:21:10,352 --> 00:21:11,562
(tusks clacking)
342
00:21:11,562 --> 00:21:13,732
(snort)
343
00:21:13,731 --> 00:21:17,901
(clacking)
344
00:21:17,902 --> 00:21:19,112
(snort)
345
00:21:19,111 --> 00:21:23,571
♪ ♪
346
00:21:23,574 --> 00:21:24,784
(snort)
347
00:21:24,784 --> 00:21:35,424
♪ ♪
348
00:21:36,378 --> 00:21:38,588
Jasiri is proving himself.
349
00:21:38,589 --> 00:21:41,179
♪ ♪
350
00:21:41,175 --> 00:21:43,135
(snort)
351
00:21:43,135 --> 00:21:44,715
But he'll need a mentor
352
00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:47,770
if he’s to navigate
life on the savanna.
353
00:21:47,765 --> 00:21:49,305
♪ ♪
354
00:21:49,308 --> 00:21:52,058
And he has set his sights high.
355
00:21:52,061 --> 00:21:58,731
♪ ♪
356
00:21:58,734 --> 00:22:03,244
Standing close to 11 feet
at the shoulder,
357
00:22:03,239 --> 00:22:07,409
this is one of
the biggest bulls around.
358
00:22:07,409 --> 00:22:12,119
♪ ♪
359
00:22:12,122 --> 00:22:15,172
Approaching a hero
is always intimidating.
360
00:22:15,167 --> 00:22:22,837
♪ ♪
361
00:22:22,842 --> 00:22:27,972
Jasiri won’t match him for size
for another 25 years.
362
00:22:27,972 --> 00:22:30,432
♪ ♪
363
00:22:30,432 --> 00:22:32,522
But he holds his nerve.
364
00:22:32,518 --> 00:22:36,768
♪ ♪
365
00:22:36,772 --> 00:22:40,532
He keeps following.
366
00:22:40,526 --> 00:22:43,236
If Jasiri can join
the older bulls,
367
00:22:43,237 --> 00:22:47,487
he’ll have the benefit
of their wisdom and protection.
368
00:22:47,491 --> 00:22:58,091
♪ ♪
369
00:22:58,085 --> 00:23:00,205
PAULA: Not much is really known
about the bulls.
370
00:23:00,212 --> 00:23:02,012
We tend to think of them
as loners.
371
00:23:02,006 --> 00:23:03,876
But now we're beginning
to understand
372
00:23:03,882 --> 00:23:08,892
that their social lives are
much more complex than that.
373
00:23:08,888 --> 00:23:11,308
NARRATOR: Paula Kahumbu
is on home turf,
374
00:23:11,307 --> 00:23:13,977
catching up
with some old friends.
375
00:23:13,976 --> 00:23:16,806
PAULA: Jasiri is much younger
than any of these bulls,
376
00:23:16,812 --> 00:23:18,772
but he wants to be
in their gang.
377
00:23:18,772 --> 00:23:20,982
They have the ultimate leader.
378
00:23:20,983 --> 00:23:24,283
♪ ♪
379
00:23:24,278 --> 00:23:25,948
This is Tolstoy.
380
00:23:25,946 --> 00:23:26,986
He’s magnificent.
381
00:23:26,989 --> 00:23:29,119
He’s 51 years old.
382
00:23:29,116 --> 00:23:33,366
He’s a hero for all the bulls
in this area.
383
00:23:33,370 --> 00:23:35,910
His tusks are almost
too long to walk.
384
00:23:35,914 --> 00:23:40,794
You can see he has to raise his
head to walk through vegetation.
385
00:23:40,794 --> 00:23:42,554
He’s like a mammoth.
386
00:23:42,546 --> 00:23:45,546
♪ ♪
387
00:23:45,549 --> 00:23:48,759
We’re so lucky to have
these super tuskers.
388
00:23:48,761 --> 00:23:53,101
There are only about 25
left in the world.
389
00:23:53,098 --> 00:23:57,188
Each tusk weighs
well over 100 pounds,
390
00:23:57,186 --> 00:24:01,766
and that’s why so many have been
killed by ivory poachers.
391
00:24:01,774 --> 00:24:04,404
♪ ♪
392
00:24:04,401 --> 00:24:07,491
Even though Tolstoy
is coming up from behind,
393
00:24:07,488 --> 00:24:09,988
he's probably the one deciding
where they go,
394
00:24:09,990 --> 00:24:12,620
when they go and what they do.
395
00:24:12,618 --> 00:24:17,538
(rumbling)
396
00:24:17,539 --> 00:24:20,499
♪ ♪
397
00:24:20,501 --> 00:24:23,751
Tolstoy is the king
of this group.
398
00:24:23,754 --> 00:24:25,264
He’s beautiful.
399
00:24:25,255 --> 00:24:29,005
♪ ♪
400
00:24:29,009 --> 00:24:30,639
One of the most amazing things
401
00:24:30,636 --> 00:24:32,846
that you see
with the super tuskers
402
00:24:32,846 --> 00:24:39,136
is that they are surrounded by
this group of other large bulls.
403
00:24:39,144 --> 00:24:41,944
The local people around here
call them their askaris,
404
00:24:41,939 --> 00:24:44,359
and that means their bodyguards.
405
00:24:46,193 --> 00:24:48,863
His tusks are so long,
that makes him vulnerable
406
00:24:48,862 --> 00:24:51,072
to anybody who wants
to attack him.
407
00:24:51,073 --> 00:25:00,623
♪ ♪
408
00:25:00,624 --> 00:25:04,964
(rumbling)
409
00:25:04,962 --> 00:25:07,972
Tolstoy is calling,
and they’re all gathering.
410
00:25:13,846 --> 00:25:16,346
♪ ♪
411
00:25:16,348 --> 00:25:20,638
They are eating together.
412
00:25:20,644 --> 00:25:22,274
They're actually
facing each other,
413
00:25:22,271 --> 00:25:25,191
that shows that there's
a lot of trust
414
00:25:25,190 --> 00:25:27,900
and camaraderie amongst them.
415
00:25:27,901 --> 00:25:29,071
They’re like a family.
416
00:25:29,069 --> 00:25:37,619
♪ ♪
417
00:25:37,619 --> 00:25:39,709
There’s Jasiri sneaking in.
418
00:25:39,705 --> 00:25:47,295
♪ ♪
419
00:25:47,296 --> 00:25:51,296
I can imagine every kid
would want to go and hang out
420
00:25:51,300 --> 00:25:56,680
with the big, strong, powerful,
successful giants like Tolstoy.
421
00:25:56,680 --> 00:25:59,020
(roaring)
422
00:25:59,016 --> 00:26:01,806
♪ ♪
423
00:26:01,810 --> 00:26:04,940
Jasiri was
clearly irritating
424
00:26:04,938 --> 00:26:07,188
the big guy
with the broken tusk.
425
00:26:07,191 --> 00:26:10,901
♪ ♪
426
00:26:10,903 --> 00:26:14,163
In the family groups, the babies
get the best of everything.
427
00:26:14,156 --> 00:26:18,486
But in the male group,
you have to respect the elders.
428
00:26:20,162 --> 00:26:24,212
(snapping)
429
00:26:24,208 --> 00:26:25,458
(gasps)
430
00:26:25,459 --> 00:26:27,589
Oh, my God, he's gonna
bring down the whole tree.
431
00:26:27,586 --> 00:26:29,626
Everyone’s getting
super excited about this.
432
00:26:34,676 --> 00:26:39,966
(cracking)
433
00:26:42,851 --> 00:26:44,191
(snort)
434
00:26:46,730 --> 00:26:48,730
That was a success.
435
00:26:48,732 --> 00:26:51,282
They brought down the tree,
and they didn’t hurt anybody.
436
00:26:51,276 --> 00:26:53,106
And now it’s time to feast.
437
00:26:53,112 --> 00:26:55,572
Jasiri is terrified
of being beaten up again,
438
00:26:55,572 --> 00:27:00,582
so he's off to the side,
trying to avoid
439
00:27:00,577 --> 00:27:02,907
coming head to head
with that big bull again.
440
00:27:02,913 --> 00:27:05,293
♪ ♪
441
00:27:05,290 --> 00:27:06,830
(rumbling)
442
00:27:06,834 --> 00:27:11,004
You can see a lot of jostling
and positioning going on here.
443
00:27:11,004 --> 00:27:14,384
There’s definitely a hierarchy.
444
00:27:14,383 --> 00:27:19,853
When you look at Tolstoy, it’s
very clear that he’s in charge.
445
00:27:19,847 --> 00:27:24,137
But he's not a fierce,
aggressive leader.
446
00:27:24,142 --> 00:27:25,642
He’s really gentle.
447
00:27:25,644 --> 00:27:27,864
He’s very tolerant.
448
00:27:27,855 --> 00:27:29,645
It’s hard not to like him.
449
00:27:29,648 --> 00:27:34,148
♪ ♪
450
00:27:38,115 --> 00:27:39,775
NARRATOR:
Just like the females,
451
00:27:39,783 --> 00:27:42,743
bull elephants have
close friendships.
452
00:27:45,998 --> 00:27:48,788
But all elephants
have become vulnerable targets
453
00:27:48,792 --> 00:27:50,212
for poachers.
454
00:27:50,210 --> 00:27:55,760
(rumbling)
455
00:27:55,757 --> 00:28:00,347
And more young elephants
are finding themselves alone.
456
00:28:00,345 --> 00:28:04,215
♪ ♪
457
00:28:08,604 --> 00:28:10,524
(snort)
458
00:28:10,522 --> 00:28:12,982
♪ ♪
459
00:28:12,983 --> 00:28:15,533
Nzou was just two years old
460
00:28:15,527 --> 00:28:19,027
when her entire family
was killed by poachers.
461
00:28:19,031 --> 00:28:21,911
♪ ♪
462
00:28:21,909 --> 00:28:24,829
She was orphaned
for their ivory.
463
00:28:24,828 --> 00:28:26,368
(snort)
464
00:28:26,371 --> 00:28:35,511
♪ ♪
465
00:28:35,505 --> 00:28:41,005
Rescuers tried to introduce her
to other elephants,
466
00:28:41,011 --> 00:28:43,011
but Nzou didn’t fit in.
467
00:28:43,013 --> 00:28:46,563
♪ ♪
468
00:28:46,558 --> 00:28:47,848
(snort)
469
00:28:47,851 --> 00:28:58,491
♪ ♪
470
00:28:58,487 --> 00:29:00,357
(bird chirping)
471
00:29:00,364 --> 00:29:01,784
♪ ♪
472
00:29:01,782 --> 00:29:05,992
Her need for a family
never faded.
473
00:29:05,994 --> 00:29:09,214
So she took matters
into her own hands.
474
00:29:13,043 --> 00:29:14,713
(zebra snorts)
475
00:29:14,711 --> 00:29:18,091
♪ ♪
476
00:29:18,090 --> 00:29:21,430
Nzou is now 50 years old
477
00:29:21,426 --> 00:29:24,546
and part of an altogether
different clan.
478
00:29:24,554 --> 00:29:29,814
♪ ♪
479
00:29:29,810 --> 00:29:34,940
She is matriarch to her
very own herd of buffaloes.
480
00:29:34,940 --> 00:29:39,440
(buffalo lowing)
481
00:29:39,444 --> 00:29:43,454
(rumbling)
482
00:29:43,448 --> 00:29:45,948
And it appears
her misfit family
483
00:29:45,951 --> 00:29:49,541
has even learned
to understand her rumbles.
484
00:29:49,538 --> 00:29:55,248
(rumbling)
485
00:29:55,252 --> 00:29:59,842
She may think she's one
of them, but unlike buffaloes,
486
00:29:59,840 --> 00:30:02,630
elephants like to eat
on the move.
487
00:30:02,634 --> 00:30:05,434
♪ ♪
488
00:30:05,429 --> 00:30:07,009
(rumbling)
489
00:30:07,014 --> 00:30:12,894
So for 16 hours a day, they
must follow as she browses.
490
00:30:12,894 --> 00:30:19,574
♪ ♪
491
00:30:19,568 --> 00:30:22,608
Nzou’s instinct to lead
is strong.
492
00:30:22,612 --> 00:30:26,282
♪ ♪
493
00:30:26,283 --> 00:30:30,663
But she’s missed out on years
of learning from her elders.
494
00:30:30,662 --> 00:30:35,962
She's had to figure out
her own management style...
495
00:30:35,959 --> 00:30:38,419
(trumpeting)
496
00:30:38,420 --> 00:30:40,670
...to keep her
extraordinary family
497
00:30:40,672 --> 00:30:42,972
disciplined and on track.
498
00:30:42,966 --> 00:30:59,516
♪ ♪
499
00:30:59,524 --> 00:31:00,984
(trumpets)
500
00:31:00,984 --> 00:31:03,574
♪ ♪
501
00:31:03,570 --> 00:31:07,990
From an early age, elephants
are hardwired to be sociable.
502
00:31:10,410 --> 00:31:11,910
And it's now known
503
00:31:11,912 --> 00:31:15,792
that friends help relieve
the stress of traumatic events.
504
00:31:15,791 --> 00:31:28,931
♪ ♪
505
00:31:28,929 --> 00:31:33,179
This very special herd is
made up entirely of toddlers.
506
00:31:33,183 --> 00:31:35,693
(rumbling)
507
00:31:35,685 --> 00:31:37,395
♪ ♪
508
00:31:37,395 --> 00:31:42,725
Each one an orphan
with its own devastating story
509
00:31:42,734 --> 00:31:47,074
of habitat loss,
human conflict or drought.
510
00:31:47,072 --> 00:31:50,032
♪ ♪
511
00:31:50,033 --> 00:31:52,583
Up to 25 young elephants
are taken in
512
00:31:52,577 --> 00:31:57,787
at the Reteti Sanctuary
each year,
513
00:31:57,791 --> 00:32:04,301
joining one big, adopted family
on the long road to recovery,
514
00:32:04,297 --> 00:32:08,587
as they learn the lessons
needed to return to the wild.
515
00:32:08,593 --> 00:32:27,073
♪ ♪
516
00:32:27,070 --> 00:32:31,700
Among them is Long’uro.
517
00:32:31,700 --> 00:32:36,250
Hyenas found him
trapped in a well...
518
00:32:36,246 --> 00:32:39,536
and left him with
a life-changing injury.
519
00:32:39,541 --> 00:32:42,711
♪ ♪
520
00:32:42,711 --> 00:32:44,961
His buddies are able
to use their trunks
521
00:32:44,963 --> 00:32:48,593
to select a single leaf
522
00:32:48,592 --> 00:32:50,842
and tackle whole branches.
523
00:32:50,844 --> 00:32:57,434
♪ ♪
524
00:32:57,434 --> 00:32:58,944
(rumbling)
525
00:32:58,935 --> 00:33:02,975
But Long’uro struggles
for even slim pickings.
526
00:33:02,981 --> 00:33:09,531
♪ ♪
527
00:33:09,529 --> 00:33:12,279
(grumbling)
528
00:33:12,282 --> 00:33:20,462
♪ ♪
529
00:33:20,457 --> 00:33:23,917
But then, something remarkable.
530
00:33:23,919 --> 00:33:32,089
♪ ♪
531
00:33:32,093 --> 00:33:33,853
(rumbling)
532
00:33:33,845 --> 00:33:39,805
♪ ♪
533
00:33:39,809 --> 00:33:41,599
(snort)
534
00:33:41,603 --> 00:33:53,453
♪ ♪
535
00:33:53,448 --> 00:33:55,988
A simple act of kindness.
536
00:33:55,992 --> 00:33:58,372
♪ ♪
537
00:33:58,370 --> 00:34:01,580
Recognition of a friend in need.
538
00:34:01,581 --> 00:34:04,131
♪ ♪
539
00:34:04,125 --> 00:34:10,295
(trumpeting)
540
00:34:10,298 --> 00:34:14,138
For elephants that can live
for over 60 years,
541
00:34:14,135 --> 00:34:19,015
these bonds of friendship
are essential
542
00:34:19,015 --> 00:34:22,015
and destined to last
a lifetime.
543
00:34:22,018 --> 00:34:31,148
♪ ♪
544
00:34:31,152 --> 00:34:33,862
But within one generation,
545
00:34:33,863 --> 00:34:37,743
60% of savanna elephants
have been lost.
546
00:34:41,246 --> 00:34:47,286
On average, 55 are killed
illegally every day.
547
00:34:47,294 --> 00:34:58,474
♪ ♪
548
00:34:59,431 --> 00:35:01,521
(wind whistling)
549
00:35:01,516 --> 00:35:08,606
♪ ♪
550
00:35:08,606 --> 00:35:11,646
An eerie silence
on the savanna.
551
00:35:11,651 --> 00:35:13,991
♪ ♪
552
00:35:13,987 --> 00:35:16,237
An icon has fallen.
553
00:35:16,239 --> 00:35:19,989
♪ ♪
554
00:35:19,993 --> 00:35:23,163
The mighty Tolstoy is dead.
555
00:35:23,163 --> 00:35:28,003
♪ ♪
556
00:35:28,001 --> 00:35:31,881
Infection spread
from a spear wound
557
00:35:31,880 --> 00:35:34,590
after he strayed
onto farmland.
558
00:35:34,591 --> 00:35:36,551
♪ ♪
559
00:35:36,551 --> 00:35:41,811
Rangers have removed his famous
ivory to keep it from poachers.
560
00:35:45,310 --> 00:35:46,520
PAULA: The death of Tolstoy
561
00:35:46,519 --> 00:35:51,019
is a big shock
to everyone who knows him.
562
00:35:53,151 --> 00:36:00,281
I feel very sad that
this amazing animal, um,
563
00:36:00,283 --> 00:36:04,163
is, is gone because
he was looking for food.
564
00:36:04,162 --> 00:36:08,332
That’s all he was doing,
looking for food.
565
00:36:08,333 --> 00:36:11,133
Losing such an important animal
566
00:36:11,127 --> 00:36:14,837
says a lot about our failure
to deal with the challenges
567
00:36:14,839 --> 00:36:18,589
of people living
close to elephants.
568
00:36:18,593 --> 00:36:23,103
Tolstoy isn’t just
any other elephant.
569
00:36:23,098 --> 00:36:28,938
The younger bulls went to him
for his wisdom and guidance.
570
00:36:28,937 --> 00:36:33,397
And losing him might put them
in some disarray
571
00:36:33,400 --> 00:36:35,780
because he was so valuable
572
00:36:35,777 --> 00:36:39,317
in terms of his role
in his community,
573
00:36:39,322 --> 00:36:44,992
his role among elephants
and his place in our hearts.
574
00:36:44,994 --> 00:36:56,554
♪ ♪
575
00:36:56,548 --> 00:36:58,548
NARRATOR: Word spreads fast.
576
00:36:58,550 --> 00:37:04,890
♪ ♪
577
00:37:04,889 --> 00:37:09,599
One by one, his friends
and family arrive
578
00:37:09,602 --> 00:37:12,942
to pay their respects,
579
00:37:12,939 --> 00:37:16,359
each gently touching his body.
580
00:37:19,863 --> 00:37:21,783
(grunts)
581
00:37:21,781 --> 00:37:24,831
There’s a ritual
to their grief.
582
00:37:24,826 --> 00:37:41,466
♪ ♪
583
00:37:41,468 --> 00:37:44,678
Their actions speak
to the depth of their bonds.
584
00:37:44,679 --> 00:37:47,929
(rumbling)
585
00:37:47,932 --> 00:37:51,562
Bonds that endure beyond death.
586
00:37:51,561 --> 00:38:10,291
♪ ♪
587
00:38:10,288 --> 00:38:17,168
For savanna elephants,
family really is everything.
588
00:38:17,170 --> 00:38:22,260
It's their support,
their friendships
589
00:38:22,258 --> 00:38:24,838
and their deepest connections.
590
00:38:24,844 --> 00:38:28,604
♪ ♪
591
00:38:28,598 --> 00:38:32,388
But most of all,
it's the gift of wisdom
592
00:38:32,393 --> 00:38:35,103
to help the next generation
find its way...
593
00:38:35,104 --> 00:38:40,074
♪ ♪
594
00:38:40,068 --> 00:38:44,738
...and their best hope of
survival in a changing world.
595
00:38:44,739 --> 00:39:05,719
♪ ♪
596
00:39:05,718 --> 00:39:07,598
Captioned by
Side Door Media Services
597
00:39:07,648 --> 00:39:12,198
Repair and Synchronization by
Easy Subtitles Synchronizer 1.0.0.0
41059
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.
Afrikaans
Albanian
Amharic
Arabic
Armenian
Azerbaijani
Basque
Belarusian
Bengali
Bosnian
Bulgarian
Catalan
Cebuano
Chichewa
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Corsican
Croatian
Czech
Danish
English
Esperanto
Estonian
Finnish
Frisian
Galician
Georgian
German
Greek
Gujarati
Haitian Creole
Hawaiian
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Kazakh
Khmer
Korean
Kurdish (Kurmanji)
Kyrgyz
Lao
Latvian
Lithuanian
Luxembourgish
Macedonian
Malagasy
Malay
Maltese
Maori
Mongolian
Myanmar (Burmese)
Nepali
Norwegian
Pashto
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Samoan
Serbian
Sesotho
Shona
Sinhala
Slovak
Slovenian
Somali
Swahili
Swedish
Tajik
Thai
Turkish
Ukrainian
Urdu
Uzbek
Vietnamese
