All language subtitles for Nature.S44E07.Parenthood.Freshwater.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.DDP2.0.H.264-Kitsune_track3_[eng]

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Incredible ingenuity,

dedication,

and extraordinary teamwork.

This is what it takes
to be a parent on our planet.

Meet the hard-working parents

raising their families,

doing all they can to protect...

...and provide

for the next generation.

Discover the extraordinary ways

animal parents navigate
their world.

But a changing planet
is forcing them to adapt.

Success for all parents

has, perhaps, the greatest
of consequences.

It ensures the future
of life on earth.

This is "Parenthood."

Deep underground,

Amazon turtle hatchlings
are waiting for rain.

They need just the right amount

to soften the sand
to dig themselves free.

Their mothers are waiting
nearby in the river.

Too little rain,
and they will be trapped.

Too much, and they will drown.

Life cannot exist without water.

But too much or too little
can be disastrous.

And it can change in an instant.

If they are to succeed

in spite of freshwater's
constant changes,

parents everywhere must adapt.

In the Amazon's dry season,
huge sandbanks appear.

In three months' time,

the annual rains will return

and submerge the banks
once more.

Now is the giant Amazon
river turtle's opportunity

to lay eggs.

But she must get
the timing right.

Other turtle mothers
are gathering,

waiting to lay their eggs.

This is the biggest gathering

of freshwater turtles
on the planet.

The exposed banks
remind the females

that now is the right time
to nest.

When one finds a place
that suits her,

she lays nearly a hundred eggs

a meter beneath the surface.

She has made her best guess

as to the right time
to nest this year.

Now she needs the rain
to match her predictions.

Six weeks pass.

The sun has baked the sand
above the eggs

into a protective crust.

But the rain clouds arrive...

early.

In two of the past five years,

early rain drowned
most of the hatchlings.

This is not good.

As the rain falls,

the river starts to rise.

The babies have hatched,

but they can't yet dig
themselves free.

First, they must wait

while they absorb
part of their yolk sack.

The river continues to rise,

and before the eggs
have all hatched,

some nests start to flood.

The sand is getting more
and more waterlogged.

They can't wait any longer.

Three days after hatching,

the baby turtles see sunlight
for the first time.

But their mother's job
is not done yet.

Waiting off shore, they call.

It seems as if the mothers' song

guides the hatchlings to safety
amongst the adults.

This year, many mothers got
their timing right.

And over two million
hatchlings emerge.

As the hatchlings join
their mothers in the water,

they add their voices
to the chorus.

When freshwater flows
are reliable,

parents are able to give
their young

an excellent start in life.

But even
when water levels are stable,

there may still be dangers
for young animals.

In a steaming swamp
in South Carolina,

hungry mouths gather...

...around the perfect home

for a family of swamp canaries.

These parents have chosen
an excellent site --

a slim tree,
surrounded by water.

Nests like these
are difficult to reach

from land, water, or air

for anything but a small bird.

Useful to protect baby chicks...

...up to seven of them
in a nest.

As well as feeding their young,

the parents keep
their nests clean

by removing
the chick's droppings...

...in poo-bags.

Caring for
as many chicks as this

is a two-bird job.

A small nest may be safe,

but chicks can quickly grow
too big for it.

Leaving their tower will require
them to take their first flight.

But the moat around their castle
is now a major obstacle.

Predators lurk,
waiting for an easy meal.

It is at least 30 feet
from the nearest tree.

Ready or not,
time to leave the nest.

The first hatched
are the strongest,

and they lead the way.

Later-hatched chicks
are smaller and weaker.

The water is no place
for a chick,

but there's nothing
his parents can do.

Although he's made it
to the tree,

he's still in danger.

But now, his parents can help...

...using rewards.

Bit by bit,
they coax him higher.

Just a few more steps.

There, now.
He's out of immediate danger.

His parents coax
the rest of the chicks

to safe hiding places
all over the swamp.

They will continue to feed their
chicks for five more weeks.

Large expanses of freshwater
can be dangerous.

Small pools, like this one
away from the main Amazon River,

are safer for young animals.

The center is open and clear,

and the edges provide plenty
of hiding places.

Excellent for a family
of cichlids --

provided that the parents
can work together.

A carefully chosen rock
in the center of the pool

camouflages the eggs.

They are starting to hatch.

Wriggling tails, however,
could attract attention.

But the mother
gently picks them up

and puts them out of sight
under a leaf.

Father tries his best
to help...

...but he's getting in her way.

While mother is collecting
more eggs...

...she turns around to find
that her partner is at it again.

Caught in the act!

She clearly wants to finish
the job herself.

Working alone,

mother gets every last wriggler
tucked away safely.

But she will need father's help

when their wrigglers
become swimmers.

Now both parents must guide
their offspring

to the edge of the pool
where there's more cover.

First step -- navigate
through a shoal of curimbatá.

It's a job that requires
two adults.

So now, it's father's chance
to help.

They made it.
All fry accounted for.

But they've hit
yet another road-block.

Cichlids are very territorial,

and this family has drifted
into someone else's patch.

Their neighbor has turned dark,

showing that he really
wants them gone.

Worse, he might also be hungry

and regard the fry
as a welcome snack.

By coordinating their attack...

...they win the fight.

Finally united, they can
continue to their new home.

It's exactly what they need.

The fry can practice swimming
in the spring's bubbles,

and there are plenty
of hiding places.

Together, the cichlids
have made the most

of all this pool has to offer
their young family.

In the jungle, there are
freshwater pools everywhere...

...in leaves, fronds,
and holes in trees.

But pools can have problems.

Big ones are likely
to attract predators...

...and small ones
are likely to dry out.

Parents must find the pools
that are just right.

Meet Tinctorius, a poison-dart
frog carrying his tadpole.

He needs a pool for it,
and quickly.

This palm leaf may be
convenient,

but it's shallow and exposed,

and could dry out
before a tadpole could develop.

So, although he leaves one here,

he continues his search
for accommodation

for his remaining three.

They are waiting in a leaf,

which will dry out
if left here much longer.

No time to waste.

One climbs immediately
on to its father's back.

To spread his bet,
he needs a different pool.

A hop, skip, and a jump,

and he's found somewhere deeper,

but without much food.

He can still do better.

Night falls, and he still needs
to find two more pools.

A call echoes
through the jungle.

A milk-frog with his tadpoles.

His loud calls are invitations
to milk-frog females

to lay their eggs in his pool.

Scientists believe
that when a male Tinctorius

hears the calls
of milk-frog fathers...

...he may decide
that the milk-frog's pool

would suit one of his tadpoles.

The next morning,

he sets out again

with another tadpole
on his back.

There's only one problem.

The milk-frog's pool
is over 60 feet up.

Getting there
with a tadpole on his back

will be a long climb.

Undeterred, he starts off again.

It's a huge effort for the sake
of just one tadpole.

Made it.

And he's not bothered
by the milk frog.

Not only will his offspring
be safe here,

it will also have plenty
to eat...

...because, milk-frog tadpoles
are good food

for Tinctorious tadpoles.

But he can't rest just yet.

He still has one last tadpole
which needs a pool.

This dad will go to
extreme heights

to find the best pools
for his tadpoles.

Parents can afford
the pursuit of perfection

where freshwater is plentiful.

However,
where freshwater is rare,

parents have fewer options.

The Namibian desert.

Here, there is very little water
for miles around.

Except in the breast feathers
of this Namaqua sandgrouse.

They are specially adapted
to absorb an ounce of water.

And that enables his family
to nest

in remote corners of the desert.

But the chicks must drink at
least once every day to survive.

So, father must fetch some
for them.

Almost 20 miles
from their nest,

a thin strip of green
indicates standing water.

The male sandgrouse flies
to this waterhole every day.

Here, he joins a flock
of other thirsty sandgrouse.

But they all know better than
to head straight to the water.

First, they settle
at a safe distance.

Hidden among the rocks,

the flock's many eyes scan
for lurking threats.

Because when freshwater is rare,

it can be used by some
as a trap.

A lanner falcon, a booted eagle,

and an African hawk-eagle

have all taken up positions
around the water hole.

Despite the threats,

some sandgrouse decide
to take their chance.

Parents are vulnerable
at the water.

They need at least five minutes
in a pond

to saturate their feathers.

The more cautious birds wait
to see what happens

to the first group.

The lanner picks a target.

She misses.

The booted eagle sees
her chance.

Together, they keep
the flock in the air.

A spectacle visible
from all around.

Especially to a male,

judging when it's safe
to collect water for his chicks.

Birds of prey seldom stop...

...until they make a catch.

Even now,
going alone could be fatal.

He must stick with the group.

There's no one left in the air.

If the predators are
concentrating on eating,

now could be
the sandgrouse's opportunity.

But they have overlooked
someone.

The hawk eagle.

To soak their feathers, parents
must wade deeper into the pool.

In their desperation for water,

no one notices the eagle's
approach.

The father must hold his nerve.

He has not yet collected
enough water.

Missed.

This father wings his way home,

breast feathers fully loaded
with water.

He will have to repeat
this journey every day

for the next eight weeks...

...until his chicks are ready

to visit the waterhole
for themselves.

For now, they can enjoy
a good long drink.

The water's presence here

has enabled these parents
to succeed.

However,
when freshwater isn't reliable,

the journey to parenthood
itself can be laborious.

In the Caribbean,
five miles upstream,

lies a near-perfect
nursery pool.

Food here is plentiful,

and the water tumbling
from the falls above

keeps it clear and oxygenated.

After five months at sea,

a tri tri goby has climbed
a thousand feet

to reach this pool
and start a family.

His partner is ready
to lay her eggs.

Pebbles, arranged
in the right way,

will alter the flow
of the current

creating good conditions
for eggs.

His activities attract
attention.

Rival males are eager
to take over his nest.

He will have to fight
if he's to become a father.

Good riddance,

But one thing he can't fight
is the weather.

A once-in-a-lifetime storm
is brewing.

Below the fall,

the increase in water
has turned the gentle flow

into a whirlpool.

The torrent has flushed him
miles back downstream.

But he still has a chance
to become a father --

if he can manage to climb
once again to his nursery pool.

He hasn't done anything
like this

since he was a young fish.

And it shows.

He's a lot bulkier
than when he was younger.

Climbing a thousand feet again

won't be easy
in his current condition.

Juveniles with boundless energy
dart past him.

Other adults try...and fail.

He pushes on,

but the closer he gets
to his pool,

the stronger the current.

With one final push...

...he makes it!

But the pool is unrecognizable.

The storm has scattered all his
carefully selected pebbles.

So, he starts work
to create another nursery.

If he is to become a parent,
however,

he will need stability.

When freshwater is not stable,

parents must quickly adapt

to ensure a future
for their young.

Thailand.

These still waters should offer
a secure foundation

for the family
of a lily trotter.

Long toes spread his weight
across the lily pads,

as he searches for insects
amongst the greenery.

But he also has a special
and urgent job.

He's building a floating nest!

A messy pile of pond weeds
will have to do.

He must hurry back to his egg.

He misguidedly built
his first nest

in the busiest part of the lake.

Boats come so close that
his egg risks being crushed.

He has decided to move
to a quieter neighborhood.

Building a new nest was easy.

Moving an egg
without hands --

significantly harder.

Other lily trotters carry
their eggs with their beaks.

This one has adopted
a different method --

that takes a lot longer.

At last!

Now he must settle his egg
into this perfect new home

in his perfect new neighborhood.

But in trying
to avoid one threat...

...he hasn't noticed another.

Caterpillars have invaded
the lake almost overnight.

They don't have
any predators here.

His precious chick
has hatched --

into devastation.

The insects that live
amongst the lilies

are harder to find,

let alone catch.

And the caterpillars
are completely inedible.

His chick needs food.

Once again, he will have to find
somewhere better.

Lily trotters aren't built
for this.

But walking
is their only option.

The chick can't yet fly.

These are the last remaining
lilies in the lake.

It's not perfect, but there are
plenty of insects for his chick.

Here, it can thrive.

Lily trotters are
not the only parents

who must settle for
the less-than-perfect

in our changing world.

In East Africa,
as the climate heats,

rainfall is becoming
less predictable.

This elephant matriarch
has kept her family alive

throughout two years of drought.

She's leading them
to the last flowing water

she knows of --

the Ewaso Ng'iro River.

This is the only place
for miles around

which still has any water
or food for grazing animals.

Until rain and good grazing
return elsewhere,

this is an oasis
for the whole family.

They haven't drunk for days.

This is a chance
for a mother to demonstrate

good trunk technique.

Her calf certainly needs
the tutorial.

Step one -- get water
into your trunk.

Step two -- get water
from your trunk to your mouth.

Sometimes it's easier
to take a more direct route.

These days spent in the cool,
calm river

are much needed relief
for the whole elephant family.

But the elephants are not the
only travelers seeking refuge.

The elephant matriarch decides
that it's not safe enough

for trunk lessons to continue.

Wild elephants and human beings
usually avoid one another.

Each is too dangerous
to the other.

In this drought, however,

they have no choice but to share
the river and the grass

until rain returns.

Weeks pass.

Herders and elephants
crisscross the river

in search of any grazing
that remains.

So many mouths to feed
takes a toll on the land,

stripping it bare.

At last, the elephant
matriarch senses something

familiar on the horizon.

Rain is falling
on the distant mountains

that feed the river.

This should be a good sign.

But the hotter the air,
the more moisture it stores.

So, when, after a long,
hot drought,

rain finally comes,

there is much more of it.

The distant deluge runs
off the parched earth

and becomes a flash flood.

The herds have been
caught out...

...split apart
by the sudden flood.

The herders have no choice
but to cross

and keep their livestock
together.

The elephant family
has also been caught out --

trapped on the wrong side
of the river.

To follow the rain
to fresh grazing,

the matriarch must
find a way to cross,

while keeping the youngest safe.

She tests the current
with her trunk,

assessing whether or not

the youngest can manage
the crossing.

The flow seems gentle enough --
on this side.

But the current runs swifter
near the opposite bank.

As the current gets faster,

the adults use their bodies
to shield the calves.

As the family enters the
swiftest part of the river...

...a calf loses his footing.

So far, the matriarch
has kept her family together.

But now, she has
a decision to make.

Press on toward fresh grazing...

...or turn back to keep
her calves safe?

She has decided.

The risks of crossing
have become greater

than the pangs of hunger.

The matriarch has protected
her youngest from this flood.

But as the world gets hotter,

droughts and floods
are becoming more intense...

...destabilizing life
for parents everywhere.

Already, we are adapting
to changing freshwater patterns.

But we can choose
to give the next generation

a better future...

...a world with
more reliable freshwater.

What a gift.