1 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:10,700 BIRDS CALL 2 00:00:10,700 --> 00:00:13,000 INSECTS CHIRP 3 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:18,520 A female western lowland gorilla... 4 00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:20,440 SHE SNUFFLES SOFTLY 5 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:25,560 ..and her newborn... 6 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:33,360 ..just moments old. 7 00:00:42,520 --> 00:00:44,400 For his mother, 8 00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:46,920 the arrival of her young baby is 9 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:50,400 the start of a new chapter in her adult life. 10 00:00:57,560 --> 00:00:59,160 Parenthood. 11 00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:13,400 Her journey will be challenging... 12 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:19,000 ..full of excitement... 13 00:01:20,920 --> 00:01:23,280 ..uncertainty... 14 00:01:23,280 --> 00:01:25,680 ..and complete commitment. 15 00:01:31,440 --> 00:01:33,280 There will be mistakes. 16 00:01:33,280 --> 00:01:35,680 There always are. 17 00:01:41,960 --> 00:01:46,480 But success for her, and indeed for all parents, 18 00:01:46,480 --> 00:01:49,840 has perhaps the greatest of consequences. 19 00:01:53,960 --> 00:01:57,960 It ensures the future of life on our planet. 20 00:02:31,680 --> 00:02:35,520 BIRD WARBLES 21 00:02:38,120 --> 00:02:41,800 Parenthood is a journey like no other. 22 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:52,840 The responsibility of providing constant food 23 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:57,520 and safety for offspring can be extremely challenging. 24 00:03:06,840 --> 00:03:10,600 For most, it all begins with a good home. 25 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:21,680 A mother lion in the grasslands of the Kalahari in Botswana. 26 00:03:31,440 --> 00:03:34,680 Her 20-strong pride is ruled by her 27 00:03:34,680 --> 00:03:36,240 and her sisters... 28 00:03:38,680 --> 00:03:41,120 ..who each has her own cubs. 29 00:03:43,520 --> 00:03:47,760 One mighty family who help each other through thick and thin. 30 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:51,440 CUBS MEWL 31 00:03:54,400 --> 00:03:59,560 For months, their home is scorched by 45-degree heat. 32 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:04,640 THUNDER RUMBLES 33 00:04:04,640 --> 00:04:06,720 THUNDER CRACKS 34 00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:14,720 But once a year, their territory is brought to life by distant rains. 35 00:04:26,680 --> 00:04:28,840 ELEPHANT GRUNTS SOFTLY 36 00:04:28,840 --> 00:04:34,840 Up until now, these cubs have had very little experience of water. 37 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:41,360 So their mother will have to guide them 38 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:43,440 to get them through the trauma. 39 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:48,680 CUB MEWLS 40 00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:56,120 MOTHER HISSES 41 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:10,520 Getting used to swamp living is 42 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:13,000 a vital part of their cubs' upbringing... 43 00:05:15,760 --> 00:05:21,200 ..because these precious waters attract animals from miles around. 44 00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:25,400 BUFFALO GRUNT 45 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:28,560 Cape buffalo. 46 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:34,600 The smell of fresh water lures them from the surrounding savanna. 47 00:05:36,360 --> 00:05:39,520 And they come in extraordinary numbers. 48 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:53,920 A herd three miles long and full of one-tonne animals. 49 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:07,120 They too cannot survive without 50 00:06:07,120 --> 00:06:10,960 the water at the centre of the lions' territory. 51 00:06:10,960 --> 00:06:14,000 BUFFALO SNORT AND BELLOW 52 00:06:15,880 --> 00:06:20,280 She must show her cubs that patience is their greatest ally. 53 00:06:26,320 --> 00:06:30,960 Once in the swamp, the buffalo spread out into smaller groups. 54 00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:38,920 Lionesses will take the lead in any hunt. 55 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:47,600 But a mother here has the added pressure of having 56 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:51,720 to teach her growing cubs how to tackle giants. 57 00:07:06,400 --> 00:07:10,440 One swipe of its horns could kill any one of them. 58 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:17,600 The cubs must watch and learn. 59 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:20,040 DEEP RUMBLING GRUNT 60 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:28,880 BUFFALO GRUNTS 61 00:08:07,440 --> 00:08:11,880 The younger lions are allowed to be the first to feast. 62 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:19,880 Hunting giants, however, is not without its risks. 63 00:08:22,080 --> 00:08:25,200 One of the pride's mothers is missing. 64 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:29,120 LION CALLS 65 00:08:29,120 --> 00:08:31,720 Contact calls go unanswered. 66 00:08:35,080 --> 00:08:37,840 CALLS CONTINUE 67 00:08:52,120 --> 00:08:55,280 In attempting to provide food for her young, 68 00:08:55,280 --> 00:08:57,840 she has been gored by a buffalo. 69 00:09:01,560 --> 00:09:05,000 There is nothing the pride can do to help. 70 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:18,520 With her cubs too young to hunt for themselves 71 00:09:18,520 --> 00:09:22,320 her death leaves their future uncertain. 72 00:09:22,320 --> 00:09:24,040 CUB MEWLS 73 00:09:38,680 --> 00:09:42,240 But they don't have to face it alone. 74 00:09:54,120 --> 00:09:57,320 The matriarchs will take on responsibility for them. 75 00:10:07,120 --> 00:10:10,360 LION PURRS 76 00:10:10,360 --> 00:10:15,520 In lion society, females often share the load of parenting. 77 00:10:18,160 --> 00:10:21,800 Related adults will continue to care for the orphans 78 00:10:21,800 --> 00:10:24,080 alongside their own offspring. 79 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:29,320 It'll be another year before they're fully independent. 80 00:10:34,240 --> 00:10:38,280 In that time, they must be taught how to survive here. 81 00:10:44,160 --> 00:10:45,840 And luckily for them, 82 00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:49,400 the leader of this pride is an excellent teacher. 83 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:19,400 Parental investment is a risky strategy for many animals... 84 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:25,840 ..particularly in the largest of all habitats - 85 00:11:25,840 --> 00:11:27,280 the ocean. 86 00:11:32,520 --> 00:11:35,920 The sheer diversity of life makes some parts of 87 00:11:35,920 --> 00:11:39,240 the ocean a highly competitive environment. 88 00:11:42,480 --> 00:11:46,080 So the animals who choose to raise their offspring here 89 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:48,000 need to have an edge. 90 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:59,560 Here in Indonesia, protected by the reef, 91 00:11:59,560 --> 00:12:03,360 lives one of the ocean's most ingenious parents. 92 00:12:06,120 --> 00:12:08,280 A female boxer crab. 93 00:12:11,040 --> 00:12:15,880 Attached to her underside is her brood of over 1,000 eggs. 94 00:12:17,680 --> 00:12:21,960 Her challenge is to keep them safe until they hatch 95 00:12:21,960 --> 00:12:24,840 whilst keeping herself well fed. 96 00:12:27,400 --> 00:12:31,840 So, like any good parent, she's come prepared with a solution. 97 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:39,840 On her claws are live anemones 98 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:42,520 that she's collected from the reef around her. 99 00:12:46,560 --> 00:12:51,120 The anemones filter food from the surrounding water... 100 00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:54,080 ..which the crab mother steals for herself. 101 00:12:56,720 --> 00:13:01,720 It's an ingenious way to keep energised while looking after young. 102 00:13:06,680 --> 00:13:08,800 But it's not without risk. 103 00:13:12,680 --> 00:13:14,920 To capture the food she needs 104 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:18,080 she must take her anemones out in the open. 105 00:13:23,680 --> 00:13:25,400 A cuttlefish. 106 00:13:26,960 --> 00:13:31,000 A cunning predator that pounces on the unprepared. 107 00:13:42,280 --> 00:13:44,320 Exposed and alone... 108 00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:51,400 ..she is a sitting crab. 109 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:02,400 But she isn't defenceless. 110 00:14:05,480 --> 00:14:10,480 Her anemones have venomous stings that can deter most predators. 111 00:14:12,600 --> 00:14:16,360 A very effective weapon for a mother in need of protection. 112 00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:27,880 In fact, her anemones are such good tools 113 00:14:27,880 --> 00:14:31,280 that they are highly prized amongst the crab community. 114 00:14:42,440 --> 00:14:46,120 And this mother has a jealous rival. 115 00:14:55,280 --> 00:15:00,960 Empty-clawed, her opponent will do anything to secure her own anemone. 116 00:15:11,320 --> 00:15:15,320 She isn't going to surrender them without a fight. 117 00:15:28,800 --> 00:15:33,960 Overpowered, the mother loses one of her anemones. 118 00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:39,680 The battle leaves her exhausted and vulnerable. 119 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:45,400 She needs to lie low and buy herself some time... 120 00:15:49,480 --> 00:15:53,360 ..because this super mum has yet another trick. 121 00:15:56,360 --> 00:16:03,400 Slowly and meticulously, she dissects her remaining anemone, 122 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:05,800 creating a clone. 123 00:16:11,760 --> 00:16:15,960 Her remarkable problem-solving allows her to keep herself 124 00:16:15,960 --> 00:16:19,360 and her young alive for a few more days... 125 00:16:21,400 --> 00:16:25,240 ..until, eventually, she's ready to let them go. 126 00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:42,280 Climbing to the top of her coral home, 127 00:16:42,280 --> 00:16:46,640 she begins to release her tiny offspring into the current... 128 00:16:51,200 --> 00:16:53,000 ..a few at a time... 129 00:16:55,720 --> 00:17:00,120 ..until all her crablets are independent. 130 00:17:03,720 --> 00:17:06,440 Thanks to her care and attention, 131 00:17:06,440 --> 00:17:09,960 she has given them an excellent start in life. 132 00:17:21,960 --> 00:17:25,960 Raising offspring alone is extremely challenging... 133 00:17:27,720 --> 00:17:31,040 ..so many parents resort to teamwork. 134 00:17:36,920 --> 00:17:39,400 A female burrowing owl is looking 135 00:17:39,400 --> 00:17:43,120 for a partner amongst the wild lands of Arizona. 136 00:17:46,720 --> 00:17:49,920 And this young male seems eager to please. 137 00:17:55,520 --> 00:18:00,000 To win her over, he must first find a decent burrow. 138 00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:02,240 And that is proving tricky. 139 00:18:04,680 --> 00:18:08,360 Burrowing owls use holes abandoned by other animals. 140 00:18:10,120 --> 00:18:13,840 But the ones he has found are either still in use... 141 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:20,280 ..or already have well-established families. 142 00:18:27,200 --> 00:18:29,360 Her patience is running thin. 143 00:18:35,520 --> 00:18:38,680 When finally he's found one, 144 00:18:38,680 --> 00:18:42,640 she flies in for a closer inspection. 145 00:18:59,960 --> 00:19:03,680 The hallway clearly requires a little housekeeping. 146 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:10,400 Though small inside, it's deep enough underground 147 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:13,480 to keep her chicks cool in the midday heat. 148 00:19:15,640 --> 00:19:18,000 Returning to await her verdict... 149 00:19:23,200 --> 00:19:26,880 ..he receives a less-than-enthusiastic yes. 150 00:19:36,640 --> 00:19:40,360 Over the coming weeks, she will lay one egg a day 151 00:19:40,360 --> 00:19:43,520 and then incubate them all until they hatch. 152 00:19:46,880 --> 00:19:48,880 His responsibility now 153 00:19:48,880 --> 00:19:52,520 is to provide her with a constant supply of food... 154 00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:03,880 ..until, eventually, their teamwork pays off. 155 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:17,600 CHICKS SQUEAL 156 00:20:20,360 --> 00:20:23,000 At first, the father's food supplies 157 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:25,640 are enough to keep their chicks growing. 158 00:20:28,360 --> 00:20:30,920 But soon, both parents will have 159 00:20:30,920 --> 00:20:33,960 to work to put enough food on the table. 160 00:21:05,320 --> 00:21:10,400 All this constant activity inevitably attracts attention. 161 00:21:18,960 --> 00:21:21,840 COOS SOFTLY 162 00:21:21,840 --> 00:21:24,440 A roadrunner. 163 00:21:24,440 --> 00:21:28,440 Fast and wily, this opportunist could kill 164 00:21:28,440 --> 00:21:30,720 an entire brood of young chicks. 165 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:40,920 Their burrow has been chosen to keep them hidden from predators. 166 00:21:42,880 --> 00:21:48,240 But at the first sign of danger, the chicks create a deterrent. 167 00:21:48,240 --> 00:21:51,280 HIGH-FREQUENCY RATTLING 168 00:21:53,320 --> 00:21:57,480 Their call mimics the sound of an angry rattlesnake. 169 00:22:01,360 --> 00:22:05,040 But rattlesnakes are one of the roadrunner's favourite prey. 170 00:22:07,880 --> 00:22:10,720 Returning with takeaway, 171 00:22:10,720 --> 00:22:13,080 the father is alerted to the danger. 172 00:22:22,400 --> 00:22:25,640 SQUAWKING 173 00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:29,120 Disaster averted. 174 00:22:30,840 --> 00:22:33,000 OWL SCREECHES 175 00:22:34,760 --> 00:22:36,960 OWL COOS 176 00:22:38,080 --> 00:22:41,600 But now both parents are caught between keeping 177 00:22:41,600 --> 00:22:45,720 a watchful eye on their chicks and providing enough food for them 178 00:22:45,720 --> 00:22:48,680 to grow large enough to defend themselves. 179 00:22:56,680 --> 00:22:58,920 They work around the clock. 180 00:23:06,320 --> 00:23:10,520 And their chicks' expectations are seemingly never ending. 181 00:23:13,560 --> 00:23:17,040 The parents' lives soon reach a turning point. 182 00:23:19,240 --> 00:23:22,800 The growing chicks begin spending more and more time 183 00:23:22,800 --> 00:23:24,880 exploring their surroundings. 184 00:23:28,880 --> 00:23:31,640 And there are less demands on the parents, 185 00:23:31,640 --> 00:23:36,040 as a few of the chicks become capable of finding their own snacks. 186 00:23:45,880 --> 00:23:50,640 For the parents, that is a welcome relief. 187 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:07,920 Parenthood is even harder 188 00:24:07,920 --> 00:24:10,560 when the environment is working against you. 189 00:24:13,680 --> 00:24:15,040 And for those parents 190 00:24:15,040 --> 00:24:18,400 who need reliable fresh water to raise their young, 191 00:24:18,400 --> 00:24:20,760 the conditions are rarely perfect. 192 00:24:26,920 --> 00:24:30,040 The Ruaha River in Tanzania. 193 00:24:31,080 --> 00:24:35,240 For most of the year, it provides a lifeline to those that live here. 194 00:24:37,120 --> 00:24:42,520 But during the dry season, this refuge almost disappears... 195 00:24:43,960 --> 00:24:46,040 ELEPHANT GRUNTS 196 00:24:47,880 --> 00:24:52,040 ..leaving this mother hippo and her calf with a dilemma. 197 00:25:01,360 --> 00:25:05,800 He was born just two months ago, at a time when water was plentiful. 198 00:25:08,720 --> 00:25:13,400 But now there are only a few pools left where the water 199 00:25:13,400 --> 00:25:17,040 is still deep enough to shield him from the harsh sun. 200 00:25:18,080 --> 00:25:21,480 HIPPOS HUFF 201 00:25:21,480 --> 00:25:23,760 The other hippos in the area have 202 00:25:23,760 --> 00:25:25,600 had the same idea, 203 00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:27,640 so her new-found nursery 204 00:25:27,640 --> 00:25:28,680 has become... 205 00:25:29,920 --> 00:25:32,080 ..a little crappy. 206 00:26:01,480 --> 00:26:05,560 For now, though, hygiene is the least of the mother's worries. 207 00:26:07,480 --> 00:26:10,120 These enormous fountains of fertiliser 208 00:26:10,120 --> 00:26:14,200 require 50kg of vegetation every day. 209 00:26:16,440 --> 00:26:21,120 And now, in the dry season, that is a problem. 210 00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:26,240 Good grazing is nearly one-and-a-half miles 211 00:26:26,240 --> 00:26:28,240 from the safety of the river. 212 00:26:31,760 --> 00:26:35,160 But it's too hot to make the journey in daytime. 213 00:26:41,280 --> 00:26:43,600 She must wait until nightfall. 214 00:26:55,320 --> 00:27:01,440 In the cool of the night, the surrounding bush comes alive. 215 00:27:04,120 --> 00:27:08,000 But with darkness comes the unknown. 216 00:27:18,280 --> 00:27:19,880 Like it or not, 217 00:27:19,880 --> 00:27:22,760 the hippos must leave the safety of their pool... 218 00:27:24,880 --> 00:27:28,160 ..and head into the night in search of food. 219 00:27:34,720 --> 00:27:37,640 The mother must not leave her calf alone. 220 00:27:37,640 --> 00:27:41,560 So the pair begin the slow and uncertain certain walk 221 00:27:41,560 --> 00:27:44,000 to find distant grazing. 222 00:27:44,000 --> 00:27:48,160 CREATURES SQUAWK, GRUNT AND ROAR 223 00:28:00,280 --> 00:28:04,320 CALLS CONTINUE 224 00:28:15,680 --> 00:28:19,480 There is some safety in numbers close to the water. 225 00:28:20,880 --> 00:28:26,080 But this far into the dry season, the best food is further away. 226 00:28:31,480 --> 00:28:34,000 Their size offers them some protection. 227 00:28:39,920 --> 00:28:43,160 The hippo mother is a formidable bodyguard. 228 00:28:44,720 --> 00:28:49,360 Her mouth is filled with 20cm ivory tusks 229 00:28:49,360 --> 00:28:52,160 that serve only for defence. 230 00:28:53,520 --> 00:28:56,000 But a young hippo is vulnerable. 231 00:28:58,240 --> 00:29:01,600 So the calf must never stray too far from his mother. 232 00:29:01,600 --> 00:29:03,760 LOW BELLOW 233 00:29:26,720 --> 00:29:29,880 THEY MUNCH VEGETATION 234 00:29:41,160 --> 00:29:45,840 There is an unnerving quietness to the bush around her. 235 00:29:50,160 --> 00:29:55,640 But now they are too far from the water to seek refuge there. 236 00:29:55,640 --> 00:29:58,320 And their stalkers know this. 237 00:30:04,240 --> 00:30:08,440 A nearby male also senses danger, and he joins the mother. 238 00:30:10,360 --> 00:30:12,120 Even in small groups, 239 00:30:12,120 --> 00:30:16,160 hippos can defend themselves against a single lion... 240 00:30:17,920 --> 00:30:20,400 ..but not against a pride. 241 00:30:29,240 --> 00:30:32,080 The mother knows if they all hold their ground 242 00:30:32,080 --> 00:30:35,080 they might have a chance. 243 00:30:35,080 --> 00:30:37,960 HIPPO GROWLS 244 00:30:45,920 --> 00:30:48,320 The less experienced male panics... 245 00:30:48,320 --> 00:30:51,240 HIPPO BELLOWS 246 00:30:53,000 --> 00:30:55,280 ..and they lose their advantage. 247 00:30:58,560 --> 00:31:00,840 HIPPO CALF YELPS 248 00:31:09,920 --> 00:31:13,320 ROARING AND SQUEALING 249 00:31:20,960 --> 00:31:23,960 The body of a young male hippo will keep 250 00:31:23,960 --> 00:31:26,680 a pride fed for a week. 251 00:31:35,680 --> 00:31:39,320 The mother and her calf return to the protection of their pool. 252 00:31:41,880 --> 00:31:44,080 They have had a lucky escape. 253 00:31:51,720 --> 00:31:56,040 But the mother hippo's remaining refuge will soon dry out. 254 00:32:01,160 --> 00:32:03,280 And she and her calf will have 255 00:32:03,280 --> 00:32:06,480 to travel further and further into the unknown. 256 00:32:07,880 --> 00:32:10,960 They'll need to do this every night. 257 00:32:18,400 --> 00:32:23,600 All parents need dedication in the face of adversity. 258 00:32:31,920 --> 00:32:34,160 The quest for food can be 259 00:32:34,160 --> 00:32:38,680 a seemingly never-ending commitment for many parents. 260 00:32:44,200 --> 00:32:49,240 And here in Namibia, one takes that commitment to extremes. 261 00:33:00,400 --> 00:33:06,000 This female African social spider laid her eggs just days ago. 262 00:33:08,160 --> 00:33:14,760 And now her brood of 30 spiderlings are dependent on her for food. 263 00:33:24,480 --> 00:33:29,640 So, in their early life, she regurgitates a milky liquid 264 00:33:29,640 --> 00:33:34,000 which the spiderlings drink directly from her mouth. 265 00:33:38,760 --> 00:33:43,000 They will grow to ten times this size in the coming weeks. 266 00:33:45,880 --> 00:33:51,520 To fuel such growth, she will need to leave her nursery to hunt. 267 00:34:02,560 --> 00:34:06,080 Luckily, this mother has family she can rely on. 268 00:34:10,240 --> 00:34:14,760 50 fully grown adult sisters who share her nest... 269 00:34:17,400 --> 00:34:20,280 ..and who hunt in perfect unison. 270 00:34:39,920 --> 00:34:46,040 By stopping simultaneously, they can listen with their feet 271 00:34:46,040 --> 00:34:50,280 to detect the whereabouts of their prey in their vast nest. 272 00:35:17,520 --> 00:35:19,840 Within weeks, her spiderlings 273 00:35:19,840 --> 00:35:22,440 are ready to start hunting for themselves. 274 00:35:24,080 --> 00:35:30,000 And as they grow, her offspring and all their cousins become insatiable. 275 00:35:37,040 --> 00:35:40,720 They're born with the ability to hunt together as a pack, 276 00:35:40,720 --> 00:35:42,240 just like their mothers. 277 00:35:45,480 --> 00:35:49,000 Only now, there are over 1,000 of them. 278 00:36:00,720 --> 00:36:03,320 FLYING INSECT BUZZES 279 00:36:10,240 --> 00:36:14,480 Her role is almost over, which is just as well. 280 00:36:17,160 --> 00:36:19,200 Since laying her eggs, 281 00:36:19,200 --> 00:36:23,600 the mother's condition has been deteriorating 282 00:36:23,600 --> 00:36:26,800 and her movements have become laboured. 283 00:36:28,680 --> 00:36:32,720 The demands of parenthood are finally taking their toll. 284 00:36:36,040 --> 00:36:39,080 But she has one more gift for her offspring. 285 00:36:41,480 --> 00:36:43,600 The only thing she has left. 286 00:36:53,760 --> 00:36:56,200 Her struggling appears to mimic 287 00:36:56,200 --> 00:37:00,080 the vibrations of a distressed prey insect. 288 00:37:02,720 --> 00:37:07,120 And her hungry spiderlings descend en masse 289 00:37:07,120 --> 00:37:11,200 to their mother's dinner table one last time. 290 00:37:14,080 --> 00:37:16,200 Only this time, 291 00:37:16,200 --> 00:37:19,320 she is the main course. 292 00:37:47,080 --> 00:37:50,240 Hers is the ultimate sacrifice, 293 00:37:50,240 --> 00:37:55,280 born out of a need to ensure the survival of the next generation. 294 00:38:03,960 --> 00:38:06,800 But the spiderlings are not yet finished. 295 00:38:12,360 --> 00:38:16,400 They turn on their surviving relatives, 296 00:38:16,400 --> 00:38:20,040 eating every adult in the colony one by one... 297 00:38:26,400 --> 00:38:32,240 ..until the next generation is all that is left. 298 00:38:40,680 --> 00:38:45,360 Parental sacrifice on this scale is rare in the natural world... 299 00:38:50,200 --> 00:38:53,440 ..though there comes a time in a parent's journey when 300 00:38:53,440 --> 00:38:56,440 all that effort seems worth it. 301 00:39:09,320 --> 00:39:13,440 A female western lowland gorilla in Gabon. 302 00:39:17,360 --> 00:39:21,600 She will help her young for almost four years to learn 303 00:39:21,600 --> 00:39:24,760 the complexities of living in their jungle home. 304 00:39:28,960 --> 00:39:31,720 But as he becomes more independent, 305 00:39:31,720 --> 00:39:36,880 she must let go and allow him to acquire 306 00:39:36,880 --> 00:39:40,160 the rules of a gorilla's social life. 307 00:39:54,920 --> 00:39:57,840 His new-found independence triggers 308 00:39:57,840 --> 00:40:00,760 a crucial moment in his mother's journey. 309 00:40:04,360 --> 00:40:08,680 It gives her the chance to think about her next stage of parenthood. 310 00:40:13,600 --> 00:40:17,680 The father of her young one is reaching the end of his prime. 311 00:40:21,760 --> 00:40:25,440 At 34, he's old for a silverback. 312 00:40:27,760 --> 00:40:32,400 And unbeknownst to him, he is under constant assessment. 313 00:40:34,880 --> 00:40:38,160 Female lowland gorillas will leave their troop 314 00:40:38,160 --> 00:40:41,640 if they think there might be better options. 315 00:40:41,640 --> 00:40:46,160 And that decision all boils down to one thing. 316 00:40:48,880 --> 00:40:50,640 Has he still got it? 317 00:40:50,640 --> 00:40:53,640 GORILLA GRUNTS SOFTLY 318 00:40:54,680 --> 00:40:57,720 Hmm...not bad. 319 00:41:00,480 --> 00:41:05,160 Her offspring will inherit his excellent physique, 320 00:41:05,160 --> 00:41:07,680 giving them a good head start in life. 321 00:41:20,360 --> 00:41:23,720 Brawn isn't the only thing she considers. 322 00:41:25,120 --> 00:41:29,120 Though males play little part in raising their offspring, 323 00:41:29,120 --> 00:41:33,720 females nonetheless prefer males with a degree of tolerance. 324 00:41:37,360 --> 00:41:41,240 And the old silverback has always been good with kids. 325 00:41:57,440 --> 00:42:00,520 On top of his physique and character, 326 00:42:00,520 --> 00:42:05,360 she's also constantly assessing what his territory has to offer. 327 00:42:13,800 --> 00:42:15,560 Wherever it comes from... 328 00:42:18,520 --> 00:42:21,760 ..good and plentiful food is crucial 329 00:42:21,760 --> 00:42:24,200 for any mother trying to raise her young. 330 00:42:33,440 --> 00:42:35,480 And variety helps parents 331 00:42:35,480 --> 00:42:39,520 teach their young about what to eat and where to find it. 332 00:42:42,360 --> 00:42:45,920 In the food department, he scores highly. 333 00:42:59,400 --> 00:43:01,680 He even has a swamp... 334 00:43:03,600 --> 00:43:05,720 ..which might not sound like much... 335 00:43:07,600 --> 00:43:11,520 ..but the grasses here provide much-needed protein 336 00:43:11,520 --> 00:43:13,640 to a lowland gorilla's diet. 337 00:43:18,640 --> 00:43:22,640 She also is looking for protection when life gets risky. 338 00:43:26,000 --> 00:43:28,600 ELEPHANT TRUMPETS 339 00:43:30,760 --> 00:43:33,400 GORILLA GROWLS 340 00:43:33,400 --> 00:43:36,800 A forest elephant is not immediate competition, 341 00:43:36,800 --> 00:43:40,240 but a threat to young gorillas nonetheless. 342 00:43:52,120 --> 00:43:55,280 Willingness to stand up to those bigger than him 343 00:43:55,280 --> 00:43:58,200 is certainly attractive in a partner. 344 00:44:08,600 --> 00:44:13,400 If she chose to leave, however, there would be significant risks. 345 00:44:18,960 --> 00:44:21,880 Any new male with whom she associates 346 00:44:21,880 --> 00:44:25,000 could kill infants that aren't his own. 347 00:44:26,280 --> 00:44:29,000 So she'll have to leave her child behind. 348 00:44:30,560 --> 00:44:33,400 And it would take months to establish herself 349 00:44:33,400 --> 00:44:35,160 within a new troop. 350 00:44:37,760 --> 00:44:39,960 Here, at least, 351 00:44:39,960 --> 00:44:41,720 she already has a partner. 352 00:44:42,960 --> 00:44:45,360 Just a slightly mature one. 353 00:44:50,600 --> 00:44:54,320 For now, it seems he has passed her test. 354 00:45:01,080 --> 00:45:04,360 But there's still time to change her mind! 355 00:45:04,360 --> 00:45:07,040 GORILLA BREAKS WIND 356 00:45:12,920 --> 00:45:16,960 Parental strategies have evolved over millennia. 357 00:45:19,320 --> 00:45:23,920 But now over 80% of the Earth's landmass is affected 358 00:45:23,920 --> 00:45:25,840 by human activity... 359 00:45:27,320 --> 00:45:31,560 ..and animal parents are having to adapt to this new world. 360 00:45:45,160 --> 00:45:48,320 An endangered Iberian lynx... 361 00:45:48,320 --> 00:45:51,400 ..known as Audrina. 362 00:46:01,800 --> 00:46:06,160 This abandoned barn is the best place left for Audrina 363 00:46:06,160 --> 00:46:08,320 to raise her five kittens. 364 00:46:09,880 --> 00:46:12,720 SHE PURRS 365 00:46:14,320 --> 00:46:18,360 It's an excellent refuge for her growing family - 366 00:46:18,360 --> 00:46:24,240 cool, sheltered and full of activities for soft play. 367 00:46:27,720 --> 00:46:33,240 In fact, this place is so good that Audrina is not alone. 368 00:46:33,240 --> 00:46:35,520 Both her mother and her daughter 369 00:46:35,520 --> 00:46:38,000 have chosen to raise their kittens here. 370 00:46:42,720 --> 00:46:46,120 Three generations raising their young together. 371 00:46:49,080 --> 00:46:52,080 A rare phenomenon and a sign of hope. 372 00:46:56,360 --> 00:47:00,920 But the recovery of lynx here has only been possible by 373 00:47:00,920 --> 00:47:03,600 what has happened outside the barn. 374 00:47:05,440 --> 00:47:07,520 ENGINE CHUGS 375 00:47:10,360 --> 00:47:13,640 Less than a decade ago, the farmers here chose 376 00:47:13,640 --> 00:47:18,400 to change their practice to suit the native wild animals. 377 00:47:21,280 --> 00:47:24,760 They stopped hunting and began creating habitat 378 00:47:24,760 --> 00:47:26,520 amongst their crops. 379 00:47:31,000 --> 00:47:33,880 And quicker than anyone had imagined, 380 00:47:33,880 --> 00:47:37,400 the native animals moved back in. 381 00:47:39,600 --> 00:47:41,880 First prey... 382 00:47:41,880 --> 00:47:43,760 ..then predators. 383 00:47:45,600 --> 00:47:49,880 Soon, the farm became a safe refuge for parents like Audrina 384 00:47:49,880 --> 00:47:51,880 to introduce their kittens to 385 00:47:51,880 --> 00:47:55,720 a world that had been redesigned with them in mind. 386 00:47:59,520 --> 00:48:03,040 One where kittens have room to explore... 387 00:48:05,280 --> 00:48:06,760 ..play... 388 00:48:09,200 --> 00:48:11,040 ..and hunt. 389 00:48:13,760 --> 00:48:15,640 And they thrived. 390 00:48:19,240 --> 00:48:21,480 We're beginning to understand 391 00:48:21,480 --> 00:48:26,040 that it's possible to use our world for our needs 392 00:48:26,040 --> 00:48:29,440 whilst also providing for wild animals. 393 00:48:35,080 --> 00:48:37,680 And we are discovering that by doing so 394 00:48:37,680 --> 00:48:40,640 it's possible to help other species. 395 00:48:52,080 --> 00:48:56,920 Iberian lynx have begun a remarkable recovery, 396 00:48:56,920 --> 00:48:59,960 but their fate still remains in the balance. 397 00:49:04,160 --> 00:49:08,760 The future is uncertain for all parents across our world. 398 00:49:10,160 --> 00:49:14,560 But what is clear is that for all of us to survive 399 00:49:14,560 --> 00:49:16,560 we will need to help each other. 400 00:49:32,440 --> 00:49:36,840 The Parenthood team relied on experts all over the world. 401 00:49:42,400 --> 00:49:45,080 HE MIMICS ANIMAL CALL 402 00:49:46,200 --> 00:49:49,640 And in Loango National Park in Gabon, 403 00:49:49,640 --> 00:49:53,920 primatologist Dr Martha Robbins and her team came with 404 00:49:53,920 --> 00:49:56,320 20 years of crucial expertise. 405 00:49:57,400 --> 00:50:00,240 - The idea behind this project is to link research 406 00:50:00,240 --> 00:50:02,840 and conservation of western gorillas. 407 00:50:02,840 --> 00:50:04,560 For this project to succeed, 408 00:50:04,560 --> 00:50:08,360 we need to work together with Gabonese people. 409 00:50:08,360 --> 00:50:12,480 And the Babongo have remarkable tracking abilities 410 00:50:12,480 --> 00:50:16,520 where they can see things in the forest that we can't see. 411 00:50:16,520 --> 00:50:18,240 - TRANSLATION: 412 00:50:20,560 --> 00:50:25,240 The Babongo trackers take the lead daily into the forest, 413 00:50:25,240 --> 00:50:27,880 and by snapping twigs as they go along, 414 00:50:27,880 --> 00:50:30,480 they leave themselves a trail to follow back. 415 00:50:33,080 --> 00:50:34,960 But it is their carefully crafted 416 00:50:34,960 --> 00:50:38,040 relationship with the gorillas that is key. 417 00:50:53,600 --> 00:50:55,520 The trackers know they must first 418 00:50:55,520 --> 00:50:58,520 help the crew gain the silverback's trust. 419 00:51:03,120 --> 00:51:04,480 - Whoa. 420 00:51:04,480 --> 00:51:09,120 You could feel the power of this massive creature. 421 00:51:09,120 --> 00:51:12,680 Silverbacks are probably the most powerful of all primates. 422 00:51:16,840 --> 00:51:20,800 - And they warn the crew it isn't going to come easy. 423 00:51:34,000 --> 00:51:36,000 - The gorillas really like the swamps 424 00:51:36,000 --> 00:51:38,200 because it's full of tasty gorilla food. 425 00:51:40,760 --> 00:51:43,040 The swamps don't pose a challenge for the gorillas. 426 00:51:43,040 --> 00:51:46,080 The swamps pose one of many challenges for us! 427 00:51:47,360 --> 00:51:48,640 - Uh-oh. 428 00:51:48,640 --> 00:51:50,280 - You OK? - Nope. 429 00:51:53,520 --> 00:51:56,800 - The team try as best they can to keep up, 430 00:51:56,800 --> 00:51:59,480 and just as they reach dry land... 431 00:52:01,400 --> 00:52:04,480 ..the gorilla family have other ideas. 432 00:52:06,120 --> 00:52:07,520 - So just crossed the swamp. 433 00:52:07,520 --> 00:52:10,080 We have managed to find the gorillas, which is great. 434 00:52:10,080 --> 00:52:12,240 The gorillas have decided that they're going to 435 00:52:12,240 --> 00:52:14,560 go back across the same swamp that we've just crossed. 436 00:52:14,560 --> 00:52:18,840 So, yeah, we're going to follow them across and do it all again. 437 00:52:20,240 --> 00:52:24,080 - Back on the other side, they catch a fleeting glimpse, 438 00:52:24,080 --> 00:52:27,080 but the gorillas have yet to accept the crew's presence, 439 00:52:27,080 --> 00:52:29,440 and disappear into the forest. 440 00:52:31,240 --> 00:52:33,160 - So, back to searching. 441 00:52:36,520 --> 00:52:39,360 - They tracked down the gorillas once again, 442 00:52:39,360 --> 00:52:42,400 but if the crew thought the swamps were hard work, 443 00:52:42,400 --> 00:52:44,760 the mangroves are even trickier. 444 00:52:47,440 --> 00:52:51,440 And once again, the crew are left trailing in the gorillas' wake. 445 00:52:54,160 --> 00:52:58,040 Frustratingly, they decide to abandon the day's search. 446 00:53:03,240 --> 00:53:05,440 A new day, a new lead. 447 00:53:07,640 --> 00:53:10,880 The trackers' familiarity with the gorillas' movements 448 00:53:10,880 --> 00:53:13,040 continues to be essential. 449 00:53:20,360 --> 00:53:24,000 But the silverback is still unsure about the cameras 450 00:53:24,000 --> 00:53:26,200 and keeps his family moving. 451 00:53:26,200 --> 00:53:30,880 - I have seen the silverback's bum - quite special already, I guess. 452 00:53:33,800 --> 00:53:38,200 - The science team spot a potential obstacle on the path ahead. 453 00:53:38,200 --> 00:53:40,080 ELEPHANT GROWLS 454 00:54:16,040 --> 00:54:19,080 - There's nothing worse than an angry elephant. 455 00:54:19,080 --> 00:54:21,480 So now we're just making our way around 456 00:54:21,480 --> 00:54:23,960 so that we don't get in their way or disturb them. 457 00:54:23,960 --> 00:54:25,880 - ELEPHANT GROWLS 458 00:54:27,680 --> 00:54:29,440 Luckily, it isn't a problem 459 00:54:29,440 --> 00:54:32,160 for the trackers to pick up the trail again. 460 00:54:33,520 --> 00:54:36,440 - Faustin just pointed out a track that he just found, 461 00:54:36,440 --> 00:54:38,600 and this is the trace that he sees. 462 00:54:41,720 --> 00:54:46,120 - A moment of calm in the forest allows the crew to finally set up. 463 00:54:47,520 --> 00:54:50,920 But just as they do so, the rains arrive. 464 00:54:53,720 --> 00:54:57,040 A wet camera could spell the end of their filming trip. 465 00:54:59,240 --> 00:55:01,520 So they're forced to retreat once more. 466 00:55:03,640 --> 00:55:05,320 - Ah, it's so wet! 467 00:55:10,920 --> 00:55:15,120 - Overnight, the rains have washed away the tracks of the gorillas. 468 00:55:19,800 --> 00:55:22,200 But the trackers pick up another sign. 469 00:55:26,480 --> 00:55:28,400 The freshly stripped twigs 470 00:55:28,400 --> 00:55:31,600 indicate gorillas have recently been feeding here. 471 00:55:42,680 --> 00:55:44,920 And now it seems the silverback 472 00:55:44,920 --> 00:55:48,120 is willing to finally allow the crew access. 473 00:55:48,120 --> 00:55:49,720 INFANT COOS 474 00:55:52,360 --> 00:55:54,520 - So cool. So cool. 475 00:55:54,520 --> 00:55:58,040 - Over the following weeks, the science team helps 476 00:55:58,040 --> 00:56:01,680 the crew to understand the gorillas' behaviour. 477 00:56:01,680 --> 00:56:04,400 - A big reward is discovering new things 478 00:56:04,400 --> 00:56:06,360 that we don't know about these animals. 479 00:56:06,360 --> 00:56:07,960 There's something every day 480 00:56:07,960 --> 00:56:11,200 that the gorillas do that can put a smile on your face. 481 00:56:12,600 --> 00:56:15,320 - This shoot would have obviously been impossible 482 00:56:15,320 --> 00:56:17,960 for us without the help of 483 00:56:17,960 --> 00:56:21,240 all the amazing guides and trackers that we had. 484 00:56:56,640 --> 00:56:58,040 - Next time... 485 00:56:59,200 --> 00:57:00,680 ..oceans. 486 00:57:02,200 --> 00:57:07,840 487 00:57:07,840 --> 00:57:13,720 488 00:57:13,720 --> 00:57:16,360 489 00:57:16,360 --> 00:57:19,880 490 00:57:19,880 --> 00:57:24,960 491 00:57:24,960 --> 00:57:28,760 - That'll never change 492 00:57:28,760 --> 00:57:30,960 - - That'll never change 493 00:57:30,960 --> 00:57:34,800 - 494 00:57:34,800 --> 00:57:37,080 - - That'll never change 495 00:57:37,080 --> 00:57:39,360 - 496 00:57:39,360 --> 00:57:41,600 - change 497 00:57:41,600 --> 00:57:43,840 - 498 00:57:43,840 --> 00:57:45,720 -