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NARRATOR: The cloud mountains
of South Africa

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contain natural enclaves of
incredible beauty and diversity.

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A lost world.

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Swirling in silver mists.

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The majestic realm
of the Rain Queen.

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Indigenous forests teem
with life.

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Giant prehistoric plants
are a window

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into the time of dinosaurs.

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This is one
of the last strongholds

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of the ancient mountain forests
of Africa.

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♪ ♪

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The mighty
Drakensberg Mountains.

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250 miles of jagged peaks

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extending along the entire
eastern side of South Africa.

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They separate the arid heart
of the country

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from the moist air
of the Indian Ocean.

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In the very northern reaches
of the range are the Wolkberg

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or cloud mountains,

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so named because
they are often blanketed in fog.

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A diverse landscape
of grassy covered summits

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and ravines cloaked
in mountain forest.

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One of the rarest types
of forest in the world.

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And across
this ancient landscape,

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three clever species of primates
are adapting to the challenges

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and opportunities found
in these gardens in the clouds.

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It is summer in the Wolkberg

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and a troop of vervet monkeys
are in search of breakfast.

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Vervets are found
throughout southern Africa.

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Rarely seen out in the open,

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they seldom leave the shelter
of the trees.

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They live in large families
sometimes numbering

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as many as 70 individuals.

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Both males and females
live according

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to a strict pecking order,

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which is often
aggressively enforced.

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But there is no need
for aggression today, however.

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It's December, mid-summer,
and many of their favorite trees

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are in fruit.

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The troop is on the move
across its territory.

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The monkeys are heading

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to the extraordinary
Modjadji cycad forest,

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which is also found
in these mountains.

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This contains
the largest collection

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of a single cycad species
anywhere on earth.

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Cycads are living fossils
and evolved

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before dinosaurs
roamed the earth.

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During the Jurassic,
some 180 million years ago,

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cycads were one
of the most common plant types.

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These forests not only have
an ancient history,

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each tree grows slowly
and is long lived.

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Some are more
than 1,000 years old.

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This forest has grown here
for millennia,

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but now it is threatened
by an invasion of exotic trees.

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Exotic forestry plantations
now surround

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these natural outposts.

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During summer,

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when the ancient forest
is in fruit,

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vervets have learned
to visit every day

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to gorge on the giant cones.

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Another monkey
is also making the most

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of the summer fruits

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in the enchanted mountain
forests of this range.

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Samangos are close relatives
of vervets

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but are even more reliant
on these forests.

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They are the only exclusive
forest species in the region.

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Thick fur guards
against the chill,

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and their characteristic
white eyebrows keep rain

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out of their eyes.

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A long tail helps with balance.

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Living 65 feet
above the ground

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in these threatened
mountain forests,

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every day is a balancing act.

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Summer in the Wolkberg
means food is plentiful.

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But it also brings rain.

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The clouds that blanket
these mountains are born

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310 miles to the east.

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Easterly winds move in

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over the coast from the warm
waters of the Indian Ocean.

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This moist air moving inland
hits the Wolkberg.

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Rising, it cools
and condenses into clouds

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and ultimately falls as rain.

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This is the kingdom
of the Rain Queen.

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Local people believe
that their tribal monarch

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is able to control the rain.

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Her powers are widely revered.

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During summer, the open slopes
of the cloud mountains

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are regularly drenched,

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creating perfect
growing conditions for grasses.

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More than 50 species thrive
on these open plains,

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adapted to the well-drained,
nutrient-poor soil.

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There are not enough nutrients
in these soils,

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so bushes and trees struggle
to survive on these open slopes.

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Plants here are also exposed
to seasonal fires,

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so forests can only survive
in the wet ravines.

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The resulting mix
of forest and grass

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is critical
for a number of species.

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Chacma baboons are the largest
monkeys in the region.

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Large males can weigh
more than 110 pounds.

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They are highly social
and, like vervets,

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their family life
is strictly organized.

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A dominant male is in charge.

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He heads the troop
and gets first dibs

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on any food on offer.

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He is experienced and knows
all the best feeding spots.

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Female society
is also organized.

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Females inherit their rank
from their mothers,

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while for males,

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dominance is
constantly changing.

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This troop is foraging
through the grass,

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looking for underground bulbs
and tubers.

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Baboons are well adapted
to survive in open grasslands

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and they divide their time
between grassy areas

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and the surrounding forests.

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A host of other species
also make its home

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in the open grassy plains.

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Rocky outcrops
are prime habitats for snakes

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such as this berg adder.

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The chilly evening
has slowed its metabolism.

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Like all cold-blooded reptiles,

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it must warm up before it can
get moving.

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So it's recharging itself
by sunbathing.

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But it is a balancing act.

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Sunny surfaces such as these are
exposed to predatory raptors.

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Adders are part
of the viper family

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that have long, hinged fangs
to inject venom.

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And when they feel threatened,
they let you know.

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They resort to hissing loudly

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and puffing themselves up
in threat.

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The triangular-shaped head
allows room

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for large venom glands
located behind the upper jaw.

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They are ambush predators,

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lying in wait for prey such
as frogs, rodents, and lizards

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on these rocky islands

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in the sea of grass.

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But this one is not yet
warm enough to hunt.

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Rocky outcrops are
not the only breaks

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in the uniform grasslands.

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Small seeps and streams
crisscross these slopes

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that are home to a number
of plants and animals

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not found elsewhere.

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The entire Wolkberg forms
a giant water catchment.

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The mountains act like a sponge,

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retaining water
and slowly releasing it

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into myriad streams,

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which are the birthplace
of the rivers

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that will ultimately carry
this water back to the ocean.

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Once the stream is formed,
it burbles downhill,

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cutting into the topsoil
until it reaches bedrock.

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This abundance
of water brings life.

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Mosses thrive
on the moist banks.

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Algae coats the rocks,

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fed by nutrients dissolved
in the water.

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The larvae of net-winged midges

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cling to the smooth,
rocky surface.

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Blackfly larvae filter algae
from the water.

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It's a precarious existence.

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Plants and animals are
constantly blasted by water.

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Floods can wash both algae
and invertebrates

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from the rocks and,
during extreme dry conditions,

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little streams can run dry.

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Mountain wagtails hunt bugs
along the banks.

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Breeding pairs
can hold territories

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along streams such as this
for life.

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They defend their boundaries
against intruders.

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In this, two wagtails
are better than one

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and pairs that share territories
gain significantly more food

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than if they live alone.

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Mountain wagtails are the
longest lived of all wagtails

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and can survive longer
than 12 years.

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Wagtails get their name
from their habit

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of flicking their tails
repeatedly.

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It is thought that this deters
predators by telling them

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that the wagtail is aware of
its surroundings and any danger.

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As the stream flows
into the mountain forests,

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life changes in the water.

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Less sunlight hits the surface,

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and so less algae grows
on the rocks.

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The food chain is now fueled
by falling leaves,

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rather than growing plants
photosynthesizing in the water.

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And a different suite of animals
patrols the shallow waters

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specially adapted
to consume fallen leaves.

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Minnows patrol deeper pools.

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The shadowy habitat
is also perfect for frogs.

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Nearly all frogs must return
to water in order to breed.

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This male Queckett's river frog
has attached himself

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to his partner's back to mate.

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His specially thickened thumbs
enable him to keep hold

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of her slippery skin.

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He's not letting go.

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When she's ready, the female
will lay hundreds of eggs.

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This is costly, and so
the females are much larger

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than the males, due to the
reproductive effort required.

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With her partner aboard,

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the female searches for
a safe place to lay her eggs.

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The main stream contains
many predators

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that will eat her eggs
and tadpoles when they hatch.

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So she's looking for a
small pool away from the danger.

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Males have no say,
they must just hang on.

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His only role is to fertilize
the eggs once laid

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and prevent interlopers
from displacing him.

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A single male tries to muscle
in on the action.

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He's persistent,

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doing all he can to split
the courting couple.

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But she's happy
with her chosen partner

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and the single male
is left out in the cold.

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Put in his place, he heads off

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to find a more
accommodating female.

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The streams merge to form
bigger and bigger rivers.

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These gather energy,
cutting deep into the landscape

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as they flow downhill.

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Where rocky outcrops resist
the erosive power of the water,

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waterfalls form.

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A natal green snake is hunting
along the edge of the river.

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While they resemble deadly
green mambas, they are harmless.

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Active during the day,

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he's searching the shallows
for frogs.

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Snakes are surprisingly
good swimmers,

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but currents in the steep
mountain streams are strong.

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If he's misjudged the water, he
risks being washed downstream.

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The rocks are wet and slippery,
and he battles to gain traction.

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♪ ♪

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He's made it.

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The rivers flowing
through this landscape

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provide an abundance of water,

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the lifeblood
of its ancient forests.

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(birds singing)

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Entering Africa's
mountain forests

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is like going back in time.

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Many ancient trees thrive
on the abundance of water.

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Across the Wolkberg,
rainfall is supplemented

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by mist rolling
over the landscape.

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Drops of moisture form
on everything it touches.

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With sufficient water,

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forest giants tower
above the ground.

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These forests are sustained
by water and light.

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Here it's every tree
for itself

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as they strive
to raise their leaves high

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above their neighbors
to gather sunlight.

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Leaves act like solar panels,

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capturing light energy
so it can be converted into food

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so the plants can grow,

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ultimately feeding
the entire forest.

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Below the canopy, the forest
is dark and moist,

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shaded from above.

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A thick layer
of plicanthus shrubs survives

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in the shadows.

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The forest is not uniform,
but a mosaic of patches.

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00:24:44,583 --> 00:24:46,652
Young trees struggle
to gain a foothold

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on the dark forest floor.

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Sometimes it's simply down
to being in the right place

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at the right time.

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Eventually, even
the mightiest trees fall.

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This creates gaps
allowing light to penetrate

254
00:25:05,304 --> 00:25:08,507
into the lower reaches
of the forest.

255
00:25:11,343 --> 00:25:14,613
And in these gaps,
new, up-and-coming trees

256
00:25:14,613 --> 00:25:19,017
get a precious chance to grow.

257
00:25:22,321 --> 00:25:25,090
Birds and other creatures
prefer the mix of light

258
00:25:25,090 --> 00:25:28,060
and shade found in these gaps.

259
00:25:32,931 --> 00:25:36,735
A Wolkberg dwarf chameleon
is relishing the sunlight.

260
00:25:42,674 --> 00:25:46,011
Insects too are drawn
by the warming rays.

261
00:25:50,883 --> 00:25:54,019
The chameleons are careful
in the open areas,

262
00:25:54,019 --> 00:25:58,090
wary of bird predators
who can attack without warning.

263
00:26:02,861 --> 00:26:05,764
Contrary to popular belief,
chameleons change color

264
00:26:05,764 --> 00:26:07,900
primarily to communicate
with each other

265
00:26:07,900 --> 00:26:12,104
rather than match
their background.

266
00:26:13,872 --> 00:26:16,108
They rely more
on their characteristic gait

267
00:26:16,108 --> 00:26:20,012
for camouflage, mimicking
swaying branches and leaves,

268
00:26:20,012 --> 00:26:20,879
thereby avoiding detection

269
00:26:20,879 --> 00:26:24,850
by both their predators
and their prey.

270
00:26:28,921 --> 00:26:34,126
Chameleons are not able
to lap from pools of water.

271
00:26:34,126 --> 00:26:38,730
They can only drink from
droplets on leaves and branches.

272
00:26:51,743 --> 00:26:55,013
Like all reptiles,
chameleons are cold-blooded

273
00:26:55,013 --> 00:26:57,349
and sunlight provides
the warmth they need

274
00:26:57,349 --> 00:27:00,118
to fuel their metabolism.

275
00:27:06,024 --> 00:27:09,161
Sunlight is so precious
in these forests

276
00:27:09,161 --> 00:27:11,864
that some plants are ruthless
in their pursuit

277
00:27:11,864 --> 00:27:14,032
of sufficient light to grow.

278
00:27:15,434 --> 00:27:18,103
While most forest trees
invest heavily in reaching

279
00:27:18,103 --> 00:27:21,106
for the light
by building strong trunks,

280
00:27:21,106 --> 00:27:24,176
there are some species
that cheat the system.

281
00:27:27,045 --> 00:27:30,015
Strangler figs
parasitize other trees,

282
00:27:30,015 --> 00:27:34,686
using them as scaffolding
to carry their leaves aloft.

283
00:27:36,722 --> 00:27:39,925
Eventually, once the host
has served its purpose,

284
00:27:39,925 --> 00:27:43,228
the strangler slowly
suffocates it,

285
00:27:43,228 --> 00:27:47,132
conveniently eliminating
the competition in the process.

286
00:27:51,370 --> 00:27:53,472
The gnarled shape
of the strangler's trunk

287
00:27:53,472 --> 00:27:55,507
traps leaf litter and water,

288
00:27:55,507 --> 00:27:59,077
creating a microcosm
all of its own.

289
00:28:04,082 --> 00:28:06,485
Epiphytic plants grow
in the cup-like folds

290
00:28:06,485 --> 00:28:09,087
of the strangler fig.

291
00:28:09,087 --> 00:28:12,291
Unlike the parasitic fig,
these do not harm the tree

292
00:28:12,291 --> 00:28:16,028
and only live on its surface,
using the tree's cracks

293
00:28:16,028 --> 00:28:20,732
and crevices to reach up
into the sunlight.

294
00:28:23,335 --> 00:28:28,507
Another opportunistic plant
crisscrosses the forest.

295
00:28:28,507 --> 00:28:30,976
Lianas root themselves
in the ground

296
00:28:30,976 --> 00:28:33,845
but use established trees
to climb into the light

297
00:28:33,845 --> 00:28:37,482
of the forest canopy rather
than investing heavily

298
00:28:37,482 --> 00:28:39,918
in their own trunks.

299
00:28:41,820 --> 00:28:44,957
Affected trees grow more slowly

300
00:28:44,957 --> 00:28:47,826
and have lower
reproductive success.

301
00:28:53,532 --> 00:28:57,069
Lianas form forest highways
for a number of species,

302
00:28:57,069 --> 00:29:03,008
enabling them to cross
the open spaces between trees.

303
00:29:03,008 --> 00:29:05,177
While this is good
for many species of animals,

304
00:29:05,177 --> 00:29:10,148
for the trees, it allows
parasites and herbivores

305
00:29:10,148 --> 00:29:13,885
to access the canopy.

306
00:29:13,885 --> 00:29:18,824
Trees that remain free of lianas
have a terrific advantage.

307
00:29:24,062 --> 00:29:27,099
For the Wolkberg
dwarf chameleon,

308
00:29:27,099 --> 00:29:29,534
streams and rivers
are impassable barriers

309
00:29:29,534 --> 00:29:31,903
in the forest...

310
00:29:31,903 --> 00:29:36,041
unless the liana highway
bridges the gap.

311
00:29:37,175 --> 00:29:41,113
This spiny liana links
discreet forest patches,

312
00:29:41,113 --> 00:29:43,615
allowing small animals
to cross the streams

313
00:29:43,615 --> 00:29:46,918
that thread through
these forests.

314
00:29:50,322 --> 00:29:52,591
Wolkberg dwarf chameleons
live only in the forests

315
00:29:52,591 --> 00:29:55,193
of this area,

316
00:29:55,193 --> 00:30:00,666
one of 17 dwarf chameleons
unique to South Africa.

317
00:30:04,936 --> 00:30:09,808
He's made it to the other side,
thanks to the liana bridge.

318
00:30:18,984 --> 00:30:24,356
Afromontane forests contain many
species that occur nowhere else.

319
00:30:27,025 --> 00:30:29,895
Tragically, the surrounding
landscape is ideal

320
00:30:29,895 --> 00:30:34,199
for forestry, and these forests
have been destroyed

321
00:30:34,199 --> 00:30:37,369
to make room
for exotic plantations.

322
00:30:45,110 --> 00:30:47,913
The Wolkberg's valleys
are an important refuge

323
00:30:47,913 --> 00:30:50,549
for Africa's mountain forests,

324
00:30:50,549 --> 00:30:54,453
usually referred to
as Afromontane forests.

325
00:30:54,453 --> 00:30:59,691
Only half a percent
of South Africa is suitable

326
00:30:59,691 --> 00:31:01,993
for indigenous
Afromontane forest.

327
00:31:04,129 --> 00:31:08,266
These are some of the last
fragments in the country.

328
00:31:13,004 --> 00:31:15,974
The warming of the continent
after the last ice age

329
00:31:15,974 --> 00:31:19,444
caused forests
to recede drastically.

330
00:31:19,444 --> 00:31:25,417
And, more recently,
what was left has been decimated

331
00:31:25,417 --> 00:31:28,086
by agriculture and forestry.

332
00:31:30,255 --> 00:31:32,724
They are surrounded
by plantations

333
00:31:32,724 --> 00:31:36,128
of Australian eucalyptus
and American and European pines,

334
00:31:36,128 --> 00:31:40,031
species exotic to this region.

335
00:31:42,300 --> 00:31:47,038
These plantations are uniform
and biologically sterile...

336
00:31:49,174 --> 00:31:53,278
large areas with few native
species of plant and animal

337
00:31:53,278 --> 00:31:58,984
compared to the rich diversity
within the natural forests.

338
00:32:01,119 --> 00:32:06,191
Within the plantation, super
trees tower above the canopy.

339
00:32:08,460 --> 00:32:13,999
This 105-year-old Sydney Gum
stands 265 feet high

340
00:32:13,999 --> 00:32:16,568
and is believed
to be the largest planted tree

341
00:32:16,568 --> 00:32:19,271
anywhere on earth.

342
00:32:35,220 --> 00:32:38,190
The Woodbush Forest Reserve
to the north of the Wolkberg

343
00:32:38,190 --> 00:32:42,494
is the second largest continuous
patch of indigenous forest

344
00:32:42,494 --> 00:32:45,363
in South Africa.

345
00:32:45,363 --> 00:32:50,468
Fed by the rain and mist
that cover the mountains...

346
00:32:53,538 --> 00:32:57,475
it is an ideal habitat
for a number of bird species

347
00:32:57,475 --> 00:33:00,979
including rare Cape parrots.

348
00:33:07,586 --> 00:33:13,391
They're looking for yellowwoods
growing in the forest.

349
00:33:13,391 --> 00:33:18,396
The cones of these trees are
an important source of food.

350
00:33:18,396 --> 00:33:21,833
While there is plenty
of other food,

351
00:33:21,833 --> 00:33:24,236
a compound found only
in these cones

352
00:33:24,236 --> 00:33:29,474
is particularly important
to parrots.

353
00:33:29,474 --> 00:33:30,842
If they can't find enough,

354
00:33:30,842 --> 00:33:35,413
they rapidly lose condition
and will eventually die.

355
00:33:46,758 --> 00:33:49,794
Samangos also enjoy
yellowwood cones,

356
00:33:49,794 --> 00:33:53,498
but they are less particular.

357
00:33:53,498 --> 00:33:58,236
They eat fruit and seeds,
flowers and even fungi.

358
00:34:00,405 --> 00:34:04,409
Leaves and insects also feature
on the menu for protein.

359
00:34:07,178 --> 00:34:08,413
Samangos live in families

360
00:34:08,413 --> 00:34:13,218
of between 14 and 30 individuals
consisting of one adult male

361
00:34:13,218 --> 00:34:16,054
and a number of females
and young.

362
00:34:18,356 --> 00:34:21,826
Males leave the troop
around six years old

363
00:34:21,826 --> 00:34:25,263
and either seek out a new family
for themselves

364
00:34:25,263 --> 00:34:27,599
or join a bachelor troop.

365
00:34:29,901 --> 00:34:31,836
Within the indigenous forest,

366
00:34:31,836 --> 00:34:35,206
exotic oak trees
from the Northern Hemisphere

367
00:34:35,206 --> 00:34:37,075
have gained a foothold.

368
00:34:38,677 --> 00:34:45,550
Samangos are clever opportunists
and make the most of the acorns.

369
00:34:56,161 --> 00:35:00,231
On the other side of the forest,
other opportunists

370
00:35:00,231 --> 00:35:03,501
are taking advantage
of the seasonal windfall.

371
00:35:07,439 --> 00:35:11,509
During summer, the Modjadji
cycads explode in cones.

372
00:35:16,381 --> 00:35:19,117
It's a feast not to be missed.

373
00:35:24,422 --> 00:35:28,259
For three months there's plenty
of food for everyone

374
00:35:28,259 --> 00:35:31,329
and the monkeys make this
a daily stop

375
00:35:31,329 --> 00:35:34,399
on their foraging trips
through the forest.

376
00:35:44,642 --> 00:35:49,547
While cycads are inedible to
humans and are often poisonous,

377
00:35:49,547 --> 00:35:53,551
the vervets devour the starchy
seeds with impunity.

378
00:35:56,554 --> 00:36:00,158
They're not the only species
relishing a forest feast.

379
00:36:03,862 --> 00:36:06,464
Crowned eagles patrol
riparian forests

380
00:36:06,464 --> 00:36:11,669
along the river courses,
hunting small mammals.

381
00:36:11,669 --> 00:36:15,573
They are the most powerful
raptors in Africa.

382
00:36:17,275 --> 00:36:20,445
Capable of capturing prey
weighing as much

383
00:36:20,445 --> 00:36:24,416
as 75 pounds, they can pluck
a monkey out of the trees.

384
00:36:28,486 --> 00:36:32,323
Even though they are
formidable hunters,

385
00:36:32,323 --> 00:36:37,595
their efforts are outdone
by a much more lowly predator.

386
00:36:37,595 --> 00:36:43,568
In these forests, spiders
are more prolific killers.

387
00:36:43,568 --> 00:36:47,505
Incredibly, the weight
of butterflies eaten by spiders

388
00:36:47,505 --> 00:36:50,542
in a year in these forests
is more than the weight

389
00:36:50,542 --> 00:36:54,913
of all the monkeys consumed
by crowned eagles.

390
00:36:54,913 --> 00:36:57,449
Surrounded by forest giants,

391
00:36:57,449 --> 00:37:00,885
it is easy to overlook
smaller species.

392
00:37:00,885 --> 00:37:03,221
(buzzing)

393
00:37:11,996 --> 00:37:15,700
Potter wasps collect mud
for their nests.

394
00:37:26,911 --> 00:37:28,513
In the natural world,

395
00:37:28,513 --> 00:37:32,383
small creatures often have
big impacts.

396
00:37:48,533 --> 00:37:51,803
Spiders have existed
for 100 million years,

397
00:37:51,803 --> 00:37:56,674
during which time they've
perfected the art of capture.

398
00:37:59,444 --> 00:38:03,548
Many create elaborate webs
of silk.

399
00:38:05,750 --> 00:38:08,119
This is made from protein
and spun into thread

400
00:38:08,119 --> 00:38:10,421
by their spinnerets.

401
00:38:22,567 --> 00:38:24,636
By weight, spider silk is one

402
00:38:24,636 --> 00:38:28,339
of the strongest substances
on earth.

403
00:38:32,143 --> 00:38:36,548
Spiders are classified
by the webs they spin.

404
00:38:39,017 --> 00:38:42,654
Tangle or cobwebs,
funnel webs, sheet webs,

405
00:38:42,654 --> 00:38:45,490
and the largest of all,
spiral orbs

406
00:38:45,490 --> 00:38:49,360
such as those spun
by golden orb spiders.

407
00:38:54,933 --> 00:38:56,134
The webs are death traps

408
00:38:56,134 --> 00:38:59,470
for flying insects.

409
00:38:59,470 --> 00:39:03,608
Once they become entangled,
there is usually no escape.

410
00:39:03,608 --> 00:39:07,045
And the spider is able
to inject a lethal cocktail

411
00:39:07,045 --> 00:39:12,884
of venom to paralyze its victim,
before wrapping it in silk

412
00:39:12,884 --> 00:39:15,453
to store for later.

413
00:39:18,957 --> 00:39:20,658
Another group of ancients

414
00:39:20,658 --> 00:39:23,861
inhabits one of the oldest
forests on earth,

415
00:39:23,861 --> 00:39:27,899
a forest that has been rooted
here for millennia.

416
00:39:31,035 --> 00:39:35,473
Giant modjadji cycad trees
are the largest cycad species

417
00:39:35,473 --> 00:39:40,878
in the world, growing to over
40 feet in height.

418
00:39:48,019 --> 00:39:50,788
They are prehistoric looking.

419
00:39:50,788 --> 00:39:56,561
Their fruit looks like
a giant pineapple.

420
00:39:59,697 --> 00:40:05,103
These are cones similar to pine
cones, only much bigger--

421
00:40:05,103 --> 00:40:10,675
weighing 75 pounds or more,
the weight of a large monkey.

422
00:40:12,944 --> 00:40:15,546
There are male and female cones.

423
00:40:15,546 --> 00:40:20,885
Usually cone-bearing plants
are wind pollinated,

424
00:40:20,885 --> 00:40:22,253
because cone-bearing plants,

425
00:40:22,253 --> 00:40:28,559
called gymnosperms,
evolved before flowering plants.

426
00:40:28,559 --> 00:40:31,696
When flowers evolved,
they enabled plants

427
00:40:31,696 --> 00:40:35,833
to attract animal pollinators,
such as insects and birds.

428
00:40:37,268 --> 00:40:39,671
Cycads don't have
colorful flowers,

429
00:40:39,671 --> 00:40:43,641
and yet many of them
are, nonetheless,

430
00:40:43,641 --> 00:40:45,576
pollinated by insects.

431
00:40:47,578 --> 00:40:50,114
Researchers speculate
that animal pollination

432
00:40:50,114 --> 00:40:53,251
may be older than we think
because cycads were doing this

433
00:40:53,251 --> 00:40:56,988
before flowering plants evolved.

434
00:41:02,060 --> 00:41:04,796
(thunder)

435
00:41:04,796 --> 00:41:06,297
For generations,

436
00:41:06,297 --> 00:41:08,633
the Rain Queen
of the Lobedu people

437
00:41:08,633 --> 00:41:11,636
has protected
this ancient forest.

438
00:41:14,939 --> 00:41:16,207
Outside of Modjadji,

439
00:41:16,207 --> 00:41:20,311
cycads are one of the world's
most endangered plant groups,

440
00:41:20,311 --> 00:41:24,048
threatened
by habitat destruction

441
00:41:24,048 --> 00:41:26,918
and the exotic plant trade.

442
00:41:33,558 --> 00:41:35,893
With so much on offer
in Modjadji,

443
00:41:35,893 --> 00:41:37,895
there's less pressure
on the vervet family

444
00:41:37,895 --> 00:41:41,032
to search for food
in the surrounding forests.

445
00:41:46,838 --> 00:41:50,174
There's also time
for other important things,

446
00:41:50,174 --> 00:41:52,810
like feeding the little ones.

447
00:41:58,316 --> 00:42:02,186
Female vervets remain
with their family for life.

448
00:42:02,186 --> 00:42:05,656
But when males reach maturity,

449
00:42:05,656 --> 00:42:07,925
they migrate
to neighboring families,

450
00:42:07,925 --> 00:42:10,661
helping to broaden
the gene pool.

451
00:42:29,280 --> 00:42:32,950
Grooming is important
in building cohesion.

452
00:42:35,753 --> 00:42:39,724
High-ranking females
receive the most grooming,

453
00:42:39,724 --> 00:42:44,162
usually by subordinate females
to curry favor.

454
00:42:47,698 --> 00:42:52,136
Male grooming is less common
and some males never groom.

455
00:42:56,107 --> 00:42:59,777
Male dominance relies on
their prominent blue genitals

456
00:42:59,777 --> 00:43:01,979
and sizing each other up.

457
00:43:14,158 --> 00:43:15,359
But with so much to eat,

458
00:43:15,359 --> 00:43:20,965
the males seem more interested
in food than showing off.

459
00:43:34,912 --> 00:43:38,149
For youngsters it's not so easy.

460
00:43:40,418 --> 00:43:42,353
They still need to learn
how best to tackle

461
00:43:42,353 --> 00:43:43,855
the bountiful cones.

462
00:43:54,799 --> 00:43:59,170
But persistence does
pay off eventually.

463
00:44:06,978 --> 00:44:11,182
The cycads of Modjadji
only fruit once a year,

464
00:44:11,182 --> 00:44:13,251
but are a valuable resource,

465
00:44:13,251 --> 00:44:16,087
enabling these monkeys
to overcome the challenges

466
00:44:16,087 --> 00:44:20,191
brought on by their
ever-shrinking forest homes.

467
00:44:36,941 --> 00:44:39,377
The ancient plants and animals
of the cloud mountains

468
00:44:39,377 --> 00:44:43,981
of South Africa have long
captured people's imagination.

469
00:44:56,861 --> 00:44:59,864
It's a landscape defined
by weather

470
00:44:59,864 --> 00:45:03,801
and threatened on all sides
by invaders.

471
00:45:07,171 --> 00:45:11,275
Indigenous forest fragments
survive against the odds...

472
00:45:17,915 --> 00:45:20,251
Providing homes
for an incredible array

473
00:45:20,251 --> 00:45:22,987
of plants and animals.

474
00:45:32,563 --> 00:45:36,400
But these mountains are
not only a vibrant sanctuary

475
00:45:36,400 --> 00:45:38,903
for life in the present.

476
00:45:40,972 --> 00:45:46,277
They also offer a fascinating
window into our past.

477
00:46:03,094 --> 00:46:06,197
Captioned by Media Access Group
at WGBH, access.wgbh.org