1 00:00:03,160 --> 00:00:05,200 My name is Gordon Buchanan. 2 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:07,200 I'm a wildlife cameraman. 3 00:00:08,560 --> 00:00:10,680 I've filmed some of the most dangerous 4 00:00:10,680 --> 00:00:13,920 and misunderstood animals on the planet. 5 00:00:13,920 --> 00:00:15,720 Oh, my God! 6 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:19,880 But what's it like to actually live alongside terrifying predators? 7 00:00:23,840 --> 00:00:27,560 And raise your children with neighbours that might just eat you? 8 00:00:30,240 --> 00:00:34,400 To find out, I'm going to live with three extraordinary tribal families. 9 00:00:36,360 --> 00:00:38,640 They'll teach me to see these creatures 10 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:40,680 from a totally new perspective. 11 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:42,520 Whoa, look, look, look, look! 12 00:00:45,800 --> 00:00:50,000 In the Amazon, I was shown the secrets of the giant anaconda. 13 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:51,840 It is just, simply, a monster! 14 00:00:52,880 --> 00:00:56,720 In Africa, I'll learn to stand up to wild lions. 15 00:00:56,720 --> 00:00:58,040 My heart is in my mouth! 16 00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:03,320 And in Papua New Guinea I'll enter the mysterious world 17 00:01:03,320 --> 00:01:04,440 of the crocodile. 18 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:07,600 Whoa! I didn't realise it was that big. 19 00:01:07,600 --> 00:01:12,600 Spending time with these tribes will be a life-changing experience, 20 00:01:12,600 --> 00:01:15,800 one that will transform my understanding 21 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:18,080 of the animals we fear the most. 22 00:01:30,720 --> 00:01:33,960 I've come to Africa's brutal Kalahari Desert. 23 00:01:33,960 --> 00:01:37,040 I'm going to spend two weeks with a family of bushmen. 24 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:42,040 This tribe have lived with lions for thousands of years 25 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:45,080 and have an extraordinary relationship with them. 26 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:49,960 I've heard that these fearless people approach lions on foot 27 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:51,360 to share their kill. 28 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:56,080 It sounds like madness and I'm hoping to learn exactly how 29 00:01:56,080 --> 00:01:58,920 and why they do it. 30 00:02:13,840 --> 00:02:17,560 I've filmed lions many times before, in different parts of Africa 31 00:02:17,560 --> 00:02:20,720 and always, always, always it's been from the safety 32 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:22,760 and security of a vehicle. 33 00:02:23,920 --> 00:02:28,880 And it is my dream to learn enough from the bushmen, 34 00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:32,680 learn enough about lions, to actually meet them 35 00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:36,200 face to face out there in the bush 36 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:38,240 and, to be perfectly honest with you, 37 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:42,120 the thought of that absolutely terrifies me. 38 00:02:43,680 --> 00:02:47,120 In lion country you aren't normally allowed out of the car... 39 00:02:48,120 --> 00:02:49,960 ..and I'm quickly reminded why. 40 00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:52,760 Oh, there we go. 41 00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:55,800 The remains of an oryx. 42 00:02:56,920 --> 00:02:58,160 I'll switch off. 43 00:02:58,160 --> 00:03:00,760 I'm just going to have a little peak. 44 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:02,160 I'm not going to get out. 45 00:03:03,760 --> 00:03:07,680 I'm only, what, two metres away from a place where lions 46 00:03:07,680 --> 00:03:09,560 have recently been, 47 00:03:09,560 --> 00:03:12,960 a place that without a doubt they'll be back here within a few hours. 48 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:16,600 I think, really, to fully understand any animal, 49 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:19,640 you can't do that from inside a big machine. 50 00:03:19,640 --> 00:03:24,040 You can only do that by sharing their world with them. 51 00:03:25,840 --> 00:03:28,760 Bushmen once lived right across the Kalahari, 52 00:03:28,760 --> 00:03:30,840 southern Africa's largest desert. 53 00:03:32,600 --> 00:03:35,880 I'm meeting one of the last remaining groups in Botswana. 54 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:41,600 They live in an incredibly challenging wilderness. 55 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:46,200 I'm going to be putting my life in their hands. 56 00:03:52,160 --> 00:03:53,640 I'm excited, 57 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:57,160 but it's kind of a worse feeling 58 00:03:57,160 --> 00:03:59,480 than meeting your in-laws for the first time. 59 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:08,400 Hello, hello! 60 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:10,680 THEY GREET HIM IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE 61 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:12,960 I'm Gordon. HE REPLIES IN HIS OWN LANGUAGE 62 00:04:12,960 --> 00:04:15,280 I'll have to write that down and remember. 63 00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:16,360 - Gordon. - Gordon! 64 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:17,680 HE INTRODUCES HIMSELF 65 00:04:17,680 --> 00:04:19,840 Gordon. 66 00:04:19,840 --> 00:04:22,120 Gordon. Gordon. 67 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:24,320 CLICKING VOCALISATION 68 00:04:24,320 --> 00:04:26,840 That is a tricky one. Again? 69 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:34,480 I wasn't quite, kind of, expecting the names to be 70 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:38,160 quite as difficult for me to get my tongue round it. 71 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:40,600 The bushmen speak in a click language, 72 00:04:40,600 --> 00:04:44,200 so there's lots of noises - maybe noises that I can make - clicks - 73 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:48,520 but trying to kind of incorporate that click into a word, or a name, 74 00:04:48,520 --> 00:04:52,440 and try and remember who everyone is, is going to take a little while. 75 00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:02,000 So what's... My name is now? 76 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:07,920 They've given me the same name as 35-year-old Qamme. 77 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:12,160 And, for the bushmen, sharing a name is like being 78 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:14,560 welcomed into their family. 79 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:15,800 Thank you, thank you! 80 00:05:25,160 --> 00:05:29,400 That's the nicest welcome I've ever had - being anointed by a fox fur. 81 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:31,840 Do you know why I'm here? 82 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:40,440 If you can turn me into a bushman in two weeks, I'd be very happy. 83 00:05:49,200 --> 00:05:52,760 If I can't survive out here with lions, 84 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:54,640 at least they'll get a good meal! 85 00:06:02,440 --> 00:06:05,760 There are 23 people in this extended family group - 86 00:06:05,760 --> 00:06:09,280 ten women, seven men, and six kids. 87 00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:14,680 I've joined them at a temporary hunting camp. 88 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:18,080 Where they normally live, Qamme's family can no longer hunt 89 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:20,160 because of recent government rules. 90 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:21,600 So we've travelled to a place 91 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:25,640 where they have permission to hunt in their traditional way. 92 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:28,640 A place with lots of game and many lions. 93 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:33,600 Qamme is incredibly hospitable and keen to show me 94 00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:35,000 where I'll be sleeping. 95 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:52,320 OK, I know what he's saying. He is saying we're flatmates. 96 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:55,200 Cosy! 97 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:58,440 And inside here you feel completely safe? 98 00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:03,280 Perfect answer is, "Yes, of course, because we have a door." 99 00:07:03,280 --> 00:07:05,080 A lion might come along and huff and puff 100 00:07:05,080 --> 00:07:08,520 and blow the whole house down, but we're safe. 101 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:31,840 So how close could you get me to a lion 102 00:07:31,840 --> 00:07:33,440 and be safe? 103 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:43,000 This chap's in his 80s. 104 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:46,640 He's saying that, actually, if I stick with him, 105 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:51,000 do everything that they say, I can approach lions on foot. 106 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:53,720 I might be able to be safe, but I don't think I'm ever going to 107 00:07:53,720 --> 00:07:55,920 not be scared of meeting lions on foot. 108 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:01,800 Xiqae and the other Bushmen have a long history of living 109 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:03,600 together with lions. 110 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:07,240 And, unlike other tribal groups, they don't kill them. 111 00:08:08,800 --> 00:08:12,080 They have an intimate knowledge of lion behaviour 112 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:14,480 and can even move these cats off a kill 113 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:16,400 long enough to share the meat. 114 00:08:18,120 --> 00:08:20,320 Definitely not an easy option, 115 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:22,320 and one that terrifies me. 116 00:08:23,960 --> 00:08:26,920 So to do that, what do I have to learn? 117 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:28,800 What are the important things? 118 00:08:35,800 --> 00:08:37,920 OK. Let's go. 119 00:08:37,920 --> 00:08:40,800 I've got just two weeks to learn enough about lions 120 00:08:40,800 --> 00:08:44,960 to get close to them on foot, and maybe even share their kill. 121 00:08:50,040 --> 00:08:52,000 Aye-aye-aye. Hot, hot, hot! 122 00:08:53,040 --> 00:08:54,080 Kwui. 123 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:57,560 That means "thank you"? Thank you. 124 00:08:59,120 --> 00:09:01,520 I just want to get out and see lions 125 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:04,360 but Qamme's family are setting the schedule. 126 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:05,400 Thank you. 127 00:09:17,880 --> 00:09:19,920 We're going hunting. 128 00:09:19,920 --> 00:09:23,160 THE BUSHMEN CONVERSE IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE 129 00:09:23,160 --> 00:09:25,000 Do I blend in? 130 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:26,560 Not quite. 131 00:09:29,360 --> 00:09:31,760 This is going to be a gradual process, 132 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:34,080 building up to being on foot with lions. 133 00:09:35,680 --> 00:09:37,440 I suspect that, at this stage, 134 00:09:37,440 --> 00:09:40,400 the bushmen are trying to get the measure of me. 135 00:09:40,400 --> 00:09:45,120 I've realised I'm wandering along with a big smile on my face 136 00:09:45,120 --> 00:09:48,920 because already I'm doing something that I have always wanted to do, 137 00:09:48,920 --> 00:09:52,720 which is just head out on foot into lion country. 138 00:09:55,320 --> 00:09:59,320 Around 40 people are killed by lions each year in Africa. 139 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:02,360 So the danger is real. 140 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:12,400 I'd be incredibly vulnerable alone. 141 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:16,840 Lions are less likely to attack if we stick together. 142 00:10:22,880 --> 00:10:25,160 Got a bees' nest here. 143 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:29,200 OK, so the bees' nest is inside this tree. 144 00:10:29,200 --> 00:10:30,880 It doesn't seem hollow. 145 00:10:30,880 --> 00:10:32,760 Ooh! 146 00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:36,000 And the best way to get the honey is to smoke them out. 147 00:10:37,840 --> 00:10:40,520 To do this we need to test the wind direction. 148 00:10:53,960 --> 00:10:56,200 The traditional way of making fire round here 149 00:10:56,200 --> 00:10:58,480 doesn't involve a box of matches. 150 00:11:16,160 --> 00:11:18,720 Way more exciting than matches or a lighter. 151 00:11:25,560 --> 00:11:28,360 The smoke subdues the bees and after ten minutes 152 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:31,280 we hope they've calmed down enough not to sting us. 153 00:11:42,040 --> 00:11:44,040 Oh, my God! Oh, my goodness. 154 00:11:45,400 --> 00:11:48,000 That's the bad thing about having curly hair. 155 00:11:55,640 --> 00:11:59,320 A lot of effort lighting the fire, that takes energy. 156 00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:02,800 A couple of people taking turns at chopping into this tree. 157 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:05,120 but what you get as a reward are calories. 158 00:12:06,480 --> 00:12:09,320 Honey - it's, kind of, probably, the biggest calorie hit 159 00:12:09,320 --> 00:12:11,400 that you can get. 160 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:13,920 After 25 minutes of chopping, 161 00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:15,600 we hit the jackpot. 162 00:12:20,680 --> 00:12:21,720 Mmmm, delicious! 163 00:12:22,840 --> 00:12:25,360 Not the most relaxed setting to eat the honey, 164 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:27,840 but well worth all the effort. 165 00:12:31,920 --> 00:12:34,160 Everyone's having a bit of a sugar rush, 166 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:37,240 so they're not thinking about the fact it's getting dark, 167 00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:40,720 and what I know about lions is that they like to hunt most at dark. 168 00:12:45,520 --> 00:12:47,400 That was absolutely brilliant. 169 00:12:49,400 --> 00:12:53,040 The best part about it is there's a real sense of togetherness 170 00:12:53,040 --> 00:12:55,880 and actually doing something as a community. 171 00:12:55,880 --> 00:12:58,200 Doing something as an extended family 172 00:12:58,200 --> 00:13:00,840 and to feel part of that 173 00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:03,360 is really wonderful. 174 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:10,040 Qamme tells me there could be up to 11 lions in this area. 175 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:15,880 Desert lions live in small groups, 176 00:13:15,880 --> 00:13:18,000 not large prides like in East Africa. 177 00:13:19,760 --> 00:13:23,000 Prey is less plentiful here in the Kalahari, 178 00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:24,920 so can't support many predators. 179 00:13:34,280 --> 00:13:36,880 As the sun sets, the animals are settling down 180 00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:38,880 for the long, cold night. 181 00:13:40,480 --> 00:13:43,160 But this is when lions are most active. 182 00:13:48,080 --> 00:13:51,520 And Qamme's family don't seem to be ready for bed, either. 183 00:14:03,680 --> 00:14:06,920 My big worry was that I would kind of feel like an intruder, 184 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:09,000 that I'd feel like an outsider, but, actually, 185 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:10,840 I just feel like part of the scenery. 186 00:14:10,840 --> 00:14:15,240 And it is quite exciting to find out what's going to happen next. 187 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:29,120 RHYTHMIC CLAPPING AND SINGING 188 00:14:36,600 --> 00:14:39,560 Everyone seems content, everyone seems happy. 189 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:43,080 Everyone's really super keen just to kind of show me 190 00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:47,120 everything they can about their lives. 191 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:49,880 Just learning to go with the flow. 192 00:14:49,880 --> 00:14:53,760 Dances like this are a key part of bushman culture. 193 00:14:53,760 --> 00:14:55,880 They're important for telling stories 194 00:14:55,880 --> 00:14:57,680 and contacting animal spirits. 195 00:14:59,160 --> 00:15:04,320 The bushmen often sing about lions, as they both fear and respect them. 196 00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:14,160 By the time it all ends and we head to our communal hut, 197 00:15:14,160 --> 00:15:15,840 I am absolutely shattered. 198 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:18,600 Is there room? 199 00:15:21,240 --> 00:15:22,280 OK. Good idea. 200 00:15:24,520 --> 00:15:27,120 This is, er, this is very cosy. 201 00:15:27,120 --> 00:15:28,880 It would be cosy for one. 202 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:31,960 I think there's going to be four of us in here. 203 00:15:31,960 --> 00:15:34,240 I'm definitely not going to get lonely. 204 00:15:36,040 --> 00:15:38,080 HE MIMICS SNORING 205 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:47,480 Get used to it, get used to it. 206 00:15:50,640 --> 00:15:54,720 All night long, they stoke the fires to keep lions away from camp. 207 00:15:58,040 --> 00:16:01,520 A lion's night vision is eight times better than mine. 208 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:04,280 The dark belongs to them. 209 00:16:08,880 --> 00:16:12,680 When the sun rises, our search for lions will begin. 210 00:16:27,600 --> 00:16:31,120 Despite the late finish, the camp is already awake. 211 00:16:37,080 --> 00:16:39,880 I'm not quite operating on bushman time yet. 212 00:16:51,400 --> 00:16:54,400 It drops to below zero at night-time out here 213 00:16:54,400 --> 00:16:57,640 and, in this chill, my new friends have swapped their 214 00:16:57,640 --> 00:17:00,680 traditional welcome attire for more practical clothing. 215 00:17:04,320 --> 00:17:05,360 Oh, my goodness. 216 00:17:07,240 --> 00:17:08,800 That was nice. 217 00:17:08,800 --> 00:17:10,400 Slept like a baby. 218 00:17:11,840 --> 00:17:16,080 Were you cold - cold - last night? Cold? 219 00:17:26,960 --> 00:17:29,360 THEY LAUGH 220 00:17:39,800 --> 00:17:46,240 So it's going to be me, !Xao Qam, Xaashe, Qamme so we all go together. 221 00:17:47,840 --> 00:17:51,600 Mild-mannered !Xao Qam is the best hunter of the village 222 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:55,280 and he's going to be my main teacher for the next two weeks, 223 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:58,400 along with my namesake, Qamme, and Xaashe. 224 00:18:01,680 --> 00:18:04,520 They feel that a group of four is enough people to be 225 00:18:04,520 --> 00:18:06,200 safe from lion attack. 226 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:15,680 OK. 227 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:18,800 'The bushmen believe that pointing at a lion with your finger 228 00:18:18,800 --> 00:18:21,320 'is disrespectful. 229 00:18:21,320 --> 00:18:23,360 'They hold lions in high regard, 230 00:18:23,360 --> 00:18:26,360 'so only point at them with a stick or their thumb.' 231 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:31,440 No. Why not? 232 00:18:34,280 --> 00:18:36,080 It's not allowed? 233 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:37,480 'It's all good natured, 234 00:18:37,480 --> 00:18:41,160 'but !Xao Qam knows the dangers and quickly gives me a warning.' 235 00:19:05,960 --> 00:19:09,680 The Kalahari is home to many animals, including kudu 236 00:19:09,680 --> 00:19:13,520 and other antelope, like hartebeest and oryx... 237 00:19:15,320 --> 00:19:18,840 ..which are prey for both lions and people. 238 00:19:18,840 --> 00:19:21,360 Lions are the top predator here, 239 00:19:21,360 --> 00:19:24,840 so going out on foot to track them feels crazy. 240 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:30,720 But !Xao Qam and Qamme want to teach me an important lesson - 241 00:19:30,720 --> 00:19:34,280 if you live here, you have to keep tabs on your neighbours. 242 00:19:35,600 --> 00:19:38,000 It's not something that I at all feel happy with. 243 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:40,920 We're heading to an area where there's a strong 244 00:19:40,920 --> 00:19:42,960 chance that there are lions. 245 00:19:42,960 --> 00:19:45,240 I don't feel ready at all. 246 00:19:46,720 --> 00:19:49,480 They've said that we'll just see them from a distance 247 00:19:49,480 --> 00:19:51,200 and that'll be enough for now. 248 00:19:52,840 --> 00:19:54,400 It feels like a baptism of fire. 249 00:19:57,400 --> 00:19:58,520 From the tracks, 250 00:19:58,520 --> 00:20:02,520 the men can build up a picture of which lions are in the area. 251 00:20:02,520 --> 00:20:04,760 OK, right here. 252 00:20:04,760 --> 00:20:07,480 Got a nice, clear track there. 253 00:20:07,480 --> 00:20:10,480 These large tracks are of a male lion. 254 00:20:10,480 --> 00:20:13,960 Males can be three times my weight and could kill me 255 00:20:13,960 --> 00:20:15,080 with a single bite. 256 00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:18,680 Remembering not to point with my finger, 257 00:20:18,680 --> 00:20:21,440 but to point with my stick or point with my thumb. 258 00:20:23,560 --> 00:20:28,520 !Xao Qam, Qamme and Xaashe are incredible trackers, 259 00:20:28,520 --> 00:20:30,760 and wind direction is key. 260 00:20:30,760 --> 00:20:34,320 We must stay downwind so the lion doesn't smell us. 261 00:20:34,320 --> 00:20:37,440 You see the toes, the pad. 262 00:20:38,440 --> 00:20:40,440 So it's heading in this direction. 263 00:20:42,280 --> 00:20:46,400 It does make me very nervous walking along, looking at lion tracks 264 00:20:46,400 --> 00:20:48,240 that are incredibly fresh. 265 00:20:53,000 --> 00:20:55,760 I know that the lion is not far away. 266 00:20:55,760 --> 00:20:57,680 It can hear me, 267 00:20:57,680 --> 00:20:59,560 it can probably smell me 268 00:20:59,560 --> 00:21:02,680 and yet I'm continuing to follow it. 269 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:07,640 I just have to have complete confidence and put 270 00:21:07,640 --> 00:21:11,840 all my trust in the bushmen, trust that they know what they're doing. 271 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:16,640 I also need to prove myself so that they trust me 272 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:18,160 not to do anything stupid. 273 00:21:21,880 --> 00:21:25,200 If the men find a lion on a kill over the next two weeks, 274 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:28,160 I want to help them get some meat for their families. 275 00:21:30,240 --> 00:21:32,160 You know, I don't want to be a liability, 276 00:21:32,160 --> 00:21:37,600 I kind of don't want to show them that I'm not willing to learn. 277 00:21:37,600 --> 00:21:41,080 I don't really want to show them that I'm scared. 278 00:21:41,080 --> 00:21:42,920 I have a stick 279 00:21:42,920 --> 00:21:46,400 that might be suitable for leading a pipe band, but it doesn't 280 00:21:46,400 --> 00:21:50,040 really feel that substantial for meeting a lion face-to-face. 281 00:21:51,960 --> 00:21:56,000 I'm beginning to wish I had gone to the toilet before leaving the track. 282 00:22:01,240 --> 00:22:04,120 There's also sign of a mother and cubs. 283 00:22:04,120 --> 00:22:06,280 Lionesses can be particularly dangerous 284 00:22:06,280 --> 00:22:08,520 when protecting their young. 285 00:22:08,520 --> 00:22:10,120 OK, yeah. 286 00:22:10,120 --> 00:22:12,320 Xaashe seems to think that the male lion 287 00:22:12,320 --> 00:22:16,280 and the female with cubs have gone in different directions. 288 00:22:16,280 --> 00:22:20,440 It looks like, here, all the tracks are all pretty messed up. 289 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:25,520 !Xao Qam is saying that the cubs have played here. 290 00:22:25,520 --> 00:22:28,760 They got to this point, maybe stood on this little rise 291 00:22:28,760 --> 00:22:31,560 and had a little tussle around. 292 00:22:33,400 --> 00:22:37,080 I'm beginning to realise just how much knowledge of the Kalahari 293 00:22:37,080 --> 00:22:38,320 these people have. 294 00:22:39,640 --> 00:22:42,480 Every now and again I see a definite lion track, 295 00:22:42,480 --> 00:22:47,160 but the bushmen are able to read even the most subtle signs 296 00:22:47,160 --> 00:22:48,800 and with very little to go on. 297 00:23:02,720 --> 00:23:06,200 The men are saying that there's a lion there, but I can't see it. 298 00:23:09,400 --> 00:23:12,440 I'm sure he knows what he saw, but I can't see anything. 299 00:23:17,560 --> 00:23:19,440 It's a little worrying to be out here 300 00:23:19,440 --> 00:23:21,840 and unable to see the lions that they spot. 301 00:23:24,320 --> 00:23:27,800 Especially as !Xao Qam notices something in the trees that 302 00:23:27,800 --> 00:23:29,200 indicates real danger. 303 00:23:34,480 --> 00:23:37,240 You don't just get vultures hanging around like this. 304 00:23:37,240 --> 00:23:40,080 There was an eagle flying overhead, as well. 305 00:23:40,080 --> 00:23:43,400 So I'd say there's a carcass of something in there. 306 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:51,040 Go, go. 307 00:23:52,600 --> 00:23:57,120 As soon as we spot these signs, the mood completely changes. 308 00:23:57,120 --> 00:23:59,560 Everyone becomes even more vigilant. 309 00:24:02,960 --> 00:24:05,720 They need to know exactly where these lions are. 310 00:24:08,840 --> 00:24:10,040 Gosh. 311 00:24:11,160 --> 00:24:12,760 I'm in for a shock. 312 00:24:12,760 --> 00:24:16,000 The lions have killed, but not what I'd expected. 313 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:20,240 It looks like the remains of a cheetah. 314 00:24:20,240 --> 00:24:25,680 Lions are completely intolerant of any other cats 315 00:24:25,680 --> 00:24:28,000 and if they can kill them, they will. 316 00:24:31,840 --> 00:24:35,800 The lions are like this kind of hidden danger. 317 00:24:35,800 --> 00:24:37,640 You see all these signs of them 318 00:24:37,640 --> 00:24:41,040 but you never actually see them themselves. 319 00:24:41,040 --> 00:24:43,440 It's like the monster in any horror movie. 320 00:24:44,440 --> 00:24:47,760 You see what they can do, but you never actually see them. 321 00:24:47,760 --> 00:24:49,560 Like a real brooding presence. 322 00:24:51,200 --> 00:24:55,120 The hunters believe a lion ambushed the cheetah while it was eating. 323 00:24:56,520 --> 00:25:00,760 The lion wasn't after food. It was just getting rid of competition. 324 00:25:12,160 --> 00:25:15,240 The cheetah was probably lying in the short grass, did a really quick 325 00:25:15,240 --> 00:25:18,320 dash, so the cheetah wouldn't have even known that the lion was here. 326 00:25:28,960 --> 00:25:32,320 This obviously hasn't been killed for food. 327 00:25:32,320 --> 00:25:36,800 The bushmen don't eat this, the lions don't eat much of it, 328 00:25:36,800 --> 00:25:39,320 so it's left for the vultures. 329 00:25:39,320 --> 00:25:42,520 It kind of sends shivers down my spine. 330 00:25:42,520 --> 00:25:47,240 You think, if the world's fastest land mammal can't 331 00:25:47,240 --> 00:25:49,920 get away from lions, you know, what chance would I stand? 332 00:25:52,960 --> 00:25:56,160 Maybe, for me, this is quite a valuable lesson. Like, actually, 333 00:25:56,160 --> 00:25:59,560 if I do come face-to-face with lions and they start coming at me, 334 00:25:59,560 --> 00:26:02,480 it's just stand my ground, 335 00:26:02,480 --> 00:26:04,960 because there's no getting away from them. 336 00:26:07,680 --> 00:26:11,040 The more I learn about lions from !Xao Qam and the others, 337 00:26:11,040 --> 00:26:12,520 the more scared I am... 338 00:26:14,120 --> 00:26:17,280 ..and the more in awe I become at how they can live alongside 339 00:26:17,280 --> 00:26:18,760 these dangerous cats. 340 00:26:29,440 --> 00:26:34,040 For lunch, we're having maize meal and the little remaining meat. 341 00:26:34,040 --> 00:26:37,840 They've brought some food with them, but not enough for two weeks. 342 00:26:39,440 --> 00:26:41,920 We'll need to supplement what we've got. 343 00:26:45,040 --> 00:26:47,800 So after we've eaten, Qamme's wife, Kgadu, 344 00:26:47,800 --> 00:26:50,640 and the other women want to take me foraging. 345 00:26:57,160 --> 00:26:59,600 As it turns out, I'm a natural forager. 346 00:27:01,080 --> 00:27:02,400 Have you been hunting? 347 00:27:09,760 --> 00:27:11,160 Ah! 348 00:27:11,160 --> 00:27:15,120 This rat may be full of protein, but I hope we don't get that desperate. 349 00:27:28,160 --> 00:27:32,520 At first glance, there doesn't seem to be much here, but I guess, 350 00:27:32,520 --> 00:27:35,640 after thousands of years, you learn what to look for. 351 00:27:54,360 --> 00:27:57,120 The Kalahari desert has little standing water... 352 00:27:58,680 --> 00:28:02,120 ..but the bushmen have developed a unique way to survive in this 353 00:28:02,120 --> 00:28:03,440 inhospitable place. 354 00:28:04,720 --> 00:28:08,640 To find water, you've really got to know what you're doing. 355 00:28:08,640 --> 00:28:13,800 And I'm at a complete loss. I just don't know how it's done. 356 00:28:13,800 --> 00:28:18,040 The ladies have told me there's a plant here that hold lots of water. 357 00:28:18,040 --> 00:28:20,960 And they've challenged me to find it. 358 00:28:20,960 --> 00:28:22,600 Can I borrow your stick? 359 00:28:24,560 --> 00:28:25,600 Teja. 360 00:28:26,720 --> 00:28:30,360 I'm just going to... This is guess...guess work. Guess work. 361 00:28:33,920 --> 00:28:36,400 Is it this one? OK, not this one. 362 00:28:38,040 --> 00:28:39,320 OK. THEY SNIGGER 363 00:28:41,200 --> 00:28:43,120 "You're going to die if you drink that one." 364 00:28:43,120 --> 00:28:44,920 Not that one. 365 00:28:44,920 --> 00:28:46,640 Not that one, that's the same. 366 00:28:52,040 --> 00:28:54,920 Here, this sort of area? Hang on. 367 00:28:56,400 --> 00:28:58,680 Goodness, that... 368 00:28:58,680 --> 00:29:00,320 Yeah, yeah, yeah. 369 00:29:00,320 --> 00:29:02,800 I didn't even recognise it as a plant at all, 370 00:29:02,800 --> 00:29:05,520 it looked like a...a dead stick. 371 00:29:09,240 --> 00:29:14,600 How did people originally find out that this plant held enough 372 00:29:14,600 --> 00:29:17,000 moisture that you could get water from it? 373 00:29:19,200 --> 00:29:22,680 It must just be trial and error. 374 00:29:22,680 --> 00:29:25,800 Thousands and thousands and thousands of years ago, 375 00:29:25,800 --> 00:29:29,200 the kind of knowledge that really means a difference 376 00:29:29,200 --> 00:29:30,600 between life and death. 377 00:29:32,960 --> 00:29:37,400 Holy mackerel! That is unbelievable. I was not expecting that. 378 00:29:38,640 --> 00:29:40,800 This is like finding treasure. 379 00:29:40,800 --> 00:29:44,200 Actually, this is way more valuable out here in the Kalahari 380 00:29:44,200 --> 00:29:46,560 than a box of gold. 381 00:29:48,360 --> 00:29:51,080 Oh, here she comes. 382 00:29:51,080 --> 00:29:56,760 Never, ever would I have imagined that, above ground, 383 00:29:56,760 --> 00:29:59,720 this little kind of stem of dry twigs, 384 00:29:59,720 --> 00:30:02,640 without a single leaf on it, 385 00:30:02,640 --> 00:30:04,600 without a single bud, 386 00:30:04,600 --> 00:30:09,000 beneath the surface six inches, is... 387 00:30:09,000 --> 00:30:10,160 a water reserve. 388 00:30:18,800 --> 00:30:21,840 What's being shaved away, it doesn't look that succulent, 389 00:30:21,840 --> 00:30:25,640 but there's moisture there. So dry shirt... 390 00:30:28,360 --> 00:30:30,680 ..squeeze, squeeze, squeeze, squeeze... 391 00:30:32,600 --> 00:30:33,640 ..water. 392 00:30:36,120 --> 00:30:37,320 Ahh. 393 00:30:39,680 --> 00:30:41,080 Gotcha. 394 00:30:45,080 --> 00:30:49,280 The water is cold, 395 00:30:49,280 --> 00:30:52,160 it's tasty in its own way 396 00:30:52,160 --> 00:30:58,400 and it's locked up in this massive big tuber. 397 00:30:58,400 --> 00:30:59,640 Hee-hee! 398 00:31:05,520 --> 00:31:06,720 Do you not like it? 399 00:31:08,680 --> 00:31:11,040 It's not about kind of going in to the fridge 400 00:31:11,040 --> 00:31:13,240 and taking out your kind of favourite, you know, 401 00:31:13,240 --> 00:31:14,280 favourite juice. 402 00:31:14,280 --> 00:31:17,680 It's about the moisture. It's about the water. 403 00:31:18,680 --> 00:31:20,080 No? 404 00:31:20,080 --> 00:31:23,480 I think, for me, one of the most important things that I've learned, 405 00:31:23,480 --> 00:31:26,120 because I know that, without water out here, 406 00:31:26,120 --> 00:31:28,040 they wouldn't stand a chance. 407 00:31:34,200 --> 00:31:38,080 Despite the foraging, our food supplies are running out. 408 00:31:38,080 --> 00:31:39,640 We need to find meat. 409 00:31:41,320 --> 00:31:46,080 The lions could lead us to a kill or we could get lucky hunting. 410 00:31:46,080 --> 00:31:49,440 Bushmen are traditionally hunter-gatherers, you know, they can 411 00:31:49,440 --> 00:31:51,640 dig up some foodstuffs - 412 00:31:51,640 --> 00:31:55,880 berries and tubers - but, without hunting, without 413 00:31:55,880 --> 00:32:00,720 being able to kill big game, they wouldn't have been able to survive. 414 00:32:01,880 --> 00:32:05,440 This really is the foundation of bushman culture. 415 00:32:24,280 --> 00:32:28,160 Hunting is now illegal where they normally live, but here, 416 00:32:28,160 --> 00:32:30,400 !Xao Qam and the other bushmen 417 00:32:30,400 --> 00:32:33,840 are allowed to practise their traditional hunting skills. 418 00:32:35,080 --> 00:32:38,600 Skills that define them as a people. 419 00:33:20,280 --> 00:33:24,040 If you hear lions tonight, you hear lions, you wake me. 420 00:33:54,040 --> 00:33:55,080 Yeah? 421 00:33:57,680 --> 00:33:58,840 What's that? 422 00:34:02,720 --> 00:34:03,760 Just here? 423 00:34:08,040 --> 00:34:09,760 Slightly worrying discovery. 424 00:34:09,760 --> 00:34:15,320 This is my little hut here, so one, two, three, four, five, six, 425 00:34:15,320 --> 00:34:19,040 seven, eight, nine, ten paces - 426 00:34:19,040 --> 00:34:21,960 that's less than ten metres - 427 00:34:21,960 --> 00:34:26,440 there are lion tracks around our little encampment here. 428 00:34:26,440 --> 00:34:29,360 At some point in the night, a lion or some lions 429 00:34:29,360 --> 00:34:32,120 have walked around where we were sleeping 430 00:34:32,120 --> 00:34:35,000 and the fact that there have been lions right here, 431 00:34:35,000 --> 00:34:38,240 practically in our settlement, 432 00:34:38,240 --> 00:34:39,680 is very worrying. 433 00:34:55,720 --> 00:34:59,120 That's me told off in a gentle bushman way. 434 00:34:59,120 --> 00:35:02,360 It's clear that I need to be more aware to stay safe around here. 435 00:35:10,040 --> 00:35:14,480 First criticism that if you're a man, you have to stay aware 436 00:35:14,480 --> 00:35:16,600 and listen out, listen out for danger. 437 00:35:16,600 --> 00:35:19,880 So we had lions walking round our camp and I was oblivious. 438 00:35:23,880 --> 00:35:27,400 In order for me to really understand lions, the bushmen say 439 00:35:27,400 --> 00:35:29,520 I need to understand their prey. 440 00:35:32,600 --> 00:35:35,920 After sleeping through the lion's visit, I hope to win back 441 00:35:35,920 --> 00:35:39,720 some respect from !Xao Qam and the others as we go hunting 442 00:35:39,720 --> 00:35:43,000 and show them that I can help bring back food for everyone. 443 00:35:46,240 --> 00:35:48,520 Xaashe may be in a rush to get going, 444 00:35:48,520 --> 00:35:52,480 but there's an important job to do first. 445 00:35:52,480 --> 00:35:54,480 Xiqae, the healer of the group, 446 00:35:54,480 --> 00:35:58,600 wants to throw bones to forecast the outcome of today's venture. 447 00:36:16,600 --> 00:36:20,320 With the bone reading being unclear whether we'll get anything, there 448 00:36:20,320 --> 00:36:24,640 seems to be a problem - the women don't want me to join the hunt. 449 00:36:39,720 --> 00:36:43,480 Definitely the first sort of bit of unrest 450 00:36:43,480 --> 00:36:47,680 and the first kind of heated discussion or argument that's 451 00:36:47,680 --> 00:36:51,600 going on and that's just come from the fact that we've run out of meat. 452 00:36:52,920 --> 00:36:55,600 So, yeah, everything's kind of got a lot more serious now 453 00:36:55,600 --> 00:36:59,320 because we realise if we're not successful today, 454 00:36:59,320 --> 00:37:01,600 we don't have enough food for everyone. 455 00:37:10,440 --> 00:37:12,480 As the four of us head out, 456 00:37:12,480 --> 00:37:15,440 the villagers' warnings are ringing in our ears. 457 00:37:19,120 --> 00:37:22,360 But it's not long before we spot a good sign. 458 00:37:24,560 --> 00:37:27,400 (We've found some very fresh kudu dung. 459 00:37:28,560 --> 00:37:32,120 (It's still warm, so these animals aren't far up ahead.) 460 00:37:38,120 --> 00:37:42,080 (OK, we've spotted a young male kudu. 461 00:37:43,400 --> 00:37:47,760 (It must be about 200 metres from where we are right now. 462 00:37:48,920 --> 00:37:53,720 (So we're just moving in as quietly as possible.) 463 00:37:56,200 --> 00:37:59,280 (Hunting, in itself, is a serious business 464 00:37:59,280 --> 00:38:03,240 (but I think the kind of discontent back at camp... 465 00:38:05,320 --> 00:38:10,400 (..has kind of made all of this feel very critical.) 466 00:38:12,480 --> 00:38:20,040 (Trying, trying to move as carefully and quietly as possible 467 00:38:20,040 --> 00:38:23,200 (because I don't want to be the one that's going to mess this up. 468 00:38:23,200 --> 00:38:25,040 (Bugger, I think it's gone.) 469 00:38:30,200 --> 00:38:31,600 (This is tough work.) 470 00:38:47,120 --> 00:38:51,040 (!Xao Qam let off two arrows, but I don't think he hit his mark. 471 00:38:52,240 --> 00:38:54,920 (Oh, this is so tricky. I think it's gone.) 472 00:38:57,320 --> 00:38:58,720 (Bugger, yeah, it ran. 473 00:39:00,640 --> 00:39:02,640 (Just not close enough.) 474 00:39:07,200 --> 00:39:12,240 It's disappointing for us all, but !Xao Qam is not giving up yet. 475 00:39:12,240 --> 00:39:16,480 Whilst we look for more antelope, I almost make a fatal mistake. 476 00:39:18,120 --> 00:39:19,600 Careful, careful. 477 00:39:19,600 --> 00:39:23,480 What I nearly stepped on kills thousands of people in Africa 478 00:39:23,480 --> 00:39:27,600 every year, more than any other snake. 479 00:39:27,600 --> 00:39:34,200 I put my foot down and four inches away was a puff adder. 480 00:39:34,200 --> 00:39:36,960 If you stand on that, it'll be the last thing you stood on. 481 00:39:36,960 --> 00:39:40,480 You're so focused looking for the animals that we want to hunt, 482 00:39:40,480 --> 00:39:43,400 you forget there's other dangers out there. 483 00:39:45,360 --> 00:39:48,440 The men believe seeing a venomous snake while hunting 484 00:39:48,440 --> 00:39:50,120 means they'll have success. 485 00:39:52,760 --> 00:39:55,400 But we've been out in the bush for several hours 486 00:39:55,400 --> 00:40:00,680 and stalking clearly isn't working, so we decide to try a different 487 00:40:00,680 --> 00:40:04,360 tactic and build a hide to wait for the animals to come to us. 488 00:40:06,760 --> 00:40:09,160 Despite the fact that we're in the middle of the bush, 489 00:40:09,160 --> 00:40:11,520 we're still too visible. 490 00:40:11,520 --> 00:40:15,480 So I'm just using this grass to kind of break up our outline. 491 00:40:19,080 --> 00:40:20,800 This feels good. 492 00:40:20,800 --> 00:40:24,880 All that remains is to wait and see what might come close. 493 00:40:29,360 --> 00:40:32,720 (That was very close - very close indeed. 494 00:40:36,560 --> 00:40:39,120 (One of the kudu barked and made an alarm call. 495 00:40:41,520 --> 00:40:44,200 (Looks like !Xao Qam is going to load up an arrow.) 496 00:40:49,320 --> 00:40:54,640 (One false move, one snapping twig...) 497 00:40:56,880 --> 00:40:58,840 (!Xao Qam is about to take a shot.) 498 00:41:09,760 --> 00:41:10,800 (!Xao Qam?) 499 00:41:14,440 --> 00:41:15,960 (Yeah, yeah, yeah.) 500 00:41:17,840 --> 00:41:20,680 !Xao Qam knows how much this means for all of us. 501 00:41:22,240 --> 00:41:25,120 He's certain, he says 100% he got the arrow in. 502 00:41:28,920 --> 00:41:32,720 I don't know, it's all very confusing. It happened very quick. 503 00:41:46,640 --> 00:41:51,400 Bushmen hunt with poisoned arrows, so they need to hit an animal 504 00:41:51,400 --> 00:41:53,960 and then follow it as the toxin takes effect. 505 00:41:58,200 --> 00:42:01,520 But with so many prints around, it's hard to tell which way 506 00:42:01,520 --> 00:42:02,560 the kudu has run. 507 00:42:04,520 --> 00:42:07,640 We search for hours, but, as night falls, 508 00:42:07,640 --> 00:42:10,680 it's becoming too dangerous for us to track any more. 509 00:42:12,760 --> 00:42:16,800 Lions usually hunt after dark and target vulnerable animals. 510 00:42:18,360 --> 00:42:22,520 If we can't find the kudu, it's possible that the lions will. 511 00:42:27,360 --> 00:42:30,720 I feel embarrassed as we return to camp empty-handed. 512 00:42:36,960 --> 00:42:38,000 Nothing. 513 00:42:43,800 --> 00:42:45,280 Sorry. 514 00:42:51,360 --> 00:42:54,520 Nothing. We tried, we tried. Very close. 515 00:42:59,720 --> 00:43:02,040 These people don't hold a grudge. 516 00:43:02,040 --> 00:43:06,440 There isn't any shame here, but there is hunger and disappointment. 517 00:43:17,800 --> 00:43:22,480 Because we weren't successful today, we're going to do a worshiping 518 00:43:22,480 --> 00:43:27,560 dance that's hopefully going to bring us luck in tomorrow's hunt. 519 00:43:27,560 --> 00:43:30,480 So, as I'm part of the hunt, 520 00:43:30,480 --> 00:43:32,640 I have to be part of the dance. 521 00:43:34,560 --> 00:43:37,000 CHANTING AND CLAPPING 522 00:43:47,760 --> 00:43:49,880 Being invited to dance this time makes me 523 00:43:49,880 --> 00:43:52,920 feel like I'm becoming part of the family. 524 00:43:52,920 --> 00:43:55,320 It's a bit like hunting - 525 00:43:55,320 --> 00:43:58,200 you just follow the man in front of you, keep an eye on him. 526 00:43:58,200 --> 00:43:59,640 Do what he does. 527 00:44:16,400 --> 00:44:18,720 !Xao Qam takes me aside to give me a gift. 528 00:44:27,760 --> 00:44:29,040 Teja, teja. 529 00:44:36,960 --> 00:44:38,000 Teja, teja. 530 00:44:39,240 --> 00:44:41,440 I'm very touched and honoured by this. 531 00:44:42,600 --> 00:44:45,200 It's a little bit of a pity that I don't know how to use it, 532 00:44:45,200 --> 00:44:48,240 but it's going to make me feel much more comfortable. 533 00:44:49,720 --> 00:44:50,760 Thank you. 534 00:44:56,120 --> 00:44:58,680 I'm proud to have been accepted by the group. 535 00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:04,480 They've taught me so much about lions and themselves, 536 00:45:04,480 --> 00:45:06,840 but the hardest lesson is still to come. 537 00:45:16,320 --> 00:45:18,800 One of the men in my hut is snoring. 538 00:45:19,880 --> 00:45:21,920 Someone else snoring over there. 539 00:45:21,920 --> 00:45:24,360 SNORING 540 00:45:24,360 --> 00:45:27,120 These are kind of reassuring noises. 541 00:45:27,120 --> 00:45:31,440 It does worry me that there 542 00:45:31,440 --> 00:45:34,320 could be lions right outside. 543 00:45:34,320 --> 00:45:36,000 I want to see them. 544 00:45:36,000 --> 00:45:39,880 It's very unsettling to constantly 545 00:45:39,880 --> 00:45:44,400 see sign of these huge predators 546 00:45:44,400 --> 00:45:47,040 very close to where I am 547 00:45:47,040 --> 00:45:50,440 and never actually see them with my own eyes. 548 00:46:11,280 --> 00:46:15,040 The next morning, someone's spotted a lion on a carcass nearby. 549 00:46:16,200 --> 00:46:19,080 It could be the kudu we were tracking yesterday. 550 00:46:20,440 --> 00:46:23,520 After two weeks, I have learned a lot, 551 00:46:23,520 --> 00:46:28,000 but now is my chance to see just how special the bushmen really are. 552 00:46:33,680 --> 00:46:37,560 (I am doing something that I could have never imagined... 553 00:46:41,040 --> 00:46:45,240 (..on the ground, without a vehicle... 554 00:46:46,400 --> 00:46:49,080 (..metres from a huge lion.) 555 00:46:56,960 --> 00:46:58,440 HOWLING 556 00:47:00,160 --> 00:47:03,680 This could be our opportunity to get meat for the group, 557 00:47:03,680 --> 00:47:06,440 if we can be brave enough to face this big cat. 558 00:47:07,800 --> 00:47:10,480 (Crikey, I can't believe they want to go closer.) 559 00:47:13,560 --> 00:47:17,280 (The lion is on the kill, female with cubs 560 00:47:17,280 --> 00:47:21,520 (and, instead of sneaking off in the opposite direction, we are 561 00:47:21,520 --> 00:47:27,160 (going to stand up and walk straight towards her, 562 00:47:27,160 --> 00:47:28,720 (try and push her away.) 563 00:47:30,320 --> 00:47:32,440 (Is this a kind of a rite of passage? 564 00:47:32,440 --> 00:47:34,720 (Is it a kind of show of strength? 565 00:47:34,720 --> 00:47:36,760 (A demonstration of bravery? 566 00:47:38,680 --> 00:47:43,920 (To show each other, to show the lions, that they're not scared, 567 00:47:43,920 --> 00:47:45,360 (that this is their world?) 568 00:47:48,720 --> 00:47:51,160 When facing such a powerful predator, 569 00:47:51,160 --> 00:47:55,080 the only thing we have going for us is that we are four. 570 00:47:56,640 --> 00:47:59,440 United, we approach the lion. 571 00:48:06,640 --> 00:48:11,760 It's not about what one man can do, it's about working together. 572 00:48:11,760 --> 00:48:16,080 And only together can we attempt to get some meat for us all. 573 00:48:34,960 --> 00:48:38,920 The one big difference with this lion from any other lion that 574 00:48:38,920 --> 00:48:45,040 I've seen feeding on a kill is that I'm not here to film her. 575 00:48:45,040 --> 00:48:49,360 I'm here to try and steal her dinner...or part of her dinner. 576 00:48:51,000 --> 00:48:54,680 And that is a very scary prospect. 577 00:48:55,840 --> 00:48:59,760 To try and get closer, closer and see what we can do, 578 00:48:59,760 --> 00:49:01,680 see if we can get something to eat. 579 00:49:26,040 --> 00:49:29,560 As we move closer, I'm aware that the lioness could cover this 580 00:49:29,560 --> 00:49:31,960 distance between us in just a few seconds. 581 00:49:34,000 --> 00:49:39,000 (I am doing something that I could have never imagined.) 582 00:49:41,800 --> 00:49:44,760 (My heart is in my mouth.) 583 00:49:49,480 --> 00:49:54,120 (These people have learnt enough about these animals to be able 584 00:49:54,120 --> 00:49:58,720 (to do this, to be able to approach a lion that is covered in blood.) 585 00:50:00,280 --> 00:50:04,800 (I have been paying attention, I have been listening, 586 00:50:04,800 --> 00:50:08,520 (I have been learning and, most importantly, 587 00:50:08,520 --> 00:50:10,800 (that I trust these men enough and they trust me 588 00:50:10,800 --> 00:50:12,800 (enough that we can do this.) 589 00:50:15,760 --> 00:50:16,920 (OK, we're going.) 590 00:50:18,200 --> 00:50:20,440 !Xao Qam and the others are some of the few 591 00:50:20,440 --> 00:50:22,440 people in the world who can do this. 592 00:50:25,040 --> 00:50:28,200 Who can take on Africa's most formidable predator. 593 00:50:30,840 --> 00:50:35,240 As we approach, I remember the old man Xiqae's words... 594 00:50:38,000 --> 00:50:41,800 "Don't show fear and don't give in to the temptation to run." 595 00:50:46,680 --> 00:50:50,000 The lions won't go far, but we've done it. 596 00:50:52,920 --> 00:50:56,760 These men have taught me that if you know lions as they do, 597 00:50:56,760 --> 00:50:59,960 then it's possible to confront them on foot, 598 00:50:59,960 --> 00:51:03,160 transforming my view of an animal I've always feared. 599 00:51:09,640 --> 00:51:14,600 Never have I been more inclined in my life to look over my shoulder. 600 00:51:15,880 --> 00:51:20,720 There's something incredibly intense about this. 601 00:51:20,720 --> 00:51:24,400 And I don't feel bad, I don't feel bad for the lion - 602 00:51:24,400 --> 00:51:26,280 we're leaving plenty. 603 00:51:26,280 --> 00:51:31,240 I give thanks to the lion for doing the hard work. 604 00:51:31,240 --> 00:51:35,360 Nearly there, boys, nearly there. Thank you, lion, thank you. 605 00:51:48,320 --> 00:51:51,720 !Xao Qam, Qamme and Xaashe's incredible 606 00:51:51,720 --> 00:51:56,200 understanding of lions means that we can share this meat with everyone. 607 00:51:56,200 --> 00:51:59,000 THEY CHEER 608 00:51:59,000 --> 00:52:00,400 We have returned! 609 00:52:05,280 --> 00:52:09,920 If only this happened every time I came back from the supermarket. 610 00:52:09,920 --> 00:52:11,120 Thank you. 611 00:52:13,520 --> 00:52:15,880 We've only taken what we need. 612 00:52:15,880 --> 00:52:18,280 The lioness has returned to feed her cubs. 613 00:52:19,640 --> 00:52:23,800 I now understand the lions are not dangerous in all situations. 614 00:52:23,800 --> 00:52:26,600 And that, with enough knowledge of their behaviour, 615 00:52:26,600 --> 00:52:29,560 we too can live alongside them in harmony. 616 00:52:31,720 --> 00:52:34,360 I've also understood that, for the bushmen, 617 00:52:34,360 --> 00:52:37,280 it's not about the individual. 618 00:52:37,280 --> 00:52:40,600 Life is about the power of family bonds. 619 00:52:42,040 --> 00:52:48,800 It is a very, very funny, charming, heart-warming way to look at things. 620 00:52:48,800 --> 00:52:52,440 It's to NOT say... 621 00:52:52,440 --> 00:52:55,560 "Let me prove myself, let me show you what I can do, let me 622 00:52:55,560 --> 00:52:59,160 "contribute, let me be the kind of conquering hero, 623 00:52:59,160 --> 00:53:01,360 "the triumphant one." 624 00:53:01,360 --> 00:53:02,760 These guys are like, 625 00:53:02,760 --> 00:53:07,960 "Nah, let's just do it the best way we know how, which is together." 626 00:53:09,560 --> 00:53:15,440 Together we can share that success, together we can be triumphant. 627 00:53:20,160 --> 00:53:25,680 And, because of the lion, everyone goes to bed with a full stomach. 628 00:53:25,680 --> 00:53:27,960 The kudu was delicious. 629 00:53:27,960 --> 00:53:29,360 Very nice. 630 00:53:32,800 --> 00:53:35,960 A little bit too much sand for my liking, but it was good. 631 00:53:45,320 --> 00:53:47,440 We have to thank the lion for that. 632 00:54:04,440 --> 00:54:07,400 As the sun rises on my last morning, 633 00:54:07,400 --> 00:54:09,120 it's time to say goodbye. 634 00:54:10,400 --> 00:54:15,040 But, before I go, I want to visit my namesake, Qamme, and his family. 635 00:54:16,480 --> 00:54:20,760 I absolutely love the resourcefulness of people. 636 00:54:20,760 --> 00:54:23,000 Every now and again I'm just reminded of 637 00:54:23,000 --> 00:54:28,440 all the stuff that I've got in my house that is pointless and, 638 00:54:28,440 --> 00:54:34,200 actually, if what we want is happiness and harmony, 639 00:54:34,200 --> 00:54:37,720 you're never going to get it from any of these things. 640 00:54:37,720 --> 00:54:42,160 So it is nice to go back and actually try 641 00:54:42,160 --> 00:54:46,920 and return to that kind of essence of what it is to be a human being. 642 00:54:46,920 --> 00:54:50,160 And I think this is the closest you could actually get... 643 00:54:50,160 --> 00:54:51,760 you can get to that. 644 00:54:51,760 --> 00:54:56,120 What do you hope for the future of your son? 645 00:54:56,120 --> 00:54:58,760 Where would you like to see him go in life? 646 00:55:04,400 --> 00:55:07,280 And will you teach him how to hunt? 647 00:55:28,680 --> 00:55:30,520 THEY LAUGH 648 00:55:31,880 --> 00:55:33,920 I hope that Qamme, !Xao Qam 649 00:55:33,920 --> 00:55:37,360 and their families will be able to find a way to be 650 00:55:37,360 --> 00:55:39,720 in this changing world 651 00:55:39,720 --> 00:55:43,360 that enables them to keep their spirit and their identity. 652 00:55:45,120 --> 00:55:46,360 It's time to go. 653 00:55:51,440 --> 00:55:53,040 Qamme! 654 00:55:53,040 --> 00:55:54,320 Teja. 655 00:56:00,400 --> 00:56:01,840 Teja, teja. 656 00:56:03,160 --> 00:56:04,280 OK. Goodbye. 657 00:56:06,720 --> 00:56:08,120 IT RATTLES 658 00:56:11,480 --> 00:56:13,320 What else do you need in life? 659 00:56:14,440 --> 00:56:16,360 Bow and arrow... 660 00:56:16,360 --> 00:56:18,800 something for parties... 661 00:56:18,800 --> 00:56:21,160 loincloth. 662 00:56:21,160 --> 00:56:23,680 Teja. OK. 663 00:56:23,680 --> 00:56:25,240 Teja, teja. 664 00:56:51,640 --> 00:56:55,880 I think that my biggest worry is that this whole experience 665 00:56:55,880 --> 00:56:59,600 will fade with time, but I really don't think it will. 666 00:56:59,600 --> 00:57:02,080 I think I kind of sense real change, 667 00:57:02,080 --> 00:57:05,320 I do feel like a different man after this. 668 00:57:05,320 --> 00:57:09,320 And I think it's about kind of dividing worlds. 669 00:57:09,320 --> 00:57:12,280 It's not about me living in the modern world 670 00:57:12,280 --> 00:57:15,120 and the bushmen living in a different world. 671 00:57:15,120 --> 00:57:16,160 We all live... 672 00:57:18,040 --> 00:57:21,240 ..in today's planet, all together, whether you're me, 673 00:57:21,240 --> 00:57:24,360 whether you're a bushman, whether you're a lion. 674 00:57:28,880 --> 00:57:30,640 Over the past two weeks, 675 00:57:30,640 --> 00:57:34,080 I've learned that it's possible to raise your family 676 00:57:34,080 --> 00:57:35,680 alongside wild lions. 677 00:57:38,440 --> 00:57:42,200 The future of both the bushmen and lions is uncertain. 678 00:57:43,240 --> 00:57:44,960 Each is gravely threatened. 679 00:57:46,960 --> 00:57:50,280 And yet, to me, it seems that they need each other 680 00:57:50,280 --> 00:57:53,160 and that they need places to roam free. 681 00:57:55,320 --> 00:57:59,440 If only so that we can be reminded how to share our world.