Original subtitles

♪

IN A WORLD WHERE ONLY \hTHE FITTEST SURVIVE,

MILLIONS OF YEARS OF EVOLUTION \h\hHAVE EQUIPPED A LUCKY FEW

WITH EXTREME ADAPTATIONS AND FORMIDABLE FEATURES.

IT’S AN ENDLESS SHOWDOWN,

AND YOU’RE ABOUT TO GET \h\h\hA FRONT ROW SEAT.

THIS ADVENTURE ISN’T \hFOR THE SQUEAMISH

OR THE FAINT OF HEART.

\h\hFROM ARID DESERTS TO THE DEEPEST OCEANS,

WE’LL BE COUNTING DOWN

SOME OF THE GREATEST WILDLIFE \h\h\hMOMENTS EVER CAPTURED...

♪

\hWHEN LIFE IN THE WILD REACHES A FEVER PITCH...

AND WHEN THE MOST DARING \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hRISK ALL

\hTO ENSURE THE SURVIVAL OF THE NEXT GENERATION.

\hTHESE INCREDIBLE SCENES WILL COMPETE FOR THE TITLE

OF MOST AMAZING MOMENT.

\hCOMING AT YOU IN FIVE JAW-DROPPING CATEGORIES:

DEADLY SHOWDOWNS...

FREAKS OF NATURE...

GANG WARS...

ROUGH ROMANCE...

AND EXTREME PARENTING.

GET READY FOR A WILD RIDE,

COMING UP NOW

INCREDIBLE ANIMAL MOMENTS.

THE ANIMAL KINGDOM--

\hA WORLD WHERE PREDATORS RULE AND PREY FLEE FOR THEIR LIVES.

\hTHOSE AT THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN

\h\h\h\h\h\hHAVE KILLER MOVES AND EXTRAORDINARY FEATURES...

FEARSOME FANGS...

SUPERSONIC SPEED...

AND DEADLY PRECISION.

IT’S A BATTLE OF THE EXTREMES,

\h\h\h\hAND WE’RE COUNTING DOWN THE WORLD’S DEADLIEST SHOWDOWNS.

♪

MAKING A DEBUT IN OUR COUNTDOWN AT NUMBER 5

\h\h\h\h\hIS THE KILLER EVERYONE LOVES TO HATE.

♪

THIS ANCIENT HUNTER HAS RULED \h\h\h\h\hTHESE WATERY DEPTHS

FOR OVER 450 MILLION YEARS.

IT’S OUTLIVED THE DINOSAUR AND FIVE MASS EXTINCTIONS,

YET THIS HIGHLY EVOLVED \h\h\h\h\h\h\hSUPER FISH

CONTINUES TO BE VILIFIED.

JAWS

\h\hDEPICTED THE SHARK AS A MINDLESS KILLER,

BUT IN THIS REAL-LIFE DRAMA

THE GREAT WHITE IS CUNNING \h\h\h\h\hAND CALCULATING.

♪

\h\h\h\h\h\hWHEN HUNTING SEALS OFF THE COAST OF SOUTH AFRICA,

\h\h\h\hTHIS FEMALE’S HIGHLY EVOLVED SENSES

LEAD HER TO HER NEXT VICTIM.

[SPLASHING]

\h\hWHEN THE COLONY LEAVES THE SAFETY OF THEIR ROCKY ISLAND,

NOT A SINGLE SPLASH \h\h\hGOES UNHEARD.

♪

\h\hTHE GREAT WHITE’S NOSTRILS CAN DETECT A DROP OF SEAL OIL

IN A BODY OF WATER

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE EQUIVALENT OF AN OLYMPIC-SIZED SWIMMING POOL!

TINY JELLY-FILLED PORES \h\h\h\h\h\hON HER NOSE

\hCAN ABSORB MINUTE ELECTRICAL PULSES...

MEANING THIS FISHY BEAST

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hCAN HOME IN ON A SINGLE SEAL’S HEARTBEAT.

THIS SUPER PREDATOR’S EYES

ARE ALSO FIVE TIMES \hTHE SIZE OF OURS,

AND BEHIND EACH RETINA \h\hLIE CRYSTAL PLATES

\hTHAT REFLECT LIGHT IN THE MURKY WATER.

♪

ONCE YOU’RE ON THE RADAR, \hTHERE’S NOWHERE TO HIDE

FROM THIS HIGHLY EVOLVED \h\hMASTER OF THE DEEP.

♪

♪

♪

THIS IS THE CROWNED KING \h\h\h\h\h\h\hOF SPEED.

CHEETAHS ARE THE FASTEST ANIMALS ON THE PLANET,

AND THESE BROTHERS \hARE ON THE HUNT.

ON TODAY’S MENU, WILDEBEEST,

\hONE OF AFRICA’S FASTEST ANTELOPES.

THE BROTHERS CAN OUTRUN THEM,

BUT THEY’RE SPRINTERS, NOT DISTANCE RUNNERS.

THEY CAN EASILY OVERHEAT

AND MUST GET CLOSE ENOUGH \h\h\h\hTO CLOSE THE DEAL

BEFORE THEY EXPLODE INTO ACTION.

THESE IMPRESSIVE RUNNERS \h\hCAN REACH TOP SPEEDS

OF 75 MILES PER HOUR,

\h\h\hBUT THEIR ACCELERATION IS WHAT’S TRULY IMPRESSIVE.

ZERO TO 60 IN THREE SECONDS-- \h\h\h\hOR JUST THREE STRIDES.

♪

♪

THIS ROUND GOES TO THE SPRITE \h\h\hAND SPINDLY WILDEBEEST.

\h\hTHE CAT IS NO QUITTER, BUT HE NEEDS TO CATCH HIS BREATH.

\hTHE WILDEBEEST ARE ON THE MOVE,

\hAND THE BROTHERS MUST GO FOR BROKE.

♪

[WILDEBEEST LOWING]

THEY DIG THEIR SPECIALIZED CLAWS

\h\hINTO THE HEELS OF THE WILDEBEEST.

♪

[GRUNTING]

\h\h\hTHE BROTHERS LIVE UP TO THEIR 50% STRIKE RATE.

HALF THEIR HUNTS END IN SUCCESS;

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE OTHER HALF ARE DANGEROUS LIFE LESSONS.

THEIRS IS A DELICATE BALANCE \h\hBETWEEN RISK AND REWARD.

[GRUNTING]

♪

IN THE NAMIBIAN DESERT, \hONE REMARKABLE ANIMAL

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hHAS DEVELOPED A UNIQUE PREDATORY STRATEGY.

THIS IS THE CARACAL...

A DISTANT RELATIVE OF THE LYNX.

SHE MAY BE SLIGHT, BUT THIS \hCAT’S GOT A KILLER PLAN...

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

\hMUSCLE-PACKED HIND LEGS AND A SUPER FLEXIBLE SPINE

\h\h\h\h\hALLOW HER TO JUMP LIKE AN ACROBAT OFF A SPRINGBOARD...

MORE THAN SIX FEET IN THE AIR.

♪

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

AT A SMALL WATERING HOLE, \h\h\h\hA FLOCK OF WEAVERS

PROVIDES A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY \hFOR THIS REMARKABLE ATHLETE.

[CHIRPING]

SHE’S OFF.

♪

THE CARACAL’S POWERFUL HIND LEGS AND FINELY TUNED REFLEXES

MAKE HER AGILE.

THE WEAVER’S FAST,

\h\h\hBUT THIS FELINE’S LOCKED HER SIGHTS ON IT.

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

IT’S OVER IN SECONDS...

AND FOR NOW, THIS FEATHERY SNACK WILL HAVE TO DO.

IN A NEARBY DESERT,

\h\h\h\h\hTHIS YELLOW MONGOOSE IS THE RESIDENT COBRA HITMAN.

♪

IT’S GAME ON.

♪

A STRIKE FROM A COBRA \hCOULD KILL TEN MEN.

BUT THIS DESERT CARNIVORE

\h\hHAS GUTS OF STEEL AND BUILT-IN IMMUNITY.

[SNARLING]

THE COBRA’S SPEEDY DEFENSE STRIKE IS ITS TRUMP CARD--

\h\h\h\h\hTHE ONLY THING THAT’LL KEEP HIM ALIVE.

EACH IS THE OTHER’S PREY,

BUT ALSO A DEADLY OPPONENT.

\hTHEY KNOW THAT TURNING THEIR BACK COULD BE A FATAL MISTAKE.

THE MONGOOSE CIRCLES,

\hLOOKING FOR A WEAKNESS IN THE COBRA’S DEFENSE.

♪

\h\hA QUICK STRIKE NEEDS A MATRIX-STYLE GETAWAY.

♪

[COBRA HISSING]

[MONGOOSE CHATTERING]

THE COBRA TRIES INTIMIDATION... BUT IT’S NOT ENOUGH.

THEY SIZE EACH OTHER UP... \h\h\h\h\hAND PUNCHES FLY!

THE COBRA DELIVERS ITS WINNING BLOW.

♪

[MONGOOSE SQUAWKING]

HE’S BEEN SPARED FROM BECOMING \h\h\h\h\h\hMONGOOSE DINNER--

THIS TIME AROUND.

NOW FOR THE ULTIMATE FACE-OFF.

COMING IN AT NUMBER 1 \h\h\hIN THIS CATEGORY

IS AN UNLIKELY CONTENDER,

YET THIS GANG OF INTREPID HEIFERS WON’T DISAPPOINT.

♪

\hTHE SAVANNAH IS SET FOR THE HUNGER GAMES--

\h\h\hTHE AGE-OLD CONTEST BETWEEN HUNTER AND HUNTED.

♪

AT THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN, \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE LIONS--

\h\h\h\hTHE BIGGEST, BADDEST CATS AROUND.

\hBUT WORD ON THE PLAINS IS THAT THE CAPE BUFFALO

IS THE MOST DANGEROUS BEAST \h\h\h\h\h\h\hIN THE GAME--

AN ADULT BULL CAN WEIGH \h\hUP TO 2,000 POUNDS!

\h\hWITH A HELMET OF HORNS AND DEADLY, SHARP HOOVES,

THEY ARE PERFECTLY EQUIPPED

\h\hTO BE THE LION’S GREATEST ADVERSARY.

\h\hTHEY’RE BUILT TO KILL... LIKE AN ARMY OF GLADIATORS.

\hNONE OF THE OTHER CATS WILL TAKE ON A BUFFALO,

BUT TO THESE FAMISHED LIONS, \h\h\hTHEY’RE IRRESISTIBLE.

♪

[GROWLING]

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THIS ANGRY GANG DEFENDS THEIR OWN.

[GROWLING]

♪

WITHOUT BACKUP, A LONE LIONESS

\h\h\h\h\h\hIS NO MATCH FOR THIS DEADLY SHOWDOWN

AND THE ANGRIEST BEASTS \h\h\h\hON THE SAVANNAH.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hNEXT ON INCREDIBLE ANIMAL MOMENTS,

WE COUNT DOWN NATURE’S FREAKIEST AND MOST CURIOUS CREATURES.

SO FAR WE’VE SEEN KILLER MOVES \h\h\h\hAND DEADLY SHOWDOWNS.

NOW, FOR THE STRANGE \h\hAND THE BIZARRE.

\hTHESE CHARACTERS ARE QUICK KILLERS,

\h\h\h\h\h\hMASTERS OF DISGUISE, KINGS AND QUEENS OF CAMOUFLAGE.

\h\hEVOLUTION HAS EQUIPPED THEM WITH SOME PECULIAR ADAPTATIONS.

\h\h\hAND THESE DAREDEVILS WILL LEAVE YOU SPEECHLESS.

♪

IN THE DENSE CANOPY OF THE ASIAN JUNGLE,

A SWIFT KILLER LIES IN WAIT.

\h\h\h\h\hIN PLAIN SIGHT-- BUT VIRTUALLY INVISIBLE--

IT’S A MASTER OF DISGUISE.

WITH ITS ZEN-LIKE APPEARANCE \hOF QUIZZICAL INTELLIGENCE,

\h\hIT’S NOT SURPRISING THAT THE PRAYING MANTIS

HAS BEEN WORSHIPPED AS A GOD.

\h\h\h\hBUT THOSE ARMS IN THEIR PRAYER-LIKE POSE ARE DECEPTIVE.

REPORTS OF SNAKES, SMALL BIRDS \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hAND MAMMALS

SUCCUMBING TO ITS DEATH GRIP \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hARE NO MYTH.

[MOUTH CLICKING]

♪

\h\h\hA SMALLER MALE MANTIS IS A PUSHOVER IN COMPARISON.

THEIR EYES ARE MADE OF 10,000 \hSEPARATE SPECIALIZED ZONES,

\hGIVING IT EXCELLENT STEREOSCOPIC VISION--

ABLE TO SEE UP TO 50 FEET AWAY.

\h\h\h\hGROOMING HIMSELF, THIS MALE DOESN’T REALIZE

\h\h\h\hTHE FEMALE IN TOWN IS NOT LOOKING FOR A MATE.

SHE’S LOOKING FOR LUNCH.

HER SPRING-LOADED PRAYER STANCE

STRIKES IN 30 THOUSANDTHS \h\h\h\h\h\hOF A SECOND...

FASTER THAN THE EYE CAN SEE.

♪

THE POWERFUL SPIKED FOREARMS \h\h\h\hHAVE A CRUSHING GRIP

THAT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTO ESCAPE.

A MANTIS EATS ITS PREY ALIVE...

AND FOR THIS CANNIBAL,

DECAPITATION IS THE PREFERRED WAY TO SERVE UP TODAY’S MEAL.

WITH NAMES LIKE TRIOCEROS, BRADYPODION AND ARCHAIUS,

YOU’D THINK WE HAD STEPPED BACK INTO THE JURASSIC AGE.

[ROAR]

BUT THESE COLD-BLOODED CREATURES

ARE ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL \hHUNTERS IN THE JUNGLE TODAY.

\h\h\h\h\hYOU’VE GOT TO BE QUICK WHEN YOUR FOOD MOVES THIS FAST.

\h\hWELL-DEVELOPED EYES THAT PIVOT INDEPENDENTLY

\h\hALLOW IT TO SEE ALMOST 360 DEGREES.

THERE IS NOWHERE TO HIDE.

THESE STRANGE REPTILES \h\h\hARE CHAMELEONS.

SLOW, DELIBERATE STEPS

ALLOW THEM TO GET CLOSE \h\h\h\hTO THEIR TARGET.

♪

CHAMELEONS ARE NOT DESIGNED \h\h\h\h\h\h\hFOR THE CHASE.

THEIR SECRET WEAPON?

\h\hA BALLISTIC TONGUE THAT ACCELERATES AT OVER 40 G’s--

THAT’S MORE THAN 10 TIMES \h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE G-FORCE

OF A NASA SPACE SHUTTLE \h\h\h\h\h\hON TAKEOFF.

♪

THERE IS NOTHING IN THE JUNGLE

\h\h\h\hTHAT CAN OUTPACE THE CHAMELEON’S TONGUE.

IT IS DEADLY ACCURATE.

ONCE YOU’RE WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE,

CHANCES OF ESCAPE ARE SLIM.

♪

\h\hIN THIS INDONESIAN JUNGLE LIVES THE KING OF CAMOUFLAGE.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHIS TINY EGG, NO BIGGER THAN A GRAIN OF RICE,

\hWILL GIVE RISE TO ONE OF THE LARGEST INSECTS ON THE PLANET,

THE ATLAS MOTH.

\h\hFOR IT TO REACH MONSTROUS PROPORTIONS, HE NEEDS TO EAT.

\h\hAND FOR THE FIRST SIX WEEKS OF HIS LIFE, THAT’S ALL HE DOES.

IT’S NOT LONG BEFORE HE’S TOO BIG FOR HIS OWN SKIN.

\h\h\hHIS GOOEY INSIDES BULGE, AND HIS OLD BODYSUIT POPS OPEN

TO ALLOW THE CATERPILLAR \h\h\h\h\h\h\hTO MATURE.

HE WILL SHED HIS SKIN FOUR TIMES AS HE GROWS FATTER AND FATTER.

THIS GRUB CONTINUES TO BINGE-EAT

UNTIL HE’S THE SIZE \h\h\hOF A HOT DOG.

\hAND THEN, IT’S TIME FOR A COSTUME CHANGE.

THE CATERPILLAR STARTS \h\h\h\h\hTO CONSTRUCT

HIS OWN SILK CHANGING ROOM.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hONE MONTH LATER, IT’S TIME FOR THE BIG REVEAL.

\h\h\h\hWITH A WINGSPAN OF MORE THAN 12 INCHES,

IT TRULY IS A MAMMOTH MOTH.

♪

THIS ONCE FAT UGLY DUCKLING \hIS NOW A MOSAIC OF COLOR,

AND IT’S NOT JUST FOR SHOW.

\hTHE TIPS OF THE MOTH’S WINGS RESEMBLE THE FACE OF A COBRA.

WHEN THREATENED BY PREDATORS,

THIS TRANSFORMER WILL IMITATE \h\h\h\h\h\hTHIS DEADLY SNAKE

BY MOVING ITS WINGS \h\hBACK AND FORTH.

\hDESPITE THIS ELABORATE AND MIRACULOUS MAKEOVER,

\h\hTHE ADULT ATLAS MOTH HAS LITTLE OVER A WEEK TO LIVE.

\h\h\h\hWITH NO MOUTH, HE IS UNABLE TO FEED,

\h\hSO HIS ONLY GOAL IS TO FIND A MATE AND CONTINUE HIS LEGACY.

\h\h\hNEXT ON OUR COUNTDOWN IS THE STUFF OF NIGHTMARES.

[FLUTTERING]

[HORSE NICKERS]

WHEN DARKNESS FALLS,

NO CREATURE IN THESE STABLES \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hIS SAFE.

IT’S THE VAMPIRE BAT,

THE ONLY BAT IN THE WORLD \h\h\hTHAT FEEDS ON BLOOD.

[SQUEAKING]

IT’S A MASTER OF ECHOLOCATION

\h\hAND USES BOUNCING ULTRASONIC SOUND WAVES

TO LOCATE ITS VICTIM.

IT CAN TELL WHERE THE WARM BLOOD RUNS CLOSE TO THE SKIN,

THANKS TO HEAT SENSORS \h\h\h\hNEAR ITS NOSE.

DINNER...IS SERVED.

WITH THE SHARPEST TEETH \hIN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM,

\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE VAMPIRE BAT GENTLY CUTS THROUGH THE SKIN

AND SUCKS UP THE BLOOD.

[HORSE NICKERS]

AND THANKS TO A LOCAL ANESTHETIC IN THE BAT’S SPIT,

THE VICTIM DOESN’T FEEL A THING.

[HORSE NICKERS]

IT MAY BE THE SIZE \h\hOF YOUR THUMB,

\hBUT THE VAMPIRE HAS A LIFE-SIZED APPETITE.

\h\h\hIN JUST ONE YEAR, A COLONY OF 100 VAMPIRES

CAN DRAIN THE BLOOD \h\h\hOF 25 HORSES.

WITHOUT ITS BLOOD FIX \h\h\h\h\hEVERY NIGHT,

THE BAT WOULD STARVE TO DEATH.

BUT THROUGH SUPER HEARING,

THE VAMPIRE WILL RECOGNIZE \hTHIS HORSE’S BREATHING,

\h\h\h\hAND TOMORROW NIGHT HE WILL BE BACK FOR MORE.

[HORSE NEIGHS]

[DOG BARKING]

THIS COLD-BLOODED EATING MACHINE HAS A TASTE FOR HIS OWN KIND.

AND WHEN HE’S ON THE HUNT,

HE GOES STRAIGHT FOR THE LION’S SHARE...

\h\h\hWHETHER IT FITS INTO HIS MOUTH OR NOT.

[BIRD SQUAWKING]

♪

CAPABLE OF INJECTING ENOUGH \hVENOM TO KILL AN ELEPHANT,

\h\h\h\hA KING COBRA’S BITE IS ONE OF THE DEADLIEST ON EARTH.

ONCE THE VENOM HAS TAKEN EFFECT, IT’S TIME TO EAT THIS RAT SNAKE.

♪

FIRST, HE’S GOT TO LOCATE AND LINE UP THE HEAD OF HIS MEAL.

\h\hHAVING NO LIMBS, HE USES HIS MOUTH...

SLOWLY SLITHERING \hTOWARD THE HEAD.

\h\h\h\hONCE LINED UP HE STARTS TO SWALLOW.

♪

HE’S GOT A DECEPTIVELY \h\h\h\h\hSMALL MOUTH,

BUT ELASTIC TENDONS ALLOW HIM TO STRETCH IT INCREDIBLY WIDE

TO ACCOMMODATE BIG MEALS.

♪

IT’S NOT ABOUT WHAT FITS \h\h\h\h\hIN HIS MOUTH,

BUT WHAT FITS THROUGH HIS MOUTH.

SNAKES CAN’T MAKE THEMSELVES \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hLONGER,

BUT THEY CAN STRETCH WIDER,

\h\h\h\hSTUFFING IN THEIR PREY AND SLOWLY EXPANDING OUTWARDS.

EYES TOO BIG FOR ITS STOMACH?

\h\h\hNOT LIKELY TO HAPPEN WITH THIS GRUESOME KILLER.

♪

AND WITH THAT...DINNER’S DONE!

[HISSING]

AND NOW...ANOTHER COLLECTION

\h\h\h\h\hOF HAIR-RAISING AND HEART-POUNDING IMAGES.

\hFROM HIPPO WARS TO BABOON BATTLES,

WE COUNT DOWN THE MOST FEROCIOUS FIGHTS CAPTURED ON CAMERA.

[GRUMBLING]

WITH THE ONSET OF NEW SEASONS,

MALES COMPETE FOR TERRITORY \h\h\h\h\hAND MATING RIGHTS.

IT’S A BRUTAL FIGHT.

SOME WRESTLE FOR DOMINANCE...

OTHERS BITE, CLASH...OR KILL.

HOLD ON TO YOUR SEATS \hFOR ANOTHER ROUND--

AS WE COUNT DOWN THE FIERCEST FIGHTS IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM.

♪

THIS DEADLY MEGA-MOUTH \h\hMAKES HIS ENTRANCE

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hAT NUMBER 3 ON OUR COUNTDOWN OF GANG WARS.

[GRUNTING]

WITH TUSKS MORE THAN A FOOT LONG

AND THE STRONGEST BITE \h\h\h\hON THE PLANET,

IT’S ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS \h\h\h\h\h\hANIMALS IN AFRICA.

BUT THIS BUXOM BEAST \h\hIS A VEGETARIAN

AND FEEDS ON NEARLY 90 POUNDS \h\h\h\h\h\h\hOF GRASS A DAY.

SO WHY THE MOUTHFUL \hOF MENACING TEETH?

[GRUNTING]

THEIR SOLE PURPOSE IS BATTLE.

WHEN IT COMES TO CHOOSING \hTERRITORIES AND FEMALES,

MALE HIPPOS WILL USE THEIR TEETH TO FIGHT TO THE DEATH.

\h\h\h\hIT’S THE HEIGHT OF ZAMBIA’S DRY SEASON,

AND THIS MALE’S TERRITORY \h\h\h\h\hHAS BEEN REDUCED

\h\h\h\hTO LITTLE MORE THAN A SHALLOW STREAM.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hHE’S HAD TO GO IN SEARCH OF DEEPER WATER...

IN ENEMY TERRITORY.

THIS PRIME SECTION OF THE RIVER IS OWNED BY A DOMINANT MALE.

THE INTRUDER CAN EITHER \h\hPUT HIS PRIDE ASIDE

AND SUBMIT TO THE RESIDENT MALE

OR FIGHT HIM FOR IT.

[BELLOWING]

HE CHOOSES WAR.

THE MASSIVE YAWN CONFIRMS THE INTRUDER’S CHALLENGE.

\h\h\h\h\h\hHE SPRAYS HIS FECES AND TESTOSTERONE THROUGH THE AIR

TO MARK HIS TERRITORY.

[GRUNTING]

THE INTRUDER STANDS HIS GROUND.

[GRUNTING]

AND THE BATTLE IS ON.

♪

[GRUNTING]

A 2-INCH-THICK HIDE PROVIDES \h\h\h\h\h\hSOME PROTECTION

AGAINST EACH OTHER’S \h\h\h\hIVORY FANGS,

BUT THE INSIDES OF THEIR MOUTHS ARE SOFT AND GUMMY.

THIS IS THEIR TARGET.

THEIR LOWER CANINES IMPALE.

THE INTRUDER USES HIS MONSTER MOUTH

TO LIFT THE DOMINANT MALE OUT OF THE WATER LIKE A BULLDOZER.

BUT THIS TWO-TON BULL’S \h\h\h\h\h\hNO PUSHOVER.

♪

♪

[GRUNTING]

THE INTRUDER ADMITS DEFEAT.

HE’S LUCKY TO ESCAPE \h\hWITH HIS LIFE...

THIS TIME AROUND.

COMING IN AT NUMBER 2...

THESE FEISTY AFRICAN GELADAS ARE NO STRANGERS TO DEADLY DUELS.

THEY SHARE THE SAME \h\hSOCIAL STRUCTURE

AS THEIR BABOON COUSINS.

EACH HERD HAS ONE DOMINANT MALE,

\h\h\h\hAND IT’S THE JOB OF THIS RULING GELADA, THE BABOON KING,

TO KEEP HIS FAMILY OF FEMALES \h\h\h\h\hAND YOUNG PROTECTED.

SO FAR IT’S TWELVE BABIES \h\h\h\h\h\hAND COUNTING.

BUT THE LARGER THE FAMILY,

\h\hTHE HARDER IT IS FOR THIS RULING MALE

\hTO KEEP UP WITH HIS FATHERLY OBLIGATIONS.

AND NOW, HE FACES A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

THERE’S A NEW KID ON THE BLOCK.

HE’S THE KING’S YOUNGER BROTHER, AND HE’S VYING FOR THE THRONE.

\hTHE BABOON KING KEEPS GUARD OF THE HERD ON THEIR DAILY COMMUTE.

BUT TODAY IS NO ORDINARY DAY.

IT’S AN AMBUSH.

AND THIS BAND OF BACHELORS HAS BEEN WAITING FOR HIM.

IT’S FOUR AGAINST ONE.

[SCREECHING]

RETREAT IS THE ONLY OPTION.

THEY KNOW THAT IF THEY CAN HELP BRING DOWN THE KING,

THEY’LL MOVE UP A NOTCH \h\hIN THE MATING CHAIN.

[BARKING]

[SCREECHING]

\hHE CATCHES HIS BREATH IN THE TOP OF A TREE...

THEN MAKES A BREAK FOR IT.

HE RUNS FOR OPEN SPACE AND RIGHT INTO A TRAP

WHERE HIS BROTHER HAS BEEN WAITING.

♪

THIS BATTLE WILL BE MANO A MANO.

[SCREECHING]

\h\hTHE FURY OF THE FIGHT SHOWS JUST HOW MUCH IS AT STAKE HERE--

POSSIBLY THE END OF ONE REIGN AND THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER.

[SCREECHING]

[GROWLING]

[SCREECHING]

[GROWLING]

[SCREECHING]

THE KING DELIVERS A SAVAGE BITE, STRAIGHT TO HIS BROTHER’S FACE.

[SCREECHING]

THE FIGHT IS OVER.

THE CHALLENGER IS BADLY INJURED.

HIS OLDER BROTHER HAS LEFT HIM \h\h\hWITH THE ULTIMATE SCAR.

HE’S LOST A CANINE, THE MARK OF MANHOOD.

♪

AGAINST ALL ODDS, THE KING HAS CLAWED HIS WAY BACK TO THE TOP

\h\hAND HAS SECURED THIS MOUNTAIN THRONE

AT LEAST FOR ONE MORE YEAR.

♪

[BUZZING]

ENTER INTO JAPAN’S WILD WOODS

\h\hAND YOU’LL HEAR THE HONEYBEES ABUZZ.

BENEATH THE COOL, MOSSY EXTERIOR OF THEIR FORTRESS,

\h\h\hTHESE FOREST DWELLERS ARE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK

\hTO NURTURE THEIR HIVE AND PROTECT THEIR YOUNG.

[BUZZING]

DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS,

WORKER BEES TIRELESSLY PRODUCE \h\h\h\h\hHONEY FOR THE HIVE.

THEY SPEND THEIR DAYS \h\hCOLLECTING NECTAR;

\hTHEN REGURGITATE THE HONEY INTO CELLS IN THE HONEYCOMB.

♪

THEIR TEAMWORK HAS PRODUCED \h\h\h\hA THRIVING COLONY...

\h\hAND IT’S A TREASURE CHEST JUST WAITING TO BE PLUNDERED.

THESE TINY HONEYBEES \h\h\hARE EASY PREY

FOR THE LARGEST HORNET \h\h\h\hIN THE WORLD.

TWO INCHES LONG AND 20 TIMES \hHEAVIER THAN THE HONEYBEE,

THE GIANT BAMBOO HORNET

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hCAN WIPE OUT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF BEES

IN A MATTER OF HOURS.

THEY’VE HIT THE JACKPOT!

[BUZZING]

WITH AN ENEMY IN THEIR MIDST,

THE HONEYBEES HATCH \h\h\hA BATTLE PLAN.

THIS ISN’T THEIR FIRST RODEO!

WORKING IN GROUPS, THE BEES OVERWHELM THE GIANT HORNET,

BITING AND STINGING HER \h\h\h\h\h\hREPEATEDLY.

THEY DISPERSE A PHEROMONE,

\h\h\h\hWHICH ALERTS THE REST OF THE HIVE

AND CALLS IN FRESH RECRUITS.

[BUZZING]

CLUSTERS OF BEES MOB THE HORNET

AND BLOCK THE BREATHING HOLES \h\h\h\h\h\h\hON HER ABDOMEN.

♪

THEIR AIM IS TO HEAT UP \h\h\h\hHER TEMPERATURE

BEYOND HER THERMAL LIMIT.

[BUZZING]

INSIDE THE BEE BALL \hIT’S 116 DEGREES--

AND THE SMOTHERED HORNET IS QUICKLY OVERHEATING.

THE GIANT FINALLY GIVES UP \h\h\h\hHER BRAVE FIGHT--

DEFEATED BY A GANG OF TINY BEES ONE FIFTH HER SIZE.

[BUZZING]

GET READY FOR THE ROMANTIC \h\h\h\h\hAND RIVETING...

AS WE CONTINUE OUR COUNTDOWN \h\hINCREDIBLE ANIMAL MOMENTS.

[GROWLING]

AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR, JUNGLES, DESERTS AND PRAIRIES

\h\h\hSING WITH THE SOUNDS OF ROMANCE AND COURTSHIP.

FOR SOME, IT CAN BE A FRIENDLY, ROMANTIC AND CHARMING AFFAIR.

FOR OTHERS...NOT SO MUCH.

SO GET READY FOR THE RAUNCHY, RISQUÉ, AND DOWNRIGHT DIRTY...

AND SEE WHAT REALLY HAPPENS \h\h\h\hBEHIND THE CURTAIN,

\hNEXT ON OUR COUNTDOWN INCREDIBLE ANIMAL MOMENTS.

IN THE JUNGLES OF PANAMA,

\h\h\h\hIT’S THE ONSET OF THE RAINY SEASON--

\hAND THE FOREST ECHOES WITH THE MUSIC OF FROGS.

[FROGS CROAKING AND CHIRPING]

ONE OF THESE SMALL AMPHIBIANS HAS HOPPED ON TO OUR COUNTDOWN

TO OCCUPY THIRD PLACE.

[CHIRPING]

\hA MALE GLASS FROG CALLS FOR A MATE...

[PEEP]

AND A FEMALE RESPONDS.

SPURRED BY THE RAIN, THEY’VE BOTH COME DOWN TO THE STREAM

TO ENGAGE IN AN INTIMATE \h\hAND ANCIENT RITUAL.

\h\h\h\hTHESE AMPHIBIANS SPEND THE DRY SEASON IN THE CANOPY,

BUT ONCE THE RAINS COME, \h\h\hIT’S TIME TO MATE.

GLASS FROGS GET THEIR NAME

FROM THEIR UNIQUE STYLE \h\h\h\h\hOF CAMOUFLAGE.

THEY DON’T CHANGE THEIR COLORS \h\h\h\h\h\hLIKE SOME ANIMALS.

\h\hTHE GLASS FROG’S BELLY IS COMPLETELY TRANSLUCENT.

IN THE DEEP GREEN WETNESS \h\h\h\hOF THE RAINFOREST,

IT’S A PERFECT DISGUISE.

\h\h\h\hBEFORE MATING, THE FEMALE GLASS FROG

HOPS AROUND ON A LEAF, \h\hCOLLECTING WATER,

\h\h\h\hCAUSING HER TO SWELL UP AND HYDRATE THE EGGS INSIDE HER.

\hWHEN THE FEMALE RELEASES THE EGGS,

THE MALE CATCHES THEM WITH HIS HIND LEGS AND FERTILIZES THEM.

\h\hAS THE EGGS DEVELOP OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS,

\h\h\hBOTH THE MALE AND FEMALE PLAY IMPORTANT PARENTAL ROLES.

ONE FROG TAKES A TURN \hHYDRATING THE EGGS,

\hWHILE THE OTHER HELPS STAND GUARD.

THIS SHARED PARENTAL DAYCARE

\h\hWILL GO A LONG WAY TO ENSURE THE SURVIVAL OF THEIR OFFSPRING.

♪

COMING IN AT NUMBER 2--

ALTHOUGH THESE CONTENDERS \h\h\h\hARE COLD BLOODED,

THEY KNOW HOW TO KEEP THINGS \h\h\h\h\h\h\hHOT AND STEAMY

ON THE JUNGLE FLOOR.

♪

\hVIPERS MATE IN A RITUAL OF GENTLY RUBBING BODIES.

♪

THEIR BODIES CARESS AND TONGUES FLICKER

\h\h\hAS THE MALE TASTES THE FEMALE’S PHEROMONES,

TESTING IF SHE’S READY TO MATE.

WHEN THE FEMALE IS AROUSED,

\h\h\h\h\hSHE’LL LIFT THE BASE OF HER TAIL, AND THEY’LL MATE,

LIKE THESE PUFF ADDERS \h\h\h\h\h\hARE DOING.

♪

THE MALE TENDS TO DO MOST OF THE WORK...

\h\h\h\h\hPERHAPS THE FEMALES PACE THEMSELVES DURING MATING

BECAUSE JUST ONE SESSION

CAN SOMETIMES CARRY ON FOR UP TO THREE HOURS.

\h\hFEMALES HOLD ALL THE CARDS WHEN IT COMES TO REPRODUCTION.

\h\hTHEY CAN STORE SPERM FROM ONE MATING SESSION

\h\h\h\h\h\hFOR UP TO FIVE YEARS BEFORE IT STARTS TO DETERIORATE.

\h\h\h\h\hUNLIKE MOST SNAKES, FEMALE PUFF ADDERS GIVE BIRTH

TO LIVE SNAKELINGS.

♪

\h\h\h\hTHIS ENSURES THAT THEIR OFFSPRING

GET THE BEST POSSIBLE \h\h\hCHANCE AT LIFE.

\h\hWITHIN TWO WEEKS OF BIRTH, EQUIPPED WITH FANGS AND VENOM,

THEY’RE FULLY INDEPENDENT

\h\hAND PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF SURVIVING ON THEIR OWN.

NUMBER 1 ON OUR COUNTDOWN \h\h\hOF ROMANTIC MOMENTS

GOES TO THE GIFTED LOVER \h\h\h\hFROM DOWN UNDER.

THE LITTLE RED FLYING FOX \h\h\h\h\h\h\hOF AUSTRALIA

IS A REAL TRAPEZE ARTIST.

THIS ACROBAT USES HIS TALENTS

EVEN IN THE MOST CHALLENGING \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hPOSITIONS.

LONG-CLAWED THUMBS MAKE \hIDEAL CLAMBERING HOOKS

FOR WALKING THE TIGHTROPE.

AND A GOOD GRIP IS IMPORTANT

WHEN YOU’RE AS HYPERACTIVE \h\h\h\h\hAS THE ACROBAT.

[FLUTTERING]

\h\h\hTHE LITTLE RED SPENDS A THIRD OF ITS DAY GROOMING

AND ANOTHER LARGE CHUNK OF IT \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hSLEEPING.

♪

THEIR CURVED CLAWS ACT \hAS BAT COAT HANGERS

AND ALLOW THEM TO HANG AROUND, \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hUPSIDE DOWN,

WITHOUT EVER FALLING--

EVEN WHEN THEY’RE TAKING A NAP.

IN FACT, THEIR FEET CAN LATCH ON SO HARD

\h\hTHAT EVEN DEAD BATS REMAIN HANGING IN PLACE.

WHEN YOU’RE ALWAYS UPSIDE DOWN,

YOU NEED A TRICK MOVE \h\hWHEN NATURE CALLS.

♪

BUT THIS IS NOT THE ONLY MOVE \h\h\h\h\h\hTHAT COUNTS HERE.

THE ACROBATS COMPETE FOR FEMALES IN UPSIDE-DOWN BOXING MATCHES.

♪

[SQUEAKING]

\h\h\hIT’S INVERTED MIXED MARTIAL ARTS.

♪

THEY CLAW, BOX AND BITE.

[CHATTERING]

THE VICTORIOUS GYMNAST WILL MATE

\h\hWITH ANY FEMALE THAT WILL HAVE HIM.

AND IT’S A TRICKY AFFAIR,

EVEN IF YOU’RE HANGING \h\h\h\h\hLIKE A BAT.

\h\h\hAFTER A STEAMY ROMANCE COMES THE JOB OF PARENTING,

\hAND A FEW ANIMALS WILL RISK EVERYTHING

TO PROTECT THEIR YOUNG.

NEXT, MORE INCREDIBLE IMAGES \h\h\h\h\h\hAS WE COUNT DOWN

\hTHE GREATEST MOMENTS OF EXTREME PARENTING.

[WHIMPERS]

FOR MANY ANIMALS, PARENTING \h\hCAN BE A FULL-TIME JOB.

SOME FEMALES GO AT IT SOLO,

\h\h\h\hCARING FOR THEIR YOUNG AND PROVIDING FOR THE FAMILY.

OTHERS GET HELP FROM DAD

OR OTHER FEMALES, IF THEY’RE LUCKY.

\h\h\hUP NEXT, WE COUNT DOWN THE MOST REMARKABLE MOMENTS

OF ANIMAL PARENTING.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hIT’S SUMMER ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER,

\h\h\hAND THIS PAIR OF FEATHERED LOVERS

GLIDES IN AT THE TOP \hOF OUR COUNTDOWN.

WOOD DUCKS THAT PARTNERED UP \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hIN JANUARY

NOW PREPARE TO START A FAMILY.

A HOLE HIGH ABOVE THE WATER

WILL PROVIDE RELATIVE SAFETY \h\h\h\h\hFROM PREDATORS...

\hAND EASY ACCESS TO THE MISSISSIPPI

WHEN THE CHICKS ARE READY \h\hTO TAKE TO THE WATER.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hBY LATE JUNE-- 30 DAYS AFTER THEY WERE LAID--

A DOZEN SURVIVING WOOD DUCKS \h\h\h\hARE READY TO HATCH.

ALL THE CHICKS ARE BORN ALERT AND WITH A FULL COAT OF DOWN.

THEY CAN’T FLY YET,

\h\hBUT THEY CAN’T STAY CRAMPED UP HERE EITHER.

[CHEEPING]

AFTER ONLY ONE DAY,

MOM CALLS FOR THEM TO BOLDLY GO WHERE THEY’VE NEVER GONE BEFORE.

IT’S A 30-FOOT LEAP OF FAITH.

\hTHE FIRST BRAVE SOUL PREPARES FOR LIFTOFF.

♪

♪

\h\hONE DOWN--AND ITS BROTHERS AND SISTERS WAIT IN THE WINGS.

♪

♪

♪

\h\hTYPICALLY, ALL THE CHICKS WILL JUMP JUST MINUTES APART.

♪

[QUACKING]

\h\hBUT EVERY NOW AND THEN, THERE’S A FAILURE TO LAUNCH.

♪

♪

AFTER THE HARROWING DEPARTURE,

\h\h\h\hTHEY’VE LANDED IN A BRAVE NEW WORLD.

ONLY ABOUT HALF THE DUCKLINGS \h\hWILL MAKE IT TO ADULTHOOD.

IN THE MEANTIME, IT’S UP TO MOM TO TEACH THEM ALL SHE CAN.

[QUACKING]

♪

SOUTH OF THE U.S. BORDER, \hOFF THE COAST OF MEXICO,

ANOTHER MOTHER GOES \hTO EXTREME LENGTHS

TO PROVIDE PROTECTION \hTO HER NEWBORN CALF.

\hTHIS PACIFIC HUMPBACK TAKES THE NUMBER 3 SLOT

\h\h\hON OUR COUNTDOWN OF EXTREME PARENTING.

\h\hEVERY YEAR THESE GIANTS MAKE THE 16,000-MILE JOURNEY

FROM THE COLD ARTIC SEAS

\h\h\h\hTO SAFER HAVENS IN THE TROPICAL PACIFIC.

\h\h\h\hTHESE ISLANDS OFF THE BAJA PENINSULA

PROVIDE AN IMPORTANT SANCTUARY

FOR WHALES WHO COME TO GIVE BIRTH IN THESE WARM WATERS.

\h\h\hTHIS MOTHER HAS CHOSEN THIS EXTRAORDINARY LOCATION

TO INTRODUCE HER NEWBORN CALF \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTO THE WORLD,

THE START OF A POWERFUL BOND.

♪

\h\h\h\h\hFOR HOURS AT A TIME, SHE REMAINS ALMOST MOTIONLESS

AS HER DAUGHTER SUCKLES SOME OF THE RICHEST MILK OF ANY MAMMAL,

UP TO 150 GALLONS A DAY.

EVEN THOUGH HER MOTHER WEIGHS \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hIN THE TONS,

SHE DEMONSTRATES A TENDERNESS \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hWITH HER CALF

THAT BELIES HER ENORMOUS POWER.

THIS YOUNGSTER IS GROWING AT AROUND 55 POUNDS A DAY,

\hAND ONE OF HER FIRST IMPORTANT LESSONS IS CONTROLLING BUOYANCY.

♪

MOTHER WHALE MAKES SITTING STILL LOOK EASY.

BUT HER ONE-TON BABY CAN’T SEEM TO GET THE HANG OF IT.

\hEVENTUALLY SHE FIGURES OUT THAT SHE CAN USE HER MOTHER

AS A KIND OF GIANT ANCHOR,

NESTLING BENEATH HER UNTIL SHE \h\hNEEDS TO SURFACE FOR AIR.

♪

\h\h\h\hFOR NOW, BEING A BABY HUMPBACK WHALE

IN THE DEEP BLUE WATERS OF BAJA SEEMS IDYLLIC.

THE LESSONS SHE’S LEARNING HERE

COULD MEAN THE DIFFERENCE \h\hBETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH

\hWHEN SHE MAKES HER FIRST LONG AND DANGEROUS JOURNEY

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hALL THE WAY TO THE RICH FEEDING GROUNDS

OF THE FROZEN ARCTIC CIRCLE.

♪

[WHALE SQUEAKS]

♪

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hONCE THE GRASSES OF THE SERENGETI START GROWING,

\h\hAN EXTRAORDINARY TALE OF ANIMAL DAYCARE UNFOLDS.

\h\h\h\hIT’S THE ONSET OF THE CALVING SEASON,

WHEN EACH HEAVILY PREGNANT COW

WILL INSTINCTIVELY DROP \h\h\h\h\h\h\hITS CALF,

AS MANY AS 8,000 PER DAY.

AND IT’S THE FOLLOWING \h\hTWO TO THREE WEEKS

\h\hTHAT THE PREDATORS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.

[WILDEBEEST LOWING]

THIS LIONESS IS HIDING \h\h\h\hAT THE CENTER

OF LITERALLY THOUSANDS \h\hOF NEWBORN CALVES.

[LOWING]

[HOOVES THUNDERING]

[SNORTS]

A MOTHER IS FORCED TO LEAVE \hHER MINUTES-OLD OFFSPRING.

♪

SHE MAKES A BRAVE AND FINAL ATTEMPT

TO SCARE OFF THE BIG CAT.

[LION GROWLING]

[CALF BLEATS]

[GROWL]

♪

BUT HER CALF IS NOW AT ANOTHER’S MERCY.

[GROWLING]

♪

[GROWLING]

♪

[BLEATS]

\hWHY THE LIONESS HESITATES TO MAKE THE KILL IS UNKNOWN.

♪

\h\h\h\h\hASTONISHINGLY, THE CALF IS IMPRINTING,

COMPELLED TO TREAT A NEARBY WARM BODY

AS ITS PROVIDER AND PROTECTOR,

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hA VERY RARE AND USUALLY FATAL MISTAKE.

BUT FOR SOME MYSTERIOUS REASON,

THE LIONESS TOLERATES \h\h\h\hTHE BEHAVIOR.

♪

[GROWLING]

♪

\h\hATTENTION DIVERTED, THE CALF IS LEFT ALONE.

♪

SOMEWHERE IN THERE IS A MOTHER \h\h\h\h\hBEREFT OF HER CALF.

[SNORTING]

♪

IT’S BELIEVED THAT MOTHERS RECOGNIZE THEIR OWN CALVES

BY SCENT.

BUT SUCCESSFUL REUNIONS \h\hLIKE THIS ARE RARE.

[WILDEBEEST LOWING]

♪

THIS ZEBRA HAS JUST GIVEN BIRTH,

AND SHE’S THE CROWN WINNER \h\h\h\hIN OUR COUNTDOWN.

AS A NEW MOM, SHE HAS \hONE SIMPLE MISSION:

TO KEEP HER SEVEN-WEEK-OLD FOAL ALIVE ON HIS FIRST MIGRATION

ACROSS THE BRUTAL PLAINS \hAND TREACHEROUS RIVERS

OF THE MASAI MARA.

EVERY YEAR, THE SEARCH \h\hFOR FOOD AND WATER

DRIVES 1.5 MILLION WILDEBEEST

AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hOF ZEBRAS

ON AN 1,800-MILE JOURNEY ACROSS THIS EAST AFRICAN SAVANNAH.

[ZEBRAS BRAYING]

BY THE TIME THEY COMPLETE \h\hTHIS GREAT MIGRATION,

ALMOST A QUARTER OF THE ANIMALS WILL PERISH.

FOR MANY, THE VIOLENT MARA RIVER IS THE ULTIMATE CHOKE POINT

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hAND THE SETTING FOR NATURE’S DEADLIEST AMBUSH.

LURKING BELOW ARE THE BIGGEST \h\h\h\hCROCODILES IN AFRICA.

FOR MONTHS THEY’VE SURVIVED \h\hON LITTLE BUT SCRAPS...

AND THEY ARE HUNGRY.

♪

[BELLOWING]

MOM AND FOAL TAKE THE PLUNGE

AND ARE QUICKLY SWEPT \h\h\h\h\hDOWNSTREAM.

[BRAYING]

AS MOM FIGHTS THE RAPIDS,

THERE IS NO WAY THE LITTLE FOAL CAN KEEP UP.

THE PAIR IS RIPPED APART,

AND THE FOAL DISAPPEARS \h\h\h\hINTO THE CHAOS.

\h\h\h\hAS MORE ZEBRAS ARE WASHED DOWNSTREAM,

THE YOUNG FOAL FOLLOWS.

♪

AFTER CROSSING TWICE MIDSTREAM,

HE FINALLY MAKES IT \hTO THE RIVERBANK.

\h\h\h\h\h\hTHIS TIME... THERE’S NO TURNING BACK.

♪

\h\h\h\hMEANWHILE HIS MOTHER IS FIGHTING HER OWN BATTLE.

SHE GATHERS HER STRENGTH

AND READIES HERSELF \hFOR A FINAL PUSH.

IT’S DO OR DIE.

♪

\h\h\h\h\hHER YOUNG FOAL IS NOT GIVING UP EITHER,

BUT HE’S CLEARLY EXHAUSTED.

[ZEBRA BRAYING]

AFTER HOURS OF SEARCHING,

MOM STILL HAS NOT FOUND \h\h\h\h\h\h\hHER FOAL.

AMAZINGLY, SHE DECIDES TO PLUNGE

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hBACK INTO THE CROCODILE-INFESTED MARA...

\h\h\h\hPERHAPS THINKING HE’S ON THE OTHER SIDE.

\h\h\hLUCKILY THE CROCS ARE TOO FAR DOWNSTREAM--

AND MOM MAKES IT TO THE SHALLOWS.

BUT THE YOUNG FOAL IS NOW \h\hON THE OPPOSITE BANK.

\hIT’S BEEN MORE THAN A DAY SINCE HE’S SEEN HIS MOTHER.

\hWITHOUT HER MILK, HE WON’T LAST LONG.

♪

MIRACULOUSLY MOM HAS SURVIVED A THIRD TRIP ACROSS THE RIVER

\h\h\h\h\hAND IS FINALLY BACK ON THE SAME BANK AS THE FOAL.

A BITE FROM A CROCODILE \hJOLTS HER INTO ACTION.

\h\h\h\h\hTHERE’S NO WAY OUT OVER THE PILE OF CARCASSES.

THE ONLY OPTION IS TO PLUNGE

BACK INTO THE BLOOD RIVER \h\h\h\h\h\hONE LAST TIME.

♪

HER ONLY HOPE FOR SURVIVAL

\h\h\h\h\h\hIS IF THE CROCS HAVE FINALLY HAD THEIR FILL.

AND IT SEEMS THIS TIME \h\h\h\h\h\hTHEY HAVE.

♪

\hTHANKS TO PERSEVERANCE AND THE WHIMS OF NATURE,

MOTHER AND FOAL ARE ALIVE.

DAYS OF IMPRINTING AFTER BIRTH \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hHAVE PAID OFF.

AND AFTER TWO DAYS APART, \hMOTHER AND SON REUNITE.

FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS,

THEY’LL JOIN THE HERDS ON THE BOUNTIFUL NORTHERN GRASSLANDS

\hUNTIL THE GREAT MIGRATION LEADS THEM SOUTH ONCE MORE.

FOR THIS ZEBRA AND HER FOAL, \h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHIS IS LIFE--

\h\h\hTENUOUS, CHALLENGING, AND LIVED ONE DAY AT A TIME.