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NARRATOR: On the grasslands
of Southern Africa lives
a remarkable family,
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a hyena clan, ruled by
their queen.
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(SQUEALING)
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00:00:18,433 --> 00:00:22,033
But their home is
suffering an intense
drought.
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00:00:24,167 --> 00:00:26,197
Prey is hard to find,
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00:00:27,267 --> 00:00:32,167
and the clan must travel vast
distances in search of food.
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00:00:33,467 --> 00:00:39,197
In the harsh conditions,
with young to feed,
they face a tough decision,
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do they leave their cubs
and head north to hunt?
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00:00:46,100 --> 00:00:50,530
Or do they wait for the
rains, and the herds,
to come to them?
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00:00:53,100 --> 00:00:55,070
The clan must be bold...
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00:00:58,167 --> 00:00:59,267
Cunning...
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00:01:04,167 --> 00:01:05,427
And strong...
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If they are to make it
through the drought,
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the toughest time of all.
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(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)
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Meet the north clan.
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An extended family of
12 spotted hyenas.
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This is the first meal
they've had
in almost a week.
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They're hungry and it's
only a tiny antelope.
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They need a decent meal
at least every three days.
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There isn't enough to go
around, and tensions rise.
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00:02:04,067 --> 00:02:05,067
(GROWLING)
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(GROWLING, SQUEALING)
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00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:30,130
The clan is struggling.
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00:02:32,133 --> 00:02:34,233
Their queen has two
cubs to feed.
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00:02:35,500 --> 00:02:37,430
A prince and princess
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00:02:38,267 --> 00:02:39,527
six weeks old,
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00:02:39,733 --> 00:02:42,673
and they'll rely almost
entirely on her milk
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00:02:43,133 --> 00:02:45,003
for up to a year
and a half.
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00:02:47,633 --> 00:02:50,503
Keeping them alive is her
top priority.
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00:02:59,800 --> 00:03:02,200
Their home is an
underground den
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in the north of an
area of wilderness
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known as the Liuwa Plains.
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00:03:09,567 --> 00:03:14,197
The queen and her clan
rule over a huge patch
of the plains
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00:03:14,433 --> 00:03:18,373
extending 20 miles
in every direction
from their den.
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00:03:23,067 --> 00:03:25,497
Located in the far west
of Zambia,
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Liuwa Plains
National Park is
1400 square miles
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of open grassland.
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00:03:35,500 --> 00:03:38,030
There are only a handful
of lions here,
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00:03:39,333 --> 00:03:43,603
and the queen and her clan
have risen to the top of
the food chain.
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00:03:45,267 --> 00:03:49,097
Here they are hunters,
not scavengers.
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00:03:51,700 --> 00:03:55,300
In good years, there's
plenty for the clan to eat.
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00:03:57,400 --> 00:03:59,070
Herds of zebra.
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00:04:00,733 --> 00:04:03,573
Small antelopes,
called oribi.
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00:04:06,433 --> 00:04:10,073
And the clan's favorite
prey, wildebeest
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and their calves.
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(GRUNTING)
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00:04:21,533 --> 00:04:23,103
(THUNDER ROLLING)
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00:04:23,133 --> 00:04:24,403
In the rainy season,
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00:04:25,967 --> 00:04:28,997
thousands of wildebeest
normally converge
on the plains,
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00:04:30,100 --> 00:04:32,330
in the center
of the hyena's territory.
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(MOOING, GRUNTING)
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But this year the rains
are more than a month late.
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Not a single drop has
fallen for more than
six months
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00:05:01,100 --> 00:05:04,270
and Liuwa Plains
is suffering
a severe drought.
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00:05:15,833 --> 00:05:18,533
Without fresh green grass
to attract them,
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00:05:19,100 --> 00:05:23,600
there are no wildebeest herds
anywhere near the north
clan's territory.
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00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:31,200
The herds are now
scattered far to the north,
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00:05:32,133 --> 00:05:35,603
and the clan has
to travel vast distances
to find them.
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00:05:41,467 --> 00:05:45,697
Several weeks ago,
a hunting party from
the clan went north
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00:05:46,400 --> 00:05:47,730
and never returned,
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00:05:51,667 --> 00:05:54,997
leaving this
small yearling an orphan.
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00:05:55,267 --> 00:05:56,267
(SQUEALING)
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00:05:57,833 --> 00:06:02,333
The clan has a strict
hierarchy and the
yearling's been pushed
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00:06:02,367 --> 00:06:04,497
to the bottom of
the social pile.
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00:06:05,433 --> 00:06:07,273
(CHIRPING AND GROWLING)
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00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:12,330
Even the two young cubs
take turns to boss her around.
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00:06:14,133 --> 00:06:15,133
(SQUEALING)
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00:06:19,300 --> 00:06:20,400
(GROWLING)
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00:06:25,567 --> 00:06:29,467
Born to a queen, they have
high ranking in the clan.
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00:06:33,800 --> 00:06:38,570
For the orphan, without a
mother to protect her and
give her status,
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life is a daily struggle.
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(SQUEALING)
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00:06:47,400 --> 00:06:51,070
She needs to grow up fast
and gain respect.
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00:06:59,700 --> 00:07:05,270
She is barely old enough
to eat solid food and has
no mother to provide milk.
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00:07:06,167 --> 00:07:08,427
Now she has little choice.
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00:07:08,700 --> 00:07:12,700
She must fight,
even for a tiny scrap
of the kill,
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00:07:13,233 --> 00:07:15,103
to keep herself alive.
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00:07:17,267 --> 00:07:20,627
And when the clan goes out
hunting, she must follow,
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00:07:21,067 --> 00:07:23,227
otherwise she won't survive.
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00:07:26,833 --> 00:07:30,473
Like all hyenas,
this clan is matriarchal.
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00:07:33,633 --> 00:07:35,503
Females are in charge.
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00:07:37,167 --> 00:07:41,067
They're as big and strong
as male hyenas.
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00:07:41,567 --> 00:07:43,197
(GROWLING)
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00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:50,300
All of the adult females
can potentially have cubs,
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00:07:50,733 --> 00:07:55,333
but they will usually only
tolerate one adult male
at the den.
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And they use him for one
purpose only...
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Mating.
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00:08:07,367 --> 00:08:11,567
The clan females have
unusually high levels of
testosterone
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00:08:12,100 --> 00:08:15,500
and this results in
the growth of
external genitalia,
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a pseudopenis, that looks
almost identical to a
male phallus.
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00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:25,470
It's very hard to tell
them apart.
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00:08:29,100 --> 00:08:32,630
In a few years when the
prince and princess grow up,
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00:08:33,333 --> 00:08:37,573
she'll stay with the
clan but he'll be pushed
out of the den
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00:08:38,067 --> 00:08:39,727
to fend for himself.
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00:08:41,433 --> 00:08:43,633
He might become a
satellite male,
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guarding the den from
a distance.
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00:08:47,133 --> 00:08:52,233
Or he will leave his home
and travel far to find
a new clan.
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00:08:59,100 --> 00:09:01,530
For now though he's indulged,
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00:09:03,367 --> 00:09:05,727
and all the clan helps out
with the cubs.
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00:09:07,467 --> 00:09:10,497
There's even a babysitter
to watch over them
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00:09:10,733 --> 00:09:12,673
when the queen goes
out hunting.
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00:09:15,233 --> 00:09:18,273
Or when she just needs
to take a break.
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00:09:22,067 --> 00:09:23,067
(SQUEALING)
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00:09:31,533 --> 00:09:37,033
When the cubs are around
18 months old they will
start to eat solid food.
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00:09:38,533 --> 00:09:42,533
But for now, their mother's
milk gives them
everything they need.
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00:09:45,467 --> 00:09:48,697
Hyena milk is some of
the richest in the
animal kingdom,
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with the highest
level of protein and fat
of any African carnivore.
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00:09:56,233 --> 00:10:01,503
It's so rich, one feed
can keep the cubs going
for days at a time.
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00:10:02,567 --> 00:10:06,467
But when their mother
goes hunting she can't be
gone too long.
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00:10:07,500 --> 00:10:11,200
If left for more than a week,
the cubs would die.
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00:10:13,367 --> 00:10:19,027
For the queen, producing
such nutritious milk
requires a lot of energy.
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00:10:21,233 --> 00:10:25,403
And she hasn't had a
decent meal in over a week.
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00:10:43,833 --> 00:10:49,203
The clan begins to stir
in anticipation of the
cool of the night.
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00:10:53,700 --> 00:10:55,070
(SQUEALING)
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00:11:10,067 --> 00:11:14,427
They have conserved their
energy for night-time,
when they typically hunt.
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00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:29,200
Hyenas can hear sounds up
to seven miles away and have
excellent night vision.
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00:11:36,767 --> 00:11:39,467
They scour their home
territory for food.
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00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:46,470
They can cover their
entire range, walking
20 miles in one night.
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00:11:50,067 --> 00:11:53,067
The queen stays at the
den to feed the cubs,
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00:11:53,367 --> 00:11:56,627
but listens out for any sound
of the clan making a kill.
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00:12:04,633 --> 00:12:10,273
But even highly adapted
senses are no help when
there's so little to be found.
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00:12:14,633 --> 00:12:18,403
A lone African wildcat is
the only creature they see.
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00:12:30,767 --> 00:12:33,997
They will continue the
search until sunrise.
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00:12:54,567 --> 00:12:59,097
Despite their nocturnal
efforts, the clan's
hunters return
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00:12:59,133 --> 00:13:01,103
to the den empty-handed.
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00:13:02,267 --> 00:13:06,427
But the cubs are still
pleased to see their
family safe and well.
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00:13:08,433 --> 00:13:10,403
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
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00:13:17,167 --> 00:13:19,767
It's one of the worst
droughts in decades.
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00:13:21,467 --> 00:13:24,197
By now, the rains
should have come
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00:13:24,700 --> 00:13:28,570
and the clan would have
thousands of wildebeest
to hunt all around them.
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00:13:31,533 --> 00:13:35,033
But with no sign of rain
or large wildebeest herds
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00:13:35,067 --> 00:13:38,567
on the horizon, the queen
faces a tough decision.
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00:13:40,767 --> 00:13:44,527
Does she take a risk
and lead another
hunting party north
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00:13:46,100 --> 00:13:50,270
or does she wait
and hope the herds
come to her?
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00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:57,600
She makes a brave call
and gathers the best
hunters in the clan.
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00:14:03,200 --> 00:14:05,070
They could be gone for days,
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00:14:07,533 --> 00:14:11,073
so a babysitter stays behind
to guard the cubs.
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00:14:14,700 --> 00:14:20,230
The lowly orphan
has no option.
She must join the hunters.
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00:14:33,400 --> 00:14:38,400
The cubs must wait
patiently, without food,
for their mother to return.
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00:15:07,333 --> 00:15:13,573
After a few hours, the
hunting party is already
15 miles from the den.
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00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:20,100
They find a single
wildebeest.
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00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:25,170
But no sign of the large
herds with calves
they're looking for.
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00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:32,630
Lone male wildebeest hold
territories in this part
of the plains year round.
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00:15:34,333 --> 00:15:38,373
When the rains return,
bringing the big herds
with females,
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00:15:38,567 --> 00:15:41,167
they'll be in prime
position to breed.
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00:15:44,367 --> 00:15:46,627
They spend their days
fighting with their
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00:15:46,667 --> 00:15:49,527
neighbors in a
display of strength.
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00:16:09,233 --> 00:16:14,233
For the clan, attempting
to bring down one of these
aggressive beasts
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00:16:14,267 --> 00:16:16,127
is not worth the risk.
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(GRUNTS)
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They push on further
to the north.
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00:16:59,433 --> 00:17:04,133
Another hour on and
the temperature climbs
to 100 degrees.
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00:17:05,633 --> 00:17:07,133
(GROANING)
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00:17:10,133 --> 00:17:13,473
Most of the hunters
stop and rest.
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00:17:25,667 --> 00:17:29,127
So far, the orphan has
managed to keep up.
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00:17:29,667 --> 00:17:33,397
It's been a tough trial
and she's exhausted.
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00:17:43,667 --> 00:17:48,167
But the hungry queen
pushes on further. Alone.
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00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:12,170
She eventually finds what
she's looking for,
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00:18:12,600 --> 00:18:14,670
a small herd of wildebeest.
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00:18:24,167 --> 00:18:28,127
This time with more
vulnerable mothers
and calves.
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00:18:34,333 --> 00:18:38,503
Tired, thirsty,
hungry and alone,
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00:18:39,467 --> 00:18:42,997
her odds of making a kill
are next to none.
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00:18:54,067 --> 00:18:57,697
To hunt, hyenas usually
rely on teamwork.
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00:18:59,167 --> 00:19:05,097
But the hyena queen has
no option. She takes them
on singlehanded.
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00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:15,400
To have any chance,
she needs to find
a vulnerable target,
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the old, the young,
the weak or the injured.
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00:19:26,733 --> 00:19:31,173
She sets the herd
running and looks for
any sign of weakness.
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00:19:43,100 --> 00:19:48,200
But a lone hunter
presents no danger to
these massive beasts.
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00:19:54,600 --> 00:19:57,500
Now the queen faces
another challenge,
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she must cool down.
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00:20:07,833 --> 00:20:10,273
There's not a
single tree in sight.
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00:20:11,467 --> 00:20:14,597
With no shade,
in the middle of
the afternoon
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00:20:15,133 --> 00:20:18,673
the temperature is a
baking 110 degrees.
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00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:26,600
Salivating and wetting
her forelegs helps reduce
her body temperature.
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00:20:30,400 --> 00:20:36,170
As the liquid evaporates,
blood in the veins just
below the skin cools down.
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00:20:40,500 --> 00:20:46,370
It's an ingenious system
of thermoregulation, but
a sign of desperation.
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00:20:53,333 --> 00:20:57,733
The queen has run
all day in the heat
without food or water.
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00:21:04,800 --> 00:21:09,630
Lowering her temperature
could mean the difference
between life and death.
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00:21:13,700 --> 00:21:16,430
Separated from the rest
of the hunting party,
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00:21:17,400 --> 00:21:20,700
her day has gone from
bad to worse.
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00:21:27,067 --> 00:21:28,067
(BIRD CHIRPING)
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00:21:31,500 --> 00:21:32,500
(CHIRPING)
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00:21:44,267 --> 00:21:47,067
The hunting party is
five miles back.
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00:21:47,300 --> 00:21:49,600
They've slept through the
worst of the heat.
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00:21:56,400 --> 00:22:00,400
Now rested, they turn
their attention to
finding water.
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00:22:11,133 --> 00:22:15,503
Dotted across the dry
plains are tiny circles
of green,
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00:22:16,433 --> 00:22:18,733
remnants of the last rains.
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00:22:20,200 --> 00:22:21,500
Waterholes.
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00:22:25,067 --> 00:22:29,397
The orphan is the first
to find water and leads
the hunters to drink.
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00:22:39,300 --> 00:22:43,470
It's a precious oasis in
an otherwise parched land.
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00:22:45,067 --> 00:22:49,327
This is the only water
source for miles around,
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00:22:49,533 --> 00:22:52,103
and is a magnet for all life.
194
00:23:11,167 --> 00:23:15,027
The orphan and the
hunters may not have
found anything to eat,
195
00:23:15,433 --> 00:23:19,533
but they've at least
found somewhere to drink
and keep cool.
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00:23:25,067 --> 00:23:26,497
It's welcome relief.
197
00:23:54,233 --> 00:23:57,633
Even the elusive wildebeest
come here to drink.
198
00:24:02,533 --> 00:24:05,533
Drawing the attention of
the hunting party.
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00:24:31,267 --> 00:24:35,627
A brave and thirsty
wildebeest tests
the waters.
200
00:24:45,567 --> 00:24:47,467
It's understandably
nervous.
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00:24:49,200 --> 00:24:50,470
(YELPS)
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00:25:04,300 --> 00:25:07,500
But the hyenas seem to
barely acknowledge
it's presence.
203
00:25:08,233 --> 00:25:10,133
It's still too hot to hunt.
204
00:25:16,267 --> 00:25:19,067
They'll take their
chances after dark.
205
00:25:49,567 --> 00:25:53,597
In the cool of the night,
the queen has regained
her strength
206
00:25:54,067 --> 00:25:56,667
and travelled back to rejoin
the hunting party.
207
00:26:00,467 --> 00:26:04,227
More and more
wildebeest are gathering
at the waterhole.
208
00:26:22,600 --> 00:26:24,700
But they aren't easy prey.
209
00:26:27,300 --> 00:26:30,070
The wildebeest have
strength in numbers
210
00:26:30,100 --> 00:26:32,670
and a well organized
defensive strategy.
211
00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:38,330
They spread out in a line
to avoid becoming
surrounded.
212
00:26:49,500 --> 00:26:51,600
But any stragglers
are vulnerable.
213
00:26:58,167 --> 00:27:02,727
And the hyenas keep
watching, looking for a
weak link.
214
00:27:31,300 --> 00:27:33,700
The clan makes a
successful kill.
215
00:27:39,367 --> 00:27:41,267
The queen asserts
her dominance
216
00:27:45,800 --> 00:27:47,770
and has her
choice of the meat.
217
00:27:55,233 --> 00:27:59,733
She can eat one third of
her bodyweight in just
one sitting.
218
00:28:04,167 --> 00:28:06,097
Shared between the
hunting party,
219
00:28:06,467 --> 00:28:10,267
the entire kill is gone
in a matter of minutes.
220
00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:13,200
(SQUEALING)
221
00:28:27,833 --> 00:28:31,073
Finally,
their bellies are full.
222
00:28:34,100 --> 00:28:35,270
(HOWLING)
223
00:28:36,367 --> 00:28:37,597
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
224
00:28:46,133 --> 00:28:49,333
Fifteen miles to the
south, back at the den,
225
00:28:50,067 --> 00:28:53,227
the prince and princess
are getting hungrier.
226
00:28:56,133 --> 00:29:00,103
But there'll be no relief
until their mother returns
to feed them.
227
00:29:10,233 --> 00:29:12,133
In their mother's absence,
228
00:29:12,167 --> 00:29:15,097
and blissfully unaware
of any danger,
229
00:29:15,567 --> 00:29:19,197
the cubs are starting to
venture further afield.
230
00:29:21,500 --> 00:29:25,100
Exploring their world is
a vital part of growing up,
231
00:29:26,200 --> 00:29:28,300
so there's no rest
for the babysitter.
232
00:29:31,767 --> 00:29:36,067
Every day left alone,
they are becoming bolder.
233
00:29:49,567 --> 00:29:54,427
She keeps a watchful eye
and makes sure the cubs
don't stray too far.
234
00:30:10,267 --> 00:30:14,167
Far to the north,
clouds build on the horizon.
235
00:30:17,467 --> 00:30:20,727
The hunting party begins
its long journey home.
236
00:30:21,767 --> 00:30:24,697
The queen needs to get
back to her cubs.
237
00:30:26,600 --> 00:30:28,630
But progress is slow.
238
00:30:30,067 --> 00:30:35,167
One of the clan was injured
in last night's hunt and
will have a tough time
239
00:30:35,200 --> 00:30:36,730
making it back to the den.
240
00:30:49,600 --> 00:30:53,000
These storm clouds hold
false promise.
241
00:30:53,800 --> 00:30:57,530
They bring only thunder
and lightning.
242
00:30:58,333 --> 00:31:02,003
But none of the rains
that are so desperately
needed.
243
00:31:04,067 --> 00:31:06,027
With the plains tinder dry,
244
00:31:06,067 --> 00:31:10,397
it's the perfect conditions
for a deadly force of nature.
245
00:31:11,100 --> 00:31:13,130
(THUNDER ROLLING)
246
00:31:22,700 --> 00:31:24,070
Bushfires.
247
00:31:36,800 --> 00:31:42,600
In a strong wind, flames
can sweep across the plains
at 50 miles per hour,
248
00:31:45,300 --> 00:31:48,430
and reach temperatures
of nearly 2000 degrees,
249
00:31:48,700 --> 00:31:51,200
consuming everything
in their path.
250
00:31:57,100 --> 00:32:00,330
The fires are between the
hunters and the den.
251
00:32:05,367 --> 00:32:10,367
Cut off, the queen leads
her hunting party around
the flames.
252
00:32:11,467 --> 00:32:14,027
They'll have to take the
long route home,
253
00:32:14,067 --> 00:32:16,267
adding a day to their journey.
254
00:32:18,267 --> 00:32:22,327
Bad news for them,
but a bonanza for others.
255
00:32:27,367 --> 00:32:30,197
Swarms of insects
flee the flames,
256
00:32:31,700 --> 00:32:34,130
providing a feast
for birdlife.
257
00:32:43,667 --> 00:32:46,597
Pratincoles have flown
5000 miles,
258
00:32:46,833 --> 00:32:50,573
all the way from Russia,
to feed on these plains.
259
00:32:57,100 --> 00:33:00,470
They are quick to take
advantage of any
food they can get.
260
00:33:17,400 --> 00:33:19,370
The fires look destructive,
261
00:33:22,633 --> 00:33:24,703
but they cleanse
the grasslands,
262
00:33:27,400 --> 00:33:31,130
converting dry vegetation
to fertile ash.
263
00:33:40,767 --> 00:33:44,067
All the land needs
now is rain.
264
00:34:10,567 --> 00:34:17,097
Three days after it set off,
the hunting party finally
returns to the den.
265
00:34:23,500 --> 00:34:26,330
The pups greet their
mother and the hunters.
266
00:34:29,067 --> 00:34:33,567
Each time
clan members reunite,
they perform rituals,
267
00:34:34,700 --> 00:34:38,300
nuzzling each other's
genitals and scent marking.
268
00:34:44,767 --> 00:34:49,567
This strengthens family
bonds and reenforces
hierarchies.
269
00:34:55,467 --> 00:35:00,767
As a low status member of
the clan, the babysitter
initiates a greeting.
270
00:35:06,800 --> 00:35:10,130
The orphan has grown up a
lot on the hunting trip,
271
00:35:10,433 --> 00:35:14,173
and is slowly starting to
gain the respect of the clan.
272
00:35:18,833 --> 00:35:22,733
For the cubs, who survive
totally on their
mother's milk,
273
00:35:23,233 --> 00:35:26,103
the queen has
arrived just in time.
274
00:35:31,300 --> 00:35:34,330
And there is another
welcome arrival
for the clan.
275
00:35:35,333 --> 00:35:36,603
(THUNDER ROLLING)
276
00:35:43,167 --> 00:35:48,527
After months of drought
and struggle, the rains
finally arrive.
277
00:35:54,700 --> 00:35:56,370
(THUNDER ROLLING)
278
00:36:26,267 --> 00:36:31,467
In just a few hours,
over a billion gallons
of water flood the land.
279
00:36:41,267 --> 00:36:45,297
In a matter of days,
Liuwa transforms from
280
00:36:45,333 --> 00:36:49,033
dry, dusty plains
to green grassland.
281
00:36:55,567 --> 00:37:02,267
Dry waterholes begin to fill,
and some areas become
a wetland paradise.
282
00:37:16,200 --> 00:37:20,370
All creatures here
have been waiting
for this moment.
283
00:37:26,833 --> 00:37:28,273
From the biggest,
284
00:37:31,167 --> 00:37:32,397
to the smallest.
285
00:37:41,400 --> 00:37:46,200
The first drops of rain
trigger a remarkable event.
286
00:37:49,633 --> 00:37:52,233
As the earth softens
in the rain,
287
00:37:52,267 --> 00:37:54,997
termites emerge
in their thousands.
288
00:38:10,533 --> 00:38:15,103
Filling the sky in a
beautiful but brief
breeding display.
289
00:38:17,100 --> 00:38:21,230
It's the termites' once
in a year chance to reproduce.
290
00:38:25,133 --> 00:38:29,703
Winged queens and males
fly out to establish
new colonies.
291
00:38:40,300 --> 00:38:43,370
In the air, females
release pheromones
292
00:38:43,400 --> 00:38:46,100
to attract males from
neighboring mounds.
293
00:38:49,733 --> 00:38:53,403
Pairs mate on the wing,
then land to burrow
294
00:38:53,433 --> 00:38:56,403
underground and begin
a new colony,
295
00:38:57,133 --> 00:38:59,933
only a few feet from
where they started.
296
00:39:06,100 --> 00:39:12,530
It's the first sign on
the Liuwa Plains that a
new cycle of life has begun.
297
00:39:16,300 --> 00:39:20,100
And the new green grass
prompts the long awaited
return
298
00:39:20,600 --> 00:39:23,130
of the great herds
of wildebeest.
299
00:39:26,100 --> 00:39:28,470
The herds know exactly
where to go.
300
00:39:34,400 --> 00:39:37,630
Walking for days to arrive
just in time
301
00:39:37,667 --> 00:39:40,597
for fresh green shoots
to spring from the ground.
302
00:39:59,300 --> 00:40:02,530
And traveling with them,
are their young calves.
303
00:40:10,433 --> 00:40:15,103
Their arrival in the
clan's territory is a
turning point for the family.
304
00:40:20,067 --> 00:40:21,767
The hyenas are rested,
305
00:40:21,800 --> 00:40:25,270
and with thousands of
wildebeest now on
their doorstep,
306
00:40:25,500 --> 00:40:28,300
they should
have more chance
of success.
307
00:40:31,567 --> 00:40:35,527
One by one, they test the
herd by charging at them.
308
00:40:40,267 --> 00:40:43,727
Hyenas are slower than
wildebeest over short
distances,
309
00:40:48,300 --> 00:40:50,730
but they are patient,
cunning hunters.
310
00:40:57,133 --> 00:40:59,273
They appear to
give up the chase,
311
00:40:59,700 --> 00:41:02,100
but this is
a deliberate ploy.
312
00:41:09,300 --> 00:41:12,000
They watch the fleeing
animals closely,
313
00:41:12,367 --> 00:41:15,197
looking for any sign
of weakness.
314
00:41:17,167 --> 00:41:21,397
The commotion of the hunt
draws the attention of
other opportunists,
315
00:41:22,833 --> 00:41:24,703
lappet faced vultures.
316
00:41:29,167 --> 00:41:34,067
They can zero in on a
potential meal from
20 miles away.
317
00:41:47,367 --> 00:41:52,027
The clan sets the wildebeest
and zebra running
again and again.
318
00:41:59,467 --> 00:42:03,127
It's a strategy of
observation and persistence.
319
00:42:33,833 --> 00:42:35,773
Success at last.
320
00:42:38,300 --> 00:42:41,370
The vultures know exactly
when a kill takes place
321
00:42:42,133 --> 00:42:46,073
and gather on the sidelines,
waiting for an opportunity
322
00:42:46,100 --> 00:42:48,300
to steal a
share of the spoils.
323
00:42:57,067 --> 00:43:00,627
It's a welcome meal
for the queen and
her hunters.
324
00:43:06,100 --> 00:43:08,170
There's plenty to go round,
325
00:43:14,333 --> 00:43:16,773
but they still have to
fend off the vultures.
326
00:43:28,533 --> 00:43:30,503
When it comes to eating,
327
00:43:30,533 --> 00:43:36,133
the clan, like all hyenas,
are perfectly adapted
carnivores.
328
00:43:40,200 --> 00:43:43,500
They have an extraordinary
anatomy and physiology.
329
00:43:44,333 --> 00:43:47,673
With thick jawbones and
powerfully developed muscles,
330
00:43:47,700 --> 00:43:50,130
their bite force is immense,
331
00:43:50,167 --> 00:43:52,597
one of the strongest in
the animal kingdom.
332
00:43:55,267 --> 00:43:59,927
Their teeth are specially
designed to grind down
even the toughest bone.
333
00:44:03,567 --> 00:44:06,167
And they eat
the entire carcass,
334
00:44:06,467 --> 00:44:08,697
only hair and horns remain.
335
00:44:13,533 --> 00:44:17,373
Their digestive system
has strong acids to
dissolve bone,
336
00:44:17,633 --> 00:44:20,233
using up
every part of the kill.
337
00:44:23,400 --> 00:44:25,370
Stomachs finally full,
338
00:44:26,067 --> 00:44:29,667
they lie down, allowing
their gut to get to work.
339
00:44:34,133 --> 00:44:38,403
This efficient eating is
what's enabled them to
survive on little food
340
00:44:38,733 --> 00:44:41,403
during one of the toughest
droughts on record.
341
00:44:44,467 --> 00:44:47,367
It's the key to their
success, and what's made
342
00:44:47,400 --> 00:44:51,430
hyenas one of Africa's
most abundant carnivores.
343
00:44:55,600 --> 00:44:57,700
The orphan has had her fill.
344
00:44:59,133 --> 00:45:02,373
Against the odds, without
a mother to feed her,
345
00:45:02,400 --> 00:45:04,500
she has established herself.
346
00:45:09,767 --> 00:45:14,997
A huge achievement for a
hyena just over a year old.
347
00:45:17,133 --> 00:45:21,173
She's now proven herself
to be a valuable member
of the clan
348
00:45:21,633 --> 00:45:23,733
and is growing in confidence.
349
00:45:39,133 --> 00:45:41,633
She's no longer at the
bottom of the pile.
350
00:45:55,800 --> 00:45:59,070
The prince and princess
are growing up fast.
351
00:46:08,733 --> 00:46:12,633
They're digging themselves
a new burrow
at the back of the den.
352
00:46:28,300 --> 00:46:30,270
An expansion is needed
353
00:46:30,300 --> 00:46:33,300
to make space for the
newest member of the family.
354
00:46:36,433 --> 00:46:38,673
One of the other females
has given birth
355
00:46:39,533 --> 00:46:43,203
and is introducing her
two-week-old cub to the clan.
356
00:46:55,133 --> 00:46:59,473
Together, the hyenas
have got through
the toughest of droughts.
357
00:47:08,667 --> 00:47:10,727
And the family is growing.
358
00:47:16,200 --> 00:47:19,130
With wildebeest streaming
down from the north,
359
00:47:19,500 --> 00:47:25,600
there are good times
ahead for these survivors
of the plains.
30005
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