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NARRATOR: In one of Africa's
last great wildernesses,
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lives a family of hunters.
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00:00:09,837 --> 00:00:11,047
[SNARLING]
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The Hot Springs Pack.
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This is a family
on the edge.
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[ELEPHANT TRUMPETS]
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They're surrounded
by enemies.
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[BARKING]
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[LIONS SNARLING]
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[CROCODILE HISSING]
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These wild dogs
live at the mercy of
the changing seasons.
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If the family is to survive
these testing times,
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00:00:41,558 --> 00:00:45,938
the pack's young pups must learn to hunt, and fast.
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Growing up is never easy.
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But for these pups,
it's a matter
of life and death.
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[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]
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[BIRDS CHIRPING]
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Hidden in a gully, in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park,
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an alpha female has pups
deep inside a den.
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She and her lifelong mate
have raised several litters.
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Many of the older pups
are still with them,
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forming a family pack
of 19 dogs.
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It's October, the height
of the dry season.
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Each morning and evening, the dogs set off to find food.
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00:01:56,668 --> 00:01:59,118
They hunt at dawn and sunset,
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00:01:59,498 --> 00:02:02,468
lolloping after
their antelope prey.
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00:02:11,890 --> 00:02:14,820
They're long-distance
runners, on spindly legs
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00:02:14,858 --> 00:02:17,758
that carry them
for many miles.
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00:02:21,762 --> 00:02:27,842
The pack hunts over
a vast swath of bush
covering 200 square miles.
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00:02:32,704 --> 00:02:36,194
At the heart of their
territory is Hot Springs,
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a waterhole fed by
a geothermal upwelling.
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00:02:41,161 --> 00:02:44,231
It's a staging post
for herds of antelope
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00:02:44,267 --> 00:02:46,717
migrating through
the pack's territory,
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00:02:46,752 --> 00:02:49,172
on their way
to the Luangwa River,
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00:02:49,203 --> 00:02:50,863
which lies to the west.
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[SCREECHING]
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The pack's strong, plenty
of experienced hunters.
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00:03:02,768 --> 00:03:05,118
The alpha pair
lead the hunt.
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00:03:05,150 --> 00:03:10,090
The rest of the pack,
all their offspring,
spread out in pursuit.
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00:03:21,718 --> 00:03:23,888
They're a tight-knit team,
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00:03:23,927 --> 00:03:28,587
and rely on each other
to bring down enough prey
to feed the family.
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00:03:51,127 --> 00:03:54,607
While cheetahs sprint,
leopards ambush,
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00:03:54,648 --> 00:03:56,928
and lions overpower
their prey,
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00:03:57,306 --> 00:04:00,896
wild dogs simply keep running.
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00:04:10,767 --> 00:04:14,627
As one dog tires,
another takes up the lead.
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00:04:14,668 --> 00:04:18,878
Together, they have
the stamina to exhaust
their quarry.
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00:04:23,953 --> 00:04:28,653
Back at the den,
the seven pups
wait patiently for breakfast.
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00:04:29,234 --> 00:04:31,244
They're only four months old,
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00:04:31,271 --> 00:04:33,341
too young to join
in the hunt.
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00:04:35,102 --> 00:04:38,242
As the dry season progresses, they get more confident
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00:04:38,278 --> 00:04:40,938
and spend more time
outside the den.
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00:04:42,420 --> 00:04:46,220
One patient adult stays
with them to babysit,
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until the other adults
return, successful.
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They bring meat for the pups.
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00:04:53,293 --> 00:04:54,543
[YELPING]
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00:04:54,570 --> 00:04:58,850
But a meal only increases
their energy levels.
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00:04:59,678 --> 00:05:03,678
Life's a game, but all the time they're honing behavior
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00:05:03,717 --> 00:05:07,067
that'll stand them
in good stead as adults.
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00:05:08,169 --> 00:05:11,309
Vultures make great
target practice.
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00:05:18,352 --> 00:05:22,322
Scientists follow and monitor the pack using radio collars.
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00:05:23,392 --> 00:05:26,362
This is the alpha
female's third litter.
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00:05:26,395 --> 00:05:31,255
She's proving to be a good
mum. But it's tiring work.
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00:05:33,367 --> 00:05:37,027
The pack spends the day
resting in the shade
near the den.
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00:05:37,785 --> 00:05:41,335
There's always something new for the pups to experience.
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00:05:41,927 --> 00:05:47,207
After this morning's vultures, they battle squadrons of bees.
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00:05:47,899 --> 00:05:53,729
The bees are searching for
water, and the pups' eyes
and mouths are under attack.
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00:05:57,426 --> 00:05:59,046
Time to go.
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00:06:01,084 --> 00:06:03,194
The pups join the adults,
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00:06:03,397 --> 00:06:07,017
leaving their den behind
for the first time.
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00:06:09,990 --> 00:06:15,380
The pack is now able to roam
over a much larger area,
following their food.
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00:06:18,481 --> 00:06:23,311
Wild dogs need huge areas to live in, and are very rare.
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00:06:24,867 --> 00:06:28,907
Luangwa in Zambia is one
of their last strongholds,
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00:06:28,940 --> 00:06:33,190
but even here there are only
a dozen or so packs.
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00:06:34,014 --> 00:06:37,264
Over most of Africa, they
are in serious decline,
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with only a few
hundred packs left.
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This may be one
of the last generations
before extinction.
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[WIND BILLOWING]
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As November approaches, rainstorms bring great change to the Luangwa Valley.
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[HEAVY RAIN AND WIND]
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00:07:01,179 --> 00:07:03,009
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
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00:07:04,803 --> 00:07:08,913
Over the next few months
the dogs' dusty home
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00:07:08,945 --> 00:07:12,465
is transformed into
a wetland paradise.
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00:07:13,571 --> 00:07:15,191
[BIRDS CALLING]
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00:07:19,231 --> 00:07:21,481
Fresh grass grows everywhere.
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The antelope scatter
across the savannah,
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00:07:25,341 --> 00:07:27,861
and the dogs follow.
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00:07:29,172 --> 00:07:32,972
For a few months,
they disappear into
a flooded landscape
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of swamps and islands.
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00:07:41,253 --> 00:07:43,953
By May the rains have passed,
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00:07:43,980 --> 00:07:47,780
and once more the dogs' world begins to dry.
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00:07:48,433 --> 00:07:53,373
But the pack itself has
undergone big changes
over the wet season.
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The dog pack has dwindled
from 19 to 12.
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00:07:59,168 --> 00:08:03,828
Some of the older offspring
have left, to try and start
their own family
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00:08:03,862 --> 00:08:06,312
and one of the pups has died.
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00:08:07,038 --> 00:08:10,488
The remaining six pups
are now a year old,
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almost adult size,
but still very dependent.
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00:08:15,287 --> 00:08:18,837
In human terms,
they're like adolescents.
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00:08:21,328 --> 00:08:27,088
The two parents mark
their territory together,
reaffirming their bond.
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00:08:32,546 --> 00:08:35,446
The yearling pups
still beg for food.
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00:08:37,586 --> 00:08:41,996
They tag along on hunts now
but are more of a hindrance
than a help.
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00:08:44,075 --> 00:08:49,105
The alpha male is aging.
His days as lead hunter
are numbered.
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00:08:50,599 --> 00:08:55,359
But the mother is still
strong and the family
obediently follows her.
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00:09:04,336 --> 00:09:08,616
A lone puku at the waterhole
is a tempting target.
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00:09:10,273 --> 00:09:14,933
Unfortunately, their arch
rivals have got here first.
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Hyenas.
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00:09:18,316 --> 00:09:20,586
They're twice the weight
of wild dogs,
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00:09:20,629 --> 00:09:23,109
and as a pack, formidable,
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when they're awake.
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[SNORTING]
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00:09:28,153 --> 00:09:31,163
But there's a hierarchy
around waterholes.
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Top are the elephants.
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00:09:35,954 --> 00:09:38,304
Nobody gets in their way.
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00:09:39,233 --> 00:09:43,273
So the hyenas slink off
to find somewhere
else to snooze
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00:09:43,306 --> 00:09:45,066
until night falls.
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00:09:52,005 --> 00:09:57,905
The dogs, too, find a quiet corner to wait while the behemoths drink their fill.
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00:10:02,463 --> 00:10:07,613
The alpha male and female
will face a much tougher
dry season this year.
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00:10:08,642 --> 00:10:14,032
This time around, the only
other hunters in the pack
are four 2-year-olds,
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their eldest offspring.
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00:10:16,616 --> 00:10:20,686
Six hunters are only just enough to keep the pack going.
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00:10:21,206 --> 00:10:24,136
They desperately need the
additional six yearlings
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to learn the skills
and strategies of a hunt,
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if the family is to survive.
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00:10:30,560 --> 00:10:32,220
The dogs rest.
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00:10:32,252 --> 00:10:35,222
They'll need all their
energy to hunt tonight.
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00:10:35,255 --> 00:10:37,355
[ELEPHANT TRUMPETS]
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00:10:37,395 --> 00:10:39,705
But peace doesn't last long.
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00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:46,200
This elephant is male,
on heat, in musth.
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00:10:46,231 --> 00:10:49,131
It makes him aggressive,
unpredictable,
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00:10:49,165 --> 00:10:51,195
and very dangerous.
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00:10:52,341 --> 00:10:56,351
His testosterone is
60 times higher than normal.
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[GRUNTS]
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He's seven tons of
belligerent frustration.
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[TRUMPETS]
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To the pups, surprisingly,
he's no danger,
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00:11:09,496 --> 00:11:13,976
but a bit of fun, a game
of tag on a giant scale.
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00:11:21,508 --> 00:11:22,678
[TRUMPETS]
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00:11:27,790 --> 00:11:29,450
[ELEPHANT GROWLING]
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00:11:37,386 --> 00:11:38,626
[TRUMPETING]
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00:11:45,808 --> 00:11:48,708
The elephant will
never catch them,
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00:11:48,742 --> 00:11:52,092
which must only add
to his irritation.
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00:11:55,473 --> 00:11:58,443
He did, however, leave a gift.
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00:12:00,823 --> 00:12:05,313
All dogs love dung,
to roll in, and to smell of,
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as every dog owner knows.
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00:12:08,520 --> 00:12:12,800
One theory is that they want
to be as smelly as possible.
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00:12:12,835 --> 00:12:15,485
Maybe it's to disguise
their own smell.
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00:12:15,527 --> 00:12:17,077
We really don't know.
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00:12:20,222 --> 00:12:24,232
Another thing that wild dogs
and domestic dogs
have in common
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is that they play with sticks.
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00:12:26,642 --> 00:12:29,332
It's something few
other animals do.
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00:12:31,785 --> 00:12:33,785
According to psychologists,
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00:12:33,822 --> 00:12:38,722
learning about objects promotes high-level thinking and self-awareness.
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00:12:40,794 --> 00:12:45,704
We are only just
beginning to realize
how smart dogs really are.
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The alpha male and female
are more focused
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on the comings
and goings around them.
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00:12:58,225 --> 00:13:01,535
Puku antelope are this
pack's preferred prey,
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but the herd has
many eyes and noses,
and raises the alarm.
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[SHRIEKING]
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Impala are another favorite, but they are more athletic, and have another advantage.
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They hang out with baboons.
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[BABOON GRUNTING]
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The baboons and impala
look out for each other.
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00:13:38,334 --> 00:13:41,724
As the day wears on,
warthog come by.
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A warthog could be
a good meal,
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and much slower
on its feet than the dogs.
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But the adults have
fearsome tusks,
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00:13:54,454 --> 00:13:58,774
and will turn and fight a lion or hyena, let alone a dog.
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00:14:01,737 --> 00:14:05,187
By late afternoon,
hunger sets in,
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00:14:05,223 --> 00:14:08,263
and the family begins
to stir once more.
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00:14:08,709 --> 00:14:10,399
[TWITTERING]
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They greet with
twittering sounds.
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00:14:15,993 --> 00:14:19,893
African wild dogs have a complex communication system,
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almost like a language.
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00:14:22,827 --> 00:14:26,937
There are 18 types of calls,
with rumbles, buzzes,
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and moans that are all
unique to wild dogs.
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00:14:37,497 --> 00:14:39,187
[TWITTERING]
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00:14:41,121 --> 00:14:45,541
They are also among the
least aggressive and most
playful of all canines.
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There's hardly any real
aggression linked to rank.
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Siblings will usually stay
together all their lives,
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often founding their own
packs together.
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00:15:12,049 --> 00:15:16,779
One of the older females
plays with the pups as
though she was the runt,
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00:15:16,812 --> 00:15:19,752
and the pups tickle her tummy, and play-bite.
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00:15:22,369 --> 00:15:23,849
[DOGS WHINING]
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00:15:32,448 --> 00:15:36,588
But it's time to eat.
The alpha male leads off.
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00:15:41,009 --> 00:15:44,809
His partner ends the play
and joins the lead.
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00:15:52,675 --> 00:15:55,395
Twilight is their
most active time.
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00:15:57,887 --> 00:16:01,307
Each evening, they may
travel up to 20 miles,
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00:16:01,339 --> 00:16:03,959
searching for
the herds of puku.
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00:16:06,034 --> 00:16:11,664
In the fading light,
they become silent-footed
creatures of the shadows.
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00:16:23,016 --> 00:16:29,296
They hunt firstly with
their ears, like huge dishes
turning to every sound.
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00:16:29,574 --> 00:16:31,854
No dog has better hearing.
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00:16:37,030 --> 00:16:40,450
Getting wind of the dogs,
antelope scatter.
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00:16:40,723 --> 00:16:41,793
A bushbuck.
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00:16:42,760 --> 00:16:43,930
A puku.
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00:16:49,801 --> 00:16:53,461
This pack specializes
in creating chaos
in the woodland.
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00:16:59,466 --> 00:17:01,736
The dogs don't tire easily.
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00:17:08,096 --> 00:17:10,366
And nightfall
doesn't stop them.
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00:17:10,684 --> 00:17:12,794
They're too hungry
to give up now.
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00:17:16,863 --> 00:17:21,453
They burn up food,
each one needing
double the energy humans do,
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00:17:21,488 --> 00:17:24,348
despite being
a third the size.
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00:17:27,701 --> 00:17:30,811
The six yearling pups
follow enthusiastically,
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00:17:30,842 --> 00:17:32,912
but in the confusion
and the darkness,
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00:17:32,948 --> 00:17:34,878
they aren't much help yet.
203
00:17:36,434 --> 00:17:41,374
The hunt involves
chase after chase,
over several miles.
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00:17:46,651 --> 00:17:48,031
They could overheat.
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00:17:48,067 --> 00:17:50,717
Their brain would be fried
if it weren't for
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00:17:50,759 --> 00:17:53,689
their big ears acting
as cooling fans.
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00:17:57,662 --> 00:17:59,562
But as it gets darker,
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00:17:59,595 --> 00:18:01,975
the advantage turns
back to the puku.
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00:18:04,738 --> 00:18:06,018
[HOWLING]
210
00:18:06,050 --> 00:18:09,160
Their night vision is more
acute than the dogs'.
211
00:18:15,094 --> 00:18:18,794
Hyenas and lions
take over the night shift.
212
00:18:19,581 --> 00:18:22,651
The twilight-loving dogs
must make way.
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00:18:24,206 --> 00:18:26,446
The hyenas have young to feed.
214
00:18:26,484 --> 00:18:29,114
Their pups are only
a few months old.
215
00:18:30,937 --> 00:18:33,527
Hyenas are social,
like wild dogs.
216
00:18:33,560 --> 00:18:35,940
The clan is built
around the family.
217
00:18:37,495 --> 00:18:42,495
Though actually, they're more
closely related to cats
and civets than canines.
218
00:18:44,192 --> 00:18:48,202
The wild dogs wait for dawn
to resume hunting.
219
00:18:51,164 --> 00:18:54,624
Their saliva shows up black
in the night-vision camera.
220
00:18:55,203 --> 00:18:58,623
We can see who's got
the most attention.
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00:18:58,654 --> 00:19:02,074
It's the alpha female,
their devoted mother,
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00:19:02,106 --> 00:19:04,656
and the linchpin
of this family.
223
00:19:08,561 --> 00:19:12,191
As dawn breaks, the wild
dogs go into action.
224
00:19:15,223 --> 00:19:18,123
Caught napping,
a puku gets trapped.
225
00:19:23,058 --> 00:19:24,918
They don't go for the throat.
226
00:19:24,956 --> 00:19:29,576
Wild dogs are too small
to throttle an antelope
three times their size.
227
00:19:32,619 --> 00:19:35,589
It takes all of them
to stop the puku escaping.
228
00:19:38,246 --> 00:19:39,866
[PUKU GRUNTING]
229
00:19:44,113 --> 00:19:47,193
The dogs have to eat
as fast as they can.
230
00:19:49,188 --> 00:19:52,738
The prolonged kill has
inevitably attracted
attention.
231
00:19:56,160 --> 00:19:59,160
The hyenas arrive
to steal the meal.
232
00:20:05,859 --> 00:20:07,829
The family sets off again,
233
00:20:08,207 --> 00:20:12,627
avoiding a battle
with their rivals that
they're sure to lose.
234
00:20:18,286 --> 00:20:21,836
They're always on the move,
naturally itinerant.
235
00:20:24,015 --> 00:20:27,665
Wild dogs only use a den when there are young puppies.
236
00:20:28,744 --> 00:20:31,954
The rest of the year
is spent exploring new areas
237
00:20:31,989 --> 00:20:34,579
within their
massive home range.
238
00:20:37,891 --> 00:20:42,861
Perhaps a new neighborhood
will help the yearlings
gain in experience.
239
00:20:44,933 --> 00:20:50,113
Unaware, they move into
the territory of a large
female leopard.
240
00:20:50,904 --> 00:20:54,914
She's a ferocious cat,
far more powerful
than one of them,
241
00:20:55,633 --> 00:20:57,743
but the dogs
give chase anyway.
242
00:20:58,912 --> 00:21:01,192
Some things are universal.
243
00:21:04,401 --> 00:21:06,331
They're not after
her as prey,
244
00:21:06,368 --> 00:21:10,228
but as a rival predator,
she competes with
them for food.
245
00:21:12,685 --> 00:21:17,065
She could easily take one
of the dogs down, but she's
no match for the pack.
246
00:21:23,696 --> 00:21:27,626
Cornered up a tree,
the leopard waits
out of reach,
247
00:21:27,907 --> 00:21:29,977
frustrating the dogs below.
248
00:21:34,845 --> 00:21:35,975
[LEOPARD GROWLING]
249
00:21:36,812 --> 00:21:39,302
Eventually, they give up.
250
00:21:56,936 --> 00:22:02,146
As the day warms, they rest,
with the morning's puku
in their bellies.
251
00:22:09,086 --> 00:22:12,846
The breakfast won't satisfy
the pups for long.
252
00:22:13,815 --> 00:22:15,435
When the afternoon cools,
253
00:22:15,472 --> 00:22:18,752
the ceremony of greeting
and playing still includes
254
00:22:18,785 --> 00:22:23,715
begging their mother for food like the big babies they were six months ago.
255
00:22:25,758 --> 00:22:28,108
But she's got nothing
to give them.
256
00:22:32,109 --> 00:22:35,179
As well as food,
the dogs need water.
257
00:22:35,768 --> 00:22:38,978
Towards the river
are drying lagoons.
258
00:22:57,445 --> 00:23:00,135
The dogs haven't visited
here for a while,
259
00:23:00,171 --> 00:23:02,691
and the antelope
are off their guard.
260
00:23:08,352 --> 00:23:13,052
These isolated oxbow lakes
form when the river
changes course.
261
00:23:20,916 --> 00:23:26,466
In the wet season they fill,
but now thin puddles
are all that remain.
262
00:23:28,165 --> 00:23:32,405
There's barely enough
for a drink but it still
draws the animals in.
263
00:23:44,181 --> 00:23:48,011
Elephants should have
no problem pushing the dogs
off the waterhole.
264
00:23:50,152 --> 00:23:52,192
But the pack holds its ground.
265
00:24:02,993 --> 00:24:04,243
[ELEPHANT GROWLING]
266
00:24:05,374 --> 00:24:08,274
The alpha couple stares
the lead elephant down,
267
00:24:08,826 --> 00:24:11,096
and the family holds firm.
268
00:24:12,554 --> 00:24:15,904
The elephant seems
confused and backs away.
269
00:24:17,041 --> 00:24:19,981
That's something the locals
don't see very often.
270
00:24:21,218 --> 00:24:24,318
The yearlings all
stand strong together.
271
00:24:28,501 --> 00:24:29,851
[TRUMPETS]
272
00:24:32,194 --> 00:24:34,334
The elephants grow frustrated,
273
00:24:35,474 --> 00:24:39,824
but nobody moves until
the elephants give up.
274
00:24:45,932 --> 00:24:49,802
The family seems to revel
in its new-found bravado.
275
00:24:53,146 --> 00:24:55,176
They seem more cohesive.
276
00:24:55,217 --> 00:24:56,837
They're moving as a pack,
277
00:24:56,874 --> 00:25:01,434
traveling west
towards permanent water
and better hunting.
278
00:25:08,921 --> 00:25:11,511
The landscape around
them is changing.
279
00:25:12,234 --> 00:25:15,484
This woodland is different,
a little denser.
280
00:25:18,586 --> 00:25:22,036
And the animals they
encounter are stranger.
281
00:25:27,595 --> 00:25:31,175
They've reached the open plains near the Luangwa River.
282
00:25:33,601 --> 00:25:36,541
The adult dogs know
that the nearer the river,
283
00:25:36,569 --> 00:25:39,849
the more full of life
it is in the dry season.
284
00:25:40,262 --> 00:25:42,922
But it's all new
to the yearlings.
285
00:25:44,197 --> 00:25:46,167
Puku and impala
are everywhere,
286
00:25:46,475 --> 00:25:50,575
converging on the last permanent water in the valley.
287
00:26:04,045 --> 00:26:05,075
[WHINNYING]
288
00:26:06,461 --> 00:26:09,331
But that doesn't make them
any easier to catch.
289
00:26:11,639 --> 00:26:15,019
The antelope here
seem more wary.
290
00:26:15,504 --> 00:26:19,924
They're skittish, keeping
a much greater distance
from the dogs.
291
00:26:22,063 --> 00:26:25,343
This is a popular hunting
ground for all predators,
292
00:26:25,376 --> 00:26:29,416
including the biggest and
most dangerous of all.
293
00:26:32,521 --> 00:26:35,041
He'd steal
anything they catch.
294
00:26:45,362 --> 00:26:49,332
They keep moving, until they
reach the end of the line.
295
00:26:51,471 --> 00:26:56,411
The alpha pair have led
their family to the bank
of the Luangwa River.
296
00:26:57,374 --> 00:27:00,554
The yearlings have never
seen anything like it.
297
00:27:05,347 --> 00:27:09,457
The Luangwa is one
of the longest unaltered
rivers in Africa.
298
00:27:13,562 --> 00:27:17,082
The Valley covers
20,000 square miles
299
00:27:17,118 --> 00:27:20,708
and is one of
the richest places for
wildlife in the world.
300
00:27:33,721 --> 00:27:38,421
To the dogs from
Hot Springs, it must seem
like so much water,
301
00:27:39,071 --> 00:27:41,001
and so many animals.
302
00:27:45,422 --> 00:27:48,082
Some are strange and menacing.
303
00:27:49,391 --> 00:27:52,361
Others look harmless,
but aren't.
304
00:27:55,604 --> 00:27:58,714
The hippo calves are guarded
by their mothers.
305
00:28:04,475 --> 00:28:07,715
Like children on their first
visit to the seaside,
306
00:28:07,755 --> 00:28:10,615
the dogs can't contain
their curiosity,
307
00:28:10,654 --> 00:28:12,104
and excitement.
308
00:28:16,764 --> 00:28:22,254
Dogs love to dig,
burying food,
or digging for any meal.
309
00:28:24,668 --> 00:28:27,328
Little edible lives
under the sand,
310
00:28:27,775 --> 00:28:30,325
but there is fresh water.
311
00:28:34,713 --> 00:28:39,723
As evening approaches,
the family is in
for more surprises.
312
00:28:40,546 --> 00:28:44,716
The hippos head onto
the grassy banks
for a night of grazing,
313
00:28:45,275 --> 00:28:49,205
and a herd of elephants arrives for an evening drink.
314
00:28:51,660 --> 00:28:56,220
So many large neighbors
to contend with is
a little overwhelming.
315
00:29:01,118 --> 00:29:02,428
[GROWLING]
316
00:29:16,824 --> 00:29:19,274
The crocodiles
are intimidating.
317
00:29:19,309 --> 00:29:22,479
They're feeding on the giant
carcass of an elephant.
318
00:29:23,278 --> 00:29:27,798
But the greatest threat
lies on the opposite
side of the river.
319
00:29:29,146 --> 00:29:34,316
A family of lionesses, nicknamed the Hollywood Pride.
320
00:29:35,877 --> 00:29:40,567
The channel
separates the dogs,
but lions often cross.
321
00:29:40,606 --> 00:29:43,196
The water's only
one foot deep.
322
00:29:46,198 --> 00:29:49,578
The older youngsters
chaperone the yearlings away.
323
00:30:03,663 --> 00:30:06,773
The alpha female
challenges the lions.
324
00:30:07,288 --> 00:30:08,318
[BARKING]
325
00:30:09,221 --> 00:30:10,811
She'd risk her life
for her family.
326
00:30:11,361 --> 00:30:13,161
[BARKING CONTINUES]
327
00:30:19,334 --> 00:30:20,344
[GROWLING]
328
00:30:31,795 --> 00:30:33,865
[DOG CONTINUES GROWLING]
329
00:30:44,843 --> 00:30:47,503
Her barks do little
to intimidate the cats.
330
00:30:49,330 --> 00:30:52,160
But eventually,
the lions move on.
331
00:30:52,402 --> 00:30:53,922
It's time for them to hunt.
332
00:30:55,543 --> 00:30:57,373
[GROWLING CONTINUES]
333
00:31:14,493 --> 00:31:17,603
The courageous mother
defended the family,
334
00:31:19,325 --> 00:31:21,525
but she still
has to feed them.
335
00:31:22,259 --> 00:31:24,709
The yearlings
are hungry again.
336
00:31:30,302 --> 00:31:34,722
The four older siblings,
the 2-year-olds,
take the lead.
337
00:31:35,548 --> 00:31:39,928
The brother and three
sisters are almost ready
for independence.
338
00:31:43,660 --> 00:31:44,800
[SCREECHING]
339
00:32:00,297 --> 00:32:03,607
For once, the yearlings
are right behind them.
340
00:32:03,852 --> 00:32:08,862
Working with their older
siblings, they fan out
and help herd the puku
341
00:32:08,892 --> 00:32:10,762
down towards the beach.
342
00:32:11,930 --> 00:32:14,040
An older sister's got one.
343
00:32:14,070 --> 00:32:17,800
It's a big male puku,
and she desperately
needs help.
344
00:32:19,765 --> 00:32:21,935
It takes the yearlings
a moment to realize
345
00:32:21,974 --> 00:32:24,464
that their older sister
has caught something,
346
00:32:24,977 --> 00:32:28,707
but they are beginning
to understand what's needed.
347
00:32:30,017 --> 00:32:33,327
It's the first successful
catch with their help.
348
00:32:34,642 --> 00:32:37,612
But another sister
is on her own mission.
349
00:32:37,956 --> 00:32:40,746
In the distance,
she grabs another puku.
350
00:32:40,993 --> 00:32:43,653
She can't hold it
and also needs help.
351
00:32:44,583 --> 00:32:46,003
With the first puku down,
352
00:32:46,550 --> 00:32:48,550
the dogs come to her aid.
353
00:32:50,865 --> 00:32:53,825
This is what teamwork
should look like.
354
00:32:55,663 --> 00:32:58,393
It's a good evening
for the dogs.
355
00:32:58,977 --> 00:33:00,907
But they need to eat quickly.
356
00:33:03,602 --> 00:33:07,542
The commotion draws
the attention of
bigger predators.
357
00:33:09,056 --> 00:33:12,056
The lionesses have
crossed the river.
358
00:33:14,578 --> 00:33:19,788
It seems making their kills
on the beach wasn't
the dogs' greatest idea.
359
00:33:20,722 --> 00:33:22,932
While they fed on one puku,
360
00:33:22,966 --> 00:33:25,726
a huge croc stole the other.
361
00:33:28,144 --> 00:33:30,534
The pack had
a good meal first,
362
00:33:30,560 --> 00:33:33,530
but the yearlings are
reluctant to give up
a prize
363
00:33:33,563 --> 00:33:35,673
they've helped
earn themselves.
364
00:33:40,535 --> 00:33:42,085
[CROCODILE GROWLING]
365
00:33:42,503 --> 00:33:46,403
They may not realize how
dangerous these reptiles are.
366
00:33:48,026 --> 00:33:50,546
This game is a bad idea.
367
00:33:53,031 --> 00:33:54,721
It gets worse.
368
00:33:55,930 --> 00:33:58,550
Hyenas are on their way.
369
00:33:59,071 --> 00:34:02,731
Behind them, the lionesses.
370
00:34:03,524 --> 00:34:05,914
Both are after
the dogs' kills,
371
00:34:05,940 --> 00:34:09,840
and neither would think
twice about attacking them
to get a meal.
372
00:34:09,875 --> 00:34:11,075
[GROWLING]
373
00:34:17,538 --> 00:34:21,398
Cats can see at night
much more effectively
than dogs.
374
00:34:24,131 --> 00:34:26,621
The pack abandons its kill,
375
00:34:27,134 --> 00:34:29,104
but the lions keep coming.
376
00:34:29,136 --> 00:34:30,336
[ROARS]
377
00:34:30,378 --> 00:34:33,068
They just want the dogs
away from the river.
378
00:34:33,588 --> 00:34:36,378
Any rival predator
is bad news.
379
00:34:56,163 --> 00:34:57,133
[SNARLING]
380
00:35:17,115 --> 00:35:20,145
The family flees down
the beach to safety.
381
00:35:22,050 --> 00:35:24,020
The night has been eventful,
382
00:35:24,915 --> 00:35:28,465
but at least they've fed
and, more importantly,
383
00:35:28,505 --> 00:35:30,745
the yearlings have
joined the hunt.
384
00:35:44,107 --> 00:35:46,177
[BIRDS TWITTERING]
385
00:35:59,053 --> 00:36:03,753
Over the next few weeks,
the Luangwa River
continues to fall,
386
00:36:03,782 --> 00:36:07,752
and draws increasing numbers
of animals to its banks.
387
00:36:13,619 --> 00:36:18,209
Despite the run-in with
the lions, the dog pack
stays close to the river,
388
00:36:18,762 --> 00:36:22,182
and the yearlings get
more competent every day.
389
00:36:23,560 --> 00:36:27,630
But the rains are due soon,
and then there will be water
390
00:36:27,668 --> 00:36:29,498
away from the river.
391
00:36:31,085 --> 00:36:32,945
The antelope will disperse,
392
00:36:32,983 --> 00:36:36,093
and kills here will be
harder to come by.
393
00:36:37,195 --> 00:36:41,715
The dogs will stay until then, but the pressure is on now,
394
00:36:41,751 --> 00:36:45,861
not only to eat,
but for the youngsters
to learn to hunt.
395
00:36:47,239 --> 00:36:50,589
The yearlings now regularly
help the six adults.
396
00:36:50,967 --> 00:36:53,757
The alpha pair
and the four 2-year-olds
397
00:36:53,797 --> 00:36:55,767
still make all the kills,
398
00:36:55,799 --> 00:36:59,079
but the yearlings make up
the crucial numbers needed.
399
00:37:00,942 --> 00:37:05,122
The pack's new-found success
comes at a price.
400
00:37:07,121 --> 00:37:09,881
All the lions are
on to them now.
401
00:37:11,263 --> 00:37:16,753
After each successful kill,
the dogs wolf down as much
as they can
402
00:37:16,786 --> 00:37:19,166
before the lions
and hyenas arrive.
403
00:37:20,686 --> 00:37:23,206
They lose many
of their meals.
404
00:37:26,692 --> 00:37:29,282
Male lions are
mostly scavengers.
405
00:37:29,316 --> 00:37:31,966
They don't need
to hunt for themselves.
406
00:37:34,113 --> 00:37:37,083
Despite the dangers
and frequent losses,
407
00:37:37,116 --> 00:37:40,146
the family is reluctant
to leave the river.
408
00:37:41,155 --> 00:37:43,915
Hunting school
is still in session.
409
00:37:45,159 --> 00:37:48,919
The yearlings are getting stronger and their muscles filling out.
410
00:37:49,750 --> 00:37:51,920
They're gaining in confidence.
411
00:37:54,306 --> 00:37:57,306
Most days, the three
2-year-old sisters
412
00:37:57,344 --> 00:37:59,904
lead the yearlings
down to the beach.
413
00:38:00,968 --> 00:38:04,868
They wash the night's evidence from their faces, and play.
414
00:38:20,056 --> 00:38:22,226
It's a way to unwind,
415
00:38:22,265 --> 00:38:25,675
but it also reinforces
the bonds between them
416
00:38:25,717 --> 00:38:27,817
and the roles
they play in the hunt.
417
00:38:29,030 --> 00:38:32,660
It's an important part
of the yearlings' training.
418
00:38:34,381 --> 00:38:38,281
The lionesses are never far,
a constant threat.
419
00:38:39,386 --> 00:38:42,906
To the cats,
the dogs are competition.
420
00:38:43,355 --> 00:38:47,005
But they're so full of meals
provided by the dogs,
421
00:38:47,877 --> 00:38:50,807
they're a lot less dangerous
than if they were hungry.
422
00:38:55,091 --> 00:38:59,411
The promise of rain
begins to lure antelope
away from the river,
423
00:38:59,440 --> 00:39:03,340
for easier water
and fresher grass.
424
00:39:06,102 --> 00:39:08,832
It's time for the dogs
to leave too.
425
00:39:11,487 --> 00:39:13,107
The yearlings seem happy,
426
00:39:15,353 --> 00:39:17,943
but the three older
sisters hold back.
427
00:39:23,015 --> 00:39:27,775
Eventually, they all
set off together for
the long journey home.
428
00:39:28,987 --> 00:39:31,227
They're heading back
to Hot Springs.
429
00:39:35,994 --> 00:39:39,074
As the day warms,
they have to rest.
430
00:39:45,521 --> 00:39:50,041
The 2-year-old sisters
sit apart from their
younger siblings.
431
00:39:51,941 --> 00:39:55,981
They're adults now,
and ready to start breeding.
432
00:39:57,291 --> 00:40:00,231
So they have
a decision to make.
433
00:40:05,782 --> 00:40:08,962
Wild dog calls
can travel many miles,
434
00:40:08,992 --> 00:40:13,962
and the three females listen, maybe for potential mates.
435
00:40:16,068 --> 00:40:19,208
The male moves away
from his sisters.
436
00:40:19,244 --> 00:40:21,454
He'll stay with
the family for longer,
437
00:40:21,488 --> 00:40:24,768
helping his parents
and younger siblings.
438
00:40:25,112 --> 00:40:27,392
But the sisters are restless
439
00:40:28,115 --> 00:40:31,075
and for a moment seem unsure.
440
00:40:37,055 --> 00:40:40,325
They would be abandoning their family, and their brother,
441
00:40:40,541 --> 00:40:42,961
and everything they know.
442
00:40:45,304 --> 00:40:49,414
But leaving would
give them a chance
to have pups themselves.
443
00:40:51,518 --> 00:40:53,758
They decide to go it alone.
444
00:40:56,039 --> 00:40:58,009
The sisters
will stay together,
445
00:40:58,041 --> 00:41:01,011
traveling for maybe
hundreds of miles
446
00:41:01,044 --> 00:41:03,294
across the Luangwa
River basin,
447
00:41:03,322 --> 00:41:06,262
searching for nomad males
their own age,
448
00:41:06,291 --> 00:41:08,261
or a pack they can join.
449
00:41:10,537 --> 00:41:14,467
Now, there are only three
adults in the pack,
450
00:41:14,506 --> 00:41:17,156
only three competent hunters.
451
00:41:17,544 --> 00:41:19,934
Five is considered
the minimum.
452
00:41:20,581 --> 00:41:24,411
The six yearlings will
have to fill the gap fast.
453
00:41:25,103 --> 00:41:27,863
Their new-found skills will
really be put to the test.
454
00:41:29,348 --> 00:41:32,838
The first rains will signal
the start of lean times
455
00:41:32,869 --> 00:41:34,799
for the valley's predators.
456
00:41:35,216 --> 00:41:39,146
The three sisters' leaving
could not have come
at a worse time.
457
00:41:40,049 --> 00:41:41,949
To add to
the family's troubles,
458
00:41:41,982 --> 00:41:46,232
one of the yearlings
is injured and is slowing
their progress.
459
00:41:47,090 --> 00:41:50,540
Without enough dogs,
they won't be able
to bring down prey.
460
00:41:51,336 --> 00:41:54,296
They can't afford to be
another dog short.
461
00:41:55,305 --> 00:41:58,515
Family ties compel
the others to wait for him.
462
00:41:59,447 --> 00:42:03,937
It's only by all
pulling together that
this family will survive.
463
00:42:05,074 --> 00:42:06,454
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
464
00:42:10,976 --> 00:42:13,006
They're heading back
to Hot Springs,
465
00:42:13,047 --> 00:42:15,147
where all the yearlings
were born.
466
00:42:17,017 --> 00:42:21,467
There's permanent water,
and a few antelope
always return there.
467
00:42:27,027 --> 00:42:30,337
Blocking the way ahead,
buffalo.
468
00:42:33,343 --> 00:42:39,353
Buffalos are belligerent,
heavily armored,
built to fight off lions.
469
00:42:46,218 --> 00:42:48,598
The dogs will never
catch a buffalo.
470
00:42:49,567 --> 00:42:52,357
But the yearlings do need
to practice hunting.
471
00:42:54,157 --> 00:42:58,467
This game of chase
is dangerous, but it
will hone their skills
472
00:42:58,506 --> 00:43:00,406
and build their confidence.
473
00:43:01,509 --> 00:43:03,579
[BUFFALO SNORTING
AND GRUNTING]
474
00:43:17,318 --> 00:43:19,458
The young dogs are fearless.
475
00:43:19,493 --> 00:43:24,083
They work together as a team, moving the buffalo out of the way.
476
00:43:29,330 --> 00:43:31,020
[SNORTING]
477
00:43:31,056 --> 00:43:34,956
If they can
take on these guys,
they're ready to do anything.
478
00:43:37,407 --> 00:43:42,587
The promised rains never
quite come before the family
arrives back at Hot Springs.
479
00:43:47,348 --> 00:43:48,628
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
480
00:43:57,427 --> 00:44:02,537
Once home,
the alpha male and female
reaffirm their bonds.
481
00:44:04,055 --> 00:44:07,575
A change in her scent
means only one thing,
482
00:44:08,473 --> 00:44:11,063
she's ready to mate again.
483
00:44:13,029 --> 00:44:15,649
In a few months,
there should be new pups.
484
00:44:17,102 --> 00:44:20,452
They den here because
there'll be fewer
lions and hyenas
485
00:44:20,485 --> 00:44:22,305
than there are
nearer the river.
486
00:44:23,039 --> 00:44:25,039
At least, in theory.
487
00:44:30,529 --> 00:44:33,669
The puku and impala
are returning too,
488
00:44:33,705 --> 00:44:36,595
no longer reliant on
the river for moisture.
489
00:44:37,778 --> 00:44:42,438
Soon, the alpha female
will retire to her den.
490
00:44:43,784 --> 00:44:46,104
The alpha male is old now,
491
00:44:46,131 --> 00:44:48,651
not the hunter he used to be.
492
00:44:50,757 --> 00:44:54,547
The survival of the pack
depends on the yearlings.
493
00:45:03,631 --> 00:45:05,531
They've learned well.
494
00:45:05,564 --> 00:45:08,784
They know to split up
and flank their prey.
495
00:45:10,190 --> 00:45:11,740
[DOGS CALLING]
496
00:45:21,408 --> 00:45:24,688
They know they just
have to keep running...
497
00:45:31,280 --> 00:45:34,350
And eventually,
the kill will come.
498
00:45:39,875 --> 00:45:46,115
The yearling drives the impala right into the jaws of his siblings.
499
00:45:48,228 --> 00:45:49,678
[DOGS TWITTERING]
500
00:45:51,334 --> 00:45:55,274
For the first time,
they provide a meal
for their mother.
501
00:45:56,339 --> 00:45:57,689
They eat quickly.
502
00:45:57,720 --> 00:46:00,270
Little goes unnoticed
on these plains
503
00:46:00,309 --> 00:46:04,309
and you never know who's
coming to dinner uninvited.
504
00:46:06,902 --> 00:46:08,112
[HOWLING]
505
00:46:09,145 --> 00:46:12,075
Hyenas. Their old enemies.
506
00:46:22,227 --> 00:46:23,987
[HYENAS YIPPING]
507
00:46:24,022 --> 00:46:29,132
But now the pack has
confidence, and together
the dogs stand strong.
508
00:46:29,752 --> 00:46:32,132
[GROWLING]
509
00:46:44,318 --> 00:46:47,178
Let the hyenas fight
over the scraps.
510
00:46:47,874 --> 00:46:51,224
These hunters can always
catch another meal.
511
00:46:53,465 --> 00:46:57,535
For this family, six fresh
young hunters is enough.
512
00:46:59,299 --> 00:47:01,539
The yearlings have
come of age.
513
00:47:03,613 --> 00:47:07,343
They're ready to help defend
and feed the new puppies
514
00:47:07,652 --> 00:47:09,172
when they come.
515
00:47:11,932 --> 00:47:17,212
For now, at least,
the future looks secure
for the Hot Springs Pack.
516
00:47:22,909 --> 00:47:27,809
It's a ray of hope
for wild dogs in Africa.
517
00:47:46,346 --> 00:47:54,346
♪♪
45826
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