Original subtitles

Meet Coco.

Queen of a wild dog pack.

Endurance athletes of the African Savanna...

for whom family means everything.

But Coco's stamina will be put to the test...

as a dozen new lives grow inside her.

From the cramped intimacy of the womb

to their chaotic first moments in the bush.

See the tender relationship

between mother, puppies, and pack, blossom.

As pups Kip and Kaya... learn how to live life on the run...

...and face the hurdles...

...of Growing Up Animal.

Dawn in Zimbabwe

is a very special moment for Coco...

...the matriarch of her wild dog pack.

It's time to rally the troops and get the day started.

And that means every dog saying hello

to every other dog...

...with as much noise, energy, and affection as they can muster.

Coco and her clan don't often bark or howl.

But wild dogs do communicate constantly.

Mostly through a complex collection of high-pitched twitters,

yelps, and whines.

Coco and her family live by the absolute rule,

all for one, and one for all.

Being a dog means being together...

especially for an alpha female like Coco.

Around here, she is the boss.

In charge of the day-to-day activities...

and responsible for everyone's well-being.

But in one month, she will take off alone...

because of something magical happening inside her.

A long row of tiny puppies in the making.

Five weeks old, each is no bigger than a peanut.

If all goes well, in another five weeks' time

they could double the size of Coco's pack...

and help secure their future in a world that's tough on wild dogs.

As predators go, out here in the bush,

Coco and the members of her gang are small.

Wild dogs are only dim, distant relatives of wolves,

and even farther removed from domestic dogs.

The most social of all wild canids,

this unique species finds strength in numbers.

The larger Coco can build her pack, the stronger and safer they will be

from bigger, more powerful predators.

But right now...

the sun is up...

and it's time for breakfast.

Pregnant moms are hungry moms.

Coco and crew succeed 85 percent of the time,

compared to the lions and their measly 30 percent.

The big cats are always ready to steal Coco's kill.

Hyenas are, too. They pose a constant danger.

So, Coco is an expert at operating under their radar...

...relying on keen eyesight and super-sized ears

to detect any signs of impending trouble.

Her favorite way to start the day is with impala.

The hunt is on.

Coco leads a pack that moves with military precision.

Pursuit relies on the dogs' superpower...

endurance.

Even heavily pregnant, Coco can run for miles

at top speeds surpassing 40 miles per hour.

She knows this impala will run out of steam.

But Coco's days on the hunt are numbered.

She'll soon have to find somewhere safe...

to den down alone and have her pups.

All that running...

followed by a hearty breakfast...

would make any dog want to nap the day away.

Especially when so much is going on inside her.

At five weeks in, Coco is like a puppy-making factory,

and has a dozen on the production line.

A good number to grow her family.

They already have a heartbeat and their eyes are developing.

But one of Coco's puppies already finds it tough.

This is Kaya, the runt of the litter.

She lies at the far end of Coco's crescent-shaped womb,

and is squished by her siblings.

She will have to be a fighter to make it to full-term.

With only five weeks more to go, Coco's doing everything she can

to ensure all her pups have the best chance to survive.

But she can't do it alone.

A dozen puppies need the support of her entire family.

This is Woody, Coco's alpha partner and father of her new brood.

He is always there for her.

Even when she's dog-tired and ignores him.

Coco lost her first partner to lions.

Then there's daughter Lilah.

Lilah is special.

Sole survivor from Coco's first litter.

Ten months old and growing up fast.

She will have to work as hard as her mom to keep the little ones safe.

Coco lost so much last time.

Her lifetime mate and six of their seven puppies,

taken by bigger predators.

Now, every dog will have to step up

to help the pups survive once they're born.

As weeks fly by,

Coco and family clock up more than 1,000 miles.

Crisscrossing their territory, from the scrub

to the grasslands...

from the rivers...

to the hills.

The work of feeding a pack is never done.

And with every day, Coco's load grows bigger.

It's a battle to keep up with the hunt.

But Coco's not a quitter.

At first light, she's out again.

But this hunt

is not for food.

Coco's looking for a den.

And from the size of her bump, it looks like she needs one soon.

Her pups are now at just over nine weeks through their ten-week journey.

And now, more than 100 times bigger than just three weeks ago.

There is barely any wiggle room.

This is Kip, a big brother of Kaya, the runt,

and he keeps her wedged in place.

His patchwork black and white legs aren't developing

like a domestic puppy's legs.

He lacks the fifth dewclaw they share with wolves.

Instead, it is sacrificed to give greater stability to his paw.

And his muscles and tendons follow different paths,

so his legs are especially adapted for endurance.

Kip and Kaya will be endowed with a running frame

that is pure perfection.

But first, they need a safe place to be born.

Somewhere in this dense scrub is an abandoned aardvark burrow.

Coco remembers her mom using it one year.

But nowhere out here is completely safe.

Hyenas share the same territory.

And have a knack for turning up unannounced.

If there are enough of them, they will steal kills.

But worse, they also steal puppies.

But to Coco, this place seems safe enough.

As far away from prying eyes as she can find.

But she's still got work to do.

Someone has to spruce up the nursery.

She wants her den to be deep enough

to offer maximum protection from predators.

It seems to pass her test.

The other dogs know what this means.

Coco's time is coming soon.

Her nomadic pack,

used to sleeping in a different location every night,

will have to adjust to bedding down in the same place for the next few months.

Time for a group slumber party.

Coco will soon be heading into the den on her own.

This is a last chance to snuggle up to Woody.

He always has an affectionate paw for her.

They're going to miss each other.

Every time the dogs wake... it's the same joyful greeting ritual.

Woody kicks it off with Coco.

And in moments like these, all dogs are created equal.

Regardless of social status,

each adopts what's called an appeasement posture,

head down, tail up.

And the excitement ripples through the pack.

Until Coco is buried.

Close contact and constant communication

tie the pack together...

building the fierce loyalty that gets them through the tough times.

When her pups emerge, they will be utterly helpless

and dependent on the devotion

of their close-knit family to keep them alive.

The puppies are now ten weeks old and fully developed.

They look even more like Mom...

apart from those ears.

Kip's still look more like our pet dogs' ears, small and floppy.

His ear canals are closed.

But later, as he grows, they will open

and pop up like satellite dishes.

And will be central to Kip's life...

picking up all those complex calls.

They also help the dogs keep cool, find prey,

and avoid predators.

And right behind Kip,

Kaya, the runt, is keeping up the fight.

They are nearly ready to meet their mom, and the rest of the pack.

Coco can feel something stirring inside...

and it isn't hunger pangs.

This is a turning point.

Time to let go of leading her pack

and watch them head out on the evening hunt without her.

Moving around is a struggle.

Her unborn pups' combined weight is now around eight pounds.

Coco only weighs 50 pounds herself.

If she were human,

that would be like carrying almost 30 pounds of baby!

She needs to get the weight off her feet...

...and conserve her strength.

The big moment is drawing closer.

And she knows it.

Many hours later, the pack returns to the den site.

Woody is agitated.

Things have changed.

Something wonderful has happened underground.

Down below... Coco is a wild dog mom once again.

Exhausted. But, boy, it feels better to have them on the outside at last!

The world above is not safe for these little ones.

So, she will keep them here by her side while they grow.

For now, life is all about feeding.

Kaya, Coco's little runt,

will need to build up her strength as much as she can.

Brother Kip is already sleeping off his first meal.

After three weeks hidden underground...

...it's finally time for Coco to present her puppies to the pack.

They're barely able to contain their excitement.

It's a new generation of dogs...

seeing the light of day...

and meeting their family for the first time.

It's a great day for Woody. He's become a father!

And Lilah has brothers and sisters once again.

But not the dozen that Coco was carrying.

Just over half the litter has made it this far.

Coco knows how harsh nature can be.

And if seven pups is all she has, then seven pups she will love and protect.

Kip, Kaya, and all their siblings stay bundled together...

and keep close to Mom.

There is no rest for Coco.

While the pups all look pretty similar at three weeks old,

their personalities are already starting to show.

Kip is curious about everything.

Just like a human baby,

he learns about his new world by putting everything in his mouth.

Kaya seems a little timid.

Never strays far from Mom.

Down in the den is her comfort zone.

But Kip wants his little sister to join the fun.

He's got the makings of a ringleader.

Up here in the open, there is also trouble to get into.

As they explore, Kip and Kaya become more aware of their surroundings.

And begin to communicate directly with each other...

...and the adults.

Starting to build bonds that will help the family thrive.

Coco must stay at the den to protect and nurse her pups.

So, every day now, Woody leads the pack in her absence.

It's up to him to find enough food...

for the newly-expanded family.

He goes to great lengths to find prey.

And lets no obstacle get in their way.

Deep rivers can be dangerous.

Hidden perils lurk just below the surface.

But Woody is a bold, new leader.

He always waits to check every dog has made it.

Wild dogs never turn their back on a pack member.

No one will be left behind to fend for themselves.

All present and accounted for, the hunt can proceed.

Loyalty and selflessness are what binds these dogs together.

And makes them such successful predators.

Later in the day, back at the den,

seven, three-week-old pups are finding their feet.

And their taste buds.

Kip and Kaya have really grown.

And now, they're ready to take a major step in their development,

starting on solid food.

Woody and the others have returned with treats from the hunt.

A portion of meat they've already eaten

bringing it back from their stomach right in front of the pup.

Maybe not the best table manners...

but it works for wild dogs.

This protein boost packs a punch.

And Kip is already punching above his weight.

Kaya is finally catching up with the rest of the pups.

It's a turning point for Coco, too.

She's no longer the sole food provider.

So, at last, she can take a break from nursing.

The time has come to get back out with the pack

and lead the hunt. Maternity leave, done.

But the pups can't be left alone yet.

The whole pack shares the responsibility.

But it's Lilah, Coco's one-year-old daughter,

who jumps at the chance to be chief babysitter and guard.

She's new to the whole childcare thing.

But she'll get the hang of it.

And practice makes perfect.

Kaya still needs a little convincing

to stay out of the den.

But all the other puppies just want to play.

They're getting to know their siblings

and learning to identify one another.

Their lives and well-being

will depend on the family bonds they forge in these early days.

Three weeks later, the puppies are bigger,

and more mobile than ever.

They're gradually exploring the scrub surrounding their den.

Kip, the biggest of the bunch, likes to throw his weight around.

Play-fighting strengthens his muscles and joints,

and improves coordination.

Somehow, he always ends up on top.

Kaya is taken with stalking.

But maybe not sneaky enough just yet...

...to catch this guy.

They won't be ready to join the hunt

until they're about four months old.

So, Kip and Kaya...

will spend a few more weeks here under the care of big sister Lilah.

They need to grow and build up their endurance

to keep pace with the grown-ups...

hunting and surviving

out in the big, wide world.

For Coco, it's back to business as usual.

Once again, she leads the family in its never-ending search for food.

Pound for pound,

wild dogs consume more meat per day than any other carnivore.

At first light, she rallies the pack.

It's off to the far side of their home turf.

You have to be careful around these potholes.

They are dried out elephant tracks.

Without their long, specially-stabilized limbs...

these could be real leg breakers.

Coco's got them to the wetlands, undetected by their adversaries.

This is a haven for water-loving antelope...

like the red lechwe.

But Coco and her clan love water, too.

The lechwe makes a run for it.

But they're not about to let him get away.

Even across the swampy marshland, Coco and her clan are relentless.

And their pursuit pays off.

But they've been spotted.

Hyena. Looking to muscle in on the meal.

Coco can't afford to have their kill stolen,

or worse, allow the hyenas to tail them back to the den...

where there are seven vulnerable puppies.

This calls for a clear message.

Hyenas are known for persistence.

So Coco must stand her ground.

Job done.

Time to head for home.

It's hard for any puppy to be patient,

especially when their tummies are rumbling.

Kaya is the first to hear something.

But they are all eager to investigate.

It's such a welcome sight.

Mom and Dad are back...

and they've brought food.

For the first time,

pups will get to sink their teeth into chunks of meat on bone.

Wild dogs have extra-large, razor-sharp teeth,

specially designed for shearing.

Kip

and Kaya's are progressing nicely.

But Kip seems a little greedier than the others.

He takes advantage

of his little sister.

Grabbing away the choicest morsels for himself.

But wild dogs always make sure everyone is treated equally.

Each adult leads by example.

Even the most fearsome hunters crouch down with tail raised

in a non-threatening posture, sharing the meal.

For wild dogs, courtesy builds community.

Good thing Kip is a fast learner. He shows he can beg for his food...

and wait patiently until it comes.

The sudden appearance of new puppies in the neighborhood hasn't gone unnoticed.

A leopard. A pup killer.

Coco's world stands still.

The pack could fight back against a lone leopard...

but Coco is very cautious.

The loss of her last litter of puppies, but for one,

is still fresh in her mind.

A tragedy that almost destroyed her family.

Coco won't take any unnecessary risks.

And she hopes the puppies are strong enough.

It's time for them to leave the comfort of the den behind for good,

and for the pack to return to its life, on the run.

This is it. A massive step.

The seven puppies are now nomads, like the rest of the family.

With the pups protected, running in the heart of the pack,

every adult will take a turn to guard them.

It's exhilarating, but little legs can't keep up for long.

And Coco knows they can't travel far today.

She needs to find a safe zone for the pups to rest.

This clifftop could be just the place.

Finally, this hard-working mom can relax for a moment.

Kip and Kaya just want to play around in their new neighborhood.

And even adult dogs remember how to have fun.

Every game of tag is important.

The youngsters are learning the skills to chase down another animal,

vital for when they go hunting for real.

It's all about the chase, speed, and stamina.

And a well-timed lunge.

Coco's little ones are growing up so fast.

Learning what it really means to be a wild dog.

Kip is now looking out for Kaya,

and strong bonds are growing between all the pups.

It's just as well, because life on the run is going to test them and the whole pack.

Tomorrow will be a huge day for everyone,

as the pups see firsthand what it takes to survive out here.

The sun is up.

Coco rallies her troops.

Excitement is in the air.

Today, Kip, Kaya, and their siblings will join the hunt.

They'll get to watch Mom and Dad in action.

It will be too fast and dangerous in the thick of it,

but they'll still have ringside seats...

as Coco shows them exactly how it's done.

The impala is down.

Coco calls over her pups.

This is a huge milestone.

The first time they've eaten food straight from the source.

At last, their jaws and teeth are ready.

The pups have first dibs.

The adults wait until the youngsters

are full before digging in themselves.

Kaya doesn't hold back.

She's come so far from being the runt of the litter.

Coco is a great mom,

doing all she can to teach her pups how to find food.

But to survive out here, they will also have to learn

how to stand up for themselves in the face of danger.

It's hyenas.

They've caught wind of the kill...

and turned up to steal a meal.

Coco knows what they're up to.

But this time, the hyenas bring reinforcements.

Coco and the adult dogs must face the challenge.

The puppies have to stay out of harm's way.

But today, something is different.

There is no babysitter.

The pups are on their own.

But not for long. They have company.

A rogue hyena has slipped through the lines,

and thinks he's found easy pickings.

They must rally together. It's all for one, and one for all.

They may be small...

but together, the puppies are a formidable force.

They've done it!

The brave army of seven sends the hyena packing.

Kip, Kaya, and the other pups rush

to rejoin Coco and the rest of their family.

No one needs an excuse for a celebration.

Coco is a great success,

as a mother and as a leader of her pack.

Her seven healthy pups are proof...

she has turned tragedy into triumph.

Through her devotion,

Kip, Kaya, and their siblings have come into their own,

and now have every chance to make it,

Growing Up Animal in their wild corner of Africa.