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DAVID ATTENBOROUGH:
The very centre of Africa.
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00:00:42,800 --> 00:00:48,679
And the centre of two million square
miles of dense tropical rain forest.
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00:01:02,640 --> 00:01:07,639
At first glance it seems
deserted and eerily still,
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00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:10,839
not an easy place to live.
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00:01:21,880 --> 00:01:26,599
But, in fact, there is a greater
concentration of animals here,
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00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:28,839
than anywhere else in Africa.
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00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:38,239
And in this world they must
grab every opportunity.
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00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:43,519
Competition is intense and unrelenting.
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00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:53,799
Even the forest itself fights its corner
with spines and poisonous sap.
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00:01:58,920 --> 00:02:03,159
Here, every living thing
must fight for its space.
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00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:22,279
Such beauty.
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00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:31,719
But the flower is self-serving, enticing
animals into an unwitting alliance.
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00:02:32,880 --> 00:02:34,359
Stingless bees.
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00:02:34,680 --> 00:02:38,439
They have to work hard.
The forest flowers make them do so
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00:02:38,520 --> 00:02:43,439
by rationing their nectar, forcing
each bee to visit, and so pollinate,
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00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:46,119
at least a thousand blooms each day.
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00:02:50,920 --> 00:02:51,999
(BUZZING)
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00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:04,759
For the bees, it's worth the effort.
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00:03:05,040 --> 00:03:09,199
They need the nectar to make honey
which they store in pots.
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00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:13,439
It's so precious, they keep it hidden
beneath the bark of a tree.
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00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:27,479
But their secret is out.
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00:03:29,280 --> 00:03:30,879
(CHIMPANZEE SHRIEKING)
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00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:40,119
Nothing is safe in this forest.
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00:03:57,960 --> 00:03:59,959
Chimpanzees love honey.
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00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:13,319
She seems oblivious to danger.
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00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:15,919
A fall from up here could be fatal.
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00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:21,839
But she does need a bigger stick.
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00:04:47,640 --> 00:04:51,759
Only a chimp has the ability to
break into a stingless bees' nest,
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00:04:51,840 --> 00:04:53,559
as well hidden as this.
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00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:00,599
Chimps are extremely intelligent,
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00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:04,679
but none is born with
the skill to use a tool.
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00:05:15,320 --> 00:05:18,999
Youngsters, like this one,
must learn by watching.
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00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:52,079
She uses special tools,
one after another,
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00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:54,479
to get all the honey she can,
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00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:59,719
and in a few minutes she destroys
what took the bees years to build.
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00:06:08,440 --> 00:06:11,759
In the rain forest, nothing is safe.
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00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:23,639
Here in the Congo, there can be
as many as 500 trees
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00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:25,679
crammed into every acre.
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00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:31,599
In the battle for space, some will
rise to over 60 metres high,
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00:06:31,680 --> 00:06:33,519
in just a few decades.
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00:06:40,080 --> 00:06:42,759
In a valley like this,
there could be close
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00:06:42,840 --> 00:06:45,399
on 1,000 different species of tree.
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00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:52,479
Up here, the crowns barely touch.
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00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:56,719
Each tree seems to respect
its neighbour's space.
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00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:03,559
When they germinate
down on the forest floor,
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00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:06,959
young trees and plants
are less restrained.
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00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:12,279
But every new generation fights it out,
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00:07:12,360 --> 00:07:16,039
in battles we can see
by accelerating time.
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00:07:18,120 --> 00:07:21,119
They must get light
if they are to survive,
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00:07:21,640 --> 00:07:26,639
and they squeeze, crush and even slash
one another in order to reach it.
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00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:50,079
Despite the thick canopy above,
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00:07:50,160 --> 00:07:52,439
some sunlight does filter through,
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00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:57,399
and allows a few low-light specialists
to bloom near the forest floor.
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00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:31,239
Down here there are animals too
that seek out the sunlight.
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00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:42,879
The forest's largest predator.
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00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:48,559
A female rock python.
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00:08:51,400 --> 00:08:55,159
Her body is five metres long,
weighs 100 kilos,
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00:08:55,240 --> 00:08:57,239
and has 4,000 muscles
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00:08:57,320 --> 00:09:01,439
that she uses to crush the
life out of her victims.
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00:09:03,800 --> 00:09:06,799
But right now, her need
is not for food.
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00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:08,759
It's for warmth.
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00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:19,559
She finds a rare patch where a
shaft of sunlight strikes the ground,
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00:09:20,360 --> 00:09:22,759
and she begins to bask.
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00:09:27,160 --> 00:09:28,359
She's cold-blooded.
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00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:32,359
So this is the only way she can raise
the temperature of her body.
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00:09:36,680 --> 00:09:41,719
But now she's becoming very warm indeed,
more than 10 degrees hotter than usual.
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00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:46,959
At 40 degrees centigrade
she's in danger of killing herself.
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00:09:51,800 --> 00:09:54,279
Just in time, she moves off.
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00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:03,959
She disappears below ground.
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00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:06,479
(HISSING)
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00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:16,479
This is her nest,
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00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:20,439
and it's full of giant eggs.
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00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:29,759
It's critical for the eggs' development
that they stay above 30 degrees.
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00:10:35,160 --> 00:10:37,599
Here in this special filming burrow,
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00:10:37,680 --> 00:10:41,479
she gently wraps her super-heated
body around the eggs,
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00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:44,239
passing on to them
the warmth of the sun.
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00:10:51,240 --> 00:10:54,519
She has done this every day
for three months.
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00:10:56,040 --> 00:11:00,319
The repeated heat stress on her body
is so great it could be lethal.
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00:11:01,160 --> 00:11:04,279
And at the very least,
it will take three years for her
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00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:08,119
to recover from incubating
this one clutch of eggs.
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00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:34,959
Her parchment-shelled eggs carry
the pressed imprint of her scales.
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00:11:35,560 --> 00:11:39,239
An indication of the strength
of her embrace.
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00:11:46,720 --> 00:11:49,599
At last, her efforts are rewarded.
84
00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:10,079
But the babies can't stay here.
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00:12:10,480 --> 00:12:14,199
They must leave their sanctuary
and find food
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00:12:14,320 --> 00:12:16,039
in the tangled world above.
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00:12:44,200 --> 00:12:48,759
They're over 60 centimetres long,
already big enough to be a threat
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00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:51,239
to the smaller inhabitants
of the forest.
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00:12:54,840 --> 00:12:56,799
But they are themselves vulnerable.
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00:12:59,560 --> 00:13:01,439
Particularly to other snakes.
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00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:07,599
But this one is their mother.
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00:13:07,680 --> 00:13:09,279
Unusually for snakes,
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00:13:09,360 --> 00:13:13,479
her maternal instincts continue
for days after her eggs hatch.
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00:13:24,760 --> 00:13:27,999
Even so, the forest
is such a dangerous place,
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00:13:28,440 --> 00:13:30,719
that only one in a hundred
of her youngsters
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00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:32,679
is likely to reach adulthood.
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00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:41,799
Just occasionally,
the competition eases.
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00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:48,359
A tree suddenly produces fruit.
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00:13:50,680 --> 00:13:52,399
(CHIMPANZEES GIBBERING)
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00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:55,199
It's a magnet for
the creatures of the canopy,
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00:13:55,280 --> 00:13:57,079
and they, in turn, as they feed,
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00:13:57,160 --> 00:14:00,079
create a bonanza for those
on the ground below.
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00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:24,359
A mob of red river hogs.
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00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:31,559
They have travelled over two miles
through the thick undergrowth,
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00:14:31,840 --> 00:14:33,599
to get to this fall of fruit.
106
00:14:34,520 --> 00:14:37,799
But in the African forest,
little comes for free.
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00:14:42,200 --> 00:14:44,279
This feast is a bribe.
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00:14:46,600 --> 00:14:49,239
The hogs will carry the seeds
in their stomachs
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00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:52,119
and deposit them far from
the parent tree.
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00:15:07,680 --> 00:15:09,199
Night falls.
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00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:14,959
But one living community,
which is neither animal nor plant,
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00:15:15,040 --> 00:15:18,439
continues its never-ending
work in the darkness.
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00:15:26,040 --> 00:15:28,479
This ground is alive with fungi,
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00:15:28,560 --> 00:15:31,719
that digest all the litter
discarded by the forest.
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00:15:38,920 --> 00:15:42,759
Some rare fungi do so with enzymes
that are luminous.
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00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:54,239
The local people call them
"Chimpanzee fire".
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00:16:00,560 --> 00:16:04,199
Without the fungi, the dead vegetation
would pile so high
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00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:06,719
the living trees would be submerged.
119
00:16:24,120 --> 00:16:25,239
Dawn.
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00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:28,919
And a new day reveals
just how much control
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00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:32,159
the jungle has over its own environment.
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00:16:36,240 --> 00:16:39,319
The forests of the Congo
are the lungs of Africa.
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00:16:40,120 --> 00:16:42,599
As they use the sunlight
to build their tissues,
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00:16:42,680 --> 00:16:46,279
so they release oxygen
and water vapour into the air.
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00:16:51,640 --> 00:16:54,199
Each hectare of forest produces
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00:16:54,280 --> 00:16:59,319
as vapour almost 190,000
litres of water a year.
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00:17:00,920 --> 00:17:03,719
So much that it creates
its own weather.
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00:17:06,760 --> 00:17:09,359
Clouds blanket the forest,
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00:17:09,440 --> 00:17:11,799
driving up the humidity
and temperature.
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00:17:13,760 --> 00:17:15,799
A storm is brewing.
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00:17:19,280 --> 00:17:21,919
The Congo might be
the richest part of Africa,
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00:17:22,480 --> 00:17:25,199
but it's also the most violent.
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00:17:31,560 --> 00:17:32,919
(WIND WHOOSHING)
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00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:42,239
(THUNDERCLAPS)
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00:17:51,480 --> 00:17:56,639
Each year, as many as a hundred million
lightning bolts strike the forest.
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00:17:56,720 --> 00:17:59,279
That's more than anywhere
else in the world.
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00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:09,599
And with the lightning comes the rain.
138
00:18:17,880 --> 00:18:23,639
Up to 95% of the rain that falls here
is generated by the forest itself.
139
00:18:41,280 --> 00:18:45,719
With the deluge will come change
to the animals and to the forest.
140
00:18:50,720 --> 00:18:53,079
It's certainly perfect
weather for frogs.
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00:18:56,600 --> 00:19:01,639
The big storm is the cue for the most
important climb of this frog's life.
142
00:19:03,240 --> 00:19:05,399
It's a male in search of a mate.
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00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:13,359
But if he is to find one,
he has to get to the top.
144
00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:50,239
He needs to keep his wits about him,
145
00:19:50,320 --> 00:19:53,039
for the rain also brings out hunters.
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00:20:07,480 --> 00:20:08,719
Easy does it.
147
00:20:18,680 --> 00:20:20,399
The top at last,
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00:20:20,640 --> 00:20:21,959
(FROGS CROAKING)
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00:20:22,040 --> 00:20:24,479
but he's late to the party.
150
00:20:29,640 --> 00:20:30,719
(CROAKING)
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00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:38,839
The higher a male sits,
the further his voice will carry.
152
00:20:38,920 --> 00:20:42,319
So the top slots are worth fighting for.
153
00:21:19,520 --> 00:21:23,119
And he's won.
He has the top place.
154
00:21:25,920 --> 00:21:28,599
So now it's time to sing.
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00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:30,959
(LOUD CROAKING)
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00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:41,479
And a white-bellied female responds.
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00:21:50,440 --> 00:21:52,799
They join together to mate.
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00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:05,439
The loser will have to wait for
the next storm, before he sings again.
159
00:22:10,480 --> 00:22:13,599
She lays her eggs
on a blade of a long leaf.
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00:22:13,920 --> 00:22:17,079
And he, using his back legs,
folds it over,
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00:22:17,160 --> 00:22:21,359
and glues its two edges together,
shutting the eggs inside.
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00:22:33,120 --> 00:22:38,159
This sealed nest is the safest place
these leaf-folding frogs can find
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00:22:38,240 --> 00:22:40,279
to protect their precious brood.
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00:22:53,240 --> 00:22:56,039
Within days, the eggs are developing.
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00:22:57,840 --> 00:22:59,559
The timing is perfect.
166
00:23:08,720 --> 00:23:13,959
The rain washes away the glue and
the tadpoles slip out of the leaves
167
00:23:14,040 --> 00:23:16,079
into the growing puddles below.
168
00:23:28,560 --> 00:23:34,039
The rainy season reaches its peak
and the ground has been transformed.
169
00:23:47,800 --> 00:23:49,679
The forest is flooded.
170
00:23:50,480 --> 00:23:52,079
It's a new world.
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00:23:57,680 --> 00:24:03,439
Fish swim in from the swollen streams,
exploiting this newly-created space,
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00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:05,839
snapping up the drowning insects.
173
00:24:11,640 --> 00:24:13,479
This is a butterflyfish.
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00:24:20,080 --> 00:24:21,919
A Congo bichir.
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00:24:26,960 --> 00:24:29,519
The hunter becomes the hunted.
176
00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:50,279
The butterflyfish is too quick
and leaps out of danger.
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00:25:22,480 --> 00:25:27,199
The floods gradually drain back
into the established waterways
178
00:25:27,280 --> 00:25:30,199
that run through the forest
like blood vessels.
179
00:25:33,760 --> 00:25:36,279
These is so much water
flowing through the forest
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00:25:36,360 --> 00:25:41,239
that even little rivulets can carve out
the soil around an ancient boulder.
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00:25:56,560 --> 00:25:59,799
This is the home of one
forest creature,
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00:25:59,880 --> 00:26:04,439
that has lived here in the Congo
for 44 million years.
183
00:26:08,360 --> 00:26:09,759
Picathartes.
184
00:26:17,960 --> 00:26:20,079
These birds mate for life,
185
00:26:20,160 --> 00:26:24,439
and the male reaffirms the bond
by displaying to the female.
186
00:26:27,480 --> 00:26:31,519
They're building a mud nest on the
underside of the boulder's overhang,
187
00:26:31,600 --> 00:26:33,719
where it'll be protected from the rain.
188
00:26:36,040 --> 00:26:37,839
The female takes the lead.
189
00:27:09,920 --> 00:27:12,879
The male doesn't seem quite so skilful.
190
00:27:16,480 --> 00:27:17,599
Oh dear.
191
00:27:19,480 --> 00:27:22,039
Luckily she can put things right.
192
00:27:27,920 --> 00:27:31,159
Now she's collecting
the soft furnishings.
193
00:27:32,920 --> 00:27:36,999
He's brought some too,
but he still can't get it right.
194
00:27:45,040 --> 00:27:50,159
In the end, the female seems satisfied
with the finish and just in time.
195
00:28:06,840 --> 00:28:10,279
It might look as if he has
been banished into the rain,
196
00:28:10,440 --> 00:28:12,879
but in fact they're a great team.
197
00:28:15,160 --> 00:28:17,039
They share the incubation.
198
00:28:17,320 --> 00:28:21,879
Twelve hours on, twelve hours off,
for the next three weeks.
199
00:28:27,520 --> 00:28:32,919
In due course, there are mouths to feed,
and now the male must prove his worth.
200
00:28:48,520 --> 00:28:51,559
Worms are a good start
and he's doing well.
201
00:28:53,600 --> 00:28:56,079
But the chicks are insatiable.
202
00:29:03,640 --> 00:29:06,759
Fortunately, other things
are on the menu.
203
00:29:21,880 --> 00:29:24,079
He might be a poor nest builder,
204
00:29:26,040 --> 00:29:28,359
but he is redeeming himself now.
205
00:29:31,840 --> 00:29:33,239
Domestic bliss!
206
00:29:36,960 --> 00:29:41,719
Rocky overhangs are the only place
where picathartes will build their nest.
207
00:29:41,800 --> 00:29:44,319
So they owe their home to the stream,
208
00:29:44,400 --> 00:29:47,599
that revealed the flank
of the giant boulder.
209
00:29:53,480 --> 00:29:56,279
This stream
and countless others like it
210
00:29:56,360 --> 00:29:58,639
merge to form the great rivers
211
00:29:58,920 --> 00:30:00,639
of Central Africa.
212
00:30:00,960 --> 00:30:02,559
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
213
00:30:11,880 --> 00:30:16,079
More than 450 billion litres
of rainwater,
214
00:30:16,440 --> 00:30:18,759
travelling down thousands of rivers,
215
00:30:18,840 --> 00:30:20,479
are heading west.
216
00:30:24,560 --> 00:30:26,039
The waters pick up speed
217
00:30:26,120 --> 00:30:29,079
as the rivers spill over the edge
of the central plateau
218
00:30:29,160 --> 00:30:32,879
and create giant cascades
of white water.
219
00:31:00,200 --> 00:31:03,399
The Kongou forces its way
through the wildest,
220
00:31:03,480 --> 00:31:06,599
most untouched forest
in the whole of Africa.
221
00:31:49,920 --> 00:31:53,759
The Congo River system
drains an area the size of India,
222
00:31:54,240 --> 00:31:57,519
carrying the waters westwards
towards the Atlantic.
223
00:31:59,360 --> 00:32:01,279
But before it reaches the coast,
224
00:32:01,360 --> 00:32:02,759
the rivers broaden,
225
00:32:02,840 --> 00:32:04,839
forcing back the forest.
226
00:32:08,280 --> 00:32:11,919
And here, for the first time,
there is space.
227
00:32:13,920 --> 00:32:16,639
Wide, flat and safe.
228
00:32:16,920 --> 00:32:18,239
(CHIRPING)
229
00:32:19,400 --> 00:32:23,239
These stretches of sand
attract visitors from the coast.
230
00:32:24,880 --> 00:32:28,479
Skimmers, searching
for somewhere safe to settle.
231
00:32:28,560 --> 00:32:29,919
(CHIRPING)
232
00:32:40,680 --> 00:32:44,199
The lower mandible of their beaks
is greatly elongated.
233
00:32:46,560 --> 00:32:50,839
They slice it through the surface
of the water at 10 metres a second.
234
00:32:54,320 --> 00:32:57,679
If and when it hits a tiny fish,
it'll snap shut.
235
00:33:05,240 --> 00:33:08,679
But why come up river
to these open sand flats?
236
00:33:13,800 --> 00:33:16,279
- (CHIRPING)
- This is the answer.
237
00:33:27,280 --> 00:33:30,039
But this nursery
will not exist for long.
238
00:33:30,920 --> 00:33:34,279
Four weeks from now
it'll be under 10 metres of water.
239
00:33:36,120 --> 00:33:38,519
If by then these chicks can't fly,
240
00:33:39,000 --> 00:33:41,359
- they will drown.
- (CHIRPING)
241
00:33:44,520 --> 00:33:48,119
The problem for young skimmers
is that when they hatch
242
00:33:48,200 --> 00:33:51,959
the lower part of their
beaks is the same size as the upper.
243
00:33:54,240 --> 00:33:57,439
While they wait for it to grow,
they do their best
244
00:33:57,520 --> 00:33:59,839
to learn the skimming technique.
245
00:34:50,600 --> 00:34:52,279
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
246
00:35:07,800 --> 00:35:09,559
Open spaces may be safe,
247
00:35:10,080 --> 00:35:13,439
but they give no protection
against the driving rain.
248
00:35:28,840 --> 00:35:32,799
These storms are a warning
that the skimmers must soon leave.
249
00:35:35,240 --> 00:35:37,399
The river is already rising.
250
00:35:50,560 --> 00:35:53,559
This year, the chicks get away in time.
251
00:36:15,200 --> 00:36:19,639
It's not just water that has the power
to clear a way through the forest.
252
00:36:21,840 --> 00:36:24,599
There are animals
that could do that too.
253
00:36:27,800 --> 00:36:30,239
They have created a network of pathways
254
00:36:30,320 --> 00:36:32,319
that criss-cross the lowland forest
255
00:36:32,400 --> 00:36:35,799
and run for thousands of miles
in all directions.
256
00:37:00,760 --> 00:37:03,639
These path-makers
are surprisingly stealthy.
257
00:37:05,080 --> 00:37:09,199
But as night falls, there's a chance
of catching a glimpse of them.
258
00:37:20,760 --> 00:37:22,599
(ELEPHANTS TRUMPETING)
259
00:37:26,240 --> 00:37:27,799
(RUSTLING)
260
00:37:28,240 --> 00:37:31,439
Forest elephants
are very social creatures,
261
00:37:32,080 --> 00:37:35,759
but in dense jungle it's hard for them
to find one another.
262
00:37:42,440 --> 00:37:44,479
These elephants are lucky.
263
00:37:47,320 --> 00:37:50,479
Here in the Congo,
there is one special place
264
00:37:50,560 --> 00:37:52,839
where they can meet and mingle.
265
00:37:55,160 --> 00:37:58,639
A place that the elephants
have created for themselves.
266
00:38:03,080 --> 00:38:04,599
And this is it.
267
00:38:08,120 --> 00:38:09,559
(TRUMPETING)
268
00:38:20,280 --> 00:38:21,639
Dzanga Bai,
269
00:38:21,880 --> 00:38:24,959
the legendary "village of elephants".
270
00:38:42,120 --> 00:38:43,359
As well as being a place
271
00:38:43,440 --> 00:38:45,679
where they can enjoy
one another's company,
272
00:38:45,760 --> 00:38:49,199
this great clearing
satisfies another craving.
273
00:38:50,760 --> 00:38:52,079
For salts.
274
00:38:58,960 --> 00:39:00,399
(TRUMPETING)
275
00:39:02,240 --> 00:39:04,599
The salts lie deep under the mud.
276
00:39:04,680 --> 00:39:07,559
So the elephants
have got to mine for them,
277
00:39:07,640 --> 00:39:11,479
which they do with high pressure
water jets from their trunks.
278
00:39:14,480 --> 00:39:16,119
(WATER BUBBLING)
279
00:39:27,720 --> 00:39:29,599
(ELEPHANTS TRUMPETING)
280
00:39:31,560 --> 00:39:34,559
The precious salts
and the chance to socialise
281
00:39:34,720 --> 00:39:37,319
bring in elephants from far and wide.
282
00:39:40,920 --> 00:39:45,319
If an elephant is in the mood to mate,
this is the place to be.
283
00:39:46,680 --> 00:39:48,119
(TRUMPETING)
284
00:39:48,520 --> 00:39:51,479
This young bull is in a state of musth,
285
00:39:51,600 --> 00:39:53,519
a kind of sexual fury.
286
00:39:53,800 --> 00:40:00,839
(TRUMPETING)
287
00:39:59,400 --> 00:40:00,833
(TRUMPETING)
288
00:40:11,560 --> 00:40:16,119
He is so pumped up by hormones
and the excitements of the crowd
289
00:40:16,200 --> 00:40:19,319
that he seems to have
taken leave of his senses.
290
00:40:31,720 --> 00:40:41,199
(TRUMPETING)
291
00:40:39,760 --> 00:40:41,193
(TRUMPETING)
292
00:40:42,680 --> 00:40:46,119
But will throwing his weight about
impress the females?
293
00:40:46,200 --> 00:40:47,639
(TRUMPETING)
294
00:40:48,960 --> 00:40:52,279
The cows only become fertile
once every two years.
295
00:40:52,600 --> 00:40:56,759
So opportunities to encounter one
at the right time are not common.
296
00:40:57,920 --> 00:41:01,679
This could well be the first chance
this young male has had.
297
00:41:03,120 --> 00:41:05,439
- (TRUMPETING)
- He's lucky.
298
00:41:06,000 --> 00:41:09,799
And there are no older bulls around
to put him in his place.
299
00:41:20,720 --> 00:41:24,479
Just for a moment,
he is king of the Bai.
300
00:41:34,640 --> 00:41:36,039
(TRUMPETING)
301
00:41:54,400 --> 00:41:58,279
- But his rule doesn't last for long.
- (TRUMPETING)
302
00:41:58,720 --> 00:42:00,879
Enter another lusty bull.
303
00:42:02,080 --> 00:42:05,559
- (TRUMPETING)
- And a much bigger one.
304
00:42:05,920 --> 00:42:07,319
(TRUMPETING)
305
00:42:15,160 --> 00:42:18,759
But the young bull
is still charged up with testosterone.
306
00:42:19,840 --> 00:42:22,799
Bold or foolish, he's going into battle.
307
00:43:19,920 --> 00:43:22,119
He never really had a chance.
308
00:43:23,720 --> 00:43:28,319
(TRUMPETING)
309
00:43:26,920 --> 00:43:28,319
(TRUMPETING)
310
00:43:37,960 --> 00:43:40,639
Dzanga Bai is a huge clearing,
311
00:43:40,720 --> 00:43:45,159
but it's still just a speck
in this vast expanse of green.
312
00:43:47,960 --> 00:43:51,479
Elephants might fell trees
and carve pathways,
313
00:43:51,960 --> 00:43:55,759
but nothing natural
can hold back this forest forever.
314
00:43:58,440 --> 00:44:00,879
Nothing but the Atlantic Ocean.
315
00:44:20,520 --> 00:44:23,879
Loango beach, on Africa's west coast,
316
00:44:23,960 --> 00:44:26,239
one of the last truly wild places
317
00:44:26,320 --> 00:44:28,919
where the Congo jungle meets the sea.
318
00:44:41,040 --> 00:44:45,159
Here the forest gives way
to sand, surf,
319
00:44:45,640 --> 00:44:47,399
and fresh sea air.
320
00:44:51,440 --> 00:44:54,039
The cool breezes and warm sunlight
321
00:44:54,480 --> 00:44:57,239
entice creatures out of the dark forest.
322
00:44:58,040 --> 00:44:59,279
(LOWING)
323
00:44:59,760 --> 00:45:02,479
- Forest buffalo appear first.
- (LOWING)
324
00:45:21,280 --> 00:45:24,679
And here in the surf, there are hippos.
325
00:45:25,840 --> 00:45:27,239
(SNORTING)
326
00:45:34,480 --> 00:45:36,639
Spray blows in from the sea,
327
00:45:37,040 --> 00:45:38,959
making the grass salty.
328
00:45:53,560 --> 00:45:56,399
So, here elephants can get
their tasty salt
329
00:45:56,760 --> 00:45:58,999
without having to dig for it.
330
00:46:01,640 --> 00:46:05,399
This mother with her tiny baby
can feel the sun on her back.
331
00:46:06,280 --> 00:46:08,719
Here it's safe for her little one.
332
00:46:10,360 --> 00:46:12,599
They are free to eat in peace.
333
00:46:15,280 --> 00:46:19,839
The bulls have all the room they need,
so there is less risk of a fight.
334
00:46:21,000 --> 00:46:22,359
(CHIRPING)
335
00:46:34,040 --> 00:46:37,159
Everyone, from gorillas to forest hogs,
336
00:46:37,640 --> 00:46:40,119
ventures out to relax on the beach.
337
00:46:41,040 --> 00:46:42,359
(SNORTING)
338
00:47:16,840 --> 00:47:20,039
But the forest creatures
can't stay out here forever.
339
00:47:24,880 --> 00:47:26,159
Despite everything,
340
00:47:26,240 --> 00:47:30,159
the intense competition,
the threats, the darkness,
341
00:47:30,640 --> 00:47:32,559
they need their forest,
342
00:47:32,760 --> 00:47:35,759
just as their forest needs them.
343
00:47:38,520 --> 00:47:39,999
(TRUMPETING)
344
00:48:04,880 --> 00:48:06,559
The Congo rainforest,
345
00:48:06,640 --> 00:48:09,519
a four-day journey
to the heart of Africa.
346
00:48:12,760 --> 00:48:15,319
Once the plane leaves,
you're on your own.
347
00:48:17,760 --> 00:48:21,919
This expedition planned to film
two of the Congo's best-kept secrets.
348
00:48:22,000 --> 00:48:23,439
But to even find them
349
00:48:23,520 --> 00:48:26,479
the crew would have to work
very hard indeed.
350
00:48:27,920 --> 00:48:29,559
You might as well be
on a different planet
351
00:48:29,640 --> 00:48:32,439
coming to a place like this.
Planet Congo.
352
00:48:36,120 --> 00:48:37,679
JAMES ALDRED:
Mysterious.
353
00:48:39,320 --> 00:48:40,519
Difficult.
354
00:48:40,960 --> 00:48:42,239
Complex.
355
00:48:43,680 --> 00:48:45,079
Challenging.
356
00:48:47,400 --> 00:48:50,199
You know, everything's
trying to bite you.
357
00:48:51,080 --> 00:48:53,159
- Suck your blood.
- (BUZZING)
358
00:48:55,400 --> 00:48:59,319
It's like being tickled by a million
feathers at the same time.
359
00:49:00,680 --> 00:49:01,679
(SIGHS)
360
00:49:08,160 --> 00:49:09,799
ATTENBOROUGH:
The insects might be torture,
361
00:49:09,880 --> 00:49:12,519
but that's the least of their worries.
362
00:49:14,920 --> 00:49:16,959
The only way to get
deep into the jungle
363
00:49:17,040 --> 00:49:19,079
is to follow these trails.
364
00:49:20,120 --> 00:49:23,239
Trails made by dangerous
forest elephants.
365
00:49:24,760 --> 00:49:27,319
ALDRED: Well, the first thing you need
to know about the forest elephants
366
00:49:27,640 --> 00:49:29,879
is you don't want to meet one.
367
00:49:31,320 --> 00:49:33,359
'Cause running away can elicit a charge
368
00:49:33,440 --> 00:49:36,439
and it could be exactly
the wrong thing to do.
369
00:49:37,600 --> 00:49:39,239
ATTENBOROUGH:
Our team are completely dependent
370
00:49:39,320 --> 00:49:41,759
on their B'aka guides for safety.
371
00:49:45,560 --> 00:49:49,839
(WHISPERS IN NATIVE LANGUAGE)
It's moved off now.
It's gone? Yes
372
00:49:52,120 --> 00:49:53,959
ATTENBOROUGH:
But it's these same forest elephants
373
00:49:54,040 --> 00:49:55,839
that James has come to film
374
00:49:55,920 --> 00:49:57,719
and just to make the challenge harder
375
00:49:57,800 --> 00:50:00,279
he's here to film them in the dark.
376
00:50:03,160 --> 00:50:06,119
Nobody knows exactly what
they get up to at night.
377
00:50:06,200 --> 00:50:08,999
They haven't been filmed
like this before.
378
00:50:09,800 --> 00:50:11,599
(ELEPHANT TRUMPETING)
379
00:50:12,240 --> 00:50:15,599
I couldn't rig this place
if the B'aka weren't here.
380
00:50:15,760 --> 00:50:17,719
Watching my back, really.
381
00:50:17,840 --> 00:50:20,399
James needs to operate
the remote cameras
382
00:50:20,480 --> 00:50:23,319
from somewhere
out of the elephants' reach.
383
00:50:24,160 --> 00:50:25,519
(WHIZZING)
384
00:50:28,880 --> 00:50:31,719
A tree platform
seems like the best option.
385
00:50:34,280 --> 00:50:36,519
(SPEAKING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE)
It's not high enough.
Uh huh.
386
00:50:37,120 --> 00:50:39,799
Apparently, they have
very big elephants round here.
387
00:50:39,880 --> 00:50:43,679
They want us to put it a bit higher,
so I think I'll do what they say.
388
00:50:45,480 --> 00:50:49,759
But no one wants to stay out at night
and help James with the filming.
389
00:50:51,600 --> 00:50:59,279
(SPEAKING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE)
Usually B'aka stay up in the
trees only if they are very lost.
390
00:50:56,840 --> 00:50:59,274
(SPEAKING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE)
Very dangerous!
391
00:50:59,760 --> 00:51:02,359
So James will be alone until morning.
392
00:51:02,920 --> 00:51:05,319
If anything goes wrong,
he's on his own.
393
00:51:05,400 --> 00:51:07,919
If they really wanted to,
they could push these trees over.
394
00:51:08,000 --> 00:51:10,879
I can't imagine
that's going to be an issue.
395
00:51:13,280 --> 00:51:15,159
As James settled down for the night,
396
00:51:15,240 --> 00:51:18,679
he's got no idea of the trouble
that's coming his way.
397
00:51:19,520 --> 00:51:21,199
(ANIMAL ROARING)
398
00:51:27,800 --> 00:51:28,919
What's going on?
399
00:51:29,000 --> 00:51:32,999
Twenty miles away Mark MacEwan
is also up in the middle of the night.
400
00:51:33,440 --> 00:51:36,759
The animal he's after
is proving impossible to find.
401
00:51:37,760 --> 00:51:38,799
Oh!
402
00:51:39,960 --> 00:51:41,399
So, we get up in the darkness
403
00:51:41,480 --> 00:51:44,239
and we walk through the jungle at night,
404
00:51:44,760 --> 00:51:47,479
hoping to hear the sound
of cracking branches
405
00:51:47,560 --> 00:51:49,959
or leaves moving up in the trees.
406
00:51:50,600 --> 00:51:53,559
ATTENBOROUGH: That means chimpanzees
are stirring in the treetops
407
00:51:53,640 --> 00:51:56,839
and Mark is here to
film chimps hunting for honey.
408
00:51:59,200 --> 00:52:01,639
There's one chimp in particular
he needs to find,
409
00:52:01,720 --> 00:52:04,199
a teenager with a very sweet tooth,
410
00:52:04,280 --> 00:52:08,399
known to go further in the pursuit
of the bees' nest than any other.
411
00:52:13,040 --> 00:52:15,519
I've spent six days
412
00:52:15,600 --> 00:52:19,799
walking probably the equivalent
of a half marathon every day
413
00:52:20,280 --> 00:52:24,359
in 100 percent humidity
and about 95 degrees in the shade.
414
00:52:25,960 --> 00:52:28,439
And we just can't find our chimpanzee.
415
00:52:28,520 --> 00:52:29,999
(BEES BUZZING)
416
00:52:32,000 --> 00:52:33,559
ATTENBOROUGH: Time is ticking away
417
00:52:33,640 --> 00:52:36,439
and Mark is running out of filming days.
418
00:52:42,240 --> 00:52:43,959
MARK MACEWAN: At the moment
I just need some good luck.
419
00:52:44,040 --> 00:52:46,599
We've come an awfully long way
to get this sequence.
420
00:52:46,680 --> 00:52:49,199
We've got probably 10 to 12 days left.
421
00:52:51,160 --> 00:52:52,799
But it's hard work
at the moment.
422
00:52:53,800 --> 00:52:55,959
ATTENBOROUGH:
All Mark can do is persevere
423
00:52:56,040 --> 00:52:57,839
and hope for a break.
424
00:53:03,440 --> 00:53:06,319
But not all the forest creatures
are so shy.
425
00:53:07,240 --> 00:53:08,479
Perched high in his tree,
426
00:53:08,560 --> 00:53:12,479
James Aldred is waiting patiently
for the elephants to come in.
427
00:53:15,320 --> 00:53:17,079
(ELEPHANTS SNORTING)
428
00:53:18,440 --> 00:53:20,719
At last the elephants are here.
429
00:53:20,840 --> 00:53:23,159
But they're behaving strangely.
430
00:53:23,920 --> 00:53:25,719
(ELEPHANTS GRUNTING)
431
00:53:30,880 --> 00:53:33,799
(WHISPERS) He knows
something's not quite right.
432
00:53:33,880 --> 00:53:35,159
(TRUMPETING)
433
00:53:35,240 --> 00:53:37,999
ATTENBOROUGH:
The elephants seem agitated.
434
00:53:39,040 --> 00:53:40,839
(SHUFFLING OF LEAVES)
435
00:53:41,320 --> 00:53:42,919
(TWIGS BREAKING)
436
00:53:44,880 --> 00:53:47,639
ALDRED:
They just want to get rid of you.
437
00:53:48,080 --> 00:53:51,599
ATTENBOROUGH: One begins
to thump the tree with its head.
438
00:53:53,320 --> 00:53:56,319
James has no option
but to weather the attack.
439
00:53:58,320 --> 00:53:59,679
(CRACKING)
440
00:54:00,280 --> 00:54:01,359
ALDRED: Let's lean forward
441
00:54:01,440 --> 00:54:05,199
and keep head-butting,
keep head-butting, keep head-butting.
442
00:54:06,920 --> 00:54:07,959
(RUSTLING)
443
00:54:08,040 --> 00:54:10,839
ATTENBOROUGH:
Suddenly the cameras cut out.
444
00:54:11,760 --> 00:54:14,439
And James is left in complete darkness.
445
00:54:18,400 --> 00:54:20,479
After three weeks searching,
446
00:54:20,680 --> 00:54:23,199
Mark has lost
nearly two stone in weight
447
00:54:23,280 --> 00:54:25,199
but he hasn't given up.
448
00:54:26,200 --> 00:54:29,519
He can't afford to put down
his camera for a second.
449
00:54:31,080 --> 00:54:33,919
Suddenly, the guide
spots the honey hunter.
450
00:54:34,000 --> 00:54:35,319
This is it.
451
00:54:53,160 --> 00:54:56,319
- (WHISPERS) Where is she?
- She's inside the tree.
452
00:55:01,320 --> 00:55:04,959
Just for some honey,
she's risking her life. It's amazing.
453
00:55:25,080 --> 00:55:26,439
Well, I think,
I just couldn't stop smiling
454
00:55:26,520 --> 00:55:30,799
for several days after filming that.
The relief was just unbelievable.
455
00:55:39,960 --> 00:55:43,919
Back at the camera platform,
James has had a long night.
456
00:55:46,320 --> 00:55:47,519
For over four hours
457
00:55:47,600 --> 00:55:50,719
the elephant tried to shake him
out of the tree.
458
00:55:54,480 --> 00:55:57,199
Got down this morning
when the B'aka came to collect me.
459
00:55:57,280 --> 00:56:00,559
Went to look at the camera
and he'd pulled it out of the tree
460
00:56:00,640 --> 00:56:03,319
and he'd chewed
through the power cable.
461
00:56:03,560 --> 00:56:06,119
He must have gotten a bit of a shock.
I mean only 12 volts.
462
00:56:06,200 --> 00:56:09,199
But serves him right, quite honestly.
463
00:56:10,080 --> 00:56:13,999
But at least we got a shot of him
before he trashed the camera.
464
00:56:14,640 --> 00:56:16,759
(LAUGHS) Silver lining.
465
00:56:18,640 --> 00:56:20,479
ATTENBOROUGH:
Despite this bumpy start,
466
00:56:20,600 --> 00:56:22,839
the elephants soon got used to James
467
00:56:22,960 --> 00:56:25,519
and James got used to the elephants.
468
00:56:27,560 --> 00:56:29,959
Filming here
was never going to be easy.
469
00:56:30,040 --> 00:56:33,679
But we were soon able to reveal
the night life of forest elephants
470
00:56:33,760 --> 00:56:35,439
like never before.
471
00:56:47,440 --> 00:56:48,919
(TRUMPETING)
35626
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