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00:00:04,400 --> 00:00:08,840
I'm Bill Bailey and I'm in Cape Town to
introduce you to three families of baboons.

2
00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:12,680
The highway robbers of the Smitz troop...

3
00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:15,320
the fun-loving bumpkins, the Tokai troop...

4
00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:18,800
..and the urban scroungers of Da Gama.

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00:00:20,120 --> 00:00:22,680
We'll be following the fortunes of each family...

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00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:29,200
..and some of the challenges that man
and beast face living cheek by jowl.

7
00:00:31,480 --> 00:00:33,840
This time, the Tokai come to tea.

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00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:39,240
Yeah, checking us out.

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00:00:40,720 --> 00:00:43,360
And the Smitz drop by for lunch.

10
00:00:43,360 --> 00:00:44,840
Hey!

11
00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:46,360
That's my potato!

12
00:00:46,360 --> 00:00:52,520
In the troop, there's more intrigue,
politics, rivalry, violence and bad diet

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00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:54,840
than a provincial British town.

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00:00:54,840 --> 00:00:56,800
Life's not easy...being a baboon.

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We're starting to get a clearer insight
into the private lives of baboons,

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00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:13,680
and how fascinating they are.

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00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:18,480
And watching them ingeniously make
use of their urban environment

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00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:20,800
is endlessly entertaining and endearing...

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..but they're always going to be
difficult to live alongside...

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00:01:26,320 --> 00:01:28,800
..because, to them,
humans are a soft touch.

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This is Merlin, grandfather
of the Smitz troop.

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00:01:43,200 --> 00:01:45,840
He's lived on this stretch
of coast road for years.

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00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:53,240
And he's become something of an
expert thief.

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00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:03,720
But years of ripping off hapless
tourists is strictly small-time stuff.

25
00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:06,280
Today he's got his eyes on the big prize...

26
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..the Black Marlin restaurant.

27
00:02:17,200 --> 00:02:19,640
Usually the watchful presence
of baboon monitors

28
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stops Merlin in his tracks,

29
00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:25,120
but today he's up early,
before the monitors arrive.

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Maybe he'll get lucky.

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He stalks the place, casing the joint.

32
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So far the coast is clear.

33
00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:55,640
He sneaks in.

34
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But where's the loot?

35
00:03:05,880 --> 00:03:09,400
The tables are usually laden
with top-quality snackage,

36
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but Merlin's jumped the gun.

37
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It's not even open for business yet.

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00:03:19,840 --> 00:03:22,120
Driven on by the prospect of a tasty treat,

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he switches to plan B - break in.

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00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:35,560
A bag of bread makes a pleasant
starter.

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00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:38,640
How did he get inside?
That's brilliant. How did he get in?

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00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:40,920
I don't know.
He's trying to get out.

43
00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:52,640
But he's unaware there's
a crowd gathering outside.

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Merlin's been rumbled.

45
00:03:55,680 --> 00:03:57,560
Time for a quick getaway.

46
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But the windows are locked and the
baboon bouncers are closing in.

47
00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:09,760
But this wily old scoundrel just
keeps his cool.

48
00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:22,840
He heads for the kitchen door -
just in the nick of time.

49
00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:26,520
Come on, time to get out here, move.

50
00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:29,680
Merlin just has time to check a bag of pasta.

51
00:04:30,920 --> 00:04:32,800
But the authorities are hot on his heels.

52
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A loose window,
a clever and muscular monkey...

53
00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:54,680
..and Merlin's out.

54
00:05:02,280 --> 00:05:06,920
He's come away empty-handed but he's
left a trail of chaos in his wake -

55
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not a welcome sight for the kitchen
staff as they arrive to start their day.

56
00:05:14,520 --> 00:05:20,600
They've got amazing strength, these guys.

57
00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:25,400
Merlin watches from a discreet
distance as security is tightened up.

58
00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:28,600
He's working out his next move -
he's not giving up yet.

59
00:05:32,840 --> 00:05:34,920
It's another fine day over Cape Town

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00:05:34,920 --> 00:05:38,520
and the city's residents head for the

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00:05:38,520 --> 00:05:43,920
a large pine plantation that's been
set aside for human recreation as
well as other primates.

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In this case, it's the large Tokai troop.

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00:05:47,560 --> 00:05:49,480
(CHATTERING)

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00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:54,400
Though the pine trees are not native,

65
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the ever-adaptable baboons
were quick to take advantage

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of the abundance of nutritious pine cones.

67
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The cones fall naturally when ripe

68
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but the youngsters tearing
through the trees

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keep the goodies showering down.

70
00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:21,120
The cones themselves are pretty tough
- a challenge for anybody's teeth -

71
00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:25,080
but its not these rock-hard husks
that are the object of their desires.

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It's the tiny seeds nestled within,
and the art is in digging them out.

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00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:40,720
is lead by bruiser, Danny.

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00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:45,360
He watches over the younger troop
members enjoying their jungle gym.

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00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:53,720
This is moody adolescent, Manny.

76
00:06:58,480 --> 00:07:00,760
And the new kid on the block, Clint.

77
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competitor coming into the troop

78
00:07:11,080 --> 00:07:15,200
but now the rest of the gang have
accepted Clint, Manny's playing nice.

79
00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:18,360
In reality, he sees that Clint
could be a powerful ally.

80
00:07:27,120 --> 00:07:31,320
Like all adolescents, the pair are
bored, hanging around with the babies.

81
00:07:35,560 --> 00:07:38,520
Danny, the gang's tough, split-nosed leader,

82
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doesn't seem to notice as Manny and
Clint slip off into the forest.

83
00:07:45,600 --> 00:07:49,000
It looks as though their pine cone
diet may be about to change.

84
00:07:56,600 --> 00:07:59,760
A picnic site in the middle of the
forest is a popular place for parties.

85
00:08:03,080 --> 00:08:05,400
This one's going to have a baboon theme.

86
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Manny waits till all the treats are
lined up - then he makes his move.

87
00:08:19,360 --> 00:08:21,280
Time to make an entrance.

88
00:08:21,280 --> 00:08:23,160
(SHOUTING)

89
00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:37,360
(THEY SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY)

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00:08:41,680 --> 00:08:44,680
Manny retreats to digest his spoils.

91
00:08:51,400 --> 00:08:54,800
Oh, yeah, put the cakes in the car.
Yeah, it's a bit late for that.

92
00:08:56,520 --> 00:08:58,680
These kids have had a birthday to remember.

93
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And the baboons have had a picnic -
everyone's a winner.

94
00:09:07,880 --> 00:09:09,560
The sign's here for a reason.

95
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If you picnic in the forest,
you can expect some company.

96
00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:21,160
It seems that Clint and Manny
have formed a truce.

97
00:09:28,960 --> 00:09:32,080
Although greedy Manny
has overdone it with the cake.

98
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The nearby cafe is popular
with people walking in the forest.

99
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The car owners enjoying a cup of tea

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are distracted by a baboon
going through the bins,

101
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and while the staff do their best
to drive him away,

102
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the diners are unaware of what's
going on in the car park behind.

103
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Anyone who parks here
should think twice about it.

104
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It's a motorist's nightmare.
It's monkey mayhem.

105
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What did baboons do for fun before cars?

106
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The Tokai toddlers are
becoming tiny terrorists.

107
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They don't encounter cars as often
as the more urban troops

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so when they do, it's play time.

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Baboons are intelligent opportunists.

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In the wild, they turn over every
stone in search of food,

111
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and the same instincts are at work here -

112
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though there's not much to be gained
from picking the sealant from a windscreen.

113
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Well, except a laugh, when someone
slams the door and the windows fall out.

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As usual, the adult baboons are more
interested in food than foolery.

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And there are plenty of opportunities
here, with the cafe, picnics and barbecues.

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Every bin is sure to contain rich pickings.

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Alex is still working the car park.

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He can smell peanut butter or
something coming from the boot.

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But he's not yet figured out a way in.

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Baboons are adaptable and quick to learn.

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These country bumpkins seem to have finally
worked out what a car handle is for.

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It's this ingenuity that has enabled
them to survive against all odds.

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I'm Bill Bailey and I'm on
the Cape Peninsula

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looking at the way that baboons are
adjusting to a changing environment.

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It's easier to be objective about
baboons when they're not tearing
through your bins,

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pooing all over your bed
and nicking your bras,

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but I've found them to be
extraordinary creatures.

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They're highly intelligent, socially
complex, resourceful, inquisitive

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whose only so-called crime of bad
behaviour is really through contact with us.

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See what I'm doing?

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It's easy to see why Darwin
picked them to study

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as a comparison to human behaviour.

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(ALARM BEEPING)

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Merlin,

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is a prime example
of just how devious baboons can be.

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His first attempt at breaking into
the Black Marlin restaurant has failed.

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So he's back doing what he does best -

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hanging out on the coast road
with the rest of the Smitz troop.

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It's business as usual,
working the traffic for treats.

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But knowing this wily old devil,

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I'm sure the restaurant
won't have seen the last of him.

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But even hardened criminals like these
sometimes need to put their feet up.

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Fred, the troop's leader,
takes the kids away from the lay-by

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to some large houses overlooking the sea.

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These well-appointed country pads

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are perfect for the baboon who just
wants to get away from it all.

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(Barking)

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But they have to get past security.

149
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Some of the smaller baboons
quickly shin up a tree -

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a pack of dogs is an intimidating sight.

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Baboons are a lot smarter
than your average dog,

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so it's not hard to give 'em the slip.

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climb along the steep cliffs,

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(BARKING)

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In fact, historically, baboons have
been domesticated in Africa

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and trained to guard livestock.

157
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So they'd be forgiven for having a snooty
contempt for man's new best friend.

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(BARKING)

159
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The few stragglers look like easier

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This mutt has met his match.

161
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This isn't any old baboon - this is
Fred, and he couldn't care less.

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Male baboons have been known
to attack lions in the wild,

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so they're not afraid of dogs -

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cos Fred has one of his precious
babies clinging to his chest.

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Local vets are used to stitching
up over-enthusiastic canines

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and the odd miniature poodle
has been known to go missing.

167
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(SCREECHING)

168
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With this pack sent packing,

169
00:17:14,320 --> 00:17:17,800
Fred takes the easy option and uses
the main entrance to the house -

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straight up the drive.

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Other, younger, members are already
admiring the view from the roof.

172
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The well-manicured lawns
provide plenty of lush food -

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quite different from the unhealthy
snacks on the busy road below.

174
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These isolated homes are often
surprisingly baboon-friendly.

175
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Many of the residents have chosen to
live here so they can be close to wildlife.

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On the Cape, baboons have been pushed
to the last vestiges of wilderness,

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often poor-quality habitat where they
must use their wits to eke out a living.

178
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But the Smitz troop seems to have
stumbled on a little luxury.

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There's even a pool.

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It's time for the gang to kick back
and enjoy the facilities.

181
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Though the primate house guests don't
always do their part to keep the
relationship sweet.

182
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Jimmy came from a neighbouring clan
and has muscled his way in.

183
00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:12,600
But now that he's more settled,

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his actions seem to be governed
by one great passion - food.

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This is what happens
when you give them free rein.

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00:19:25,680 --> 00:19:28,960
The people at this address have
a well-nurtured vegetable patch

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and it hasn't gone unnoticed.

188
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A chicken-wire cage
is not much of a challenge

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to the intelligent, food-obsessed primate.

190
00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:44,640
Move!

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00:19:51,240 --> 00:19:55,680
And before long, Jimmy's nose-deep
in a clump of parsley

192
00:19:55,680 --> 00:19:58,440
and that's the cue
for the other tea-leafs in the gang.

193
00:20:00,960 --> 00:20:03,200
But the vandals are rumbled.

194
00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:04,840
Hey!

195
00:20:07,240 --> 00:20:10,440
The home-owners do their best
to protect their plants.

196
00:20:10,440 --> 00:20:13,640
She's not hitting the baboons, just
banging the stick to startle them -

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00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:15,720
and for self-defence, just in case.

198
00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:19,160
Hey!

199
00:20:19,160 --> 00:20:21,000
That's my potato!

200
00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:22,880
Not any more, it isn't.

201
00:20:23,680 --> 00:20:25,720
It's not an open-door policy.

202
00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:29,800
Jimmy's not budging and he's
an intimidating presence.

203
00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:36,880
It appears the baboons don't take
threats from human females very seriously.

204
00:20:39,040 --> 00:20:42,000
Men, on the other hand, make
them sit up and pay attention -

205
00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:45,240
much like their own society,
where the males call the shots.

206
00:20:52,160 --> 00:20:56,440
Even so, it still takes a while to persuade
Jimmy and the rest of the gang to leave...

207
00:20:59,040 --> 00:21:01,560
(SCREECHING)

208
00:21:08,640 --> 00:21:12,280
..so the rightful owners can
start their replanting programme.

209
00:21:14,680 --> 00:21:16,440
There has to be some give and take,

210
00:21:16,440 --> 00:21:18,920
though the baboons are better
at the taking part.

211
00:21:24,680 --> 00:21:27,680
On this peninsula, there is
competition for land.

212
00:21:27,680 --> 00:21:31,440
Other gangs of baboons roam the
hills, on the lookout for new territory.

213
00:21:34,760 --> 00:21:38,240
Will the Smitz troop be able to keep
their paws on their patch?

214
00:21:39,440 --> 00:21:41,480
Next time, the Smitz troop are invaded.

215
00:21:42,760 --> 00:21:44,680
And will Clint be accepted?

216
00:21:45,680 --> 00:21:47,640
Can he read the signs?

217
00:21:48,680 --> 00:21:50,640
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