1
00:00:03,120 --> 00:00:05,122
(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)
2
00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:34,885
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
3
00:00:34,960 --> 00:00:37,725
DAVID ATTENBOROUGH:
One quarter of all the land on Earth
4
00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:41,361
is covered by a single,
remarkable type of plant.
5
00:00:47,760 --> 00:00:52,129
Almost indestructible,
it can grow two feet in a day...
6
00:00:58,560 --> 00:01:01,882
And be tall enough to hide a giant.
7
00:01:02,560 --> 00:01:04,244
(GRUNTING)
8
00:01:06,200 --> 00:01:08,521
That plant is grass,
9
00:01:08,600 --> 00:01:11,888
and the world it creates
is truly unique.
10
00:01:25,440 --> 00:01:29,161
The grass in northern India
is the tallest on the planet,
11
00:01:29,320 --> 00:01:33,370
home to some of the most
impressive creatures to tread the Earth.
12
00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:39,206
(GRUNTS)
13
00:01:47,120 --> 00:01:48,281
(TRUMPETS)
14
00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:50,488
These are the good times,
15
00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:54,201
but in just a few months,
all this fresh growth will be gone,
16
00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:57,843
and the animals
will be forced to move on.
17
00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:05,168
That is the way things are
on grasslands across the planet.
18
00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:13,050
A cycle of abundance,
destruction and rebirth
19
00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:15,721
that affects every creature
that lives here.
20
00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:24,923
(ELEPHANTS GRUNTING)
21
00:02:30,640 --> 00:02:35,248
The largest grassland on Earth,
the vast Eurasian Steppe,
22
00:02:35,680 --> 00:02:39,082
stretches one third of the way
around our planet.
23
00:02:43,400 --> 00:02:48,566
Spring rain has brought fresh grass,
and with it, new life.
24
00:02:52,760 --> 00:02:57,402
A relic from the Ice Age,
a baby Saiga antelope,
25
00:02:57,680 --> 00:02:59,489
just three hours old.
26
00:03:02,680 --> 00:03:04,921
His only company, his twin.
27
00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:10,848
Until they can stand, their mother
has left them hidden in the grass.
28
00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:22,485
They should be safe,
as long as they remain quiet.
29
00:03:24,640 --> 00:03:25,641
(CALLS)
30
00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:30,370
For these calves,
the clock is already ticking.
31
00:03:31,920 --> 00:03:36,562
Their herd will soon be moving on,
seeking the freshest new grass.
32
00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:41,566
(CALLS)
33
00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:58,402
Their lanky legs are a sure sign that
they're built for a life on the move.
34
00:04:22,760 --> 00:04:25,684
Saiga always give birth to twins,
35
00:04:25,760 --> 00:04:29,287
so their numbers grow rapidly
just when grass is plentiful.
36
00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:36,048
Their bizarrely shaped nose
can detect fresh growth
37
00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:38,328
from hundreds of miles away.
38
00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:44,049
(SAIGAS BAWLING)
39
00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:53,323
The young twins will now
begin the nomadic life
40
00:04:53,520 --> 00:04:57,605
they share with most animals
on the world's open plains.
41
00:05:12,200 --> 00:05:13,406
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
42
00:05:18,760 --> 00:05:24,369
Grasslands occur where rain is
too sporadic for forests to exist.
43
00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:37,888
The rain that a grassland
needs to survive for a year
44
00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:40,242
might arrive all at once.
45
00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:45,246
(LIGHTNING CRACKS)
46
00:06:00,840 --> 00:06:05,846
Storms like these can release
12 inches of rain in 24 hours.
47
00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:07,445
(HEAVY RAINFALL)
48
00:06:16,600 --> 00:06:19,251
Not much fun if you're out in it.
49
00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:34,248
Eventually the earth
can't soak up any more,
50
00:06:34,840 --> 00:06:36,365
(THUNDER CRACKING)
51
00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:40,567
and the grassland undergoes
a radical change.
52
00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:43,323
(WATER FLOWING)
53
00:06:47,400 --> 00:06:51,883
Many plants would drown here,
but grasses thrive.
54
00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:56,126
They grow so fast,
55
00:06:56,200 --> 00:06:59,568
their leaves quickly rise above
the water and into the sunlight.
56
00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:05,964
Here in southern Africa,
57
00:07:06,040 --> 00:07:10,602
water transforms one of the most
remarkable grasslands on Earth,
58
00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:14,207
the Okavango.
59
00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:22,244
Every year, 5,000 square miles
of grassland are flooded.
60
00:07:30,200 --> 00:07:34,205
For one pride of lions,
this poses a major problem.
61
00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:38,921
There may be plenty of prey around,
62
00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:41,685
but lions struggle
to run it down in water.
63
00:07:48,760 --> 00:07:53,607
The pride has three-month-old cubs.
They've never seen water before.
64
00:07:54,320 --> 00:07:55,810
(CUBS MEOWING)
65
00:07:57,520 --> 00:07:59,648
If their mothers
don't make a kill soon,
66
00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:02,766
the cubs might not survive the week.
67
00:08:03,680 --> 00:08:04,806
(YOWLS)
68
00:08:12,160 --> 00:08:17,769
But fuelled by the flood, the eruption
of grass attracts new possible prey.
69
00:08:20,960 --> 00:08:24,009
Buffalo arrive in herds 2,000 strong.
70
00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:31,407
(GRUNTS)
71
00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:34,404
Powerful, aggressive and united,
72
00:08:34,800 --> 00:08:37,690
they're the most dangerous animal
a lion can face.
73
00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:02,881
(BUFFALO GRUNTS)
74
00:09:15,040 --> 00:09:17,247
The biggest bulls don't run.
75
00:09:19,560 --> 00:09:22,848
They're simply too huge
to be scared of lions.
76
00:09:25,320 --> 00:09:30,201
At 900 kilos, he weighs more
than all five lionesses combined.
77
00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:37,086
The pride do have numbers on their side,
78
00:09:38,720 --> 00:09:41,564
but one sweep of his horns
could be deadly.
79
00:09:55,360 --> 00:09:59,649
One distracts the bull up front,
while her sisters attack from behind.
80
00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:12,807
The cats must somehow
topple the buffalo,
81
00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:16,163
but with swamp under foot,
they can't get any traction.
82
00:10:59,240 --> 00:11:00,844
The bull is weakening,
83
00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:03,882
but the lions are tiring, too.
84
00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:12,521
It's now a battle of will
as much as strength.
85
00:11:15,680 --> 00:11:19,162
To live, the bull must somehow
shake off the lioness.
86
00:11:21,280 --> 00:11:23,282
(DRAMATIC INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
87
00:11:57,000 --> 00:11:58,570
The bull is wounded,
88
00:11:58,640 --> 00:12:02,361
but thanks to his two-inch-thick hide,
he will recover.
89
00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:11,522
For the pride, these are hungry times.
90
00:12:11,600 --> 00:12:12,965
(CUB WHIMPERS)
91
00:12:19,640 --> 00:12:24,407
But, ultimately, once the water recedes,
there will be new life,
92
00:12:25,400 --> 00:12:27,562
and new food to benefit all.
93
00:12:36,720 --> 00:12:40,645
In the right conditions,
grasses have the extraordinary ability
94
00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:45,487
to grow from first shoots to flower
in a matter of only days.
95
00:12:52,080 --> 00:12:56,290
Grasses become the miniature equivalents
of fruiting trees.
96
00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:03,525
(CRICKET CHIRPS)
97
00:13:03,600 --> 00:13:06,171
And for creatures living
within the grass,
98
00:13:06,240 --> 00:13:10,529
this is a landscape as vast
and towering as any rainforest.
99
00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:18,490
And excellent place
to build a tiny tree house
100
00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:22,206
for a harvest mouse.
101
00:13:27,320 --> 00:13:28,321
(SQUEAKS)
102
00:13:34,280 --> 00:13:38,410
During summer,
European meadowlands are full of food,
103
00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:43,967
but only for those that can reach it.
104
00:14:00,360 --> 00:14:01,885
(STEM CRACKS)
105
00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:05,370
Climbing grass is harder
than climbing trees,
106
00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:08,763
not least because their stems
just won't stay still.
107
00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:19,888
Her prehensile tail
acts like a fifth limb,
108
00:14:19,960 --> 00:14:23,965
so she's as agile as a monkey
clambering around in a tree.
109
00:14:25,640 --> 00:14:26,641
(STEM CREAKS)
110
00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:32,966
And just as well,
111
00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:37,689
for the best food in this tiny forest
is at the very top of its canopy.
112
00:14:48,440 --> 00:14:51,364
Feeding up here, she's exposed.
113
00:14:58,720 --> 00:14:59,881
A barn owl.
114
00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:32,643
Not her finest move...
115
00:15:36,440 --> 00:15:37,646
But it did the trick.
116
00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:43,202
Harvest mice seldom go
all the way down to the ground.
117
00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:49,768
It's a tangled and
dangerous world down here.
118
00:15:52,520 --> 00:15:54,648
(INSECTS CHITTERING)
119
00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:07,210
But she can read the pattern
of the stems overhead like a map,
120
00:16:08,320 --> 00:16:10,209
and so find her way home.
121
00:16:18,240 --> 00:16:20,686
And not a minute too soon.
122
00:16:25,240 --> 00:16:27,288
There are mouths to feed.
123
00:16:36,360 --> 00:16:38,010
(SNIFFS)
124
00:16:41,040 --> 00:16:43,168
Her babies must fatten up quickly.
125
00:16:45,440 --> 00:16:49,923
They need to harvest the summer grasses
while they're still rich with food.
126
00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:03,127
On the African savannah, too,
seasonal grasses are filled with life,
127
00:17:03,640 --> 00:17:05,005
but it won't last long.
128
00:17:08,560 --> 00:17:11,848
Carmine bee-eaters
are superb aerial hunters,
129
00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:17,007
experts at catching insects in midair.
130
00:17:24,360 --> 00:17:27,807
But they have no way of
flushing their prey out of the grass.
131
00:17:35,800 --> 00:17:37,450
(INSECTS CHITTERING)
132
00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:41,129
Once alarmed, most insects stay put.
133
00:17:44,480 --> 00:17:48,121
The bee-eaters need someone
to stir things up a bit.
134
00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:49,486
(CALLS)
135
00:17:54,040 --> 00:17:55,166
A kori bustard.
136
00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:02,521
It's the world's heaviest flying bird,
137
00:18:02,600 --> 00:18:05,251
so it should be bulky enough
to kick up some insects.
138
00:18:11,560 --> 00:18:12,561
(INSECT BUZZING)
139
00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:14,241
Bingo!
140
00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:22,240
Until someone else comes along
and cramps your style.
141
00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:27,401
(CHIRPS)
142
00:18:28,160 --> 00:18:32,210
Never mind, perhaps there are
bigger opportunities ahead.
143
00:18:35,360 --> 00:18:37,010
What about an ostrich?
144
00:18:39,680 --> 00:18:41,011
The heaviest bird of all.
145
00:18:46,920 --> 00:18:50,561
This time there's more than enough
transport to go around.
146
00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:53,001
(SQUAWKING)
147
00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:04,491
Soon, almost every ostrich
has its own passenger.
148
00:19:12,240 --> 00:19:15,926
But free riders are only
tolerated for so long.
149
00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:24,608
What the bee-eaters really need
150
00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:27,923
is a creature so big
it won't even notice them.
151
00:19:32,640 --> 00:19:33,880
(GRUNTING)
152
00:19:38,120 --> 00:19:43,206
Nothing cuts a swathe through grass
like an African bull elephant.
153
00:19:59,520 --> 00:20:03,525
The trick is to fly as close to
the front of the giant as possible.
154
00:20:04,160 --> 00:20:07,323
They only have a split second
to grab the prize.
155
00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:21,164
As more insects are stirred up,
the competition intensifies.
156
00:20:24,080 --> 00:20:26,287
(FRENZIED CHIRPING)
157
00:20:43,120 --> 00:20:47,569
With summer drawing to a close,
the race to stock up is on.
158
00:20:52,800 --> 00:20:57,840
Soon, the grass will wither,
and this opportunity will have gone.
159
00:21:07,360 --> 00:21:09,931
As the dry season takes hold,
160
00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:12,651
food becomes increasingly thin
on the ground.
161
00:21:15,320 --> 00:21:20,201
Now, only the most specialised predators
on the plains can make a living.
162
00:21:25,720 --> 00:21:30,362
She may be spotted like a cheetah,
but this cat is no sprinter.
163
00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:48,405
Instead, she has extra-long legs
which give her a high vantage point.
164
00:21:59,480 --> 00:22:04,611
But a serval cat's main weapon
are enormous radar ears.
165
00:22:05,040 --> 00:22:06,041
(GRASS RUSTLING)
166
00:22:08,800 --> 00:22:11,929
They help her pinpoint prey
hiding in the grass.
167
00:22:20,760 --> 00:22:23,730
But the prey she seeks are canny.
168
00:22:27,520 --> 00:22:28,931
Southern vlei rats.
169
00:22:32,200 --> 00:22:35,568
They know that any sustained movement
can give them away.
170
00:22:41,200 --> 00:22:43,680
So they move in short bursts.
171
00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:44,847
(RUSTLING)
172
00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:54,843
But even the slightest rustle
will give her a clue.
173
00:22:55,040 --> 00:22:56,041
(RUSTLING)
174
00:23:17,120 --> 00:23:18,121
Warm.
175
00:23:24,680 --> 00:23:25,681
(RUSTLING)
176
00:23:27,280 --> 00:23:28,281
(RUSTLES)
177
00:23:30,480 --> 00:23:31,606
Warmer.
178
00:23:45,880 --> 00:23:46,961
Missed.
179
00:24:20,760 --> 00:24:21,761
(RUSTLING)
180
00:24:33,400 --> 00:24:34,401
(ANIMAL CALLS)
181
00:24:43,760 --> 00:24:44,761
(RUSTLING)
182
00:25:01,320 --> 00:25:02,321
(SQUEAKS)
183
00:25:06,440 --> 00:25:09,523
In better times,
she could catch 10 a day,
184
00:25:10,880 --> 00:25:15,363
but now, with so few rodents around,
she will have to go hungry.
185
00:25:17,720 --> 00:25:22,169
As drought intensifies,
life gets tougher for all.
186
00:25:28,920 --> 00:25:32,561
Predators with permanent territories
must tough it out,
187
00:25:33,320 --> 00:25:37,291
while most of their prey
disappear over the horizon.
188
00:25:38,200 --> 00:25:40,009
(GRUNTING)
189
00:25:41,520 --> 00:25:47,084
To avoid starvation, many grassland
animals follow a nomadic way of life.
190
00:25:49,440 --> 00:25:53,490
Over 2,000,000 wildebeests wander
the East African savannahs
191
00:25:53,560 --> 00:25:55,244
chasing the rains.
192
00:26:08,880 --> 00:26:10,962
And they are not alone.
193
00:26:13,320 --> 00:26:14,810
Arriving on the wing,
194
00:26:14,880 --> 00:26:18,566
Jackson's Widowbirds
also seek fresh grass.
195
00:26:18,800 --> 00:26:19,801
(CHIRPING)
196
00:26:20,600 --> 00:26:23,968
Although, it's not just
food that they're after.
197
00:26:25,960 --> 00:26:26,961
(CHIRPS)
198
00:26:28,520 --> 00:26:30,602
This male wants a mate.
199
00:26:33,760 --> 00:26:36,764
He's grown elaborate breeding plumage
for this moment,
200
00:26:38,800 --> 00:26:41,690
but he needs a stage
on which to show it off.
201
00:26:46,040 --> 00:26:50,364
By carefully selecting grass blades,
each trimmed to the correct length,
202
00:26:51,080 --> 00:26:53,242
he's creating something very special.
203
00:27:08,200 --> 00:27:10,771
He needs an even surface,
204
00:27:12,800 --> 00:27:14,131
and a centre-piece.
205
00:27:16,920 --> 00:27:18,285
The stage is set.
206
00:27:19,640 --> 00:27:24,123
His bachelor pad is sufficiently
neat and tidy to attract a female.
207
00:27:25,960 --> 00:27:27,007
The problem is,
208
00:27:27,480 --> 00:27:28,641
can she see it?
209
00:27:28,720 --> 00:27:29,721
(CHIRPS)
210
00:27:32,680 --> 00:27:33,806
He has competition.
211
00:27:33,880 --> 00:27:35,245
(CHIRPING LOUDER)
212
00:27:44,160 --> 00:27:48,324
It might take more than a little
gardening to impress the ladies.
213
00:27:50,760 --> 00:27:52,603
Jumping is the right idea,
214
00:27:53,960 --> 00:27:56,327
but he's misjudged
the height of the grass.
215
00:28:06,240 --> 00:28:08,163
His rival makes it look easy.
216
00:28:31,400 --> 00:28:33,482
Time to raise his game.
217
00:28:38,440 --> 00:28:40,727
(BOTH CHIRPING)
218
00:29:09,080 --> 00:29:13,802
It's not only who jumps the highest,
but who can keep doing so the longest.
219
00:29:22,880 --> 00:29:27,647
Unable to go the distance,
his rivals drop out one by one.
220
00:29:32,280 --> 00:29:35,409
Stamina has won him admirers,
221
00:29:36,840 --> 00:29:40,003
now he can show off
his courtship arena...
222
00:29:49,440 --> 00:29:53,081
And engage in a little
romantic hide-and-seek.
223
00:30:05,000 --> 00:30:07,606
Finally, he's done enough.
224
00:30:19,320 --> 00:30:23,484
The East African savannahs
support millions of grazers.
225
00:30:23,560 --> 00:30:24,561
(GRUNTING)
226
00:30:24,800 --> 00:30:28,282
Each year they devour
millions of tons of grass,
227
00:30:30,440 --> 00:30:32,568
and yet there's one creature here
228
00:30:32,640 --> 00:30:37,521
whose impact is far greater
than all these animals combined.
229
00:30:41,560 --> 00:30:44,530
They're found wherever
grass grows on the planet,
230
00:30:45,280 --> 00:30:48,409
yet their labours go
almost entirely unnoticed.
231
00:30:53,320 --> 00:30:58,804
One of the most remarkable is found here
on the grasslands of South America.
232
00:31:01,760 --> 00:31:07,483
These blades are so tough that virtually
no large grass eaters can stomach them.
233
00:31:08,720 --> 00:31:12,361
Yet they're harvested
on an industrial scale...
234
00:31:13,000 --> 00:31:14,001
(CRACKING)
235
00:31:16,360 --> 00:31:19,011
...by tiny grass cutter ants.
236
00:31:25,920 --> 00:31:28,685
But they themselves
can't digest one bit of it.
237
00:31:31,920 --> 00:31:33,251
So, why bother?
238
00:31:37,600 --> 00:31:40,080
The answer is underground,
239
00:31:42,120 --> 00:31:44,168
and it's very ingenious.
240
00:31:48,840 --> 00:31:54,131
Each blade is cut to length
and placed into a garden of fungus.
241
00:31:59,120 --> 00:32:05,526
The rotting grass feeds the fungus,
and in turn the fungus feeds the ants.
242
00:32:09,120 --> 00:32:13,444
But feeding 5,000,000 workers
requires intensive agriculture.
243
00:32:16,040 --> 00:32:19,283
Luckily, they are an industrious lot.
244
00:32:23,760 --> 00:32:28,687
This colony alone will collect
over half a ton of grass every year.
245
00:32:32,880 --> 00:32:36,248
With billions of ant colonies
across the world's grasslands
246
00:32:36,400 --> 00:32:41,804
all doing exactly the same thing,
that's a mind-boggling amount of grass.
247
00:33:10,040 --> 00:33:13,965
It's estimated that over one third
of the grass that grows on Earth
248
00:33:14,440 --> 00:33:17,091
will be harvested by an insect.
249
00:33:23,160 --> 00:33:29,008
In northern Australia, termites
memorialise their industry in sculpture.
250
00:33:36,960 --> 00:33:40,009
These astonishing mounds
are 10 feet tall.
251
00:33:40,760 --> 00:33:43,684
They're always built
on a north-south axis,
252
00:33:43,760 --> 00:33:47,048
which is why their builders
are called compass termites.
253
00:34:00,600 --> 00:34:02,329
These castles of clay
254
00:34:02,400 --> 00:34:05,131
protect their builders
from extremes of heat
255
00:34:05,200 --> 00:34:09,046
and seasonal floods
experienced on many grasslands.
256
00:34:20,560 --> 00:34:24,849
Termites manage to do
what most grass eaters can't,
257
00:34:25,920 --> 00:34:29,242
break down dead grass
and extract the nutrients.
258
00:34:30,600 --> 00:34:34,491
But they themselves can be food
for those that can reach them.
259
00:34:35,240 --> 00:34:36,571
(SUCKING NOISE)
260
00:34:40,160 --> 00:34:41,924
A two-foot-long tongue
261
00:34:43,240 --> 00:34:45,368
covered in microscopic hooks,
262
00:34:48,760 --> 00:34:53,129
followed by claws longer
than those of a velociraptor.
263
00:34:55,720 --> 00:34:56,721
(SNIFFING)
264
00:34:59,320 --> 00:35:02,767
A giant anteater
on the plains of South America.
265
00:35:04,040 --> 00:35:05,041
(SLURPING)
266
00:35:07,720 --> 00:35:10,803
It can devour 20,000 insects a day.
267
00:35:16,080 --> 00:35:21,325
Powerful forelegs enable it to rip apart
a termite hill with ease.
268
00:35:31,320 --> 00:35:36,451
And as the sun bakes the grass,
the termites face new danger.
269
00:35:45,000 --> 00:35:46,525
(FIRE CRACKLES)
270
00:35:58,520 --> 00:36:02,605
In minutes, fire turns grassland to ash.
271
00:36:16,480 --> 00:36:22,010
But the grasses are not dead.
Their underground stems are unharmed.
272
00:36:25,280 --> 00:36:27,647
Weeks, months may pass,
273
00:36:28,080 --> 00:36:32,802
but eventually the rains will return
and the grass will sprout again.
274
00:36:39,920 --> 00:36:45,131
Some grasslands must endure
not only fire, but ice.
275
00:36:50,440 --> 00:36:55,128
As winter approaches, the prairies
of North America begin to freeze.
276
00:36:56,400 --> 00:36:57,401
(CRACKING)
277
00:37:05,520 --> 00:37:07,090
(LOW GROWLING)
278
00:37:11,120 --> 00:37:13,646
In summer, bison roamed freely,
279
00:37:13,720 --> 00:37:17,202
almost continuously cropping
the abundant green grass.
280
00:37:19,120 --> 00:37:24,331
Now, that grass is not only withered
and frozen, it's about to be buried.
281
00:37:45,880 --> 00:37:50,568
Sixty million tons of snow
now blanket this herd's territory.
282
00:37:52,520 --> 00:37:53,681
(SNORTING)
283
00:37:54,600 --> 00:37:57,843
Pushing through deep snow
is exhausting work,
284
00:37:57,920 --> 00:38:00,526
and the bison are now slowly starving.
285
00:38:07,520 --> 00:38:10,808
Just keeping warm
saps huge amounts of energy.
286
00:38:11,800 --> 00:38:13,723
(GROWLS)
287
00:38:17,320 --> 00:38:21,450
Their thick coats can insulate them
down to minus 20 Fahrenheit.
288
00:38:22,360 --> 00:38:24,283
It's now minus 40.
289
00:38:27,280 --> 00:38:32,923
The only thing that will keep them alive
is buried beneath three feet of snow.
290
00:38:37,560 --> 00:38:41,042
And that's a problem shared
with a surprising neighbour.
291
00:38:58,920 --> 00:39:02,561
The food the fox seeks
is also deep beneath the snow.
292
00:39:10,240 --> 00:39:11,685
(GRUNTING)
293
00:39:14,920 --> 00:39:19,562
The survival of both creatures depends
on getting through to the ground.
294
00:39:25,040 --> 00:39:28,647
For the bison, it will be
a matter of brute strength.
295
00:39:33,400 --> 00:39:38,088
Massive neck muscles enable them
to shovel five tonnes of snow a day.
296
00:39:44,560 --> 00:39:47,484
Their light-weight neighbour
needs more precision.
297
00:40:07,920 --> 00:40:08,921
(CHEWING)
298
00:40:15,080 --> 00:40:17,048
The bison have reached their goal,
299
00:40:17,840 --> 00:40:20,207
a mouthful of withered grass.
300
00:40:23,960 --> 00:40:28,568
And where the bison have dug,
the fox now spots an opportunity.
301
00:40:37,520 --> 00:40:39,602
Every footstep counts,
302
00:40:42,560 --> 00:40:44,210
but he mustn't break through...
303
00:40:45,200 --> 00:40:46,201
Yet.
304
00:40:49,480 --> 00:40:52,882
He listens carefully
to pinpoint his target.
305
00:40:57,480 --> 00:40:58,527
(PATTERING)
306
00:40:58,600 --> 00:40:59,601
It's moving.
307
00:41:17,760 --> 00:41:18,761
(SQUEAKS)
308
00:41:21,280 --> 00:41:22,281
A vole.
309
00:41:24,840 --> 00:41:30,210
Small, but 100 times more nutritious
than a mouthful of dried grass.
310
00:41:36,920 --> 00:41:42,882
To get through the winter on these
prairies, sometimes brain beats brawn.
311
00:41:49,600 --> 00:41:55,084
Ultimately, life on all grasslands
depends on the turn of the seasons.
312
00:42:07,880 --> 00:42:08,881
(CRACKING)
313
00:42:20,720 --> 00:42:24,202
Five hundred miles further north
than any tree can survive,
314
00:42:24,280 --> 00:42:26,886
grass returns to life.
315
00:42:35,680 --> 00:42:36,681
(CALLS)
316
00:42:37,680 --> 00:42:40,889
Caribou females have
journeyed to the far north
317
00:42:41,640 --> 00:42:42,766
to calve.
318
00:42:43,240 --> 00:42:44,321
(CALLS)
319
00:42:46,600 --> 00:42:51,401
Over 70,000 caribou babies
will be born in the next few days.
320
00:42:56,240 --> 00:43:01,087
As the calves appear, so too do the
leaves of the newly sprouting grass.
321
00:43:04,600 --> 00:43:06,602
And the calves must strengthen quickly.
322
00:43:07,000 --> 00:43:10,243
Within days they will have to
keep up with their parents
323
00:43:10,360 --> 00:43:12,328
on a never-ending march.
324
00:43:17,320 --> 00:43:22,360
At one day old, they're already faster
than an Olympic sprinter.
325
00:43:23,480 --> 00:43:27,485
They're testing the legs that will
carry them thousands of miles,
326
00:43:29,000 --> 00:43:31,287
better to learn their limitations now.
327
00:43:39,400 --> 00:43:40,526
(CALLS)
328
00:43:45,680 --> 00:43:47,808
(CARIBOU GRUNTING)
329
00:43:51,200 --> 00:43:55,330
It may look playful, but there's
no harder life on the grasslands
330
00:43:55,400 --> 00:43:58,051
than that facing these infants.
331
00:44:01,440 --> 00:44:03,681
The caribou mothers now join together,
332
00:44:03,760 --> 00:44:06,843
each with an infant
exactly the same age.
333
00:44:15,400 --> 00:44:20,531
They're setting off on the greatest
overland trek made by any animal.
334
00:44:43,680 --> 00:44:48,846
But wherever grass eaters travel,
predators lie in wait.
335
00:44:50,560 --> 00:44:51,607
(CARIBOU CALLING)
336
00:44:55,640 --> 00:44:59,531
Here they are, Arctic wolves.
337
00:45:06,640 --> 00:45:08,244
They must seize their chance
338
00:45:08,320 --> 00:45:10,800
while the caribou
pass through their territory.
339
00:45:43,920 --> 00:45:45,126
(PANTING)
340
00:45:46,920 --> 00:45:51,528
The wolf runs at the herd, trying to
flush out the weak or the slow.
341
00:46:00,920 --> 00:46:02,604
A calf is separated.
342
00:46:10,960 --> 00:46:15,682
At full tilt, 40 miles an hour,
the wolf is just faster.
343
00:46:24,000 --> 00:46:26,480
But the calf has stamina.
344
00:46:56,080 --> 00:47:01,484
Only a few weeks old, and this
calf's will to survive is remarkable.
345
00:47:06,800 --> 00:47:08,643
And it needs to be,
346
00:47:09,080 --> 00:47:12,050
for these young caribou
have now started a journey
347
00:47:12,320 --> 00:47:14,163
that will last a lifetime.
348
00:47:17,480 --> 00:47:22,281
Forever chasing the seasonal growth
of the grass on which they depend.
349
00:47:31,360 --> 00:47:34,569
Like all grassland creatures,
they are at the mercy
350
00:47:34,640 --> 00:47:39,089
of these unpredictable
but ultimately bountiful lands.
351
00:47:45,200 --> 00:47:49,171
Grass can survive some of
the harshest conditions on Earth,
352
00:47:49,240 --> 00:47:53,529
flood, fire and frost,
and still flourish.
353
00:48:03,760 --> 00:48:07,162
So it is that grasslands
provide a stage
354
00:48:07,440 --> 00:48:11,126
for the greatest gatherings of wildlife
on planet Earth.
355
00:48:25,760 --> 00:48:29,481
For the grasslands team,
no location would prove as challenging
356
00:48:29,600 --> 00:48:33,241
as that dominated by elephant grass
in northeast India.
357
00:48:34,640 --> 00:48:39,680
The aim, to capture intimate images of
some the world's most elusive creatures
358
00:48:40,120 --> 00:48:42,327
using the latest technology.
359
00:48:49,480 --> 00:48:51,403
But they will need to be careful.
360
00:48:53,840 --> 00:48:54,841
(COCKS GUN)
361
00:48:55,760 --> 00:48:56,761
(ELEPHANT TRUMPETS)
362
00:48:56,880 --> 00:49:00,089
More people are killed by wildlife
here in Kaziranga
363
00:49:02,520 --> 00:49:05,490
than in any other
national park on the planet.
364
00:49:07,560 --> 00:49:09,369
Every time we go into these tunnels,
365
00:49:10,040 --> 00:49:11,724
we have to take an armed guard,
366
00:49:12,360 --> 00:49:14,886
'cause there are so many animals
in here that are dangerous.
367
00:49:14,960 --> 00:49:17,122
Tigers are probably
the least of our worries,
368
00:49:17,440 --> 00:49:19,169
but rhinos and buffalo,
369
00:49:19,560 --> 00:49:21,961
elephants, sloth bear,
all of them can injure you.
370
00:49:22,160 --> 00:49:24,242
And we gotta keep up
with our armed guard.
371
00:49:30,240 --> 00:49:32,561
ATTENBOROUGH: The team have bumped
into their first obstacle.
372
00:49:34,280 --> 00:49:35,770
SANDESH: There's a rhino right there.
373
00:49:38,960 --> 00:49:43,249
Let's go back because it's too risky
going through this heavy grass.
374
00:49:45,640 --> 00:49:46,971
Let's get in the open.
375
00:49:48,360 --> 00:49:50,203
- (SPEAKING LOCAL LANGUAGE)
- There's another rhino.
376
00:49:52,000 --> 00:49:54,207
- Now we have two rhinos.
- Let's get in here.
377
00:49:56,560 --> 00:49:57,561
Okay.
378
00:49:58,280 --> 00:50:01,523
ATTENBOROUGH: The guard throws
a ball of mud to one side of the rhinos,
379
00:50:01,760 --> 00:50:04,331
moving the animals on
without harming them.
380
00:50:05,320 --> 00:50:06,651
(SHOUTS)
381
00:50:12,400 --> 00:50:14,402
- We're okay. It's gone.
- Okay.
382
00:50:14,760 --> 00:50:16,091
What about the other one?
383
00:50:16,320 --> 00:50:17,481
Let's go, quick.
384
00:50:22,000 --> 00:50:24,571
ATTENBOROUGH: With the rhinos
now a safe distance away,
385
00:50:24,640 --> 00:50:28,565
the crew focus on the best spots
to position their camera traps.
386
00:50:29,080 --> 00:50:30,809
I love that tunnel, the effect.
387
00:50:34,920 --> 00:50:38,322
ATTENBOROUGH: Over 100 scaffold poles
provide the anchor points
388
00:50:38,400 --> 00:50:40,289
for these secret cameras.
389
00:50:41,280 --> 00:50:43,647
When an animal triggers
an infrared beam,
390
00:50:43,720 --> 00:50:46,963
the cameras will switch on automatically
and start recording.
391
00:50:48,240 --> 00:50:52,802
If it works, the remote-control cameras
should capture close-up footage
392
00:50:52,960 --> 00:50:56,282
without disturbing the animals
or putting the crew at risk.
393
00:50:57,680 --> 00:51:00,763
Basically, that's about as much
like grass as we can make it look.
394
00:51:00,840 --> 00:51:01,841
(CRICKETS CHIRP)
395
00:51:02,680 --> 00:51:06,082
ATTENBOROUGH: As night falls,
the crew head back to base for safety.
396
00:51:08,200 --> 00:51:11,921
It's time for the new technology
to prove its worth.
397
00:51:17,840 --> 00:51:22,448
At dawn, the crew have
a whodunnit mystery on their hands.
398
00:51:22,640 --> 00:51:24,290
CHADDEN: Oh, wow.
399
00:51:25,080 --> 00:51:26,286
That's carnage!
400
00:51:27,680 --> 00:51:29,444
This looks like elephant, we think?
401
00:51:30,840 --> 00:51:32,683
This is scaffold pole
402
00:51:34,080 --> 00:51:36,560
they have bent.
Look at that. (CHUCKLES)
403
00:51:39,920 --> 00:51:42,605
It's a sad day.
You win some, you lose some.
404
00:51:43,160 --> 00:51:45,606
And this time,
the animals have outsmarted us.
405
00:51:46,640 --> 00:51:48,768
In fact, check this out.
(CHUCKLES)
406
00:51:49,280 --> 00:51:50,327
Whoo-hoo.
407
00:51:50,400 --> 00:51:55,042
So this is our little army of guards,
protecting our trigger box.
408
00:51:55,640 --> 00:51:58,450
Do they bite? These ones, they bite?
409
00:51:59,000 --> 00:52:00,047
Sting?
410
00:52:00,120 --> 00:52:01,963
Whoa! Argh! Ow!
411
00:52:02,640 --> 00:52:04,768
The little (BLEEP).
412
00:52:08,360 --> 00:52:10,522
ATTENBOROUGH: While Chadden
irons out the bugs,
413
00:52:11,480 --> 00:52:14,324
Sandesh has met some grumpy locals.
414
00:52:18,080 --> 00:52:21,641
Wild Asian water buffalo
have extraordinary senses.
415
00:52:24,160 --> 00:52:26,686
Mothers will charge
if they feel threatened.
416
00:52:29,560 --> 00:52:33,042
The guard carries a gun,
in case a warning shot is needed,
417
00:52:33,200 --> 00:52:34,611
and with good reason.
418
00:52:37,360 --> 00:52:42,685
More people are killed by buffalo
than by any other animal in Kaziranga.
419
00:52:44,320 --> 00:52:45,401
(GRUNTS)
420
00:52:48,160 --> 00:52:49,685
(SHOUTS)
421
00:52:49,760 --> 00:52:51,489
That'll wake you up in the morning.
422
00:52:52,200 --> 00:52:55,682
ATTENBOROUGH: Many of the park staff
have cautionary tales about buffalo.
423
00:52:56,160 --> 00:52:59,084
(SPEAKING HINDI)
424
00:53:00,080 --> 00:53:03,641
The buffalo caught him here,
through his throat
425
00:53:04,320 --> 00:53:07,210
and the horn came out through his mouth
426
00:53:07,720 --> 00:53:10,246
and flung him before running away.
427
00:53:10,320 --> 00:53:12,800
It's a miracle that he's still alive.
428
00:53:15,000 --> 00:53:17,526
ATTENBOROUGH: If the wildlife
is unfriendly to humans,
429
00:53:18,760 --> 00:53:21,730
it's proving downright hostile
to camera traps.
430
00:53:22,120 --> 00:53:25,442
CHADDEN: Completely ripped out
the scaffold poles,
431
00:53:26,240 --> 00:53:29,244
they've torn the triggers.
432
00:53:30,440 --> 00:53:32,602
ATTENBOROUGH: While Chadden
is convinced it's elephants,
433
00:53:32,680 --> 00:53:34,523
the rest of the crew are not so sure.
434
00:53:34,600 --> 00:53:36,011
SANDESH: This is huge!
435
00:53:36,640 --> 00:53:38,369
It's almost like a human footprint.
436
00:53:38,800 --> 00:53:41,804
You can see the front paw, the rear paw.
437
00:53:41,960 --> 00:53:46,329
CHADDEN: We are now two weeks in
and it's very frustrating.
438
00:53:46,560 --> 00:53:49,166
I've never actually been anywhere
where the animals
439
00:53:49,880 --> 00:53:52,565
go after your equipment and destroy it,
more than here.
440
00:53:53,680 --> 00:53:56,843
ATTENBOROUGH: It's time for the team
to do some detective work.
441
00:53:58,800 --> 00:54:01,644
Here is our little security camera.
442
00:54:01,720 --> 00:54:04,929
If any animals are coming through
and vandalising our main cameras,
443
00:54:05,640 --> 00:54:09,087
we hope that they're being caught
on these little things.
444
00:54:12,120 --> 00:54:14,566
ATTENBOROUGH: As the crew
up their spying efforts,
445
00:54:14,640 --> 00:54:17,041
the guards take them
to a promising lead.
446
00:54:18,080 --> 00:54:21,289
Nothing attracts tigers
like a rhino carcass.
447
00:54:21,960 --> 00:54:24,884
It's very fresh.
It's like from the morning.
448
00:54:25,240 --> 00:54:27,129
And it looks like there's a tiger cub,
449
00:54:28,120 --> 00:54:32,967
so it should be a tigress with cubs,
coming to feed on this rhino carcass.
450
00:54:33,240 --> 00:54:34,321
It's pretty cool.
451
00:54:35,760 --> 00:54:39,401
ATTENBOROUGH: Chadden decides to give
the camera traps one last chance.
452
00:54:40,080 --> 00:54:44,847
If there are tigers around, they might
scare away the mystery vandals.
453
00:54:46,360 --> 00:54:47,646
Elsewhere in the park,
454
00:54:47,720 --> 00:54:51,361
the security cameras are
turning up some unexpected results.
455
00:54:51,840 --> 00:54:55,401
At nighttime, survived another... Ooh!
456
00:54:56,080 --> 00:54:57,206
It's a bear.
457
00:54:58,200 --> 00:54:59,929
Wow, that's a very rare sighting.
458
00:55:00,080 --> 00:55:01,764
SANDESH: I've never seen a bear
in Kaziranga.
459
00:55:01,840 --> 00:55:03,410
In all my years, never.
460
00:55:04,800 --> 00:55:08,646
- Oh, his fingernails...
- Look at his claws, right on the lens.
461
00:55:09,640 --> 00:55:11,802
CHADDEN: So I thought
this was elephant damage.
462
00:55:12,800 --> 00:55:15,883
I never thought we'd see
a sloth bear doing that.
463
00:55:16,720 --> 00:55:17,767
That's amazing.
464
00:55:21,840 --> 00:55:26,084
ATTENBOROUGH: A return to
the rhino carcass and the plot thickens.
465
00:55:27,440 --> 00:55:28,771
SANDESH: Our transmitter's gone.
466
00:55:29,640 --> 00:55:31,005
CHADDEN: That's what tigers
think of camera traps.
467
00:55:31,080 --> 00:55:33,003
CREW MEMBER: Do you think
there's a bit over there?
468
00:55:33,160 --> 00:55:34,161
Pieces.
469
00:55:34,600 --> 00:55:38,127
ATTENBOROUGH: The security cameras
have caught a new culprit.
470
00:55:38,240 --> 00:55:40,129
CHADDEN: Oh, my goodness,
there they are.
471
00:55:40,200 --> 00:55:41,201
SANDESH: Ooh!
472
00:55:41,320 --> 00:55:43,607
There it's a tigress, see that.
It's a tigress.
473
00:55:43,680 --> 00:55:45,887
It snarled at the camera trap,
look at that.
474
00:55:45,960 --> 00:55:47,485
Sure don't like camera traps.
475
00:55:48,240 --> 00:55:49,241
Okay.
476
00:55:50,640 --> 00:55:52,768
ATTENBOROUGH:
With the technology struggling,
477
00:55:52,840 --> 00:55:56,447
Sandesh decides
to put himself on the frontline.
478
00:55:56,520 --> 00:55:58,284
CHADDEN: It's on.
SANDESH: And now we're ready.
479
00:55:59,160 --> 00:56:00,491
Time to get the tiger.
480
00:56:02,120 --> 00:56:05,647
ATTENBOROUGH: He'll have no protection
apart from a thin wall of grass,
481
00:56:05,960 --> 00:56:09,646
and must hope he's as well-hidden
as the local wildlife.
482
00:56:11,840 --> 00:56:15,083
Over the next five days,
Sandesh plays the role
483
00:56:15,160 --> 00:56:16,810
of human camera trap.
484
00:56:18,680 --> 00:56:19,806
(BIRDS CAWING)
485
00:56:19,880 --> 00:56:23,771
Eventually, the more
hands-on approach pays off.
486
00:56:50,120 --> 00:56:53,329
Traditional filming methods
and a little bit of patience,
487
00:56:53,520 --> 00:56:57,320
have helped reveal the
hidden creatures of Kaziranga.
488
00:57:02,240 --> 00:57:03,241
(GRUNTS)
489
00:57:03,360 --> 00:57:06,330
But it's good to know
there are still wild places
490
00:57:06,440 --> 00:57:09,489
where animals like to keep
their secrets.
491
00:57:13,160 --> 00:57:14,446
(CREAKING)
492
00:57:15,760 --> 00:57:17,125
CHADDEN: I knew it was elephants.
493
00:57:20,160 --> 00:57:21,286
ATTENBOROUGH: Next time,
494
00:57:22,640 --> 00:57:25,371
we venture to
the newest habitat on Earth,
495
00:57:26,040 --> 00:57:27,565
our cities.
496
00:57:28,360 --> 00:57:31,250
To reveal the extraordinary ways
497
00:57:31,960 --> 00:57:35,282
that animals survive
in this man-made world.
498
00:57:40,160 --> 00:57:42,162
(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)