Uganda

Download Subtitles

Transcript

0:00:02 > 0:00:05My name is Steve Backshall.

0:00:05 > 0:00:08This is my mission to find the Deadly 60!

0:00:10 > 0:00:12Not just animals that are deadly to me,

0:00:12 > 0:00:16but animals that are deadly in their own world.

0:00:18 > 0:00:20My crew and I are exploring the planet.

0:00:20 > 0:00:23And you're coming with me every step of the way!

0:00:30 > 0:00:32This is Uganda, right in the heart of Africa.

0:00:32 > 0:00:36It's a magical wonderland with misty mountains and forest,

0:00:36 > 0:00:39savannah, safaris, it's got the lot!

0:00:40 > 0:00:42Uganda is a small country in East Africa,

0:00:42 > 0:00:45often called the Pearl of Africa for its beauty.

0:00:45 > 0:00:48As for the wildlife, we're looking for the primates.

0:00:48 > 0:00:51In fact, you could say we're tracing the family tree.

0:00:53 > 0:00:58You and I are humans, part of an animal group called the primates.

0:00:58 > 0:01:03I've come to Uganda because this is one of the best places to see

0:01:03 > 0:01:04three of our closest ancestors.

0:01:04 > 0:01:09They're all primates, too, and can all be deadly!

0:01:12 > 0:01:15But to find them, we've got an adventure ahead.

0:01:15 > 0:01:17From gorillas up in the mountains...

0:01:17 > 0:01:23to baboons on the savannah, and chimps in the deep, dark forests.

0:01:25 > 0:01:29We're high in the mountains of a windy, impenetrable park.

0:01:29 > 0:01:32And when I say high, my altimeter says

0:01:32 > 0:01:36we're at 2,300 metres above sea level,

0:01:36 > 0:01:39way higher than the highest mountains in Britain.

0:01:39 > 0:01:41But we could get even higher,

0:01:41 > 0:01:45because the animal we're looking for is a true mountain specialist.

0:01:45 > 0:01:47It's one of the most enchanting, dramatic,

0:01:47 > 0:01:51important animals in the world - it's the mountain gorilla.

0:01:53 > 0:01:55Gorillas are the world's largest primates,

0:01:55 > 0:01:59and some of the most endangered.

0:01:59 > 0:02:01To find them, we're going to need to trek

0:02:01 > 0:02:04high into Uganda's Virunga mountains.

0:02:05 > 0:02:09This cloud forest is cool, wet and at high altitude.

0:02:09 > 0:02:12Any animal that lives here has to be tough.

0:02:12 > 0:02:14They live in close family groups

0:02:14 > 0:02:18and feed on the lush vegetation found on the slopes.

0:02:22 > 0:02:24Our guide, Christopher,

0:02:24 > 0:02:28reckons we will have about four or five hours at least

0:02:28 > 0:02:30until we get close to where the gorillas are.

0:02:30 > 0:02:33Then we'll have the same again coming back.

0:02:33 > 0:02:36So we're looking at a very big day!

0:02:36 > 0:02:40Christopher and the other trackers make daily visits up the mountain

0:02:40 > 0:02:43and know each gorilla family and every individual.

0:02:46 > 0:02:49Without their tracking skills, we'd never find our gorillas.

0:02:49 > 0:02:52Without their knowledge and expertise, the gorillas

0:02:52 > 0:02:54would never let us get close.

0:02:57 > 0:02:59It was about 100 years ago

0:02:59 > 0:03:02that the first outsiders came to these forests

0:03:02 > 0:03:06and saw mountain gorillas for the first time.

0:03:06 > 0:03:09They brought back stories of these terrifying animals,

0:03:09 > 0:03:13incredibly strong and can rip a man apart with their bare hands.

0:03:13 > 0:03:16It's what inspired the story of King Kong.

0:03:16 > 0:03:19Of course, since then, we've learned a lot about mountain gorillas

0:03:19 > 0:03:22and found out they are generally peaceful animals

0:03:22 > 0:03:25that eat stuff like this most of the time.

0:03:25 > 0:03:28That doesn't stop them from being very formidable.

0:03:28 > 0:03:31That's why we're thinking of putting them on Deadly 60.

0:03:37 > 0:03:40For an animal that feeds entirely on vegetation,

0:03:40 > 0:03:42gorillas are one of the most overpowered,

0:03:42 > 0:03:45deadly creatures on the planet.

0:03:45 > 0:03:50They're stacked with huge muscles and have enormous teeth.

0:03:50 > 0:03:53But as they only feed on plants,

0:03:53 > 0:03:56why are they built like an all-in wrestler?

0:03:57 > 0:04:01Well, gorillas are fiercely loyal,

0:04:01 > 0:04:04and will fight to the death to defend their families.

0:04:06 > 0:04:08That can mean big predators like leopards

0:04:08 > 0:04:12and other massive mountain gorillas.

0:04:20 > 0:04:24These mountains aren't just home to giant primates.

0:04:24 > 0:04:29On the path is one of the largest creepy-crawlies I've ever seen.

0:04:29 > 0:04:32That is full-on weird!

0:04:32 > 0:04:36It's a giant earthworm.

0:04:36 > 0:04:38It really is giant!

0:04:40 > 0:04:43These huge tropical earthworms might look freaky,

0:04:43 > 0:04:47but they're really important to keep the mountain soil fertile.

0:04:47 > 0:04:50Good news for our plant-eating gorillas.

0:04:51 > 0:04:54Nobody step on this.

0:04:54 > 0:04:55Step over it.

0:05:02 > 0:05:04We've been trekking for about four hours.

0:05:04 > 0:05:06Everyone's starting to get concerned

0:05:06 > 0:05:10we might not find our gorillas, but, all of a sudden,

0:05:10 > 0:05:12we've found out we're really close to them.

0:05:12 > 0:05:14We'll leave all our food behind,

0:05:14 > 0:05:18leave anything that could be a potential danger to the gorillas,

0:05:18 > 0:05:21and get in and go and meet some mountain gorillas!

0:05:22 > 0:05:26After all that trekking, we only have one hour's visiting time

0:05:26 > 0:05:28with these awesome creatures.

0:05:28 > 0:05:33A strict rule that minimises disturbance to their secret lives.

0:05:36 > 0:05:38As we start to get closer,

0:05:38 > 0:05:43you'll hear the guides making little reassuring noises

0:05:43 > 0:05:47so the gorillas know what's coming, know that it's not a threat.

0:05:47 > 0:05:50I can see the bushes moving ahead of us.

0:05:53 > 0:05:55I'm shaking, half with excitement,

0:05:55 > 0:05:58half with a little bit of trepidation.

0:06:03 > 0:06:05(There, Johnny.)

0:06:06 > 0:06:08(Wow!)

0:06:10 > 0:06:12(Our first sight!)

0:06:12 > 0:06:15They're all around us. A silverback!

0:06:17 > 0:06:22And there's a little baby, an infant hanging on this branch.

0:06:22 > 0:06:24Let's move up this way.

0:06:32 > 0:06:34'It feels quite vulnerable to be so close,

0:06:34 > 0:06:36'knowing that if he wanted to charge,

0:06:36 > 0:06:38'he'd be on me in a heartbeat!'

0:06:41 > 0:06:45It may seem insane to be thinking about putting an animal

0:06:45 > 0:06:50that is so gentle, so careful and a vegetarian on to the Deadly 60,

0:06:50 > 0:06:53until you get a good look at this guy!

0:06:55 > 0:06:58This is the silverback, the dominant male.

0:06:59 > 0:07:01I have to say,

0:07:01 > 0:07:07there are very few more impressive animals in the whole world.

0:07:07 > 0:07:11He is absolutely massive!

0:07:11 > 0:07:15Despite the fact that he probably is no taller than I am,

0:07:15 > 0:07:20he would be at least two times my weight and way more muscular.

0:07:21 > 0:07:25He's just walking across now. You can see that silver saddle back

0:07:25 > 0:07:30as he goes, and just the strength to brush bushes aside.

0:07:33 > 0:07:36Look at that incredible bulk.

0:07:36 > 0:07:39They are majestic animals.

0:07:43 > 0:07:48160 kilos of silverback gorilla just vanish into the undergrowth.

0:07:50 > 0:07:55This is the absolute typical habitat that you'll find gorillas in.

0:07:55 > 0:07:57Very, very thick, very, very dense,

0:07:57 > 0:08:02they spend a great deal of time feeding on everything around us.

0:08:02 > 0:08:06They are surprisingly difficult to spot,

0:08:06 > 0:08:09even though they are very large animals.

0:08:09 > 0:08:10This is a good-sized group.

0:08:10 > 0:08:13Christopher, how many animals are in this group?

0:08:13 > 0:08:15There are 12 individuals.

0:08:15 > 0:08:1812. 12 individuals.

0:08:18 > 0:08:20Four silverbacks,

0:08:20 > 0:08:26- three are females, two blackbacks, one juvenile and two infants.- Right.

0:08:26 > 0:08:28Yeah.

0:08:30 > 0:08:32We try and keep a respectful distance

0:08:32 > 0:08:34so we don't disturb the gorillas as they feed.

0:08:34 > 0:08:39Johnny, Johnny... 'But suddenly a cheeky, confident young male

0:08:39 > 0:08:42'moves menacingly towards us.'

0:08:42 > 0:08:44This is the blackback.

0:08:44 > 0:08:46He's the young male.

0:08:47 > 0:08:49They can be...

0:08:51 > 0:08:53..more of a worry than the silverback

0:08:53 > 0:08:54because they have more to prove.

0:08:54 > 0:08:57Did you see how easily he just pulled

0:08:57 > 0:08:59that tree down to cover himself?

0:08:59 > 0:09:02People who work with gorillas a lot reckon

0:09:02 > 0:09:06they are probably ten times stronger than people.

0:09:06 > 0:09:09They've seen them bend iron bars.

0:09:09 > 0:09:13He's looking at me at the moment, sussing me out.

0:09:13 > 0:09:16But he knows he's far bigger and stronger than me

0:09:16 > 0:09:19and I pose no threat to the group.

0:09:20 > 0:09:24The guides make me stand my ground as he comes in for a closer look.

0:09:34 > 0:09:36Right. Well, that...

0:09:36 > 0:09:38is a blackback gorilla,

0:09:38 > 0:09:41letting us know who's boss!

0:09:49 > 0:09:51Yeah, that was quite a left hook!

0:09:51 > 0:09:54I am glad it didn't go a couple of inches to the right.

0:09:59 > 0:10:02So gorillas can be aggressive when defending their families,

0:10:02 > 0:10:04or when showing off to a film crew!

0:10:04 > 0:10:09But like us humans, they also have a softer side and even share

0:10:09 > 0:10:11some of our worst habits.

0:10:13 > 0:10:16He just picked a bogey out of his eye and ate it!

0:10:17 > 0:10:20And eating all those greens

0:10:20 > 0:10:23gives them really one bad problem that takes some beating.

0:10:23 > 0:10:26PFFRRRT!

0:10:26 > 0:10:27Did you...

0:10:27 > 0:10:32PPFFFFRRRRRRRRRRRRRT!

0:10:35 > 0:10:37Honestly, Nick...

0:10:43 > 0:10:47Despite their comedy manners, mountain gorillas

0:10:47 > 0:10:51are seriously deadly because of their fierce family loyalty.

0:10:53 > 0:10:58That passion for protection can turn a gentle, plant munching vegetarian

0:10:58 > 0:11:01into a chest-beating, rampaging monster!

0:11:02 > 0:11:04But understanding that passion

0:11:04 > 0:11:07and the potential danger these animals pose

0:11:07 > 0:11:09makes it even more special

0:11:09 > 0:11:13to see them up close and look into those very human faces.

0:11:16 > 0:11:19You don't get better animal encounters than this anywhere.

0:11:19 > 0:11:24To be this close to one of the most awe-inspiring

0:11:24 > 0:11:26kings of the jungle, the mountain gorilla.

0:11:26 > 0:11:29They're definitely going on the Deadly 60.

0:11:32 > 0:11:36With a huge muscular frame for crashing through vegetation,

0:11:36 > 0:11:41strong jaws for tearing chunks out of their opponents,

0:11:41 > 0:11:43they'll defend their families to the death.

0:11:45 > 0:11:49Majestic mountain gorillas are going on the Deadly 60.

0:11:52 > 0:11:56Exhausted after our long mountain trek, we hit the road.

0:11:57 > 0:12:02After crossing a furious river on a perilous-looking bridge

0:12:02 > 0:12:06we're stopped in the road by a herd of local longhorn cattle.

0:12:09 > 0:12:13So, er... Why are they called longhorn cattle?

0:12:13 > 0:12:17They can barely hold their heads up, their horns are so heavy!

0:12:17 > 0:12:20Imagine carrying those around all day long!

0:12:20 > 0:12:23But just down the road, we're stopped again.

0:12:23 > 0:12:28And this roadblock is from an animal that could make my list.

0:12:32 > 0:12:35We were heading towards where we're going to spend the night

0:12:35 > 0:12:38when our next Deadly 60 animal has cropped up

0:12:38 > 0:12:40right in the middle of the road ahead of us.

0:12:40 > 0:12:44We're going to pop out and see if we can get better acquainted.

0:12:45 > 0:12:48Go easy, guys.

0:12:50 > 0:12:53Olive baboons should be approached with caution.

0:12:53 > 0:12:56OK, they look quite cuddly and harmless,

0:12:56 > 0:12:58but appearances can be deceptive.

0:13:00 > 0:13:04They're armed with teeth that a vampire would be proud of.

0:13:04 > 0:13:09Each canine tooth is bigger than a lion's,

0:13:09 > 0:13:12and they used them to tear and shred flesh.

0:13:14 > 0:13:18They also have a particular liking for young gazelles,

0:13:18 > 0:13:21which they overwhelm using brute strength and speed.

0:13:24 > 0:13:27They are very bold, brazen animals,

0:13:27 > 0:13:33but they are also animals that we have to be a bit cautious with.

0:13:33 > 0:13:37Because... Well, they're very different

0:13:37 > 0:13:40to the gorillas that were our last Deadly 60 animal.

0:13:40 > 0:13:45The gorillas were very calm, peaceful animals,

0:13:45 > 0:13:48baboons spend a lot of time

0:13:48 > 0:13:51being very aggressive, towards each other and also

0:13:51 > 0:13:55towards anything from the outside they see as a possible threat.

0:13:55 > 0:13:57Oi!

0:13:59 > 0:14:02Olive baboons tend to live in open grasslands with little cover,

0:14:02 > 0:14:06so they form huge groups for their protection.

0:14:09 > 0:14:13This safety in such large numbers gives them a surprising confidence

0:14:13 > 0:14:16to chase off the biggest of predators.

0:14:16 > 0:14:21They'll even face-up to powerful cats, like leopards,

0:14:21 > 0:14:24cheetah, and even lions.

0:14:24 > 0:14:29This cheeky baboon is sending an instant message to deter a lionness.

0:14:29 > 0:14:31It would deter me, too!

0:14:35 > 0:14:37So as I near this troupe,

0:14:37 > 0:14:41the last thing I want to do is make them think I'm a threat.

0:14:41 > 0:14:47Ahead of us on the road, we've got quite a decent-sized group.

0:14:47 > 0:14:50There are probably around 20 animals here,

0:14:50 > 0:14:54but you can get troupes numbering 150 animals.

0:14:58 > 0:15:01There's a couple of youngsters being groomed.

0:15:01 > 0:15:03And over in the back there,

0:15:03 > 0:15:06there's a big male.

0:15:06 > 0:15:10But with so many baboons in a group, squabbles are plentiful.

0:15:10 > 0:15:14THEY SHRIEK

0:15:19 > 0:15:22That is a young male handing out some discipline,

0:15:22 > 0:15:25and it certainly seemed like it hurt!

0:15:25 > 0:15:27That was a terrible screaming.

0:15:27 > 0:15:30There's a lot of stuff like that goes on in baboon society.

0:15:33 > 0:15:37Within such big groups, there's a complex but delicate pecking order.

0:15:40 > 0:15:44Friendships are formed by grooming.

0:15:44 > 0:15:49But fights and squabbles over food and mating rights are common.

0:15:51 > 0:15:54These brutal battles are long and ferocious.

0:15:56 > 0:15:58Sometimes even fatal.

0:16:01 > 0:16:06These baboons are living out in the wild, quite a long way from people,

0:16:06 > 0:16:09so they're quite shy and quite cautious,

0:16:09 > 0:16:11but that isn't always the case.

0:16:11 > 0:16:14In fact, when baboons start to live close to people,

0:16:14 > 0:16:17they can start to see them as a source of food,

0:16:17 > 0:16:19and that can be a real problem.

0:16:19 > 0:16:21You don't want an animal that size,

0:16:21 > 0:16:25with teeth that big deciding it wants food off you.

0:16:26 > 0:16:29Their fearless nature means that baboons will try anything

0:16:29 > 0:16:32for a free meal, raiding bins,

0:16:32 > 0:16:38jumping through windows, even looting breakfast tables!

0:16:38 > 0:16:39And with their bellies full,

0:16:39 > 0:16:43they'll think nothing of getting a free ride home.

0:16:45 > 0:16:48It's this brazen cockiness and opportunistic nature,

0:16:48 > 0:16:51coupled with strength, numbers and a fearsome bite,

0:16:51 > 0:16:55that makes all baboons such dangerous animals,

0:16:55 > 0:16:59and that's why I am putting them on the Deadly 60.

0:17:01 > 0:17:04With vampire-like teeth to tear and shred flesh,

0:17:04 > 0:17:07bold enough to take on the big cats,

0:17:07 > 0:17:11and when it comes to getting a meal, they're smart and savvy.

0:17:11 > 0:17:17Strutting, swaggering, prowling primates, baboons are on my list.

0:17:22 > 0:17:24When you film wildlife for a living,

0:17:24 > 0:17:27you get used to getting up before the sun rises,

0:17:27 > 0:17:31and it doesn't stop us being a bit grumpy about it.

0:17:31 > 0:17:33- How are you feeling, guys?- Grumpy.

0:17:33 > 0:17:36- Exhausted.- Yeah!

0:17:36 > 0:17:38However, we are also very excited,

0:17:38 > 0:17:41because we're heading out to try to find

0:17:41 > 0:17:45the most lethal primate killer found in Uganda's forest.

0:17:45 > 0:17:49It's also our closest relative, and like us, they have big brains,

0:17:49 > 0:17:52they're very intelligent and they can be deadly.

0:17:52 > 0:17:53It's the chimpanzee.

0:17:57 > 0:18:00Chimpanzees are found in forests of central and west Africa.

0:18:00 > 0:18:05They live in family groups of around 30 animals,

0:18:05 > 0:18:08interacting with a variety of calls and facial expressions.

0:18:12 > 0:18:15They have big brains, so they're intelligent.

0:18:15 > 0:18:20But most remarkably, chimps have learnt to use tools.

0:18:22 > 0:18:25Tough forest nuts are cracked open

0:18:25 > 0:18:28with specially selected rocks and logs.

0:18:31 > 0:18:35Some of the skills they use to survive are truly lethal.

0:18:36 > 0:18:39And what they're after will probably shock you.

0:18:39 > 0:18:42Hopefully that's what we'll be able to show you today.

0:18:47 > 0:18:50We've teamed up with expert local trackers

0:18:50 > 0:18:53who are taking us deep into the forest.

0:18:56 > 0:19:00One of our guides reckons there's a tree down here,

0:19:00 > 0:19:04a fig tree, that's in a fruit right now and it's...

0:19:04 > 0:19:06Oh, prints!

0:19:06 > 0:19:07We already have the signs.

0:19:07 > 0:19:12There's some really clear prints, and very fresh as well.

0:19:12 > 0:19:15Those are this morning.

0:19:15 > 0:19:17For sure.

0:19:17 > 0:19:20So they're close!

0:19:22 > 0:19:23Let's go.

0:19:28 > 0:19:32What I was saying before was that there's a fig tree down here

0:19:32 > 0:19:35and it's in fruit at the moment, so this will be a really good place

0:19:35 > 0:19:37to find the chimps.

0:19:45 > 0:19:48'And as we get closer, we find another clue.'

0:19:48 > 0:19:53It's part of a fig, which has been left behind by a chimp.

0:19:54 > 0:19:58It's another good sign, all the signs are pointing this way.

0:19:58 > 0:20:01And then we hear the haunting calls,

0:20:01 > 0:20:04and spot dark shapes up in the branches.

0:20:04 > 0:20:07HOOTING

0:20:07 > 0:20:09Yes, fantastic!

0:20:12 > 0:20:15That is the chimpanzee long call.

0:20:17 > 0:20:20It's just this excited wail that builds and builds.

0:20:20 > 0:20:26We are utterly surrounded, and being pelted from above with figs!

0:20:28 > 0:20:31Up since first light, the chimps are gorging themselves

0:20:31 > 0:20:34on ripe figs for breakfast.

0:20:36 > 0:20:38- Oh, no! - This is what we expect in the forest.

0:20:38 > 0:20:41Was that fig or was that poo?

0:20:41 > 0:20:43- No, it's fig.- No, it wasn't.

0:20:43 > 0:20:46I'm sorry, Ronald, that is not fig.

0:20:46 > 0:20:50That is chimp poo and it just clouted me right in the face.

0:20:50 > 0:20:54I have a feeling this is how our day is going to go.

0:20:54 > 0:20:57THEY LAUGH

0:20:58 > 0:21:00Right, well,

0:21:00 > 0:21:05what I can tell you from looking at this dropping is that at the moment,

0:21:05 > 0:21:08these chimps are feeding almost exclusively on fig.

0:21:08 > 0:21:13It's kind of mushy, it almost looks like a squelched-up fig itself.

0:21:13 > 0:21:15But that isn't always the case.

0:21:15 > 0:21:19In fact, here, less than half of the chimps' diet is made up from fruit.

0:21:19 > 0:21:23What they actually feed on a lot of the time is monkeys,

0:21:23 > 0:21:24and even small antelope.

0:21:24 > 0:21:28'That bit might be worth repeating.'

0:21:30 > 0:21:34What they feed on a lot of the time is monkeys and even small antelope.

0:21:37 > 0:21:40Yes, as shocking as it seems, chimpanzees, just like us,

0:21:40 > 0:21:42have a taste for meat.

0:21:45 > 0:21:49Any small animals that get too close could find themselves on the menu.

0:21:54 > 0:21:57Oh, crikey!

0:21:57 > 0:22:00Do you know, that's not a chimp either, those are monkeys.

0:22:00 > 0:22:02The chimps are going after them!

0:22:02 > 0:22:04No way!

0:22:08 > 0:22:11A couple of monkeys just came into the corner of the tree here,

0:22:11 > 0:22:15and the chimps didn't like it, and just went straight for them.

0:22:15 > 0:22:17The monkeys got away, though.

0:22:17 > 0:22:20They're heading off this side. They got lucky that time.

0:22:20 > 0:22:23At the moment, there are so many figs that the chimps

0:22:23 > 0:22:27don't need to waste the energy in trying to kill the monkeys,

0:22:27 > 0:22:29but if this hadn't been a fruiting fig tree,

0:22:29 > 0:22:31that could have been a different story.

0:22:31 > 0:22:34Chimps are ruthless hunters, and their favourite prey

0:22:34 > 0:22:37are colobus monkeys.

0:22:37 > 0:22:41The leaf-eating monkeys are smaller and more agile than the chimps,

0:22:41 > 0:22:45but they can be cornered and caught when the chimps use

0:22:45 > 0:22:48their team tactics to surround them in the trees.

0:22:51 > 0:22:55Several males will chase the monkeys into an ambush,

0:22:55 > 0:22:59then the hunters gather around to share in the meal.

0:22:59 > 0:23:03This hunting may be gruesome, but the protein from the meat

0:23:03 > 0:23:07is a vital part of the chimps' diet to help fuel those big brains.

0:23:07 > 0:23:11Intelligence and teamwork, now that's deadly!

0:23:18 > 0:23:22This is absolute chaos, and a lot of this is just big squabbles going on

0:23:22 > 0:23:25- between the individuals. - HOOTING

0:23:25 > 0:23:28The senior ones disciplining the more junior ones, and they're just

0:23:28 > 0:23:33charging around in the treetops, causing absolute havoc.

0:23:36 > 0:23:40Branches coming down, figs coming down, poo coming down.

0:23:44 > 0:23:47It's a good job he's got the umbrella!

0:23:49 > 0:23:54'After a few hours of feasting, one of the males has got bored of figs.'

0:23:54 > 0:23:55Here he comes...

0:23:55 > 0:23:57This way.

0:24:00 > 0:24:02He'll come down this vine here.

0:24:03 > 0:24:05This is an adult male,

0:24:05 > 0:24:07just beginning to descend.

0:24:07 > 0:24:11A big male chimp like this would be

0:24:11 > 0:24:15a fair bit smaller than me, but a lot stronger.

0:24:15 > 0:24:18The arms are proportionally much, much longer,

0:24:18 > 0:24:21great for swinging through the treetops.

0:24:21 > 0:24:24A really powerfully-built animal.

0:24:26 > 0:24:29Although great climbers, chimps are too heavy to swing

0:24:29 > 0:24:32from tree to tree like monkeys, so they come down to the ground

0:24:32 > 0:24:34when they move through the forest.

0:24:34 > 0:24:35Down and off.

0:24:36 > 0:24:38Johnny, Johnny!

0:24:42 > 0:24:44I'd give anything to be able to climb like that!

0:24:48 > 0:24:50They move with such purpose.

0:24:50 > 0:24:54You can see the bulk of him just brought down a great big branch.

0:24:54 > 0:24:57There's more coming down from the treetops here.

0:25:01 > 0:25:06I can't believe they're coming down all around us, what an experience!

0:25:07 > 0:25:11The movement was just extraordinary,

0:25:11 > 0:25:14just hand over hand, down through the tree and off.

0:25:14 > 0:25:17Disappeared. There's still a fair few more to come down.

0:25:17 > 0:25:18Johnny!

0:25:25 > 0:25:28The forest floor and the trees around us are just filled

0:25:28 > 0:25:31with dark shapes, almost like ghosts.

0:25:31 > 0:25:34They kind of move almost with a sort of menace.

0:25:34 > 0:25:37You can certainly see how if you were a black and white

0:25:37 > 0:25:39or red colobus monkey,

0:25:39 > 0:25:42these would be the animals of your worst nightmares.

0:25:44 > 0:25:46Once they're down at our level,

0:25:46 > 0:25:49we get a totally different perspective on them.

0:25:49 > 0:25:52Their mood seems to have changed entirely

0:25:52 > 0:25:55from the boisterous squabbling over fruit...

0:25:55 > 0:25:59to silently stalking the forest floor.

0:26:02 > 0:26:03Look over there.

0:26:07 > 0:26:10There is something weirdly prehistoric

0:26:10 > 0:26:11about this whole experience.

0:26:11 > 0:26:15I just feel like I've been transported back in time.

0:26:18 > 0:26:22Humans and chimps share a common ancestor.

0:26:22 > 0:26:25They're our closest living relatives.

0:26:25 > 0:26:29When you're this close to them, there's so much about appearance,

0:26:29 > 0:26:34about their gestures, their facial signs that's very, very human.

0:26:34 > 0:26:37But there's also

0:26:37 > 0:26:40a lot about our similarities that makes them deadly.

0:26:43 > 0:26:48High-swinging, tool-using, co-operative hunting...

0:26:50 > 0:26:53Chimpanzees are on the Deadly 60.

0:26:58 > 0:27:01Big brains make chimps highly intelligent.

0:27:01 > 0:27:05They use deadly teamwork to hunt in the trees.

0:27:05 > 0:27:10And they're expert tool users, making the most out of forest foods.

0:27:10 > 0:27:15All in all, our closest relatives have to go on the Deadly 60.

0:27:15 > 0:27:19As long as I'm exactly where I am now, I'm safe.

0:27:19 > 0:27:22If I got even a few inches closer, it would be able to bite me.

0:27:22 > 0:27:24Next time on Deadly 60...

0:27:28 > 0:27:30I'm never going to make it!

0:27:45 > 0:27:46Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

0:27:46 > 0:27:48E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk