0:00:02 > 0:00:04Welcome to my Nightmares of Nature.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11I'm Naomi Wilkinson and I'm coming face to face
0:00:11 > 0:00:14with the nightmares of the animal world.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19The ones that make your spine tingle...
0:00:19 > 0:00:21Ah!
0:00:21 > 0:00:23..your heart beat faster...
0:00:23 > 0:00:24Wooh!
0:00:24 > 0:00:26..and your blood run cold.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28What's that noise?
0:00:28 > 0:00:32Are they truly terrifying? Or is there a twist in the tale?
0:00:32 > 0:00:34SHE SCREAMS AND LAUGHS
0:00:34 > 0:00:36'Come with me as I shine a light
0:00:36 > 0:00:39'on wildlife's deepest, darkest secrets.'
0:00:39 > 0:00:42Ooh!
0:00:42 > 0:00:45'See if you can guess which will be my worst nightmare.'
0:00:47 > 0:00:50This time, we're exploring the north of South Africa.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53This is big game country, known for its sprawling savannah,
0:00:53 > 0:00:57spectacular scenery, sensational wildlife.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59It's a dream for animal lovers...
0:00:59 > 0:01:02but, of course, I'm not here to have a nice time.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04I'm here to delve in the darker side of wildlife,
0:01:04 > 0:01:09the stuff of nightmares, and there is plenty of that here!
0:01:11 > 0:01:14I'm going to be travelling all over this area.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17I'll come face to face with the biggest land animal in the world,
0:01:17 > 0:01:20finding out what it's like to be the fastest animal on Earth,
0:01:20 > 0:01:24and meeting one of the smartest.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27First, time for some of the most dangerous creatures found here.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35'There are more than 30 species of venomous snakes in South Africa,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38'and I'm going to meet up with some local children,
0:01:38 > 0:01:41'to see what they think of them.'
0:01:41 > 0:01:44- Are you afraid of snakes? - ALL: Yes.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46Everybody is afraid of snakes?
0:01:46 > 0:01:47- ALL: Yes.- Why?
0:01:47 > 0:01:48Because it's dangerous.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52If you found a snake, what do you do?
0:01:52 > 0:01:54- You just run.- Run?
0:01:54 > 0:01:56- Yes! - THEY LAUGH
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Run away! Anything else?
0:02:01 > 0:02:03Scream.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05What? Scream?!
0:02:05 > 0:02:07- THEY LAUGH - That's what I'd do.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11- So, do you want to meet some snakes? - ALL: Yes!
0:02:11 > 0:02:13- You're feeling brave?- ALL: Yes!
0:02:13 > 0:02:15Yeah, OK. Come with me,
0:02:15 > 0:02:16and we'll go and meet some snakes.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18We'll see if we can change your mind.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20See if we can make you like snakes.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24- THEY LAUGH - Come on, this way.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29'Snake expert, Donald, is going to try and convince us that,
0:02:29 > 0:02:31'although there are lots of venomous snakes here,
0:02:31 > 0:02:32'we shouldn't be afraid of them.'
0:02:32 > 0:02:35Donald, here we are.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38- Up to me, is it? - What snakes have we got?
0:02:38 > 0:02:40I've got the most dangerous snake...
0:02:40 > 0:02:42and the scariest snake.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46OK? So, yes.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49What do you think is the most dangerous snake
0:02:49 > 0:02:51- found in South Africa? Yes?- Cobra.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55- The cobra? What do you think? - The puff adder.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57- She's right!- The puff adder!
0:03:00 > 0:03:03I've got one here.
0:03:03 > 0:03:04Woh!
0:03:04 > 0:03:06Now, let me pretend to pick it up.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08HISSING
0:03:08 > 0:03:09Ooh!
0:03:09 > 0:03:14It works, in defence, eh? It works to scare you!
0:03:14 > 0:03:16- That is clearly saying, "Go away." - Absolutely.
0:03:16 > 0:03:17"Don't touch me."
0:03:17 > 0:03:19I'm going to take the snake out.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23There we have puff adder!
0:03:23 > 0:03:24SNAKE HISSES
0:03:24 > 0:03:27That's incredible such a small snake is making such a loud noise.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31Absolutely. This puff adder lies in camouflage, so in other words,
0:03:31 > 0:03:35it lies and hides in the bush, waits for its food to come by
0:03:35 > 0:03:38and then it will bite and grab its food.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40When a person comes near, it will hiss at you.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43And if you hear it, what will you do?
0:03:43 > 0:03:46- "Oh, there's the snake!" And then? - Scream.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49You're going to...? Walk away or scream, yes!
0:03:49 > 0:03:50- THEY LAUGH - Move away!
0:03:50 > 0:03:54What will happen if you stand on it?
0:03:54 > 0:03:55It will kill you.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58It will kill us, so let's try something.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00This maybe looks like a foot.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04We could do an experiment. I'm going to walk past, and let's see
0:04:04 > 0:04:07what the puff adder does.
0:04:07 > 0:04:08Here we go. Bang!
0:04:08 > 0:04:11Near to the snake. Coming right up to the snake.
0:04:11 > 0:04:12And we'll stand on it by accident.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Ah!
0:04:14 > 0:04:15And again, and again.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17What is going on?!
0:04:17 > 0:04:19It's not biting!
0:04:19 > 0:04:21And this is so true,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24that many people have stood on the puff adder and it does not bite...
0:04:24 > 0:04:27everything that touches it and bumps on it.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31But there are people bitten. How do you think people get bitten?
0:04:31 > 0:04:33What do people do when they find a snake?
0:04:33 > 0:04:36"There's a snake! What must we do? Huh!"
0:04:36 > 0:04:38They sometimes want to kill it!
0:04:38 > 0:04:41And they want to catch it, and if they do try to kill it,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44then the snake will bite easily.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48Very fast. This is how people get bitten. Interfering with the snake.
0:04:48 > 0:04:53Leave it alone! And the snake will leave us alone. OK?
0:04:53 > 0:04:56Naomi... I'd like to teach you how to capture it safely.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00- Can I do that?- OK. Yes, I trust you.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Let me just get around the snake.
0:05:03 > 0:05:04Naomi, you need to use this stick,
0:05:04 > 0:05:07the length of the stick and the stretch of your arm,
0:05:07 > 0:05:10to create a safe distance away from the snake.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12You need to hook it mid-body, there, somewhere.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15Scoop it up off the ground in a smooth motion.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18I'm right next to you with the stick. There's your container.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21We don't want to kill it, we want to save it.
0:05:26 > 0:05:27SNAKE HISSES
0:05:29 > 0:05:31Lift up as you go.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34That's pretty good. There we go, OK.
0:05:34 > 0:05:35Go straight up, Naomi.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Get it elevated so it can balance. That's it. Brilliant!
0:05:38 > 0:05:42Let's get it over the top of the container. Aim the head and tail.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Get the tail up. Aim the tail, aim the head, lower it down.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49Take a slight step forward to see what you're doing. Down, unhook it.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54Well done! Yay, Naomi!
0:05:55 > 0:05:57THEY APPLAUD
0:05:57 > 0:05:58Well done, eh?
0:05:58 > 0:05:59That was quite scary!
0:06:01 > 0:06:06- Thank you!- Thank you. - Yeah, I did it! Yay...yay...yay.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10You're all brave. Are you OK? You feel all right?
0:06:10 > 0:06:12That was all right, wasn't it?
0:06:12 > 0:06:16Now, I want to show you the scariest snake.
0:06:16 > 0:06:17That's the cobra.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Let's have a look at the snake. In the box, over here.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26It's already standing up.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29I'm going to take it out very carefully.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31Get the tail.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36ALL: Wooh!
0:06:36 > 0:06:38That's a big one, eh?
0:06:38 > 0:06:41When I put my foot near, it's going to bite near the foot.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Let's see if it's going to.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- Movement. Oh! - HE LAUGHS
0:06:47 > 0:06:49It does it to warn you.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51It goes, "Wah!" to scare you.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55Let me try something. I want to go behind the snake.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Ah, I can't get behind! Let me try.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01Maybe I can. Ah! It watches.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03Watches movement.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05It doesn't chase me,
0:07:05 > 0:07:07it doesn't attack me.
0:07:07 > 0:07:08When you see it standing up,
0:07:08 > 0:07:12it is very scary but it doesn't attack you.
0:07:12 > 0:07:13OK?
0:07:13 > 0:07:17'So, cobras look incredibly menacing...
0:07:17 > 0:07:19'but it's purposefully missing Donald's foot.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22'It really doesn't want to bite him.'
0:07:22 > 0:07:25I'm going to pick the snake up.
0:07:25 > 0:07:26I'm going to grab it behind the head,
0:07:26 > 0:07:29and I will allow for you to touch this one.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- Do you want to try and touch it? - Yes.- Yes.
0:07:32 > 0:07:33OK, let me try this gently.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35I need to get the head
0:07:35 > 0:07:36away from the tail,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39so I can pick it up.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Now, I need to get the head under control.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45So, behind the head, very quickly, without hurting the snake,
0:07:45 > 0:07:48so in this way, I can bring the snake around.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51You can see the head there. Have a touch of it here, nicely.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Very gently.
0:07:53 > 0:07:54Wow!
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- So soft!- So soft, eh?
0:07:59 > 0:08:01Look here!
0:08:05 > 0:08:06Oh, wow!
0:08:06 > 0:08:08All the children did it! I can't believe it!
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Did you all do it?! Yeah!
0:08:11 > 0:08:14It's so smooth underneath, isn't it?
0:08:14 > 0:08:15Thank you.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17Did you do it?
0:08:17 > 0:08:18- Yes.- Ah, well done!
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Well done!
0:08:23 > 0:08:25Thank you, Donald, that was absolutely brilliant.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27Are you still scared of snakes@?
0:08:27 > 0:08:28- ALL: No!- Not so scared any more?
0:08:28 > 0:08:30So, if you met a snake now,
0:08:30 > 0:08:32what would you do?
0:08:32 > 0:08:34Leave it and just walk away.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37Leave it alone, walk away.
0:08:37 > 0:08:38Would you kill a snake, ever?
0:08:38 > 0:08:40ALL: No!
0:08:40 > 0:08:43So, surprisingly, after everything we've learnt,
0:08:43 > 0:08:46perhaps they aren't my worst nightmare.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Have you ever had one of those dreams
0:08:52 > 0:08:54where you are falling and falling,
0:08:54 > 0:08:56then you wake up just before you land? Crew?
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- All the time. - They're scary, aren't they?
0:08:59 > 0:09:01Well, the next animal I'm going to meet makes
0:09:01 > 0:09:03a habit of plummeting towards the Earth from great heights,
0:09:03 > 0:09:06and that is why it's a nightmare candidate.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11It's the fastest animal in the world,
0:09:11 > 0:09:14and it hurtles towards the Earth
0:09:14 > 0:09:18at sensational speeds, pretty much every time it needs to eat.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20'I'm about to meet one, along with bird of prey expert, Mark,
0:09:20 > 0:09:24'to see how it's adapted to its lightning-fast flying.'
0:09:25 > 0:09:29This is a peregrine falcon, the fastest animal on the planet.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34It has a pretty terrifying method for catching its prey, doesn't it?
0:09:34 > 0:09:37It does. It goes up really high in the sky. High as the clouds.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40It's waiting for a pigeon or a dove, or a small bird to fly beneath,
0:09:40 > 0:09:43then it comes down in a terrifying dive, called a stoop.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46He tucks his wings next to his body, and that's how it catches its prey.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48Does it catch it in mid-air?
0:09:48 > 0:09:49Sometimes. Sometimes, it'll dive,
0:09:49 > 0:09:51come up underneath it and grab it in the chest.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54Quite often, though, it'll just strike it on the head or the back,
0:09:54 > 0:09:55hopefully killing it outright.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57If it hasn't killed it, it has a little tooth there on the beak,
0:09:57 > 0:09:59called a tomial tooth...
0:10:01 > 0:10:05..and he bites the bird on the back of the neck and kills it that way.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08How else has he adapted to fly at such high speeds?
0:10:08 > 0:10:09If you look at his nostril,
0:10:09 > 0:10:12he has two little bones right in the middle.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15Like a cylindrical cone on a jet aircraft.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19That breaks up the air as he comes down the dive.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22Then his eyes... He has this special nictitating membrane
0:10:22 > 0:10:23that goes across his eye.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29That protects his eyes from dust particles,
0:10:29 > 0:10:31and from drying up, as he comes down in a stoop.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- That's like my own goggles... - Exactly, yeah.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35Do you reckon he can give us a demo?
0:10:35 > 0:10:38I reckon so, definitely. You can see he's raring to go now.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41If you take this glove, you can hold him, if that's OK?
0:10:41 > 0:10:42Brilliant, yes.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- I'll give him to you and get myself ready.- OK.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47Just wrap that around your fingers there.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49And hold on firm.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51If he flies away, he'll take you with him.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53Good luck, I'll see you later.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55- SHE LAUGHS - OK!
0:10:55 > 0:10:57No, wait, wait, wait, wait.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00Come on, Fagan, you can show us.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03Show us the moves. And he's off.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07Oh, he looks so fantastic against that blue sky.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Looks just like a fighter plane.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12Wow!
0:11:12 > 0:11:14And he's coming straight back over our heads.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20- Woo-hoo-hoo! Go on, Fagan.- Come on!
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Ah, yes! Tipped his wings back, just before he got it, didn't he?
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- He got it good.- Aerodynamic. Wow!
0:11:34 > 0:11:36I promise they can go much faster than that.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38They go right up in the sky and can come down in this dive,
0:11:38 > 0:11:39what we call a stoop,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42and can reach speeds of over 200 miles per hour. Amazing!
0:11:42 > 0:11:45Imagine what that would be like, going at that speed!
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Actually, Naomi...
0:11:47 > 0:11:49You are kidding me!
0:11:49 > 0:11:50Here we go.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52"Naomi, you are going to see
0:11:52 > 0:11:55"and experience what it's like to plummet like a peregrine."
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Oh, dear!
0:12:01 > 0:12:04'I'm going to do a skydive.'
0:12:04 > 0:12:06I've gone all wobbly now.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10'Peregrines are perfectly adapted to diving at high speed,
0:12:10 > 0:12:12'but I need specialist equipment.'
0:12:16 > 0:12:20Yeah, let's skydive! Yeah, woo!
0:12:21 > 0:12:24'We're going to be climbing to a height of 4,000 metres
0:12:24 > 0:12:27'before we jump, and will probably reach
0:12:27 > 0:12:30'speeds of 120 miles per hour when we freefall!'
0:12:30 > 0:12:32Yikes!
0:12:37 > 0:12:40'It looks like my nightmare's going to become a reality.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44'I'm pretty terrified, but I'm going to have to face my fear.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53'It's time to feel what it must be like for a peregrine falcon
0:12:53 > 0:12:56'to hurtle towards the ground after its prey.'
0:13:01 > 0:13:02Oh, my gosh!
0:13:21 > 0:13:23Ah! Holy moly!
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Ah!
0:13:32 > 0:13:33Ah!
0:13:33 > 0:13:37Woo-hoo-hoo! Amazing!
0:13:38 > 0:13:40Woo! Woo!
0:13:42 > 0:13:44Woo!
0:13:47 > 0:13:51Oh! That's the most terrifying thing I've ever done.
0:13:53 > 0:13:54- Oh!- We survived!
0:13:54 > 0:13:56The parachute is up, thank goodness!
0:13:56 > 0:13:59Ah! Ah!
0:13:59 > 0:14:04I probably travelled about a mile at around 120 miles an hour.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08To think a peregrine would go at 200 miles an hour or more...
0:14:08 > 0:14:11I just would not want to go any faster than that.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13I think my face would have turned inside out!
0:14:13 > 0:14:17That was utterly terrifying!
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- Is that them down there? - SHE SCREAMS
0:14:26 > 0:14:30Wooh!
0:14:30 > 0:14:32Oh, my word!
0:14:38 > 0:14:40SHE SCREAMS
0:14:43 > 0:14:45Oh, my gosh!
0:14:45 > 0:14:46How are you feeling?
0:14:46 > 0:14:47So relieved to be on the ground!
0:14:51 > 0:14:54You're travelling so fast.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56To think that a peregrine
0:14:56 > 0:15:01would have been travelling faster than I was there...is unreal!
0:15:01 > 0:15:04There is no way you can say a peregrine falcon
0:15:04 > 0:15:06looks a nightmare of nature...
0:15:06 > 0:15:11but, my word, catching prey on the wing, falling at those speeds,
0:15:11 > 0:15:15that is really the stuff bad dreams are made of.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19That was the most terrifying, fun, scary thing I've ever done.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23That is why the hunt of the peregrine falcon could definitely be
0:15:23 > 0:15:25my worst nightmare!
0:15:25 > 0:15:27Oh!
0:15:27 > 0:15:29SHE LAUGHS
0:15:30 > 0:15:34'The next animal I'm meeting is a honey badger,
0:15:34 > 0:15:37'and it doesn't look very nightmarish.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40'But it's a brave little beast that has to live alongside
0:15:40 > 0:15:43'some of Africa's scariest animals.'
0:15:43 > 0:15:45One reason honey badgers are probably so brave
0:15:45 > 0:15:48is they have this incredibly tough skin.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51Not only is their skin incredibly tough,
0:15:51 > 0:15:53it's also fitted very loosely.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56You can feel it moving around over its body.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59That means it can squirm around inside its own skin,
0:15:59 > 0:16:01so if it's attacked and held by the scruff of the neck,
0:16:01 > 0:16:02by maybe a hyena or a leopard,
0:16:02 > 0:16:04it'll twist around inside its own skin,
0:16:04 > 0:16:08and bite the attacker until the attacker is forced to let it go.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11How brilliant is that as a defence strategy?
0:16:11 > 0:16:12Amazing!
0:16:12 > 0:16:15If the honey badger feels threatened or frightened,
0:16:15 > 0:16:17it will put up an intimidating display.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21It will make rushing movements towards its potential enemy,
0:16:21 > 0:16:23let out a loud, rattling roar,
0:16:23 > 0:16:26and, not only that, it also has a scent gland
0:16:26 > 0:16:30in the base of its tail that stores stinky liquid,
0:16:30 > 0:16:33so if it feels scared, it will basically drop a stink bomb,
0:16:33 > 0:16:38which sends out a clear message saying, "Leave me alone."
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Pfft! I think he's let it off on me! Eurgh!
0:16:43 > 0:16:45SHE LAUGHS
0:16:45 > 0:16:48Oh, that is rank!
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Have you brought your own car to travel back in?
0:16:50 > 0:16:53- Cos, frankly, that's disgusting. - That is gross! Smell that...
0:16:53 > 0:16:57- No, I don't want it! Get off! - Smell that!
0:16:57 > 0:16:59- Want a whiff?- No!
0:16:59 > 0:17:03Well, apart from the foul smell, she wasn't much of a nightmare.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07But I think she was an exception to the rule.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Honey badgers are normally fierce, aggressive,
0:17:10 > 0:17:13and utterly fearless, and they'll take on anything.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17Their tough skin is impermeable to the stings of bees,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20and they're immune to the venom of some snakes.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24And if that wasn't enough to make them a nightmare contender,
0:17:24 > 0:17:27they're unbelievably clever, too. Centre manager, Brian,
0:17:27 > 0:17:31is going to introduce us to one that is particularly ingenious.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34And he most definitely lives up to the ferocious reputation.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36HONEY BADGER GROWLS
0:17:36 > 0:17:40- Oh! Cor, he's making a really aggressive noise, isn't he?- Yeah.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43- So, he has escaped from this pen many, many times.- Hundreds of times.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45How does he get out?
0:17:45 > 0:17:47Well, we put in tyres, in here.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49We put in plastic dishes, all sorts.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51And he uses all of them, and rolls, and stands up, and gets out.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53Gets out.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56- He's grabbed the female, stood on her, and climbed out.- Stood on her?
0:17:56 > 0:17:58Yeah, that's the one he stood on.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00He grabbed her, put her down, and stood on her.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- Since we put this up, he hasn't got out once.- It's an electric fence?
0:18:03 > 0:18:05That's for sure. Touch it, if you don't believe me.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07That's the only thing... No, I believe you.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Brian said we'd get a demonstration of their
0:18:10 > 0:18:13incredible intelligence, if we provided them with a stick.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19He's looking to see if he can get out with the stick.
0:18:19 > 0:18:25Watch this, he's going to carry it on his back, then he puts it up.
0:18:25 > 0:18:26Cheeky thing.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30He's watching me. He knows when he gets up,
0:18:30 > 0:18:33I'll push him down again. He can't get out.
0:18:34 > 0:18:35I am nervous of him.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49He is, he's coming up.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53Wow. He's so intelligent. He's coming up.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57Don't, you'll buzz yourself! He's persistent, I'll give him that.
0:18:57 > 0:18:58See, the back leg's even coming.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02So, now he knows that that could potentially get him out of here.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05He knows it'd get him out. And it will, too. He'll make a plan.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09There he goes with his stick. Yeah, he's going to put his stick up again.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12You can really see him thinking of what to do next,
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- figuring out strategies.- He's planning what he's going to do next.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21Brian needs to try and get the stick back, so he can't escape.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25I want your stick. Come.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28SHE GASPS
0:19:28 > 0:19:30Cor, he's fierce!
0:19:33 > 0:19:36He's got it, he's got it up. There it is.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39- He won't let go.- Be careful, be careful, be careful.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- He's going to get my hand, now.- No.
0:19:47 > 0:19:52He'll never give that stick away, probably. There's no way.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56So, the honey badger is world famous for being fearless.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59They'll basically take on any animal of any size,
0:19:59 > 0:20:00can survive multiple bee stings,
0:20:00 > 0:20:02snakebites, encounters with big cats.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05They are seriously well armed.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07So, don't be fooled by their cute, furry appearance,
0:20:07 > 0:20:11they are a definite contender for my worst nightmare.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17'To see the next animal, I'm heading out on safari.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21'I've never done this before, so I'm pretty excited.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25'There's wildlife around every corner.'
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Fantastic.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33Oh, there's a zebra in the road up ahead.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35It's a real zebra crossing.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46We haven't seen what we're looking for yet.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48We're on the lookout for African elephants, which may not seem
0:20:48 > 0:20:52like your archetypal nightmare, but they are one of the most
0:20:52 > 0:20:55dangerous animals here in Africa, and they are responsible
0:20:55 > 0:20:57for human deaths every year.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01Of course, they don't deliberately kill people.
0:21:01 > 0:21:06Despite being the biggest animals on land, they're usually peaceful.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09But at certain times, they can be aggressive and dangerous.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Females with young are particularly unpredictable,
0:21:12 > 0:21:15and young males that want to breed can be extremely destructive
0:21:15 > 0:21:18and often engage in violent battles.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21You wouldn't want to get in the way of an angry elephant.
0:21:24 > 0:21:29Oh, look up here. We've got a tree that's been pushed over.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33Very likely, an elephant did that. Shows how strong they are.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39Look, look, look, look! Elephants!
0:21:40 > 0:21:42There's loads of them!
0:21:45 > 0:21:50'Apparently, one of the males is in a bit of a bad mood today.'
0:21:50 > 0:21:53(Is it this one?)
0:21:53 > 0:21:57(It's the biggest, tallest, most huge elephant that's grumpy.)
0:22:05 > 0:22:07(He's coming towards us.)
0:22:08 > 0:22:11RANGER SPEAKS INTO INTERCOM
0:22:11 > 0:22:13(Are we OK?)
0:22:13 > 0:22:15(Oh, here they come.)
0:22:18 > 0:22:20(Are we OK to just sit?)
0:22:21 > 0:22:23Hold on here.
0:22:25 > 0:22:26SHE GASPS
0:22:28 > 0:22:30ELEPHANT TRUMPETS
0:22:34 > 0:22:38(This grumpy guy here is making various display signs)
0:22:38 > 0:22:41(just to show us he's in charge.)
0:22:41 > 0:22:45(Throwing dust over himself and rubbing his foot against the floor.)
0:22:45 > 0:22:49(He's throwing it full of dust. Look at him.)
0:22:49 > 0:22:51This is for us.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53(OK, he's not...)
0:22:53 > 0:22:56These two are just displaying.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00'Elephants are seriously heavy and powerful,
0:23:00 > 0:23:04'and could probably turn our vehicle over if they wanted to.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06'They're all moving together now,
0:23:06 > 0:23:09'with the grumpy male bringing up the rear.'
0:23:18 > 0:23:22No. No. No.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25It's nothing to do with you. Cheers.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29(That male is not happy today.)
0:23:29 > 0:23:33(He's coming towards us, he's coming towards us!)
0:23:33 > 0:23:34OK.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42SHE SIGHS IN RELIEF
0:23:46 > 0:23:48Everyone all right?
0:23:49 > 0:23:54That was scary. My heart is pounding. Is yours?
0:23:54 > 0:23:57I think all of us in this vehicle
0:23:57 > 0:24:04have got hearts that are racing. Wow, that was scary!
0:24:04 > 0:24:08So elephants clearly have nightmare qualities,
0:24:08 > 0:24:11but as well as being very strong, and sometimes grumpy,
0:24:11 > 0:24:15they are also gentle, social, clever and even caring.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20I've come to an elephant rescue centre to meet Andre,
0:24:20 > 0:24:23who's going to show me their softer side.
0:24:23 > 0:24:28- Right, so this is old Medwa.- Hello, Medwa.- He's about 17, 18 years old.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32- He's huge, I suddenly feel tiny. - He gets bigger when he gets closer.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36'Time to try and show just how intelligent these animals are.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38'We're going to test Medwa's memory.'
0:24:38 > 0:24:42What we'll do is introduce Trinity, he's our senior groom,
0:24:42 > 0:24:46then what he's going to do is he'll give you a couple of pellets
0:24:46 > 0:24:49and you'll put it into his trunk and he's going to repeat your name.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51Naomi, Naomi, Naomi.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54And you'll do that three times and then we'll leave him. OK.
0:24:54 > 0:25:02- OK.- Medwa, this is Naomi. Remember, Naomi. Naomi. This is Naomi.
0:25:02 > 0:25:08- Well done, Medwa. Good boy.- Andy. - Andy, you're up.- OK.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11- Hello, lovely.- Right, Medwa, this is Andy.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14'Trinity introduces Medwa to the whole team.'
0:25:14 > 0:25:19Medwa, this is Kirsty. Medwa, this is Mike. Remember, Mike.
0:25:19 > 0:25:24- Well done, Medwa. Remember, Mike. - Nice to meet you, Medwa.- Good boy.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28- OK.- I know I couldn't remember all that if I'd just been told it.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32- I can.- You've got it written on your hand - cheating!
0:25:33 > 0:25:35'So he's met us all.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38'Now we're going to wait ten minutes, and see it's really true
0:25:38 > 0:25:40'that an elephant never forgets.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44'Memory is important in their complex societies,
0:25:44 > 0:25:46'as it means they can distinguish
0:25:46 > 0:25:49'the calls of elephants they know, from elephants they don't.'
0:25:49 > 0:25:52Just give me your hat there.
0:25:52 > 0:25:57OK, right-oh. Medwa, pick up the hat and give it to Mike.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01- Give it to Mike, Medwa.- Give the cap to Mike.- Remember, Mike.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04- NAOMI GASPS IN EXCITEMENT - Well done.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07THEY APPLAUD
0:26:07 > 0:26:13- Wow! You are fantastic. - OK, let's give it to Naomi.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16Pick up the hat, give it to Naomi.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22Pick it up, pick it up. Give it to Naomi.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25- SHE GASPS - Well done.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29Aw, that could make me cry. Clever clogs.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39OK, don't worry.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Well, there is definitely no disputing that this
0:26:45 > 0:26:50magnificent animal towering over me can be very dangerous
0:26:50 > 0:26:54but now, having seen how intelligent they are, too,
0:26:54 > 0:26:58can we consider them a nightmare or not? I'm torn.
0:26:58 > 0:26:59MEDWA EXHALES
0:27:02 > 0:27:05EVIL LAUGHTER
0:27:06 > 0:27:10So what in this northern part of South Africa
0:27:10 > 0:27:12has been my worst nightmare?
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Well, we were confronted by a very bad-tempered
0:27:15 > 0:27:17but highly intelligent elephant.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20I took a nerve-wracking dive out of a plane to try and mimic
0:27:20 > 0:27:22the stoop of a peregrine falcon
0:27:22 > 0:27:25and we tried to convince some local kids that they
0:27:25 > 0:27:29really can learn to live in harmony with some seriously scary snakes.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33But I'll have to hand it to that snake-slaying, bee-munching badger
0:27:33 > 0:27:35that isn't afraid of anything at all.
0:27:35 > 0:27:40The honey badger - definitely my worst nightmare here.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44GROWLING
0:27:46 > 0:27:47OK?
0:27:50 > 0:27:51SHE LAUGHS
0:27:56 > 0:27:58That was literally the first step you took!
0:27:58 > 0:28:02THEY ALL LAUGH
0:28:08 > 0:28:10Eighth time lucky!