0:00:28 > 0:00:30Africa,
0:00:30 > 0:00:35home to one of the most elusive and threatened animals on earth -
0:00:35 > 0:00:37the wild dog.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44I'm going to travel with three special dogs
0:00:44 > 0:00:49as they set off on what could be the most dangerous journey of their lives.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53We're going with them to see if they can make it.
0:01:10 > 0:01:15Wild dogs used to be found all over Africa in their thousands,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19but now there are only a handful left in a few very isolated places.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24We're away. Hello!
0:01:24 > 0:01:29'It's quite a mission just getting to where the wild dog families are still managing to survive.'
0:01:29 > 0:01:31Thank you.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37So where do we have to go to find wild dogs?
0:01:37 > 0:01:42I'm in Botswana, a country in the middle of Africa.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46It looks pretty small on the map, but it's actually enormous!
0:01:48 > 0:01:51The dogs are in an area called the Okavango,
0:01:51 > 0:01:55but I've got a long, long way to go to get there.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05Three days' travelling, and we're here at last -
0:02:05 > 0:02:07wild dog country.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11Now, I've been lucky enough to work with wild dogs before,
0:02:11 > 0:02:14and I know how hard this is going to be.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17The only way we're going to be able to find them
0:02:17 > 0:02:20is by working with people who live and breathe wild dogs.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24One of those people is Newman,
0:02:24 > 0:02:28a bushman with an almost magical understanding of how the dogs live.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30The other person is Mike,
0:02:30 > 0:02:35who has lived with and filmed wild dogs for over 20 years.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37OK, are we ready?
0:02:37 > 0:02:42He knows the individual dogs almost as well as he knows his own family.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47With the help of Mike and Newman, I want to understand the wild dogs,
0:02:47 > 0:02:52the dangers they face and why they have to do these incredible journeys.
0:02:55 > 0:03:00Right now, Mike and Newman are concerned about three dogs in particular,
0:03:00 > 0:03:02individuals who are coming up
0:03:02 > 0:03:06to perhaps the most critical moments in their lives.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08This is Punter.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12And this is his brother, Jones.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16Mike has watched these two grow into key members of the family,
0:03:16 > 0:03:18looking after youngsters and leading the hunts.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22But now it's time for them to move on.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Punter and Jones are about to risk death
0:03:24 > 0:03:28by leaving the sanctuary of the pack to find mates of their own.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35The second dog we'll be following is Chesney.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37His is a sad story.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41He used to be the leader of his pack, but a younger, stronger male
0:03:41 > 0:03:45has taken his place and Chesney's been thrown out.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47He's on his own.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52Success for Chesney will be to find another pack that will take him in.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54Failure will mean death.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01So what's so important about being in the pack?
0:04:01 > 0:04:06The wild dogs of Africa are the victims of a unique role reversal.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10Out here, they are the underdogs and cats are king.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14Every day they run the risk of becoming dog meat for big cats.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19The only way such small animals can survive is by using teamwork,
0:04:19 > 0:04:23and wild dogs are about the best example of teamwork you'll ever see,
0:04:23 > 0:04:26totally supportive of each other.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34It helps that the whole pack is one big extended family.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37If it's your little brothers and sisters in danger,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40you don't hold back.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10GROWLING
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Without a pack to back him up,
0:05:16 > 0:05:20any wild dog soon becomes easy pickings for the big cats.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24Even in a pack most dogs do carry battle scars,
0:05:24 > 0:05:27often really nasty fresh wounds.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31It's a tough life for a dog out here,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34but at least you're part of a team.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40Yet Punter and Jones are just about to leave the safety of the pack...
0:05:42 > 0:05:46..and Chesney is already out there, alone.
0:05:53 > 0:05:58Before we can set out, everything has to be bolted down and padded out.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02All the camera gear has to be checked and rechecked
0:06:02 > 0:06:05and each vehicle gets a once-over every day.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07It's gonna cost you, guv!
0:06:09 > 0:06:12We've no idea where the dogs are going take us.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15We have to be totally self-sufficient,
0:06:15 > 0:06:17ready to camp wherever the dogs lead us.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19And one thing's for sure -
0:06:19 > 0:06:24they're going to run us ragged, because they're always on the move.
0:06:26 > 0:06:31They can cover huge distances, up to 40 kilometres - that's a full marathon -
0:06:31 > 0:06:33every single day.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38In fact, just finding them in the first place
0:06:38 > 0:06:40needs a full-scale military-style operation.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49Day one, and it's time to find the old man, Chesney.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Here's the drill. First, the eyes in the sky.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57Cameraman and now pilot Mike Holding is the first link in the chain.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Somewhere down there, in the vastness of Botswana,
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Chesney is probably snoozing under a tree.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19But he's got a special radio collar round his neck
0:07:19 > 0:07:21which transmits a regular tiny bleep.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24If he's lucky, Mike can pick up Chesney's transmitter
0:07:24 > 0:07:29and, by some very skilled flying, pinpoint his exact position.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34It's a technique that's taken years to perfect.
0:07:38 > 0:07:39BLEEPING
0:07:39 > 0:07:43RAPID BEEPING
0:07:43 > 0:07:45That's it.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47Got him!
0:07:50 > 0:07:53INDISTINCT RADIO MESSAGE
0:07:53 > 0:07:57Yeah, yeah, fire away. We've got a pen and paper. 'Then it's our turn.'
0:07:57 > 0:08:00As soon as Mike gives me the co-ordinates, we'll be off.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06OK, copy that. Newman's happy with the directions.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09We'll get going and see what we can find.
0:08:09 > 0:08:15As soon as Mike's passed on the co-ordinates, he lands and races back to join us on the ground.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21Right now, Chesney is about five miles away from us.
0:08:21 > 0:08:26We can't hang about. He could get up and trot off at any moment.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32Getting around here is a nightmare.
0:08:32 > 0:08:38Probably the worst of all is trying to bash through the forest, and guess where Chesney is hanging out?
0:08:38 > 0:08:41We've got to get through that!
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Here we go. Heads up.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Let's just get up again and try and do it.
0:08:56 > 0:09:02- We must have just passed them. - Yeah, really strong from just back there.- OK.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10Bitten and scratched and biffed and bashed!
0:09:10 > 0:09:11- OK?- OK.- OK.
0:09:11 > 0:09:17'Now then, Mike's told me there have already been some dramatic developments in Chesney's story.
0:09:17 > 0:09:22'When he was driven out of the pack, it turns out four other dogs chose to go with him.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25'And not just any old dogs - four of Chesney's own kids.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29'So now we're not looking for one dog, we're looking for five.'
0:09:29 > 0:09:32We could be right on top of them at the moment,
0:09:32 > 0:09:38but they're just so well camouflaged that they'll be just curled up in a little ball,
0:09:39 > 0:09:42and we won't have a clue until we nearly run over them.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44Watch your head.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52That was close! Eyes peeled - they're gonna be quite close now.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Ooh, there's one. There you go.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01- There we go.- See them?- Yes.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10I can understand now
0:10:10 > 0:10:12why it takes so long to blinkin' find them.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16He is a beat-up old man, isn't he?
0:10:16 > 0:10:20So funny when you look at his kids -
0:10:20 > 0:10:23they look so fresh and clean.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27He's been around a bit, he's seen a few scores...
0:10:28 > 0:10:30..and hunted a few antelope.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Chesney left his group, is that right?
0:10:38 > 0:10:40Well, he was actually driven out.
0:10:40 > 0:10:45He was the alpha male, and these four youngsters actually went with him.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49You'd think they'd stay with their mother, so why they left with Dad...
0:10:49 > 0:10:52He got custody, which is quite unusual.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Cheeky Chesney!
0:10:58 > 0:11:01At first sight, this looks like good news.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04Five dogs altogether is surely better than one all alone.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08Well, no. Actually, it's a huge headache for Chesney.
0:11:08 > 0:11:13The pups aren't old enough to hunt - they haven't got the skills.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Chesney is having to hunt for them all on his own.
0:11:16 > 0:11:21All they want to do is muck about.
0:11:21 > 0:11:22Wild-dog rugby!
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Four kids -
0:11:25 > 0:11:28that's pretty tough.
0:11:29 > 0:11:34You know, you've got an adult dog that's trying to feed four kids on their own.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37You know, he used to be top dog,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40and now no female, kicked out the troupe.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45It's a hard life.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49So, all he can hope for is another...
0:11:50 > 0:11:52..buxom young maiden
0:11:52 > 0:11:57to come knocking his way and to get a second chance
0:11:57 > 0:12:01to rear some more kids, because that's what it's all about.
0:12:04 > 0:12:10- If they decided not to go out to hunt, would they just stay there, or...?- No.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13- They have to move.- They have to move?
0:12:13 > 0:12:18They do have a very strong smell or scent which can attract everybody.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22So they are constantly on the move even just to keep away from predators?
0:12:22 > 0:12:26- Definitely. They have to move, yeah. - You don't think that of predators.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Normally, you'd think they just rest up where they like.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31- That is tough, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33So they really are at the mercy of the cats.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37- Yeah.- So it's a "cat eat dog" world out there!- That's right, yeah!
0:12:41 > 0:12:43Is that an injury on its flank?
0:12:45 > 0:12:49Oh, yes! One of the juveniles is badly injured, actually.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52It's got a sizeable hole on its side.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55It's the one that's playing quite happily at the moment,
0:12:55 > 0:12:58so it just looks like a skin wound.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03- You see that quite commonly, then? - Yeah. It happens sometimes when they bash through the bushes
0:13:03 > 0:13:07and then there are some stumps pointing
0:13:07 > 0:13:10and then they get cut through
0:13:10 > 0:13:12and sometimes they can break their legs.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20Normally, the whole pack would be working together to feed these youngsters.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22If Chesney had been on his own,
0:13:22 > 0:13:26the pressure to join another pack would have been big enough,
0:13:26 > 0:13:30but now, with four other mouths to feed, he's just got to find help.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35If he can't, this can only end in tragedy.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42Yesterday was brilliant.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47We managed to find Chesney and we stayed with him and his pups until it got dark.
0:14:47 > 0:14:52Today, I'm hoping we can track down the other key characters in this story. Remember them?
0:14:52 > 0:14:58Punter and Jones, the two young, up-for-anything brothers.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12Right now, Punter and Jones are still with their pack -
0:15:12 > 0:15:1413 dogs in all.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18But everyone's expecting them to leave at any time.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22Remember, their problem is they're still living with their mum and dad,
0:15:22 > 0:15:27but if they want to have kids of their own they're gonna have to make the break.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32Packs are family,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35and, like all families, there comes a time when you have to leave.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37Young dogs like Punter and Jones
0:15:37 > 0:15:41have grown up to be a great help to their parents,
0:15:41 > 0:15:46successful hunters and fiercely loyal protectors of their younger siblings.
0:15:47 > 0:15:52But if they're gonna have a chance of rearing their own litters, they must go.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58At this time of the year, small groups of young males and young females
0:15:58 > 0:16:02will be building up the courage to leave their packs
0:16:02 > 0:16:05and set out on their own to try and find new mates
0:16:05 > 0:16:08and start their own families.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12But when will Punter and Jones actually make the break?
0:16:14 > 0:16:16RADIO STATIC
0:16:18 > 0:16:20Hmm, not good.
0:16:22 > 0:16:27We going to try and see if we can pick up some tracks.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30Yep. Well, we're going to have to rely on you now, Newman.
0:16:30 > 0:16:35'Mike did get a signal from Punter and Jones's pack from the air,
0:16:35 > 0:16:39'and we've raced to where they were, but too late! They've gone.'
0:16:45 > 0:16:49- That's dog prints there, yeah? - Yeah, fresh.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51It's time for Newman to take over.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57Newman is a bushman and has extraordinary skills.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02So if we find no tracks you just have to kind of...
0:17:02 > 0:17:04- guess what the dog's gonna do?- Yes.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06So you've really got to think like a dog, then?
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Yeah. You have to think twice.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12You see this waterhole like this?
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Sometimes when the dogs come,
0:17:14 > 0:17:18they come through these waterholes,
0:17:18 > 0:17:21a chance for a drink or to try and cool themselves,
0:17:21 > 0:17:24and then, as they walk through...
0:17:24 > 0:17:27So what we're going to do is just stop here
0:17:27 > 0:17:30and check around the pan
0:17:30 > 0:17:34and see if we can pick up the tracks.
0:17:34 > 0:17:35Yeah. OK.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45- They came here. See that?- Ah, yes.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47- Came here. See what I mean?- Yeah.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50- There's another one, and there's another.- Yeah.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52What they did, they came here,
0:17:52 > 0:17:56and then you can see the other tracks, you see?
0:17:56 > 0:18:00Oh, yeah, you've got just a few nail tracks.
0:18:00 > 0:18:05- That is amazing.- And along there. - It suddenly all becomes clear. Yes.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07See? Stopped here.
0:18:07 > 0:18:08Yeah.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11So stopped, come to a stop, yeah.
0:18:11 > 0:18:16Stopped here and then looked at the other dogs, and then came through here.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19You see the tracks, they came through here. Just, just.
0:18:19 > 0:18:24Just! Well, you might just be able to, but I'd never pick that out.
0:18:24 > 0:18:29- You can see they're running here. - It's like a whole new language.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- They're still running. - Still running.
0:18:34 > 0:18:40'The trail should take us all the way to the pack and, hopefully, Punter and Jones themselves.'
0:18:40 > 0:18:43There they are, yeah. Excellent.
0:18:45 > 0:18:50Newman's found the pack all right, but no Punter and Jones.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52What's going on?
0:18:52 > 0:18:56There's three there, got two in there. Is there another one?
0:18:56 > 0:19:00- Can you see them, Mike?- No, they're not there. This is typical.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04They've been spending more and more time away from the pack,
0:19:04 > 0:19:07and then one day they just won't come back, they'll be gone.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10So they could have actually made the break today?
0:19:10 > 0:19:13We can't have been that lucky!
0:19:13 > 0:19:18We'll just have to wait and see. Why don't you guys back off and have some coffee?
0:19:24 > 0:19:26OK.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31This is Africa, remember.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35Wild dogs are not the only animals roaming about in the forest.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37- How far away were they? - Those trees in the back.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- Yeah?- They're right there.- Oh, OK.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Just, if you kneel down you can see their feet walking.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48We're getting packed up because the elephants are coming.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Could be bad.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55I'll hang on to a cup of tea, still.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07ELEPHANT TRUMPETS
0:20:08 > 0:20:13That's quite close to where Mike is there, and the dogs.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15There could be more.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17BRANCHES SNAP
0:20:21 > 0:20:23LOW RUMBLING
0:20:31 > 0:20:34GROWLING
0:20:35 > 0:20:40Close encounters with elephants can be pretty scary.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45Thankfully, we're at a respectable distance here, but it's a good reminder
0:20:45 > 0:20:49that over the next couple of weeks we're going to have to be careful.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55- RADIO:- 'Steve, Steve for Mike.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02- 'Yeah, Steve?- Punter and Jones are back, guys. They're back.'
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Punter and Jones have returned,
0:21:12 > 0:21:15and everyone seems mighty glad to see them.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17So they haven't made the break today.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24They're in a right mess, though, covered in mud, it looks like,
0:21:24 > 0:21:28and Punter's picked up a nasty cut on his leg.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Ow, that does look sore.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40And they're off. We've got to try and keep up with the pack now.
0:21:40 > 0:21:45If we lose them we'll have to start all over again, Mike up in the aeroplane and everything.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50But there's just no knowing where they'll go or when they'll stop.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52We're on dog time now.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57THUNDER RUMBLES
0:22:05 > 0:22:08It's the rainy season,
0:22:08 > 0:22:11and by rain we mean proper rain.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Yeah, we're going, Newman.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17We're gonna get wet. We're gonna get very wet.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26Oh, we'll just use the back edge of this. This'll be fine.
0:22:28 > 0:22:29Nice(!)
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Look at those two.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41- OK?- Yeah, good, thanks, Newman. Never been better(!)
0:22:41 > 0:22:45This tarp is like, it's already formed a pool in it,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48and if I tip down the edge it just pours off.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51You're tipping the water on to me, aren't you?
0:22:53 > 0:22:56We haven't got any covers for 'em, mate.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02Let's move!
0:23:02 > 0:23:05Then we'll get through the other side of it quicker.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10"Africa," they said.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12"Sun," they said.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16- You folks OK there?- Yeah, we're fine, yeah. We're wet but we're fine.
0:23:27 > 0:23:32The rain might have slowed us down, but the dogs just lap it up.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37THUNDER CRASHES
0:23:41 > 0:23:44RADIO: '..Going southwest from where we left it...
0:23:46 > 0:23:49'Yeah, all heading southwest... '
0:23:51 > 0:23:56Following the pack at night is ten times more difficult than during the day,
0:23:56 > 0:23:59and it feels like they're never going to stop.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Newman, stop for a second.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30RADIO: 'OK, stop guys, stop, stop.'
0:24:34 > 0:24:35DOG BARKS
0:24:35 > 0:24:38- RADIO:- 'Did anyone hear that? - Affirmative, Mike.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40'It sounded pretty close.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43'Yeah, it was a lion alarm bark. There must be lions about.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46'Let's just keep quiet for a second.'
0:24:46 > 0:24:48DOG BARKS
0:24:48 > 0:24:50'Yeah, OK, that's it, there's lions.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53'It's time to back off, guys.'
0:24:54 > 0:24:59Wild dogs have a whole range of calls, barks and whines,
0:24:59 > 0:25:05but that call is reserved for just one thing - lions.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08We can't take the risk that we could distract the dogs in any way
0:25:08 > 0:25:12when they need to be focusing on the lions,
0:25:12 > 0:25:14so back off and make camp where we can.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Walking like this out of camp,
0:25:25 > 0:25:28you really are in the middle of nowhere.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32There's just this all around you.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36There could be a lion 250 metres away.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40But it's weird to think out here on my own,
0:25:40 > 0:25:43250 kilos' worth of lion
0:25:43 > 0:25:49and 80 - OK, 85 - kilos of me.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52It's got teeth, it's got claws,
0:25:52 > 0:25:54super-fast reflexes.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57I've got...
0:25:57 > 0:26:00sandals on.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02Hmm...
0:26:03 > 0:26:06Punter and Jones will be long gone.
0:26:06 > 0:26:11They probably hunted at first light, which could have taken them literally miles away.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14The dogs just never stop moving.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19Well, actually, that's not totally true.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25They do stop, just once a year,
0:26:25 > 0:26:29for a very important reason - to make babies.
0:26:30 > 0:26:35To create a den, they spruce up an old warthog or hyena burrow.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43Only the dominant female gives birth,
0:26:43 > 0:26:46but the entire pack clusters around to help.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50Everyone chips in, bringing back food from hunts,
0:26:50 > 0:26:54protecting and playing with the new arrivals.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59This is how Chesney, Punter and Jones
0:26:59 > 0:27:01will all have started their lives.
0:27:05 > 0:27:11But staying in one place exposes the pack and the pups to terrible danger.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17A stationary target is far more easy to hit than a moving one.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20And they do get hit.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27The dogs have one mortal enemy.
0:27:27 > 0:27:33Lions seem to have an almost pathological hatred of dogs.
0:27:54 > 0:28:00More than half of all wild dog youngsters are killed by lions.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13The lions' ever-present threat is one good reason why Chesney,
0:28:13 > 0:28:19Punter and Jones and all wild dogs must live life on the run.
0:28:25 > 0:28:30Because the dogs are keeping such unsociable hours, we're having to do pretty much the same.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33That means up at half past four,
0:28:33 > 0:28:36off to find them before they go out on the hunt.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41Thankfully, the dawn chorus here means that...
0:28:41 > 0:28:43BIRDS CALL NOISILY
0:28:43 > 0:28:48..you don't have to set an alarm clock. I think I'll have another five minutes.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51ENGINE DOESN'T FIRE
0:28:59 > 0:29:01Things are getting a bit tense this morning.
0:29:01 > 0:29:06We're late leaving, there's vehicle problems, lost kit.
0:29:06 > 0:29:12Unfortunately, Punter and Jones and the rest of their pack
0:29:12 > 0:29:16are deep within the mopane, the woodland, we can't get to them,
0:29:16 > 0:29:19so we're going to try and find Chesney and his chums.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25But yeah, a bit tense, a few teddies flying around.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28You know, it's hard work,
0:29:28 > 0:29:33and with Mike up in the plane and us down here, communications can be quite difficult, as well.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36But we'll see, we'll see what goes on.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41- RADIO:- 'Come on, guys, where are you? Newman, where are you?'
0:29:41 > 0:29:45We haven't seen Chesney for a few days, and he's so exposed.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47It would be good to catch up with him and know he's OK.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54Our vehicle, Nyati, isn't sounding too hot, though.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56ENGINE MAKES SQUEAKING NOISE
0:30:03 > 0:30:06Yeah. Hi, Mike. We have a problem with Nyati.
0:30:06 > 0:30:10The water pump bearing has gone, and I don't think there's much we can do.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12'Well, good luck with the dogs,
0:30:12 > 0:30:17'and I'll see if I can source another water pump in the meantime.'
0:30:17 > 0:30:21Now we've taken it all apart, we've got to put it all back together
0:30:21 > 0:30:25and then go back to camp and take it all apart...
0:30:25 > 0:30:27- Can you hold that for me, Steve?- Yep.
0:30:27 > 0:30:32Yep. ..and get the new bit then put it all back together again.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41So, one vehicle out of commission,
0:30:41 > 0:30:45but at least we've got one as spare.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47Ah.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51Some steering mechanism on the wheel has basically collapsed,
0:30:51 > 0:30:55so I don't think this car's going anywhere.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59It never rains but it pours, even in Botswana.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03We'd only been going about less than a minute,
0:31:03 > 0:31:10and the other vehicle now has got quite a major problem with its steering,
0:31:10 > 0:31:15- so I think today is just going to be one of those days. - RADIO:- 'Mike, Mike, Mike to Trevor.'
0:31:15 > 0:31:18Mike, the kingpin bearing, it has completely shorn off.
0:31:18 > 0:31:23- 'Well, that's buggered that.' - Yeah, that's affirmative, Mike.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31The dogs, I think, will have to wait.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34The chance of finding the pack now is gone.
0:31:34 > 0:31:39A bit frustrating, but that's chasing wild dogs for you.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46If it's tough on the iron and steel of our cars,
0:31:46 > 0:31:49how much harder is this place on flesh and bone?
0:31:49 > 0:31:53Wild dogs take a terrible beating.
0:31:53 > 0:31:59Running at high speed over the bush inevitably results in cuts, tears and even broken limbs.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03Couple that with the ever-present threat from other, bigger, predators
0:32:03 > 0:32:07and it's easy to see why all of them carry scars
0:32:07 > 0:32:10and often fresh wounds.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13It's hard to imagine how they can keep on moving, even hunting,
0:32:13 > 0:32:16with such terrible damage, yet they do.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19These animals are unbelievably tough.
0:32:19 > 0:32:23They seem to shrug off wounds that would keep a human hospitalised for weeks.
0:32:23 > 0:32:28And then there are some stories of injured dogs that simply defy belief.
0:32:31 > 0:32:36Some years ago, a dog called Skree broke his front leg really badly.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40A bad leg break would spell death for most wild animals,
0:32:40 > 0:32:42but Skree didn't die.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46Two years later, he's still alive.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50He can only hobble, but the pack keep food for him,
0:32:50 > 0:32:55defend him against predators and, as far as they can, wait for him to catch up.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00Almost unbelievable.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15There's one on the swamp track.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17We've bodged Nyati as best we can.
0:33:17 > 0:33:21If we take it steady, she should hold out. We're back on the case.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26SLOW BLEEPING
0:33:26 > 0:33:29Of course, using a radio tracker is a highly skilled art,
0:33:29 > 0:33:33as I've been demonstrating for the last two hours.
0:33:35 > 0:33:39Slightly, slightly 11 o'clock. Still straight, yeah, straight down.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42Yeah, to the left at the end of the runway.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45Moving that way. I think it's getting stronger.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48I think they're still coming towards us.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56Twelve o'clock to where we are, sorry. About three o'clock.
0:34:03 > 0:34:08But now, finally, it looked like I was actually almost,
0:34:08 > 0:34:10well, possibly, getting somewhere.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14The radio tracker's telling me Punter and Jones are very close.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18They're actually coming right down the road, it feels like.
0:34:18 > 0:34:23It's kind of almost scary, cos it's just like getting closer and closer and closer.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25Even though I know it's just Punter!
0:34:29 > 0:34:33They're so quiet that they could go streaming past us
0:34:33 > 0:34:36in these mopane trees and I wouldn't see them at all.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40Thankfully, Newman decided he'd had enough of technology
0:34:40 > 0:34:43and took matters into his own hands.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48- What did he see?- I don't know.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50It's...
0:35:01 > 0:35:03There they are. There they are!
0:35:05 > 0:35:07How did he know?
0:35:07 > 0:35:09How DID he know?
0:35:09 > 0:35:12Look!
0:35:12 > 0:35:13That's, er...
0:35:18 > 0:35:22Right, well, obviously, Punter and Jones still haven't made the break,
0:35:22 > 0:35:24because here they are. That's Jones...
0:35:24 > 0:35:27and Punter's in the pack somewhere,
0:35:27 > 0:35:30both still firmly part of the scenery.
0:35:31 > 0:35:36We came to find out if Punter and Jones had made the break,
0:35:36 > 0:35:38but we've gate-crashed something completely different.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41The dogs aren't just trotting around aimlessly.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45This is actually the first stage of a hunt.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48Looks like the whole pack's here.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51Nice fresh early start out on the hunt.
0:35:51 > 0:35:55Still very slow at the moment, so we can keep with them,
0:35:55 > 0:35:58but they'll suddenly kick into a high gear and they'll be gone
0:35:58 > 0:36:02and we'll really have to work hard to keep up with them.
0:36:04 > 0:36:09The pack is spreading out, everyone looking.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13If they get a whiff of an impala, it could all explode into action.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22Impala over there. Yep.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24Yes, yes.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27There's some impalas, yeah.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31They're going to move, Steve.
0:36:31 > 0:36:32Two dogs here.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45One right behind you, Steve.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48They're moving again.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54As Newman predicted, with the sun on their backs
0:36:54 > 0:37:00those impala probably can't see them, because it's so... Turn round there you can't see anything.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04Go on, turn round there, have a look.
0:37:10 > 0:37:15That's Jones there. He's seen something.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18There's Punter.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20Jones is starting to stalk.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25You can see the movement. You'll see the movement.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28They've seen them. They're going, they're going!
0:37:28 > 0:37:30- OK, guys.- They're running.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36Oh, look at them go! The impala are running. The dogs are...
0:37:38 > 0:37:40Oh, yeah, they're all on it now.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46Ooh, he's going to make it to the trees. Still running, yeah.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49This one, this one here. There's one coming.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51Yes. Yeah, yep, OK.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54Oh, he's catching, he's catching.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57Look at him go! That is incredible, the speed of that dog!
0:37:59 > 0:38:01The youngsters don't know what to do, do they?
0:38:01 > 0:38:03No.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07- They missed. - Yes, yeah. Into the mopane, yeah.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11The dogs are all split up now, they've gone all directions.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15They're some way behind us over there, two of the dogs,
0:38:15 > 0:38:17or three or four, in fact,
0:38:17 > 0:38:21still coming here now, piling into these trees after the impala. Wow!
0:38:21 > 0:38:24Absolutely flat out.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27That is such a rare sight to see.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31To see wild dogs actually on the hunt is really, really, really rare.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35- Have they made a kill? - Yeah, they've made a kill.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41That's amazing.
0:38:41 > 0:38:46This is a baby, baby impala, about eight months or nine months old.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55Very nervous still.
0:38:55 > 0:39:00- Why is that? What are they worried about?- Lions, hyenas, leopards.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03- Do the wild dogs lose a lot of their prey, then?- Yeah.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05Most of the time, yeah.
0:39:05 > 0:39:10That's why when they eat, you know, they have to eat as fast as they can.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12Yeah.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17- They haven't left much for the vultures.- No.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21I can't see Punter or Jones at the moment.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24There's Jones! He's had some food.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28But look at Punter's gut! He's like a beer barrel.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32You can see why it'll be difficult for them to make the break,
0:39:32 > 0:39:34cos there's 13 dogs in this pack
0:39:34 > 0:39:37and pretty much every time they hunt they get food.
0:39:46 > 0:39:51That was a pretty incredible morning, to see our dogs actually on the hunt.
0:39:51 > 0:39:55You can understand now why being in a pack makes so much sense.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58It was just chaos. You had the lead dogs
0:39:58 > 0:40:02just running straight into the impala, scattering them,
0:40:02 > 0:40:06you had the youngsters going, "This is great, this is great!"
0:40:06 > 0:40:08Not knowing what they're doing at all.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11Chaos reigned supreme.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15You can really see the whole strategy of the wild dog,
0:40:15 > 0:40:18which is just shock-and-awe tactics. That's what it is.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21It's just get in there and blitz the place.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24Everything in their wake was just running, running, running.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27Spectacular!
0:40:34 > 0:40:40Until recently, wild dogs were systematically hunted down by man.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44There used to be tens of thousands.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48Now only tiny populations remain in a few wild places.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07The new bits have arrived to fix the cars,
0:41:07 > 0:41:12but Mike's got to fly into town to get them, so we can't go out after the dogs today.
0:41:12 > 0:41:17But Newman thinks this is a great opportunity to introduce me to the the dogs' number one enemy.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21He's decided to show me lions - on foot.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24If anything happens,
0:41:24 > 0:41:27if we're going to come across the lions and then they charge,
0:41:28 > 0:41:32nobody runs, everybody stands still.
0:41:32 > 0:41:38I will be in the front anyway, so I will do something to try and stop the animal from charging.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40Very quiet when we track.
0:41:40 > 0:41:44Don't step on dead branches or leaves,
0:41:44 > 0:41:50- just quietly, gently walking, and keep your eyes open.- OK.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54- And you'll look after us. - Yeah. Sure.- Good.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59How nervous are they of having people track them?
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Will they move away? Will they...?
0:42:01 > 0:42:03Yeah, they will run away,
0:42:03 > 0:42:08unless if you corner them somewhere, if you do corner them, yes,
0:42:08 > 0:42:10they might get a little bit more,
0:42:10 > 0:42:13a little bit irritated
0:42:13 > 0:42:17and they will charge, but most of the time they go.
0:42:17 > 0:42:21Do you want them to know that you're coming or not?
0:42:21 > 0:42:26No, no, no, we want to see them and to see him before he sees us.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28That's the one main thing.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Just... You can see where he stopped here.
0:42:33 > 0:42:34Yeah.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40He stretched big.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43Oh, yes, yeah.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45Do you get nervous when stalking lions?
0:42:45 > 0:42:49- No. I've been charged quite a lot. - You've been charged quite a lot?
0:42:49 > 0:42:53- Yeah, but I've managed to scare them off.- And how do you do that?
0:42:53 > 0:42:56Well, the most important thing to do
0:42:56 > 0:43:00is you have to respect the animals, so we do respect the lions,
0:43:00 > 0:43:02we don't fight with the lions.
0:43:02 > 0:43:07If we find them with a kill, we don't chase them, but there are some times
0:43:07 > 0:43:12where we chase them and try and get a piece and then leave the rest for them.
0:43:12 > 0:43:16- You'd chase lions off a kill?- Yeah.
0:43:16 > 0:43:18You pretend, you raise your hands,
0:43:18 > 0:43:23you shout, clap your hands, bang the sticks together.
0:43:23 > 0:43:27And this is obviously without a gun, this is just sticks and spears.
0:43:27 > 0:43:31Yeah, sticks and spears, but you don't have to use them.
0:43:31 > 0:43:37You just bang them together and then go on and charge them.
0:43:37 > 0:43:41And how many? 15, 20 of you?
0:43:41 > 0:43:45Well, no, two, three. I mean, I did it myself with my younger brother.
0:43:45 > 0:43:48- How old were you?- I was ten.
0:43:48 > 0:43:51You chased lions off a kill when you were ten years old
0:43:51 > 0:43:55- with your younger brother?- Yeah. You pretend yourself big.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58- Yes.- Or you take a stick.
0:44:00 > 0:44:04Of course, they can see your height, but if you put something big there...
0:44:04 > 0:44:07- You're much bigger. - You are much bigger,
0:44:07 > 0:44:12and then you stare at these things and then chase them and they go.
0:44:12 > 0:44:15Then...you run.
0:44:15 > 0:44:19- And you did this when you were that young?- Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah.
0:44:19 > 0:44:22And when you chased them off the kill -
0:44:22 > 0:44:24why would you chase lions off a kill?
0:44:24 > 0:44:28Well, I mean, if we need fresh meat.
0:44:28 > 0:44:31- Oh, so you take some of theirs? - Yeah, some of their meat.
0:44:31 > 0:44:36They must have just been sat watching you, then, when one of you was butchering...
0:44:36 > 0:44:38From like in those bushes there.
0:44:38 > 0:44:41That's amazing! You take your little bit...
0:44:41 > 0:44:45You take your little piece then go, then they come back.
0:44:46 > 0:44:49That is incredible.
0:44:49 > 0:44:52They look at you and say, "Naughty you,
0:44:52 > 0:44:54"never come back again"!
0:44:54 > 0:44:57- As long as you leave them something, I suppose.- That's right.
0:44:57 > 0:45:03- Mind you, you think you're invincible when you're ten years old, don't you?- Oh, yeah.
0:45:14 > 0:45:16How close can we get to them?
0:45:16 > 0:45:19You see there, the termite mound?
0:45:19 > 0:45:21We're gonna try and get there.
0:45:21 > 0:45:24That's very close.
0:45:24 > 0:45:28- We'll see how they react, anyway. - OK.
0:45:28 > 0:45:30I trust you, Newman.
0:45:43 > 0:45:47The way lions react to wild dogs is hard to understand.
0:45:47 > 0:45:51They literally go out of their way to attack and kill them.
0:46:12 > 0:46:17The dogs appear to present little or no direct threat to the lions,
0:46:17 > 0:46:22so why should the lions behave in such an apparently unreasonably violent way?
0:46:25 > 0:46:30Some experts say it's because the dogs are actually more successful hunters than the lions,
0:46:30 > 0:46:33so the lions may see them as a threat to their food supply.
0:46:33 > 0:46:36But they generally hunt different prey species.
0:46:44 > 0:46:49It's hard to understand what lies behind the lions' ongoing vendetta
0:46:49 > 0:46:52against an animal around a tenth its size.
0:46:52 > 0:46:56It looks almost pathological.
0:46:57 > 0:46:59But whenever dogs and lions meet,
0:46:59 > 0:47:02the dogs certainly end up with the rough end of the deal.
0:47:29 > 0:47:31Ah, yes, he's seen us.
0:47:35 > 0:47:37Another one who's seen us.
0:47:38 > 0:47:40They're very relaxed still.
0:47:40 > 0:47:43They don't mind humans being close to them?
0:47:43 > 0:47:46Well, it's another different... It's different.
0:47:46 > 0:47:48Yeah.
0:47:48 > 0:47:52That was great, we could definitely see them.
0:47:58 > 0:48:02Mike's back, and he's got all the bits we need to fix the cars.
0:48:04 > 0:48:07Chesney, Punter and Jones are out there somewhere.
0:48:07 > 0:48:11Tomorrow we must meet up.
0:48:20 > 0:48:24Mike's picked up Chesney's signal. But who will be with him?
0:48:26 > 0:48:29Right, Newman. 'The collars are a godsend,
0:48:29 > 0:48:33'but they don't tell us what we really need to know.
0:48:33 > 0:48:36'Is Chesney OK? How are the pups getting on?
0:48:36 > 0:48:40'Are they still alive? You just never know.'
0:48:40 > 0:48:43Hang on, Newman, big hole.
0:48:43 > 0:48:46Oh, yeah, there we go. Left, left, left.
0:48:46 > 0:48:48Can see dogs.
0:48:48 > 0:48:51You can smell them, actually.
0:48:51 > 0:48:54Dog on the left, dogs all around us.
0:48:54 > 0:48:55OK.
0:48:59 > 0:49:02There they are, there they are. Newman, straight ahead.
0:49:02 > 0:49:06- Have you seen them? - Yeah, I can see them.
0:49:10 > 0:49:14Well, how many dogs have we got?
0:49:14 > 0:49:17And Chesney, one... Four.
0:49:17 > 0:49:20'But who's that adult? That's not Chesney.'
0:49:20 > 0:49:22How many can you see, Newman?
0:49:26 > 0:49:30- Those are three youngsters by the pool, are they?- Yeah, yeah.
0:49:30 > 0:49:33So all the four youngsters are still here, which is good.
0:49:36 > 0:49:39They're with Chesney and another adult.
0:49:41 > 0:49:47'I thought Chesney's best chance was to try and join a new pack, but maybe not.
0:49:47 > 0:49:51'Perhaps there's another way. Perhaps he's going to build a new pack around him,
0:49:51 > 0:49:53'and it does look like that's started.
0:49:56 > 0:49:59'There are two new adults with the pups,
0:49:59 > 0:50:03'so Chesney has got some serious backup at last.
0:50:03 > 0:50:05- 'But where is he?'- Steve?
0:50:05 > 0:50:10- Yeah?- He might be on the other side.
0:50:10 > 0:50:12Can you hear those there?
0:50:12 > 0:50:14Oh, yes.
0:50:18 > 0:50:20'There he is.
0:50:23 > 0:50:27'Ooh, that doesn't look good, that back leg.'
0:50:29 > 0:50:33Chesney, what have you done?
0:50:33 > 0:50:38Yeah, he is definitely a little bit lame on that leg, but he's got a big, full belly.
0:50:38 > 0:50:42He's holding it very straight, actually.
0:50:45 > 0:50:47And this other adult...
0:50:47 > 0:50:50'We now have a mini-pack of seven.
0:50:50 > 0:50:54'Unfortunately, the newcomers are both males, but it's a great start.
0:50:54 > 0:50:56'And it couldn't have come at a better time.
0:50:56 > 0:50:59'We have to try and keep a careful watch on Chesney.
0:51:01 > 0:51:04'That back leg - it could mean that he can't hunt,
0:51:04 > 0:51:08'and without his hunting skills the mini-pack could be in trouble.'
0:51:29 > 0:51:32Back on the trail of Punter and Jones.
0:51:32 > 0:51:36- RADIO:- 'We've got impala facing to the north.'- And it's all action.
0:51:36 > 0:51:41'The dogs are hunting. Go, go, go. We're going to lose them.'
0:51:55 > 0:51:57Hold tight, now.
0:52:16 > 0:52:20- RADIO:- 'The dogs are stalking. They're stalking impala.
0:52:22 > 0:52:25'Come on, guys, where are you?
0:52:29 > 0:52:34'They're still hunting. They're going northwest. They've slowed down now.'
0:52:34 > 0:52:36RADIO MESSAGE INDISTINCT
0:52:41 > 0:52:44'Come on, guys, where are you? Newman, where are you?
0:52:46 > 0:52:49'Punter's breaking, he's breaking. Newman, where are you?'
0:52:49 > 0:52:53The case is in. OK, that will do.
0:53:01 > 0:53:05'Punter's right on his tail. He's gonna get him, he's gonna get him.'
0:53:07 > 0:53:10'Punter's got an impala. He's got an impala.'
0:53:23 > 0:53:27They've only just killed, just minutes ago,
0:53:27 > 0:53:31but there's an awful lot of interested spectators already.
0:53:33 > 0:53:38I'm beginning to have my doubts about Punter and Jones,
0:53:38 > 0:53:41if they're really are going to make the break this year,
0:53:41 > 0:53:44cos here they are again, still with the pack,
0:53:44 > 0:53:47leading the hunt, defending the kill.
0:54:03 > 0:54:05There's Punter on hyena duty.
0:54:09 > 0:54:11Whoa! He's starving!
0:54:15 > 0:54:16Surprise attack!
0:54:18 > 0:54:20Ooh, and it's worked!
0:54:20 > 0:54:21He's got away with it.
0:54:23 > 0:54:25Not again, though.
0:54:25 > 0:54:30Almost looks like they're ignoring the hyena,
0:54:30 > 0:54:33but this one's really pushing his luck.
0:54:40 > 0:54:42They're all in there.
0:54:57 > 0:54:59He won't try that again in a hurry.
0:55:08 > 0:55:09In amongst all the mayhem,
0:55:09 > 0:55:14Newman's noticed one subtle change that could be of huge importance.
0:55:14 > 0:55:18The dominant female's behaviour's slightly unusual.
0:55:18 > 0:55:22The other dogs are treating her a little bit differently,
0:55:22 > 0:55:25and she's a tiny bit more rounded than just a good meal.
0:55:28 > 0:55:32Steve, the female - she's pregnant.
0:55:33 > 0:55:37If that's true, Punter and Jones's bid for stardom is over.
0:55:37 > 0:55:40The minute the dominant female becomes pregnant,
0:55:40 > 0:55:41the pack closes ranks.
0:55:41 > 0:55:44Every single dog will pull together to support her.
0:55:44 > 0:55:46No-one leaves the pack.
0:55:46 > 0:55:50It looks like it's the end of Punter and Jones's chance to make the break.
0:55:50 > 0:55:55For this year at least, the window of opportunity just shut.
0:56:05 > 0:56:07I've got no idea what's up with Chesney,
0:56:07 > 0:56:10what with that injured back leg.
0:56:13 > 0:56:18Once again, that small pack's very survival seems to be hanging by a thread.
0:56:18 > 0:56:20We've got to track him down.
0:56:30 > 0:56:32What a dog!
0:56:32 > 0:56:35The leg's fine, and it's clearly not bothered him,
0:56:35 > 0:56:39because the new mini-pack has hunted and killed successfully
0:56:39 > 0:56:42and all the pups are still going strong.
0:56:42 > 0:56:46I don't know how he keeps doing it. He's an absolute miracle.
0:56:46 > 0:56:51Despite that injury, they're all well fed again this morning.
0:56:51 > 0:56:55They've all got full bellies, they're all doing really well.
0:56:56 > 0:56:59It's just great to see.
0:56:59 > 0:57:02But in fact, just days after we left Botswana,
0:57:02 > 0:57:04we got even better news.
0:57:04 > 0:57:07Two females had also joined Chesney's new team,
0:57:07 > 0:57:09bringing the pack strength up to nine
0:57:09 > 0:57:13and giving Chesney the chance to produce babies later in the year.
0:57:13 > 0:57:15What an amazing animal!
0:57:15 > 0:57:19Battered, bruised, kicked out of his pack,
0:57:19 > 0:57:21this old warrior never gave up.
0:57:23 > 0:57:27He's battled on through, and in the end it looks like he's gonna make it.
0:57:49 > 0:57:52It's time to leave this beautiful part of Africa.
0:57:55 > 0:58:00There are so few wild dogs left every life is precious,
0:58:00 > 0:58:03so being able to run with Chesney, Punter and Jones
0:58:03 > 0:58:06has been very, very special.
0:58:06 > 0:58:08My mission is over,
0:58:08 > 0:58:12but, as with all the animals in Incredible Journeys,
0:58:12 > 0:58:16these wild dogs are still writing their own stories.
0:58:36 > 0:58:40Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd - 2006
0:58:40 > 0:58:44E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk