0:00:03 > 0:00:07We're about to follow the world's greatest migrations
0:00:07 > 0:00:10and reveal their secrets in a way that's never been done before.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16All over the world, animals are on the move...
0:00:18 > 0:00:21..on journeys that their lives depend upon.
0:00:22 > 0:00:27Migrating to find food, to give birth, or to escape danger.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32To reach their destination, they must travel hundreds of miles
0:00:32 > 0:00:34through some of the most inhospitable wilderness
0:00:34 > 0:00:36in the world,
0:00:36 > 0:00:39their drive stronger than the obstacles in their path.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43That rapid's really picking up. They're just disappearing under the water.
0:00:43 > 0:00:48For the first time, ground-breaking science allows our specialist team
0:00:48 > 0:00:52to follow these migrations more closely than ever before,
0:00:52 > 0:00:54and understand them in unprecedented depth.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58We can track this elly's movement in real time.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02Using the latest satellite-tracking technology,
0:01:02 > 0:01:05we can monitor individual animals
0:01:05 > 0:01:08and witness first-hand their struggles for survival.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10We've got a drama down here.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12We got him. We've got the wolf, we've got the wolf.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16This time, we're following one of
0:01:16 > 0:01:19the largest elephant migrations in East Africa,
0:01:19 > 0:01:24joining them for the most important stage of their journey.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26(That's extraordinary!)
0:01:26 > 0:01:27We'll follow them as they enter
0:01:27 > 0:01:30the Samburu National Reserve in Eastern Kenya,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33when around a thousand elephants come together.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39We'll stay with them and investigate the challenges they face
0:01:39 > 0:01:40as they search for food...
0:01:43 > 0:01:45..brave hungry predators...
0:01:45 > 0:01:49The lions are somewhere in between us and them.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54..and battle to win the right to mate.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Below us, around 1,000 elephants are coming together
0:02:02 > 0:02:07from all over Northern Kenya in the most crucial gathering of year.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12And we're here to follow them every step of the way.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Kenya, East Africa,
0:02:24 > 0:02:26and Samburu National Reserve.
0:02:29 > 0:02:35165 square kilometres of rugged highlands and dry grassland.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38For the next month, we'll base ourselves here,
0:02:38 > 0:02:42the arena for one of the greatest elephant gatherings on earth.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Right now, all across Northern Kenya,
0:02:47 > 0:02:50dozens of elephant families are leaving their home territories,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53travelling huge distances to get here.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Triggered by the annual rains and the promise of new vegetation,
0:02:58 > 0:03:03family groups and lone bulls will walk up to 100 miles
0:03:03 > 0:03:08to reach this one place in search of food, water and a mate.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14It's a brief but important opportunity,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17because in about 21 days' time, the elephants will begin
0:03:17 > 0:03:21to head back out to their home ranges across Northern Kenya.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27We're basing ourselves at the headquarters of Save the Elephants,
0:03:27 > 0:03:31a key research organisation located in the very heart of the reserve.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39Using this as our base camp, a team of biologists, camera crews
0:03:39 > 0:03:43and local experts will study the elephants' every move.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46That left ear, it's instantly recognisable.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48- It's so jagged.- It's very jagged.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52'I'll be working closely with elephant expert Saba Douglas-Hamilton,
0:03:52 > 0:03:56'analysing satellite-tracking data as it comes into camp.'
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Using this information, the team will head out each morning
0:04:01 > 0:04:04to track the elephants as they enter the reserve.
0:04:13 > 0:04:1750 elephants are currently fitted with satellite-tracking collars.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21And the latest data suggests that the numbers coming to the reserve
0:04:21 > 0:04:23could now be the highest in five years.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28To help us assess the success of this year's migration,
0:04:28 > 0:04:30we're going to follow two distinct groups.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36Wildlife cameraman Bob Poole will follow the bulls
0:04:36 > 0:04:39as they enter the reserve to find a mate.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44In recent years, these males, with their large tusks,
0:04:44 > 0:04:47have been targeted by poachers.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50This gathering will help reveal much-needed information about
0:04:50 > 0:04:54the health of these individuals and of the East African population.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00At the same time, wildlife cameraman Max Hug Williams
0:05:00 > 0:05:04hopes to follow a special group of young elephants.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07A herd of orphans, where every single adult member
0:05:07 > 0:05:10has been killed by poachers.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14Inexperienced and leaderless, these young orphans
0:05:14 > 0:05:16can use this remarkable gathering
0:05:16 > 0:05:20to try to get an older, wiser herd to accept them,
0:05:20 > 0:05:21in a form of adoption,
0:05:21 > 0:05:24before they begin to disperse back out of the reserve
0:05:24 > 0:05:26in just three weeks' time.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30Satellite-tracking collars
0:05:30 > 0:05:33will be key to helping us to follow our elephants.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38I'm joining Save The Elephants
0:05:38 > 0:05:41as they collar an individual from another orphan herd,
0:05:43 > 0:05:47an 11-year-old female who lost her mother two years ago.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51The more orphans that are collared, the more we can learn
0:05:51 > 0:05:54about how these young elephants cope without their mothers.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57- ELEPHANT ROARS - Got her.- That's it.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00She's been given a sedative by the vet
0:06:00 > 0:06:02so the team can get in to fit her collar.
0:06:05 > 0:06:06ELEPHANTS ROAR
0:06:09 > 0:06:10She's right behind you.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Back, back! He's saying to go back, he's saying to go back!
0:06:19 > 0:06:21While the elephant is unconscious,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24my job is to keep her cool and comfortable.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32While the elephant is down, it's hugely important
0:06:32 > 0:06:36to keep her airways open, with a simple stick, but it does the job.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41It's pretty extraordinary to feel her breath on my hand.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47'With every collar fitted, the researchers gain
0:06:47 > 0:06:50'a greater understanding of these complex creatures.'
0:06:50 > 0:06:52THEY SPEAK IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE
0:06:54 > 0:06:57This collar is going to gather a whole wealth of information.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00Not only where this orphan cow goes,
0:07:00 > 0:07:04but also giving the team insight into aspects of her behaviour.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Why she chooses to go to certain places at certain times of the year,
0:07:07 > 0:07:11how she behaves under stressful situations.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15But also giving information on her own individual personality.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19Why she makes certain decisions that other individuals might not.
0:07:19 > 0:07:24So this is now going to be sending a signal every hour, on the hour,
0:07:24 > 0:07:28so we can pretty much track this elly's movement in real time.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31See exactly where she's going and why.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33'With the tracking collar secure,
0:07:33 > 0:07:37'it's time to bring the elephant around and get her back on her feet.
0:07:39 > 0:07:40'The vet administers a drug
0:07:40 > 0:07:43'to reverse the effects of the anaesthetic.'
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Each collared individual will tell its own tale
0:08:00 > 0:08:04and help to paint a bigger picture of this year's annual gathering.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09Over the next few days, the satellite-tracking data shows
0:08:09 > 0:08:12elephant families making their way to the reserve
0:08:12 > 0:08:14from all over Northern Kenya.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21Amongst those arriving, the incoming data reveals
0:08:21 > 0:08:23that a herd of young, orphaned elephants
0:08:23 > 0:08:26well known to the scientists is already in the reserve.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30Max, it's Liz. I've got coordinates for you.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34North, 0.33 degrees.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36East, 0.47.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38So Will's saying we need to go left.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45Max finds the elephants not far from their last coordinates.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54He filmed this herd five years ago,
0:08:54 > 0:08:57before the family was decimated by poachers.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02This is the first time he's seen them since.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08It makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up when you think,
0:09:08 > 0:09:10the last time I was filming these guys,
0:09:10 > 0:09:13they were in the perfect family,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16and now they've been reduced to this orphan group.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21This herd lost all seven adult members.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32Across Africa, ivory poaching is at an all-time high,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35with one elephant killed on average every 15 minutes.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41It's been described as an elephant holocaust,
0:09:41 > 0:09:45with over 30,000 elephants killed for their ivory every year.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50By killing adults with the largest tusks,
0:09:50 > 0:09:52poachers are depriving herds
0:09:52 > 0:09:55of their most experienced and important members,
0:09:55 > 0:09:58disrupting the elephants' close-knit society
0:09:58 > 0:10:03and leaving younger, inexperienced elephants to fend for themselves.
0:10:03 > 0:10:04LOW ROAR
0:10:07 > 0:10:09Now, in this area of Northern Kenya,
0:10:09 > 0:10:14almost one in five herds are orphan herds.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18This one is led by a young 13-year-old female called Habiba.
0:10:21 > 0:10:26Getting up this close and seeing Habiba, looking into her eyes...
0:10:27 > 0:10:33..you have to think what she's been through in her short life
0:10:33 > 0:10:37and how she's had to grow up so quickly.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43Normally, the matriarch is at least twice Habiba's age,
0:10:43 > 0:10:45but as the oldest remaining member of the herd,
0:10:45 > 0:10:48her whole family now look to her for guidance.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57Barely a teenager, she lacks the knowledge and experience
0:10:57 > 0:11:00needed to keep her family safe.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10A herd can pay dearly for this lack of knowledge.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12Just a few years ago, another orphan herd,
0:11:12 > 0:11:16led by an inexperienced matriarch, made a terrible decision.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25She decided to cross a river when it was in full flood -
0:11:29 > 0:11:30a huge error in judgment...
0:11:32 > 0:11:35..that put the lives of the young calves in danger.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44DISTRESSED CRY
0:11:53 > 0:11:55DISTRESSED CRY
0:11:56 > 0:11:58TRUMPETING
0:12:03 > 0:12:04DISTRESSED CRY
0:12:04 > 0:12:06BIRDSONG
0:12:09 > 0:12:13This family was lucky. The calves were washed ashore.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15But it drives home just how important
0:12:15 > 0:12:17an older, experienced leader is.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Habiba, our orphan leader,
0:12:23 > 0:12:27is herself a first-time mother to little calf called Zawadi,
0:12:27 > 0:12:30who is already proving to be quite a handful.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33This little character is going to give us heart attacks, I think,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36because he's always disappearing off on his own.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Even with the short time we spent with him,
0:12:39 > 0:12:42you can just see what a character he is.
0:12:44 > 0:12:49Zawadi is a plucky little elephant, but he's still only a year old
0:12:49 > 0:12:53and completely reliant on Habiba.
0:12:53 > 0:12:54SQUAWKING
0:12:54 > 0:12:56PLAYFUL TRUMPET
0:13:00 > 0:13:02BIRDSONG
0:13:04 > 0:13:05CHITTERING
0:13:12 > 0:13:15For a first-time mother with no help or guidance,
0:13:15 > 0:13:18keeping Zawadi safe is a real challenge.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26I suppose he's had to grow up fast in a family like this.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30His mum is so young, everyone else in the group is so young,
0:13:30 > 0:13:33so he's probably just been left to his own devices.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35And I think Habiba's really got to keep an eye on him
0:13:35 > 0:13:38because it's not a good idea for someone that small
0:13:38 > 0:13:41to go wandering off on his own.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45This year's great elephant gathering
0:13:45 > 0:13:49is a critical time for these young orphans.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52One of the best ways to increase their chances of survival
0:13:52 > 0:13:55is to be accepted by another more-experienced herd.
0:14:01 > 0:14:02But it won't be easy.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06It's rare for animals to help, let alone accept other animals
0:14:06 > 0:14:08if they aren't related.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12They now have about 14 days
0:14:12 > 0:14:14before the elephants start to disperse,
0:14:14 > 0:14:18during which time, Max will keep a close eye on their progress.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30With plenty of family groups already in the reserve,
0:14:30 > 0:14:32the lone bulls are beginning to arrive.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39Driven by the urge to mate, these impressive animals
0:14:39 > 0:14:44may have travelled nonstop day and night for up to 100 miles.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Once in the reserve, they won't have much time to find a female
0:14:49 > 0:14:51that's in just the right condition for mating.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57They could face tough competition from other visiting bulls.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06WARNING GRUNTS
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Just five years ago,
0:15:13 > 0:15:17over 30 large tuskers would have visited this reserve.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21Now, as a result of poaching, there could be as few as four.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28Using the satellite data, combined with our observations on the ground,
0:15:28 > 0:15:30we can get an unique and timely insight
0:15:30 > 0:15:33into the lives of these magnificent individuals.
0:15:38 > 0:15:43Right now, live data shows that one of these few remaining big tuskers
0:15:43 > 0:15:45is heading straight for the gathering.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56Rarely seen in the reserve, he's a legendary bull elephant called Matt.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10He's on the edge of the reserve, so he's coming in any minute.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13And how long have you been familiar with this particular bull?
0:16:13 > 0:16:17I think we started collaring him about ten years ago.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21And he's just the most fantastic male. Really beautiful ivory.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24So it's very exciting because he's somebody we don't see very often.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26But I can tell you one thing, he's not one to mess around with
0:16:26 > 0:16:28because he's not used to people.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32He's been spending a lot of time up here in the north, about 50km away.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35And now he's just had a major behaviour change.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40Matt is travelling from his home in the foothills of Matthews Range
0:16:40 > 0:16:44and heading south, straight for the gathering.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Moving much faster than usual,
0:16:46 > 0:16:50he covers the last 50km in just over a week.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56The latest data shows he's now right on the edge of the reserve.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01So if you look here, you can see how fast he's been moving.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05This is amazing. He's just streaking straight down towards Samburu,
0:17:05 > 0:17:08which I reckon indicates he's in musth.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Musth is state of heightened aggression,
0:17:12 > 0:17:16during which a bull's desire to find a mate is at its greatest.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18AGGRESSIVE ROAR
0:17:18 > 0:17:23For a short period, their bodies are flooded with the male sex hormone, testosterone -
0:17:23 > 0:17:27in some cases, as much as 60 times more than when not in musth.
0:17:29 > 0:17:34In this elevated state of arousal, they are primed to do two things.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36Mate or fight.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42It's a time when they're at their most unpredictable and dangerous.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Matt's arrival in the reserve means
0:17:48 > 0:17:50the other bulls now have serious competition.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59But just how easy will it be for him to assert his dominance
0:17:59 > 0:18:01and find a suitable mate?
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Using the information from Matt's satellite collar,
0:18:08 > 0:18:12wildlife cameraman Bob Poole hopes to find out.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20- RADIO:- Go ahead, go ahead with the coordinates.
0:18:20 > 0:18:26OK. North, zero degrees, 34 minutes, 28 seconds.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29East, 37 degrees,
0:18:29 > 0:18:3171 seconds. You got that?
0:18:31 > 0:18:35Perfect. We'll go straight there. That's very exciting. Over.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37Have fun.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40There we are, on the river and he's just there. So...
0:18:42 > 0:18:44..let's go find a musth bull!
0:18:44 > 0:18:46A big musth bull!
0:18:49 > 0:18:54Bob grew up in Kenya and has been around elephants his entire life.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56Even so, this is a rare opportunity
0:18:56 > 0:18:59to get close to a bull of Matt's stature.
0:19:00 > 0:19:05There, there, there! There's an elephant under a tree over there.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08He's a big male all by himself. It's got to be Matt.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13After his long journey, this is Matt's last chance to rest
0:19:13 > 0:19:16before he begins his nonstop search for a mate.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18He must have gotten a little hot
0:19:18 > 0:19:21and decided to take a break under the only tree around.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26It may be nice for him to get our scent.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29So I'll go upwind a little bit so he can smell who we are.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34And then we'll just take it really nice and slow.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Because we're going to spend a lot of time with this elephant
0:19:37 > 0:19:41and we want to sort of meet on peaceful terms.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46Don't mind us.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49You are spectacular!
0:19:51 > 0:19:53Wow!
0:19:53 > 0:19:55Magnificent bull!
0:19:57 > 0:19:59It's a good opportunity for Bob
0:19:59 > 0:20:01to confirm that Matt is indeed in musth.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04Oh, there's the dribble!
0:20:04 > 0:20:06Look at that! OK.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08Urine dribbling is a classic sign
0:20:08 > 0:20:12of a bull's increased sexual arousal...and aggression.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14AGGRESSIVE SNARL
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Now what's he doing? He's on the move.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18It appears he's coming!
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Oh, now...
0:20:26 > 0:20:28HE TRUMPETS
0:20:30 > 0:20:32That's a musth bull for you.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37He's not quit. Come on, Matt, dude,
0:20:37 > 0:20:39we're going to be buddies, aren't we?
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Jeez, that gave me a...!
0:20:43 > 0:20:46I'm shaking, I'm literally shaking. That was a...
0:20:46 > 0:20:48BOB EXHALES
0:20:48 > 0:20:52Over the next two weeks, Bob will need to tread very carefully,
0:20:52 > 0:20:54using all his knowledge and expertise,
0:20:54 > 0:20:58if he's going to stay close to Matt as he goes about securing a mate.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12At base camp, the collar data from Habiba and the orphans
0:21:12 > 0:21:15shows how they've fared since the loss of their mothers.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20Saba, what is your movement data revealing about your orphan herds?
0:21:20 > 0:21:23If you just look at somebody like Habiba,
0:21:23 > 0:21:27what you can see is that she's become extremely conservative,
0:21:27 > 0:21:31restricting her movements to largely within the reserves.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34You know, where she knows, where she feels safe is inside the reserves.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37And she's just keeping her movements very small and certain.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42Habiba is being really cautious, never venturing far.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44This makes it less likely
0:21:44 > 0:21:47that she'll encounter another herd willing to help them.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56But the tracking data does reveal an encouraging sign.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59With around 10 days to go until the elephants begin to disperse,
0:21:59 > 0:22:04a large, mature herd is heading towards our orphans.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08This is just the kind of family they could learn from.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12As Max waits for this herd to arrive, he joins Habiba
0:22:12 > 0:22:14and the orphans in the shade.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17It's the middle of the day, it's boiling hot
0:22:17 > 0:22:20and for young calves, it can be really dangerous.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24Sunstroke and dehydration could even kill a young baby.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28So it's vital that she brings them into shade.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33As Habiba's family enjoy some respite from the heat,
0:22:33 > 0:22:37the more experienced herd head straight for them,
0:22:37 > 0:22:40perhaps bringing the leadership the orphans so desperately need.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55The leader of the other herd approaches them.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07AGGRESSIVE TRUMPETING
0:23:07 > 0:23:09But instead of sharing the shade with them,
0:23:09 > 0:23:13the incoming herd forces them out into the hot sun.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16Most of the other families are moving into the shade,
0:23:16 > 0:23:20but Habiba and our little group of orphans have been displaced.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28In an attempt to find another place for her family to rest,
0:23:28 > 0:23:32Habiba has to lead them across the river, towards another herd.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39But here, too, they face rejection.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46That's just ridiculous.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49Because that bull is actually smaller than Habiba,
0:23:49 > 0:23:53but yet he stopped our entire family in their tracks.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59I mean, this tiny bull is bullying around our little family of orphans
0:23:59 > 0:24:02and they're not going to be able to pass until he moves on.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08That just goes to show
0:24:08 > 0:24:11that our young family of orphans
0:24:11 > 0:24:13are really low in the pecking order.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17And that's because she's just still so young to be a matriarch.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22Habiba and her herd don't have much time to find help.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Soon, the gathering will start to break up
0:24:26 > 0:24:29and the elephants will head back to their home ranges.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40At the top of elephant society, older bulls in musth
0:24:40 > 0:24:44are constantly on the move, roaming day and night in search of females.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50Armed with Matt's latest coordinates,
0:24:50 > 0:24:54Bob heads out early each morning to follow the bull's every move.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04Today, he finds him with a large group of females.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06LOW ROAR
0:25:10 > 0:25:14But there are several younger males also trailing the herd.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17They, too, are looking for a chance to mate.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23It's time to deal with the competition.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26AGGRESSIVE ROAR
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Oh-ho-ho-ho!
0:25:34 > 0:25:35Here we go!
0:25:36 > 0:25:38AGGRESSIVE ROAR
0:25:43 > 0:25:48You take the biggest, strongest terrestrial animal on this planet
0:25:48 > 0:25:51and then you give him this infusion of testosterone
0:25:51 > 0:25:57and he just becomes this force of nature that just is unparalleled.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00There's nothing out there that can compare with a musth bull.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05None of the males here are a match for Matt.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07But if he meets a bull of equal size,
0:26:07 > 0:26:10the result could be very different.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17Brutal fights like this one are rare,
0:26:17 > 0:26:21but bulls are prepared to fight to the death for the right to mate.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50As Matt sees off the young bulls, Bob decides to move on.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55Matt coming up right behind us,
0:26:55 > 0:26:59but I think...it's time to go.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10He always gives me a little bit of a fright when he comes at us like that.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13We can't take our eyes off Matt.
0:27:15 > 0:27:20For Matt, these young males were nothing more than an irritating distraction,
0:27:20 > 0:27:23but as the gathering grows, so does the size of the competition.
0:27:30 > 0:27:31The team has picked up a signal
0:27:31 > 0:27:35from the collar of another big bull coming in from the west.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44He's a 28-year-old bull called Eddison,
0:27:44 > 0:27:46and we head straight out to meet him.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51Look at him! I mean, for goodness' sake!
0:27:51 > 0:27:54There is such determination in the way he's walking.
0:27:54 > 0:27:55It's beautiful to watch!
0:27:55 > 0:27:58You can just see he's got his mind on one thing at the moment.
0:27:58 > 0:28:03He's picked up a scent of an oestrus female. He's picking up her call...
0:28:03 > 0:28:06That means he's in full musth, isn't he?
0:28:08 > 0:28:11Taking a little sniff this way.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13- He's coming.- Oh, he's coming. - He's coming.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16Don't move your thing, don't move, don't move.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20- What's that about?- Don't move.
0:28:33 > 0:28:34THEY CHUCKLE
0:28:34 > 0:28:36That was amazing!
0:28:36 > 0:28:39I am completely giddy. That was amazing!
0:28:41 > 0:28:44'Unlike Matt, Eddison is familiar with vehicles
0:28:44 > 0:28:47'and takes a more curious than aggressive approach.'
0:28:47 > 0:28:50I will never forget that as long as I live.
0:28:50 > 0:28:51SABA CHUCKLES
0:28:51 > 0:28:52LIZ EXHALES
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Thrilling!
0:28:54 > 0:28:59'With Eddison in the park, there's now some real competition for Matt.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01'And time is running out for him to find a mate.'
0:29:03 > 0:29:07His coordinates show just how hard he's been looking since he arrived.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13He's been moving between different herds almost 24 hours a day,
0:29:13 > 0:29:17seven days a week nonstop, without any luck.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25For Matt to successfully mate,
0:29:25 > 0:29:30he needs to find a female during the short period she's in oestrus,
0:29:30 > 0:29:32the only time she's able to conceive.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38The way that the elephants can know what state of oestrus
0:29:38 > 0:29:41the female is in is through their urine.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43So she'll urinate for him.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45Now, you see what Matt's doing there with his trunk?
0:29:45 > 0:29:50He's testing the ground where she was. His nostrils are wide open.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55But it's not good news. The levels of hormones in her urine
0:29:55 > 0:29:57tell Matt that she isn't ready to mate.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04Matt's moving on. He didn't really like what he smelt there, I guess.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08She did her urination and then she moved off just a few feet
0:30:08 > 0:30:12to sort of, like, "Is he going to be interested?"
0:30:12 > 0:30:15And, er... Wow! Here's another bull coming.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19Not a big bull, but he's going to come in now
0:30:19 > 0:30:21and I bet you she backs away.
0:30:23 > 0:30:24Yep. See, there she is, she's, like,
0:30:24 > 0:30:28"No, I'm not interested in you, pal. You are a pipsqueak."
0:30:32 > 0:30:36An elephant's trunk is not only the longest nose in the animal kingdom,
0:30:36 > 0:30:38it's also one of the most sensitive,
0:30:38 > 0:30:41allowing it to detect even the smallest changes
0:30:41 > 0:30:43in hormone levels in urine.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53Back at base camp, a visitor is using this incredible sense of smell
0:30:53 > 0:30:55in a more poignant way.
0:30:57 > 0:31:02A bull called Jaeger has found a collection of tracking collars,
0:31:02 > 0:31:05all of which belonged to elephants killed by poachers.
0:31:20 > 0:31:24He gently manipulates and smells each collar.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27But there's one in particular that holds his interest.
0:31:33 > 0:31:38It's hugely emotive to watch this elephant behave in this way.
0:31:38 > 0:31:43He recognises who these collars belong to.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47He is inhaling megabytes of information
0:31:47 > 0:31:49about who these individuals were.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52And...it's extremely emotional to watch this.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56'We can't, of course, know what he's thinking,
0:31:56 > 0:32:00'but his behaviour suggests that he's been affected by what he's found.'
0:32:02 > 0:32:07It just goes to show how incredibly emotionally intelligent these animals are.
0:32:07 > 0:32:12They remember, they recognise years after elephants pass away.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14We know that they grieve the dead
0:32:14 > 0:32:18and they often manipulate the skulls and the bones of the dead,
0:32:18 > 0:32:21but I'd never seen anything like this before.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30Jaeger finally leaves camp,
0:32:30 > 0:32:33having spent over half an hour with the old collars.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35POIGNANT TRUMPET
0:32:38 > 0:32:41With Matt constantly on the move day and night,
0:32:41 > 0:32:44Bob has to be given his location each morning.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51His latest collaring data, already nearly an hour old,
0:32:51 > 0:32:55points to an area of thick bush just a few miles from camp.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03In such difficult terrain, Bob needs to use all his tracking skills
0:33:03 > 0:33:07to work out where Matt has moved to since his last known position.
0:33:10 > 0:33:14You can see right here there's been an elephant. That's very clear.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16The grass has been trampled down.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22Matt is a master of hiding in thick bush.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25I could go walking up all through this stuff, looking for him,
0:33:25 > 0:33:29but it would be kind of silly because by the time I see him,
0:33:29 > 0:33:33he's so close to me that, you know,
0:33:33 > 0:33:35if he wanted to, he'd step on me, like that.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47So Matt could be anywhere in here. It's thick bush again.
0:33:47 > 0:33:48We just have to keep our eyes open.
0:33:48 > 0:33:52We don't want to come around the bush going too fast
0:33:52 > 0:33:54and suddenly bump into him.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57You know, this guy could pummel us seriously.
0:33:57 > 0:33:58HE LAUGHS
0:34:08 > 0:34:10So we've just found Matt guarding a female.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15The fact that Matt is guarding her
0:34:15 > 0:34:18suggests she's in oestrus and ready to mate.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22He now has to ensure that no other bulls get to her first.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26And he's pushing other bulls around.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33You see the action happening.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37Whoo! This is fun!
0:34:37 > 0:34:40Following Matt around for a few days and not having him do anything
0:34:40 > 0:34:43and suddenly he's in full swing.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46This is really tight quarters for us and Matt together,
0:34:46 > 0:34:48but the action is on.
0:34:50 > 0:34:51Where's Matt?
0:34:51 > 0:34:53There he is.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02Clearly, this female is ready, or just about to be ready.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04Enough that Matt's willing to guard her.
0:35:04 > 0:35:09Up until now, we just haven't seen Matt taking such a keen interest in mating.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13And finally, after all these days, he is.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16But Matt is not the only one that wants to mate.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21The younger males are interested, too.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31And we definitely need to keep an eye out on Matt.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33See, these guys retreating right now
0:35:33 > 0:35:36means Matt's probably pushing this way.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38Can you see Matt?
0:35:40 > 0:35:45As Matt moves one of the young bulls away, Bob gets caught up in the action.
0:35:45 > 0:35:46AGGRESSIVE ROAR
0:35:55 > 0:35:57We got stuck.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14- WHISPERS:- I just high-centred myself on a log.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18We got to hurry, guys. Just got to winch ourselves over this log.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24FAINT TRUMPETING
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Let's just take this stuff here for now. All right, we can go.
0:36:41 > 0:36:42HE EXHALES
0:36:48 > 0:36:50That was a little intense, you know?
0:36:50 > 0:36:52Trying to give Matt some space and then we were stuck.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55Ha! Luckily, Matt went the other way.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01Matt may have found a receptive female,
0:37:01 > 0:37:05but to mate with her, he needs to keep the other males away.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16A mile downriver, cameraman Max
0:37:16 > 0:37:21is desperately trying to catch up with Habiba and her calf Zawadi
0:37:21 > 0:37:26as the satellite data shows she is leading her little family into lion territory.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33BIRDSONG
0:37:56 > 0:37:59There's a pride of lions just in this saltbrush.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01You can see just by the bush there.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05And this is perfect lion habitat.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08They lie in here, waiting to ambush prey.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10They're just opportunists
0:38:10 > 0:38:13waiting for a calf straying away from their mother.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15Oh, there's another one.
0:38:21 > 0:38:25Across Africa, lions have been known to hunt elephants.
0:38:27 > 0:38:28Like this pride in Botswana,
0:38:28 > 0:38:31they target young and vulnerable individuals...
0:38:32 > 0:38:35..separating their victims from their family
0:38:35 > 0:38:38and using strength in numbers to make a kill.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46Max knows the danger little Zawadi could be in.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48Looks like it might be a pride that I know.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50And there's about seven of them.
0:38:50 > 0:38:55So if it's them, they're a serious threat to these calves.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00And a lion in Samburu, there's very little game around.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02They have to be opportunist.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05If they see a calf stray away from its mother,
0:39:05 > 0:39:08then it's fair game, they'll be on to it.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11Because this pride has got a lot of mouths to feed.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17Habiba is just 50 metres that way
0:39:17 > 0:39:21and the lions are somewhere in between us and them.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25Habiba and the orphans are oblivious to the danger.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38Wilson? Wilson? Wilson, they're here!
0:39:38 > 0:39:40The lions are just in this clearing.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46I just saw a female slinking behind this tree.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50And Habiba is literally 50 metres over there
0:39:50 > 0:39:52and this lion's now moving that way.
0:40:05 > 0:40:09I've always known that lions here sometimes take elephants,
0:40:09 > 0:40:14but to see them so close to this really vulnerable family,
0:40:14 > 0:40:17I mean, they're a group of babies and if ever there was a scenario
0:40:17 > 0:40:21where a lion could grab an easy meal, it's with this lot.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34Zawadi, he's venturing off on his own, which is a terrible idea.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38The lions are just between here and him.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43LOW ROAR
0:41:01 > 0:41:03LOUD CRY
0:41:08 > 0:41:13A bull chasing a female charges through where the lions were stalking Zawadi.
0:41:13 > 0:41:14This is just crazy.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19This female almost came to us for protection.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23He virtually mounted us as well as her.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25In a twist of fate, the commotion
0:41:25 > 0:41:28has flushed the lions out into the open.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34HE EXHALES
0:41:34 > 0:41:39The orphans move off, blissfully unaware of their close call.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44BIRDSONG
0:41:53 > 0:41:57With not long to go before the herds begin to leave the reserve,
0:41:57 > 0:42:01Bob heads out to see how Matt is doing keeping the female away from the other bulls.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07We've got one, two, three, four, five,
0:42:07 > 0:42:09six, seven, bulls
0:42:09 > 0:42:13following the female with Matt right behind her.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16With so many males still around,
0:42:16 > 0:42:19Matt can't afford to take his eyes off her for one second.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24I mean, we've watched the action building every day
0:42:24 > 0:42:27and finally, it's really getting serious.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32Matt, not caring about us any more.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35He's just surrounded by so many bulls.
0:42:36 > 0:42:38This is great action!
0:42:40 > 0:42:44These younger bulls aren't big enough to challenge Matt directly,
0:42:44 > 0:42:46but they're crafty.
0:42:49 > 0:42:53With Matt distracted, one male grabs his chance
0:42:53 > 0:42:56and chases after the female.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01TRUMPETING
0:43:05 > 0:43:09Matt could be about to lose everything he's worked so hard for.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11LOW ROAR
0:43:19 > 0:43:22ROARING
0:43:25 > 0:43:27TRUMPETING
0:43:31 > 0:43:33TRUMPETING
0:43:36 > 0:43:39Matt took his eye off the ball for a minute
0:43:39 > 0:43:43and he almost let one of these other bulls mate that female.
0:43:46 > 0:43:48But I don't think he was successful because
0:43:48 > 0:43:54Matt was coming in full bore and managed to push him off.
0:44:00 > 0:44:02Matt can really move when he has to.
0:44:07 > 0:44:10With all these bulls here, it's unlikely the female
0:44:10 > 0:44:12will stop long enough to allow Matt to mate her.
0:44:14 > 0:44:17His best chance is still to get her on her own.
0:44:23 > 0:44:26Satellite collars have revealed incredible insights
0:44:26 > 0:44:28into elephant behaviour.
0:44:28 > 0:44:32And the more time we spend with them, the more we're learning
0:44:32 > 0:44:34about the intricacies of their daily lives.
0:44:37 > 0:44:39I've just received news of something extraordinary
0:44:39 > 0:44:41happening close to camp.
0:44:45 > 0:44:46BIRDSONG
0:44:51 > 0:44:54As I arrive on the scene, I can barely believe my eyes.
0:44:58 > 0:45:02A group of elephants are gorging themselves on weaver bird nests.
0:45:03 > 0:45:05Nests that at this time of year
0:45:05 > 0:45:08are certain to be full of eggs and chicks.
0:45:33 > 0:45:36For an animal that's supposed to feed solely on vegetation,
0:45:36 > 0:45:39this is astonishing behaviour.
0:45:39 > 0:45:42And it's never been filmed before.
0:45:42 > 0:45:45It raises a compelling question.
0:45:45 > 0:45:49Are these elephants deliberately targeting these nests for the eggs,
0:45:49 > 0:45:51and even the young chicks?
0:45:53 > 0:45:57The elephants have moved on and it's a fascinating scene
0:45:57 > 0:46:00because littering the floor,
0:46:00 > 0:46:04under these trees laden with weaver bird nests,
0:46:04 > 0:46:06are eggshells.
0:46:06 > 0:46:10And just looking at the nest, and considering there is
0:46:10 > 0:46:14so much lush, green grass and shrubbery around
0:46:14 > 0:46:16that the elephants love at this time of year,
0:46:16 > 0:46:18you can't help wondering whether it's a nest
0:46:18 > 0:46:21that these elephants really have a taste for.
0:46:23 > 0:46:26Shells everywhere. A dead chick here.
0:46:30 > 0:46:32And another one here.
0:46:33 > 0:46:37But what's clear is they have pretty much decimated
0:46:37 > 0:46:41quite a large number of the population of weaver birds here.
0:46:44 > 0:46:47What are the elephants liking about these nests?
0:46:47 > 0:46:50Whether it is just the foliage, the vegetation,
0:46:50 > 0:46:54or whether they've acquired a taste for eggs, or chicks, or both?
0:46:57 > 0:47:00Whatever the reason, it's clear there's still much more to learn
0:47:00 > 0:47:02about an animal we think we know so well.
0:47:13 > 0:47:18Out in the reserve, Bob continues to track Matt's progress.
0:47:18 > 0:47:21Finally, he's got the female on her own.
0:47:32 > 0:47:35She's an 18-year-old called Lepidoptera,
0:47:35 > 0:47:39in her prime and already a mother to three calves.
0:47:48 > 0:47:51More importantly, she's finally showing interest in Matt,
0:47:51 > 0:47:54slowing down and stopping him in his tracks.
0:48:08 > 0:48:10GENTLE ROAR
0:48:26 > 0:48:31At last, strength, experience and persistence have paid off
0:48:31 > 0:48:33and Matt has successfully mated.
0:48:35 > 0:48:38In 22 months from now, if all goes well,
0:48:38 > 0:48:41Lepidoptera will give birth to a calf
0:48:41 > 0:48:44that could carry Matt's legacy well into the future.
0:48:50 > 0:48:52TRUMPETING
0:48:52 > 0:48:54Her behaviour now is just incredible.
0:48:54 > 0:48:57Look at her, she's so, so happy about this.
0:48:57 > 0:48:58Standing next to Matt
0:48:58 > 0:49:01and she's constantly reaching out and touching him.
0:49:04 > 0:49:06He knew what he was doing.
0:49:07 > 0:49:10All the elephants are so excited about this.
0:49:12 > 0:49:14TRUMPETING
0:49:21 > 0:49:24Tracking Matt's every move has allowed Bob to witness
0:49:24 > 0:49:27just how a dominant bull goes about choosing a mate.
0:49:32 > 0:49:36Using its incredible sense of smell to choose the right female...
0:49:37 > 0:49:40..its remarkable strength to ward off other males...
0:49:41 > 0:49:45..but also demonstrating an ability to be tender and sensitive.
0:49:47 > 0:49:51Here's this magnificent bull, you know, one of the last of his kind,
0:49:51 > 0:49:54you know, of that size, in Africa,
0:49:54 > 0:49:58and you see him passing his genes on and you just think,
0:49:58 > 0:50:01"Wow, that is so cool that I was here for that".
0:50:01 > 0:50:05When that calf is born, they'll know who the father was.
0:50:06 > 0:50:10You know, that is so amazing. I'm just...I'm thrilled right now.
0:50:14 > 0:50:18Sadly, with impressive bulls like Matt targeted for their tusks,
0:50:18 > 0:50:22this might be the last chance he has to pass on his genes.
0:50:24 > 0:50:27Already, the very latest tracking data shows
0:50:27 > 0:50:29that the elephants are beginning to disperse
0:50:29 > 0:50:33and that this year's gathering will soon come to an end.
0:50:36 > 0:50:38BIRDSONG
0:50:38 > 0:50:40The movement data is so clear.
0:50:40 > 0:50:44Not only can you see the musth bulls dropping out of musth, moving away,
0:50:44 > 0:50:46but the families are also dispersing.
0:50:46 > 0:50:49Now it's getting a lot drier, there's no more surface water and they have to go out.
0:50:49 > 0:50:52So you're beginning to see this dispersal now.
0:50:52 > 0:50:55The land is drying up and the elephants are parting.
0:50:56 > 0:51:00With less water around, most of the elephants are spreading out again
0:51:00 > 0:51:04across Northern Kenya in their constant search for food and water.
0:51:06 > 0:51:08And, of course, when they're away from this protected area,
0:51:08 > 0:51:11they are facing a whole gamut of threats.
0:51:11 > 0:51:15We always see them go with a bit of a heavy heart.
0:51:15 > 0:51:17Certainly an animal like Matt, every time he goes,
0:51:17 > 0:51:21I wonder whether we're ever going to see him again.
0:51:25 > 0:51:29With only nine days or so left until most of the herds disappear,
0:51:29 > 0:51:33time is running out for Habiba and her family to find help.
0:51:35 > 0:51:38But her collar tells Max she's heading in the direction
0:51:38 > 0:51:40of a well-established herd.
0:51:47 > 0:51:51Its leader is an experienced 50-year-old tuskless matriarch.
0:51:54 > 0:51:56This could be the orphans' last chance
0:51:56 > 0:52:00to be accepted by another family before the gathering ends.
0:52:03 > 0:52:07Zawadi, and there's some other youngsters here,
0:52:07 > 0:52:12so it would be so nice to see Zawadi interacting with another group.
0:52:14 > 0:52:18Zawadi's just wandered up to another baby.
0:52:21 > 0:52:25He got put back in his place a bit, a bit of a nudge,
0:52:25 > 0:52:29but he seems to be almost playing with these other youngsters,
0:52:29 > 0:52:32which is so lovely to see.
0:52:40 > 0:52:44If Habiba can associate with an older female, she'll learn so much.
0:52:52 > 0:52:55And then something remarkable happens.
0:52:55 > 0:52:59As the herd heads off, the orphan herd leaves with them,
0:52:59 > 0:53:02both families now moving as one.
0:53:02 > 0:53:06This is so nice to see because this tuskless female
0:53:06 > 0:53:10is now leading not only her family, but also Habiba.
0:53:15 > 0:53:18She's right in the middle of the herd with Zawadi.
0:53:20 > 0:53:24And for some reason, our ragtag group are being tolerated.
0:53:35 > 0:53:38This is what elephant society should be like.
0:53:38 > 0:53:43And I just hope that some of this knowledge is rubbing off
0:53:43 > 0:53:47so she can lead this little orphan group wisely in the future.
0:53:51 > 0:53:54And I suppose it's not just Habiba who's learning here
0:53:54 > 0:53:56because when you look in the middle,
0:53:56 > 0:54:01there's Zawadi sparring with someone a little bit older than him,
0:54:01 > 0:54:03but this is what it's all about.
0:54:03 > 0:54:07Every single member is learning from others in the group
0:54:07 > 0:54:10and Zawadi now has some sparring partners.
0:54:10 > 0:54:12And that's so important for a youngster like him.
0:54:12 > 0:54:18Because if he's ever to become a majestic bull like Matt,
0:54:18 > 0:54:21then he needs to learn the ropes in a family group.
0:54:23 > 0:54:27And one day, he may well grow up to be the size of Matt
0:54:27 > 0:54:29and be having kids of his own.
0:54:36 > 0:54:38Despite everything they've been through,
0:54:38 > 0:54:42the orphans have finally found the support they so desperately need.
0:54:46 > 0:54:49As the number of orphan herds increases, scientists
0:54:49 > 0:54:53are discovering that elephants are finding new ways to adapt.
0:54:56 > 0:54:59This is how an intelligent, social species
0:54:59 > 0:55:02is learning to respond to the new challenges it faces.
0:55:06 > 0:55:09Over the past month, Samburu National Reserve
0:55:09 > 0:55:12has been the setting for a remarkable gathering.
0:55:13 > 0:55:16Using the data from the satellite collars,
0:55:16 > 0:55:19we've been able to see for ourselves how young, orphan herds
0:55:19 > 0:55:22are coping with the loss of their matriarchs...
0:55:26 > 0:55:30..how bull elephants select females to pass on their great legacy...
0:55:34 > 0:55:37..and we've captured incredible new elephant behaviour.
0:55:44 > 0:55:47Whilst we still don't fully understand the complex relationships
0:55:47 > 0:55:50between these majestic animals,
0:55:50 > 0:55:53what we have seen reveals an astonishing capacity
0:55:53 > 0:55:57for emotional intelligence, compassion and kindness.
0:56:00 > 0:56:04These elephants are finding ways to help each other
0:56:04 > 0:56:07and preserve their unique society.
0:56:07 > 0:56:10It's this that gives hope for bulls like Matt
0:56:10 > 0:56:12and families like our orphans,
0:56:12 > 0:56:16so that they might continue this age-old gathering
0:56:16 > 0:56:18for generations to come.
0:56:19 > 0:56:23Our Samburu elephants have faced countless challenges.
0:56:23 > 0:56:25And for the many who have succeeded,
0:56:25 > 0:56:27the time has come to leave the reserve.
0:56:28 > 0:56:31They'll now need to use the lessons they learned here
0:56:31 > 0:56:34to tackle the many threats and obstacles they'll come up against
0:56:34 > 0:56:37as they disperse across Northern Kenya.
0:56:37 > 0:56:40And if they manage to survive out there,
0:56:40 > 0:56:42they'll do it all again next year.
0:57:12 > 0:57:18Next time, we join the largest land mammal migration on the planet.
0:57:18 > 0:57:22200,000 caribou brave the Western Arctic
0:57:22 > 0:57:24to reach their calving grounds.
0:57:24 > 0:57:27Failure to get there could spell disaster.