Love Spy in the Wild


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The world is full

of extraordinary animals.

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But how well

do we really understand them?

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How do they really think and feel?

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To find out, a team of

spy creatures is going undercover.

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They not only look like

part of the family,

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they behave like them, too.

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Armed with the latest

camera technology...

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..they are going

to travel the globe...

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..to understand the true nature

of the animals they meet

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and reveal how intelligent

they really are...

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..how badly behaved they can be...

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..how important

friendship is to them...

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..and if it's possible

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that they can truly love each other.

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What they discover will change

our perception of animals forever.

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Perhaps they are more like us

than we ever believed possible.

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SCREECHING

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Animals live complex lives,

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but how sophisticated

are their emotions?

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On the African savanna lives

one of the world's most intelligent

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and family-focused animals -

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the wild dog.

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In this pack, all the puppies

belong to just one mother,

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but are showered with affection

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by every member

of the extended family.

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When the adults go hunting,

a new pup makes an appearance.

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This is spy pup.

The only giveaway

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is the camera in his eye.

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YELPING

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He is here to film

the emotional dynamics of pack life,

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but first, he must

be accepted by the pups.

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They could easily

rip him to pieces...

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..so he mimics their body language,

to make them feel at ease.

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He uses the play bow.

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It's a universal invitation

to have fun.

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He's won them over,

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despite his slightly-strange smell.

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The adults, however,

may be harder to convince.

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So, he makes a submissive gesture

and wags his tail.

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GROWLING

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Now accepted, he soon gains

the most intimate view

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of wild dogs ever seen.

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The pups beg for food

by licking the adults' mouths.

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Fresh meat caught just for them.

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With survival depending on teamwork,

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affection strengthens family ties.

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Unfortunately, it's not just

spy pup that's watching them.

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BARKING

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The strength of their love

is about to be tested.

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Lions regard wild dogs as rivals.

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She'll kill the pups, if she can.

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Spy pup can only

lay low and observe.

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The lioness picks up

the smell of the den.

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The dogs try

to divert her attention.

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WHINNYING

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But with pups in her sight,

she won't be easily distracted.

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The pack keeps up the diversion.

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But it's the desperate mother

who decides to risk all...

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..goading the lioness to attack her.

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..goading the lioness to attack her.

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Over and over, she teases the lion,

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while the pack provides backup.

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After 40 minutes

of relentless pressure,

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the exhausted lioness

accepts defeat.

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Spy pup had a ringside view

of this extraordinary encounter.

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And in the aftermath, the pups

are reunited with their mother.

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Although family affection runs deep,

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nothing competes

with the love of a mother.

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After the lion's visit,

it's her that cleans the den.

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After the lion's visit,

it's her that cleans the den.

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For her pups, it's a chance

to enjoy the dust bath.

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Even spy pup joins the fun.

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A mother's love is so fundamental,

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could it be found in a relic

from a prehistoric age?

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In Uganda, this Nile crocodile

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is coming ashore

for a very important event.

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Her babies are about to hatch.

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Sharing her nest

are some very special hatchlings.

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Ones with cameras in their eyes.

They are here to record

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the relationship between

a mother crocodile and her young.

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The spy hatchlings

have been filming her for days,

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as she waits for

her real young to arrive.

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CAWING

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The calls of her babies

synchronise their hatching,

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encouraging the whole brood

to emerge at once.

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They are also cries

for her attention.

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For three long months,

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she protected her eggs

day and night,

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as she waited for this moment.

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Now, she meets her babies

for the first time.

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They are delicate and vulnerable.

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GROWLING

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But they are not safe here.

She must get them to water.

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Her solution is extraordinary.

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Despite having

the most powerful bite in nature,

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she carefully

gathers them in a throat pouch,

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beneath a stockade of deadly teeth.

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She is as gentle

as a croc could ever be.

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Safe in her care,

tails dangling between her teeth,

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she takes them to water.

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She won't enjoy

her babies' company for long.

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Crocodiles can have 80 hatchlings...

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..and another batch is crying

for her attention.

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CAWING

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She won't leave any behind.

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Even spy hatchling.

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Safe in her cavernous mouth,

all survive unscathed.

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And spy hatchling is still filming.

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They still need her protection.

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Even in the water,

just one in ten survive...

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..for danger is everywhere.

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A grey heron.

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He has the pick of the bunch.

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Crocodiles have changed little

since the age of the dinosaurs,

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but their maternal care

is anything but primitive.

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She'll protect her babies

for the next two months.

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Such care becomes stronger

when whole families are involved.

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African elephants show a much

more developed sense of love.

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Their extended family

is made up of related females,

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led by a wise old matriarch.

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She holds the wisdom

of the generations

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and this needs

to be passed on to all.

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To infiltrate the herd,

a new spy creature is needed.

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One based on a bird

that lives among them.

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This is spy egret,

complete with a filming eye.

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The first challenge will be

surviving the initial encounter.

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It could be a brief assignment.

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CAWING

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He is facing 40 tonnes

of unstoppable herd.

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His first test over,

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it's now down to business.

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As well as spy egret, there are

other cameras covering the action.

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Spy tortoise can, quite literally,

get under the elephants' feet.

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The cameras soon capture

something remarkable.

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A vulnerable new arrival,

less than an hour old.

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His mother must help

her new-born to his feet.

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It's the start of the most

important relationship of his life.

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His first steps are a challenge.

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The bond between them will be

complete when he finally suckles.

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Easier said than done.

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His mother

gently guides him to the spot.

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It's time to meet the relatives.

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It's a big occasion.

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Each member of the family

wants to introduce themselves.

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They will all play a role

helping him grow up.

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For now,

the attention is overwhelming.

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But in the coming years,

he'll learn all he needs to know

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for his survival

from these loving females.

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The babies of some animals

have to find their place

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in even larger animal families.

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This temple in Rajasthan

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is home to a troop

of 120 Indian languors,

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made up of related females

and their offspring.

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They are the most gentle and

affectionate monkeys in the world.

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It's a sisterhood with

an unusual system of childcare.

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To see how this works in practice,

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a spy baby monkey

is joining the family -

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complete with camera eye

and a range of life-like movements.

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The plan is to blend

subtly into the crowd.

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But the monkeys have other ideas.

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They are more

than a little suspicious

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of the stranger in their midst.

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She's creating such a stir,

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every monkey in the neighbourhood

pays her a visit.

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Her camera reveals

the extraordinary athletic prowess

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of these lively monkeys.

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To escape the pandemonium,

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the mother has set up

a baby and toddler group

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in a quiet part of the temple.

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But looking after baby

is a full-time occupation.

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So, once they are three weeks old,

if Mum wants a break,

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she has a solution -

employ a teenage baby-sitter.

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As these young females

develop feelings of love and care,

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they just want to hold a baby.

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It's an arrangement

that gives the mums a break.

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A chance to be pampered and groomed.

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She may have a designated

baby-sitter, but here,

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every young female

wants to play mum.

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When everyone's had a go,

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there's always one

left holding the baby.

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It's a serious responsibility,

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but the novelty soon wears thin,

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especially when everyone else

is having all the fun.

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The baby-sitter decides

to join the game...

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..while the baby

clings on for dear life.

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But some challenges test

the baby's grip to the limit.

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An almost sheer drop of 20 metres.

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The baby-sitter

is oblivious to the danger.

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For the baby, a final indignity.

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SQUEALING

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Time for the mother

to reclaim her infant.

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The baby-sitter wants a break, too.

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There are plenty more volunteers,

but for both baby and mother,

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enough is enough.

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It seems traumatic,

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but this is how teenagers

learn the parenting skills

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they'll need in the future.

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There's no shortage of love here,

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even if, at times, it's tough love.

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The prairies of North America,

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home to an animal

with a surprisingly-loving nature.

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This inquisitive soul

is the prairie dog.

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He has a new neighbour.

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Spy prairie dog.

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CHIRPING

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Everyone's curious

to see the new arrival.

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They live in towns,

made up of around 20 family groups.

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In these wide open spaces,

everyone relies on each other

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to watch for danger.

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So, to strengthen

their family connections,

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they have an endearing way

to express their affection.

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Kissing.

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Like a human kiss,

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it's thought to encourage the bond

of love and release oxytocin -

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a pleasure hormone

that floods the brain.

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It also helps

identify family members

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and strangers from out of town.

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But when a rival male

blatantly steals a kiss,

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it doesn't go down well

with the head of the family.

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The cheating female

wisely hides, as fur flies.

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Love rival gone,

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the prairie dogs regroup,

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with an enthusiastic display

called a jump-yip.

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The jump-yip shows the colony

is alert and on guard.

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It also reinforces its unity,

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ensuring everyone

is on the same wavelength.

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Even spy prairie dog gives it a go.

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CHIRPING

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CHIRPING

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BELLOWING

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Back on the African savanna,

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the new-born elephant

is on the move

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and he now needs the protection

of his family more than ever.

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The spy creatures are on duty, too.

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As they travel, the mother uses

her tail to make sure her baby

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is always in touching distance...

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..for danger can come from

the most unexpected places.

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And wild dogs can be a threat,

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especially when they have

their own pups to protect.

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For now, they are blissfully unaware

that the elephants are close.

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The pups are constantly playing,

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building the social skills they need

to be fully part of the pack.

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ELEPHANT BELLOWING

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But the elephants

are getting closer.

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They could easily destroy

the den and crush the pups.

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The dogs advance,

to meet the threat.

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Wild dogs are effective killers,

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able to take down

a new-born elephant.

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But their only concern now

is the safety of their own young.

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Stragglers are rounded up.

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The elephants are equally concerned

for their own baby.

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They shepherd him

behind a protective wall of legs.

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The dogs create their own barrier

between the elephants and the den.

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It's a showdown.

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The matriarch leads the charge.

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BELLOWING

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She's the most experienced

member of the family.

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As the conflict escalates,

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the elephants put on

a united show of strength...

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..with the baby hidden behind

a moving barrier of legs.

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Eventually, the two sides

accept an uneasy truce.

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Both loyal and loving families

know there's too much to lose

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from further confrontation.

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With spy tortoise

now fully accepted by the herd...

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..the elephants bring him

along for the ride.

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Albeit, a brief one.

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The affection that binds

families together may be strong,

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but the bond between courting

couples is in different realm.

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In southern Kenya,

love is blossoming.

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This male red-billed hornbill

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has found the perfect spot

to bring up a family.

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His mate is never far away.

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He performs a little dance,

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to entice her to take a closer look.

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She shows her approval

by starting to spruce the place up.

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They now face a challenge that will

test their commitment to the limit.

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They set to work, gathering mud -

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a central element to their plan.

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Their aim is

to make the entrance smaller.

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Their aim is

to make the entrance smaller.

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They also add

poisonous millipedes to the mix,

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creating an insect repellent that

keeps nest-raiding pests at bay.

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The hole is shrinking fast,

so before it gets too small,

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the female must move in.

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This tiny chamber will become

her home for the next 12 weeks.

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She's a willing captive,

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even using her own droppings

to help narrow the hole.

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She now relies on her mate

to deliver more building materials.

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Working as a team, the female

narrows the entrance from within.

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Their plan is to make a prison cell,

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but one purely for her protection,

as it keeps predators, like snakes,

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from entering.

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Soon, the hole

is reduced to a mere slit,

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just big enough

to squeeze in supplies.

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Eventually, the eggs are laid.

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Among her clutch

is a special spy egg,

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one that will record the next

stage in this incredible story.

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As the weeks go by,

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her mate's only concern

is to keep his partner well fed.

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She is completely dependent on him.

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He brings her up to 20 large insects

each day, while she incubates.

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But what goes in, must come out.

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Nest hygiene is essential.

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25 days after laying,

the moment has arrived.

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CHIRPING

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She has a brood of three,

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plus one adopted chick(!)

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Spy egg has become spy hatchling.

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One chick takes him under her wing.

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With more mouths to feed,

the male is in overdrive,

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finding at least

70 insects each day.

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They have voracious appetites...

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..but at least

one beak doesn't need feeding.

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The mother divvies up the food

between her growing brood

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as best she can.

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But after being cooped up

for over two months,

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the lack of space

and constant quarrelling

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is getting too much for her.

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She starts to chisel her way out...

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..testing the hole for size.

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To keep her babies safe,

it must stay predator-proof.

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It seems an impossible squeeze,

so easy to get stuck.

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Freedom.

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The chicks instinctively

use spittle and droppings

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to close up the entrance again.

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Now, the hard work can be shared.

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Each chick needs

one insect every ten minutes.

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One bird alone

couldn't keep up with demand.

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Spy chick even gets a mouthful.

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But, of course, he shares it around.

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The parents will feed their

chicks for another three weeks,

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until they are ready to fledge.

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Few birds show such dedication. It's

the ultimate expression of trust.

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They'll remain faithful

for their entire lives.

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Not all partners

show the same devotion.

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The cold wastes of Antarctica.

0:36:350:36:37

For Adelie penguins,

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the challenges start the moment they

arrive from the ocean, to breed.

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The males race

to their nesting grounds,

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desperate for a head start

on their rivals.

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As soon as they arrive,

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the quarrels begin

over who gets the best nest sites.

0:37:020:37:07

Spy Adelie enters the fray.

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But to film

their complicated love life,

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it's vital he fits in.

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His courtship display

makes him one of the gang,

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as they wait

for their mates to arrive.

0:37:320:37:33

The females are fussy partners

and the males fight over pebbles,

0:37:370:37:41

to make sure they build them

the biggest and finest nests.

0:37:410:37:45

And they don't mind

who gets in their way.

0:37:490:37:51

A late arrival

hurries into the colony.

0:38:050:38:07

With the best nest sites taken,

he is forced to the outskirts,

0:38:150:38:19

where no-one wants to be.

0:38:190:38:21

It's a cold and soggy place

to build a love nest,

0:38:230:38:26

especially when the point

of the pebbles is to keep their eggs

0:38:260:38:30

raised and dry.

0:38:300:38:31

Spy Adelie helps as best he can...

0:38:340:38:37

..with a well-placed pebble cam.

0:38:380:38:40

But the latecomer isn't discouraged

0:38:490:38:51

and gathers more pebbles,

as fast as he can.

0:38:510:38:54

But round here, you can't

turn your back for a second.

0:38:590:39:02

As soon as he puts it down,

his pebble is stolen.

0:39:020:39:05

The thief embellishes

his impressive nest.

0:39:080:39:10

Oblivious, the latecomer

is travelling ever further

0:39:120:39:15

to find stones...

0:39:150:39:16

..while the crook

takes advantage of the moment.

0:39:200:39:22

He may have no moral code, but he

certainly has a magnificent nest.

0:39:260:39:30

In contrast, the latecomer's

nest remains in a sorry state

0:39:330:39:37

and the criminal penguin is getting

ever more brazen...

0:39:370:39:41

SQUAWKING

0:39:410:39:42

..taking another trophy back

to his ever-growing pile,

0:39:440:39:47

..while the latecomer

is becoming despondent.

0:39:480:39:52

To make matters worse,

0:39:550:39:56

the females have started to arrive.

0:39:560:39:59

Females often remain

faithful to their partners,

0:40:050:40:08

but only if the nests

meet their high expectations.

0:40:080:40:11

So, for the latecomer,

the pressure is on.

0:40:150:40:18

She makes a considered inspection.

0:40:230:40:25

Perhaps one last stone

will swing it?

0:40:270:40:30

He awaits her verdict.

0:40:390:40:40

Her reaction

is somewhat disappointing.

0:40:470:40:50

Nearby, the bachelor thief proudly

shows off his ill-gotten gains.

0:40:520:40:58

There is only so much

a female penguin can resist.

0:41:000:41:02

She wants a male

with a dry, raised nest,

0:41:080:41:11

where her eggs will survive.

0:41:110:41:13

And she's found one.

0:41:130:41:15

But her jilted partner

won't give up without a fight.

0:41:200:41:23

It was a brave effort,

0:41:520:41:55

but it wasn't enough.

0:41:550:41:56

She chooses the thieving male

with the finest nest.

0:41:580:42:01

Her mate makes one last plea...

0:42:030:42:05

..but it's all in vain...

0:42:060:42:08

..and he's subjected

to the final indignity.

0:42:110:42:15

But Adelies are plucky

and irrepressible birds

0:42:300:42:35

and, if you

can't beat them, join them.

0:42:350:42:39

You can always build another nest,

0:42:400:42:43

especially with

a little help from a friend.

0:42:430:42:46

Back in the warmth of Africa,

0:42:510:42:53

spy tortoise is going undercover

in more familiar territory.

0:42:530:42:57

He's spending time

with real tortoises,

0:43:000:43:02

to record what insights

into love they might offer.

0:43:020:43:06

This leopard tortoise is desperately

seeking a romantic liaison.

0:43:070:43:11

As he sets off

on this amorous quest,

0:43:140:43:17

spy tortoise plays gooseberry.

0:43:170:43:19

The hopeful suitor's technique

lacks a certain subtlety.

0:43:280:43:31

First, he gives chase.

0:43:380:43:40

And then, a bit of a barge.

0:43:510:43:53

CLUNKING

0:43:530:43:55

If you're covered by a hard shell,

it's difficult to be sensitive.

0:43:550:43:59

And there's nothing subtle

about what happens next.

0:44:010:44:04

GASPING

0:44:230:44:26

Spy tortoise is here to observe,

0:44:320:44:35

but things don't always go to plan.

0:44:350:44:39

Probably best

to forget that ever happened.

0:45:040:45:07

For our spy creatures,

0:45:110:45:12

being immersed in the world of

animals is not without its hazards.

0:45:120:45:16

In Rajasthan,

0:45:220:45:24

the temple languors have taken spy

monkey into the heart of the family.

0:45:240:45:28

But some are keen to take

the budding relationship

0:45:290:45:32

to the next level

0:45:320:45:33

and are getting

a little too familiar.

0:45:330:45:35

One seems to want to babysit her.

0:45:390:45:42

But disaster strikes.

0:45:470:45:48

An injured baby

is a cause for concern.

0:45:500:45:53

And this languor

seems to believe she's died.

0:46:020:46:05

Then,

something extraordinary happens.

0:46:080:46:11

The monkeys gather round

the motionless spy creature,

0:46:190:46:22

as if it is a real baby.

0:46:220:46:24

They react just as they do

when their own babies die.

0:46:470:46:51

A calm and contemplative mood

descends on the colony.

0:47:000:47:03

There's a sense of grief,

as well as empathy for one another.

0:47:060:47:10

Quite accidentally, our spy creature

0:47:140:47:17

is at the centre of something

extraordinary, capturing emotions

0:47:170:47:22

that have rarely been observed.

0:47:220:47:24

Such apparent expressions of grief

may not be unique to primates.

0:47:340:47:39

On the African savanna,

0:47:480:47:50

spy tortoise is party

to another unique event.

0:47:500:47:54

Giraffes are appearing

from every direction.

0:47:590:48:02

This is what they've come to see.

0:48:070:48:10

An old giraffe has passed away

0:48:150:48:17

and it seems

to have profoundly affected those

0:48:170:48:20

who share these vast grasslands.

0:48:200:48:23

And more keep arriving,

0:48:300:48:32

creating an unprecedented assembly,

never witnessed before.

0:48:320:48:36

The giraffes kept arriving

throughout the day,

0:49:060:49:09

seemingly paying respects

to the old male.

0:49:090:49:13

An awareness of death

0:49:170:49:19

was previously believed

to have involved just a few

0:49:190:49:21

highly intelligent species,

but this seems to suggest otherwise.

0:49:210:49:26

Such deep feelings are to be

more expected among chimpanzees,

0:49:440:49:49

but these intelligent animals

still have the capacity to surprise.

0:49:490:49:54

In the forests of Senegal,

0:49:560:49:58

spy bushbaby is part

of a team of spy cameras

0:49:580:50:01

capturing intimate views

of our closest living relatives.

0:50:010:50:05

Here, the family lives

a charmed existence.

0:50:180:50:21

Parental love and friendships form

the foundation of their society.

0:50:280:50:33

Spy tortoise is also being deployed.

0:50:360:50:39

But these are

highly-perceptive animals...

0:50:470:50:49

..and something's not quite right.

0:51:030:51:06

This five-year-old checks

what the others are thinking.

0:51:140:51:17

They seem equally baffled.

0:51:210:51:23

But with his curiosity piqued,

he simply can't stay away.

0:51:310:51:35

As his interest grows, so does

the strength of his feelings.

0:51:500:51:55

SCREECHING

0:51:550:51:57

He just has to have

spy tortoise all to himself.

0:52:000:52:05

He hides with it

in his leafy daybed,

0:52:220:52:26

where he'd normally take a nap.

0:52:260:52:27

But he's too excited to sleep.

0:52:330:52:36

He's torn between using it

as a pillow and giving it cuddle.

0:52:430:52:47

It's somewhere between

a toy and a pet.

0:52:470:52:51

SCREECHING

0:53:000:53:04

It's definitely not for sharing.

0:53:140:53:16

Chimps don't normally

have possessions,

0:53:540:53:57

but spy tortoise

has stirred new emotions.

0:53:570:54:00

Elsewhere in the forest,

0:54:060:54:08

spy bushbaby is helping document

an equally-unique event.

0:54:080:54:12

One of the older chimps

is playing with a tiny kitten.

0:54:210:54:25

It's the offspring of a genet cat

found abandoned in the forest.

0:54:290:54:33

He treats it with kid gloves,

mindful not to hurt it.

0:54:410:54:45

Even a nip is tolerated.

0:54:500:54:52

The way he responds to the genet

0:54:550:54:57

shows a very rare emotion

in animals - empathy.

0:54:570:55:01

Other chimps are intrigued.

0:55:050:55:06

And one shows an unwelcome interest.

0:55:200:55:23

This older chimp

is used to having his own way,

0:55:270:55:30

but without any feelings for

the kitten, he's a bit too rough.

0:55:300:55:34

The owner shows

real concern and intervenes,

0:55:340:55:37

to protect his vulnerable pet.

0:55:370:55:39

And takes it from harm's way.

0:55:420:55:43

They hide behind a termite mound.

0:55:550:55:57

It's not just a private spot,

it's also a chance for a snack.

0:55:580:56:03

By using a stick,

he can fish for termites.

0:56:080:56:11

It's an intimate moment

enjoyed with a special companion.

0:56:170:56:19

Perhaps this is how

human pet-keeping began.

0:56:250:56:28

This is a glimpse

of something quite remarkable -

0:56:330:56:36

the first stirrings

of empathy for another species.

0:56:360:56:40

In the animal world,

0:56:460:56:48

there are more ways

of showing love and affection

0:56:480:56:50

than we ever thought possible.

0:56:500:56:53

From maternal devotion,

0:56:540:56:56

to family affection.

0:56:560:56:59

Through jealousy...

0:56:590:57:00

..grief...

0:57:020:57:04

..and romantic liaisons.

0:57:050:57:06

These many incarnations of love

in the animal world may offer

0:57:080:57:11

a mirror

to our own complex feelings.

0:57:110:57:14

Next time,

a team of new spy creatures

0:57:150:57:18

film how intelligent

animals really are,

0:57:180:57:21

with some

extraordinary revelations.

0:57:210:57:24

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