0:00:13 > 0:00:17They care for friend and family like few other animals.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Like us, they feel emotion.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28They may even be aware of their own mortality.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32Yet, there's still so very much we don't know about elephants.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Here in Northern Kenya, a group called Save The Elephants
0:00:37 > 0:00:40is making extraordinary discoveries about their lives.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45The research team are facing some big challenges.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49An elephant called Mountain Bull has been tracked
0:00:49 > 0:00:52to the edge of farms and villages where he's set to face trouble.
0:00:52 > 0:00:57A desperately injured calf looks like he may not survive.
0:00:57 > 0:01:02A baby elephant, called Breeze, was born to the Winds family.
0:01:02 > 0:01:07In her first few days of life, she was only just finding her feet.
0:01:10 > 0:01:15We'll follow their dramatic stories and struggles to survive
0:01:15 > 0:01:19alongside the team, as they reveal the Secret Life of Elephants.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50The hills and plains of Samburu lie to the north of Kenya.
0:01:50 > 0:01:56These wild lands support some of Africa's most spectacular wildlife.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04They're also home to a very special population of elephants.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15They all have names, and every detail of their lives is recorded
0:02:15 > 0:02:17by the Save The Elephants team.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29David Daballen co-ordinates the field research.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36He's out looking for the youngest elephant in the reserve,
0:02:36 > 0:02:38born to a family called the Winds.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43This is Breeze.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01David has known her since the very first day of her life.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06At four months old, Breeze spends most of her time
0:03:06 > 0:03:10playing with the other elephants in her close-knit family.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14David is delighted with how she's doing.
0:03:14 > 0:03:19I feel so happy when I see Breeze playing with all these calves,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21given the fact a few months ago
0:03:21 > 0:03:24she was still a really tiny baby.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31She is enjoying all the company of her family at the moment,
0:03:31 > 0:03:34and I'm very hopeful that she will make it all the way.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40But the next few weeks will test her and her family to the limits.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43The dry season lies ahead.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46David knows that new babies like Breeze
0:03:46 > 0:03:48can often die when times get hard.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52So, for the next few weeks, he will keep a close watch on the herd.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06The Save the Elephants team live alongside the elephants
0:04:06 > 0:04:09at the camp in the heart of the reserve.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16Their mission is to research and protect elephants,
0:04:16 > 0:04:18to ensure they have a future in Africa.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25The team was founded by Iain Douglas-Hamilton.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29He's shared his life with elephants for over 40 years,
0:04:29 > 0:04:33and his aim is to see the world from an elephant's point of view.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37I'm just interested to try and get inside the head of an elephant
0:04:37 > 0:04:40because, even after a lifetime of studying them,
0:04:40 > 0:04:42I'm still learning so much.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45Iain believes that to understand elephants,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48the team must get to know them as individuals.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51To the untrained eye elephants may look the same,
0:04:51 > 0:04:54but to the researchers they are all unique characters.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59I can recognise about...
0:04:59 > 0:05:02600 elephants, individually.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04They are so different.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08One is tuskless, the other has massive tusks.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11One is huge and the other one is tiny.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13So, they're just as different as we are.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19Cutting edge technology is also key to the team's discoveries.
0:05:19 > 0:05:20Elephants are fitted with collars
0:05:20 > 0:05:22and tracked by satellite from the camp.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24Watch his movements.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27This extraordinary insight into their lives
0:05:27 > 0:05:28is helping to protect them.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36Today, the plan is to fit a new collar to one of the elephants.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41Iain is heading off to pick up an important member of the team.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51While he's away there's another elephant to check on.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54Saba Douglas-Hamilton is Iain's daughter.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58She grew up in Africa, and has a lifelong passion for elephants.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05The team monitor the wellbeing of every elephant here,
0:06:05 > 0:06:07especially when they're in danger.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Three months ago a calf injured his leg,
0:06:13 > 0:06:15and he couldn't keep up with his family.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22His mother stuck with him, but the team doubted he would survive.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29This morning their herd is back.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33Saba and David need to see if the calf has made it.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39I haven't seen the mother yet.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46There she is, she's right over there.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50But has the calf survived?
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Hold on, there she is, look. That's the calf behind her.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Oh, yeah, yeah.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58It's looking very well, full of life.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03The calf is safely back with his family -
0:07:03 > 0:07:06and he's walking almost normally.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10Do you know, I wonder if he didn't fracture his leg or something.
0:07:10 > 0:07:11It takes six weeks for a bone to heal.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15The way that's healed back together, there's still quite a lump there.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17We didn't think that calf would survive,
0:07:17 > 0:07:21because over a period of time, he was on his own with his mother
0:07:21 > 0:07:23and they really looked sad.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26But, you know, when they are all back together, very happy,
0:07:26 > 0:07:29and the calf was as strong as it could be.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31That was just the happiest time.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33We could say, "They're all back together."
0:07:42 > 0:07:46The bonds between a mother and her calf are very strong,
0:07:46 > 0:07:48and that's probably what saved his life.
0:07:48 > 0:07:49She's stuck with him
0:07:49 > 0:07:52through thick and thin and helped him wherever she could
0:07:52 > 0:07:54and somehow, together,
0:07:54 > 0:07:56they managed to get through.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02The team's first mission has been a success,
0:08:02 > 0:08:05but the next is set to be far more difficult.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18Iain is back.
0:08:18 > 0:08:23With him is Dr Stephen Chege, a vet from the Kenya Wildlife Service.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26He's here to replace a broken radio collar
0:08:26 > 0:08:28on an elephant called Anastasia.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30It's going to bring back bad memories.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37When she goes down, this family will defend her.
0:08:37 > 0:08:42Three months ago, the same operation nearly ended in disaster.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45Anastasia fell awkwardly and almost stopped breathing.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Her breathing is bad.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50The team brought her round, but everyone was shaken up.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00This time, the team know they must get it right.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04If they can find out where the elephants go
0:09:04 > 0:09:08outside the safety of the reserve, they can help protect them.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Anastasia's family are called the Royals -
0:09:11 > 0:09:1450 animals who support and protect each other.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16With so many united elephants,
0:09:16 > 0:09:19this will be a tough challenge for the team.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23'How far has she separated from the rest of the group?'
0:09:23 > 0:09:25She is very in it, actually.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27She is near the front group.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31It's quite like a military operation.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33We have to have total precision
0:09:33 > 0:09:36and be in perfect communication with everybody else.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42Running a darting operation is always an anxious time.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45I'm always worried that something is going to go wrong,
0:09:45 > 0:09:47either to the elephant or to the people.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51Your biggest problem is the other elephants.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55They are a very tight family and as soon as they see one of their
0:09:55 > 0:09:59family members going down, the whole family is on the warpath.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01Dr Chege has found a position
0:10:01 > 0:10:05that will give him a clear shot with an anaesthetic dart.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10Anastasia, and her young calf, are feeding to their right.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17They mustn't spook her, or all will be lost.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- Very quiet, everybody.- Yeah.
0:10:42 > 0:10:43ELEPHANT TRUMPETS
0:10:46 > 0:10:48That's a good shot.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52The anaesthetic will take a few minutes to act.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56The team can only hope that this time the operation goes to plan.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02There's a problem.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06Anastasia's family are moving in to protect her.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09Things are looking a lot more difficult for the team.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38Nearby, the Winds family, with little Breeze,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40are leaving the river.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57At the front is Harmattan, Breeze's mother.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59She is the matriarch.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04It's her job to keep the family safe and guide them to food and water.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07The others always follow her lead.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11All, that is, apart from one.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19Buster, with a distinctive folded ear, is Breeze's older brother.
0:12:22 > 0:12:23Since Breeze was born,
0:12:23 > 0:12:27he hasn't been getting as much attention from his mother.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35Like all young bulls, he likes to practise his fighting skills.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37He thinks he knows better than to follow the herd...
0:12:39 > 0:12:44but he's acting like an over-confident teenager,
0:12:44 > 0:12:46and this could get him into trouble.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54Back with the family, Breeze is learning some more basic lessons.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06The adults are feeding up before the dry season takes hold
0:13:06 > 0:13:07using trunks and feet.
0:13:09 > 0:13:14It looks easy, but a trunk is made of over 40,000 muscles.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Learning to use it is a real challenge for a baby elephant.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26Breeze is copying the adults and trying things out.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39She is starting to get the general idea.
0:13:47 > 0:13:52But, for now, it's much easier to go back to Harmattan for her milk.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56With her first dry season just ahead,
0:13:56 > 0:13:59she needs to build up her strength.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Back on the plains, the team have got problems.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14Anastasia's family have sensed something is wrong.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Iain and the others quickly push the elephants away from her.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21- You can come in, you can come in, Saba.- 'Coming.'
0:14:21 > 0:14:23Gently, gently does it.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25It's a tense moment...
0:14:25 > 0:14:27but this time she falls in a good position.
0:14:27 > 0:14:33She's down. Just block completely, come right into me. Right into me.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Anastasia's little calf is the last to leave her side.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45The Royals are still close by.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51The team manoeuvre the cars around Anastasia
0:14:51 > 0:14:52to protect them while they work.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55You block them. Saba, you can do some blocking.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59It's important she isn't down long.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04Water keeps her cool.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08Just be careful in case they put their heads down and come.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11The new collar is quickly fitted.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15OK, that's all right.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17The team are focused on their work...
0:15:17 > 0:15:20but there's a problem.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30The Royals are charging back to protect Anastasia.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32Can you please get in the car?
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Saba must carefully push back the herd
0:15:40 > 0:15:42to protect the team working on the ground.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01The collar is finally on.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04OK, I think, guys, we should get her up.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Dr Chege gives the antidote.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Two minutes, she'll be up.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11The team back off.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15All they can do now is wait for Anastasia to come around.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20When did you put the antidote in?
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Yeah, there it goes.
0:16:23 > 0:16:24Telling you, "I'm still there."
0:16:24 > 0:16:26- That's the first sign.- Yeah.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45Anastasia's family come straight over to check she's OK.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51This time, the operation has gone completely to plan.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54It's a great moment for the team.
0:16:54 > 0:16:55That's very good.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07The family gently reassure Anastasia,
0:17:07 > 0:17:10and her calf is back by her side.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Watching the reactions of the family,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15it really helps you to understand the bonds that exist
0:17:15 > 0:17:17between these animals.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22They will always look after their babies, they'll defend each other,
0:17:22 > 0:17:24they'll put themselves out on the front line
0:17:24 > 0:17:26to protect those that they love.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30The new collar will reveal where Anastasia goes.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34This information will help protect all the elephants here.
0:17:34 > 0:17:39The whole thing, in the long run, is going to be a question of space.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43If there will be enough space or not for wild elephants to survive.
0:17:43 > 0:17:48That's where our radio tracking is providing vital data.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13In the reserve, the land is still green,
0:18:13 > 0:18:15but the water level is dropping.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23The Ewaso Ng'iro flows through the middle of the reserve.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29The river and its surrounding lush vegetation
0:18:29 > 0:18:31are a magnet for all the animals here.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37Now the land is drying, the river will be a lifeline.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49Already dozens of elephant families are arriving from drier areas.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53They're all well known by the research team.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57So, for them, it's like seeing old friends come back.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06The herds all have names - the Native Americans, the Planets,
0:19:06 > 0:19:10the Shakespeare Ladies, the Clouds, the Spice Girls.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33There are now hundreds of elephants gathering in the reserve -
0:19:33 > 0:19:35and following them in...
0:19:35 > 0:19:37the bulls.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44This male is called Plato.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46He's moving from family to family
0:19:46 > 0:19:49to see if any of the females are ready to mate.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59There are other bulls moving into the reserve,
0:19:59 > 0:20:02and Saba's checking up on them.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10She's always been fascinated by bull elephants.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12I love bull elephants,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15just because there is no greater mammal
0:20:15 > 0:20:17that walks the surface of the Earth.
0:20:19 > 0:20:24When you're next to them you just feel so small and vulnerable.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29They have this particular kind of walk
0:20:29 > 0:20:32where they just hold themselves up high,
0:20:32 > 0:20:36and their neck muscles are rippling with this extraordinary power,
0:20:36 > 0:20:40and they're just streaming secretion from their temporal glands
0:20:40 > 0:20:41and other parts of their body.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45And they exude this particular odour which is very powerful.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47It's like pure testosterone.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54I know there are quite a lot of female elephant researchers
0:20:54 > 0:20:57who kind of shiver in ecstasy when they smell it.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59Am I one of them? Maybe...
0:21:03 > 0:21:05And it's not just Saba.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08All the elephant families are excited that the bulls are here.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29With so many elephant families in the reserve
0:21:29 > 0:21:31to see out the dry season,
0:21:31 > 0:21:34the weeks ahead look set to be very interesting.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Back at camp, Iain is checking on Anastasia.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40That's actually where the operation took place.
0:21:40 > 0:21:41That's where we put the dart in.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43The white dots are from her collar.
0:21:43 > 0:21:44As soon as she was up,
0:21:44 > 0:21:47the group moved off and they resumed their march.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49Unlike the other elephants,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52she's headed north, crossing out of the reserve.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- Isn't it interesting? - Very, very interesting.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01Data has revealed that elephants can walk hundreds of miles
0:22:01 > 0:22:02in search of food and water -
0:22:02 > 0:22:07but outside the safety of the reserve, they can run into trouble.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Mountain Bull is one of the team's collared elephants.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18They've discovered he moves between two protected areas -
0:22:18 > 0:22:21but the land between is populated.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24This is a problem for him and the people who live there.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29When Saba last saw him four months ago,
0:22:29 > 0:22:31he was poised to move into the danger zone.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Now, there's a development.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39What's the latest on Mountain Bull?
0:22:39 > 0:22:41First of all, this is where you last saw him.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46Since then he's gone up through the forest, across the wheat fields.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49Mountain Bull has run the gauntlet of farms and villages.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53They need to find out how he's got through this dangerous area.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57And that is quite a populated area little shambas.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59Yes, it is. They're all tiny little farms -
0:22:59 > 0:23:02and not only that there's one quite important village
0:23:02 > 0:23:03- that he has to go through.- Mm-hm.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05According to this,
0:23:05 > 0:23:09it looks like he has started and ended on the main road.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11What I would really like you to do
0:23:11 > 0:23:15is to find out his precise pattern by following his tracks.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- So, I need to take a good tracker. - Yes.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26Outside the reserve's boundaries,
0:23:26 > 0:23:29elephants have to live alongside people.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34There's never been more competition for space.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40How much trouble has Mountain Bull run into?
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Saba must find out.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15Back inside the reserve, the land is drying.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Hard times lie ahead for all the animals here.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52The Winds family are crossing the river in search of food.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59But one of the herd is missing.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03Buster, the six-year-old son of the matriarch, Harmattan,
0:25:03 > 0:25:04is nowhere in sight.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11At the edge of the plains, there's an interesting situation.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15A very young female has come into season,
0:25:15 > 0:25:17probably for the first time...
0:25:19 > 0:25:22..and hot on her heels is none other than Buster.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34He's not alone.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38Two big bulls have also detected she's ready to mate.
0:25:40 > 0:25:41One of them is Plato,
0:25:41 > 0:25:45the elephant who was checking out the family groups in the river.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53The female is tiny.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Plato and the other bull tower above her -
0:25:56 > 0:25:58and they're several times her weight.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04If a bull attempts to mount her, he could crush her.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Just what is Buster thinking?
0:26:13 > 0:26:16Flirting with the female right in front of the bulls
0:26:16 > 0:26:18could get him into serious trouble.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28But the big bulls won't harm him.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31Recent research has revealed young bulls produce a substance
0:26:31 > 0:26:34called the "innocence secretion".
0:26:34 > 0:26:36This sends a signal to the big guys
0:26:36 > 0:26:39that he's young, and absolutely no threat.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Buster's been so distracted by the female,
0:26:54 > 0:26:58he's completely forgotten about his family.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03He suddenly realises they're nowhere in sight.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17Buster is alone and very upset.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22In his quest for independence, he's got more than he bargained for.
0:27:31 > 0:27:3350 miles south of the reserve,
0:27:33 > 0:27:36Saba is hot on the trail of Mountain Bull.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39Elephant tracks.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41- Fresh tracks?- Fresh tracks, yes.
0:27:41 > 0:27:46The data shows she's just days behind.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51Saba has met with John Pameri,
0:27:51 > 0:27:54a ranger from the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58He's been getting reports about a bull elephant with a collar.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03Mountain Bull's journey started in this protected forest,
0:28:03 > 0:28:07but it wasn't long before he reached his first obstacle.
0:28:07 > 0:28:12Saba's about to find out exactly how clever Mountain Bull is.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15Some of the bulls, they break the fence,
0:28:15 > 0:28:18but the Mountain Bull, they used to get...
0:28:18 > 0:28:20- You can see how they made all this...- Oh, my God.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23Look at that both ways, in and out.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27He didn't want to break the fence, but through the gate he's an expert
0:28:27 > 0:28:29of going through the gate.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31- He's a polite fellow.- Yeah!
0:28:31 > 0:28:36Amazingly, Mountain Bull's learnt to use the gate.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38The farmers now leave it loosely fastened
0:28:38 > 0:28:41so he can get through without wrecking it.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44- Right, cos if he had a lock he would smash the whole thing.- Yeah.
0:28:44 > 0:28:45On the other side of the fence,
0:28:45 > 0:28:49there are fields of crops as far as the eye can see.
0:28:49 > 0:28:50This is where he comes.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53Yeah. The route is just somewhere towards the...
0:28:53 > 0:28:56Look at this, straight through the wheat fields
0:28:56 > 0:29:00and around the base of that hill in the distance,
0:29:00 > 0:29:02- and then he runs the gauntlet through the shambas.- Yeah, yeah.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05- So, we are dead on course. - Yeah, we are on track.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08- Right through the wheat.- Yeah.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11There's no place to hide for an elephant,
0:29:11 > 0:29:15but Mountain Bull is clever and crossed under cover of darkness.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22Then he went through another gate and on to a road.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26There's a definite sign an elephant's been here.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30- We've got a tracks.- Yes, tracks. - How old did you think they are?
0:29:30 > 0:29:33They are two days old.
0:29:33 > 0:29:34Two days, that figures.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36That's when he came up here.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38It looks like he stopped for a snack.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40What's in this, then, lots of wheat?
0:29:40 > 0:29:43Yes. You can see...
0:29:43 > 0:29:45seeds.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47- You can see, yeah. - That's the evidence. Hard evidence.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50Yeah. This is seed.
0:29:55 > 0:30:00Saba's found Mountain Bull is eating crops and damaging fences.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03That isn't going to go down well with the farmers.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09But more difficult problems lie ahead.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24Back in Samburu, Buster has rejoined the Winds family.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28His recent adventure showed he's a long way to go
0:30:28 > 0:30:30before he can compete with the big boys.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33So, he's found someone his own size to pick on.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39Feeding nearby are the Biblical Towns family,
0:30:39 > 0:30:43with the young disabled female, Babel.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47She broke a leg many years ago, and although her family protect her,
0:30:47 > 0:30:50she's often left way behind the others.
0:30:50 > 0:30:55Unfortunately, she makes the ideal target for Buster.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10This is the last thing that poor Babel needs.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25Finally, she catches up with the rest of her family...
0:31:29 > 0:31:32..but Buster is still in a combative mood.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38He's taken on two bulls much bigger than him.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52Nearby, Breeze is playing.
0:31:54 > 0:31:55She hears the commotion
0:31:55 > 0:31:59and curiosity leads her into the middle of the fight.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07This is exactly the kind of situation
0:32:07 > 0:32:09where a baby elephant could get hurt.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19Knowing Breeze is at risk, her mother, Harmattan,
0:32:19 > 0:32:22joins the fray and swiftly puts a stop to it.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36Buster's boisterous ways could have harmed Breeze,
0:32:36 > 0:32:39and Harmattan won't tolerate this behaviour.
0:32:39 > 0:32:44If Buster carries on like this, he could get pushed out of the herd.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13The dry season is here.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22Now all life converges on the river.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29Herders from far and wide
0:33:29 > 0:33:32are bringing their flocks to the last of the water.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55Predators are closing in.
0:33:57 > 0:34:02With so many animals near the river, it's the best place to get a meal.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05They aren't welcome here.
0:34:17 > 0:34:23On the edge of the river bank, a lion has the ideal vantage point.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26All the other animals now risk an ambush on their way to water.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32In Samburu, lions are the biggest killers of baby elephants.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40Harmattan must take extra care of Breeze
0:34:40 > 0:34:43as she leads the Winds to the drying river.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53The newly exposed sand is a fun place for Breeze
0:34:53 > 0:34:56and the other young elephants to play.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06The activity flushes up insects, which in turn attract birds.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30Two birds are twice as much fun -
0:35:30 > 0:35:33but Breeze needs to pay attention.
0:35:35 > 0:35:36With lions around,
0:35:36 > 0:35:40she's vulnerable if she moves too far from Harmattan's side.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58She's lost.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02This elephant is not her mother.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08Her panic's clear.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18At last, she sees her mother.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22They're safely reunited...
0:36:22 > 0:36:25but Breeze must learn to be careful.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37We are now on high.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39Saba and John have climbed to a vantage point
0:36:39 > 0:36:42to check on Mountain Bull's route.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44- That's Samburu over there.- Yeah.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46- That's where we've come from.- Yeah.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50From here they can see what he's up against.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52The wheat fields are to the south,
0:36:52 > 0:36:55several villages lie ahead to the north -
0:36:55 > 0:36:59and this could be the flashpoint for conflict.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01Many elephants use this route,
0:37:01 > 0:37:05and more people are moving in all the time.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07What does become very evident when you stand up here
0:37:07 > 0:37:11and look at it, is how much new settlement there is here.
0:37:11 > 0:37:15Mountain Bull is over 50 years old,
0:37:15 > 0:37:19so most of the settlement has appeared within his lifetime.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25His journey is getting more difficult every year.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31- We'll try up here.- Yeah.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34- Go through again the gate. - Another gate.- Yeah.
0:37:34 > 0:37:38Are the people in the villages prepared to live with elephants?
0:37:38 > 0:37:40Saba is about to find out.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42THEY GREET EACH OTHER
0:37:45 > 0:37:49- What's this?- An elephant broke that.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53- The fence.- The fence. - When did that happen?- Yesterday.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57For the people here, Mountain Bull is far more than a dot on a map.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01He's a very real bull elephant, causing real problems.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03- Have you seen him?- Yes.- You know him?
0:38:03 > 0:38:06- Yes.- So, he comes through here quite often?
0:38:06 > 0:38:08Quite often, quite often, he comes.
0:38:14 > 0:38:19Saba finds that Mountain Bull even walks down the main street.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21Someone could get hurt here.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29Saba's also concerned someone might kill Mountain Bull
0:38:29 > 0:38:30if they felt threatened.
0:38:30 > 0:38:36Nearly everyone here has their own smallholding to grow vegetables.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39For a bull elephant building up size and strength,
0:38:39 > 0:38:42it's a temptation that's hard to ignore.
0:38:42 > 0:38:43Here, missing cabbages.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46Yeah. They are so small.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48Lots of cabbages gone.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51- Yeah.- Well, I think your cabbages are very sweet, Wilfred.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53They are very sweet, sweet.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55They eat all over here.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58When they get satisfied, they went straight through the wire.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00Straight through the fence.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04You can see the new fence wires.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08There's no more. Because they have nothing to eat...
0:39:08 > 0:39:10They smell your nice cabbages here.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12They say, "I want cabbages".
0:39:12 > 0:39:14Because they have no-one to cook for them.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16THEY LAUGH
0:39:19 > 0:39:22Although this farmer has a sense of humour,
0:39:22 > 0:39:26Saba knows a few cabbages is a big loss here.
0:39:26 > 0:39:27Just beyond the fields,
0:39:27 > 0:39:32Saba and John reach Mountain Bull's goal, the Imenti forest.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34This is now his sanctuary.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36A sanctuary for elephants.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40The forest is protected and Mountain Bull is safe.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42But as the team suspected,
0:39:42 > 0:39:45he's caused problems on the way here.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47Something must be done.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58Back at camp, the team are always looking for new ways
0:39:58 > 0:40:01to help people and elephants live in harmony...
0:40:02 > 0:40:05..and they've come up with an unusual idea.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Lucy King joined Save The Elephants
0:40:12 > 0:40:16to find a way of scaring elephants away from crops.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20But what could an elephant be frightened of?
0:40:22 > 0:40:24It's the middle of the day,
0:40:24 > 0:40:28and the Winds family are dozing under a tree.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31Breeze doesn't look like she'll be waking up for anyone!
0:40:32 > 0:40:35But that might be about to change.
0:40:43 > 0:40:44(OK, that's fine.)
0:40:56 > 0:40:59Lucy sets up to film the Winds' reaction.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05Then she turns on the speaker.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12SPEAKER PLAYS RECORDING OF BEES
0:41:12 > 0:41:17It's playing the sound of swarming, angry honey bees.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22BUZZING CONTINUES
0:41:24 > 0:41:26There's an instant reaction.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29Most of the family turn away from the sound.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37Harmattan takes a defensive position with Breeze at her side.
0:41:40 > 0:41:44Once she decides to move, the pace picks up,
0:41:44 > 0:41:47and the Winds leave in a cloud of dust.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55The idea of elephants being scared of bees is actually a Kenyan folklore.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57We were expecting them to react,
0:41:57 > 0:42:00and we were expecting they would move away from the sound,
0:42:00 > 0:42:03but I wasn't expecting it to be quite so fast.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07Bees are too small to sting through an African elephant's skin,
0:42:07 > 0:42:09but calves have much thinner skins,
0:42:09 > 0:42:12and I think a true swarm of wild African bees
0:42:12 > 0:42:15would potentially sting a calf to death.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19As far as Harmattan's concerned,
0:42:19 > 0:42:22she's defending Breeze and her family against a real threat.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26But as soon as they can't hear the bees, they relax.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31African honey bees are the most dangerous in the world.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33But how can the elephants' fear be used
0:42:33 > 0:42:36to help people and elephants live together?
0:42:57 > 0:43:02Temperatures in the reserve are soaring to over 30 degrees.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20The Winds family are heading back to the drying river.
0:43:22 > 0:43:26Because they're so big, elephants have trouble losing heat,
0:43:26 > 0:43:29and the Winds are hot and thirsty.
0:43:38 > 0:43:41There are only a few mud holes left to cool down.
0:43:45 > 0:43:47Breeze is making the most of it.
0:43:53 > 0:43:57Getting fresh water to drink is now a real problem.
0:43:59 > 0:44:01When the water really gets low,
0:44:01 > 0:44:04then it's not actually really running properly.
0:44:04 > 0:44:08So there's a bit of stagnant water here and there.
0:44:08 > 0:44:09I don't think it's very clean,
0:44:09 > 0:44:13so they just prefer digging and getting really good water.
0:44:13 > 0:44:17The elephants have a unique way of reaching the clean water.
0:44:19 > 0:44:20Using feet and trunks,
0:44:20 > 0:44:24they dig out holes that fill from water beneath the sand.
0:44:35 > 0:44:38The Winds aren't the only family who need water.
0:44:40 > 0:44:42But there's a hierarchy between the herds,
0:44:42 > 0:44:45and the Winds are not at the top of the pecking order.
0:44:47 > 0:44:51Harmattan has to work hard to defend their drinking holes.
0:44:52 > 0:44:55This is much more stressful than the usual trip to the river,
0:44:55 > 0:44:57and tempers can easily fray.
0:45:01 > 0:45:06Upepo, one of Harmattan's grown-up daughters, is feeling the pressure.
0:45:11 > 0:45:15She's pushing her own calf away from the drinking hole.
0:45:17 > 0:45:20This is a challenging time for the Winds family,
0:45:20 > 0:45:24and it's going to get harder as the drought tightens its grip.
0:45:36 > 0:45:39Lucy is travelling south from Samburu.
0:45:39 > 0:45:43She's headed for the remote farming settlement of Ex-Erok,
0:45:43 > 0:45:46where elephants and people are locked in conflict.
0:45:50 > 0:45:54A group of big bulls are causing havoc by raiding crops.
0:45:59 > 0:46:02These elephants are here day in, day out.
0:46:04 > 0:46:06Even a daily chore like taking goats to water
0:46:06 > 0:46:09can turn into a terrifying ordeal.
0:46:09 > 0:46:11ELEPHANTS TRUMPET LOUDLY
0:46:23 > 0:46:25Under cover of darkness,
0:46:25 > 0:46:29the bulls break into smallholdings to feed on tasty crops.
0:46:31 > 0:46:33The destruction is clear.
0:46:34 > 0:46:37Lucy's been joined by Onesmus Kahindi,
0:46:37 > 0:46:40a key member of the Save The Elephants team
0:46:40 > 0:46:43who works closely with local people.
0:46:43 > 0:46:46They find that the farmers are under relentless attack.
0:46:46 > 0:46:50The elephant, they came and they destroyed the whole thing.
0:46:50 > 0:46:54My God. Last night. Not one, there were 14.
0:46:54 > 0:46:57- 14 elephants? - So they're just coming...
0:46:57 > 0:47:00They come every night, every night.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04People here live on less than 1 a day,
0:47:04 > 0:47:07and this is a devastating loss.
0:47:09 > 0:47:12The villagers are up most nights until dawn
0:47:12 > 0:47:14trying to scare the elephants away.
0:47:14 > 0:47:17This is very dangerous.
0:47:17 > 0:47:21Even the children, you just call them to help you.
0:47:21 > 0:47:23And small ones, yes!
0:47:23 > 0:47:26All elephants that come into the land cause massive damage.
0:47:26 > 0:47:29The bulls are particularly scary because of their huge tusks,
0:47:29 > 0:47:31and the damage they can do,
0:47:31 > 0:47:33and they really are causing absolute terror
0:47:33 > 0:47:35to some of the young children.
0:47:37 > 0:47:40It's clear elephants are a major problem here.
0:47:42 > 0:47:45Lucy's hoping her experiments with the bee noises
0:47:45 > 0:47:47might be able to help.
0:48:01 > 0:48:04In Samburu, the earth is parched...
0:48:06 > 0:48:09..and the water is almost gone.
0:48:18 > 0:48:21All the animals will struggle now.
0:48:26 > 0:48:28Crocodiles are driven from the dry riverbed
0:48:28 > 0:48:31to take shelter until the rains come.
0:48:53 > 0:48:55The Winds family are heading for shade.
0:49:02 > 0:49:07But with so many elephants forced close together, tensions are rising.
0:49:07 > 0:49:08ELEPHANT GRUNTS
0:49:09 > 0:49:11CALF SQUEALS
0:49:11 > 0:49:14A calf from another family is knocked clean off her feet.
0:49:16 > 0:49:21It's Upepo, Harmattan's daughter, who's made this unprovoked attack.
0:49:23 > 0:49:25ELEPHANT RUMBLES
0:49:27 > 0:49:30The calf is hurt and very upset.
0:49:34 > 0:49:37Elephants rarely show this level of violence.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40Upepo and the Winds sense immediately
0:49:40 > 0:49:41they've done something wrong.
0:49:41 > 0:49:43Harmattan leads them away.
0:49:47 > 0:49:49The calf's mother has arrived,
0:49:49 > 0:49:52trying to work out who attacked her youngster.
0:49:52 > 0:49:56Smelling the ground helps her piece together what's happened.
0:50:01 > 0:50:04Her group is the Native Americans
0:50:04 > 0:50:08and now their matriarch, Mohican, is on the warpath.
0:50:17 > 0:50:20The Winds have retreated under a tree.
0:50:21 > 0:50:24Upepo seems a picture of guilt.
0:50:24 > 0:50:27She's got the whole family into trouble -
0:50:27 > 0:50:30stress they don't need in the difficult dry season.
0:50:34 > 0:50:38Mohican clearly thinks she's worked out who's responsible.
0:50:38 > 0:50:41She heads straight for the Winds.
0:50:47 > 0:50:48ELEPHANT ROARS
0:50:49 > 0:50:53The Winds have no option but to flee.
0:50:53 > 0:50:55Mohican is the more dominant elephant,
0:50:55 > 0:50:58and they seem to know they're in the wrong.
0:50:58 > 0:51:00MOHICAN RUMBLES
0:51:02 > 0:51:04But they've lost a prime spot near the river.
0:51:10 > 0:51:14Their tough times have just got tougher.
0:51:22 > 0:51:27In Ex-Erok, Lucy and Onesmus have seen the devastation
0:51:27 > 0:51:30caused by crop-raiding elephants.
0:51:30 > 0:51:33They think they may be able to help the villagers.
0:51:35 > 0:51:39Lucy has set up traditional beehives around one smallholding.
0:51:44 > 0:51:47- So here we go, here's one of the hives.- Great.
0:51:47 > 0:51:50The hives are linked with a strong wire to form a fence.
0:51:50 > 0:51:52If the elephant walks through,
0:51:52 > 0:51:55it pushes it and causes both beehives to start swinging.
0:51:55 > 0:51:57- Without breaking the shade... - Without breaking it.
0:51:57 > 0:52:02When the hives swing, it upsets the bees and they start swarming.
0:52:02 > 0:52:05Based on Lucy's experiments in the reserve,
0:52:05 > 0:52:08this sound should put the elephants off.
0:52:08 > 0:52:10So that's the theory.
0:52:10 > 0:52:12Lucy needs to see if it's working.
0:52:12 > 0:52:16- Maina, hi.- Hi.- This is Ephrahim Maina, he's the farmer.- Jambo.
0:52:16 > 0:52:19Maina's farm is directly in the elephants' path
0:52:19 > 0:52:21when they come to crop-raid.
0:52:21 > 0:52:23It was one the worst affected.
0:52:23 > 0:52:25But now, things have changed.
0:52:25 > 0:52:29He has a maize crop on his little garden,
0:52:29 > 0:52:32but his neighbours don't,
0:52:32 > 0:52:37because they don't have the same set-up as he has got.
0:52:37 > 0:52:41There's an added bonus. The farmers can harvest and sell the honey.
0:52:41 > 0:52:46If we can stop even 20% of these elephants coming in
0:52:46 > 0:52:50and improve income, through beehives, and bees and honey,
0:52:50 > 0:52:52it's a win-win situation.
0:52:56 > 0:52:58The team's idea has worked.
0:52:58 > 0:53:02Using bees has stopped the elephants and given one farmer a break.
0:53:05 > 0:53:08It's now going to be used in other villages.
0:53:15 > 0:53:17Back at camp, Saba's returned.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20She's telling Iain what she found out about Mountain Bull.
0:53:20 > 0:53:23It was just very interesting seeing where he went,
0:53:23 > 0:53:25straight through the wheat fields like we thought.
0:53:25 > 0:53:28Saba's seen first-hand what Mountain Bull is up against.
0:53:29 > 0:53:32The wheat farming is on a vast scale,
0:53:32 > 0:53:34so Saba thinks the farmers are prepared to put up
0:53:34 > 0:53:36with a few elephants.
0:53:36 > 0:53:38Where I started getting concern from him
0:53:38 > 0:53:40is where he's coming into the village,
0:53:40 > 0:53:42because as the human population grows there,
0:53:42 > 0:53:44and people encroach more into that area,
0:53:44 > 0:53:46they won't be quite so tolerant of Mountain Bull.
0:53:46 > 0:53:49So, we've got to find a solution.
0:53:49 > 0:53:53There's a valley that runs into the forest, avoiding the villages.
0:53:53 > 0:53:56If Mountain Bull and the others could be diverted here
0:53:56 > 0:53:59using a fence, it could solve the problem.
0:53:59 > 0:54:02Then he'd be into the sanctuary of the Imenti forest.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05- Without bothering the local community.- Exactly.
0:54:05 > 0:54:08It seems like a very neat solution.
0:54:08 > 0:54:12Using the collar's data and with collaboration from local farmers,
0:54:12 > 0:54:14the conflict could be stopped.
0:54:14 > 0:54:17Mountain Bull has proved to be clever and adaptable,
0:54:17 > 0:54:20and the team will keep tracking him to check he's safe.
0:54:34 > 0:54:37The reserve is now in full grip of the drought.
0:54:41 > 0:54:44After being pushed away by the Native Americans,
0:54:44 > 0:54:46the Winds are back at the river.
0:54:53 > 0:54:56Competition for drinking holes is still fierce.
0:54:56 > 0:54:57ELEPHANT SNORTS
0:55:00 > 0:55:05A family called the Spice Girls drives two of the Winds away.
0:55:12 > 0:55:15But Harmattan's had enough of being pushed around.
0:55:19 > 0:55:23She takes charge, and gives her family time to drink.
0:55:31 > 0:55:34Leading the herd is a big responsibility.
0:55:34 > 0:55:38Harmattan must draw on the experience of a lifetime
0:55:38 > 0:55:42to guide her family and new baby safely through the dry season.
0:55:46 > 0:55:49Buster has had a first taste of independence.
0:55:52 > 0:55:56His boisterous behaviour is certain to get him into more trouble,
0:55:56 > 0:56:00but for now, he's still very much part of the family.
0:56:07 > 0:56:10When Breeze runs back to the family in a panic,
0:56:10 > 0:56:11it's Buster who greets her.
0:56:18 > 0:56:22Over the past weeks Breeze has really grown up.
0:56:22 > 0:56:24She's more confident
0:56:24 > 0:56:27and she's starting to learn the skills she'll need as an adult.
0:56:41 > 0:56:43Outside the reserve,
0:56:43 > 0:56:47the team are helping people find new ways of living with elephants.
0:56:55 > 0:56:57There's still a lot to do,
0:56:57 > 0:57:02but to Iain, protecting elephants has real benefits.
0:57:02 > 0:57:04Elephants, in a way,
0:57:04 > 0:57:08are the symbol and the spearhead for all the other animals.
0:57:08 > 0:57:12If you take care of the elephants, you are taking care, really,
0:57:12 > 0:57:14of the whole environment
0:57:14 > 0:57:18and a whole spectrum of beasts and birds and insects.
0:57:25 > 0:57:27But the rains haven't arrived,
0:57:27 > 0:57:30and times will get harder before they get better.
0:57:30 > 0:57:33Breeze is the youngest elephant in the reserve,
0:57:33 > 0:57:37the most vulnerable to the ravages of the drought.
0:57:37 > 0:57:41David and the team can only hope she makes it safely through.
0:57:43 > 0:57:48In the meantime, she's as confident and playful as any baby animal.
0:58:09 > 0:58:12Next time on The Secret Life Of Elephants...
0:58:12 > 0:58:15We find out if Breeze survives the dry season.
0:58:17 > 0:58:19The big bulls march into the reserve.
0:58:19 > 0:58:23We see what happens when one attacks a car.
0:58:24 > 0:58:28An outbreak of poaching puts the team on high alert
0:58:28 > 0:58:31and a baby elephant is in desperate need of help.