0:00:14 > 0:00:18They care for friend and family like few other animals.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Like us, they feel emotion.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28They may even be aware of their own mortality.
0:00:28 > 0:00:34Yet there's still so very much we don't know about elephants.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37Here in northern Kenya
0:00:37 > 0:00:41a unique project is opening a window into their secret beguiling world.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47This man, Iain Douglas-Hamilton,
0:00:47 > 0:00:50has spent more than 40 years living with elephants,
0:00:50 > 0:00:53sometimes even risking his life to study and protect them.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01Alongside his team we'll be tracking elephants with revolutionary technology,
0:01:01 > 0:01:05following their epic journeys through the wilderness
0:01:05 > 0:01:08and experiencing their struggles to survive.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15We'll be watching them grow up, come of age, and flex their muscles.
0:01:18 > 0:01:23Above all, we'll be trying to get inside the mind of an elephant, and
0:01:23 > 0:01:28revealing for the first time just how much like us they really are.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Here in Samburu, northern Kenya, lives one of
0:01:45 > 0:01:49the most important populations of wild elephants in Africa.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56For the Save the Elephants team these are special animals,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00they've watched and studied them daily since 1997.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05This is the Winds family,
0:02:05 > 0:02:0918 animals that love and look after each other.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12But today, 18 elephants have become 19.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17Harmattan, the matriarch of the group has given birth.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24Surrounded by a forest of trunks and legs is her newborn baby,
0:02:24 > 0:02:25little Breeze.
0:02:34 > 0:02:39For elephant expert David Daballen, this is a moment to cherish.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45He can recognise over 600 individual elephants
0:02:45 > 0:02:48and now he can add Breeze to the list.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57Elephants are sensitive parents,
0:02:57 > 0:03:01Harmattan gently reassures her newborn using trunk and feet.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07Just like a human baby, Breeze must suckle every couple of hours.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10But her senses are still awakening.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13At this tender age the teat can be hard to find.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27It's October, and the weather is hot and dry.
0:03:27 > 0:03:32The family must drink, which means a daily walk to the river.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37It's a long way for little legs.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49Harmattan needs to be vigilant, this area is home to lions,
0:03:49 > 0:03:53the single biggest threat to an elephant under the age of two.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58David has other concerns, too.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02Her last calf actually only lasted three days.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04We found it dead.
0:04:04 > 0:04:09The only thing we could think was just it was sick and it died.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13It is one of these things that really makes you feel so bad,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16and very sympathetic to the family.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23For seven years, David Daballen has run the Save the Elephants field research project.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26His daily observations are critical to their mission,
0:04:26 > 0:04:30studying and protecting elephants to ensure they have a future in Africa.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36Iain Douglas-Hamilton is the founder of the group.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39He's lived with elephants since the 1960s.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44His pioneering approach has led to ground-breaking discoveries about their lives.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47The extraordinary thing about elephants is that
0:04:47 > 0:04:49they have these similarities to us.
0:04:49 > 0:04:55The strongest parallels are in the obvious emotions that they have -
0:04:55 > 0:05:01grief, anger, lust... So many things the same as us.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05You see elephant emotion in the tenderness
0:05:05 > 0:05:09and the intelligent concern the mother has for her baby.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12The short hand we use is to say that she's loving.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18Like people, elephants are very much individuals
0:05:18 > 0:05:20and Iain's radio collaring work
0:05:20 > 0:05:24is revealing just how differently each one behaves.
0:05:24 > 0:05:29Every hour, the collars create a GPS text message,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32which is then sent to the team's computers via satellite.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34That's his last 14 days of travel.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37Can we look at what Mountain Bull has been doing?
0:05:37 > 0:05:40By monitoring exactly where they go and what they do,
0:05:40 > 0:05:44the team are making important discoveries about elephants' lives
0:05:44 > 0:05:47and finding new ways of protecting them in the wild.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49She had to break the fence here.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54But first, you have to put the collar on the elephant
0:05:54 > 0:05:57and that's far from easy.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02Dr Stephen Chege, a leading vet from the Kenya Wildlife Service,
0:06:02 > 0:06:05is at the heart of the operation.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09In the next few days he will be attempting to anaesthetise
0:06:09 > 0:06:12and collar two target elephants.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17A collaring operation begins in the early morning
0:06:17 > 0:06:22with a team of scouts searching the reserve for target elephants.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Leading the Scout party is Iain's daughter, Saba.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34She literally grew up with elephants,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37they've been part of her life since she was a baby.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41I think probably my first vivid memories of elephants
0:06:41 > 0:06:45was being charged, which, of course, was terrifying as a child.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50My father's strategy of dealing with aggression
0:06:50 > 0:06:56was just to sit tight and sit very quiet, and I learnt over the years,
0:06:56 > 0:06:57and learnt quite fast,
0:06:57 > 0:07:01and picked up from him ways to behave around elephants.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09The elephant to be darted is Anastasia,
0:07:09 > 0:07:11from a family called the Royals.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15Her radio collar battery needs to be replaced urgently.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Just standby, I think I've got Anastasia.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23'I'm copying you. How far from the river?'
0:07:23 > 0:07:26OK, they've all just stopped off in a mud hole.
0:07:26 > 0:07:33We are near the salt brush plane and We are with the entire Royal family.
0:07:33 > 0:07:34'Well, that's great.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39'We'll gradually make our way towards you, along the South Bank.'
0:07:44 > 0:07:48A short distance away, Harmattan, the leader of the Winds family
0:07:48 > 0:07:51and her baby Breeze have reached the river.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Mother and newborn daughter have now travelled almost a mile
0:07:59 > 0:08:02since the birth in the early hours of the morning.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13After nearly two years in the womb,
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Breeze's back legs still need to fully straighten.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20She's very tired.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22But Harmattan must drink.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27This is Breeze's first ever view of the river,
0:08:27 > 0:08:29but certainly not the last.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33In the dry season the river is critical to the elephant's survival.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49While Harmattan drinks,
0:08:49 > 0:08:54baby Breeze is left unattended and wanders off in the wrong direction.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04But her mother senses the absence of the baby and is quick to act.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10She mustn't let Breeze out of her sight.
0:09:10 > 0:09:16To keep that calf really safe she needs to pay a lot of attention,
0:09:16 > 0:09:21she has to be very careful with predators like lion.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24She has to give 100% attention to this calf.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31As the family moves on,
0:09:31 > 0:09:35even the gentle slope of the bank proves a hurdle for little Breeze.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43The next few days will be critical ones for mother and baby.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56OK, they're coming back and they've chosen to come this side.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Downstream, the Royal family are also leaving the river.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06Iain and Dr Chege are exactly the right position
0:10:06 > 0:10:09as Anastasia, the elephant needing the collar change,
0:10:09 > 0:10:10heads straight past them.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12There she is, our target.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15Once working, the collar will provide data
0:10:15 > 0:10:18that will enable the team to understand and protect her.
0:10:18 > 0:10:23I'll just wait a little bit, they should rest because we can use the cars.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Do it now. Don't worry about the others, I'll take care of them.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- You take care of these ones.- I'll take care of all of that.- Here we go.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38A perfect shot,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- but things aren't going to plan. - 'Damn.'
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Anastasia is running off with the rest of the herd.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49When she starts going down I have to get between her and the rest of them
0:10:49 > 0:10:53because when she goes down, this family will defend her.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55- That's for sure. - We have to get in between.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58- Saba, do you copy?- 'Go ahead.'
0:10:58 > 0:11:00Get the other side of them.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04- 'Tell me where she is.' - Just go the other side.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08- 'OK.'- Gilbert, also go the other side.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11'OK, I'm on the far side of them now.'
0:11:11 > 0:11:13As soon as she looks droopy, tell me.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16She's stopped, she's completely stationary at the moment.'
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- Is she at the back or the front of them?- 'Right in the middle.'
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Come in on the left, quickly.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26Iain drives close, splitting the herd away from Anastasia.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31But her two calves refuse to leave her.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35Right, we need to go in, you and me.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37Saba, push that calf.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40Baby, you can leave.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44I'm worried about that leg.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47She's fallen awkwardly, restricting her breathing.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- Anastasia is in real trouble. - Her breathing's bad.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Dr Chege must inject the antidote straightaway.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01'She's moving.'
0:12:01 > 0:12:03It's worked, and she's back on her feet.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07- Did she stop breathing? - It was almost completely gone.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10The abdominal contents were pressing into the lungs.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13- I've never seen that. - Plus, anaesthesia.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16So the best thing, instead of thinking about turning her,
0:12:16 > 0:12:18the best thing is to move and let her go.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- Quick-thinking there, thank you. - It has to be that fast.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24A heart-stopping moment for the team,
0:12:24 > 0:12:26but the data from the radio collars can ultimately
0:12:26 > 0:12:31save elephants' lives, so the risks are more than justified.
0:12:31 > 0:12:32Look at this now.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36They're gonna come and greet her.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38It's beautiful.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- They're all coming together. - It's beautiful.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43The most loving family I know.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Beautiful.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22It's the end of the dry season in Samburu.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24In the distance clouds are forming,
0:13:24 > 0:13:28but no rain's fallen on the reserve itself for several months.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38These last weeks before the rain
0:13:38 > 0:13:41will be a tough time for Harmattan and baby Breeze.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45Like all the other animals here they're now dependent on the river.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47The only source of water.
0:14:03 > 0:14:08Only a few hours after the sun rises temperatures are soaring.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14Looking after a tiny, vulnerable calf in the peak of the dry season
0:14:14 > 0:14:16is a real challenge.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27Over heating and sunstroke are real dangers for a calf.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31Breeze appears to walk in her mother's shadow for protection.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37But she's already tired and as temperatures reach 30 degrees
0:14:37 > 0:14:41Harmattan decides to seek out shade before they reach the river.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03Not all the Winds family are happy about the newest arrival.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Buster is Breeze's older brother.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10He's five and should be much more independent by now,
0:15:10 > 0:15:14but because her last calf died, he's remained strongly attached
0:15:14 > 0:15:18to his mother and carried on suckling until Breeze appeared.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25He's massive compared to most elephants his age
0:15:25 > 0:15:28and has become something of a mummy's boy.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32Buster is basically a very spoiled calf.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35I've seen this, not just with Buster,
0:15:35 > 0:15:39when they see a new brother or sister coming in they are quite jealous.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43But obviously females would not let that happen.
0:15:43 > 0:15:48He's jealous of the attention, and milk, baby Breeze is getting.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51Slipping sneakily behind his mother
0:15:51 > 0:15:54he tries to get between her and baby Breeze.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59This could mean trouble.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07Breeze is now Harmattan's priority and she's determined to protect her.
0:16:07 > 0:16:12It's a hard lesson for Buster, but he must learn to be independent.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20Back at camp, the team are preparing for another darting mission.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24Attempting to collar Anastasia again is not an option.
0:16:24 > 0:16:29So today the team will move on to a new elephant, a bull.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33Bull elephants often come into conflict with people in the wild,
0:16:33 > 0:16:35and collaring them can provide critical data
0:16:35 > 0:16:38on exactly where the trouble is brewing.
0:16:38 > 0:16:44We found the Bulls, they're about 2.5 kilometres from here,
0:16:44 > 0:16:50so David, you can handle the ground stuff, and Daktari, please
0:16:50 > 0:16:52take charge of the operation.
0:16:52 > 0:16:57Then as soon as the elephant goes down, providing the elephant is at a distance -
0:16:57 > 0:17:00and David will tell you - somebody must run in with the collar.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- We can do that.- Can you?- I've got two people from the community
0:17:03 > 0:17:06so we can have one with the water, one with the collar.
0:17:06 > 0:17:11- OK.- Then you can radio me as soon as you need us in.- Yes.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Iain is a passionate pilot with 40 years' experience.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21He'll lead the operation from the air.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24OK, this is it.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28'I can't really see whether it's four, or six. All under one tree.'
0:17:28 > 0:17:33Iain has spotted the bull elephants but they're in very thick bush.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41I always have my heart in my mouth when we're doing a radio collaring
0:17:41 > 0:17:44just because there are so many uncontrollable factors
0:17:44 > 0:17:48and you have to be absolutely on top of everything you're doing.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52There's the dangers to the elephant, and also the danger to your team.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56The team can't get the vehicles any closer
0:17:56 > 0:18:00to the elephants' position. They're forced to proceed on foot.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03Being careful to keep down wind of the elephants.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11Dr Chege only needs to dart one,
0:18:11 > 0:18:17but that leaves five potentially dangerous and confused bulls on the loose.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30Doctor Chege and David move in closer under armed protection
0:18:30 > 0:18:33to see if the darting is viable.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41Iain keeps a lookout from the air.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58The elephants are so close,
0:18:58 > 0:19:03but there's no hiding place if they decide to charge the team.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06Time to rethink.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10We need to think about the animals' safety and our safety.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14If we go there and don't have vehicle backup, it becomes an issue.
0:19:14 > 0:19:19I think if it was only the one bull, it's a bit taking a risk.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22Six bulls all down there, one is darted,
0:19:22 > 0:19:24they can go in different directions,
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- we don't have the back-up of a car, only one Ranger...- You're right.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30It's the factor we've got so many animals is...um...
0:19:30 > 0:19:33a few too many for our own good.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46Matriarch Harmattan has led the Winds family to the river.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55This is Breeze's first experience of running water.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58Curious, she tests it with her mouth, but she won't drink it
0:19:58 > 0:20:02like the adults until she's at least six months old.
0:20:04 > 0:20:09Using a trunk with 40,000 individual muscles takes a lot of practice.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13It's like a human baby learning to use its hands.
0:20:16 > 0:20:21This is a time of critical decision for Harmattan.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23She knows that the feeding is better on the far bank,
0:20:23 > 0:20:27but crossing a fast-flowing river with a two-day-old baby is a risk.
0:20:29 > 0:20:34There are also creatures in the river that could bring down a young calf.
0:20:38 > 0:20:39These are the decisions
0:20:39 > 0:20:43that a matriarch like Harmattan has to make on a daily basis.
0:20:43 > 0:20:48Harmattan, she's been a strong female taking decisions,
0:20:48 > 0:20:51leading them all the time, hardship time, good time.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56The family has been growing, and expanding bigger and bigger.
0:20:56 > 0:21:02She's really keeping the whole family together and protecting the family.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05So I think she's a very successful female
0:21:05 > 0:21:08as far as her leadership is concerned.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13The rest of the family take time to drink deeply,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16taking enough to get them through the heat of the day.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27Harmattan has made her decision.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32She decides not to cross the river, and leads the herd back to the bank.
0:21:34 > 0:21:35But she knows it won't be long
0:21:35 > 0:21:39before they'll have to get to the better food on the other side.
0:21:51 > 0:21:56Iain has spotted another target bull not far away.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00He directs the team to the bull's location.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02They'll have to move fast to catch up with him.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Yeah, keep on moving.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18OK, anywhere.
0:22:21 > 0:22:26Just a thin wall of bushes separates Doctor Chege from Esedai,
0:22:26 > 0:22:31a four-ton bull elephant with just one enormous spear-like tusk.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41The Save The Elephants team have been watching him for six years,
0:22:41 > 0:22:44and he's now just coming into his prime.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02There's a very small path in, very.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05A very small...angle.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Even though the team know Esedai
0:23:15 > 0:23:18they don't know exactly how he'll react.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31- Darted. Can you tell Iain? - Darted, Iain, darted.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35Keep an eye on the animal. Keep an eye on the animal.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40From the moment the dart goes in, the clock is ticking.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42Esedai has headed into the undergrowth
0:23:42 > 0:23:45and they mustn't lose sight of him before he goes down.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47Where is the animal? Keep on moving.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56Iain can still see him from the air and guides the team into position.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Not a very good position.
0:24:06 > 0:24:11Only when Dr Chege is sure that he's properly anaesthetised
0:24:11 > 0:24:12can the team move in.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15We need to be a little bit fast, guys.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18The team springs into action.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Esedai must only be down for the shortest time possible.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26How long was that? Someone recording?
0:24:26 > 0:24:29- Have we got time down, Frank? - He went down at five past five.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33- Please, someone to record that. - Everyone knows their role.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38David's in charge of the collar, but Esedai is lying on the edge
0:24:38 > 0:24:41of a dry river bank and the angle is tricky.
0:24:41 > 0:24:47The problem is...the problem is... This is going very far away.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52- We need to do his ears... - It's quarter past.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Anaesthetised elephants can easily overheat.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57The water helps keep Esedai cool.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01OK, just one minute.
0:25:01 > 0:25:06Blood and tissue samples can tell the team who Esedai's relatives are.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Perhaps even revealing the identity of his own mother.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15Don't worry my boy, we're gonna get you up any minute now.
0:25:15 > 0:25:20At last, the collar is on. Everyone else backs off
0:25:20 > 0:25:24while Dr Chege administers the antidote to bring him round.
0:25:24 > 0:25:29I always feel it's a little bit like those people who think they've been zapped by aliens
0:25:29 > 0:25:32and they come to with this huge alien device around their neck.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36But actually it doesn't really bother the elephants at all.
0:25:36 > 0:25:37It doesn't weigh that much.
0:25:37 > 0:25:38After a few days,
0:25:38 > 0:25:42once they've touched it and felt it they forget about it completely.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45Well done, everybody, he's looking great.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47I'm excited to see what Esedai brings us.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50Where's he gonna go next?
0:25:50 > 0:25:53What's happening in this particular bull's life?
0:26:23 > 0:26:27It's the third day of baby Breeze's life.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31It's hot, it's humid and the pressure is already soaring.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38Rain has fallen on the far side of the river in the night.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42This will surely be the day that Harmattan and the Winds family
0:26:42 > 0:26:44cross in search of better feeding.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49There's a new assertiveness in Harmattan's stride, but
0:26:49 > 0:26:54the river has claimed the lives of many baby elephants over the years.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57She must select the crossing point carefully.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02David Daballen knows this is a critical moment.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05It's quite scary because, you know,
0:27:05 > 0:27:08sometimes the river's quite high and very strong.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12You're just not sure if she will make it.
0:27:12 > 0:27:17But it's always just worrying until she's on the other side.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Harmattan has chosen the crossing point wisely.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06Breeze is back on dry land.
0:28:26 > 0:28:2910 miles south of the Winds family,
0:28:29 > 0:28:33newly collared bull elephant Esedai is peacefully feeding.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37Every hour the elephant radio collars send a text message
0:28:37 > 0:28:39via satellite straight to the computers
0:28:39 > 0:28:42of Iain and the Save The Elephants team.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45It's revealed more of the secret world of elephants
0:28:45 > 0:28:48than Iain ever dreamed possible.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52Some of the research is worrying.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Elephants are travelling through farms and villages
0:28:54 > 0:28:57on their traditional migration routes
0:28:57 > 0:29:00and that can bring them into conflict with man.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04Mountain bull is a prime suspect.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07He's believed to be the elephant responsible for trampling
0:29:07 > 0:29:09and devouring crops as he travels
0:29:09 > 0:29:12between Mount Kenya and his breeding grounds.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16Saba is keen to follow him on the ground
0:29:16 > 0:29:20to get some first hand evidence of his behaviour.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23He's quite distinctive, he's got that very long one tusk
0:29:23 > 0:29:25and they're quite splayed.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27So how often have you actually seen him? Is he...
0:29:27 > 0:29:31I've seen him only from the air, so he's quite shy.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33He's not an easy elephant.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35Basically he's down on Borana at the moment.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38And that's the only time that he's accessible, right?
0:29:38 > 0:29:41Yes, and presumably he's come down to be with females,
0:29:41 > 0:29:45and then he goes out to the far reaches of the ranch.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49It's a four-hour drive to Borana
0:29:49 > 0:29:52and Saba is on the road straight away,
0:29:52 > 0:29:55determined to get on the trail of Mountain Bull.
0:30:05 > 0:30:11All over Samburu elephant families are on the move following the rain.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15The showers have already produced new growth.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19For the elephants, this is a good time.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28But for two animals life has just got tougher.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33A mother elephant and her calf are in difficulty.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41The little bull has injured one of his back legs.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43Unable to keep up with the herd
0:30:43 > 0:30:46they have become separated from their family.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51Just like humans, elephants need the help and guidance
0:30:51 > 0:30:56that family life provides. For a mother and calf
0:30:56 > 0:31:00this is one of the very worst things that can happen.
0:31:00 > 0:31:06When a calf is sick or injured, a mother is torn between being
0:31:06 > 0:31:10with the rest of the family, or staying and looking after that calf.
0:31:10 > 0:31:17That's a tough one. She may have to seek the company of other families
0:31:17 > 0:31:19who may or may not be welcoming.
0:31:20 > 0:31:25The Winds family, with Harmattan, Buster and baby Breeze
0:31:25 > 0:31:27are feeding in the shade.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38The mother and injured calf tentatively make their way
0:31:38 > 0:31:41towards the family group, looking for company.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08A young female checks their advance.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17The injured calf and its mother are not related to the Winds family,
0:32:17 > 0:32:20but they could still be accepted as companions.
0:32:22 > 0:32:28For a few moments the elephants are still, but the tension rises.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41For a moment it looks as if they've been accepted,
0:32:41 > 0:32:45but the Winds swing away and march off.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48The mother and calf are not welcome.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51They'll have to continue on their own.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54But with only its mother to protect it,
0:32:54 > 0:32:57the injured calf is desperately vulnerable.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44Saba has reached the foothills of Mount Kenya
0:33:44 > 0:33:47on her mission to find and follow Mountain Bull,
0:33:47 > 0:33:50an elephant that may be coming into conflict with people
0:33:50 > 0:33:52en route to his breeding grounds.
0:33:52 > 0:33:57If Saba can track him on the ground she can get first-hand evidence
0:33:57 > 0:33:59of any trouble and find ways to help him.
0:34:01 > 0:34:05It's been agreed that Saba will regularly check-in with her father.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09Iain can see Mountain Bull's movements on his computer,
0:34:09 > 0:34:12thanks to the text messages sent by the bull's radio collar.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15Do you read?
0:34:15 > 0:34:17'Good morning, how are you?'
0:34:17 > 0:34:20It's amazing I can get you. I'm sitting on top of a ridge
0:34:20 > 0:34:23just looking down over the escarpment towards Samburu.
0:34:23 > 0:34:29Fantastic. Now, Mountain Bull, he's actually down south of Borana,
0:34:29 > 0:34:34and I think he's possibly gonna come back into Borana.
0:34:34 > 0:34:39If you go south then you should be able to pick him up on the antenna.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41I'll give it a go. Thanks very much.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43I'll try and get hold of you in about an hour
0:34:43 > 0:34:47if I haven't been successful and you can give me another update then.
0:34:47 > 0:34:48OK, darling, good luck.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57Back in Samburu, the rain clouds are gathering.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09The mother with her injured calf is still on the move
0:35:09 > 0:35:14but the calf looks tired and the injured leg is very inflamed.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17But elephants are very intelligent animals
0:35:17 > 0:35:21and this little bull is not going down without a fight.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35Water splashed on the injury cools the heat from the inflammation,
0:35:35 > 0:35:37giving him some relief from pain.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52The light is going and soon the rain will be here.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54The pain of separation is keen.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56Alone in the vast landscape
0:35:56 > 0:36:00the mother elephant calls for her lost family.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07But there is no answer.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13THUNDER CLAPS
0:36:19 > 0:36:21The rains have come.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25Light in the reserve but heavy in the mountains to the north.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27The elephants are on the move,
0:36:27 > 0:36:32following the rain as it brings new growth to the dry earth.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35But this trek will take them outside the protection of the reserve
0:36:35 > 0:36:40into lands where they may come into conflict with the human population.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50For little Breeze this will be a journey fraught with peril.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58For David Daballen the next few days will be an anxious time.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19It's dawn and the clouds hang heavy above Samburu.
0:37:23 > 0:37:28This morning there is news from the western boundary of the reserve.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31Deeply worrying news.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35Reports have come in that a big bull elephant has been found dead,
0:37:35 > 0:37:39and the circumstances are suspicious.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41Died and walked a bit?
0:37:41 > 0:37:43He was wounded because what happened is...
0:37:43 > 0:37:47Onesmas Kahindi is a key member of the Save The Elephants team -
0:37:47 > 0:37:51Working in the local communities alongside the Kenya Wildlife Service, he seeks out
0:37:51 > 0:37:55and investigates reports of every dead elephant in the region.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58It's vital to know if the deaths are due to poaching,
0:37:58 > 0:38:01conflict over crops, or from natural causes.
0:38:01 > 0:38:07In the year 2006 I had 205 dead elephants.
0:38:07 > 0:38:14About 42-45 animals were actually killed for their ivory.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17But there's one very interesting thing to note here.
0:38:17 > 0:38:22Law enforcement in northern Kenya is very strong,
0:38:22 > 0:38:24not from the government alone,
0:38:24 > 0:38:29but from the goodwill of the people who live with those elephants.
0:38:30 > 0:38:31Oh my God.
0:38:32 > 0:38:33That is huge.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35James, a local ranger,
0:38:35 > 0:38:38immediately reported the dead elephant to Onesmas.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41He and Iain now need to identify the body.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44That's Mungu, all right. There's no question about it.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47M for Mungu. How very sad.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52Mungu was by far the biggest bull elephant in the area,
0:38:52 > 0:38:55with some of the most impressive tusks in northern Kenya.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59For him to meet such a tragic end is a terrible blow.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02There were no witnesses,
0:39:02 > 0:39:06so whoever fired the fatal shot is unlikely to be caught.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09The tusks were quickly removed by the Kenya Wildlife Service
0:39:09 > 0:39:13to prevent them ending up on the illegal ivory market.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17The motive for the killing remains a mystery.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Why is all that green stuff in the skull?
0:39:20 > 0:39:23Several Samburu people have visited the carcass.
0:39:23 > 0:39:29According to Samburu culture the elephant is not an animal,
0:39:29 > 0:39:32it is part of the human race.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36So what usually happens is if you find an elephant skull in the bush
0:39:36 > 0:39:39you have to bless it with green twigs.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42It has to be green, and when they put it
0:39:42 > 0:39:46they always say, "Sleep well, our comrade."
0:39:50 > 0:39:53The fact that a poacher may have killed Mungu
0:39:53 > 0:39:55is a major concern for Onesmas and Iain.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58It shows just how dangerous life can be
0:39:58 > 0:40:01for elephants outside the reserve.
0:40:01 > 0:40:02Poor old Mungu.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12Beyond the northern reserve boundary
0:40:12 > 0:40:15David searches for the Winds and baby Breeze.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19It's rained far more heavily up here
0:40:19 > 0:40:22and he's sure they will have headed this way.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28It's a long journey for such a young calf.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30David is concerned. He needs to find them.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51It's clear why the elephants have come here.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55The vegetation is lush and green after just a few days of rain
0:40:55 > 0:40:58and the standing water provides plenty to drink.
0:40:58 > 0:41:03But the elephants aren't the only ones after the fresh new growth,
0:41:03 > 0:41:06the herders are here, too.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09The death of Mungu has brought home just how dangerous it can be
0:41:09 > 0:41:11outside the protected areas.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18The local herders tell David that they've seen elephants here.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21He's now certain this is where the winds have gone.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37Back inside the reserve there's a tragic development.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40An unidentified elephant has died in a muddy river.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43Its distraught family are also on the scene.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48Could the casualty be the injured calf?
0:41:48 > 0:41:51Or worse still, one of the missing Winds family?
0:41:51 > 0:41:53David must return.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Goodness, that's terrible.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13The reserve's Rangers are on the scene
0:42:13 > 0:42:15to try and find out what happened.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23David must quickly assess the situation and identify the elephant.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30From the scrawny condition of the carcass
0:42:30 > 0:42:32he can tell she died from natural causes.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42It's an adult female.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46David identifies as her from a distinctive notch in her ear.
0:42:48 > 0:42:53We know who she is, and we've just also confirmed in the files.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55It's confirmed, there's no question,
0:42:55 > 0:42:58it's one of our resident females called Masai Girl.
0:42:58 > 0:42:59Very, very sad.
0:42:59 > 0:43:05Masai Girl was a matriarch, she had a whole family depending on her.
0:43:09 > 0:43:14No-one will feel this death more than Masai Girl's two male calves.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17One is only three.
0:43:17 > 0:43:19Barely old enough to survive without his mother.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25When the team back off the calves return.
0:43:25 > 0:43:30They're confused, reluctant to leave their mother's side,
0:43:30 > 0:43:32touching her to work out what's happened.
0:43:34 > 0:43:38The older calf tries to reassure his brother.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44The youngster gently nudges her,
0:43:44 > 0:43:48using the most sensitive part of his foot to touch her inert body.
0:43:48 > 0:43:53They're both hoping she'll wake up from this unexpectedly long sleep.
0:44:05 > 0:44:08With the rest of the herd long gone
0:44:08 > 0:44:12the future for these orphans is most uncertain.
0:44:25 > 0:44:28In the foothills of Mount Kenya
0:44:28 > 0:44:30Saba's search for Mountain Bull goes on.
0:44:33 > 0:44:36The recent GPS trails show that he's travelled
0:44:36 > 0:44:40from his home on Mount Kenya through farms and villages
0:44:40 > 0:44:43and down towards his favoured breeding grounds.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46If Saba can follow him on the ground when he goes home
0:44:46 > 0:44:49she can get first-hand evidence of his adventures
0:44:49 > 0:44:53and perhaps find ways of helping him avoid clashes with local people.
0:44:58 > 0:45:03Despite the technology, it's quite a challenge to try and find him.
0:45:03 > 0:45:07The terrain here is difficult, roads are few, and although
0:45:07 > 0:45:12Saba's radio antenna picks up the bull's radio collar frequency
0:45:12 > 0:45:16the mountainous landscape disrupts the signal
0:45:16 > 0:45:20and frustratingly, she's also lost radio contact with Iain.
0:45:26 > 0:45:31Back in Samburu, the body of Masai Girl lies silent in the river.
0:45:35 > 0:45:40Her calves have fled, but possibly summoned by their cries of anguish,
0:45:40 > 0:45:42another family have arrived.
0:45:42 > 0:45:44It's the Royals,
0:45:44 > 0:45:47the group involved in the unsuccessful collaring operation.
0:45:47 > 0:45:51They're the largest and most dominant family in the reserve.
0:45:51 > 0:45:55The dead elephant is someone they know well.
0:46:00 > 0:46:05A fascination with their dead has long been documented by scientists
0:46:05 > 0:46:09and it seems that elephants could well mourn just like us.
0:46:12 > 0:46:17There are very few animals that show a concern about dead animals,
0:46:17 > 0:46:21or indeed even recognise the dead of their own species.
0:46:21 > 0:46:27But the extraordinary thing is how much they seem to care.
0:46:33 > 0:46:36Trunks gently taste the air around the body.
0:46:36 > 0:46:39Man has been here.
0:46:39 > 0:46:44Communication is restricted to most subtle expressions of movement and touch.
0:46:44 > 0:46:47Calves are gently pushed towards the body
0:46:47 > 0:46:50while the senior elephants try to calm the mood.
0:47:27 > 0:47:34As the rain starts to fade just one young bull remains.
0:47:34 > 0:47:37Now alone, he's the only elephant able to bring himself
0:47:37 > 0:47:42to touch the body, which he does with the utmost sensitivity.
0:47:42 > 0:47:46They must be inhaling terabytes of information
0:47:46 > 0:47:49because their sense of smell is so acute
0:47:49 > 0:47:53and they have such huge areas of their brain to process it.
0:47:53 > 0:47:56They're probably smelling emotions,
0:47:56 > 0:48:01smelling things that happened that we can only dimly understand.
0:48:30 > 0:48:33The weather is changing.
0:48:33 > 0:48:36The torrential storms in the north have blown themselves out.
0:48:41 > 0:48:46In the last two days all the heavy rain has fallen on the reserve.
0:48:46 > 0:48:49New growth has appeared practically overnight,
0:48:49 > 0:48:53and suddenly animals and birds are everywhere.
0:49:00 > 0:49:04David has received reports that the elephants are on their way back,
0:49:04 > 0:49:06but this is an anxious time.
0:49:06 > 0:49:11It's been six days since the Winds family left the safety of the reserve.
0:49:13 > 0:49:16If Harmattan and the herd return without little Breeze
0:49:16 > 0:49:18it will be a terrible blow.
0:50:02 > 0:50:04It's Harmattan,
0:50:04 > 0:50:07and close behind her, little Breeze.
0:50:07 > 0:50:09Back safe and sound.
0:50:27 > 0:50:32Iain and Onesmas still don't know the news about the return of Breeze.
0:50:32 > 0:50:34They're still trying to find information about
0:50:34 > 0:50:38the mysterious death of Mungu, the biggest tusker in the area.
0:50:38 > 0:50:39There we go.
0:50:39 > 0:50:43When Mungu's body was found the tusks were removed
0:50:43 > 0:50:46and taken to the headquarters of the Kenya Wildlife Service
0:50:46 > 0:50:49to prevent them ending up on the ivory black market.
0:50:51 > 0:50:57Up close the tusks reveal some details of how Mungu lived.
0:50:57 > 0:50:59I'm explaining to them how that groove's come.
0:50:59 > 0:51:02Because it's usually a big curiosity for all Rangers
0:51:02 > 0:51:04and community people as well.
0:51:04 > 0:51:08So all I'm trying to say is that this is used to tug grass
0:51:08 > 0:51:12and the weakest point on the tusk
0:51:12 > 0:51:16that the grass passes forms that groove.
0:51:16 > 0:51:21So what they do is take the grass, put the grass over the groove,
0:51:21 > 0:51:24and kick with the foot and the kick just cuts the grass,
0:51:24 > 0:51:27then they put it in the mouth.
0:51:27 > 0:51:32So if we could just hold them like it was on the elephant itself.
0:51:32 > 0:51:36No other elephant in the reserve had tusks this big.
0:51:36 > 0:51:37They are two metres long
0:51:37 > 0:51:40and the combined weight is more than 80 kilograms.
0:51:40 > 0:51:44If you take your hands away... That's what I wanted.
0:51:45 > 0:51:48The motive for the killing remains a mystery
0:51:48 > 0:51:51but poaching looks an increasingly strong possibility.
0:51:56 > 0:52:01Having known Mungu for more than ten years it's a terrible blow for Iain,
0:52:01 > 0:52:05and an ignoble end for such a magnificent creature.
0:52:19 > 0:52:22I think we are done.
0:52:22 > 0:52:23So's Mungu.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40The Winds family have arrived back into a landscape
0:52:40 > 0:52:44that has been transformed by the recent heavy rains.
0:52:44 > 0:52:47Dry, dusty hollows have turned into deep water holes,
0:52:47 > 0:52:50perfect for drinking and mud wallowing.
0:52:54 > 0:52:56Perhaps it's being the daughter of the matriarch
0:52:56 > 0:52:58which gives Breeze the confidence
0:52:58 > 0:53:02to shove one of her yearling cousins straight into the water.
0:53:07 > 0:53:11It will be several months before she really drinks using her trunk.
0:53:11 > 0:53:16But already she's copying the adults, just like a human toddler.
0:53:22 > 0:53:25Harmattan has protected her infant well,
0:53:25 > 0:53:28and the future for Breeze should be bright.
0:53:47 > 0:53:49High up in the foothills of Mount Kenya
0:53:49 > 0:53:54Saba has some exciting news about Mountain Bull.
0:53:56 > 0:53:58Do you read?
0:53:58 > 0:54:00Yes, hello, how are you? What's happening now?
0:54:00 > 0:54:05- I just wanted to let you know we found him.- 'Oh, fantastic!'
0:54:05 > 0:54:09He's just across the valley on a ridge just opposite us
0:54:09 > 0:54:11and he's absolutely beautiful.
0:54:11 > 0:54:14'That's fantastic. What's he doing?'
0:54:14 > 0:54:16He's actually with a herd of females
0:54:16 > 0:54:19but he looks like he's in full musth at the moment
0:54:19 > 0:54:23and he's been testing some of the females, so...
0:54:23 > 0:54:26He's just such a beautiful bull, I had no idea.
0:54:26 > 0:54:31'That's so funny, I've been following him minutely all morning,
0:54:31 > 0:54:32'wondering where you were.'
0:54:32 > 0:54:35Well, he's come a lot further into Borana than I thought.
0:54:35 > 0:54:39From where I'm sitting we've got an amazing view right across the plains,
0:54:39 > 0:54:43then across a whole lot of settlement up into the Mount Kenya forest,
0:54:43 > 0:54:45it's almost the exact route that he takes.
0:54:45 > 0:54:49I know he's coming out of musth any day now so I don't know if it's
0:54:49 > 0:54:52just me but it does seem to me like he's looking every now and then
0:54:52 > 0:54:55at Mount Kenya thinking about that long trek he's got to do,
0:54:55 > 0:54:58and I'd expect him to be heading off any day now.
0:55:00 > 0:55:03Mountain Bull's route home will take him straight through
0:55:03 > 0:55:06the farms and settlements in the valley.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08That will almost certainly mean conflict
0:55:08 > 0:55:13between humans and elephants. By keeping him under close surveillance
0:55:13 > 0:55:16the team are hoping to find ways of helping him,
0:55:16 > 0:55:19and then hopefully he can avoid the fate of poor Mungu.
0:55:28 > 0:55:33Back in Samburu, the lost female and injured calf are still hanging on.
0:55:37 > 0:55:41After six days there's still no improvement in the injured leg.
0:55:44 > 0:55:46But there's an interesting development.
0:55:46 > 0:55:49The pair have attached themselves to a family
0:55:49 > 0:55:53with a fully grown disabled elephant, Babel.
0:55:53 > 0:55:56She's coped with a paralysed leg for more than 10 years
0:55:56 > 0:56:00and is given time to keep up by the senior elephants.
0:56:00 > 0:56:04That means the family travels slowly and don't range far.
0:56:06 > 0:56:08So for the time being at least,
0:56:08 > 0:56:12the lost elephants can enjoy the company of another family.
0:56:12 > 0:56:17The calf's chances of survival, however, are still very slim.
0:56:22 > 0:56:25Nearby, David has followed Harmattan and Breeze
0:56:25 > 0:56:27from the water hole to the mud wallow.
0:56:39 > 0:56:42Despite being surrounded by an intimidating forest
0:56:42 > 0:56:46of legs and trunks, Breeze is really holding her own.
0:56:50 > 0:56:54And she's now taking the game to some of the other young elephants.
0:57:01 > 0:57:02For David and the team
0:57:02 > 0:57:07it's been a privilege to enjoy these first few weeks of Breeze's life.
0:57:09 > 0:57:13But mixed with the joy is the sorrow of the death in the river
0:57:13 > 0:57:16and the ongoing worries over the injured calf.
0:57:20 > 0:57:23Beyond the reserve, trouble is brewing.
0:57:23 > 0:57:28Mountain Bull is on a collision course with farms and communities
0:57:28 > 0:57:32and the death of Mungu remains a worrying mystery.
0:57:34 > 0:57:38The Save The Elephants team certainly have their work cut out
0:57:38 > 0:57:39over the next few months.
0:57:47 > 0:57:50But for little Breeze, this is a day of pure pleasure
0:57:50 > 0:57:53and she is full of the joys of babyhood.
0:58:05 > 0:58:08Next time on The Secret Life Of Elephants...
0:58:08 > 0:58:12Breeze is developing a spirit of adventure.
0:58:12 > 0:58:18Saba follows Mountain Bull as he runs the gauntlet of the farms and villages -
0:58:18 > 0:58:21could bees see off troublesome elephants?
0:58:21 > 0:58:23And as the dry season arrives
0:58:23 > 0:58:27the Winds family face a battle for survival.
0:58:46 > 0:58:49Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:58:49 > 0:58:53E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk