Wild Life - Nature Documentary Full HD 1080p

Summary

هذا الخلاصة تلخص جوهر مقطع الفيديو الذي يسلط الضوء على الحياة في حديقة كروجر الوطنية في جنوب أفريقيا، والتي تعتمد على المياه كمصدر للحياة. تشير النص إلى أن النهر Nouveau يمر عبر الأراضي الخلابة المعروفة بـ Perfury، وهو المكان الذي يجمع فيه جميع الحيوانات من الصغر إلى الكبير. يُشير إلى أن Perfury يحتوي على 75% من الأنواع الموجودة في الحديقة، ويُعتبر هذا المكان موطنًا لأكثر من 450 نوع من الطيور. وتصف النص حياة الحيوانات المختلفة، بدءًا من الديك النهر والفيل إلى الصرصور والبوفيه، وكيف يعتمد كل منها على النهر كمصدر للمياه والغذاء. وتشير النص إلى أهمية النهر Levovo كنقطة تغذية ومياه للحيوانات والطيور، بينما يشير إلى أن الحيتان يحتاجون إلى مزيد من المياه لكي يتمكنوا من العيش. وتشير النص إلى أهمية النهر Levovo في دعم التنوع الحيوي في Perfury، وكيف يساعد النهر في الحفاظ على الحياة خلال موسم الجفاف.

Takeaways

• 🌍 **地理环境**: 克鲁格国家公园的北部，帕富里地区，是野生动物的栖息地，由利本波河和卢沃河滋养。
• 🌞 **气候条件**: 该地区受炎热和干旱影响，河流是所有生物的重要水源。
• 🏜️ **栖息地多样性**: 帕富里地区拥有丰富的栖息地类型，从湿地到干燥林地，支持着多样的生物种群。
• 🌱 **生物多样性**: 尽管只占克鲁格国家公园总面积的1%，帕富里地区是公园中75%物种的家园。
• 🐘 **大象社会**: 帕富里以其永久水源和绿色植被而闻名，拥有大型的大象群体，大象是社会性动物，依赖群体生活。
• 🐦 **鸟类天堂**: 该地区有超过450种鸟类，是克鲁格国家公园中鸟类多样性最丰富的地区。
• 🥶 **干旱季节生存**: 在干旱季节，动物们必须每天到河边饮水，河流成为了生存的关键。
• 🍃 **植被的作用**: 河流附近的植被为许多草食性动物提供了食物，如水羚和长颈鹿。
• 🐊 **捕食者与猎物**: 尼罗河鳄鱼在河流中潜伏，捕食鱼类和其他小型动物，展示了食物链的一部分。
• 🌿 **树木的重要性**: 发热树因其在湿润地区生长而闻名，是许多动物，特别是大象的食物来源。
• 👣 **动物行为**: 动物们展示了各种各样的行为，包括觅食、社交、清洁和保护幼崽，这些行为对它们的生存至关重要。

Q & A

كيف تؤثر الظروف البيئية في حياة الحيوانات في وادي كروجر الوطني؟

الظروف البيئية مثل الحرارة والجفاف تؤثر بشكل كبير على حياة الحيوانات في وادي كروجر الوطني، حيث يعتمد كل شيء على ماء النهر كمصدر للحياة، وتتركز الحيوانات على النهر في موسم الجفاف العالي.

ما هو المكان الذي يشتهر به وادي كروجر الوطني؟

وادي كروجر الوطني يشتهر بتنوع الحيوانات والنباتات، وهو موطن لأكثر من 450 نوع من الطيور والعديد من الأنواع ال濒临灭绝، مما يجعله مكانًا فريدًا في Zuid-Afrika.

ما هي أهمية النهر في حياة الحيوانات في بافوري؟

النهر يمثل نقطة تجمع للحيوانات في بافوري، حيث يوفر ماء وغذاء وحماية من الحرارة، وهو المكان الذي يتجمع فيه الحيوانات في كل وقت من اليوم.

ماذا تشير الأحداث في النص إلى حول حياة الأيائل الكبرى في بافوري؟

يعيش الأيائل الكبرى في بافوري في مجتمعات، وتعتمد حياتهم على النهر كمصدر للمياه والغذاء، وهم يتحملون الطبيعة الاجتماعية والتفاعلات الاجتماعية، مثل ال년 الوحيد الذي يعيش بشكل منعزل بعد أن غادر قطيعه.

ما هي الأهمية البيئية لغوص النهر في بافوري؟

الغوص النهر يلعب دورًا أساسيًا في البيئة، حيث يساعد على تشكيل المناظر الطبيعية وجذب الحيوانات، ويساهم في تغذية الأراضي وتوفير مأوى للحيوانات.

ماذا تشير الأحداث إلى حول التأثير السلبي لممارسة الصيد الغير قانوني على الحيوانات في بافوري؟

ممارسة الصيد الغير قانوني قد تسبب إزالة الحيوانات، مثل الأيائل، من البيئة، مما يؤثر سلبًا على التوازن البيئي وتنوع الأنواع.

ما هي الأهمية البيئية لشجر الفيروس في بافوري؟

شجر الفيروس يفضل المناطق الرطبة وينمو بالقرب من الmarshes، مما يجعله مكانًا مفضلًا للبعوض الملاريا، وهو السبب الحقيقي في الإصابة بال fievers.

كيف يؤثر تغير المناخ على حياة الحيوانات في بافوري؟

تغيير المناخ مثل الارتفاع في درجات الحرارة والانخفاض في مستوى المياه يمكن أن يؤثر على تغذية الحيوانات وتوفر المياه، مما قد يؤدي إلى تغير توزيع الحيوانات وتأثير على تنوع الأنواع.

ما هي الأهمية البيئية للمياه في حياة الحيوانات في بافوري؟

المياه هي العامل الحاسم في حياة الحيوانات في بافوري، حيث توفر ماء وغذاء وحماية، وتساعد على تغذية الأراضي والنباتات، مما يؤثر بشكل إيجابي على تنوع الحيوانات.

ماذا تشير الأحداث إلى حول السلوك الاجتماعي للأيائل في بافوري؟

ال년 يعيش في مجتمعات، وتعتمد حياتهم على التفاعل الاجتماعي، وهم ينموون ويقيمون في شركت أفراد العائلة، وهم يبحثون عن المجموعة الأخرى من الأيائل لتجنب العيش بشكل منعزل.

ماذا تشير الأحداث إلى حول التأثير البيئي على التنوع البيئي في بافوري؟

التنوع البيئي في بافوري ي受影响 بشكل كبير من الظروف البيئية، مثل المياه والحرارة، والتنوع في الأنواع يساعد على الحفاظ على التوازن البيئي وتحقيق الحياة المستدامة في المنطقة.

Outlines

00:00

🌊 Lifeline of the Kruger National Park

The script opens with a portrayal of the Kruger National Park's northern region, emphasizing the critical role water plays in sustaining life amidst the harsh conditions of heat and drought. The river, a constant presence, is depicted as a vital source for all wildlife. During the dry season, animals must rely on the river for their survival, with the area known as Pafuri being highlighted for its lush lowlands, iconic forests, and incredible biodiversity. The Pafuri region, despite its small size, is home to 75% of all the greater park's species, including the white-crowned lap wing bird and the Nouveau river, which is central to the narrative.

05:01

🐘 Elephants and Waterfowl Along the Levovo River

The second paragraph delves into the daily life of animals during the dry season, focusing on the Levovo River as a life-sustaining resource. A young bull elephant is described as seeking companionship away from his herd, while white-fronted bee-eaters and various water birds are depicted as relying on the river for food and survival. The river's flow shapes the landscape, attracting wildlife and supporting a diverse ecosystem. The narrative also touches on the social dynamics of elephants and the importance of the river for their survival.

10:06

🕊️ Avian Life and the Nile Crocodiles

This section highlights the variety of bird species that inhabit the riverbanks and the different strategies they employ to find food. From the delicate jacanas to the more aggressive hammerkop, each bird has its unique way of foraging. The Nile crocodiles, known for their ambush tactics, are also present, illustrating the balance of predator and prey in this ecosystem. The coexistence of various species around the river, including the harmonious interaction between the crocodiles and other animals, is a central theme.

15:10

🌳 Elephants and the Pafuri's Flora

The fourth paragraph explores the relationship between elephants and the vegetation of Pafuri, particularly the fever trees. Elephants are shown to be highly adapted to their environment, with specialized features for feeding and navigating the landscape. The narrative also touches on the impact of poaching, as evidenced by an elephant with an injured trunk. The importance of the river and its surrounding vegetation as a food source for elephants is emphasized.

20:14

🐃 Buffaloes, Mongoose, and the Mopani Woodlands

The script continues with a focus on the African buffalo and their grazing habits on the floodplain. The buffaloes' resilience and ability to survive on coarse fodder are highlighted. The Mopani woodlands are introduced as a habitat that can withstand dry conditions, providing a crucial resource for the park's animals. The paragraph also features the dwarf mongoose and their social structure, showcasing their cooperative behavior in raising young and hunting for prey.

25:14

🐘 Elephants' Struggles and Social Dynamics

The narrative returns to the elephants, illustrating the challenges faced by an elephant with a damaged trunk and his innovative methods for drinking. The social dynamics of the elephant herd are explored, including the importance of staying within the group for protection against predators like lions. The paragraph also describes the elephants' interactions with the environment, such as using trees for scratching and dust bathing.

30:16

🦌 The Shy Nyala and the Cautious Waterbuck

This section introduces the nyala, a shy antelope that prefers dense, riverine forests, and the waterbuck, which are cautious around water due to the presence of crocodiles. The behavior of these animals at the water's edge is detailed, showing their wariness and the strategies they use to stay safe while quenching their thirst.

35:19

🌤️ The Afternoon Routine at the Levovo River

The script paints a picture of the afternoon activities along the Levovo River, where various animals come to drink and bathe. The importance of the river for maintaining the birds' feathers and for providing a cooling respite from the heat is highlighted. The paragraph also describes the social behavior of baboons and the unique feeding habits of the African fish eagle.

40:20

🐊 Hippos and the End of the Levovo River

The focus shifts to the hippos and their need for deep water to protect their sensitive skin from the sun. The narrative describes a pod of hippos in a natural dam formed by the Levovo River and the Great Limpopo River. The paragraph concludes with the geographical significance of Crooks Corner, where the Levovo River meets the boundary of three countries.

45:30

🌅 The Evening Calm and the Flowing Lavuvu

The final paragraph captures the tranquility of the evening, with animals returning to the river to drink and graze. The script emphasizes the importance of the Lavovo River as a lifeline for the creatures of Pafuri, ensuring their survival through the dry season. The anticipation of the coming rains and the rejuvenation they will bring to the landscape is also mentioned.

Keywords

💡الماء

الماء هو عنصر حيوي للحياة في شمال متنزه كروجر الوطني. في أرض يعاني من الجفاف والحرارة، يعتبر الماء شريان الحياة لجميع الكائنات الحية. كل شيء يعتمد على الأنهار التي توفر المياه اللازمة للبقاء.

💡الموسم الجاف

الموسم الجاف هو فترة من السنة التي تكون فيها موارد المياه نادرة، مما يدفع الحيوانات إلى التجمع حول مصادر المياه المتبقية مثل الأنهار. هذا الوقت من السنة هو تحدٍ كبير للحياة البرية التي تعتمد على الماء.

💡اللافوفو

اللافوفو هو نهر في شمال متنزه كروجر الوطني. يظل هذا النهر يتدفق حتى في الموسم الجاف، مما يجعله نقطة تجميع هامة للحيوانات والطيور على حد سواء. النهر يشكل ممر حياة للحيوانات في المنطقة.

💡الأفيال

الأفيال في متنزه كروجر الوطني تعتمد على الأنهار لتلبية احتياجاتها المائية. الأفيال تقضي وقتًا طويلاً بالقرب من الماء للترطيب والتغذية، كما أن التواصل الاجتماعي جزء أساسي من حياتها، حيث تعيش في مجموعات عائلية.

💡المفترسات

المفترسات مثل التماسيح تتواجد على ضفاف الأنهار في متنزه كروجر الوطني. التماسيح تستفيد من وجود المياه لصيد فرائسها مثل الأسماك والحيوانات الصغيرة التي تأتي للشرب.

💡التنوع البيولوجي

التنوع البيولوجي في منطقة بافوري في متنزه كروجر الوطني هائل، حيث تحتوي المنطقة على 75% من أنواع الحيوانات الموجودة في المتنزه. هذا التنوع يشمل العديد من الطيور، الثدييات، والزواحف.

💡الطيور

الطيور تلعب دورًا هامًا في النظام البيئي لمتنزه كروجر الوطني. في بافوري، تتواجد أكثر من 450 نوعًا من الطيور، مما يجعل المنطقة ذات تنوع بيولوجي فريد. بعض الطيور تعتمد على النهر للحصول على الطعام والمأوى.

💡المروج الفيضانية

المروج الفيضانية هي مناطق منخفضة تتعرض للفيضانات الموسمية من الأنهار، مما يخلق بيئة غنية بالغذاء والمأوى للحيوانات. هذه المروج تعتبر حيوية للعديد من الحيوانات الكبيرة مثل قطعان الأبقار.

💡الأشجار الحمى

أشجار الحمى هي نوع من الأشجار ذات اللحاء الأصفر الأخضر، المشهورة في منطقة بافوري. كانت تعتبر سابقًا مصدرًا للأمراض، لكن اكتشف أن السبب الحقيقي هو البعوض الذي يحمل الملاريا.

💡البابون

البابونات هي نوع من القرود التي تعيش في منطقة بافوري. تعتمد على الأنهار للحصول على الغذاء والماء، وتستخدم الأشجار كملجأ. لديها أذرع طويلة تساعدها على الحركة على الأرض بشكل فعال.

Highlights

Life in the Kruger National Park's northern reaches depends heavily on water, especially during the dry season.

The river in Pafuri, known as the Levuvo, serves as a critical lifeline for all creatures, both large and small.

Pafuri is situated between the Limpopo and Levuvo rivers, creating a rich floodplain that supports a high diversity of wildlife.

Despite covering just 1% of Kruger's total area, Pafuri is home to 75% of all the greater park's species.

The area boasts over 450 bird species, the highest diversity in Kruger National Park.

During the dry season, the Levuvo River remains a crucial watering point for birds and animals.

Waterbuck antelope are heavily dependent on the river for survival, especially during the dry season.

The river's flow shapes the landscape, creating a deep canyon known as Lana Gorge as it carves through the rock.

Elephant herds are a common sight in Pafuri, with some bulls leading solitary lives away from the herd.

White-fronted bee-eaters live in small family groups and help each other raise their chicks.

The river attracts a range of water birds, each with their own unique feeding habits and behaviors.

Nile crocodiles line the banks, known for ambushing prey from beneath the water's surface.

The river's waters attract insects, which in turn provide a food source for species like bee-eaters.

The floodplain supports a wide variety of grazers, from elephants to buffalo, which rely on the river for survival.

Fever trees, with their distinctive bark, are a common sight in the area and provide a favored feeding spot for elephants.

The river is not just a source of water, but also plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and cleanliness of the region's bird population.

Hippos, with their sensitive skin, require deep water to submerge themselves and escape the sun's heat.

The Levuvo River ends at Crook's Corner, forming a natural border between South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.

As long as the Levuvo River continues to flow, the diverse wildlife of Pafuri will continue to thrive despite the challenges of the dry season.

Transcripts

[Music]

in the northern reaches of the kruger

national park

life depends on one thing

[Music]

water

[Music]

in a land burdened by heat and drought

a single ribbon cuts its reliable course

through the wilderness

[Music]

it's a lifeline to all creatures great

and small

[Music]

in the height of the dry season

everything must come to the river

from dawn to dusk

[Music]

animals converge on the banks of the

level

as it winds its way through the many

habitats of an area known as perfury

[Music]

so

[Music]

uh

on a sandy riverbank in the far north of

the world famous kruger national park a

white crowned lap wing strides through

its territory

he and his mate control half a mile of

riverbank

it's the height of the dry season and

the water level is at its lowest

the best time for nesting on the sandy

banks

the lap wings river is called the

nouveau and it flows through a very

special piece of wilderness known as the

perfury

situated in the northeast of south

africa

kruger national park covers some seven

and a half thousand square miles

the pafuri lies in the most northerly

reaches of this expanse

it's sandwiched between two rivers the

limpopo to the north

and the levovo to the south

when they break their banks they nourish

a great floodplain that covers much of

pafuri

[Music]

here lush lowlands feed herds of grazers

and iconic forests grow tall and green

[Music]

where less water gathers hardier plants

grow adding to performi's incredible

biodiversity

although it makes up just one percent of

kruger's total area perfori is home to

75

of all the greater park species

[Music]

among these some creatures stand out

from species rarely seen in the rest of

the reserve

took great herds of its iconic

characters

[Music]

but above all the others it's perfury's

birds that set this place apart

more than 450 species make their homes

here the greatest diversity anywhere in

kruger

[Music]

for many tropical african species

this is the most southerly extent of

their range

[Music]

it's mid-winter and the height of the

dry season

after a protracted drought the great

limpopo river stands dry

but the levovo still flows

making it a busy watering point for

birds and animals alike

and the lap wings have done well to

secure a spot on the banks

for almost all wildlife each day

includes a trip to the river during this

trying time of year

as morning dawns and perfury a herd of

water buck grazes on the marshy

floodplain

with the males weighing up to 550 pounds

these are among africa's most heavyset

antelope

they fuel their bulk by feeding on the

most protein-rich grasses and herbs they

can find and during the dry season it's

the floodplain that provides

all this protein builds up a thirst and

water bucker among the most water

dependent of all antelope

[Music]

as the day heats up they'll move down to

the levovo to drink

if not for the river they couldn't

survive here through the dry season

[Music]

the river flows from west to east across

the park

shaping the landscape and attracting its

wildlife

[Applause]

here in the west of papua it's carved a

deep canyon through the rock

known as lana gorge it's testament to

the lavu's steady flow over the

millennia

[Music]

further downstream to the east the rocky

sides give way to sandy riverbed

here a young bull elephant has arrived

early to quench his thirst

[Applause]

pafuri with its perennial water sources

and green growth is famous for its

resident elephant herds

but this bull has left his herd and for

now he leads a more solitary existence

social contact is an integral part of

elephant life

and he will have spent his first 15

years in the company of his mother

siblings aunts and cousins

as he moves down the river he smells the

air for signs of other elephants

if he can find a group of other

bachelors he may join them for the sake

of companionship

but for now he's on his own

just downstream another group of social

creatures makes their home

white-fronted bee eaters live in small

families consisting of a breeding pair

and up to five related birds that'll

help them raise their chicks

[Music]

in a few months when early summer brings

the rains they'll dig more nests like

these into the riverbank to lay their

eggs

[Music]

the rain will trigger a flush of insect

life and there'll be plenty of food to

feed their chicks

for now the adults can support

themselves on the insects around the

river

[Music]

the little water in the levovo is enough

to attract a range of water birds and

each starts its day by finding food in

its own way

[Music]

a pair of african jakartas treads

delicately at the water's edge

[Music]

their long toes help distribute their

weight on floating plant life

together the pair controls a territory

along the bank and it gives them all the

insects they need

[Music]

a pair of egyptian geese forages on

aquatic plants growing in the stream

they get stuck in

reaching down for the tastiest morsels

a hammer cop takes a more measured

approach

he's after creatures living among the

river vegetation

[Music]

he prefers a breakfast of tadpoles but

he snaps up aquatic invertebrates too

for a three-banded plover it's all about

covering ground

he moves quickly along pecking at the

water's surface for insects and their

larvae

[Music]

it'll take a lot of this tiny prey to

fill his belly

[Music]

while some are enjoying the river's

ample food supply

a great egret is finding things trickier

it's after fish and amphibians but

they're proving elusive

perhaps another spot will be more

productive

it readies itself for the strike

but fails again

[Music]

with one last effort

he comes up with a morsel

[Music]

it's not much but it's a start

[Music]

while most of the birds feed on small

life

there are others here looking for bigger

prey

the banks are lined with the scaly

bodies of nile crocodiles sunning

themselves

since the limpopo river to the north

dried up many of the resident crocs have

moved into the

here the water still flows deep enough

to sustain them

they're best known for ambushing prey

from beneath the surface

[Applause]

but crocodiles will feed on fish too

[Applause]

they use their powerful tails to pursue

their prey underwater

[Music]

despite their fearsome appearance many

other creatures seem comfortable in the

presence of the crocodiles

[Music]

a flatter of butterflies cuts a sharp

contrast with the rugged reptiles

[Music]

they're gathered to filter nutrients

from the bank's muddy puddles

[Music]

the winged gathering attracts a crowd of

its own

[Music]

bee eaters

[Music]

the picky birds scrape the wings from

their prey before devouring them

[Music]

[Music]

the be eta family will join forces with

neighboring families to defend their

foraging territory against other bee

eaters

[Music]

the river's water is a magnet to insects

in the dry season

[Music]

and the bee eaters can't risk sharing

their private food store

[Music]

for many animals perforia has lots to

offer beyond the level

the teenage bull leaves the river to

make his way through the bush looking

for companions

but he doesn't get far before his

stomach distracts him

a full-grown elephant bull can weigh up

to five tons

his dinner plate sized feet are

specially evolved to support this

massive weight with thick cushions of

fatty and fibrous tissue to absorb the

pressure

his trunk is the perfect tool for

reaching the best leaves high in the

trees

the riverside vegetation is his first

snack on his day's quest for company

pafouria has other food reserves in

plenty for an elephant

including one type of tree in particular

that the park is famous for

known as fever trees their smooth yellow

green bark is unmistakable

[Music]

early settlers found that people

traveling or living near these trees

contracted terrible fevers

[Music]

they blamed the trees themselves for the

illness but the blame was misplaced

[Music]

fever trees favor moist areas and often

grow near swamps the favorite breeding

grounds for the real culprits malaria

carrying mosquitoes

[Laughter]

the dense stands of picturesque tall

fever trees are icons of the puffuri

they thrive in the alluvial soils of the

floodplain and are regularly inundated

with water when the rivers break their

banks

these serene shady forests are a

favorite feeding place for many at this

time of year

alone ireland grazes quietly on the

undergrowth

[Music]

[Music]

not far away a massive elephant bull

disturbs the peace

[Music]

he strides through the forest in a foul

mood

and it soon becomes clear why

he has a handicap to his most powerful

tool

[Music]

it's an old injury to his trunk possibly

caused by a crocodile's jaws but more

likely a poacher's snare

[Music]

he can't fully extend it vertically to

reach leaves

[Music]

but like all elephants he has the

strength to bring them down to his level

[Music]

once he chooses a tree

his incredible power takes care of the

rest

[Music]

with the leaves at ground level he's

finally able to satisfy his agitating

hunger

[Music]

here

[Music]

[Music]

having eaten his fill he moves slowly

off through the forest

[Music]

beyond the fever trees a herd of african

buffalo grazes out in the

open the grasses grow tall on the

floodplain

but they're dry and tough at this time

of year

this doesn't phase the buffaloes

they prioritize quantity over quality

and can subsist on coarser fodder than

most grazers

the herd is a moving restaurant for

oxpeckers that pick away at pests and

parasites

despite the adults impressive horns the

herd is wary of

predators for the buffaloes have

youngsters with them

eventually they've had enough time in

the open and head for the cover of

mapani thicket

these dense woodlands thrive on

perfury's higher ground and add yet

another habitat to the park

mopani is well known for its ability to

withstand dry conditions

in the heat of the day the

butterfly-like leaves fold closed to

reduce the surface exposed to the sun

and minimize water loss from evaporation

they're also a fantastic source of

protein for perfuri's animals

but today it's a brown snake eagle that

makes best use of the golden trees

it could perch up here for hours

searching its surroundings with piercing

eyes for its favorite prey of snakes

when it spots one it'll swoop down from

its perch crush the snake's spine and

swallow it head first

[Music]

for now it stretches its feathers

leisurely and surveys the comings and

goings below

with raptors like these around perfury's

smaller inhabitants must keep a careful

eye out

in the woodlands nearby a deserted

termite mound is home to a pack of dwarf

mongooses

[Music]

as the day heats up the adults emerge

from their burrow one by one

[Music]

a communal latrine outside the entrance

gives a clear sense sign that this home

is taken

[Music]

at less than eight inches long they have

little defense against predators

but the family of 14 watches each

other's backs

[Music]

sentries take to higher ground to get

the best vantage point possible

vigilance is key

there are pops to protect

[Music]

they're the offspring of the dominant

male and female

and they're around six weeks old

the whole pack works together to raise

them

this includes the crucial tasks of

babysitting and standing guard

[Music]

subordinate females help suckle the

young

some without ever having been pregnant

themselves

[Music]

so

[Music]

the rest of the pack heads out to

scratch for prey with their long claws

[Music]

[Music]

in the undergrowth of the dry woodland

there's plenty of food to be had

[Music]

a millipede known locally as a

chongololo would be a juicy snack

[Music]

despite its many legs it's a slow mover

it must make good its escape before the

mongooses sniff it out

the little hunters do most of their

foraging on the ground

and the millipede makes a lucky choice

in climbing up a tree to safety

[Music]

while the mongooses carry out their

scuttling hunt

others plod slowly and steadily through

the morning

[Music]

an elephant mother is on the move with

two youngsters

[Music]

they've drifted from the herd to search

the dry woodland for good fodder

[Music]

only the younger calf is the cow's

offspring

it stays close to her for safety at all

times

[Music]

the whereabouts of the other calf's

mother is difficult to tell

but it's a sad possibility that poachers

have killed her for her tusks

[Music]

the three must rejoin their extended

family soon

there are lions in perfury and

protection within the herd is crucial

for young elephants

away from the levuvu a few small

wetlands persist

this pan formed from runoff surface

water during the last rains and there's

enough here to last the dry season

[Music]

it's attracted six big bulls

[Music]

among them is the young bull that was in

the river this morning

the gathering at the water offers him

some company at last

the heavyweight with the injured trunk

is here too

neither can compete with the biggest of

these bachelors

he wears a tracking collar

and researchers have been following him

for the last 10 years

[Music]

he's now in his prime at around 45 and

has picked up scars of his own during

his long life

[Music]

if all goes well he could live to around

60.

the other bulls give him plenty of space

at the thirst quenching water

[Music]

the ball with the wounded trunk has

learned to live with his handicap

[Applause]

to get maximum suction he dips his trunk

into the water at an angle

this closes the wound so he's not

sucking in air

but when he sprays it into his mouth

it's a losing

battle it's the elephant equivalent of

drinking through a punctured straw

[Music]

with this constant impediment his

agitated state from earlier in the day

is easy to understand

but nothing soothes an elephant like a

trip to water

and it always involves a good splashing

a tree serves as a favorite scratching

post

and a final layer of dust will protect

against the hot afternoon sun

when the elephants are done as ever

it's perfori's birds that make a splash

[Music]

fork-tailed drongos bathed themselves by

plunging briefly into the water before

flying off

[Music]

it's the epitome of going for a quick

dip

[Music]

so

a small herd of impala arrives for a

quick drink

they're vulnerable with their heads down

at the water

and moves swiftly on

as the midday heat sets in

many in perfury seek out water

the afternoon is especially busy on the

banks of the lavovo

[Music]

[Music]

the river draws all of perfury's diverse

life

including some that are rarely seen

elsewhere on the continent

[Music]

yala are particularly shy antelope

sticking to densely wooded areas usually

near water

[Music]

the riverine forests here are perfect

habitat for them

[Music]

as thirsty as they may be

they're cautious around the water this

is crocodile territory

across the river a female nyala has

arrived with her two offspring

they're just as cautious as the males

and for good reason

[Music]

the young croc is probably too small to

catch the mother

but it might stand a chance against the

fawn and they're not taking any risks

[Music]

downstream the shaggy waterbuck have

arrived with their young too

even in the winter temperatures can top

80 degrees fahrenheit

[Music]

the soft moist sand offers some cool

relief

most of the water come with company

but an old buffalo bull has arrived

alone

he's retired from the competition of

herd life and no longer has to wait for

hundreds of herd mates to quench their

thirst before he moves off

he's not the only old male on the banks

the warthog bores huge facial lumps a

testament to his age

having quenched his thirst

he turns his attention to food

green grass is hard to come by this deep

into the dry season and the warthogs

seize the opportunity for a good meal

the riverside growth is a valuable

source of food

for some the banks provide a special

treat

the seed pods of an acacia tree are a

favorite snack for chakra baboons

[Music]

with arms as long as their legs baboons

have evolved to walk on the ground more

than any other monkey

but the youngsters are completely

comfortable in the tree

[Music]

even as they pick their way between the

thorns

[Music]

for all the animals the river offers

food water and some relief from the

afternoon heat

for the birds the enduring flow serves

another crucial purpose

[Music]

most birds must bathe to keep their

feathers in tip-top condition for flying

[Music]

the river is one of the few places they

can do so at this time of year

and they take full advantage of the

cleansing flow

a white crowned lap wing indulges in an

afternoon bath

[Music]

bathing isn't the only important part of

film maintenance

[Music]

others along the river prem to remove

dust and parasites

and carefully organize each feather into

its proper place

[Music]

a woolly necked stalk is one of the

bigger birds on the river today

but it's dwarfed by its cousin the

saddle build stalk

it towers at five feet tall

like all other creatures big birds are

drawn to the levuvu by the allure of

water

an 11-pound white-backed vulture makes

daily trips to water to drink and bathe

[Music]

but among all of pappuri's birds one

species rules the roost

[Music]

as their name suggests

african fish eagles specialize in

catching fish

[Music]

unlike the smaller birds the low-flowing

river offers them little in the way of

food here

but the eagles are resourceful

they prey on a variety of smaller life

including water birds

[Music]

they're also fearless thieves

stealing prey from others as big as the

saddle build stalk

[Music]

all this makes them formidable river

mates for the other species

[Music]

like all here they too must drink

the trickle of the river here is enough

to satisfy the birds needs but there is

one resident of bufuri whose demands are

far greater

hippos need water deep enough to

submerge their great bodies entirely

during the dry season there are few

places in perfori where this exists

where the lavufu meets the dry bed of

the limpopo in pafori's easternmost

corner it has formed a natural dam

deep enough for a pod of hippos

[Music]

these huge animals have sensitive skins

and spend most of their days submerged

to escape the heat of the sun

this bull is in charge here

should he need to assert his control he

can open his jaw to 150 degrees bearing

20 inch long tusks

for now he relaxes in the cool of the

water with his pod

at the end of the levuvu the riverbed of

the great limpopo shines white under the

afternoon sun

known as crooks corner

this point forms the border between

three countries

south africa to the southwest

zimbabwe to the northeast and mozambique

to the east

here the levovo river reaches its end

after flowing steadily eastward it meets

a boundary it cannot cross in the broad

sandy bed of the limpopo

[Music]

for the creatures of puffuri the levuvu

has done its job providing water through

another hot dry day

[Music]

as evening sets in

the water buck are back grazing on the

floodplain

[Music]

they enjoy the cool calm end of the day

the young elephant mother and her calf

have found their herd as they emerge to

cross the plain for a drink in a river

[Music]

on the lavuvus banks the baboon troop

spends a little time by the water before

heading into the treetops to sleep

[Music]

the river is a picture of peace until

the elephants get here

[Music]

the cruel soft sand is welcome relief

after the long hot day

[Applause]

[Music]

the lavus banks are the site of a

reunion

the older calf from earlier has found

its mother and enjoys the river by her

side

[Music]

[Applause]

the herd takes its time to refuel with

food and water

[Music]

as long as the lavu continues to flow

through this special reserve afore his

creatures will thrive despite the rigors

of the dry season

[Music]

sooner or later heavy rains will come

[Music]

the limpopo will flow once more

and flood waters will inundate the

planes to spur new growth

until then the elephants and others will

find all they need along the banks of

the perfori's everlasting lifeline

[Music]

you