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{\an8}♪♪♪
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NARRATOR:
In Zambia's Luangwa Valley...
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{\an1}a future king was born.
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{\an1}From season, to season...
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{\an1}one year, to the next...
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{\an1}he embarked on a journey
towards greatness.
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{\an1}He already had the attitude
and behaved like royalty.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}Gradually he became fearless.
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Becoming stronger
with each fight...
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more confident
with each journey.
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{\an1}He was a formidable contender
to the throne.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}NARRATOR: From waters shrouded
in mystery, comes a story
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{\an1}of an African leviathan.
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{\an1}Every movement prehistoric...
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{\an1}every contour otherworldly...
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slowly rising from the deep...
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an old hippo bull.
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{\an1}The years have taken their toll.
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{\an1}His tired, cloudy eyes reflect
a brutal life hard-lived.
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He has seen it all.
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His maze of scars...
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Skin-deep memories
from ancient battles.
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But in his prime...
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{\an1}this once-invincible bull
chose a path of war.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}This is the remarkable story
of his journey...
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{\an1}that led to the ultimate battle
that crowned him king.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}A long, long time ago,
in Zambia's Luangwa Valley...
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{\an1}where a mighty river is home
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to one of the largest
hippo populations in the world,
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{\an1}the dry season had just begun.
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{\an1}In the blistering heat, a hippo
pod was basking in the sun,
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{\an1}and one female had separated
herself from the others.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}It was the day a future king
was born.
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{\an1}He took his first glimpse
of the outside world.
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{\an1}The little newcomer drew
unwanted attention.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}His mother was well aware
of the danger.
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{\an1}She kept her calf close.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}But the crocodiles weren't
her only concern.
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{\an1}A lion, in search of prey.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}Her calf, a perfect target.
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And this young male
was heading straight for them.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}But something made him hesitate.
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The river belonged
to another predator.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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[ Lion growling ]
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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It gave her time
to hide the calf.
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{\an1}But the lion braved the waters.
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While
focused on finding the calf,
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the lion was facing
a protective mother.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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His courageous mother
saved his life.
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{\an1}In those first few weeks,
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{\an1}his mother kept him separate
from the main pod.
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{\an1}This precious time together
was essential
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{\an1}in strengthening their bond.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}Recognizing his mother
once they joined the pod
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{\an1}would be crucial for his safety.
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{\an1}He would rely on her protection
for years to come.
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{\an1}And then the big day arrived.
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His mother led him
to the main pod.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}He was ready to join his family.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}Becoming part of the main pod
seemed to be a safe move
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{\an1}with all-'round protection.
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{\an1}But amongst these 3-ton giants,
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the calf was
all the more vulnerable.
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[ Hippos grunting ]
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{\an1}Explosions of aggression
are common amongst hippos.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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But ironically,
it was his father
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that was by far
the biggest threat.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}When he went into battle
with an opponent,
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{\an1}razor-sharp tusks clashing,
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{\an1}their brute force would
crush anything in their way.
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[ Hippos grunting ]
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}Calves often fall victim
to these brutal fights.
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Thankfully his mother
was protective and caring.
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{\an1}But with the river shrinking
and the pod growing,
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{\an1}tension would only rise,
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{\an1}so becoming part of a crèche
provided a safe space.
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The youngsters stayed
close together,
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surrounded by a few
protective mothers.
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They spent their days
basking in the sun,
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{\an1}with not a care in the world.
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{\an1}And that's when he got to meet
his new friends.
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The oxpeckers.
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Little birds
that removed parasites
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{\an1}and cleaned the hippos' wounds.
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But they often made
things worse.
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{\an1}To many, they became a nuisance.
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Every fresh wound
was a reason for battle.
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{\an1}They were out for blood.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}[ Oxpeckers screeching ]
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Getting rid of them
was mission impossible.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}Submerging was the only way.
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And when the river
became too low,
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water cannons
were brought to bear.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}An effective way to send
a bird packing,
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{\an1}but they would always return.
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Oxpeckers would be
his lifelong companions.
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{\an1}As this dry season progressed,
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carmine bee-eaters
made their entrance.
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{\an1}With the river now low enough,
they were able to start nesting.
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{\an1}[ Carmine bee-eaters chirping ]
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}While the birds added a splash
of much-needed color
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{\an1}to the advancing drought,
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the calf grew into
a more confident youngster.
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{\an1}He would stand his ground...
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{\an1}and took on his first battles.
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{\an1}He was learning to be bold.
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{\an1}Sparring sessions prepared him
for the fights
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{\an1}that were to come later in life.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}And he would lean on his mother
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{\an1}to reach greater heights.
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{\an1}Heights he could still
only dream of.
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{\an1}He already had the attitude
and behaved like royalty.
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{\an1}Until the true king of beasts
arrived.
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{\an1}Being surrounded by lions
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quickly brought him
back to reality.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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His attitude faded
as fear took hold.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}The river was their haven.
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{\an1}But the lioness could swim, too.
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{\an1}A calf his size is easy prey
for a lion.
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{\an1}The big cat was surrounded
by hippos.
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[ Lion snarling ]
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}Her snarls were intimidating.
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But an adult hippo
could easily kill her.
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{\an1}In this river, she was
just as vulnerable
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as he was on land.
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{\an1}The lioness made a daring move,
so close to the hippos.
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{\an1}her pride intently watching.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}She might have made it
past the hippos,
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but crocodiles
still lurked below.
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{\an1}From the safety of the pod,
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the calf watched
the saga unfold.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}The lioness was fortunate
to make it across alive.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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As the Luangwa River
kept shrinking,
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more and more hippos
congregated...
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and fought over
every inch of space.
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The cruel reality
of the drought hit hard.
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A feast had begun.
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{\an1}Dead hippos attracted attention.
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{\an1}It was the calf's first time
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{\an1}to experience the dark side
of the dry season.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}When the hippos suffered,
the crocodiles thrived.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}With the river at its lowest,
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{\an1}the hippos desperately searched
for food and space.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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[ Thunder crashing ]
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{\an1}The first blissful rain
finally arrived.
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It brought relief
to everyone in the pod.
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A moment to relax.
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{\an1}Even the calf's father
dropped his guard.
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A moment a challenger
had been waiting for.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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[ Hippos grunting ]
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00:15:48,133 --> 00:15:51,242
{\an1}His father had to defend
his throne.
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There could only be
one dominant bull.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}It was an equal match.
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{\an1}A fight like this ended
in stalemate.
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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00:16:40,333 --> 00:16:44,309
{\an1}His father did some serious
damage to his opponent,
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00:16:44,333 --> 00:16:49,409
{\an1}but the bull himself was nearing
the end of his reign.
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[ Thunder rumbling ]
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{\an8}♪♪♪
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{\an1}The season had turned.
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{\an1}The Luangwa Valley transformed
into an emerald green paradise.
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00:17:09,433 --> 00:17:17,433
{\an8}♪♪♪
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00:17:23,366 --> 00:17:25,109
[ Thunder crashes ]
199
00:17:25,133 --> 00:17:31,509
{\an8}♪♪♪
200
00:17:31,533 --> 00:17:34,709
The calf had made it
through his first dry season,
201
00:17:34,733 --> 00:17:39,033
and was now thriving,
with plenty of grass and space.
202
00:17:41,866 --> 00:17:46,409
Making it this far
was a significant victory.
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00:17:46,433 --> 00:17:49,842
{\an1}Many hippo calves don't survive
their first few months.
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00:17:49,866 --> 00:17:53,800
For him, the future
seemed promising.
205
00:17:57,633 --> 00:17:59,542
{\an8}♪♪♪
206
00:17:59,566 --> 00:18:01,842
Throughout
the different seasons,
207
00:18:01,866 --> 00:18:04,809
{\an1}the calf remained close
to his mother
208
00:18:04,833 --> 00:18:07,609
{\an1}and was mostly by her side.
209
00:18:07,633 --> 00:18:15,633
{\an8}♪♪♪
210
00:18:16,833 --> 00:18:19,376
{\an1}Every time the rains returned,
211
00:18:19,400 --> 00:18:21,676
{\an1}it meant the end of hardship.
212
00:18:21,700 --> 00:18:26,609
{\an8}♪♪♪
213
00:18:26,633 --> 00:18:28,542
{\an1}The cycle of the seasons
214
00:18:28,566 --> 00:18:30,976
{\an1}saw him grow ever bigger.
215
00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:39,000
{\an8}♪♪♪
216
00:18:45,166 --> 00:18:47,542
{\an1}These periods of prosperity
217
00:18:47,566 --> 00:18:50,176
made the youngster
more independent,
218
00:18:50,200 --> 00:18:53,476
which encouraged him
to aim higher.
219
00:18:53,500 --> 00:18:57,709
{\an8}♪♪♪
220
00:18:57,733 --> 00:19:01,676
{\an1}Throughout the years, the calf
grew into an adolescent,
221
00:19:01,700 --> 00:19:04,442
{\an1}gaining confidence and size.
222
00:19:04,466 --> 00:19:08,442
{\an8}♪♪♪
223
00:19:08,466 --> 00:19:12,176
{\an1}He followed his mother
from one pod to the next,
224
00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:14,476
{\an1}and with his newfound bravado,
225
00:19:14,500 --> 00:19:18,533
{\an1}he spent most of his time
sparring with his peers.
226
00:19:21,366 --> 00:19:26,766
Slowly his tusk force
grew bigger and sharper.
227
00:19:29,933 --> 00:19:32,266
{\an1}He was a king in the making.
228
00:19:34,733 --> 00:19:37,266
{\an1}Luangwa lay at his feet.
229
00:19:47,866 --> 00:19:51,109
{\an1}Having walked these paths
for centuries,
230
00:19:51,133 --> 00:19:55,600
the hippos of Luangwa
know its secrets to survival.
231
00:20:00,466 --> 00:20:06,576
{\an1}His mother, too, had a lifetime
of experiences behind her.
232
00:20:06,600 --> 00:20:12,476
{\an1}She knew how to survive here,
even during the worst droughts.
233
00:20:12,500 --> 00:20:15,909
{\an1}But she was getting old
and frail,
234
00:20:15,933 --> 00:20:19,033
{\an1}and had not given birth
to any more calves.
235
00:20:22,100 --> 00:20:24,942
So it was still
just the two of them.
236
00:20:24,966 --> 00:20:29,209
{\an8}♪♪♪
237
00:20:29,233 --> 00:20:34,276
Now as a subadult,
he no longer depended on her,
238
00:20:34,300 --> 00:20:38,442
{\an1}but would stay with his mother
for as long as he could.
239
00:20:38,466 --> 00:20:46,466
{\an8}♪♪♪
240
00:20:47,733 --> 00:20:50,876
{\an1}Their bond seemed everlasting.
241
00:20:50,900 --> 00:20:56,633
{\an8}♪♪♪
242
00:21:02,566 --> 00:21:06,909
{\an1}But then, as the dry season
reached its peak,
243
00:21:06,933 --> 00:21:08,566
everything changed.
244
00:21:11,900 --> 00:21:18,409
{\an8}♪♪♪
245
00:21:18,433 --> 00:21:20,342
His mother...
246
00:21:20,366 --> 00:21:22,609
prone and vulnerable.
247
00:21:22,633 --> 00:21:30,633
{\an8}♪♪♪
248
00:21:32,633 --> 00:21:36,742
She desperately tried
to make it back to the river,
249
00:21:36,766 --> 00:21:39,076
{\an1}but she had no strength left.
250
00:21:39,100 --> 00:21:47,100
{\an8}♪♪♪
251
00:21:54,133 --> 00:21:58,709
His mother was facing
a slow death.
252
00:21:58,733 --> 00:22:01,342
{\an1}She had reached the end
of her time.
253
00:22:01,366 --> 00:22:09,366
{\an8}♪♪♪
254
00:22:34,666 --> 00:22:36,476
The next morning,
255
00:22:36,500 --> 00:22:41,376
{\an1}the youngster stood by
helplessly.
256
00:22:41,400 --> 00:22:43,033
His mother had died.
257
00:22:45,600 --> 00:22:51,042
{\an1}He threatened the lions that
surrounded her but was ignored.
258
00:22:51,066 --> 00:22:56,009
{\an8}♪♪♪
259
00:22:56,033 --> 00:22:58,266
{\an1}Scavengers were circling.
260
00:23:01,766 --> 00:23:03,909
{\an1}There was nothing he could do.
261
00:23:03,933 --> 00:23:11,933
{\an8}♪♪♪
262
00:23:12,966 --> 00:23:18,642
{\an1}He was frustrated and confused,
not knowing where to go.
263
00:23:18,666 --> 00:23:26,666
{\an8}♪♪♪
264
00:23:48,600 --> 00:23:51,142
{\an1}Wandering around aimlessly,
265
00:23:51,166 --> 00:23:54,876
{\an1}he hadn't noticed the trap
he was walking into.
266
00:23:54,900 --> 00:24:02,900
{\an8}♪♪♪
267
00:24:38,166 --> 00:24:39,900
{\an1}That was a close call.
268
00:24:45,400 --> 00:24:48,800
He had no choice
but to leave his mother.
269
00:24:51,900 --> 00:24:59,900
{\an8}♪♪♪
270
00:25:03,100 --> 00:25:07,542
Every opportunist,
every predator...
271
00:25:07,566 --> 00:25:10,566
{\an1}all made the most of this feast.
272
00:25:15,200 --> 00:25:18,776
From the river,
he became a spectator
273
00:25:18,800 --> 00:25:22,842
{\an1}to nature's primal display.
274
00:25:22,866 --> 00:25:27,676
{\an1}The cycle of life played out
right in front of him.
275
00:25:27,700 --> 00:25:31,309
{\an8}♪♪♪
276
00:25:31,333 --> 00:25:35,009
Each creature fought
for its right to feed,
277
00:25:35,033 --> 00:25:37,076
its right to life.
278
00:25:37,100 --> 00:25:43,609
{\an8}♪♪♪
279
00:25:43,633 --> 00:25:45,642
[ Crocodile hissing ]
280
00:25:45,666 --> 00:25:49,976
{\an8}♪♪♪
281
00:25:50,000 --> 00:25:54,009
{\an1}Taking turns, predators
from both land and water
282
00:25:54,033 --> 00:25:57,942
took full advantage
of the death of a giant.
283
00:25:57,966 --> 00:26:05,966
{\an8}♪♪♪
284
00:26:08,166 --> 00:26:09,609
[ Lion growls ]
285
00:26:09,633 --> 00:26:17,633
{\an8}♪♪♪
286
00:26:20,766 --> 00:26:22,342
[ Lion growling ]
287
00:26:22,366 --> 00:26:28,909
{\an8}♪♪♪
288
00:26:28,933 --> 00:26:33,542
{\an1}His yawn was an outcry of
distress and desperation,
289
00:26:33,566 --> 00:26:35,742
{\an1}but displaying his tusks
290
00:26:35,766 --> 00:26:39,909
{\an1}was regarded as a direct
challenge by the dominant bull.
291
00:26:39,933 --> 00:26:45,209
{\an8}♪♪♪
292
00:26:45,233 --> 00:26:48,009
Before he realized
what he'd done,
293
00:26:48,033 --> 00:26:50,009
{\an1}the dominant bull attacked.
294
00:26:50,033 --> 00:26:58,033
{\an8}♪♪♪
295
00:27:09,033 --> 00:27:12,733
An excruciating grip
to oust him from the pod.
296
00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:20,009
The punishment for
his unintended insolence
297
00:27:20,033 --> 00:27:22,142
{\an1}may have cost him his tail.
298
00:27:22,166 --> 00:27:30,166
{\an8}♪♪♪
299
00:27:36,900 --> 00:27:39,809
{\an1}The message was clear.
300
00:27:39,833 --> 00:27:41,566
{\an1}He was no longer welcome.
301
00:27:44,333 --> 00:27:46,509
{\an1}He could never return.
302
00:27:46,533 --> 00:27:54,533
{\an8}♪♪♪
303
00:27:57,966 --> 00:28:00,466
{\an1}The first night on his own.
304
00:28:10,433 --> 00:28:13,042
{\an1}He was used to feeding
in the dark,
305
00:28:13,066 --> 00:28:17,709
but this night
was darker than usual.
306
00:28:17,733 --> 00:28:21,500
Without his mother,
it felt more dangerous.
307
00:28:23,633 --> 00:28:25,909
For good reason.
308
00:28:25,933 --> 00:28:28,409
Lions hunt at night.
309
00:28:28,433 --> 00:28:33,376
{\an8}♪♪♪
310
00:28:33,400 --> 00:28:35,776
He was unsure of
their intentions.
311
00:28:35,800 --> 00:28:43,800
{\an8}♪♪♪
312
00:28:44,966 --> 00:28:48,266
{\an1}This time, he wouldn't let them
come close.
313
00:28:52,566 --> 00:28:55,009
{\an1}The lions' hunt had begun.
314
00:28:55,033 --> 00:29:03,033
{\an8}♪♪♪
315
00:29:17,766 --> 00:29:19,709
Fortunately for him,
316
00:29:19,733 --> 00:29:21,366
{\an1}they killed an antelope.
317
00:29:25,833 --> 00:29:28,109
{\an1}He continued grazing...
318
00:29:28,133 --> 00:29:30,900
but kept a close eye
on the lions.
319
00:29:35,166 --> 00:29:43,166
{\an8}♪♪♪
320
00:29:52,266 --> 00:29:53,976
[ Lion growling ]
321
00:29:54,000 --> 00:30:02,000
{\an8}♪♪♪
322
00:30:03,433 --> 00:30:07,909
Anyone in his way
was charged at.
323
00:30:07,933 --> 00:30:09,309
[ Hippo growls ]
324
00:30:09,333 --> 00:30:12,276
{\an1}Now he had to fend for himself.
325
00:30:12,300 --> 00:30:15,676
{\an8}♪♪♪
326
00:30:15,700 --> 00:30:19,142
[ Lion growling ]
327
00:30:19,166 --> 00:30:22,076
{\an1}The predators were in the middle
of a fierce battle.
328
00:30:22,100 --> 00:30:30,100
{\an8}♪♪♪
329
00:30:33,766 --> 00:30:36,809
{\an1}Maybe best to make a run for it.
330
00:30:36,833 --> 00:30:38,633
{\an8}♪♪♪
331
00:30:46,433 --> 00:30:47,909
By daybreak,
332
00:30:47,933 --> 00:30:51,600
{\an1}the young bull was desperate
to get back to the river.
333
00:30:54,066 --> 00:30:56,242
Having been evicted
from his pod,
334
00:30:56,266 --> 00:30:58,300
{\an1}he needed to find a new home.
335
00:31:00,700 --> 00:31:06,309
{\an1}The bull in charge of this pod
immediately noticed his arrival.
336
00:31:06,333 --> 00:31:09,842
{\an1}But the young bull was hoping
for acceptance.
337
00:31:09,866 --> 00:31:17,866
{\an8}♪♪♪
338
00:31:26,933 --> 00:31:30,309
{\an1}The dominant bull was not
going to make it easy.
339
00:31:30,333 --> 00:31:38,333
{\an8}♪♪♪
340
00:31:49,233 --> 00:31:52,842
{\an1}If he could show submission,
341
00:31:52,866 --> 00:31:55,509
the bull might
allow him to stay.
342
00:31:55,533 --> 00:32:03,142
{\an8}♪♪♪
343
00:32:03,166 --> 00:32:05,709
{\an1}An important lesson in life...
344
00:32:05,733 --> 00:32:09,842
Giving in sometimes
gets you what you need.
345
00:32:09,866 --> 00:32:14,566
{\an8}♪♪♪
346
00:32:16,666 --> 00:32:20,409
{\an1}Although the young bull
was now accepted by a new pod,
347
00:32:20,433 --> 00:32:23,209
{\an1}with this dry season persisting,
348
00:32:23,233 --> 00:32:26,542
{\an1}he was forced to search
for food in daytime.
349
00:32:26,566 --> 00:32:33,676
{\an8}♪♪♪
350
00:32:33,700 --> 00:32:36,609
{\an1}There is a tree in South Luangwa
351
00:32:36,633 --> 00:32:39,876
{\an1}that blooms when the drought
is at its worst.
352
00:32:39,900 --> 00:32:47,900
{\an8}♪♪♪
353
00:32:54,566 --> 00:32:57,433
{\an1}The fruit of the sausage tree.
354
00:33:02,033 --> 00:33:06,409
{\an1}Not long ago, his mother
had led him to this place.
355
00:33:06,433 --> 00:33:09,809
A modest oasis
in the grip of the sun.
356
00:33:09,833 --> 00:33:15,509
{\an8}♪♪♪
357
00:33:15,533 --> 00:33:18,009
{\an1}The African sausage tree,
358
00:33:18,033 --> 00:33:21,666
{\an1}known here as the tree of life.
359
00:33:24,833 --> 00:33:29,842
{\an1}The massive, solid fruit,
seemingly inedible,
360
00:33:29,866 --> 00:33:31,976
{\an1}is the secret to survival.
361
00:33:32,000 --> 00:33:40,000
{\an8}♪♪♪
362
00:33:49,366 --> 00:33:53,100
{\an1}These fruits would help him get
through the toughest of times.
363
00:33:55,333 --> 00:33:59,509
{\an1}But eating the enormous sausages
was not all that easy,
364
00:33:59,533 --> 00:34:01,566
{\an1}especially for a grazer.
365
00:34:04,266 --> 00:34:06,833
{\an1}It required a special technique.
366
00:34:09,333 --> 00:34:13,209
{\an1}He had seen his mother
master the art.
367
00:34:13,233 --> 00:34:15,209
Now it was his turn.
368
00:34:15,233 --> 00:34:23,233
{\an8}♪♪♪
369
00:34:31,800 --> 00:34:34,033
{\an1}Another year had gone by.
370
00:34:36,833 --> 00:34:40,809
{\an1}And as always, the new wet
season brought salvation...
371
00:34:40,833 --> 00:34:43,400
and new experiences.
372
00:34:47,200 --> 00:34:51,742
A surprise
for the young hippo bull.
373
00:34:51,766 --> 00:34:53,966
{\an1}Elephants in his lagoon.
374
00:34:57,066 --> 00:35:01,509
{\an1}Such an intrusion drew a crowd.
375
00:35:01,533 --> 00:35:04,233
{\an1}And they weren't just after
an innocent swim.
376
00:35:07,266 --> 00:35:10,342
A yawn was supposed
to be a threat...
377
00:35:10,366 --> 00:35:13,733
but was perceived
as an invitation.
378
00:35:17,666 --> 00:35:20,776
{\an1}A game of hide-and-seek ensued
379
00:35:20,800 --> 00:35:23,733
{\an1}of gigantic proportions.
380
00:35:27,833 --> 00:35:31,633
{\an1}Usually hippos and elephants
stay out of each other's way.
381
00:35:34,033 --> 00:35:36,909
But the elephants
deliberately gate-crashed
382
00:35:36,933 --> 00:35:38,766
{\an1}the hippos' pool party.
383
00:35:42,000 --> 00:35:45,876
{\an1}The elephants teamed up
to chase the hippos around.
384
00:35:45,900 --> 00:35:50,976
{\an8}♪♪♪
385
00:35:51,000 --> 00:35:53,442
But they were way out
of their depth.
386
00:35:53,466 --> 00:36:01,466
{\an8}♪♪♪
387
00:36:10,400 --> 00:36:13,642
{\an1}How can a 3-ton giant vanish
388
00:36:13,666 --> 00:36:15,009
just like that?
389
00:36:15,033 --> 00:36:19,300
For once, the hippos
had the upper hand.
390
00:36:21,200 --> 00:36:23,242
[ Thunder crashing ]
391
00:36:23,266 --> 00:36:31,266
{\an8}♪♪♪
392
00:36:31,500 --> 00:36:34,276
{\an1}The plentiful wet seasons
are fleeting,
393
00:36:34,300 --> 00:36:37,409
{\an1}and the inevitable dry times
returned.
394
00:36:37,433 --> 00:36:41,542
{\an8}♪♪♪
395
00:36:41,566 --> 00:36:44,142
{\an1}But even the worst droughts
would eventually
396
00:36:44,166 --> 00:36:46,776
{\an1}make space for the rains again.
397
00:36:46,800 --> 00:36:53,342
{\an8}♪♪♪
398
00:36:53,366 --> 00:36:55,509
Years passed by.
399
00:36:55,533 --> 00:36:59,976
{\an8}♪♪♪
400
00:37:00,000 --> 00:37:02,276
{\an1}Nearly a decade later,
401
00:37:02,300 --> 00:37:06,766
{\an1}the subadult had turned
into an adult bull.
402
00:37:14,300 --> 00:37:16,976
Together with a few
fellow bachelors,
403
00:37:17,000 --> 00:37:19,666
he had found
a new home in a lagoon.
404
00:37:22,000 --> 00:37:24,509
It wasn't deep,
but rolling helped
405
00:37:24,533 --> 00:37:27,442
to keep their bodies
moisturized.
406
00:37:27,466 --> 00:37:31,133
The muddy substance
formed the perfect sunscreen.
407
00:37:37,166 --> 00:37:41,366
{\an1}Life here was peaceful,
but it wouldn't last.
408
00:37:49,700 --> 00:37:55,409
{\an1}The rhythm of the seasons meant
change was the only constant.
409
00:37:55,433 --> 00:37:57,042
A few months later,
410
00:37:57,066 --> 00:37:59,642
{\an1}the bull's lagoon had dried up.
411
00:37:59,666 --> 00:38:07,042
{\an8}♪♪♪
412
00:38:07,066 --> 00:38:09,109
{\an1}Everyone else had left...
413
00:38:09,133 --> 00:38:12,066
{\an1}except for his constant
feathered companion.
414
00:38:16,300 --> 00:38:19,866
But then he received
an unexpected visitor.
415
00:38:21,900 --> 00:38:25,009
{\an1}A leopard, searching for water.
416
00:38:25,033 --> 00:38:30,176
{\an8}♪♪♪
417
00:38:30,200 --> 00:38:32,742
{\an1}But the sun had soaked it
all up.
418
00:38:32,766 --> 00:38:37,976
{\an8}♪♪♪
419
00:38:38,000 --> 00:38:41,942
{\an1}There was nothing left
but cracked, dry earth.
420
00:38:41,966 --> 00:38:49,966
{\an8}♪♪♪
421
00:38:52,233 --> 00:38:54,809
{\an1}There was no point in staying.
422
00:38:54,833 --> 00:38:58,266
He needed food
and another place to live.
423
00:39:01,333 --> 00:39:03,909
{\an1}Hippos depend on water.
424
00:39:03,933 --> 00:39:10,042
{\an8}♪♪♪
425
00:39:10,066 --> 00:39:12,276
{\an1}Desperate times were upon him.
426
00:39:12,300 --> 00:39:20,300
{\an8}♪♪♪
427
00:39:25,133 --> 00:39:27,909
Nighttime.
428
00:39:27,933 --> 00:39:30,042
{\an1}He knew where to go for food.
429
00:39:30,066 --> 00:39:34,576
{\an8}♪♪♪
430
00:39:34,600 --> 00:39:37,109
Now that he'd become
a large bull,
431
00:39:37,133 --> 00:39:40,276
{\an1}he visited the tree of life
more often.
432
00:39:40,300 --> 00:39:48,300
{\an8}♪♪♪
433
00:39:52,300 --> 00:39:55,709
Enjoying the fruit,
he was unaware
434
00:39:55,733 --> 00:39:59,276
he was being watched.
435
00:39:59,300 --> 00:40:03,466
{\an1}An acquaintance from earlier,
also in search of food.
436
00:40:10,033 --> 00:40:13,466
{\an1}Unlike him, she preferred meat.
437
00:40:17,566 --> 00:40:20,666
Silently,
she approached a target.
438
00:40:24,400 --> 00:40:29,176
{\an1}Recognizing the difference
between predators,
439
00:40:29,200 --> 00:40:33,100
he knew, to him,
a leopard was harmless.
440
00:40:36,033 --> 00:40:38,542
{\an1}She paid no attention to him,
441
00:40:38,566 --> 00:40:40,442
{\an1}focused on her hunting.
442
00:40:40,466 --> 00:40:48,466
{\an8}♪♪♪
443
00:40:53,866 --> 00:40:57,242
His curiosity
got the better of him.
444
00:40:57,266 --> 00:40:59,409
What was she up to?
445
00:40:59,433 --> 00:41:07,433
{\an8}♪♪♪
446
00:41:23,000 --> 00:41:27,276
{\an1}Try staying unnoticed with
a giant herbivore on your tail.
447
00:41:27,300 --> 00:41:31,342
{\an8}♪♪♪
448
00:41:31,366 --> 00:41:33,809
[ Crying ]
449
00:41:33,833 --> 00:41:35,433
Busted.
450
00:41:37,533 --> 00:41:42,133
{\an1}It turns out, hippos don't make
good hunting partners.
451
00:41:43,833 --> 00:41:50,276
{\an8}♪♪♪
452
00:41:50,300 --> 00:41:53,342
After the thrill of
the sabotaged hunt,
453
00:41:53,366 --> 00:41:57,509
the bull made it
to the river by dawn.
454
00:41:57,533 --> 00:42:00,642
{\an1}Having lived in the lagoon
these previous months,
455
00:42:00,666 --> 00:42:03,176
he was new here.
456
00:42:03,200 --> 00:42:05,400
{\an1}How best to make an entrance?
457
00:42:08,800 --> 00:42:10,433
Subtle.
458
00:42:13,033 --> 00:42:18,342
He stood on the edge
of a new phase of life.
459
00:42:18,366 --> 00:42:20,176
And with daybreak...
460
00:42:20,200 --> 00:42:21,833
came courage.
461
00:42:36,666 --> 00:42:39,566
{\an1}He arrived with a splash.
462
00:42:45,000 --> 00:42:48,009
{\an8}♪♪♪
463
00:42:48,033 --> 00:42:50,076
As the years went by,
464
00:42:50,100 --> 00:42:52,733
the Luangwa Valley
remained his home.
465
00:42:56,866 --> 00:42:58,709
Another wet season.
466
00:42:58,733 --> 00:43:02,609
The bull had grown
in confidence and stature.
467
00:43:02,633 --> 00:43:08,409
{\an8}♪♪♪
468
00:43:08,433 --> 00:43:12,009
{\an1}He was no longer willing
to remain submissive.
469
00:43:12,033 --> 00:43:14,576
[ Hippo growling ]
470
00:43:14,600 --> 00:43:22,376
{\an8}♪♪♪
471
00:43:22,400 --> 00:43:25,442
Now in possession
of much bigger armory,
472
00:43:25,466 --> 00:43:28,509
he showed off
his impressive tusks
473
00:43:28,533 --> 00:43:31,576
and was eager
to put them to the test.
474
00:43:31,600 --> 00:43:39,600
{\an8}♪♪♪
475
00:43:41,700 --> 00:43:43,766
[ Hippos grunting ]
476
00:43:49,800 --> 00:43:52,809
A brief challenge,
with no real winner.
477
00:43:52,833 --> 00:43:55,909
{\an1}But it was a good start.
478
00:43:55,933 --> 00:43:59,266
His future seemed
all the more promising.
479
00:44:03,800 --> 00:44:08,242
{\an1}From season, to season...
480
00:44:08,266 --> 00:44:12,609
{\an1}one year, to the next...
481
00:44:12,633 --> 00:44:16,966
{\an1}he embarked on a journey
towards greatness.
482
00:44:19,600 --> 00:44:25,442
His shadow reflected
the size of his ambition.
483
00:44:25,466 --> 00:44:29,133
His wounds,
signs of his bravery.
484
00:44:31,666 --> 00:44:33,976
{\an1}Whichever path he chose,
485
00:44:34,000 --> 00:44:37,842
it would ultimately
lead him to battle.
486
00:44:37,866 --> 00:44:45,866
{\an8}♪♪♪
487
00:44:49,900 --> 00:44:54,066
{\an1}He was growing into a formidable
contender to the throne...
488
00:44:56,600 --> 00:45:00,842
{\an1}...though he was still no match
for a dominant bull.
489
00:45:00,866 --> 00:45:05,642
{\an8}♪♪♪
490
00:45:05,666 --> 00:45:09,433
{\an1}Gradually he became fearless.
491
00:45:11,933 --> 00:45:17,142
{\an1}With each step, he got a little
closer to the end game.
492
00:45:17,166 --> 00:45:20,209
Becoming stronger
with each fight...
493
00:45:20,233 --> 00:45:22,933
more confident
with each journey.
494
00:45:25,933 --> 00:45:27,442
{\an1}And whenever he was challenged,
495
00:45:27,466 --> 00:45:31,809
he'd respond in kind,
audacious and bold.
496
00:45:31,833 --> 00:45:39,576
{\an8}♪♪♪
497
00:45:39,600 --> 00:45:42,400
{\an1}He was on the cusp of supremacy.
498
00:45:46,900 --> 00:45:54,900
{\an8}♪♪♪
499
00:45:56,400 --> 00:46:01,909
{\an1}And then, one fine morning,
500
00:46:01,933 --> 00:46:05,042
{\an1}his transformation was complete.
501
00:46:05,066 --> 00:46:09,776
{\an8}♪♪♪
502
00:46:09,800 --> 00:46:12,776
{\an1}He radiated self-assurance.
503
00:46:12,800 --> 00:46:20,276
{\an8}♪♪♪
504
00:46:20,300 --> 00:46:23,676
{\an1}The potential of victory
drove him forward.
505
00:46:23,700 --> 00:46:31,700
{\an8}♪♪♪
506
00:46:44,633 --> 00:46:50,209
{\an1}A fully grown, impressive bull
entered the arena.
507
00:46:50,233 --> 00:46:56,876
{\an8}♪♪♪
508
00:46:56,900 --> 00:47:01,342
{\an1}The dominant bull immediately
responded to his arrogance.
509
00:47:01,366 --> 00:47:09,366
{\an8}♪♪♪
510
00:47:23,966 --> 00:47:25,866
{\an1}There was no stopping him.
511
00:47:29,733 --> 00:47:31,466
{\an1}They sized each other up.
512
00:47:33,533 --> 00:47:37,176
{\an1}He hadn't fought an experienced
bull like this before,
513
00:47:37,200 --> 00:47:39,866
{\an1}but he had no intention
of backing down.
514
00:47:43,266 --> 00:47:47,609
{\an1}In hippo warfare, the first act
was a show of armor.
515
00:47:47,633 --> 00:47:55,633
{\an8}♪♪♪
516
00:48:05,200 --> 00:48:09,876
He blatantly claimed
the territory already.
517
00:48:09,900 --> 00:48:12,866
A red rag to a bull.
518
00:48:16,600 --> 00:48:20,509
{\an1}His opponent took the bait.
519
00:48:20,533 --> 00:48:24,709
On second thoughts,
he may have overplayed his hand.
520
00:48:24,733 --> 00:48:25,942
{\an8}♪♪♪
521
00:48:25,966 --> 00:48:28,042
[ Hippos grunting ]
522
00:48:28,066 --> 00:48:33,942
{\an8}♪♪♪
523
00:48:33,966 --> 00:48:36,742
{\an1}The dominant bull was merciless.
524
00:48:36,766 --> 00:48:44,766
{\an8}♪♪♪
525
00:48:45,966 --> 00:48:47,542
He tried to escape...
526
00:48:47,566 --> 00:48:50,376
but the dominant bull
was hot on his heals.
527
00:48:50,400 --> 00:48:58,400
{\an8}♪♪♪
528
00:49:04,966 --> 00:49:09,933
{\an1}But in the face of sustained
conflict, he found his courage.
529
00:49:14,100 --> 00:49:16,542
{\an1}Once those tusks clashed,
530
00:49:16,566 --> 00:49:19,009
they were both in
for a long battle.
531
00:49:19,033 --> 00:49:27,033
{\an8}♪♪♪
532
00:49:42,000 --> 00:49:44,109
{\an1}He was getting the upper hand,
533
00:49:44,133 --> 00:49:47,976
{\an1}forcing his opponent to retreat
towards the edge of the bank.
534
00:49:48,000 --> 00:49:53,376
{\an8}♪♪♪
535
00:49:53,400 --> 00:49:56,442
But the dominant bull
wasn't giving up that easily.
536
00:49:56,466 --> 00:50:04,466
{\an8}♪♪♪
537
00:50:07,166 --> 00:50:09,909
{\an1}Both bloodied and exhausted,
538
00:50:09,933 --> 00:50:15,009
the older bull
eventually admitted defeat.
539
00:50:15,033 --> 00:50:23,033
{\an8}♪♪♪
540
00:50:52,700 --> 00:50:57,142
{\an1}And that is how he became king.
541
00:50:57,166 --> 00:51:01,942
{\an8}♪♪♪
542
00:51:01,966 --> 00:51:06,142
As the dominant bull,
he reigned for many years.
543
00:51:06,166 --> 00:51:12,142
{\an8}♪♪♪
544
00:51:12,166 --> 00:51:15,309
{\an1}He was admired by his calves...
545
00:51:15,333 --> 00:51:19,642
and always surrounded
by his harem of females.
546
00:51:19,666 --> 00:51:25,176
{\an8}♪♪♪
547
00:51:25,200 --> 00:51:28,776
He was a protective
and successful ruler.
548
00:51:28,800 --> 00:51:36,800
{\an8}♪♪♪
549
00:51:39,000 --> 00:51:43,809
{\an1}His fortunes rose and fell
throughout his supremacy.
550
00:51:43,833 --> 00:51:50,042
{\an8}♪♪♪
551
00:51:50,066 --> 00:51:54,600
{\an1}But now his fighting days
are over.
552
00:51:56,766 --> 00:51:59,542
He is 35 years old,
553
00:51:59,566 --> 00:52:02,900
and no longer
the ruler of a hippo pod.
554
00:52:05,400 --> 00:52:10,566
{\an1}But it's been a life filled
with battles lost and won.
555
00:52:13,500 --> 00:52:18,242
{\an1}A life whose unrivaled legacy
is forever reflected
556
00:52:18,266 --> 00:52:20,676
{\an1}in the waters of Luangwa.
557
00:52:20,700 --> 00:52:23,000
{\an8}♪♪♪
558
00:52:30,966 --> 00:52:38,966
{\an8}♪♪♪
559
00:53:03,133 --> 00:53:05,042
To learn more
about what you've seen
560
00:53:05,066 --> 00:53:06,742
{\an1}on this "Nature" program,
561
00:53:06,766 --> 00:53:08,942
visit pbs.org.
562
00:53:08,966 --> 00:53:14,966
♪♪♪