["One Step Closer" playing]
[Jane] "Diceros bicornis."
- My turn. - [Greybeard chatters]
[David] I thought we were looking for a black rhino.
This one looks mostly gray.
The black rhino is gray. Actually, so are white rhinos.
That's not how colors work.
Someone needs to work on their naming skills.
[Greybeard chatters]
[Jane] You can tell this one's a black rhino
because of its long, pointed lip and round ears.
"Round-eared rhino" has a nice ring to it.
[chattering]
They are really good at hearing.
Or "super-hearing rhino."
Which means we have to be extra quiet when we get closer.
Closer? Shouldn't we come up with a plan first?
Where are you going? You see its big horns, right?
Of course! That's how I know it's a boy.
Boys have thicker horns and are usually on their own.
- Come on, David! - [breathes heavily]
[David] Jane, wait up!
Didn't you tell me rhinos have bad tempers?
Yes, but it's not their fault.
There used to be hundreds of thousands of rhinos,
but because of poaching,
there's less than 6,000 in the whole world now.
What's poaching?
Illegal hunting. Rhinos are poached for their horns.
Guess I wouldn't be very friendly to strangers either.
- But you see that little bird on his back? - [squawks]
That's a red-billed oxpecker.
Because it has a red bill? Now that's a good name.
For some reason, rhinos let them sit on their backs all day.
And you think if we can find out why,
it will help us figure out how we can help them?
Exactly. Understanding rhinos is the first step to helping them.
The oxpecker's pecking at something. I think he's eating it.
- We need to get closer. - We need to come up with a plan.
Getting closer is the plan.
How is that a plan?
[chattering]
What is it, Greybeard?
[shrieks]
[grunts, roaring]
- Uh-oh! - New plan, run!
[screams, grunts]
- [Greybeard chatters] - [David] Are you okay?
I'm fine. We have to get back to the rhino.
- [screams] - That looks like it hurts.
[cackles, whimpers]
It's just a scratch. We're wasting time. Let's go.
- Maybe we should put a bandage on it. - I'm fine.
Okay, but can we finally come up with a plan?
A real one this time.
Not just "sneak up on giant-horned rhino, try not to get stomped."
We had a plan.
And I was this close to seeing what the oxpecker was doing,
- until you got super noisy. - You're saying it's my fault?
The rhino didn't see us
before you started talking loudly about a plan.
Well, if we had a plan,
we wouldn't have almost gotten "rhin-overed."
David... [exhales sharply] ..."rhin-overed" is not a word.
Yes, it is. When you almost get run overed by a rhinoceros.
"Rhin-overed."
[sighs] What do you think, Greybeard?
[David] Yeah. Choose a side.
[chattering]
[groans]
If you're going to keep helping animals,
you need to stop being scared all the time.
If you're going to get me to help you help animals,
you need to stop telling me what to do all the time.
If I didn't tell you what to do, we wouldn't do anything!
[huffs]
[sighs]
[Greybeard chattering, whimpering]
Hi. You forgot your little monkey friend.
He's a chimpanzee.
- Ah. - And thanks.
Is everything all right?
Everything's great, Mrs. J!
How are you?
Oh, well, I can't complain.
So, tell me, what sort of wild creature are you chasing after today?
Diceros bicornis.
You're gonna have to give me a hint.
Kind of looks like a modern-day triceratops.
At least, that's what David would say.
Hmm. A modern-day triceratops.
Oh, a rhinoceros?
Correct. Diceros bicornis is its scientific name.
We're trying to figure out why it lets a tiny bird called a red-billed oxpecker
sit on its back all day.
- Oh, what an interesting question. Hmm. - Hi, Mrs. Joseph.
[Mrs. Joseph] Hi! [gasps]
- Little present for you. - For me? Oh, thank you.
Ooh, chocolate chip.
Alex, you've been baking up a storm.
Yeah. Actually, next week we're moving on to pies.
[gasps] Pies? [chuckles] I can't wait.
- Thank you. - Bye.
Aw.
You know, I introduced him to a wonderful neighbor
on the second floor who loves to cook too. [chuckles]
Any idea why the rhino lets that little bird stick around?
Not yet, but understanding why is my first step to helping the rhino.
Maybe it'd be good to have a second pair of eyes
on such an important mission.
Exactly, that's why I have Greybeard.
Right.
- Bye, Mrs. J. - Bye.
It looks like rhinos eat leafy greens,
woody twigs and... [stammering] ..."suckle-lents?"
Whatever those are.
Go tell Jane.
- No. I'm doing this by myself. - Really?
Why? Are you two in a fight?
Yes. Kind of.
But who's going to save you if you get into trouble?
- I don't need saving. - You always need saving.
No, I don't.
Besides, I have a plan.
That's your plan?
No. This is how I'll record my findings.
You should walkie Jane.
She's your best friend.
[sighs] You're my best friend now.
My best friend is Kamaia.
You can be my second-best friend.
[sighs]
Can't walkie Jane if I don't have a walkie, can I?
[chatters]
- See anything? - [chatters]
- Maybe we should try near the dumpsters? - [Greybeard chatters]
[gasps] Hide!
David, hi! Are you looking for Jane?
No. Actually, I'm looking for a rhino. Have you seen one around?
Uh, not lately. Um, I'll keep an eye out.
Mrs. Joseph, do you know what a "suckle-lent" is?
Oh, you mean a succulent?
Well, it's a plant.
Any kind of succulent in particular you're looking for?
I'm not sure.
I was looking up what black rhinos like to eat
and it said succulents and leafy greens.
Oh. Well, if you check by the garden shed,
I think there's some leafy greens back there.
I'll go check right now.
- Thanks for the tip, Mrs. J! - Sure.
I thought I saw, uh, rhino tracks back there.
Behind the bush?
Yeah, but they weren't. False alarm.
Uh, maybe there's some by the garden shed?
I'll check there later.
Okay.
Thanks, Mrs. J!
- Lauren, hi. - Hi. [chuckles]
- I hear there are pies on deck next week. - Mm-hmm, I'm taking orders.
- Ah. - Do you like sweet or savory?
- Ooh, surprise me! - Okay.
But I do have a sweet tooth.
[Greybeard chattering]
[Greybeard shrieks]
No wonder we couldn't find him outside.
- The lady in 201 is not gonna like this. - [Greybeard chatters]
- [rhino growling] - [oxpecker squawks]
- [gasps] Did you see that? - [chatters]
The oxpecker made a sound when she saw us.
- Was she warning the rhino? - [footsteps approaching]
Maybe it lets the oxpecker sit there to be an alarm system.
- [Greybeard shrieks] - [rhino grunting]
And I see it's working.
- [Jane yelps, gasps] - [Greybeard shrieks]
[rhino roaring]
[Greybeard shrieks]
[rhino grunts]
- [Greybeard shrieks] - [rhino roaring]
- [Greybeard chattering] - [rhino grunts]
- [Jane yelps] Come on. Come on. - [rhino grunting]
[Greybeard shrieking]
David's log. Almost lunchtime.
I've arrived at the garden shed.
Once I pick some succulents or leafy greens,
I'll use them to lure the rhino over,
so I can see what the bird on his back does.
And find out before Jane.
Perfect.
Got it.
- [Greybeard shrieks] - [grunting, roars]
[sighs]
- [oxpecker squawks] - [rhino grunts]
- [Greybeard sighs] - That was too close.
- Where's David? - [Jane sighs]
Probably staying super safe in his room.
Okay. What happened?
[sighs]
[rhino grunts]
I found the black rhino.
- Or he's found me. - [grunting]
Looks like he's itchy? Why?
I have to get closer to him.
Time to set my food lure.
- [grunts] - [oxpecker squawks]
- [sniffing] - [insects buzzing]
The oxpecker's not the rhino's only company,
he's covered in bugs! And they're making me itchy now.
Ew, is that what the oxpecker was eating before?
It ate a bug off the rhino's back!
I wonder if she likes to sit there because the bugs are easy snacks.
But that doesn't explain why the rhino lets her stay.
Unless-- Unless the bugs are making him itchy!
[rhino grunting]
He's on the move again.
[sighs] I have to get some more food for my lure.
[insect buzzing]
I wish I had an oxpecker friend.
Or any friend.
So when the oxpecker went... [squawks] ...the rhino turned around.
I think she was warning him, kind of like how Greybeard warns me!
Interesting. But I asked you about David.
- [sighs] - Come on. Spill it.
[sighs] We got into a fight.
What did you do?
He said I always tell him what to do.
What did you do?
[sighs, mumbles] I said he gets scared all the time.
You said... [mumbles]
I said he gets scared all the time.
I see. Well, it sounds like you both said something you regret.
It doesn't matter because I don't need him.
I found the rhino. I saw the oxpecker warn him.
And I did it all by myself.
Minus almost getting flattened.
Nature can be dangerous. It's part of what I like about it.
I've always known you were brave.
Even as a little baby.
But are you brave enough to admit when you're sorry?
Then I guess you don't want to see the message David sent to your little--
- BMS? - [stammers]
Balcony message system.
- I heard it go off earlier. - You did?
David's walkie?
I guess he really doesn't wanna be friends anymore.
[sighs]
Hey, where are you going in such a hurry?
I'm gonna check the courtyard for some rhino food.
Yeah, you could check the courtyard, but you know where else you could check?
Jane's apartment.
I saw her mom bringing home succulents just the other day.
I bet you she'd let you borrow them.
I'll find them somewhere else.
You know, it's okay to be mad at someone and still miss them.
- It is? - Oh, sure. It happens all the time.
You know, with my sister, my ex, my kids.
[sighs] A lot of the time, the people you care about the most
are the ones that can make you the maddest.
I bet it's the same for you and Jane.
Thanks. See ya later, Mrs. J.
You better.
- Mrs. J! - Oh!
You'll never believe how close I came to being squished by a rhino.
[gasps] How exciting.
Well, you know, I just saw David and he didn't mention a thing about that.
That's because David and I don't do missions together anymore.
Really? Why not?
[sighs] We had a fight.
Aw. You know, it's okay to be mad at--
I know. Especially if you use your anger to do something good.
Like, I'm angry that rhinos are being poached for their horns,
so I'm going to try to save them.
Great!
Mrs. J, can you take David's walkie and let me know if you see any rhinos?
Hmm.
"Each one of us must take responsibility for our own lives
and above all show respect and love for living things around us,
especially each other."
I made him that quote sticker. It's from Jane Goodall.
Oh. She sounds like a very smart lady.
Maybe you and David should both take some responsibility for your fight?
I don't think he wants to be friends anymore.
Oh, I doubt that.
Anyway, speaking of rhinos,
I heard some very loud rumblings up in the third floor hallway.
- I should go check that out. - Mm-hmm.
Oh, wait, Jane.
I have a feeling you still might need this.
Well, hurry up, you don't wanna let that rhino get away.
[sighs]
- [groans] - David?
Yes, Jane's mom?
Everything okay out there?
Yeah. Kinda.
Uh, Jane's not here.
Oh, that's okay. I was actually looking for you.
Do you have any succulents or leafy greens I can borrow?
And by borrow I mean keep.
You're not gonna want them back when the rhino's done with them.
[chattering]
[clanging]
It came from around that corner.
If the oxpecker sees us and squawks, we know we're right.
[all shriek]
- David? - Jane?
- I thought you were the rhino! - I thought you were!
- You scared me. - You didn't scare me.
We were testing to see if the oxpecker would squawk
when we got close to the rhino.
That's what happened before in the hallway.
So, the oxpecker's some sort of warning bird for the rhino?
- That's what Greybeard and I are thinking. - [chatters]
I saw the rhino scratching his whole head
and then I saw the oxpecker eat bugs off of him.
Does the rhino let her sit there to get rid of itchy bugs?
That's what I'm going to find out.
Well, good luck.
- Yeah, same to you. - Okay.
Bye.
[David sighs] Yeah.
Yes, goodbye.
[Greybeard chatters]
- I don't think you're scared all the time. - You don't?
We go on dangerous missions.
It's normal to be a bit scared.
Thinking about the scariest or worst thing that could happen
probably helps you come up with your great plans.
- So, I'm sorry. - Thanks.
Isn't there something you want to say to me?
What? You do tell me what to do.
But I get why. [sighs]
You're the leader on our important missions.
So, I am sorry.
[sniffs]
- [chatters] - Just not as sorry as you.
[chatters]
Okay, same amount of sorry.
As the leader, I accept that.
One more thing.
Here.
Thanks.
[Greybeard chatters]
Wanna come up with a new plan to test both of our ideas?
Only if we do it together.
[Greybeard chattering]
[David, Jane chuckling]
[grunts]
[chatters]
David's log.
I tried some of the rhino's food, not good.
- Huh? - [David] I mean,
I've got eyes on the rhino. Ready to put our plan into action? Over.
I'm ready if you are.
Hey, oxpecker!
[squawking]
- Over here! - [rhino grunting]
You were right, the oxpecker warned the rhino about me. Your turn!
I'm at the bench! Well, I'm under the bench.
I'm not a succulent!
Come on, big guy. Who's hungry?
[squawking]
[Jane screams]
[Jane groans, screams]
[Mrs. Joseph] Hi.
Ah. David. Did you make up with Jane?
We did. And we came up with a plan together.
Oh, isn't that wonderful.
You know what, I'm gonna get the two of you a little celebration snack.
For this, I am willing to share my baked goods.
[chuckles]
[laughs] Ooh.
- [rhino roars] - Hurry! He's closing in!
[sighs] That was awesome.
Look, the plan's working.
[Jane] And we have a perfect view.
The oxpecker's eating bugs, but not just from the rhino's back.
[Jane] Is she getting them from his ears?
And his nose? Gross.
Maybe it should be called the red-billed nose picker.
[chuckles]
But the oxpecker isn't just snacking on itchy pests,
she's helping keep the rhino clean.
In the most disgusting way possible.
And you were right about her warning him too.
The oxpecker's like a second pair of eyes to help keep the rhino safe from poachers.
They make a great team.
- [Greybeard chattering] - [rhino grunts]
[Jane] You're right, Greybeard. We all do.
Hey, kids.
Hi, Mrs. J.
- Well, did you complete your mission? - We did.
And now that we understand rhinos, we can help them.
How?
Just like the oxpecker, we're going to watch the rhino's back.
Well, isn't that what we all have to do? Watch out for each other?
- For each other and for animals too. - Mm-hmm.
Lemonade?
- Here you go. - Thank you.
And who would love a chocolate chip muffin?
- [laughs] - [David] Thank you.
What's that camera going to do?
It's going to keep an eye on the rhino's territory
to make sure there aren't any poachers around.
Good plan. Let's post the camera feed online
so everyone can help look out for the rhino with us.
Even better plan.
[Greybeard chatters]
Seems like the rhino and oxpecker are really good friends.
They're definitely stronger together.
[chatters]
Right, Greybeard. Us too.
[Greybeard chatters]
[Jane] Help save the rhinos.
[Jane] David, why's your video off?
Our call with Dr. Matthew Mutinda, the rhino expert, is starting any second.
[David] I'm here but Millie was playing with my tablet and, well, look.
[Jane chuckles] Maybe you should leave it on.
No way. I need to get it off before...
- [rings] - ...he gets here.
Too late.
- Hi, Matthew! - [Matthew] Hi, Jane.
Hi, unicorn?
That's David. He doesn't know how to turn off the filter.
You can do it on your video settings.
[chuckles] Thanks, that's way better.
It's been a rough day.
First we get chased by a black rhino, then I became a unicorn.
You got chased by a black rhinoceros?
We were trying to figure out why rhinos let oxpeckers sit on their backs all day.
What did you discover?
That they're friends.
Well, not exactly.
The black rhinoceros and the red-billed oxpeckers
have a symbiotic relationship.
What does symbiotic mean?
Here, let me show you.
A symbiotic relationship is when two species benefit from each other.
The red-billed oxpecker benefits from having food off a rhino's back,
and the rhino benefits by the oxpecker cleaning it
and warning it when there's danger around.
We saw that happen. How many black rhinos have you taken care of?
Lots. I'll tell you the story of Kitui,
a baby black rhino that we rescued
at one week of age after being abandoned by its mother.
As they grow, they become healthier and stronger.
And at around four years of age, you have to take him away
into a place where he has less human contact,
where he can become a real wild black rhino.
So how is Kitui now?
[Matthew] He has grown bigger and bigger.
We have moved him to his own territory.
And there he can feed, grow, establish his own family and probably his own kids.
What's hurting the black rhino?
[Matthew] There are three major threats to black rhinos.
Poaching, where people poach them for their horn.
Two is habitat loss, where people are creating farms.
And lastly, climate change,
where less rainfall leads to lack of food for the black rhino.
When did you know you wanted to help animals?
From a young age. After graduation from veterinary school,
I started to work here at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy,
where different animals live together in harmony.
- What can we do from here? - You can join a conservation club,
or you can start one in your school.
Creating awareness in the global community
will safeguard future generations of wildlife
so that they can enjoy what we are so lucky to enjoy.
- Great ideas. - We can get other kids to join.
Thank you, Matthew. I can't wait till school tomorrow.
That's wonderful.
It's been a pleasure to share with the future generation of conservators
who are going to save the world.
Bye, and thank you very much for your time.
Bye, Matthew.
- So, what should we call our club? - How about the Kitui Club?
Perfect. Jane, look at this rhino filter.
- Nice, are there any oxpeckers? - Let me check.
[David] Hey, Jane. Check it out.
- [Jane chuckles] You found one! - [David squawking]
["One Step Closer" playing]