1 00:00:26,444 --> 00:00:27,612 Who are we? 2 00:00:30,448 --> 00:00:32,575 How did we become the way we are? 3 00:00:35,036 --> 00:00:37,872 As humans, we spend our lives 4 00:00:37,872 --> 00:00:40,416 trying to understand ourselves. 5 00:00:44,754 --> 00:00:48,049 But sometimes it feels we're too close to see clearly. 6 00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:57,350 That's why we love stories from other worlds. 7 00:01:05,233 --> 00:01:07,401 And the world of chimpanzees, 8 00:01:07,985 --> 00:01:10,363 so similar to ours in some ways... 9 00:01:12,490 --> 00:01:14,242 ...but so different in others... 10 00:01:21,124 --> 00:01:24,418 tells us stories more revealing than you can imagine. 11 00:01:35,138 --> 00:01:37,306 Stories all the more powerful 12 00:01:38,224 --> 00:01:39,809 because they are real. 13 00:03:04,268 --> 00:03:08,689 The Forest of Ngogo is a vast, interconnected world. 14 00:03:19,617 --> 00:03:20,785 And at its heart, 15 00:03:22,328 --> 00:03:24,330 there is a thriving society. 16 00:03:29,627 --> 00:03:31,420 The Ngogo chimpanzees. 17 00:03:35,716 --> 00:03:37,885 For this new mother and her baby, 18 00:03:39,345 --> 00:03:40,221 it's home. 19 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:33,024 Chimpanzees are our closest living relatives. 20 00:04:36,944 --> 00:04:41,240 We share more than 98% of our DNA. 21 00:04:51,542 --> 00:04:53,127 They are highly intelligent. 22 00:04:54,628 --> 00:04:55,921 And highly emotional. 23 00:05:00,718 --> 00:05:03,637 They can live to over 60 years old, 24 00:05:04,388 --> 00:05:07,808 and the stages of their lives are similar to ours. 25 00:05:13,064 --> 00:05:15,733 Every chimp at Ngogo is an individual... 26 00:05:18,444 --> 00:05:20,946 with their own unique personality 27 00:05:21,489 --> 00:05:22,740 and goals. 28 00:05:25,117 --> 00:05:26,202 To reflect this, 29 00:05:26,702 --> 00:05:31,457 scientists have given each and every one of them a name. 30 00:05:45,346 --> 00:05:48,224 Ngogo society is sophisticated. 31 00:05:53,729 --> 00:05:57,441 It's a complex network of family and social bonds... 32 00:06:00,861 --> 00:06:04,115 where each chimp has to forge relationships 33 00:06:04,115 --> 00:06:06,242 and find their place in the group. 34 00:06:14,792 --> 00:06:18,712 Most chimp groups number 50 or 60 individuals. 35 00:06:19,672 --> 00:06:21,298 But here at Ngogo, 36 00:06:22,341 --> 00:06:24,009 there are twice that number. 37 00:06:24,677 --> 00:06:28,097 Over 120 chimps living together. 38 00:06:30,349 --> 00:06:32,810 The biggest group ever discovered. 39 00:06:40,526 --> 00:06:43,446 Ngogo is a chimpanzee paradise. 40 00:06:49,910 --> 00:06:52,413 There's a huge amount of fruit trees here. 41 00:06:56,333 --> 00:07:00,838 And fruit is the lifeblood of chimpanzee society. 42 00:07:10,514 --> 00:07:14,101 With so many chimps all trying to make their way, 43 00:07:14,101 --> 00:07:15,644 there's a lot of competition. 44 00:07:18,063 --> 00:07:21,734 Life here involves politics and power. 45 00:07:27,740 --> 00:07:30,117 Ngogo society is a hierarchy. 46 00:07:31,035 --> 00:07:34,413 And the chimps are always looking for opportunities 47 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:36,332 to move up. 48 00:07:53,557 --> 00:07:58,312 At the top of the hierarchy sits the most powerful chimp at Ngogo. 49 00:08:03,609 --> 00:08:04,443 Jackson. 50 00:08:05,277 --> 00:08:06,278 The alpha male. 51 00:08:52,032 --> 00:08:54,910 Jackson has been in charge for six years now. 52 00:08:57,705 --> 00:08:59,540 But he's getting old for an alpha. 53 00:09:03,961 --> 00:09:05,796 If he's going to stay on top, 54 00:09:06,964 --> 00:09:08,465 he can't show any weakness. 55 00:09:14,638 --> 00:09:16,640 He needs to display strength. 56 00:10:36,428 --> 00:10:38,722 This is what Jackson wants. 57 00:10:38,722 --> 00:10:40,140 The group is calling 58 00:10:40,140 --> 00:10:43,394 and coming to him in a show of respect. 59 00:11:10,921 --> 00:11:13,298 But Jackson is well aware 60 00:11:13,298 --> 00:11:17,010 that some chimps are showing less respect than others. 61 00:11:22,307 --> 00:11:26,937 A chimp this age should be too young to pose a real challenge to Jackson. 62 00:11:31,608 --> 00:11:33,694 But not all chimps are as smart 63 00:11:34,403 --> 00:11:36,447 or as confident as Abrams. 64 00:11:44,997 --> 00:11:46,749 But Jackson has protection. 65 00:11:54,256 --> 00:11:55,340 Miles. 66 00:11:56,842 --> 00:11:58,427 A giant chimp. 67 00:12:02,347 --> 00:12:05,017 {\an8}The biggest ever known at Ngogo. 68 00:12:25,621 --> 00:12:28,749 Jackson and Miles share a tight bond... 69 00:12:31,084 --> 00:12:32,961 and groom each other regularly. 70 00:12:36,215 --> 00:12:38,008 It's a formidable alliance. 71 00:12:45,349 --> 00:12:49,228 {\an8}Grooming is an important part of life for all chimpanzees. 72 00:12:50,020 --> 00:12:53,524 {\an8}It's how they create and maintain social relationships. 73 00:13:01,573 --> 00:13:04,618 It's the chimp equivalent of conversation. 74 00:13:06,078 --> 00:13:07,287 It's highly political. 75 00:13:12,668 --> 00:13:13,794 Planning. 76 00:13:15,379 --> 00:13:16,255 Persuading. 77 00:13:19,299 --> 00:13:20,133 Plotting. 78 00:13:44,408 --> 00:13:46,326 Grooming forms alliances. 79 00:13:52,040 --> 00:13:54,209 And alliances create power. 80 00:13:59,548 --> 00:14:01,466 Even the strongest chimps 81 00:14:01,466 --> 00:14:04,386 {\an8}struggle to dominate alone. 82 00:14:08,599 --> 00:14:10,350 Who your grooming partners are 83 00:14:10,350 --> 00:14:13,520 says a lot about your status and ambitions. 84 00:14:36,585 --> 00:14:38,545 But if you aren't grooming with anyone, 85 00:14:39,671 --> 00:14:43,300 status and ambition are the least of your worries. 86 00:14:50,807 --> 00:14:53,852 {\an8}Fourteen is not an easy age for a male chimp. 87 00:14:57,940 --> 00:14:59,775 You've grown apart from your mother... 88 00:15:02,235 --> 00:15:04,780 ...and you need to start bonding with other males. 89 00:15:10,243 --> 00:15:12,037 That comes more easily to some 90 00:15:12,955 --> 00:15:13,872 than others. 91 00:16:00,502 --> 00:16:02,170 Gus is an outsider. 92 00:16:03,422 --> 00:16:05,048 But he can't stay that way. 93 00:16:10,637 --> 00:16:12,431 He needs to find some friends. 94 00:16:15,308 --> 00:16:16,852 In the Forest of Ngogo, 95 00:16:17,602 --> 00:16:20,814 it's not wise to spend too much time alone. 96 00:16:57,225 --> 00:17:00,187 Christine's baby is about six months old. 97 00:17:01,938 --> 00:17:05,942 For this age, she's much stronger and more developed than a human baby. 98 00:17:06,943 --> 00:17:09,029 But she's still very vulnerable. 99 00:17:15,911 --> 00:17:19,623 At Ngogo, not all babies make it to their first birthday. 100 00:17:21,249 --> 00:17:22,292 And for that reason, 101 00:17:24,252 --> 00:17:26,379 she won't be given her name until then. 102 00:17:35,347 --> 00:17:38,225 Christine has to focus on the baby, 103 00:17:38,725 --> 00:17:41,103 and that has left her older daughter, Nadine, 104 00:17:41,978 --> 00:17:42,854 out in the cold. 105 00:17:51,905 --> 00:17:54,074 She used to get her mother's full attention. 106 00:17:57,410 --> 00:17:59,079 Now she's neglected. 107 00:18:10,423 --> 00:18:13,426 Even for a chimp, the baby is developing quickly. 108 00:18:17,013 --> 00:18:19,391 And she's starting to become more independent. 109 00:19:03,977 --> 00:19:05,520 She wants to socialize. 110 00:19:23,747 --> 00:19:27,667 When it comes to babies, most chimps are pretty tolerant. 111 00:19:31,379 --> 00:19:35,300 Still, it's safer to start with someone closer to your own size. 112 00:19:36,635 --> 00:19:40,555 The problem is that young chimps are far less forgiving. 113 00:19:54,444 --> 00:19:56,821 The more independent the baby becomes, 114 00:19:57,489 --> 00:19:59,824 the more she can get into trouble. 115 00:20:03,119 --> 00:20:05,121 Big males are a threat. 116 00:20:07,624 --> 00:20:10,835 If she gets in their way, she could be badly hurt. 117 00:20:16,716 --> 00:20:18,593 And with an alpha like Jackson, 118 00:20:19,094 --> 00:20:22,597 who can choose to display anywhere, anytime... 119 00:20:25,809 --> 00:20:28,144 Christine can never completely relax. 120 00:20:59,926 --> 00:21:01,678 It's all a bit overwhelming. 121 00:21:22,866 --> 00:21:25,118 Her mother has seen all this before. 122 00:21:25,785 --> 00:21:27,037 She isn't concerned. 123 00:21:31,750 --> 00:21:33,126 {\an8}But her big sister is. 124 00:21:40,008 --> 00:21:43,345 The first signs of a bond between sisters. 125 00:22:17,087 --> 00:22:19,172 Ngogo is a rainforest. 126 00:22:19,172 --> 00:22:21,800 Storms are part of life here. 127 00:22:23,593 --> 00:22:25,720 And the chimps generally take cover. 128 00:22:33,937 --> 00:22:35,105 Though not all of them. 129 00:22:37,941 --> 00:22:40,944 {\an8}Some chimps draw strength from the storm. 130 00:22:43,029 --> 00:22:46,616 And use it to perform an unusual dominance display. 131 00:22:47,992 --> 00:22:49,327 The rain dance. 132 00:23:11,433 --> 00:23:13,935 Abrams is sending a powerful message. 133 00:23:58,938 --> 00:24:01,733 For now, Jackson does nothing. 134 00:24:03,818 --> 00:24:06,446 Sooner or later, he'll have to act. 135 00:24:07,197 --> 00:24:08,573 Because with every day, 136 00:24:10,116 --> 00:24:12,619 Abrams is getting more confident. 137 00:24:53,743 --> 00:24:55,411 Gus is still alone. 138 00:25:04,963 --> 00:25:05,964 But he's got a plan. 139 00:25:19,018 --> 00:25:20,144 Gus is awkward, 140 00:25:20,979 --> 00:25:22,146 but he isn't stupid. 141 00:25:25,650 --> 00:25:27,360 {\an8}Jackson isn't the only one 142 00:25:27,360 --> 00:25:30,363 {\an8}to notice that Abrams is on his way up. 143 00:25:42,959 --> 00:25:46,838 This could be an opportunity to form a very useful relationship. 144 00:26:11,654 --> 00:26:13,239 Gus is really trying. 145 00:26:41,309 --> 00:26:45,146 An up-and-comer like Abrams is happy to be groomed by most chimps. 146 00:26:46,397 --> 00:26:47,815 The real test for Gus 147 00:26:48,566 --> 00:26:51,527 will be if Abrams grooms him back. 148 00:27:23,935 --> 00:27:24,936 Rejection. 149 00:27:51,212 --> 00:27:55,216 Abrams is seeking out a much more important grooming partner. 150 00:28:24,871 --> 00:28:29,500 If Abrams can build his own alliance with Jackson's most important ally, 151 00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:33,546 it will weaken Jackson's position as alpha. 152 00:28:48,436 --> 00:28:50,521 And Miles seems receptive. 153 00:29:06,662 --> 00:29:09,040 {\an8}Jackson can feel Abrams closing in. 154 00:29:17,381 --> 00:29:20,802 He needs the group to unite under his leadership. 155 00:29:23,137 --> 00:29:26,516 Unite against a common enemy. 156 00:30:11,936 --> 00:30:14,355 Chimps are territorial creatures. 157 00:30:15,189 --> 00:30:18,192 The Ngogo group lives within a defined territory, 158 00:30:18,943 --> 00:30:23,322 surrounded on all sides by other hostile chimps. 159 00:30:25,283 --> 00:30:27,952 To make sure their resources are safe, 160 00:30:27,952 --> 00:30:29,620 they patrol their borders. 161 00:30:37,920 --> 00:30:40,006 Patrolling is a dangerous business. 162 00:30:43,634 --> 00:30:47,221 But the importance of defending the territory is so great 163 00:30:48,472 --> 00:30:52,894 that even the most unlikely candidates sometimes take part. 164 00:31:05,114 --> 00:31:07,033 Each chimp needs to weigh it up. 165 00:31:09,535 --> 00:31:10,828 "Is it worth the risk?" 166 00:31:15,166 --> 00:31:18,544 Pork Pie is far from the toughest or bravest of chimps. 167 00:31:22,131 --> 00:31:25,134 But even for him, it's probably worth the danger. 168 00:31:34,310 --> 00:31:37,021 The chimps are heading to their northern border. 169 00:31:39,815 --> 00:31:41,817 Patrols can cover many miles 170 00:31:42,610 --> 00:31:45,321 and last for several tense hours. 171 00:32:10,429 --> 00:32:13,224 Even the biggest, most aggressive males 172 00:32:13,224 --> 00:32:17,144 begin to get nervous as they approach the borderlands. 173 00:32:54,598 --> 00:32:55,683 As for Pork Pie, 174 00:32:56,559 --> 00:32:57,601 he's at the back 175 00:32:58,978 --> 00:33:00,730 and seems reluctant to go on. 176 00:33:22,126 --> 00:33:24,378 Abrams, on the other hand, 177 00:33:24,378 --> 00:33:26,422 is exactly where he wants to be. 178 00:33:27,798 --> 00:33:29,300 Right in the thick of it. 179 00:34:20,559 --> 00:34:23,062 As the group reaches the northern border 180 00:34:23,062 --> 00:34:25,856 and passes into unfamiliar territory, 181 00:34:26,899 --> 00:34:28,442 things get more dangerous. 182 00:34:40,746 --> 00:34:43,833 There are no friendly relations between chimp groups. 183 00:34:46,710 --> 00:34:48,754 When one group meets another, 184 00:34:48,754 --> 00:34:50,422 there are two choices. 185 00:34:51,215 --> 00:34:53,384 Run or attack. 186 00:35:19,243 --> 00:35:21,954 The chimps are listening for calls 187 00:35:22,746 --> 00:35:23,747 and movement. 188 00:36:54,338 --> 00:36:55,839 Pork Pie has had enough. 189 00:37:03,722 --> 00:37:05,140 He's leaving the patrol. 190 00:37:08,519 --> 00:37:09,436 Alone. 191 00:37:13,023 --> 00:37:14,525 But Gus is going to stay. 192 00:37:25,327 --> 00:37:27,746 There are other chimps close by. 193 00:37:29,748 --> 00:37:31,542 And they will be hostile. 194 00:37:43,262 --> 00:37:46,056 They need to judge who has the greater numbers... 195 00:37:48,142 --> 00:37:49,852 and decide whether to retreat 196 00:37:50,602 --> 00:37:51,645 or to attack. 197 00:38:38,025 --> 00:38:40,152 Jackson has Miles behind him. 198 00:38:41,862 --> 00:38:43,280 There's no going back. 199 00:38:45,199 --> 00:38:46,700 They've decided to charge. 200 00:39:14,436 --> 00:39:15,938 Their aggression has paid off. 201 00:39:18,148 --> 00:39:19,900 The northern group has retreated. 202 00:39:22,111 --> 00:39:24,613 This is a success for the patrol. 203 00:39:28,534 --> 00:39:29,993 The border is secure, 204 00:39:30,702 --> 00:39:33,330 and they can return to the center of their territory, 205 00:39:34,164 --> 00:39:34,998 victorious. 206 00:39:52,224 --> 00:39:54,852 With most of the big males away to the north, 207 00:39:55,477 --> 00:39:57,146 Christine can finally relax. 208 00:40:03,527 --> 00:40:05,320 The baby is getting stronger. 209 00:40:06,530 --> 00:40:10,826 And it's time for her to explore another important part of life at Ngogo. 210 00:40:12,661 --> 00:40:13,662 The canopy. 211 00:40:38,103 --> 00:40:39,104 {\an8}Not impressed. 212 00:41:19,436 --> 00:41:22,189 Christine can't let her climb too high, 213 00:41:22,189 --> 00:41:24,399 to where a fall could be dangerous. 214 00:42:26,587 --> 00:42:27,421 That's enough 215 00:42:28,338 --> 00:42:29,172 for one day. 216 00:43:03,123 --> 00:43:05,751 The patrol is returning from the borderlands. 217 00:43:13,634 --> 00:43:15,886 And they've noticed something in the treetops. 218 00:43:20,223 --> 00:43:24,061 The Ngogo group doesn't tolerate other chimps in their territory. 219 00:43:31,318 --> 00:43:34,112 But they do share the forest with other primates. 220 00:43:38,742 --> 00:43:42,162 Including several large groups of monkeys. 221 00:43:56,927 --> 00:43:59,930 Monkeys aren't rivals to chimps. 222 00:44:01,598 --> 00:44:02,557 They're food. 223 00:44:54,401 --> 00:44:57,946 Meat is a welcome source of nourishment for chimps. 224 00:44:59,239 --> 00:45:01,032 But that's not its only value. 225 00:45:04,619 --> 00:45:07,247 The sharing of meat is important socially 226 00:45:08,415 --> 00:45:09,541 and politically. 227 00:45:13,211 --> 00:45:15,213 Jackson shares with his allies. 228 00:45:16,423 --> 00:45:19,634 And more than anyone else, he shares with Miles. 229 00:45:21,928 --> 00:45:23,221 At the same time, 230 00:45:23,221 --> 00:45:25,348 he purposely leaves others out. 231 00:45:40,238 --> 00:45:43,617 Abrams' exclusion is a sign that, for now, 232 00:45:44,326 --> 00:45:47,829 Jackson still holds power at Ngogo. 233 00:45:54,419 --> 00:45:55,921 A victorious patrol 234 00:45:55,921 --> 00:45:57,547 and a successful hunt. 235 00:46:01,343 --> 00:46:03,553 Today's been a good day for Jackson 236 00:46:04,346 --> 00:46:06,223 and for the Ngogo chimpanzees. 237 00:46:29,955 --> 00:46:33,250 Monkeys are an important resource for the Ngogo chimps. 238 00:46:37,921 --> 00:46:42,634 But the most important resource will always be fruit trees, 239 00:46:43,301 --> 00:46:45,971 the foundation of Ngogo society. 240 00:47:10,912 --> 00:47:14,583 A fig tree has come into fruit in the center of the territory, 241 00:47:15,083 --> 00:47:18,628 and the chimps can relax and enjoy a feast. 242 00:48:01,963 --> 00:48:05,300 Gus has spent a lot of his life watching from the sidelines. 243 00:48:07,010 --> 00:48:08,720 He's more observant than most. 244 00:48:10,013 --> 00:48:12,140 And quick to spot anything unusual. 245 00:50:00,331 --> 00:50:01,332 It's Pork Pie. 246 00:50:40,455 --> 00:50:41,706 He was caught alone... 247 00:50:44,250 --> 00:50:45,960 and killed by a rival group... 248 00:50:48,046 --> 00:50:50,381 right in the middle of Ngogo territory. 249 00:50:58,807 --> 00:51:01,226 If a chimp can be killed here... 250 00:51:04,813 --> 00:51:06,564 ...it means this forest kingdom... 251 00:51:10,693 --> 00:51:12,195 ...and all the chimps in it... 252 00:51:16,241 --> 00:51:17,534 are no longer safe.