life stories - fighting for life
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English script of Life Stories - Fighting for Life Episode.TRANSCRIPT
Job ID: 44690Fighting For LifeFighting for life
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60
OFF THE FENCEFIGHTING FOR LIFEFIGHTING FOR LIFE
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JOB ID:44690CLOCK INFO:
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TimecodesDialogue
10:00:00:16PAN up from fallen tree to show forest
10:00:09:19SHOT across savannah showing trees on horizon
10:00:14:13SHOT of rocky terrain
10:00:19:02SHOT of countryside, river cutting through mountainous forest as clouds move by overhead
10:00:24:17SHOT of river as clouds move by overhead 10:00:29:22NARRATOR
the TRANQUILLITY of nature is just
10:00:31:20SHOT of sun shining through trees 10:00:34:20NARRATOR (CONT)
a faade. NARRATOR
living
10:00:35:03SHOT of monkeys sitting on tree stump
NARRATOR (CONT)
means struggling and fighting.
10:00:38:02MONTAGE:SHOTS of various animals fighting
10:00:39:07
10:00:45:12
10:00:50:06
10:00:58:00NARRATOR
it means winning and losing many battles, both big and small. NARRATOR
This struggle affects everyone and everything. NARRATOR
fights over food, over territory, or for love. NARRATOR
nevertheless, violence in nature is often just a ritual that follows a protocol, a set of rules and formalities that almost always prevent serious injuries.
10:01:10:00SHOT of injured ox limping across savannah
10:01:11:14SHOTS of Siamese fighting fish floating in water
10:01:16:00NARRATOR
thats fighting for life.
10:01:22:15CU on Japanese rhinoceros beetle crawling by, programme title on its back
10:01:31:09SEQUENCE:Japanese rhinoceros beetle walking through woodland 10:01:36:11NARRATOR
the most basic facets of the fight for life are the ones that drive almost all males to compete for territory and a mate in order to decide which individuals are
10:01:46:02SEQUENCE:
Japanese rhinoceros beetles fighting over a mate, one lifting its rival from the ground in victory
10:01:49:13NARRATOR (CONT)
the most ideal to have offspring.
NARRATOR
thats how a natural selection takes place that leads to the IMPROVEMENT of the species.
10:02:45:19SHOT of Japanese rhinoceros beetle falling to the ground, before standing and walking off screen 10:02:50:15NARRATOR
the weapons of some males, which have grown huge as the species has evolved because the females prefer them big, are such
10:02:57:07CU on Japanese Rhinoceros Beetles sword NARRATOR (CONT)
imposing weapons that sometimes they prevent the males from leading normal
10:03:01:11SEQUENCE:
Japanese rhinoceros beetle perched on twig before setting off through woodland
10:03:03:12
10:03:08:01
10:03:12:24lives. NARRATOR
for example, this japanese RHINOCEROS beetle is unable to eat. NARRATOR
its long sword is the price it pays for victory in the mating game. NARRATOR
its that simple.
10:03:15:00SHOTS of Chameleon perched on tree branch
10:03:18:18
10:03:24:15
10:03:28:03NARRATOR
nonetheless, sometimes the behaviour of wildlife isnt that simple. NARRATOR
not all the battles between males are the same. NARRATOR
not all of them involve boxing, shoving and hitting each other.
10:03:36:18CU on chameleons face showing off its horns 10:03:37:19
10:03:45:19NARRATOR
the horns of these chameleons have more to do with aesthetics than they do with the lethal sabre of a fencing master. NARRATOR
this trident is not sharp. it injects no venom. its not even intended to
10:03:50:20SHOT of fly landing on chameleons horn
NARRATOR (CONT)
wound an opponent or prevent being wounded.
10:03:54:16SHOT of chameleon walking along tree branch
10:03:54:16NARRATOR
its an ornament. thats all.
10:03:58:11SHOT of fly flying away from chameleons horn
10:04:03:05SEQUENCE:
Female chameleon perched on tree branch as males change colour in front of her
10:04:03:09
10:04:10:23
10:04:15:23
10:04:26:01NARRATOR
but a gentleman chameleons ability to seduce a lady chameleon depends a lot on the visual. NARRATOR
the shape is important, but the colours are even more important. NARRATOR
the variations in the colours are going to play a more influential role than brute strength in how this encounter among two males and a female turns out.
NARRATOR
strength and size count of course, but theyre no longer all that counts.
10:04:30:22CU on chameleons tail curling 10:04:31:07
10:04:34:21NARRATOR
and that is a big evolutionary step. NARRATOR
the colouring of the competing
10:04:36:04SHOTS of male chameleons perched beside one another 10:04:41:21
10:04:50:10NARRATOR (CONT)
male chameleons makes it possible to select the one best able to CAMOUFLAGE itself. NARRATOR
the survival of a chameleon depends a lot on going unnoticed, by both predators and prey. NARRATOR
thats why their ability to change colours is crucial,
10:04:53:14SEQUENCE:
Chameleons fighting over a mate, changing colour as they do so CUT with:
SHOT of female chameleon looking on
10:05:06:08
10:05:11:11
10:05:26:17and thats why its judged when they fight. NARRATOR
as they get angrier, their colours grow more intense. NARRATOR
the colours vary from lighter to darker tones, and patterns of bands, or dots, appear that in each species demonstrates the ability of each individual. NARRATOR
that helps the female to choose between her two suitors.
10:05:43:19SHOT of chameleon falling from tree branch and hanging by its tail
10:05:57:07SHOT of chameleon struggling as its rival looks on
10:06:00:07SHOTS of chameleon falling from tree branch and landing on the ground
10:06:03:16NARRATOR
this time the age and
10:06:05:05SHOT of chameleon perched on tree branch 10:06:11:06NARRATOR (CONT)
size of the larger of the two combatants left little room for surprise. NARRATOR
although, among chameleons,
10:06:12:12SEQUENCE:
Chameleons walking along tree branches towards one another
10:06:14:24NARRATOR (CONT)
you never know. NARRATOR
one of the things they value most, besides colouring, is the ability to do everything very, very slowly.
10:06:32:16SHOT of savannah, giraffe walking through trees on horizon 10:06:35:09NARRATOR
the longest, toughest and oldest biological fight in nature, what we could call the real first world war, takes place
10:06:42:18SEQUENCE:
Giraffes eating leaves from acacia trees, before leaving as tree secretes poison
SEQUENCE:
Giraffes eating leaves from acacia trees, before leaving as tree secretes poison
10:06:55:20
10:07:02:14
10:07:06:04
10:07:27:05
10:07:37:13
10:07:54:18NARRATOR (CONT)
between the plant kingdom and the animal kingdom. NARRATOR
animals eat plants, and plants defend themselves. NARRATOR
even if we dont see it as a fight, it is. NARRATOR
plants keep inventing the most sophisticated poisons and the sharpest thorns to defend themselves from the continuous attacks of the herbivores, and the herbivores counter-attack by developing immunities, cast-iron stomachs or desensitised tongues, that dont feel it when theyre stabbed, like the giraffes. NARRATOR
acacias, the favourite food of these voracious leaf eaters have re-counter attacked with a hi-tech double anti-herbivore protection system. NARRATOR
when theyre bitten, these trees secrete complex toxic substances that make their leaves taste bad, and in this way they make the giraffe go somewhere else to look for something that doesnt taste so bitter, and that doesnt upset its stomach. NARRATOR
but the giraffe will have to walk pretty far because the wounded acacias give off a secret signal through the air that
10:08:01:05SEQUENCE:
Giraffe walking across savannah in search of alternate food source
10:08:11:05NARRATOR (CONT)
warns all the acacias in the area of the attack, and they all go on the warpath. NARRATOR
and so this highly sophisticated CHEMICAL weapon maintains the balance between the acacias and the giraffes.
10:08:23:17SEQUENCE:
Giraffe eating leaves from lone tree on savannah
10:08:28:03
10:08:38:19
10:08:47:04NARRATOR
the fight between animals and plants, between producers and consumers, is managed and will continue to be managed so that there are neither winners nor losers. NARRATOR
in terms of chess STRATEGIES, we could describe it as a draw.
NARRATOR
although there is a case of check-mate.
10:08:51:23SHOT of elephants approaching baobab tree 10:08:54:19
10:09:00:24NARRATOR
this baobab is one of the largest living beings on the planet. NARRATOR
it may
10:09:01:01SHOT of elephants grazing beside baobab tree 10:09:08:12NARRATOR (CONT)
weigh more than 1,500 tons and have lived for a thousand years. NARRATOR
the elephants beside it are
10:09:10:05SHOT of elephant approaching its family standing beside baobab tree
10:09:16:17small in comparison, almost irrelevant. NARRATOR
and yet the elephants have finished off the baobab.
10:09:24:03SHOT of elephants grazing beside baobab tree
10:09:29:01SHOT of baobab trees as elephants walk between them
10:09:30:09
10:09:35:24NARRATOR
the fate of all these giant plants is to die without having offspring. NARRATOR
there wont be any new baobabs, at least wherever there are elephants.
10:09:40:23SEQUENCE:
Elephants grazing on grass beside baobab trees
10:09:44:13
10:09:52:17NARRATOR
elephants are the largest animals that walk on grass, and the largest animals that eat grass too. NARRATOR
except that they dont eat only grass. they also eat trees, more than anything else.
10:10:01:06SHOTS of fallen trees, destroyed by elephants 10:10:03:22NARRATOR
whats left of the african savannah is good proof of this, and since every day less and less of the savannah remains, the damage caused to the vegetation by elephants
10:10:13:00SHOTS of baobab tree destroyed by elephants 10:10:29:06
10:10:35:23
10:10:45:01NARRATOR (CONT)
is more and more evident, and increasingly unbalanced. NARRATOR
although we should point out that the elephants arent the real culprits that we should blame for this situation. NARRATOR
we human beings should allow the elephants access to longer routes on their seasonal path in search of food. NARRATOR
but we dont, and so elephants
10:10:47:11SHOT of elephants walking across savannah
10:10:52:24NARRATOR (CONT)
today can almost never leave africas national parks. NARRATOR
thats why elephants now represent such a tremendous threat to their green neighbours.
10:10:59:22SHOT of savannah littered with trees 10:11:00:14NARRATOR
in tarangire, in the heart of tanzania, the elephants
10:11:03:18SEQUENCE:
Elephants grazing on grass beside baobab trees
SEQUENCE:
Elephants grazing on grass beside baobab trees 10:11:13:09
10:11:20:24
10:11:27:21
10:11:35:07
10:11:41:16
10:11:48:02NARRATOR (CONT)
have killed off the baobabs for good. NARRATOR
the few that are still standing will last as long as their age permits, maybe a thousand years or more. NARRATOR
but that, in baobab terms, is just one generation. NARRATOR
none of their seeds will succeed, so no young baobab will escape from the elephants trunks. NARRATOR
only these large old trees can withstand the elephants attacks. NARRATOR
but no son of a baobab will be able to survive. NARRATOR
this landscapes days are numbered.
10:11:51:03SHOTS of baobab trees on savannah
10:12:06:10NARRATOR
as we watch powerlessly the decline of this magnificent species, unless we humans become extinct before the last baobab dies, and so free the baobabs from the elephants harassment.
10:12:22:15SHOT of elephants grazing on grass beside baobab trees
10:12:22:22NARRATOR
but then who would be left to care?
10:12:30:05PAN around to show sun hanging in the sky above baobab trees
10:12:46:02PAN around to show savannah, mountains on horizon
10:12:52:00
NARRATOR
fortunately the
10:12:52:18SEQUENCE:
Dik-dik grazing on foliage as its rival approaches
CUT with:
SHOTS of dik-dik approaching its rival
10:12:58:13
10:13:07:22
10:13:16:17NARRATOR (CONT)
fight for life doesnt always involve such dramatic consequences. NARRATOR
the fight is something very common, and thats why it shouldnt cause more than minimal harm to the combatants. NARRATOR
the DIK-DIK has managed to reduce the cost of its battles to practically zero. NARRATOR
in fact, when DIK-DIKs fight, the males normally dont even touch each other.
10:13:33:15SEQUENCE:
Dik-diks staring at one another and beginning to fight, before both running away in fright
10:13:43:08NARRATOR
they just threaten each other and try to scare their opponent.
10:13:50:08SEQUENCE:
Female dik-dik joining winner of fight and setting off into undergrowth
10:13:52:00
10:14:00:01
10:14:07:12NARRATOR
the females are always watching, and logically they join the winners and live in their territory. NARRATOR
we cant say that the DIK-DIK is exactly the PARADIGM of a great fighter, but as well see, their technique is fantastic. NARRATOR
they dont shed a drop of blood, and hardly a drop of sweat.
10:14:21:22SEQUENCE:
Dik-diks grazing on foliage, turning as noises sound around them
10:14:22:21
10:14:30:05NARRATOR
DIK-DIKs have tiny horns if theyre males, and no horns at all if theyre females. NARRATOR
they stand barely 30 centimetres tall, thats just 12 inches.
10:14:34:19SHOTS of dik-dik elongating its nose 10:14:35:05
10:14:46:04NARRATOR
everything about them is small actually, except their noses, which they can even stretch. NARRATOR
another of the DIK-DIKs characteristics is the gland that males use to mark their
10:14:49:22SEQUENCE:
Dik-dik walking through grass, making its territory as it does so
territory, blade of grass by blade of grass, trying to make it clear to potential competitors just whos in charge here.
10:14:59:24SHOT of dik-diks grazing on foliage
10:15:02:15NARRATOR
in any case, the dominant male never lets his guard down, not for a second.
10:15:07:02SEQUENCE:
Dik-dik grazing on foliage as its rival approaches
CUT with:
SHOTS of dik-dik approaching its rival 10:15:08:21
10:15:26:23
10:15:38:10
10:15:44:21NARRATOR
hes on constant alert with all five senses, always on guard, just in case another male appears on the scene. NARRATOR
hes got great senses of smell and hearing, and he just smelled and heard something that he likes least of all, another male DIK-DIK. NARRATOR
hell have to confront him, and maybe this one will be less of a coward than the one this morning. NARRATOR
it will be a veritable
10:15:45:15SEQUENCE:
Dik-diks fighting over territory, jumping back and forth before one turns and walks away
NARRATOR (CONT)
duel, even though they wont ever touch a single hair on each other.
10:17:15:00SHOT of Dik-dik looking around as fight comes to an end
10:17:19:00
NARRATOR
although DIK-DIKs dont use
10:17:19:17MONTAGE:
SHOTS of various horned animals MONTAGE:
SHOTS of various horned animals
10:17:28:18
10:17:35:00
10:17:41:14
10:17:48:03
10:17:58:11
10:18:08:10
10:18:12:13NARRATOR (CONT)
them much, the horns of deer, buffalos, goats and antelopes are a terrific invention. NARRATOR
and it seems like the girls in all the species just love horns. NARRATOR
big ones, long ones, twisted ones, thick ones, rough ones, sinuous ones. NARRATOR
whatever they look like, their purpose is to keep the combatants from breaking each others heads when they fight.
NARRATOR
horns are the definitive tool for those animals that have to fight without using their hands, and theyre also pretty cool looking. NARRATOR
theyre the sexual attributes that make the difference, and thats because with a good set of horns you can avoid a lot of problems. NARRATOR
nobody messes with the guy who has got the biggest ones. NARRATOR
thats an unwritten rule that everybody respects.
10:18:19:07SEQUENCE:
Grants gazelle walking across savannah and meeting with a rival
10:18:28:24
10:18:41:04NARRATOR
the thing is, when two animals have horns that are just about the same size, things get a little complicated.
NARRATOR
these two grants gazelles have almost identical sexual attributes.
10:18:44:24SEQUENCE:
Grants gazelles carrying out various rituals as they prepare for a fight
10:18:46:20
10:18:53:10
10:19:03:05
10:19:09:24
10:19:17:12
10:19:22:20
10:19:28:15
10:20:21:01NARRATOR
it almost seems to them as if they were looking in a mirror, and that really gets their blood boiling. NARRATOR
they still have a few more steps to take however before beginning to fight in earnest. NARRATOR
all males, no matter how brave or strong they are, prefer to avoid the risks of a real fight. NARRATOR
well, except for those clumsy males that charge into a brawl right off the bat.
NARRATOR
the rituals prior to a combat are another very interesting strategy. NARRATOR
these rituals mark the increasing levels of violence in the confrontation. NARRATOR
sometimes two males face off only up to level one of their fight programme, and the dispute is completely resolved at that first level.
NARRATOR
but looking in the mirror and
10:20:22:08SEQUENCE:
Grants gazelles jumping back and forth as they begin to fight, causing one to back down 10:20:44:14exhibiting their horns wasnt enough for these grants gazelles to decide their quarrel, so they move up to level two.
NARRATOR
like the DIK-DIKs they have barely touched each other,
10:20:47:09SEQUENCE:
Grants gazelles walking off in opposite directions across savannah 10:20:54:20but there is already a winner. they didnt need to resort to level three where really unfortunate things can happen. NARRATOR
as we can see, antelopes arent as barbaric as some
10:20:58:11SHOT of trees
primates.
10:21:03:14SEQUENCE:
Monkeys gathered together in colony along with their young
CUT with:
SHOTS of monkeys sitting on tree stump
10:21:10:14
10:21:20:02
10:21:29:00
10:21:34:18NARRATOR
the key to preventing unnecessary harm lies in controlling the succession of degrees of violence and applying them appropriately. NARRATOR
the more complex the species social relationships are, the more they need to learn to control their aggressiveness. NARRATOR
and as with any important matter, the lessons have to be taught beginning at a young age. NARRATOR
learning to live has a lot to do with learning how to play.
10:21:39:14SEQUENCE:
Monkeys play fighting with their siblings in trees
CUT with:
SHOTS of small monkey sitting in tree 10:21:56:09
10:22:16:16
10:22:25:22
10:22:35:06NARRATOR
and thats why its good for young animals to play and play endlessly.
NARRATOR
perhaps sometimes their games seem a little violent, but they have to be. NARRATOR
in addition there are posturing, gestures and attitudes that calm the fight in an instant so that things dont get out of hand. NARRATOR
the hierarchy of the family and the group is established on the basis of all these experiences, and that
10:22:41:05SHOT of monkey slowly turning to face camera
prevents a lot of frustration and complications among the adult companions.
10:22:46:00SEQUENCE:
Monkeys play fighting with their siblings in trees
SEQUENCE:
Monkeys play fighting with their siblings in trees
10:22:48:24
10:23:00:11
10:23:12:24
10:23:25:06NARRATOR
at the same time, games are a kind of entertainment, as these fighting games serve to grow and develop both physically and psychologically. NARRATOR
these games help to gain agility and a sense of balance, and to improve the reflexes, which at a given moment may help to escape from a playmate, or also to dodge the attack of a predator. NARRATOR
and each individual learns to recognise its abilities and its limits.
NARRATOR
monkeys, which are so similar to people, are able to have fun and learn at the same time.
10:23:31:03SEQUENCE:
Monkeys running across savannah and into water in a game of chase
SEQUENCE:
Monkeys running across savannah and into water in a game of chase
10:23:32:14
10:23:41:10
10:23:57:23NARRATOR
together with facial and corporal expressions, this chasing, hitting and shoving make up a very complete language. NARRATOR
the ties within the group gradually form according to the results that are repeated most frequently in these games.
NARRATOR
the ones who win the most often will be the dominant males and females, and everyone will HAPPILY accept the order that is established because it emerged in a gradual, natural and fair way.
10:24:20:21SHOT of rocky terrain
10:24:24:08SEQUENCE:
Young mountain goats play fighting on rocky terrain 10:24:35:07
10:24:40:07NARRATOR
the hierarchical organisation of species is forged from infancy. NARRATOR
it plays a fundamental role in cushioning aggressiveness, and it also serves as a cohesive
10:24:45:03SEQUENCE:
Young elephants play fighting at they graze on savannah
10:24:57:01
10:25:06:05NARRATOR (CONT)
element that units the clan, or the herd, so that together and well organised they can improve their chances for survival.
NARRATOR
the babies games gradually become more serious as they grow older. NARRATOR
and of course, when they reach adolescence, their spirits run high.
10:25:12:07SEQUENCE:
Young impalas play fighting in woodland
SEQUENCE:
Young impalas play fighting in woodland
10:25:14:05
10:25:20:20
10:25:38:20
10:25:48:12NARRATOR
young impalas may be the most ardent adolescent males in the animal kingdom.
NARRATOR
if they had their way they would spend all their time competing with each other, an absolute free-for-all.
NARRATOR
but of course this tires them out considerably, and they inevitably arent as attentive as they should be to the possible presence of predators. NARRATOR
to reduce the risk of being attacked while they learn to use their horns, the adolescents live with other males of various ages, and one of them is always on the look-out, just in case.
10:25:59:06SEQUENCE:
Young impalas walking through woodland as elders looks on 10:26:05:11NARRATOR
the members of these exclusive bachelors clubs include adolescents, adult males that dont yet have their own group of females, and also those adult males that have lost their females, that is, apprentices, aspirants to become alpha males
10:26:19:03SEQUENCE:
Young impalas play fighting in woodland
10:26:21:23NARRATOR (CONT)
and deposed alpha males. NARRATOR
although the ones that fight the most are the adolescents that are competing for the right to enter impala paradise, by becoming the best in the bachelors club.
10:26:52:24SHOTS of impalas grazing on hillside
10:26:55:00
10:27:02:03
10:27:09:24NARRATOR
some day they will challenge the super male that lives a few kilometres away, alone with his harem of females.
NARRATOR
he won this right by beating the strongest rivals in a thousand bloodless battles.
NARRATOR
the problem is, sometimes these battles do have very serious consequences.
10:27:14:01SHOTS of injured ox limping across savannah
10:27:21:18NARRATOR
on the savannah, an injury makes you very vulnerable to the lions, and a limp is the quickest way to draw their attention.
10:27:52:04SHOT of the sky, vultures circling amongst the clouds
10:27:54:14SEQUENCE:
Injured ox limping across savannah before stopping and lying down in water
CUT with:
SHOT of the sky, vultures circling amongst the clouds
10:28:05:21NARRATOR
and if you give up, when you give up, you can dodge the hunter, but youll end up with the scavengers.
10:28:31:06SHOT of vulture flying through the air
10:28:35:10SHOT of vultures looking on 10:28:42:12NARRATOR
the deaths of the weakest,
10:28:43:18SHOTS of vultures flying through the air
SHOTS of vultures flying through the air 10:28:51:07
10:28:54:19
10:29:01:01NARRATOR (CONT)
of those who havent been invited to the party to PROPAGATE their genes, will feed new fights, new attempts. NARRATOR
the vultures eyesight is the best in the animal kingdom. NARRATOR
its like theyve got a zoom in their eyes to spot dead animals from the air.
NARRATOR
and of course the more vultures there are around it,
10:29:04:05SHOT of vultures crowded around a carcass 10:29:10:22the easier it is to locate a corpse.
NARRATOR
flying
10:29:11:06SHOT of vulture coming in to land NARRATOR (CONT)
vultures can see other vultures descending from very far away, and that, in the language of vultures,
10:29:17:15SEQUENCE:
Vultures crowded around a carcass as they feed on its remains
SEQUENCE:
Vultures crowded around a carcass as they feed on its remains
10:29:29:14
10:29:35:03
10:29:44:01
10:29:50:02
10:30:03:10
10:30:08:14
10:30:19:18NARRATOR (CONT)
can mean only one thing. that you have to hurry up before the others gobble up the whole feast.
NARRATOR
vultures dont have to hunt, they eat the corpses that they just happen to stumble upon. NARRATOR
they only have to have stomachs that can handle very well done meat, even decomposing meat. NARRATOR
but they do have to fight for each mouthful that mother nature serves up to them. NARRATOR
the risks that they dont have to run to catch their prey, they do have to run to get each bite next to the other vultures around them.
NARRATOR
but there are rules that establish some order in the chaos of vultures squabbling over dinner. NARRATOR
the hungriest ones are also the most aggressive, and as they gradually satisfy their appetite, they become less violent in the fight for tendons and intestines.
NARRATOR
consequently, there is a rotation at the buffet table, and the whole group gets to eat something in a way that is very proportional to whats available.
10:31:25:23SHOT of vulture turning its head
10:31:29:00SEQUENCE:
Wolf approaching group and joining in as they feed on carcass 10:31:34:21
10:31:41:12NARRATOR
although wolves also scavenge sometimes like vultures, wolves are mainly hunters. NARRATOR
and in wolf society, things are done
10:31:43:09SHOT of rocky terrain as wolves feed on carcass
NARRATOR (CONT)
as a group, and everyone has a role to play.
10:31:47:05SHOT of wolves feeding on carcass 10:31:48:11NARRATOR
thats why there
10:31:49:06SEQUENCE:
Wolf growling as group members continue to feed on carcass
10:31:59:21NARRATOR (CONT)
is a hierarchy at their family feasts that prevents altercations. NARRATOR
even if they are very hungry, a strict code of signs, gestures and sounds manages the tension quite well.
10:32:12:11SHOTS of wolves feeding on carcass 10:32:13:22NARRATOR
the key to happiness doesnt lie in being the leader of the pack, its fine to be number three or five, the key
10:32:22:02SEQUENCE:
Wolf growling as group members continue to feed on carcass
10:32:27:14
10:32:33:15NARRATOR (CONT)
is in knowing to a t what your place is within the group. NARRATOR
its not a question of conforming, but of recognising your abilities and offering them to the clan. NARRATOR
wolves understand that perfectly.
10:32:42:09SHOT of waves crashing against rocks 10:32:46:16NARRATOR
although water covers 71 percent of the earths surface,
10:32:49:03MONTAGE:
SHOTS of various creatures under the sea 10:32:56:04
10:33:01:02
10:33:07:03
10:33:12:09NARRATOR (CONT)
at the bottom of the seas theres no more available terrain than on dry land. NARRATOR
its almost all sand, like an immense desert. NARRATOR
only on the reefs and on the rocky bottoms near the coasts is there really life. NARRATOR
here, every stone, every nook and cranny is somebodys territory. NARRATOR
the majority of marine life is concentrated around THESE LIVING OASES, and thats why
10:33:17:20SEQUENCE:
Boxer shrimp making its way across the sea bed before coming face to face with a rival
10:33:24:00
10:33:32:02
10:33:41:05every square centimetre is in big demand.
NARRATOR
this shrimp is looking for a home, and the one he likes already has an owner.
NARRATOR
the popular name we have given this species is boxer shrimp, because theyre very surly to each other. they cant stand to have another one near. NARRATOR
but to keep from KILLING each other, they developed a brilliant trick and so they always fight by category, according to their size.
10:33:49:23SEQUENCE:
Boxer shrimp facing off against rival, touching antennae before beginning to fight
10:33:49:22
10:33:56:09
10:34:13:19NARRATOR
they compare how long they are, the size of their claws, to see if one of them is clearly bigger. NARRATOR
they always look for some way to resolve the dispute without bloodshed.
NARRATOR
they touch each OTHER WITH their long antennae, communicating to the other exactly what their intentions are.
10:34:32:23SEQUENCE:
Boxer shrimp cutting off its rivals claw, causing it to walk away 10:34:35:24
10:34:38:21
10:34:52:01NARRATOR
and if there is a fight, its very quick. NARRATOR
the aim is to grab the others claws and when one of them manages to do that, the other shrimp accepts defeat, and as the loser, voluntarily surrenders its left arm, the weaker of the two claws. NARRATOR
the loser is left one-armed, but only temporarily. the next time it sheds its exoskeleton in just a few
10:34:58:08SHOT of severed claw lying on the sea bed
weeks, it completely regenerates the lost claw.
10:35:05:16CU on murky sea bed 10:35:06:21NARRATOR
theres not much extra space in these waters
10:35:08:11SHOT of boggy terrain surrounded by water NARRATOR (CONT)
either, ESPECIALLY in those little pools by the banks WHICH evaporation has isolated from the MAIN
10:35:14:06SEQUENCE:
Siamese fighting fish moving through water before coming to face to face with a rival SEQUENCE:
Siamese fighting fish moving through water before coming to face to face with a rival 10:35:18:07
10:35:23:20
10:35:28:00
10:35:35:01
10:35:44:23channel.
NARRATOR
the territory of a siamese fighting fish changes in size and shape. NARRATOR
it grows, or shrinks, according to the rains or the heat. NARRATOR
that makes these fish one of the most anti-social animals on the planet.
NARRATOR
when two siamese fighting fish end up isolated in a pool thats too small, one of them will kill the other, since there is no way to run away. NARRATOR
there can be
10:35:45:09SEQUENCE:
Siamese fighting fish flaring up their fins as they prepare to fight over territory
SEQUENCE:
Siamese fighting fish flaring up their fins as they prepare to fight over territory
10:35:50:00
10:35:57:21
10:36:02:22
10:36:11:01
10:36:15:12
10:36:21:15
10:36:29:02NARRATOR (CONT)
only one. NARRATOR
it looks like the red one is going to win, at least hes the biggest BRAGGART. NARRATOR
male siamese fighting fish have disproportionately large fins. NARRATOR
their first purpose is to make their owners visible to other siamese fighting fish in these muddy waters.
NARRATOR
theyre also useful to court the ladies whenever they find them.
NARRATOR
but above all, they are a shield. NARRATOR
given their length and surface area, his rivals attacks almost never reach the vital parts of the body. NARRATOR
his fins end up in shreds, but the damage doesnt go beyond that, and the fins will heal.
10:36:39:23SEQUENCE:
Siamese fighting fish fighting over territory, pieces of fin tearing away from their bodies as they fight 10:37:42:23NARRATOR
when one of the combatants feels
10:37:43:21SEQUENCE:
Siamese fighting fish feigning death and beginning to float in water as its rival swims away
10:37:51:05
10:37:53:22
10:38:02:07NARRATOR (CONT)
clearly beaten, he stays completely still so as not to incite the winner to keep attacking. NARRATOR
he surrenders. NARRATOR
this technique, in which he spreads his fins out completely to reveal his wounds, placates his rival and gains him a few hours respite. NARRATOR
with luck, even a whole day, and fortunately in thailand it rains frequently.
10:38:08:03TIMELAPSE:
SHOT of boggy terrain being filled up with water
10:38:18:21SHOTS of hippopotamuses bathing in muddy water 10:38:21:01
10:38:26:00NARRATOR
another source of conflict in the wild is the differences between the sexes. NARRATOR
actually the lack of differences, when the guys and the
10:38:29:16SEQUENCE:
Hippopotamuses carrying out mating rituals as they bathe in muddy water
10:38:34:20
10:38:40:12
10:38:46:24NARRATOR (CONT)
gals look so much alike that you almost cant tell them apart. NARRATOR
thats why there are mating rituals to clear up this crucial point. NARRATOR
animals mating rituals are extremely varied, and some are even violent. NARRATOR
hippopotami look like they bite each other more than kiss each other.
10:39:36:13SEQUENCE:
Giraffes carrying out mating rituals as they stand beside trees 10:39:36:16
10:39:45:11
10:39:49:15
10:39:56:19
10:40:04:24NARRATOR
the giraffes mating rituals begin the same way fights between giraffes do, with some blows to the neck, a shove or two. NARRATOR
how does the other one respond? NARRATOR
if its strong and has male hormones, it will respond aggressively and hit back. NARRATOR
if the violence grows, then its a tiff between males, which has no future. NARRATOR
but if to the CONTRARY during the skirmish one of the two giraffes backs off instead of returning the blows, refusing to respond with more violence, then that indicates that its a female, and that the meeting will have a happy ending among the
10:40:18:23SHOT of giraffes walking into woodland
NARRATOR (CONT)
trees.
10:40:31:23SHOT of giraffes continuing mating rituals amongst trees
10:40:36:16TIMELAPSE:
SHOT of the sun setting on horizon
10:40:46:10SEQUENCE:
Spanish toads croaking as they sit in water and amongst reeds 10:40:50:11
10:41:02:22
10:41:08:03NARRATOR
for the moment theres no room for confusion among these toads, there are only males in the pool.
NARRATOR
theyve been calling to the females for days, but the ladies still havent shown up. NARRATOR
theyre hot blooded, they are spanish toads after all,
10:41:11:15SEQUENCE:
Spanish toads making their way through water in search of mating areas, battling with rivals as they do so
10:41:14:14NARRATOR (CONT)
and that makes a difference. NARRATOR
each toad is trying to claim a good spot with the ideal depth to fertilise his future mate, and he wants a bit of peace and calm, so the other males around can just take a hike, but theyre not leaving.
10:41:37:10SEQUENCE:
Spanish toad accidentally mounting a fellow male, causing others to join in
10:41:38:07
10:41:46:18
10:41:50:18NARRATOR
if in the heat of night one of these toads were to grab another the way he would hold a female, then total chaos would break out among the toads. NARRATOR
everyone would try to mate with the alleged lady! NARRATOR
although, who knows, maybe it is a lady.
10:41:54:06SHOTS of Spanish toad croaking as it sits amongst reeds
10:41:54:18
10:41:58:06NARRATOR
who can see a thing in this darkness? NARRATOR
but the sun will come up soon, and the party will continue tomorrow.
10:42:05:17SHOT of Spanish toad submerged in water, looking towards camera
10:42:17:02TIMELAPSE:
SHOT of clouds moving through the sky as sun rises
10:42:27:01SEQUENCE:
Warthogs carrying out mating rituals, the female becoming violent as the male persists
10:42:29:06
10:42:34:05
10:42:40:16
10:42:55:16
10:42:58:17
10:43:10:06
10:43:14:01NARRATOR
this clash between a male and a female is very unusual. NARRATOR
its not a mistake like the toads, nor is it a violent mating ritual like the giraffes. NARRATOR
but for a mating ritual, the female sure is playing hard to get.
NARRATOR
shes rejecting the suitor. NARRATOR
hes a young male that hasnt earned such a place of honour yet, and he wont follow the rules.
NARRATOR
isnt there an alpha male around here somewhere to defend the lady?
NARRATOR
maybe a lion ate him?
10:43:22:00SEQUENCE:
Second male warthog arriving on the scene and coming to females aid
10:43:24:02NARRATOR
finally, thank goodness! okay, now everything will be as it should be again, after a bit of shoving.
10:43:33:09SEQUENCE:
Warthogs fighting over a mate before one runs away
10:43:37:12SHOT of warthogs standing on savannah 10:43:37:17NARRATOR
squabbles between the sexes, clashes among males, fights to
10:43:41:04SEQUENCE:
Zebras standing together as they graze on savannah
10:43:46:19NARRATOR (CONT)
the death, or mere threats, the fight for life takes many forms. NARRATOR
little daily quarrels are the most common thing among neighbours, but theyre very important.
10:43:52:07PAN around to show savannah as zebras graze
10:43:54:00NARRATOR
they let off steam.
10:43:55:23SEQUENCE:
Zebras standing together as they graze on savannah
10:44:00:08NARRATOR
zebras, like any other animal, live with a high level of stress. they know the lions are out there, and that makes them nervous.
10:44:09:10SHOT of lions looking on as zebras graze in background 10:44:13:12NARRATOR
letting the tension build up
10:44:14:12SEQUENCE:
Zebras fighting as they walk across savannah
10:44:23:22would be counter-productive. a little spat that sets things straight never did any harm to anybody. NARRATOR
resting your head on your neighbours shoulder is also an ideal way to make up.
10:44:34:20SEQUENCE:
Zebras resting their heads on fellow group members by way of an apology
10:44:47:12NARRATOR
neighbours are potential friends when they can
10:44:49:06PAN down to show ants crawling across tree stump
10:44:53:09NARRATOR (CONT)
cooperate amongst themselves. NARRATOR
but some neighbours can only be enemies.
10:44:55:10SEQUENCE:
Ants making their way across terrain in search of a new home
10:45:02:14
10:45:21:08
10:45:32:12NARRATOR
when the number of ants in an ant hill grows with the birth of a new generation, their need for resources also grows, and then the ant colonys only option is to conquer more land.
NARRATOR
this is a reconnaissance mission made up of soldiers from an ant hill, and it has just crossed the borders of its territory. NARRATOR
animals generally avoid injuring each other, but today that wont be possible.
10:45:39:23SEQUENCE:
Ants battling with rival colony as they attempt to take over terrain
SEQUENCE:
Ants battling with rival colony as they attempt to take over terrain
10:46:10:09
10:46:16:04
10:46:21:21
10:46:51:16
10:46:57:10
10:47:02:09
10:47:04:07
10:47:11:11
10:47:16:18NARRATOR
ant colonies that share borders often descend from sister queens. NARRATOR
GENETICALLY theyre very similar, but theyre not identical.
NARRATOR
they can distinguish their cousins perfectly from themselves. they know what the presence of invaders next to their home means, and they are well aware of which family the ants belong to.
NARRATOR
there may not be any other form of violence in the animal kingdom as fierce as this. NARRATOR
here, there are no protocols, no strategies, no rules. NARRATOR
it wouldnt make any sense. NARRATOR
there is only one aim. to eliminate the other ant hill in order to have enough resources at their disposal. NARRATOR
its their lives or ours. NARRATOR
its only a question of using brute force to kill as many of the enemy as possible.
10:47:30:09SEQUENCE:
Ants attempting to stab rivals as battle takes place
10:47:34:07
10:47:39:24
10:47:49:20NARRATOR
some ants seem to try to stab their sting in others, but they dont have a sting. NARRATOR
ants descend from wasps and some species still have a sting to inject venom with, but thats not the case with this species. NARRATOR
nonetheless, the tremendous aggressiveness that some individual ants exhibit leads them to resort to every kind of weapon they know, even those that they no longer have.
10:48:05:13SEQUENCE:
Ants battling with rival colony as they attempt to take over terrain, continuing to fight even once cut in two
10:48:06:07
10:48:18:22
10:48:25:02
10:48:33:16NARRATOR
this madness that takes over as they fight to the death, also seems to eliminate completely the pain they feel on the battlefield. NARRATOR
thats why an ant that has been cut in two keeps fighting as if it were whole. NARRATOR
nobody, and no part of a body, will stop fighting until they have used every last ounce of energy.
NARRATOR
war among the ants is cruel, merciless and fierce. just like any other.
10:49:06:04SHOT of ant walking by, checking on a rivals corpse as it passes
10:49:08:22SHOT of dead ant
10:49:11:21CU on dying ant moving its leg and jaw
10:49:21:22PAN up to show woodland
10:49:29:02CU on lichen covered tree
10:49:32:21SEQUENCE:
Japanese rhinoceros beetle walking across branch and meeting with rival
10:49:36:17
10:49:46:16NARRATOR
we humans are aware of all the possible consequences of a confrontation, but wild animals are not. NARRATOR
they only follow their instincts.
10:49:52:00SEQUENCE:
Japanese rhinoceros beetles fighting over territory, lifting each other as fight takes place
10:50:22:11SHOTS of Japanese rhinoceros beetles silhouetted against the sky as they continue to fight
10:50:35:20NARRATOR
another fight
10:50:36:13SHOTS of Japanese rhinoceros beetle celebrating victory on branch silhouetted against the sky
10:50:45:24NARRATOR (CONT)
is over. the winner celebrates his victory in the most visible place he knows in the forest, his branch. NARRATOR
just in case someone has seen what he did.
10:50:50:00SHOT of female Japanese rhinoceros beetle perched on branch 10:50:50:10NARRATOR
mother nature has a big prize in store for the
10:50:52:16SHOT of Japanese rhinoceros beetle flying from branch
NARRATOR (CONT)
victor and his genes.
10:50:54:15SHOTS of Japanese rhinoceros beetles mating silhouetted against the sky
10:50:57:12
10:51:05:08NARRATOR
the law of the jungle is to compete, and only the best prevail and procreate. NARRATOR
competition is also stimulating for humans, but we can control our fighting instinct and reach out to others in solidarity, with love rather than violence.
10:51:16:19TIMELAPSE:SHOT of clouds moving through the sky above savannah as sun sets
10:51:24:15FADE TO BLACK
10:51:25:05END CREDITS
10:51:25:05MONTAGE:
SHOTS from series as end credits roll
10:51:50:02END CARD