Baboon Tales

- Description
- Reviews
- Citation
- Cataloging
- Transcript
Based on 26 years of fieldwork by anthropologist/primatologist Dr. Shirley Strum, BABOON TALES explores the complex world of a troop of Olive Baboons in Kenya. In sharp contrast to early theories of baboon behavior, which focused on male aggression, this program enables audiences to appreciate a society of masterful social strategists weaving a shifting web of relationships with family, friends and enemies. It may change your mind about what it means to be a baboon, and about what it means to be human.
To discover how baboons succeed in their society, BABOON TALES follows the real life adventures of five infants navigating their first year of a decade-long journey to adulthood, as the troop adapts to drought in East Africa.
'A beautifully filmed documentary with a story that is at once highly informative and emotionally compelling...The film bears the unique stamp of Dr. Strum's commitment and perspective gained during several decades of experience living and conducting research in Kenya.' Jeanne Altmann, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University.
'Why read Dr. Spock when you can get all the parenting tips you need from imitating the primates in BABOON TALES?' The Hollywood Reporter
'Viewers are taken directly into the 'troop' of baboons, yet the camera isn't
invasive in recording subtle expressions and gestures - a testament to the [filmmakers'] professionalism.' The Tampa Tribune
'[In] many wildlife documentaries...every 15 minutes there seems to be a life-and-death chase and a bloody kill. BABOON TALES offers something different. Different and estimable and fascinating.' Vue, New York Daily News
'An engaging portrait of creatures who, in many ways, are much like ourselves (butts notwithstanding). Recommended' Video Librarian
'Shows clear, concrete examples of many topics covered in comparative psychology courses, including social interaction, dominance hierarchies, socialization of young in species with a social living structure, juvenile apprenticeships, modulation of aggression, conflict and reconciliation, maintenance of social relationships, social alliances, temperament, maternal derivation of initial rank, and changes in social status with maturation...makes the harsh realities of life very tangible. I have used the film in class several times, and always get comments from several students about how deeply affected they were by the stories in the film.' Michael J. Renner, Department of Psychology, West Chester University
Citation
Main credits
Kovanic, Gillian Darling (film director)
McConnell, Amanda (screenwriter)
Martin, Bruce (screenwriter)
Close, Glenn (narrator)
Other credits
Cinematographer, Rudolf Kovanic; editor, Shelly Hamer; scientific advisor, Shirley Strum.
Distributor subjects
African Studies; Animal Behavior/Communication; Animals; Anthropology; Biology; Conservation; Ecology ; Humanities; Life Science; Psychology; Social Psychology; Sociology; WildlifeKeywords
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[MUSIC PLAYING]
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This is White Rocks
in the heart of Kenya.
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It's home to Malika, a
troop of olive baboons.
00:01:21.120 --> 00:01:23.590
The big males are last
down the rock this morning.
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Groups gather and greet each
other as they soak up the sun.
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Baboons are intensely
sociable, weaving
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a shifting web of relationships
with family, friends,
00:01:46.480 --> 00:01:46.980
and enemies.
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In the past two
weeks, 10 babies have
00:02:00.330 --> 00:02:02.550
been born here at White Rocks.
00:02:02.550 --> 00:02:05.100
Each one is starting
on a long journey.
00:02:08.400 --> 00:02:10.410
It takes almost a
decade to master
00:02:10.410 --> 00:02:12.280
the skills of the adult world.
00:02:19.510 --> 00:02:21.550
You begin with
nothing but potential
00:02:21.550 --> 00:02:24.190
and your mother's connections.
00:02:24.190 --> 00:02:26.200
Mamba is female.
00:02:26.200 --> 00:02:27.520
She is just four days old.
00:02:31.690 --> 00:02:35.190
The little male, Dawa, was
born on the very same day.
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Their mothers grew up
together, became friends.
00:02:41.640 --> 00:02:44.160
Now they're sharing
first-time motherhood.
00:02:52.660 --> 00:02:55.030
The little ones don't
know much of anything yet,
00:02:55.030 --> 00:02:57.340
but these relationships
will shape their lives.
00:03:06.712 --> 00:03:08.170
They'll learn
through their mothers
00:03:08.170 --> 00:03:10.840
who their friends are,
gradually enlarging
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their network of family
and social connections.
00:03:20.310 --> 00:03:23.970
Anna's journey has just begun.
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Born an hour ago,
she's a tiny scrap
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of life searching for a nipple.
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It will take her
hours to find it.
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These little
black-furred infants
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are the center of
attention here.
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Everyone finds
them irresistible.
00:03:45.780 --> 00:03:47.520
They come to greet Anna.
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This female even
tries to borrow her.
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But Anna's mother is firm.
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The female has to
settle for grooming
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her to stay close to the baby.
00:04:07.490 --> 00:04:11.019
Later, when the same female
tries to borrow baby Mamba,
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her mother teachers
her some manners.
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Baboons have no words,
but they're constantly
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communicating.
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Her flashing eyelids speak
their warning loud and clear.
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All this drama goes
over Mamba's head.
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For now, all she
can do is hang on.
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Every morning the
Malika troop leaves
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the safety of the sleeping
rocks and ventures out
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to find the day's food.
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Today, they're led by an
experienced older animal.
00:05:11.550 --> 00:05:14.490
Anna's mother is still
weak from giving birth,
00:05:14.490 --> 00:05:18.330
but she takes her baby along,
umbilical cord dangling.
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They can't stay here alone.
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There are lions and
leopards around.
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The troop will have to
range a long way today
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if they're to find
enough to eat.
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The Laikipia Plateau in
the shadow of Mount Kenya
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is an arid, unpredictable place.
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All life here moves to
one overriding rhythm,
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waiting for the rains.
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Right now, the dry
season is here stay.
00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:04.830
Six-month-old Rama
is being allowed
00:06:04.830 --> 00:06:06.790
to hitch a ride on
his mother's back.
00:06:10.770 --> 00:06:13.860
Acacia trees provide the
first meal of the day.
00:06:13.860 --> 00:06:16.050
When other foods are
scarce, their pods
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tide the baboons over.
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Zilla brought them
to this feeding spot.
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At 23, she's the grand
old lady of troop,
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with unmatched experience
in finding food.
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Baboons inherit rank
through their mothers,
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but influence must
also be earned.
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This is Zilla's oldest daughter.
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She's already
challenged her mother
00:06:43.330 --> 00:06:45.940
and gained some authority.
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But when it comes to finding
food, she defers to Zilla.
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Her son, Kiwi, at five days
old, is the child of privilege.
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He doesn't know it yet,
but his mother's high rank
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gives him a head start in life.
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Under the tree, Rama
hasn't been so lucky.
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His mother started
weaning him early
00:07:19.580 --> 00:07:21.860
at the beginning
of the dry season.
00:07:21.860 --> 00:07:24.230
Now he's fending for himself.
00:07:24.230 --> 00:07:27.370
Today he's picking through
leftovers falling from a above.
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After feeding, rest time.
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The hot wind dries
Anna's damp coat.
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Dozing in the shade,
the group reaffirms
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its intimate connections.
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During rest, Rama's mother
allows him to nurse.
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Her milk still provides
him lifesaving nourishment.
00:08:15.390 --> 00:08:18.150
Her grooming gives him
comfort and reassurance.
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This gentle, expert touch ties
the social world together.
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Rama's practicing
on little Kiwi.
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Kiwi's too young to know
who's doing what to whom.
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He just likes the feeling.
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Kiwi's mother has
fallen into a stupor.
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She's enjoying being
groomed so much,
00:08:58.880 --> 00:09:00.875
she relaxes her grip on Kiwi.
00:09:06.470 --> 00:09:09.800
A lower-ranking mother would
never let go like this.
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If her infant were
taken, she might not
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get it back when she wanted.
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But Kiwi's mother is
confident in her position.
00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:25.025
Kiwi will have more freedom
and he'll learn faster.
00:09:33.800 --> 00:09:35.580
But rank has its limits.
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Even for a little
prince, walking
00:09:37.350 --> 00:09:39.180
isn't easy at five days old.
00:09:51.110 --> 00:09:53.650
Rama's keeping an
eye on his mother,
00:09:53.650 --> 00:09:55.015
hoping to hitch another ride.
00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:02.710
Anna wakes up to a
world that's still
00:10:02.710 --> 00:10:04.780
a fussy, tickly kind of blur.
00:10:12.880 --> 00:10:17.140
Rama and his mother are both
trying to save precious energy.
00:10:17.140 --> 00:10:19.135
His ride is at his
mother's expense.
00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:24.430
It won't last long.
00:10:24.430 --> 00:10:26.860
She'll push him off when she
starts to forage in earnest.
00:10:36.740 --> 00:10:40.190
A week later, the dry season's
deepening into drought,
00:10:40.190 --> 00:10:43.670
and the baboons are
showing signs of stress.
00:10:43.670 --> 00:10:46.410
Zilla's first down
the rock this morning.
00:10:46.410 --> 00:10:48.990
Every day, she feels
her age a little more.
00:10:53.090 --> 00:10:55.640
Just above, Rama's
mother decides
00:10:55.640 --> 00:10:57.530
she can't carry her son.
00:10:57.530 --> 00:10:58.570
She's too exhausted.
00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:04.340
Rama is stranded.
00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:11.430
A passing female pauses,
but she's already
00:11:11.430 --> 00:11:12.490
carrying her infant.
00:11:16.040 --> 00:11:17.870
It looks a very long way down.
00:11:28.370 --> 00:11:32.300
Finally, a young female returns
up the rock face to rescue him.
00:11:41.066 --> 00:11:44.400
But Rama is too big for
her to carry easily.
00:11:44.400 --> 00:11:47.250
With no infants of her
own, she's inexperienced.
00:11:47.250 --> 00:11:49.320
So the trip is
bumpier than usual.
00:12:07.980 --> 00:12:11.900
Young females practice mothering
long before they have infants.
00:12:11.900 --> 00:12:13.850
She's one of Rama's babysitters.
00:12:13.850 --> 00:12:14.975
And they've become friends.
00:12:27.550 --> 00:12:31.120
Rama endures a few more bumps
and bangs on the way down.
00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:40.230
He'll take a while to
get over his fright, even
00:12:40.230 --> 00:12:41.820
with grooming working its magic.
00:12:44.800 --> 00:12:47.170
When another youngster
invites him to play,
00:12:47.170 --> 00:12:49.240
he'd rather stay
right where he is.
00:12:57.770 --> 00:13:00.490
Baby Anna is a week old now.
00:13:00.490 --> 00:13:03.790
The world beyond her mother's
belly is coming into focus.
00:13:03.790 --> 00:13:06.790
And right now, she's not
sure she likes it very much.
00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:18.730
A friend of her mother's
grunts reassuringly
00:13:18.730 --> 00:13:19.970
as they move out together.
00:13:27.830 --> 00:13:31.460
Right next to White Rocks,
the Masai have built a camp.
00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:34.370
The baboons sometimes
steal their goats,
00:13:34.370 --> 00:13:37.890
creating tension
between neighbors.
00:13:37.890 --> 00:13:42.260
But Masai and baboons have lived
side by side for centuries.
00:13:42.260 --> 00:13:45.090
They both belong here
on the land, together.
00:13:48.270 --> 00:13:53.190
Dried goat manure at an old
camp yields undigested seeds.
00:13:53.190 --> 00:13:56.370
But it takes a while to learn
which bit is good to eat.
00:14:01.570 --> 00:14:03.320
These are Mamba's feet.
00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:06.330
And nearly two weeks old,
she's gripping firmly,
00:14:06.330 --> 00:14:08.970
leaving her mother free
to forage with both hands.
00:14:22.110 --> 00:14:26.580
Zilla, the aged matriarch,
can't keep up anymore.
00:14:26.580 --> 00:14:30.850
From now on, she'll forage
alone, in spite of the danger.
00:14:30.850 --> 00:14:34.560
Malika will miss her experience.
00:14:34.560 --> 00:14:36.450
Time will tell whether
her daughter has
00:14:36.450 --> 00:14:37.930
learned enough to guide them.
00:14:44.690 --> 00:14:50.630
This morning, Zilla's daughter
killed a small antelope.
00:14:50.630 --> 00:14:53.510
Her son Kiwi doesn't
even know it's food.
00:14:53.510 --> 00:14:56.300
He wants his mother's nipple.
00:14:56.300 --> 00:14:58.760
But right now, she is more
interested in the meat
00:14:58.760 --> 00:14:59.360
than in him.
00:15:03.390 --> 00:15:04.900
Rama wants to play.
00:15:04.900 --> 00:15:07.190
But Kiwi's determined
to get to his mother.
00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:20.010
Meat is the only food baboon's
share, but not right away.
00:15:20.010 --> 00:15:22.875
Zilla's daughter caught
it, so she eats first.
00:15:26.150 --> 00:15:30.290
Rama moves in close,
hoping for scraps.
00:15:30.290 --> 00:15:33.050
An adult male puts him
firmly in his place.
00:15:38.880 --> 00:15:41.270
It's a lesson in
baboon etiquette.
00:15:41.270 --> 00:15:44.800
Once taught, he's released, with
nothing hurt but his dignity.
00:15:53.300 --> 00:15:55.940
For Kiwi, persistence pays off.
00:15:55.940 --> 00:15:58.940
He's got himself exactly
where he wants to be.
00:16:08.030 --> 00:16:10.130
After waiting
patiently, the male
00:16:10.130 --> 00:16:11.930
shares the leftovers with Rama.
00:16:24.130 --> 00:16:26.320
The heat of the day
forces the baboons
00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:30.030
to head for water, along with
the Masai and their cattle.
00:16:37.010 --> 00:16:39.380
The riverbeds are bone dry.
00:16:39.380 --> 00:16:41.420
There's water deep
below the sand,
00:16:41.420 --> 00:16:45.542
out of reach for the baboons but
not for their human neighbors.
00:16:50.470 --> 00:16:53.410
Resting and grooming
beneath a fever tree,
00:16:53.410 --> 00:16:55.560
the baboons settle down to wait.
00:17:07.430 --> 00:17:09.829
Kiwi's confidence is growing.
00:17:09.829 --> 00:17:12.349
This time, he moves
away from his mother,
00:17:12.349 --> 00:17:15.354
exploring a world that's
full of surprising things.
00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:27.630
Some taste funny, others itch.
00:17:27.630 --> 00:17:31.170
And some turn out to really
hurt, like being pushed aside
00:17:31.170 --> 00:17:32.260
and stepped on.
00:17:36.755 --> 00:17:42.330
His squeaks brought his mother
running, as he knew they would.
00:17:42.330 --> 00:17:44.790
A male friend grunts
to reassure him.
00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:50.870
It won't take him long
to venture out again.
00:17:59.430 --> 00:18:03.450
By now, the Masai have
dug down to the water.
00:18:03.450 --> 00:18:06.600
The baboons must wait until
the cattle have drunk.
00:18:06.600 --> 00:18:07.630
It will take hours.
00:18:19.800 --> 00:18:21.570
When they're done,
the women start back
00:18:21.570 --> 00:18:24.660
to camp, weighed
down by water cans.
00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:27.320
The men cover the hole
to protect the water.
00:18:31.670 --> 00:18:35.000
The baboons keep their
distance until the Masai leave.
00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:37.490
Then they move in to see
what's left for them.
00:18:43.820 --> 00:18:46.550
There's a protocol
for the waterhole.
00:18:46.550 --> 00:18:48.950
This youngster is
drinking out of turn.
00:18:48.950 --> 00:18:51.440
He quickly moves away when
an adult male arrives.
00:19:00.310 --> 00:19:02.410
Mothers wait for
the males to finish.
00:19:10.120 --> 00:19:13.030
Young babies don't drink
water, but their survival
00:19:13.030 --> 00:19:16.660
depends on their
mother's access to it.
00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:19.270
This little puddle
is vital to them all.
00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:33.480
Every day has a
turnaround point when
00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:35.790
the animals start to head back.
00:19:35.790 --> 00:19:39.330
They must reach their sleeping
ledges before night falls
00:19:39.330 --> 00:19:41.137
and the leopards start to hunt.
00:19:48.450 --> 00:19:49.900
It's early morning.
00:19:49.900 --> 00:19:52.390
The troop is soaking up the sun.
00:19:52.390 --> 00:19:55.840
It seems peaceful enough, but
there's tension in the air.
00:19:59.640 --> 00:20:02.940
This is Moon, an
eight-year-old male.
00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:05.330
He reaches out to
groom a friend of his,
00:20:05.330 --> 00:20:06.990
the mother of inquisitive Kiwi.
00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:15.190
In baboon society,
young males eventually
00:20:15.190 --> 00:20:17.050
move out to other troops.
00:20:17.050 --> 00:20:19.900
Moon is not yet ready to leave.
00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:25.900
He's like any adolescent-- newly
grown large, but still unsure.
00:20:25.900 --> 00:20:31.210
He's trying to get some
respect from the adult males.
00:20:31.210 --> 00:20:33.940
But the big males,
like Gamma here,
00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:36.370
have known Moon since
he was a youngster.
00:20:36.370 --> 00:20:38.205
They're determined to
keep him in his place.
00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:46.720
Gamma's yawn is a warning.
00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:51.070
Kiwi, at five weeks old, is
unaware of the tension building
00:20:51.070 --> 00:20:53.810
around him.
00:20:53.810 --> 00:20:56.870
He often plays with Moon,
his mother's friend.
00:20:56.870 --> 00:20:59.420
But this morning, Moon
is nervous, yawning
00:20:59.420 --> 00:21:00.650
and glancing at Gamma.
00:21:05.680 --> 00:21:08.380
Without realizing it,
Kiwi is about to trigger
00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:09.850
a confrontation.
00:21:09.850 --> 00:21:12.040
Both males are
interested in befriending
00:21:12.040 --> 00:21:13.150
this little black-coat.
00:21:19.090 --> 00:21:22.570
With his usual daring,
he sets out to rock climb
00:21:22.570 --> 00:21:23.470
and comes to grief.
00:21:28.600 --> 00:21:30.640
Gamma comes over to comfort him.
00:21:30.640 --> 00:21:33.400
But he clings to his mother.
00:21:33.400 --> 00:21:34.840
Kiwi is afraid of Gamma.
00:21:38.520 --> 00:21:41.040
The whole group is alerted.
00:21:41.040 --> 00:21:44.670
Moon has grabbed Kiwi,
claiming him away from Gamma.
00:21:49.950 --> 00:21:51.410
Gamma threatens Moon.
00:21:55.910 --> 00:21:59.440
Moon hopes Kiwi will shield him
from the full force of Gamma's
00:21:59.440 --> 00:21:59.940
attack.
00:22:07.130 --> 00:22:10.050
Males often use
infants as buffers.
00:22:10.050 --> 00:22:12.870
But Moon is too inexperienced
to carry it off.
00:22:22.330 --> 00:22:26.360
He's squeezing Kiwi too tightly
and forgets to reassure him.
00:22:29.790 --> 00:22:33.315
Moon's razor-sharp
teeth have cut his gums.
00:22:47.820 --> 00:22:50.820
Keeping hold of Kiwi
is Moon's only hope.
00:22:58.290 --> 00:23:02.310
Though Kiwi's distressed,
he knows Moon's a friend.
00:23:02.310 --> 00:23:04.830
But the big male,
Gamma, terrifies him.
00:23:16.020 --> 00:23:19.140
Both males are careful
not to hurt the infant.
00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:22.782
And if Kiwi were in real
danger, others would intervene.
00:23:38.850 --> 00:23:41.610
The dodging and feinting
continues, but the tension
00:23:41.610 --> 00:23:43.050
drains out of it.
00:23:43.050 --> 00:23:47.190
In the end, no one wins,
but no one really loses.
00:23:47.190 --> 00:23:49.710
The Kiwi-Moon
combination has worked.
00:23:54.860 --> 00:24:00.270
Kiwi looks for reassurance, but
Moon's too exhausted to oblige.
00:24:00.270 --> 00:24:03.470
Kiwi's mother has
come to get her son.
00:24:03.470 --> 00:24:05.350
But she's careful to
keep her distance.
00:24:12.060 --> 00:24:15.750
A youngster acts as
go-between, escorting Kiwi back
00:24:15.750 --> 00:24:16.400
to his mother.
00:24:24.070 --> 00:24:27.850
Tail high, signaling fear, she
takes him out of harm's way.
00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:40.480
When Kiwi is Rama's age,
he'll know who his friends are
00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:43.060
and whom to avoid.
00:24:43.060 --> 00:24:45.580
Playing together
over time, youngsters
00:24:45.580 --> 00:24:48.260
learn the rules of
the social game.
00:24:48.260 --> 00:24:50.340
It's like a long
rehearsal for life.
00:25:15.080 --> 00:25:18.470
Young baboons learn
how to enlist adults.
00:25:18.470 --> 00:25:20.810
When this infant
goes exploring, she
00:25:20.810 --> 00:25:23.750
stumbles into a
grooming competition.
00:25:23.750 --> 00:25:27.620
Two youngsters are trying to
win the favors of an adult male.
00:25:31.010 --> 00:25:34.700
Whose friend is whose
is being disputed here.
00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:36.830
The baby doesn't
know what's going on,
00:25:36.830 --> 00:25:38.450
but she's intrigued
by the tension.
00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:14.950
Just as Moon used
little Kiwi as a shield,
00:26:14.950 --> 00:26:18.880
young baboons use big males
to get protection, building
00:26:18.880 --> 00:26:20.980
support with frequent grooming.
00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:26.390
All this attention is fine.
00:26:26.390 --> 00:26:29.580
But no one likes his pleasures
interrupted by bickering.
00:26:33.365 --> 00:26:35.250
A little discipline
gets everyone
00:26:35.250 --> 00:26:36.375
quickly back to business.
00:26:49.370 --> 00:26:51.170
The rivals sort it out--
00:26:51.170 --> 00:26:54.355
both groom, separated by
the object of devotion.
00:27:00.690 --> 00:27:02.295
The troop is setting
out to forage.
00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:09.740
On the way down, Kiwi's
mother takes a moment to rest.
00:27:13.570 --> 00:27:15.340
Moon isn't far behind.
00:27:15.340 --> 00:27:17.700
He stops to repair his
friendship with Kiwi.
00:27:25.520 --> 00:27:28.730
A less friendly welcome
awaits him further down--
00:27:28.730 --> 00:27:29.915
Gamma and his brothers.
00:27:35.150 --> 00:27:37.425
They're bent on keeping
Moon in his place.
00:27:41.130 --> 00:27:43.380
This time without
Kiwi to shield him,
00:27:43.380 --> 00:27:44.880
he has to rely on his legs.
00:27:50.320 --> 00:27:53.050
Food is getting
very hard to find.
00:27:53.050 --> 00:27:56.230
The promise of rain
looms on the horizon,
00:27:56.230 --> 00:27:59.020
but it's a false promise.
00:27:59.020 --> 00:28:01.390
Every day, the trek is longer.
00:28:01.390 --> 00:28:03.880
Death stalks the weakest.
00:28:03.880 --> 00:28:06.550
Already six of the
new babies are dead.
00:28:06.550 --> 00:28:07.930
And little Anna is failing.
00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:14.830
She's too weak to cling.
00:28:14.830 --> 00:28:17.200
And carrying her is
slowing down her mother.
00:28:26.070 --> 00:28:27.750
When she catches
up with the troop,
00:28:27.750 --> 00:28:29.070
they're eating prickly pear.
00:28:32.280 --> 00:28:35.004
They've learned how to remove
the threatening spines to get
00:28:35.004 --> 00:28:35.670
at its moisture.
00:28:42.170 --> 00:28:45.410
Poor food means Anna's
mother has less milk.
00:28:45.410 --> 00:28:47.570
Her hunger is proving
fatal for Anna.
00:29:01.430 --> 00:29:04.340
In this season of
scarcity, cactus is not
00:29:04.340 --> 00:29:05.795
enough to save the baboons.
00:29:12.790 --> 00:29:15.600
Anna has died.
00:29:15.600 --> 00:29:19.360
For a long while, her mother
cradles the body in her arms.
00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:38.270
Much later, she carries
it in the direction
00:29:38.270 --> 00:29:39.290
taken by the troop.
00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:52.780
When she tries to groom, she
finds the body stiff and cold.
00:29:52.780 --> 00:29:54.715
Only now can she
leave it behind.
00:30:03.090 --> 00:30:06.730
Later, a friend finds the corpse
and tries to carry it back.
00:30:10.880 --> 00:30:13.820
But it's too far gone
and he leaves it, too.
00:30:27.120 --> 00:30:30.242
Next morning, Anna's
mother calls from the rocks
00:30:30.242 --> 00:30:31.200
for her missing infant.
00:30:44.910 --> 00:30:47.280
Three of the troop's
new crop of babies
00:30:47.280 --> 00:30:50.520
are alive and well, in
spite of the drought.
00:30:50.520 --> 00:30:52.560
At eight weeks old,
they're starting
00:30:52.560 --> 00:30:55.280
to piece together the world
beyond their mother's belly.
00:31:04.230 --> 00:31:07.950
Dawa and Mamba, the little
ones born on the same day,
00:31:07.950 --> 00:31:10.950
are friends, just
like their mothers.
00:31:10.950 --> 00:31:13.530
But they see the world
very differently.
00:31:13.530 --> 00:31:18.030
Dawa is timid and reserved,
Mamba, high spirited,
00:31:18.030 --> 00:31:18.990
always on the move.
00:31:23.100 --> 00:31:27.360
Like us, baboon's make their
way by personality, as well as
00:31:27.360 --> 00:31:29.400
by rank, friendships, and luck.
00:31:42.970 --> 00:31:46.150
Mamba is already building
her social world.
00:31:46.150 --> 00:31:48.340
When she spots a
friend, she practices
00:31:48.340 --> 00:31:51.740
a greeting, complete with
lips smacks and ear wiggles.
00:32:07.590 --> 00:32:11.310
Kiwi is only one day
older than Dawa and Mamba,
00:32:11.310 --> 00:32:13.020
but he's way ahead.
00:32:13.020 --> 00:32:15.510
Inquisitive by nature,
his mother's rank
00:32:15.510 --> 00:32:17.208
has given him opportunities.
00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:24.190
He's already experimenting
with different things to eat.
00:32:27.860 --> 00:32:29.480
He still stays
close to his mother,
00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:32.640
though, practicing his
new jockey riding skill.
00:32:41.990 --> 00:32:44.810
Kiwi seems to be
well on his way,
00:32:44.810 --> 00:32:46.990
but as the baboon's
struggle with the worst
00:32:46.990 --> 00:32:50.440
drought in more than a decade,
all the troop's surviving
00:32:50.440 --> 00:32:51.520
infants are at risk.
00:33:00.110 --> 00:33:04.480
The old lady, Zilla, couldn't
make the trek for food.
00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:09.070
She's raided the nearby Masai
camp and paid a terrible price.
00:33:13.390 --> 00:33:16.510
Savaged by dogs, she's
come home to die.
00:33:19.050 --> 00:33:21.640
Gently, her youngest
daughter grooms her.
00:33:25.340 --> 00:33:27.350
With her death,
the troop will lose
00:33:27.350 --> 00:33:29.558
a store of hard-won knowledge.
00:33:32.910 --> 00:33:35.990
But as her life ends,
others are renewed.
00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:41.515
The Acacia trees
have come into bloom.
00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:49.550
Loaded with sugar, these
flowers are manna from heaven.
00:33:52.310 --> 00:33:54.950
Deftly picking through
a tangle of thorns,
00:33:54.950 --> 00:33:56.990
the animals gorge themselves.
00:34:04.390 --> 00:34:06.490
It's the difference
between life and death
00:34:06.490 --> 00:34:09.179
for Rama and the
younger monkeys.
00:34:09.179 --> 00:34:11.310
There's enough energy
in flowers to tide
00:34:11.310 --> 00:34:14.369
the whole troop over until
the weather finally breaks.
00:35:28.990 --> 00:35:31.420
Changed days for Malika.
00:35:31.420 --> 00:35:34.840
Within a week, the plains
are bursting with life.
00:35:34.840 --> 00:35:37.660
Feeding right at the foot
of White Rocks, the baboons
00:35:37.660 --> 00:35:39.500
are soon fit and healthy again.
00:35:42.640 --> 00:35:46.220
At four months old, Kiwi's
starting to feed on his own.
00:35:46.220 --> 00:35:48.910
But he's got a lot to
learn about not sitting
00:35:48.910 --> 00:35:54.220
on your mother's food
and, moments later,
00:35:54.220 --> 00:35:55.605
about not sitting on bees.
00:36:11.270 --> 00:36:14.450
Rama, now 10 months
old, is riding high.
00:36:14.450 --> 00:36:17.240
These days, he and his
mother have energy to spare.
00:36:20.160 --> 00:36:23.190
After early weaning and all
those months of drought,
00:36:23.190 --> 00:36:26.130
he's finally looking at
more food than he can eat.
00:36:31.810 --> 00:36:34.330
Mamba, like Kiwi,
is four months old.
00:36:39.190 --> 00:36:41.440
With her playful,
outgoing nature,
00:36:41.440 --> 00:36:44.920
she has built strong connections
to the social world around her.
00:37:06.630 --> 00:37:09.330
Mamba's life is full
of fun and games.
00:37:09.330 --> 00:37:12.450
But things aren't so good
for her timid friend, Dawa.
00:37:17.010 --> 00:37:19.320
His mother is weaning him early.
00:37:19.320 --> 00:37:22.320
She pulls him off the nipple
to make him understand.
00:37:28.000 --> 00:37:31.535
Dawa is fighting his fate,
hoping that somehow he'll
00:37:31.535 --> 00:37:32.160
get a reprieve.
00:37:37.980 --> 00:37:40.860
Catching up to her, he
makes a last ditch plea.
00:37:43.740 --> 00:37:46.200
But she, too, was weaned early.
00:37:46.200 --> 00:37:48.030
It may run in the family.
00:37:48.030 --> 00:37:50.040
Her friend comes
over to support her.
00:37:57.870 --> 00:38:01.365
Cast out into the world, Dawa
will have to learn quickly.
00:38:06.630 --> 00:38:10.060
Going from one adult to the
next, he get scraps of comfort,
00:38:10.060 --> 00:38:11.590
like an orphan.
00:38:11.590 --> 00:38:14.490
He doesn't know yet who
his friends are or even
00:38:14.490 --> 00:38:17.540
what's good to eat.
00:38:17.540 --> 00:38:20.210
In the end, this forced
march into independence
00:38:20.210 --> 00:38:22.260
will speed up his development.
00:38:22.260 --> 00:38:24.005
But at first, it's very painful.
00:38:29.860 --> 00:38:31.750
The troop will help him along.
00:38:31.750 --> 00:38:34.200
But he has to build
his own social network.
00:38:55.070 --> 00:38:57.270
Kiwi watches Dawa.
00:38:57.270 --> 00:39:03.980
But he's still enveloped in his
mother's world, so is Mamba.
00:39:03.980 --> 00:39:06.100
With full access
to their mothers,
00:39:06.100 --> 00:39:09.080
it will be a few months
before these two are cast out
00:39:09.080 --> 00:39:09.985
of paradise.
00:39:26.830 --> 00:39:31.000
Later on, Moon lends
his broad back to Dawa.
00:39:31.000 --> 00:39:34.070
These two can help
each other out.
00:39:34.070 --> 00:39:35.710
Dawa needs a friend.
00:39:35.710 --> 00:39:38.350
And Moon likes to
have an infant handy.
00:39:38.350 --> 00:39:40.150
He knows there's
something in the air.
00:39:44.020 --> 00:39:46.690
While Moon babysits,
a female presents him
00:39:46.690 --> 00:39:48.400
with an invitation.
00:39:48.400 --> 00:39:50.470
But Moon can't take the chance.
00:39:50.470 --> 00:39:52.230
Her male partner is too close.
00:40:05.020 --> 00:40:07.930
He pretends to be
preoccupied with Dawa,
00:40:07.930 --> 00:40:09.600
even when he offer is repeated.
00:40:15.390 --> 00:40:18.880
As tension builds, Moon
decides to take a walk,
00:40:18.880 --> 00:40:21.790
making sure his little
security blanket comes along.
00:40:27.280 --> 00:40:29.150
Other males are
luckier than Moon.
00:40:57.960 --> 00:41:01.350
This is what all the
excitement is about--
00:41:01.350 --> 00:41:04.410
half a dozen females
are sexually receptive
00:41:04.410 --> 00:41:06.510
because of the
abundance of good food.
00:41:09.570 --> 00:41:12.690
The male gently grooms his
partner's swollen bottom.
00:41:23.060 --> 00:41:26.550
This couple's grooming session
is well under way when they
00:41:26.550 --> 00:41:29.230
have an unexpected visitor.
00:41:29.230 --> 00:41:33.140
It's Dawa who's
stumbled on them.
00:41:33.140 --> 00:41:35.180
But since they're
ignoring him, he'll
00:41:35.180 --> 00:41:37.058
look elsewhere for attention.
00:41:44.040 --> 00:41:46.710
In the late afternoon,
amorous couples
00:41:46.710 --> 00:41:49.230
are grooming together at
the base of White Rocks.
00:41:54.240 --> 00:41:56.210
Dawa is still trying to join in.
00:42:01.350 --> 00:42:03.390
He's found his mother,
who's being groomed
00:42:03.390 --> 00:42:05.820
by the female of a mated pair.
00:42:05.820 --> 00:42:08.760
Once again, the weaning
lesson is reinforced.
00:42:14.790 --> 00:42:16.710
He's not outcast forever.
00:42:16.710 --> 00:42:18.900
He'll nurse on and
off for months.
00:42:18.900 --> 00:42:22.220
But now he knows it's his
mother's choice, not his.
00:42:28.910 --> 00:42:31.370
With so many receptive
females around,
00:42:31.370 --> 00:42:35.570
the adult males
are in an uproar.
00:42:35.570 --> 00:42:37.820
Moon is trying to
stay out of the way.
00:42:37.820 --> 00:42:40.310
But Gamma and his brothers
have him surrounded.
00:42:50.660 --> 00:42:54.230
He's outnumbered, caught out
in the open without an infant
00:42:54.230 --> 00:42:55.175
to use as a shield.
00:42:59.690 --> 00:43:01.745
He quickly heads off
to find a friend.
00:43:09.570 --> 00:43:12.720
Mamba and Dawa are playing
when Moon turns up.
00:43:12.720 --> 00:43:16.022
They have no idea how
relieved he is to see them.
00:43:23.960 --> 00:43:27.425
Next morning, the Malika
troop wakes up to a crisis.
00:43:35.890 --> 00:43:40.480
Nervously, they pace
the top of the rock.
00:43:40.480 --> 00:43:43.990
And outside troop has spent
the night at White Rocks.
00:43:43.990 --> 00:43:49.480
Receptive females in both
troops means extra tension.
00:43:49.480 --> 00:43:50.680
There's a fight going on.
00:43:59.770 --> 00:44:03.310
Rama's mother is below, with
Rama clinging to her belly.
00:44:03.310 --> 00:44:06.880
She's pinned on the rock
face by two angry strangers.
00:44:06.880 --> 00:44:08.680
And she can't get down or up.
00:44:16.090 --> 00:44:19.870
The two females below Rama's
mother went down to help her.
00:44:19.870 --> 00:44:21.970
But all they can do
is try to hang on.
00:44:42.030 --> 00:44:47.320
When mobbing happens, it's
usually a female affair.
00:44:47.320 --> 00:44:50.980
Males may intervene to protect
females of their own troop
00:44:50.980 --> 00:44:54.490
or sometimes, like this one,
to punish them for getting
00:44:54.490 --> 00:44:56.290
too close to outside males.
00:45:04.240 --> 00:45:06.690
When the coast seems
clear, the Malika
00:45:06.690 --> 00:45:07.945
gather to descend together.
00:45:17.050 --> 00:45:25.360
Seizing their moment, they
hit the ground and scatter,
00:45:25.360 --> 00:45:28.840
all except one of them, Rama.
00:45:28.840 --> 00:45:30.910
Badly bitten during
the mobbing, he's
00:45:30.910 --> 00:45:33.009
left behind in the confusion.
00:45:43.550 --> 00:45:45.740
On his own, he's not
likely to survive.
00:45:58.390 --> 00:46:01.710
He calls for his mother, but
the troop is out of earshot.
00:46:08.580 --> 00:46:10.620
Rama has survived
the trauma of being
00:46:10.620 --> 00:46:14.290
abandoned on the rocks and
the hardships of the drought.
00:46:14.290 --> 00:46:17.985
But now he faces the greatest
challenge of his short life.
00:46:23.440 --> 00:46:27.700
He must call on all his survival
skills and his will to live.
00:46:42.580 --> 00:46:44.350
He stays out of sight.
00:46:44.350 --> 00:46:47.422
He knows it's a dangerous
world to be alone in.
00:46:52.970 --> 00:46:55.570
Alliances made in
better days pay off
00:46:55.570 --> 00:46:58.160
when a young friend doubles
back to look for him.
00:47:01.550 --> 00:47:04.190
Rama struggles to
remain conscious,
00:47:04.190 --> 00:47:06.060
steadying himself on a twig.
00:47:18.680 --> 00:47:22.850
His friend is risking her life
coming back here on her own.
00:47:22.850 --> 00:47:25.790
But that's one of the
things friends are for.
00:47:33.130 --> 00:47:37.330
Rama is failing fast, losing
blood and close to passing out
00:47:37.330 --> 00:47:40.960
when his friend finds him.
00:47:40.960 --> 00:47:43.210
The familiar
comfort of grooming,
00:47:43.210 --> 00:47:45.560
the touch of a friendly hand--
00:47:45.560 --> 00:47:47.800
it brings Rama
back from the edge.
00:48:03.510 --> 00:48:05.700
They start to move off together.
00:48:05.700 --> 00:48:07.380
But Rama doesn't get very far.
00:48:14.840 --> 00:48:16.910
His friend is getting nervous.
00:48:16.910 --> 00:48:19.040
They've been away from
the troop too long.
00:48:23.280 --> 00:48:25.860
Rama tries, but he can't follow.
00:48:25.860 --> 00:48:27.360
She has to go back alone.
00:48:34.070 --> 00:48:37.370
When the troop returns to
White Rocks later that day,
00:48:37.370 --> 00:48:38.570
there's no sign of Rama.
00:48:44.840 --> 00:48:46.860
But during the
night, Rama's mother
00:48:46.860 --> 00:48:50.452
hears him call and
carries him up the rocks.
00:48:58.330 --> 00:49:01.618
By morning, he's able to
cling to her for the descent.
00:49:09.590 --> 00:49:13.250
Cradled like an infant in the
safety of his mother's arms,
00:49:13.250 --> 00:49:14.750
Rama begins to heal.
00:49:24.100 --> 00:49:26.830
His resilience is extraordinary.
00:49:26.830 --> 00:49:29.400
Within a few days,
he's up and about.
00:49:34.460 --> 00:49:37.600
A few weeks later, he's
almost as good as new.
00:49:37.600 --> 00:49:40.010
It's been a rough and
tumble first year.
00:49:40.010 --> 00:49:41.470
But now he's on his way.
00:49:48.820 --> 00:49:52.360
Mamba and Dawa play out
the familiar rituals
00:49:52.360 --> 00:49:55.780
of their friendship, practicing
the skills they'll need
00:49:55.780 --> 00:49:58.810
to succeed in the adult world.
00:49:58.810 --> 00:50:01.285
They've come a long way
in just five months.
00:50:19.130 --> 00:50:22.550
Moon's journey toward
adulthood is almost done.
00:50:22.550 --> 00:50:24.950
Soon, he'll move
out to a new troop
00:50:24.950 --> 00:50:27.167
and build another
network of friends.
00:50:36.710 --> 00:50:40.040
Kiwi, curious as
ever, is watching
00:50:40.040 --> 00:50:42.246
some adolescents roughhouse.
00:50:46.910 --> 00:50:48.870
It will take him
a few more years
00:50:48.870 --> 00:50:51.450
to figure out the
rules of the game.
00:50:51.450 --> 00:50:52.570
But he's working on it.
00:50:56.610 --> 00:50:59.430
Starting from
nothing, every baboon
00:50:59.430 --> 00:51:02.790
must learn how to
find its place.
00:51:02.790 --> 00:51:06.780
Becoming successful takes
personality, intelligence,
00:51:06.780 --> 00:51:09.600
and a lot of help
from your friends.
00:51:09.600 --> 00:51:14.023
Like us, baboons survive
and prosper together.
00:51:14.023 --> 00:51:18.171
[MUSIC PLAYING]