I’m gonna take you on a journey with the two most reviled creatures in Africa
two most reviled creatures in Africa
two most reviled creatures in Africa lions and elephants for me it’s about
lions and elephants for me it’s about
lions and elephants for me it’s about them being so rooted to the earth but
them being so rooted to the earth but
them being so rooted to the earth but being so spiritual at the same time but
being so spiritual at the same time but
being so spiritual at the same time but they’re disappearing they’re collapsed
they’re disappearing they’re collapsed
they’re disappearing they’re collapsed this is genocide
we brought you here to talk about wild
we brought you here to talk about wild things to creatures we really love lions
things to creatures we really love lions
things to creatures we really love lions and elephants but if you’re in Africa
and elephants but if you’re in Africa
and elephants but if you’re in Africa and you have an elephant in your garden
and you have an elephant in your garden
and you have an elephant in your garden it’s pretty problematic but we want to
it’s pretty problematic but we want to
it’s pretty problematic but we want to help Africa save these creatures the
help Africa save these creatures the
help Africa save these creatures the central part of this evening is this
central part of this evening is this
central part of this evening is this book that we’re just coming out with
book that we’re just coming out with
book that we’re just coming out with here and earth the sky you’ll see what
here and earth the sky you’ll see what
here and earth the sky you’ll see what I’m getting at with that title as we go
I’m getting at with that title as we go
I’m getting at with that title as we go in 1991 I went to Central African
in 1991 I went to Central African
in 1991 I went to Central African Republic and I was hooked up by the
Republic and I was hooked up by the
Republic and I was hooked up by the National Geographic with a man named
National Geographic with a man named
National Geographic with a man named Mike Fay and we would go to this
Mike Fay and we would go to this
Mike Fay and we would go to this clearing it’s called the zanga by and
clearing it’s called the zanga by and
clearing it’s called the zanga by and it’s a it’s the mecca for forest
it’s a it’s the mecca for forest
it’s a it’s the mecca for forest elephants in forest elephants are hunted
elephants in forest elephants are hunted
elephants in forest elephants are hunted throughout there rains they always have
throughout there rains they always have
throughout there rains they always have been they are still hunted so all of my
been they are still hunted so all of my
been they are still hunted so all of my experiences were with elephants for the
experiences were with elephants for the
experiences were with elephants for the next 15 years our elephants that are
next 15 years our elephants that are
next 15 years our elephants that are afraid of it that’s the clearing and the
afraid of it that’s the clearing and the
afraid of it that’s the clearing and the operative thing here is this is the
operative thing here is this is the
operative thing here is this is the mecca for forest elephants well what’s
mecca for forest elephants well what’s
mecca for forest elephants well what’s going to happen in this story is here in
going to happen in this story is here in
going to happen in this story is here in 2013 that is an ivory dump and the
2013 that is an ivory dump and the
2013 that is an ivory dump and the rebels that just invaded kill 50 of
rebels that just invaded kill 50 of
rebels that just invaded kill 50 of those elephants because you can now fund
those elephants because you can now fund
those elephants because you can now fund your insurgency with ivory that is so
your insurgency with ivory that is so
your insurgency with ivory that is so valuable so mike says look Nick I’ve
valuable so mike says look Nick I’ve
valuable so mike says look Nick I’ve found a place in Chad where there’s
found a place in Chad where there’s
found a place in Chad where there’s herds of a thousand elephants so we go
herds of a thousand elephants so we go
herds of a thousand elephants so we go to a place called zaqqum ah it’s in
to a place called zaqqum ah it’s in
to a place called zaqqum ah it’s in southern Chad what we’re after though is
southern Chad what we’re after though is
southern Chad what we’re after though is an ecosystem story we don’t even know
an ecosystem story we don’t even know
an ecosystem story we don’t even know there’s an ivory crisis but all we find
there’s an ivory crisis but all we find
there’s an ivory crisis but all we find while we’re there is dead elephant after
while we’re there is dead elephant after
while we’re there is dead elephant after dead elephant these guys are doing an
dead elephant these guys are doing an
dead elephant these guys are doing an investigation and we switch our story to
investigation and we switch our story to
investigation and we switch our story to the different kind of story there were
the different kind of story there were
the different kind of story there were 4,000 elephants when I was there in 2005
4,000 elephants when I was there in 2005
4,000 elephants when I was there in 2005 it dropped to 400 these lions are
it dropped to 400 these lions are
it dropped to 400 these lions are killing young elephants because the
killing young elephants because the
killing young elephants because the structures broke normally elephants
structures broke normally elephants
structures broke normally elephants would defend themselves against lions
and that’s the heard of a thousand that
and that’s the heard of a thousand that became our signature photograph but what
became our signature photograph but what
became our signature photograph but what I saw that evening is that there was one
I saw that evening is that there was one
I saw that evening is that there was one old matriarch leading all those families
old matriarch leading all those families
old matriarch leading all those families and we realized this is not a natural
and we realized this is not a natural
and we realized this is not a natural history saying this is fear they’ve got
history saying this is fear they’ve got
history saying this is fear they’ve got the wisest old lady to lead them out of
the wisest old lady to lead them out of
the wisest old lady to lead them out of the park where they can find forage and
the park where they can find forage and
the park where they can find forage and she’s you know she’s supposed to be
she’s you know she’s supposed to be
she’s you know she’s supposed to be taking them to a safe place where there
taking them to a safe place where there
taking them to a safe place where there could be water but there were machine
could be water but there were machine
could be water but there were machine guns waiting that night when they left
guns waiting that night when they left
guns waiting that night when they left the park so 20 of these elephants were
the park so 20 of these elephants were
the park so 20 of these elephants were killed at night what I want to make
killed at night what I want to make
killed at night what I want to make clear though the habitat is still
clear though the habitat is still
clear though the habitat is still perfectly intact so there’s not very
perfectly intact so there’s not very
perfectly intact so there’s not very many people out there so it’s not an
many people out there so it’s not an
many people out there so it’s not an elephant human conflict over land this
elephant human conflict over land this
elephant human conflict over land this is purely about ivory and it’s the
is purely about ivory and it’s the
is purely about ivory and it’s the ginger we doing the killing in this part
ginger we doing the killing in this part
ginger we doing the killing in this part of Africa and they’re really good on
of Africa and they’re really good on
of Africa and they’re really good on horseback so what came of this story we
horseback so what came of this story we
horseback so what came of this story we raised a lot of money we got an airplane
raised a lot of money we got an airplane
raised a lot of money we got an airplane for the park guards got better equipped
for the park guards got better equipped
for the park guards got better equipped but still these guys were just they’re
but still these guys were just they’re
but still these guys were just they’re just too good but right now that it’s
just too good but right now that it’s
just too good but right now that it’s turned around and they’ve had the first
turned around and they’ve had the first
turned around and they’ve had the first babies born in the last few years in ins
babies born in the last few years in ins
babies born in the last few years in ins a coma you know Park guards are
a coma you know Park guards are
a coma you know Park guards are generally not soldiers they’re Park
generally not soldiers they’re Park
generally not soldiers they’re Park guards but here they’ve had to become
guards but here they’ve had to become
guards but here they’ve had to become really incredible soldiers
really incredible soldiers
really incredible soldiers the color this one elephant who we named
the color this one elephant who we named
the color this one elephant who we named any on the 23rd of May
she’s given up information that Sun blue
she’s given up information that Sun blue but she tells us that when she leaves
but she tells us that when she leaves
but she tells us that when she leaves the park
the park
the park she had straight for this certain area
she had straight for this certain area
she had straight for this certain area of good vegetation she also got out
of good vegetation she also got out
of good vegetation she also got out there and realized these rains are faked
there and realized these rains are faked
there and realized these rains are faked rains that came too early so she went
rains that came too early so she went
rains that came too early so she went back to the park and waited till the
back to the park and waited till the
back to the park and waited till the real rains had come
she runs all night she gets within a
she runs all night she gets within a kilometer of a road and she waits all
kilometer of a road and she waits all
kilometer of a road and she waits all day till nightfall and she crosses the
day till nightfall and she crosses the
day till nightfall and she crosses the road and she goes on up so she’s telling
road and she goes on up so she’s telling
road and she goes on up so she’s telling us hey I’m thinking about this whole
us hey I’m thinking about this whole
us hey I’m thinking about this whole thing I know where I’m going I know what
thing I know where I’m going I know what
thing I know where I’m going I know what trees I’m looking forward to eat and I
trees I’m looking forward to eat and I
trees I’m looking forward to eat and I know where the roads are so over about a
know where the roads are so over about a
know where the roads are so over about a three month period and he traveled over
three month period and he traveled over
three month period and he traveled over a thousand miles that’s an amazing
a thousand miles that’s an amazing
a thousand miles that’s an amazing statistic
but caller stopped and we think oh no
but caller stopped and we think oh no and she’s been shot
when Mike went out to localize where
when Mike went out to localize where she’d been shut out they shot at his
she’d been shut out they shot at his
she’d been shut out they shot at his airplane now these elephants are
airplane now these elephants are
airplane now these elephants are essentially escorted when they leave but
essentially escorted when they leave but
essentially escorted when they leave but African parks it’s an organization that
African parks it’s an organization that
African parks it’s an organization that takes over war-torn parks and runs them
takes over war-torn parks and runs them
takes over war-torn parks and runs them like a business carefully so this is the
like a business carefully so this is the
like a business carefully so this is the bull that was shot with an ear shot of
bull that was shot with an ear shot of
bull that was shot with an ear shot of us and probably 2030 bullets were put
us and probably 2030 bullets were put
us and probably 2030 bullets were put into this bull and they got the ivory
into this bull and they got the ivory
into this bull and they got the ivory back but you know we lost the elephant
back but you know we lost the elephant
back but you know we lost the elephant and the bizarre thing is I would say 80%
and the bizarre thing is I would say 80%
and the bizarre thing is I would say 80% of the killing that’s happening now the
of the killing that’s happening now the
of the killing that’s happening now the tusks might be that big they’re babies
tusks might be that big they’re babies
tusks might be that big they’re babies you know they’re putting it in suitcases
you know they’re putting it in suitcases
you know they’re putting it in suitcases if you’re a Chinese worker in Africa you
if you’re a Chinese worker in Africa you
if you’re a Chinese worker in Africa you get paid 300 bucks a month you can turn
get paid 300 bucks a month you can turn
get paid 300 bucks a month you can turn it into 3,000 that’s you can’t mark gold
it into 3,000 that’s you can’t mark gold
it into 3,000 that’s you can’t mark gold up like that there’s nothing else you
up like that there’s nothing else you
up like that there’s nothing else you can mark up like that but these men are
can mark up like that but these men are
can mark up like that but these men are heroes they risk their life every day
heroes they risk their life every day
heroes they risk their life every day the bull elephants that live in zakhmi
the bull elephants that live in zakhmi
the bull elephants that live in zakhmi they knew where to stay they stayed at
they knew where to stay they stayed at
they knew where to stay they stayed at Park headquarters while this is going on
Park headquarters while this is going on
Park headquarters while this is going on but as I was going along I had still
but as I was going along I had still
but as I was going along I had still never seen an elephant you know except
never seen an elephant you know except
never seen an elephant you know except that we’re afraid everybody said you
that we’re afraid everybody said you
that we’re afraid everybody said you need to go to with the in Douglas
need to go to with the in Douglas
need to go to with the in Douglas Hamilton and save the elephants and go
Hamilton and save the elephants and go
Hamilton and save the elephants and go to Samburu where you can see safe happy
to Samburu where you can see safe happy
to Samburu where you can see safe happy elephants and their families so I spent
elephants and their families so I spent
elephants and their families so I spent a good bit of time over two years in
a good bit of time over two years in
a good bit of time over two years in Kenya with elephants where I had a
Kenya with elephants where I had a
Kenya with elephants where I had a translator a young Samburu man that was
translator a young Samburu man that was
translator a young Samburu man that was the research assistant who didn’t
the research assistant who didn’t
the research assistant who didn’t identify six hundred different elephants
identify six hundred different elephants
identify six hundred different elephants on site so I’m no longer running away
he’s probably 15 years old and just have
he’s probably 15 years old and just have a fun lunch Kim okay and so you can you
a fun lunch Kim okay and so you can you
a fun lunch Kim okay and so you can you know they I start seeing things and what
know they I start seeing things and what
know they I start seeing things and what we would do we wear the same clothing
we would do we wear the same clothing
we would do we wear the same clothing every day same car we don’t approach
every day same car we don’t approach
every day same car we don’t approach them and they come to us all the
them and they come to us all the
them and they come to us all the barriers and all the decisions are made
barriers and all the decisions are made
barriers and all the decisions are made by the elephants and I got started
by the elephants and I got started
by the elephants and I got started thinking about elephants in a very
thinking about elephants in a very
thinking about elephants in a very different way this is a young male that
different way this is a young male that
different way this is a young male that wants to follow the winds and harass the
wants to follow the winds and harass the
wants to follow the winds and harass the girls and they’re standing guards and no
girls and they’re standing guards and no
girls and they’re standing guards and no you’re not going to follow us across
you’re not going to follow us across
you’re not going to follow us across this river
this river
this river that’s Babylon of the biblical towns
that’s Babylon of the biblical towns
that’s Babylon of the biblical towns that’s her the big one with her daughter
that’s her the big one with her daughter
that’s her the big one with her daughter her daughter’s daughter and her
her daughter’s daughter and her
her daughter’s daughter and her daughter’s daughter’s daughter all three
daughter’s daughter’s daughter all three
daughter’s daughter’s daughter all three newborns so she’s about sixty the twelve
newborns so she’s about sixty the twelve
newborns so she’s about sixty the twelve hours of daylight of these days was just
hours of daylight of these days was just
hours of daylight of these days was just unbelievable and you just get into their
unbelievable and you just get into their
unbelievable and you just get into their world and I started seeing the thing
world and I started seeing the thing
world and I started seeing the thing know it’s gonna rain three days before
know it’s gonna rain three days before
know it’s gonna rain three days before it’s gonna rain they they could think to
it’s gonna rain they they could think to
it’s gonna rain they they could think to mourn the dead they oh this is Saturn of
mourn the dead they oh this is Saturn of
mourn the dead they oh this is Saturn of the planets and only two of those kids
the planets and only two of those kids
the planets and only two of those kids are hurt the others she’s adopted and
are hurt the others she’s adopted and
are hurt the others she’s adopted and she’s a doting mother she’s this
she’s a doting mother she’s this
she’s a doting mother she’s this planet’s her off somewhere else and
planet’s her off somewhere else and
planet’s her off somewhere else and she’s doting over these kids she’s
she’s doting over these kids she’s
she’s doting over these kids she’s taking care of she’s guarding them while
taking care of she’s guarding them while
taking care of she’s guarding them while they play Navajo of the American Indians
they play Navajo of the American Indians
they play Navajo of the American Indians 4:00 in the morning
4:00 in the morning
4:00 in the morning elephants lay down in moonlight this is
elephants lay down in moonlight this is
elephants lay down in moonlight this is a young boy that’s taken over the mud
a young boy that’s taken over the mud
a young boy that’s taken over the mud hole and kicked the family out male
hole and kicked the family out male
hole and kicked the family out male elephants have to leave the family when
elephants have to leave the family when
elephants have to leave the family when they become sexually mature so they end
they become sexually mature so they end
they become sexually mature so they end up kind of walk in the earth alone
up kind of walk in the earth alone
up kind of walk in the earth alone trying to find a buddy or somebody they
trying to find a buddy or somebody they
trying to find a buddy or somebody they played with when they were young one of
played with when they were young one of
played with when they were young one of the things that I saw at Samburu that
the things that I saw at Samburu that
the things that I saw at Samburu that didn’t become clear until recently in
didn’t become clear until recently in
didn’t become clear until recently in Tanzania not only have their family
Tanzania not only have their family
Tanzania not only have their family group there’s clans and so when I would
group there’s clans and so when I would
group there’s clans and so when I would see Babylon leave the
see Babylon leave the
see Babylon leave the park to head for rain clouds and she’d
park to head for rain clouds and she’d
park to head for rain clouds and she’d have these four other families with her
have these four other families with her
have these four other families with her that was the clan and they were going
that was the clan and they were going
that was the clan and they were going out to the forage Boone is 65 years old
out to the forage Boone is 65 years old
out to the forage Boone is 65 years old and that’s Maya Angelou and the poet’s
and that’s Maya Angelou and the poet’s
and that’s Maya Angelou and the poet’s just loving up on him and there’s no sex
just loving up on him and there’s no sex
just loving up on him and there’s no sex involved he’s just been away for a long
involved he’s just been away for a long
involved he’s just been away for a long time he’s he’s 65 years old so they’re
time he’s he’s 65 years old so they’re
time he’s he’s 65 years old so they’re telling how much they love him so we
telling how much they love him so we
telling how much they love him so we just became very emotional and I knew
just became very emotional and I knew
just became very emotional and I knew then that I had to do this book so I
then that I had to do this book so I
then that I had to do this book so I started thinking about earth the sky for
started thinking about earth the sky for
started thinking about earth the sky for me it’s about the elephant being so
me it’s about the elephant being so
me it’s about the elephant being so rooted to the earth but being so
rooted to the earth but being so
rooted to the earth but being so spiritual at the same time and I feel
spiritual at the same time and I feel
spiritual at the same time and I feel this intensely as she can walk away but
this intensely as she can walk away but
this intensely as she can walk away but she’s playing so there’s an elderly
she’s playing so there’s an elderly
she’s playing so there’s an elderly woman in Kenya she’s fifth-generation
woman in Kenya she’s fifth-generation
woman in Kenya she’s fifth-generation Kenyan and Daphne Sheldrick probably 40
Kenyan and Daphne Sheldrick probably 40
Kenyan and Daphne Sheldrick probably 40 years ago she adopted her first orphan
years ago she adopted her first orphan
years ago she adopted her first orphan elephant and today Daphne has this
elephant and today Daphne has this
elephant and today Daphne has this orphanage in Nairobi and they once they
orphanage in Nairobi and they once they
orphanage in Nairobi and they once they get bigger they can go back to the wild
get bigger they can go back to the wild
get bigger they can go back to the wild and sob oh these guys are 2 years old
and sob oh these guys are 2 years old
and sob oh these guys are 2 years old and they should still be infants but
and they should still be infants but
and they should still be infants but they’re going to be the matriarch so
they’re going to be the matriarch so
they’re going to be the matriarch so these 6 months old and that’s so when
these 6 months old and that’s so when
these 6 months old and that’s so when the orphans come in they’re immediately
the orphans come in they’re immediately
the orphans come in they’re immediately socialized with the the other elephants
socialized with the the other elephants
socialized with the the other elephants who say to them I know you’ve had a
who say to them I know you’ve had a
who say to them I know you’ve had a rough go but these people are ok don’t
rough go but these people are ok don’t
rough go but these people are ok don’t think that this is some kind of
think that this is some kind of
think that this is some kind of incredible success it is successful
incredible success it is successful
incredible success it is successful because they become ambassadors but most
because they become ambassadors but most
because they become ambassadors but most of the babies die they’re just too
of the babies die they’re just too
of the babies die they’re just too traumatized they’ve got to have all this
traumatized they’ve got to have all this
traumatized they’ve got to have all this love and if they if they’ve had much
love and if they if they’ve had much
love and if they if they’ve had much time with wild elephants they just going
time with wild elephants they just going
time with wild elephants they just going to give up and die but what I was amazed
to give up and die but what I was amazed
to give up and die but what I was amazed at is you know all of these would have
at is you know all of these would have
at is you know all of these would have been under their mothers out there in
been under their mothers out there in
been under their mothers out there in Samburu but they’re taking care of this
Samburu but they’re taking care of this
Samburu but they’re taking care of this little babies the men sleep with them
little babies the men sleep with them
little babies the men sleep with them but they don’t sleep with the same
but they don’t sleep with the same
but they don’t sleep with the same orphan every night so they don’t get
orphan every night so they don’t get
orphan every night so they don’t get imprinted so they don’t have this
imprinted so they don’t have this
imprinted so they don’t have this tragedy of getting homesick when some
tragedy of getting homesick when some
tragedy of getting homesick when some guy goes home on his vacation
guy goes home on his vacation
guy goes home on his vacation it’s an incredible process and the
it’s an incredible process and the
it’s an incredible process and the blanket is the mother
blanket is the mother
blanket is the mother they’re almost blind they can’t really
they’re almost blind they can’t really
they’re almost blind they can’t really control things they’re wobbly and
control things they’re wobbly and
control things they’re wobbly and they’re touching that blanket and this
they’re touching that blanket and this
they’re touching that blanket and this one died and these guys get upset with
one died and these guys get upset with
one died and these guys get upset with everyone these deston have incredible
everyone these deston have incredible
everyone these deston have incredible emotional investment and that’s a two
emotional investment and that’s a two
emotional investment and that’s a two and a half year old takes 11 men to pick
and a half year old takes 11 men to pick
and a half year old takes 11 men to pick up a two and a half year old elephant
up a two and a half year old elephant
up a two and a half year old elephant and it died the next day but the cool
and it died the next day but the cool
and it died the next day but the cool part about when they go back to the wild
part about when they go back to the wild
part about when they go back to the wild and this is where this comes full-circle
and this is where this comes full-circle
and this is where this comes full-circle is northern Tsavo got shot out a long
is northern Tsavo got shot out a long
is northern Tsavo got shot out a long time ago and the vegetation started to
time ago and the vegetation started to
time ago and the vegetation started to change because elephants weren’t there
change because elephants weren’t there
change because elephants weren’t there anymore it closed up it got hard
anymore it closed up it got hard
anymore it closed up it got hard herbivores all disappeared because the
herbivores all disappeared because the
herbivores all disappeared because the veg wasn’t right elephants play an
veg wasn’t right elephants play an
veg wasn’t right elephants play an incredible role in the ecosystem so they
incredible role in the ecosystem so they
incredible role in the ecosystem so they put the orphans back in northern Tsavo
put the orphans back in northern Tsavo
put the orphans back in northern Tsavo and the wild elephants are out there in
and the wild elephants are out there in
and the wild elephants are out there in their life he it’s safe up north again
their life he it’s safe up north again
their life he it’s safe up north again and they go north murca was found in a
and they go north murca was found in a
and they go north murca was found in a thicket her mother dead with that spear
thicket her mother dead with that spear
thicket her mother dead with that spear in her head up to that hand and they
in her head up to that hand and they
in her head up to that hand and they thought this elephant is never going to
thought this elephant is never going to
thought this elephant is never going to be able to deal with humans again well
be able to deal with humans again well
be able to deal with humans again well she’s been there about a year at this
she’s been there about a year at this
she’s been there about a year at this point and we decided well we’ll just
point and we decided well we’ll just
point and we decided well we’ll just show her the spear see but we’ll do it
show her the spear see but we’ll do it
show her the spear see but we’ll do it very quietly in the hole
very quietly in the hole
very quietly in the hole maybe five minutes that I was making
maybe five minutes that I was making
maybe five minutes that I was making these pictures she’s touching that spear
these pictures she’s touching that spear
these pictures she’s touching that spear and touching that place where it came
and touching that place where it came
and touching that place where it came out of and touching it and she didn’t
out of and touching it and she didn’t
out of and touching it and she didn’t get upset we were very respectful but
get upset we were very respectful but
get upset we were very respectful but well the amazing thing is that she is
well the amazing thing is that she is
well the amazing thing is that she is knows the difference between good humans
knows the difference between good humans
knows the difference between good humans and bad humans or however you want to
and bad humans or however you want to
and bad humans or however you want to put it it’s not that simple but because
put it it’s not that simple but because
put it it’s not that simple but because the men that killed her mother we’re mad
the men that killed her mother we’re mad
the men that killed her mother we’re mad at the park because of some elephant
at the park because of some elephant
at the park because of some elephant issue in their gardens Africans are
issue in their gardens Africans are
issue in their gardens Africans are generally afraid of elephants not the
generally afraid of elephants not the
generally afraid of elephants not the pastoralist but the Janina the the
pastoralist but the Janina the the
pastoralist but the Janina the the agriculturalists these kids come from a
agriculturalists these kids come from a
agriculturalists these kids come from a town village that completely has
town village that completely has
town village that completely has elephant problems and these are Tsavo
elephant problems and these are Tsavo
elephant problems and these are Tsavo elephants
elephants
elephants and these kids work incredibly
and these kids work incredibly
and these kids work incredibly frightened just shaking after they got
frightened just shaking after they got
frightened just shaking after they got out of the bus and then massima came
out of the bus and then massima came
out of the bus and then massima came over and just disarmed them
over and just disarmed them
over and just disarmed them she just play so they get milk every day
she just play so they get milk every day
she just play so they get milk every day and they’re going to stay dependent as
and they’re going to stay dependent as
and they’re going to stay dependent as long as they need milk and then they
long as they need milk and then they
long as they need milk and then they eventually just go off and don’t come
eventually just go off and don’t come
eventually just go off and don’t come back but they form orphan groups they’re
back but they form orphan groups they’re
back but they form orphan groups they’re not going out and joining wild groups
not going out and joining wild groups
not going out and joining wild groups they form their own herds and then they
they form their own herds and then they
they form their own herds and then they go out so back to northern Sava these
go out so back to northern Sava these
go out so back to northern Sava these are adult orphans that have babies that
are adult orphans that have babies that
are adult orphans that have babies that come visit when they get poison arrows
come visit when they get poison arrows
come visit when they get poison arrows in them the vet puts them down they take
in them the vet puts them down they take
in them the vet puts them down they take the arrow out and they go back out they
the arrow out and they go back out they
the arrow out and they go back out they come in to have their babies because
come in to have their babies because
come in to have their babies because they feel safe back at the stockades
they feel safe back at the stockades
they feel safe back at the stockades that’s where the wild elephants come to
that’s where the wild elephants come to
that’s where the wild elephants come to drink and he stays inside the electric
drink and he stays inside the electric
drink and he stays inside the electric fence in northern Sava so when the
fence in northern Sava so when the
fence in northern Sava so when the orphans came they literally opened up
orphans came they literally opened up
orphans came they literally opened up the veg the herbivores came back and now
the veg the herbivores came back and now
the veg the herbivores came back and now the Predators are coming back this is
the Predators are coming back this is
the Predators are coming back this is not some pie-in-the-sky theme these
not some pie-in-the-sky theme these
not some pie-in-the-sky theme these orphans have recolonized northern Tsavo
orphans have recolonized northern Tsavo
orphans have recolonized northern Tsavo and another interesting thing about is
and another interesting thing about is
and another interesting thing about is when the the babies are going to leave
when the the babies are going to leave
when the the babies are going to leave Nairobi they put them on a truck it’s
Nairobi they put them on a truck it’s
Nairobi they put them on a truck it’s about a six-hour drive so that’s early
about a six-hour drive so that’s early
about a six-hour drive so that’s early in the morning early in the morning at
in the morning early in the morning at
in the morning early in the morning at the release that stockades in northern
the release that stockades in northern
the release that stockades in northern Sava the or ex orphans they call them
Sava the or ex orphans they call them
Sava the or ex orphans they call them come and wait for the babies to get
come and wait for the babies to get
come and wait for the babies to get there and they just go whack over I’m
there and they just go whack over I’m
there and they just go whack over I’m trying to steal them and they’ll they’ll
trying to steal them and they’ll they’ll
trying to steal them and they’ll they’ll take them and they go off and have them
take them and they go off and have them
take them and they go off and have them for a few days they’re like oh we can’t
for a few days they’re like oh we can’t
for a few days they’re like oh we can’t give them milk and they bring them back
give them milk and they bring them back
give them milk and they bring them back and get them back to the orphanage so
and get them back to the orphanage so
and get them back to the orphanage so you know stuff that’s unexplainable so
you know stuff that’s unexplainable so
you know stuff that’s unexplainable so we for five years we’ve planned a story
we for five years we’ve planned a story
we for five years we’ve planned a story about lions I wanted to go to the mecca
about lions I wanted to go to the mecca
about lions I wanted to go to the mecca of Wildlife Serengeti we needed to do a
of Wildlife Serengeti we needed to do a
of Wildlife Serengeti we needed to do a lion story Lions are disappearing
lion story Lions are disappearing
lion story Lions are disappearing they’re they’re collapsing the star of
they’re they’re collapsing the star of
they’re they’re collapsing the star of our story became this black mane male
our story became this black mane male
our story became this black mane male lion who’s called sea boy in the study
lion who’s called sea boy in the study
lion who’s called sea boy in the study and female lions favor the black mane
and female lions favor the black mane
and female lions favor the black mane over the blonde mane are the slightly
over the blonde mane are the slightly
over the blonde mane are the slightly yellow Mane or the different colors that
yellow Mane or the different colors that
yellow Mane or the different colors that this is one badass
the science says that they can count so
the science says that they can count so if they hear three roars and there’s
if they hear three roars and there’s
if they hear three roars and there’s five of them they know they’ve got the
five of them they know they’ve got the
five of them they know they’ve got the other guys outnumbered and they go after
other guys outnumbered and they go after
other guys outnumbered and they go after him now he’s not happy with the car this
him now he’s not happy with the car this
him now he’s not happy with the car this is the in this case it’s our first night
is the in this case it’s our first night
is the in this case it’s our first night with him we’re following him on his
with him we’re following him on his
with him we’re following him on his escapades and we’re learning about lion
escapades and we’re learning about lion
escapades and we’re learning about lion mating and what this is is usually about
mating and what this is is usually about
mating and what this is is usually about two weeks every seven minutes think
two weeks every seven minutes think
two weeks every seven minutes think about that it’s you and you get bitten
about that it’s you and you get bitten
about that it’s you and you get bitten after every every time it’s our first
after every every time it’s our first
after every every time it’s our first day with our pride the vumbi pride first
day with our pride the vumbi pride first
day with our pride the vumbi pride first day and they’re starving it’s the dry
day and they’re starving it’s the dry
day and they’re starving it’s the dry season the Cubs are mangy everybody’s
season the Cubs are mangy everybody’s
season the Cubs are mangy everybody’s starting but at sunset they all laid in
starting but at sunset they all laid in
starting but at sunset they all laid in a wheel they saw what hard is going to a
a wheel they saw what hard is going to a
a wheel they saw what hard is going to a home
I don’t know if you even saw it when I’m
I don’t know if you even saw it when I’m jumped over the Collard lady they got
jumped over the Collard lady they got
jumped over the Collard lady they got this one out and the Collard lady just
this one out and the Collard lady just
this one out and the Collard lady just kept digging and she got something to
kept digging and she got something to
kept digging and she got something to eat the second but that’s how big they
eat the second but that’s how big they
eat the second but that’s how big they are when we first get to know them
are when we first get to know them
are when we first get to know them there’s 14 cubs were born five females
there’s 14 cubs were born five females
there’s 14 cubs were born five females by the time we see them there’s nine
by the time we see them there’s nine
by the time we see them there’s nine surviving Cubs and eight got all the way
surviving Cubs and eight got all the way
surviving Cubs and eight got all the way to two years old and that’s what we’re
to two years old and that’s what we’re
to two years old and that’s what we’re going to follow and we just saw this
going to follow and we just saw this
going to follow and we just saw this incredible cooperation in care and we
incredible cooperation in care and we
incredible cooperation in care and we didn’t know who was mother of who and so
didn’t know who was mother of who and so
didn’t know who was mother of who and so this is about day three of them seeing
this is about day three of them seeing
this is about day three of them seeing our little robot car
they never ever jumped at us growled at
they never ever jumped at us growled at us they were just curious some of our
us they were just curious some of our
us they were just curious some of our night follows we followed them all night
night follows we followed them all night
night follows we followed them all night with night vision and infrared and they
with night vision and infrared and they
with night vision and infrared and they text back to our camp where they destroy
text back to our camp where they destroy
text back to our camp where they destroy things in front in front of our I pitch
dizzi didn’t tell us about this
dizzi didn’t tell us about this I thought the male lion was the king of
I thought the male lion was the king of
I thought the male lion was the king of the beasts well see boy started showing
the beasts well see boy started showing
the beasts well see boy started showing up they knew he’s the father and he’ll
up they knew he’s the father and he’ll
up they knew he’s the father and he’ll door his partner they’re both the
door his partner they’re both the
door his partner they’re both the fathers of these Cubs so not a threat to
fathers of these Cubs so not a threat to
fathers of these Cubs so not a threat to kill them but there was enough food to
kill them but there was enough food to
kill them but there was enough food to go around and see boy kept growling at
go around and see boy kept growling at
go around and see boy kept growling at the Cubs and that was the last time he
the Cubs and that was the last time he
the Cubs and that was the last time he grabbed the Cubs these five females are
grabbed the Cubs these five females are
grabbed the Cubs these five females are really and we just fell you know
really and we just fell you know
really and we just fell you know completely in love with them whenever
completely in love with them whenever
completely in love with them whenever you see it really close it’s not me
you see it really close it’s not me
you see it really close it’s not me holding the camera I assure you this is
holding the camera I assure you this is
holding the camera I assure you this is a old female that’s got worn-out teeth
a old female that’s got worn-out teeth
a old female that’s got worn-out teeth she’s in the barafu pride we know that
she’s in the barafu pride we know that
she’s in the barafu pride we know that she’s made it we know she’s going to
she’s made it we know she’s going to
she’s made it we know she’s going to have these Cubs so I started visiting
have these Cubs so I started visiting
have these Cubs so I started visiting the bush where she’s at that’s the old
the bush where she’s at that’s the old
the bush where she’s at that’s the old lady’s daughter with her first litter
lady’s daughter with her first litter
lady’s daughter with her first litter she’s a little bit further down the
she’s a little bit further down the
she’s a little bit further down the creek bed with her new cook her first
creek bed with her new cook her first
creek bed with her new cook her first lip
she’s just nervous that the Cubs are
she’s just nervous that the Cubs are getting too close to us but this doesn’t
getting too close to us but this doesn’t
getting too close to us but this doesn’t happen overnight her mother had the
happen overnight her mother had the
happen overnight her mother had the collar on so we kept I kept checking the
collar on so we kept I kept checking the
collar on so we kept I kept checking the bush because we’ve done the math of when
bush because we’ve done the math of when
bush because we’ve done the math of when her Cubs should be born and just in our
her Cubs should be born and just in our
her Cubs should be born and just in our roots of going there all the time we run
roots of going there all the time we run
roots of going there all the time we run upon the daughter with tiny new fluff
upon the daughter with tiny new fluff
upon the daughter with tiny new fluff balls and her mom had fluff balls but as
balls and her mom had fluff balls but as
balls and her mom had fluff balls but as we’re going through this we know there’s
we’re going through this we know there’s
we’re going through this we know there’s a set of males that are out there called
a set of males that are out there called
a set of males that are out there called the killers two sets of brothers from
the killers two sets of brothers from
the killers two sets of brothers from the st. pride that’s the prior bumbu is
the st. pride that’s the prior bumbu is
the st. pride that’s the prior bumbu is their barafu is there and vumbi is over
their barafu is there and vumbi is over
their barafu is there and vumbi is over there and this is where the killers are
there and this is where the killers are
there and this is where the killers are based so when the killers took over Cuba
based so when the killers took over Cuba
based so when the killers took over Cuba where they killed those tin cups over
where they killed those tin cups over
where they killed those tin cups over days and months it killed them and then
days and months it killed them and then
days and months it killed them and then the next day the Cuban blue females were
the next day the Cuban blue females were
the next day the Cuban blue females were mating with these guys so they’re now
mating with these guys so they’re now
mating with these guys so they’re now partnered up this is the part about lion
partnered up this is the part about lion
partnered up this is the part about lion stuff that gets pretty weird and then
stuff that gets pretty weird and then
stuff that gets pretty weird and then the key bumbu females took the killers
the key bumbu females took the killers
the key bumbu females took the killers over the barafu pride and had them kill
over the barafu pride and had them kill
over the barafu pride and had them kill one of those females basically a hit
one of those females basically a hit
one of those females basically a hit contract hit and that’s what’s playing
contract hit and that’s what’s playing
contract hit and that’s what’s playing out but meanwhile vumbi is out and
out but meanwhile vumbi is out and
out but meanwhile vumbi is out and nobody wants their territory it’s not a
nobody wants their territory it’s not a
nobody wants their territory it’s not a valuable territory this the key boom
valuable territory this the key boom
valuable territory this the key boom boom and barafu prides are in a riverbed
boom and barafu prides are in a riverbed
boom and barafu prides are in a riverbed that’s exactly what the science says
that’s exactly what the science says
that’s exactly what the science says that lion cooperation comes from real
that lion cooperation comes from real
that lion cooperation comes from real estate but I was scared when I
estate but I was scared when I
estate but I was scared when I photographed the killers there were no
photographed the killers there were no
photographed the killers there were no difference in see boy and this is just
difference in see boy and this is just
difference in see boy and this is just our only moment where we could ever see
our only moment where we could ever see
our only moment where we could ever see all four of them they rarely all four
all four of them they rarely all four
all four of them they rarely all four together where they were together when
together where they were together when
together where they were together when they’ve been out on a raid
see boy appropriated that zebra carcass
see boy appropriated that zebra carcass that gone when we found him and it’s
that gone when we found him and it’s
that gone when we found him and it’s guarded it all day in the hot Sun
guarded it all day in the hot Sun
guarded it all day in the hot Sun evening at dusk he started eating it we
evening at dusk he started eating it we
evening at dusk he started eating it we last saw him dragging this toward a rock
last saw him dragging this toward a rock
last saw him dragging this toward a rock outcropping with 14 lines of 20 hyenas
outcropping with 14 lines of 20 hyenas
outcropping with 14 lines of 20 hyenas follow he’s calling for his friend he’ll
follow he’s calling for his friend he’ll
follow he’s calling for his friend he’ll do as scene healed or Noir I think he’ll
do as scene healed or Noir I think he’ll
do as scene healed or Noir I think he’ll door had a good night a lion can be
door had a good night a lion can be
door had a good night a lion can be exploding with meat like that and the
exploding with meat like that and the
exploding with meat like that and the next day look like he hasn’t eaten in a
next day look like he hasn’t eaten in a
next day look like he hasn’t eaten in a year
so they’re partners that’s one of the
so they’re partners that’s one of the vumbi Cubs females just harassing Hilde
vumbi Cubs females just harassing Hilde
vumbi Cubs females just harassing Hilde or they they kept him on his toes so
or they they kept him on his toes so
or they they kept him on his toes so we’re in our last trip of three long
we’re in our last trip of three long
we’re in our last trip of three long trips and we think we’re going to see
trips and we think we’re going to see
trips and we think we’re going to see the Cubs grow up and then disburse and
the Cubs grow up and then disburse and
the Cubs grow up and then disburse and that’s the story keeps going well the
that’s the story keeps going well the
that’s the story keeps going well the females start going into estrus all of
females start going into estrus all of
females start going into estrus all of our bum be females except for one the
our bum be females except for one the
our bum be females except for one the elderly one one after another went into
elderly one one after another went into
elderly one one after another went into estrus and so we had two months of lion
estrus and so we had two months of lion
estrus and so we had two months of lion sex that’s hild or you know with the
sex that’s hild or you know with the
sex that’s hild or you know with the cigarette that’s why they sleep all the
cigarette that’s why they sleep all the
cigarette that’s why they sleep all the time now we did learn a lot they do hunt
time now we did learn a lot they do hunt
time now we did learn a lot they do hunt with the dark moon the full moon is
with the dark moon the full moon is
with the dark moon the full moon is virtually useless too and that’s why the
virtually useless too and that’s why the
virtually useless too and that’s why the way we followed them is so important we
way we followed them is so important we
way we followed them is so important we knew every meal that had so we knew okay
knew every meal that had so we knew okay
knew every meal that had so we knew okay tonight it’s dark they’re hungry they’re
tonight it’s dark they’re hungry they’re
tonight it’s dark they’re hungry they’re going to work tonight but we never
going to work tonight but we never
going to work tonight but we never caused them to miss a meal I just want
caused them to miss a meal I just want
caused them to miss a meal I just want you to understand we were reverential
you to understand we were reverential
you to understand we were reverential about this business so we could watch
about this business so we could watch
about this business so we could watch with thermal which is a anything that’s
with thermal which is a anything that’s
with thermal which is a anything that’s warm-blooded glows and we had night
warm-blooded glows and we had night
warm-blooded glows and we had night vision to move the car we would never
vision to move the car we would never
vision to move the car we would never turn the lights on and we would try to
turn the lights on and we would try to
turn the lights on and we would try to get there as fast as we could that was
get there as fast as we could that was
get there as fast as we could that was our idea and so my dream is to go back
our idea and so my dream is to go back
our idea and so my dream is to go back and work longer in the Serengeti we had
and work longer in the Serengeti we had
and work longer in the Serengeti we had a little electric helicopter it’s quiet
a little electric helicopter it’s quiet
a little electric helicopter it’s quiet it’s not dangerous
so at night with dark moon we would do
so at night with dark moon we would do this kind of work in the light uses
this kind of work in the light uses
this kind of work in the light uses infrared spotlight that we have on our
infrared spotlight that we have on our
infrared spotlight that we have on our car
all of these stuff the cameras mounted
all of these stuff the cameras mounted on the bumper of our Land Rover
this is night that they killed this
this is night that they killed this Eiland which is well over a thousand
Eiland which is well over a thousand
Eiland which is well over a thousand pounds and see boy immediately
pounds and see boy immediately
pounds and see boy immediately appropriated it came out of nowhere he
appropriated it came out of nowhere he
appropriated it came out of nowhere he opened it up
opened it up
opened it up he ate the backhand out opened up the
he ate the backhand out opened up the
he ate the backhand out opened up the insides roared stood up and gave it to
insides roared stood up and gave it to
insides roared stood up and gave it to them and twenty minutes later it was
them and twenty minutes later it was
them and twenty minutes later it was gone again how close are we
gone again how close are we
gone again how close are we I’m sitting like this and they’re
I’m sitting like this and they’re
I’m sitting like this and they’re underneath me their tails and stuff are
underneath me their tails and stuff are
underneath me their tails and stuff are underneath me and that night I think I’m
underneath me and that night I think I’m
underneath me and that night I think I’m holding the flashes the infrared flashes
holding the flashes the infrared flashes
holding the flashes the infrared flashes with my feet and one of the Cubs had
with my feet and one of the Cubs had
with my feet and one of the Cubs had gotten all they wanted to eat came and
gotten all they wanted to eat came and
gotten all they wanted to eat came and reached inside and took the strobe off
reached inside and took the strobe off
reached inside and took the strobe off my foot and ran off with it and we never
my foot and ran off with it and we never
my foot and ran off with it and we never saw it again
saw it again
saw it again thank you
”
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