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00:00:21Over the course of my lifetime, I've visited many extraordinary places.
00:00:31I've met many fascinating creatures, but there are some with which I have felt an especially
00:00:41deep connection.
00:00:51They possess a strength and vigor that far surpasses ours.
00:01:01But when I look at them, it's not their size and their power that fills me with awe.
00:01:09It is the intelligence and awareness I see in their eyes when they look back at me.
00:01:23They fill me with an overwhelming sense of wonder and of fear.
00:01:35But not a fear of them, a fear that I, we, may have missed something.
00:01:47Something important, a deeper understanding of what and who they are, and what that might
00:01:58mean for us.
00:02:17I remember the first time I met mountain gorillas.
00:02:27Monday, the 9th of January, 1978.
00:02:33The perfect cones of the Virunga Volcanoes ahead.
00:02:43We start the one-and-a-half-hour walk up the mountain.
00:02:49Slowly, the nondescript bush transforms into the high-altitude rainforest.
00:03:01Long-branched trees loaded with cushions of epithites, green ribbon-leaved ferns with wispy pallid Spanish moss everywhere.
00:03:21We found a group of females and juveniles in a small hearing.
00:03:27And to my astonishment, they allowed me to approach.
00:03:40This would not have been possible without the pioneering work of Diane Fossey.
00:03:49She lived among the gorillas, studying the intimate details of their lives.
00:04:01Because we did as we were instructed by Diane, they accepted us on those same terms.
00:04:09I had to pause and exchange a deep-throated grunt, the reassurance noise, meaning, I'm here.
00:04:21Their sight, their hearing, their sense of smell are so similar to ours, that we see the world in the
00:04:30same way as they do.
00:04:33And so, if there was a possibility of escaping the human condition and living imaginatively in another creature's world, it
00:04:43must be with a gorilla.
00:04:50What I don't say there is that this wasn't supposed to be a film of meeting gorillas directly.
00:05:01The function of the sequence was the importance of the thumb and forefinger, the opposable thumb and forefinger.
00:05:10We didn't think we were going to be in touch with them.
00:05:13We would just sit there and talk about them.
00:05:17I turned, while lying on the ground, I turned and looked back at the camera.
00:05:21I felt a weight on my feet.
00:05:24And I looked down there, there was a little Pablo.
00:05:33I couldn't talk about the evolution of the thumb and forefinger.
00:05:37I just sat back and let it happen.
00:05:58Look at this lovely little creature, I mean, absolutely engaging, you want to hug him.
00:06:03I mean, you know, you just, just, just, just, just, you know, bliss, really.
00:06:13Many people would think it was the most important sequence in that series.
00:06:17If not actually in my filmed life.
00:06:23There is more meaning and mutual understanding in exchanging of plants with a gorilla than any other animal I know.
00:06:38I have no idea at the time what an incredible life Pablo would lead.
00:06:45Or the legacy he would leave behind.
00:06:52Now I have the chance to tell Pablo's story.
00:06:55And that of his descendants who still inhabit those mountain slopes in the Virungas.
00:07:13Almost 50 years later, this gorilla family, now known as the Pablo group, are at a crossroads in their story.
00:07:35The dominant silverback and the leader of the group is Gitchurassi.
00:07:41Gitchurassi.
00:07:44Gitchurassi.
00:07:50Gitchurassi.
00:07:55He is one of the oldest and most experienced gorillas on the mountain.
00:08:07And the Pablo group has enjoyed a period of stability under his leadership.
00:08:18That stability is, in part, down to his most important ally.
00:08:24Gitchurassi.
00:08:29Gitchurassi.
00:08:30Gitchurassi.
00:08:31Gitchurassi.
00:08:39Gitchurassi.
00:08:40Gitchurassi.
00:08:41Gitchurassi.
00:08:42Gitchurassi.
00:08:42Gitchurassi.
00:08:43Gitchurassi.
00:08:43Gitchurassi.
00:08:43Gitchurassi.
00:08:44Gitchurassi.
00:08:50Gitchurassi.
00:08:53Teta and Gichurassi share a unique bond.
00:09:09With her by his side, he has maintained power for five long years.
00:09:37They are the heart of this guerrilla family.
00:09:55But Gichurassi is now well beyond his physical peak.
00:10:03And there are others waiting in line.
00:10:11Ubwuzu.
00:10:15An up-and-coming silverback.
00:10:19Very big.
00:10:22Very strong.
00:10:26With ambitions of his own.
00:10:33Gichurassi is losing his strength.
00:10:39And Ubwuzu wants to take over as leader.
00:11:08But for now, the group are fixated on Teta's baby.
00:11:18Just as for us, a newborn is a source of fascination.
00:11:34But she's only a few months old.
00:11:37So Teta must keep her out of harm's way.
00:11:42Especially when things get a bit rowdy.
00:12:00Gorillas of all ages like to play.
00:12:13It's an important part of forging and maintaining bonds.
00:12:38But Ubwuzu is not interested in playing games.
00:12:51Right now, he is focused on Gichurassi.
00:12:59He has outgrown the older male and is trying to intimidate him.
00:13:18But leading a gorilla group is not just about brute strength.
00:13:26As I saw for myself all those years ago in Rwanda.
00:13:37The dominant silverback is Beethoven.
00:13:39Probably 30 years old.
00:13:50He has an aggressive strut.
00:13:54He comes in and this is a huge animal.
00:13:57I mean, huge compared with you.
00:13:59I mean, just one thumb from his fist could crack your head over.
00:14:05However, Beethoven had another side to him.
00:14:10And it was revealed to me through his relationship with little Pablo.
00:14:18Not long after I met him, his mother disappeared.
00:14:22And he was left to fend for himself.
00:14:31Without the protection of his mother, a gorilla of Pablo's age would have struggled to survive.
00:14:38But then something remarkable happened.
00:14:42Beethoven, the giant silverback, took him under his wing.
00:14:53He tried his best to care for him as his mother would have done.
00:15:03And Pablo was always by his side.
00:15:15He watched.
00:15:21And he learned.
00:15:30With Beethoven as a father figure, Pablo began to thrive.
00:15:38It was a relationship that would change Pablo's life forever.
00:15:53Just like the gorillas I met,
00:15:57there are many different personalities within the Pablo group today.
00:16:08And there is one who reminds me of Pablo himself.
00:16:19Not only does he look very similar,
00:16:22he seems to have the same boldness and curiosity.
00:16:30But he has a special fascination with one gorilla in particular.
00:16:39Imphura.
00:16:58Imphura is at a difficult age.
00:17:02He's on the cusp of adulthood.
00:17:05And his back is beginning to show signs of silver.
00:17:11But his mind is still young.
00:17:30The gorillas are highly social creatures.
00:17:33And exist in a network of different relationships.
00:17:37That help shape who they are.
00:17:40And who they will become.
00:17:48It's clear that Imphura has a playful and caring side.
00:17:55But his size and strength are new to him.
00:18:02And it hasn't gone unnoticed.
00:18:23Oh my god.
00:18:27And it's too long.
00:18:27And it's too long.
00:18:28And it's too long for them.
00:18:36And it's too long to die.
00:18:37The gares and life are the ones from the top?
00:18:38And the water.
00:18:42And the water is completely fine.
00:18:42And it's like the water is very quiet.
00:18:43And it's so quiet too.
00:18:49And it's so quiet,
00:18:50but it's so quiet.
00:18:50And you're really a bit older
00:18:50to a male destroyer.
00:18:52No, I'm not an adult.
00:18:53has been seriously injured by Ub'wuzu.
00:18:59It seems brutal, but every silverback has a violent side.
00:19:09And it's natural for Ub'wuzu to try to eliminate his competition.
00:19:18But Imfura is still young.
00:19:23And he didn't know how to defend himself.
00:19:54The Pablo group are waking up.
00:20:07At 12,000 feet, this is the very top of their mountain kingdom.
00:20:13Come on.
00:20:15Let's go.
00:20:46Obwuzu is on the move.
00:20:54Many silverbacks have ruled these mountains.
00:21:00Now Obwuzu is ready to take his turn.
00:21:24But the rest of the group have yet to be convinced.
00:21:28And his frustration is building.
00:21:41The point is not to frighten them.
00:21:49It's to show them how frightening he can be, how capable he would be as their leader.
00:22:03Guichirassi is watching.
00:22:07But for some reason, he does not react.
00:22:20When you look at any gorilla, you can't help but imagine what it is they are thinking
00:22:27or feeling, what it is that they want or what they intend to do.
00:22:40It's impossible to know for sure.
00:22:46We can only observe and wonder.
00:22:53One thing is certain however, despite their size, gorillas are complex and sensitive creatures.
00:23:02Each one is different with their own unique personality.
00:23:13And like us, they are shaped by all their life experiences.
00:23:18The good and the bad.
00:23:41Infora's wounds are healing.
00:23:44But he's staying away from the group.
00:24:01At this stage of life, male gorillas can become very isolated.
00:24:14And even their own families become wary of them.
00:24:28Young males like Imfura sometimes choose to leave their group to start their own family.
00:24:36And sometimes they're left with no choice but to leave.
00:25:01There are other groups out there.
00:25:05Imfura can't see them.
00:25:08But he can hear them.
00:25:10But he can hear them.
00:25:15And some are much larger and more powerful than the Pablo group.
00:25:36With such big numbers and so many silverbacks, outbreaks of violence are more common.
00:25:50Getting caught alone by one of these large groups would be extremely dangerous for Imfura.
00:25:58Infora.
00:25:59Infora.
00:26:18Infora.
00:26:20Infora.
00:26:20Infora.
00:26:20Infora.
00:26:37Infora.
00:26:42Infora.
00:26:48What?
00:26:51The papillogroup's range is about three square miles.
00:26:58And it contains many different types of plants that make up most of their diet.
00:27:11But gorillas are opportunistic.
00:27:24And Ubuzu has stumbled across something different.
00:27:43Ants.
00:27:46But these are army ants who have powerful jaws.
00:28:01And they bite back.
00:28:03Jolly.
00:28:04Jolly Maya.
00:28:31The excitement brings in others.
00:28:56One of the jobs of a dominant silverback is to guide the group to good feeding areas.
00:29:13And, more importantly, to bring the group together.
00:29:25Wuzu's influence is growing.
00:29:41Silverbacks communicate in complex ways.
00:29:47And body language plays a big part.
00:30:03Where you sit and how you move says a lot.
00:30:18Udwuzu is challenging Gichirazzi by moving directly towards him.
00:30:27As the group's leader, Gichirazzi should see him off.
00:30:31But he does nothing.
00:30:39Teta is watching closely.
00:30:49Confrontations between silverbacks can escalate quickly.
00:30:58Udwuzu, attack.
00:31:16Silverbacks are more than twice the size of an adult man.
00:31:24They are many times stronger.
00:31:35And fights can end in death.
00:32:02Udwuzu emerges unscathed.
00:32:14But there's no sign of Gichirazzi.
00:32:40Gichirazzi has survived the fight.
00:32:44But he's been badly beaten.
00:32:48Dominated by the younger male in front of the whole group.
00:33:04As dominant female, Teta must show the group who she supports.
00:33:20She leaves with the older male.
00:33:26And the group follows.
00:33:32After leading for five years, Gichirazzi has earned their loyalty.
00:33:44Udwuzu has been rejected.
00:33:54Not every silverback has what it takes to lead.
00:33:59Success or failure comes down to character.
00:34:09I only knew Pablo as a three-year-old.
00:34:12But it was clear that he was a unique character even then.
00:34:19Having been adopted and raised by a powerful silverback,
00:34:23by the time he was 18, he was ready to lead for himself.
00:34:33He broke away to form his own group, the Pablo Group.
00:34:42However, Pablo was an unconventional leader.
00:34:46When he was challenged by a rival silverback from within his own group,
00:34:51instead of fighting, Pablo took the opportunity to form a powerful alliance with him.
00:34:59By replacing aggression with cooperation between them,
00:35:04they took the group from strength to strength.
00:35:10At their peak, the Pablo Group was 65 in number,
00:35:14the biggest group of mountain guerrillas ever known.
00:35:38And among them was a young male who would one day become leader himself.
00:35:47Gichurasi.
00:35:58But now, Gichurasi's dominance is being challenged.
00:36:04The question is, does he fight back?
00:36:08Or can he learn to cooperate with Udwuzu?
00:36:36Despite winning the fight with Gichurasi, Udwuzu is still not being acknowledged as leader
00:36:43by the rest of the group.
00:36:47Or Teta.
00:36:50Without the support of the dominant female, Udwuzu may never win over the group.
00:37:03Or can he work with Oudwuzu?
00:37:04Or at the same time.
00:37:06Or at the same time.
00:37:12Or at the same time?
00:37:26And also growing up and making justice.
00:37:27Or at the same time.
00:37:41But Teta's allegiance may be shifting.
00:37:50By leaving Guchirassi's side and joining Obuzu,
00:37:57she's signaling her support for the younger male.
00:38:20And Guchirassi steps aside.
00:38:38She's oil, and she doesn't allow her.
00:38:41I could have ate a couple of pictures.
00:38:43I could not go and get a good friend.
00:38:43If this is my sister's life,
00:38:43But I was back to my sister.
00:38:58Ubuzu is now the leader of the Pablo group.
00:39:03But this is just the beginning.
00:39:07Taking over the leadership is one thing.
00:39:12Staying on top and keeping everyone safe is another.
00:39:50There is a new arrival to the group, an immigrant female from the other side of the mountain.
00:40:02Inyange has left the group where she was born and joined the Pablo group, so she may start
00:40:09a family of her own.
00:40:13It's a difficult move, but one driven by instinct, and it avoids inbreeding.
00:40:23She needs to form her own relationships here, but she's still a stranger to the Pablo group
00:40:29and must tread carefully.
00:41:03I'll be right back.
00:41:19Ubuzu and Gichurati are adjusting to their new relationship.
00:41:27Now that Ubuzu is in charge, he must learn to temper his aggression, and Gichurati must learn
00:41:36to respect his authority.
00:41:45It's still tense, but their body language suggests a level of cooperation may be developing.
00:41:54Which is putting the rest of the group at ease.
00:42:44As they drift in and out of consciousness...
00:42:49A powerful sense of togetherness and belonging is expressed in a chain of tender physical
00:42:57contacts.
00:43:02The intimate and unmistakable bonds of a close-knit gorilla family.
00:43:18The younger members of the group will only rest for so long.
00:43:32Ubu is also stirring.
00:43:45And he's leaving his mother to explore.
00:44:02Infura is recovering from yet another beating.
00:44:20He's now lost nearly all meaningful contact with the group.
00:44:27It seems that Ubu is Infura's only remaining friend.
00:44:48But something is not right.
00:45:15Ubu's mother is close by.
00:45:34She seems to be sending a message to Infura.
00:45:37Stay away from my baby.
00:46:00Everyone is turning their back on Infura.
00:46:04Infura.
00:46:05Infura.
00:46:22Infura.
00:46:23Infura.
00:46:24Infura.
00:46:25Infura.
00:46:26Infura.
00:46:26Infura.
00:46:38Infura.
00:46:40Infura.
00:46:42Infura.
00:46:43Infura.
00:46:44Infura.
00:46:46Infura.
00:46:46Infura.
00:46:46As dominant female.
00:46:48This could be a very important relationship for Nyange.
00:47:04If Teta allows Inyange to be close to her family,
00:47:08it will send a message to the rest of the group.
00:47:21And Teta seems to be welcoming her,
00:47:29even trusting Inyange to hold her baby.
00:47:37Young females do this instinctively.
00:47:40It prepares them for motherhood.
00:47:54Inyange's arrival is a positive sign
00:47:57for both the Pablo group and Obutu.
00:48:05Durilu families are always looking to grow.
00:48:09There's strength in numbers.
00:48:27Inyange has arrived at an especially good time.
00:48:34Obutu, having taken over as leader,
00:48:37is keen to have offspring of his own.
00:48:51.
00:49:06With new females arriving,
00:49:10and, hopefully, new babies on the way,
00:49:15the group may well grow
00:49:17and become more powerful under Obutu's leadership.
00:49:47.
00:49:53Infora has been excluded from group life for many months.
00:49:58.
00:50:11He's now moving down the mountain alone.
00:50:16.
00:50:23A war marks the limit of the good riddler's forest.
00:50:28.
00:50:36Infora has reached the edge of their world.
00:50:41.
00:50:42.
00:50:43.
00:50:43.
00:50:43.
00:50:44.
00:50:57.
00:50:58.
00:50:58.
00:50:58.
00:50:58.
00:50:58.
00:50:58.
00:51:08.
00:51:08.
00:51:08.
00:51:08.
00:51:08into the human world.
00:51:16People have lived here for thousands of years.
00:51:22And they, too, depend on the land.
00:52:06The relationship between humans and gorillas has always been a difficult one.
00:52:11When I was in Rwanda almost 50 years ago, poaching had pushed the gorilla population to the very brink of
00:52:18extinction.
00:52:19There were only around 250 gorillas left in the Wurrunga mountains.
00:52:30There might not be mountain gorillas at all had it not been for Diane Fossey.
00:52:44When poachers began killing the gorillas she had come to know and love, she dedicated her life to protecting them
00:52:54by whatever means possible.
00:53:05Even after her death, her pioneering study of gorillas continued.
00:53:13Over the years, many others were inspired to protect the gorillas from within Rwanda and beyond.
00:53:25And attempts to conserve them became increasingly successful.
00:53:39Today, Rwanda's gorilla population has largely recovered.
00:53:49But while their population has grown, the mountains have not.
00:54:07What does this mean for Imphura?
00:54:13And where does he go from here?
00:54:20Many gorillas are crowded into the same space.
00:54:24It's changing their behavior.
00:54:27And their relationships with each other.
00:54:35Imphura is not welcome in the Pablo group.
00:54:41He's been up the mountain and all the way down.
00:54:52He's running out of options.
00:55:06He may be destined to be a lone silverback.
00:55:11The most unpredictable animals on the mountain.
00:55:15He's not.
00:55:44He can't even rhythm with him.
00:55:45He's not playing the same way.
00:55:45But he's not a pole.
00:55:52Oobuzo is now securely on top.
00:55:58The group is stable, and it's growing.
00:56:05There are two brand new babies, one of which is Inyangis.
00:56:17Oobuzo's first offspring as leader.
00:56:26Gorilla newborns are completely dependent on their mothers.
00:56:30And gorilla mothers are completely devoted to their babies.
00:56:38They are inseparable for the first few months of life.
00:56:56Inyangi is a first-time mother, and understandably nervous.
00:57:11Oobuzo is keeping a close eye on her, and he's been doing a good job protecting her.
00:57:25But as the dominant silverback, Oobuzo can't only watch over Inyangi.
00:57:32There are other females who want his attention.
00:57:46These displays are an invitation to mate.
00:58:06Oobuzo accepts and leaves the group unprotected.
00:58:41Inyangis is kept in for the last years.
00:58:51While Ubuzu was distracted, something terrible has happened.
00:59:14And Yankee's baby has been killed.
00:59:27The injuries suggest that a gorilla was responsible.
01:00:08I can't do it.
01:00:11The other females in the group surround her.
01:00:28Only Inyangi knows exactly what happened.
01:00:35And who is responsible.
01:00:43She may be a recent arrival to the group,
01:00:46but her loss seems to have affected everyone.
01:01:11Inyangi has taken herself away.
01:01:17But at least she's not alone.
01:01:24Obuzu was the baby's father.
01:01:30But he failed to defend Inyangi and their baby.
01:02:02Inyangi has taken herself away.
01:02:04It has been four days since Inyangi's baby was killed.
01:02:12Losing an infant in this way could cause the group to lose confidence in their leader.
01:02:19And may even fracture the group.
01:02:30But for now, they're huddled around Obuzu.
01:02:35And Inyangi is right by his side.
01:02:49Something has frightened her.
01:02:59Infora has returned.
01:03:04Her reaction tells Obuzu everything he needs to know.
01:03:09Infora killed Inyangi's baby.
01:03:15And he's now a threat to everyone.
01:03:19And he's now a threat to everyone.
01:03:27Obuzu attacks.
01:03:40But now, Infora is much stronger.
01:03:50Kichurasi joins in.
01:04:14Infora gets away!
01:04:22But he's not gone far.
01:04:30for the last year while he's been excluded from group life he has never left it completely
01:04:43but now a line has been crossed
01:04:49he has killed a member of his own family
01:05:03the group is gathered around their leader Ubuzu
01:05:20and now he is leading them on a mission
01:05:42Imfura is making his way up the mountain
01:05:46but he's not alone
01:05:50Ubuzu is close behind
01:05:52with Teta and Kichurasi by his side
01:06:11they're pushing Imfura all the way out
01:06:36Imfura is crossing into the next valley
01:06:39alone
01:06:58perhaps he was always going to end up here
01:07:03or perhaps there's only so many beatings a gorilla can take
01:07:21Imfura may now wander the mountains alone for years
01:07:28or maybe he will find a family of his own one day
01:07:34only time will tell
01:08:03we'll be here for you
01:08:05It's all
01:08:06We'll start from a journey
01:08:06We'll start from a meeting
01:08:06and the next one
01:08:09There is at least one member of the group who will miss Imphura.
01:08:19Ubi is probably too young to understand the events that have unfolded here.
01:08:27But Imphura was his friend.
01:08:31And now his friend has gone.
01:08:36And now his friend has gone.
01:08:51However, Ubi, just like little Pablo, is very adaptable.
01:08:56And he seems intent on making a new big friend.
01:09:07Ubuzu.
01:09:22It's been a testing year for Ubuzu.
01:09:26But he's grown into his role as leader.
01:09:33And maybe now a friendship with Ubi is exactly what he needs in his life.
01:09:38Thank you, Ubi.
01:09:52What?
01:10:03Gitchirassi is no longer in charge here,
01:10:06but he's filling a new role
01:10:08by supporting a younger, stronger silverback.
01:10:14He has a lot of knowledge
01:10:16and will be a great help to Obwuzu.
01:10:21This may well be the most important role of his life.
01:10:35Teta has played a critical part
01:10:38in supporting the leadership transition,
01:10:42and she and her family are doing well.
01:10:49Her baby is now almost two years old.
01:10:55She is growing in strength
01:10:59and in character.
01:11:20Inyange has had a tough time.
01:11:23She lost her first baby,
01:11:26and we can only imagine
01:11:28that this will have a lasting impact on her.
01:11:33But she is now an established member
01:11:36of the Pablo group.
01:11:41And part of something
01:11:43that is at the very heart of guerrilla life.
01:12:03The Pablo group
01:12:05is not the perfect family.
01:12:09No family is.
01:12:16But they have stuck together
01:12:18through some very difficult times.
01:12:27And right now,
01:12:28things are looking up for the Pablo group.
01:12:35As indeed, they are
01:12:37for the species as a whole.
01:12:47Today, there are over
01:12:49600 mountain guerrillas
01:12:51across the Veronica Mountains.
01:12:54Their population
01:12:55has more than doubled
01:12:56since I was there
01:12:58almost 50 years ago.
01:13:12It's one of the greatest
01:13:14conservation success stories
01:13:16that I've witnessed.
01:13:21And perhaps that's down
01:13:23to the profound connection
01:13:25people feel towards guerrillas.
01:13:28It's a connection
01:13:29that has stayed with me
01:13:31my whole life.
01:13:37And it all began
01:13:38with one special little guerrilla.
01:13:47Despite a difficult start in life,
01:13:50Pablo grew into a strong
01:13:52strong and charismatic leader.
01:14:00He remained devoted to his family
01:14:02until the very end.
01:14:11This is some of the last known footage
01:14:14of Pablo.
01:14:17At 33 years old,
01:14:20while defending his group
01:14:21from a rival guerrilla,
01:14:23the great silverback
01:14:25was killed.
01:14:29I will never forget him
01:14:35or the impact
01:14:37he had on me.
01:14:43The words I use are
01:14:44there's more meaning
01:14:46in exchanging a glance
01:14:48with a guerrilla
01:14:49than with any other animal
01:14:51I know.
01:14:52And I stick by that.
01:14:54I think that's true.
01:14:56I don't want you
01:14:58but I think that's true.
01:15:18I think that's true.
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