- 10 hours ago
A Gorilla Story Told By David Attenborough
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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.
00:00:52They possess a strength and vigor that far surpasses ours.
00:01:02But 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.
00:01:56And what that might mean for us.
00:02:18I remember the first time I met mountain gorillas.
00:02:27Monday, the 9th of January, 1978.
00:02:34The perfect cones of the Virunga volcanoes ahead.
00:02:43We start the one-and-a-half-hour walk up the mountain.
00:02:50Slowly the nondescript bush transforms into the high-altitude rainforest.
00:03:01Long-branched trees loaded with cushions of epiphytes.
00:03:08Green ribbon-leaved ferns with whiskly pallid Spanish moss everywhere.
00:03:21We found a group of females and juveniles in a small clearing.
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
00:04:44must 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. We would just sit there and talk about
00:05:15them.
00:05:17I turned, so lying on the ground, I turned and looked back at the camera.
00:05:21I felt a weight on my feet. And I looked down there, there was little Pablo.
00:05:34I couldn't talk about the evolution of the thumb and forefinger. I just sat back and let it happen.
00:05:58Look at this lovely little creature. I mean, it's absolutely engaging. You want to hug him.
00:06:03You know, just, just, just, just your 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.
00:06:24There is more meaning and mutual understanding in exchanging the plants with a gorilla than any other animal I know.
00:06:39I have no idea at the time what an incredible life Pablo would lead.
00:06:46Or 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 Gichurasi.
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.
00:08:29Teta is the dominant female.
00:08:41She has the respect of the group and they follow her lead.
00:08:53Teta and Gichurasi 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 gorilla family.
00:09:55But Gichurasi is now well beyond his physical peak.
00:10:03And there are others waiting in line.
00:10:06And there are others waiting in line.
00:10:11Ubuzu.
00:10:15An up and coming silverback.
00:10:20Very big.
00:10:23Very strong.
00:10:26With ambitions of his own.
00:10:33Gichurasi.
00:10:35Gichurasi is losing his strength.
00:10:40And Ubuzu wants to take over as leader.
00:11:09But 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.
00:12:01Gorillas of all ages like to play.
00:12:13It's an important part of forging and maintaining bonds.
00:12:38But Ubuzu is not interested in playing games.
00:12:43But Ubuzu is not interested in playing games.
00:12:51But Ubuzu is not interested in playing games.
00:12:52Right now, he is focused on Gichurasi.
00:12:59He has outgrown the older male.
00:13:02And 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.
00:13:40Probably 30 years old.
00:13:51He 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 thump from his fist could crack your head over.
00:14:06However, 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.
00:14:32Without the protection of his mother, a gorilla of Pablo's age would have struggled to survive.
00:14:39But 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.
00:15:16He watched.
00:15:17He watched.
00:15:22And 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, there 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.
00:16:58He is at a difficult age.
00:16:59Imphura is at a difficult age.
00:17:02He is 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.
00:17:30Gorillas are highly social creatures
00:17:33and exist in a network of different relationships
00:17:37that help shape who they are
00:17:41and 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.
00:18:22He's a good monk.
00:18:22What a true monk to the friend of Life.
00:18:23It is and it's gone...
00:18:24In this case, I still have a place to go.
00:18:25I was there...
00:18:25You, you...
00:18:27To the anna...
00:18:31...computer would have to do that.
00:18:32I mean, I can't...
00:18:33...cause I used to be the same.
00:18:34You, you, the other is...
00:18:34You, you, you...
00:18:37You know, you're here.
00:18:52Infora has been seriously injured by Ubuntu.
00:18:59It seems brutal, but every silverback has a violent side.
00:19:09And it's natural for Ubuzu to try to eliminate his competition, but Imfora is still young, and he didn't know
00:19:24how to defend himself.
00:19:53The Papalo group are waking up.
00:20:07At 12,000 feet, this is the very top of their mountain kingdom.
00:20:42It's better than he is.
00:20:46Ub'wuzu is on the move.
00:20:54Many silverbacks have ruled these mountains.
00:20:59Now Ub'wuzu is ready to take his turn.
00:21:24But the rest of the group have yet to be convinced.
00:21:29And his frustration is building.
00:21:42The point is not to frighten them.
00:21:49It's to show them how frightening he can be.
00:21:54How 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,
00:22:24you can't help but imagine what it is they're thinking or feeling.
00:22:30What it is that they want or what they intend to do.
00:22:41It's impossible to know for sure.
00:22:46We can only observe and wonder.
00:22:53One thing is certain, however, despite their size,
00:22:58gorillas are complex and sensitive creatures.
00:23:02Each one is different with their own unique personality.
00:23:13And, like us, they're shaped by all their life experiences.
00:23:18The good...
00:23:20and 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.
00:24:13At this stage of life, male gorillas can become very isolated.
00:24:17And I'm wary of them.
00:24:27Young males, like Infora,
00:24:30sometimes choose to leave their group to start their own family.
00:24:37And sometimes, they're left with no choice but to leave.
00:24:41And sometimes, they're left with no choice but to leave.
00:25:01There are other groups out there.
00:25:05Infora can't see them.
00:25:08But he can hear them.
00:25:15And some are much larger and more powerful than the Pablo group.
00:25:36With such big numbers,
00:25:38and so many silverbacks,
00:25:40outbreaks of violence are more common.
00:25:51Getting caught alone by one of these large groups
00:25:55would be extremely dangerous for Infora.
00:26:29and they're almost as high as they can.
00:26:30There's two big numbers.
00:26:30I can't hear them.
00:26:36And they're more common.
00:26:41Obwuzu is looking for food with some of the family.
00:26:51The papillogroup's range is about three square miles.
00:26:59And it contains many different types of plants that make up most of their diet.
00:27:11But gorillas are opportunistic.
00:27:25And Obwuzu has stumbled across something different.
00:27:43Ants.
00:27:46But these are army ants who have powerful jaws.
00:28:02And they bite back.
00:28:03And they bite back.
00:28:33And it 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.
00:29:25Obwuzu'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.
00:30:18Obwuzu is challenging Gichirazi by moving directly towards him.
00:30:27As the group's leader, Gichirazi should see him off.
00:30:33But he does nothing.
00:30:39Teta is watching closely.
00:30:49Confrontations between silverbacks can escalate quickly.
00:30:58Obwuzu attacks.
00:31:02Silverbacks.
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.
00:32:02Obwuzu emerges unscathed.
00:32:15But there's no sign of Gichirazi.
00:32:40Gichirazi has survived the fight.
00:32:45But he's been badly beaten.
00:32:48Dominated by the younger male in front of the whole group.
00:33:05As 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, Gichirazi has earned their loyalty.
00:33:44Obwuzu has been rejected.
00:33:54Not every silverback has what it takes to lead.
00:33:59Success or failure comes down to character.
00:34:10I only knew Pablo as a three-year-old.
00:34:13But 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.
00:34:47When he was challenged by a rival silverback from within his own group.
00:34:52Instead 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.
00:35:47Gichirazi.
00:35:59But now Gichirazi's dominance is being challenged.
00:36:05The question is, does he fight back?
00:36:08Or can he learn to cooperate with Ubuzu?
00:36:36Despite winning the fight with Gichirazi,
00:36:40Ubuzu is still not being acknowledged as leader by the rest of the group.
00:36:48Or Teta.
00:36:50Without the support of the dominant female,
00:36:54Ubuzu may never win over the group.
00:37:02So if you're healed of sometimes sometimes but sure that if you lose.
00:37:41But Teta's allegiance may be shifting.
00:37:50By leaving Guchirassi's side and joining Obuzu,
00:37:57she's signalling her support for the younger male.
00:38:20And Guchirassi steps aside.
00:38:30Where are you?
00:38:50She's in love.
00:38:53She's in love.
00:38:58Ibuzu is now the leader of the Pablo group, but this is just the beginning.
00:39:08Taking over the leadership is one thing.
00:39:13Staying on top and keeping everyone safe is another.
00:39:50There is a new arrival to the group.
00:39:55An 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.
00:40:14It'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.
00:40:33She needs her work, so we can speak for him.
00:40:33See you soon, I think she needs to be studied maybe.
00:40:42Let's go.
00:41:19Obwuzu and Gichurati are adjusting to their new relationship.
00:41:28Now that Obwuzu is in charge, he must learn to temper his aggression.
00:41:34And Gichurati must learn to 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.
00:41:57Let's go.
00:41:57Let's go.
00:42:13Let's go.
00:42:15Let's go.
00:42:27Let's go.
00:42:29Let's go.
00:42:54Let's go.
00:43:08Let's go.
00:43:18The younger members of the group will only rest for so long.
00:43:23Let's go.
00:43:50Let's go.
00:43:53Let's go.
00:44:02Let's go.
00:44:05Let's go.
00:44:12Let's go.
00:44:15Let's go.
00:44:20Let's go.
00:44:21Let's go.
00:44:32Let's go.
00:44:38Let's go.
00:44:41Let's go.
00:45:10Let's go.
00:45:10Let's go.
00:45:27Let's go.
00:45:38Let's go.
00:45:40Let's go.
00:45:40Let's go.
00:45:50Let's go.
00:45:52Let's go.
00:45:56Let's go.
00:46:00Let's go.
00:46:01Everyone is turning their back on Imphora.
00:46:23Let's go.
00:46:28Let's go.
00:46:35In yangi, the newly arrived female, has been observing the group for a while now, especially
00:46:43Teto.
00:46:46As dominant female, this could be a very important relationship for in yangi, but it's
00:47:04If Teta allows Inyange to be close to her family,
00:47:08it'll send a message to the rest of the group.
00:47:22And 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 Obuzu.
00:48:05Durilu families are always looking to grow.
00:48:10There's strength in numbers.
00:48:27Inyange has arrived at an especially good time.
00:48:34Obuzu, having taken over as leader,
00:48:37is keen to have offspring of his own.
00:48:52.
00:49:06With new females arriving,
00:49:10and hopefully new babies on the way,
00:49:15the group may well grow and become more powerful
00:49:19under Obuzu's leadership.
00:49:53Infora has been excluded from group life for many months.
00:50:12He's now moving down the mountain alone.
00:50:23A war marks the limit of the guerrilla's forest.
00:50:36Infora has reached the edge of their world.
00:50:40Ah Lord?
00:51:01If He hadn't who actually learned about it
00:51:05by Had Naftali's her way,
00:51:06in the camp number not been deleted.
00:51:07This has returned to the Videos of the Would.
00:51:10in the human world.
00:51:17People have lived here for thousands of years.
00:51:23And they, too, depend on the land.
00:52:06The relationship between humans and gorillas
00:52:09has always been a tough one.
00:52:11When I was in Rwanda almost 50 years ago,
00:52:14poaching had pushed the gorilla population
00:52:17to the very brink of extinction.
00:52:19There were only around 250 gorillas left
00:52:23in the Virunga Mountains.
00:52:30There might not be mountain gorillas at all
00:52:34had it not been for Diane Fossey.
00:52:44When poachers began killing the gorillas
00:52:47she had come to know and love,
00:52:51she dedicated her life to protecting them
00:52:56by whatever means possible.
00:53:05Even after her death,
00:53:07her pioneering study of gorillas
00:53:10continued.
00:53:14Over the years,
00:53:15many others were inspired to protect the gorillas
00:53:19from within Rwanda and beyond.
00:53:26And attempts to conserve them
00:53:28became increasingly successful.
00:53:39Today, Rwanda's gorilla population has largely recovered.
00:53:49But while their population has grown,
00:53:53the 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
00:54:26and their relationships with each other.
00:54:35Imphura is not welcome in the Pablo group.
00:54:42He's been up the mountain
00:54:45and 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.
00:55:17Well,
00:55:41these are coca autour of us,
00:55:52Ubuzu is now securely on top.
00:55:58The group is stable, and it's growing.
00:56:05There are two brand new babies.
00:56:12One of which is in Yangis.
00:56:17Ubuzu's first offspring as a leader.
00:56:26Gorilla newborns are completely dependent on their mothers.
00:56:31And gorilla mothers are completely devoted to their babies.
00:56:39They are inseparable for the first few months of life.
00:56:56In Yangi is a first-time mother, and understandably nervous.
00:57:11Ubuzu is keeping a close eye on her, and he's been doing a good job protecting her.
00:57:25But as the dominant silverback, Ubuzu can't only watch over in Yangi.
00:57:33There are other females who want his attention.
00:57:46These displays are an invitation to mate.
00:58:06Ubuzu accepts, and leaves the group unprotected.
00:58:19There are other people who want their cousin.
00:58:25Ubuzu is extremely low.
00:58:25There are two men.
00:58:27There are two men.
00:58:27They are over, and they are not gonna be accustomed to.
00:58:28I need them to be a team known to recognize their mother.
00:58:30The wonder they will have the only one?
00:58:30There are three men who want their sons who want their parents.
00:58:30And the other men who want their sons to be a pastor.
00:58:30Can't believe in that, are you?
00:58:31Are you?
00:58:33I need them.
00:58:52While Obuzio was distracted, something terrible has happened.
00:59:15A youngish baby has been killed.
00:59:26The injuries suggest that a gorilla was responsible.
01:00:00A youngish baby has been killed.
01:00:01A youngish baby has been killed.
01:00:12A youngish baby has been killed.
01:00:12The other females in the group surround her.
01:00:28Only Inyangi knows exactly what happened.
01:00:36And who is responsible?
01:00:44She may be a recent arrival to the group, but her loss seems to have affected everyone.
01:01:11Inyangi has taken herself away.
01:01:17But at least she's not alone.
01:01:24Obuzio was the baby's father.
01:01:30But he failed to defend Inyangi and their baby.
01:01:35Inyangi
01:01:55Inyangi
01:02:02Inyangi
01:02:05It 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 Obuzio.
01:02:35And inyangi is right by his side.
01:02:50Something has frightened her.
01:02:52Here.
01:02:59Mfura
01:03:00has returned her reaction tells Obuzio everything he needs to know.
01:03:09To know
01:03:11Inyangi
01:03:12baby. And he's now a threat to everyone.
01:03:27Uwuzu attacks.
01:03:40But now, Imphura is much stronger.
01:03:50Uchurasi joins in.
01:04:14Imphura gets away.
01:04:22But he's not gone far.
01:04:30For the last year, while he's been excluded from group life,
01:04:35he has never left it completely.
01:04:44But 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, Uwuzu.
01:05:20And now, he is leading them on a mission.
01:05:42Inphura is making his way up the mountain.
01:05:46But he's not alone.
01:05:51Uwuzu is close behind.
01:05:54With Teta and Uchurasi by his side.
01:06:11They're pushing Imphura all the way out.
01:06:36Inphura is crossing into the next valley alone.
01:06:43Inphura is crossing into the next valley alone.
01:06:50Outro music
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.
01:07:21Imphura may now wander the mountains alone for years, or maybe he will find a family
01:07:30of his own one day. Only time will tell.
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, and now his friend has gone.
01:08:51However, Ubi, just like little Pablo, is very adaptable. And he seems intent on making a new big friend.
01:09:07Ubuzu.
01:09:08Ubuzu.
01:09:22It's been a testing year for Ubuzu. But 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.
01:09:38Ubuzu.
01:09:55Ubuzu.
01:09:57Ubuzu.
01:10:02Ubuzu.
01:10:04Ubuzu.
01:10:15Ubuzu.
01:10:16and will be a great help to Obwuzu.
01:10:21This may well be the most important role of his life.
01:10:36Teta has played a critical part
01:10:39in 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 and in character.
01:11:21Inyange has had a tough time.
01:11:24She lost her first baby,
01:11:26and we can only imagine that this will have a lasting impact on her.
01:11:33But she is now an established member of the Pablo Group.
01:11:42And part of something that is at the very heart of guerrilla life.
01:12:04The Pablo Group is not the perfect family.
01:12:16But they have stuck together through some very difficult times.
01:12:27And right now things are looking up for the Pablo Group.
01:12:35As indeed they are for the species as a whole.
01:12:47Today there are over 600 mountain guerrillas across the Virunga Mountains.
01:12:54Their population has more than doubled since I was there almost 50 years ago.
01:13:12It's one of the greatest conservation success stories that I've witnessed.
01:13:21And perhaps that's down to the profound connection people feel towards guerrillas.
01:13:28It's a connection that has stayed with me my whole life.
01:13:37And it all began with one special little guerrilla.
01:13:47Despite a difficult start in life,
01:13:50Pablo grew into a strong and charismatic leader.
01:13:59He remained devoted to his family until the very end.
01:14:11This is some of the last known footage of Pablo.
01:14:17At 33 years old, while defending his group from a rival guerrilla,
01:14:23the great silverback was killed.
01:14:30I will never forget him.
01:14:35Or the impact he had on me.
01:14:43The words I use are,
01:14:45there's more meaning in exchanging a glance with a guerrilla
01:14:49than with any other animal I know.
01:14:53And I stick by that.
01:14:55I think that's true.
01:15:18And I stick by that.
01:15:21I think that's true.
01:15:48what exactly,
01:15:51I think it's about them remembering.
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