- 3 hours ago
A Gorilla Story Told By David Attenborough
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Short filmTranscript
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.
00:01:01But 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
00:01:59mean for us.
00:02:18I 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 epiphytes.
00:03:07Green 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.
00:05:00The 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 I was 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.
00:05:33I 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.
00:06:03You know, just, just, just, just, just bliss really.
00:06:13Many people would think it was the most important sequence in that series. If not actually in my filmed life.
00:06:24There 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.
00:06:46Or the legacy he would leave behind.
00:06:52Now I have the chance to tell Pablo's story and that of his descendants who still inhabit those mountain slopes
00:07:00in 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.
00:08:06And 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.
00:08:28Teta is the dominant female.
00:08:41She has the respect of the group and they follow her lead.
00:08:54Teta 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.
00:10:11And Ubuzu.
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 is losing his strength.
00:10:40And Ubuzu wants to take over as leader.
00:10:45And 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.
00:12:00Gorillas 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.
00:12:51Right 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.
00:13:50He has an aggressive strut.
00:13:54He comes in and this is a huge animal.
00:13:57I mean, huge compared with you.
00:13:59Just 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.
00:14:23And 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.
00:15:16He 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.
00:17:30Gorillas 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.
00:17:56But his size and strength are new to him.
00:18:02And it hasn't gone unnoticed.
00:18:04It's clear that I like him.
00:18:10But it's clear that I am...
00:18:20It's clear that I am not going to show you.
00:18:27It's clear that I am not getting past.
00:18:31But the most people have told you are getting past the others.
00:18:52Infora has been seriously injured by Ub'wuzu.
00:18:59It seems brutal, but every silverback has a violent side.
00:19:08And it's natural for Ub'wuzu to try to eliminate his competition.
00:19:18But Infora is still young.
00:19:23And he didn't know how to defend himself.
00:19:53The Pablo group are waking up.
00:20:07At 12,000 feet, this is the very top of their mountain kingdom.
00:20:13Infora is still young.
00:20:14Infora is still young.
00:20:42Infora is still young.
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.
00:21:28And 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.
00:22:03Gijirasi 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're thinking or feeling.
00:22:30What 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.
00:22:54One thing is certain, however.
00:22:56Despite 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're 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.
00:24:02At this stage of life, male gorillas can become very difficult.
00:24:14And even their own families become wary of them.
00:24:27Young 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.
00:25:15And 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.
00:25:51Getting caught alone by one of these large groups would be extremely dangerous for Imfura.
00:25:58Infora.
00:25:59Infora.
00:26:13Infora.
00:26:16Infora.
00:26:20Infora.
00:26:22Infora.
00:26:22Infora.
00:26:22Infora.
00:26:37Infora.
00:26:40Infora.
00:26:42Infora.
00:26:43Infora.
00:26:43Infora.
00:26:43Infora.
00:26:47Infora.
00:26:50Infora.
00:26:51Infora.
00:26:51Infora.
00:26:52The 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.
00:27:24And Ubuzu 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.
00:28:18And they bite back.
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.
00:29:25Ubuzu's influence is growing.
00:29:29Uh-huh.
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.
00:30:18Ubuzu 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.
00:30:38Teta is watching closely.
00:31:03Teta is watching closely.
00:31:11Teta is watching closely.
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
00:32:02Ubuzu emerges unscathed
00:32:14but there is no sign of Guichirati
00:32:40Guichirati has survived the fight
00:32:44but he's been badly beaten
00:32:48dominated by the younger male
00:32:50in front of the whole group
00:33:05as dominant female
00:33:07Teta must show the group
00:33:09who she supports
00:33:20she leaves with the older male
00:33:26and the group follows
00:33:32after leading for five years
00:33:35Guichirati has earned their loyalty
00:33:44Ubuzu has been rejected
00:33:54not every silverback
00:33:55has what it takes to lead
00:33:59success or failure
00:34:01comes down to character
00:34:09I only knew Pablo as a three-year-old
00:34:13but it was clear
00:34:14that he was a unique character
00:34:16even then
00:34:19having been adopted
00:34:20and raised by a powerful silverback
00:34:22by the time he was 18
00:34:25he was ready to lead for himself
00:34:33he broke away to form his own group
00:34:36the Pablo group
00:34:42however
00:34:43Pablo was an unconventional leader
00:34:47when he was challenged by a rival silverback
00:34:50from within his own group
00:34:51instead of fighting
00:34:53Pablo took the opportunity
00:34:55to form a powerful alliance with him
00:34:58by replacing aggression
00:35:01with cooperation
00:35:02between them
00:35:04they took the group
00:35:05from strength to strength
00:35:10at their peak
00:35:11the Pablo group
00:35:12was 65 in number
00:35:14the biggest group
00:35:15of mountain guerrillas
00:35:16ever known
00:35:38and among them
00:35:39was a young male
00:35:41who would
00:35:42one day
00:35:43become leader himself
00:35:47Gichurasi
00:35:58but now
00:36:00Gichurasi's dominance
00:36:01is being challenged
00:36:05the question is
00:36:06does he fight back
00:36:07or can he learn to cooperate
00:36:10with Ubuzu
00:36:36despite winning the fight
00:36:38with Gichurasi
00:36:39Ubuzu
00:36:40is still not being acknowledged
00:36:42as leader
00:36:43by the rest of the group
00:36:47or Teta
00:36:50without the support
00:36:51of the dominant female
00:36:54Ubuzu
00:36:55may never win over the group
00:37:02theika
00:37:24of the dominant female
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.
00:38:43The project has not beenérered by Guchirassi's side and an erected woman.
00:38:43The next stage begins to be restored with Guchirassi's side.
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.
00:39:54An immigrant female from the other side of the mountain.
00:40:02Inyange has left the group where she was born
00:40:05and joined the Pablo group,
00:40:07so she may start a family of her own.
00:40:13It's a difficult move, but one driven by instinct,
00:40:18and it avoids inbreeding.
00:40:23She needs to form her own relationships here,
00:40:26but she's still a stranger to the Pablo group
00:40:31and must tread carefully.
00:41:01It's not for you to be able to do this.
00:41:19Ubuozo and Gichurati are adjusting to their new relationship.
00:41:27Now that Ubuozo 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.
00:42:44As they drift in and out of consciousness...
00:42:50A 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.
00:43:33Ubuozo 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.
00:46:04Fura is number two.
00:46:18Who is left?
00:46:19Who is left?
00:46:22Who is left?
00:46:35Inyange, the newly-arrived female, has been observing the group for a while now,
00:46:42especially Teto.
00:46:46As dominant female, this could be a very important relationship for Inyange.
00:47:04If Teto allows Inyange to be close to her family, it'll send a message to the rest of the group.
00:47:22And Teto 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 for 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, is keen to have offspring of his own.
00:49:05With new females arriving...
00:49:10and, hopefully, new babies on the way.
00:49:15The group may well grow and become more powerful under Obuzu's leadership.
00:49:53Infora has been excluded from group life for many months.
00:50:11He's now moving down the mountain alone.
00:50:23A war marks the limit of the Gudriller's forest.
00:50:36Imfora has reached the edge of their world.
00:51:07He has crossed into the human world.
00:51:16People have lived here for thousands of years.
00:51:22And they, too, depend on the land.
00:51:44And it's also a sin for the walking desire in the world.
00:51:45If not, I hope.
00:51:45The future is why they allow us from the world to the world.
00:51:46The creation of the using the Ange the Lord and the pureness of the Holy Spirit
00:51:47The use of the Holy Spirit.
00:51:49After the spreading of the Holy Spirit, the living Spirit, the Hellen, the eternally of the Holy Spirit,
00:51:50the Meditation of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit from the Holy Spirit.
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
00:52:17to the very brink of extinction.
00:52:19There were only around 250 gorillas left in the Virunga mountains.
00:52:31There 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
00:52:52her life to protecting them by whatever means possible.
00:53:05Even after her death, her pioneering study of gorillas continued.
00:53:14Over the years, many others were inspired to protect the gorillas from within Rwanda and
00:53:22beyond.
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.
00:54:23It's changing their behavior and their relationships with each other.
00:54:35Imphura is not welcome in the Pablo group.
00:54:42He's been up.
00:54:43He'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, the most unpredictable animals on the mountain.
00:55:15He's been up the mountain.
00:55:18He's been up the mountain.
00:55:31He's been up the mountain.
00:55:44He's actively teleported into Pittsburgh.
00:55:52In the past, Uwuzzo 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, Ubuzu's first offspring as leader.
00:56:26Guerrilla newborns are completely dependent on their mothers, and guerrilla mothers are
00:56:33completely devoted to their babies.
00:56:39They are inseparable for the first few months of life.
00:56:56Inyangis 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 Inyangi.
00:57:32There 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.
00:58:40You are invading the way to the Maud, and you need to watch.
00:58:52While Obuzio was distracted, something terrible has happened.
00:59:14A youngish baby has been killed.
00:59:27The injuries suggest that a gorilla was responsible.
01:00:08A youngish baby has been killed.
01:00:11The other females in the group surround her.
01:00:29Only Inyangi knows exactly what happened.
01:00:36And who is responsible?
01:00:43She 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.
01:01:25Obuzio was the baby's father.
01:01:30But he failed to defend Inyangi and their baby.
01:01:55Inyangi is the baby's father.
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.
01:02:20And may even fracture the group.
01:02:30But for now, they're huddled around Obuzio.
01:02:35And Inyangi is right by his side.
01:02:49Something has frightened her.
01:02:59Inyangi has returned.
01:03:21Inyangi has returned.
01:03:27Obuzio attacks.
01:03:40But now, Imphura is much stronger.
01:03:50Cuchirassi 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, he 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, Obuzio.
01:05:20And now, he is leading them on a mission.
01:05:42Imphura is making his way up the mountain, but he's not alone.
01:05:51Obuzio is close behind, with Teta and Guchirassi by his side.
01:06:11They're pushing Imphura all the way out.
01:06:36Imphura is crossing into the next valley alone.
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.
01:07:28Or maybe he will find a family of his own one day.
01:07:35Only time will tell.
01:07:36Imphura may now.
01:07:36Imphura may now.
01:07:39Imphura may now.
01:07:39I don't know.
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.
01:08:51However, Ubi, just like little Pablo, is very adaptable.
01:08:57And 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.
01:09:38I'm not sure what he needs.
01:09:54I'm not sure what he needs in his life.
01:10:05He's been in charge here.
01:10:06But he's filling a new role by supporting a younger, stronger silverback.
01:10:14He has a lot of knowledge and will be a great help to Ubuzu.
01:10:21This may well be the most important role of his life.
01:10:36Teta has played a critical part in 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.
01:11:20And Yange 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.
01:11:53Family.
01:12:03The Pablo group is not the perfect family.
01:12:09No family is.
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, Pablo 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, the great silverback was killed.
01:14:29I will never forget him.
01:14:36Or the impact he had on me.
01:14:43The words I use are, there's more meaning in exchanging a glance with a guerrilla than with any other animal
01:14:51I know.
01:14:52And I stick by that.
01:14:54I think that's true.
01:14:56Oh.
01:15:11Oh.
01:15:13Oh.
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