IN THE SOUTHERN REACHES OF
AFRICA'S GREAT KALAHARI BASIN,
THE AIR QUIVERS WITH HEAT.
EVERYTHING IS MADE TOUGH.
ANCIENT RIVERS HARBOR WATER -
DEEP UNDERGROUND.
THESE ARE HIDDEN LIFELINES
CREATING A FRAGILE LINK
TO SURVIVAL.
THIS IS A LAND OF DEEP THIRST,
AND RAW BEAUTY.
THIS IS THE KGALAGADI
TRANSFRONTIER PARK.
THE KALAHARI BASIN
IS ONE OF SOUTHERN AFRICA'S
MOST STRIKING LANDSCAPES.
MILLIONS OF YEARS OF EROSION
HAVE FORMED THE SANDY SOILS
THAT DEFINE THIS VAST
HIGH ALTITUDE PLATEAU.
A THIRSTY WILDERNESS COVERING
SOME 345,000 SQUARE MILES.
WITHIN THIS EXPANSE LIES THE
KGALAGADI TRANSFRONTIER PARK.
IT STRADDLES THE BORDER BETWEEN
SOUTH AFRICA AND WEST BOTSWANA
AND COVERS
ALMOST 14,000 SQUARE MILES.
LIFE HERE IS HARD,
CHARACTERIZED BY LONG DRY MONTHS
AND UNPREDICTABLE
SPORADIC RAINS.
IN PARTS AS FEW AS 6 INCHES
OF RAIN FALL IN A YEAR.
MOST OF THIS VANISHES QUICKLY,
DRAINED THROUGH THE SANDY SOILS
AND EVAPORATED
BY THE BEATING SUN.
BUT TWO UNLIKELY VEINS OF LIFE
WEAVE THEIR WAY
THROUGH THE PARK,
ANCIENT DRY RIVERBEDS
THAT HOLD EARTH'S MOST
PRECIOUS RESOURCE DEEP BELOW.
HERE CAMELTHORN TREES GROW TALL,
THEIR LONG ROOTS TAPPING INTO
THE HIDDEN WATER.
THEIR BOUGHS BECOMING HAVENS
AND THEIR SEEDS FOOD
FOR MANY DESERT INHABITANTS.
SMALLER GRASSES
AND HERBS
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
NUTRIENT RICH SOILS AROUND THEM.
EVEN WITH THESE RESOURCES,
THE HARDY CREATURES
OF THE KGALAGADI
HAVE HAD TO ADAPT TO SURVIVE
THIS HARSH ENVIRONMENT.
FROM COLONIES
OF MASTER BUILDERS.
TO HERDS OF HERBIVORES.
THESE IN TURN
FEED A HOST
OF DESERT PREDATORS.
FROM AFRICA'S MOST ICONIC,
TO THE DIMINUTIVE AND SHY -
HUNTING FOR THEIR LIVING ON LAND
AND FROM THE AIR.
AND COMPLETING A FOOD CHAIN
IN WHICH EVERY LINK RELIES ON
THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE OTHERS.
IT'S MID WINTER;
THE HEIGHT OF THE DRY SEASON
IN THE PARK.
WHEN QUALITY PLANT FOOD
IS HARD TO FIND.
HERBIVORES CONGREGATE
IN DRY RIVERBEDS,
WHERE UNDERGROUND
WATER CAN STILL SUPPORT
THE TOUGHEST PLANT LIFE.
BUT CROWDS CAN ATTRACT DANGER.
AFRICA'S MOST POWERFUL HUNTERS
LIVE HERE.
AND FEW ARE FIERCER THAN LIONS.
THESE SISTERS
ARE IN THE PRIME OF THEIR LIVES.
THEY'VE LIVED TOGETHER
SINCE BIRTH,
SPENDING MUCH OF THE DRY
SEASON AROUND THE RIVERBED,
ATTRACTED BY THE ABUNDANCE
OF POTENTIAL PREY.
THEIR PRIDE IS RULED
BY A COALITION
OF A YOUNG MALE
WITH A GROWING MANE -
AND HIS MORE IMPOSING ALLY.
HE WEIGHS IN
AT AROUND 440 POUNDS,
CAPABLE OF BRINGING DOWN PREY
FOUR TIMES HIS OWN WEIGHT.
WITH ANIMALS
CONCENTRATED IN THE RIVERBEDS,
THE LIONS
HAVE PRIME REAL ESTATE.
BUT WITH LOW GAME DENSITIES
BEYOND THE RIVERBEDS,
THEIR RANGE COULD BE AS BIG
AS 1,000 SQUARE MILES.
LIONS DOMINATE
THE KALAHARI FOOD CHAIN,
HUNTING MAINLY
BY THE COVER OF DARKNESS -
AND SLEEPING AWAY
MOST OF THE HOT DAY.
BUT THEY'RE NOT
THE PARK'S ONLY PREDATORS.
FOR ANOTHER GROUP
OF THE KGALAGADI'S ICONIC CATS,
THE DAY'S SCHEDULE WILL SOON
HAVE A LOT MORE IN STORE.
IN THE NOSSOB RIVERBED, A FAMILY
OF CHEETAHS IS ABOUT TO STIR.
THEY'RE ONE OF THE FEW SPECIES
OF DIURNAL CAT
AND SPEND THE NIGHT LYING LOW
TO AVOID THE THREAT OF THEIR
FIERCE COMPETITORS, LIKE LIONS.
CUBS ARE VULNERABLE TO ATTACK
BY A RANGE OF PREDATORS,
AND IN SOME AREAS
FEWER THAN HALF
WILL SURVIVE PAST THREE MONTHS.
BUT THIS MOTHER HAS DONE
A REMARKABLE JOB
IN SUCCESSFULLY
RAISING HER FOUR CUBS
TO THE BRINK OF INDEPENDENCE.
WHEN THEY REACH AROUND 18 MONTHS
THE YOUNGSTERS
WILL LEAVE THEIR MOTHER,
AND SO THEY MUST TAKE
EVERY OPPORTUNITY
TO LEARN TO KILL.
CLOCKING TOP SPEEDS
OF MORE THAN 68 MILES PER HOUR,
THESE ARE THE FASTEST
LAND MAMMALS ON EARTH.
UNLIKE OTHER CATS THEIR CLAWS
ARE PERMANENTLY EXPOSED,
PROVIDING HIGH-SPEED TRACTION
ON THE LOOSE, SANDY TERRAIN
LIKE AN ATHLETE'S SPIKES.
AND, WHILE THEY MAY NOT BE
THE FIERCEST PREDATORS,
THEY ARE AMONG THE MOST
EFFICIENT IN THE KGALAGADI.
ENJOYING SUCCESS
IN TWO OUT OF SEVEN HUNTS -
A RATE ALMOST TWICE AS
PRODUCTIVE AS THE AREA'S LIONS.
HERE IN THE RIVERBEDS,
THEIR FAVORITE PREY
IS THE DAINTY SPRINGBOK.
NEARLY 70 PERCENT
OF THE KGALAGADI'S SPRINGBOK
WILL FALL PREY TO CHEETAHS.
BUT A MEDIUM SIZED ANTELOPE
DOESN'T GO FAR
WHEN SPREAD
BETWEEN FIVE HUNGRY CATS.
TODAY'S LESSON
WILL FOCUS ON BIGGER PREY.
THE CHEETAH HEAD OFF TO LOOK
FOR A MORE SUBSTANTIAL MEAL.
SO FOR TODAY, THESE SPRINGBOK
CAN FEED PEACEFULLY.
WITH ITS TRIPLE-TONE COAT,
THE SPRINGBOK IS ONE OF AFRICA'S
PRETTIEST ANTELOPE.
BUT ITS PELT
IS ALSO OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE
FOR SURVIVAL HERE.
SUMMER DAYS IN THE KGALAGADI
REGULARLY TOP
105 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT,
BUT EVEN
IN THE COOLER WINTER MONTHS,
TEMPERATURES CAN EXCEED
85 DEGREES.
TO DEAL WITH THE HEAT,
SPRINGBOK TURN THEIR WHITE RUMPS
IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SUN,
REFLECTING UP TO
95 PERCENT OF ITS RAYS.
BUT IN THIS WORLD
OF SUN BAKED SAND,
THE GROUND ACTS AS A MIRROR,
REFLECTING HOT SUNLIGHT
FROM BELOW.
THE SPRINGBOKS' WHITE BELLIES
REPEL THESE RAYS TOO,
PREVENTING OVERHEATING.
THIS ENABLES SPRINGBOK
TO SPEND MORE TIME IN THE OPEN
WHILE OTHER ANIMALS RETREAT,
LOOKING FOR THE REFUGE OF SHADE.
FOR SHADE THE KGALAGADI'S
ANIMALS RELY LARGELY
ON ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC
AND IMPORTANT
OF THE PARK'S PLANT SPECIES.
THE CAMELTHORN TREE.
REACHING 50 FEET TALL,
THESE GROW PROLIFICALLY ALONG
THE KGALAGADI'S RIVERBEDS.
BUT THE PARK'S RIVERS
RARELY FLOW.
THEY SEE SURFACE WATER ONLY
ONCE EVERY ELEVEN OR SO YEARS.
THE REAL SOURCE OF MOISTURE LIES
DEEP BENEATH THE GROUND
AND THE CAMELTHORNS ACCESS IT
WITH TAPROOTS DESCENDING AS FAR
AS 195 FEET BELOW THE SURFACE.
USING THIS MOISTURE
TO GROW TALL AND STRONG
THE CAMELTHORNS PERFORM
A NUMBER OF FUNCTIONS
CRUCIAL TO LIFE
IN THE KGALAGADI.
NONE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN
THEIR ROLE AS SCAFFOLDING.
THIS MASS OF STICKS MAY SEEM
LIFELESS FROM A DISTANCE.
BUT A CLOSER LOOK
REVEALS A HIVE OF ACTIVITY.
IT IS HOME TO A COLONY
OF INCREDIBLE ARCHITECTS.
SOCIABLE WEAVERS.
AT FIVE AND A HALF
INCHES IN HEIGHT,
THESE WEAVERS WEIGH JUST LESS
THAN AN OUNCE.
BUT WHEN THEY COMBINE
THEIR POWERS FOR DESIGN,
THEIR HOMES CAN SPREAD 23 FEET
THROUGH THE CAMELTHORN CANOPY,
AND WEIGH IN AT MORE THAN A TON.
MALES AND FEMALES ALL CONTRIBUTE
TO BUILDING THE MEGA-STRUCTURES,
WHICH CAN HOUSE
AS MANY AS 300 PAIRS.
DURING THE DAY THE NEST IS AKIN
TO AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT,
ABUZZ WITH BUSINESS.
WITH ARRIVALS,
DEPARTURES,
AND HUNDREDS OF FLIGHTS.
ALL MASTERFULLY AVOIDING EACH
OTHER IN THE IMMEDIATE AIRSPACE.
MOST OF THE WEAVERS
WILL SPEND THEIR ENTIRE LIVES
LIVING IN THIS NEST.
AND IT'S ESSENTIAL
TO THEIR ABILITY TO SURVIVE
IN THE PARK'S
EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS.
THE THICK WALLS
OFFER EXCELLENT INSULATION,
MEANING THAT EVEN
ON THE HOTTEST DAYS
THE INTERNAL TEMPERATURE
NEVER RISES
ABOVE 87 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
ON FREEZING WINTER NIGHTS
THE BIRDS' SHARED HEAT
CAN RAISE
THE INTERNAL TEMPERATURE
BY AS MUCH AS 41 DEGREES.
SOME OF THE CAMELTHORN TREES
IN THE KGALAGADI
ARE 250 YEARS OLD.
THESE HAVE CONTINUOUSLY
SUPPORTED SOCIABLE WEAVERS'
NESTS FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY
OR ALMOST THIRTY GENERATIONS.
THE TREES THRIVE
IN THE RIVERBEDS
WHERE NUTRIENTS COLLECT,
LEECHED FROM THE SAND OF THE
SURROUNDING DUNES
BY THE OCCASIONAL RAIN.
BUT THERE ARE PLACES IN THE PARK
WHERE NOTHING GROWS AT ALL.
THE KGALAGADI
IS DOTTED WITH MULTIPLE
BROAD, BARREN
DEPRESSIONS KNOWN AS PANS.
THESE ARE THE LAST REMNANTS
OF LONG SINCE DECEASED RIVERS.
WHEN ERRATIC
KALAHARI RAINS DO FALL,
SURFACE WATER COLLECTS
ON THE COMPACTED CLAY
ONLY TO EVAPORATE
UNDER THE HOT SUN.
MINERALS AND SALTS
ARE LEFT BEHIND
WHICH OVER TIME
BECOME TOO CONCENTRATED
FOR PLANTS TO GROW.
FOR A PAIR OF DESERT EXPERTS
LIKE THESE OSTRICHES,
THERE IS NO LAND TOO FOREBODING.
THE LARGEST SPECIES OF BIRD
IN THE WORLD,
THEY STAND AT SIX AND A HALF
FEET TALL AND WEIGH 220 POUNDS.
THEY CANNOT FLY,
BUT MAKE UP FOR THIS BY RUNNING
AT UP TO 43 MILES PER HOUR,
7 MILES AN HOUR FASTER
THAN A LION.
MORE REMARKABLE THAN THEIR SPEED
IS THEIR ABILITY TO SURVIVE IN
THE HEAT OF THE KGALAGADI.
THEY HAVE EXCEPTIONALLY LOW
WATER DEMANDS,
GETTING ALMOST ALL OF THE
MOISTURE THEY NEED
FROM THEIR MOSTLY
PLANT BASED DIET.
FOR THE OSTRICHES
THERE IS LITTLE TIME SPENT
RESTING AS THEY SPEND MORE THAN
60 PERCENT OF THE DAY
STRIDING THE LANDSCAPE,
LOOKING FOR FOOD.
WHILE NOTHING GROWS
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PAN,
ANIMALS STILL VISIT
THESE OPEN WASTELANDS.
THEY WILL CONGREGATE
AT THESE HOLLOWS
AND EAT THE SOIL
IN SMALL QUANTITIES,
TAKING ON THE MINERALS
AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THEIR DIET,
WHICH IS LACKING
AT THIS TOUGH TIME OF THE YEAR.
THE DRY EARTH IS NOT THE ONLY
SOURCE OF EXTRA MINERALS
AVAILABLE IN THE KGALAGADI.
THIS FEMALE GEMSBOK
IS HEAVILY PREGNANT.
IN THE DRY WINTER HER DIET IS
LACKING MUCH NEEDED NUTRIENTS,
WHICH WILL BECOME
EVER MORE IMPORTANT
WHEN NURSING HER NEWBORN.
TO MAKE UP FOR THIS LACK SHE
TURNS TO AN UNLIKELY SOURCE -
THE RIB OF A LARGE HERBIVORE.
PERHAPS A WILDEBEEST OR PERHAPS
EVEN ANOTHER GEMSBOK.
SHE'LL CHEW THE BONES
OF OTHER ANIMALS
TO EXTRACT MINERALS SUCH AS
CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS.
IT'S AN EXAMPLE
OF NATURE'S INNOVATION
WHICH ALLOWS ANIMALS LIKE HER
TO SURVIVE IN INCREDIBLY
DIFFICULT HABITATS.
SHE BELONGS TO POSSIBLY THE MOST
WELL-ADAPTED AND ICONIC
OF ALL
THE DESERT DWELLING SPECIES.
AT ABOUT 4 FEET TALL
AT THE SHOULDER,
GEMSBOK WEIGH AROUND 530 POUNDS.
THESE MAJESTIC ANTELOPE
ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR HORNS,
WHICH AVERAGE
MORE THAN THREE FEET LONG
FROM RIBBED BASE TO
RAZOR SHARP TIP.
AN INJURY AT A YOUNG AGE CAN
CAUSE A DEFORMITY IN GROWTH.
THIS COULD PUT THE PREGNANT COW
AT A DISADVANTAGE
WHEN IT COMES TO DEFENSE
AGAINST PREDATORS.
THUS FAR SHE'S BEEN UNHINDERED
BY THE DEFORMITY -
ABLE TO LIVE LIFE AS A
PRODUCTIVE MEMBER OF THE HERD.
BUT THINGS ARE DIFFERENT
FOR THE BULLS.
GEMSBOK ARE ONE
OF THE FEW ANTELOPE
IN WHICH THE HORNS OF MALES ARE
SHORTER THAN THOSE OF FEMALES.
BUT THEY'RE ALSO
THICKER AND STRONGER,
BETTER PREPARING THEIR BEARERS
FOR BATTLES FOR DOMINANCE
AND THE RIGHT TO MATE.
WHEN TWO BULLS
COME TO A STALEMATE,
ONLY A THIRD
CAN COME BETWEEN THEM.
THE SKIN AROUND BULLS' NECKS
IS UP TO A QUARTER INCH THICK
TO PROTECT THEM
DURING THESE SKIRMISHES.
THE GEMSBOK SURVIVE
THANKS TO A RANGE OF ADAPTATIONS
TO LIFE IN A PARCHED LAND.
THEY ARE ABLE TO GO MUCH OF
THEIR LIVES WITHOUT DRINKING;
GETTING THE MOISTURE THEY NEED
FROM THEIR FOOD INSTEAD.
TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE,
THE GEMSBOKS' BODIES
ARE GEARED TOWARD SAVING WATER.
WHILE MANY MAMMALS
WILL PANT OR SWEAT TO COOL DOWN,
BOTH PROCESSES WASTE WATER.
INSTEAD, THE GEMSBOK CAN ALLOW
THEIR NORMAL BODY TEMPERATURE
OF 96.2 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT
TO RISE TO A STAGGERING
113 DEGREES.
THEY CAN HANDLE A HOT BODY
BUT AN OVERHEATED BRAIN
CAN BE LIFE THREATENING.
TO COUNTER THIS,
IN THE GEMSBOK'S
MOIST COOL NASAL PASSAGES
THERE'S AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK
OF BLOOD CAPILLARIES.
THIS COOLS THE BLOOD,
KEEPING THE ANIMAL'S HEAD AT A
SAFE TEMPERATURE
WHILE
THE BODY TEMPERATURE SOARS.
THE GEMSBOK WILL THEN LOSE THE
EXCESS HEAT IN THE COOLER NIGHT,
WHICH IS ALSO WHEN THEY DO MOST
OF THEIR GRAZING.
AT NIGHT EVEN DEAD GRASS CAN
ABSORB 40 PERCENT OF ITS WEIGHT
IN AIRBORNE MOISTURE.
IT'S ENOUGH TO SATISFY
THE GEMSBOKS'
LOW WATER REQUIREMENTS.
AND IT ALLOWS THEM
TO SPEND MORE TIME IN THE DUNES
THAN THEIR SMALLER ANTELOPE
COUNTERPARTS.
IN THE SOUTHWEST PORTIONS
OF THE PARK
LIE DUNE FIELDS
EXTENDING FOR A FULL 500 MILES.
THEIR SAND IS TURNED OCHRE RED
FROM IRON OXIDE
ENVELOPING THE GRAINS.
HERE, TOUGH GRASSES TAKE HOLD
ALONG THE RIDGES.
AND IN SOME AREAS,
GROW IN THICK, DENSE SWATHES.
IT'S AN APPARENT BANQUET
FOR ANIMALS LIKE THE GEMSBOK.
BUT THERE'S MORE TO THIS GRASS
THAN MEETS THE EYE.
KNOWN AS KALAHARI SOUR GRASS,
ITS YOUNG SHOOTS SOON TOUGHEN
AND SECRETE AN ACIDIC SUBSTANCE
WHICH IS UNPALATABLE
TO THE ANIMALS
AND CAUSES THEM
SKIN IRRITATIONS.
AN INEDIBLE SEA
OF SEEMING ABUNDANCE
AS CRUEL AS ANY DESERT MIRAGE.
BUT NOT ALL OF THE KGALAGADI'S
PLANTS ARE AS DECEPTIVE.
IN THE NUTRIENT-RICH RIVERBEDS,
THE CAMELTHORNS ARE A LOT MORE
THAN JUST SCAFFOLDING FOR NESTS.
IN THE DRIEST TIME
THEY PRODUCE LARGE SEED PODS.
THEIR SILVERY COAT
REFLECTS THE SUN'S HOT RAYS
JUST LIKE THE SPRINGBOKS' RUMPS,
THUS MINIMIZING EVAPORATION.
LOW IN TANNINS
AND HIGH IN PROTEIN,
THESE PODS ARE AN IMPORTANT
SOURCE OF NUTRITION
FOR MANY
OF THE KGALAGADI'S ANIMALS.
AND THIS HERD OF WILDEBEEST
CASHES IN ON THE FEAST.
IN ORDER TO GERMINATE,
THE HARD-SHELLED SEEDS MUST PASS
THROUGH THEIR DIGESTIVE SYSTEMS
WHERE ENZYMES BREAK DOWN
THEIR OUTER SHELLS.
THEY WILL SOON BE SPREAD
BY THE WILDEBEEST
IN REPAYMENT
OF THE TREE'S NUTRITIOUS FAVOR.
IN THE COOLER PART OF THE DAY,
THE HERD TAKES TO THE RIVERBED
TO LIE IN THE SUN.
WITH MANY EYES ON THE LOOKOUT,
THEY CAN TAKE TIME TO RELAX.
BUT A HERD
IN THE NOSSOB RIVERBED
IS ABOUT TO HAVE AN ALTOGETHER
MORE DRAMATIC DAY.
THE CHEETAH FAMILY HAVE BEEN ON
THE MOVE ALL MORNING
SEEKING A MEAL FIT FOR FIVE
AND THEY'VE SPOTTED
THE WILDEBEEST.
THE DAY'S HUNT
IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.
THE CATS KEEP A LOW PROFILE,
GETTING AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE.
SUDDENLY THE CHASE IS ON.
A CALF INJURES ITSELF
IN THE CHAOS OF THE HERD.
THE CHEETAHS SURROUND IT BUT ARE
CAUTIOUS OF THE BUCKING PREY.
OUTNUMBERED FIVE TO ONE,
THIS WILL SURELY BE THE END
FOR THE YOUNG WILDEBEEST.
BUT THE CHEETAHS
ARE INEXPERIENCED.
AND THE CALF ISN'T GOING
TO GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT.
THEY'RE AT A LOSS
OF HOW TO MAKE THE KILL.
TIRED FROM
THE EXERTION OF THE CHASE,
THE CHEETAH RETREAT TO THE SHADE
TO RECOVER THEIR STRENGTH.
AND THE WILDEBEEST
HAS A CHANCE TO GET AWAY.
BUT THEY'RE NOT ABOUT
TO LET IT GO THAT EASILY.
AND IT'S EVERY WILDEBEEST
FOR ITSELF.
THE INJURED CALF
IS ABANDONED TO ITS FATE.
BARELY ABLE
TO CARRY ITS OWN WEIGHT,
THE CALF MANAGES TO KEEP EYES
ON THE CLOSEST THREAT.
IT MATCHES ITS HARASSERS, MOVE
FOR MOVE IN A TERRIFYING DANCE.
EVENTUALLY,
EXHAUSTION BEGINS TO TAKE HOLD.
IN BOTH PREDATORS AND PREY.
AFTER A DRAWN-OUT SAGA,
THE DAY COMES
TO THE STRANGEST OF ENDS.
THE CHEETAHS
ABANDON THE OPPORTUNITY.
DESPITE THE HUGE INVESTMENT OF
ENERGY, THEY WILL SEE NO REWARD.
THE CALF'S REFUSAL TO SURRENDER
HAS BOUGHT IT EXTRA TIME.
A FINE EXAMPLE OF THE FACT
THAT THERE ARE FEW
FOREGONE CONCLUSIONS
IN THIS UNPREDICTABLE LAND.
BUT AS NIGHT FALLS,
A DIFFERENT SET OF THREATS
MAY PRESENT ITSELF.
AND WITH LIONS AROUND,
THE CALF WILL BE LUCKY
TO MAKE IT TO MORNING.
AS DAY BREAKS
THE KGALAGADI'S SPRINGBOK
ARE MAKING THE MOST
OF THE EARLY HOURS.
WHILE THEY RELY LARGELY ON FRESH
GRASS AFTER PERIODS OF RAIN,
SPRINGBOK HAVE ADAPTED TO MAKE
THE MOST OF SCANT RESOURCES
DURING THE BARREN WINTER.
AND IN SOME CASES THESE OCCUR
IN AN UNLIKELY LOCATION;
BENEATH THE BONE DRY SANDS
OF THE AUOB RIVERBED.
THE ANTELOPE
UNCOVER HIDDEN ROOTS
BEFORE PLUCKING THEM
WITH DEXTEROUS LIPS.
BY ADAPTING THEIR DIETS,
SPRINGBOK CAN SUSTAIN THEMSELVES
WELL ENOUGH
TO CONTINUE WITH LIFE AS USUAL,
DESPITE THE APPARENT LACK
IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT.
AND EVEN IN THESE TOUGH TIMES
THE MALES ARE PREOCCUPIED
BY THE DESIRE FOR DOMINANCE
AND MATING OPPORTUNITIES.
THIS MALE MOVES BETWEEN
THE SURROUNDING FEMALES,
CHECKING EACH IN TURN FOR
REPRODUCTIVE READINESS.
BUT THEY'RE UNRESPONSIVE.
THE BRIEF RUT AND MATING SEASON
HAPPENED MONTHS AGO
AFTER THE WET SEASON
WHEN THE HERD
WAS IN PRIME CONDITION.
NOW THE FEMALES SHARE
NONE OF THE MALE'S INTEREST.
YOUNG MALES WILL STILL
SIZE EACH OTHER UP.
BUT THEIR CONTESTS
HOLD NONE OF THE INTENSITY
THAT WILL OCCUR WHEN THE HERD
IS AT FULL FITNESS.
WHILE THE SPRINGBOK HAVE HAD AN
EARLY START TO THE DAY,
ANOTHER GROUP OF KGALAGADI ICONS
ARE LATER TO RISE.
A FAMILY OF MEERKATS.
THE PACK TAKES GREAT CAUTION
BEFORE LEAVING
THE SAFETY OF THE BURROW -
SCANNING THEIR SURROUNDINGS
FOR THREATS.
AND FOR GOOD REASON;
THEY HAVE PUPS WITH THEM.
LIKE THE SOCIABLE WEAVERS,
MEERKATS WORK TOGETHER
TO INSULATE THEMSELVES FROM THE
EXTREMES OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
BUT INSTEAD OF BUILDING UP
THEY DIG DOWN,
MAKING THEIR HOMES
BENEATH THE GROUND.
AND THEY'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES
LIVING HERE.
THEIR ROOMMATES, THE YELLOW
MONGOOSES, HAVE HAD A SLEEP IN.
BUT THEY HAVE LESS PATIENCE WHEN
IT COMES TO FINDING BREAKFAST.
AND ARE FIRST
TO GO HUNTING FOR INSECTS.
FOLLOWING THEIR LEAD
THE MEERKATS VENTURE OUT,
SLOWLY AT FIRST.
THEY SOON COME ACROSS
THEIR OTHER NEIGHBORS
THE GROUND SQUIRRELS.
THEY TOO LIVE AS A FAMILY, WITH
MOM KEEPING A CAREFUL EYE OUT.
UNLIKE THE OTHERS,
THE SQUIRRELS ARE SATISFIED WITH
A MAINLY VEGETABLE BASED DIET -
NIBBLING AWAY CONTENTEDLY.
THESE THREE SOCIAL SPECIES
HAPPILY SHARE THEIR TURF
WITH EACH OTHER
BUT WILL ALL JEALOUSLY DEFEND IT
AGAINST RIVALS
FROM THEIR OWN SPECIES.
AS THE DAY GOES ON,
EACH MAKES THE MOST
OF WHAT THEIR SURROUNDINGS
HAVE TO OFFER.
WHILE THE MONGOOSES
AND SQUIRRELS
WILL SPLIT UP
TO FORAGE AS INDIVIDUALS,
THE MEERKATS STICK TOGETHER,
WATCHING EACH OTHERS' BACKS
TO THE LAST.
WHILE THE MEERKATS' DAY
IS JUST BEGINNING,
ONE OF THE KGALAGADI'S OTHER
SUBTERRANEAN DWELLERS
IS GETTING READY
TO HEAD BACK UNDERGROUND.
THIS CAPE FOX SPENT THE COLD
WINTER NIGHT HUNTING ALONE,
DIGGING FOR ITS FAVORITE PREY
OF MICE.
IT ENJOYS THE MORNING WARMTH
BEFORE HEADING TO SLEEP
IN ITS DEN,
WHERE IT WILL RAISE ITS PUPS
COME EARLY SUMMER.
WEIGHING IN AT 11 POUNDS,
THE CAPE FOX IS THE SMALLEST
CANID IN SOUTHERN AFRICA.
IT'S ALSO THE ONLY
TRUE FOX LIVING HERE
AND IS ENDEMIC TO THE REGION.
THE LITTLE PREDATOR IS
VULNERABLE TO BIGGER CARNIVORES
AND IT MUST RETURN TO SAFETY
BELOW GROUND.
THE ENTRANCE TO ITS DEN
IS CAREFULLY CONCEALED
BENEATH THE BRANCHES
OF ONE OF THE KGALAGADI'S
HARDY SHRUBS.
THESE PLANTS ARE ALMOST
AS WELL ADAPTED
AS THE ANIMALS WHICH EAT THEM.
LIKE THE 'THREE-THORN',
SO NAMED FOR THE WAY IT GROWS,
ALWAYS BRANCHING OFF IN
INCREMENTS OF THREE.
AND THE 'BLACK-HOOK',
NAMED FOR ITS DARK THORNS.
TO SURVIVE HERE THESE PLANTS
HAVE TINY, THIN LEAVES
TO MINIMIZE WATER LOSS
THROUGH EVAPORATION -
AND THORNS TO AVOID BEING
DEVOURED IN LARGE QUANTITIES.
LIKE THE SMALLER SHRUBS,
THORNS ARE CRUCIAL TO THE
SURVIVAL OF CAMELTHORNS.
THIS YOUNG TREE
WILL EVENTUALLY GROW
TO RESEMBLE
THE COMPARATIVE GIANT BEHIND IT.
AND WHEN IT DOES, IT WILL SERVE
ANOTHER IMPORTANT PURPOSE
FOR THE KGALAGADI'S BIRDS,
GIVING THEM BRANCHES
ON WHICH TO PERCH.
RED HEADED FINCHES ARE THE SAME
SIZE AS THE SOCIABLE WEAVERS.
THESE GRAIN EATERS
WILL GATHER IN FLOCKS
NUMBERING IN THE HUNDREDS.
UNLIKE MANY IN THE KGALAGADI
THEY MUST DRINK FREQUENTLY,
CONGREGATING AROUND THE PARK'S
RARE WATER SOURCES.
BUT THE FINCHES ARE VULNERABLE
TO PREDATION BY BIRDS OF PREY,
AND THEY DARE NOT RELAX
ON OPEN GROUND -
DIVING IN FOR TWO SIPS
BEFORE RETURNING TO THE COVER
OF THE CAMELTHORN'S BRANCHES.
BUT AS MUCH AS THE CAMELTHORN
SERVES THEM
WITH A PROTECTED PERCH,
IT PROVIDES THE SAME SERVICE
TO THE BIRDS OF PREY
THAT HUNT THEM.
THE KGALAGADI IS A HOTBED
OF RAPTOR ACTIVITY.
THIS SOUTHERN PALE
CHANTING GOSHAWK
WILL PREY ON SMALL BIRDS
LIKE WEAVERS AND FINCHES.
BUT ITS FAVORITE FOOD
IS SMALL MAMMALS.
IT DEVOURS ITS LATEST VICTIM IN
THE BRANCHES OF A CAMELTHORN.
THE KGALAGADI RIVERBEDS PROVIDE
IDEAL HABITAT FOR THE GOSHAWK.
OPEN GROUND
LEAVES RODENTS VISIBLE
AND THE BRANCHES OF CAMELTHORNS
PROVIDE HIGH PERCHES
FROM WHICH TO LAUNCH
DIVING ATTACKS.
AND WHEN MICE
ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN,
AT AROUND 80 SOCIABLE WEAVERS
IN LESS THAN A MILE OF RIVERBED,
THERE'S NO SHORTAGE OF FOOD
FOR THE GOSHAWK.
HAVING EATEN ITS FILL IT USES
THE TREE FOR ONE LAST PURPOSE -
CLEANING ITS SHARP BEAK
BY RUBBING IT
AGAINST THE ROUGH BARK.
THE GOSHAWK
ISN'T THE ONLY HUNTER
THAT RELIES ON CAMELTHORNS.
WHILE THEIR BRANCHES ARE A
LAUNCHING PAD FOR THE RAPTOR,
THEY ALSO PROVIDE
A FAVORITE RESTING PLACE
OF ANOTHER
OF THE KGALAGADI'S CATS.
BUT THIS LITTLE PREDATOR MAY
SEEM OUT OF PLACE
IN ITS WILD ENVIRONMENT.
THE AFRICAN WILD CAT
LOOKS SURPRISINGLY DOMESTIC.
MAINLY ACTIVE AT NIGHT,
IT SPENDS MUCH OF ITS DAY
RELAXING IN THESE BRANCHES.
ITS STRIPY LEGS
ARE PERFECTLY CAMOUFLAGED
AGAINST THE TREE'S GNARLED BARK.
AT AROUND 11 POUNDS
IT COULD EASILY BE CONFUSED WITH
A DOMESTIC TABBY CAT,
DISTINGUISHED
ONLY BY ITS LONGER LEGS
AND THE RUFUS COLORING
BEHIND ITS EARS.
IT WAS CATS LIKE THESE
THAT WERE FIRST DOMESTICATED
6,000 YEARS AGO IN ANCIENT EGYPT
TO CONTROL RAT POPULATIONS.
AND LIKE THOSE ANCIENT ANCESTORS
THIS WILD CAT'S FAVORITE PREY
ARE MICE AND RATS.
HIGH DENSITIES OF RODENTS
MEAN THAT IT CAN GET
ALL IT NEEDS
IN A SMALL TERRITORY
OF LESS THAN HALF A SQUARE MILE.
UNLIKE THE CAPE FOX
IT FINDS DAYTIME SAFETY
ABOVE THE GROUND,
IN THE SHADED BOUGHS
OF ITS FAVORITE TREE.
THIS PREDATOR,
AS FAMILIAR IN ITS APPEARANCE
AS IT IS STRANGE
IN ITS WILD SETTING,
IS YET ANOTHER REMINDER THAT
NOT EVERYTHING IS AS IT SEEMS
IN THIS UNPREDICTABLE LAND.
AFTER A GOOD GROOMING SESSION
THE AFRICAN WILD CAT SETTLES
DOWN TO SLEEP THE HOT DAY AWAY.
HERE IT WILL REMAIN
UNTIL EVENING
WHEN IT HEADS OUT TO HUNT,
TAKING ITS PLACE
ALONGSIDE THE BIGGER PREDATORS
THAT PROWL THE PARK BY NIGHT.
THE RIVERBEDS CARVING THEIR WAY
THROUGH
THE KGALAGADI TRANSFRONTIER PARK
ARE HAVENS OF LIFE
IN A HARSH LAND.
HERE TALL TREES
HAVE GROWN FOR CENTURIES,
PROVIDING BOTH
SUBSTANCE AND STRUCTURE
FOR LIFE TO PERSIST.
WHILE LIVING IN THIS THIRSTY
LAND IS CHALLENGING,
THE PARK'S CREATURES ARE
PERFECTLY ADAPTED TO SURVIVE -
ENJOYING SUCCESS,
AND PERSEVERING THROUGH FAILURE.
RELYING ON TEAMWORK,
AND THEIR OWN DETERMINATION -
THEY DEFY THE ODDS.
CARVING OUT THEIR OWN PLACE
IN THE CYCLE OF LIFE
THAT DRIVES THIS GREAT PARK.
TOGETHER THESE CREATURES
BRING VIBRANT LIFE
TO THIS VAST WILDERNESS
IN THE HEART OF THE KALAHARI.
