Life Stories - Fighting for Life

Job ID: 44690Fighting For LifeFighting for life

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60

OFF THE FENCEFIGHTING FOR LIFEFIGHTING FOR LIFE

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10:00:00:16PAN up from fallen tree to show forest

10:00:09:19SHOT across savannah showing trees on horizon

10:00:14:13SHOT of rocky terrain

10:00:19:02SHOT of countryside, river cutting through mountainous forest as clouds move by overhead

10:00:24:17SHOT of river as clouds move by overhead 10:00:29:22NARRATOR

the TRANQUILLITY of nature is just

10:00:31:20SHOT of sun shining through trees 10:00:34:20NARRATOR (CONT)

a faade. NARRATOR

living

10:00:35:03SHOT of monkeys sitting on tree stump

NARRATOR (CONT)

means struggling and fighting.

10:00:38:02MONTAGE:SHOTS of various animals fighting

10:00:39:07

10:00:45:12

10:00:50:06

10:00:58:00NARRATOR

it means winning and losing many battles, both big and small. NARRATOR

This struggle affects everyone and everything. NARRATOR

fights over food, over territory, or for love. NARRATOR

nevertheless, violence in nature is often just a ritual that follows a protocol, a set of rules and formalities that almost always prevent serious injuries.

10:01:10:00SHOT of injured ox limping across savannah

10:01:11:14SHOTS of Siamese fighting fish floating in water

10:01:16:00NARRATOR

thats fighting for life.

10:01:22:15CU on Japanese rhinoceros beetle crawling by, programme title on its back

10:01:31:09SEQUENCE:Japanese rhinoceros beetle walking through woodland 10:01:36:11NARRATOR

the most basic facets of the fight for life are the ones that drive almost all males to compete for territory and a mate in order to decide which individuals are

10:01:46:02SEQUENCE:

Japanese rhinoceros beetles fighting over a mate, one lifting its rival from the ground in victory

10:01:49:13NARRATOR (CONT)

the most ideal to have offspring.

NARRATOR

thats how a natural selection takes place that leads to the IMPROVEMENT of the species.

10:02:45:19SHOT of Japanese rhinoceros beetle falling to the ground, before standing and walking off screen 10:02:50:15NARRATOR

the weapons of some males, which have grown huge as the species has evolved because the females prefer them big, are such

10:02:57:07CU on Japanese Rhinoceros Beetles sword NARRATOR (CONT)

imposing weapons that sometimes they prevent the males from leading normal


Japanese rhinoceros beetle perched on twig before setting off through woodland

10:03:03:12

10:03:08:01

10:03:12:24lives. NARRATOR

for example, this japanese RHINOCEROS beetle is unable to eat. NARRATOR

its long sword is the price it pays for victory in the mating game. NARRATOR

its that simple.

10:03:15:00SHOTS of Chameleon perched on tree branch

10:03:18:18

10:03:24:15

10:03:28:03NARRATOR

nonetheless, sometimes the behaviour of wildlife isnt that simple. NARRATOR

not all the battles between males are the same. NARRATOR

not all of them involve boxing, shoving and hitting each other.

10:03:36:18CU on chameleons face showing off its horns 10:03:37:19

10:03:45:19NARRATOR

the horns of these chameleons have more to do with aesthetics than they do with the lethal sabre of a fencing master. NARRATOR

this trident is not sharp. it injects no venom. its not even intended to

10:03:50:20SHOT of fly landing on chameleons horn

NARRATOR (CONT)

wound an opponent or prevent being wounded.

10:03:54:16SHOT of chameleon walking along tree branch

10:03:54:16NARRATOR

its an ornament. thats all.

10:03:58:11SHOT of fly flying away from chameleons horn


Female chameleon perched on tree branch as males change colour in front of her

10:04:03:09

10:04:10:23

10:04:15:23

10:04:26:01NARRATOR

but a gentleman chameleons ability to seduce a lady chameleon depends a lot on the visual. NARRATOR

the shape is important, but the colours are even more important. NARRATOR

the variations in the colours are going to play a more influential role than brute strength in how this encounter among two males and a female turns out.

NARRATOR

strength and size count of course, but theyre no longer all that counts.

10:04:30:22CU on chameleons tail curling 10:04:31:07

10:04:34:21NARRATOR

and that is a big evolutionary step. NARRATOR

the colouring of the competing

10:04:36:04SHOTS of male chameleons perched beside one another 10:04:41:21


male chameleons makes it possible to select the one best able to CAMOUFLAGE itself. NARRATOR

the survival of a chameleon depends a lot on going unnoticed, by both predators and prey. NARRATOR

thats why their ability to change colours is crucial,


Chameleons fighting over a mate, changing colour as they do so CUT with:

SHOT of female chameleon looking on

10:05:06:08

10:05:11:11

10:05:26:17and thats why its judged when they fight. NARRATOR

as they get angrier, their colours grow more intense. NARRATOR

the colours vary from lighter to darker tones, and patterns of bands, or dots, appear that in each species demonstrates the ability of each individual. NARRATOR

that helps the female to choose between her two suitors.

10:05:43:19SHOT of chameleon falling from tree branch and hanging by its tail

10:05:57:07SHOT of chameleon struggling as its rival looks on

10:06:00:07SHOTS of chameleon falling from tree branch and landing on the ground

10:06:03:16NARRATOR

this time the age and

10:06:05:05SHOT of chameleon perched on tree branch 10:06:11:06NARRATOR (CONT)

size of the larger of the two combatants left little room for surprise. NARRATOR

although, among chameleons,


Chameleons walking along tree branches towards one another


you never know. NARRATOR

one of the things they value most, besides colouring, is the ability to do everything very, very slowly.

10:06:32:16SHOT of savannah, giraffe walking through trees on horizon 10:06:35:09NARRATOR

the longest, toughest and oldest biological fight in nature, what we could call the real first world war, takes place


Giraffes eating leaves from acacia trees, before leaving as tree secretes poison

SEQUENCE:

Giraffes eating leaves from acacia trees, before leaving as tree secretes poison

10:06:55:20

10:07:02:14

10:07:06:04

10:07:27:05

10:07:37:13


between the plant kingdom and the animal kingdom. NARRATOR

animals eat plants, and plants defend themselves. NARRATOR

even if we dont see it as a fight, it is. NARRATOR

plants keep inventing the most sophisticated poisons and the sharpest thorns to defend themselves from the continuous attacks of the herbivores, and the herbivores counter-attack by developing immunities, cast-iron stomachs or desensitised tongues, that dont feel it when theyre stabbed, like the giraffes. NARRATOR

acacias, the favourite food of these voracious leaf eaters have re-counter attacked with a hi-tech double anti-herbivore protection system. NARRATOR

when theyre bitten, these trees secrete complex toxic substances that make their leaves taste bad, and in this way they make the giraffe go somewhere else to look for something that doesnt taste so bitter, and that doesnt upset its stomach. NARRATOR

but the giraffe will have to walk pretty far because the wounded acacias give off a secret signal through the air that


Giraffe walking across savannah in search of alternate food source


warns all the acacias in the area of the attack, and they all go on the warpath. NARRATOR

and so this highly sophisticated CHEMICAL weapon maintains the balance between the acacias and the giraffes.


Giraffe eating leaves from lone tree on savannah

10:08:28:03

10:08:38:19

10:08:47:04NARRATOR

the fight between animals and plants, between producers and consumers, is managed and will continue to be managed so that there are neither winners nor losers. NARRATOR

in terms of chess STRATEGIES, we could describe it as a draw.

NARRATOR

although there is a case of check-mate.

10:08:51:23SHOT of elephants approaching baobab tree 10:08:54:19

10:09:00:24NARRATOR

this baobab is one of the largest living beings on the planet. NARRATOR

it may

10:09:01:01SHOT of elephants grazing beside baobab tree 10:09:08:12NARRATOR (CONT)

weigh more than 1,500 tons and have lived for a thousand years. NARRATOR

the elephants beside it are

10:09:10:05SHOT of elephant approaching its family standing beside baobab tree

10:09:16:17small in comparison, almost irrelevant. NARRATOR

and yet the elephants have finished off the baobab.

10:09:24:03SHOT of elephants grazing beside baobab tree

10:09:29:01SHOT of baobab trees as elephants walk between them

10:09:30:09

10:09:35:24NARRATOR

the fate of all these giant plants is to die without having offspring. NARRATOR

there wont be any new baobabs, at least wherever there are elephants.


Elephants grazing on grass beside baobab trees

10:09:44:13

10:09:52:17NARRATOR

elephants are the largest animals that walk on grass, and the largest animals that eat grass too. NARRATOR

except that they dont eat only grass. they also eat trees, more than anything else.

10:10:01:06SHOTS of fallen trees, destroyed by elephants 10:10:03:22NARRATOR

whats left of the african savannah is good proof of this, and since every day less and less of the savannah remains, the damage caused to the vegetation by elephants

10:10:13:00SHOTS of baobab tree destroyed by elephants 10:10:29:06

10:10:35:23


is more and more evident, and increasingly unbalanced. NARRATOR

although we should point out that the elephants arent the real culprits that we should blame for this situation. NARRATOR

we human beings should allow the elephants access to longer routes on their seasonal path in search of food. NARRATOR

but we dont, and so elephants

10:10:47:11SHOT of elephants walking across savannah


today can almost never leave africas national parks. NARRATOR

thats why elephants now represent such a tremendous threat to their green neighbours.

10:10:59:22SHOT of savannah littered with trees 10:11:00:14NARRATOR

in tarangire, in the heart of tanzania, the elephants


Elephants grazing on grass beside baobab trees

SEQUENCE:

Elephants grazing on grass beside baobab trees 10:11:13:09

10:11:20:24

10:11:27:21

10:11:35:07

10:11:41:16


have killed off the baobabs for good. NARRATOR

the few that are still standing will last as long as their age permits, maybe a thousand years or more. NARRATOR

but that, in baobab terms, is just one generation. NARRATOR

none of their seeds will succeed, so no young baobab will escape from the elephants trunks. NARRATOR

only these large old trees can withstand the elephants attacks. NARRATOR

but no son of a baobab will be able to survive. NARRATOR

this landscapes days are numbered.

10:11:51:03SHOTS of baobab trees on savannah

10:12:06:10NARRATOR

as we watch powerlessly the decline of this magnificent species, unless we humans become extinct before the last baobab dies, and so free the baobabs from the elephants harassment.

10:12:22:15SHOT of elephants grazing on grass beside baobab trees

10:12:22:22NARRATOR

but then who would be left to care?

10:12:30:05PAN around to show sun hanging in the sky above baobab trees

10:12:46:02PAN around to show savannah, mountains on horizon

10:12:52:00

NARRATOR

fortunately the


Dik-dik grazing on foliage as its rival approaches

CUT with:

SHOTS of dik-dik approaching its rival

10:12:58:13

10:13:07:22


fight for life doesnt always involve such dramatic consequences. NARRATOR

the fight is something very common, and thats why it shouldnt cause more than minimal harm to the combatants. NARRATOR

the DIK-DIK has managed to reduce the cost of its battles to practically zero. NARRATOR

in fact, when DIK-DIKs fight, the males normally dont even touch each other.


Dik-diks staring at one another and beginning to fight, before both running away in fright

10:13:43:08NARRATOR

they just threaten each other and try to scare their opponent.


Female dik-dik joining winner of fight and setting off into undergrowth

10:13:52:00

10:14:00:01

10:14:07:12NARRATOR

the females are always watching, and logically they join the winners and live in their territory. NARRATOR

we cant say that the DIK-DIK is exactly the PARADIGM of a great fighter, but as well see, their technique is fantastic. NARRATOR

they dont shed a drop of blood, and hardly a drop of sweat.


Dik-diks grazing on foliage, turning as noises sound around them

10:14:22:21

10:14:30:05NARRATOR

DIK-DIKs have tiny horns if theyre males, and no horns at all if theyre females. NARRATOR

they stand barely 30 centimetres tall, thats just 12 inches.

10:14:34:19SHOTS of dik-dik elongating its nose 10:14:35:05

10:14:46:04NARRATOR

everything about them is small actually, except their noses, which they can even stretch. NARRATOR

another of the DIK-DIKs characteristics is the gland that males use to mark their


Dik-dik walking through grass, making its territory as it does so

territory, blade of grass by blade of grass, trying to make it clear to potential competitors just whos in charge here.

10:14:59:24SHOT of dik-diks grazing on foliage

10:15:02:15NARRATOR

in any case, the dominant male never lets his guard down, not for a second.


Dik-dik grazing on foliage as its rival approaches

CUT with:

SHOTS of dik-dik approaching its rival 10:15:08:21

10:15:26:23

10:15:38:10

10:15:44:21NARRATOR

hes on constant alert with all five senses, always on guard, just in case another male appears on the scene. NARRATOR

hes got great senses of smell and hearing, and he just smelled and heard something that he likes least of all, another male DIK-DIK. NARRATOR

hell have to confront him, and maybe this one will be less of a coward than the one this morning. NARRATOR

it will be a veritable


Dik-diks fighting over territory, jumping back and forth before one turns and walks away

NARRATOR (CONT)

duel, even though they wont ever touch a single hair on each other.

10:17:15:00SHOT of Dik-dik looking around as fight comes to an end

10:17:19:00

NARRATOR

although DIK-DIKs dont use

10:17:19:17MONTAGE:

SHOTS of various horned animals MONTAGE:

SHOTS of various horned animals

10:17:28:18

10:17:35:00

10:17:41:14

10:17:48:03

10:17:58:11

10:18:08:10


them much, the horns of deer, buffalos, goats and antelopes are a terrific invention. NARRATOR

and it seems like the girls in all the species just love horns. NARRATOR

big ones, long ones, twisted ones, thick ones, rough ones, sinuous ones. NARRATOR

whatever they look like, their purpose is to keep the combatants from breaking each others heads when they fight.

NARRATOR

horns are the definitive tool for those animals that have to fight without using their hands, and theyre also pretty cool looking. NARRATOR

theyre the sexual attributes that make the difference, and thats because with a good set of horns you can avoid a lot of problems. NARRATOR

nobody messes with the guy who has got the biggest ones. NARRATOR

thats an unwritten rule that everybody respects.


Grants gazelle walking across savannah and meeting with a rival

10:18:28:24

10:18:41:04NARRATOR

the thing is, when two animals have horns that are just about the same size, things get a little complicated.

NARRATOR

these two grants gazelles have almost identical sexual attributes.


Grants gazelles carrying out various rituals as they prepare for a fight

10:18:46:20

10:18:53:10

10:19:03:05

10:19:09:24

10:19:17:12

10:19:22:20

10:19:28:15

10:20:21:01NARRATOR

it almost seems to them as if they were looking in a mirror, and that really gets their blood boiling. NARRATOR

they still have a few more steps to take however before beginning to fight in earnest. NARRATOR

all males, no matter how brave or strong they are, prefer to avoid the risks of a real fight. NARRATOR

well, except for those clumsy males that charge into a brawl right off the bat.

NARRATOR

the rituals prior to a combat are another very interesting strategy. NARRATOR

these rituals mark the increasing levels of violence in the confrontation. NARRATOR

sometimes two males face off only up to level one of their fight programme, and the dispute is completely resolved at that first level.

NARRATOR

but looking in the mirror and


Grants gazelles jumping back and forth as they begin to fight, causing one to back down 10:20:44:14exhibiting their horns wasnt enough for these grants gazelles to decide their quarrel, so they move up to level two.

NARRATOR

like the DIK-DIKs they have barely touched each other,


Grants gazelles walking off in opposite directions across savannah 10:20:54:20but there is already a winner. they didnt need to resort to level three where really unfortunate things can happen. NARRATOR

as we can see, antelopes arent as barbaric as some

10:20:58:11SHOT of trees

primates.


Monkeys gathered together in colony along with their young

CUT with:

SHOTS of monkeys sitting on tree stump

10:21:10:14

10:21:20:02

10:21:29:00

10:21:34:18NARRATOR

the key to preventing unnecessary harm lies in controlling the succession of degrees of violence and applying them appropriately. NARRATOR

the more complex the species social relationships are, the more they need to learn to control their aggressiveness. NARRATOR

and as with any important matter, the lessons have to be taught beginning at a young age. NARRATOR

learning to live has a lot to do with learning how to play.


Monkeys play fighting with their siblings in trees

CUT with:

SHOTS of small monkey sitting in tree 10:21:56:09

10:22:16:16

10:22:25:22

10:22:35:06NARRATOR

and thats why its good for young animals to play and play endlessly.

NARRATOR

perhaps sometimes their games seem a little violent, but they have to be. NARRATOR

in addition there are posturing, gestures and attitudes that calm the fight in an instant so that things dont get out of hand. NARRATOR

the hierarchy of the family and the group is established on the basis of all these experiences, and that

10:22:41:05SHOT of monkey slowly turning to face camera

prevents a lot of frustration and complications among the adult companions.



SEQUENCE:


10:22:48:24

10:23:00:11

10:23:12:24

10:23:25:06NARRATOR

at the same time, games are a kind of entertainment, as these fighting games serve to grow and develop both physically and psychologically. NARRATOR

these games help to gain agility and a sense of balance, and to improve the reflexes, which at a given moment may help to escape from a playmate, or also to dodge the attack of a predator. NARRATOR

and each individual learns to recognise its abilities and its limits.

NARRATOR

monkeys, which are so similar to people, are able to have fun and learn at the same time.


Monkeys running across savannah and into water in a game of chase

SEQUENCE:

Monkeys running across savannah and into water in a game of chase

10:23:32:14

10:23:41:10

10:23:57:23NARRATOR

together with facial and corporal expressions, this chasing, hitting and shoving make up a very complete language. NARRATOR

the ties within the group gradually form according to the results that are repeated most frequently in these games.

NARRATOR

the ones who win the most often will be the dominant males and females, and everyone will HAPPILY accept the order that is established because it emerged in a gradual, natural and fair way.

10:24:20:21SHOT of rocky terrain


Young mountain goats play fighting on rocky terrain 10:24:35:07

10:24:40:07NARRATOR

the hierarchical organisation of species is forged from infancy. NARRATOR

it plays a fundamental role in cushioning aggressiveness, and it also serves as a cohesive


Young elephants play fighting at they graze on savannah

10:24:57:01


element that units the clan, or the herd, so that together and well organised they can improve their chances for survival.

NARRATOR

the babies games gradually become more serious as they grow older. NARRATOR

and of course, when they reach adolescence, their spirits run high.


Young impalas play fighting in woodland

SEQUENCE:


10:25:14:05

10:25:20:20

10:25:38:20

10:25:48:12NARRATOR

young impalas may be the most ardent adolescent males in the animal kingdom.

NARRATOR

if they had their way they would spend all their time competing with each other, an absolute free-for-all.

NARRATOR

but of course this tires them out considerably, and they inevitably arent as attentive as they should be to the possible presence of predators. NARRATOR

to reduce the risk of being attacked while they learn to use their horns, the adolescents live with other males of various ages, and one of them is always on the look-out, just in case.


Young impalas walking through woodland as elders looks on 10:26:05:11NARRATOR

the members of these exclusive bachelors clubs include adolescents, adult males that dont yet have their own group of females, and also those adult males that have lost their females, that is, apprentices, aspirants to become alpha males




and deposed alpha males. NARRATOR

although the ones that fight the most are the adolescents that are competing for the right to enter impala paradise, by becoming the best in the bachelors club.

10:26:52:24SHOTS of impalas grazing on hillside

10:26:55:00

10:27:02:03

10:27:09:24NARRATOR

some day they will challenge the super male that lives a few kilometres away, alone with his harem of females.

NARRATOR

he won this right by beating the strongest rivals in a thousand bloodless battles.

NARRATOR

the problem is, sometimes these battles do have very serious consequences.

10:27:14:01SHOTS of injured ox limping across savannah

10:27:21:18NARRATOR

on the savannah, an injury makes you very vulnerable to the lions, and a limp is the quickest way to draw their attention.

10:27:52:04SHOT of the sky, vultures circling amongst the clouds


Injured ox limping across savannah before stopping and lying down in water

CUT with:

SHOT of the sky, vultures circling amongst the clouds

10:28:05:21NARRATOR

and if you give up, when you give up, you can dodge the hunter, but youll end up with the scavengers.

10:28:31:06SHOT of vulture flying through the air

10:28:35:10SHOT of vultures looking on 10:28:42:12NARRATOR

the deaths of the weakest,

10:28:43:18SHOTS of vultures flying through the air

SHOTS of vultures flying through the air 10:28:51:07

10:28:54:19


of those who havent been invited to the party to PROPAGATE their genes, will feed new fights, new attempts. NARRATOR

the vultures eyesight is the best in the animal kingdom. NARRATOR

its like theyve got a zoom in their eyes to spot dead animals from the air.

NARRATOR

and of course the more vultures there are around it,

10:29:04:05SHOT of vultures crowded around a carcass 10:29:10:22the easier it is to locate a corpse.

NARRATOR

flying

10:29:11:06SHOT of vulture coming in to land NARRATOR (CONT)

vultures can see other vultures descending from very far away, and that, in the language of vultures,


Vultures crowded around a carcass as they feed on its remains

SEQUENCE:

Vultures crowded around a carcass as they feed on its remains

10:29:29:14

10:29:35:03

10:29:44:01

10:29:50:02

10:30:03:10

10:30:08:14


can mean only one thing. that you have to hurry up before the others gobble up the whole feast.

NARRATOR

vultures dont have to hunt, they eat the corpses that they just happen to stumble upon. NARRATOR

they only have to have stomachs that can handle very well done meat, even decomposing meat. NARRATOR

but they do have to fight for each mouthful that mother nature serves up to them. NARRATOR

the risks that they dont have to run to catch their prey, they do have to run to get each bite next to the other vultures around them.

NARRATOR

but there are rules that establish some order in the chaos of vultures squabbling over dinner. NARRATOR

the hungriest ones are also the most aggressive, and as they gradually satisfy their appetite, they become less violent in the fight for tendons and intestines.

NARRATOR

consequently, there is a rotation at the buffet table, and the whole group gets to eat something in a way that is very proportional to whats available.

10:31:25:23SHOT of vulture turning its head


Wolf approaching group and joining in as they feed on carcass 10:31:34:21

10:31:41:12NARRATOR

although wolves also scavenge sometimes like vultures, wolves are mainly hunters. NARRATOR

and in wolf society, things are done

10:31:43:09SHOT of rocky terrain as wolves feed on carcass

NARRATOR (CONT)

as a group, and everyone has a role to play.

10:31:47:05SHOT of wolves feeding on carcass 10:31:48:11NARRATOR

thats why there


Wolf growling as group members continue to feed on carcass


is a hierarchy at their family feasts that prevents altercations. NARRATOR

even if they are very hungry, a strict code of signs, gestures and sounds manages the tension quite well.

10:32:12:11SHOTS of wolves feeding on carcass 10:32:13:22NARRATOR

the key to happiness doesnt lie in being the leader of the pack, its fine to be number three or five, the key


Wolf growling as group members continue to feed on carcass

10:32:27:14


is in knowing to a t what your place is within the group. NARRATOR

its not a question of conforming, but of recognising your abilities and offering them to the clan. NARRATOR

wolves understand that perfectly.

10:32:42:09SHOT of waves crashing against rocks 10:32:46:16NARRATOR

although water covers 71 percent of the earths surface,

10:32:49:03MONTAGE:

SHOTS of various creatures under the sea 10:32:56:04

10:33:01:02

10:33:07:03


at the bottom of the seas theres no more available terrain than on dry land. NARRATOR

its almost all sand, like an immense desert. NARRATOR

only on the reefs and on the rocky bottoms near the coasts is there really life. NARRATOR

here, every stone, every nook and cranny is somebodys territory. NARRATOR

the majority of marine life is concentrated around THESE LIVING OASES, and thats why


Boxer shrimp making its way across the sea bed before coming face to face with a rival

10:33:24:00

10:33:32:02

10:33:41:05every square centimetre is in big demand.

NARRATOR

this shrimp is looking for a home, and the one he likes already has an owner.

NARRATOR

the popular name we have given this species is boxer shrimp, because theyre very surly to each other. they cant stand to have another one near. NARRATOR

but to keep from KILLING each other, they developed a brilliant trick and so they always fight by category, according to their size.


Boxer shrimp facing off against rival, touching antennae before beginning to fight

10:33:49:22

10:33:56:09

10:34:13:19NARRATOR

they compare how long they are, the size of their claws, to see if one of them is clearly bigger. NARRATOR

they always look for some way to resolve the dispute without bloodshed.

NARRATOR

they touch each OTHER WITH their long antennae, communicating to the other exactly what their intentions are.


Boxer shrimp cutting off its rivals claw, causing it to walk away 10:34:35:24

10:34:38:21

10:34:52:01NARRATOR

and if there is a fight, its very quick. NARRATOR

the aim is to grab the others claws and when one of them manages to do that, the other shrimp accepts defeat, and as the loser, voluntarily surrenders its left arm, the weaker of the two claws. NARRATOR

the loser is left one-armed, but only temporarily. the next time it sheds its exoskeleton in just a few

10:34:58:08SHOT of severed claw lying on the sea bed

weeks, it completely regenerates the lost claw.

10:35:05:16CU on murky sea bed 10:35:06:21NARRATOR

theres not much extra space in these waters

10:35:08:11SHOT of boggy terrain surrounded by water NARRATOR (CONT)

either, ESPECIALLY in those little pools by the banks WHICH evaporation has isolated from the MAIN


Siamese fighting fish moving through water before coming to face to face with a rival SEQUENCE:

Siamese fighting fish moving through water before coming to face to face with a rival 10:35:18:07

10:35:23:20

10:35:28:00

10:35:35:01

10:35:44:23channel.

NARRATOR

the territory of a siamese fighting fish changes in size and shape. NARRATOR

it grows, or shrinks, according to the rains or the heat. NARRATOR

that makes these fish one of the most anti-social animals on the planet.

NARRATOR

when two siamese fighting fish end up isolated in a pool thats too small, one of them will kill the other, since there is no way to run away. NARRATOR

there can be


Siamese fighting fish flaring up their fins as they prepare to fight over territory

SEQUENCE:

Siamese fighting fish flaring up their fins as they prepare to fight over territory

10:35:50:00

10:35:57:21

10:36:02:22

10:36:11:01

10:36:15:12

10:36:21:15


only one. NARRATOR

it looks like the red one is going to win, at least hes the biggest BRAGGART. NARRATOR

male siamese fighting fish have disproportionately large fins. NARRATOR

their first purpose is to make their owners visible to other siamese fighting fish in these muddy waters.

NARRATOR

theyre also useful to court the ladies whenever they find them.

NARRATOR

but above all, they are a shield. NARRATOR

given their length and surface area, his rivals attacks almost never reach the vital parts of the body. NARRATOR

his fins end up in shreds, but the damage doesnt go beyond that, and the fins will heal.


Siamese fighting fish fighting over territory, pieces of fin tearing away from their bodies as they fight 10:37:42:23NARRATOR

when one of the combatants feels


Siamese fighting fish feigning death and beginning to float in water as its rival swims away

10:37:51:05

10:37:53:22


clearly beaten, he stays completely still so as not to incite the winner to keep attacking. NARRATOR

he surrenders. NARRATOR

this technique, in which he spreads his fins out completely to reveal his wounds, placates his rival and gains him a few hours respite. NARRATOR

with luck, even a whole day, and fortunately in thailand it rains frequently.

10:38:08:03TIMELAPSE:

SHOT of boggy terrain being filled up with water

10:38:18:21SHOTS of hippopotamuses bathing in muddy water 10:38:21:01

10:38:26:00NARRATOR

another source of conflict in the wild is the differences between the sexes. NARRATOR

actually the lack of differences, when the guys and the


Hippopotamuses carrying out mating rituals as they bathe in muddy water

10:38:34:20

10:38:40:12


gals look so much alike that you almost cant tell them apart. NARRATOR

thats why there are mating rituals to clear up this crucial point. NARRATOR

animals mating rituals are extremely varied, and some are even violent. NARRATOR

hippopotami look like they bite each other more than kiss each other.


Giraffes carrying out mating rituals as they stand beside trees 10:39:36:16

10:39:45:11

10:39:49:15

10:39:56:19

10:40:04:24NARRATOR

the giraffes mating rituals begin the same way fights between giraffes do, with some blows to the neck, a shove or two. NARRATOR

how does the other one respond? NARRATOR

if its strong and has male hormones, it will respond aggressively and hit back. NARRATOR

if the violence grows, then its a tiff between males, which has no future. NARRATOR

but if to the CONTRARY during the skirmish one of the two giraffes backs off instead of returning the blows, refusing to respond with more violence, then that indicates that its a female, and that the meeting will have a happy ending among the

10:40:18:23SHOT of giraffes walking into woodland

NARRATOR (CONT)

trees.

10:40:31:23SHOT of giraffes continuing mating rituals amongst trees


SHOT of the sun setting on horizon


Spanish toads croaking as they sit in water and amongst reeds 10:40:50:11

10:41:02:22

10:41:08:03NARRATOR

for the moment theres no room for confusion among these toads, there are only males in the pool.

NARRATOR

theyve been calling to the females for days, but the ladies still havent shown up. NARRATOR

theyre hot blooded, they are spanish toads after all,


Spanish toads making their way through water in search of mating areas, battling with rivals as they do so


and that makes a difference. NARRATOR

each toad is trying to claim a good spot with the ideal depth to fertilise his future mate, and he wants a bit of peace and calm, so the other males around can just take a hike, but theyre not leaving.


Spanish toad accidentally mounting a fellow male, causing others to join in

10:41:38:07

10:41:46:18

10:41:50:18NARRATOR

if in the heat of night one of these toads were to grab another the way he would hold a female, then total chaos would break out among the toads. NARRATOR

everyone would try to mate with the alleged lady! NARRATOR

although, who knows, maybe it is a lady.

10:41:54:06SHOTS of Spanish toad croaking as it sits amongst reeds

10:41:54:18

10:41:58:06NARRATOR

who can see a thing in this darkness? NARRATOR

but the sun will come up soon, and the party will continue tomorrow.

10:42:05:17SHOT of Spanish toad submerged in water, looking towards camera


SHOT of clouds moving through the sky as sun rises


Warthogs carrying out mating rituals, the female becoming violent as the male persists

10:42:29:06

10:42:34:05

10:42:40:16

10:42:55:16

10:42:58:17

10:43:10:06

10:43:14:01NARRATOR

this clash between a male and a female is very unusual. NARRATOR

its not a mistake like the toads, nor is it a violent mating ritual like the giraffes. NARRATOR

but for a mating ritual, the female sure is playing hard to get.

NARRATOR

shes rejecting the suitor. NARRATOR

hes a young male that hasnt earned such a place of honour yet, and he wont follow the rules.

NARRATOR

isnt there an alpha male around here somewhere to defend the lady?

NARRATOR

maybe a lion ate him?


Second male warthog arriving on the scene and coming to females aid

10:43:24:02NARRATOR

finally, thank goodness! okay, now everything will be as it should be again, after a bit of shoving.


Warthogs fighting over a mate before one runs away

10:43:37:12SHOT of warthogs standing on savannah 10:43:37:17NARRATOR

squabbles between the sexes, clashes among males, fights to


Zebras standing together as they graze on savannah


the death, or mere threats, the fight for life takes many forms. NARRATOR

little daily quarrels are the most common thing among neighbours, but theyre very important.

10:43:52:07PAN around to show savannah as zebras graze

10:43:54:00NARRATOR

they let off steam.


Zebras standing together as they graze on savannah

10:44:00:08NARRATOR

zebras, like any other animal, live with a high level of stress. they know the lions are out there, and that makes them nervous.

10:44:09:10SHOT of lions looking on as zebras graze in background 10:44:13:12NARRATOR

letting the tension build up


Zebras fighting as they walk across savannah

10:44:23:22would be counter-productive. a little spat that sets things straight never did any harm to anybody. NARRATOR

resting your head on your neighbours shoulder is also an ideal way to make up.


Zebras resting their heads on fellow group members by way of an apology

10:44:47:12NARRATOR

neighbours are potential friends when they can

10:44:49:06PAN down to show ants crawling across tree stump


cooperate amongst themselves. NARRATOR

but some neighbours can only be enemies.


Ants making their way across terrain in search of a new home

10:45:02:14

10:45:21:08

10:45:32:12NARRATOR

when the number of ants in an ant hill grows with the birth of a new generation, their need for resources also grows, and then the ant colonys only option is to conquer more land.

NARRATOR

this is a reconnaissance mission made up of soldiers from an ant hill, and it has just crossed the borders of its territory. NARRATOR

animals generally avoid injuring each other, but today that wont be possible.


Ants battling with rival colony as they attempt to take over terrain

SEQUENCE:

Ants battling with rival colony as they attempt to take over terrain

10:46:10:09

10:46:16:04

10:46:21:21

10:46:51:16

10:46:57:10

10:47:02:09

10:47:04:07

10:47:11:11

10:47:16:18NARRATOR

ant colonies that share borders often descend from sister queens. NARRATOR

GENETICALLY theyre very similar, but theyre not identical.

NARRATOR

they can distinguish their cousins perfectly from themselves. they know what the presence of invaders next to their home means, and they are well aware of which family the ants belong to.

NARRATOR

there may not be any other form of violence in the animal kingdom as fierce as this. NARRATOR

here, there are no protocols, no strategies, no rules. NARRATOR

it wouldnt make any sense. NARRATOR

there is only one aim. to eliminate the other ant hill in order to have enough resources at their disposal. NARRATOR

its their lives or ours. NARRATOR

its only a question of using brute force to kill as many of the enemy as possible.


Ants attempting to stab rivals as battle takes place

10:47:34:07

10:47:39:24

10:47:49:20NARRATOR

some ants seem to try to stab their sting in others, but they dont have a sting. NARRATOR

ants descend from wasps and some species still have a sting to inject venom with, but thats not the case with this species. NARRATOR

nonetheless, the tremendous aggressiveness that some individual ants exhibit leads them to resort to every kind of weapon they know, even those that they no longer have.


Ants battling with rival colony as they attempt to take over terrain, continuing to fight even once cut in two

10:48:06:07

10:48:18:22

10:48:25:02

10:48:33:16NARRATOR

this madness that takes over as they fight to the death, also seems to eliminate completely the pain they feel on the battlefield. NARRATOR

thats why an ant that has been cut in two keeps fighting as if it were whole. NARRATOR

nobody, and no part of a body, will stop fighting until they have used every last ounce of energy.

NARRATOR

war among the ants is cruel, merciless and fierce. just like any other.

10:49:06:04SHOT of ant walking by, checking on a rivals corpse as it passes

10:49:08:22SHOT of dead ant

10:49:11:21CU on dying ant moving its leg and jaw

10:49:21:22PAN up to show woodland

10:49:29:02CU on lichen covered tree


Japanese rhinoceros beetle walking across branch and meeting with rival

10:49:36:17

10:49:46:16NARRATOR

we humans are aware of all the possible consequences of a confrontation, but wild animals are not. NARRATOR

they only follow their instincts.


Japanese rhinoceros beetles fighting over territory, lifting each other as fight takes place

10:50:22:11SHOTS of Japanese rhinoceros beetles silhouetted against the sky as they continue to fight

10:50:35:20NARRATOR

another fight

10:50:36:13SHOTS of Japanese rhinoceros beetle celebrating victory on branch silhouetted against the sky


is over. the winner celebrates his victory in the most visible place he knows in the forest, his branch. NARRATOR

just in case someone has seen what he did.

10:50:50:00SHOT of female Japanese rhinoceros beetle perched on branch 10:50:50:10NARRATOR

mother nature has a big prize in store for the

10:50:52:16SHOT of Japanese rhinoceros beetle flying from branch

NARRATOR (CONT)

victor and his genes.

10:50:54:15SHOTS of Japanese rhinoceros beetles mating silhouetted against the sky

10:50:57:12

10:51:05:08NARRATOR

the law of the jungle is to compete, and only the best prevail and procreate. NARRATOR

competition is also stimulating for humans, but we can control our fighting instinct and reach out to others in solidarity, with love rather than violence.

10:51:16:19TIMELAPSE:SHOT of clouds moving through the sky above savannah as sun sets

10:51:24:15FADE TO BLACK

10:51:25:05END CREDITS

10:51:25:05MONTAGE:

SHOTS from series as end credits roll

10:51:50:02END CARD

Life Stories - Fighting for Life

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Transcript of Life Stories - Fighting for Life