Nature — S33E16 — Animal Childhood

00:00:08 NARRATOR: There are as many ways to grow up in the wild

00:02:19 But many animals do benefit

00:04:10 only half of them usually make it to maturity.

00:06:10 They all wait together

00:08:09 They're only a mile away, not far by elephant standards...

00:10:18 At last, she gets her first essential nourishment.

00:12:24 This year, spring has come a month early,

00:14:53 The mother should now hunker down

00:17:11 This inhospitable land in Israel is not an easy place to live.

00:19:07 made for just this purpose.

00:21:37 As the kid falters on the vertical rock face,

00:23:53 Before the river floods,

00:26:11 The annual rains in the African Congo have arrived.

00:28:17 and trying to hunt.

00:31:09 Judging when fruit is ripe is essential.

00:33:30 Despite the dangers,

00:36:55 Finally, one baby manages to clamber out,

00:39:09 Adults don't hesitate to show who's in charge.

00:41:30 Just as for humans,

00:43:10 But this is proving more difficult.

00:45:04 One of those can be found in the African desert.

00:47:03 and set out all by herself to start a new family.

00:49:14 She has perfected her stealth technique.

00:52:46 visit pbs.org.