The Great Rift: Africa's Wild Heart — S01E01 — Fire

00:00:08 The Ethiopian highlands.

00:02:49 which it drags back to its burrow to munch at leisure.

00:05:51 ..and why it has had such a far-reaching impact on this part of Africa.

00:08:24 The thick crust above the plume has been lifted more than a mile high,

00:11:38 which allows them to maintain their core temperature

00:14:22 As dawn breaks, it creeps onto an exposed perch,

00:16:54 BUZZARD CRIES

00:19:40 Human pressures have now reduced their numbers to around 100

00:22:48 a miniature lost world protected by a ring of cliffs.

00:25:34 to avoid night-prowling leopards or lions.

00:28:14 But the mother bats must leave their cave to feed.

00:31:51 This precarious location

00:34:58 perched around a mile above sea level,

00:37:17 The Kitulo meadows are serviced by some unusual insect pollinators.

00:39:38 The cool, humid climate fosters ancient tree ferns

00:42:17 ..the kipunjis' unique forest habitat is shrinking.

00:45:03 ..ideal fodder for giant vegetarian apes.

00:47:17 For those animals and plants

00:49:12 'Justin will have to be on guard.'

00:50:51 Can we really get through there? Yeah, yeah.

00:52:19 Oh, yeah. See? OK.

00:53:42 We've run out of time and we don't want to be here whilst the baboons return.

00:55:56 BABOON BARKS No.

00:58:08 'their unique cave-dwelling baboons.'