WEBVTT 1 00:00:05.672 --> 00:00:07.132 (dramatic music) 2 00:00:07.132 --> 00:00:10.093 - As Africa changes, wildlife is on its heels, 3 00:00:10.093 --> 00:00:12.971 and heroic conservationists are fighting back, 4 00:00:12.971 --> 00:00:16.349 but one animal's slide towards extinction has gone unchecked 5 00:00:16.349 --> 00:00:21.062 and now these forgotten giants are almost out of time. 6 00:00:21.062 --> 00:00:23.815 (dramatic music) 7 00:00:27.402 --> 00:00:31.573 When people and animals collide, things are never simple. 8 00:00:35.827 --> 00:00:37.912 In this wildlife-human conflict, 9 00:00:37.912 --> 00:00:40.415 I'm often called in to seek out the truth 10 00:00:40.415 --> 00:00:43.501 and find out what's really happening on the front lines 11 00:00:43.501 --> 00:00:47.672 and identify the heroes who are making a difference. 12 00:00:50.425 --> 00:00:52.469 My name is Ivan Carter, 13 00:00:52.469 --> 00:00:56.639 hunter, conservationist, and wildlife investigator. 14 00:01:04.606 --> 00:01:06.066 (dramatic music) 15 00:01:06.066 --> 00:01:08.526 As we fight to save the endangered elephants, lions, 16 00:01:08.526 --> 00:01:10.028 and rhinos of Africa, 17 00:01:10.028 --> 00:01:11.988 the continent's tallest land mammal 18 00:01:11.988 --> 00:01:14.157 has quietly fallen under threat. 19 00:01:14.157 --> 00:01:15.742 Giraffe have already disappeared 20 00:01:15.742 --> 00:01:17.660 from seven African countries 21 00:01:17.660 --> 00:01:19.704 and their total population has plummeted 22 00:01:19.704 --> 00:01:22.749 by over 40% in just three decades. 23 00:01:22.749 --> 00:01:25.376 But conservationists have been slow to respond 24 00:01:25.376 --> 00:01:28.671 and many governments remain unaware of the problem. 25 00:01:28.671 --> 00:01:32.634 To combat this silent extinction, more awareness is needed, 26 00:01:32.634 --> 00:01:36.805 more research, more funding, and more places like this. 27 00:01:38.473 --> 00:01:41.392 (serene music) 28 00:01:41.392 --> 00:01:43.728 You know, this is Murchison Falls National Park 29 00:01:43.728 --> 00:01:46.940 in Uganda here, and there's a vast array of wildlife here, 30 00:01:46.940 --> 00:01:49.109 but the one thing we take for granted, though, 31 00:01:49.109 --> 00:01:50.401 that's always gonna be there 32 00:01:50.401 --> 00:01:52.070 and that's always gonna be the same 33 00:01:52.070 --> 00:01:53.530 is giraffe. 34 00:01:53.530 --> 00:01:55.740 But that's not always so. 35 00:01:55.740 --> 00:01:58.910 Stretched out along the banks of the great Nile River, 36 00:01:58.910 --> 00:02:01.955 Murchison Falls is among one of the last places in Africa 37 00:02:01.955 --> 00:02:05.208 where giraffe are safe and thriving, 38 00:02:05.208 --> 00:02:08.086 so it's here that I've decided to begin my journey 39 00:02:08.086 --> 00:02:09.963 into the heart of this very urgent 40 00:02:09.963 --> 00:02:12.048 and rarely examined issue. 41 00:02:12.048 --> 00:02:14.884 (energetic music) 42 00:02:16.010 --> 00:02:17.762 I'm coming here to meet the chief warden. 43 00:02:17.762 --> 00:02:19.931 I want to find out what he's actually doing 44 00:02:19.931 --> 00:02:21.683 that's causing these giraffe to grow. 45 00:02:21.683 --> 00:02:23.434 Why is the populations of giraffe 46 00:02:23.434 --> 00:02:26.437 so very healthy in this national park? 47 00:02:26.437 --> 00:02:28.731 The chief warden here is an old friend of mine 48 00:02:28.731 --> 00:02:31.776 and one of the most dedicated conservationists I know, 49 00:02:31.776 --> 00:02:33.278 Mr. Tom Okelo. 50 00:02:33.278 --> 00:02:34.404 Good morning, sir, how are you? 51 00:02:34.404 --> 00:02:35.613 - I'm fine thanks. 52 00:02:35.613 --> 00:02:36.447 - Nice to see you, ey. 53 00:02:36.447 --> 00:02:37.282 - Nice to see you again. 54 00:02:37.282 --> 00:02:38.491 - Excellent. 55 00:02:38.491 --> 00:02:39.284 - Welcome to Murchison Falls National Park, 56 00:02:39.284 --> 00:02:40.118 have a seat, please. 57 00:02:40.118 --> 00:02:41.077 - Thank you so much. 58 00:02:41.077 --> 00:02:42.120 Oh, it's a beautiful park, ey? 59 00:02:42.120 --> 00:02:43.121 - Sure. 60 00:02:43.121 --> 00:02:44.789 - We've seen so many animals, 61 00:02:44.789 --> 00:02:46.291 and you know I've been around a lot of Africa 62 00:02:46.291 --> 00:02:47.876 and you are doing such a good job here. 63 00:02:47.876 --> 00:02:49.127 - We have tried. 64 00:02:49.127 --> 00:02:51.421 It has not been easy, though. 65 00:02:51.421 --> 00:02:53.965 - [Ivan] In most parts of border populated areas, 66 00:02:53.965 --> 00:02:57.343 subsistence poaching puts pressure on protected wildlife. 67 00:02:57.343 --> 00:03:00.513 Six years ago, Murchison Falls was no exception. 68 00:03:00.513 --> 00:03:04.434 - When I arrived here in 2010, towards the end, 69 00:03:04.434 --> 00:03:05.977 the situation was not good. 70 00:03:05.977 --> 00:03:10.815 Basically, we were besieged by snares, I would say. 71 00:03:10.815 --> 00:03:12.567 - [Ivan] Silent and inexpensive, 72 00:03:12.567 --> 00:03:16.070 snares are the most common tools used by bush meat poachers, 73 00:03:16.070 --> 00:03:18.072 and Tom's park was covered in them. 74 00:03:18.072 --> 00:03:19.574 - We would organize rangers, 75 00:03:19.574 --> 00:03:22.535 a big group of about 40 to 50 rangers, 76 00:03:22.535 --> 00:03:24.120 and then we'd do a sweep. 77 00:03:24.120 --> 00:03:25.330 I remember the first time, 78 00:03:25.330 --> 00:03:27.707 we recovered over 1,000 snares in one week. 79 00:03:27.707 --> 00:03:28.875 - One week? 80 00:03:28.875 --> 00:03:30.418 - And it was like, what are we doing here? 81 00:03:30.418 --> 00:03:31.586 We are besieged! 82 00:03:31.586 --> 00:03:33.046 - [Ivan] 1,000 snares in one week! 83 00:03:33.046 --> 00:03:36.341 - 1,000 snares in one week, with several carcasses on them. 84 00:03:36.341 --> 00:03:37.842 And then we said, "What do we do? 85 00:03:37.842 --> 00:03:40.220 "We need to reorganize ourself." 86 00:03:40.220 --> 00:03:42.096 - [Ivan] So Tom reshaped the entire 87 00:03:42.096 --> 00:03:43.973 anti-poaching initiative in the park. 88 00:03:43.973 --> 00:03:48.186 - From rescuing five animals in a week on snares, 89 00:03:48.186 --> 00:03:50.063 these days we can stay for a month 90 00:03:50.063 --> 00:03:53.149 without hearing about any snared animal. 91 00:03:53.149 --> 00:03:54.859 - Congratulations for what you've achieved here. 92 00:03:54.859 --> 00:03:56.110 - Thank you, thank you very much, really. 93 00:03:56.110 --> 00:03:58.071 Let me show you the results of our efforts 94 00:03:58.071 --> 00:03:59.322 so that you really appreciate 95 00:03:59.322 --> 00:04:00.114 what the rangers are going through. 96 00:04:00.114 --> 00:04:01.783 - Yes, I'd like that. 97 00:04:03.243 --> 00:04:07.664 - We have huge catchment of different types of hardware 98 00:04:07.664 --> 00:04:09.666 which they use for poaching. 99 00:04:09.666 --> 00:04:12.877 These are very dangerous traps and very heavy. 100 00:04:12.877 --> 00:04:16.381 Once an animal comes and the leg goes inside there, 101 00:04:16.381 --> 00:04:17.674 it is history. 102 00:04:17.674 --> 00:04:20.718 We get some of them with even legs of animals cut 103 00:04:20.718 --> 00:04:21.636 and the animal has gone. 104 00:04:21.636 --> 00:04:22.887 - No way! 105 00:04:22.887 --> 00:04:25.056 - It is common to see animals with three legs. 106 00:04:25.056 --> 00:04:27.892 - [Ivan] I mean, this is brutal, brutal. 107 00:04:27.892 --> 00:04:29.769 - These are the snares themselves. 108 00:04:29.769 --> 00:04:32.605 Different types made of different materials. 109 00:04:32.605 --> 00:04:34.023 - These are the dangerous ones, these cables? 110 00:04:34.023 --> 00:04:35.275 - These are the dangerous ones. 111 00:04:35.275 --> 00:04:36.234 These are the ones which are catching 112 00:04:36.234 --> 00:04:37.902 even non-targeted animals. 113 00:04:37.902 --> 00:04:39.070 - [Ivan] One of the major problems 114 00:04:39.070 --> 00:04:40.571 with poaching on this scale 115 00:04:40.571 --> 00:04:42.365 is that it's indiscriminate. 116 00:04:42.365 --> 00:04:43.992 - They put it on an animal trail, 117 00:04:43.992 --> 00:04:45.493 a giraffe will get caught in it. 118 00:04:45.493 --> 00:04:46.995 They are targeting an antelope, 119 00:04:46.995 --> 00:04:49.080 then a giraffe comes and gets trapped in it. 120 00:04:49.080 --> 00:04:51.249 - [Ivan] A wire like this out in the bush 121 00:04:51.249 --> 00:04:53.543 puts every walking animal at risk, 122 00:04:53.543 --> 00:04:55.962 particularly the far-ranging giraffe. 123 00:04:55.962 --> 00:04:57.630 And despite Tom's efforts, 124 00:04:57.630 --> 00:05:00.008 snares continue to plague the park. 125 00:05:00.008 --> 00:05:01.509 (dramatic music) 126 00:05:01.509 --> 00:05:03.886 My tour is not yet done when one of Tom's rangers 127 00:05:03.886 --> 00:05:05.930 brings him a report from the field. 128 00:05:05.930 --> 00:05:08.683 A wounded giraffe spotted just this morning 129 00:05:08.683 --> 00:05:11.311 with a snare wrapped tight around its leg. 130 00:05:11.311 --> 00:05:14.731 Wasting no time, Tom dispatches a vet response team 131 00:05:14.731 --> 00:05:17.025 and asks if I'd like to ride along. 132 00:05:17.025 --> 00:05:17.942 - We are ready to move 133 00:05:17.942 --> 00:05:19.235 - Perfect, let's go. 134 00:05:19.235 --> 00:05:21.237 It seems I'm about to get an up-close look 135 00:05:21.237 --> 00:05:23.614 at what it takes to save an 18 foot tall, 136 00:05:23.614 --> 00:05:26.617 3,000 pound wounded wild animal. 137 00:05:26.617 --> 00:05:27.785 (dramatic music) 138 00:05:27.785 --> 00:05:30.455 Come, come, under, under, under. 139 00:05:34.417 --> 00:05:35.918 (dramatic music) 140 00:05:35.918 --> 00:05:37.420 I'm Ivan Carter 141 00:05:37.420 --> 00:05:40.381 and I'm in Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda 142 00:05:40.381 --> 00:05:42.842 where I've just learned that giraffe has been spotted 143 00:05:42.842 --> 00:05:46.763 with a wire snare wrapped tight around its leg. 144 00:05:48.556 --> 00:05:51.934 Now the park warden and I are linking up with a field team 145 00:05:51.934 --> 00:05:54.270 in an attempt to save this giraffe's leg 146 00:05:54.270 --> 00:05:55.897 and possibly its life. 147 00:05:55.897 --> 00:05:57.398 - We have a researcher. 148 00:05:57.398 --> 00:06:01.903 Julian Fennessy is from the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. 149 00:06:01.903 --> 00:06:03.404 He's doing a great job. 150 00:06:03.404 --> 00:06:06.032 - [Ivan] Tom tells me that I'm lucky to be here this week. 151 00:06:06.032 --> 00:06:08.201 One of Africa's foremost giraffe experts, 152 00:06:08.201 --> 00:06:11.871 Dr. Julian Fennessy, is here working with Tom's team. 153 00:06:11.871 --> 00:06:13.664 - You know, these people are passionate with giraffe. 154 00:06:13.664 --> 00:06:14.582 - Yeah, they are. 155 00:06:14.582 --> 00:06:16.042 - Julian loves his giraffe. 156 00:06:16.042 --> 00:06:18.336 I think he dreams giraffe when he's sleeping! 157 00:06:18.336 --> 00:06:20.004 - I think he does. (laughs) 158 00:06:20.004 --> 00:06:22.632 I've heard of this giraffe guru throughout my travels, 159 00:06:22.632 --> 00:06:24.926 but I've never had the opportunity to meet him. 160 00:06:24.926 --> 00:06:26.886 So this must be Julian and the team, ey? 161 00:06:26.886 --> 00:06:29.055 - Yeah, I can see the vet is also there now. 162 00:06:29.055 --> 00:06:29.889 - Perfect. 163 00:06:33.184 --> 00:06:34.435 Julian Fennessy. 164 00:06:34.435 --> 00:06:35.978 - Glad to see you, I am fine, fine. 165 00:06:35.978 --> 00:06:37.188 - Glad to see you. 166 00:06:37.188 --> 00:06:38.398 - [Ivan] Originally from Australia, 167 00:06:38.398 --> 00:06:40.775 Julian's work now takes him all over Africa 168 00:06:40.775 --> 00:06:43.486 where he regularly consults with teams like this. 169 00:06:43.486 --> 00:06:46.823 - Dr. Eric Enyel here, who is leading the team here, 170 00:06:46.823 --> 00:06:49.242 and all the guys are preparing all the ropes and whatnot, 171 00:06:49.242 --> 00:06:50.993 and you see a little giraffe over here 172 00:06:50.993 --> 00:06:52.245 that we're gonna take down. 173 00:06:52.245 --> 00:06:53.704 - He says you got a snare on him? 174 00:06:53.704 --> 00:06:55.581 - Yeah, unfortunately it's not a good situation, 175 00:06:55.581 --> 00:06:57.291 but these guys are amazing, 176 00:06:57.291 --> 00:06:58.835 these guys do one of the best, I think, 177 00:06:58.835 --> 00:07:01.587 operations I've seen across the whole of the continent. 178 00:07:01.587 --> 00:07:03.047 - That's fantastic. 179 00:07:03.047 --> 00:07:05.007 - They get in quickly, they've got a team on hand 180 00:07:05.007 --> 00:07:09.178 and Tom and his boys really do an amazing job. 181 00:07:09.178 --> 00:07:11.973 - As the team prepares, I speak with Dr. Fennessy 182 00:07:11.973 --> 00:07:14.392 about the animals he's devoted his life to. 183 00:07:14.392 --> 00:07:15.768 Man, there's a lot of giraffe here, Julian. 184 00:07:15.768 --> 00:07:18.521 I man, we've seen big herds of giraffe here. 185 00:07:18.521 --> 00:07:20.022 - It's stunning, it's absolutely amazing, 186 00:07:20.022 --> 00:07:22.942 but this is just one area that is thriving, 187 00:07:22.942 --> 00:07:24.152 but it's not what's going on 188 00:07:24.152 --> 00:07:25.111 across the rest of the continent. 189 00:07:25.111 --> 00:07:26.237 - I mean, the perception is 190 00:07:26.237 --> 00:07:26.779 that there's giraffes everywhere. 191 00:07:26.779 --> 00:07:27.989 - Yeah. 192 00:07:27.989 --> 00:07:29.449 No, there is no giraffe everywhere in Africa, 193 00:07:29.449 --> 00:07:30.992 there's less than 100,000 giraffe in the whole continent. 194 00:07:30.992 --> 00:07:32.201 - Really? 195 00:07:32.201 --> 00:07:34.036 - 100,000, that's four times less at least 196 00:07:34.036 --> 00:07:35.204 the amount of African elephant. 197 00:07:35.204 --> 00:07:36.164 - No way! 198 00:07:36.164 --> 00:07:37.665 - So that's why what they do now 199 00:07:37.665 --> 00:07:39.459 is actually helping to save one of the most 200 00:07:39.459 --> 00:07:41.085 endangered animals out there. 201 00:07:41.085 --> 00:07:42.837 - Well, looking forward to being part of that. 202 00:07:42.837 --> 00:07:45.173 Our mission today is to remove the wire snare 203 00:07:45.173 --> 00:07:48.259 from our target giraffe as painlessly as possible. 204 00:07:48.259 --> 00:07:51.846 To do that, the head vet will have to tranquilize the animal 205 00:07:51.846 --> 00:07:54.682 and giraffes require a dangerously high dose. 206 00:07:54.682 --> 00:07:55.975 Once the animal is down, 207 00:07:55.975 --> 00:07:58.186 the vet will have only a short period of time 208 00:07:58.186 --> 00:07:59.687 to apply the reversal drug 209 00:07:59.687 --> 00:08:02.106 before his patient's life is at risk. 210 00:08:02.106 --> 00:08:03.941 That's where the ground team comes in. 211 00:08:03.941 --> 00:08:06.694 It's our job to physically bring down the animal 212 00:08:06.694 --> 00:08:09.572 and give the vet access to its veins. 213 00:08:09.572 --> 00:08:11.240 Alrighty, game time. 214 00:08:12.700 --> 00:08:15.286 With the team prepared, we head out into the savanna 215 00:08:15.286 --> 00:08:19.373 and it's not long before we spot our target giraffe. 216 00:08:19.373 --> 00:08:23.377 We're just easing in on this giraffe here. 217 00:08:23.377 --> 00:08:26.214 Apparently, it's his back leg that is injured. 218 00:08:26.214 --> 00:08:29.258 The vet prepares his dart gun, 219 00:08:29.258 --> 00:08:30.092 takes aim, 220 00:08:32.595 --> 00:08:33.429 and fires. 221 00:08:35.389 --> 00:08:36.766 The clock is running. 222 00:08:36.766 --> 00:08:38.351 The giraffe's got a dart in him now. 223 00:08:38.351 --> 00:08:40.102 It's 10 o'clock exactly. 224 00:08:40.102 --> 00:08:41.312 We're gonna take the time 225 00:08:41.312 --> 00:08:42.855 and start to see when it shows sign, 226 00:08:42.855 --> 00:08:45.608 and that's when I believe the rodeo starts. 227 00:08:45.608 --> 00:08:47.818 (suspenseful music) 228 00:08:47.818 --> 00:08:49.403 He's still just hobbling along, 229 00:08:49.403 --> 00:08:51.572 obviously in intense pain with that back leg 230 00:08:51.572 --> 00:08:53.157 in the state that it is. 231 00:08:53.157 --> 00:08:55.243 You can see how he's starting to lift his nose a bit, 232 00:08:55.243 --> 00:08:57.411 look, look, look. 233 00:08:57.411 --> 00:08:59.247 We're gonna move our way in. 234 00:08:59.247 --> 00:09:01.207 The giraffe's fully showing signs, 235 00:09:01.207 --> 00:09:03.584 he's completely unaware of us now, 236 00:09:03.584 --> 00:09:06.212 he's on the brink of going down. 237 00:09:06.212 --> 00:09:07.755 We approach cautiously. 238 00:09:07.755 --> 00:09:10.091 If we spook the giraffe and it runs, 239 00:09:10.091 --> 00:09:12.885 we'll lose our window to reverse the lethal tranquilizer 240 00:09:12.885 --> 00:09:14.428 now flowing through its veins. 241 00:09:14.428 --> 00:09:17.974 So the ropers are getting prepared to go and trip him. 242 00:09:17.974 --> 00:09:20.935 (dramatic music) 243 00:09:20.935 --> 00:09:21.769 Under. 244 00:09:24.480 --> 00:09:26.399 People, people, people. 245 00:09:27.733 --> 00:09:30.403 Come, come, under, under, under. 246 00:09:32.905 --> 00:09:33.906 On the head. 247 00:09:35.366 --> 00:09:36.909 - Blindfold. 248 00:09:36.909 --> 00:09:38.953 - [Ivan] We cover its eyes to keep him calm 249 00:09:38.953 --> 00:09:42.290 and limit what he experiences of this operation. 250 00:09:42.290 --> 00:09:44.417 The vet gets a reversal drug in 251 00:09:44.417 --> 00:09:46.335 and the giraffe is stabilized, 252 00:09:46.335 --> 00:09:48.713 so we turn our attention to the wound, 253 00:09:48.713 --> 00:09:51.048 which is far worse than I could have imagined. 254 00:09:51.048 --> 00:09:53.634 The wire's still deep inside the wound here. 255 00:09:53.634 --> 00:09:55.136 - It's still down. 256 00:09:56.554 --> 00:10:00.558 - So they're using that hook to pull the wire up. 257 00:10:00.558 --> 00:10:01.934 Watch out, watch out, watch out. 258 00:10:01.934 --> 00:10:03.811 Just one kick from these powerful legs 259 00:10:03.811 --> 00:10:06.480 could easily crush a man's skull. 260 00:10:06.480 --> 00:10:08.316 You've got the wire out? 261 00:10:08.316 --> 00:10:10.401 Was the wire pulled away? 262 00:10:10.401 --> 00:10:12.570 Watch out, watch out, watch out! 263 00:10:12.570 --> 00:10:13.529 Watch out. 264 00:10:13.529 --> 00:10:14.238 - Wash the leg, wash the leg! 265 00:10:14.238 --> 00:10:15.781 Bring water! 266 00:10:15.781 --> 00:10:18.409 - [Ivan] With the wire out, it's time to treat the wound. 267 00:10:18.409 --> 00:10:19.869 - Just wash, wash, wash, wash! 268 00:10:19.869 --> 00:10:21.829 - What they're doing is they're washing. 269 00:10:21.829 --> 00:10:23.831 Watch out, watch out. 270 00:10:23.831 --> 00:10:25.333 Where's the brush? 271 00:10:26.500 --> 00:10:28.836 So we're just washing with water, 272 00:10:28.836 --> 00:10:31.505 we've gotta get all of this rotten flesh away. 273 00:10:31.505 --> 00:10:34.967 The smell is absolutely unbelievable. 274 00:10:34.967 --> 00:10:37.428 The process isn't easy for any of us, 275 00:10:37.428 --> 00:10:39.513 least of all the giraffe. 276 00:10:40.681 --> 00:10:42.433 Watch out, watch out! 277 00:10:43.559 --> 00:10:45.978 We're just putting this antiseptic in here. 278 00:10:45.978 --> 00:10:48.189 The wire's been removed. 279 00:10:48.189 --> 00:10:49.690 This poor thing. 280 00:10:49.690 --> 00:10:51.150 Watch out. 281 00:10:51.150 --> 00:10:53.069 We've gotta be careful on this. 282 00:10:53.069 --> 00:10:55.404 What we've done is we've removed this wire, 283 00:10:55.404 --> 00:10:58.574 it was quick, just getting this wire out. 284 00:10:58.574 --> 00:11:02.203 We now have to turn this giraffe over to get the dart out 285 00:11:02.203 --> 00:11:06.457 because the dart is on the underside, just by Murphy's Law. 286 00:11:06.457 --> 00:11:07.917 - Try to lift that leg. 287 00:11:07.917 --> 00:11:10.961 This leg is from down, not from up, and be careful also. 288 00:11:10.961 --> 00:11:12.421 Stop! 289 00:11:12.421 --> 00:11:14.382 - You guys on the neck, as you are coming, you also turn. 290 00:11:14.382 --> 00:11:16.050 One, two, three, up! 291 00:11:16.926 --> 00:11:18.969 One, two three, up! 292 00:11:18.969 --> 00:11:20.012 - [Ranger] Pull the dart, pull the dart, 293 00:11:20.012 --> 00:11:21.722 pull the dart, pull the dart. 294 00:11:21.722 --> 00:11:23.015 - Where's the leg man? 295 00:11:23.015 --> 00:11:24.100 Who's the leg man? 296 00:11:24.100 --> 00:11:25.434 - Watch the leg. 297 00:11:27.728 --> 00:11:29.271 But there's another problem. 298 00:11:29.271 --> 00:11:31.607 Again, Murphy stepped in here and there's a hole right here 299 00:11:31.607 --> 00:11:35.236 and this giraffe could break its leg as it stands up. 300 00:11:35.236 --> 00:11:37.238 There's holes everywhere here. 301 00:11:37.238 --> 00:11:38.489 - [Julian] Give me, give me, give me, give me, give me. 302 00:11:38.489 --> 00:11:39.740 - So what we're doing now is 303 00:11:39.740 --> 00:11:41.200 we're gonna turn the giraffe back over. 304 00:11:41.200 --> 00:11:42.743 It's unbelievable how this team works, 305 00:11:42.743 --> 00:11:45.037 it's just unbelievable, very, very efficient. 306 00:11:45.037 --> 00:11:46.414 - One, two, three, go! 307 00:11:46.414 --> 00:11:47.915 - [Group] Pull! 308 00:11:47.915 --> 00:11:51.085 - [Julian] Keep pulling, keep pulling! 309 00:11:52.586 --> 00:11:54.213 Okay, take the rope away. 310 00:11:54.213 --> 00:11:55.423 - The ropes are removed 311 00:11:55.423 --> 00:11:57.967 and the giraffe is free to stand on its own, 312 00:11:57.967 --> 00:11:59.927 if its wounded leg will allow it. 313 00:11:59.927 --> 00:12:03.431 (dramatic music) 314 00:12:03.431 --> 00:12:04.974 Okay, my boy, yeah. 315 00:12:06.475 --> 00:12:07.560 Unbelievable. 316 00:12:10.771 --> 00:12:11.772 It was quick, ey? 317 00:12:11.772 --> 00:12:12.940 - Yes, yes, yes. 318 00:12:12.940 --> 00:12:13.941 - Unbelievable team you have, ey. 319 00:12:13.941 --> 00:12:15.359 - [Julian] Nice work, guys. 320 00:12:15.359 --> 00:12:16.569 - We are proud of them. 321 00:12:16.569 --> 00:12:17.820 And this is conservation, 322 00:12:17.820 --> 00:12:19.739 it is no longer survival of the fittest. 323 00:12:19.739 --> 00:12:21.240 There's a lot of human influence, 324 00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:23.033 people are coming in with wires, 325 00:12:23.033 --> 00:12:24.952 people are coming in with automatic weapons. 326 00:12:24.952 --> 00:12:26.620 We need to intervene to save these animals. 327 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:28.956 We cannot leave them to nature anymore. 328 00:12:28.956 --> 00:12:30.708 - Well, thank you for what you do for conservation. 329 00:12:30.708 --> 00:12:31.625 - Yeah, thank you very much. 330 00:12:31.625 --> 00:12:32.585 - We need more people like you. 331 00:12:32.585 --> 00:12:34.962 - Please, please, please, God. 332 00:12:37.131 --> 00:12:38.591 - [Ivan] After the operation, 333 00:12:38.591 --> 00:12:43.220 I grab a ride back to headquarters with Dr. Fennessy. 334 00:12:43.220 --> 00:12:44.889 He insists we make a brief stop 335 00:12:44.889 --> 00:12:47.183 at one of his favorite spots in the park, 336 00:12:47.183 --> 00:12:49.310 where our talk turns once again 337 00:12:49.310 --> 00:12:51.479 to the plight of the giraffe. 338 00:12:51.479 --> 00:12:53.814 - Across Africa, these numbers are dwindling 339 00:12:53.814 --> 00:12:56.692 as a result of just people. 340 00:12:56.692 --> 00:12:58.611 I mean, it's brutal what's happening to them 341 00:12:58.611 --> 00:13:01.030 and it's not their fault, 342 00:13:01.030 --> 00:13:02.281 suffering at the hands of 343 00:13:02.281 --> 00:13:03.783 people who need to feed themselves. 344 00:13:03.783 --> 00:13:04.992 - It's a tough deal. 345 00:13:04.992 --> 00:13:06.911 Julian tells me that of all the dangers 346 00:13:06.911 --> 00:13:08.662 facing today's giraffe, 347 00:13:08.662 --> 00:13:10.998 a simple lack of research and awareness 348 00:13:10.998 --> 00:13:13.250 is by far the most damaging. 349 00:13:13.250 --> 00:13:15.211 You know, Julian, across Africa, 350 00:13:15.211 --> 00:13:18.422 without study and without this kind of awareness, 351 00:13:18.422 --> 00:13:21.175 things disappear without you even realizing they're going. 352 00:13:21.175 --> 00:13:22.676 - I totally agree. 353 00:13:22.676 --> 00:13:24.678 I mean, we could easily see giraffe going extinct 354 00:13:24.678 --> 00:13:26.514 in some of these countries very soon 355 00:13:26.514 --> 00:13:29.099 and that's what we're trying to stop. 356 00:13:29.099 --> 00:13:31.018 - Julian's next destination is 357 00:13:31.018 --> 00:13:33.354 the remote desert of northern Namibia, 358 00:13:33.354 --> 00:13:34.814 where he's been spearheading 359 00:13:34.814 --> 00:13:37.483 the longest-running giraffe study in all of Africa. 360 00:13:37.483 --> 00:13:39.652 When he asks if I'd like to come along, 361 00:13:39.652 --> 00:13:41.612 I jump at the chance, 362 00:13:41.612 --> 00:13:44.698 but I have no idea what I'm about to get myself into. 363 00:13:44.698 --> 00:13:47.409 (dramatic music) 364 00:13:52.873 --> 00:13:55.376 While saving the life of an animal in Uganda, 365 00:13:55.376 --> 00:13:56.794 I had the pleasure of meeting 366 00:13:56.794 --> 00:13:58.921 one of Africa's top giraffe conservationists, 367 00:13:58.921 --> 00:14:00.422 Dr. Julian Fennessy, 368 00:14:00.422 --> 00:14:04.426 who has invited me to join him on a research expedition. 369 00:14:05.970 --> 00:14:09.139 To create awareness for Africa's disappearing giraffes, 370 00:14:09.139 --> 00:14:11.183 better data collection is needed, 371 00:14:11.183 --> 00:14:14.353 especially in the most remote regions of the continent, 372 00:14:14.353 --> 00:14:16.438 and it doesn't get much more remote 373 00:14:16.438 --> 00:14:18.691 than northwestern Namibia. 374 00:14:18.691 --> 00:14:21.819 Well, we've been going for four or five hours so far 375 00:14:21.819 --> 00:14:24.780 and we're heading generally in the northwesterly direction 376 00:14:24.780 --> 00:14:28.409 and as we get off the hardtop onto the dirt road, 377 00:14:28.409 --> 00:14:31.161 you see the vegetation starts to get sparser and sparser. 378 00:14:31.161 --> 00:14:33.289 It's just getting dryer and dryer and dryer 379 00:14:33.289 --> 00:14:34.498 as we head out here. 380 00:14:34.498 --> 00:14:36.792 There's very few signs of people out here, 381 00:14:36.792 --> 00:14:39.128 there's the odd little village and settlement, 382 00:14:39.128 --> 00:14:41.922 but, man, you can see why they call this 383 00:14:41.922 --> 00:14:44.383 one of the most remote parts of the planet. 384 00:14:44.383 --> 00:14:46.010 It's hard to imagine that there's animals 385 00:14:46.010 --> 00:14:47.595 that live out here. 386 00:14:48.762 --> 00:14:50.973 But giraffes have been thriving in this desert 387 00:14:50.973 --> 00:14:53.267 for hundreds of thousands of years. 388 00:14:53.267 --> 00:14:56.270 Very few trees now, it's really dry. 389 00:14:58.439 --> 00:15:00.566 And as I come over the next ridge, 390 00:15:00.566 --> 00:15:04.737 these ancient animals make their first appearance. 391 00:15:06.196 --> 00:15:08.741 What an incredible animal 392 00:15:08.741 --> 00:15:11.744 to live in an environment like this. 393 00:15:14.455 --> 00:15:15.664 Look at these things, 394 00:15:15.664 --> 00:15:18.125 I mean, it's just so dry and arid. 395 00:15:19.251 --> 00:15:21.670 Every species that lives out here 396 00:15:21.670 --> 00:15:24.256 lives a very delicate existence. 397 00:15:24.256 --> 00:15:26.175 What an amazing animal. 398 00:15:30.012 --> 00:15:33.057 Unlike the rest of Africa, where human population growth 399 00:15:33.057 --> 00:15:35.601 and poaching wreak havoc on the giraffe, 400 00:15:35.601 --> 00:15:38.270 Namibia's giraffe numbers are actually increasing. 401 00:15:38.270 --> 00:15:39.730 It's thanks to the government 402 00:15:39.730 --> 00:15:42.232 taking a direct and active interest in the issue 403 00:15:42.232 --> 00:15:44.234 and the cooperation of local communities 404 00:15:44.234 --> 00:15:46.403 and private conservancies. 405 00:15:46.403 --> 00:15:47.988 But a big part of the effort here 406 00:15:47.988 --> 00:15:49.490 is the groundbreaking research 407 00:15:49.490 --> 00:15:52.868 that's done by Julian Fennessy and his organization, 408 00:15:52.868 --> 00:15:56.038 the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. 409 00:15:56.038 --> 00:15:58.874 (energetic music) 410 00:16:02.461 --> 00:16:04.171 Well, the cars here say GCF, 411 00:16:04.171 --> 00:16:07.591 so I think I'm finally in the right spot. 412 00:16:09.468 --> 00:16:10.302 - [Julian] Ivan? 413 00:16:10.302 --> 00:16:11.136 - Yeah. 414 00:16:11.136 --> 00:16:12.054 How are you, man? 415 00:16:12.054 --> 00:16:13.013 - Been for a bit of a drive? 416 00:16:13.013 --> 00:16:14.515 - (chuckles) A little bit. 417 00:16:14.515 --> 00:16:15.724 I mean, your directions are a little bit sketchy. 418 00:16:15.724 --> 00:16:16.684 - Aw, pull your head in. (Ivan laughs) 419 00:16:16.684 --> 00:16:18.143 But I'll tell you what now, 420 00:16:18.143 --> 00:16:21.355 Pete, our vet, and we got a whole GCF team here, 421 00:16:21.355 --> 00:16:22.272 taken a hat for you. 422 00:16:22.272 --> 00:16:23.732 - Very nice, thank you, man. 423 00:16:23.732 --> 00:16:25.776 - We need to go practice some giraffe capture, mate. 424 00:16:25.776 --> 00:16:27.069 There's no time, you're bloody late. 425 00:16:27.069 --> 00:16:29.238 - (laughs) Well, we did our best. 426 00:16:29.238 --> 00:16:30.906 - (laughs) In the middle of nowhere, ey? 427 00:16:30.906 --> 00:16:32.116 - Absolutely. 428 00:16:32.116 --> 00:16:33.575 Man, it's beautiful on the way in here, ey. 429 00:16:33.575 --> 00:16:36.078 Grassroots operations like the GCF, 430 00:16:36.078 --> 00:16:38.497 though critical to saving the Namibian giraffe, 431 00:16:38.497 --> 00:16:41.375 still do not receive funding from the government, 432 00:16:41.375 --> 00:16:43.919 so hiring professionals is out of the question. 433 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:45.879 Instead, Julian has assembled 434 00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:48.090 a team of volunteers from around the world 435 00:16:48.090 --> 00:16:49.925 and placed them under the supervision of 436 00:16:49.925 --> 00:16:53.262 experienced wildlife vet, Pete Morkel. 437 00:16:53.262 --> 00:16:56.932 - So the plan is, we're going to dart a giraffe 438 00:16:56.932 --> 00:16:58.434 and then we're going to rope it. 439 00:16:58.434 --> 00:17:01.603 Our plan is to get the job done as quickly as possible, 440 00:17:01.603 --> 00:17:04.356 get in there, do the job, get out again. 441 00:17:04.356 --> 00:17:05.899 - You know, when you look at this group of people, 442 00:17:05.899 --> 00:17:08.193 some people are zookeepers, some people are researchers, 443 00:17:08.193 --> 00:17:10.529 some people are interested parties or donors. 444 00:17:10.529 --> 00:17:12.031 It's not like being with a capture team 445 00:17:12.031 --> 00:17:13.949 that does this all the time, that does it for a living 446 00:17:13.949 --> 00:17:16.410 and has got the operation down pat. 447 00:17:16.410 --> 00:17:19.163 This is a group of unrelated people, 448 00:17:19.163 --> 00:17:22.374 all with a common interest and a dedication to the species, 449 00:17:22.374 --> 00:17:25.878 but also all trying to learn how best to work together 450 00:17:25.878 --> 00:17:28.172 to get this job done. 451 00:17:28.172 --> 00:17:30.215 The job is a dangerous one. 452 00:17:30.215 --> 00:17:32.301 We'll be placing a GPS tracking collar 453 00:17:32.301 --> 00:17:34.303 on an adult female giraffe 454 00:17:34.303 --> 00:17:35.971 while taking important measurements 455 00:17:35.971 --> 00:17:38.140 and samples along the way. 456 00:17:38.140 --> 00:17:39.892 - We're going to have to come in quite aggressively, 457 00:17:39.892 --> 00:17:41.685 deploy with the rope. 458 00:17:41.685 --> 00:17:44.438 Usually what we go for is look who's probably 459 00:17:44.438 --> 00:17:47.691 the strongest and the fastest to sort of lead. 460 00:17:47.691 --> 00:17:48.525 (group laughs) 461 00:17:48.525 --> 00:17:49.401 That is not you. 462 00:17:49.401 --> 00:17:50.611 (laughing) 463 00:17:50.611 --> 00:17:52.071 - Just listening to that, I mean, 464 00:17:52.071 --> 00:17:53.822 this is a big deal that's gonna happen out here. 465 00:17:53.822 --> 00:17:55.949 It's quite high-risk for the people on the ropes, 466 00:17:55.949 --> 00:17:57.326 they're literally going to be 467 00:17:57.326 --> 00:17:59.453 trying to hold back this giant animal, 468 00:17:59.453 --> 00:18:02.664 so there's a lot at stake and I believe that (chuckles) 469 00:18:02.664 --> 00:18:04.333 they're gonna want me to be a giraffe right now, 470 00:18:04.333 --> 00:18:07.753 so we'll see how this works out. (laughs) 471 00:18:07.753 --> 00:18:10.297 Our day's first training run is about to begin. 472 00:18:10.297 --> 00:18:13.842 (energetic music) 473 00:18:13.842 --> 00:18:15.010 - [Julian] Come on. 474 00:18:15.010 --> 00:18:16.804 You gotta have somebody on his back! 475 00:18:16.804 --> 00:18:18.347 - Pass me that rope! 476 00:18:18.347 --> 00:18:19.556 - Pick up the side! 477 00:18:19.556 --> 00:18:22.226 - [Julian] Pick up the sides, equal sides. 478 00:18:22.226 --> 00:18:23.060 Go down. 479 00:18:29.608 --> 00:18:33.779 - Phew, it's tough to be a giraffe. (laughs) 480 00:18:34.655 --> 00:18:36.156 Things get a lot more serious 481 00:18:36.156 --> 00:18:39.284 when it comes time to practice with our capture vehicle. 482 00:18:39.284 --> 00:18:42.621 - I promise you, I've seen a lot of damaged people. 483 00:18:42.621 --> 00:18:44.164 We've never killed anyone, 484 00:18:44.164 --> 00:18:46.542 we've broken a lot of legs and arms and stuff over the years 485 00:18:46.542 --> 00:18:48.085 so just hang on tight. 486 00:18:48.085 --> 00:18:50.379 - This time, I'm driving the chase truck 487 00:18:50.379 --> 00:18:52.673 while someone else plays the giraffe. 488 00:18:52.673 --> 00:18:53.507 (shouting) 489 00:18:53.507 --> 00:18:56.218 (dramatic music) 490 00:19:00.472 --> 00:19:01.974 - Ready, wait. 491 00:19:01.974 --> 00:19:05.894 Let's go, out, out, out, out, out, out! 492 00:19:05.894 --> 00:19:06.728 Up high! 493 00:19:07.646 --> 00:19:08.480 Under! 494 00:19:10.065 --> 00:19:11.024 Someone on! 495 00:19:16.196 --> 00:19:18.198 - The group continues to practice, 496 00:19:18.198 --> 00:19:19.408 honing their skills throughout 497 00:19:19.408 --> 00:19:22.119 the rest of the hot desert day. 498 00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:26.123 As they head for a much needed rest, I find Julian alone, 499 00:19:26.123 --> 00:19:27.833 quietly taking in the evening. 500 00:19:27.833 --> 00:19:29.084 - [Julian] I mean, this is the most 501 00:19:29.084 --> 00:19:30.586 beautiful country in the world, is it not? 502 00:19:30.586 --> 00:19:31.753 - Oh, it is, it's unbelievable. 503 00:19:31.753 --> 00:19:34.089 Look at this, just look around us, Julian. 504 00:19:34.089 --> 00:19:36.633 - If this is not the land that God created in anger, 505 00:19:36.633 --> 00:19:39.094 as Namibia is known for, I don't know what is. 506 00:19:39.094 --> 00:19:40.429 It's just harsh. 507 00:19:44.725 --> 00:19:48.478 - [Ivan] What makes an Australian dude come here 508 00:19:48.478 --> 00:19:50.355 and spend all this time? 509 00:19:50.355 --> 00:19:51.565 Why giraffes? 510 00:19:51.565 --> 00:19:53.275 - To me, it was just as a young lad 511 00:19:53.275 --> 00:19:54.776 to get out and have a bit of a laugh 512 00:19:54.776 --> 00:19:57.654 and came to Africa and all of a sudden found a passion, 513 00:19:57.654 --> 00:19:59.156 and to me, it's surprising that 514 00:19:59.156 --> 00:20:01.074 no other people study giraffe, 515 00:20:01.074 --> 00:20:02.492 they never looked into giraffe. 516 00:20:02.492 --> 00:20:03.452 There was a gap. 517 00:20:03.452 --> 00:20:04.703 As a biologist, I thought, 518 00:20:04.703 --> 00:20:06.121 "Hang on, we could learn something here." 519 00:20:06.121 --> 00:20:08.582 To me, this is a lifestyle, let's be honest. 520 00:20:08.582 --> 00:20:10.125 You wouldn't do this, we don't get paid enough, 521 00:20:10.125 --> 00:20:12.127 but we're here to make a difference 522 00:20:12.127 --> 00:20:14.421 and we've got a support network across the world 523 00:20:14.421 --> 00:20:16.548 that, hopefully, will continue to grow. 524 00:20:16.548 --> 00:20:17.883 If we can't do this together, 525 00:20:17.883 --> 00:20:20.177 we're gonna lose the most amazing, 526 00:20:20.177 --> 00:20:22.304 majestic animal in the world. 527 00:20:22.304 --> 00:20:23.805 - No, I agree, Julian, 528 00:20:23.805 --> 00:20:27.809 and all I can say is that the giraffe are lucky to have you. 529 00:20:27.809 --> 00:20:30.979 Julian's organization has already identified and cataloged 530 00:20:30.979 --> 00:20:35.150 more than 250 individual desert dwelling giraffe. 531 00:20:35.150 --> 00:20:38.153 But with a booming 12,000 giraffe in Namibia, 532 00:20:38.153 --> 00:20:39.863 there's still a long way to go, 533 00:20:39.863 --> 00:20:41.657 and in conservation circles, 534 00:20:41.657 --> 00:20:44.534 a lack of data is as dangerous as any poacher. 535 00:20:44.534 --> 00:20:46.036 And so the collaring, Julian, 536 00:20:46.036 --> 00:20:48.080 are we gonna do it all in this river system down here? 537 00:20:48.080 --> 00:20:51.416 - Yeah, the giraffe move over this whole massive landscape, 538 00:20:51.416 --> 00:20:54.795 we're talking about 50,000 square kilometers 539 00:20:54.795 --> 00:20:57.172 range around here and we don't know how far they're going, 540 00:20:57.172 --> 00:20:58.423 we don't know who's going where, 541 00:20:58.423 --> 00:21:00.259 we don't know who mates with who, 542 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:03.011 so what we'll do is we'll put on a few collars down here 543 00:21:03.011 --> 00:21:05.013 and if we could know where they're going 544 00:21:05.013 --> 00:21:06.306 and what they're doing, 545 00:21:06.306 --> 00:21:08.141 we can help protect the area that they're in. 546 00:21:08.141 --> 00:21:09.559 - Absolutely. 547 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:11.436 Well, after having practiced being a giraffe, 548 00:21:11.436 --> 00:21:13.355 I'm not sure if that's how the giraffe feel like it is, 549 00:21:13.355 --> 00:21:15.357 but there was a lot of running and a lot of shouting 550 00:21:15.357 --> 00:21:16.817 and a lot of piling onto each other. 551 00:21:16.817 --> 00:21:18.318 I think tomorrow is going to be pretty exciting. 552 00:21:18.318 --> 00:21:19.361 - Aw, it's one of the best things 553 00:21:19.361 --> 00:21:20.529 you can do with your pants on, 554 00:21:20.529 --> 00:21:22.572 it's absolutely amazing. (laughing) 555 00:21:22.572 --> 00:21:25.826 - But tomorrow there'll be no more room for fun and games. 556 00:21:25.826 --> 00:21:28.537 (dramatic music) 557 00:21:38.797 --> 00:21:41.967 I'm Ivan Carter and I'm in the deserts of Namibia 558 00:21:41.967 --> 00:21:45.095 working with a dedicated group of volunteer researchers, 559 00:21:45.095 --> 00:21:47.597 and we're about to place a GPS tracking collar 560 00:21:47.597 --> 00:21:52.477 on one of the female giraffes in this nearby herd. 561 00:21:52.477 --> 00:21:56.106 (suspenseful music) 562 00:21:56.106 --> 00:21:58.734 - Okay, folks, today's the real thing. 563 00:21:58.734 --> 00:22:00.610 Had a lot of fun yesterday galloping around. 564 00:22:00.610 --> 00:22:02.321 Let's have no illusions about it, 565 00:22:02.321 --> 00:22:04.448 there's quite high risks involved. 566 00:22:04.448 --> 00:22:06.950 We could end up with a dead giraffe or a dead person. 567 00:22:06.950 --> 00:22:08.827 Let's not be silly. 568 00:22:08.827 --> 00:22:11.288 - [Ivan] As with the giraffe we saved in Uganda, 569 00:22:11.288 --> 00:22:14.082 Pete will have to use a deadly dose of tranquilizer 570 00:22:14.082 --> 00:22:15.292 to bring this animal down 571 00:22:15.292 --> 00:22:17.961 as quickly and as safely as possible. 572 00:22:17.961 --> 00:22:21.048 - Sounds crazy, but we found it's by far the best. 573 00:22:21.048 --> 00:22:23.300 If we use too low a dose, this thing's gone forever 574 00:22:23.300 --> 00:22:24.509 and it's lost themselves, 575 00:22:24.509 --> 00:22:26.053 - [Ivan] So we're actually overdosing it. 576 00:22:26.053 --> 00:22:27.512 - It's a gross overdose. 577 00:22:27.512 --> 00:22:29.139 We're using a very high dose, 578 00:22:29.139 --> 00:22:31.725 get her on the ground, immediately give the antidote. 579 00:22:31.725 --> 00:22:34.311 - So the danger if you lose sight of it 580 00:22:34.311 --> 00:22:36.063 is that it goes down and actually dies. 581 00:22:36.063 --> 00:22:38.065 So it falls to this newly trained team 582 00:22:38.065 --> 00:22:40.067 to get the giraffe down in time. 583 00:22:40.067 --> 00:22:41.610 You can just feel the stakes are high today. 584 00:22:41.610 --> 00:22:44.404 Yesterday, it was a lot of fun and a lot of practice, 585 00:22:44.404 --> 00:22:46.239 but you can see everybody's demeanor's changed 586 00:22:46.239 --> 00:22:48.241 just a little bit today. 587 00:22:49.409 --> 00:22:51.161 Once loaded up into the truck, 588 00:22:51.161 --> 00:22:52.621 our first step is to locate 589 00:22:52.621 --> 00:22:55.624 a suitable candidate for the collar. 590 00:22:58.335 --> 00:22:59.836 - Just stop there. 591 00:23:06.551 --> 00:23:08.053 Oh, that's female. 592 00:23:09.429 --> 00:23:12.516 It's definitely female on the left there. 593 00:23:12.516 --> 00:23:15.310 - Pete prepares the tranquilizer. 594 00:23:17.145 --> 00:23:20.357 You can see the length of the needle part of it. 595 00:23:20.357 --> 00:23:22.526 The giraffe has got a very, very thick skin 596 00:23:22.526 --> 00:23:26.321 and you've got to get the drug intramuscular. 597 00:23:28.031 --> 00:23:30.617 - Hey, chaps, look sharp, ey? 598 00:23:30.617 --> 00:23:32.869 - Here we go, this is the real deal. 599 00:23:32.869 --> 00:23:35.705 (dramatic music) 600 00:23:39.084 --> 00:23:42.212 I maneuver the vehicle into position. 601 00:23:48.427 --> 00:23:51.179 From the moment Pete takes his shot, 602 00:23:51.179 --> 00:23:53.515 there'll be no turning back. 603 00:23:55.517 --> 00:23:58.603 The giraffe takes off at a dead run. 604 00:23:58.603 --> 00:24:00.730 The dart's in, the dart's in. 605 00:24:00.730 --> 00:24:02.023 And we pursue. 606 00:24:02.023 --> 00:24:04.734 (dramatic music) 607 00:24:08.155 --> 00:24:10.532 We have just minutes to bring down this giraffe 608 00:24:10.532 --> 00:24:12.576 and deliver the antidote. 609 00:24:18.331 --> 00:24:20.333 - [Julian] On our left now, guys, on our left. 610 00:24:20.333 --> 00:24:21.877 - [Ivan] But with wild animals, 611 00:24:21.877 --> 00:24:25.130 things almost never go as planned. 612 00:24:25.130 --> 00:24:26.089 - It's down, come on. 613 00:24:26.089 --> 00:24:27.632 - [Ivan] She's down on her own 614 00:24:27.632 --> 00:24:30.343 and we are still dangerously far away. 615 00:24:30.343 --> 00:24:31.595 - [Julian] Ivan, no, no, Ivan, 616 00:24:31.595 --> 00:24:32.804 you gotta go right, right, right, right. 617 00:24:32.804 --> 00:24:35.640 (dramatic music) 618 00:24:39.144 --> 00:24:41.438 - [Ivan] In a remote corner of the Namibian desert 619 00:24:41.438 --> 00:24:43.482 and with a group of volunteer researchers 620 00:24:43.482 --> 00:24:46.109 trying to get a collar on to a female giraffe, 621 00:24:46.109 --> 00:24:48.904 with a deadly tranquilizer flowing through her veins, 622 00:24:48.904 --> 00:24:50.989 this giraffe has fallen on her own. 623 00:24:50.989 --> 00:24:52.532 Now I need to get my team 624 00:24:52.532 --> 00:24:56.578 and the life-saving antidote to her before it's too late. 625 00:24:56.578 --> 00:24:59.164 (dramatic music) 626 00:24:59.164 --> 00:25:00.457 - Ivan, no, no, Ivan, 627 00:25:00.457 --> 00:25:01.833 you gotta go right, right, right, right. 628 00:25:01.833 --> 00:25:02.876 Go straight to it, straight. 629 00:25:02.876 --> 00:25:04.169 Ivan, stop! 630 00:25:04.169 --> 00:25:05.587 - [Ivan] Come on, come on, come on. 631 00:25:05.587 --> 00:25:09.174 - [Julian] Okay, everyone, out, out, out, out! 632 00:25:10.634 --> 00:25:13.053 - [Pete] Don't touch his arm and stay away from the dart. 633 00:25:13.053 --> 00:25:14.471 Okay, move your leg, move your leg. 634 00:25:14.471 --> 00:25:16.848 - [Ivan] Pete administers the reversal drug. 635 00:25:16.848 --> 00:25:20.018 - [Pete] Hold the head, keep it still. 636 00:25:22.521 --> 00:25:26.107 - Now all we can do is hope that we got here in time. 637 00:25:26.107 --> 00:25:27.943 This giraffe went down incredibly quickly 638 00:25:27.943 --> 00:25:29.819 from the dart till the time it went down, 639 00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:31.029 less than two minutes, 640 00:25:31.029 --> 00:25:32.697 so obviously the dart went into a place 641 00:25:32.697 --> 00:25:35.825 that's very well supplied with blood. 642 00:25:35.825 --> 00:25:37.369 We've given her the antidote, 643 00:25:37.369 --> 00:25:40.747 now we're just waiting for her breathing to get even. 644 00:25:40.747 --> 00:25:42.415 What Pete is doing now is just gonna 645 00:25:42.415 --> 00:25:45.001 monitor her blood oxygen level. 646 00:25:51.550 --> 00:25:53.969 Breathing is not yet regular. 647 00:25:57.889 --> 00:25:59.599 Here we go. 648 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:01.059 The antidote's just kicked in, 649 00:26:01.059 --> 00:26:04.521 up till that point, you're never really sure. 650 00:26:04.521 --> 00:26:06.940 And now she's breathing regularly, 651 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:09.401 so now she's fully wide awake. 652 00:26:09.401 --> 00:26:12.362 Since she needs to lift her neck in order to stand, 653 00:26:12.362 --> 00:26:15.657 our weight alone is all that's keeping her on the ground. 654 00:26:15.657 --> 00:26:18.577 Steph's gonna come in and start measuring. 655 00:26:18.577 --> 00:26:20.245 And one of the reasons for measuring like this 656 00:26:20.245 --> 00:26:25.000 is because no one's really measured giraffes across Africa, 657 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:27.377 and so even though we've got this idea of 658 00:26:27.377 --> 00:26:28.587 which species is the biggest 659 00:26:28.587 --> 00:26:30.839 and which species is the smallest, 660 00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:33.466 in reality, no one's actually measured. 661 00:26:33.466 --> 00:26:34.759 Okay, Julian's doing possibly 662 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:36.595 the most difficult of all of them, 663 00:26:36.595 --> 00:26:38.805 which is to measure the bottom of the hoof. 664 00:26:38.805 --> 00:26:42.684 We could see a flying giraffe researcher any minute. 665 00:26:42.684 --> 00:26:44.102 - That's what everyone wants. 666 00:26:44.102 --> 00:26:46.855 - That's what we want. - Julian to go tumbling again. 667 00:26:46.855 --> 00:26:48.607 We got two meters 37. 668 00:26:50.775 --> 00:26:52.235 Not short there, 669 00:26:52.235 --> 00:26:54.738 two meters 37 is a little bit taller than me, 670 00:26:54.738 --> 00:26:56.615 a fairly tall bloke in all. (laughs) 671 00:26:56.615 --> 00:26:58.158 - [Ivan] With the measurements recorded, 672 00:26:58.158 --> 00:27:00.952 it's now time to fit this lady with her tracking collar. 673 00:27:00.952 --> 00:27:02.120 - So we're putting this collar on, 674 00:27:02.120 --> 00:27:03.246 it's got three straps at the moment. 675 00:27:03.246 --> 00:27:05.248 It's like a head harness. 676 00:27:05.248 --> 00:27:07.500 So we put it on the top, GPS unit sits up here 677 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:10.962 so it's got greater access to the satellites up in the sky. 678 00:27:10.962 --> 00:27:14.299 It's perfect, it's like a radio tower sending a signal. 679 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:16.551 So we're just making sure, we'll fit it a little bit 680 00:27:16.551 --> 00:27:17.761 and then we'll check it. 681 00:27:17.761 --> 00:27:19.304 - Julian, why the colors on it? 682 00:27:19.304 --> 00:27:22.474 Why not just one color, why go to the effort of painting it? 683 00:27:22.474 --> 00:27:23.892 - I reckon it looks sexy for one, 684 00:27:23.892 --> 00:27:27.020 but actually it's called the oddity effect. 685 00:27:27.020 --> 00:27:31.441 More animals are likely to get hunted by predators 686 00:27:31.441 --> 00:27:33.068 if they have something that stands out, 687 00:27:33.068 --> 00:27:35.070 it's been proven all over the world, 688 00:27:35.070 --> 00:27:37.489 so they blend into the giraffe better. 689 00:27:37.489 --> 00:27:38.990 - Being non-invasive 690 00:27:38.990 --> 00:27:41.493 is the cornerstone of any good wildlife research. 691 00:27:41.493 --> 00:27:42.911 Now we're just readjusting the collar, 692 00:27:42.911 --> 00:27:44.913 making sure that it fits absolutely perfectly, 693 00:27:44.913 --> 00:27:46.873 that's crucial too, not just the success of 694 00:27:46.873 --> 00:27:48.500 how long it's gonna stay on the animal, 695 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:50.001 but also for the comfort of the animal 696 00:27:50.001 --> 00:27:52.671 and the wellbeing of the animal. 697 00:27:52.671 --> 00:27:53.838 A lot of folks would say 698 00:27:53.838 --> 00:27:55.799 that it's the wrong thing to do to do this, 699 00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:57.300 but the reality is, 700 00:27:57.300 --> 00:27:58.635 the amount of information that you can gain from this 701 00:27:58.635 --> 00:28:00.095 is so important to the species, 702 00:28:00.095 --> 00:28:02.347 so important to the future of conservation. 703 00:28:02.347 --> 00:28:03.765 With our work done, 704 00:28:03.765 --> 00:28:06.976 it's time to let this giraffe get back to her herd. 705 00:28:06.976 --> 00:28:08.478 - One, two, three. 706 00:28:09.688 --> 00:28:10.689 Take it off. 707 00:28:11.523 --> 00:28:14.317 (dramatic music) 708 00:28:18.863 --> 00:28:19.698 - [Ivan] Way to go. 709 00:28:19.698 --> 00:28:21.157 - All right, mate. 710 00:28:21.157 --> 00:28:22.701 Thanks, Pete. 711 00:28:22.701 --> 00:28:24.494 - [Ivan] With no injuries to the animal or our team, 712 00:28:24.494 --> 00:28:25.829 it's a job well done. 713 00:28:25.829 --> 00:28:26.996 - That was a good one. 714 00:28:26.996 --> 00:28:28.456 Seems quite happy. 715 00:28:28.456 --> 00:28:29.958 She'll go back, her mate's sitting over there, 716 00:28:29.958 --> 00:28:31.376 so hopefully she goes back and says g'day 717 00:28:31.376 --> 00:28:32.794 and says, "I got a nice piece of jewelry." 718 00:28:32.794 --> 00:28:34.212 - Yeah. (laughs) 719 00:28:34.212 --> 00:28:35.171 - "I reckon you're jealous, do you want one? 720 00:28:35.171 --> 00:28:37.132 It's all good. 721 00:28:37.132 --> 00:28:39.884 - The data Julian collects from this one collar 722 00:28:39.884 --> 00:28:42.470 will play a critical role in insuring Namibia 723 00:28:42.470 --> 00:28:46.266 remains a world leader in the fight to save the giraffe. 724 00:28:46.266 --> 00:28:48.893 Inspired by this country's success story, 725 00:28:48.893 --> 00:28:51.229 I want to see what other African nations are doing 726 00:28:51.229 --> 00:28:55.400 to help protect and rebuild their giraffe populations. 727 00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:58.570 In my home country of Zimbabwe, it's not the government, 728 00:28:58.570 --> 00:29:01.239 but private conservancies that lead the way, 729 00:29:01.239 --> 00:29:02.574 and I've heard of one property 730 00:29:02.574 --> 00:29:04.534 that's experimenting with a radical way 731 00:29:04.534 --> 00:29:07.412 to eliminate giraffe poaching once and for all, 732 00:29:07.412 --> 00:29:10.457 and it's the giraffes themselves that make it all possible. 733 00:29:10.457 --> 00:29:13.251 (dramatic music) 734 00:29:18.673 --> 00:29:20.800 Giraffes are disappearing from this continent 735 00:29:20.800 --> 00:29:22.302 at an alarming rate 736 00:29:22.302 --> 00:29:24.763 and conservationists are not keeping up. 737 00:29:24.763 --> 00:29:26.347 I've already been to two countries 738 00:29:26.347 --> 00:29:29.017 where efforts are underway to reverse this trend, 739 00:29:29.017 --> 00:29:31.561 and now I've come to my native land of Zimbabwe 740 00:29:31.561 --> 00:29:33.688 to see how one conservancy is combating 741 00:29:33.688 --> 00:29:37.484 one of the most present threats to giraffe continent-wide, 742 00:29:37.484 --> 00:29:38.318 poaching. 743 00:29:39.611 --> 00:29:40.987 You know, this is certainly 744 00:29:40.987 --> 00:29:43.198 not your obvious anti-poaching destination. 745 00:29:43.198 --> 00:29:44.657 I'm standing here with Pete Pick, 746 00:29:44.657 --> 00:29:47.702 one of the managers of Bubye Valley Conservancy. 747 00:29:47.702 --> 00:29:49.454 The Bubye Valley Conservancy 748 00:29:49.454 --> 00:29:51.790 specializes in preserving and rebuilding 749 00:29:51.790 --> 00:29:54.709 fragile populations of endangered animals, 750 00:29:54.709 --> 00:29:57.754 but with so many towns and villages on its borders, 751 00:29:57.754 --> 00:30:00.048 Bubye's thriving wildlife is seen by many 752 00:30:00.048 --> 00:30:02.884 as an easy source of food and profit. 753 00:30:02.884 --> 00:30:05.053 This conservancy has got a very unique way 754 00:30:05.053 --> 00:30:07.555 of dealing with their subsistence or their meat poachers. 755 00:30:07.555 --> 00:30:09.265 This is all giraffe meat. 756 00:30:09.265 --> 00:30:11.226 In the back room of the small butcher shop 757 00:30:11.226 --> 00:30:12.727 on the conservancy, 758 00:30:12.727 --> 00:30:15.396 Pete is attacking the very heart of the problem. 759 00:30:15.396 --> 00:30:19.526 - In this area in the Bubye, we've got surplus giraffes. 760 00:30:19.526 --> 00:30:21.986 - [Ivan] Successful management of the giraffe here 761 00:30:21.986 --> 00:30:25.240 has led to more animals than the conservancy can support, 762 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:28.451 and it's those surplus giraffes that allow Pete and his team 763 00:30:28.451 --> 00:30:30.161 to feed their neighboring communities 764 00:30:30.161 --> 00:30:32.455 with legally hunted meat. 765 00:30:32.455 --> 00:30:34.040 I would imagine that this is one of your 766 00:30:34.040 --> 00:30:35.959 very best anti-poaching initiatives. 767 00:30:35.959 --> 00:30:37.502 - It is our best. 768 00:30:37.502 --> 00:30:40.880 - It's an impressive example of outside-the-box thinking. 769 00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:42.215 You know, you would have never thought 770 00:30:42.215 --> 00:30:44.300 that using giraffe meat would be effective 771 00:30:44.300 --> 00:30:46.761 in combating poaching, but it makes complete sense. 772 00:30:46.761 --> 00:30:49.097 By managing the giraffe population, 773 00:30:49.097 --> 00:30:50.640 you're also using the meat 774 00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:53.184 that's generated from that population control 775 00:30:53.184 --> 00:30:54.644 to feed the communities. 776 00:30:54.644 --> 00:30:57.480 And so getting the meat for free without having to poach it, 777 00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:59.274 of course that's gonna eliminate poaching, 778 00:30:59.274 --> 00:31:00.650 but that's not an obvious solution 779 00:31:00.650 --> 00:31:01.943 until someone actually puts it 780 00:31:01.943 --> 00:31:03.736 and lays it out in front of you. 781 00:31:03.736 --> 00:31:07.282 - And the community, everybody, the giraffes themselves 782 00:31:07.282 --> 00:31:08.700 benefit from it. 783 00:31:08.700 --> 00:31:11.452 It has virtually stopped the poaching. 784 00:31:11.452 --> 00:31:14.205 - This is modern day conservation at its finest. 785 00:31:14.205 --> 00:31:15.790 I'm so impressed that I ask Pete 786 00:31:15.790 --> 00:31:18.042 if I can help with today's delivery. 787 00:31:18.042 --> 00:31:21.296 Moments later, I'm wearing a white apron. 788 00:31:21.296 --> 00:31:24.132 This is a man-sized chunk of meat. 789 00:31:25.049 --> 00:31:26.759 800 kilograms. 790 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:30.346 If we chop that into half-kilogram piles, one-pound piles, 791 00:31:30.346 --> 00:31:31.514 what's gonna end up happening is 792 00:31:31.514 --> 00:31:35.310 we can feed 1,600 people a pound of meat. 793 00:31:35.310 --> 00:31:37.812 That's a lot of meat from just two giraffes. 794 00:31:37.812 --> 00:31:39.272 Unbelievable. 795 00:31:39.272 --> 00:31:40.982 One of the most important goals 796 00:31:40.982 --> 00:31:43.151 of conservation in Africa today 797 00:31:43.151 --> 00:31:44.444 is to resolve the conflict 798 00:31:44.444 --> 00:31:46.738 between the humans and the wildlife. 799 00:31:46.738 --> 00:31:48.865 Building this trust and these relationships 800 00:31:48.865 --> 00:31:50.575 with the neighboring communities 801 00:31:50.575 --> 00:31:52.911 is just one way the Bubye Valley Conservancy 802 00:31:52.911 --> 00:31:56.998 is helping to save what's left of our wild continent. 803 00:31:56.998 --> 00:31:58.249 A lot of happy people here, 804 00:31:58.249 --> 00:32:00.418 everybody loading up their scotch carts. 805 00:32:00.418 --> 00:32:03.504 This right here, even though it's not obvious, 806 00:32:03.504 --> 00:32:05.173 is conservation in motion. 807 00:32:05.173 --> 00:32:09.052 (speaking in foreign language) 808 00:32:11.512 --> 00:32:12.722 What he's saying is, I said, 809 00:32:12.722 --> 00:32:14.307 "How's the poaching coming from your area?" 810 00:32:14.307 --> 00:32:15.516 They laughed at me and they said, 811 00:32:15.516 --> 00:32:17.310 "Now that they get meat on a regular basis, 812 00:32:17.310 --> 00:32:18.519 "there hasn't been a poacher 813 00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:20.313 "come from their community in years." 814 00:32:20.313 --> 00:32:23.024 And that means the giraffe here are safe. 815 00:32:23.024 --> 00:32:25.652 (speaking in foreign language) 816 00:32:25.652 --> 00:32:28.279 (laughing) 817 00:32:28.279 --> 00:32:29.530 There's other parts of Africa 818 00:32:29.530 --> 00:32:30.448 where giraffe are getting poached 819 00:32:30.448 --> 00:32:31.866 to the brink of extinction. 820 00:32:31.866 --> 00:32:35.078 Here, giraffe are getting offtaken legally, 821 00:32:35.078 --> 00:32:37.497 distributed to the community legally, 822 00:32:37.497 --> 00:32:39.374 and that's leading to a total elimination 823 00:32:39.374 --> 00:32:41.417 of all bush meat trade. 824 00:32:41.417 --> 00:32:43.378 What a great solution. 825 00:32:43.378 --> 00:32:45.672 As I get ready to leave the Bubye Valley, 826 00:32:45.672 --> 00:32:47.423 I hear news that a familiar face 827 00:32:47.423 --> 00:32:49.676 has just arrived at the conservancy. 828 00:32:49.676 --> 00:32:51.928 Where people are working to save giraffes, 829 00:32:51.928 --> 00:32:54.514 Julian Fennessy is never far behind. 830 00:32:54.514 --> 00:32:56.224 So I head out across the park 831 00:32:56.224 --> 00:32:58.476 to check in with my new friend. 832 00:32:58.476 --> 00:33:01.562 The rumor is he's in Zimbabwe to make history. 833 00:33:01.562 --> 00:33:04.357 (dramatic music) 834 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:12.782 I'm Ivan Carter and I've been traveling the continent 835 00:33:12.782 --> 00:33:14.993 exploring the problems and solutions 836 00:33:14.993 --> 00:33:17.620 facing Africa's disappearing giraffes. 837 00:33:17.620 --> 00:33:19.914 Today I'm in Zimbabwe reconnecting with 838 00:33:19.914 --> 00:33:23.292 giraffe conservation hero Dr. Julian Fennessy 839 00:33:23.292 --> 00:33:25.962 and we're about to make history. 840 00:33:27.463 --> 00:33:30.216 Well, we've just got into this open area here. 841 00:33:30.216 --> 00:33:32.301 Great place to dart a giraffe, 842 00:33:32.301 --> 00:33:33.761 actually the first time a giraffe's 843 00:33:33.761 --> 00:33:36.097 ever gonna have been collared in Zimbabwe. 844 00:33:36.097 --> 00:33:38.474 Just like the collaring we did in Namibia, 845 00:33:38.474 --> 00:33:40.977 Julian is here to fill a research gap, 846 00:33:40.977 --> 00:33:42.562 tracking the movements and patterns 847 00:33:42.562 --> 00:33:45.940 of a previously unstudied giraffe population. 848 00:33:45.940 --> 00:33:46.858 Good morning, gents. 849 00:33:46.858 --> 00:33:48.067 Julian, good to see you, man. 850 00:33:48.067 --> 00:33:48.901 It's good to see you. 851 00:33:48.901 --> 00:33:49.736 - Yeah, likewise. 852 00:33:49.736 --> 00:33:50.570 - Good, man. 853 00:33:50.570 --> 00:33:51.487 Hey, long time, ey? 854 00:33:51.487 --> 00:33:52.989 Good, man, good to see you. 855 00:33:52.989 --> 00:33:55.491 Our strategy is the same as the other dartings, 856 00:33:55.491 --> 00:33:58.161 only this time, Julian's working with a budget. 857 00:33:58.161 --> 00:34:00.872 Today we have the advantage of a support chopper 858 00:34:00.872 --> 00:34:04.167 and the expertise of Zimbabwe's premier capture specialist, 859 00:34:04.167 --> 00:34:05.460 Nick La Grange. 860 00:34:05.460 --> 00:34:06.753 How's it gonna work, Nick? 861 00:34:06.753 --> 00:34:08.004 - We're gonna go up with a chopper, 862 00:34:08.004 --> 00:34:10.214 select an individual and we're gonna dart it. 863 00:34:10.214 --> 00:34:11.841 Obviously, you'll be with the roping team. 864 00:34:11.841 --> 00:34:14.010 So we'll try and position you guys as much as we can 865 00:34:14.010 --> 00:34:15.219 before we put the dart in, 866 00:34:15.219 --> 00:34:16.512 and then once we get the dart in, 867 00:34:16.512 --> 00:34:18.014 we'll try and keep him going towards you guys. 868 00:34:18.014 --> 00:34:21.684 Lock it down, if you can help us just grab the head, 869 00:34:21.684 --> 00:34:22.518 keep the head on the ground. 870 00:34:22.518 --> 00:34:24.020 - Perfect, okay. 871 00:34:24.020 --> 00:34:25.605 This has never actually been done in Zimbabwe, has it? 872 00:34:25.605 --> 00:34:27.607 No one's ever put a collar on a giraffe? 873 00:34:27.607 --> 00:34:29.150 - I've never heard of it before. 874 00:34:29.150 --> 00:34:31.360 I mean, they really are a forgotten giant, I think. 875 00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:32.445 They're the tallest animal in the world, 876 00:34:32.445 --> 00:34:33.696 and yet we know so little, 877 00:34:33.696 --> 00:34:35.281 so I think this is gonna make history 878 00:34:35.281 --> 00:34:37.033 and hopefully we're gonna find some amazing stuff 879 00:34:37.033 --> 00:34:39.202 that can really help us conserve these animals. 880 00:34:39.202 --> 00:34:40.620 - It's definitely a unique opportunity. 881 00:34:40.620 --> 00:34:41.871 - I'm ready when you guys are. 882 00:34:41.871 --> 00:34:43.081 - All right. 883 00:34:43.081 --> 00:34:44.248 - Let's get out there, let's have some fun. 884 00:34:44.248 --> 00:34:47.960 - Absolutely, giraffe rodeo. (laughs) 885 00:34:49.754 --> 00:34:51.047 Okay, this is pretty exciting, 886 00:34:51.047 --> 00:34:53.007 this is the beginning of this operation, 887 00:34:53.007 --> 00:34:54.884 an operation that truly is history. 888 00:34:54.884 --> 00:34:56.052 Julian's equally excited, 889 00:34:56.052 --> 00:34:57.845 he's in the vehicle right behind us. 890 00:34:57.845 --> 00:35:01.432 Hopefully this is all gonna go according to plan. 891 00:35:01.432 --> 00:35:02.683 Radio check, do you copy? 892 00:35:02.683 --> 00:35:04.977 - [Julian] Yeah, I've got you fine, Ivan. 893 00:35:04.977 --> 00:35:06.229 - Yeah, Roger that. 894 00:35:06.229 --> 00:35:07.522 The chopper's seen the giraffes, 895 00:35:07.522 --> 00:35:09.440 we're looking for a big, mature female. 896 00:35:09.440 --> 00:35:10.900 There's quite a lot to this. 897 00:35:10.900 --> 00:35:12.735 Once the dart goes in, I've gotta get this vehicle 898 00:35:12.735 --> 00:35:15.279 right up to the giraffe as quickly as I can. 899 00:35:15.279 --> 00:35:17.406 Probably gonna get a little bit hair-raising. 900 00:35:17.406 --> 00:35:18.825 I'm hoping that we're not gonna have to 901 00:35:18.825 --> 00:35:20.409 rush through a bunch of this kind of terrain, 902 00:35:20.409 --> 00:35:22.703 it'll be very tough to get through this terrain. 903 00:35:22.703 --> 00:35:24.163 A lot of stumps here to watch out for, 904 00:35:24.163 --> 00:35:26.415 we don't want to blow a tire on a stump. 905 00:35:26.415 --> 00:35:28.835 - [Nick] They've moved a fair distance to the west here, 906 00:35:28.835 --> 00:35:30.419 we're just trying to turn them around. 907 00:35:30.419 --> 00:35:31.754 - But the commotion from the chopper 908 00:35:31.754 --> 00:35:35.091 has driven the herd into the thick bush. 909 00:35:35.091 --> 00:35:36.592 The chopper's having a little bit of trouble 910 00:35:36.592 --> 00:35:38.261 getting the giraffe to come out in the open. 911 00:35:38.261 --> 00:35:41.139 Very often with any animal, when you push it a little bit, 912 00:35:41.139 --> 00:35:42.932 it feels a lot more secure in thick bush, 913 00:35:42.932 --> 00:35:46.894 and that's exactly what's happening with these giraffe. 914 00:35:46.894 --> 00:35:49.605 (dramatic music) 915 00:35:56.154 --> 00:35:58.823 Finally the giraffe break cover. 916 00:36:00.992 --> 00:36:04.287 - [Nick] We're gonna put a dart in now. 917 00:36:12.962 --> 00:36:14.213 We've put the dart in. 918 00:36:14.213 --> 00:36:16.799 - The dart is in, the dart is in. 919 00:36:18.676 --> 00:36:20.136 They're just heading them off, 920 00:36:20.136 --> 00:36:21.345 they're coming straight towards us, 921 00:36:21.345 --> 00:36:23.139 this is absolutely perfect, here they come. 922 00:36:23.139 --> 00:36:24.098 - [Nick] She's the animal, that's the one, 923 00:36:24.098 --> 00:36:25.516 the middle one's got a dart in. 924 00:36:25.516 --> 00:36:27.560 - It's not showing any signs yet. 925 00:36:27.560 --> 00:36:29.979 The giraffe in the middle is the one with the dart in, 926 00:36:29.979 --> 00:36:32.231 just crossing the road in front of us. 927 00:36:32.231 --> 00:36:34.734 It's amazing how fast these giraffe actually move. 928 00:36:34.734 --> 00:36:36.277 They don't look like they're running fast, 929 00:36:36.277 --> 00:36:38.779 but they're actually moving pretty quickly. 930 00:36:38.779 --> 00:36:40.656 Crucial that we keep them in the open. 931 00:36:40.656 --> 00:36:42.074 Coordinating with the chopper, 932 00:36:42.074 --> 00:36:44.994 we keep these giraffes moving towards open ground. 933 00:36:44.994 --> 00:36:46.787 I'm coming towards you along this road. 934 00:36:46.787 --> 00:36:48.039 - [Nick] Okay, copy. 935 00:36:48.039 --> 00:36:49.540 Got a visual, you're in a good direction. 936 00:36:49.540 --> 00:36:51.167 - Okay, we're going as fast as we possibly can 937 00:36:51.167 --> 00:36:52.668 along this road here. 938 00:36:52.668 --> 00:36:55.379 (dramatic music) 939 00:36:58.341 --> 00:37:00.843 But our darted giraffe breaks from the herd 940 00:37:00.843 --> 00:37:03.846 and makes a beeline right back into the thick stuff. 941 00:37:03.846 --> 00:37:06.682 (energetic music) 942 00:37:10.519 --> 00:37:12.313 - [Nick] Cut her off. 943 00:37:16.275 --> 00:37:19.445 - And we have no choice but to pursue. 944 00:37:23.157 --> 00:37:25.743 At these speeds, if she falls on her own, 945 00:37:25.743 --> 00:37:29.830 this whole thing could turn into a fatal disaster. 946 00:37:29.830 --> 00:37:31.249 But it takes all my focus 947 00:37:31.249 --> 00:37:34.919 just to keep from hitting one of these trees. 948 00:37:37.838 --> 00:37:39.840 We've gotta be in front. 949 00:37:44.512 --> 00:37:46.097 - [Narrator] Carter's War would like to thank 950 00:37:46.097 --> 00:37:48.975 the following people and organizations. 951 00:37:48.975 --> 00:37:53.145 Without their help, this program would not be possible. 952 00:37:54.855 --> 00:37:56.399 (dramatic music) 953 00:37:56.399 --> 00:37:58.818 - [Ivan] Giraffe expert Julian Fennessy and I 954 00:37:58.818 --> 00:38:00.987 are in the middle of a historic operation, 955 00:38:00.987 --> 00:38:02.613 trying to execute the first ever 956 00:38:02.613 --> 00:38:05.157 giraffe collaring in Zimbabwe's history, 957 00:38:05.157 --> 00:38:07.076 but this tranquilized giraffe has just run 958 00:38:07.076 --> 00:38:09.787 straight into the thickest part of the bush. 959 00:38:09.787 --> 00:38:11.080 Dodging trees, 960 00:38:11.080 --> 00:38:13.082 I have to get my roping crew ahead of the animal 961 00:38:13.082 --> 00:38:16.294 so we can bring her down safely. 962 00:38:16.294 --> 00:38:19.130 (energetic music) 963 00:38:24.552 --> 00:38:25.803 We've gotta be in front 964 00:38:25.803 --> 00:38:28.597 to give the guys time to get out of the car. 965 00:38:28.597 --> 00:38:31.475 (energetic music) 966 00:38:42.903 --> 00:38:44.071 Out, out, out. 967 00:38:50.494 --> 00:38:52.079 - [Julian] Come on! 968 00:38:53.664 --> 00:38:55.207 Hold it high! 969 00:38:55.207 --> 00:38:58.461 Let it flow, let it flow, by day, by day, by day. 970 00:38:58.461 --> 00:39:01.380 Low, hold it, just hold it, hold it. 971 00:39:10.348 --> 00:39:13.976 - Antidote is going in, we've covered its eyes. 972 00:39:13.976 --> 00:39:17.146 We're gonna get a blindfold on right away. 973 00:39:17.146 --> 00:39:18.272 What they're doing is they're putting water on, 974 00:39:18.272 --> 00:39:19.523 this is a fairly long chase, 975 00:39:19.523 --> 00:39:21.901 it's starting to get hot and overheating it, 976 00:39:21.901 --> 00:39:24.278 a really important thing when dealing with wildlife, 977 00:39:24.278 --> 00:39:25.446 particularly wildlife like this 978 00:39:25.446 --> 00:39:27.490 that's had a little bit of a run. 979 00:39:27.490 --> 00:39:28.908 With the giraffe stable, 980 00:39:28.908 --> 00:39:30.993 it's time to fit her with the tracking collar, 981 00:39:30.993 --> 00:39:33.329 the same device we used in Namibia. 982 00:39:33.329 --> 00:39:36.415 And as always, Julian takes measurements. 983 00:39:36.415 --> 00:39:37.833 - We're gonna do some DNA sampling here, 984 00:39:37.833 --> 00:39:39.085 some tissue sampling. 985 00:39:39.085 --> 00:39:41.128 We've been testing all over Africa. 986 00:39:41.128 --> 00:39:42.338 What this is gonna help us tell 987 00:39:42.338 --> 00:39:44.423 is it similar to other ones in southern Africa 988 00:39:44.423 --> 00:39:45.674 or ones in East Africa? 989 00:39:45.674 --> 00:39:48.135 It's basically who's who in this big giraffe zoo. 990 00:39:48.135 --> 00:39:50.388 - [Ivan] It's this sort of grassroots research 991 00:39:50.388 --> 00:39:52.223 that will generate the awareness needed 992 00:39:52.223 --> 00:39:55.101 for more professional, high-budget initiatives, 993 00:39:55.101 --> 00:39:56.352 like this one. 994 00:39:56.352 --> 00:39:57.812 - And we've been figuring out that 995 00:39:57.812 --> 00:39:59.230 there actually might everybody different species, 996 00:39:59.230 --> 00:40:00.189 they're that different. 997 00:40:00.189 --> 00:40:01.690 So this will be critical, 998 00:40:01.690 --> 00:40:04.026 it's the first sample we've ever had out of Zimbabwe 999 00:40:04.026 --> 00:40:06.487 and it's gonna be basically one of the last links 1000 00:40:06.487 --> 00:40:08.364 to figure out this mystery. 1001 00:40:08.364 --> 00:40:10.199 - What an incredible conservation success, 1002 00:40:10.199 --> 00:40:13.202 and what we're doing right here, this is history, 1003 00:40:13.202 --> 00:40:15.246 this is the conservation wheel turning, 1004 00:40:15.246 --> 00:40:17.540 this is modern conservation in motion. 1005 00:40:17.540 --> 00:40:19.625 As long as this kind of initiative carries on, 1006 00:40:19.625 --> 00:40:22.253 the wildlife truly has got a hope. 1007 00:40:22.253 --> 00:40:23.462 I've worked with threatened 1008 00:40:23.462 --> 00:40:25.756 and endangered species for years, 1009 00:40:25.756 --> 00:40:28.843 but had never before considered giraffes among them. 1010 00:40:28.843 --> 00:40:30.886 Indeed, much of the world is still ignorant 1011 00:40:30.886 --> 00:40:33.597 to the plight of these majestic animals. 1012 00:40:33.597 --> 00:40:36.976 Thanks to the pioneering spirit of Julian Fennessy, 1013 00:40:36.976 --> 00:40:39.228 his organization, the GCF, 1014 00:40:39.228 --> 00:40:41.730 and all of its volunteers and donors, 1015 00:40:41.730 --> 00:40:43.566 giraffe conservation is at last 1016 00:40:43.566 --> 00:40:46.485 getting the attention it deserves. 1017 00:40:46.485 --> 00:40:48.362 And with individuals like Tom Okelo 1018 00:40:48.362 --> 00:40:51.407 and his rangers and Murchison Falls National Park, 1019 00:40:51.407 --> 00:40:55.411 our forgotten giants now have a fighting chance. 1020 00:40:56.579 --> 00:40:58.080 Here in Zimbabwe, 1021 00:40:58.080 --> 00:41:01.041 it's time to get this giraffe back onto her feet. 1022 00:41:01.041 --> 00:41:01.876 - [Julian] Okay, ready? 1023 00:41:01.876 --> 00:41:02.710 - [Ivan] Okay, ready. 1024 00:41:02.710 --> 00:41:03.544 Let's go. 1025 00:41:04.712 --> 00:41:08.257 But she's not standing up on her own. 1026 00:41:08.257 --> 00:41:12.386 I worry that she may have in fact overheated, 1027 00:41:12.386 --> 00:41:15.097 but Julian insists that all she really needs. 1028 00:41:15.097 --> 00:41:16.265 - [Julian] Okay, you ready? 1029 00:41:16.265 --> 00:41:18.767 - [Ivan] Is a little encouragement. 1030 00:41:18.767 --> 00:41:20.394 - Come on, lady! 1031 00:41:20.394 --> 00:41:21.228 Come on. 1032 00:41:24.773 --> 00:41:27.526 (dramatic music) 1033 00:41:30.404 --> 00:41:31.238 Whoohoo. 1034 00:41:31.238 --> 00:41:32.531 - And here we go. 1035 00:41:32.531 --> 00:41:33.824 Congratulations, brother. 1036 00:41:33.824 --> 00:41:34.909 - We've done history, well done. 1037 00:41:34.909 --> 00:41:36.118 - We really have. 1038 00:41:36.118 --> 00:41:38.746 That's history in the making right there. 1039 00:41:38.746 --> 00:41:39.997 - [Julian] She's got a bit of go in her. 1040 00:41:39.997 --> 00:41:42.791 (dramatic music) 1041 00:41:49.131 --> 00:41:51.967 (energetic music)