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The Secret Life of Elephants

Sarah Parish

Holly Spearing

Iain Douglas-Hamilton

Saba Douglas-Hamilton

David Dabellen

Onesmas Kahindi

Sara Ford

Nigel Pope

The Secret Life of Elephants: Episode 1

Documentaries

Factual: Science & Nature

Episode 1

BBC One - The Secret Life of Elephants, Episode 1

A new baby is born, but her first few weeks look set to be the most dangerous of her life.

Documentary series revealing the emotional and dramatic lives of elephants. A new baby elephant is born, but her first few weeks look set to be the most dangerous of her life.

First in a series of three programmes revealing the emotional and dramatic lives of elephants in Kenya's Samburu reserve. 

As the day begins, there is great excitement in one elephant family when a new baby, named Breeze, is born. But her first few weeks look set to be the most dangerous of her life. Meanwhile, elephant experts Iain and Saba Douglas-Hamilton face the huge challenge of fitting a radio collar to a three-tonne female elephant with an entire herd looking out for her. Breeze faces her first big test, crossing a river, and the research team investigate when one of their best-known bull elephants is found dead in suspicious circumstances. 

Back in the reserve, a young calf becomes injured and cannot keep up with his herd. His mother sticks with him, but will he survive without the support of a family? There is further tragedy when a matriarch dies. In unique footage, a herd of elephants visit her body, and appear to mourn her death.

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Documentary series revealing the dramatic lives of elephants in Kenya's Samburu reserve.

Documentary series revealing the emotional and dramatic lives of elephants in Kenya's Samburu reserve.

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