The Flood; Okavango Delta

The Kalahari undergoes a remarkable transformation into a wildlife haven during the great flood, turning into a living, breathing miracle. The Okavango Delta receives distant rainfall even in the driest season. Hungry quillia flocks scour the floodplains for food, while the grasses have withered, leaving only dormant seeds in the dry sand. Competition for food ensues during the dry season. The unbroken floodplains provide an excellent hunting ground for a cheetah mother with three growing cubs to feed. The cubs are too young to hunt, observe, and learn. The cheetah's speed and agility make feeding the family effortless for now, but challenges will arise when the flood arrives. Survival in this dry season is all about timing, with the leopard embodying stealth and the cheetah embodying speed. The kagelia trees come to life, attracting vervet monkeys and aiding in pollination. The flowers of the kagelia trees brim with sweet nectar, enticing the vervet monkeys to drink and assist in pollination. The flood draws a variety of insect species to a concentrated area, including dragonflies and damselflies, forming one of the largest concentrations of these insects on Earth. Insects feed and mate in this area, with males grasping onto females during mating.

Antelope and other animals adapt to the wetland environment, with water providing new food sources for even the giant elephant. Elephants and hippos are essential in managing vegetation and shaping the environment. Elephants act as tree surgeons, removing the weakest and leaving only a skeleton remains. Hippos reconstruct the Underwater World by moving and creating channels, becoming the masters of the realm. A dedicated father egret tends to his floating nest and takes care of his chicks. He removes the shell from the nest and sinks it to hide any evidence of the new young one. He keeps a watchful eye on his newly hatched chicks as they navigate obstacles in their watery world. He protects his chicks from potential danger and faces the challenge of a third chick. The Lions have lost their hunting ground due to flood. The flood has submerged their hunting ground. They no longer have their usual advantages for hunting. They tried to corner a lone hippo, but it escaped. The flood has brought new challenges and promises. The Carmines form a united front to safeguard the Next Generation. The land begins to dry, creating opportunities for those who can seize the tactical advantage. Wild dogs work together with a cunning strategy to push the Impala to the water. The dogs set a trap, but there are others with eyes on the prize. The dogs are about to be robbed by the crocodile host. Strength in numbers allows the pack to gain the upper hand. The dogs must always be on their game in this constantly changing world. The family is up early, hunting for fresh delicacies as the channels dry out. Falling water levels reveal lilies and sedges. Patience and hard work bring rewards. Plenty of food is available for the whole troop and the neighbors.

Abundance can breed Discord. In a growing baboon troupe, young Mayors pushed their limits trying to fight their way up the ranks. It's up to the boss to restore order. The squabbling has drawn unwelcome attention. Internal tensions are brushed aside. Time for this family to move on and find somewhere safer to feast. With falling water levels, some residents need to relocate. The young male hippo has become too big for his pool, but he is willing to travel long distances in search of a new home. However, he may be getting himself into trouble as the pool he's eyeing already has a tenant, a large bull who is not interested in having a roommate. The young hippo will have to continue his search, as deep water has become a highly sought-after real estate. The vast floodplains, which were once filled with water from the Okavango River, have now become breeding grounds for a variety of aquatic life. As the floodplains begin to dry up, these hidden treasures are revealed. The build storks are the first to arrive, equipped with the necessary tools to navigate the seasonal changes in the flood. With bills resembling nutcrackers, they search for snails in the shallow waters. Millions of small fish that were born in the floodplains are now venturing into deeper waters. The floodplains have transformed into a savannah, attracting lions and other wildlife. The sandbanks have become a breeding ground for skimmers, and the new parents are going through the same routines. The abundance of fish is a result of the receding floods. The once watery world of the Okavango has become a distant memory, with only small channels and pools remaining to attract various species. The floodplains, now covered in lush young grasses, provide a paradise for lions, allowing their families to thrive. The permanent channels in the north still hold water and support a variety of aquatic life.

The floating root beds in the water act as filters and provide nutrients, while the peculiar murmur aids fish to emit tiny electrical pulses to navigate their surroundings. Murmur aids possess large brains and heads of a particular shape. Juvenile fish produce pulses that are too small to be detected by the majority of predators. Catfish have intercepted the signals of the murmur aids and have initiated a feeding frenzy. Tigerfish hunt the murmur aids from below, but they also become targets from above. The chaotic feeding display in the Okavango is unparalleled anywhere on the planet. The summer heat in the Okavango reaches its peak, and elephants await the rain. Elephants give birth and mate during this period. Aggressive encounters among male elephants escalate into full-blown combat. Lightning storms signal the arrival of rain, but they also increase the risk of fire.