Why Water Is Crucial For South Africa's Wildlife | Southern Africa Documentary | Real Wild

Because it’s water…isn’t water crucial for all animals? Pretty sure I learned that in 4th grade.

~THE RIVER STORY~

It has been a while since the last rain came. Many animals are gathering around a river, and it is dry. They are thirsty, and can only lie down on the hot sand. However, they decide they’ve had enough. Soon, A large chunk of Impalas are ready to go, trotting down the dry riverbed with other animals in pursuit. In just 5 minutes, there are at least 27 crocodiles waddling along with the impalas. Elephants are now emerging from the crusty bush, blowing dust onto the ground as they go. In just half an hour, there is a great hurdle of animals bounding down the dry path. The sun is shining down on the dirt and sand, so everyone slowly begins to merge into the bush to keep cool. But the bushes are very prickly, and it gets very hard to move in all of the mess. Moving out onto the dirt again, they are getting really thirsty, and a flock of flamingos are now soaring overhead, honking loudly. The animals begin to come to a stop in a grassy clearing, and fall asleep.

The following morning, the impalas are crawling ahead, so the elephants pick up pace. Sadly, the crocodiles were too late, and couldn’t keep up. It is getting hot, and the elephants dip into an area of small sand dunes. Meanwhile, the impalas are now leaping and bounding through grasses and trees. They would soon find out the search for water is over.

The animals come to a narrow channel, with a pack of baboons and lots of other impalas. Crocodiles and even some other elephants have arrived at the scene. So the others join in. As they come to the river, all of the impalas rush to drink. Elephants barge through some impalas though, and get their share. This area is the only place where there is remaining water in the riverbed. Baboons are sitting on rocks, elephants dozing on the sand, crocodiles dominating the pools, fishing birds arrive to feed on some fish scraps, and impalas risk a drink with crocs staring at them at all times.

But, it cannot last forever. The river channel shrinks to a few pools, and the animals are left with low supply. Hornbills cry out from trees in desperation and baboons fight to dig pits to filter out seepage near the edge. Elephants pack up and leave, with the impalas still alive and remaining. Crocodiles are more aggressive than ever before, and impalas must get a drink while they can. Small, colourful birds called bee-eaters swoop in and take a quick sip. But some are unlucky and are caught by the crocodiles. Impalas pace around, with hope dwindling. Baboons now are using rocks and sticks to fight off other animals in the search for water. Hippos pass by due to the river further down drying up, and the crocodiles are beginning to leave. This is a sign of long-term drought.

After a while, there is no more order in the pools. Crocodiles start to grab baboons tail-end and pull them in. Impala fawns are also being chased and eaten by crocodiles. Warthogs are attracted as the pools are now starting to form areas of mud with lots of worms and beetles. Hogs must risk a drink too, as the crocs are ruthless to all the others. All day, every day, there is the same scene. Impalas hopelessly wait for rains to come, crocs are attacking everything that takes a drink, hornbills screech and cry for water, baboons are chasing impalas around the sands, and warthogs are digging holes to capture worms. If the drought continues for another month, they are done for. The lack of order is becoming a serious problem a week later. Nearly all of the young baboons have been taken down by crocodiles and impalas are now realising what is happening.

Eventually though, a greyish cloudy sky drifts over the river bed, and in a short time, there is a torrential downpour. Baboons screech and run for shelter, impalas following close behind. Crocodiles are thankful the rain has come. There was not enough of them to eat the corpses and they have left them to rot. But they do take refuge under a tree for a few hours. The following week, hundreds more arrive as the river finally fills again. Order is restored and the impalas swarm the river banks along with baboons and other wildlife. The end of the drought is here, and just in time…………

Leopard 🐆🌊

God's creations are awesome, uhanks for this show

Thank you very much

Seeing Victoria Falls 😍 I miss my home Zimbabwe 🇿🇼

The most beautiful things in this world are not man made; there’s nothing more perfect than nature that’s untouched

This narrator's voice, tone, and pace are soothing.