Ep 6. Parenthood

Life Story is a nature documentary that explores the life cycles and survival strategies of various species of animals. In season 1 episode 6, titled Parenthood, the focus is on the challenges and joys of raising offspring in the animal kingdom.

The episode begins with a stunning sequence of aerial shots of a vast herd of wildebeest on the move in Tanzania. David Attenborough, the narrator of the series, explains that these animals are undertaking one of the most perilous migrations on Earth, in search of fresh grass and water. Along the way, they must navigate treacherous river crossings, dodge predators like lions and hyenas, and give birth to their young.

We then follow a mother zebra as she gives birth to a foal, with the help of other females in her herd. The scene is heartwarming as the tiny, wobbly-legged foal struggles to stand and nurse for the first time. Attenborough explains that the first few hours and days of life are crucial for many animal babies, as they must gain strength and learn essential skills quickly to avoid predation.

Next, we witness the powerful bond between a female orangutan and her infant in Borneo. The mother must constantly keep her baby close and protect it from the hot sun, predators, and other hazards of jungle life. Attenborough notes that orangutan mothers are some of the most devoted and patient parents in the animal kingdom, as they spend years teaching their offspring how to find food, build nests, and survive on their own.

The episode also explores the challenges of raising offspring in the ocean, where food, shelter, and safety are constantly in flux. We see giant manta rays giving birth to live pups, and learn that the newborns must immediately swim away from their mother to avoid being eaten. Similarly, baby sea turtles hatch from their eggs on the beach and must quickly make their way to the water, dodging predators and human activity along the way.

One of the most poignant segments of the episode features a female elephant mourning the loss of her calf to a lion. Attenborough explains that elephants have some of the most complex social bonds and emotional lives of any animals, and the death of a calf can send shockwaves through the herd. We watch as the mother elephant refuses to leave her dead offspring, using her trunk to touch and nudge the body in a heartbreaking display of grief.

The episode also showcases the impressive parenting skills of birds, particularly those that migrate thousands of miles each year. We see a pair of sandhill cranes tending to their chicks in Wisconsin, teaching them to fly and forage before embarking on their annual journey south. Attenborough notes that the instinct to raise offspring is so strong in many birds that they will even adopt chicks of other species if their own eggs are destroyed.

Throughout Parenthood, Life Story offers a vivid and intimate look at the challenges and joys of raising offspring in the natural world. Through stunning cinematography, expert narration, and a wealth of fascinating insights, the episode sheds light on the resilience, adaptability, and sheer determination of parents in the animal kingdom.