The power of the sun drives the seasons, 太陽的能量 推動著四季的變化
transforming our planet. 影響著地球的變遷
Vast movements of ocean and air currents 浩瀚洋流和氣流的運動
bring dramatic change throughout the year. 帶來令人嘆為觀止的巨變 終年不息
And in a few special places, these seasonal changes 在地球上某些特殊的地區
create some of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth. 季節變化造就了壯麗無比的自然奇景
One of the most remarkable transformations 其中最顯著的巨變之一
occurs here in Southern Africa, in the desert lands of the Kalahari. 就發生在此處 南美的卡拉哈里沙漠里
Large herds of animals trek for months in search of food and water, 大群的動物歷經數月跋涉 尋找食物和水源
waiting for an event that will dramatically change their lives. 并等待著一件將完全改變他們生活狀況的大事發生
For once a year, life- giving water turns an area of unforgiving desert 一年一度 生命之泉奧卡萬戈河（位于非洲西南中部）
into a vast, watery paradise known as the Okavango. 都會將荒蕪貧瘠的沙漠 變成廣闊潮濕的天堂
--==圣城家園SCG字幕組bbs.3639.net==-- 翻譯: Mayra MOZI-viki 戀空 柚子茶 校對: 狗頭兔 萍a01613
Where and when the Okavango will flood 奧卡萬戈河的洪水 將于何時何地發生
determines the fate of millions of animals, 決定著數百萬動物的命運
making this one of nature's truly great events. 因此也成為了 自然界舉足輕重的大事件之一
自然大事件
奧卡萬戈 大洪水
旁白 David Attenborough
In the heart of Southern Africa, the desert lands of the Kalahari 在南非的心臟地帶 卡拉哈里沙漠
cover an area of almost 400,000 square miles. 覆蓋近40萬平方英里的土地
It's one of driest places on Earth, 這是世界上最干旱的地區之一
yet miraculously, great herds of grazing animals survive here. 然而大量的草食動物 卻能奇跡般的生存下來
They lead a nomadic existence, 他們四處漂泊
trekking huge distances in search of food and water. 為了尋找食物和水源而顛沛流離
It's the start of the dry season. It won't rain for eight months, 旱季才剛剛開始 八個月之內都不會下雨
and so life, already hard, is about to get even harder. 早已艱辛的生活 將變得更加艱難
Of all the animals here, 在所有的動物中
perhaps the most resourceful are the elephants. 也許大象是最為足智多謀的
Each family is led by an older female, the matriarch, 每個家族都由一位年長的女族長帶領
and they all rely on her experience to guide them through the desert. 并憑著她的經驗率領大家穿過沙漠
Her years here have taught this matriarch that, one day, 多年的生活經驗告訴她 有一天
hundreds of miles to the west, she will find a lush grassland. 在西邊幾百英里的地方 她終將找到一片蒼茫蔥郁的草原
But before she will find it, 但在找到之前
her family will have to survive many months in the desert. 她的家族得在沙漠中艱苦的生存數月之久
The water that could transform their lives 那能改變他們生活的甘泉
has its origins a thousand miles away, 其源頭卻遠在千里之外
in the rain clouds over the highlands of Angola. 是那安哥拉高原上的烏云
(THUNDER CRASHES)
The rain is so plentiful it has the power to transform a desert. 這豐沛的雨水有滋潤沙漠的能力
It cascades southwards, not to the sea, but into the heart of the Kalahari, 它奔流向南 不入海洋 卻向著卡拉哈里沙漠的中心
towards a basin shaped like a hand 一塊手掌形狀的盆地涌去
known as the Okavango. 這里就是奧卡萬戈河
Here it will fill the swamp that lies at its entrance. 在這里 入口處的濕地將被水流注滿
And only if the rains have been plentiful 只有當雨量特別豐富時
will water flood out onto the arid plains beyond, 水才會滿溢 流向外部干旱的平原
transforming them into the grassland paradise 將它們滋養成綠草如茵
that the herds so badly need. 動物們無比向往的樂土
Out in the desert, the elephants need to find water every three days. 在沙漠 大象每三天都需要補充水分
Thirsty elephants often race into pools, 口渴的大象爭先奔向水塘
but the matriarch knows that her family must not rush in. 但女族長知道 爭搶毫無意義
This pool is stagnant, 這是一潭死水
and the elephants have a trick that deals with that. 但大象找到了喝清水的竅門
Sediment settles to the bottom, 沉淀物都沉在底部
and the cleaner, fresher water lies on the surface. 而干凈的水則浮在表面
They skim it carefully from the top. 他們小心翼翼的從水面上掠過
Then, as gently as elephants can, they move forward slowly, 然后用最輕柔的動作緩慢前進
trying not to disturb the stagnant layers. 盡可能的不把水攪渾
But precious water like this draws in herds from far and wide. 但這珍貴的水源 也吸引了其他種群遠道而來
In the exuberance of a greeting all their careful work is undone. 在相互熱情的問候中 所有的小心翼翼被毀于一旦
When bulls are forced together by the need for water, 當暴躁的動物因飲水的需要而聚集時
tempers can flare. 怒火也一觸即發
At this time of year, food and water can often be far apart. 在每年的這個時候 食物和水源往往相距甚遠
And so, now that the little ones are refreshed, 因此 既然小象們都已經恢復了精神
the family has to head off to find food. 大家族又得再次踏上尋找食物的征途
The distant Okavango plains that they're heading for are still dry, 他們所前往的奧卡萬戈平原 此時依然干旱
and getting even drier. 而旱情還在惡化
Trapped catfish struggle in a shrinking pool. 困在逐漸干涸水塘里的魚兒奮力掙扎著
And the burning sun is not their only enemy. 而炙熱的陽光卻不是他們唯一的敵人
(CAWING)
An opportunity like this attracts eagles from many miles away. 這種天賜良機吸引了數英里以外的鷹
Usually, they dive and snatch fish from the surface of the water, 通常 他們要潛入河里捕魚
but in this drought they won't have to work so hard. 但這種大旱卻減輕了他們的工作量
These are prized catches. 這是上天賜予的禮物
Marabou storks and jackals muscle in on the leftovers. 鸛鸛和豺擠了進去 搶些殘羹冷炙
But even with this bounty of fish, 盡管魚的數量非常可觀
it's in an eagle's nature to steal a meal rather than catch its own. 然而鷹的天性使他們更樂于盜竊別人的食物 而不是去自己捕捉
And all this squabbling gives the marabou a chance. 而這些爭端卻是禿鸛的好機會
Got it! 到手了!
Only the return of the flood can save these fish now. 現在只有再次泛濫的大洪水才能拯救這些魚
All around these pools, 在水塘周圍
the grass on the Okavango plains continues to wither and die. 奧卡萬戈平原上的草持續的枯萎死去
But there's still some nourishment left in the leaves, 盡管葉子上還殘留著少許養分
and millions of tiny mouths make the most of what remains. 也被百萬張小嘴吸食殆盡
Termites chop the dead grass and drag it underground 白蟻咬斷枯草 拽入地底
to feed their colony. 喂養自己的種群
They play a crucial role, 螞蟻扮演著關鍵的角色
helping to return nutrients to these poor soils. 因為它們能促使養分重歸貧瘠的土地
But now, taking the last, precious grass, 但現在 他們卻帶走了最后一棵珍貴的綠草
they leave dust and sand in its place. 只留下一地的塵土和黃沙
With the grazing animals dispersed far and wide, 在這草食動物四處分散的時刻
it's leaner times for predators here. 肉食動物的生活則更加艱難
Only a desperate leopard would tackle a porcupine. 只有走投無路的美洲豹才會對箭豬下手
This youngster is about to meet double trouble. 這只年幼的豹子卻遇上了雙重麻煩
The only place to get a bite is on their undersides. 箭豬唯一能下口的地方 在下腹
But the porcupines work together to watch each others' backs. 但這兩只箭豬團結一致 守望相助
The leopard will have to flip one over. 這只美洲豹只能先把其中之一翻過來
Pin- sharp quills can easily snap off and become embedded in flesh. 釘子般鋒利的刺能輕易刺穿皮膚嵌入肉中
It's a highly effective defence that can also be turned into attack. 高防御武器還可以輕易變成進攻的武器
It's a harsh lesson, 這是個血的教訓
but with luck and a bit of healing time, there'll be no lasting damage. 但是只要一點好運在加上少許愈合的時間 并不會留下永久性的傷害
Two hundred miles away, 兩百英里外
the pulse of life- giving water has now reached the swampland 生命之泉的水流已經到達了
at the entrance to the Okavango. 奧卡瓦戈河入口處的濕地
Here, thick beds of papyrus act like a sponge, 在這里 紙莎草的花床像海綿一樣 貪婪的吸收水分
slowing the water's progress. 減慢了水流的進程
The swamp can take months to fill, 注滿濕地將耗時數月
and only then, if there is enough water, 此后 如果水源仍然充足
can it overflow and rejuvenate the plains on which the herds depend. 才能溢出濕地 使動物們賴以生存的平原回春
Far to the east, 遙遠的東邊
the matriarch elephants have led their families to desert woodlands. 女族長已經帶領家族來到了荒漠枯林
It seems an odd place to come - there's no sign of food 看來這是個偏僻的地方... 絲毫沒有食物的痕跡
and there's little shade for the calves. 也沒有供小象乘涼的樹蔭
But elephants can do something unusual. 但大象卻自有妙計
They can eat and digest seemingly lifeless branches. 它們可以吃下并且消化 那些看起來枯萎了的樹枝
The youngsters need to learn that dry sticks are nutritious, 年輕的象需要學習 干樹枝也是有營養的
and that there is moisture in the bark. 而且樹皮里含有水份
But bark won't feed the youngest calves. 但是只吃樹皮 不能滿足小象的需求
They need to drink 1 5 litres of milk a day, 它們一天需要喝15公升的奶
so their mothers desperately need water as well as food. 所以象媽媽們不僅需要食物 還非常需要水
Exhaustion has got the better of one young female. 一只年輕母象已經精疲力竭了
But she won't get the chance to rest for long. 但她不能休息太長時間
The next waterhole could be 30 miles away, 距下一處水塘 可能還有30英里
and the whole herd needs to get moving. 整個象群得啟程了
Back on the Okavango plains, 回到奧卡萬戈平原
the last remnants of grass are going up in smoke. 從殘存的草叢中 升起一股煙
It's bad news for the few grazers that remain. 對于駐留的食草動物來說 這是個壞消息
A few birds collect the escaping insects. 一些鳥還搜尋著四散奔逃的蟲子
But fires don't help those who need to eat grass here and now. 但是大火卻將食草動物們推向絕境
The Okavango plains are at their most desolate. 這正是奧卡萬戈平原最凄涼的時候
Yet, out in the desert, 然而 在沙漠里的
the elephant herds are heading towards them. 象群正向這里走來
The matriarchs guide their families along the maze of trails 女族長帶領她的家族 沿著難以辨認的小路
to the next waterhole. 走向下一處水塘
And this time there's no hanging about. 這個時候 悠閑不再了
It soon turns into a mud bath. 很快地 喝水變成了泥巴浴
But elephants have a use for the mud, too, 但泥巴對大象也是有用的
for mud acts both as a sunscreen and an insect repellent. 泥巴可以起到防曬和驅蟲的功效
Buffalo have learned to follow the elephant trails to water. 水牛知道跟著大象的足跡 可以找到水源
There is a clear pecking order here. 但排隊飲水的順序是固定的
Elephants take priority, 大象優先
and zebra are the last in the line. 斑馬在隊伍最后
--==圣城家園SCG字幕組bbs.3639.net==-- 僅供翻譯交流使用, 禁止用于商業用途
--==圣城家園SCG字幕組bbs.3639.net==-- 翻譯: Mayra MOZI-viki 戀空 柚子茶 校對: 狗頭兔 萍a01613
(SNUFFLING)
Even when young bulls have drunk their fill, 小公象喝足了水
they still torment the buffalo. 開始想著騷擾水牛
And they definitely know which end to aim for. 而且它們清楚的知道 該從水牛的哪一頭進攻
By the time the herds face their final trek across open desert, 當象群面臨 穿越浩瀚沙漠的最后一段路程時
the swamp has filled. 濕地已經被灌滿了
The channels which lead out onto the parched plains 深入干裂平原的河道
get their first, welcome trickle of water. 終于迎來了第一道涓流
Amazingly, when the plains are at their driest, 令人驚奇的是 當平原正處在最干旱的時候
fresh water from a distant land spills into the parched river beds. 清水從很遠的地方 緩緩流入了這片干枯的河床
First it fills the dry channels, 它們首先注滿了干涸的河道
leaving the baked plains on either side hard and dry. 而兩岸的平原依舊干裂 堅硬
All along the route it finds empty pools to fill. 沿著這條路線 水會注滿那些干涸的水塘
And now, these pools become magnets for birds, 現在 這些水塘如磁鐵般吸引鳥兒蜂擁而至
which flock here from the surrounding desert lands. 它們從周邊的沙漠 聚集到這里
Red- billed quelea can now collect those grass seeds 紅嘴奎利亞雀現在可以收集那些
that the termites have missed. 被白蟻落下的草種
For most of the year, the quelea are nomadic, 一年中的大部分時間 紅嘴奎利亞雀都在流浪
and it's this freedom to follow the water 這份自由讓它們可以追尋水流
that helps make quelea one of the most numerous birds on Earth. 這使紅嘴奎利亞雀 成為地球上數量最多的鳥類之一
As the water fills the Okavango, 當清水注入奧卡凡戈平原
animals that have survived in shrinking waterholes 那些靠著一小片水塘 生存下來的動物
begin to move in. 開始移居到了這里
Female hippos gather in the best territories. 母河馬聚集在一塊最好的領地里
And this male is prepared to fight for one. 而這只公河馬 準備為了它們而開戰
Only a dominant bull will mate with the females, 只有公河馬的首領 可以與母河馬交配
and the current chieftain isn't prepared to give way. 而現在的首領并不打算讓步
(GRUNTS)
The intimidation begins. 挑戰開始了
When neither backs down, there can be only one outcome. 如果雙方都不放棄 就只有一種結果
Fights can go on for hours and can be to the death. 爭斗會持續數小時 而且可能致命
Forward- pointing tusks can stab right through protective blubber. 獠牙能刺穿起到保護作用的脂肪
This savage bite to the head brings the contest to an end. 狠狠咬在對手頭上的一口 結束了這場爭斗
The incumbent has re- established his right to mate with the females, 現任領袖再一次確立了 它與母河馬交配的權力
and he wastes no time. 而且沒費多少時間
This is a prime territory, 這是一片最好的領地
and he will face many more challenges if he is to continue to hold it. 如果它想繼續掌管 就將面臨更多的挑戰
The loser is badly injured. 失敗者受傷很嚴重
Hippos can die from infected wounds, 河馬可能會因為傷口感染而死亡
but this young male is fit and should survive. 但這只年輕的公河馬很健壯 應當能幸存下來
Ox- peckers are a mixed blessing. 牛椋鳥令人喜憂參半(非洲以偶蹄動物身上細菌為食之鳥類)
They keep his wounds clean, but they also keep them open. 它們清理傷口 但也使傷口無法愈合
Fresh water continues to pump through the Okavango plains, 清水繼續傾入奧卡萬戈平原
bringing life wherever it flows. 流經之處 生機煥發
But out in the Kalahari, water is now almost impossible to find. 不過在卡拉哈里地區 依然不見水的蹤跡
A matriarch has led her family many miles, 一只母象領著她的家族走了數英里
only to find the waterhole empty. 只找到一個早已干涸的水坑
This year the drought is gripping hard. 今年的旱期遲遲不肯離去
Each matriarch encourages her family onward. 每個母象首領都鼓舞著各自的家族 繼續前進
The calves' lives depend on her. 小象的生存有賴于她
And with pools so scarce now, 當水源如此缺乏的時候
even when she finds water, they won't be drinking alone. 即便她找到了水源 象群也無法獨享
At this time of year, some lion prides base themselves around waterholes, 每年的這個時期 都會有獅群呆在水塘周圍
and they're always on the lookout for a meal. 時刻留意著它們的菜肴
But the elephants' desperate need to drink outweighs the risk. 但是大象對水的極度渴望 使它們鋌而走險
The mothers are producing less milk, and the calves are weak. 由于象媽媽只有很少的奶 小象十分虛弱
The adults try to shield them from watchful eyes. 成年象掩護著它們 避開捕食者的目光
It's an uneasy stand- off. 但這很難使它們真正避開危險
In daylight, the elephants should have nothing to fear. 在白天 大象無所畏懼
The lions creep as close as they dare, as they too try to drink. 獅子假裝想喝水 躡手躡腳 盡可能地接近它們
One mistake from an elephant and the lions could attack. 只要大象露出一點破綻 獅子便會發起攻擊
Big cats keep tired elephants on their toes. 這些大貓讓疲憊的大象時刻警覺著
(TRUMPETING)
While the desert experiences the peak of the drought, 當沙漠的干旱達到極致時
the meandering network of channels in the Okavango 蜿蜒的奧卡萬戈河道
is finally brimful. 終于被注滿了
They are ready to overflow. 水流即將溢出
Fish gather, ready to ride the flood as a miracle begins to materialise. 魚都集結在一起 準備當奇跡突然出現時 乘洪水游走
And the barrier of desert sand seems to dissolve in the magical water. 神奇的水流開始瓦解沙漠的陣線
Under cloudless Kalahari skies, 卡拉哈里萬里無云的天空下
fresh, sweet water at last begins to bathe the parched plains. 清甜的水流終于開始沖刷這片焦灼的平原
Millions upon millions of litres surge over the banks. 千百萬升水咆哮著 沖出了堤岸
This is what the fish have been waiting for. 這是魚兒期待已久的時刻
New life returns. 新生活到來了
And as the water soaks deep into the sand, 水浸入到沙子的深處
it stirs dormant animals into life. 喚醒了一些沉睡的動物
Others are more forcibly evicted. 而另一些卻狼狽離去
It's all fresh food, a banquet ready for the feasting. 到處都是鮮美的食物 一場盛宴即將開席
Water birds follow the advancing front, making the most of the sudden harvest. 水鳥緊隨著前進的水流 享用著唾手可得的豐收
The plains soon teem with life. 平原上頓時生機勃勃起來
But not all are here to feed. 但是動物們不僅在這里尋找食物
Some have come to breed. 有些正準備繁衍后代
No one knows where they've come from, 沒人知道它們從哪里來
but within moments of the flood's arrival, 但在洪水到來的瞬間
tens of thousands of dragonflies appear at the water's edge. 成千上萬的蜻蜓出現在水邊
The vivid red male leads his partner in a magical dance, 這個活潑的紅色雄蜻蜓用迷人的舞蹈引導他的配偶
guiding her to lay their eggs in the shallows. 引導她在淺水處產卵
The flood spills ever onwards, 洪水不斷地向前溢出
until it finally reaches the outer fringes of the Okavango. 直到它最終越過奧卡萬戈的邊緣
The catfish, miraculously, still cling to life. 鯰魚 奇跡般地 仍頑強地活著
Within moments, the life- giving power of fresh water revitalises them. 生命之水瞬間使他們恢復了活力
And now, on the plains that appeared so lifeless, 之前還死氣沉沉的平原
some of the most beautiful and colourful changes occur. 渙然一新 生機勃勃
Within days, fields of lilies burst into life. 幾天時間 遍野的百合花綻放開來
They provide pollen for the early bees, and a hiding place for reed frogs. 它們為早到的蜜蜂提供花粉 為蘆葦蛙提供藏身之所
And it's only now that the most crucial gift of the flood, the grass 現在洪水帶來最好的禮物
that the desert herds need so badly, begins to grow. 沙漠牧群迫切需要的牧草 開始生長了
Hippos bulldoze their way towards the sprouting grasslands, 河馬朝生長中的牧草地進發
their paths opening up new arteries that help keep the water flowing. 他們開發的新路線促進了水的流動
In just a few weeks, 僅僅幾周
thousands of square miles of dry desert plains 數千平方英里的干漠平原
are turned into a watery green grassland. 變成了水份充足的草原
The network of hippo paths benefits all kinds of other animals, 河馬開拓的路徑方便了其他所有動物
from predatory crocodiles to the grazing herds. 無論是食肉的鱷魚還是食草動物群
This fresh grass is what the elephants, and indeed all the grazing animals, 新鮮牧草是大象一直期盼的
have been waiting for. 更不用說所有食草動物了
Their pace quickens. 它們加快了速度
For months, they have only known the dry smell of the desert. 幾個月來 它們只聞到沙漠的干燥氣息
And now, they can catch the scent of fresh grass in the wind. 現在它們捕捉到風中新鮮牧草的訊息
Red lechwe are the first to take advantage of the young shoots. 紅驢羚是最先享用到嫩牙的
The lions are no threat here. 獅子在這里沒有優勢
They're not very fast in water, and their prey seem to know it. 它們在水里沒在陸地快 它們的獵物似乎也知道這點
Lechwe revel in the safety the flood brings. 驢羚縱情于這洪水帶來的安寧
Soon they will be joined by the herds of elephant and buffalo. 很快大象和水牛也會加入到他們的行列
And the lions seem to know they're not far away. 獅子似乎知道他們快來了
Baboons don't enjoy getting their feet wet, 狒狒不喜歡沾濕腳
but the banquet of flowers and juicy snails is just irresistible. 但又無法抗拒花和多汁蝸牛這樣的美味
But they are at their most vulnerable here 但它們在這里最易受
from lurking crocodiles, 潛伏鱷魚的攻擊
so they keep an ever- watchful eye. 所以他們始終保持警惕
Babies just cling on tight and hope the water doesn't get too deep. 嬰兒狒狒緊緊抱著大狒狒希望水不要太深
At their feet, the flooded plains are now a vast fish nursery, 在他們腳下 洪水淹沒的平原成了巨大的魚類收容所
teeming with life. 充滿了生命
Predatory fish follow. 掠食性魚類緊跟其后
But they too will have to be wary. 但他們也必須得小心謹慎
For the Okavango now puts on one of the finest bird shows 因為奧卡萬戈正在上演世界上
to be seen anywhere in the world. 隨處可見的盛大鳥展之一
The rising waters create thousands of tiny islands. 不斷上漲的水造就了數千座小島
Safe from predators, surrounded by fish, 不受天敵威脅 四周滿是食物
these are the perfect place to raise chicks. 這是孕育小鳥的最好地方
This is the miracle of the Okavango. 這就是奧卡萬戈的奇跡
Once a year, it provides a magical time of plenty 每年一次 在沙漠中心地帶 干旱季節的鼎盛時期
at the height of the dry season, in the middle of a desert. 許多奇跡就在這時發生了
Only now, with the grasslands at their most productive, 只有現在 草原最多產的時候
do the great herds arrive, 獸群們剛好到達
and they've timed it to perfection. 他們來得正是時候
The herds grow larger as elephant families and buffalo 來自沙漠各處的大象和牛家族會聚到一起
converge from all over the desert. 使獸群隊伍越來越龐大
But as they all get closer to the flooded grassland, 但在他們抵達洪水泛濫的草原前
there is one final challenge to face. 還要接受最后一個挑戰
Lions have chosen this thick cover to lay their ambushes. 獅子埋伏在這茂密的草叢后面
Their favourite prey is the buffalo. 野牛是他們的最愛
Adult buffalo are powerful and can easily trample lions, 成年野牛很強健 能輕易的踩踏獅子
so the lionesses seek out weaker calves that fall behind the herd. 所以獅子們的目標是落在牛群后的弱小牛犢
A nervous buffalo mother spots their approach 一頭緊張的牛媽媽注意到他們的靠近
and the herd stampedes. 然后牛群驚跑了起來
One lioness takes a gamble, moving in on a well- protected calf. 一頭獅子冒險攻擊一頭被護好的牛犢
The buffalo close ranks, 野牛們緊密挨在一起
and suddenly, the lionesses beat a hasty retreat. 突然獅子們慌忙撤退
(ROARING)
In the panic, calves are separated from their mothers. 驚慌中 牛犢們和媽媽分開了
Amid the confusion, a lioness darts in and grabs one. 混亂中 一頭獅子沖上去捕獲了一頭牛犢
Many buffalo will fall to lions here. 很多野牛會在這被獅子吃掉
Lions are opportunists, 獅子是機會主義者
and even an unguarded elephant calf can be vulnerable. 甚至會攻擊沒有防備的小象
The elephants are nervous. 大象們很緊張
The scent of lion is all around, yet they can't see them. 到處都是獅子的氣味 雖然還看不到他們
A lioness is following them, 一頭母獅子跟著它們
trying to separate the young straggler from the herd. 試圖把落后的小象和象群分開
(TRUMPETING)
One adolescent fights back, confronting its enemy. 一頭年輕的象回擊了 勇敢面對它的敵人
In a panic, the family stampedes. 恐慌中 象群驚跑開了
The straggler is taken. 落群的象被捕獲了
After months of arduous trekking, 經過幾個月的艱苦跋涉
this elephant family has lost one of its young ones. 這個大象家庭失去了一頭小象
But most of the elephants, at last, have made it through, 但大多數象最終都到達了
and the great flood awaits. 偉大的洪水在等待著他們
Older elephants have been here many times before, 年長的大象之前來過很多次了
but the newest calves have never seen so much refreshment. 但小象們從沒看過這么多的補給
At last, they get that first drink of sweet, fresh water. 最后它們喝下了第一口清甜的洪水
Thousands of buffalo and zebra 數千頭野牛和斑馬
have also made it to the magical Okavango wetlands. 也到達了這奇妙的奧卡萬戈濕地
Somehow, these remarkable elephants have learned how to find a flood 不知道這些了不起的大象是怎么從數百公里外
from hundreds of miles away, and to time their arrival just right. 就知道可以找到水 并且準時到達
If it wasn't for this annual gift of precious grass, 如果不是每年有這些珍貴的牧草
the herds couldn't survive the dry season 獸群在喀拉哈里沙漠這樣干燥的季節
in the surrounding Kalahari. 是根本生存不了的
This year the Great Flood has lived up to its name. 今年的大洪水沒有辜負盛名
The lives of these elephants 這些大象的生命
are dominated by this annual rhythm of wet and dry, 由太陽能量驅使的季節循環
a seasonal cycle driven by the power of the sun. 干濕轉換所主宰
The Okavango River has no great lake to flow into, 奧卡萬戈河水沒有湖泊可流
nor does it ever reach the sea. 也沒有大海可匯
Its life- giving waters simply evaporate 生命之水蒸發在了
into the great emptiness of the Kalahari sky. 喀拉哈里沙漠廣闊的天空
In a few months, some may fall as rain far to the north, 幾個月后 這些蒸發后的水可能變成雨落到了北方
and, once again, 然后 再一次
become part of this miraculous event in the Okavango, 成為奧卡萬戈奇跡的篇章
that is the Great Flood. 這就是奧卡萬戈大洪水
In the making of ''The Great Flood'', 在拍攝"大洪水"期間
the biggest challenge for the filming team 攝影小組面臨的最大的挑戰
was to capture the magical moment 是捕捉洪水流入沙漠改變沙漠的
when new floodwater first transformed the desert. 神奇時刻
But to do this would mean crossing 而捕捉這個時刻意味著要穿越這段
some of the most challenging terrain in the world, 世界上最具挑戰的地帶
pitting themselves against the very water they'd come to film. 也就是要和所拍攝的生命之水進行一番較量
We're right in the heart of the delta right now. 我們現在位于三角洲的中心
The flood's been in here for a couple of weeks, 洪水到這里已經幾周了
but the real action's happening out west, 但我們真正的拍攝點
across 20 kilometres of deep swampland. 在沼澤地以西20公里處
And our mission right now is to get this crane rig out there 現在我們的任務是把機器架到
to where the action's really happening, 拍攝目的地
and see if we can get a great new perspective on the flood coming in. 看能否捕捉到洪水初臨時的精彩鏡頭
ATTENBOROUGH: To achieve this new look, 為了完成此次采景
the team were using some of the latest camera technology. 攝制組使用了最新科技的攝影技術
But first they had to find the advancing flood, 不過首要任務是定位洪水的先驅部隊
and the only way to do this was from the air. 空中搜尋是唯一的辦法
Mike has worked here for more than 20 years, Mike在此工作已有20多年
and knows that this will be a race against time. 他深知這是一場同時間的競賽
The flood was already well advanced, 洪水不斷向前奔流
and wasn't going to wait for a film crew. 不會為拍攝組停留片刻
Mike pinpointed the water's edge, Mike準確找到洪水的盡頭
and on his way back, laid a GPS trail to follow. 回來的路上 定位GPS跟蹤路線
The flight took only 20 minutes, 飛行只需要20分鐘
but it would take the ground crew at least three days or more 但從地面進行則至少要花三天時間
to get there. 才能到達
And there was no guarantee they'd get through the swamps. 而且能否順利穿越澤地還很難說
- Are you watching for crocodiles? - Yeah. - 你有小心鱷魚嗎? - 是的
Okay, good. 很好
ATTENBOROUGH: Fortunately, at this cooler time of year, 幸運的是 眼下是一年中較涼爽的時候
crocodiles are less active and wouldn't pose a serious threat. 鱷魚并不活躍 不會造成多大威脅
The reason Richard's wading in crocodile- infested waters 我們必須過河到對岸去
is that we're on this side, and we need to be on the other side, 所以Richard得去淌淌這鱷魚出沒的河水
and he's wading so that we can see how deep it is 看看水到底有多深
for this vehicle to cross. 車輛是否能通過
ATTENBOROUGH: These trucks are specially adapted 卡車都經過了很好的改裝
to cope with such extreme conditions. 可以應付這樣惡劣的條件
They can drive in water up to seven feet deep, 它們能行駛于七英尺的水深于所有路面
and cross all but the boggiest terrain. 除了多沼澤地形
Unfortunately, not all the equipment fared so well. 遺憾的是 并非所有裝備都有這么好的性能
I don't think this is gonna be much use to anyone. 我想這東西已經報廢了
ATTENBOROUGH: But even the vehicles weren't immune to such punishing use. 不過即使是這樣的車 也經不起這樣折騰
Problems always arise when you least expect it. 怕什么 來什么
This truck, which is our swamp truck, 這輛我們穿越沼澤用的車
has decided 瞧
to give us problems again. 它又罷工了
The dif has basically collapsed on us. 線路基本癱瘓
We're running out of daylight at the moment, 天就快黑了
so we got to swap this out. 我們得快點換個新零件
ATTENBOROUGH: To film here, you have to be a jack of all trades, 在這兒拍攝 你得是個多面手
a filmmaker, a tracker and a mechanic. 攝制師 追擊手 機械師
Despite some on- the- spot bush repairs, a replacement part had to be ordered in. 除了時不時對卡車進行維修 有時還得換個新部件
Hello. 喂
(GROANS)
It's going to be a long night in the bush. 今晚將是個不眠之夜
ATTENBOROUGH: All the crew could do now was wait. 現在攝制組能做的就是等待
With the nearest garage over two days away by truck, 從最近的修車廠到這里 需要要兩天多的車程
there was only one way the new part could be delivered. 新部件只能通過空運
Now the crew could get back on the road and start making up for lost time. 現在工作組重新上路 爭取彌補浪費的時間
- Are you all right? - MAN: Yeah, I'm good. - 你還好吧? - 好著吶
ATTENBOROUGH: But they would have to choose their route carefully. 他們必須小心地選擇路線
The best way to pick a path is where the elephants cross, 最好的選擇是大象走過的路
because they've got regular routes that are the shallowest places. 因為它們總是沿最淺的沼澤地行走
But often where they've crossed, it's churned up the mud as well, 但它們走過的地方 常被攪成一灘爛泥
so we try and stay slightly off to the edge of the path. 所以我們盡量沿著大象行跡的邊緣走
But once you get into the middle of that, 如果到那中間去
it's just hope like hell and keep going. 就只有聽天由命地前行
Because it's probably deep and very soggy in the middle. 因為中間可能水會很深 泥層很濕軟
Okay, this is getting a bit silly. We're officially stuck. 好吧 慘啦 我們徹底給卡住了
ATTENBOROUGH: Mike's concerns proved well- founded. Mike的擔憂印驗了
The shallower route was simply too boggy. 這條淺水路太泥濘了
That left the crew with no choice but to tackle the longer, deeper route, 攝制組別無選擇 只能鼓起勇氣
and hold their nerve. 去繞更遠 水更深的路
MAN: It's coming over your windows. 水從車窗漫進來
(EXCLAIMS) I'm getting wet. 我渾身都濕了
(EXCLAIMS) Water's coming in! 水漫進來啦!
It's a little damp in here now. 車里真潮濕
That was interesting, but we made it across the swamp! 很有趣 我們終于穿過沼澤了!
ATTENBOROUGH: Success! 成功!
Mike and the team had finally got ahead of the flood. Mike和攝制組終于趕到了洪水前面
They were now in a truly privileged position, 現在他們在一個特殊的位置
ready to capture the amazing transformation 準備拍攝即將呈現的
that was about to unfold. 驚人變化
Okay, so drop the camera over the middle of the pool there. 好 把攝像機調到低洼上方
The flood had arrived. 洪水流淌過來
Here it comes. 它來了
Three, two, one...
ATTENBOROUGH: Using cranes and specially developed close- up camera systems, 使用了起重架和特制的近景攝像機系統
the Nature's Great Events team could finally set about 自然大事件攝制組能將
bringing the advancing flood to life. 奔流的洪水呈現在觀眾面前
This is one of those magical transformation moments, 這一刻的變化真是讓人不可思議
where you've got a landscape which is asleep that way, 這里本是一片沉睡的土地
and you've got the flood, which is like the catalyst 洪水來了 仿佛一道活化劑
which is going to bring the landscape to life. 令這片土地充滿了生機
And it's happening right in front of us, which is amazing. 一切就發生在我們眼前 真是不可思議
And we've got a bit of macro kit 我們還拍了些
that exists nowhere else in the world, 世界上絕無僅的宏觀場景
and we're able to just follow it at the really tiniest level. 我們還能對它進行非常細小的微觀拍攝
ATTENBOROUGH: This was the Great Flood, 在這場大洪水中
but filmed on a scale that had never been seen before. 拍攝到了以前從未見過的場景
Seems like my hole is filling up. 這個坑要填滿了
I'm going to get wet, Rick. I'm going to drown in three inches of water. 我要弄濕了 Rick 我要被這三英寸的水給淹沒了
ATTENBOROUGH: Each year, the magical flood rewards Mike with something new. 每年 這場神奇的大洪水都會帶給Mike新的驚喜
Despite years of filming here, he'd never seen so many dragonflies. 盡管在此拍攝多年 他還從未見過這么多的蜻蜓
It's amazing, that, isn't it? 真是太奇妙了 對吧?
Have you ever watched this happen before? 你以前看到過嗎?
It is amazing. 不可思議
I mean, you think this is going on all over the delta. 你看 這將遍布整個三角洲
Miles and miles and miles of water just spreading everywhere 洪水就樣漫延開來
at this rate. 流淌過一英里 一英里 又一英里
Incredible. 真是難以置信
ATTENBOROUGH: And the team had managed to capture 攝制組們拍攝到的
just a tiny part of it, 不過是大洪水的很小一部分
revealing in intimate detail the character of the Great Flood. 但卻展現了它潤物無聲的廣闊胸襟