In shrinking grasslands, crane parents must work together to protect their eggs from unexpected dangers. As livestock move closer, both parents are forced to act in defense of their future chicks — using a powerful move known as the “crane kick.”
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TRANSCRIPT
(birds chirping) Protecting the eggs requires two diligent parents.
(birds chirping) (insects chirping) One stays with the eggs, (cranes calling) while the other feeds.
(horse neighing) However, parents must be prepared to face the unexpected.
(sheep bleating in distance) There is a growing threat to almost every grassland on Earth.
(sheep bleating) Globally, the number of domesticated livestock has tripled over the last century, (sheep bleating) so there is far less space for wild animals.
(crane calling) (sheep bleating) Their clumsy new neighbors are more dangerous than they look.
One hoof wrong, and the eggs could be lost.
One parent tries to redirect the herd.
(sheep bleating) (crane calling) But the sheep aren't taking the hint.
(crane calling) (sheep bleating) And the stakes have just got a little higher.
(chicks chirping) The parents have no choice, they must fight together.
(crane calling) (chicks chirping) (cranes calling) (sheep bleating) Enough is enough.
It's time to deploy the crane kick.
(crane calling) (sheep bleating) (crane calling) (sheep bleating) (sheep bleating) Job done.
(sheep bleating) But the crane parents' task has only just started.
The pair will continue to protect their chicks for nearly a year.
(chick chirping)
