Natural World: Wild Women of Viramba

SYNOPSIS

Following years of research, the intimacies of this female-led group of baboons, are dramatically revealed. Almost every day for the past 25 years, the Viramba troop of yellow baboons have been accompanied by scientists in one of the most extensive primate research projects ever conducted. Screening Sunday 15 January at 7.30pm, Wild Women of Viramba, reveals the trials and tribulations of daily life, deep in the African bush. Researcher Holly Carroll has come to understand the troop, which is controlled by its female members. She discovered that they had established a strict hierarchy in order to keep daily life running smoothly. Kitovu is queen and retains superiority. Old Heshima, humble in her position at the bottom of the ladder, is the guide of the family and leads the troop to the best sources of food and water in the dry season. Young Kibete faces one catastrophe after another with amazing resilience. Interestingly, female offspring automatically inherit their mother's rank. To...