Animal Babies: First Year on Earth

The first three months of life is when animal babies must rapidly come to grips with the challenges of their environment. In Kenya, a newborn elephant calf must keep up with her fast-moving herd, while in Uganda, an eight-week-old mountain gorilla must cling on tight to survive the ups and downs of forest life. All six babies must learn the most basic of skills to thrive—and to survive.

At about three months, our animal babies can all get around on their own, but the struggle to find food really begins to hit home. In California, a three-month-old sea otter must learn what’s safe to eat, while in Sri Lanka, a seven-month-old macaque is forced by his mother to toughen up. The animal babies are fast growing into their abilities, but every day brings new challenges to their success.

At the end of their first year on Earth, the animal babies must take on the most complex challenges of their lives. In Iceland, an Arctic fox cub must learn where to find food for the first time, while in Kenya, spotted hyena twin sisters must roam a territory they share with the biggest threat to their lives – lions. All the babies must learn for themselves how to stay healthy and safe.