National Geographic: African Odyssey

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in terms of threats to its survival.

And we're coming back to see

what we can do to ensure

that future generations

come to love the area

and its wildlife the way we love it.

The Owenses made their camp

on an ancient, dry riverbed.

Slight depressions support islands

of trees that offer protection

from the searing sun and wind.

Oh, great! Success.

There's Deception Valley.

Does it ever need rain.

First time we came here it

was covered with springbok

and gemsbok

and beautiful green grass.

Many scientists yearn

to do research in Africa.

But only a miniscule few ever succeed

in raising the necessary funds.

To get started 11 years ago,

Delia and Mark auctioned off

all their possessions

and flew to Africa with just $6,000.

Their early research won the respect

of their peers and a first grant

from the National Geographic Society.

Other grants then helped them conduct

the most important studies of

hyenas and lions ever

undertaken in the Kalahari.

At the same time,

their role as conservationists led to

conflicts with the Botswana government

conflicts that would eventually

threaten their scientific careers.

As Delia nears their former

tree-island camp,

she wonders it has been

destroyed by storm or fire.

How you doing? You made it huh?

Yeah.

I did too. How you doing?

I got stuck in the mud.

Did you really?

It wasn't that bad a thing.

You would have gotten right out,

but it took me three tries.

Guess what I have.

What?

A complete stereophonic sound system.

For calling the lions?

To call the lions.

Well, that will be fun.

We can play that tonight...

I also have a male and female mating.

Mating. That's...

Well, well, well.

I wondered how I'd mind the dust

and the grime and everything,

but it looks bloody beautiful,

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