Plot Synopsis

Narrated by Natalie Portman and executive produced by James Cameron, SECRETS OF THE ELEPHANTS is a four-part documentary that travels the world -- from the Savannahs of Africa to the urban landscapes of Asia -- to discover the strategic thinking, complex emotions and sophisticated language of elephants, shaping a unique and dynamic culture. Featuring elephant expert Dr. Paula Kahumbu, the four-part series not only reveals the extraordinary lives of different families of elephants but also highlights how similar they are to us. Two episodes debuted on National Geographic Channel on consecutive night, beginning Friday, April 21, 2023:

"Savanna" (Friday, April 21, 2023 at 9pm): Big families and strong relationships are the basis of success for savanna elephants. As we uncover their secrets, we start to understand their remarkable language. It's not just noise; they communicate like us. Good leadership and close friendships help them through the hard times as they scale cliffs, find their place in the hierarchy and mourn their dead

"Desert" (Friday, April 21, 2023 at 10pm):This episode reveals the secrets of Namibia's last remaining desert elephants. When droughts, sandstorms and even floods threaten them, their shared knowledge passed down from generation to generation keeps them alive. This is the toughest place on earth to be an elephant, and their story is one of triumph in a land of extremes.

"Rainforest" (Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 9pm): The Congo rainforest is home to one of the world's most elusive species, the African forest elephant. Everything about them -- their bodies, their behaviors, their families -- is adapted to life in the rainforest. But surviving here means more than just adapting. These elephants have shaped the forest around them to their needs and, in doing so, have created a habitat unlike any other on Earth.

"Asia" (Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 10pm): As humans encroach ever further into their environment, Asian elephants are learning to adjust to the challenges facing them. They know how to use tools to break down electric fences, strike deals with farmers, and develop a cooperative arrangement on tea plantations where they do the weeding without damaging the crops.