The Cobra Brotherhood (Morroco)

KILLER CROCS: Indonesia has been home to giant prehistoric beasts that lurk beneath the water. Animal X travelled to southern Irian Jaya to investigate the incredible reports of killer crocodiles,that have been blamed for the death of more than fifty people. Our expedition took us deep into the Asmat jungle where we discovered a rich and superstitious culture revolving around spirits, myths and legends. Animal X also looked at one of the most famous disappearances from the region in the 1960s – that of Michael Rockefeller, son of famous New York Governor, Nelson Rockefeller. Theories vary from head-hunters to the notorious killer croc. FIZO: Eight year old Sydney terrier, Fizo, became the first animal in Australia to win the RSPCA's Purple Cross award for bravery, after saving three children from a brown snake. Fizo was struck several times by the poisonous snake before it in half. Fizo spent the rest of the day on a respirator and it took another six months for his full recovery. HOWICK FALLS MONSTER: For thousands of years Howick Falls in the South African province of Kwa-Zulu Natal has been the source of legends. The Zulu's believe a snake, known as Inkanyamba inhabits the pool at the bottom of the falls. Rock paintings from the region show that the bushmen who lived here before the Zulus also believed in the giant snake. It is believed to carry the spirits of the ancestors and bring death to anyone who sees it. Only witchdoctors or Sangomas are permitted to visit the pool where it is believed to live. Several Europeans are also convinced that a strange monster lurks in the depths. Bob Teeney took a photograph of a plesiosaur-type animal that he claims surfaced when he visited the pool with a friend. He also claims to have found eggs belonging to a dinosaur. Experts think the eggs are more likely those of a crocodile. There is no doubt however that Howick Falls possess a mysterious allure.

Zance’s dream is to become a sailor. But buying a sailboat costs a lot of money, and without the help of his ancestors, Zance will not succeed. Together with Jinoro, his grandfather, Zance will return to the village of his forefathers, near the lake Anivorano. The journey to Anivorano will be long for them. But when they arrive, they will sacrifice a zebu to the crocodiles of the lake. If the spirit of their ancestors accepts the sacrifice, the crocodiles will leave the lake and climb onto the bank. Only this would mean that Zance could become a sailor.

Hawks are more likely to take a risk on a dangerous venomous snake dinner than go hungry!

On the Queen Charlotte islands, off the northwestern coast of Canada, live the Haïda Indians. Every summer, thousands of salmon come to their shores to spawn and to die. But for many years, fewer and fewer of them have crossed the Pacific Ocean and come up their rivers. Perhaps this is a warning. Have the Haïda forgotten how to respect the salmon? Have they forgotten what they owe to the past, to the land and to the animals? Keurthland has not forgotten anything. That is why, just as his ancestors did, he decides to go up the river and tell the salmon that his people know what they owe to them. He will not be alone, the eagle will show him the way. The salmons must return to Haïda Gwaii.

In the south of the Indonesian Sulawesi island live the Toraja people. There, Ne’Uban (the old man with white hair) has dedicated his life to buffalo. The Torajas would not exist without the buffalo. An old legend recounts that when the world began, the Toraja ancestor came down to earth with a buffalo that walked behind him. Ever since, the Toraja feel that the dead need a guide to help them find the land of happy souls, and only the buffalo know the way. That is why they must respect their buffalos, care for them and love them, so that they will agree to be sacrificed, when the time comes for the buffalo to accompany their soul.

On Sumba island in Indonesia, close ties have always united men and their horses in memory of their ancestors. A long time ago they reached and settled on Sumba island, riding their winged horses. Nowadays, to commemorate their ancestors and their warrior past, the bravest men participate each year in the Pasola. The Pasola is a real battle during which two mounted teams chase and attack each other with spears. This year, Herman will participate in the Pasola. Together with his friends, he will have to prepare his horse to the combat.

A long time ago, guided to the shore by strange fish, the ancestors of the Yami people reached the Orchid island, 60 kilometers from Taiwan. There, shipwrecked, a treasure awaited them. With the metal coins from this treasure, the Yamis forged their helmets. Their own reflections in the metal, symbolized the silver bodied fish that had shown them the way to this island refuge. Still today, so as not to forget that first day, they seek out the flying fish, and relive the night of the silver helmets.

A hungry crocodile lies in wait for the Wildebeest to enter the water. But this one Wildebeest puts up more of a fight that this reptile had expected!

Kilo is a Dourou. He lives in Taboun, a small village of about a hundred inhabitants, lost in the middle of the huge savanna of northern Cameroon. This year, a bush fire destroyed a large part of Kilo's cotton crop. His eldest son, Gibi, who is eleven, has been promoted to a class in which the chalk and slate board he's used up to now have to be replaced by notebooks and textbooks. The only possibility for Kilo to meet this new expense is to capture a python and sell its skin. But the Giant snake is a feared devil… One needs a lot of courage and magic to confront him!