Islands of Wonder

(birds chirping) -

Narrator

Today, Adolphe is joined by his son Laris, to visit an iconic giant, one that holds the key to surviving in this waterless part of the island. (dramatic music) The baobab, known as the tree of life. Its thick, gnarled trunk hides an ancient secret. Naturally holding over 20,000 gallons of water within its structure, a baobab tree can grow up to 100 feet and survive for three years without a single drop of rain. These giants have been a lifeline for Adolphe's family for generations. (bugs buzzing) By hollowing out the broad trunk, they created a tank in which they could store water through the long dry season. Each baobab tank can hold hundreds of gallons of water, but this dry season has been long and their tree is already empty. It's an important opportunity to trim back the growing bark, maintaining the tank's size. (suspenseful music) (birds chirping) Everything must be prepared for the brief rains ahead. By digging big trenches near the tree, Adolphe and Laris will be able to collect the rain water, and refill their baobab. Adolphe inherited seven tanks from his father, (speaking in foreign language) but just one of them still has water inside. With enough water for just a few weeks, Adolphe can only hope that things will soon change. Survival in this desert depends on the arrival of the rains.