The wilds of Sri Lanka,
land of myth and legend.
Where rocky pinnacles overlook vast tropical forests.
And an abandoned city lies shrouded in jungle.
The kings who once reigned here are long gone.
These days, there's a new dynasty in residence.
But this one is governed by the law of the jungle.
I know what you're thinking.
"Being a macaque monkey is just fun and games."
But, actually, it's an intricate society
of 50 members
bound together by a strict social order.
In this troop, every waking moment
is a reminder of your place.
From a seemingly innocent greeting.
Oh! He'll learn.
To your choice of sleeping branch.
Upper class, basking in the morning sun.
Lower class, shivering in the cold.
Your social rank even determines
what you can eat.
Nowhere is that clearer than here.
The kingdom's most prized fig tree.
Only those at the top of the social ladder
can eat at the top of the tree
where the ripest fruit is found.
And at the very top, the alpha male himself,
Raja.
He is the king of Monkey Kingdom.
See that move? That's macaque for "Back off."
Raja arrived from the outside and fought his way to the top.
So, you know,
he's earned the pampering.
But, if he wants to stay on top,
he's gotta keep the real power brokers happy.
The three females on the other high branches.
The queens behind the king.
The Sisterhood.
Whether you remember them by their red faces
or their ruthless natures,
you will remember them.
These ladies get what they want.
Their children get what they want.
Everything that is good in the forest
is reserved for them.
Like royalty,
they were born into privilege,
and that's the way it's gonna stay.
Do not get on their bad side.
Descending the tree, we descend the social ladder.
With each branch,
the fruit is less ripe, and the monkey lower in rank.
Until,
at the bottom, the heroine of this story,
Maya.
Maya's got big, friendly eyes,
three distinctive spots on her nose,
and, I think you'll agree, a pretty rad hairdo.
She was born eight years ago, at the bottom of the troop,
just like her mother.
And her mother before that.
When you're at the bottom, you're either in the way,
or you don't even exist.
But every day,
you're paying your dues to monkeys like Raja
without any chance of promotion.
And so, back under the fig tree,
Maya takes whatever scraps fall her way.
A low-born like herself simply can't improve her position
or dream of eating from a higher branch.
Yet this is the story
of how Maya fights to beat the odds
and make a better life.
For Maya and the troop, home is Castle Rock,
a magnificent granite outcrop
at the center of the kingdom.
It's the most sought-after residence for miles around.
It's a pretty sweet neighborhood.
Sweeping views of their territory
are perfect for spotting rivals.
It's got plenty of rec rooms,
nature's finest roof, and, of course,
the original jungle gym.
The monkeys think they own this rock
but there are some tenants.
There's a mongoose in the building.
Day after day they ask him to play.
And his answer is always,
"No, thank you."
But rejection only increases their determination.
They will play with this mongoose
if it is the last thing they do.
Nothing will stop them.
Even his absence.
Continuing their search...
"Sloth bear!
"It's cool. I knew he was in there.
"Just a bear."
Mama sloth bear is keeping her cubs cool,
rehydrating them with
her saliva.
She's also keeping her cubs safe from
this guy, the unwelcome suitor outside.
Mama keeps her cubs well hidden
until he leaves, or...
That'll do.
He's not dead. He's just asleep.
Every morning,
the troop leaves Castle Rock
to scour the forest for breakfast.
Maya can't afford to be a picky eater.
Don't worry. Bambi's not on the menu.
And this squirrel won't seem to give up his food. Oh.
But, uh, maybe this is promising.
Ugh.
At nearly 40 years old,
Grandpa only moves
when the group tells him it's worthwhile.
That's monkey-speak for "Jackpot!"
But guess who got there first.
Mushrooms are like potato chips for the sisters.
Once they start, they just can't stop.
Maya waits. This is what it means to be last in line.
By the time your turn comes, there's nothing left.
Midday, a scorcher.
Too much lunch.
It's already Grandpa's fourth nap of the day.
Raja and the sisters enjoy the sweet dreams
of the high-born.
Maya, on the other hand...