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The Okavango Delta
in Botswana...

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We are in a pristine
environment right now.

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one of Africa's
last wildernesses...

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The magnitude of life
here is unparalleled.

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and it's a haven
for Africa's big cats--

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lion,

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cheetah,

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and leopard.

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Big cat country.

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Armed with the latest
filming technology,

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the "Big Cats 24/7" team

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is following individual big cats
for 6 months...

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Gordon Buchanan:
This is a unique opportunity

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00:00:48,496 --> 00:00:51,326
to follow these cats
round the clock.

17
00:00:51,327 --> 00:00:53,362
through the day...

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00:00:53,363 --> 00:00:54,639
Rea Schulte to Brinke:
I used to think I'd have

19
00:00:54,640 --> 00:00:58,678
a fair fight with a lion,
not so sure now.

20
00:00:58,679 --> 00:01:00,266
and the night...

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00:01:00,267 --> 00:01:02,509
Greg Hartman: We've got
the most sophisticated

22
00:01:02,510 --> 00:01:04,891
thermal imaging technology.

23
00:01:04,892 --> 00:01:09,551
capturing
their behavior 24 hours a day.

24
00:01:09,552 --> 00:01:12,795
I have never seen
anything like this.

25
00:01:12,796 --> 00:01:14,694
Epic!

26
00:01:22,358 --> 00:01:23,841
No.

27
00:01:25,223 --> 00:01:26,878
He's on a cub. He's on a cub.

28
00:01:29,261 --> 00:01:30,399
Come on, Pobe.

29
00:01:33,541 --> 00:01:35,646
Schulte to Brinke: Pobe's
trying to swipe him there.

30
00:01:42,619 --> 00:01:43,964
Pobe's chased off
the leopard.

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Schulte to Brinke, on radio:
From the looks of things,

32
00:02:08,473 --> 00:02:09,887
it might be Kea.

33
00:02:12,373 --> 00:02:14,409
Yeah. That's Bo.

34
00:02:15,618 --> 00:02:17,860
I think the leopard
killed Kea.

35
00:02:20,381 --> 00:02:24,177
Kea,
Pobe's female cub, is gone.

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00:02:25,973 --> 00:02:27,422
Schulte to Brinke:
The size of Bo and Kea now,

37
00:02:27,423 --> 00:02:29,734
you assume they're safe...

38
00:02:32,773 --> 00:02:36,327
but, yeah, you never
know what to expect.

39
00:02:41,920 --> 00:02:44,370
That's really unfair.

40
00:02:44,371 --> 00:02:46,199
Kea was the one

41
00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:48,719
that was always the most...

42
00:02:50,791 --> 00:02:53,758
wild and boisterous and...

43
00:02:53,759 --> 00:02:56,692
incredibly competitive,

44
00:02:56,693 --> 00:02:59,281
and she's gone,

45
00:02:59,282 --> 00:03:02,595
and now Bo isn't gonna have...

46
00:03:02,596 --> 00:03:06,392
his sister showing him
what to do all the time.

47
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Sets Nthomiwa, on radio:
Cheetah team,

48
00:03:09,741 --> 00:03:12,743
it was a terrible loss,

49
00:03:12,744 --> 00:03:16,229
and I don't think any of us
expected this to happen today,

50
00:03:16,230 --> 00:03:19,267
but, yeah, it is--it is tough.

51
00:03:23,444 --> 00:03:25,721
The leopard
remains a threat.

52
00:03:28,277 --> 00:03:30,485
Pobe has no choice.

53
00:03:30,486 --> 00:03:34,247
To keep Bo safe, she must leave.

54
00:03:36,043 --> 00:03:38,355
Doesn't feel right
to stay here, I don't think,

55
00:03:38,356 --> 00:03:41,703
so I want to give them
some time alone.

56
00:03:52,853 --> 00:03:55,544
The news
has reached camp.

57
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Ach, well...

58
00:04:05,452 --> 00:04:07,315
I don't know
what to say.

59
00:04:07,316 --> 00:04:09,075
It's a horrible day.

60
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The team is working
in 400 square kilometers

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00:04:23,780 --> 00:04:25,402
of the Okavango Delta.

62
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Summer is approaching,
and the flood is drying up.

63
00:04:35,033 --> 00:04:38,691
Aggressive intruder males
have forced the Xudum mums

64
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to retreat far to the south...

65
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but in the north...

66
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Oh,
there they are.

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a splinter group of
the pride's youngest lionesses

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has remained
and must survive on its own.

69
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Hey, girls.

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00:04:57,331 --> 00:04:59,470
Gordon
is following them.

71
00:04:59,471 --> 00:05:01,610
We've got
the females without cubs

72
00:05:01,611 --> 00:05:03,786
trying to hunt zebra up here.

73
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This is going to get
rather interesting.

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Whoa.

75
00:05:23,944 --> 00:05:26,359
That was close.

76
00:05:28,362 --> 00:05:29,914
Lionesses is in front of me,

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they are around about
3 or 4 years old,

78
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and they've formed
this little subgroup,

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or splinter, of the Xudum pride.

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They are the daughters
of Big Toe and Madumo.

81
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They're the sort of equivalent
of carefree teenagers.

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They are the only ones
that haven't moved

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00:05:54,181 --> 00:05:57,804
out of the historic
sort of heart of the territory,

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00:05:57,805 --> 00:06:00,566
where all these intruder males
are coming in.

85
00:06:02,189 --> 00:06:06,192
For any female with cubs,
that is a concern.

86
00:06:06,193 --> 00:06:09,471
There's danger.
There is threat to the cubs.

87
00:06:09,472 --> 00:06:14,407
For these cubless females,
there's no threat or concern.

88
00:06:14,408 --> 00:06:16,789
They see them
as an opportunity to breed,

89
00:06:16,790 --> 00:06:18,964
to have cubs, to be a mum.

90
00:06:20,138 --> 00:06:23,485
It'll be really interesting
to follow these females.

91
00:06:23,486 --> 00:06:26,592
If there is to be
a split in the Xudum pride,

92
00:06:26,593 --> 00:06:29,146
it could well happen with them.

93
00:06:35,015 --> 00:06:36,706
Close by...

94
00:06:41,124 --> 00:06:44,782
with no sign of Pobe and Bo
after the leopard attack,

95
00:06:44,783 --> 00:06:47,440
Anna is joining the lion team.

96
00:06:47,441 --> 00:06:51,720
I'm just gonna
check out who is there.

97
00:06:51,721 --> 00:06:53,101
Who's that?

98
00:06:58,003 --> 00:07:00,488
OK. That's a lioness.

99
00:07:00,489 --> 00:07:02,524
Is she alone? What's she doing?

100
00:07:04,631 --> 00:07:05,941
Ooh.

101
00:07:08,255 --> 00:07:11,533
Oh... my God.

102
00:07:11,534 --> 00:07:14,709
She's got a cub.
I can see a cub.

103
00:07:14,710 --> 00:07:16,987
Ah. No. There's two.

104
00:07:16,988 --> 00:07:18,540
There's two cubs.

105
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Oh, wow. They are tiny.

106
00:07:23,719 --> 00:07:26,686
Oh, they're adorable,
they're so small.

107
00:07:28,896 --> 00:07:32,174
Oh, they are so unsteady
on their feet.

108
00:07:32,175 --> 00:07:35,523
They must be, like,
2 or 3 weeks old.

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00:07:35,524 --> 00:07:38,318
I have never seen
cubs this size.

110
00:07:40,252 --> 00:07:42,012
That is Serami.

111
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I would recognize
that tail anywhere.

112
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It's, like, slightly white,
and she's missing the tip.

113
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Well done, Serami.

114
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Oh, this is the best news.

115
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Serami is the first

116
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of the splinter group
lionesses to breed.

117
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As far as I'm aware,

118
00:08:06,209 --> 00:08:10,903
we don't know who Serami
has mated with.

119
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We've got intruder males

120
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running about
left, right, and center...

121
00:08:17,117 --> 00:08:19,118
so...

122
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there's a high chance
that one of those lions

123
00:08:22,260 --> 00:08:24,606
could be the dad of these cubs,

124
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but which one it is
is anybody's guess.

125
00:08:31,303 --> 00:08:36,067
I don't know why she's chosen
here, of all places, to den.

126
00:08:37,344 --> 00:08:39,345
It's really exposed.

127
00:08:39,346 --> 00:08:41,381
There's a high amount
of traffic coming through

128
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because we've got water
on both sides.

129
00:08:45,973 --> 00:08:48,596
It just doesn't really feel
like the right place

130
00:08:48,597 --> 00:08:52,634
to have cubs that are only
2 or 3 weeks old.

131
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First-time mum Serami
has a lot to learn.

132
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I can't imagine
how difficult the next few weeks

133
00:09:01,610 --> 00:09:03,921
and months are gonna be for her,

134
00:09:03,922 --> 00:09:05,682
so I'm gonna stick with her

135
00:09:05,683 --> 00:09:08,650
because I think
it's gonna be a tricky time.

136
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What have we
got here? Yeah.

137
00:09:26,945 --> 00:09:28,843
It's a female.

138
00:09:28,844 --> 00:09:30,948
She has a dreadlock on her face,

139
00:09:30,949 --> 00:09:35,021
so I think that this
is actually Neelo,

140
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Pobe's daughter.

141
00:09:38,612 --> 00:09:41,959
Neelo is from Pobe's
previous litter.

142
00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:44,893
She's been independent
from Pobe for about a year,

143
00:09:44,894 --> 00:09:47,068
and--it's amazing--

144
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this would have been
the toughest year for her,

145
00:09:49,727 --> 00:09:52,280
but she's looking really well.

146
00:09:52,281 --> 00:09:54,938
Pobe
may have lost Kea,

147
00:09:54,939 --> 00:09:58,389
but Neelo is proof
of her previous success.

148
00:10:00,151 --> 00:10:01,289
Schulte to Brinke, on radio:
Greg, Greg, Greg, for Rea.

149
00:10:01,290 --> 00:10:03,222
Ready when you are.

150
00:10:03,223 --> 00:10:05,189
Hartman, on radio:
Copy that, Rea.

151
00:10:05,190 --> 00:10:08,434
Look in front.
We just found Neelo.

152
00:10:10,333 --> 00:10:13,059
It brings quite the joy
to see Neelo.

153
00:10:13,060 --> 00:10:15,752
She's just a bit
over 3 years old,

154
00:10:15,753 --> 00:10:18,202
still very playful.

155
00:10:21,448 --> 00:10:24,208
Oop, she's playing
with the elephant poo.

156
00:10:26,315 --> 00:10:28,868
It's really cool that Neelo
still hangs around

157
00:10:28,869 --> 00:10:30,768
close to Pobe here.

158
00:10:32,942 --> 00:10:34,979
This is where she grew up.

159
00:10:39,915 --> 00:10:42,399
She's definitely not had a meal.

160
00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:46,230
She'll be hoping to bump
into any food here.

161
00:10:53,756 --> 00:10:54,929
Copy that, Rea.

162
00:10:56,794 --> 00:10:58,795
Schulte to Brinke:
Neelo has just spotted

163
00:10:58,796 --> 00:11:00,935
a big group of impalas.

164
00:11:10,083 --> 00:11:12,153
Very large herd of impala here

165
00:11:12,154 --> 00:11:14,983
approaching directly to Neelo,

166
00:11:14,984 --> 00:11:17,848
who's at the top of a termite
mound staring at them.

167
00:11:19,333 --> 00:11:22,508
I have a feeling Neelo
is waiting for majority

168
00:11:22,509 --> 00:11:26,961
of the herd to come past her
before she makes her move.

169
00:11:26,962 --> 00:11:28,548
I'm gonna send Mitch
up with the drone.

170
00:11:30,966 --> 00:11:32,725
Schulte to Brinke: I think
this could be the best chance

171
00:11:32,726 --> 00:11:34,175
Neelo will have today.

172
00:11:34,176 --> 00:11:36,556
It's crazy the amount
of impala on the way.

173
00:11:38,490 --> 00:11:40,457
This might be it.

174
00:11:40,458 --> 00:11:42,390
I think they've
picked up a scent.

175
00:11:42,391 --> 00:11:44,462
They started to run.

176
00:11:48,259 --> 00:11:49,984
Neelo is going forward.

177
00:11:51,849 --> 00:11:54,057
Whoa, full tilt.

178
00:11:55,542 --> 00:11:57,543
She's trying to trip it.

179
00:11:59,339 --> 00:12:02,168
There's plenty of dust
just behind her.

180
00:12:17,460 --> 00:12:20,048
She'll just grab it
by the neck now.

181
00:12:34,339 --> 00:12:35,995
She's done it.

182
00:12:37,342 --> 00:12:38,618
Ha!

183
00:12:40,829 --> 00:12:46,109
She needs to relax, breathe,
get the oxygen back in her body.

184
00:12:48,250 --> 00:12:49,802
She didn't just burst out.

185
00:12:49,803 --> 00:12:52,080
She waited,
chose which impala she wanted.

186
00:12:52,081 --> 00:12:56,015
She's clearly a very independent
cheetah, very capable.

187
00:12:57,915 --> 00:13:01,158
Neelo's survival is
not only about catching a meal.

188
00:13:03,265 --> 00:13:05,645
It's about keeping it, too.

189
00:13:05,646 --> 00:13:09,097
Schulte to Brinke: Neelo is just
dragging this impala kill

190
00:13:09,098 --> 00:13:13,550
into the shade,
which may help reduce vultures.

191
00:13:16,968 --> 00:13:18,935
She's had a great amount
of this meal.

192
00:13:18,936 --> 00:13:21,627
She is going to be good
for the next couple of days.

193
00:13:25,114 --> 00:13:26,839
It's amazing to see
this young cheetah

194
00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:29,152
surviving and thriving
here in the Okavango.

195
00:13:31,017 --> 00:13:34,916
Only 5% of cheetahs
make it to this stage in life.

196
00:13:34,917 --> 00:13:36,573
Schulte to Brinke:
Neelo is proof

197
00:13:36,574 --> 00:13:38,471
that Pobe is a fantastic mother,

198
00:13:38,472 --> 00:13:41,234
and there's still
a lot of hope for Bo.

199
00:13:50,726 --> 00:13:52,485
Bestelink, on radio:
Yeah. Copy that.

200
00:13:52,486 --> 00:13:55,040
Brad is searching
for Lediba the leopard

201
00:13:55,041 --> 00:13:57,628
and her 5-month-old cub.

202
00:13:57,629 --> 00:14:00,079
Yeah.
I've got her here.

203
00:14:00,080 --> 00:14:03,565
We have a beautiful view
of everything around her.

204
00:14:08,261 --> 00:14:10,504
She's looking skinny again.

205
00:14:11,643 --> 00:14:14,059
It's been 10 days now
since she's had

206
00:14:14,060 --> 00:14:17,683
a real sort of settled meal
that she can really feed on.

207
00:14:17,684 --> 00:14:19,617
It's a stressful time.

208
00:14:20,583 --> 00:14:24,552
Dominant male leopard
Bongwe remains in the area,

209
00:14:24,553 --> 00:14:28,418
providing stability
for Lediba...

210
00:14:28,419 --> 00:14:33,112
but her cub now needs
two pounds of meat per day.

211
00:14:33,113 --> 00:14:36,150
Please, Lediba,
it's time to be successful.

212
00:14:37,497 --> 00:14:39,981
It's still
too young to hunt,

213
00:14:39,982 --> 00:14:43,329
so Lediba is under pressure
to provide for them both.

214
00:14:48,577 --> 00:14:51,268
This is where she's drinking.

215
00:14:51,269 --> 00:14:53,201
It's a little seep.

216
00:14:53,202 --> 00:14:55,238
The flood
is drying up,

217
00:14:55,239 --> 00:14:58,655
but this hole provides
access to groundwater.

218
00:15:00,658 --> 00:15:02,038
She's got a bird.

219
00:15:03,419 --> 00:15:05,179
Obviously, she's surprised.

220
00:15:05,180 --> 00:15:07,250
A bird that was drinking
and a black-collared barbet

221
00:15:07,251 --> 00:15:08,527
came out, and she grabbed it.

222
00:15:11,703 --> 00:15:13,325
That's just remarkable.

223
00:15:13,326 --> 00:15:15,396
I've never seen a leopard
deliberately kill

224
00:15:15,397 --> 00:15:17,432
something so small to eat.

225
00:15:17,433 --> 00:15:19,503
This is rare.

226
00:15:19,504 --> 00:15:23,611
Birds make up just 1%
of leopard diets.

227
00:15:23,612 --> 00:15:25,682
Learning a lot about
Lediba's character.

228
00:15:30,205 --> 00:15:33,691
Catching birds is probably
enough to sustain her...

229
00:15:34,795 --> 00:15:37,659
but for the cub, she's gonna
be under increasing pressure

230
00:15:37,660 --> 00:15:42,630
to actually provide kills,
and pressure is going to mount,

231
00:15:42,631 --> 00:15:46,428
so this is a win for her,
but not for the entire family.

232
00:15:52,779 --> 00:15:55,401
Tristen
is with Lediba's cub.

233
00:15:57,094 --> 00:15:59,095
Listen, Brad. Yeah.
I'm losing light this side.

234
00:15:59,096 --> 00:16:02,684
Do you want to come in with
the thermal imaging camera?

235
00:16:02,685 --> 00:16:05,101
She's on her way.

236
00:16:05,102 --> 00:16:07,586
Lediba
is returning empty-handed.

237
00:16:09,658 --> 00:16:12,211
Brad's gonna start to
follow these guys into the night

238
00:16:12,212 --> 00:16:14,248
and see what they get up to.

239
00:16:18,218 --> 00:16:22,808
Lediba is just
flat on the termite mound

240
00:16:22,809 --> 00:16:25,086
above where the cub is.

241
00:16:27,469 --> 00:16:29,366
She's been really struggling.

242
00:16:29,367 --> 00:16:31,161
She's only been eating
small things,

243
00:16:31,162 --> 00:16:33,784
not enough to give to the cub.

244
00:16:37,410 --> 00:16:41,585
Cub has come and joined,
and you can see as she lies,

245
00:16:41,586 --> 00:16:44,450
there's a ring of heat
around her paws

246
00:16:44,451 --> 00:16:49,800
and her nose and her face,
and she's just slowly resting.

247
00:16:52,114 --> 00:16:55,530
I would never have guessed that
leopards and cubs at that stage

248
00:16:55,531 --> 00:16:58,776
are that intimate...

249
00:16:59,777 --> 00:17:02,296
quite an incredible
thing to see.

250
00:17:05,541 --> 00:17:08,474
This is leopards at their best

251
00:17:08,475 --> 00:17:12,306
and, as far as I'm concerned,
at their cutest.

252
00:17:29,220 --> 00:17:31,532
With Pobe
and Bo still missing,

253
00:17:31,533 --> 00:17:35,260
Anna is checking
on new lion mum Serami.

254
00:17:35,261 --> 00:17:39,126
We are
with a group of lionesses

255
00:17:39,127 --> 00:17:42,094
in really close
proximity to the den.

256
00:17:42,095 --> 00:17:43,371
I'm on the way,
too, now.

257
00:17:43,372 --> 00:17:45,649
I'll be there
in about 5 minutes.

258
00:17:45,650 --> 00:17:48,480
Some of the
splinter group has joined her.

259
00:17:49,930 --> 00:17:53,658
How are they so close?
Why are they so close?

260
00:17:55,419 --> 00:17:58,629
Oh, the cubs are with them.

261
00:18:01,770 --> 00:18:03,634
This is so bizarre.

262
00:18:05,946 --> 00:18:08,534
Normally, mums don't
introduce their cubs

263
00:18:08,535 --> 00:18:13,781
to the rest of the pride
until they're 6 to 8 weeks old.

264
00:18:13,782 --> 00:18:17,371
Those cubs are still tiny.

265
00:18:17,372 --> 00:18:20,339
Serami shouldn't be
introducing her cubs

266
00:18:20,340 --> 00:18:24,171
to any other lions
when they're this little.

267
00:18:24,172 --> 00:18:27,622
The only time that I would
really expect there to be

268
00:18:27,623 --> 00:18:30,246
other lionesses
around cubs this small

269
00:18:30,247 --> 00:18:32,765
would be if they also
had cubs themselves

270
00:18:32,766 --> 00:18:34,836
and they were alloparenting,

271
00:18:34,837 --> 00:18:37,909
but these lionesses
don't have any cubs...

272
00:18:39,497 --> 00:18:42,155
so this feels really dangerous.

273
00:18:43,674 --> 00:18:46,641
With so many
intruder males in the area

274
00:18:46,642 --> 00:18:49,817
and no indication
of who their father is,

275
00:18:49,818 --> 00:18:52,614
these cubs are vulnerable,

276
00:18:55,444 --> 00:18:57,583
Serami is definitely

277
00:18:57,584 --> 00:18:59,655
doing things differently.

278
00:19:03,797 --> 00:19:08,905
My goodness me, I think
the cubs are very hungry.

279
00:19:08,906 --> 00:19:10,872
At 3 weeks old,

280
00:19:10,873 --> 00:19:14,221
lion cubs should suckle
every 4 to 6 hours.

281
00:19:16,016 --> 00:19:17,569
What?

282
00:19:17,570 --> 00:19:19,467
Something happened there
that she didn't like.

283
00:19:20,952 --> 00:19:22,919
They tried to suckle from Mum,

284
00:19:22,920 --> 00:19:25,715
but Mum got uncomfortable
and has left them.

285
00:19:27,235 --> 00:19:29,408
It's now
almost 12 hours

286
00:19:29,409 --> 00:19:31,962
since the crew
last saw the cubs feed.

287
00:19:31,963 --> 00:19:34,275
Going now to the aunty
to try and suckle,

288
00:19:34,276 --> 00:19:36,519
and, obviously, Aunty
can't help them with anything.

289
00:19:39,592 --> 00:19:42,525
Serami is the only mother
in this group of females,

290
00:19:42,526 --> 00:19:46,391
so these cubs only have one
possible suckling opportunity.

291
00:19:50,292 --> 00:19:53,570
Ooh, goodness me,
what the heck?

292
00:19:53,571 --> 00:19:57,229
This lioness is really
not loving these cubs.

293
00:19:59,991 --> 00:20:02,027
Wow.

294
00:20:02,028 --> 00:20:04,961
This is another auntie
who's growling at these cubs.

295
00:20:06,481 --> 00:20:08,931
What's wrong?

296
00:20:10,692 --> 00:20:13,418
There's absolutely
no way in now.

297
00:20:13,419 --> 00:20:16,490
Serami seems to want
to break from her cubs.

298
00:20:19,425 --> 00:20:20,770
Oh, I feel for them.

299
00:20:20,771 --> 00:20:22,254
They just are waiting
on the outskirts,

300
00:20:22,255 --> 00:20:24,532
waiting to just have
a chance to drink.

301
00:20:24,533 --> 00:20:27,086
One of the cubs has got
the nerve to come in here.

302
00:20:27,087 --> 00:20:28,847
He's trying to get
close to Mum...

303
00:20:30,574 --> 00:20:34,336
and this lioness
is just fully aggro...

304
00:20:36,027 --> 00:20:38,374
and that just shouts
inexperience.

305
00:20:38,375 --> 00:20:41,377
It shows to me that
this lioness and the others

306
00:20:41,378 --> 00:20:45,553
have not had much time
around cubs at all.

307
00:20:45,554 --> 00:20:49,454
With no other Xudum
pride mums to learn from...

308
00:20:49,455 --> 00:20:51,973
Come on.
Come on, cubbo.

309
00:20:51,974 --> 00:20:53,975
All I want to see
is a cub

310
00:20:53,976 --> 00:20:56,357
latch onto
a teat and drink.

311
00:20:56,358 --> 00:20:59,118
Serami is struggling
to find her feet.

312
00:20:59,119 --> 00:21:01,845
The cubs seem confused.

313
00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:06,402
I think these two cubs
have been introduced

314
00:21:06,403 --> 00:21:09,508
to other female lions
too early,

315
00:21:09,509 --> 00:21:12,718
and they may not be able
to recognize

316
00:21:12,719 --> 00:21:15,134
which lioness is Mum

317
00:21:15,135 --> 00:21:17,999
and which of these lionesses
is not.

318
00:21:20,900 --> 00:21:22,832
They don't know
who Mum is.

319
00:21:32,981 --> 00:21:35,741
Lediba
has stashed her cub

320
00:21:35,742 --> 00:21:37,605
and is hunting again.

321
00:21:45,476 --> 00:21:46,925
This elephant
is browsing here,

322
00:21:46,926 --> 00:21:48,789
making a hell of a noise,

323
00:21:48,790 --> 00:21:50,584
and she's kind of using that.

324
00:21:52,449 --> 00:21:54,795
Leopards will use
distractions from other animals

325
00:21:54,796 --> 00:21:57,694
to get closer to prey.

326
00:21:57,695 --> 00:21:59,040
I don't know
what she's seen,

327
00:21:59,041 --> 00:22:01,802
but there's something
of interest.

328
00:22:01,803 --> 00:22:04,045
The only thing I can
see is elephants.

329
00:22:08,016 --> 00:22:09,534
She's after monkeys.

330
00:22:09,535 --> 00:22:12,157
That's what she's after,
after vervets.

331
00:22:12,158 --> 00:22:14,573
Having still
not caught anything

332
00:22:14,574 --> 00:22:16,920
big enough to share
with her cub...

333
00:22:16,921 --> 00:22:19,371
This is how
desperate she's getting.

334
00:22:19,372 --> 00:22:22,788
Lediba is going
for something small again.

335
00:22:22,789 --> 00:22:26,585
She has climbed into
the tree with all these vervets,

336
00:22:26,586 --> 00:22:30,037
and she's jumping from branch
to branch in the treetops

337
00:22:30,038 --> 00:22:32,867
trying to catch a vervet monkey
out of the tree,

338
00:22:32,868 --> 00:22:37,458
showing her unbelievable agility
and frustration, I guess.

339
00:22:40,738 --> 00:22:43,222
Just chaos, absolute chaos.

340
00:22:44,949 --> 00:22:47,779
It's not typical prey for her,
but, you know, she's--

341
00:22:47,780 --> 00:22:49,505
she's really, really hungry.

342
00:22:51,059 --> 00:22:53,578
Incredible climbing ability.

343
00:22:53,579 --> 00:22:57,651
You don't see it until these
leopards are in full chase

344
00:22:57,652 --> 00:22:59,515
way up in the trees.

345
00:23:04,590 --> 00:23:06,694
She's just really
going to extremes

346
00:23:06,695 --> 00:23:08,455
to have a go
at anything she can.

347
00:23:21,227 --> 00:23:23,780
Tristen, Brad.
Got a bit of a stalemate.

348
00:23:23,781 --> 00:23:25,575
Brad's camera
is struggling

349
00:23:25,576 --> 00:23:27,163
in the fading light...

350
00:23:27,164 --> 00:23:28,716
It's a bit too dark,
so we're gonna switch

351
00:23:28,717 --> 00:23:30,580
to thermal imaging camera
and just try to keep up,

352
00:23:30,581 --> 00:23:33,272
so he's calling in
Tristen to help.

353
00:23:36,000 --> 00:23:37,725
Going down.

354
00:23:41,799 --> 00:23:43,835
Bestelink, on radio:
She's on the ground.

355
00:23:43,836 --> 00:23:46,631
OK, cool. Copy that.
Yes, on my way.

356
00:24:02,475 --> 00:24:04,132
Oh, my God.

357
00:24:05,685 --> 00:24:08,584
Lediba has just managed
to kill a monkey.

358
00:24:08,585 --> 00:24:12,657
It happened while we were
rigging the thermal camera.

359
00:24:12,658 --> 00:24:15,245
She's very, very impressive.

360
00:24:15,246 --> 00:24:18,594
I've never actually
seen a leopard

361
00:24:18,595 --> 00:24:20,630
catch one on the floor
though, before,

362
00:24:20,631 --> 00:24:22,908
so this is quite new to me.

363
00:24:24,566 --> 00:24:26,325
I think we're
starting to really understand

364
00:24:26,326 --> 00:24:28,535
a lot more
about this particular cat.

365
00:24:28,536 --> 00:24:31,676
It's just the first leopard
that I've seen in this area

366
00:24:31,677 --> 00:24:37,510
that is so specifically focused
on small-prey species.

367
00:24:39,029 --> 00:24:41,583
We're learning.
We're learning about Lediba.

368
00:24:42,964 --> 00:24:44,723
I'm very,
very happy for her,

369
00:24:44,724 --> 00:24:47,346
and it's a decent sized meal,

370
00:24:47,347 --> 00:24:50,591
but I doubt the cubs will be
able to get anything off this,

371
00:24:50,592 --> 00:24:53,836
and they're gonna probably
still be hungry tonight.

372
00:25:00,015 --> 00:25:01,810
At Serami's den...

373
00:25:14,858 --> 00:25:17,791
Sets and Gordon
are starting the night shift.

374
00:25:17,792 --> 00:25:20,069
I'll let you know
how it goes in the morning.

375
00:25:22,072 --> 00:25:24,694
Aw, big yawn.

376
00:25:26,732 --> 00:25:29,285
Ha ha ha! Oh, that's so cute.

377
00:25:33,014 --> 00:25:35,671
Lionesses, they are up
and looks like

378
00:25:35,672 --> 00:25:37,880
they're gonna look
for some food for the evening.

379
00:25:37,881 --> 00:25:43,851
Serami must leave
the cubs unprotected to go hunt.

380
00:25:43,852 --> 00:25:46,647
She's looking
a bit skinny,

381
00:25:46,648 --> 00:25:49,408
and that's not good
for her or the cubs,

382
00:25:49,409 --> 00:25:51,618
so getting something
to eat tonight

383
00:25:51,619 --> 00:25:54,344
will do her and her cubs
some good.

384
00:25:57,072 --> 00:25:59,902
Moving out. Whoo hoo.

385
00:26:10,914 --> 00:26:13,432
Nthomiwa, on radio: Hey, Gordon,
the lionesses are stalking

386
00:26:13,433 --> 00:26:16,090
towards some lechwe
in the floodplain.

387
00:26:17,368 --> 00:26:19,749
OK. Yeah.
I've got them.

388
00:26:19,750 --> 00:26:21,820
Adapted to water,

389
00:26:21,821 --> 00:26:26,618
even experienced lions
struggle to catch lechwe.

390
00:26:26,619 --> 00:26:29,932
The lionesses have
split into two groups of two.

391
00:26:29,933 --> 00:26:34,868
This is an example
of lions working together

392
00:26:34,869 --> 00:26:37,974
using stealth
but also using strategy.

393
00:26:44,326 --> 00:26:46,224
Oh, this is amazing.

394
00:26:51,437 --> 00:26:54,784
She's up to her knees
at the moment.

395
00:26:54,785 --> 00:26:57,442
To walk through the water

396
00:26:57,443 --> 00:27:00,894
without being detected
is a real challenge.

397
00:27:05,175 --> 00:27:07,072
Oh, .

398
00:27:07,073 --> 00:27:08,971
They're going for it.

399
00:27:08,972 --> 00:27:10,386
Oh, panic,

400
00:27:10,387 --> 00:27:13,354
panic amongst
all of these lechwe.

401
00:27:13,355 --> 00:27:15,736
The strategy
is to push the lechwe

402
00:27:15,737 --> 00:27:18,014
into the oncoming lionesses.

403
00:27:21,191 --> 00:27:23,917
They really
went for it,

404
00:27:23,918 --> 00:27:29,163
chased from way too far,
but it was a good attempt.

405
00:27:29,164 --> 00:27:31,788
But Serami
is not giving up.

406
00:27:32,754 --> 00:27:34,306
Look at that.

407
00:27:34,307 --> 00:27:38,172
She's just like a crocodile
lying in wait there.

408
00:27:38,173 --> 00:27:41,900
She is completely submerged
in the water.

409
00:27:41,901 --> 00:27:44,248
She's up to her chin.

410
00:27:45,491 --> 00:27:48,769
As long as she can hear
those lechwe moving around her,

411
00:27:48,770 --> 00:27:50,909
there's no reason to move.

412
00:27:53,430 --> 00:27:54,879
I'm impressed.

413
00:27:54,880 --> 00:27:56,535
This is pure maternal
determination.

414
00:28:01,956 --> 00:28:03,266
Oh, lion
running, running,

415
00:28:03,267 --> 00:28:04,509
running, running, running.

416
00:28:04,510 --> 00:28:07,339
Oh, one of them's in the water.

417
00:28:07,340 --> 00:28:12,724
Oh, my God, she's got a goose.
She's got a goose.

418
00:28:12,725 --> 00:28:16,452
Crazy, crazy, crazy.
Oh, my word.

419
00:28:16,453 --> 00:28:21,146
In all the commotion,
Serami has got nothing.

420
00:28:23,115 --> 00:28:25,737
A goose will barely
feed one of them.

421
00:28:27,119 --> 00:28:29,499
I've lost everyone.

422
00:28:29,500 --> 00:28:32,261
They've crossed
over the water yet again...

423
00:28:34,782 --> 00:28:37,231
but in a place
where we can't follow.

424
00:28:37,232 --> 00:28:40,442
Looks like
this is it for tonight.

425
00:28:52,040 --> 00:28:55,181
After losing
the lionesses in the night...

426
00:28:58,081 --> 00:28:59,806
Gordon and Greg...

427
00:28:59,807 --> 00:29:01,911
Where are you?
Where are you?

428
00:29:01,912 --> 00:29:04,189
are searching for them.

429
00:29:04,190 --> 00:29:06,605
Oh, wow.

430
00:29:06,606 --> 00:29:10,471
This is really quite interesting
because we've got

431
00:29:10,472 --> 00:29:14,959
one of Big Toe and Madumo's
daughters with a strange male.

432
00:29:14,960 --> 00:29:17,962
It's one of Serami's
splinter group.

433
00:29:17,963 --> 00:29:20,241
He is a big boy.

434
00:29:21,863 --> 00:29:23,968
He's a blondie.

435
00:29:23,969 --> 00:29:28,835
I'm gonna call him Golden Boy
because of his mane.

436
00:29:33,288 --> 00:29:36,083
A male and a female
hanging out like this

437
00:29:36,084 --> 00:29:37,844
can only mean one thing--

438
00:29:37,845 --> 00:29:42,262
that they're a courting couple,
that they're gonna mate.

439
00:29:42,263 --> 00:29:45,403
Golden Boy
is the latest intruder male

440
00:29:45,404 --> 00:29:48,925
making himself at home
in the Xudum pride territory.

441
00:29:50,340 --> 00:29:52,065
As sad as it is
to think that Big Toe

442
00:29:52,066 --> 00:29:55,275
and Madumo's time at the top
is coming to an end,

443
00:29:55,276 --> 00:29:58,381
in many ways, it's exciting
because there's now other males

444
00:29:58,382 --> 00:30:00,832
that are gonna step in
that will become

445
00:30:00,833 --> 00:30:03,559
the pride males
of the Xudum pride,

446
00:30:03,560 --> 00:30:05,837
someone like him.

447
00:30:05,838 --> 00:30:07,943
He might be a rising star.

448
00:30:07,944 --> 00:30:11,463
He certainly looks as if he's
made from the right stuff.

449
00:30:11,464 --> 00:30:13,569
But Golden Boy's
presence...

450
00:30:13,570 --> 00:30:15,433
Big, strong, handsome

451
00:30:15,434 --> 00:30:17,573
is obviously working
on this female.

452
00:30:17,574 --> 00:30:21,094
could be a danger
to Serami's cubs

453
00:30:21,095 --> 00:30:24,442
if he's not their father.

454
00:30:30,069 --> 00:30:31,863
Bestelink, on radio:
Well, Tris, I've got a hit.

455
00:30:38,595 --> 00:30:42,909
Lediba is high up in
an ebony tree that's fruiting.

456
00:30:42,910 --> 00:30:47,948
To feed her cub,
Lediba is changing her tactics.

457
00:30:47,949 --> 00:30:51,676
Fruiting trees play
such a big role in this area.

458
00:30:51,677 --> 00:30:55,404
Ebony fruit is full of sugar,
lots of protein,

459
00:30:55,405 --> 00:30:58,269
and when they're dropping
their fruits,

460
00:30:58,270 --> 00:31:00,961
everything is utilizing it.

461
00:31:00,962 --> 00:31:03,343
There's a herd of impala rams

462
00:31:03,344 --> 00:31:05,103
that are just making
their way down,

463
00:31:05,104 --> 00:31:08,417
picking up the fallen fruit
between them and Lediba...

464
00:31:09,937 --> 00:31:13,284
She's using
the fruit as bait.

465
00:31:13,285 --> 00:31:16,045
and that focused
activity from ebony tree

466
00:31:16,046 --> 00:31:18,254
to ebony tree is a pattern

467
00:31:18,255 --> 00:31:20,325
that these leopards
have figured out.

468
00:31:20,326 --> 00:31:22,327
To conserve energy,

469
00:31:22,328 --> 00:31:26,229
leopards often wait for prey
to come to them.

470
00:31:27,264 --> 00:31:30,059
I haven't seen
Lediba jump onto an impala

471
00:31:30,060 --> 00:31:32,372
from a tree yet.

472
00:31:32,373 --> 00:31:34,719
Let's hope she doesn't
injure herself,

473
00:31:34,720 --> 00:31:37,929
and let's hope these impala
get to her tree.

474
00:31:37,930 --> 00:31:42,554
Lediba is taking
a risk to catch larger prey.

475
00:31:42,555 --> 00:31:45,282
It's just
a waiting game.

476
00:31:57,708 --> 00:32:00,710
It's now
1:15 in the afternoon.

477
00:32:00,711 --> 00:32:03,023
Over 6 hours
have passed.

478
00:32:03,024 --> 00:32:06,130
She's been in this tree
the whole time...

479
00:32:06,131 --> 00:32:09,996
and just patience,
patience, patience.

480
00:32:09,997 --> 00:32:13,137
Lediba is still
eyes fixated on the impalas

481
00:32:13,138 --> 00:32:15,104
coming down the tree line
towards her.

482
00:32:20,593 --> 00:32:22,698
Oh, we've got a single ram.

483
00:32:22,699 --> 00:32:25,321
He's now closest
that we've had to her.

484
00:32:28,291 --> 00:32:32,328
This ram is completely unaware
of Lediba in the tree above him.

485
00:32:37,990 --> 00:32:40,164
My heart is pounding out
of my chest right now.

486
00:32:42,408 --> 00:32:45,307
She must be
8 or 9 meters off the ground.

487
00:32:47,310 --> 00:32:50,139
It's about positioning

488
00:32:50,140 --> 00:32:53,177
so she doesn't impale herself
on those horns.

489
00:32:53,178 --> 00:32:56,628
A mistake here
could be fatal.

490
00:32:56,629 --> 00:32:58,423
He's directly
underneath her.

491
00:33:00,288 --> 00:33:02,117
Come on.
Do your little bum wiggle.

492
00:33:03,636 --> 00:33:05,016
Here we go.

493
00:33:17,719 --> 00:33:19,513
No way.

494
00:33:29,145 --> 00:33:33,011
Unlucky. Unlucky.
Sorry, my girl.

495
00:33:34,667 --> 00:33:37,566
I feel so sorry for her.

496
00:33:37,567 --> 00:33:39,706
She needed that with them,

497
00:33:39,707 --> 00:33:41,639
spent all that time waiting.

498
00:33:44,436 --> 00:33:47,162
Lediba moves on
empty-handed.

499
00:33:49,165 --> 00:33:50,199
You know,
it's dangerous doing

500
00:33:50,200 --> 00:33:51,614
something from that height.

501
00:33:51,615 --> 00:33:54,100
If she falls weirdly
or something happens,

502
00:33:54,101 --> 00:33:55,791
it could spell the end for her.

503
00:34:10,565 --> 00:34:13,498
Greg has found Serami,

504
00:34:13,499 --> 00:34:16,881
who's moved her cubs
closer to the flood."

505
00:34:22,474 --> 00:34:27,098
So our new lion mum
and her cubs

506
00:34:27,099 --> 00:34:31,275
with a couple of the lionesses
just resting in the shade.

507
00:34:31,276 --> 00:34:34,381
Being nearer the water
is cooler for the lionesses...

508
00:34:36,246 --> 00:34:37,867
My goodness
gracious me.

509
00:34:37,868 --> 00:34:39,524
but Serami's siblings

510
00:34:39,525 --> 00:34:42,114
are still stopping the cubs
from suckling...

511
00:34:43,598 --> 00:34:45,392
Oh, .

512
00:34:45,393 --> 00:34:48,119
Oh, my word, no.
This is not good.

513
00:34:48,120 --> 00:34:52,710
and resting here
exposes them to a new danger.

514
00:34:52,711 --> 00:34:57,404
A weak elephant
is a potential prey for a lion,

515
00:34:57,405 --> 00:35:02,479
so elephants do not like
to share any space with lions.

516
00:35:04,895 --> 00:35:07,656
Something tells me
that those little lion cubs

517
00:35:07,657 --> 00:35:11,660
do not have the legs on them
to outrun an elephant.

518
00:35:11,661 --> 00:35:16,354
This is a particularly dangerous
situation for the cubs.

519
00:35:16,355 --> 00:35:19,702
This family
of elephants

520
00:35:19,703 --> 00:35:22,878
outmatches Serami
and the other lionesses.

521
00:35:25,295 --> 00:35:27,572
OK.
Our mums are pulling out.

522
00:35:27,573 --> 00:35:29,919
They're leaving the cubs behind.

523
00:35:29,920 --> 00:35:32,853
There's nothing that Serami can
do here against the elephants.

524
00:35:36,686 --> 00:35:38,963
Oh, my goodness,
he just threw a branch...

525
00:35:41,380 --> 00:35:43,933
very aggressive behavior
from the elephant.

526
00:35:43,934 --> 00:35:47,627
Elephants have been
known to kill lion cubs.

527
00:35:47,628 --> 00:35:50,492
Oh, the cubs
are super scared.

528
00:35:52,978 --> 00:35:55,428
The lionesses look like
they want to charge in

529
00:35:55,429 --> 00:35:56,843
and push the eles.

530
00:35:59,364 --> 00:36:02,331
OK. One cub has run
into this tall grass...

531
00:36:05,335 --> 00:36:08,268
but there's one cub
who's completely isolated.

532
00:36:09,512 --> 00:36:11,582
What?

533
00:36:11,583 --> 00:36:13,791
Oh, get out of there,
little cub.

534
00:36:16,346 --> 00:36:18,692
Nerves of steel
from the lion cub.

535
00:36:22,559 --> 00:36:24,664
Went straight past the cub.

536
00:36:27,737 --> 00:36:30,773
My jungle hat,
that is nuts.

537
00:36:32,811 --> 00:36:35,468
There's the cub. OK.
Cubby is up.

538
00:36:35,469 --> 00:36:38,574
Oh, these cubs
are doing the right thing.

539
00:36:38,575 --> 00:36:41,681
The cubs' instinct
to hide is kicking in.

540
00:36:43,235 --> 00:36:44,960
Don't cry now,
little lion cub,

541
00:36:44,961 --> 00:36:47,065
because now you're gonna
draw attention.

542
00:36:50,725 --> 00:36:54,625
Just one angry elephant
with one foot,

543
00:36:54,626 --> 00:36:56,661
and there goes your lion cub.

544
00:37:02,530 --> 00:37:05,360
Cubs are somewhere
in this tall fire grass.

545
00:37:14,611 --> 00:37:17,579
Oh, yes.
The eles are moving away.

546
00:37:20,617 --> 00:37:22,825
I think the danger is past.

547
00:37:25,657 --> 00:37:28,417
That was so close.

548
00:37:30,455 --> 00:37:34,837
People think that lions are in
charge on the African savanna,

549
00:37:34,838 --> 00:37:37,046
but that is not the case.

550
00:37:37,047 --> 00:37:39,773
Elephants are in charge.

551
00:37:54,030 --> 00:37:56,445
Unbelievable.

552
00:37:56,446 --> 00:37:59,828
What a roller coaster
of an afternoon for these cubs,

553
00:37:59,829 --> 00:38:02,106
such survivors.

554
00:38:04,868 --> 00:38:08,354
Ah, finally, so good.

555
00:38:08,355 --> 00:38:10,632
Both of the cubs
are having a drink.

556
00:38:11,944 --> 00:38:15,153
This is
what the cubs need.

557
00:38:15,154 --> 00:38:17,466
Hey, that's fantastic.

558
00:38:19,573 --> 00:38:21,712
It's really surprising
and amazing to see

559
00:38:21,713 --> 00:38:25,129
that these cubs have such
strong survival instincts

560
00:38:25,130 --> 00:38:28,512
to move away from the elephants
and knowing what to do

561
00:38:28,513 --> 00:38:31,584
in the time of extreme danger.

562
00:38:32,965 --> 00:38:35,381
At this age,
every day is a victory,

563
00:38:35,382 --> 00:38:40,490
so today was a victory,
but only just.

564
00:38:56,644 --> 00:38:58,542
You hear that?
Yeah.

565
00:38:58,543 --> 00:39:00,923
Brad is looking
for Lediba the leopard.

566
00:39:00,924 --> 00:39:02,408
Let's go.

567
00:39:04,997 --> 00:39:06,791
We've got lions,
hyenas fighting,

568
00:39:06,792 --> 00:39:09,518
so I would get
another camera out here.

569
00:39:11,659 --> 00:39:13,867
Nthomiwa, on radio:
Copy that.

570
00:39:16,975 --> 00:39:19,045
Heard
all this commotion

571
00:39:19,046 --> 00:39:21,116
on the edge of the floodplain,
and I've got Serami

572
00:39:21,117 --> 00:39:24,568
and her sisters on a kill
and a whole bunch of hyenas

573
00:39:24,569 --> 00:39:27,398
trying to steal it from them.

574
00:39:27,399 --> 00:39:30,194
Leaving her cubs
at the den,

575
00:39:30,195 --> 00:39:34,025
Serami and the splinter group
have finally caught a meal.

576
00:39:34,026 --> 00:39:36,200
These lionesses must
have killed this

577
00:39:36,201 --> 00:39:39,962
early hours of the morning,
and now they're being mobbed.

578
00:39:41,965 --> 00:39:44,795
There's an interesting equation
to these kind of interactions.

579
00:39:44,796 --> 00:39:46,693
It's based on weight.

580
00:39:46,694 --> 00:39:49,696
3 hyenas weighs
the same as one lioness.

581
00:39:49,697 --> 00:39:51,905
We've got 4 lionesses here,

582
00:39:51,906 --> 00:39:56,738
so we'll need 12 hyenas
before a real battle starts.

583
00:39:56,739 --> 00:39:59,672
Despite
their immaturity,

584
00:39:59,673 --> 00:40:03,779
these young females
are keeping their food.

585
00:40:03,780 --> 00:40:07,576
Part of the tactic of hyenas
is making a huge racket...

586
00:40:08,923 --> 00:40:11,511
and essentially
it's calling to arms,

587
00:40:11,512 --> 00:40:13,996
and if there's any hyenas
within earshot of this,

588
00:40:13,997 --> 00:40:15,998
they're gonna come in.

589
00:40:15,999 --> 00:40:18,173
I hope they hold on to it.

590
00:40:18,174 --> 00:40:21,003
Serami has really been
struggling, and she's a new mum,

591
00:40:21,004 --> 00:40:24,973
and if she doesn't get fed,
her milk will start to dry,

592
00:40:24,974 --> 00:40:27,078
and that's not good
for her cubs.

593
00:40:27,079 --> 00:40:30,081
They just mustn't fall
for the intimidation.

594
00:40:32,913 --> 00:40:35,259
Don't. Don't do that. Go on.

595
00:40:35,260 --> 00:40:38,883
You'll see, the minute one pulls
away from the rest of the pride,

596
00:40:38,884 --> 00:40:40,471
those hyenas
just see the weakness

597
00:40:40,472 --> 00:40:42,266
and just target her.

598
00:40:42,267 --> 00:40:44,130
It's amazing, you know.

599
00:40:44,131 --> 00:40:46,960
They'll walk within a couple of
meters and literally just stand.

600
00:40:46,961 --> 00:40:50,757
I mean, if I was a lioness,
I wouldn't be liking this.

601
00:40:52,760 --> 00:40:54,727
Mm, those hyenas
are getting ballsy.

602
00:40:57,040 --> 00:40:59,214
Here we come.

603
00:41:06,084 --> 00:41:10,052
The lions are starting to
move away, led by our new mum.

604
00:41:11,779 --> 00:41:15,886
Finally outnumbered,
the lionesses are leaving

605
00:41:15,887 --> 00:41:18,095
but with full bellies...

606
00:41:18,096 --> 00:41:21,581
Serami at least
had a decent feed.

607
00:41:21,582 --> 00:41:25,585
and food for Serami
means more milk for her cubs.

608
00:41:34,043 --> 00:41:36,734
It's been two weeks
since the team saw Lediba

609
00:41:36,735 --> 00:41:38,874
catch a large meal.

610
00:41:38,875 --> 00:41:40,531
Looks like this girl's
definitely just going

611
00:41:40,532 --> 00:41:42,153
on a bit of a march today.

612
00:41:44,018 --> 00:41:45,847
Bestelink, on radio:
OK. Copy that.

613
00:41:52,648 --> 00:41:55,339
Lediba has just
seen some impala.

614
00:41:59,758 --> 00:42:01,966
Looks like she's gonna go
and try to hide

615
00:42:01,967 --> 00:42:05,314
in the long grass and get into
a position where she can ambush.

616
00:42:07,317 --> 00:42:09,871
This is pretty much
do or die now.

617
00:42:15,740 --> 00:42:18,776
Lediba
must feed her cub.

618
00:42:18,777 --> 00:42:20,675
Just lost
complete visual,

619
00:42:20,676 --> 00:42:23,125
but, I mean, if I can't see her,
I doubt an impala can see her,

620
00:42:23,126 --> 00:42:25,265
so she's planned this
so, so well.

621
00:42:50,395 --> 00:42:53,155
Ha ha! She got one! Come on.

622
00:42:55,055 --> 00:42:58,989
You are an absolute beauty.

623
00:42:59,991 --> 00:43:02,648
Lediba did it.

624
00:43:02,649 --> 00:43:04,995
Weighing
nearly 150 pounds...

625
00:43:04,996 --> 00:43:07,100
Unbelievable.

626
00:43:07,101 --> 00:43:09,171
an impala ram
will feed Lediba

627
00:43:09,172 --> 00:43:11,795
and her cub for several days.

628
00:43:11,796 --> 00:43:14,729
Amazing, amazing, amazing.

629
00:43:14,730 --> 00:43:18,284
It is so good for her--
the cub, for her--

630
00:43:18,285 --> 00:43:23,634
and is the best possible way
to end the day for Lediba

631
00:43:23,635 --> 00:43:26,672
because impalas
have such big horns...

632
00:43:29,261 --> 00:43:32,712
and it looks like it's managed
to just clip her slightly,

633
00:43:32,713 --> 00:43:35,473
but she looks fine, luckily,
but, yeah,

634
00:43:35,474 --> 00:43:39,995
oh, she just used all of her
abilities to the max there--

635
00:43:39,996 --> 00:43:42,688
hid, waited for the impala
to come to her,

636
00:43:42,689 --> 00:43:45,276
and now she's got an amazing
meal for her family.

637
00:43:45,277 --> 00:43:47,728
What a superstar.

638
00:43:48,729 --> 00:43:52,733
Very keen on keeping this kill
as hidden as possible.

639
00:43:58,187 --> 00:44:00,740
Oh, Lediba is calling
properly now,

640
00:44:00,741 --> 00:44:02,708
so this cub has got to be
in here.

641
00:44:08,404 --> 00:44:12,234
Ah, hello.
Little cubby has arrived.

642
00:44:13,961 --> 00:44:17,515
Going in for a cuddle.

643
00:44:19,311 --> 00:44:22,106
You know, it's always really
nice just seeing the family

644
00:44:22,107 --> 00:44:24,453
reunite and seeing how happy
they are together...

645
00:44:29,080 --> 00:44:32,392
and Mum gets to give
this cub a little treat.

646
00:44:35,845 --> 00:44:38,364
Looks like we're all
on the move now.

647
00:44:38,365 --> 00:44:41,954
Mum's taking the cub
in to the kill.

648
00:44:47,546 --> 00:44:50,721
This cub has got
a long way to go

649
00:44:50,722 --> 00:44:52,792
and a lot of things to learn,

650
00:44:52,793 --> 00:44:55,381
and that's what Lediba is gonna
be trying to teach it...

651
00:44:58,109 --> 00:45:01,180
but the most important thing
right now is that

652
00:45:01,181 --> 00:45:03,561
he gets a good meal
and continues to grow...

653
00:45:06,048 --> 00:45:08,877
and Mum's managed
to provide that today.

654
00:45:22,133 --> 00:45:25,169
Greg
has picked up Golden Boy,

655
00:45:25,170 --> 00:45:27,551
the latest intruder in the area.

656
00:45:27,552 --> 00:45:30,312
These males
are just in the floodplain

657
00:45:30,313 --> 00:45:32,211
south of Kudu Crossing...

658
00:45:32,212 --> 00:45:35,421
He's been joined
by his coalition partner.

659
00:45:35,422 --> 00:45:38,527
so pretty close
to where the den is.

660
00:45:38,528 --> 00:45:41,841
This is a mature coalition
of males.

661
00:45:41,842 --> 00:45:45,327
We don't know them very well,
but they are starting to become

662
00:45:45,328 --> 00:45:49,193
quite a lot more present
in the Xudum pride territory.

663
00:45:49,194 --> 00:45:52,472
They're resting
close to Serami's den.

664
00:45:52,473 --> 00:45:55,821
Greg, Greg,
I've got them.

665
00:45:55,822 --> 00:46:00,033
Ooh. Yep. That is Golden Boy.

666
00:46:02,207 --> 00:46:04,036
They are only about 150 meters

667
00:46:04,037 --> 00:46:07,246
from the last known location
of Serami.

668
00:46:07,247 --> 00:46:11,181
They had two new cubs,
so this feels really dangerous.

669
00:46:12,493 --> 00:46:15,323
If neither male
is the father,

670
00:46:15,324 --> 00:46:17,602
the cubs are in danger.

671
00:46:21,399 --> 00:46:24,056
The cubs are here,

672
00:46:24,057 --> 00:46:25,574
but Serami is not,

673
00:46:25,575 --> 00:46:29,509
and she hasn't been seen
at the den for 24 hours now.

674
00:46:31,305 --> 00:46:35,136
I'm getting fairly stressed
because if Golden Boy

675
00:46:35,137 --> 00:46:39,312
and his coalition partner
catch scent of these two cubs,

676
00:46:39,313 --> 00:46:42,902
there is a very big chance
he's gonna kill them.

677
00:46:51,843 --> 00:46:54,396
I'm having issues getting
this thermal camera going.

678
00:46:54,397 --> 00:46:56,571
Two hours have passed.

679
00:46:56,572 --> 00:47:01,438
Serami is still not back, and
the cubs are still on their own.

680
00:47:01,439 --> 00:47:03,233
I have a feeling
there's something wrong

681
00:47:03,234 --> 00:47:04,372
with one of the cables.

682
00:47:04,373 --> 00:47:05,649
I've already called in to camp,

683
00:47:05,650 --> 00:47:07,306
so they're bringing
a replacement,

684
00:47:07,307 --> 00:47:09,687
but I'm just stressed that
something's gonna happen.

685
00:47:09,688 --> 00:47:11,311
Mitch Buckley, on radio:
Anna, come in.

686
00:47:13,692 --> 00:47:15,935
Did you say
that Golden Boy is coming now?

687
00:47:15,936 --> 00:47:18,386
With the thermal
camera out of action...

688
00:47:18,387 --> 00:47:20,629
Just gonna have to use this
for the moment, I think.

689
00:47:20,630 --> 00:47:23,011
Anna is using
her spotting scope instead

690
00:47:23,012 --> 00:47:25,255
to locate the males.

691
00:47:25,256 --> 00:47:28,430
Oh, my God, they're
walking straight this way.

692
00:47:28,431 --> 00:47:30,708
No, no, no.

693
00:47:32,642 --> 00:47:35,058
Oh, stay there, cubs.
Don't move.

694
00:47:38,303 --> 00:47:40,477
Oh, my.

695
00:47:42,963 --> 00:47:46,517
They're only, like, 30 meters
from the den at this point.

696
00:47:49,659 --> 00:47:52,316
I can see some lechwe.

697
00:47:52,317 --> 00:47:55,147
Oh, please be distracted.

698
00:47:56,183 --> 00:47:57,597
OK.

699
00:47:57,598 --> 00:47:59,565
They are looking
in the direction of the lechwe

700
00:47:59,566 --> 00:48:02,085
at the moment.

701
00:48:02,086 --> 00:48:03,569
Ooh, OK.

702
00:48:03,570 --> 00:48:06,675
I've just lost them
behind the termite mound.

703
00:48:06,676 --> 00:48:08,056
Buckley, on radio:
Anna, Anna for Mitch.

704
00:48:08,057 --> 00:48:10,438
We approach with
the new thermal camera.

705
00:48:11,716 --> 00:48:13,061
Let's try--nice.
We're in.

706
00:48:13,062 --> 00:48:14,614
We're in. Thank you.

707
00:48:17,549 --> 00:48:19,343
Ah. OK. We're
back in action.

708
00:48:23,452 --> 00:48:25,730
What's up, then?

709
00:48:27,007 --> 00:48:29,284
Ah, great. OK.

710
00:48:31,529 --> 00:48:34,531
These cubs are bulletproof.

711
00:48:39,157 --> 00:48:40,606
They're moving away.

712
00:48:42,298 --> 00:48:44,610
They are moving away.

713
00:48:46,026 --> 00:48:49,028
I cannot believe that those cubs

714
00:48:49,029 --> 00:48:52,135
have had such a lucky escape.

715
00:48:53,965 --> 00:48:55,517
Serami needs to come back

716
00:48:55,518 --> 00:49:00,005
because that was
way too close for comfort.

717
00:49:11,603 --> 00:49:13,052
Night shift
is ending...

718
00:49:13,053 --> 00:49:14,502
Hartman, on radio:
I've got Golden Boy

719
00:49:14,503 --> 00:49:16,745
and his coalition partner
heading in the direction

720
00:49:16,746 --> 00:49:18,644
of Serami's den, eh?

721
00:49:18,645 --> 00:49:20,577
No, no, no,

722
00:49:20,578 --> 00:49:24,615
but the two male lions
have circled back.

723
00:49:24,616 --> 00:49:26,686
Oh, .
That is. That's Golden Boy.

724
00:49:26,687 --> 00:49:29,586
He's going straight
towards the den.

725
00:49:29,587 --> 00:49:31,760
I'm gonna have to stick
with the thermal.

726
00:49:31,761 --> 00:49:35,661
Anna has no time to
switch to her daylight camera.

727
00:49:35,662 --> 00:49:39,216
Oh, my gosh,
little guys.

728
00:49:39,217 --> 00:49:42,047
This is gonna be
potentially tragic.

729
00:49:43,842 --> 00:49:46,016
We have no idea who Dad is.

730
00:49:46,017 --> 00:49:48,363
If the father is not Golden Boy,

731
00:49:48,364 --> 00:49:51,711
this could be the end
of these little cubs.

732
00:49:51,712 --> 00:49:54,093
If he isn't the dad,

733
00:49:54,094 --> 00:49:57,373
I cannot watch
another cat kill a cub again.

734
00:49:58,719 --> 00:50:02,032
They're just
at the base of that little tree.

735
00:50:02,033 --> 00:50:05,691
OK. Golden Boy is coming
towards the den here.

736
00:50:08,074 --> 00:50:09,867
They're not hidden.
They're completely obvious.

737
00:50:13,527 --> 00:50:15,218
Where the hell is Serami?

738
00:50:15,219 --> 00:50:17,841
The cubs have literally
zero protection right now.

739
00:50:20,500 --> 00:50:24,779
Golden Boy is gonna
see these cubs in a second.

740
00:50:35,446 --> 00:50:37,758
Oh, my word.

741
00:50:41,141 --> 00:50:43,763
Golden Boy is hesitating.

742
00:50:45,559 --> 00:50:50,184
Fully grown males
rarely see cubs this small.

743
00:50:50,185 --> 00:50:52,082
The cubs are panicking.

744
00:50:52,083 --> 00:50:54,567
One of the cubs is heading
behind the trunk.

745
00:50:54,568 --> 00:50:58,226
The other cub has shuffled off
up the trunk of this tree.

746
00:51:00,367 --> 00:51:02,092
What's going on?

747
00:51:08,617 --> 00:51:10,825
I don't know
if it's curiosity

748
00:51:10,826 --> 00:51:13,586
or he actually does
want to cause harm.

749
00:51:15,382 --> 00:51:18,315
One cub is hiding,

750
00:51:18,316 --> 00:51:22,181
but Golden Boy
is following the other.

751
00:51:31,881 --> 00:51:34,952
Mm-hmm.
No, no, no, no, no, no.

752
00:51:39,924 --> 00:51:43,168
The fact that that cub
is so small

753
00:51:43,169 --> 00:51:47,275
might be the biggest blessing
because it's managed

754
00:51:47,276 --> 00:51:49,277
to get itself all the way up
in the tree,

755
00:51:49,278 --> 00:51:53,454
and that's the one place
that Golden Boy can't get

756
00:51:53,455 --> 00:51:57,492
because he's far too big
to get up there.

757
00:51:57,493 --> 00:52:01,808
The cubs
have escaped danger again.

758
00:52:04,604 --> 00:52:06,640
He's pulled back.

759
00:52:07,814 --> 00:52:09,884
Goodness gracious,
I was not expecting that.

760
00:52:09,885 --> 00:52:12,198
I thought he was gonna
munch them.

761
00:52:14,510 --> 00:52:17,685
The fact
that he didn't go for them,

762
00:52:17,686 --> 00:52:21,551
I think he could be the dad,

763
00:52:21,552 --> 00:52:24,726
and, if so, that means
that intruder males

764
00:52:24,727 --> 00:52:28,282
really are infiltrating
the Xudum pride.

765
00:52:28,283 --> 00:52:30,318
Buchanan, on radio: Night team,
night team, do you copy?

766
00:52:30,319 --> 00:52:33,356
Gordon is joining
Anna and Greg.

767
00:52:33,357 --> 00:52:35,944
Oh, my gosh.

768
00:52:35,945 --> 00:52:39,327
It's quite the situation.

769
00:52:39,328 --> 00:52:41,950
What is gonna happen here?

770
00:52:43,470 --> 00:52:44,884
The one
at the bottom is calling

771
00:52:44,885 --> 00:52:47,818
for the one who's
at the top of the tree,

772
00:52:47,819 --> 00:52:49,889
which is encouraging it
to come down.

773
00:52:53,963 --> 00:52:56,517
He looks so vulnerable up there.

774
00:52:58,278 --> 00:53:00,728
I just worry--
Oh, it's just clinging on.

775
00:53:03,387 --> 00:53:07,736
Oh, little guy,
that's a long way to fall.

776
00:53:10,463 --> 00:53:12,843
Come on. Come on.
You're so close.

777
00:53:17,263 --> 00:53:20,334
It would just be so low
on energy, as well,

778
00:53:20,335 --> 00:53:24,545
because we've not seen their mum
feeding them recently.

779
00:53:26,272 --> 00:53:27,790
Oh...