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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}NARRATOR: Hell on Earth
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{\an7}for some.
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{\an7}But for others...
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{\an7}a land of opportunity.
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{\an7}Lions the size
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{\an7}of grizzly bears
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{\an7}with appetites to match
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{\an7}dominate this desert
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hand turn the
desperation into profit.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\hBut this year drought
pushes the lions to the brink.
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{\an7}\h\hWill this be the first
dry season to defeat them,
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{\an7}or will this hell
remain the domain
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{\an7}of these Kings of the Desert?
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{\an7}[bird wings flapping]
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{\an7}\hNARRATOR: Lions are
Africa’s biggest cats,
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{\an7}and Kalahari Desert lions
are the biggest on earth.
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{\an7}\h\hHere, in Nxai Pan, on
the fringes of the desert,
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{\an7}\ha big male lion can
weigh over 500 pounds
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{\an7}\hand measure 10 feet
from nose to tail tip.
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{\an7}\h\h\hThe power of a
pride usually rests
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{\an7}with one such dominant male.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hBut Nxai Pan is
unique, and so are its lions.
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{\an7}This pride is ruled by not one,
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{\an7}but two mighty kings,
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{\an7}brothers in arms.
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{\an7}[lioness roaring]
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{\an7}\h\hSix lionesses form
their principal pride,
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{\an7}\h\ha small pride
compared to most.
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{\an7}But only the fittest and biggest
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{\an7}are needed to rule
this harsh land --
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{\an7}all 800 square miles of it.
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{\an7}But this power comes at a cost.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hThe pride is
isolated from other lions,
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hand this
threatens their bloodline.
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{\an7}\h\hThere’s a natural
but unusual solution.
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{\an7}To prevent inbreeding, the kings
have formed a secondary pride
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hwith two
powerful foreign sisters.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\hThey must provide the
kings with pedigree heirs soon
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{\an7}\h\h\h\hor be expelled
from the pride lands.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\hThese mistresses keep to
the outskirts of the territory,
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{\an7}away from the principal pride,
\hnever crossing their path.
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{\an7}\h\hAs long as they
keep their distance,
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{\an7}the two groups can coexist.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hTogether, these 10
lions dominate this empire...
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{\an7}[lion roaring]
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h...and everyone
must pull their weight,
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{\an7}because big lions need big prey.
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{\an7}\hBut hunting giants isn’t easy
-- even for the king of beasts.
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{\an7}After the rains last summer,
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{\an7}\h\hNxai Pan was a
wilderness utopia.
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{\an7}But not anymore.
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{\an7}\h\h\hNow, the water
has mostly vanished.
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{\an7}Lush grasses shriveled.
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{\an7}The earth is scorched
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{\an7}and fractured.
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{\an7}This is all that remains.
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{\an7}\h\hSurviving this annual
dry season is tough enough
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{\an7}for the animals that live here,
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{\an7}\h\h\hand this year, the
most devastating drought
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{\an7}in nearly half a century
\his ravaging the land.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hBut it could be the
lions’ biggest windfall ever.
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{\an7}For in times like this, even the
biggest and strongest animals
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{\an7}are under stress
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{\an7}and on the menu.
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{\an7}\hThirsty animals congregate
at the shrinking waterholes.
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{\an7}So many species,
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{\an7}all part of the pride’s diet.
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{\an7}\h\h\hThe lions have only to
position themselves nearby,
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{\an7}wait,
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{\an7}and consider their options.
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{\an7}[elephant cries]
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{\an7}[fly buzzing]
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{\an7}\h\hAs the afternoon fades,
the principal pride gathers,
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{\an7}watching,
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{\an7}waiting.
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}Their mission is to divide,
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{\an7}create chaos,
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{\an7}\h\hand, in the confusion, an
opportunity just might arise.
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{\an7}[elephant cry]
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{\an7}\hTwo miles out, a
pair of stragglers
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\his trying to
catch up with the herd.
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{\an7}But they’re not alone.
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{\an7}\h\hThe mistress sisters
are hot on their trail.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hThe elephant mother
hurries her newborn calf along.
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{\an7}\hHe’s only hours
old, and usually,
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{\an7}the herd wouldn’t leave them.
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{\an7}But the heat, and their daily
thirst, has driven them ahead,
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{\an7}\h\h\hleaving mother
and calf far behind.
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{\an7}\h\h\hSafety is in numbers
out here, even for giants.
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{\an7}\h\hBut they can go only as fast
as the calf’s failing back leg.
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{\an7}\h\hIt’s a weakness that
could cost him his life.
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{\an7}\h\hDesert lions don’t
survive by being kind.
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{\an7}Three tons of potential maternal
rage would intimidate most.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hBut the mistress
sisters don’t spook easily.
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{\an7}They know there’s a weakness,
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hand they’re
confident they can exploit it.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hThey’re just
waiting for nightfall.
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}Elephant eyesight is average
\hat best, just good enough
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{\an7}\h\h\h\hto keep an eye on the
lurking predators in daylight.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hLions have
excellent night vision,
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{\an7}allowing them to
get even closer.
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}[elephant screaming]
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}\h\hIn the confusion, the calf
is separated from his mother.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hExactly what the
sisters have been waiting for.
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{\an7}[elephant screaming]
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{\an7}[lionesses growling]
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{\an7}\h\h\hNARRATOR:
As dawn breaks,
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hthe scattered
elephant herd regroups...
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hwithout their
youngest family member.
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}\h\hThe principal pride had
no luck with the main herd.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\hBut the mistresses’
power and patience paid off.
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{\an7}One king gets wind
\hof their success
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{\an7}and tracks them down.
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{\an7}\h\hIt’s a small prize
for a lion this size,
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{\an7}but every morsel counts.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hHours later, the
scraps are a free-for-all.
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{\an7}Nothing goes to waste here.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hEven the
principal pride scavenges
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{\an7}once the mistresses move on.
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{\an7}Never turn down a snack,
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{\an7}\h\h\heven if you’ve got
eyes on a bigger prize.
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}\h\hThere’s been no
rain in half a year.
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{\an7}The green kingdom has vanished.
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{\an7}\hWith it, almost
all surface water.
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{\an7}All but this waterhole.
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{\an7}And it’s shrinking by the day.
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{\an7}\h\hOnly overcrowding
and despair lie ahead
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{\an7}\h\h\hfor the tiniest birds to
earth’s greatest land mammals.
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}[elephants screaming]
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{\an7}Tempers flare in the heat.
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}[snarling]
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{\an7}[elephant screaming]
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{\an7}\hThe heavyweights use size
to bully their way through,
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{\an7}others, their wit
-- to steal a sip.
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{\an7}With no other waterholes left,
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{\an7}all are drawn here.
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}\h\hThe natural balance
of Nxai Pan is shifting
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{\an7}in favor of the lions.
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}As the only apex predators here,
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{\an7}the waterhole belongs to them,
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{\an7}\h\hall their prey in
one convenient place.
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}\h\hThe six females spread
out -- testing the herds.
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}\hThe heat drains
them quickly here.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\hBut it takes an even
heavier toll on their prey.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hThe waterhole is
surrounded by so many animals
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{\an7}so desperate for water.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hOpportunity must
come the lions’ way soon,
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{\an7}surely.
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}They must be patient;
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{\an7}choose their targets wisely;
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{\an7}know when to step back
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{\an7}and wait,
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{\an7}for the right opportunity
\h\h\hwill present itself.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hWhile the principal
pride rests up in the thickets
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{\an7}away from the waterhole,
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{\an7}\h\h\hit’s a good time for the
sisters to drop in for a drink
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{\an7}and spend some quality
time with their kings.
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{\an7}The sisters must produce cubs
\hto justify their place here,
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{\an7}or they’ll be forced to leave.
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{\an7}[lion growling]
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{\an7}\hBreeding during drought
is not an option for most.
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{\an7}But the lions are still strong.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\hIt’s others that are
gambling just to stay alive.
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{\an7}These giraffes aren’t brave,
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{\an7}just desperately thirsty --
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{\an7}\henough to drink only
feet from the sisters,
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{\an7}\h\h\h\ha gap the lions can
close in less than a second.
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}A 3,000-pound, 19-foot-tall
\h\hgiraffe is a tall order.
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{\an7}\hBut the sisters count
on the combined strength
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{\an7}of their kings.
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{\an7}\h\hGiraffe usually make up
less than 1% of lions’ diets
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{\an7}because they’re dangerous
\h\hand difficult to hunt,
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{\an7}even for a large pride.
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{\an7}\h\h\hBut the kings and their
mistresses are big and tough,
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00:22:08,194 --> 00:22:13,332
{\an7}and waiting for nightfall has
\hworked well for them so far.
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{\an7}♪ ♪
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hA claw to the
hamstring finds its mark,
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{\an7}yet the giraffe keeps running.
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{\an7}The hunt isn’t over yet.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hBrute strength
and the cover of darkness
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{\an7}\h\hhas earned the lions their
first big meal of the drought.
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{\an7}Thousands of pounds of giraffe
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{\an7}\h\h\his the perfect meal
for a grizzly-sized lion.
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{\an7}For the mistress sisters,
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{\an7}\h\h\hit couldn’t have
come at a better time.
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{\an7}\h\h\h\hPride structure,
and predator hierarchy,
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{\an7}\hdictates feeding
shifts over days.
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00:23:29,909 --> 00:23:33,980
{\an7}By the morning of day
two, not much is left,
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{\an7}\h\hand some are tired
of waiting their turn.
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00:23:37,316 --> 00:23:46,525
{\an7}[whining and whimpering]
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00:23:51,797 --> 00:23:56,635
{\an7}But their place in the pecking
order is quickly established.
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{\an7}[yelping]
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{\an7}[snarling]
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{\an7}\hThere are other big
cats around Nxai Pan,
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00:24:12,785 --> 00:24:15,254
{\an7}but they’re struggling.
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{\an7}\hCheetahs are smaller
and weaker than lions.
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00:24:21,293 --> 00:24:23,428
{\an7}They also eat less.
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00:24:25,364 --> 00:24:30,269
{\an7}\h\hBut when it comes to food,
lions see them as competition.
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{\an7}\hSo she’s forced
to stay out here,
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00:24:34,840 --> 00:24:38,043
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\haway from the
privilege of the waterhole.
219
00:24:39,645 --> 00:24:42,515
{\an7}♪ ♪
220
00:24:42,548 --> 00:24:44,817
{\an7}She has a family to feed:
221
00:24:45,484 --> 00:24:48,520
{\an7}cubs, too young to hunt.
222
00:24:51,890 --> 00:24:55,026
{\an7}Providing food is her job alone.
223
00:24:58,831 --> 00:25:02,201
{\an7}Out here, prey is scarce;
224
00:25:03,836 --> 00:25:07,073
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hthere’s no
waterhole to attract them.
225
00:25:08,674 --> 00:25:15,881
{\an7}It’s so barren, there’s little
\hcover for hunted or hunter.
226
00:25:21,120 --> 00:25:31,097
{\an7}♪ ♪
227
00:25:31,130 --> 00:25:45,544
{\an7}♪ ♪
228
00:25:52,951 --> 00:25:55,787
{\an7}Her speed is not enough.
229
00:25:58,657 --> 00:26:01,860
{\an7}\h\hThe family will
go hungry for today.
230
00:26:04,563 --> 00:26:09,568
{\an7}\hThis lion-enforced exile will
last as long as the dry season.
231
00:26:09,735 --> 00:26:11,203
{\an7}If the rains are late,
232
00:26:11,236 --> 00:26:14,272
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hthere’s no
guarantee they’ll survive.
233
00:26:22,214 --> 00:26:26,251
{\an7}More herbivores flock to
the waterhole every day.
234
00:26:30,589 --> 00:26:33,392
{\an7}They’re coming from
\h\hfurther afield,
235
00:26:37,329 --> 00:26:39,398
{\an7}and staying longer.
236
00:26:44,503 --> 00:26:48,974
{\an7}\h\hLesser carnivores, like
jackals and vultures, prowl,
237
00:26:49,007 --> 00:26:52,978
{\an7}\h\halways on the lookout
for something to scavenge.
238
00:26:55,981 --> 00:26:59,251
{\an7}\h\h\hBut theirs is
the only free pass.
239
00:27:00,986 --> 00:27:02,788
{\an7}As the drought intensifies,
240
00:27:02,821 --> 00:27:07,759
{\an7}\h\h\hno other hunters, like
hyenas, are permitted here.
241
00:27:12,531 --> 00:27:15,701
{\an7}\h\h\hSo they steal
through like ghosts.
242
00:27:17,269 --> 00:27:21,440
{\an7}Stopping isn’t worth the risk.
243
00:27:24,776 --> 00:27:28,013
{\an7}But some don’t get out in time.
244
00:27:29,348 --> 00:27:35,154
{\an7}\hThese wild dogs, looking for
water, overstay their welcome,
245
00:27:38,190 --> 00:27:41,193
{\an7}and it’s cost them dearly.
246
00:27:44,263 --> 00:27:49,235
{\an7}\h\h\hComing into contact with
the lions means serious injury
247
00:27:49,268 --> 00:27:51,203
{\an7}or death.
248
00:27:57,142 --> 00:27:59,845
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hThe mistress
sisters strike again:
249
00:27:59,878 --> 00:28:03,081
{\an7}There’s no room for competition.
250
00:28:04,116 --> 00:28:08,153
{\an7}This last waterhole
is their lifeline --
251
00:28:08,187 --> 00:28:12,058
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hand they must
defend it at all costs.
252
00:28:14,059 --> 00:28:16,328
{\an7}But there’s more to it.
253
00:28:17,162 --> 00:28:21,667
{\an7}\hWild dogs will kill lion
cubs, given half a chance.
254
00:28:23,235 --> 00:28:26,605
{\an7}\h\h\hAnd the sisters
aren’t taking chances,
255
00:28:28,006 --> 00:28:32,277
{\an7}for one of them is pregnant.
256
00:28:51,997 --> 00:28:54,433
{\an7}Daytime temperatures soar.
257
00:28:59,871 --> 00:29:02,640
{\an7}The main pride looks listless.
258
00:29:07,679 --> 00:29:11,816
{\an7}\hBut in spite of
the blazing heat,
259
00:29:11,850 --> 00:29:14,653
{\an7}they never lose sight
\h\h\h\h\hof the game
260
00:29:19,057 --> 00:29:21,927
{\an7}and their big game prey.
261
00:29:22,060 --> 00:29:33,638
{\an7}♪ ♪
262
00:29:33,672 --> 00:29:39,111
{\an7}♪ ♪
263
00:29:39,144 --> 00:29:43,949
{\an7}But visibility is a
lion’s worst enemy.
264
00:29:48,887 --> 00:29:50,689
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hDuring the day
their heavyweight targets
265
00:29:50,789 --> 00:29:53,725
{\an7}can see them coming a mile away.
266
00:29:58,964 --> 00:30:01,800
{\an7}\h\h\hBut that doesn’t
stop them from trying.
267
00:30:08,674 --> 00:30:10,442
{\an7}\h\h\hA kudu bull is
one of the biggest,
268
00:30:10,475 --> 00:30:13,912
{\an7}most difficult antelope to hunt.
269
00:30:16,081 --> 00:30:18,483
{\an7}They’re taller and
100 pounds heavier
270
00:30:18,517 --> 00:30:21,353
{\an7}than the biggest male lion;
271
00:30:25,657 --> 00:30:28,426
{\an7}double the weight of lionesses.
272
00:30:29,995 --> 00:30:34,867
{\an7}And they’re armed with deadly
horns up to five feet long --
273
00:30:34,900 --> 00:30:38,370
{\an7}the length of a lion’s body.
274
00:31:07,132 --> 00:31:20,145
{\an7}♪ ♪
275
00:31:20,178 --> 00:31:28,253
{\an7}A slip saves the kudu --
\h\h\h\h\h\h\hthis time.
276
00:31:31,990 --> 00:31:37,896
{\an7}There’s just no sneaking
up on prey in daylight.
277
00:31:37,929 --> 00:31:41,833
{\an7}\hHunting by night is
much more productive.
278
00:31:47,038 --> 00:31:49,641
{\an7}Ambushed just before sunrise,
279
00:31:49,674 --> 00:31:53,144
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hthis kudu bull
couldn’t see them coming.
280
00:32:02,487 --> 00:32:07,192
{\an7}It’s a meal big enough to
feed the pride for a week.
281
00:32:15,267 --> 00:32:18,871
{\an7}But lions this size want more.
282
00:32:25,710 --> 00:32:28,646
{\an7}And it’s in their
nature to exploit
283
00:32:28,680 --> 00:32:31,149
{\an7}every opportunity.
284
00:32:32,684 --> 00:32:42,994
{\an7}♪ ♪
285
00:32:43,028 --> 00:32:45,764
{\an7}\h\hIt’s less than an
hour since breakfast,
286
00:32:48,967 --> 00:32:53,672
{\an7}\h\h\hbut a principal pride
female spots an opportunity,
287
00:32:54,573 --> 00:32:57,176
{\an7}one she can’t resist.
288
00:32:58,844 --> 00:33:11,757
{\an7}♪ ♪
289
00:33:11,790 --> 00:33:13,992
{\an7}There’s no way to stay hidden,
290
00:33:17,696 --> 00:33:20,699
{\an7}so she’s trying out new tactics.
291
00:33:20,732 --> 00:33:34,613
{\an7}♪ ♪
292
00:33:34,713 --> 00:33:38,917
{\an7}\h\h\hAs water evaporates, and
levels drop, animals must dip
293
00:33:38,950 --> 00:33:45,757
{\an7}their heads into the trenches to
reach it, blocking their view.
294
00:33:53,231 --> 00:33:55,867
{\an7}She waits for the perfect moment
295
00:33:55,901 --> 00:33:59,872
{\an7}\hwhen the big male kudu’s
eyes drop below the banks.
296
00:34:06,945 --> 00:34:10,649
{\an7}The kudu is relying
only on hearing now.
297
00:34:26,831 --> 00:34:34,372
{\an7}[kudu crying; lioness growling]
298
00:34:34,472 --> 00:34:46,217
{\an7}[scuffling]
299
00:34:46,251 --> 00:34:50,856
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hAn expert bite
delivers death quickly.
300
00:34:54,993 --> 00:34:57,796
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hShe’s banked
another meal for her pride,
301
00:34:57,829 --> 00:35:01,566
{\an7}no small feat for
a single lioness.
302
00:35:05,637 --> 00:35:08,273
{\an7}Her new strategy works.
303
00:35:18,917 --> 00:35:23,054
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hA jackal on the
lookout is already moving in.
304
00:35:32,931 --> 00:35:35,667
{\an7}[lioness snarls; jackal yelps]
305
00:35:35,700 --> 00:35:38,269
{\an7}But he’ll have to wait.
306
00:35:44,943 --> 00:35:48,113
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hThe lioness
guards her fresh kill.
307
00:35:51,249 --> 00:35:54,986
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hDuring drought,
there’s no time for charity.
308
00:36:01,526 --> 00:36:07,098
{\an7}It’s not selfishness or gluttony
-- just simple survival.
309
00:36:10,869 --> 00:36:13,171
{\an7}The rest of the pride
\h\h\h\hhas abandoned
310
00:36:13,271 --> 00:36:15,273
{\an7}their breakfast carcass.
311
00:36:20,879 --> 00:36:22,948
{\an7}They’ve eaten their fill.
312
00:36:28,086 --> 00:36:32,724
{\an7}\h\h\h\hIt’s too hot to
eat, too hot to defend.
313
00:36:40,432 --> 00:36:44,303
{\an7}\hThe deserted carcass is
soon heaving with looters,
314
00:36:46,838 --> 00:36:50,075
{\an7}\h\h\h\hand the spoils
turn into a turf war.
315
00:36:53,845 --> 00:37:02,654
{\an7}[animals snarling]
316
00:37:02,687 --> 00:37:05,990
{\an7}\hFor the scavengers, this
is their biggest windfall
317
00:37:06,024 --> 00:37:08,059
{\an7}of the drought.
318
00:37:15,400 --> 00:37:18,870
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hNARRATOR: Building
clouds bring a sliver of hope,
319
00:37:22,040 --> 00:37:24,476
{\an7}but race past.
320
00:37:27,378 --> 00:37:28,579
{\an7}There’s no relief
321
00:37:28,680 --> 00:37:32,150
{\an7}\h\h\h\hfor the scorched
earth and animals today.
322
00:37:39,891 --> 00:37:43,528
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hWhile the lions
benefit from this drought,
323
00:37:43,561 --> 00:37:47,765
{\an7}\h\h\hit’s breaking point for
everyone else that lives here.
324
00:37:52,203 --> 00:37:54,405
{\an7}There’s no food.
325
00:37:56,641 --> 00:38:00,378
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hThe waterhole is
reduced to pools of sludge.
326
00:38:06,751 --> 00:38:09,587
{\an7}The rains are long overdue.
327
00:38:10,755 --> 00:38:13,458
{\an7}\hThere’s no guarantee
they’ll arrive at all.
328
00:38:17,495 --> 00:38:19,897
{\an7}But it’s okay for the lions.
329
00:38:23,668 --> 00:38:26,538
{\an7}\h\h\h\hThey drink daily
when water is available,
330
00:38:26,571 --> 00:38:28,173
{\an7}but they can also survive
331
00:38:28,273 --> 00:38:31,810
{\an7}\h\h\hon just the moisture
they get from their prey.
332
00:38:34,612 --> 00:38:40,685
{\an7}The uncertainty of rain isn’t
threatening their future here.
333
00:38:40,718 --> 00:38:45,890
{\an7}\h\hIt’s the lack of fresh
new blood in their family.
334
00:38:45,924 --> 00:38:49,094
{\an7}But that’s all about to change
335
00:38:54,465 --> 00:38:58,035
{\an7}\h\hwith the birth of
two new desert kings.
336
00:39:00,505 --> 00:39:03,341
{\an7}But the pride isn’t home free.
337
00:39:04,075 --> 00:39:07,979
{\an7}The cubs’ chances of
survival are slim --
338
00:39:08,012 --> 00:39:11,816
{\an7}\h\h\honly one in five
make it to adulthood.
339
00:39:18,122 --> 00:39:21,726
{\an7}\hThey need their father’s
strength and protection.
340
00:39:24,295 --> 00:39:26,464
{\an7}[lioness roaring]
341
00:39:26,497 --> 00:39:30,401
{\an7}Their mother calls out.
342
00:39:30,435 --> 00:39:36,207
{\an7}[lioness whuffing]
343
00:39:36,241 --> 00:39:40,812
{\an7}The cubs must meet their family.
344
00:39:40,845 --> 00:39:51,789
{\an7}♪ ♪
345
00:39:51,956 --> 00:39:58,429
{\an7}♪ ♪
346
00:40:11,209 --> 00:40:21,252
{\an7}[lion grunts]
347
00:40:21,286 --> 00:40:24,122
{\an7}[cubs mewl]
348
00:40:24,155 --> 00:40:34,365
{\an7}[lion snarls]
349
00:40:34,399 --> 00:40:43,842
{\an7}[lion snarls]
350
00:40:43,875 --> 00:40:49,848
{\an7}He’s gruff -- but approving.
351
00:40:50,615 --> 00:40:57,989
{\an7}♪ ♪
352
00:40:58,022 --> 00:41:02,493
{\an7}\hRaising them in this
hell will not be easy.
353
00:41:12,737 --> 00:41:15,273
{\an7}But their aunt will help,
354
00:41:16,207 --> 00:41:17,375
{\an7}and in time she, too,
355
00:41:17,408 --> 00:41:21,779
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\hwill hopefully give
birth to her own set of cubs.
356
00:41:23,581 --> 00:41:25,817
{\an7}The mistresses and their
new cubs are now assured
357
00:41:25,850 --> 00:41:28,453
{\an7}\h\h\hof the kings’
continued protection
358
00:41:34,459 --> 00:41:36,828
{\an7}\hand a guaranteed
share of territory
359
00:41:36,861 --> 00:41:39,564
{\an7}alongside the principal pride.
360
00:41:42,266 --> 00:41:47,972
{\an7}[cubs squawking]
361
00:41:48,072 --> 00:41:52,343
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hBut the desert lion
bloodline remains under threat.
362
00:41:54,746 --> 00:41:56,781
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hDominating the
waterhole sees them through
363
00:41:56,881 --> 00:42:00,284
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\hthese tough
months each dry season.
364
00:42:00,551 --> 00:42:04,955
{\an7}\h\h\h\h\h\h\hBut their big prey
lifeline is about to disappear.
365
00:42:04,989 --> 00:42:07,758
{\an7}\hUnless this year’s
drought breaks soon,
366
00:42:07,959 --> 00:42:11,763
{\an7}\hthe last remaining sludge
pools will dry up completely
367
00:42:11,796 --> 00:42:15,967
{\an7}and all the animals
will leave the area.
368
00:42:16,000 --> 00:42:20,872
{\an7}The lions will have to leave
their home and follow them
369
00:42:20,905 --> 00:42:22,840
{\an7}or starve.
370
00:42:23,207 --> 00:42:30,014
{\an7}[thunder]
371
00:42:30,048 --> 00:42:33,118
{\an7}Storm clouds gather once again.
372
00:42:39,057 --> 00:42:51,970
{\an7}[rain falling]
373
00:42:52,003 --> 00:42:56,040
{\an7}\hNxai Pan is released from
the hellish grip of drought.
374
00:43:02,046 --> 00:43:06,784
{\an7}[lion growling]
375
00:43:07,618 --> 00:43:09,053
{\an7}The rains will soon wash away
376
00:43:09,087 --> 00:43:14,726
{\an7}the desperation of
all who live here.
377
00:43:14,759 --> 00:43:26,704
{\an7}♪ ♪
378
00:43:32,877 --> 00:43:36,614
{\an7}\h\h\hThe waterhole
becomes one of many.
379
00:43:39,417 --> 00:43:41,986
{\an7}Using their size and
strength to dominate
380
00:43:42,019 --> 00:43:47,124
{\an7}\heven the biggest prey during
the worst drought in decades,
381
00:43:47,158 --> 00:43:52,463
{\an7}\h\h\hthe Desert Kings
have come full circle.
382
00:43:52,497 --> 00:43:58,737
{\an7}And for now, their legacy,
and home here, is secure.