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NARRATOR:
Predators across the planet.

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Unmatched in strength...

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(ROARING)

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...speed, strategy,

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stealth, and teamwork.

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But staying on top
is never easy.

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As the world
around them changes,

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they must adapt faster
than ever before

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to maintain their rule.

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In Botswana's Okavango Delta,

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a legendary lioness
and her pride

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attempt to raise
ten vulnerable cubs.

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But in a changing world
where croc-infested floods

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consume their land...

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...and rival prides
are out for blood...

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...the family face
the fight of their lives.

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In the heart of Africa's
Kalahari Desert...

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...lies a vast and
vibrant wilderness...

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...the Okavango Delta.

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Teeming with life, this oasis
is a predator's paradise.

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But for a young lioness
starting out,

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it can be a cruel
and unforgiving world.

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This is Nikki.

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She's just four years old

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and already the most promising
predator in her pride.

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But for all her strength
and power,

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Nikki has had
a very difficult year.

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Three and half months ago,

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she fell pregnant
for the first time.

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A week ago, she left
the pride to give birth.

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Four days ago,
Nikki lost her newborns.

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She's still calling
for her cubs.

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(GROWLING LONGINGLY)

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It may take her a week or more to
realise they're not coming back.

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Like many young lion mums,

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Nikki was anxious to return to
her pride after she gave birth.

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Her mistake was that she left
her cubs alone for too long.

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(GROWLING LONGINGLY)

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(CONTINUES GROWLING)

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It's likely her den
was discovered by a leopard.

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She's paid the ultimate price
for her inexperience.

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For now, at least,
Nikki is not alone.

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She shares a close bond
with her family.

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Nikki lives with her mum, Nan,

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her sister, Lil,

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and her aunt, Uma.

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These four females are the backbone
of the Matata pride.

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Their territory
is 11km long

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and 6km wide.

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It's packed with lush forests,

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permanent swamps,

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floodplains

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and treacherous river crossings.

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For the Matata
and all lionesses,

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their land is their lifeline.

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But every inch
of the Okavango Delta

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is fiercely contested.

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(HYENA SHRIEKING)

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Hordes of hyena, wild dog,

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cheetah and leopard

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are competing for the same prey.

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But the greatest threat
to the Matata...

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...lurks 8km to the north.

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On the furthest edge
of the prey-rich territory,

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they share a border
with a six-strong pride

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known as The Breakaways.

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These aggressive rivals
were once part of Nikki's pride.

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But four years ago
a family split

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led to broken bonds.

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The divide has left the Matata

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the smallest and most
vulnerable pride in this arena.

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Here, survival is a numbers game,

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and bigger prides do better.

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The Matata must increase
their numbers

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or they risk being wiped out.

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Key to that is not one,

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but two impressive males.

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This is Jango...

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...and Atlas.

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Jango has the darker mane and a more
aggressive personality.

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Atlas is physically stronger.

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He fathered Nikki's lost litter.

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But these powerful males
are not a permanent fixture.

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They come and go as they please.

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Jango and Atlas rule over
four other female prides...

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...including
the Matata's archenemy,

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The Breakaways.

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The males' motives are simple -

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father as many cubs as they can.

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For now, they keep their distance.

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The lionesses are hungry
and eager to hunt.

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It's Nikki's supreme confidence
that makes her

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the best hunter of the pride.

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Like all lionesses,
she's capable of killing alone.

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But when this sisterhood
hunts together,

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their odds of success increase,

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and nothing is off the menu.

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Not even elephants.

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As the hot dry season
starts to take hold...

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...these last few watering holes

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are the perfect place
to find prey.

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Stealthily, the lionesses
get into position...

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...while the boys lay low.

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Most prey can spot the males'
enormous manes a mile off.

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Despite their size and power,
these kings of the jungle

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rely almost entirely on the
lionesses to catch their food.

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(ELEPHANT TRUMPETS)

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(ELEPHANT TRUMPETS LOUDLY)

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But today, the matriarch
is on high alert.

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She's clocked the pride.

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The mothers rally together
to shield the vulnerable calves.

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(ELEPHANT TRUMPETS LOUDLY)

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Her trumpet sends a clear warning
to the lionesses to stay back.

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(ELEPHANT TRUMPETS)

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Once spotted, the game is up.

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Lions rely on the element
of surprise to catch prey.

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Nikki must return home.

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There are young cubs
waiting for them.

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But the pride can't afford to go
without a meal for much longer.

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(THUNDER RUMBLES)

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Tired and hungry, the hunters near
their destination.

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(GROWLS)
Nikki's sister, Lil, calls out.

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(SOFT GROWL)

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(LION CUBS CALLING SOFTLY)

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From the long grass,
ten eight-month-old cubs emerge.

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The lionesses have kept
their young safe

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by hiding them
in the thick grass.

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The mums, Lil, Uma and Nan

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are greeted with face rubs...

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...a welcome where the pride
shares their scent

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and secures their family bonds.

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Nikki gets an enthusiastic welcome.

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As ever, her niece, Brook,
gets a little carried away.

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Of all the cubs,
she's the most tenacious.

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But nothing fazes Nikki.

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She's a very playful
and protective aunt.

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The games, however,
will have to wait.

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With so many hungry mouths
to feed right now,

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Nikki is focused
on moving the pride

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to their best hunting ground
in the north of their territory.

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But getting there
with young cubs

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is a major risk...

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...because the Matata aren't
the only lions heading that way.

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Their arch enemies,
The Breakaways,

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have breached their border

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and they're heading straight for
The Matata's best hunting grounds.

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Nikki is unaware she's put
her family on a collision course

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with their most fearsome enemy.

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After an exhausting journey
to the north of their territory...

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...the lionesses are recovering
with their cubs.

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Nikki has company.

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Atlas has always had a soft spot
for the Matata's strongest hunter.

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His interest reveals the door
hasn't completely closed

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on Nikki becoming a mother.

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But romance will have to wait.

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Nikki has more pressing matters
to deal with.

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The cubs are getting thinner.

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At last, a little bit of luck
is coming their way.

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A family of warthogs

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are unwittingly walking
right into the lion's den.

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This is the closest the cubs have
ever come to a potential hunt.

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Tyke, the most timid of the cubs,

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nervously lays low,

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but wide-eyed Brook
is taking it all in.

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Nikki is first to make a move.

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Inch by inch, she edges closer.

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Stealth is her first weapon
of choice.

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On the far side, Nikki's mother Nan
creeps around the back.

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It's a tactical play.

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All four lionesses work together
to surround the prey.

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They are blocking
every angle of escape.

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Nan makes her move.

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(WARTHOGS SQUEALING)
The prey bolts.

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With razor-sharp reflexes,
Nikki gives chase.

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Now, a top speed
of 65km per hour

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allows her to close in.

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(WARTHOG SHRIEKING FRANTICALLY)

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Everyone races
to get a mouthful.

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But before the females
get a morsel of meat,

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the cub's father, Atlas,
comes bounding in.

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(ROARING LOUDLY)

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The lionesses give way.

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This is the price they pay
for child protection.

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Atlas puts on
a forceful display of dominance.

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But despite his snarls,

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he is allowing his cubs to eat.

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Jango hasn't moved a muscle.

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He's still full
from his last free meal.

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The females won't eat
until Atlas is finished.

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It's a relief to have food
for the cubs.

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But while the youngsters
tuck in...

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...trouble is heading their way.

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It's The Breakaways,

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and they're poised to attack.

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Although this mob
outnumbers the Matata,

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Nikki's instinct
is to protect her pride.

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Fearlessly, she squares up
to the closest intruder,

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a plucky young female.

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Nikki puffs up to make herself
look as threatening as possible.

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The rest of the Matata
are filling their stomachs.

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Atlas isn't lifting a finger.

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He mates with females
from both sides.

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He has no reason to get involved
in their territorial disputes.

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The young female backs down.

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But behind her, her imposing mother
holds her ground.

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(GROWLING AND ROARING FIERCELY)

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00:17:21,523 --> 00:17:24,003
Both females take
a vicious blow,

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00:17:24,003 --> 00:17:26,763
but it is the intruder
who concedes.

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Nikki gives chase.

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The rest of The Breakaways
flee for their lives.

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Nikki has single-handedly
seen their enemies off...

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for now.

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00:17:49,803 --> 00:17:51,803
With full bellies,

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the pride males leave.

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They have other females to visit.

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00:18:02,003 --> 00:18:06,083
For the Matata, today's win
couldn't be more important.

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With ten young cubs to feed, they
cannot afford to lose land.

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But this victory comes
at a heavy price.

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(WHIMPERS)

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Nikki can barely walk.

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00:18:31,003 --> 00:18:34,123
Her injury could be a disaster
for the Matata.

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00:18:40,763 --> 00:18:43,723
With their best hunter
out of action,

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the cub's future hangs
in the balance.

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00:19:03,323 --> 00:19:06,043
It's been two months
since Nikki's injury,

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and the Matata have struggled
to make ends meet.

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00:19:11,363 --> 00:19:14,363
Nikki's injured foot
is starting to heal...

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00:19:15,483 --> 00:19:17,403
...but time is running out.

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00:19:20,243 --> 00:19:24,283
Brook, Tyke and the rest
of the cubs are skin and bone.

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00:19:24,283 --> 00:19:27,043
This is the thinnest
they have ever been.

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They have days, not weeks.

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00:19:35,483 --> 00:19:37,723
On the far side
of their territory...

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00:19:39,243 --> 00:19:41,883
...a chance to change
the family's fortunes.

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Standing over 5m tall...

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...giraffe are among
the toughest prey to take down.

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And what's worse,
it's high noon.

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Lions rarely hunt
in this crippling heat.

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00:20:04,803 --> 00:20:07,123
Nikki needs to soldier
through the pain.

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00:20:13,563 --> 00:20:16,043
Suddenly, the giraffes spook.

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00:20:16,043 --> 00:20:18,403
They've spotted the lions.

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00:20:20,243 --> 00:20:22,843
A large male has split
from the herd.

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Nan is first to close in.

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The pride is boldly attempting

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to take down
the biggest giraffe they can.

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But Nikki is lagging behind.

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00:20:36,123 --> 00:20:40,643
Her mother Nan drives their
target towards the tree line.

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00:20:41,923 --> 00:20:44,523
For the giraffe,
it's a dead-end.

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00:20:52,683 --> 00:20:56,963
In searing heat, the lionesses
take it in turns to attack.

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00:21:00,163 --> 00:21:03,603
With her injury,
Nikki can barely keep up,

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00:21:03,603 --> 00:21:06,963
but the pride needs her
to bring down this giant.

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00:21:18,043 --> 00:21:19,963
Nikki leaps again...

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00:21:22,003 --> 00:21:23,923
...and again...

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00:21:25,163 --> 00:21:27,323
...to throw him off balance.

253
00:21:30,923 --> 00:21:34,363
Both sides are struggling
for their lives,

254
00:21:34,363 --> 00:21:36,843
but who will give up first?

255
00:21:40,523 --> 00:21:42,923
The lionesses target the soft

256
00:21:42,923 --> 00:21:45,603
and vulnerable parts of his body.

257
00:21:48,803 --> 00:21:51,603
If they can inflict enough pain,

258
00:21:51,603 --> 00:21:54,083
they will weaken his resolve.

259
00:22:07,243 --> 00:22:11,003
It's been an exhausting,
hour-long battle.

260
00:22:13,723 --> 00:22:16,643
Brook, Tyke
and the rest of the cubs

261
00:22:16,643 --> 00:22:18,603
nervously approach.

262
00:22:21,003 --> 00:22:24,323
Lions are the only big cats
who hunt together like this.

263
00:22:25,683 --> 00:22:27,563
Working as a team,

264
00:22:27,563 --> 00:22:30,523
they've given their young
a fighting chance of survival.

265
00:22:30,523 --> 00:22:32,883
(BREATHING HEAVILY)

266
00:22:35,483 --> 00:22:39,083
The lionesses' brave decision
to take down a larger male

267
00:22:39,083 --> 00:22:41,883
will mean more food
for the days ahead.

268
00:22:45,643 --> 00:22:47,923
With the pride males away,

269
00:22:47,923 --> 00:22:50,203
everyone gets a fair share.

270
00:22:55,523 --> 00:22:58,123
The cubs are so full
they can hardly move.

271
00:23:01,923 --> 00:23:05,083
This giraffe will feed
the family for a week.

272
00:23:07,323 --> 00:23:09,923
But what Nikki and her family
don't know...

273
00:23:11,003 --> 00:23:14,203
...is that an even greater
challenge lies ahead.

274
00:23:16,483 --> 00:23:18,963
As the Delta gets hotter...

275
00:23:20,043 --> 00:23:22,483
...in a flash, a fire breaks out.

276
00:23:24,443 --> 00:23:26,963
The inferno blazes
through the night,

277
00:23:26,963 --> 00:23:29,683
consuming the Matata's land

278
00:23:29,683 --> 00:23:32,843
and destroying everything
in its wake.

279
00:23:34,763 --> 00:23:37,003
As they flee in darkness,

280
00:23:37,003 --> 00:23:39,163
it's easy to get separated.

281
00:23:48,083 --> 00:23:49,843
In a matter of hours,

282
00:23:49,843 --> 00:23:52,883
the Matata's best hunting
grounds have been torched.

283
00:24:02,363 --> 00:24:04,683
But Nikki has bigger problems.

284
00:24:07,203 --> 00:24:09,683
She can't find the cubs.

285
00:24:12,723 --> 00:24:15,963
As they tried to escape,
the pride split up.

286
00:24:21,523 --> 00:24:24,363
Nikki and Lil scour
their territory.

287
00:24:26,923 --> 00:24:29,363
The big males are back,

288
00:24:29,363 --> 00:24:32,603
but there'll be no free meals
until the cubs are found.

289
00:24:40,043 --> 00:24:43,163
Hours pass, and nothing.

290
00:24:44,563 --> 00:24:46,443
There's no sign of life.

291
00:24:55,003 --> 00:24:58,163
Finally, at the edge
of the devastation,

292
00:24:58,163 --> 00:25:00,883
they hear a loud
and familiar sound.

293
00:25:00,883 --> 00:25:03,563
(GROWLING)

294
00:25:05,483 --> 00:25:09,203
It's Nikki's mother, Nan,
and some of the cubs, too.

295
00:25:10,483 --> 00:25:12,763
(GROWLING)

296
00:25:14,483 --> 00:25:17,163
(LION CUBS CALLING)

297
00:25:24,083 --> 00:25:27,003
But not all the young
are accounted for.

298
00:25:41,443 --> 00:25:47,083
6km away, one-year old Brook
and her brother Tyke are lost.

299
00:25:48,283 --> 00:25:51,363
They were separated from the pride
during the chaos of the fire.

300
00:25:56,643 --> 00:25:59,963
All alone, with no one
to protect or hunt for them,

301
00:25:59,963 --> 00:26:03,403
the cubs' chances of surviving
are frighteningly low.

302
00:26:10,883 --> 00:26:13,123
(CALLING LONGINGLY)

303
00:26:13,123 --> 00:26:15,643
Brook sends out
a distress signal.

304
00:26:18,323 --> 00:26:21,043
(CALLING) She needs her mother
to hear her call,

305
00:26:21,043 --> 00:26:23,603
but out here, it's a risk.

306
00:26:26,443 --> 00:26:29,883
The Matata share their territory
with many other predators.

307
00:26:29,883 --> 00:26:35,163
Two little lost cubs would be an
easy meal for most of their rivals.

308
00:26:39,803 --> 00:26:42,963
Leopards are known
for killing cubs in these parts.

309
00:26:47,003 --> 00:26:49,763
But young lions
have many enemies.

310
00:26:52,683 --> 00:26:54,923
On the furthest edge
of the forest,

311
00:26:54,923 --> 00:26:57,203
a hyena mother and her young.

312
00:26:59,083 --> 00:27:01,443
If she hears the cubs calling,

313
00:27:01,443 --> 00:27:04,043
she will claim their lives.

314
00:27:14,403 --> 00:27:18,723
The following day, there's still
no sign of Tyke and Brook.

315
00:27:18,723 --> 00:27:21,163
(CALLING)

316
00:27:23,643 --> 00:27:26,403
Nikki and Lil call out.

317
00:27:26,403 --> 00:27:29,083
(CALLING)

318
00:27:31,083 --> 00:27:34,283
But their calls are met
with deafening silence.

319
00:27:37,443 --> 00:27:39,443
(CALLING)

320
00:27:41,283 --> 00:27:43,563
It's a huge loss,

321
00:27:43,563 --> 00:27:46,683
but the females still have
eight hungry mouths to feed.

322
00:27:47,843 --> 00:27:50,203
They must focus on them now.

323
00:27:57,243 --> 00:27:59,563
A few days later,
the pride take down

324
00:27:59,563 --> 00:28:01,603
one of the strongest prey
they hunt...

325
00:28:04,203 --> 00:28:07,123
...a 350kg buffalo.

326
00:28:09,803 --> 00:28:11,563
As the pride feasts,

327
00:28:11,563 --> 00:28:14,203
their growls can be heard
up to 5km away.

328
00:28:19,083 --> 00:28:22,403
All this commotion has brought
about an unexpected reward.

329
00:28:27,763 --> 00:28:31,603
Brook, one of the missing cubs,
has heard the pride feeding

330
00:28:31,603 --> 00:28:35,403
and by some small miracle,
it's guided her home.

331
00:28:38,643 --> 00:28:40,883
Incredibly,
she has survived four days

332
00:28:40,883 --> 00:28:43,283
and four nights on her own.

333
00:28:46,643 --> 00:28:49,403
Her brother, Tyke,
was too weak to make it.

334
00:28:52,203 --> 00:28:55,723
Mum Lil greets
her little survivor.

335
00:28:56,963 --> 00:28:59,083
She's had a lucky escape.

336
00:29:01,283 --> 00:29:03,763
But if the pride
is going to succeed,

337
00:29:03,763 --> 00:29:06,483
they can't afford to lose
any more cubs.

338
00:29:20,803 --> 00:29:24,803
It's been five months since Brook's
remarkable return to the pride,

339
00:29:24,803 --> 00:29:27,603
and the great annual flood
has arrived.

340
00:29:28,963 --> 00:29:32,963
This year, it's claimed a third
of the Matata's precious patch,

341
00:29:32,963 --> 00:29:37,603
and it's made their world
a much more dangerous place.

342
00:29:40,203 --> 00:29:44,083
Now, there are deadly corridors for
crocodiles to enter their territory.

343
00:29:46,003 --> 00:29:49,123
But the killer crocs
aren't their only problem.

344
00:29:49,123 --> 00:29:51,203
(HOWLS)

345
00:29:51,203 --> 00:29:53,683
With far less dry land
for everyone,

346
00:29:53,683 --> 00:29:57,483
the competition between neighbouring
predators is at an all-time high.

347
00:29:59,643 --> 00:30:02,163
(HYENA LAUGHING)

348
00:30:10,323 --> 00:30:13,883
Violent clashes over the
last remaining hunting grounds

349
00:30:13,883 --> 00:30:16,043
are erupting.

350
00:30:20,683 --> 00:30:23,203
(ROARING FIERCELY)

351
00:30:38,923 --> 00:30:42,163
The cunning Breakaways
have taken the opportunity

352
00:30:42,163 --> 00:30:44,723
to push deep
into the Matata's land.

353
00:30:48,283 --> 00:30:50,763
Doing her best
to avoid the conflict,

354
00:30:50,763 --> 00:30:52,963
Nikki is keeping a low profile

355
00:30:52,963 --> 00:30:55,043
in a secluded corner
of the north.

356
00:30:56,683 --> 00:30:59,963
She has been separated from
the pride for several months,

357
00:30:59,963 --> 00:31:02,443
the longest
she has ever been away.

358
00:31:05,083 --> 00:31:07,723
(SOFT WHIMPERING)

359
00:31:09,163 --> 00:31:11,443
And this is the reason why.

360
00:31:13,003 --> 00:31:16,563
Nikki has given birth
to three little lionesses.

361
00:31:24,083 --> 00:31:26,843
She's left the pride
to protect them.

362
00:31:29,083 --> 00:31:32,763
Young cubs can be accidently
killed by older siblings.

363
00:31:32,763 --> 00:31:36,843
A single swipe in play or a fight
for food is all it takes.

364
00:31:40,123 --> 00:31:43,763
For now, Nikki's keeping
her cubs safe in the forest,

365
00:31:43,763 --> 00:31:46,163
away from her family
and the flood.

366
00:31:49,563 --> 00:31:52,083
Her girls are four months old

367
00:31:52,083 --> 00:31:54,363
and full of mischief.

368
00:31:59,083 --> 00:32:02,683
But until her cubs are safely back
with the rest of the Matata,

369
00:32:02,683 --> 00:32:05,923
it's too soon to celebrate
their arrival.

370
00:32:26,843 --> 00:32:29,363
At first light, Nikki sets off.

371
00:32:30,403 --> 00:32:32,563
She must find food
for her family.

372
00:32:35,323 --> 00:32:37,843
Despite the danger,
she has no choice

373
00:32:37,843 --> 00:32:40,123
but to leave her cubs behind.

374
00:32:40,123 --> 00:32:42,643
They're too small
to keep up with Mum.

375
00:32:45,483 --> 00:32:48,363
Nikki heads to the floodplain
in search of prey.

376
00:32:58,643 --> 00:33:01,803
But this time
she's being stalked...

377
00:33:02,843 --> 00:33:05,283
...by an aggressive lioness
from The Breakaways.

378
00:33:07,563 --> 00:33:10,083
Nikki turns to face
the intruder.

379
00:33:11,523 --> 00:33:14,643
She follows her instincts
to chase the female off.

380
00:33:19,043 --> 00:33:22,123
But Nikki has drastically
misjudged the situation.

381
00:33:23,803 --> 00:33:26,203
She hasn't clocked
the rest of The Breakaways.

382
00:33:31,003 --> 00:33:34,083
She is dangerously outnumbered,

383
00:33:34,083 --> 00:33:36,843
and now they're coming for her.

384
00:33:36,843 --> 00:33:39,043
(GROWLING)

385
00:33:41,683 --> 00:33:44,803
If The Breakaways catch her,
they will kill her.

386
00:33:50,603 --> 00:33:52,923
She heads for thick cover.

387
00:34:06,523 --> 00:34:08,763
For the sake of the cubs,

388
00:34:08,763 --> 00:34:11,123
Nikki must get away.

389
00:34:22,163 --> 00:34:26,083
5km to the south
and beyond the deep channel

390
00:34:26,083 --> 00:34:28,923
that divides the pride's territory
in two,

391
00:34:28,923 --> 00:34:31,483
the rest of the Matata
are on the move.

392
00:34:32,923 --> 00:34:36,403
With Nikki away, the pride is
missing a key protector.

393
00:34:39,203 --> 00:34:42,203
Nan has moved the nine cubs
to a safe haven

394
00:34:42,203 --> 00:34:44,363
in the south of their territory,

395
00:34:44,363 --> 00:34:46,443
away from The Breakaways.

396
00:34:53,163 --> 00:34:57,123
But now the cubs are 18 months old,
and not so little.

397
00:34:59,083 --> 00:35:01,803
They've grown into
impressive young adults,

398
00:35:01,803 --> 00:35:04,003
with appetites to match.

399
00:35:08,363 --> 00:35:11,203
But the land here in the south
is nowhere near as rich.

400
00:35:13,923 --> 00:35:17,163
It's time the Matata return
to their best hunting grounds

401
00:35:17,163 --> 00:35:21,163
beyond the channel, to claim back
their prey-rich land.

402
00:35:24,603 --> 00:35:27,243
But this flood is more menacing
than last year's.

403
00:35:29,363 --> 00:35:31,363
The current is
far more dangerous.

404
00:35:32,563 --> 00:35:34,403
And worse still,

405
00:35:34,403 --> 00:35:37,403
this channel is home
to hundreds of Nile crocodiles.

406
00:35:41,083 --> 00:35:43,483
Only the strongest swimmers
will make it.

407
00:35:44,843 --> 00:35:47,403
To survive, they'll need
to reach the other side

408
00:35:47,403 --> 00:35:49,363
as quickly as possible.

409
00:35:51,883 --> 00:35:54,563
Brook is the first
to burst into the river.

410
00:36:02,323 --> 00:36:04,603
The pride races in behind her.

411
00:36:08,523 --> 00:36:10,963
They've got to protect
their territory,

412
00:36:10,963 --> 00:36:14,003
but every crossing
carries a major risk.

413
00:36:18,563 --> 00:36:21,323
Grimacing faces reveal
their discomfort.

414
00:36:23,843 --> 00:36:26,323
The pride is out of their depth

415
00:36:26,323 --> 00:36:29,003
and extremely vulnerable
in water.

416
00:36:43,203 --> 00:36:46,163
At last, they reach
the safety of dry land.

417
00:36:47,163 --> 00:36:50,083
This time, the crocs weren't quick
enough to catch their prey.

418
00:36:59,763 --> 00:37:01,803
Back in the north,

419
00:37:01,803 --> 00:37:03,683
Nikki has barely survived

420
00:37:03,683 --> 00:37:06,003
her terrifying ordeal
with The Breakaways.

421
00:37:08,843 --> 00:37:11,443
She's had a lucky escape,

422
00:37:11,443 --> 00:37:13,763
but with her rivals
out for blood,

423
00:37:13,763 --> 00:37:16,163
her young are now
in grave danger.

424
00:37:18,563 --> 00:37:20,683
She heads straight back
to her den...

425
00:37:22,043 --> 00:37:24,883
...but her new cubs
are nowhere to be seen.

426
00:37:32,723 --> 00:37:35,203
Nikki scours the surroundings...

427
00:37:37,283 --> 00:37:39,323
...but she can't find them.

428
00:37:42,883 --> 00:37:45,643
Experience has taught her
cubs this small

429
00:37:45,643 --> 00:37:48,043
are hopelessly vulnerable.

430
00:38:00,043 --> 00:38:03,203
She sends out
a bellowing contact call.

431
00:38:03,203 --> 00:38:05,243
(DEEP CALL)

432
00:38:05,243 --> 00:38:08,163
It's a beacon
for her infants to follow...

433
00:38:08,163 --> 00:38:10,323
and her last hope.

434
00:38:10,323 --> 00:38:11,883
(CALLING)

435
00:38:14,203 --> 00:38:16,683
(CALLING)

436
00:38:30,443 --> 00:38:34,723
Eventually, her cubs emerge
from the long grass.

437
00:38:36,643 --> 00:38:39,203
(GROWLING SOFTLY)

438
00:39:03,123 --> 00:39:05,323
With a flick of her tail,

439
00:39:05,323 --> 00:39:07,723
Nikki signals to her young
to follow.

440
00:39:20,123 --> 00:39:22,523
She's leading them south,

441
00:39:22,523 --> 00:39:25,043
in the direction of the Matata.

442
00:39:31,043 --> 00:39:34,323
It is time for her cubs
to join the pride.

443
00:39:41,883 --> 00:39:44,523
But out in the open,
her infants are at risk.

444
00:39:51,363 --> 00:39:54,123
And it's a long journey
for little legs.

445
00:39:57,763 --> 00:39:59,643
To keep her cubs moving,

446
00:39:59,643 --> 00:40:03,643
Nikki won't feed them until
she gets them safely home.

447
00:40:08,403 --> 00:40:10,803
Finally, she spots her family.

448
00:40:15,523 --> 00:40:17,763
It's an anxious moment.

449
00:40:19,563 --> 00:40:22,363
Nikki does not know
if her cubs will be accepted.

450
00:40:36,283 --> 00:40:39,283
Nan is first to welcome
the new arrivals.

451
00:40:40,843 --> 00:40:43,683
As her granddaughters, one day they
will inherit the land

452
00:40:43,683 --> 00:40:47,363
she and the Matata females
have fought so hard to protect.

453
00:40:51,723 --> 00:40:54,923
Nikki's cubs are now part
of what's become

454
00:40:54,923 --> 00:40:57,843
the largest pride
in this region.

455
00:41:00,243 --> 00:41:03,083
But elsewhere across Africa,

456
00:41:03,083 --> 00:41:05,283
lions are seriously struggling.

457
00:41:06,683 --> 00:41:10,523
Almost half the population has
disappeared in the last 30 years.

458
00:41:13,363 --> 00:41:16,843
It is estimated there are
just 20,000 lions left...

459
00:41:19,603 --> 00:41:22,843
...making Nikki's young
more precious than ever.

460
00:41:27,003 --> 00:41:30,403
Their mother has overcome
the most challenging of years.

461
00:41:31,923 --> 00:41:34,803
She's given more to the pride
than anyone else...

462
00:41:36,243 --> 00:41:40,163
...and now, Nikki finally has
her own family to protect.

463
00:41:43,603 --> 00:41:45,963
With Mum there to guide them,

464
00:41:45,963 --> 00:41:49,443
Nikki's cubs will learn the
skills they need to survive...

465
00:41:53,683 --> 00:41:58,203
...and become the next generation
of formidable lionesses.

466
00:42:08,563 --> 00:42:11,483
To tell Nikki and
the Matata's story...

467
00:42:11,483 --> 00:42:13,803
WOMAN: There we go.

468
00:42:13,803 --> 00:42:16,363
...director Anne Sommerfield
and camera crew

469
00:42:16,363 --> 00:42:19,203
spent over a year filming
in the Okavango Delta.

470
00:42:19,203 --> 00:42:22,523
(LAUGHING) This is a lot fun.

471
00:42:24,483 --> 00:42:28,523
This is what 12 lions fighting
over a carcass sounds like.

472
00:42:28,523 --> 00:42:31,323
(GROWLING FIERCELY)

473
00:42:32,843 --> 00:42:34,563
As an apex predator,

474
00:42:34,563 --> 00:42:37,163
lions usually dominate
the areas in which they live.

475
00:42:41,003 --> 00:42:43,323
But in a changing world,

476
00:42:43,323 --> 00:42:46,163
these iconic big cats
are on a losing streak.

477
00:42:48,243 --> 00:42:50,083
To find out more,

478
00:42:50,083 --> 00:42:53,043
the crew were joined
by lion expert, Robynne Kotze.

479
00:42:54,523 --> 00:42:56,723
People often see them
on game drives

480
00:42:56,723 --> 00:42:59,683
or they see them on TV
and they tend to think that,

481
00:42:59,683 --> 00:43:02,123
well, the populations
must be doing really well.

482
00:43:02,123 --> 00:43:05,483
But the harsh reality is that the
numbers are actually going down.

483
00:43:05,483 --> 00:43:08,683
To gain a better understanding
of lions in the Okavango,

484
00:43:08,683 --> 00:43:12,763
Robynne and her team are deploying
several thousand camera traps

485
00:43:12,763 --> 00:43:16,963
in one of the largest predator
surveys ever conducted in Botswana.

486
00:43:16,963 --> 00:43:18,283
(CAMERA BEEPING)

487
00:43:18,283 --> 00:43:21,763
The cameras are triggered
by an infrared sensor,

488
00:43:21,763 --> 00:43:24,043
so as soon as
an animal walks past,

489
00:43:24,043 --> 00:43:28,483
the camera detects the motion
and then it takes a picture.

490
00:43:30,083 --> 00:43:32,363
Given the vast areas
lions roam in,

491
00:43:32,363 --> 00:43:34,923
several of the Matata
have not yet been picked up

492
00:43:34,923 --> 00:43:37,083
on any of Robynne's camera traps.

493
00:43:39,363 --> 00:43:42,283
With their powerful lenses,
the film crew could get

494
00:43:42,283 --> 00:43:45,083
the missing close-up shots
Robynne needs to ID individuals.

495
00:43:47,283 --> 00:43:50,083
Each lion has its
own unique whisker spot pattern.

496
00:43:50,083 --> 00:43:52,923
So whenever
we are monitoring individuals,

497
00:43:52,923 --> 00:43:57,003
we will take photos of the
left-hand and the right-hand side

498
00:43:57,003 --> 00:44:00,803
so that we can basically create
a whisker pattern formula

499
00:44:00,803 --> 00:44:03,203
that we use to identify them.

500
00:44:03,203 --> 00:44:05,963
The data is used
to estimate lion numbers

501
00:44:05,963 --> 00:44:08,563
and to build a picture
of their movements.

502
00:44:08,563 --> 00:44:12,603
Insight is key to protecting
these incredible big cats.

503
00:44:14,083 --> 00:44:18,363
To learn more, the crew needed to
live alongside the Matata pride,

504
00:44:18,363 --> 00:44:20,963
in the heart of lion territory.

505
00:44:22,363 --> 00:44:26,163
We're camping in a national park
so there's no fences,

506
00:44:26,163 --> 00:44:28,843
there's no guns,
there's no guards,

507
00:44:28,843 --> 00:44:30,723
it's us and our tents,

508
00:44:30,723 --> 00:44:33,603
a thin layer of canvas,
and then the wilderness.

509
00:44:33,603 --> 00:44:36,363
With nightly visits
from the local wildlife.

510
00:44:36,363 --> 00:44:37,763
(ELEPHANT GRUNTS)

511
00:44:37,763 --> 00:44:40,763
This was here, this is just
outside main camp here.

512
00:44:40,763 --> 00:44:43,803
The hyenas, in particular,
seem to be very interested

513
00:44:43,803 --> 00:44:46,243
in their new neighbours.

514
00:44:46,243 --> 00:44:50,083
We've had a hyena in camp
who likes to steal things,

515
00:44:50,083 --> 00:44:52,083
and it's been escalating.

516
00:44:52,083 --> 00:44:56,323
We've had shoes, buckets,
we've had binoculars,

517
00:44:56,323 --> 00:44:58,443
most recently an axe.

518
00:44:58,443 --> 00:45:00,963
The really good news
is that we've got it back.

519
00:45:00,963 --> 00:45:03,443
I don't like the idea
of a clan of hyenas

520
00:45:03,443 --> 00:45:05,523
wandering round with an axe.

521
00:45:10,043 --> 00:45:12,563
Spending thousands
of hours in the field,

522
00:45:12,563 --> 00:45:15,123
the team got to know
different personalities.

523
00:45:16,603 --> 00:45:19,683
Nikki stood out
from the very start for me

524
00:45:19,683 --> 00:45:24,163
because she had this really
strong female confidence.

525
00:45:24,163 --> 00:45:26,843
You know, she is
tireless in her efforts,

526
00:45:26,843 --> 00:45:29,203
whether it comes to hunting

527
00:45:29,203 --> 00:45:31,523
or defending the borders

528
00:45:31,523 --> 00:45:35,403
or just playing with the cubs
and being a fun aunt.

529
00:45:35,403 --> 00:45:38,363
But despite being
the lynch pin of the pride,

530
00:45:38,363 --> 00:45:40,923
Nikki's opportunities
to have her own family

531
00:45:40,923 --> 00:45:42,883
had never worked out.

532
00:45:42,883 --> 00:45:46,043
We started Nikki's story
at a very tragic place.

533
00:45:46,043 --> 00:45:49,403
We filmed her during the process
of losing her cubs.

534
00:45:49,403 --> 00:45:52,563
And knowing that
the cubs were gone,

535
00:45:52,563 --> 00:45:55,843
that she was continuing
to search and call for them

536
00:45:55,843 --> 00:45:58,443
and they weren't coming back...
(GROWLS LONGINGLY)

537
00:45:58,443 --> 00:46:01,443
That was really actually
very hard to witness.

538
00:46:02,683 --> 00:46:05,283
Although formidable
once fully grown,

539
00:46:05,283 --> 00:46:08,043
lion cubs are very vulnerable.

540
00:46:08,043 --> 00:46:10,643
Other animals will take
every opportunity

541
00:46:10,643 --> 00:46:13,043
to eliminate a future threat.

542
00:46:13,043 --> 00:46:17,323
60 percent of cubs die
before they get to adulthood.

543
00:46:17,323 --> 00:46:22,643
Their young are targeted by all
the other predators in the area.

544
00:46:24,043 --> 00:46:26,243
And living in the Delta,

545
00:46:26,243 --> 00:46:29,643
the annual floods only add to the
threats the young cubs face.

546
00:46:32,203 --> 00:46:35,403
You're holding your breath because
we know there are crocodiles

547
00:46:35,403 --> 00:46:38,563
in the water. We know that the
current can be strong.

548
00:46:38,563 --> 00:46:41,163
It's a really
vulnerable situation.

549
00:46:42,563 --> 00:46:44,843
To capture this unique behaviour,

550
00:46:44,843 --> 00:46:47,483
the crew faced
the same challenge.

551
00:46:49,043 --> 00:46:51,603
I'm just going to take
the camera out

552
00:46:51,603 --> 00:46:54,003
and keep it as high as possible,

553
00:46:54,003 --> 00:46:57,203
just in case it gets
a bit deeper than we expected.

554
00:46:57,203 --> 00:46:59,883
We have no idea
if we're going to make it.

555
00:46:59,883 --> 00:47:02,923
We need to keep going.

556
00:47:02,923 --> 00:47:05,483
Water's coming in!

557
00:47:05,483 --> 00:47:08,283
Yeah, it's coming up
over the bonnet.

558
00:47:08,283 --> 00:47:11,123
I might need to reverse
and try again.(CLUTCH SQUEALS)

559
00:47:14,683 --> 00:47:17,763
Oh! My feet are wet.
My bottom's wet.

560
00:47:21,643 --> 00:47:23,203
We made it through.

561
00:47:23,203 --> 00:47:26,643
My nice warm clothing.

562
00:47:26,643 --> 00:47:28,523
But despite soggy clothes...

563
00:47:28,523 --> 00:47:31,243
We're going to put everything out
to dry, how's that?

564
00:47:31,243 --> 00:47:33,763
...and waterlogged electronics...

565
00:47:33,763 --> 00:47:35,803
That's not good.

566
00:47:35,803 --> 00:47:38,443
Right, let's go find this pride.

567
00:47:38,443 --> 00:47:41,403
...the team's determination pays off.

568
00:47:43,003 --> 00:47:45,883
Right, they're all coming.
Stay where I am, eh?

569
00:47:45,883 --> 00:47:48,563
Whoa!

570
00:47:50,323 --> 00:47:53,363
We've gotten stuck
more times than I should admit.

571
00:47:53,363 --> 00:47:56,043
But when you get
in the right position

572
00:47:56,043 --> 00:47:59,283
and they're swimming towards camera,
it's just a spectacular shot.

573
00:48:01,803 --> 00:48:05,523
After months of
analysing over 800,000 images,

574
00:48:05,523 --> 00:48:08,243
Robynne and the
conservation team

575
00:48:08,243 --> 00:48:10,563
could finally share
their results.

576
00:48:10,563 --> 00:48:15,083
All indications show that the lion
population in the Delta is healthy.

577
00:48:16,203 --> 00:48:19,283
Lionesses successfully
raising cubs to adulthood

578
00:48:19,283 --> 00:48:21,803
is really key to the survival
of lion populations,

579
00:48:21,803 --> 00:48:24,043
so if you look at Nikki's pride,

580
00:48:24,043 --> 00:48:26,403
it's really great
that they've managed to raise

581
00:48:26,403 --> 00:48:29,083
nine one-year-olds
to this point.

582
00:48:32,203 --> 00:48:35,363
And that, in part,
is thanks to the floods.

583
00:48:35,363 --> 00:48:39,523
The yearly influx of water limits
the number of human settlements.

584
00:48:42,683 --> 00:48:45,323
But elsewhere,
it's a different story.

585
00:48:46,403 --> 00:48:50,163
Given that lions are really, really
now struggling across Africa,

586
00:48:50,163 --> 00:48:53,803
we think there may be
20,000 left,

587
00:48:53,803 --> 00:48:56,963
every single cub counts.

588
00:48:58,683 --> 00:49:01,363
With an ever-increasing
human population,

589
00:49:01,363 --> 00:49:04,283
habitat loss is
one of their biggest threats.

590
00:49:04,283 --> 00:49:07,603
They roam over really big areas
and they really need

591
00:49:07,603 --> 00:49:11,283
large intact pieces of habitats
in order to do well.

592
00:49:11,283 --> 00:49:14,963
Many of the current lion populations
have been fragmented

593
00:49:14,963 --> 00:49:16,883
into smaller pockets,

594
00:49:16,883 --> 00:49:19,403
and this is really not good
for long-term viability.

595
00:49:20,363 --> 00:49:22,363
Robynne and other conservationists

596
00:49:22,363 --> 00:49:25,763
are desperately trying to identify
and protect corridors of land

597
00:49:25,763 --> 00:49:28,083
to connect these
isolated populations.

598
00:49:29,803 --> 00:49:34,203
These are really areas that will
facilitate the movement of lions

599
00:49:34,203 --> 00:49:36,403
between these
smaller populations

600
00:49:36,403 --> 00:49:38,603
so that the population
as a whole

601
00:49:38,603 --> 00:49:41,523
can remain genetically healthy
and self-sustaining.

602
00:49:42,563 --> 00:49:44,403
But will it be enough?

603
00:49:45,483 --> 00:49:48,323
In 50 years' time,
it's a real reality

604
00:49:48,323 --> 00:49:50,163
that we could lose most of the lions

605
00:49:50,163 --> 00:49:52,403
that we currently
have on the continent.

606
00:49:53,963 --> 00:49:56,043
Outside protected areas,

607
00:49:56,043 --> 00:49:58,723
one of the world's
most recognisable animals

608
00:49:58,723 --> 00:50:00,803
is quietly slipping away.

609
00:50:03,523 --> 00:50:07,403
I kind of can't imagine a world
where lions don't exist in the wild.

610
00:50:07,403 --> 00:50:10,363
If we can't save Africa's
most iconic species,

611
00:50:10,363 --> 00:50:12,683
we really are in trouble.

612
00:50:15,923 --> 00:50:19,243
For the crew, the appearance of
Nikki with her three new cubs

613
00:50:19,243 --> 00:50:21,363
gave some hope.

614
00:50:24,883 --> 00:50:27,683
It feels like we've waited quite
a long time for this moment.

615
00:50:27,683 --> 00:50:30,963
For Nik to finally have
cubs of her own.

616
00:50:32,323 --> 00:50:35,643
She's such an exceptional lioness.

617
00:50:36,923 --> 00:50:39,203
And those little cubs,

618
00:50:39,203 --> 00:50:42,243
they couldn't have
a better teacher

619
00:50:42,243 --> 00:50:45,843
and couldn't be luckier
to have Nikki as a mum.

620
00:50:51,283 --> 00:50:53,643
Next time...

621
00:50:53,643 --> 00:50:56,083
In South America,

622
00:50:56,083 --> 00:50:58,603
pumas locked
in a brutal battle...

623
00:50:58,603 --> 00:51:00,363
(SNARLS)

624
00:51:01,723 --> 00:51:05,243
...as one brave mother fights
to protect her family.

625
00:51:06,923 --> 00:51:09,123
(GUANACO SHRIEKING)

626
00:51:09,123 --> 00:51:12,523
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