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This is Moja -
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00:00:05,160 --> 00:00:07,960
a five month old lion cub.
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00:00:09,680 --> 00:00:13,480
He and his single mum, Nyota,
face the world alone
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00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:17,320
and these are the most
critical weeks of his life.
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00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:21,160
It's May in Kenya's Masai Mara.
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00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:26,680
For lions, this is the
hardest time of year.
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00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:33,200
Food is scarce.
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00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:35,080
Moja is starving.
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00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:43,320
Planet Earth Live have sent
a film crew to follow the drama
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00:00:43,320 --> 00:00:45,760
as it happens.
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00:00:51,240 --> 00:00:55,280
If Moja is to make it,
it will be down to his mum, Nyota.
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00:00:56,920 --> 00:01:00,800
She must provide him with enough
food to keep him alive...
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00:01:04,880 --> 00:01:08,720
..and protect him from the dangers
of life on the African plains.
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00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:10,360
LIONS GROWL
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00:01:12,600 --> 00:01:15,640
This is Moja's story.
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00:01:46,320 --> 00:01:50,640
At five months old,
Moja still suckles.
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00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:54,000
But he can't survive on milk alone.
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00:01:58,880 --> 00:02:01,120
Every two days, he needs meat.
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00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:05,400
But in May, that's a problem.
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00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:07,200
THUNDER CRACKS
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00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:21,640
It's the rainy season...
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..and prey is scarce.
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00:02:28,920 --> 00:02:30,560
Six weeks from now,
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00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:33,440
when the grass has grown tall enough
to support them,
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00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:37,280
vast herds of wildebeest and zebra
will begin to migrate here
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00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:38,760
from the Serengeti.
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00:02:44,880 --> 00:02:47,040
Until then,
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00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:49,280
times are hard.
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00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:13,040
Moja and Nyota are outcasts.
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00:03:15,280 --> 00:03:19,120
They live without the protection
of a pride,
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00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:21,360
and in an area no other lions want.
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00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:25,640
What little game there is,
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favours higher ground
and richer soils -
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areas controlled by the four
rival prides that surround them.
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00:03:39,480 --> 00:03:43,120
Lion prides protect
their territory fiercely.
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00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:47,920
If Moja or Nyota stray,
they risk being killed.
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00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:54,480
With so little prey on her patch,
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00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:56,720
Nyota must hunt
at every opportunity.
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00:04:01,480 --> 00:04:05,040
Neither she nor Moja
have eaten for days.
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00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:11,760
Hunting takes energy and Nyota
doesn't have much to spare.
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00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,040
So taking on an impala,
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one of the fastest runners on
the savanna, is a risk.
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00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:48,920
This time, it doesn't pay off.
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00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:56,880
If Nyota fails again,
Moja could face starvation.
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00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:06,200
Just two miles to the south,
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the Ridge Pride have secured one of
the best territories
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00:05:09,440 --> 00:05:12,280
in the Masai Mara.
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00:05:17,640 --> 00:05:21,000
Even in the rainy season,
there's plenty on the menu.
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00:05:23,840 --> 00:05:28,520
But it's important to pick the right
prey. Some animals are too big.
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00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:29,720
HIPPO GRUNTS
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00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:41,000
HIPPO GRUNTS
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00:05:44,240 --> 00:05:47,000
Even the more manageable meals,
still present a challenge.
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00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:53,120
Topi are known by locals as
the policeman of the plains.
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00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:58,480
Incredibly alert and with amazing
peripheral vision.
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THEY SNORT AND GRUNT
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00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:03,720
Some animals are extremely fast.
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00:06:03,720 --> 00:06:07,480
Thomson gazelles can clock 50 mph.
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00:06:07,480 --> 00:06:09,800
Impalas are almost as quick,
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but with the added advantage
of safety in numbers.
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00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:22,240
Lions can run at 30 mph.
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00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:28,440
They prefer slower prey.
And one animal is ideal.
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Warthog.
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00:06:32,760 --> 00:06:34,160
WARTHOG GRUNTS
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00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:39,000
For the Ridge Pride
with a team of hunters,
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these are the perfect snack.
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00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:14,560
WATER SPLASHES
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WARTHOG SQUEALS
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00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:22,280
Working together,
means hunger here is at bay.
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PRIDE GROWL CONTENTEDLY
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00:07:41,440 --> 00:07:43,800
Moja is still starving.
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00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:46,360
He hasn't eaten meat for a week.
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Nyota needs to make a kill.
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WARTHOGS GRUNT
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Just the opportunity
she's been waiting for.
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A baby warthog.
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00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:38,040
WARTHOG SQUEALS
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00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:44,280
Normally, Nyota would share
her kill with Moja.
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00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:57,160
But she's also weak from hunger.
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00:08:58,680 --> 00:09:02,000
If she starves any longer,
she won't produce enough milk.
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00:09:07,840 --> 00:09:11,160
Lionesses need an average
of five kilos meat a day.
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The piglet is barely enough.
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She eats every last piece.
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Moja is left with nothing.
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00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:42,040
It seems tough, but Moja relies on
his mum for everything.
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If she doesn't survive
these lean times,
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Moja's life is also over.
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00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:04,760
Today, all he gets is milk.
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00:10:15,640 --> 00:10:19,000
Nyota needs to make another
kill soon,
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this time big enough
for both of them.
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00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:33,600
The grass is growing
taller every day.
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00:10:38,080 --> 00:10:40,600
But the migration
is still weeks away.
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00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:44,760
Food is scarce.
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00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:48,040
The rain, relentless.
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00:11:04,520 --> 00:11:08,760
For Nyota and Moja's neighbours,
the Ridge Pride, life is easier.
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00:11:13,880 --> 00:11:17,440
While the adults relax,
the cubs and adolescents play.
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00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:30,120
But this isn't just fun and games.
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00:11:30,120 --> 00:11:33,160
It's where they learn
how to be a lion.
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THEY GROWL
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00:11:40,640 --> 00:11:43,480
Learning to stalk,
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to hunt,
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and honing their skills
for the future.
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It's part of family life.
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00:12:00,320 --> 00:12:03,200
Moja is missing out
on these vital lion lessons.
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00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:11,800
He spends his days hidden away,
while mum goes out to hunt.
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00:12:15,800 --> 00:12:20,960
But today, perhaps through
desperation, is different.
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00:12:25,560 --> 00:12:28,440
He follows his mum
out onto the plains.
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00:12:38,320 --> 00:12:40,960
The grass is now so tall,
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00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:44,000
that even scouting for prey
is a challenge.
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00:12:54,440 --> 00:12:58,040
Elephants are too big a risk
for a single lioness.
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00:13:02,440 --> 00:13:03,960
With little to choose from,
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00:13:03,960 --> 00:13:08,080
this is a bad time of
year to be a warthog.
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00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:10,320
WARTHOG GRUNTS
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WARTHOG SQUEALS
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LION GROWLS
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NYOTA PANTS
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Moja approaches cautiously.
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NYOTA CALLS MOJA
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He's in luck.
At last he gets a meal.
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00:14:47,640 --> 00:14:50,560
But all too soon, there's trouble.
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00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:53,560
HYENA YELPS
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At this time of year,
prey is scarce for everyone.
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00:15:04,680 --> 00:15:07,000
These hyenas are hungry too.
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00:15:09,160 --> 00:15:13,520
Nyota's warthog
is a chance for an easy meal.
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00:15:16,400 --> 00:15:19,240
Hyenas live in clans of up to 80.
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00:15:19,240 --> 00:15:22,640
They can, and do,
hunt for themselves.
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00:15:23,800 --> 00:15:26,960
But they're just as happy
stealing other hunters' kills.
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00:15:34,640 --> 00:15:38,320
With so many in a clan, they'll even
take on a pride of lions.
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00:15:43,520 --> 00:15:45,640
And a clan of hyena
certainly wouldn't hesitate
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00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:48,280
to take on
a single lioness and her cub.
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00:15:55,800 --> 00:15:59,680
If Nyota defends her kill,
Moja's life will be in danger.
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00:16:03,880 --> 00:16:06,000
These hyena would easily kill him.
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00:16:10,200 --> 00:16:12,840
But he desperately needs to eat.
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00:16:19,400 --> 00:16:21,760
As dusk falls, Nyota must choose,
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00:16:21,760 --> 00:16:26,040
risk Moja's life
by letting him stay and feed,
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00:16:26,040 --> 00:16:29,720
or leave her hard-earned kill
to the jaws of the clan.
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00:16:55,920 --> 00:16:59,560
Next morning, the film crew returns
to discover Nyota and Moja's fate.
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00:17:12,160 --> 00:17:14,440
First impressions don't look good.
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00:17:19,880 --> 00:17:23,920
The hyenas are still here and the
warthog's carcass is stripped bare.
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00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:32,520
But was it just the kill they stole,
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00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:34,640
or was Moja harmed in the crossfire?
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00:17:52,480 --> 00:17:54,360
A safe distance away
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00:17:54,360 --> 00:17:57,640
both Moja and Nyota seem unscathed.
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00:18:00,680 --> 00:18:03,960
But how much did
either of them get to eat?
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00:18:14,840 --> 00:18:16,240
In their no man's land,
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00:18:16,240 --> 00:18:19,080
hunger isn't the only threat
Moja and Nyota face.
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00:18:23,240 --> 00:18:26,440
They're surrounded
by the neighbours from hell.
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00:18:29,320 --> 00:18:32,040
It's not just the hyenas
they need to be wary of.
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00:18:35,040 --> 00:18:38,080
One of the biggest threats
to Nyota is other lionesses.
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00:18:46,600 --> 00:18:51,080
She's competition for their food
and will not be tolerated.
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00:18:55,760 --> 00:18:59,320
Lionesses are the main hunters
in most prides.
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00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:03,680
Fights are short
but incredibly savage.
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00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:17,080
They could kill Nyota
or chase her away,
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00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:19,320
leaving Moja exposed and vulnerable.
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00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:23,680
But Moja is in danger
even by Nyota's side.
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00:19:25,800 --> 00:19:29,600
Not from females,
but from nomadic males.
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00:19:33,760 --> 00:19:35,160
Lone males walk these plains
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00:19:35,160 --> 00:19:37,400
and if one was to find Moja
he would kill him,
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00:19:37,400 --> 00:19:41,000
with the intention of
fathering his own family with Nyota.
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00:19:49,800 --> 00:19:53,680
It's a harsh reality of lion life.
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00:19:56,080 --> 00:20:00,760
Males kill a quarter
of all the cubs that are born.
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00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:08,080
This is Tamu, a single lioness,
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and much like Nyota
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she gave birth in a no man's land
between surrounding prides.
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00:20:19,360 --> 00:20:23,680
Her cubs were extremely vulnerable
to attack by nearby males,
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wanting to father their own dynasty.
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00:20:30,280 --> 00:20:34,640
However much she tried to hide
them away one male tried his luck.
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00:20:55,160 --> 00:20:57,520
In a brave attempt
to save her young family,
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00:20:57,520 --> 00:20:59,040
Tamu chased him off.
169
00:21:06,400 --> 00:21:09,400
But the fight
wasn't without its casualties.
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00:21:16,600 --> 00:21:19,760
One of her cubs died within hours.
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00:21:40,960 --> 00:21:47,240
Unless Nyota can keep Moja safe, she
risks losing him to any rogue male.
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00:22:05,480 --> 00:22:08,920
If Nyota was part of a pride,
life would be different.
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00:22:14,720 --> 00:22:18,280
Just six miles north
is the Acacia Pride.
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00:22:28,960 --> 00:22:31,440
There are eight cubs
in this large, extended family.
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00:22:34,960 --> 00:22:37,760
And a visit from their dads
is always a highlight.
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00:22:47,480 --> 00:22:52,040
These impressive males control
two prides in the Masai Mara,
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00:22:52,040 --> 00:22:53,840
dividing their time between them.
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00:23:06,880 --> 00:23:10,000
Males play an active role
in protecting their own cubs.
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00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:13,280
They want to make sure
their own offspring survive.
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00:23:17,840 --> 00:23:21,640
The larger the pride,
the stronger it is.
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00:23:25,120 --> 00:23:28,960
And a large pride
demands a large territory.
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00:23:35,040 --> 00:23:39,720
One way to stake that claim
is to roar.
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00:23:39,720 --> 00:23:42,440
THEY ROAR
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00:23:42,440 --> 00:23:45,200
The message is loud and clear,
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we're together and we are strong.
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00:23:55,960 --> 00:23:58,000
Even the youngsters have a go.
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00:24:02,440 --> 00:24:05,280
Roaring binds the pride together.
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00:24:05,280 --> 00:24:09,140
And it's so loud, it warns off
other lions for miles around.
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00:24:25,380 --> 00:24:28,740
Moja and Nyota don't make a sound.
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00:24:31,820 --> 00:24:35,540
The last thing they want
is anyone to know where they are.
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00:24:49,220 --> 00:24:51,220
THUNDER RUMBLES
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00:24:54,740 --> 00:24:57,500
As May wears on, the rain persists.
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00:25:00,540 --> 00:25:02,980
The grass grows even taller.
194
00:25:04,620 --> 00:25:09,500
Just weeks from now, the plains
will fill with migrating animals.
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00:25:09,500 --> 00:25:14,060
But Moja must eat in
the next few days, or he'll starve.
196
00:25:21,700 --> 00:25:24,900
The trouble is, there's
not much prey to choose from.
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00:25:27,540 --> 00:25:30,740
And mum Nyota is at a disadvantage.
198
00:25:33,820 --> 00:25:35,940
She rarely risks hunting at night.
199
00:25:44,540 --> 00:25:47,820
Lions are perfectly designed
to hunt in the dark.
200
00:25:50,340 --> 00:25:52,820
White fur under their eyes
reflects light upwards,
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00:25:52,820 --> 00:25:55,660
and a reflective coating
on the back of the eye
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00:25:55,660 --> 00:25:57,380
helps its light-detecting power.
203
00:25:58,620 --> 00:26:01,300
They can see
in almost total darkness.
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00:26:06,500 --> 00:26:08,620
It's their night vision
that gives them the edge.
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00:26:13,660 --> 00:26:16,100
Their prey is hyper-alert,
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00:26:16,100 --> 00:26:19,180
and most species can run faster
than lions, and for longer.
207
00:26:25,260 --> 00:26:26,900
Lions are sprinters.
208
00:26:26,900 --> 00:26:28,620
Their acceleration is awesome
209
00:26:28,620 --> 00:26:32,220
but they need to get close
before they strike.
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00:26:44,980 --> 00:26:47,660
Night is the perfect time
for an ambush.
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00:27:09,740 --> 00:27:13,140
But for Nyota, hunting
during the day is a much safer bet.
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00:27:16,180 --> 00:27:18,860
Yes, there are fewer
hunting opportunities
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00:27:18,860 --> 00:27:20,900
but there's also less competition.
214
00:27:25,380 --> 00:27:29,500
She simply can't risk a run-in
with the surrounding prides.
215
00:27:30,860 --> 00:27:33,500
The good news for Moja
is she's made another kill.
216
00:27:35,060 --> 00:27:38,060
The bad news is,
Moja isn't here to eat it.
217
00:27:40,780 --> 00:27:42,740
She tries dragging the warthog.
218
00:27:42,740 --> 00:27:45,500
But it's not much smaller
than she is,
219
00:27:45,500 --> 00:27:47,060
and she's close to exhaustion.
220
00:27:56,060 --> 00:27:59,900
Nyota has no choice, she leaves
the kill to search for Moja.
221
00:28:11,260 --> 00:28:13,100
It's a risky strategy.
222
00:28:18,180 --> 00:28:21,740
Hyenas can sniff out a carcass
from two and a half miles away.
223
00:28:24,220 --> 00:28:28,020
If Nyota leaves the kill for long,
she'll lose it.
224
00:28:31,340 --> 00:28:33,460
The crew have an agonising wait,
225
00:28:33,460 --> 00:28:36,220
hoping that mum and cub
will get back in time.
226
00:28:48,700 --> 00:28:52,300
Finally,
there's movement on the horizon.
227
00:29:08,500 --> 00:29:13,180
And with no sign of the hyena,
Moja has a decent meal at last.
228
00:30:17,660 --> 00:30:20,860
Nyota won't have to hunt again
for a day or two.
229
00:30:25,340 --> 00:30:27,340
And thanks to her determination,
230
00:30:27,340 --> 00:30:29,340
Moja is gathering strength.
231
00:30:33,980 --> 00:30:38,700
It's time for
the important business, of play.
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00:30:54,340 --> 00:30:55,820
Like any toddler,
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00:30:55,820 --> 00:30:57,420
he occasionally steps out of line.
234
00:31:03,740 --> 00:31:08,780
But when Nyota's away,
Moja explores his world alone.
235
00:31:10,740 --> 00:31:14,900
Playtime would be more fun
and more valuable with other lions.
236
00:31:19,180 --> 00:31:22,060
Moja is missing out
on some important lessons.
237
00:31:30,620 --> 00:31:34,220
Lessons his neighbours,
the Acacia cubs are excelling in.
238
00:31:36,620 --> 00:31:39,460
Playing hard makes these guys
as tough as they come.
239
00:31:51,460 --> 00:31:55,620
Any cub showing weakness is an
easy target and quickly toughens up.
240
00:32:00,620 --> 00:32:02,060
They'll take on anyone.
241
00:32:05,500 --> 00:32:08,100
Whatever the consequences.
242
00:32:15,660 --> 00:32:18,380
Having a strong pride
has added advantages.
243
00:32:20,500 --> 00:32:22,060
When a huge buffalo strays too close
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00:32:22,060 --> 00:32:25,780
it's time
for the cubs to watch and learn.
245
00:33:11,700 --> 00:33:15,660
Today buffalo's not on the menu.
But the cubs show no fear.
246
00:33:22,860 --> 00:33:26,500
Moja and Nyota would never confront
such a large animal.
247
00:33:28,380 --> 00:33:31,140
Without the backup of a pride,
it would be suicide.
248
00:33:35,780 --> 00:33:39,140
Lions and buffaloes
are mortal enemies
249
00:33:39,140 --> 00:33:41,340
and Moja could end up
in the firing line.
250
00:33:49,260 --> 00:33:53,100
Buffaloes will try to kill lion cubs
at any opportunity.
251
00:33:57,380 --> 00:34:00,900
They may be small now, but
they'll be a threat in the future.
252
00:34:21,980 --> 00:34:23,180
Cubs trampled to death.
253
00:34:36,820 --> 00:34:38,860
But when a lone buffalo
meets a pride
254
00:34:38,860 --> 00:34:40,260
the tables are turned.
255
00:35:07,540 --> 00:35:09,700
In these lean times for the lions...
256
00:35:12,420 --> 00:35:14,380
..this is a meal worth fighting for.
257
00:35:28,860 --> 00:35:31,620
Nyota could never take on
a buffalo alone.
258
00:35:33,740 --> 00:35:35,580
She needs smaller prey.
259
00:35:42,540 --> 00:35:45,220
It's now been days
since Moja last ate.
260
00:35:49,860 --> 00:35:51,980
And as the rainy season wears on,
261
00:35:51,980 --> 00:35:53,460
food is scarcer than ever.
262
00:35:56,740 --> 00:35:59,660
But Nyota is determined
and extremely patient.
263
00:36:07,220 --> 00:36:10,340
She spends hours watching
and stalking potential prey.
264
00:36:17,180 --> 00:36:19,980
She even memorises
every warthog den on her patch.
265
00:36:31,340 --> 00:36:34,060
Eventually her patience pays off.
266
00:36:35,860 --> 00:36:40,300
Another warthog, this time
a huge male with deadly tusks.
267
00:36:57,180 --> 00:36:59,340
She needs to get close
before she attacks.
268
00:37:01,220 --> 00:37:03,220
The bushes provide
the perfect cover.
269
00:37:39,940 --> 00:37:41,300
Mission accomplished.
270
00:37:42,660 --> 00:37:44,700
Now she must protect her kill.
271
00:37:48,340 --> 00:37:50,900
The boar is as big as she is.
272
00:37:54,820 --> 00:37:57,260
It takes all her strength
to drag it into cover.
273
00:38:11,100 --> 00:38:13,140
It's slow and exhausting work.
274
00:38:25,740 --> 00:38:28,860
A hidden island is the perfect place
to defend her kill.
275
00:38:37,100 --> 00:38:39,260
She calls Moja in to feast.
276
00:38:50,420 --> 00:38:55,780
After the meal, a rare opportunity
for mum and her cub to relax.
277
00:39:28,740 --> 00:39:34,580
But time away from the kill
is an open invitation to scavengers.
278
00:39:41,260 --> 00:39:44,140
Within hours hyenas move in.
279
00:39:50,220 --> 00:39:53,460
Not far behind...the vultures.
280
00:40:02,140 --> 00:40:04,860
It won't be long before
adult males get wind of the meal.
281
00:40:07,220 --> 00:40:08,700
Putting Moja's life at risk.
282
00:40:17,020 --> 00:40:18,940
Nyota has no choice.
283
00:40:18,940 --> 00:40:20,220
She abandons the kill.
284
00:40:22,980 --> 00:40:25,860
And leads Moja
back out onto the plains.
285
00:40:31,660 --> 00:40:35,140
Once again,
they're exposed and vulnerable.
286
00:40:35,140 --> 00:40:37,260
They need to find cover, and fast.
287
00:40:50,780 --> 00:40:52,100
Over the next few days,
288
00:40:52,100 --> 00:40:54,060
our crews watch as Moja and Nyota
289
00:40:54,060 --> 00:40:57,060
head into enemy territory
in search of food.
290
00:41:06,820 --> 00:41:08,460
Bringing Nyota face to face
291
00:41:08,460 --> 00:41:11,100
with females
from the rival Paradise Pride.
292
00:41:17,540 --> 00:41:19,060
There's little game left.
293
00:41:19,060 --> 00:41:22,300
Competition for what remains
is fierce.
294
00:41:40,500 --> 00:41:42,140
Nyota's on the trail of a warthog.
295
00:41:43,940 --> 00:41:47,180
Risking a close encounter with
the pride proves she's desperate.
296
00:42:00,220 --> 00:42:02,460
She's lucky the pride ignore her.
297
00:42:09,740 --> 00:42:12,220
Unlucky that they claim her prize.
298
00:42:36,660 --> 00:42:39,700
Yet again, Nyota and Moja go hungry.
299
00:42:53,180 --> 00:42:55,620
Life as a single parent
is never easy.
300
00:42:59,820 --> 00:43:03,420
As Moja gets older,
his demand for food will grow.
301
00:43:08,100 --> 00:43:10,700
This puts ever more pressure
on Nyota.
302
00:43:12,620 --> 00:43:13,700
But there is hope.
303
00:43:15,180 --> 00:43:17,660
Single lions can raise a family.
304
00:43:25,580 --> 00:43:26,580
This is Joy.
305
00:43:28,900 --> 00:43:30,060
A year ago,
306
00:43:30,060 --> 00:43:33,460
she was part of one of the strongest
prides in the Masai Mara.
307
00:43:38,900 --> 00:43:40,780
She gave birth to four cubs
308
00:43:40,780 --> 00:43:43,140
and the pride
was going from strength to strength.
309
00:43:50,500 --> 00:43:52,980
But then her life was torn apart.
310
00:43:58,900 --> 00:44:03,260
Four determined young males were
intent on taking over the pride.
311
00:44:08,420 --> 00:44:11,780
If they succeeded they'd kill
every single cub in the family.
312
00:44:16,540 --> 00:44:19,140
Joy was forced to make
a life or death decision.
313
00:44:21,700 --> 00:44:24,460
Stay and risk losing her cubs,
314
00:44:24,460 --> 00:44:25,460
or flee.
315
00:44:31,140 --> 00:44:34,220
She fled, taking her own cubs,
316
00:44:34,220 --> 00:44:36,620
and a much younger cub
belonging to her sister.
317
00:44:41,100 --> 00:44:45,780
Life on the run with five hungry
mouths to feed seemed impossible.
318
00:44:54,100 --> 00:44:57,660
For a while reports came back that
they were eking a fragile existence
319
00:44:57,660 --> 00:45:00,460
on the edge
of her old pride's territory.
320
00:45:07,460 --> 00:45:09,540
Then nothing.
321
00:45:09,540 --> 00:45:10,740
No sign of Joy or the cubs.
322
00:45:12,780 --> 00:45:14,340
Everyone feared the worst.
323
00:45:33,060 --> 00:45:34,540
Against all the odds
324
00:45:34,540 --> 00:45:38,260
the Planet Earth Live crew
found Joy alive and well,
325
00:45:38,260 --> 00:45:39,900
with three of her cubs.
326
00:45:48,940 --> 00:45:52,420
As the cubs grow up, the more they
can help and protect each other.
327
00:46:05,180 --> 00:46:07,380
There are still dangers ahead.
328
00:46:07,380 --> 00:46:09,980
But already they've beaten the odds.
329
00:46:52,380 --> 00:46:56,380
Nyota does have a chance to get Moja
through these critical weeks.
330
00:46:57,700 --> 00:47:01,380
She just needs to find enough food
to keep Moja alive
331
00:47:01,380 --> 00:47:03,260
until the migration
begins to arrive.
332
00:47:12,660 --> 00:47:15,700
The neighbouring Acacia pride
have an easier life.
333
00:47:25,860 --> 00:47:29,460
This is prime territory for game,
and for lions.
334
00:47:38,140 --> 00:47:40,660
It's all about strategy.
335
00:47:40,660 --> 00:47:42,700
The lionesses surround their target.
336
00:47:49,700 --> 00:47:52,540
A herd of resident eland
have strayed too close.
337
00:48:15,020 --> 00:48:17,220
But a calf
won't feed the pride for long.
338
00:48:19,420 --> 00:48:22,180
Hunting takes up a lot of energy.
339
00:48:25,460 --> 00:48:29,100
There are too many hungry mouths
and not enough meat to go round.
340
00:48:39,980 --> 00:48:43,420
Life can be a struggle,
even for the most successful prides.
341
00:48:48,260 --> 00:48:51,060
At least Moja's meals
are only shared between two.
342
00:48:58,860 --> 00:49:02,860
The grass is now so high Nyota
uses a tree to search for prey.
343
00:49:21,220 --> 00:49:23,060
Moja is getting weaker by the day.
344
00:49:28,340 --> 00:49:29,900
Even climbing is a struggle.
345
00:49:55,900 --> 00:49:57,780
Nyota spots a kongoni...
346
00:49:59,620 --> 00:50:01,820
..one of the fastest antelopes
in the Mara.
347
00:50:03,860 --> 00:50:07,260
An almost impossible target
even for a well-fed pride.
348
00:50:11,700 --> 00:50:13,820
But it may be her last opportunity
349
00:50:13,820 --> 00:50:16,260
to get Moja through
the next few days.
350
00:50:20,340 --> 00:50:22,580
The long grass
helps cover her approach.
351
00:50:32,180 --> 00:50:34,660
Finally, success.
352
00:50:44,100 --> 00:50:47,700
This is the best meal the crews
have seen Moja eat in over a month.
353
00:50:52,100 --> 00:50:54,180
He and his mum feed uninterrupted
for two days.
354
00:51:03,060 --> 00:51:05,620
Finally Moja's belly is full.
355
00:51:09,620 --> 00:51:11,900
And soon,
there will be game everywhere.
356
00:51:23,460 --> 00:51:24,540
Five months ago,
357
00:51:24,540 --> 00:51:27,740
hundreds of thousands of wildebeest
and other animals
358
00:51:27,740 --> 00:51:29,340
had grazed these plains flat.
359
00:51:31,860 --> 00:51:35,260
They moved on to graze in
the Serengeti as they do every year.
360
00:51:41,820 --> 00:51:45,820
Since then the grass in the Mara
has been replenishing.
361
00:52:13,500 --> 00:52:18,300
It's the end of May, the worst of
the rain is over, the grass is tall.
362
00:52:29,300 --> 00:52:33,780
One of the largest migrations
on the planet is about to arrive.
363
00:52:39,220 --> 00:52:43,700
Here, at last, the advance party,
the very first of the zebra.
364
00:52:52,500 --> 00:52:54,740
Crossing the river
and into the lions' territory
365
00:52:54,740 --> 00:52:56,700
signals the beginning
of better times.
366
00:53:20,940 --> 00:53:23,500
For the lions
the famine is almost over.
367
00:53:26,500 --> 00:53:28,620
This really is just the beginning.
368
00:53:33,140 --> 00:53:36,660
On its way from the grasslands
of the Serengeti
369
00:53:36,660 --> 00:53:40,180
one of the greatest feasts on earth.
370
00:54:32,180 --> 00:54:35,740
The Masai Mara
will once again teem with life.
371
00:54:39,900 --> 00:54:42,540
For Nyota and the other lions,
372
00:54:42,540 --> 00:54:44,180
hunger will be a distant memory.
373
00:55:21,300 --> 00:55:24,300
Moja has survived
the hardest weeks of his life.
374
00:55:30,500 --> 00:55:34,540
Thanks to the strength
and determination of his mum.
375
00:55:41,900 --> 00:55:44,580
In a pride,
cubs usually leave when they're two.
376
00:55:46,540 --> 00:55:49,140
Moja could stay with Nyota
until he's four.
377
00:55:54,540 --> 00:55:56,700
He needs that extra time,
378
00:55:56,700 --> 00:56:00,780
to develop the hunting skills
he'll need to go it alone
379
00:56:00,780 --> 00:56:02,580
out on the open plains.
380
00:56:12,500 --> 00:56:14,180
Eventually he will leave.
381
00:56:16,220 --> 00:56:18,300
Like the males
that once threatened his life,
382
00:56:18,300 --> 00:56:20,300
he will be a nomad
looking for a home.
383
00:56:24,340 --> 00:56:27,380
Moja's ultimate goal
will be to take over a pride.
384
00:56:34,020 --> 00:56:36,340
But on his own
he can't reign supreme.
385
00:56:39,660 --> 00:56:43,020
Moja will need to team up
and form a coalition.
386
00:56:46,700 --> 00:56:50,340
Together they can overpower
old and tired males
387
00:56:50,340 --> 00:56:54,140
and father cubs of their own.
388
00:57:15,260 --> 00:57:19,860
One day Moja
could be king of his own dynasty.
389
00:57:42,500 --> 00:57:43,940
Since filming finished,
390
00:57:43,940 --> 00:57:47,980
Moja and Nyota are still doing well
in their no man's land.
391
00:57:51,860 --> 00:57:53,420
Moja is gathering strength.
392
00:57:58,100 --> 00:58:00,380
His story continues.
393
00:58:19,300 --> 00:58:24,660
Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
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