1 00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:19,840 LIONS SNARL 2 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:28,960 CUBS HOWL 3 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:00,560 Every year in the Kalahari, 4 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:03,920 as the dry season tightens its grip, 5 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:05,800 thousands of hungry animals 6 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:09,080 make their way to the last remaining patches of grassland. 7 00:01:13,840 --> 00:01:17,120 Savuti Marsh, with its permanent water, 8 00:01:17,120 --> 00:01:19,080 is soon packed with game. 9 00:01:25,320 --> 00:01:27,000 For the lions that live here... 10 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:33,320 ..this is feast-time. 11 00:01:38,600 --> 00:01:41,440 Lion territory doesn't get much better. 12 00:01:45,640 --> 00:01:46,840 But this year... 13 00:01:48,120 --> 00:01:52,560 Savuti has just been through its worst drought in three decades. 14 00:01:57,800 --> 00:02:01,280 When the grass ran out, the grazers moved on... 15 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:05,520 ..and left the cats with a dilemma. 16 00:02:08,760 --> 00:02:12,840 Among the larger animals, only the elephants kept coming... 17 00:02:15,200 --> 00:02:18,760 ..prisoners of their need for Savuti's precious water. 18 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:30,440 If they were going to eat, 19 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:33,760 the resident lions had to re-write the rules. 20 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:42,440 And, inspired by a fearless leader... 21 00:02:44,920 --> 00:02:47,400 ..that is exactly what they have done. 22 00:02:56,560 --> 00:02:58,360 ELEPHANT CRIES OUT 23 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:02,440 LION ROARS 24 00:03:03,920 --> 00:03:07,520 By learning how to kill elephants, 25 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:11,960 this remarkable pride has managed to survive the drought 26 00:03:11,960 --> 00:03:13,680 and hang on to its territory. 27 00:03:18,480 --> 00:03:21,920 Protected by a coalition of five brothers, 28 00:03:21,920 --> 00:03:27,200 these giant killers are now the undisputed masters of the marsh. 29 00:03:30,640 --> 00:03:33,800 But their grip on this precious kingdom 30 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:37,160 is about to be tested like never before. 31 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:04,200 With plenty to eat, the pride has been growing. 32 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:15,280 And in the footsteps of these cubs, 33 00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:16,960 there may soon be more. 34 00:04:22,360 --> 00:04:25,280 A young lioness is ready to mate. 35 00:04:25,280 --> 00:04:26,720 LIONESS SNARLS 36 00:04:28,280 --> 00:04:32,400 Among the coalition of brothers, however, competition is fierce. 37 00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:39,920 LIONS SNARL AND GRUNT 38 00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:00,640 Old rivalries flare up... 39 00:05:01,920 --> 00:05:03,840 ..and the lions pick sides. 40 00:05:16,480 --> 00:05:19,120 By the time the dust has settled, 41 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:20,960 the damage has been done. 42 00:05:25,200 --> 00:05:28,240 In a few reckless minutes, 43 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:31,160 the band of brothers has torn itself apart... 44 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:36,200 ..leaving just two males to defend the pride. 45 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:48,040 The three banished lions head off to establish dynasties of their own. 46 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:53,800 If they're successful, they could be back, 47 00:05:53,800 --> 00:05:57,000 looking to claim the marsh for themselves. 48 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:13,760 The split does not bode well for the ageing leader and her pride. 49 00:06:18,280 --> 00:06:22,880 These would-be heirs now face an uncertain future. 50 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:26,080 THUNDER RUMBLES 51 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:36,240 THUNDERCLAP 52 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:43,000 Distant thunder is a sign that the wet season may at last be coming. 53 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:52,560 For the trapped and starving elephants, 54 00:06:52,560 --> 00:06:56,440 it is only rain that can free them from these killing fields. 55 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:29,480 Hit hard by the drought, 56 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:32,400 the elephants have been too weak to put up much of a fight... 57 00:07:33,760 --> 00:07:36,840 ..and the lions have taken full advantage. 58 00:07:39,320 --> 00:07:43,120 This unusual situation may never repeat itself. 59 00:08:24,320 --> 00:08:28,720 The pride's two remaining brothers still stand shoulder to shoulder. 60 00:08:32,480 --> 00:08:35,080 Alert for hostile intruders, 61 00:08:35,080 --> 00:08:37,000 they step up their border patrols. 62 00:08:41,640 --> 00:08:44,080 They have every reason to be more vigilant. 63 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:51,160 A young lioness has just given birth to her first litter. 64 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:56,040 CUBS MEWL 65 00:08:59,560 --> 00:09:03,160 Though full of life, the two cubs are vulnerable. 66 00:09:06,640 --> 00:09:09,560 Until they're bigger, they're best kept hidden... 67 00:09:11,320 --> 00:09:12,960 ..even from their own the pride. 68 00:09:34,360 --> 00:09:37,800 It's now up to the other lionesses to do all the hunting. 69 00:09:41,160 --> 00:09:44,600 The pride's leader, however, is looking old. 70 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:50,720 Since the rains, she's become too frail to keep up. 71 00:09:57,240 --> 00:10:00,720 There are just two lionesses to lead the hunt 72 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:03,480 and today, they've got several cubs in tow. 73 00:10:17,320 --> 00:10:19,360 As the adults look for a target... 74 00:10:23,080 --> 00:10:25,760 ..the youngsters watch closely. 75 00:10:39,680 --> 00:10:43,280 This is the first time that the young lions have joined a hunt... 76 00:10:44,760 --> 00:10:46,360 ..and they have much to learn. 77 00:10:59,360 --> 00:11:01,000 BUFFALO GRUNTS 78 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:09,920 LIONESS SNARLS 79 00:11:13,120 --> 00:11:14,920 BUFFALO BAYS 80 00:11:49,320 --> 00:11:52,160 The rookies are itching to have a go. 81 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:07,120 Alas, they are still too small - 82 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:09,040 even for an injured calf. 83 00:12:16,560 --> 00:12:18,560 BUFFALO BAYS 84 00:12:26,440 --> 00:12:30,000 What to hunt and how to kill it 85 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:32,360 are things that all lions must learn... 86 00:12:33,560 --> 00:12:36,440 ..and they are things that vary from pride to pride. 87 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:44,040 The lesson that these lionesses have just given to their cubs... 88 00:12:45,960 --> 00:12:49,680 ..is a lesson that they themselves received several years ago... 89 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:52,800 ..from their own mother. 90 00:12:58,200 --> 00:13:00,240 Now too weak to move, 91 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:03,680 this once-fearless hunter has been a mere spectator 92 00:13:03,680 --> 00:13:05,200 to the day's proceedings. 93 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:18,280 Hanging over her daughters is an unanswered question. 94 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:20,520 If it ever came to it, 95 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:24,200 would they too be able to lead the pride against elephants? 96 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:31,520 Or is giant-killing itself destined to die 97 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:33,520 with the old female's last breath? 98 00:13:44,120 --> 00:13:47,360 Within days, her life is slipping away. 99 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:54,760 She summons the strength for a final, defiant roar. 100 00:13:54,760 --> 00:13:56,720 LIONESS ROARS 101 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:37,280 As the days become hotter, 102 00:14:37,280 --> 00:14:40,360 desert winds chase away the last clouds. 103 00:14:45,160 --> 00:14:48,480 The dry season is returning 104 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:53,160 and the first big herds are starting to stream in from the Kalahari. 105 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:55,600 BUFFALO GRUNT 106 00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:10,600 Before long, the marsh will provide the only grazing for miles around. 107 00:15:13,920 --> 00:15:18,680 Over the next few months, the pride enjoys a rare period of stability. 108 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:27,080 Food is plentiful... 109 00:15:28,520 --> 00:15:30,120 ..the neighbours stay away... 110 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:34,760 ..and there are even some new arrivals. 111 00:15:48,400 --> 00:15:50,600 For the first time in months, 112 00:15:50,600 --> 00:15:53,560 the pride is starting to look like it has a future. 113 00:15:56,440 --> 00:15:58,160 LION ROARS 114 00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:00,600 More mouths means more work. 115 00:16:03,640 --> 00:16:05,320 And now that they're older, 116 00:16:05,320 --> 00:16:08,680 the three adolescents will have to start pulling their weight. 117 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:20,320 The pride still has no clear leader. 118 00:16:27,400 --> 00:16:30,240 Any one of the three sisters could step forward. 119 00:16:32,920 --> 00:16:35,640 But, for now, the priority is to eat. 120 00:17:49,560 --> 00:17:51,760 The entire pride is now together... 121 00:17:54,160 --> 00:17:57,800 ..and the three adolescents are eager to get involved. 122 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:10,000 The lions are looking to flush out an injured animal... 123 00:18:13,560 --> 00:18:16,840 ..a target that they can isolate and pull down. 124 00:18:31,920 --> 00:18:34,040 But try as they might, 125 00:18:34,040 --> 00:18:36,120 they can find no weakness. 126 00:18:51,840 --> 00:18:55,280 Faced with an advancing wall of horns, 127 00:18:55,280 --> 00:18:57,520 the lions call off the hunt. 128 00:19:06,320 --> 00:19:10,040 Only one of them is unwilling to back down. 129 00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:28,800 Endowed, it seems, 130 00:19:28,800 --> 00:19:33,080 with the same remarkable courage as her giant-killing mother, 131 00:19:33,080 --> 00:19:36,640 she now faces the buffalo alone. 132 00:19:48,600 --> 00:19:51,920 The hunt may not be bringing the lions the meat they need... 133 00:19:54,320 --> 00:19:58,280 ..but it has revealed a new leader. 134 00:20:23,080 --> 00:20:25,520 After a week without food, 135 00:20:25,520 --> 00:20:28,120 the pride has only one thing on its mind. 136 00:20:41,320 --> 00:20:44,840 They will have to work together, though, if they're going to succeed. 137 00:21:29,040 --> 00:21:30,520 BUFFALO MOOS 138 00:21:42,480 --> 00:21:44,240 They've been here before... 139 00:21:47,960 --> 00:21:49,360 ..and failed. 140 00:22:09,280 --> 00:22:11,200 LION SNARLS 141 00:22:11,200 --> 00:22:13,040 BUFFALO BAYS 142 00:22:52,160 --> 00:22:55,720 Safety for the injured buffalo lies with the herd. 143 00:22:57,840 --> 00:23:02,080 To finish the job, the pride must move fast to isolate it. 144 00:23:37,040 --> 00:23:38,880 BUFFALO MOOS 145 00:23:49,440 --> 00:23:52,480 Teamwork has finally brought success... 146 00:23:54,920 --> 00:23:58,600 ..and this time, there's more than enough for everyone. 147 00:24:13,040 --> 00:24:15,600 With their kingdom secured 148 00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:17,880 and a plentiful supply of food... 149 00:24:19,240 --> 00:24:22,560 ..the pride's prospects have never looked better. 150 00:24:31,680 --> 00:24:34,800 But the stakes are about to be raised. 151 00:24:38,440 --> 00:24:40,600 THUNDER CRACKS 152 00:24:49,760 --> 00:24:54,360 The passing storm has brought not rain, but fire. 153 00:24:55,640 --> 00:24:57,960 FLAMES CRACKLE 154 00:25:24,720 --> 00:25:28,640 In a landscape already baked dry by the sun, 155 00:25:28,640 --> 00:25:30,360 the flames spread rapidly... 156 00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:34,520 ..burning off the grass that feeds the herds. 157 00:25:38,840 --> 00:25:41,960 With nothing left for them on the scorched plains... 158 00:25:43,160 --> 00:25:47,640 ..the grazers that would normally stay here are starting to move out. 159 00:26:05,080 --> 00:26:08,800 Within days, the picture has changed dramatically. 160 00:26:10,800 --> 00:26:14,760 What should be a banquet is now an empty table. 161 00:26:27,720 --> 00:26:29,880 Across the burnt marsh, 162 00:26:29,880 --> 00:26:33,360 the lions see only elephants. 163 00:26:33,360 --> 00:26:34,760 ELEPHANTS GRUNT 164 00:26:43,960 --> 00:26:47,440 Both are trapped in this smouldering wasteland. 165 00:26:53,680 --> 00:26:55,960 The elephants, by their need for water... 166 00:26:58,440 --> 00:27:01,800 ..the pride, because it has nowhere else to go. 167 00:27:23,880 --> 00:27:25,920 Perhaps she already knows it. 168 00:27:28,000 --> 00:27:33,200 There is, yet again, only one animal here that can sustain the pride. 169 00:27:55,640 --> 00:27:58,960 are far fitter and stronger than they were before. 170 00:28:10,800 --> 00:28:14,080 It's little wonder that the lions seem uncertain. 171 00:28:14,080 --> 00:28:16,040 LIONS GROWL 172 00:28:16,040 --> 00:28:20,120 Even for their leader, so fearless against the buffalo, 173 00:28:20,120 --> 00:28:22,720 this is dangerous new territory. 174 00:28:53,520 --> 00:28:56,160 ELEPHANT TRUMPETS 175 00:28:56,160 --> 00:28:59,400 The queen is now facing her greatest test. 176 00:29:01,200 --> 00:29:05,320 If she can emulate her giant-killing mother, 177 00:29:05,320 --> 00:29:09,720 the pride will survive and the marsh will truly be theirs. 178 00:29:11,120 --> 00:29:15,240 But fail, and it will all have been for nothing. 179 00:29:33,960 --> 00:29:39,040 Instinctively, the lions wait for an easy opportunity to present itself. 180 00:30:02,360 --> 00:30:04,600 ELEPHANT CUB SHRIEKS 181 00:30:04,600 --> 00:30:06,000 ELEPHANT ROARS 182 00:30:19,240 --> 00:30:22,000 The pride's leader is undeterred. 183 00:30:30,280 --> 00:30:31,600 ELEPHANT TRUMPETS 184 00:30:46,480 --> 00:30:48,160 ELEPHANT TRUMPETS 185 00:30:53,120 --> 00:30:57,600 To succeed, more hunters are going to have to join the fray. 186 00:31:11,240 --> 00:31:12,600 ELEPHANT TRUMPETS 187 00:31:39,240 --> 00:31:41,280 With each passing day, 188 00:31:41,280 --> 00:31:43,240 the lions grow hungrier... 189 00:31:44,560 --> 00:31:46,200 ..and more desperate. 190 00:31:50,000 --> 00:31:51,440 ELEPHANT TRUMPETS 191 00:32:09,720 --> 00:32:11,360 ELEPHANT SHRIEKS 192 00:32:29,240 --> 00:32:30,920 ELEPHANTS TRUMPET 193 00:32:44,200 --> 00:32:46,880 Throwing caution to the wind, 194 00:32:46,880 --> 00:32:48,720 they're ready to try anything. 195 00:33:33,440 --> 00:33:35,440 Led by their queen, 196 00:33:35,440 --> 00:33:37,680 the lions refuse to give up. 197 00:34:24,200 --> 00:34:25,960 With each failure, 198 00:34:25,960 --> 00:34:29,360 the pride's grip on the marsh is slipping... 199 00:34:33,640 --> 00:34:36,800 ..and time is not on their side. 200 00:34:44,280 --> 00:34:46,160 Over the past year, 201 00:34:46,160 --> 00:34:49,400 the pride has been on an extraordinary journey. 202 00:34:50,920 --> 00:34:55,280 From thriving family to near disaster and back again. 203 00:34:56,720 --> 00:35:00,760 There is just one final, elephant-sized hurdle... 204 00:35:03,000 --> 00:35:06,800 ..a hurdle that nature has forced them to confront 205 00:35:06,800 --> 00:35:08,440 for a second time. 206 00:35:12,360 --> 00:35:14,440 If it's going to survive, 207 00:35:14,440 --> 00:35:18,440 the pride will have to go way beyond what it did before. 208 00:35:27,720 --> 00:35:29,000 It is now... 209 00:35:30,800 --> 00:35:32,040 ..or never.