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Meet the Nsefu pride.
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00:00:11,445 --> 00:00:14,481
Two brothers,
defending their territory.
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00:00:15,616 --> 00:00:18,719
Three mothers,
raising the next generation.
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00:00:21,388 --> 00:00:24,524
They hunt together
and protect their young,
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00:00:25,525 --> 00:00:28,462
from Africa's
most dangerous animals.
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00:00:30,230 --> 00:00:34,034
The biggest threat
is from rival lions.
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00:00:35,235 --> 00:00:37,237
A coalition of cub killers.
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00:00:38,205 --> 00:00:39,873
(Mews)
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00:00:39,873 --> 00:00:41,475
(Bellowing)
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00:00:46,113 --> 00:00:48,115
(Roars)
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00:00:48,615 --> 00:00:51,618
New technology reveals
extraordinary behavior.
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00:00:54,388 --> 00:00:56,390
And tragic drama.
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00:01:04,064 --> 00:01:06,333
This is a story of new life.
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00:01:06,800 --> 00:01:08,335
And loss.
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00:01:12,639 --> 00:01:17,244
If their cubs are to survive,
the pride must work together.
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00:01:18,178 --> 00:01:21,448
One family, bound by blood.
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(Roaring)
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Roars of confidence and power
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00:02:03,290 --> 00:02:05,826
travel along an
five mile riverfront,
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00:02:05,826 --> 00:02:09,296
in Zambia's
South Luangwa National Park.
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00:02:12,733 --> 00:02:14,668
The Luangwa River
flows through
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00:02:14,668 --> 00:02:16,536
the heart of this landscape.
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00:02:18,372 --> 00:02:20,407
But it's drying up.
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It hasn't rained
for four months.
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00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:29,683
Elephants trek
for miles each day
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00:02:29,683 --> 00:02:32,119
to drink, or find food.
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00:02:42,763 --> 00:02:46,600
The dry season is
an even more stressful
time for hippos.
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00:02:51,605 --> 00:02:55,709
For the opportunists
of Africa, it's perfect.
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00:03:15,262 --> 00:03:18,632
This male lion is reluctant
to share with the vultures.
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His pride has eaten and slept
for 24 hours at the carcass,
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00:03:24,538 --> 00:03:26,573
so there's not much left.
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00:03:26,573 --> 00:03:28,575
But he's not yet ready
to give it up.
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00:03:30,210 --> 00:03:32,746
He and his brother
are seven years old.
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00:03:32,746 --> 00:03:35,682
Young rulers
of the Nsefu pride.
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They won the right
to three lionesses -
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00:03:42,589 --> 00:03:44,658
two sisters and a daughter.
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00:03:45,592 --> 00:03:47,327
The females were born here
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00:03:47,327 --> 00:03:50,197
and know every nook and
cranny of this territory.
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00:03:51,098 --> 00:03:53,433
The males arrived
a few years ago,
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00:03:53,433 --> 00:03:56,269
from across the river,
and took over.
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00:03:58,572 --> 00:04:01,708
The Nsefu pride
is now 14-strong,
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00:04:01,708 --> 00:04:03,710
with teenagers,
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00:04:03,710 --> 00:04:06,179
and even an embattled
old grandmother.
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00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:09,116
They're full to bursting.
45
00:04:10,283 --> 00:04:12,452
But it's not just with hippo.
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All three lionesses
are pregnant
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and about to give birth.
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00:04:21,695 --> 00:04:24,498
They'll face daunting odds
to keep their cubs alive
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00:04:24,498 --> 00:04:27,000
over the next few months.
50
00:04:35,408 --> 00:04:38,178
The males are their
first line of defense
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00:04:38,178 --> 00:04:41,681
against leopards,
hyenas and other lions.
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00:04:43,483 --> 00:04:47,254
The two males advertise
their strength with smell,
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00:04:47,254 --> 00:04:49,389
as well as sound.
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00:04:51,825 --> 00:04:54,194
They wipe their feet
in their urine,
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00:04:54,194 --> 00:04:55,762
which contains hormones
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00:04:55,762 --> 00:04:58,365
revealing their health
and age.
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00:04:58,365 --> 00:05:00,433
They leave a trail
as they walk.
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00:05:00,433 --> 00:05:04,538
A message to all
who encroach on their turf.
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00:05:08,175 --> 00:05:10,310
The most
heavily-pregnant lioness
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00:05:10,310 --> 00:05:12,379
is about to give birth,
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00:05:12,379 --> 00:05:14,381
and heads off into the bush.
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00:05:16,383 --> 00:05:19,686
Choosing a good den
is a mother's first task.
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00:05:31,731 --> 00:05:34,334
Hyenas
and the resident leopard
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are a serious danger to cubs.
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00:05:36,703 --> 00:05:40,207
So the den must be
well-hidden in dense brush.
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00:06:02,596 --> 00:06:07,167
At birth, her two cubs are
about ten centimeters long,
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00:06:07,167 --> 00:06:10,503
and weigh about
half-a-pound each.
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00:06:10,503 --> 00:06:13,106
They are blind and helpless.
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00:06:15,242 --> 00:06:18,378
After a day or two,
their eyes open.
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00:06:26,119 --> 00:06:28,488
Each time
the mother visits her cubs,
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00:06:28,488 --> 00:06:31,224
the chances of discovery
increase.
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00:06:31,224 --> 00:06:33,526
So she moves the cubs
frequently.
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00:06:33,526 --> 00:06:37,530
Her new den is in woodland,
further from the river.
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00:06:41,501 --> 00:06:44,504
Elephants, too,
prefer the shade and secrecy
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00:06:44,504 --> 00:06:46,172
of the woods.
76
00:06:46,172 --> 00:06:48,608
But this one is nervous.
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00:06:48,608 --> 00:06:51,578
He can sense a lioness
is hiding nearby.
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00:07:01,521 --> 00:07:06,226
Only when the elephant moves
on can the mother relax,
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00:07:07,260 --> 00:07:09,262
with her cubs.
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00:07:13,700 --> 00:07:17,570
She has two -
a male and a female.
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00:07:18,305 --> 00:07:20,307
They're now six weeks old.
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00:07:29,382 --> 00:07:31,718
The two cubs differ
from each other.
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00:07:31,718 --> 00:07:33,820
The female is more playful.
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00:07:33,820 --> 00:07:36,323
Her brother, more timid.
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00:07:37,324 --> 00:07:40,126
And there's no disputing
who's the boss.
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00:07:52,772 --> 00:07:55,108
It may have been
just an accident,
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00:07:55,108 --> 00:07:56,676
but sibling rivalry
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00:07:56,676 --> 00:07:58,745
will be an important part
of their lives
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00:07:58,745 --> 00:08:00,613
as they grow up.
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00:08:03,516 --> 00:08:06,453
Lion cubs are characters
from the start,
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00:08:06,753 --> 00:08:11,057
whether bold,
playful or nervous.
92
00:08:12,192 --> 00:08:13,727
Within a litter,
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00:08:13,727 --> 00:08:17,297
cubs' behavior is more
varied than between litters.
94
00:08:18,465 --> 00:08:20,333
Scientists now understand
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00:08:20,333 --> 00:08:24,070
that being different to your
siblings must be important.
96
00:08:24,070 --> 00:08:26,005
At least, in lions.
97
00:08:28,441 --> 00:08:30,744
Perhaps it means
they are less likely
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00:08:30,744 --> 00:08:32,746
to compete with each other.
99
00:08:36,149 --> 00:08:38,184
She's moving den again,
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00:08:38,184 --> 00:08:41,121
so that other animals
don't notice a routine.
101
00:08:42,555 --> 00:08:46,226
For the first few weeks,
she's had to carry them,
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00:08:46,226 --> 00:08:49,996
but now they're just
strong enough to walk.
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00:08:51,464 --> 00:08:55,235
The timid male hardly seems
ready to face the world.
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00:08:55,235 --> 00:08:57,237
(Screeching)
105
00:09:11,084 --> 00:09:13,319
Cautiously, they follow her.
106
00:09:26,366 --> 00:09:29,669
An ebony grove provides
the perfect cover.
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00:09:41,214 --> 00:09:43,550
Lions rarely go up trees.
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00:09:43,550 --> 00:09:46,986
But here the cubs climb
towards a hollow den.
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00:09:47,687 --> 00:09:49,622
It's safer from hyenas
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00:09:49,622 --> 00:09:52,158
and there's no sign
of leopards in the area.
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00:09:53,293 --> 00:09:54,828
They'll be safe hiding here
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00:09:54,828 --> 00:09:57,697
until they're ready to be
introduced to the pride.
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00:09:59,799 --> 00:10:02,001
Their mother can't stay long.
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00:10:04,737 --> 00:10:07,106
She's on the hunting team,
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and needs to provide meat for
herself and for the pride.
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00:10:36,469 --> 00:10:40,240
Each day, she returns to join
the pregnant lionesses.
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They're canny, and know how
to play the males.
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Even heavily pregnant,
or having just given birth,
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00:10:50,683 --> 00:10:54,387
they present themselves
as though ready to mate.
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00:10:55,722 --> 00:10:58,525
Flirting keeps the males
fired up.
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(Roaring)
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They need the two brothers
to defend the family,
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from outside males
that would kill their cubs.
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00:11:08,434 --> 00:11:12,338
Humans aren't the only ones
to use sex to manipulate.
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00:11:15,742 --> 00:11:17,544
Scientists
have also discovered
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00:11:17,544 --> 00:11:20,480
that lionesses have
bigger brains than males,
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00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:23,249
particularly the part
for conscious thinking
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00:11:23,249 --> 00:11:25,418
and suppressing
their emotions.
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00:11:26,152 --> 00:11:28,755
It seems they plan,
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they scheme and they control.
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00:11:35,828 --> 00:11:38,231
The males head off
to do their job,
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guarding what
they imagine is theirs.
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Lion life is a battle
of alliances.
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00:11:57,850 --> 00:12:00,286
And the Nsefu pride's
biggest danger
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00:12:00,286 --> 00:12:03,256
is from
the surrounding lion prides.
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00:12:05,258 --> 00:12:08,261
Their territory
is 25 square miles
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on the southern side
of the Luangwa river.
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The river curves around
their domain,
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providing a natural barrier
to intruders.
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00:12:18,805 --> 00:12:22,375
The greatest threat is from
a lion pride to the north.
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00:12:22,575 --> 00:12:24,644
Here, three males -
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the mane-less three,
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form a powerful coalition.
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00:12:35,855 --> 00:12:38,758
They not only outnumber
the two brothers,
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they are older
and battle-hardened.
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00:12:44,597 --> 00:12:47,467
So far,
the river has kept them out.
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00:12:48,267 --> 00:12:50,837
But, as the dry season
intensifies,
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the current is slowing,
and the water evaporating.
149
00:12:57,110 --> 00:12:59,278
If the mane-less three cross,
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00:12:59,278 --> 00:13:01,481
they'll overthrow
the two males,
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00:13:01,481 --> 00:13:04,183
and kill
all the cubs they find.
152
00:13:05,785 --> 00:13:10,256
For the three lionesses,
all starting new litters,
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the falling river couldn't
have come at a worse time.
154
00:13:28,107 --> 00:13:30,443
The second of the lionesses
to give birth
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is the youngest -
the daughter.
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00:13:33,746 --> 00:13:35,682
She's a first-time mom,
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00:13:35,682 --> 00:13:37,650
new to the challenges
of motherhood.
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00:13:39,419 --> 00:13:41,721
She's made a den
in some thick bushes.
159
00:13:42,488 --> 00:13:44,490
But she's chosen badly.
160
00:13:44,490 --> 00:13:46,325
It's too near the river,
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which is a magnet
for wildlife,
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00:13:48,127 --> 00:13:50,697
including leopards
and hyenas.
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The pride needs to control
rival predators.
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(Roaring)
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The males
are playing their part,
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building walls of sound
and smell around the pride.
167
00:14:14,821 --> 00:14:19,292
The youngest mother, on her
way to her den, is nervous.
168
00:14:21,394 --> 00:14:24,430
She can smell that a leopard
passed by recently.
169
00:14:29,502 --> 00:14:32,338
A dried gully provides
a hidden roadway,
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used by the female leopard
as cover.
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00:14:37,777 --> 00:14:40,346
There's no shared
maternal understanding
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between these two predators.
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They'll both kill
to protect their cubs.
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00:14:49,689 --> 00:14:52,492
The leopard is focused on
hunting impala.
175
00:14:53,226 --> 00:14:56,129
But the hunter
has become the hunted.
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00:15:39,071 --> 00:15:42,441
The lioness has made it clear
who's boss around here.
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00:15:48,314 --> 00:15:51,017
She returns to feed her cubs
in the den.
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00:16:13,272 --> 00:16:15,341
Something's wrong.
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Hyenas. She can smell them.
180
00:16:26,452 --> 00:16:30,022
One is still around and has
something in the grass.
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The den is empty.
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00:17:04,257 --> 00:17:06,125
With hyenas around,
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00:17:06,125 --> 00:17:08,628
her three cubs would
instinctively keep quiet
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00:17:08,628 --> 00:17:10,630
and stay hidden.
185
00:17:27,446 --> 00:17:31,183
She patrols the line
of bushes, back and forth.
186
00:17:37,490 --> 00:17:40,426
After hours
of desperate searching,
187
00:17:40,426 --> 00:17:42,428
she finally gives up.
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00:17:44,664 --> 00:17:46,832
Most first litters die.
189
00:17:46,832 --> 00:17:48,601
It's tough,
190
00:17:48,601 --> 00:17:52,638
but what shapes a good mother
is bitter experience.
191
00:17:55,341 --> 00:17:57,343
(Roaring)
192
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She roars...
193
00:18:04,450 --> 00:18:06,352
for her pride,
194
00:18:06,352 --> 00:18:08,354
for her dead cubs...
195
00:18:09,355 --> 00:18:11,691
..in frustration,
or loneliness,
196
00:18:13,326 --> 00:18:15,328
..or despair.
197
00:18:17,063 --> 00:18:19,065
(Roaring)
198
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(Continues roaring)
199
00:18:57,737 --> 00:19:01,107
The twins,
the pride's first litter,
200
00:19:01,107 --> 00:19:02,675
are still safe in their tree
201
00:19:02,675 --> 00:19:04,944
when their mother
collects them.
202
00:19:07,780 --> 00:19:10,516
She's taking them to meet
the rest of the family
203
00:19:10,516 --> 00:19:12,518
for the first time.
204
00:19:54,493 --> 00:19:57,363
The bereaved mother
returns to the pride.
205
00:20:05,204 --> 00:20:07,673
- (Snarling)
- She snarls
at the newcomers,
206
00:20:07,673 --> 00:20:10,676
as if to express that
they are a poor substitute
207
00:20:10,676 --> 00:20:12,678
for her own.
208
00:20:13,345 --> 00:20:16,515
Her teats are still swollen
with unused milk.
209
00:20:17,650 --> 00:20:20,019
She could suckle
her sister's cubs.
210
00:20:20,686 --> 00:20:22,688
But instead,
turns her back on them.
211
00:20:48,481 --> 00:20:51,383
The third and eldest lioness
212
00:20:51,383 --> 00:20:53,486
is the last
to have given birth.
213
00:20:54,620 --> 00:20:58,290
She's the most experienced,
and is very wary.
214
00:20:59,558 --> 00:21:01,460
Heading off to feed her cubs,
215
00:21:01,460 --> 00:21:04,497
she vanishes into the bush
like a ghost.
216
00:21:11,337 --> 00:21:14,740
That evening,
a thousand buffalo arrive.
217
00:21:22,848 --> 00:21:26,218
They're the Nsefu pride's
favorite food.
218
00:21:26,218 --> 00:21:28,254
But they're dangerous
to hunt.
219
00:21:28,254 --> 00:21:31,090
Hyenas follow the buffalo,
220
00:21:31,090 --> 00:21:33,759
hoping to benefit
from any lion kills.
221
00:21:41,567 --> 00:21:44,236
In the river, falling water
222
00:21:44,236 --> 00:21:46,772
is forcing hippos
into close proximity.
223
00:21:48,307 --> 00:21:51,677
There's no longer any room
for peaceful coexistence.
224
00:21:59,718 --> 00:22:01,554
Some members of the pride
225
00:22:01,554 --> 00:22:03,422
are having a sundowner.
226
00:22:06,192 --> 00:22:08,227
With the males on patrol,
227
00:22:08,227 --> 00:22:11,030
and the mothers nursing
in well-hidden dens,
228
00:22:12,264 --> 00:22:15,768
the old grandmother lioness
stays with the adolescents.
229
00:22:17,236 --> 00:22:19,238
(Bellowing)
230
00:22:33,519 --> 00:22:35,754
The granny
has a role to play.
231
00:22:36,322 --> 00:22:38,624
She helps the teenagers
get to meals
232
00:22:38,624 --> 00:22:40,392
and watches out for them.
233
00:22:41,093 --> 00:22:43,662
But she sometimes struggles
to keep up.
234
00:22:46,532 --> 00:22:51,303
A non-breeding female, a
helper, is rare in mammals.
235
00:22:56,342 --> 00:22:59,545
A pride is an extraordinary
system for survival.
236
00:23:00,112 --> 00:23:03,082
Cooperation among
the extended family
237
00:23:03,082 --> 00:23:05,718
helps to keep
the vulnerable members alive,
238
00:23:05,718 --> 00:23:09,088
in a world full of enemies.
239
00:23:28,374 --> 00:23:32,311
Hunting together is a skill
that takes years to finesse.
240
00:23:33,078 --> 00:23:37,583
Lions, like most cats,
are creatures of the night,
241
00:23:37,583 --> 00:23:40,319
and can see
in almost pitch darkness.
242
00:23:43,355 --> 00:23:46,358
The night
is much more dangerous.
243
00:23:47,626 --> 00:23:51,664
Hyena and leopard are more
active and more confident.
244
00:23:54,300 --> 00:23:56,635
(Cackling and screeching)
245
00:24:06,645 --> 00:24:09,715
The two sisters will be
busy through the night,
246
00:24:09,715 --> 00:24:12,051
driven by maternal instinct.
247
00:24:13,052 --> 00:24:16,055
The twins need
feeding and guarding.
248
00:24:28,600 --> 00:24:31,637
The bereaved daughter will
come into estrus soon,
249
00:24:31,637 --> 00:24:33,372
despite her grief.
250
00:24:34,807 --> 00:24:38,177
The eldest,
and last to give birth,
251
00:24:38,177 --> 00:24:40,679
sneaks off to feed
her well-hidden cubs.
252
00:24:49,488 --> 00:24:53,492
The rest of the pride
comes together to hunt.
253
00:25:00,399 --> 00:25:03,035
They try to ambush
some impala and puku.
254
00:25:03,335 --> 00:25:06,538
But the antelope are fast
and their senses keen.
255
00:25:09,808 --> 00:25:12,344
The Nsefu lions
turn their attention
256
00:25:12,344 --> 00:25:14,580
to the newly-arrived buffalo.
257
00:25:15,781 --> 00:25:17,783
They are strong,
258
00:25:17,783 --> 00:25:21,053
and it'll take almost the
whole pride to take one down.
259
00:25:21,754 --> 00:25:24,590
And that's what the hyenas
have been waiting for.
260
00:25:28,794 --> 00:25:31,163
The pride feasts on the kill.
261
00:25:32,831 --> 00:25:35,768
What's left
can go to the hyenas.
262
00:25:48,547 --> 00:25:52,184
The river falls
by inches each day,
263
00:25:52,184 --> 00:25:54,353
creating new land.
264
00:25:58,357 --> 00:26:01,460
And drawing all animals
closer to the water.
265
00:26:03,128 --> 00:26:05,130
(Low bellow)
266
00:26:15,808 --> 00:26:18,010
(Trumpeting)
267
00:26:22,080 --> 00:26:24,082
(Trumpeting)
268
00:26:29,254 --> 00:26:32,024
The lioness is no threat
to this elephant.
269
00:26:32,558 --> 00:26:35,060
But lions do kill calves.
270
00:26:35,060 --> 00:26:38,263
And elephants have long
and unforgiving memories.
271
00:26:55,814 --> 00:26:59,051
Lions can relax more
during the day.
272
00:27:03,555 --> 00:27:07,159
The twins head over to
investigate one of the males.
273
00:27:07,392 --> 00:27:09,761
But after a soft warning
from their mother,
274
00:27:09,761 --> 00:27:12,030
they leave him alone.
275
00:27:14,199 --> 00:27:17,102
Male lions
are instinctive cub-killers.
276
00:27:17,102 --> 00:27:21,173
And it may take him some time
to accept these as his own.
277
00:27:24,209 --> 00:27:26,778
The first few months
of an animal's life
278
00:27:26,778 --> 00:27:28,313
are the most fragile.
279
00:27:28,514 --> 00:27:31,350
And it takes the whole family
to protect them.
280
00:27:35,254 --> 00:27:39,191
Today, the elephants
have cause for concern.
281
00:27:40,125 --> 00:27:44,663
One of the calves is down,
exhausted and hungry.
282
00:27:49,835 --> 00:27:53,705
With lions around,
the herd wants to move on,
283
00:27:54,139 --> 00:27:56,141
and the calf tries to stand.
284
00:28:10,589 --> 00:28:14,626
Sometimes, all it takes
is a little encouragement.
285
00:28:38,784 --> 00:28:41,086
While the pride relaxes,
286
00:28:41,086 --> 00:28:43,589
the grandmother sets off.
287
00:28:43,589 --> 00:28:46,458
She's unlikely
to be hunting antelope,
288
00:28:46,458 --> 00:28:49,261
but can help the pride
in other ways.
289
00:28:53,799 --> 00:28:57,502
She arrives at the resident
leopard's favorite haunt.
290
00:29:00,539 --> 00:29:03,375
The vengeful nature
of rival predators
291
00:29:03,375 --> 00:29:05,644
is the darker side
of motherhood,
292
00:29:05,644 --> 00:29:09,448
and scientists are only
beginning to understand it.
293
00:29:10,515 --> 00:29:12,784
Maybe she lost
litter after litter
294
00:29:12,784 --> 00:29:15,587
to successive generations
of leopards.
295
00:29:17,055 --> 00:29:20,626
Elephants aren't the only
ones to carry long vendettas.
296
00:29:23,061 --> 00:29:26,365
The old lioness
can't see the leopard,
297
00:29:26,365 --> 00:29:28,734
but the puku pinpoint it
with their alarm calls.
298
00:29:28,734 --> 00:29:30,335
(Whistle)
299
00:29:35,307 --> 00:29:38,143
The cunning leopard
cuts around
300
00:29:38,143 --> 00:29:40,312
behind the old lioness.
301
00:29:53,258 --> 00:29:55,427
She calmly walks away.
302
00:29:55,427 --> 00:29:57,796
She needs to look
unconcerned.
303
00:29:57,796 --> 00:30:00,732
That way, fewer animals
will alarm call.
304
00:30:09,541 --> 00:30:12,110
She's hidden a kill
in a thorn bush.
305
00:30:24,256 --> 00:30:27,592
But granny is not so easily
thrown off the scent.
306
00:30:29,494 --> 00:30:31,530
The leopard
could stay hidden,
307
00:30:31,530 --> 00:30:34,533
but the safest thing
is to exit out the back,
308
00:30:34,533 --> 00:30:37,035
and hope the lioness
doesn't find her kill.
309
00:30:38,804 --> 00:30:42,474
Of course, granny knows
exactly where to look.
310
00:30:52,217 --> 00:30:56,221
The impala isn't fresh, and
it's already decomposing.
311
00:30:57,289 --> 00:30:59,357
Like many grandmothers,
312
00:30:59,357 --> 00:31:01,660
she is not
the most elegant of eaters.
313
00:31:04,396 --> 00:31:07,299
The meal is its own reward.
314
00:31:07,299 --> 00:31:09,334
But by taking on leopards,
315
00:31:09,334 --> 00:31:13,004
the old lioness is helping to
protect the pride, as well.
316
00:31:17,175 --> 00:31:19,344
The river continues to fall,
317
00:31:19,344 --> 00:31:22,514
and the threat from the lions
of the north comes closer.
318
00:31:24,483 --> 00:31:26,518
The mane-less three:
319
00:31:26,518 --> 00:31:29,221
older and stronger
than the two brothers.
320
00:31:30,489 --> 00:31:34,126
If they cross,
they will kill the cubs,
321
00:31:34,126 --> 00:31:36,795
in order to bring the females
back into estrus,
322
00:31:36,795 --> 00:31:39,030
so they can start
their own families.
323
00:31:47,739 --> 00:31:49,741
(Grunting)
324
00:31:51,877 --> 00:31:54,479
This morning,
the two Nsefu brothers
325
00:31:54,479 --> 00:31:56,381
are not making
much of an effort
326
00:31:56,381 --> 00:31:58,383
to stand up for the pride.
327
00:32:02,821 --> 00:32:04,689
The cubs themselves
328
00:32:04,689 --> 00:32:07,392
seem blissfully unaware
of the dangers.
329
00:32:08,760 --> 00:32:12,497
The more timid male cub
has gained in confidence,
330
00:32:12,497 --> 00:32:16,268
and is now giving his sister
as good as he gets.
331
00:32:17,836 --> 00:32:20,705
They are practicing hunting
and throttling moves.
332
00:32:31,616 --> 00:32:33,785
The two males
are still roaring
333
00:32:33,785 --> 00:32:35,787
and marking the territory...
334
00:32:35,787 --> 00:32:37,789
occasionally.
335
00:32:44,830 --> 00:32:47,799
The cubs seem to court
the two brothers,
336
00:32:47,799 --> 00:32:50,435
making all the effort
to form a bond.
337
00:32:52,771 --> 00:32:56,608
Scientists think that
only if males care enough
338
00:32:56,608 --> 00:32:59,511
will they lay down their
lives for these cubs.
339
00:32:59,511 --> 00:33:02,781
And it takes tremendous
courage from the cubs
340
00:33:02,781 --> 00:33:04,983
to cement that bond.
341
00:33:38,483 --> 00:33:40,352
For the little male,
342
00:33:40,352 --> 00:33:43,688
bonding with his father
and uncle is equally vital.
343
00:33:44,456 --> 00:33:46,691
But he has another reason.
344
00:33:47,759 --> 00:33:51,730
Males only succeed
as adults in coalitions,
345
00:33:51,730 --> 00:33:53,565
usually brothers.
346
00:33:53,565 --> 00:33:56,034
And he only has a sister.
347
00:33:58,703 --> 00:34:01,973
He faces a bleak future
as a lone male.
348
00:34:02,574 --> 00:34:04,142
Even though his father
349
00:34:04,142 --> 00:34:06,278
can't help forge
a future coalition,
350
00:34:06,278 --> 00:34:10,081
the cub is instinctively
drawn to the older male,
351
00:34:10,081 --> 00:34:11,650
as his only option.
352
00:34:11,650 --> 00:34:13,652
(Low roar)
353
00:34:24,362 --> 00:34:26,564
The bereaved mother
is flirting.
354
00:34:27,599 --> 00:34:29,668
Scientists think
that lionesses
355
00:34:29,668 --> 00:34:31,770
feel the loss of cubs deeply,
356
00:34:31,770 --> 00:34:34,272
remembering it
all their lives.
357
00:34:35,106 --> 00:34:37,208
But they also need
to mate again,
358
00:34:37,208 --> 00:34:39,210
as quickly as possible.
359
00:34:42,447 --> 00:34:45,083
The Luangwa River
continues to fall.
360
00:34:48,520 --> 00:34:52,090
For a female in estrus
and for a lone male cub,
361
00:34:52,090 --> 00:34:55,093
time is running out,
362
00:34:55,093 --> 00:34:58,530
as the threat looms
from the opposite bank.
363
00:35:17,048 --> 00:35:18,717
The mother of the twins
364
00:35:18,717 --> 00:35:20,719
guides them away
to their den,
365
00:35:20,719 --> 00:35:23,154
to keep them out of danger.
366
00:35:23,154 --> 00:35:25,223
(Overlapping animal calls)
367
00:35:34,699 --> 00:35:36,568
(Roars)
368
00:35:40,105 --> 00:35:43,174
The males roar more
enthusiastically at night.
369
00:35:43,174 --> 00:35:45,210
And their declaration carries
370
00:35:45,210 --> 00:35:47,612
five miles along
the Luangwa valley.
371
00:35:53,752 --> 00:35:58,023
The youngest lioness, with no
cubs to demand her attention,
372
00:35:58,289 --> 00:36:00,058
is hunting puku
for the pride.
373
00:36:05,463 --> 00:36:09,601
Behind her, one of the males
makes a rare appearance,
374
00:36:09,601 --> 00:36:11,603
to help with the hunt.
375
00:36:14,706 --> 00:36:16,741
Or so it seems.
376
00:36:32,490 --> 00:36:35,427
Lions are renowned
for their night vision.
377
00:36:35,427 --> 00:36:39,397
But they've not seen or heard
the puku by their side.
378
00:36:53,511 --> 00:36:56,414
His attention lies elsewhere.
379
00:37:00,218 --> 00:37:02,220
(Snarling)
380
00:37:08,493 --> 00:37:10,562
She's coming into estrus,
381
00:37:10,562 --> 00:37:14,132
but she's not ready to be
jumped on just yet.
382
00:37:17,702 --> 00:37:19,671
(Roars)
383
00:37:19,671 --> 00:37:21,706
He returns to his roaring.
384
00:37:23,141 --> 00:37:25,143
(Continues roaring)
385
00:38:16,294 --> 00:38:18,663
The elephants have been
trekking all night,
386
00:38:18,663 --> 00:38:20,698
in search of food
away from the river.
387
00:38:22,767 --> 00:38:26,104
The little one is thin,
but he's alive.
388
00:38:38,216 --> 00:38:40,185
The twins survived the night,
389
00:38:40,185 --> 00:38:43,021
and by dawn,
are back with the pride.
390
00:38:43,655 --> 00:38:45,356
But this morning,
391
00:38:45,356 --> 00:38:48,393
the two cubs' lives
are about to change.
392
00:39:01,606 --> 00:39:04,342
The elder sister,
the most secretive,
393
00:39:04,342 --> 00:39:07,045
returns with four cubs.
394
00:39:07,045 --> 00:39:09,047
All males.
395
00:39:11,516 --> 00:39:14,052
They're a week or two younger
than the twins.
396
00:39:14,752 --> 00:39:17,288
Three are full of confidence.
397
00:39:17,288 --> 00:39:19,390
But one holds back.
398
00:39:21,192 --> 00:39:24,495
He might have been called
the runt of the litter
in the past.
399
00:39:24,495 --> 00:39:27,432
But he's probably just
a more tentative character.
400
00:39:42,780 --> 00:39:45,717
Each lioness has four teats.
401
00:39:45,717 --> 00:39:48,786
Nevertheless, the new cubs
are keen to suckle
402
00:39:48,786 --> 00:39:50,622
with their older cousins.
403
00:39:53,057 --> 00:39:56,227
For the original,
confident female twin,
404
00:39:56,227 --> 00:39:58,329
it's an inconvenience.
405
00:39:59,397 --> 00:40:04,002
But for her brother,
a lone male, it's salvation.
406
00:40:04,602 --> 00:40:07,572
Four new males - cousins.
407
00:40:08,539 --> 00:40:13,444
If all survive, they could
form a powerful coalition.
408
00:40:14,212 --> 00:40:18,116
And he's the eldest.
Potentially, the leader.
409
00:40:22,487 --> 00:40:25,089
Lions share suckling duty,
410
00:40:25,089 --> 00:40:27,191
called allosuckling.
411
00:40:27,191 --> 00:40:29,527
It forges bonds
between litters
412
00:40:29,527 --> 00:40:32,463
and is the foundation
for future prides.
413
00:40:39,737 --> 00:40:42,273
All six
trying to suckle at once
414
00:40:42,273 --> 00:40:44,342
is too much for the mother.
415
00:40:44,876 --> 00:40:47,812
She sends the whole lot
of them off to explore.
416
00:40:51,549 --> 00:40:54,519
The cubs immediately form
a gang of six.
417
00:41:06,297 --> 00:41:09,500
But it's now that they face
the greatest danger.
418
00:41:19,844 --> 00:41:24,449
The Luangwa River has fallen
to a few feet of water.
419
00:41:28,186 --> 00:41:30,288
The barrier is down.
420
00:41:43,835 --> 00:41:46,671
The mane-less three,
on the north bank,
421
00:41:46,671 --> 00:41:49,173
have ambitions to the south.
422
00:41:49,741 --> 00:41:53,778
And are closing in on the
Nsefu pride's territory.
423
00:42:07,392 --> 00:42:10,161
They set out across
no man's land.
424
00:42:39,223 --> 00:42:42,360
Their mission -
defeat the two brothers,
425
00:42:42,760 --> 00:42:45,363
drive out
the male adolescents,
426
00:42:45,363 --> 00:42:47,598
kill all the cubs,
427
00:42:47,598 --> 00:42:49,700
and mate with their mothers.
428
00:43:00,211 --> 00:43:02,980
Now...they are in
enemy territory.
429
00:43:03,514 --> 00:43:05,516
They have strength
in numbers.
430
00:43:06,417 --> 00:43:09,654
But the brothers have
the home team advantage.
431
00:43:12,190 --> 00:43:15,593
They can smell the resident
males' pungent odor.
432
00:43:15,593 --> 00:43:18,496
For years, the brothers
have laid their scent
433
00:43:18,496 --> 00:43:20,498
along their boundary.
434
00:43:20,832 --> 00:43:23,835
The mane-less three
are not intimidated,
435
00:43:23,835 --> 00:43:26,037
and mark themselves.
436
00:43:27,505 --> 00:43:30,741
They keep to the river's
edge - safer for them.
437
00:43:31,442 --> 00:43:35,413
But their eyes turn inland,
searching for the pride.
438
00:43:43,588 --> 00:43:48,192
Half-a-mile away,
the Nsefu lions are resting,
439
00:43:48,192 --> 00:43:50,528
oblivious to the
approaching threat.
440
00:43:54,732 --> 00:43:57,468
But there seems to be
a new tension.
441
00:43:58,870 --> 00:44:01,639
The cubs' little teeth
are sharp.
442
00:44:01,639 --> 00:44:05,009
And the two mothers become
increasingly short-tempered.
443
00:44:07,144 --> 00:44:10,381
The gang of six
is a real handful.
444
00:44:11,249 --> 00:44:12,783
They want to feed together.
445
00:44:12,783 --> 00:44:16,420
But with only four teats on
offer, that's impossible.
446
00:44:18,089 --> 00:44:20,091
(Growling)
447
00:44:22,393 --> 00:44:24,529
Milk changes over time,
448
00:44:24,529 --> 00:44:27,365
from high-fat
to high-protein.
449
00:44:28,065 --> 00:44:29,634
So it may be that the cubs
450
00:44:29,634 --> 00:44:32,003
prefer one mother
over another.
451
00:44:46,083 --> 00:44:48,819
The young lioness
has finally come into estrus,
452
00:44:48,819 --> 00:44:51,088
and the males are in
attendance.
453
00:44:52,290 --> 00:44:56,093
For four days,
she mates 30 times a day,
454
00:44:56,561 --> 00:44:58,429
mainly with
the elder brother,
455
00:44:58,429 --> 00:45:01,198
just to make sure
any offspring are his.
456
00:45:02,800 --> 00:45:05,002
(Grunting)
457
00:45:11,309 --> 00:45:13,444
She'll quickly
become pregnant,
458
00:45:13,444 --> 00:45:17,048
and in 110 days,
she'll give birth.
459
00:45:20,318 --> 00:45:23,054
Her hormones
fire up the males.
460
00:45:29,560 --> 00:45:32,997
Their roars tell of strength
and vitality.
461
00:45:33,664 --> 00:45:37,134
Their urine reeks of
power and sexual prowess.
462
00:45:38,502 --> 00:45:40,771
(Roaring)
463
00:45:51,649 --> 00:45:55,319
Already fired up
by courting cubs and mothers,
464
00:45:55,319 --> 00:45:58,689
and now by the hormones
of a successful mating,
465
00:45:58,689 --> 00:46:02,059
the brothers set out
with renewed confidence,
466
00:46:02,059 --> 00:46:04,428
determined to defend
their pride.
467
00:46:05,630 --> 00:46:08,499
They are two champions
in their prime.
468
00:46:08,499 --> 00:46:10,501
Kings of the river.
469
00:46:24,048 --> 00:46:26,484
A change in the wind
brings these smells
470
00:46:26,484 --> 00:46:28,719
and sounds
to the three invaders.
471
00:46:29,754 --> 00:46:32,690
They seem to reconsider
their options.
472
00:46:32,690 --> 00:46:35,693
They already have a pride
of their own to control
473
00:46:35,693 --> 00:46:37,662
on the north bank.
474
00:46:37,662 --> 00:46:40,498
And if they become trapped on
the wrong side of the river,
475
00:46:40,498 --> 00:46:42,767
they could lose everything.
476
00:46:43,434 --> 00:46:45,836
Their confidence evaporates.
477
00:46:45,836 --> 00:46:49,540
They return north,
to their own kingdom,
478
00:46:49,540 --> 00:46:52,076
and their own battles
at home.
479
00:46:57,181 --> 00:46:59,684
The Nsefu pride
has triumphed.
480
00:47:01,786 --> 00:47:04,722
The two sisters
have six healthy cubs.
481
00:47:05,623 --> 00:47:07,458
And the youngest lioness
482
00:47:07,458 --> 00:47:09,960
has a replacement litter
on the way.
483
00:47:11,328 --> 00:47:15,566
With five new males, the
pride's future seems secure.
484
00:47:19,036 --> 00:47:21,072
In a few years' time,
485
00:47:21,072 --> 00:47:24,141
these young lions
may cross the river,
486
00:47:24,141 --> 00:47:27,311
to rule over
new prides of their own.
487
00:47:29,780 --> 00:47:40,024
♪♪
488
00:47:40,024 --> 00:47:44,795
♪♪
489
00:47:44,795 --> 00:47:54,004
♪♪
36496
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