All language subtitles for Leopards.of.Dead.Tree.Island.2010.1080p.WEBRip.x265-RARBG2_English

[African music playing]

[narrator] Deep in Botswana's
Okavango Delta lies an island.

It's a place of permanent water

and rich grazing.

Desirable territory for many.

In its shadows lurk Africa's
most secretive big cats.

Here, three leopards are forced
to share the same territory

and live an increasingly
uneasy co-existence.

They are drawn together
by the shifting seasons,

leading to tension,

drama,

conflict,

and tragedy.

The undisputed ruler
of this territory

is the dominant male leopard,
Buddha.

A five-year-old,
sturdy individual
in the prime of his life.

Moving in and out of Buddha's
domain, is one of his females.

She specializes in climbing
the tall ebony and Kigelia trees
of Moremi.

[insects buzzing]

She's called Mosweo…

The Pale One.

Tipa, their three-year-old son,
walks a dangerous line
within his parents' territory.

According to leopard law,
he should've moved on by now
to fend for himself.

But he's still around.

Lingering between Buddha and
Mosweo can only lead to trouble.

He seems blissfully unaware
of his predicament.

But it is Mosweo's life
that has undergone
a dramatic change recently.

She has just given birth
to two cubs.

[instrumental music playing]

And Tipa poses
a potential threat to them.

Her litter emerges from
her carefully-concealed den.

[growling]

She has fared well so far.

Her two cubs
were born in a bountiful summer.

[birds singing]

Leopards are solitary creatures

and as a mother,
Mosweo relies on all her skills
to raise her cubs.

In general, leopard cubs'
survival rate is below
fifty percent.

The majority of losses
happen during the cubs'
first year of life

while the leopard mother
leaves to hunt.

It's a harsh reality that
leopards have to contend with
every time they give birth.

Mosweo has no choice but
to leave her cubs to find food.

From her last litter,
Tipa is the only survivor.

He's an adolescent.

He still lingers
near the den site,

familiar with his birth place,

frequenting the paths
of his youth.

Up to now Mosweo has tolerated
his presence in her territory.

[ominous music playing]

But the time has come
for him to move on.

Mosweo is on the warpath.

She walks with purpose,
her tail held high.

The time has come for her
to sever the bonds
between them forever.

[birds singing]

Mosweo marks her territory
near his tree.

The hostility towards her son
is plain to see.

Their relationship has
degenerated into open conflict.

Tipa still bears the wounds
from an earlier clash.

Even though he's now bigger
than his mother...

as her son, Tipa remains
relatively submissive.

Reluctantly, he leaves the area.

But unwisely, he'll continue
to linger on the edge
of his mother's territory.

As he moves into a neighboring
woodland, he stumbles
on a mortal enemy.

[crickets chirping]

The lions' scent carries,
and he's alerted.

He needs to be careful.

His first few days in unfamiliar
territory are dangerous

and he's extremely vulnerable.

Lions are the leopards'
biggest threat.

Not only would they kill cubs,

but they'd tear Tipa
limb from limb.

He has to skirt
around them silently.

With the threat
to her cubs dealt with,

Mosweo can now concentrate on
the one thing she does best...

hunting.

[birds chirping]

She's an excellent climber.

She likes a good vantage point,
7 or 8m above the ground.

[suspenseful music playing]

The leopard is the only big cat
that uses gravity to hunt.

Mosweo is an expert at it.

[leopard grunting]

This technique is quick,
quiet and efficient.

But the impala alarm calls are
a dead giveaway that a predator
is operating in the forest.

The hyenas have heard
the commotion.

She needs to hide the kill
before they see her.

They hunt in packs.

They're strong, and aggressive.

Worse...

They are the number one killer
of leopard cubs.

She cannot let them
find her den.

[instrumental music playing]

[leopard panting]

In a risky move,
she fetches the cubs,
and leads them back to feed,

using the secret pathways
she knows so well.

With such small cubs,
she cannot move the carcass
into the safety of a tree

since they cannot climb.

[birds calling]

Down on the ground,
they're all exposed to danger.

Staying well-hidden is their
only option.

This, is the realm
of the leopard.

Camouflaged in the broken
and dappled scrub

they can feed undisturbed,
for a while.

[insects buzzing]

[leopard and cub growling]

[ominous music playing]

But the hyenas
can smell the kill.

The circle
around the scent tightens.

Mosweo has to act
quickly and decisively.

She has a plan...

Get the hyenas to focus on her
and draw them far away enough
for the cubs to leave the kill.

Leopards constantly walk a fine
line between safety and danger.

As solitary cats, they have
struck a perfect balance.

But for a mother,
this balance can mean sacrifice.

Let the hyenas have their prize.

[birds singing, insects buzzing]

For the powerful Buddha

life's a little different.

He's double the weight
of Mosweo.

He's much stronger
and much more confident.

But in the wet season,
he has a worthy adversary.

[baboon barking]

[barking]

Baboons are strong
and intelligent omnivores

and the troops are led
by several big, dominant males.

[music intensifies]

[growling]

They are loud and active
within the troop,

a marked characteristic
of the species.

Sometimes they direct
their collective aggression
towards predators.

Their incessant barks
stir Buddha from his rest,
challenging him.

[baboon barking]

Arrogant in their approach,
the troop moves noisily
through the forest.

[baboon barking]

[insects buzzing, birds singing]

At first, Buddha slinks away
from the taunting crowd.

[baboon barking]

[leopard growling]

[ominous music playing]

But the provocation becomes
too much and he retaliates.

[baboons barking]

[baboon barking]

He confirms his hold
as lord of this territory...

and then leaves.

[insects buzzing]

[thunder rumbling]

Dead Tree Island changes
radically with the seasons.

It's one of the few places
with permanent drinking water,

but in summer,

its herbivores rely
on the rains for good grazing.

[instrumental music playing]

[lion growls softly]

The effects of these storms
are felt across the Okavango
and beyond.

[hippo grunts]

The result is a welcome
flourish of green.

[upbeat music playing]

Fresh leaves, grasses
and shoots sprout

and animals leave the forest
and spread out into
the surrounding floodplains.

This abundance of water and food

brings on the birthing season
for impala,

one of the leopard's
favorite prey.

It happens during a time
guaranteed to supply the best
in nourishment and protection,

minimizing the stress
on the young, their mothers
and the herd.

But the newborn impalas
are highly vulnerable,

and face a variety of threats.

[ominous music playing]

The African rock python
is another of Dead Tree Island's
expert hunters.

Muscular coils squeeze the life
from its prey, asphyxiating it.

It swallows the calf whole
by extending its jaws,
using specialized hinges.

[soft music playing]

The wandering impala herds
provide a reliable source
of food.

Mosweo has killed one
during the night

and has hidden the fresh carcass
in a thicket,
where she feeds quickly.

To make this kill, she's had
to leave her young alone,
and vulnerable.

Now she needs
to get back to the den.

[growls softly]

[soft calling continues]

As Mosweo approaches the den,
she senses danger.

[growls softly]

Hyenas have been busy nearby.

[calls softly]

[soft calling continues]

Her gentle calls are low
and don't carry far...

meant only for the ears
of her cubs.

[calling softly]

Only one responds.

[birds calling]

[ominous music playing]

[soft calling continues]

[emotive music playing]

The nightmare of all mothers
now falls on Mosweo.

[flies buzzing]

[calling softly]

Her calls seem desperate

and at the same time hopeful.

Her own flesh and blood
has been taken from her
in just one night.

She has no option
but to move on.

In a leopard's life there is
no time to mourn the dead.

The cub is growing
and it needs meat in its diet.

[fly buzzing]

The wellbeing of this lone cub

now hinges on Mosweo's intimate
knowledge of this area
of the Okavango.

[birds singing]

[instrumental music playing]

The rains have stopped.

And all around Dead Tree Island
the vegetation
is beginning to brown.

The animals sense this.

Seasons determine behavioral
patterns and each species
responds differently.

Kudu males choose a suitable
female, courting her
with gallant displays.

Tipa lurks in the undergrowth.

He's strayed back
into his original territory.

The kudu are distracted
and oblivious to any threat.

[ominous music playing]

[music intensifies]

[kudu barking]

But Tipa's lack of experience
is plain to see.

Perhaps he's still too young
to realize he shouldn't expend
energy on the unattainable.

Prey the size of a kudu
is out of his league.

[instrumental music playing]

Flocks of queleas
announce the onset of winter,
the dry season.

[birds singing]

Many animals gravitate
to the Dead Tree Island area
for the permanent water.

This harsher season allows
for at least one miracle...

The Kigelia tree
blossoms to life.

It offers
a precious winter treasure.

Flowers filled with nectar.

Baboons drink
from the crimson chalice.

Tipa needs to be more flexible
in his hunting strategy.

He has to learn to anticipate
his potential prey's movements.

Baboons are messy eaters
and soon the impala move closer

to feed on the flowers
that carpet the ground.

He silently watches...

and waits.

He needs the impala
to come to him.

[birds singing, insects buzzing]

[ominous music playing]

But the marauding baboon troop
has singled out his tree.

He's not as powerful as Buddha.

They will not tolerate
Tipa's presence.

If they catch him,
they'll try to kill him.

[baboon barking]

[music intensifies]

He cannot risk a confrontation.

An injury may cost him dearly.

[leopard growling]

Mosweo watches
from a safe distance...

keeping track of the conflict.

She follows Tipa's prey now.

Quietly, she begins
her own hunt.

[rhythmic music playing]

She finds a tree
ahead of the herd,

hoping that the flowers will
draw the impalas beneath her.

Mosweo shows great patience.

She watches
the antelopes' moves

and identifies her target.

This time, her signature
high dive is off the mark.

[leopard grunting]

[emotive music playing]

With her cover blown,
the impalas keep a watch on her.

[leopard growling]

Her annoyance is obvious.

So much energy wasted,
for nothing.

But she has to keep moving.

She's out in the open
and the baboons are still
in the area.

But things only get worse.

The impala alarms have alerted
the lions.

[insects buzzing]

Mosweo is forced to play a game
of cat and mouse

to get back to her den, without
giving its position away.

Tipa's reluctance to stay away
from his mother's territory
is causing chaos.

His blundering
kill attempts have multiplied
the pressure on her.

She is relieved to find her cub
safe and well.

[African music playing]

She decides to move
to a new den sight.

The lions
were far too close for comfort.

Her remaining cub,
now five months old,
is showing her character.

She loves playing
with her mother's tail.

It's a good test of reflexes.

Hidden in the dry grass,
Mosweo rests,

regaining her strength
before she starts hunting again.

For the moment,
all is well with mother and cub.

They're secure in the new den.

[instrumental music playing]

Winter forces the elephants in
from the surrounding desert.

Lechwe gather here too.

Water is their ally.

In these last pools they are
safe from most predators.

They're larger than impalas,

but a big cat like Buddha
should be able
to pull them down.

[birds calling]

[music intensifies]

[wings flapping]

The lechwe turn
and watch their attacker.

They take in his smell...

burning it into their brains
for future reference,

making sure Buddha
leaves the area.

[birds calling]

Within this changing season,
Mosweo needs to move
greater distances,

passing the open floodplains
to find the cover she needs
to hunt.

She's following
the movements of her prey,

but so are the other predators.

Relocation for a leopard
is always risky.

But she soon finds a tree
in an area that she likes.

[insects buzzing]

From this vantage point

she can see the breeding herds
of elephants steadily moving
into the delta.

It's October now
and the heat is intense.

The floods that brought life
to the region, have almost
all evaporated now.

Dead Tree Island
draws the inhabitants
of the Okavango closer

to the last remaining water.

[birds singing]

The last flooded pans
now hold the fate
of all these characters.

[lion roaring]

[roaring continues]

They're drawn together
in one group

and the paths of the predators
cross dangerously close.

[lion roaring]

[birds calling]

Tipa is the first victim
of this heightened competition.

He's finally killed an impala

but doesn't get to enjoy
the fruits of his labor.

Stooping to petty theft,

the lions that have haunted his
movements, now steal his food.

Tipa stares hungrily as the big
male eats the ill-gotten gains.

The lion eats the bulk
of the impala, and leaves.

Carefully, Tipa moves
to reclaim his kill.

Finally, he can enjoy
what remains, in peace.

Mosweo's cub is now at an age
where she begins
to explore further.

It's high time she learned
how to climb.

[instrumental music playing]

A little unsure of herself,
she attempts to reach
some babblers.

She's small,
and still vulnerable.

Even more so
now that she's curious and able
to venture out of hiding.

Especially when her mother's
not around.

Mosweo is far off, hunting.

She doesn't often
come to this part of the island

and she leaves her mark
to enforce her presence.

She moves on to an open plain
where two side-striped jackal
are foraging.

In this season of hardship,

Mosweo takes advantage
of any opportunity
that presents itself.

Although not normally
a prey item, the jackals quickly
become a target.

[ominous music playing]

[music intensifies]

But the side-striped jackal
is no fool and has an impressive
turn of speed.

[jackal barking]

[jackal barking]

Irritated with her failure,
she leaves her mark
and moves on.

[jackal barking continues]

The jackal's barks are echoed
by Vervet monkeys, chattering
in the distance.

These alarm calls alert Mosweo.

They're coming
from the direction of the den.

[monkey calling]

[calling and barking continues]

[Mosweo growling]

Mosweo treads lightly

as she moves closer to the place
pinpointed by the monkeys.

[growling softly]

[monkeys calling]

She starts searching...

But what she finds, is shocking.

[growling]

Her cub has its back leg
caught in a tree,

and its pelvis has been broken.

[emotive music playing]

[monkey calling]

Nothing she tries
can help her last remaining cub.

No gentle nudge.

No affectionate encouragement.

Perhaps an invitation
to a last game?

[emotive music continues]

[growling softly]

[growling softly]

[growling]

Her voice is almost pleading.

A last attempt,
and the cub's leg is freed.

There is no more
that Mosweo can do.

With all her remaining strength

the cub pulls herself
to her final resting place.

But her mother has already
decided to leave this traumatic
scene behind.

[birds calling]

Mosweo seems to try to rub away
her sense of loss.

Is this the way
a leopard mourns?

The heat builds.

The rains are coming.

Buddha treads on new ground.

He is following
an interesting scent.

One that he cannot help
but find irresistible.

It comes from this leopard.

A new female
has entered his territory.

She is larger and stronger
than Mosweo

and she brings the promise of
fresh genes to Dead Tree Island.

On the fringes,
Mosweo watches with alarm.

Buddha’s senses trigger
an uncontrollable need
to cloak himself

in the new female's scent.

Hers is not any smell...

It is the perfume
of a female in estrous.

Mosweo follows his footsteps.

His calls are low and clear.

But she knows
he's not calling her.

What she smells
is not appealing.

The scent of another female.

A rival.

Instinctively, Mosweo
tries to mask any hint
of her challenger's presence.

But she's too late.

[growling]

Buddha is already responding,

laying a path of enticement.

[growling]

The new female is quick
to take up his invitation.

[instrumental music playing]

Mosweo retreats.
Her efforts are futile.

[leopard growling]

The rival has found her prize.

She makes contact with Buddha.

[emotive music playing]

Mosweo leaves the place
where she gave birth.

Perhaps to seek out
another territory.

And a new partner.

[birds calling]

[thunder rumbling, rain falling]

The dry winter finally breaks.

[rumbling continues]

[crickets chirping,
drops falling]

And the change in season
coaxes Buddha to mate.

[leopards growling continuously]

[leopards growling]

A new era begins for the
leopards of Dead Tree Island.

They mate for days,
and by the end of it,

the new female will hold
the seed of new cubs.

[leopard growling]

[dramatic music playing]

And so,
tragedy gives way to hope.

And the way of the wild
shows its warmer side.

Buddha is content
that his job is done.

And with the onset
of another fruitful season...

the legacy
of Dead Tree Island's leopards

is secure.