1 00:00:07,050 --> 00:00:11,971 I think today's the hottest day we've had. It is brutal. 2 00:00:12,346 --> 00:00:16,476 I am so sweaty and so smelly. 3 00:00:17,143 --> 00:00:21,689 And unfortunately, the lions have chosen the one piece of shade 4 00:00:21,773 --> 00:00:25,818 in this entire plain, so we've got to sit out in the sun. 5 00:00:26,027 --> 00:00:27,278 (SIGHS) 6 00:00:27,779 --> 00:00:30,490 But all this waiting, you have to remember, 7 00:00:31,157 --> 00:00:33,117 if it was easy to see and film, 8 00:00:33,951 --> 00:00:37,288 it wouldn't be nearly as exciting when it all kicks off. 9 00:00:37,663 --> 00:00:38,748 And this lot... 10 00:00:40,333 --> 00:00:41,834 are all asleep. 11 00:00:46,089 --> 00:00:48,091 Guys, the lions are up! The lions are up! The... 12 00:00:51,427 --> 00:00:52,720 (BLEEP) 13 00:00:53,638 --> 00:00:54,514 -(THEME MUSIC BEGINS) -You ready? 14 00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:55,640 BERTIE: I'm Bertie. 15 00:00:56,307 --> 00:00:58,267 Filming animals is my job. 16 00:00:58,351 --> 00:00:59,977 That is not a chase you see every day. 17 00:01:00,144 --> 00:01:02,438 BERTIE: And I take it really seriously. 18 00:01:02,730 --> 00:01:04,065 Look, I'm trying to film penguins. 19 00:01:04,315 --> 00:01:06,317 -(ROARS) -Oh, and I've missed it! 20 00:01:08,027 --> 00:01:09,779 Well, that was quite close. 21 00:01:10,780 --> 00:01:14,992 BERTIE: I want to tell wildlife stories in a rapidly changing world. 22 00:01:15,701 --> 00:01:17,995 That sounded like a big crack! 23 00:01:18,788 --> 00:01:19,622 (GASPS) 24 00:01:21,207 --> 00:01:23,209 BERTIE: These are my adventures. 25 00:01:24,919 --> 00:01:26,379 (THEME MUSIC ENDS) 26 00:01:29,132 --> 00:01:31,008 BERTIE: I'm traveling from my home in England 27 00:01:31,425 --> 00:01:33,636 to South Luangwa National Park, 28 00:01:33,719 --> 00:01:35,346 deep in the heart of Zambia. 29 00:01:37,181 --> 00:01:40,393 It's one of Africa's last great lion strongholds. 30 00:01:44,647 --> 00:01:46,399 Whoo! Well, here we go! 31 00:01:46,524 --> 00:01:48,985 The sun's just peaking up above the horizon. 32 00:01:49,235 --> 00:01:51,654 We're on our way to the Luangwa River, which we're hoping 33 00:01:51,821 --> 00:01:55,449 is going to be the scene for an epic battle between two gladiators. 34 00:01:57,368 --> 00:01:59,537 BERTIE: There are over thirty lion prides here 35 00:01:59,871 --> 00:02:01,539 and thousands of buffalo. 36 00:02:02,999 --> 00:02:06,210 And the thing that makes me most excited and most nervous 37 00:02:06,377 --> 00:02:11,257 is that the animals don't read the script, so I have no idea what's in store for us. 38 00:02:13,676 --> 00:02:16,637 BERTIE: To make it even tougher, I'm also up against time. 39 00:02:16,888 --> 00:02:18,639 I've got just thirty days. 40 00:02:21,851 --> 00:02:25,771 Well, it's taken a lot of planning and preparation to get to this stage, 41 00:02:26,439 --> 00:02:29,317 but we've now got a month to find and film these lions. 42 00:02:30,234 --> 00:02:31,527 Let's do this! 43 00:02:32,195 --> 00:02:35,823 (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) 44 00:02:37,992 --> 00:02:39,744 BERTIE: I've got a crack team to help me, 45 00:02:41,078 --> 00:02:43,539 and so far, our timing looks perfect. 46 00:02:44,582 --> 00:02:46,751 It hasn't rained here for six months, 47 00:02:48,336 --> 00:02:52,340 so the river's the only lifeline for the thirsty lions and the buffalo. 48 00:02:53,174 --> 00:02:56,510 If we can find a spot where they meet, we are in business. 49 00:02:58,304 --> 00:03:00,264 This drone will be my eye in the sky. 50 00:03:00,598 --> 00:03:03,226 It's great for filming and can also help us 51 00:03:03,351 --> 00:03:05,645 scout the river without disturbing the animals. 52 00:03:06,270 --> 00:03:08,856 I haven't found the lions or the buffalo. 53 00:03:08,940 --> 00:03:12,026 But one thing I have found is a lot of everything else. 54 00:03:12,193 --> 00:03:14,487 There's loads of impala, and there's elephants, 55 00:03:14,612 --> 00:03:16,697 and they're all coming down to the river to drink. 56 00:03:16,781 --> 00:03:18,741 You know, all these animals at this time of year, 57 00:03:18,950 --> 00:03:21,577 all their lives revolve around coming to the river. 58 00:03:21,702 --> 00:03:24,705 It's like a big magnet. It's the only place they can get water. 59 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:29,418 BERTIE: But the wet season is coming, and once the rains return, 60 00:03:29,585 --> 00:03:32,255 animals won't need to visit this river anymore. 61 00:03:32,922 --> 00:03:36,884 We need to find the lions and buff while it's still their focal point. 62 00:03:39,178 --> 00:03:43,140 There's one hundred and twenty miles of river in this park alone. 63 00:03:44,016 --> 00:03:46,727 So I'm gonna pick a five-mile stretch to comb first. 64 00:03:47,561 --> 00:03:49,647 It must have lots of big beaches 65 00:03:50,523 --> 00:03:51,732 where buffalo can drink, 66 00:03:52,817 --> 00:03:54,277 as well as some tree cover 67 00:03:55,152 --> 00:03:56,612 so lions can hide. 68 00:03:58,739 --> 00:04:03,286 But this land is hostile and seems determined to mess up our plans. 69 00:04:04,537 --> 00:04:05,955 First, it's the thorns... 70 00:04:08,916 --> 00:04:11,460 We've got a puncture, so we're just changing it 71 00:04:11,544 --> 00:04:14,255 as fast as we can. I say "we," that's the royal "we." 72 00:04:14,338 --> 00:04:16,007 Kevin's doing all the work, I'm just watching. 73 00:04:19,260 --> 00:04:20,511 BERTIE: Then it's the insects. 74 00:04:20,803 --> 00:04:22,263 We've got a bit of a bee problem. 75 00:04:22,930 --> 00:04:23,973 Anyone for a drink? 76 00:04:25,391 --> 00:04:27,351 I've also just realized these aren't any bees, 77 00:04:27,643 --> 00:04:29,186 these are African killer bees. 78 00:04:29,562 --> 00:04:32,732 BERTIE: And it doesn't help that I'm easily distracted. 79 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:36,902 It's always important to remember to look up. 80 00:04:37,445 --> 00:04:40,239 Lions aren't the only big cats here. Check out this leopard. 81 00:04:43,034 --> 00:04:45,786 BERTIE: With surprises around every corner. 82 00:04:47,955 --> 00:04:49,415 (CHUCKLES) 83 00:04:49,623 --> 00:04:50,916 A bit of hippo traffic. 84 00:04:54,086 --> 00:04:57,548 BERTIE: This search for the lions is taking a lot longer than I thought. 85 00:04:58,466 --> 00:04:59,967 But we are picking up clues. 86 00:05:00,593 --> 00:05:03,971 Ah! That's a good sign. Some lion tracks. 87 00:05:10,770 --> 00:05:12,772 You see the big, wide hippo prints, 88 00:05:13,606 --> 00:05:14,690 and then... 89 00:05:16,359 --> 00:05:18,944 Where are we looking? Here we go. 90 00:05:19,028 --> 00:05:20,112 Oh, that's a good one. 91 00:05:20,571 --> 00:05:23,199 Big lion print just there. 92 00:05:23,449 --> 00:05:24,950 You can see the toes 93 00:05:25,618 --> 00:05:26,827 and the back pad, 94 00:05:27,370 --> 00:05:29,663 and they're heading that way. 95 00:05:29,789 --> 00:05:31,916 So we're in the right place, going the right direction, 96 00:05:32,041 --> 00:05:35,336 so we need to get back in the car and go find them quick. 97 00:05:38,214 --> 00:05:42,093 BERTIE: Those lion tracks have got my pulse racing. 98 00:05:43,344 --> 00:05:45,763 We're looking for a pride big enough to take on buffalo, 99 00:05:45,971 --> 00:05:47,765 and after six days of searching, 100 00:05:48,766 --> 00:05:50,768 we have hit the jackpot. 101 00:05:54,647 --> 00:05:56,023 (WHISPERS) That's a lot of lions. 102 00:05:57,691 --> 00:05:59,777 I think we've found our pride. 103 00:06:03,781 --> 00:06:05,199 (CHUCKLES QUIETLY) 104 00:06:05,324 --> 00:06:08,786 They're just hanging out under this nice tree in the shade. 105 00:06:09,912 --> 00:06:12,248 There's at least one sub-adult, 106 00:06:12,748 --> 00:06:17,253 but we've also got a lot of big, burly females in their hunting prime. 107 00:06:18,087 --> 00:06:21,215 They look like a bunch of beat-up prizefighters. 108 00:06:24,468 --> 00:06:28,722 The closer I look, the more I can see all their little characters and quirks. 109 00:06:29,557 --> 00:06:32,685 That bruiser in the middle with that scar by her mouth, 110 00:06:32,852 --> 00:06:34,145 I'm gonna call her Lip. 111 00:06:34,979 --> 00:06:37,022 I bet she's seen some buffalo action. 112 00:06:39,358 --> 00:06:41,193 (ANIMAL ROARS) 113 00:06:42,778 --> 00:06:43,821 Do you hear that? 114 00:06:45,990 --> 00:06:47,575 (ROARING CONTINUES) 115 00:06:47,867 --> 00:06:50,578 (WHISPERS) There's another lion over there, I can hear it calling. 116 00:06:51,245 --> 00:06:53,622 Which they only do 117 00:06:54,790 --> 00:06:56,709 if they've got cubs or to find other pride members. 118 00:06:56,834 --> 00:06:58,127 (ROARING CONTINUES) 119 00:06:58,377 --> 00:07:00,337 Oh, here we go. Here we go. 120 00:07:01,797 --> 00:07:04,425 (CUBS GROWLING) 121 00:07:05,759 --> 00:07:07,553 Okay. Nice and still, everyone. 122 00:07:12,099 --> 00:07:15,686 Oh, man, they are so cute. 123 00:07:21,400 --> 00:07:24,028 You can see the other members of the pride are like, 124 00:07:24,195 --> 00:07:25,988 "What on Earth are those?" 125 00:07:26,697 --> 00:07:28,449 Lip's seen it all before. 126 00:07:29,116 --> 00:07:31,660 I reckon she's the cubs' aunt. 127 00:07:32,161 --> 00:07:34,497 And with three more mouths to feed, 128 00:07:35,748 --> 00:07:39,502 this family definitely has an incentive to hunt buffalo. 129 00:07:53,766 --> 00:07:55,768 BERTIE: It's hard to tear myself away, 130 00:07:57,353 --> 00:08:00,689 but we need to test the tech and finalize the plan. 131 00:08:02,983 --> 00:08:06,695 I can feel the rains coming, so there's no time to lose. 132 00:08:09,114 --> 00:08:11,534 I'm gonna hook up with Sam, the other cameraman, 133 00:08:11,617 --> 00:08:13,327 and put my ideas to the test. 134 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:20,292 When lions hunt, they work as a team, so we'll need to do the same. 135 00:08:20,543 --> 00:08:22,378 To capture the action, we'll need to shoot it 136 00:08:22,461 --> 00:08:25,631 from multiple angles like a live sports match. 137 00:08:27,633 --> 00:08:31,178 Sam's camera has crazy advanced stabilization, 138 00:08:32,221 --> 00:08:36,100 so he can film a hunt even whilst moving over bumpy ground. 139 00:08:36,475 --> 00:08:38,811 -It's a great spot. It's like a stage. -Yeah. 140 00:08:39,270 --> 00:08:40,271 Here you go. 141 00:08:40,354 --> 00:08:43,232 BERTIE: We'll be teaming up in a way that's never been done before, 142 00:08:44,066 --> 00:08:46,151 and my secret weapon's the drone. 143 00:08:47,570 --> 00:08:48,946 Okay. Rock and roll. Here we go. 144 00:08:52,950 --> 00:08:57,538 This is some of the most challenging flying I have ever done. 145 00:08:59,623 --> 00:09:04,878 But the drone is still quieter and way more agile than our two-ton trucks. 146 00:09:04,962 --> 00:09:06,589 COLIN: How far across are they, Bert? 147 00:09:06,922 --> 00:09:08,132 BERTIE: They're across that gully. 148 00:09:08,924 --> 00:09:10,634 Okay. We'll stay this side, you go that side. 149 00:09:13,762 --> 00:09:17,766 BERTIE: With the lions on the move, this is a great rehearsal. 150 00:09:22,021 --> 00:09:24,231 It's a really scary line to fly with the drone, 151 00:09:24,398 --> 00:09:25,733 but it looks so cool. 152 00:09:25,858 --> 00:09:28,152 And then Sam is over tracking alongside them, 153 00:09:28,277 --> 00:09:30,696 getting the foreground trees ripping past. 154 00:09:32,406 --> 00:09:34,074 Whoa! There's Lip. 155 00:09:34,742 --> 00:09:37,620 Man, she is one powerful cat. 156 00:09:38,996 --> 00:09:41,248 And she has got a lot of backup. 157 00:09:42,958 --> 00:09:46,378 Okay. I've got, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. 158 00:09:51,717 --> 00:09:53,677 There are so many mouths to feed. 159 00:09:55,012 --> 00:09:56,889 I guess that's why these guys are going for buffalo 160 00:09:57,014 --> 00:09:58,140 and not smaller prey 161 00:09:58,223 --> 00:10:02,770 because they just need so much food to sustain the pride of that size. 162 00:10:04,938 --> 00:10:06,315 But... (EXHALES) ...they are... 163 00:10:07,024 --> 00:10:08,359 they're seriously impressive. 164 00:10:10,527 --> 00:10:12,988 BERTIE: Okay. We've found the perfect pride. 165 00:10:13,864 --> 00:10:15,491 It's time to weigh up our options. 166 00:10:17,242 --> 00:10:20,579 The lions have a nice, cool ebony grove to hide in, 167 00:10:21,038 --> 00:10:24,917 with a clear view of the river so they can ambush thirsty prey. 168 00:10:25,959 --> 00:10:28,462 But we still need to find the buffalo. 169 00:10:28,837 --> 00:10:31,757 There's an area north of here that we haven't checked out yet, 170 00:10:31,840 --> 00:10:35,135 and it looks promising, so that's where we're heading next. 171 00:10:38,430 --> 00:10:39,264 (RADIO BEEPS) 172 00:10:39,348 --> 00:10:40,849 MALE VOICE 1: (OVER RADIO) All right, you guys are all set? 173 00:10:40,933 --> 00:10:42,226 MALE VOICE 2: (OVER RADIO) Yeah, I'm just concerned 174 00:10:42,309 --> 00:10:43,310 when George is ready. 175 00:10:43,394 --> 00:10:44,728 BERTIE: That looks, um... looks pretty good. 176 00:10:44,812 --> 00:10:46,397 (MALE VOICE SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY OVER RADIO) 177 00:10:48,732 --> 00:10:50,442 There's a big herd of buffalo. 178 00:10:50,526 --> 00:10:51,610 MALE VOICE 1: (OVER RADIO) Copy that. 179 00:10:52,277 --> 00:10:55,030 This is even better than I thought. 180 00:10:55,948 --> 00:10:57,533 Gonna chuck the drone up 181 00:10:57,616 --> 00:11:00,244 and get a sense of just how big this herd is. 182 00:11:05,666 --> 00:11:06,750 Whoa! 183 00:11:07,418 --> 00:11:10,170 The herd is huge. 184 00:11:10,462 --> 00:11:13,549 (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) 185 00:11:13,757 --> 00:11:17,970 BERTIE: Look at that, they just keep on coming. 186 00:11:19,263 --> 00:11:23,642 And from up here, I can see them in a whole different way. 187 00:11:23,851 --> 00:11:25,728 They're cohesive. 188 00:11:26,061 --> 00:11:28,021 There's an order to what they're doing. 189 00:11:29,022 --> 00:11:31,442 And they're protecting their most vulnerable calves, 190 00:11:31,567 --> 00:11:33,110 look, right there in the middle. 191 00:11:36,029 --> 00:11:40,200 And then out front, they're the pathfinders guiding the herd. 192 00:11:41,118 --> 00:11:43,954 I bet they've seen a few lion ambushes in their time. 193 00:11:48,125 --> 00:11:50,043 (MUSIC FADES) 194 00:11:50,377 --> 00:11:53,756 When you look at this wall of black and horns, 195 00:11:54,882 --> 00:11:56,258 it doesn't look like... 196 00:11:57,593 --> 00:11:59,595 a bunch of grass-eating herbivores. 197 00:11:59,678 --> 00:12:00,888 It looks like an army... 198 00:12:01,513 --> 00:12:02,848 marching to battle. 199 00:12:05,684 --> 00:12:07,352 BERTIE: They're such big animals. 200 00:12:07,895 --> 00:12:10,981 The biggest males can be fifteen hundred pounds. 201 00:12:14,401 --> 00:12:17,404 But they're also strong enough for them to be able to throw 202 00:12:17,488 --> 00:12:20,699 -a fully-grown lion 10 foot into the air. -(BUFFALO GROANS) 203 00:12:23,744 --> 00:12:27,748 This is what we came here to see, this is our other gladiator. 204 00:12:28,582 --> 00:12:31,919 And if we can be in the right place at the right time, 205 00:12:32,085 --> 00:12:33,212 this is gonna be... 206 00:12:34,087 --> 00:12:35,589 one heck of a showdown. 207 00:12:37,549 --> 00:12:40,677 BERTIE: So, I've now got a fix on both predator and prey, 208 00:12:41,094 --> 00:12:42,721 I can work on my master plan. 209 00:12:44,014 --> 00:12:48,060 These buffalo are still five miles from the lions at Ebony Grove, 210 00:12:48,185 --> 00:12:49,937 but they're heading in the right direction, 211 00:12:50,062 --> 00:12:52,105 so there's a good chance they'll meet. 212 00:12:52,981 --> 00:12:55,526 But it's the lions that will call all the shots, 213 00:12:55,734 --> 00:12:57,277 so I'm gonna stick with them. 214 00:12:57,820 --> 00:12:59,154 It's time to play... 215 00:13:00,239 --> 00:13:01,323 the waiting game. 216 00:13:06,537 --> 00:13:10,541 Each day is getting hotter and more humid. 217 00:13:11,208 --> 00:13:12,417 These rains are... (BREATHES HEAVILY) 218 00:13:13,168 --> 00:13:14,253 They're on the way. 219 00:13:14,545 --> 00:13:18,465 And if they come early, animals won't need to visit this river, 220 00:13:19,633 --> 00:13:21,426 and it is game over. 221 00:13:23,220 --> 00:13:25,764 I think today's the hottest day we've had. 222 00:13:26,473 --> 00:13:27,432 (TIMER DINGS) 223 00:13:27,516 --> 00:13:29,893 It is brutal. 224 00:13:30,227 --> 00:13:34,439 I am so sweaty and so smelly. 225 00:13:34,982 --> 00:13:39,361 And unfortunately, the lions have chosen the one piece of shade 226 00:13:39,528 --> 00:13:41,196 in this entire plain, 227 00:13:41,280 --> 00:13:43,657 so we've got to sit out in the sun. 228 00:13:45,701 --> 00:13:48,620 But all this waiting, you have to remember, 229 00:13:49,204 --> 00:13:50,372 is gonna make... 230 00:13:52,082 --> 00:13:56,086 the dramatic action even more special to witness. 231 00:13:56,879 --> 00:14:00,632 If it was easy to do, if it was easy to see and film, 232 00:14:01,341 --> 00:14:04,511 it wouldn't be nearly as exciting when it all kicks off, 233 00:14:04,970 --> 00:14:06,972 if it all kicks off. (CHUCKLES) 234 00:14:07,180 --> 00:14:08,307 Right now, 235 00:14:08,765 --> 00:14:11,852 it's hard to believe that anything is going to happen. 236 00:14:12,769 --> 00:14:14,021 And this lot... 237 00:14:15,731 --> 00:14:16,857 are all asleep. 238 00:14:18,233 --> 00:14:20,402 BERTIE: Well, if I can't get the lions to move, 239 00:14:20,611 --> 00:14:23,238 maybe I can give the crew a bit of a wake-up call. 240 00:14:25,198 --> 00:14:27,075 Guys, the lions are up! The lions are up! The... 241 00:14:27,367 --> 00:14:30,412 (LAUGHS) 242 00:14:30,621 --> 00:14:32,873 ADRIAN: Oh... (BLEEP) 243 00:14:34,082 --> 00:14:37,461 BERTIE: Okay. That was a bit cruel, but at least we're ready 244 00:14:37,544 --> 00:14:39,087 to spring into action now. 245 00:14:39,713 --> 00:14:42,424 Okay. Stop here, stop here. That's a baboon alarm call. 246 00:14:43,175 --> 00:14:44,426 Well, it's spotted the lions, 247 00:14:45,302 --> 00:14:47,054 -and now it's telling... -(SCREECHES) 248 00:14:47,512 --> 00:14:48,931 ...everyone about it. 249 00:14:53,727 --> 00:14:55,687 There's a group of impala coming. 250 00:15:03,278 --> 00:15:05,864 Oh, that impala has clocked them. 251 00:15:06,448 --> 00:15:08,158 And now it's alarm calling. 252 00:15:08,700 --> 00:15:09,993 (SNORTING) 253 00:15:16,500 --> 00:15:18,168 (IMPALA CALLING) 254 00:15:21,922 --> 00:15:24,007 BERTIE: It's mad, the impala know that the lions are there, 255 00:15:24,091 --> 00:15:27,511 they've been alarm calling, but they're still walking towards them. 256 00:15:28,053 --> 00:15:30,889 They're so drawn to the water. They need that water so much 257 00:15:30,973 --> 00:15:35,519 that they're willing to walk towards a bunch of lions that they know are there. 258 00:15:35,602 --> 00:15:36,728 They're still walking. 259 00:15:37,854 --> 00:15:40,774 Surely, the lions are going to go now. Surely. 260 00:15:52,577 --> 00:15:54,371 Why did those lions not go? 261 00:15:54,579 --> 00:15:58,667 There's just tons of impala just blasting in front of them. 262 00:16:03,255 --> 00:16:04,923 I'm gonna switch to the drone. 263 00:16:05,924 --> 00:16:08,093 (DRONE BUZZING) 264 00:16:11,179 --> 00:16:13,724 BERTIE: Ooh! I've got a mum and calf. 265 00:16:14,391 --> 00:16:16,476 (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) 266 00:16:19,688 --> 00:16:21,440 Yeah. Lip's spotted them. 267 00:16:21,982 --> 00:16:25,193 (MUSIC CONTINUES) 268 00:16:32,951 --> 00:16:34,536 BERTIE: Okay... Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! 269 00:17:00,395 --> 00:17:01,855 (MUSIC ENDS) 270 00:17:09,905 --> 00:17:14,242 BERTIE: Well, that wasn't quite the epic buffalo hunt we came for, 271 00:17:14,493 --> 00:17:16,369 but I've learned lots. 272 00:17:17,204 --> 00:17:18,830 I could see all these impala 273 00:17:18,914 --> 00:17:21,083 just streaming past in front of it, and I was thinking, 274 00:17:21,166 --> 00:17:23,126 "Why aren't they going? Why aren't they going?" 275 00:17:23,210 --> 00:17:25,462 The moment that the mother and baby turned up, 276 00:17:25,545 --> 00:17:28,215 the lions all of a sudden, they went, "Okay. There's our target." 277 00:17:28,298 --> 00:17:31,551 And it didn't look like it was a very difficult thing to catch. 278 00:17:33,136 --> 00:17:37,474 And, you know, a baby impala is barely a snack for these lionesses. 279 00:17:37,557 --> 00:17:39,518 They will definitely hunt again soon. 280 00:17:43,605 --> 00:17:47,609 BERTIE: There's water on three sides of Ebony Grove. That's their bait. 281 00:17:49,319 --> 00:17:51,196 But they seem to like this side. 282 00:17:51,822 --> 00:17:55,158 Perhaps because the easterly winds blow their scent away 283 00:17:55,283 --> 00:17:56,535 from the drinking prey. 284 00:18:00,330 --> 00:18:04,876 These lions have got themselves in a really good hunting position. 285 00:18:05,085 --> 00:18:08,255 They're going to be able to see all the animals that come down to drink. 286 00:18:08,797 --> 00:18:10,757 And they're also looking really skinny. 287 00:18:12,175 --> 00:18:14,553 So I think the stage is set. 288 00:18:16,096 --> 00:18:18,598 The impala hunt was over in a flash. 289 00:18:19,141 --> 00:18:22,018 So when the buffalo get here, things will move fast. 290 00:18:22,894 --> 00:18:25,147 We'll need as much warning as possible. 291 00:18:25,647 --> 00:18:28,150 So I'm sending some of the best trackers in the business 292 00:18:28,817 --> 00:18:30,902 back to monitor the big herd. 293 00:18:32,154 --> 00:18:34,656 They're now just three miles from the Ebony Grove. 294 00:18:38,785 --> 00:18:41,163 We can't stray far from the lions. 295 00:18:41,872 --> 00:18:45,333 So while I wait for another update, I'm gonna catch up with the cubs. 296 00:18:50,046 --> 00:18:53,842 Mum is moving them so their scent doesn't build up in one place. 297 00:18:56,011 --> 00:18:58,889 She doesn't want enemies like hyenas finding them. 298 00:19:00,473 --> 00:19:03,101 And she may have brought them here in her mouth, 299 00:19:03,393 --> 00:19:06,688 but now they look eager to explore on their own. 300 00:19:09,524 --> 00:19:14,446 It looks like fun, but all this play makes them way, way stronger. 301 00:19:18,158 --> 00:19:20,785 They're from a family of very ambitious hunters, 302 00:19:20,911 --> 00:19:22,829 so it's useful training too. 303 00:19:35,550 --> 00:19:37,427 (WHISPERS) Mum has brought them all the way down to the river, 304 00:19:37,552 --> 00:19:38,929 so that is great news for us 305 00:19:39,596 --> 00:19:42,182 because that is prime buffalo hunting area. 306 00:19:43,808 --> 00:19:45,936 So the fact that she's brought the cubs here 307 00:19:46,269 --> 00:19:48,980 means this is gonna be the pride's new base. 308 00:20:00,825 --> 00:20:02,702 BERTIE: Now I've got somewhere to stake out, 309 00:20:04,037 --> 00:20:06,373 I can really get to know our lion family. 310 00:20:13,838 --> 00:20:15,006 Ooh. Okay. 311 00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:20,303 Things just got interesting. Now we've got some males in town. 312 00:20:30,730 --> 00:20:34,567 These guys are just so much bigger and more powerful than the females. 313 00:20:37,320 --> 00:20:39,072 (WHISPERING) Every now and again, he turns... 314 00:20:40,323 --> 00:20:41,700 and looks straight at us. 315 00:20:43,410 --> 00:20:45,704 It feels like he's looking into your soul. 316 00:20:53,336 --> 00:20:56,131 BERTIE: These guys will supercharge the pride. 317 00:20:56,715 --> 00:20:57,882 (ELEPHANT TRUMPETS) 318 00:20:58,675 --> 00:21:00,927 BERTIE: No prey is beyond reach. 319 00:21:04,723 --> 00:21:06,474 This could be about to get interesting. 320 00:21:06,599 --> 00:21:08,601 There's a herd of elephants just through... 321 00:21:09,394 --> 00:21:11,271 the edge of the trees there. 322 00:21:14,107 --> 00:21:17,944 Kind of skirting left to right. But if they decide they want to drink, 323 00:21:18,695 --> 00:21:20,905 it could get very interesting. 324 00:21:20,989 --> 00:21:24,701 But at the moment, they're just slowly dawdling. 325 00:21:27,662 --> 00:21:28,580 (ELEPHANTS GROAN) 326 00:21:28,747 --> 00:21:31,875 BERTIE: Ooh! There's a baby, there's a baby. 327 00:21:33,084 --> 00:21:35,253 Lip's playing it cool. 328 00:21:35,837 --> 00:21:38,965 But that baby elephant is definitely a target. 329 00:21:42,677 --> 00:21:47,015 I've seen a lion take an elephant before. This could happen. 330 00:21:47,474 --> 00:21:49,225 Okay. They've turned. They're coming this way. 331 00:21:57,442 --> 00:22:01,738 BERTIE: Whoa. She sounds angry. She's got to have seen them. 332 00:22:05,283 --> 00:22:07,952 (WHISPERS) It's quite hard to keep the camera still 333 00:22:08,078 --> 00:22:10,955 'cause my heart's beating out of my chest. 334 00:22:12,665 --> 00:22:14,250 (ROARING) 335 00:22:24,761 --> 00:22:27,389 (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) 336 00:22:28,932 --> 00:22:30,892 BERTIE: Yeah, those lions have got the message. 337 00:22:31,017 --> 00:22:34,479 (ELEPHANTS TRUMPETING) 338 00:22:35,438 --> 00:22:36,898 BERTIE: They're retreating. 339 00:22:38,691 --> 00:22:40,360 (TRUMPET) 340 00:22:42,028 --> 00:22:43,279 BERTIE: Whoa! Look at that, 341 00:22:43,696 --> 00:22:47,200 that's one of the males! Even the males are being chased off. 342 00:22:48,410 --> 00:22:50,328 It's interesting the dynamics here. 343 00:22:50,412 --> 00:22:54,040 You know, even though the lions are capable of taking down 344 00:22:54,207 --> 00:22:56,418 huge animals like buffalo and even elephants. 345 00:22:58,461 --> 00:23:00,630 It seems like here in the daytime 346 00:23:01,256 --> 00:23:02,549 when there's water involved, 347 00:23:02,841 --> 00:23:04,426 the elephants are in charge. 348 00:23:06,636 --> 00:23:08,805 BERTIE: The elephants have driven the lions away, 349 00:23:09,097 --> 00:23:11,099 but I don't think they'll go far. 350 00:23:11,724 --> 00:23:13,726 I'm heading to one of their favorite hangouts. 351 00:23:17,522 --> 00:23:21,025 I've come down to the beach where the lions have been spending 352 00:23:21,109 --> 00:23:22,861 the last few days down at the river, 353 00:23:23,570 --> 00:23:25,572 but they have gone. 354 00:23:25,947 --> 00:23:28,450 Just when you think you're starting to get in their head, 355 00:23:28,616 --> 00:23:30,493 starting to understand their routine, 356 00:23:31,286 --> 00:23:32,620 they give you a big wake-up call 357 00:23:32,704 --> 00:23:36,249 and go, "No. You have no idea what's going on inside our brains." 358 00:23:36,624 --> 00:23:37,709 And so... 359 00:23:38,918 --> 00:23:40,462 back to square one, really. 360 00:23:43,673 --> 00:23:46,301 BERTIE: The sooner we find them, the better. 361 00:23:46,759 --> 00:23:49,387 A call on the radio says the buffalo are close. 362 00:23:49,637 --> 00:23:51,723 A hunt could happen at any time. 363 00:23:57,228 --> 00:23:59,230 But when they don't want to be found, 364 00:24:00,648 --> 00:24:02,942 lions melt into the landscape. 365 00:24:05,361 --> 00:24:08,114 By the time we find them, it's dusk. 366 00:24:12,660 --> 00:24:14,829 Well, just as we went to leave, 367 00:24:15,580 --> 00:24:17,081 they've all suddenly perked up 368 00:24:17,165 --> 00:24:18,917 and now they're on the move 369 00:24:19,751 --> 00:24:22,545 and they look... so epic. 370 00:24:24,088 --> 00:24:29,552 BERTIE: Whoa! That is Lip. And she has got the whole family with her. 371 00:24:29,719 --> 00:24:31,930 They are ready to rock. 372 00:24:32,680 --> 00:24:37,227 I reckon they can smell those buffalo. They are definitely heading to the river. 373 00:24:39,229 --> 00:24:42,232 If only this was earlier in the day, it'd be perfect. 374 00:24:44,859 --> 00:24:50,156 I'm frustrated because they look like they are on the hunt, so, yeah. 375 00:24:51,115 --> 00:24:54,369 Frustrating we have to leave them. Unfortunately, we can't film in the dark. 376 00:24:58,414 --> 00:24:59,916 BERTIE: I can feel our time 377 00:25:00,124 --> 00:25:03,169 and our chances of filming a hunt slipping away. 378 00:25:04,754 --> 00:25:07,840 And this morning, our prospects look even more bleak. 379 00:25:08,424 --> 00:25:11,427 Well, we've found the lions, but they've already made a kill. 380 00:25:14,138 --> 00:25:16,015 And we think it's a buffalo, so... 381 00:25:16,933 --> 00:25:17,976 too late. 382 00:25:22,021 --> 00:25:23,606 BERTIE: But it's even worse than that. 383 00:25:24,065 --> 00:25:26,442 Sam's team has found a second kill. 384 00:25:28,528 --> 00:25:32,407 This is really good for the lions. It means they get food. 385 00:25:34,409 --> 00:25:38,705 But not only did we miss the hunt, 386 00:25:39,372 --> 00:25:41,291 it also means now they're gonna be full. 387 00:25:41,457 --> 00:25:44,419 So we've got a whole lot of waiting to do again. 388 00:25:55,263 --> 00:25:59,100 BERTIE: My filming strategy needs the pride to be hungry, 389 00:25:59,601 --> 00:26:01,936 but, you know, with two kills in one night, 390 00:26:02,270 --> 00:26:04,272 another hunt is not gonna happen today. 391 00:26:06,149 --> 00:26:08,109 Instead of dwelling on what could've been, 392 00:26:08,651 --> 00:26:12,572 I'm gonna head downriver to catch up with some amazing conservation work. 393 00:26:13,448 --> 00:26:15,658 Lions seem invincible, 394 00:26:16,159 --> 00:26:19,120 but habitat loss, poaching, and trophy hunting 395 00:26:19,287 --> 00:26:21,456 have pushed them to the brink of extinction. 396 00:26:22,915 --> 00:26:25,084 To help protect them, some lions in this park 397 00:26:25,418 --> 00:26:29,255 have collars fitted so that researchers can track them by satellite. 398 00:26:29,922 --> 00:26:31,007 THANDIWE: So, it's good to go. 399 00:26:31,215 --> 00:26:34,802 The two beeps are an indication that it connected successfully 400 00:26:35,094 --> 00:26:36,846 and it should work from now on. 401 00:26:37,388 --> 00:26:38,681 BERTIE: Thandi runs the show. 402 00:26:39,724 --> 00:26:45,063 Being able to regularly find these animals allow us to also protect them 403 00:26:45,146 --> 00:26:48,066 from threats such as, um, snares 404 00:26:48,149 --> 00:26:50,777 that can be quite dangerous and even fatal. 405 00:26:50,860 --> 00:26:53,279 Because as you know, they are very social animals. 406 00:26:53,446 --> 00:26:56,491 Where the lion goes, their pride members will go as well. 407 00:26:56,699 --> 00:26:59,827 So it's one animal with a device like this, 408 00:27:00,161 --> 00:27:03,414 but the benefits extend to the rest of the pride. 409 00:27:06,334 --> 00:27:09,003 BERTIE: They've let me tag along with Dr. Mwamba Sichande 410 00:27:09,087 --> 00:27:11,631 to see why these collars are so important. 411 00:27:12,965 --> 00:27:16,135 One, two, three, four, five, six, seven. 412 00:27:16,511 --> 00:27:17,804 Whoa, that's a lot of lions! 413 00:27:19,138 --> 00:27:20,973 So right now, Mwamba and Henry are trying to figure out 414 00:27:21,099 --> 00:27:24,268 which lion they're going to dart to put the collar on. 415 00:27:29,649 --> 00:27:33,277 (WHISPERS) Mwamba made a great shot. It's hit her just above her shoulder. 416 00:27:34,195 --> 00:27:36,531 Mwamba, how long will the dart take to take effect? 417 00:27:36,906 --> 00:27:38,449 Um, five to ten minutes. 418 00:27:40,910 --> 00:27:45,206 BERTIE: The longer this animal is sedated, the greater the risk of complications. 419 00:27:45,456 --> 00:27:47,667 So this team is gonna need to work fast. 420 00:27:48,418 --> 00:27:50,336 Filming lions close-up is one thing. 421 00:27:51,212 --> 00:27:52,922 -Gloves. -Gloves. 422 00:27:53,047 --> 00:27:56,342 BERTIE: But I've never been so close that I need to put gloves on. 423 00:28:06,936 --> 00:28:08,438 We're just checking the fit of the collar, 424 00:28:09,313 --> 00:28:12,275 and I've gotta hold her head up to do that. And her head is really heavy. 425 00:28:13,317 --> 00:28:16,904 BERTIE: By collecting data like DNA, these researchers can work out 426 00:28:17,029 --> 00:28:20,032 how this lion compares to all the others that they've collared. 427 00:28:20,283 --> 00:28:22,368 MWAMBA: 102.1. 428 00:28:22,744 --> 00:28:25,204 So, this is the front claws. 429 00:28:26,456 --> 00:28:27,457 BERTIE: Wow. 430 00:28:27,874 --> 00:28:29,500 MWAMBA: See how big that one is? 431 00:28:30,126 --> 00:28:33,588 -It's like that big! -Yeah, it's massive. 432 00:28:34,088 --> 00:28:36,799 Okay. So, all the teeth look nice. 433 00:28:37,467 --> 00:28:42,221 She's still pretty young and you can see all the teeth look pretty much okay. 434 00:28:42,930 --> 00:28:46,851 So, it's been about forty-three, forty-four minutes since the dart went in. 435 00:28:46,934 --> 00:28:49,020 And I guess we don't want to be here when she wakes up. 436 00:28:49,103 --> 00:28:50,730 -(CHUCKLES) -No, not at all. 437 00:28:50,980 --> 00:28:52,398 Time to go. 438 00:28:53,733 --> 00:28:57,403 BERTIE: The collars have saved 47 lions from snares, 439 00:28:58,237 --> 00:29:02,617 and these lions went on to produce 217 cubs. 440 00:29:05,620 --> 00:29:09,081 You know, now that the adrenaline's wearing off from being so close, 441 00:29:10,041 --> 00:29:12,168 yeah, it makes me think, you know, in a perfect world, 442 00:29:12,335 --> 00:29:13,961 we wouldn't need to put collars on lions. 443 00:29:14,170 --> 00:29:17,548 But one day, this collar may save this lioness's life. 444 00:29:18,341 --> 00:29:19,717 It's a very special thing. 445 00:29:22,011 --> 00:29:23,012 BERTIE: Well, after that, 446 00:29:23,179 --> 00:29:26,057 I'm even more eager to track down our lion pride. 447 00:29:27,058 --> 00:29:29,602 If the big rains come early, we're done. 448 00:29:30,061 --> 00:29:32,772 So I'm really hoping the lions have slept off the effects 449 00:29:32,939 --> 00:29:34,148 of their mega-meal. 450 00:29:34,565 --> 00:29:37,276 (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) 451 00:29:40,488 --> 00:29:44,408 Ooh. The lions are back in hunting mode. They've got missile lock on something. 452 00:29:44,575 --> 00:29:45,493 And they are... 453 00:29:46,452 --> 00:29:47,912 going into that thicket. 454 00:29:51,082 --> 00:29:53,334 (OVER RADIO) Okay. So, we need to get ahead of them 455 00:29:53,876 --> 00:29:56,003 and figure out what they've clocked. 456 00:29:56,838 --> 00:29:57,797 (RADIO BEEPS) 457 00:29:59,507 --> 00:30:01,300 MALE VOICE: (OVER RADIO) Negative, they're just cruising. 458 00:30:01,425 --> 00:30:03,386 -(RADIO BEEPS) -Copy that. 459 00:30:06,806 --> 00:30:09,183 BERTIE: Ooh. You know, the wind's picking up. 460 00:30:13,771 --> 00:30:15,606 Well, the lions have gone from... 461 00:30:16,274 --> 00:30:19,694 hunt mode to "looking for shelter" mode. 462 00:30:19,819 --> 00:30:23,322 They've lost their missile lock on whatever they were hunting. 463 00:30:23,573 --> 00:30:27,660 And, yeah, uh, I think they're gonna go and find a big tree to sit under, 464 00:30:27,743 --> 00:30:29,704 which I think we're going to copy. 465 00:30:31,747 --> 00:30:33,708 BERTIE: Weather apps don't work very well out here, 466 00:30:33,791 --> 00:30:37,169 so I'm sending up the drone for a live update. 467 00:30:40,298 --> 00:30:42,008 Oh, yeah. I can see the wall of water. 468 00:30:43,926 --> 00:30:46,387 I'm coming back. That is terrifying. 469 00:30:48,306 --> 00:30:50,892 BERTIE: You know, I'm used to drizzle. I'm British. 470 00:30:51,392 --> 00:30:53,144 -But... -(THUNDER RUMBLES) 471 00:30:53,477 --> 00:30:56,647 these African storms are something else. 472 00:30:58,441 --> 00:31:00,526 Sports mode engaged, get back here. 473 00:31:09,327 --> 00:31:10,786 MALE VOICE: (OVER RADIO) 474 00:31:10,870 --> 00:31:12,371 KEVIN: You want to film the lions in the rain? 475 00:31:12,455 --> 00:31:14,290 -Yeah, yeah. -KEVIN: That's the objective. 476 00:31:14,457 --> 00:31:16,083 -Yeah, yeah, yeah. -KEVIN: Oh, cool. Okay. 477 00:31:18,294 --> 00:31:21,088 BERTIE: Maybe filming lions in a storm is bonkers, 478 00:31:21,464 --> 00:31:23,090 but the cameras are gonna be fine. 479 00:31:24,675 --> 00:31:25,635 I think? 480 00:31:37,772 --> 00:31:38,981 Here comes the rain. 481 00:31:45,154 --> 00:31:48,157 BERTIE: The land cruisers are designed to keep the beating sun off, 482 00:31:48,449 --> 00:31:49,909 not the beating rain. 483 00:31:52,411 --> 00:31:55,373 If this lasts, there's not much more filming we can do. 484 00:31:56,707 --> 00:32:00,211 It's pretty hard to see the bright side, but I'll try. 485 00:32:01,504 --> 00:32:03,506 Seems like the rain might be easing up, 486 00:32:04,173 --> 00:32:05,466 so that's good. I mean, 487 00:32:05,549 --> 00:32:08,344 the ground's so dry that hopefully a lot of the standing water 488 00:32:08,427 --> 00:32:10,429 is just gonna get sucked into the ground. 489 00:32:10,930 --> 00:32:13,432 And it won't be standing so that the buffalo can drink 490 00:32:13,599 --> 00:32:14,642 from it for too long. 491 00:32:14,934 --> 00:32:17,186 In a couple days, hopefully, this will be reset, 492 00:32:17,311 --> 00:32:19,772 it'll be back to dry, and then the buffaloes' movements will be... 493 00:32:20,898 --> 00:32:23,943 thunder... back to normal, but it's definitely a reminder 494 00:32:24,068 --> 00:32:25,569 that the clock's ticking, you know. 495 00:32:26,278 --> 00:32:29,073 We've got to get this before the big rains come, 496 00:32:29,240 --> 00:32:31,742 the proper rains come, and everything changes. 497 00:32:50,553 --> 00:32:52,763 Well, the sun's popped straight back out. 498 00:32:53,514 --> 00:32:59,270 I mean, they seem as relieved as I am that it's no longer burning hot. 499 00:33:04,608 --> 00:33:07,445 That rain's cooled everything down nicely and now... 500 00:33:08,404 --> 00:33:09,864 it's time to relax and play. 501 00:33:16,495 --> 00:33:19,540 BERTIE: These lions don't seem bothered by the rain at all, 502 00:33:19,957 --> 00:33:22,793 but it's gonna make following them so much harder. 503 00:33:29,300 --> 00:33:30,843 Fun and games after the rain. 504 00:33:31,469 --> 00:33:36,057 Ah, it's crazy, just one big but short dump of rain 505 00:33:36,766 --> 00:33:41,312 and the soil goes from being really bumpy and horrible when it's dry 506 00:33:41,854 --> 00:33:45,024 to really slippery and horrible when it's wet. Yeah. 507 00:33:45,191 --> 00:33:49,862 Soon, these roads, with a bit more rain, are gonna be completely impassible. 508 00:33:50,654 --> 00:33:53,365 So even if we know where the buffalo and the lions are, 509 00:33:54,241 --> 00:33:56,368 we're not gonna be able to get to them. 510 00:33:57,244 --> 00:33:59,497 -Isn't that right, Kevin? -Indeed. 511 00:34:03,125 --> 00:34:04,877 BERTIE: I'm glad that storm's moved on, 512 00:34:05,377 --> 00:34:08,506 but I'm not enjoying its bone-shaking legacy. 513 00:34:09,131 --> 00:34:12,760 Two days of sun has baked the soil as hard as clay. 514 00:34:13,219 --> 00:34:17,598 And that makes the search for lions and buffalo even more uncomfortable. 515 00:34:19,475 --> 00:34:20,893 Lovely road, Kevin! 516 00:34:26,690 --> 00:34:30,861 This black cotton soil is just full of these giant holes. 517 00:34:32,696 --> 00:34:38,410 Big elephant and hippo footprints that, now it's dry, have just gone rock-solid. 518 00:34:38,828 --> 00:34:44,625 And they make the worst road in the world to drive over. 519 00:34:45,709 --> 00:34:48,712 BERTIE: The rutted ground is also causing big problems 520 00:34:48,879 --> 00:34:51,507 for the second car with Sam and Adrian. 521 00:34:55,928 --> 00:34:56,929 SAM: Nice. 522 00:34:57,054 --> 00:34:58,347 -If I squeeze them in... -ADRIAN: Yeah. 523 00:34:58,764 --> 00:35:01,475 Yeah, so we've been bouncing around and, in the process, 524 00:35:01,809 --> 00:35:04,145 a screw has fallen out from underneath. 525 00:35:04,603 --> 00:35:07,731 If we leave it as is, we're hanging a half-million-pound camera 526 00:35:07,815 --> 00:35:09,233 off two tiny bolts. 527 00:35:09,525 --> 00:35:14,029 So we are going to have to make a plan and try and brace this up somehow. 528 00:35:14,321 --> 00:35:15,239 Bush style. 529 00:35:17,366 --> 00:35:20,536 BERTIE: One of Sam's old boot laces is better than nothing, 530 00:35:21,203 --> 00:35:23,122 even if it looks a little tatty. 531 00:35:26,041 --> 00:35:29,086 We need to burn these little frayed ends, Sam. 532 00:35:29,170 --> 00:35:30,546 Have you got a lighter or matches or something? 533 00:35:30,629 --> 00:35:32,673 I haven't got a lighter, but I've got a little steel and flint. 534 00:35:33,340 --> 00:35:36,635 BERTIE: Some nearby elephant dung is just the fuel they need. 535 00:35:37,219 --> 00:35:39,180 ADRIAN: So much grass in elephant dung, right? 536 00:35:41,140 --> 00:35:42,808 SAM: Smells really good, actually. 537 00:35:45,561 --> 00:35:47,563 Two guys in the bush using poo to fix a camera. 538 00:35:48,314 --> 00:35:50,357 -Think that's gonna do the trick? -Yeah. That is solid. 539 00:35:53,277 --> 00:35:55,154 BERTIE: I really hope they're up and running soon, 540 00:35:55,321 --> 00:35:57,823 because it's all kicking off down by the river. 541 00:36:00,451 --> 00:36:03,662 The buffalo are here, the lions are here, and the rest of the team isn't. 542 00:36:05,956 --> 00:36:07,166 Adrian to do you copy? 543 00:36:11,378 --> 00:36:12,254 Copy. Go. 544 00:36:12,755 --> 00:36:14,423 BERTIE: (OVER RADIO) We've got buffalo here. Where are you? 545 00:36:14,506 --> 00:36:18,260 We are just coming along Ebony Grove, we've had a technical problem. 546 00:36:18,344 --> 00:36:20,262 Yeah, the buffalo are drinking, get here as quick as you can. 547 00:36:20,888 --> 00:36:22,723 Copy that, getting to you as fast as we can. 548 00:36:25,017 --> 00:36:28,145 Well, this could be the moment we've been waiting for. 549 00:36:28,812 --> 00:36:31,774 The buffalo are on their way in. We've got lions down there. 550 00:36:33,150 --> 00:36:36,153 Weeks of waiting and sweating and... 551 00:36:38,822 --> 00:36:40,491 stress-iness comes down to... 552 00:36:41,659 --> 00:36:44,411 the next 15 minutes, which is quite scary. 553 00:36:45,329 --> 00:36:47,915 BERTIE: Okay, now for the moment of truth. 554 00:36:48,207 --> 00:36:51,252 The lions won't pounce until the buffalo have had a drink. 555 00:36:51,585 --> 00:36:53,629 The buffalo will be much slower then, 556 00:36:53,712 --> 00:36:55,965 with a hundred pounds of water inside them. 557 00:36:57,716 --> 00:36:59,301 Well, this is the best it's looked. 558 00:37:00,386 --> 00:37:02,763 It's going to happen over a big area. 559 00:37:02,972 --> 00:37:07,059 I'm gonna stay here and use the drone while Sam's team moves in closer. 560 00:37:07,476 --> 00:37:08,978 ADRIAN: Copy that. We're nearly there. 561 00:37:09,478 --> 00:37:12,773 Okay, right. I've got the buff, and they are just 562 00:37:13,023 --> 00:37:14,400 at the water's edge drinking. 563 00:37:15,234 --> 00:37:19,488 I'm hoping that the buff are going to come right back past us. 564 00:37:22,866 --> 00:37:24,994 The lions are just at the top of the gully. 565 00:37:25,244 --> 00:37:27,746 We can see two, three, maybe four from here. 566 00:37:27,913 --> 00:37:29,665 Not sure whether you can see more from down there. 567 00:37:30,082 --> 00:37:33,544 Okay. Yeah. We can see a lot of lions here on our side, up to our right. 568 00:37:41,635 --> 00:37:42,720 What are the lions doing? 569 00:37:44,430 --> 00:37:45,639 SAM: (OVER RADIO) The females are getting up 570 00:37:45,723 --> 00:37:46,849 and moving towards the buffalo. 571 00:37:46,932 --> 00:37:48,517 The male is staying put. 572 00:38:05,200 --> 00:38:08,704 KEVIN: The lead female is adult. Second female is adult. 573 00:38:11,498 --> 00:38:13,959 Yeah, it looks like we've got the main hunters here. 574 00:38:14,626 --> 00:38:17,046 BERTIE: (OVER RADIO) Okay, so the buffalo are just finishing up drinking. 575 00:38:17,129 --> 00:38:20,716 The front leaders of the herd are making their way up the beach. 576 00:38:21,800 --> 00:38:27,056 BERTIE: When a lion like Lip walks like that, she intends to kill. 577 00:38:28,474 --> 00:38:30,434 Oh, man. They've got so much swagger. 578 00:38:30,517 --> 00:38:33,145 Look at that giant wall of black they're walking towards, 579 00:38:33,228 --> 00:38:36,273 and they're just like, "Yeah. We're gonna take this on." 580 00:38:37,149 --> 00:38:38,859 Okay. I can see the first horns. 581 00:38:39,818 --> 00:38:41,904 BERTIE: Well, the lions' tactics are working. 582 00:38:41,987 --> 00:38:44,948 Those buffalo have only got one way through. 583 00:38:48,869 --> 00:38:52,039 Whoa! They're taking the fight to the lions. Look at that! 584 00:38:58,003 --> 00:38:59,338 They're charging, they're charging. 585 00:39:05,177 --> 00:39:07,054 (BUFFALO GROANING) 586 00:39:07,179 --> 00:39:09,681 The buffalo are just pouring past the lions. 587 00:39:11,642 --> 00:39:12,935 Oh, buffalo's down, buffalo's down. 588 00:39:13,102 --> 00:39:14,978 They've got it, they've got it, they've got it. 589 00:39:20,651 --> 00:39:24,113 (BUFFALO GRUNTING) 590 00:39:28,951 --> 00:39:31,203 No! They lost it, they lost it, they lost it. 591 00:39:33,872 --> 00:39:34,915 SAM: They're going for another one. 592 00:39:35,040 --> 00:39:36,583 BERTIE: They're going again, two lions on one. 593 00:39:44,425 --> 00:39:46,552 And they're on, they're on, they're on. 594 00:39:46,718 --> 00:39:47,845 This could be game over. 595 00:39:49,096 --> 00:39:50,222 SAM: Ah, it's got away. 596 00:39:50,305 --> 00:39:53,725 How did it get away? It had two lions hanging off it. 597 00:39:54,893 --> 00:39:57,688 One's on a calf, one's on a calf. It's by itself, though. 598 00:39:57,771 --> 00:40:00,649 I can't see any other lions around it. The rest of the herd is coming back. 599 00:40:00,774 --> 00:40:02,568 Ooh! (CHUCKLES) 600 00:40:03,277 --> 00:40:04,778 The lion was right on that buff. 601 00:40:04,903 --> 00:40:06,822 I thought that was game over for that calf, 602 00:40:06,947 --> 00:40:09,533 and the rest of the herd came back and drove the lion off. 603 00:40:18,000 --> 00:40:18,917 The buffalo have turned back. 604 00:40:22,171 --> 00:40:24,173 They're coming up behind the buffalo herd. 605 00:40:30,971 --> 00:40:32,514 Whoa! A lion is putting the burners on. 606 00:40:35,058 --> 00:40:36,810 Ah! The speed! 607 00:40:37,186 --> 00:40:38,437 Oooh! 608 00:40:39,438 --> 00:40:40,814 Just put the brakes on. 609 00:40:41,273 --> 00:40:44,776 (BUFFALO GRUNTING) 610 00:40:45,652 --> 00:40:48,572 BERTIE: The lions have got to be trying to pick out a straggler. 611 00:40:51,325 --> 00:40:52,993 Those buffalo do not like that. 612 00:40:53,076 --> 00:40:55,412 Look at them turn back, look at them turn back on the lions. 613 00:41:06,590 --> 00:41:10,135 Okay. The buffalo, one by one, are coming out, facing the lions. 614 00:41:14,348 --> 00:41:16,892 Lion's nearly got... Ooh! A buffalo nearly got that lion. 615 00:41:17,518 --> 00:41:19,019 (BUFFALO GRUNTING) 616 00:41:31,198 --> 00:41:32,699 Did you see that one get kicked in the face? 617 00:41:39,957 --> 00:41:42,459 I think it might be over. I don't think the lions managed it. 618 00:41:42,543 --> 00:41:44,836 They were so keen, there were so many of them. 619 00:41:45,420 --> 00:41:47,839 Sam, any good, any of that in focus? 620 00:41:48,757 --> 00:41:52,094 I hope it was in focus. That was pretty amazing 621 00:41:52,261 --> 00:41:54,888 to be basically in amongst the herd. How was it from the air? 622 00:41:55,055 --> 00:41:58,809 Yeah. I felt like I was seeing something that I shouldn't be allowed to see. 623 00:41:58,934 --> 00:42:01,395 Unfortunately, they didn't manage to get one. 624 00:42:01,562 --> 00:42:03,564 I'm sweating so much sat in a car. 625 00:42:03,689 --> 00:42:06,942 What it must be like to run after a buffalo, I have no idea. 626 00:42:07,317 --> 00:42:09,111 BERTIE: (OVER RADIO) Why don't you get out the car and try? 627 00:42:09,278 --> 00:42:11,196 -(BOTH CHUCKLE) -Yeah, no. 628 00:42:17,494 --> 00:42:21,331 Yeah. I have been fortunate enough to see lots of different animals 629 00:42:21,456 --> 00:42:22,541 hunting other animals, 630 00:42:22,624 --> 00:42:27,212 and I have never seen a prey animal be so aggressive towards the predator. 631 00:42:28,922 --> 00:42:29,881 I've got the shakes. 632 00:42:31,008 --> 00:42:33,510 BERTIE: Well, that didn't go to plan for the lions, 633 00:42:33,635 --> 00:42:37,764 but it certainly did for us. With just a little bit of luck 634 00:42:38,015 --> 00:42:41,059 and multiple cameras, we captured the fine line 635 00:42:41,351 --> 00:42:43,562 between success and failure. 636 00:42:44,521 --> 00:42:47,441 You know, a misstep from either side could've meant death. 637 00:42:48,525 --> 00:42:50,819 I really didn't expect that buffalo reaction. 638 00:42:50,944 --> 00:42:53,780 Their teamwork more than matched the lions'. 639 00:42:54,323 --> 00:42:57,326 And, you know, on this occasion, they had the upper hand. 640 00:43:01,163 --> 00:43:04,207 That makes me respect our pride even more. 641 00:43:04,291 --> 00:43:07,836 They don't dominate the environment. They don't get it all their own way. 642 00:43:08,879 --> 00:43:12,299 They're in just as much of a struggle as anything else here. 643 00:43:13,884 --> 00:43:16,678 And after spending nearly a month in their company, 644 00:43:17,304 --> 00:43:20,098 I feel nothing but admiration for them. 645 00:43:21,224 --> 00:43:24,394 I just hope they're given the opportunity to thrive. 646 00:43:26,438 --> 00:43:30,609 We've seen lions in this gully before, so we just stopped to check it out. 647 00:43:30,692 --> 00:43:33,695 We heard rustling in the bushes. I thought it was just 648 00:43:34,071 --> 00:43:36,865 the little bee-eaters flying around catching insects. 649 00:43:37,741 --> 00:43:41,828 But I can just see a little tail. 650 00:43:44,665 --> 00:43:49,336 That's not the same set of cubs. Even smaller, even younger. 651 00:43:51,088 --> 00:43:52,839 This one can barely walk, 652 00:43:53,006 --> 00:43:54,675 it's stumbling around. 653 00:43:55,008 --> 00:43:56,593 Oh, wildlife is nuts. 654 00:43:56,760 --> 00:43:59,388 Just when you think you've got it all figured out, 655 00:43:59,805 --> 00:44:04,059 it just throws you another nugget of gold. (CHUCKLES) 656 00:44:05,352 --> 00:44:09,564 You know, everything we've seen here, the lions taking on the buffalo, 657 00:44:10,190 --> 00:44:16,071 these little cubs, the other cubs, it's all made all the more poignant 658 00:44:17,239 --> 00:44:20,283 when you realize that lions are in big trouble across Africa. 659 00:44:20,450 --> 00:44:22,494 You know, there's only about twenty thousand left. 660 00:44:23,286 --> 00:44:25,163 I didn't know this until recently, 661 00:44:25,372 --> 00:44:29,167 that there are less lions than rhinos left in Africa. 662 00:44:29,835 --> 00:44:32,713 You know, I hope that with the amazing people 663 00:44:32,796 --> 00:44:37,509 that we've worked with here, we can avoid lions getting caught in snares, 664 00:44:38,260 --> 00:44:40,637 we can avoid all the other threats that they face. 665 00:44:41,430 --> 00:44:44,433 We've seen, in this protected area, lions will thrive. 666 00:44:44,766 --> 00:44:46,435 They'll have loads of cubs. 667 00:44:46,727 --> 00:44:50,814 They'll continue to take part in the epic battle against the buffalo. 668 00:44:53,191 --> 00:44:54,234 (SQUEAKS) 669 00:45:00,699 --> 00:45:01,950 (THEME MUSIC PLAYING) 670 00:45:02,075 --> 00:45:04,661 BERTIE: Since we made this film, the signal from the collar 671 00:45:04,745 --> 00:45:06,371 we helped place stopped moving. 672 00:45:07,247 --> 00:45:09,750 Zambian Carnivore Program went to investigate 673 00:45:09,916 --> 00:45:13,462 and found one of the other pride members caught in a wire snare. 674 00:45:14,379 --> 00:45:15,839 She was barely alive. 675 00:45:18,008 --> 00:45:20,927 Because of the collar, they were able to remove the snare 676 00:45:21,052 --> 00:45:24,014 and treat the wounds before setting her free. 677 00:45:26,475 --> 00:45:28,477 (THEME MUSIC ENDS)