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)