Enter the battlefields of Africa, arenas bathed in a history of savagery and blood, where big cats and big crocs have reigned supreme for centuries. Here in the open plains, muddy swamps, and deep rivers, these super predators don't simply survive in hostile and unforgiving conditions, they thrive because of them. See how these four-legged assassins adapt to their surroundings and use the terrain to unlock new hunting techniques, seek out new prey, and amplify their age-old skills by using the lay of the land.
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AnimalsTranscript
00:00This is a famous battleground.
00:12These are the warriors who fight here, and have for centuries.
00:18It's one of the toughest landscapes a cat can hunt in.
00:21It's open, it's dry, and the prey is big.
00:33Savuti's predators have to be exceptional strategists.
00:40Sometimes, there's nowhere to hide.
00:46Here, only creative killers survive.
00:51Savuti, Botswana.
01:05A dead-end swamp surrounded by a vast thorny desert.
01:12Prey is drawn to this oasis.
01:14And lions are drawn to the prey.
01:28This is the marsh pride.
01:30The lions who dominate this region.
01:33Saba is the lead lioness.
01:35Two huge males are the pride's protectors.
01:42They spend most of their time away, defending their territory.
01:47Their main concern is the nomads.
01:50Two exiled male sub-adults trespass on marsh pride territory.
02:01They're just waiting to depose the pride males.
02:03The primary prey of Savuti lions is African buffalo.
02:13Wildebeest leave town when it's dry.
02:17But buffalo is year-round food, if you can get it.
02:28Lions aren't the only big cats hunting in Savuti.
02:31One female leopard survives right under the lion's noses.
02:41Nikita is a clever cat.
02:44She's constantly on the hunt.
02:46But she can't attract the attention of her nemesis.
02:49The marsh pride.
02:50Both parties hunt an area of five square kilometers.
03:02Savuti is the footprint of an ancient super lake.
03:06There's an elevated ridge in the west.
03:09Rocky outcrops in the north.
03:11And an old shoreline in the east.
03:15These create a basin.
03:17A natural coliseum where three hunting zones meet.
03:21The marsh plain is dry, flat land without much cover.
03:26Animals must cross it to get to water.
03:32The woodland to the west offers good cover for ambush attacks.
03:37This is buffalo hunting terrain.
03:42The scrub, the area between the woodland and the marsh,
03:46has tough conditions without much prey.
03:48The lions avoid it.
03:50So Nikita hunks here.
03:52She's learned to thrive on the toughest turf.
03:59There's water in Savuti now.
04:01But within a month, it will dry up.
04:04And the wildebeest will leave town.
04:05Saba wants to catch one before they go.
04:10A wildebeest is much easier to kill than a buffalo.
04:14With eight growing cubs, she and her sisters have their work cut out for them.
04:18With eight growing cubs, she and her sisters have their work cut out for them.
04:19With eight growing cubs, she and her sisters have their work cut out for them.
04:23With eight growing cubs, she and her sisters have their work cut out for them.
04:26With eight growing cubs, she and her sisters have their work cut out for them.
04:30The pride males are out on patrol, so Saba enlists the older cubs to help in the upcoming hunt.
04:44Savuti lines know one thing for sure, the odds fall in their favour at night time.
05:09Wildebeest have weak night vision, much like our own.
05:32The wildebeest are running in the dark, but the lions can see them.
05:39By using infrared lights, our cameras can see what the prey can't.
05:47On the marsh plane, the wildebeest could bolt in any direction.
05:52Instead of a solo ambush, Saba opts for the two-pronged attack.
05:59Position herself with a second lioness on one side of the wildebeest,
06:03and the adolescent cubs on the opposite side.
06:05If she can get the young hunters to scare the wildebeest towards her,
06:12it's game over.
06:17The pride moves into position.
06:22After following the adults on countless hunts,
06:25the cubs know what's expected of them.
06:27Saba gets into position.
06:33Saba gets into position.
06:33Saba gets into position.
06:35Saba gets into position.
06:36Saba gets into position.
06:37Saba gets into position.
06:38Saba gets into position.
06:39Saba gets into position.
06:40Saba gets into position.
06:41Saba gets into position.
06:42Saba gets into position.
06:43Saba gets into position.
06:44Saba gets into position.
06:45Saba gets into position.
06:46Saba gets into position.
06:47Saba gets into position.
06:48Saba gets into position.
06:49Saba gets into position.
06:50Saba gets into position.
06:51Saba gets into position.
06:52Saba gets into position.
06:53Saba gets into position.
06:54Saba gets into position.
06:55Saba gets into position.
06:56Saba gets into position.
06:57Saba gets into position.
06:58Saba gets into position.
06:59Saba gets into position.
07:00The first cub makes his move.
07:15A second forces the wildebeest towards Saba.
07:30It's a tried-and-tested strategy, tailored for this open-marsh plain.
07:53Everyone eats, including the smallest.
08:00News of fresh meat travels quickly.
08:13When you're a successful Savuti predator, hyenas are your constant rivals.
08:20Saba's meal and the cuffs are at risk.
08:24Despite lions being bigger and stronger, the hyenas have strength in numbers.
08:33Saba is protective of her cubs for good reason.
08:46She will defend them to the death.
08:56Saba is protective of her cubs for good reason.
09:02She will defend them to the death.
09:04Saba protected her meat and the cubs with great courage.
09:20But she's paid a huge price for the victory.
09:22The hyenas fought viciously and gouged the flesh of her hind leg.
09:37It's a serious wound that could kill her if it gets infected.
09:41With Saba now injured, the whole pride is in danger.
09:55On the northern edge of the marsh pride's territory, Africa's most resourceful cat is on the hunt.
10:00Nikita is relegated to the rocky outcrops.
10:08The hunting area no other cat wants.
10:11The pickings are slim, but Nikita's incredibly creative.
10:17Owls.
10:19It's an odd meal for a leopard, but she's an unusual cat.
10:29Ten metres up is a nest full of chicks.
10:46And the morning light means it's bedtime.
10:50For Nikita, it could be breakfast time.
10:59Nikita's just metres away from a possible barn owl breakfast.
11:06She's got to take a hunt ten metres vertical.
11:12If she can get to the first fork of the tree quickly, she'll catch them before they flee.
11:18Timing and speed are key here.
11:29They're huddled inside. Nikita gets to work tearing down the door.
11:49One owl flies the coop.
12:00Nikita's strategy unfolded perfectly.
12:04Great innovation in action, even if it's little more than a mouthful of feathers.
12:13Leopards remove all the feathers from birds before eating them.
12:17So, once the chick has been plucked, it only qualifies as an appetiser.
12:29The pride is getting some downtime.
12:40Saba needs to rest her injury.
12:42And it's a good opportunity for the cubs to work on their hunting skills.
12:52Every interaction and play fight helps with agility, strength and coordination.
12:59Ycerra walks off slowly...
13:17Big brothers, help toughen your resolve.
13:20Where's appalling for猎iros?
13:23What do you think of this?
13:25Savuti is a place where only the hardiest predators survive, and soon the cubs will
13:39be expected to join Sabah on a buffalo hunt.
13:50They need as much training as they can get.
13:56It's time to quench their thirst.
14:00Something grabs the oldest cubs' attention.
14:15This mother honey badger and a cub choose the wrong morning to go for a drink.
14:20This is a chance for cubs to put their hunting skills into practice.
14:31Honey badgers are famous for being totally fearless.
14:44This is the ultimate test of the nine cubs' courage.
14:51But can the mother badger bite off three lines?
14:57She does the best she can to protect her car, but she's outnumbered.
15:04One line drives the mother out of the marsh, while the others concentrate on the cub.
15:11The badger car has a tough leathery skin and razor sharp teeth.
15:18The badger car has a tough leathery skin and razor sharp teeth.
15:25The badger car has a badger car.
15:26The badger car has a tough leathery skin and razor sharp teeth.
15:32But even that is not enough to withstand the determination of the lines.
15:39It's the sad loss of one life.
15:40It's the sad loss of one life.
15:46But this has been an invaluable training exercise for Savuti's future hunters.
16:11As evening approaches, the pride spots what they've been waiting for.
16:27The buffalo stay here year-round.
16:30They can survive on the dry grass that blankets Savuti.
16:34The herd's moving into the woodland.
16:39More hiding places for a hunter.
16:44But the nomads are on the move too.
16:51They've smelt the buffalo herd, and they're making a beeline for the woodland, straight through
16:56Saba's territory.
16:59The pride males are missing.
17:02She needs them now to protect her and the pride.
17:06With her injury, she can't afford to confront the teenage nomads or the buffalo.
17:13It's far too risky for the whole pride.
17:17At three years old, the nomads are already bold hunters.
17:26Not as good as Saba, but they're filled with youthful zeal and have no injuries.
17:32For two sub-adults, pulling down a buffalo is a mere impossible task.
17:48The buffalo's dagger-like horns have impaled many a line.
17:58This is prey that fights back.
18:07The nomads will taunt the buffalo until they know they have the upper hand.
18:12After dark.
18:13There are young co-ops in this herd.
18:32But they're heavily guarded.
18:42Now, it's a waiting game.
18:57But patience is not a teenage trait.
19:16One nomad makes his move.
19:22The buffalo can see little in the darkness.
19:25The buffalo can see little in the darkness.
19:47The herd knows it needs to unite.
20:05They push back towards the open marsh plain.
20:11The lions are in too deep.
20:13There's no turning back.
20:20They face a wall of horns and hooves.
20:23And then they spot a calf.
20:26A target.
20:31The nomads face off with the buffalo bodyguards.
20:36They just need to separate the calf from the herd.
20:39They just need to separate the calf from the herd.
20:43You will fall into the 먼저.
20:44You can kill a male.
20:45You can kill a entree.
20:46You can kill a whale.
20:47You can kill a royal beast.
20:50The io you who died.
20:52You want to kill a roger in the high- мощement.
20:53Linus is on square foot.
20:54And in their way who predate it.
20:55Of course they'll pass everything.
20:56You can produce it.
20:57Train to death.
20:58just when they sink their teeth into their hard-earned meal sure enough they
21:08hear the sound of danger
21:13the brothers defend their kill from every angle
21:43but hyenas aren't the worst of their problems
21:48the pride males are back ready to fight for their turf
22:00they've been patrolling another corner of their territory
22:04and missed the nomad invasion
22:05they've got 150 square kilometers to protect
22:10it's a needle in a haystack problem for these guards
22:20Saba and the cubs are on the marsh plain
22:22and they've got company
22:24the cubs carefully watch their arch enemy
22:36the beasts they're being trained to one day take down
22:40on their very own
22:41buffalo are the pride's fatal attraction
22:46they're a prized meal
22:51but they come with a high price tag
22:53as the nomads discovered
22:56buffalo are equipped with a lethal stampede strategy
23:00apart from their deadly horns
23:02they're also built with an armor-plated head
23:05a living battering ram
23:07but Saba knows
23:13she can't confidently hunt one down with her injury
23:16if the males were around to contribute to the hunt
23:20she wouldn't hesitate
23:21her hearty meal will have to wait a little longer
23:32after being chased out of the scrub by the jackals
23:38Nikita moves to a new hunting area
23:40she's on her endless pursuit for something bigger and meatier
23:48guinea fowl
23:57they're plump
24:02slow
24:03and ground dwelling
24:04a step up from an owl
24:06conditions are in Nikita's favor
24:12the flock's preoccupied with feeding
24:14and she's got good cover
24:20but the guinea fowl have an especially quick takeoff
24:23so Nikita's got to get close enough to stop them
24:29her spotted coat helps her blend into the dappled environment
24:35the flock is on the channel bank just 18 meters from the water
24:42rather than stalking through the trees
24:44Nikita's plan is to approach the flock from below
24:48using the bank as cover
24:49the plan is to pounce before their quick vertical takeoff
24:54her expert leopard crawl gets her up the bank
25:19she's 10 meters away
25:36the flat terrain is perfect hunting territory
25:41five meters away
26:07they're still going about their dusting and feeding
26:10Nikita's just meters away from her target
26:16the birds haven't detected her
26:18yet
26:19finally a kill
26:29it may be another high maintenance meal
26:38but she's got to take whatever Savuti will give her
26:41a feathered feast is better than none
26:44the herd's still in the woodland
27:00Saba and her cubs are especially hungry
27:06with the male still away
27:08they're sitting tight
27:09and worse
27:16the nomads step in again
27:17and penetrate deeper into marsh pride territory
27:24their confidence is up
27:30and they're headed straight for the herd
27:32this time in full daylight
27:35the buffalo sense this danger
27:41but the tall line colored grass
27:44camouflages the nomads advances
27:46they close in on a straggler
27:56the line doesn't get a good enough grip
28:15on the buffalo's hind quarters
28:17and is easily shaken off
28:19the herd closes ranks
28:24a reminder
28:29of how impenetrable
28:31a buffalo herd can be
28:32there's a silver lining though
28:37the buffalo
28:39is injured from the initial attack
28:41this buffalo is not going far
28:49with a torn tendon
28:50a hunting strategy
28:54has landed in the nomads' laps
28:56and they know it
28:58to clinch the deal
29:04they'll rely on their customary cover
29:06the dark
29:08Saba and her cubs
29:13track the same herd
29:15their hunger is overpowering
29:17and she can't wait for the males any longer
29:19A daytime hunt will be tough
29:34but there are calves in this herd
29:36and that's a good enough invitation
29:38this is the cubs' first buffalo hunt
29:48and their safety
29:50is her priority
29:51the stakes are high here
29:55she must read the enemy's movements
29:57precisely
29:58one line takes cover behind Saba
30:06but it won't do any good
30:08everyone's got to go out on this hunt
30:11without the cover of night
30:16they'll hide in the mapani trees
30:18her strategy
30:22her strategy
30:22is to position herself
30:23and the cubs
30:24in an arc
30:25and then move in
30:28the buffalo won't know
30:32where the attack is coming from
30:34they'll flee in different directions
30:37the chaos
30:39will leave the calves
30:40most vulnerable
30:41the use of cover
30:46in the woodland zone
30:46is critical
30:47the buffalo must never see the whole pride
30:54picking the right target
31:02is crucial
31:03suddenly
31:10one cub jumps the gun
31:12and gives away the pride
31:14Saba tries to recover the blunder
31:17she runs to intercept them
31:19a second cub
31:25is caught in front of the herd
31:26sometimes
31:44there's great opportunity
31:46in chaos
31:46and Saba finds it
31:59the cubs are on it
32:03in seconds
32:04with the nomads
32:16with the nomads at large
32:17their ravenous pride
32:19must eat
32:19and run
32:20as evening arrives
32:25in Savuti
32:26the struggle for survival
32:28favours its predators
32:30something Nikita hopes
32:33will help her cause
32:34unlike buffaloes
32:41her prey is nocturnal
32:43equipped with expert night vision
32:45so
32:46she's got to be extra sneaky
32:48the scrub hair
33:04that lives in this hole
33:05will soon leave
33:06for its night time forage
33:07and Nikita
33:14parks herself
33:15right outside
33:16its doorway
33:16she's dead still
33:21but does she have the patience
33:27to pull it off
33:29in a split second
33:46it's over
33:47a solid grip around the chest
33:49cuts off
33:50any telltale squeals
33:52finally
33:58a meal big enough
34:00to match her appetite
34:02on the edge of the woodland
34:13the nomads
34:14still track the herd
34:15pushing them further
34:17into cover
34:17buffalo don't sleep at night
34:24it's a far more important job
34:26at hand
34:27fending off Savuti's
34:30night time hunters
34:31their sights
34:36are still focused
34:37on the injured buffalo
34:38but she's guarded
34:46by an army
34:47of one ton tanks
34:49the nomads
35:03the nomads don't have a clear strategy
35:06they're simply creating chaos
35:09the lions don't let up
35:16on their assault
35:16the dust rises
35:18and soon the injured buffalo
35:20is left alone
35:21the nomads take a chance
35:26it's been a long battle
35:49on both sides
35:51killing an adult buffalo
35:53is a massive accomplishment
35:55for any line
35:56these two youngsters
36:00are doing well
36:01even by Savuti standards
36:02this will keep them fed
36:05for at least three days
36:06that's if they manage
36:11to keep it
36:12instead of the
36:21and they just
36:24and they just
36:26drienne
36:26which
36:26counts
36:26because
36:27and we love
36:27because
36:29they see
36:29every example
36:30will help
36:30save
36:31the
36:31潮湖
36:31or
36:32you
36:32will have
36:33couple of
36:33love
36:34and
36:35to
36:35continues
36:35and
36:35to
36:35kiem
36:36and
36:37to
36:38to
36:38ourselves
36:39and
36:39to
36:40Against this clan of 22, it's hardly a fair fight.
36:53He's surrounded.
36:57This many hyenas can rip a young lion into shreds.
37:01The lions retreat to their kill, as the clan closes in.
37:13After hunting this buffalo for 18 hours, the nomad lions aren't giving up their kill.
37:43Finally, the hyenas back down.
37:55But at dawn comes the real challenge.
38:05Even the hyenas are scared.
38:08The night battle has given them away.
38:10The marsh pride males have finally caught up to the intruders.
38:18It's not the meat the pride male wants.
38:22He wants his valuable Savuti territory back.
38:31The nomads don't even try to defend their meal against the 500-pound brute.
38:37But can they defend themselves?
38:40They slip away quietly from the carcass.
39:00His show of power gets him a meal and sends a warning to the nomads.
39:04Now the male calls in Saba and the cubs for dinner.
39:20After almost a week, the males are back with the pride.
39:23It's a bittersweet reunion.
39:29A quick greeting secures their bond.
39:36At least he's got them a meal.
39:40But no one eats before the pride male.
39:43The male's full belly is their big break.
39:46The male's full belly is their big break.
40:10But there's also not a lot left after the nomads and the male got their fill.
40:19The pride has to get right back out there and take down their own buffalo.
40:25The herds now on the edge of the woodland, moving toward the marsh plain.
40:30The open marsh is their favorite turf.
40:49The pride also has strength in numbers.
40:51This time, they'll work as one.
40:54The pride's strategy is to attack from a single angle.
41:01The open marsh plain allows them the space to mount a single offensive.
41:06And allows a safe zone behind them where they can retreat unscathed.
41:12On a united front, they have more support from each other and can attack in waves.
41:18Keeping up the offensive for longer.
41:24The buffalo may not see the lions in the dark, but they can smell them.
41:35The herd assembles their defensive strategy.
41:38Also a united front.
41:40Within seconds, their teamwork shows its power.
41:49The pride's strategy is to draw attention away from Sava.
41:59But the target gets free.
42:01This bull is too much for the lions.
42:16The pride male takes a chance.
42:18Even under the weight of four lions, the bull's not buckling.
42:33The epic two-hour battle comes to an end.
42:56The male may not be the best hunter and protector, but its strength always comes in handy.
43:06The whole pride will benefit from this massive meal for days to come.
43:14Sava has proved herself an extraordinary Savuti hunter.
43:18With her wounds almost healed, and the cubs growing more experienced by the day,
43:24she's ready for the next challenge that this great battlefield has in store for her.
43:31And Nikita, the lone leopard hunter, continues to persevere in the harshest conditions
43:36ever determined to catch more meat than fowl.
43:40Through innovation, the cats of Savuti have learned to hunt this terrain perfectly.
43:49They've not only survived the harsh landscape,
43:52they thrive because of it.