Category
🐳
AnimalsTranscript
00:00 It's been days since the pride last ate,
00:03 and Mopane's milk will soon run dry.
00:06 If they're to survive, they need to lure back the punks
00:14 as soon as possible and start bagging some buffalo.
00:18 So the pride takes a huge risk.
00:26 Led by Mopane, they travel east in search of the males.
00:31 They'll have to cross the river
00:34 and enter the Hollywood pride lands.
00:37 If Milo can't keep up, he'll be abandoned.
00:43 Despite the rains, the river's still shallow.
00:49 They're lucky.
00:53 But deep water isn't the main danger.
00:56 These are croc-infested waters.
01:02 Huge numbers patrol the river, seeking opportunity.
01:08 These are Nile crocodiles.
01:12 At over 16 feet,
01:16 they're amongst the largest crocodiles in the world.
01:20 (water gurgling)
01:23 They may not have eaten for weeks,
01:27 just waiting for a chance like this.
01:30 There's little time for table manners.
01:47 Some of the most powerful jaws in the animal kingdom
01:50 clamp down on slippery hippo flesh.
01:53 Then, with muscular tails,
01:58 they spin on their axis and twist off a mouthful.
02:16 Regardless of the danger, the pride must cross the river.
02:21 (water gurgling)
02:24 (crow cawing)
02:27 (water gurgling)
02:29 But someone's been left behind.
02:56 Milo.
02:57 Keenly focused, the lionesses forge ahead.
03:03 The whole family is on edge.
03:07 Milo is petrified.
03:26 He's never seen water like this before.
03:29 Amopana doesn't seem to care.
03:33 Perhaps this is the moment their bond is finally broken.
03:55 But something draws Amopana back.
03:58 (Milo meowing)
04:02 It's now or never.
04:13 But the worst possible thing he can do is stop.
04:22 (Milo meowing)
04:24 Bravely, he ventures on.
04:38 It's getting deeper.
04:44 (water gurgling)
04:46 - No!
05:00 No!
05:12 No!
05:13 No!
05:20 - Milo must swim if he's going to make it.
05:25 - No!
05:39 - The croc moves in for the grab.
05:42 But Amopana's growl sends it on its way.
05:48 An external threat to her cub
06:05 has triggered her maternal instincts.
06:08 (water gurgling)
06:11 Perhaps this will rekindle their bond.
06:38 Having survived the river, the pride has a new hurdle.
06:42 The huge riverbank looms ahead.
06:51 It's barely passable for the adults.
07:00 For Milo, it's impossible.
07:06 (dramatic music)
07:08 Once again, he's left behind.
07:21 But this time, Mopana hasn't forgotten him.
07:31 (dramatic music)
08:00 Gently, she carries her cub to safety.
08:03 After the drama of the river crossing,
08:27 mother and cub immediately settle down to nurse.
08:30 An intimacy and tenderness has returned.
08:35 Mopana's change in behavior towards Milo
08:42 instantly seems to ripple through the rest of the pride.
08:45 They're already treating him differently.
08:48 (dramatic music)
08:51 One of the yearlings initiates the greeting ceremony.
09:01 Head rubbing and raised tails
09:04 are a lion's way of showing they mean no harm.
09:07 Their family's bond has kept the pride together,
09:13 but they still need the male's hunting abilities
09:16 and protection to ensure it succeeds.
09:19 That's what's brought them across the river.
09:22 Mopana sends her call out into the Hollywood territory.
09:31 A lioness's call can carry more than a mile.
09:36 If the punks hear her, they should respond.
09:44 The trespassing lionesses won't risk venturing farther
09:47 into enemy territory.
09:49 So the muambas wait here instead.
09:54 Hours pass.
09:58 With no response.
10:02 Night begins to fall.
10:06 It seems as though their efforts
10:10 to find the punks are in vain.
10:13 (lioness howling)
10:15 As the sun rises, it's time to reluctantly head for home.
10:20 But a familiar sound cuts through the still morning air.
10:33 It's Mohawk.
10:40 And following closely behind is Axel.
10:43 It's been a week since the lionesses have seen their males
10:52 and they greet them with great affection.
10:54 Then, last but not least, Spike also returns.
11:03 After spending some time with the four Hollywood beauties,
11:09 perhaps the punks have decided
11:12 that the muambas have better odds when hunting.
11:15 With the family reunited,
11:21 they can cross the river back into muamba territory.
11:24 With the support that the reformed pride brings,
11:32 Mopana can relax and devote all her attention to Milo.
11:39 With regular suckling, he's growing strong.
11:42 And the rest of the pride
11:47 are also seeing changes for the better.
11:50 The punk's power has helped them bring down a buffalo,
11:57 giving them the big meal they've been missing.
12:07 The pride gets the best feed it's had since the males left,
12:11 enjoying full bellies for the first time in a week.
12:17 And there are other signs the family is back on track.
12:30 The lionesses seem receptive once more.
12:36 (lioness snoring)
12:39 It's been a trying week.
12:45 Abandoned by their males,
12:48 the muamba pride has overcome hunger, fear,
12:53 and rival females.
12:57 For Milo, the loss of his sister
13:03 and rejection by his mother
13:05 could have meant his time was up.
13:07 But the plucky young cub has a bright future ahead.
13:13 And soon, Milo will have a gang of cousins to play with.
13:19 At last, the future of the pride seems secure.
13:25 (upbeat music)
13:28 (upbeat music)
13:31 Get closer to nature right here on YouTube.