Lion Cubs Fight To Survive

For this mother lion, hunting is far from a priority. Her main concern is keeping her cubs safe and staying cool in the heat of the day. But this isn't easy for her. Because lions cannot sweat. Without sufficient sweat glands, they resort to panting to expel excess heat. Along with sticking to the shade, this makes the scorching climate bearable. Even heat cannot dull one of the cub's most driving urges. To feed. Her growl is a clear enough message. Back off. Even the starling, dressed in chic but heat-absorbing purple feathers, is getting too hot. It also turns to panting to keep cool. As the afternoon passes, temperatures drop and the lioness has moved into a more comfortable position. The cubs are restless in their bushy hideout. They're hungry, but won't make a hasty move. Mealtimes are not on their terms. They know to let this sleeping lioness be. When she rolls onto her back, it's like a sign saying the milk bar is open. The bravest cub approaches cautiously. Unconsense. It's dinner time. The cubs will get all their nourishment from suckling until they're around eight weeks old. Once the lioness is satisfied that the cubs are well fed, she moves them back into the safety of the undergrowth. They have a lot of growing up to do before they become Africa's most powerful predators. The cubs are the only big five babies around. Out here in Zambia's Luangwa Valley, absolutely nothing comes easy. Lions reign supreme. But hunting for meals isn't the only thing these beasts have to worry about. In the back of their minds, they know they're not the only gang in town. Across this stretch of territory, two dominant prides roam. Lioness Ava heads up a family of six strong females, known as the Hollywood Pride. These girls can handle themselves. There's a problem. With no males to breed with, they could be completely wiped out. Meanwhile, in the south, lie their neighboring rivals, the MK Pride. The MKs have 17 members, with numbers rising. They're led by two males, whose hairstyles have inspired the moniker, The Punks. This pride's ruled these parts for generations, but their kings don't have much more time at the top. Age is weighing on them, and the MKs have become vulnerable. With a band of nomadic males on their way, a takeover may be imminent. These boys are literally in the center of their territory. Don't kill them. An epic showdown is in the making, and it won't come without casualties. As both prides cling to hope, and as the nomads inch closer, their futures hang in the balance. Wildlife filmmakers Nathan Pilcher and Sam Davies are in position to witness the drama as it unfolds. Our story begins with the MK Pride. Now, as you may have heard, lions are big on teamwork, and this is evident in how the MKs run their show. Strength in numbers, on full display. They know the land inside and out, and have a radar on all in their path. Like these buffalo, for instance. As the hot African sun beats down on them, the buffalo head toward the river. The MK Pride lies in wait. Their time to strike has arrived. Working as one, the power of the pride overwhelms this buffalo. His only hope is to keep his footing, and break away from the attack. But the MKs are a well-oiled machine, with members grabbing onto his body parts from all sides. Brought down and brutalized, the buffalo's time has run out. For the hungry lions, together they've earned a feast. The pride is comprised of nine adult females. The two kings of the pride, the punks, nine-year-old Mohawk and younger brother Axel, have watched over these females for three years, and have done right by them, to the tune of six lion cubs. The cubs are now two and a half years old, on the verge of puberty. And the punks are on the tail end of their prime. Three years is a long while to bear rights to the throne. But with bold nomads nearby, their fall could be steep.