Serengeti

Many tales have been told of Africa.

But this is our story.

A drama set in the heart of our world,

experienced as we live and breathe it.

It was a year that would change all our lives forever.

Mothers struggled to raise their young.

Jealous rivals tore families apart.

Youngsters battled to find their place in the world.

This is the next chapter in our story

of a place they call Serengeti.

Our season of plenty is fading.

The great herds are leaving for better grazing.

As our land dries,

those who remain gather where the grass is still green.

Here, competition is fierce.

Experience matters most,

yet experience is the one thing Kike doesn't have.

Female cheetahs are loners by nature,

but for Kike, not any more.

They are her first litter.

And if they're to survive,

they've a lot to learn.

At times like this, cubs should be neither seen nor heard.

Jackals.

Given the chance, they'll make a meal of her cubs.

Kike reacts as she always does.

But now she has cubs,

that's not such a good idea.

A jackal sees an opportunity.

Kike is distracted,

her cubs vulnerable.

Motherhood means her whole approach must change.

Now, her priority is moving her family to safety.

Parenting is a skill learnt through experience.

On the Great Rock, home to the baboons,

one new parent is still adjusting to the shock.

Bakari has one small problem.

When the baby was orphaned,

he took it as his own.

But he doesn't have a clue how to raise him.

Or how hard it will be.

His heart's in the right place,

even if the baby isn't.

What can he do?

He may offer care and affection,

but the baby still runs rings round him.

And his problems don't end there.

To the leader, Bakari's an upstart,

and upstarts must be kept in their place,

either by intimidation...

or by humiliation.

One flicker of defiance and the leader will attack.

With so much against him,

how will Bakari keep the baby alive?

Our land tests even the most experienced parent.

At this time of year, hunger is our greatest challenge,

even for lions.

Kali was exiled from her pride after having cubs with an outsider.

Her fortunes changed when her sisterjoined her.

Together, they're a force to be reckoned with.

With so many cubs to care for,

they must find somewhere for them to hide.

But this den has a noisy neighbour.

An easy meal?

Not if he can help it.

Never underestimate a warthog.

This one has an emergency exit.

A lost opportunity.

There will always be others.

Having backup is everything to a lion.

Together, the sisters make a formidable team.

As a lone parent,

Kike has no one to watch her back when finding a meal.

If she takes smaller prey, she's less likely to be noticed.

She just needs her young to stay quiet and still.

Where are the cubs?

A night adder can kill with just one strike.

One is missing.

For the cubs, a lesson learnt,

but there's also a lesson for Kike.

Never leave food unguarded.

Out here, a single parent must learn quickly.

Parenting is easier when there's someone to share it with.

Although finding the right partner is never simple.

Female ostriches are choosy.

Only the best will do.

Is he as fit as he looks?

Will he make the perfect partner?

Can he dance in time?

She's impressed.

But there's a catch.

Others have fallen for his routine and left their eggs behind.

But if she's in charge of the nest,

she'll make sure her eggs get the best care.

She also gets someone to support and protect her.

With the plains deserted,

the baboons have left their rock in search of food.

Bakari is finding parenthood both lonely and exhausting.

The baby is too hungry to rest,

but that's all Bakari wants to do.

He's finding parenting hard work.

With no experience,

no milk,

and no help.

He's overwhelmed

and very, very tired.

Even the weaver birds' alarm calls don't wake him.

The young baboons' favourite game is stealing their eggs.

How could a hungry baby resist?

But robbing an eagle's nest is never a good idea.

Thieves must be taught a lesson, even the innocent.

Bakari is trying his best, but his best isn't enough.

He needs help.

Somehow, he'lljust have to muddle through.

With the plains dry and empty,

the grazing is confined to the lowlands bordering the river.

With everyone here, Kike keeps her head down.

Because where there's food, there's competition.

Sefu belongs to the Great Pride.

Alone she'd outrun him.

With cubs, she can't.

She must hide her fear,

keep his focus on her,

hold her nerve.

It's a battle of wills.

And Kike wins.

To stray into the pride lands was an easy mistake.

In this land, the wind blows both ways

and so do fortunes.

With Kali and her sister working together,

their cubs are thriving.

Kali would know Sefu anywhere.

He was one of the lions who drove her from the pride.

Is he here to take revenge on her cubs?

For now, stealing their meal keeps him at bay.

No male lions can resist an easy meal.

But now he knows they're here, he'll be following.

At this time of year,

keeping young alive is a full-time occupation...

and Nalla has to do it while leading her family.

Today is her baby's first trip to the swamp.

In the heat, the mud offers cool comfort.

But right now, her baby is struggling to see the benefit.

His brother Tembo is at an age when he should be leaving the herd.

Pushed to the edge of the family,