so these are the five clans and I’m going to introduce you to them
going to introduce you to them
going to introduce you to them more specifically now the marsh pride
more specifically now the marsh pride
more specifically now the marsh pride would probably the dominant force in
would probably the dominant force in
would probably the dominant force in savuti very interesting pride they there
savuti very interesting pride they there
savuti very interesting pride they there were ten of them three of them were
were ten of them three of them were
were ten of them three of them were adult lionesses and the rest of them
adult lionesses and the rest of them
adult lionesses and the rest of them were quite young cubs of different ages
were quite young cubs of different ages
were quite young cubs of different ages so it always made for quite a lot of
so it always made for quite a lot of
so it always made for quite a lot of entertainment they were fun to film fun
entertainment they were fun to film fun
entertainment they were fun to film fun to be with they’re always up to no good
to be with they’re always up to no good
to be with they’re always up to no good stealing bags from cars and doing
stealing bags from cars and doing
stealing bags from cars and doing strange little things they were quite
strange little things they were quite
strange little things they were quite happy go-lucky they rule by brawn and
happy go-lucky they rule by brawn and
happy go-lucky they rule by brawn and power and owned the jewel of the whole
power and owned the jewel of the whole
power and owned the jewel of the whole area the the great Marsh they were led
area the the great Marsh they were led
area the the great Marsh they were led by a they were led by a lioness called
by a they were led by a lioness called
by a they were led by a lioness called Matsu Matsu mee-mah a lot of my butt’s
Matsu Matsu mee-mah a lot of my butt’s
Matsu Matsu mee-mah a lot of my butt’s one of people would know my mean mother
one of people would know my mean mother
one of people would know my mean mother and summer being hunt and hunter so she
and summer being hunt and hunter so she
and summer being hunt and hunter so she was mother hunter and that is something
was mother hunter and that is something
was mother hunter and that is something she certainly was I remember when I
she certainly was I remember when I
she certainly was I remember when I first did a recce into seviche in 2008
first did a recce into seviche in 2008
first did a recce into seviche in 2008 as the water was coming in there for the
as the water was coming in there for the
as the water was coming in there for the first time after 30 years and I saw
first time after 30 years and I saw
first time after 30 years and I saw Mutsumi as a cub she was about three
Mutsumi as a cub she was about three
Mutsumi as a cub she was about three weeks old really small she was a little
weeks old really small she was a little
weeks old really small she was a little part of a litter of four and her
part of a litter of four and her
part of a litter of four and her brothers and sisters were also lying in
brothers and sisters were also lying in
brothers and sisters were also lying in a big heap you know bellies up and they
a big heap you know bellies up and they
a big heap you know bellies up and they were farting making noise and Mutsumi
were farting making noise and Mutsumi
were farting making noise and Mutsumi was off to one side and she was actually
was off to one side and she was actually
was off to one side and she was actually you know chasing a butterfly or trying
you know chasing a butterfly or trying
you know chasing a butterfly or trying to kill her mother’s tail even at such a
to kill her mother’s tail even at such a
to kill her mother’s tail even at such a young age I mean she was destined to be
young age I mean she was destined to be
young age I mean she was destined to be a great line she was destined to be a
a great line she was destined to be a
a great line she was destined to be a leader and she can have led this pride
leader and she can have led this pride
leader and she can have led this pride right through the savage Kingdom period
right through the savage Kingdom period
right through the savage Kingdom period an amazing individual but the marsh
an amazing individual but the marsh
an amazing individual but the marsh pride had one advantage over the other
pride had one advantage over the other
pride had one advantage over the other Lions in the area they’re competitors
Lions in the area they’re competitors
Lions in the area they’re competitors they had that guy
they had that guy
they had that guy now that is sec Akana and he was the
now that is sec Akana and he was the
now that is sec Akana and he was the dominant male and his dominance out of a
dominant male and his dominance out of a
dominant male and his dominance out of a coalition of two but he was the dominant
coalition of two but he was the dominant
coalition of two but he was the dominant male the brute force
male the brute force
male the brute force he was the muscle
he was the muscle
he was the muscle that sort of ruled over that entire tire
that sort of ruled over that entire tire
that sort of ruled over that entire tire area and I didn’t make up his name at
area and I didn’t make up his name at
area and I didn’t make up his name at all
all
all his name is SEC Akama you know not SEC
his name is SEC Akama you know not SEC
his name is SEC Akama you know not SEC Akama Sega comer not after president but
Akama Sega comer not after president but
Akama Sega comer not after president but he was the ruler of that entire of that
he was the ruler of that entire of that
he was the ruler of that entire of that entire area and he kind of enabled them
entire area and he kind of enabled them
entire area and he kind of enabled them to hold on to the jewel the the great
to hold on to the jewel the the great
to hold on to the jewel the the great Marsh let’s meet the the marsh pride
[Music]
[Music] but zoomies young have a direct line to
but zoomies young have a direct line to
but zoomies young have a direct line to the throne she must make them warriors
the throne she must make them warriors
the throne she must make them warriors [Music]
she has gifts your sons to mope she will
she has gifts your sons to mope she will be your heir
there is more to leading than just
there is more to leading than just killing not zooming the provider must
killing not zooming the provider must
killing not zooming the provider must hold this volatile gang together and
hold this volatile gang together and
hold this volatile gang together and appease her brutal King SEC akarma
nobody eats before him least of all his
nobody eats before him least of all his sons
even Matsui yields so for those of you
even Matsui yields so for those of you that end up watching this you’ll always
that end up watching this you’ll always
that end up watching this you’ll always realize that in the savage Kingdom the
realize that in the savage Kingdom the
realize that in the savage Kingdom the piggy always gets it just to introduce
piggy always gets it just to introduce
piggy always gets it just to introduce you to the the next group of lions the
you to the the next group of lions the
you to the the next group of lions the northern pride they’re a group of lions
northern pride they’re a group of lions
northern pride they’re a group of lions that lived in the forests and the hills
that lived in the forests and the hills
that lived in the forests and the hills that sort of overlooked the great Marsh
that sort of overlooked the great Marsh
that sort of overlooked the great Marsh and the two prides were very similar in
and the two prides were very similar in
and the two prides were very similar in many ways they instead of 10 these guys
many ways they instead of 10 these guys
many ways they instead of 10 these guys were 9 and it was led by a lioness
were 9 and it was led by a lioness
were 9 and it was led by a lioness called Satara and she kind of steered
called Satara and she kind of steered
called Satara and she kind of steered with this pride went and her she was she
with this pride went and her she was she
with this pride went and her she was she was one of two lionesses and the other
was one of two lionesses and the other
was one of two lionesses and the other was her mother so it was quite a close
was her mother so it was quite a close
was her mother so it was quite a close family the rest of that pride were Cubs
family the rest of that pride were Cubs
family the rest of that pride were Cubs but unlike the marsh pride they were all
but unlike the marsh pride they were all
but unlike the marsh pride they were all of the same age and they were already
of the same age and they were already
of the same age and they were already about three years old they didn’t have
about three years old they didn’t have
about three years old they didn’t have an adult male and that was the defining
an adult male and that was the defining
an adult male and that was the defining difference between the two the two
difference between the two the two
difference between the two the two prides in fact second Calma was actually
prides in fact second Calma was actually
prides in fact second Calma was actually their father was part of their group and
their father was part of their group and
their father was part of their group and once he’d had those Cubs he kind of just
once he’d had those Cubs he kind of just
once he’d had those Cubs he kind of just abandoned them and headed down to the
abandoned them and headed down to the
abandoned them and headed down to the south to the to the glory land and
south to the to the glory land and
south to the to the glory land and joined Mutsumi and her pride in the
joined Mutsumi and her pride in the
joined Mutsumi and her pride in the south and although they were young you
south and although they were young you
south and although they were young you could see they were starting to get
could see they were starting to get
could see they were starting to get quite big and seven six out of the seven
quite big and seven six out of the seven
quite big and seven six out of the seven of those cubs were actually young males
of those cubs were actually young males
of those cubs were actually young males so they started to pose a real threat to
so they started to pose a real threat to
so they started to pose a real threat to SiC Acamas reign and that pride really
SiC Acamas reign and that pride really
SiC Acamas reign and that pride really wanted to move down into the into the
wanted to move down into the into the
wanted to move down into the into the Martian and take it for themselves and
Martian and take it for themselves and
Martian and take it for themselves and you can start to see how the game of
you can start to see how the game of
you can start to see how the game of Thrones narrative starts – starts to
Thrones narrative starts – starts to
Thrones narrative starts – starts to push in let’s
push in let’s
push in let’s let’s meet them on it let’s meet the
let’s meet them on it let’s meet the
let’s meet them on it let’s meet the northern product sat out knows the
northern product sat out knows the
northern product sat out knows the dangers of Buffalo
but this is the moment they have been
but this is the moment they have been training for
sitar has yet to teach her young family
sitar has yet to teach her young family how to kill in water they will learn
they there were a very interesting pride
they there were a very interesting pride and very quickly fell under the wrath of
and very quickly fell under the wrath of
and very quickly fell under the wrath of psychic OMA and the entire dynamic of
psychic OMA and the entire dynamic of
psychic OMA and the entire dynamic of that pride shifted very quickly from the
that pride shifted very quickly from the
that pride shifted very quickly from the sort of brawn and muscle of the lion
sort of brawn and muscle of the lion
sort of brawn and muscle of the lion world around savuti it moved to a very
world around savuti it moved to a very
world around savuti it moved to a very different type of character and possibly
different type of character and possibly
different type of character and possibly my my favorite Sabah she is a mother
my my favorite Sabah she is a mother
my my favorite Sabah she is a mother leopard whose territory was right at the
leopard whose territory was right at the
leopard whose territory was right at the heart of where all of these predators
heart of where all of these predators
heart of where all of these predators were being thrust
were being thrust
were being thrust I had the dubious privilege of being in
I had the dubious privilege of being in
I had the dubious privilege of being in charge of finding Sabah and working with
charge of finding Sabah and working with
charge of finding Sabah and working with the leopard is totally different to
the leopard is totally different to
the leopard is totally different to working with the lion
working with the lion
working with the lion you track a rugby team through the bush
you track a rugby team through the bush
you track a rugby team through the bush or you track a secret silent assassin
or you track a secret silent assassin
or you track a secret silent assassin and it’s a lot harder to keep up with
and it’s a lot harder to keep up with
and it’s a lot harder to keep up with her but the positive side of it is that
her but the positive side of it is that
her but the positive side of it is that instead of dealing with the team you’re
instead of dealing with the team you’re
instead of dealing with the team you’re dealing with an individual and I got to
dealing with an individual and I got to
dealing with an individual and I got to know Sabah
know Sabah
know Sabah incredibly well I had spent several
incredibly well I had spent several
incredibly well I had spent several years with her did a film and part of
years with her did a film and part of
years with her did a film and part of her life and it really was a privilege
her life and it really was a privilege
her life and it really was a privilege to spend another chunk of time really
to spend another chunk of time really
to spend another chunk of time really focused on that individual it’s a very
focused on that individual it’s a very
focused on that individual it’s a very personal relationship
personal relationship
personal relationship it’s very one-on-one it’s very hard to
it’s very one-on-one it’s very hard to
it’s very one-on-one it’s very hard to stay impartial and and and you know
stay impartial and and and you know
stay impartial and and and you know remember that you’re dealing with a
remember that you’re dealing with a
remember that you’re dealing with a whole bunch of different families we all
whole bunch of different families we all
whole bunch of different families we all had our favorites rich loved the marsh
had our favorites rich loved the marsh
had our favorites rich loved the marsh pride and the fun of the marsh pride I I
pride and the fun of the marsh pride I I
pride and the fun of the marsh pride I I loved
loved
loved this cat I loved Sabah
this cat I loved Sabah
this cat I loved Sabah she used to come right up to the truck
she used to come right up to the truck
she used to come right up to the truck as explained before just lie down and
as explained before just lie down and
as explained before just lie down and sleep next to you in fact one night I
sleep next to you in fact one night I
sleep next to you in fact one night I used to I was downloading material that
used to I was downloading material that
used to I was downloading material that I shot of her sitting at night in the
I shot of her sitting at night in the
I shot of her sitting at night in the dark in front of my computer and I was
dark in front of my computer and I was
dark in front of my computer and I was downloading material and you know I’d
downloading material and you know I’d
downloading material and you know I’d feel this you know something on my foot
feel this you know something on my foot
feel this you know something on my foot and I think like a beetle had flown into
and I think like a beetle had flown into
and I think like a beetle had flown into my computer by the lights and fallen
my computer by the lights and fallen
my computer by the lights and fallen down into my shoe and I kind of shook it
down into my shoe and I kind of shook it
down into my shoe and I kind of shook it out and carried on and it carried on so
out and carried on and it carried on so
out and carried on and it carried on so then I looked down and I leant down to
then I looked down and I leant down to
then I looked down and I leant down to get it out of my shoe and it was
get it out of my shoe and it was
get it out of my shoe and it was actually Saba smelling my shoe and her
actually Saba smelling my shoe and her
actually Saba smelling my shoe and her whiskers were tickling the side of my
whiskers were tickling the side of my
whiskers were tickling the side of my foot you know and it’s those kind of
foot you know and it’s those kind of
foot you know and it’s those kind of scenarios that really endeared me to I
scenarios that really endeared me to I
scenarios that really endeared me to I never felt that I was in danger I never
never felt that I was in danger I never
never felt that I was in danger I never felt that I was threatened in any way by
felt that I was threatened in any way by
felt that I was threatened in any way by her and you know if I had the thing all
her and you know if I had the thing all
her and you know if I had the thing all over again
over again
over again and I had an animal that I would go to
and I had an animal that I would go to
and I had an animal that I would go to it would have been her
it would have been her
it would have been her let’s meet some
Sabah the phantom assassin watches
Sabah the phantom assassin watches everything living alone hunting alone
she can kill almost anything but birds
she can kill almost anything but birds are her speciality
she is perfect but for a small Nick to
she is perfect but for a small Nick to her ear remember I said how some
her ear remember I said how some
her ear remember I said how some particularly individuals developed their
particularly individuals developed their
particularly individuals developed their own unique set of skills and that’s what
own unique set of skills and that’s what
own unique set of skills and that’s what kept me interested in these animals saba
kept me interested in these animals saba
kept me interested in these animals saba was an example of that and I used to
was an example of that and I used to
was an example of that and I used to follow her all around savuti and she
follow her all around savuti and she
follow her all around savuti and she would go up to a tree and there’s a big
would go up to a tree and there’s a big
would go up to a tree and there’s a big nest in the top of the tree and she
nest in the top of the tree and she
nest in the top of the tree and she normally went to nests that were from
normally went to nests that were from
normally went to nests that were from the bigger birds eagles or owls or
the bigger birds eagles or owls or
the bigger birds eagles or owls or various things in this case a barn owl
various things in this case a barn owl
various things in this case a barn owl nest and she would go up and she’d get
nest and she would go up and she’d get
nest and she would go up and she’d get to the nest and look inside and they
to the nest and look inside and they
to the nest and look inside and they were often eggs or small chicks in there
were often eggs or small chicks in there
were often eggs or small chicks in there and I’d be waiting for her to just dive
and I’d be waiting for her to just dive
and I’d be waiting for her to just dive in and kill them and eat them and very
in and kill them and eat them and very
in and kill them and eat them and very often she actually just used to ignore
often she actually just used to ignore
often she actually just used to ignore them and then she’d bounced back down
them and then she’d bounced back down
them and then she’d bounced back down the tree and she’d move on and I was
the tree and she’d move on and I was
the tree and she’d move on and I was like well you know you know eat while
like well you know you know eat while
like well you know you know eat while you can and then two weeks later she
you can and then two weeks later she
you can and then two weeks later she would try and kill an Impala and she’d
would try and kill an Impala and she’d
would try and kill an Impala and she’d mess and she would try and kill a doctor
mess and she would try and kill a doctor
mess and she would try and kill a doctor and she would mess and she’d be failing
and she would mess and she’d be failing
and she would mess and she’d be failing and failing and failing and then she
and failing and failing and then she
and failing and failing and then she would remember where that nest was and
would remember where that nest was and
would remember where that nest was and she’d do an about-turn
she’d do an about-turn
she’d do an about-turn and she would March and a beeline
and she would March and a beeline
and she would March and a beeline straight to where there was she had
straight to where there was she had
straight to where there was she had mapped out a pantry right across savuti
mapped out a pantry right across savuti
mapped out a pantry right across savuti she knew where she had these little
she knew where she had these little
she knew where she had these little emergency rations that she she could go
emergency rations that she she could go
emergency rations that she she could go and access at any time and this is one
and access at any time and this is one
and access at any time and this is one of them we had been with her at this
of them we had been with her at this
of them we had been with her at this tree two weeks before this happened
tree two weeks before this happened
tree two weeks before this happened Janet and Ashley who were with us in
Janet and Ashley who were with us in
Janet and Ashley who were with us in Botswana witnessed her climbing up and
Botswana witnessed her climbing up and
Botswana witnessed her climbing up and eating her little emergency ration and
eating her little emergency ration and
eating her little emergency ration and you know that’s sort of mapping out I
you know that’s sort of mapping out I
you know that’s sort of mapping out I mean just shows the level of
mean just shows the level of
mean just shows the level of intelligence that they have and it
intelligence that they have and it
intelligence that they have and it served her incredibly well she had two
served her incredibly well she had two
served her incredibly well she had two cubs and when her back was against the
cubs and when her back was against the
cubs and when her back was against the wall and she needed food to do to help
wall and she needed food to do to help
wall and she needed food to do to help get the milk flowing she could always
get the milk flowing she could always
get the milk flowing she could always turn back to
turn back to
turn back to to finding something small to eat she
to finding something small to eat she
to finding something small to eat she just was you know cut above the rest and
just was you know cut above the rest and
just was you know cut above the rest and she had this air about her of a sort of
she had this air about her of a sort of
she had this air about her of a sort of sense of royalty I mean she’s an
sense of royalty I mean she’s an
sense of royalty I mean she’s an exceptional exceptional cat another one
exceptional exceptional cat another one
exceptional exceptional cat another one of my favorite animals and the families
of my favorite animals and the families
of my favorite animals and the families that were there were wild dogs now as
that were there were wild dogs now as
that were there were wild dogs now as long as I can remember in savuti no pack
long as I can remember in savuti no pack
long as I can remember in savuti no pack of wild dogs actually denned in that
of wild dogs actually denned in that
of wild dogs actually denned in that area they make dens underground and
area they make dens underground and
area they make dens underground and obviously the pups are incredibly
obviously the pups are incredibly
obviously the pups are incredibly vulnerable so no pack of wild dog
vulnerable so no pack of wild dog
vulnerable so no pack of wild dog actually den in savuti because there
actually den in savuti because there
actually den in savuti because there were too many predators there’s too much
were too many predators there’s too much
were too many predators there’s too much activity and the year that we started
activity and the year that we started
activity and the year that we started savage Kingdom the small pack of dogs
savage Kingdom the small pack of dogs
savage Kingdom the small pack of dogs came out of nowhere and they were just
came out of nowhere and they were just
came out of nowhere and they were just determined to stay and live in civic e
determined to stay and live in civic e
determined to stay and live in civic e this was now their home and they were
this was now their home and they were
this was now their home and they were going to you know have a go at it they
going to you know have a go at it they
going to you know have a go at it they were here to stay and it was a great
were here to stay and it was a great
were here to stay and it was a great family to follow up to follow they were
family to follow up to follow they were
family to follow up to follow they were there were only six dogs in the pack
there were only six dogs in the pack
there were only six dogs in the pack which is particularly small for a wild
which is particularly small for a wild
which is particularly small for a wild dog pack anyway they were outgunned
dog pack anyway they were outgunned
dog pack anyway they were outgunned outnumbered there were the real
outnumbered there were the real
outnumbered there were the real underdogs the sort of refugees as you
underdogs the sort of refugees as you
underdogs the sort of refugees as you were of savuti and there really were
were of savuti and there really were
were of savuti and there really were tenacious and wanted to really make a go
tenacious and wanted to really make a go
tenacious and wanted to really make a go of it let’s meet the pet of the pack
two formidable hunters lead the pack the
two formidable hunters lead the pack the devoted Tamannah
devoted Tamannah
devoted Tamannah wearing her distinctive white diamonds
wearing her distinctive white diamonds
wearing her distinctive white diamonds and the heroic Millau with his golden
and the heroic Millau with his golden
and the heroic Millau with his golden collar
these six dogs a splinter group from a
these six dogs a splinter group from a larger clan desperately need to increase
larger clan desperately need to increase
larger clan desperately need to increase their ranks
if their pack gets any smaller they will
if their pack gets any smaller they will never survive
they’re here to defy the odds with great
they’re here to defy the odds with great leaders like tamanna’ and Millau a small
leaders like tamanna’ and Millau a small
leaders like tamanna’ and Millau a small pack can grow quickly but they need to
pack can grow quickly but they need to
pack can grow quickly but they need to kill every day
run them into the ground so leopards
run them into the ground so leopards were difficult to work with because
were difficult to work with because
were difficult to work with because they’re sneaky and hard to find dogs
they’re sneaky and hard to find dogs
they’re sneaky and hard to find dogs we’re definitely the next hardest
we’re definitely the next hardest
we’re definitely the next hardest character to keep up with they’re
character to keep up with they’re
character to keep up with they’re incredibly fast and as soon as the hunt
incredibly fast and as soon as the hunt
incredibly fast and as soon as the hunt kicks off if you want to be part of that
kicks off if you want to be part of that
kicks off if you want to be part of that you’ve got to be driving through the
you’ve got to be driving through the
you’ve got to be driving through the bush at 35 kilometres an hour just
bush at 35 kilometres an hour just
bush at 35 kilometres an hour just trying to keep up with them and you
trying to keep up with them and you
trying to keep up with them and you don’t know who you’re going to stick
don’t know who you’re going to stick
don’t know who you’re going to stick with and and who you’re going to move
with and and who you’re going to move
with and and who you’re going to move with and they are the basically a 101 a
with and they are the basically a 101 a
with and they are the basically a 101 a 1 & 101 lesson on how to completely
1 & 101 lesson on how to completely
1 & 101 lesson on how to completely wreck a filming track we which kept up
wreck a filming track we which kept up
wreck a filming track we which kept up with them the best we could and we knew
with them the best we could and we knew
with them the best we could and we knew that they were Denning in savuti we just
that they were Denning in savuti we just
that they were Denning in savuti we just didn’t know where and we tried tracking
didn’t know where and we tried tracking
didn’t know where and we tried tracking them but we couldn’t we couldn’t
them but we couldn’t we couldn’t
them but we couldn’t we couldn’t consistently pick up a direction that
consistently pick up a direction that
consistently pick up a direction that they were going in and we knew that we
they were going in and we knew that we
they were going in and we knew that we had to find the denon the only way we
had to find the denon the only way we
had to find the denon the only way we were going to find that then is to get
were going to find that then is to get
were going to find that then is to get them on a kill they would whoop it down
them on a kill they would whoop it down
them on a kill they would whoop it down now there’s five of them
now there’s five of them
now there’s five of them the jimana was staying at the den into
the jimana was staying at the den into
the jimana was staying at the den into babysitting look after her pups and they
babysitting look after her pups and they
babysitting look after her pups and they would were four down and they’d have to
would were four down and they’d have to
would were four down and they’d have to run back to the den to feed her and they
run back to the den to feed her and they
run back to the den to feed her and they had to do that fairly quickly otherwise
had to do that fairly quickly otherwise
had to do that fairly quickly otherwise sort of gesture would start setting in
sort of gesture would start setting in
sort of gesture would start setting in and they wouldn’t would not be able to
and they wouldn’t would not be able to
and they wouldn’t would not be able to regurgitate fur so the one day the pack
regurgitate fur so the one day the pack
regurgitate fur so the one day the pack killed the pig piggy always gets it they
killed the pig piggy always gets it they
killed the pig piggy always gets it they killed the pig out on the open Marsh and
killed the pig out on the open Marsh and
killed the pig out on the open Marsh and I knew this was our moment to – there
I knew this was our moment to – there
I knew this was our moment to – there were only five of them and this was the
were only five of them and this was the
were only five of them and this was the moment that we were going to find the
moment that we were going to find the
moment that we were going to find the den so I called in a few other vehicles
den so I called in a few other vehicles
den so I called in a few other vehicles and we were hell-bent in making it to
and we were hell-bent in making it to
and we were hell-bent in making it to the den this time typically they went
the den this time typically they went
the den this time typically they went off the edge of the marsh straight into
off the edge of the marsh straight into
off the edge of the marsh straight into the thick stuff and then they just
the thick stuff and then they just
the thick stuff and then they just started running you know 25 cares an
started running you know 25 cares an
started running you know 25 cares an hour right through the middle of the map
hour right through the middle of the map
hour right through the middle of the map awning is really hard
awning is really hard
awning is really hard scrubby environment and I went in after
scrubby environment and I went in after
scrubby environment and I went in after them and we had another vehicle sitting
them and we had another vehicle sitting
them and we had another vehicle sitting on the edge of the marsh you know just
on the edge of the marsh you know just
on the edge of the marsh you know just sort of mirroring
sort of mirroring
sort of mirroring movement song we kept in touch and you
movement song we kept in touch and you
movement song we kept in touch and you know I you know I could just hear the
know I you know I could just hear the
know I you know I could just hear the bush breaking out the wires the pipes
bush breaking out the wires the pipes
bush breaking out the wires the pipes and everything underneath our car I mean
and everything underneath our car I mean
and everything underneath our car I mean brakes were starting to fail and we just
brakes were starting to fail and we just
brakes were starting to fail and we just had to do it we’re just smashing
had to do it we’re just smashing
had to do it we’re just smashing smashing through the bush and at one
smashing through the bush and at one
smashing through the bush and at one point we actually I actually ended up
point we actually I actually ended up
point we actually I actually ended up jamming the car in between two trees we
jamming the car in between two trees we
jamming the car in between two trees we got stuck in between two trees and I had
got stuck in between two trees and I had
got stuck in between two trees and I had to call the other vehicle to cut ahead
to call the other vehicle to cut ahead
to call the other vehicle to cut ahead and cut into the bush and pick them up
and cut into the bush and pick them up
and cut into the bush and pick them up and keep on them while I got myself out
and keep on them while I got myself out
and keep on them while I got myself out of the bush and trying to catch up again
of the bush and trying to catch up again
of the bush and trying to catch up again and we followed them for about 25
and we followed them for about 25
and we followed them for about 25 minutes before we finally lost the pack
minutes before we finally lost the pack
minutes before we finally lost the pack still running on adrenaline you know
still running on adrenaline you know
still running on adrenaline you know panicking that we’d lost them we got out
panicking that we’d lost them we got out
panicking that we’d lost them we got out and got on the ground and started
and got on the ground and started
and got on the ground and started tracking and went through this clearing
tracking and went through this clearing
tracking and went through this clearing and walked straight into the den arrived
and walked straight into the den arrived
and walked straight into the den arrived in front of us and sorry we made it all
in front of us and sorry we made it all
in front of us and sorry we made it all the way and finding that den was such a
the way and finding that den was such a
the way and finding that den was such a a great moment for us it was one of the
a great moment for us it was one of the
a great moment for us it was one of the big turning points for us within the dog
big turning points for us within the dog
big turning points for us within the dog story itself jimana was living there she
story itself jimana was living there she
story itself jimana was living there she had six pups and we got a really amazing
had six pups and we got a really amazing
had six pups and we got a really amazing little window into the life of these
little window into the life of these
little window into the life of these little dogs growing up and living in
little dogs growing up and living in
little dogs growing up and living in this thing they were not that far from
this thing they were not that far from
this thing they were not that far from the edge of the marsh they were right
the edge of the marsh they were right
the edge of the marsh they were right under our nose all the time but they had
under our nose all the time but they had
under our nose all the time but they had managed to conceal that den so
managed to conceal that den so
managed to conceal that den so beautifully it just took us forever and
beautifully it just took us forever and
beautifully it just took us forever and the wrecking of one of our costs just
the wrecking of one of our costs just
the wrecking of one of our costs just actually fine find the den here last but
actually fine find the den here last but
actually fine find the den here last but not least hi he knows everybody sort of
not least hi he knows everybody sort of
not least hi he knows everybody sort of disregards hyenas they have bad
disregards hyenas they have bad
disregards hyenas they have bad association with them they one of my
association with them they one of my
association with them they one of my favorite of of all the animals they
favorite of of all the animals they
favorite of of all the animals they incredibly successful I mean few people
incredibly successful I mean few people
incredibly successful I mean few people realize that the hyena is actually the
realize that the hyena is actually the
realize that the hyena is actually the most successful predator that we have in
most successful predator that we have in
most successful predator that we have in Africa they really are ahead of most of
Africa they really are ahead of most of
Africa they really are ahead of most of the others one of the one of the things
the others one of the one of the things
the others one of the one of the things that worried us is that when we first
that worried us is that when we first
that worried us is that when we first arrived in savuti we saw
arrived in savuti we saw
arrived in savuti we saw probably three hyenas in the first year
probably three hyenas in the first year
probably three hyenas in the first year and as time went on slowly but surely we
and as time went on slowly but surely we
and as time went on slowly but surely we started seeing a few more and a few more
started seeing a few more and a few more
started seeing a few more and a few more and they started coming out of the
and they started coming out of the
and they started coming out of the woodwork and getting a bit more relaxed
woodwork and getting a bit more relaxed
woodwork and getting a bit more relaxed around us but by the time we started
around us but by the time we started
around us but by the time we started savage Kingdom these guys had already
savage Kingdom these guys had already
savage Kingdom these guys had already built a small army again we knew that
built a small army again we knew that
built a small army again we knew that the den was there and I was just a case
the den was there and I was just a case
the den was there and I was just a case of finding a female who’s lactating and
of finding a female who’s lactating and
of finding a female who’s lactating and just doing the hike in doing the time
just doing the hike in doing the time
just doing the hike in doing the time and following our all the way back up
and following our all the way back up
and following our all the way back up towards the sandwich
towards the sandwich
towards the sandwich they always denned we found that once we
they always denned we found that once we
they always denned we found that once we found it in that that a lot of the dens
found it in that that a lot of the dens
found it in that that a lot of the dens were on the edge of the sandwich let’s
were on the edge of the sandwich let’s
were on the edge of the sandwich let’s meet these guys a battle-hardened clan
meet these guys a battle-hardened clan
meet these guys a battle-hardened clan of mothers The Sisterhood is raising an
of mothers The Sisterhood is raising an
of mothers The Sisterhood is raising an army
growing their numbers is the only hope
growing their numbers is the only hope against lions
looms and a generation will starve
looms and a generation will starve [Music]
armies need discipline zolly cos rule is
armies need discipline zolly cos rule is absolute aliens are really fascinating
absolute aliens are really fascinating
absolute aliens are really fascinating to me the entire social structure is
to me the entire social structure is
to me the entire social structure is governed by aggression they it’s a
governed by aggression they it’s a
governed by aggression they it’s a matriarchal society and because that
matriarchal society and because that
matriarchal society and because that aggression in these societies a lot of
aggression in these societies a lot of
aggression in these societies a lot of the females have such high levels of
the females have such high levels of
the females have such high levels of testosterone in their in their bodies
testosterone in their in their bodies
testosterone in their in their bodies all the time and over years they’ve
all the time and over years they’ve
all the time and over years they’ve developed these pseudo penises so
developed these pseudo penises so
developed these pseudo penises so they’re quite odd in in a lot of ways
they’re quite odd in in a lot of ways
they’re quite odd in in a lot of ways but that level of aggression and
but that level of aggression and
but that level of aggression and actually manifests in the womb and you
actually manifests in the womb and you
actually manifests in the womb and you actually get to sub-links fighting it
actually get to sub-links fighting it
actually get to sub-links fighting it out in the womb and the level of
out in the womb and the level of
out in the womb and the level of testosterone in a fetus inside the womb
testosterone in a fetus inside the womb
testosterone in a fetus inside the womb is often much higher than an adult male
is often much higher than an adult male
is often much higher than an adult male line so they’re very peculiar animals
line so they’re very peculiar animals
line so they’re very peculiar animals and a hole in it for a lot of ways and
and a hole in it for a lot of ways and
and a hole in it for a lot of ways and what what I really liked about them in
what what I really liked about them in
what what I really liked about them in this particular show is that their path
this particular show is that their path
this particular show is that their path was kind of the antithesis of all the
was kind of the antithesis of all the
was kind of the antithesis of all the others while everybody else was fighting
others while everybody else was fighting
others while everybody else was fighting to survive these guys were getting fat
to survive these guys were getting fat
to survive these guys were getting fat on all the killing and everything that
on all the killing and everything that
on all the killing and everything that was happening during their time so they
was happening during their time so they
was happening during their time so they kind of countered the whole the whole
kind of countered the whole the whole
kind of countered the whole the whole Savage Kingdom kind of program so those
Savage Kingdom kind of program so those
Savage Kingdom kind of program so those are the five animals that we really
are the five animals that we really
are the five animals that we really invested a lot of time and invested a
invested a lot of time and invested a
invested a lot of time and invested a lot of emotion into we had the crews
lot of emotion into we had the crews
lot of emotion into we had the crews around the clock working with them for
around the clock working with them for
around the clock working with them for 15 months and as we got to understand
15 months and as we got to understand
15 months and as we got to understand their plight their different lives their
their plight their different lives their
their plight their different lives their different directions
different directions
different directions that in itself started to become a bit
that in itself started to become a bit
that in itself started to become a bit of a problem for us in that we knew at
of a problem for us in that we knew at
of a problem for us in that we knew at some point these clans were going to
some point these clans were going to
some point these clans were going to clash and when they did you know whose
clash and when they did you know whose
clash and when they did you know whose side were you going to be on did you
side were you going to be on did you
side were you going to be on did you inadvertently try and support your
inadvertently try and support your
inadvertently try and support your favorite or where you’re going to be
favorite or where you’re going to be
favorite or where you’re going to be able to just stand back and know that
able to just stand back and know that
able to just stand back and know that this is the process and this is what was
this is the process and this is what was
this is the process and this is what was happening and we often had these debates
happening and we often had these debates
happening and we often had these debates you know Richard nice to have arguments
you know Richard nice to have arguments
you know Richard nice to have arguments over the radio saying well keep your
over the radio saying well keep your
over the radio saying well keep your lines away from my guys I mean it’s it’s
lines away from my guys I mean it’s it’s
lines away from my guys I mean it’s it’s a it’s not going to be fair you know you
a it’s not going to be fair you know you
a it’s not going to be fair you know you got lines and one of the two of the main
got lines and one of the two of the main
got lines and one of the two of the main characters that I felt with sort of the
characters that I felt with sort of the
characters that I felt with sort of the lead heroines of the entire place the
lead heroines of the entire place the
lead heroines of the entire place the ones that I got to know the most was
ones that I got to know the most was
ones that I got to know the most was Mutsumi and Saba Mutsumi I’d known since
Mutsumi and Saba Mutsumi I’d known since
Mutsumi and Saba Mutsumi I’d known since she was a cub I’d seen her become this
she was a cub I’d seen her become this
she was a cub I’d seen her become this warrior cat who took on the biggest of
warrior cat who took on the biggest of
warrior cat who took on the biggest of prey and Sabah who you know you could
prey and Sabah who you know you could
prey and Sabah who you know you could see why I loved that cat there was one
see why I loved that cat there was one
see why I loved that cat there was one particular incident in this whole
particular incident in this whole
particular incident in this whole project that really brought home what
project that really brought home what
project that really brought home what this entire project was about for me
basically Sabah used to leave her cap
basically Sabah used to leave her cap she had two cubs
she had two cubs
she had two cubs a male and a female and she used to
a male and a female and she used to
a male and a female and she used to leave them on this big hill called
leave them on this big hill called
leave them on this big hill called leopard Rock then that formed a sort of
leopard Rock then that formed a sort of
leopard Rock then that formed a sort of nursery for her and she was out hunting
nursery for her and she was out hunting
nursery for her and she was out hunting and of the two the daughter was much
and of the two the daughter was much
and of the two the daughter was much bolder and more adventurous and probably
bolder and more adventurous and probably
bolder and more adventurous and probably a little bit impatient and what she did
a little bit impatient and what she did
a little bit impatient and what she did was lead her brother down off the side
was lead her brother down off the side
was lead her brother down off the side of leopard Rock and this is
Mutsumi the Huntress of the marsh pride
Mutsumi the Huntress of the marsh pride is looking for a den of her own
she heads towards Sabhas stronghold
she heads towards Sabhas stronghold [Music]
where are you
where are you [Music]
[Music]
[Music] but it’s too late
so as you can imagine this this
so as you can imagine this this particularly event really shook me it
particularly event really shook me it
particularly event really shook me it was really unfortunate that the two
was really unfortunate that the two
was really unfortunate that the two females that I loved most in this in
females that I loved most in this in
females that I loved most in this in this program came together in such a
this program came together in such a
this program came together in such a devastating way it is one of the hardest
devastating way it is one of the hardest
devastating way it is one of the hardest things that I had to witness let learn
things that I had to witness let learn
things that I had to witness let learn film and but it was it made me realize
film and but it was it made me realize
film and but it was it made me realize it was not for me to judge I couldn’t be
it was not for me to judge I couldn’t be
it was not for me to judge I couldn’t be I couldn’t hate me to me for what she
I couldn’t hate me to me for what she
I couldn’t hate me to me for what she had done I couldn’t be angry with Sabah
had done I couldn’t be angry with Sabah
had done I couldn’t be angry with Sabah you know this was the natural process of
you know this was the natural process of
you know this was the natural process of survival playing out and he had to just
survival playing out and he had to just
survival playing out and he had to just accept that Sabah took her cub she took
accept that Sabah took her cub she took
accept that Sabah took her cub she took it up to the tree and try to revive it
it up to the tree and try to revive it
it up to the tree and try to revive it by licking it it was it was dead already
by licking it it was it was dead already
by licking it it was it was dead already and eventually she ate it returning it
and eventually she ate it returning it
and eventually she ate it returning it back to the body from where it came I
back to the body from where it came I
back to the body from where it came I got sort of completely thrown out by
got sort of completely thrown out by
got sort of completely thrown out by this and I actually had to leave savuti
this and I actually had to leave savuti
this and I actually had to leave savuti I went home I needed to get some space
I went home I needed to get some space
I went home I needed to get some space gather my thoughts and just step away
gather my thoughts and just step away
gather my thoughts and just step away from it and contextualize what had
from it and contextualize what had
from it and contextualize what had happened and this is the kind of thing
happened and this is the kind of thing
happened and this is the kind of thing that happens when Africa’s apex
that happens when Africa’s apex
that happens when Africa’s apex predators get squashed into a small
predators get squashed into a small
predators get squashed into a small environment and then have all of their
environment and then have all of their
environment and then have all of their resources withdrawn
resources withdrawn
resources withdrawn it becomes brutal you know become savage
it becomes brutal you know become savage
it becomes brutal you know become savage I mean it is it’s quite epic the first
I mean it is it’s quite epic the first
I mean it is it’s quite epic the first season the first installment of savage
season the first installment of savage
season the first installment of savage Kingdom hits our screens this next week
Kingdom hits our screens this next week
Kingdom hits our screens this next week and since then they’ve been a number of
and since then they’ve been a number of
and since then they’ve been a number of births
births
births the marsh pride Mutsumi and her sister
the marsh pride Mutsumi and her sister
the marsh pride Mutsumi and her sister both Cubs so sitar she you know her
both Cubs so sitar she you know her
both Cubs so sitar she you know her pride was decimated
pride was decimated
pride was decimated they have another ten Cubs who had
they have another ten Cubs who had
they have another ten Cubs who had already a year old there are a lot of
already a year old there are a lot of
already a year old there are a lot of new lives fighting away in Cebu TN and
new lives fighting away in Cebu TN and
new lives fighting away in Cebu TN and making the new path the dogs have had
making the new path the dogs have had
making the new path the dogs have had new pups and Saba’s son who survived is
new pups and Saba’s son who survived is
new pups and Saba’s son who survived is growing strong learning very quickly
growing strong learning very quickly
growing strong learning very quickly he’s actually slightly bigger than his
he’s actually slightly bigger than his
he’s actually slightly bigger than his mother already as from my own family my
mother already as from my own family my
mother already as from my own family my children are trying very hard to be
children are trying very hard to be
children are trying very hard to be teenagers but I hope that I hope that in
teenagers but I hope that I hope that in
teenagers but I hope that I hope that in their early years in the bush they it
their early years in the bush they it
their early years in the bush they it has sort of installed a sense of the
has sort of installed a sense of the
has sort of installed a sense of the environments and and nature in them that
environments and and nature in them that
environments and and nature in them that they can sort of grow up loving the
they can sort of grow up loving the
they can sort of grow up loving the animals and you know working to protect
animals and you know working to protect
animals and you know working to protect the animals and you know continue what
the animals and you know continue what
the animals and you know continue what we try to do going forward I believe
we try to do going forward I believe
we try to do going forward I believe that as humans we are becoming less and
that as humans we are becoming less and
that as humans we are becoming less and less in touch with nature we being
less in touch with nature we being
less in touch with nature we being separated further further and further
separated further further and further
separated further further and further away behind our cement walls and neon
away behind our cement walls and neon
away behind our cement walls and neon lights some people only get to see some
lights some people only get to see some
lights some people only get to see some of these animals in sanitized nature
of these animals in sanitized nature
of these animals in sanitized nature films or cartoons or in a zoo some
films or cartoons or in a zoo some
films or cartoons or in a zoo some people are fortunate enough fortunate
people are fortunate enough fortunate
people are fortunate enough fortunate enough to come and visit us in Botswana
enough to come and visit us in Botswana
enough to come and visit us in Botswana and go on a safari and see these animals
and go on a safari and see these animals
and go on a safari and see these animals for themselves what we try to do with
for themselves what we try to do with
for themselves what we try to do with the films that we make is try and take
the films that we make is try and take
the films that we make is try and take people out of their offices out of their
people out of their offices out of their
people out of their offices out of their homes and in some ways out of their own
homes and in some ways out of their own
homes and in some ways out of their own heads and to try and get them to get
heads and to try and get them to get
heads and to try and get them to get involved in a little moment in time
involved in a little moment in time
involved in a little moment in time where they can emotionally relate to
where they can emotionally relate to
where they can emotionally relate to these animals and let that sort of reach
these animals and let that sort of reach
these animals and let that sort of reach out and sort of touch them and motivate
out and sort of touch them and motivate
out and sort of touch them and motivate them to to really care about these
them to to really care about these
them to to really care about these animals we want people to feel the
animals we want people to feel the
animals we want people to feel the the thrill see the beauty except the the
the thrill see the beauty except the the
the thrill see the beauty except the the savagery of it the brutality of it and
savagery of it the brutality of it and
savagery of it the brutality of it and just really wake emotionally to to the
just really wake emotionally to to the
just really wake emotionally to to the wonderful creatures that we live with
wonderful creatures that we live with
wonderful creatures that we live with and as I said to them the way we do
and as I said to them the way we do
and as I said to them the way we do while out in the field in Botswana we
while out in the field in Botswana we
while out in the field in Botswana we have fun we do what we do because we
have fun we do what we do because we
have fun we do what we do because we love it and because we love those
love it and because we love those
love it and because we love those animals and it gives us much joy and
animals and it gives us much joy and
animals and it gives us much joy and much pride
much pride
much pride so thank
so thank
so thank [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] Oh
”
Be First to Comment