The Apex Predators Fighting To Feed Their 21 Lion Family | Pride In Battle | Full Documentary

The

lion

territories in the Okavango Delta are brutal environments in the Kakan area. Two powerful males exert

their

dominance over a rapidly expanding herd with many mouths to

feed

them. Lions specialize in killing Africa's most dangerous prey, but

their

feast turns into famine. Drought displaces their food source. of the area leading to a fierce confrontation with a neighboring Pride on the brink of starvation, they are forced to find an alternative, a dangerous strategy that will test their skills in every way. This is the story of a Pride in

battle

at the beginning of Summer Two. The Leon brothers take possession of one of the most sought-after pieces of land in southern Africa in the heart of the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

Kakan is a lush area of ​​islands and floodplains, its abundance of water and food making it a summer paradise that was once the resident

pride

. had been disturbed by a long

battle

for dominance between competing males, as a result the six

lion

esses had not given birth for over a year, but when the two powerful brothers took over the Kakan

pride

, things changed. The result of this new stability is a rapid expansion in numbers in December the first two females have five cubs 3 months later another three lionesses give birth to eight more cubs in such a short period of time the pride increases by a total of 13 cubs each female keeps her own litter isolated from The Pride for the first two months born in the middle of summer these Cubs the future of the pack is off to a good start but this unusual generosity of healthy pups will cause long term problems at 3 months they begin to eat meat and suddenly the adults have three extra mouths to

feed

their mothers have to provide them with a meal every 3 or 4 days welcome in the pack the Cubs make their way into the social fabric their life skills are honed by their parents and the games they play with each other, the Kakan brothers are extremely patient and tolerant parents, but it is the lionesses who form the core of the pride to which they are obligated.

The collective purpose of summer hunting is their goal: Cape buffalo, which is abundant in this part of the Okavango with abundant green grass. The buffaloes move in large groups. Each herd has at least 400 members. The perfect balance of numbers where births exceed Lion kills are one of the most sought after and yet most dangerous prey to hunt. Desirable because the meat from a one ton buffalo can feed the entire herd for a week. It is dangerous because they are aggressive and their formidable horns inflict fatal wounds and if the herd breaks loose, the lions cannot escape from them, but the six Kakan lionesses are experienced buffalo hunters and know the rules of In the engagement, they select a buffalo, This time they can separate him from the pack, choose a mother and focus their power on taking her down.

They ignore their newborn C, but he provides a perfect prey on which the six-month-old Cubs can practice their skills. hunting skills every opportunity they have to kill brings them closer to independence at the age of 2 they are expected to take down buffaloes much larger than this The youngest cubs of three months old are guided to the kill by their mother at this time age they find the mountain of tasty and entertaining meat the adults and the taxis gorge themselves at each meal feeding side by side the kakan pride is unusual in this sense the lions normally eat according to the hierarchy the males first the cubs last perhaps the abundance of Food allows the males herd to relax the rules, although sometimes a little discipline is needed during the summer, as the buffaloes graze in the kakan territory, the herd is guaranteed regular meals, but as winter comes, the Rains stop and Lion's Fortune begins to change the breeding elephant herds.

He announces this change. In season they arrive from the surrounding Kalahari Desert and spread into the forests and floodplains of the humid Okavango. Their presence here indicates that the water holes in the surrounding desert have dried up and the vegetation is withering in the heat. For them, the main attraction in kakan is the permanent water that these large animals need to drink between 100 and 200 liters of water per day. Surprisingly, they can drink this in 5 minutes by filling their trunks and pouring water down their throats for the elephants, lack of water is the cause of death, no.

Looking towards salvation, the Cubs do not realize the difficulties that await them. Every day is a game day with so many siblings and cousins ​​entertaining themselves while the adults try to rest. A cup can generally demand attention and milk from any of the nursing mothers, but with so many little mouths with sharp teeth searching for milk, mothers show irritation towards Cubs that are not theirs. As winter enters, the Cubs grow along with their demand for food increases. pressure for the lionesses to provide more meat and even the males of the pride are used to waiting on the sidelines will need to help.

Hunting requires a team effort. Each lioness knows her role in a well-thought-out plan, but this strategy has forced The Pride to rely only on Buffalo despite the other options around them. Hunting giraffes would require a completely different method. of attack, these 4 and 1/2 M tall animals are more alert than buffaloes and would detect lions from afar. Hunters would have little chance of attacking, although giraffes do not have the horns of a buffalo, they have a kick that can kill. to a lion instantly, so while the buffaloes are in Kakan territory, the lions concentrate on hunting them, but the season has changed as the buffaloes exhaust each field of grass they advance through, forced to advance to the next, each day they move a little further from the heart of In the Kakan territory, the male lions follow the pride, constantly observing the females and the cubs are nearby, but they are nowhere to be seen in their slow march.

Buffaloes never notice more than one or two lines. The lions have no idea of ​​the looming threat for several days. The

predators

continue to evaluate their options looking for any weak links in the pride and eventually have the opportunity to attack one of the males and a lioness. They chase random victims to fragment the pack, the Cubs unknowingly get in the way, increasing the confusion at the risk of being trampled the second male and the remaining females attack the intended target using all their strength the male attempts to suffocate. The hunt should be over, but the pride returns in an attempt to rescue their companion. .

They face the pack with their formidable armor. They lick the fallen animal encouraging it to stand up and form a barrier between the injured Buffalo and the Predators. Then a Buffalo defies pride and behind his fallen companion he tries to get up another Buffalo goes on the offensive behind the wounded one he stops and disappears with the herd the Buffalo wins this battle the herd moves away putting as much distance as possible between them and their attackers days of fish following the herd has been reduced to nothing despite hunger and fatigue from the failed attack the Lions cannot rest they must approach the herd as soon as possible to hunt again there is no time to take the drier route the Cubs They cross reluctantly, the adults have to keep up, but each day they go without food weakens them even more.

The little ones may not be able to keep up, and times are about to get tougher. The buffaloes are getting closer to the limit. The lion's 50 square kilometer territory is now the middle of winter, this is the peak of the dry season and the buffalo's search for better pastures is about to drive them away as the cold of winter makes the food source of The lions are almost out of reach. The pride constantly looks for an opportunity to attack, but as the Buffalo rests the Lions regroup despite hunger and the harsh weather the CBS seems calm the lionesses affirm their presence a group Roar warns the surroundings Pride in the power they have on this grass the five mothers take the time to bond with their own cubs the reason for the pause in their search for the buffalo lies hidden under a bush the sixth lioness has given birth to two more cubs this addition brings the number of young to the overwhelming figure of 15 15 demanding and hungry mouths that need to be cared for and fed during a time when kakan is at its most desperate and the Lion's main food source is escaping meanwhile more and more elephants are arriving here forced by the drought from the edges of the okavango they are not picky eaters so they can feed on anything the Buffalo leaves behind they dig to raise roots, bulbs and roots during these desperate times, the two species interbreed, one comes for water while the other Goes in search of sweeter grass, the buffalo moves through fields of dust, the grass here will not grow again until next season's rains.

The border of Kakan territory is an invisible line that the Lions cannot cross because another Pride rules the other side but there is nothing to stop the Buffalo from crossing. Despair leads Kica pride to continue invading enemy territory. They don't get very far before the other tries. The female Kakan sees them and evaluates the situation. One of the Kakano brothers prepares for a confrontation. Now the buffaloes are forgotten. The Kakans must resist even though they are in foreign territory. The rival pride is at a disadvantage. Their dominant male is not with them, so As they turn around, the kakan male pursues them, the resident Pride must flee without his father, the other Pride's young cannot face him, the largest male asserts his dominance even as the resident Pride retreats from the Intruders. , they are still the winners, crucially, their territory now controls the buffalo.

I heard the kakas return to their own territory despite all the posturing. The Pride cannot follow the Buffalo, moving their cubs into enemy territory would be too dangerous. The buffaloes have left Kakan for the rest. of the season for the next four months the Lions will share this land with herds of breeding elephants. The herd continues to move now they are looking for anything they can chase and eat for the moment they ignore the elephants because they are too big and difficult to hunt the elephants remain in the arid landscape tied to the water which is their only lifeline while the herd moves the Mothers protect the young Fus carve them small enough to be attacked by

predators

Adults protect their babies closely for 4 years and then continue their own test of Independence for the first time Young run the risk of wandering and getting lost The hungry lions They returned to the sixth lioness and their newborn cabs have so far been too small to follow the pride on their long trips in search of food Now 2 months old, the Lioness brings the little additions to meet her father, but he is in a bad mood, he is so small and weighs only 4 kg each that they will compromise the movements of the herd, their small steps will not be able to keep up, eventually some of them will pay the ultimate price.

Some of the older cubs are already showing signs of weakness. They cannot rest for long. The lionesses take the initiative. The pride must continue moving in search of food. This takes its toll on the smaller and weaker members. The hungry lions begin to look at the elephants with interest with nothing more to eat maybe it's time to reconsider too tired and weak to keep up with their mothers the cubs stay together waiting they are on the verge of starvation more than half of them have already died only the fittest will have a chance to fight but without food they are also in imminent danger their mother's return brings them no relief just a little affection they try to drink but the hungry lioness has dried up the milk they move from mother to mother to try to suck but her tugs Desperate they only irritate the lionesses but this point, even the strongest Cubs only have a few days left to live weak, hungry and thirsty, they lie defeated but the lionesses never give up, they scan the horizon greedily looking for something edible.

All they see are elephants traveling in tight groups and the ones that are small enough to The lionesses can't wait any longer and start following the herd waiting for an opportunity, maybe a young one will get hurt or Dro will be left behind for the animals. young elephants. This is not the time to be alone. In the end, this latest change in strategy is worth it. We set out for the Lions during this desperate time. Nature gives the herd a stroke of luck, but at the same time deals it its cruelest hand. The lionesses throw the two-ton animal to the ground and hold it down.

Lionesses are expert buffalo killers, but they have never attempted to kill an elephant. Its teeth cannot penetrate the thick skin and the neck is too wide to strangle, soThey attack soft and vulnerable points. Without a muzzle to suffocate, they try to crush the trunk. Unable to kill the elephant, they begin to kill. Eat it alive, this first real taste of meat after almost a month of hunger revives their resistance and they fight for their right to every bite, twice the size of a buffalo. The young elephant keeps the herd well fed and presents them with an abundant new food source for the next few weeks, the Lions work on their elephant killing techniques, but when the elephants retaliate and Stampede, the Lions have no choice.

Having to run for their lives, the Lions refine their strategy with each hunt and killing elephants begins to become routine, but their success does not go unnoticed. The buffaloes have abandoned the entire area and neighboring Pride, now desperate for food, is at risk of a confrontation the kakas with their food and their territory to protect will not tolerate it Chasing the intruders is not enough cornered by the large male the young intruder does not look him in the eye a direct look would mean a challenge and certain death too young to stand firm against the powerful older male the intruding lion subdues Victor he walks around enjoying the glory that victory brings to the young male he is lucky to have escaped alive but his genitals are marked forever mutilated in a last act of domination, the other Kakan male focuses on the invasive female who brutally imposes her genetic rights under the washed out skies of a dry and extremely hot October.

Wave after wave of tethered elephants move through the Lion's territory. Winter has also taken its toll on the herds, although the kakan provides an endless supply of water offered by the dry vegetation. little nutritional value mothers and cubs are weak and older youngsters stray from the pride and get lost lionesses continue to take advantage of every opportunity to kill what began as a desperate season for lions turns into a time of gluttony within a month They kill five elephants that will keep them safe until next summer It begins like a blink The smell of rain is on the wind As soon as the drops hit the ground Kakan comes to life and the animals return The herds of breeding elephants travel back to their summer feeding grounds on the outskirts of the Kalahari almost magically, the last tough season seems forgotten in the new dew of green in their battle for survival during the most desperate season in decades, only seven of the 15 Cubs survived, but the extent of fresh, sweet grass tempts the herds of Buffalo to return.

In kica, Lions anxiously watch the arrival of their favorite prey. A ton of meat with softer skin to pierce and a short snout that's easy to suffocate. The familiar game of cat and mouse resumes. The largest buffalo walks aggressively towards the Lions in hopes of scaring them away, but the lions are familiar with this game for the next 6 months. The one-year-old Cubs learn to hunt by trial and error and soon realize that it is not so easy as it seems to survive the toughest season has made the Cubs overconfident and make a mistake in the buffalo herd their inexperience puts their lives in danger The buffaloes attack as a group and can easily Stampede on the lions using their horns as lethal weapons the pr He retreats leaving a cub behind he takes refuge in a fallen tree but it is not high enough he leaves it in the line of fire he bravely clings to his life The lions hunt together but if one gets into trouble, it is alone Eventually the buffaloes lose interest and pride returns to the traumatized Cub Now that the herds have returned the Cubs will learn valuable lessons and eventually become skilled hunters The herd approached the buffalo with renewed confidence they know the drill as always the lionesses take the initiative they attack From behind to avoid the dangerous horns they try to pierce the spinal cord by putting all their weight on their back.

They try to knock down a buffalo. Cubs copy their mothers during the summer months. The constant supply of meat increases the strength of the young within 6 months. They will be self-sufficient killers with all the food at their doorstep. Not the Lions. They have to move far to hunt, so they spend most of their days resting. Curiosity awakens the Cubs when a Pangolin enters the herd. The curled ball of scales provides some fun for bored youngsters, but the Pangolin's tough armor protects it from claws and teeth with its vulnerable parts hidden the Pengalin Waits until the lions are gone at the end of the rainy season the Cubs walk confidently with adults The Pride now has 14 Hunters the young M's Mains have begun to grow they follow their parents in every movement they learn when to attack, when to wait, when to hide and when to go out into the open, they approach adulthood and They are ready to test their strength, they walk in front with the two Kakano brothers and attack, attack, side by side, the heavy male straddles the buffalo. back and the female tries to throw it to the ground when the buffalo retaliates the cubs stand firm with the adults relentlessly the entire herd attacks to weaken its prey the buffalo's leg breaks the herd abandons it again the lions attack from behind to avoid the horns one of the males begins to suffocate the Buffalo the Cubs help their mothers from behind even with a broken leg the Buffalo does not go down his comrades return but he cannot walk The adrenaline runs through him he uses his only weapons to inflict pain on his The attackers heroically try to get up again but their efforts are in vain the lionesses and cubs keep him down their goal of putting the buffalo on their back so the male can finish the fight the epic battle finally ends the lions have won in this landscape in Constantly changing prosperity and hardship, the Kica pride has found stability again with the two strong Brothers at the helm and a healthy number of youth to ensure that the strength of pride has come

full

circle to despair.

Ingenuity switches prey to survive the harshest winter they have ever had. hold on but life in the okavango will always be unpredictable and their future will never be secure soon their parents will expel the young males and they will have to face these challenges alone the struggle of the dry season is over but the struggle because survival never ends, the lions kakan will always be a pride in battle