Africa's Super Seven Page #2

but only rarely display

their awesome power.

They prefer to let the

femalesps eize the day'

and only show up when dinner's served.

Back at the pride, the lionesses

have a rude awakening.

The Bull Elephant has decided to

throw his weight in their direction.

Heps not showing signs of aggression yet

but he's uncomfortably close...

and obscured behind the bush,

the lions may not know till

itps too late if he charges.

Best to give him a wide berth...

and take the cubs too.

The lions aren't happy

about being moved on,

but every cloud has a silver lining ...

...theypve stumbled onto an early dinner...

Wildebeest ... who are blissfully

unaware of whatps approaching.

The leading lioness takes up her position.

The others follow suit.

She'll signal when to attack...

But she collides with one of her own!

It's a disaster.

But a lucky escape for the wildebeest.

Humiliated for the second time today,

the gang will be all the more

determined to kill tonight.

Not too far away, and not too

long into his daily patrol,

the leopard encounters

his skittish neighbor....

This is one to watch ...

sheps too big to attack,

and in fact could do

the leopard more damage.

And she's smack in the middle

of the leopardps path.

All too often a chance

meeting in the African bush

requires delicate

manoeuvres between animals.

But also all too often,

something else catches your eye...

... like a herd of impala.

Itps time for a detour...

Impala are plentiful in Mala Mala.

Theypre also first choice

on a Leopardps menu.

But the leopard has a problem

there's little cover

between him and the impalas.

If he tries to cross this open ground

he's sure to be spotted.

He'll have to bide his time...

follow slowly...

That's one thing about the leopard

he stalks his prey carefully ...

and waits for the

right moment to strike.

The mother cheetah is also patient.

She knows an opportunity

will pass by sooner or later.

She just needs to be vigilant.

Her two cubs still have to

learn this lesson.

If they want a meal

theypll need to work for it.

For now they're happy to

let Mom take care of dinner.

No sooner is she out of sight,

the cubs are presented with their

first big hunting opportunity

and there's no doubt

these zebra are big.

Much more than

even an adult cheetah could handle.

But they're still worth a chase...

Itps clear that

a few more lessons are necessary.

The leopard is keeping up with the impala,

and is still undetected.

More adept at ambush than the chase

he must get close to

stand any chance of a kill.

But someone's got there before him...

...the mother cheetah.

She hasn't yet spotted the leopard

she only has eyes for the impala.

She's off!

She's foiled by the tree cover.

The leopard's meal is even further away.

ltps now late afternoon. Five opclock.

Thereps a good reason

the lions failed in their

attack on the wildebeest.

They weren't working as a team.

They werenpt prepared.

Before they set out for tonight's hunt

they do something important

to reinforce their bonds ...

they socialise and groom one another.

ln this way six individual hunters

transform themselves into a single,

ruthless, killing machine.

The Buffalo are well on their way

to higher, safer ground.

The day is proving arduous

for the pregnant cow.

She's leaking birth fluids,

which signals labour is imminent.

This is dangerous...

...any predator can now pick up

the trail she leaves behind.

Worse still, she's falling behind.

Despite her distressed calls,

the herd moves on...

...the cow is only safe if she can keep up.

She can't give birth here.

She must press on.

Itps going to be a race against time.

The young bull elephant is

in no hurry, nor does he care

where hepll be when nightfall descends.

Just when the lions think they're free

of the elephant, heps back...

...strolling right

through the lionsp rest stop.

Elephants donpt like lions.

It's a very old law of nature.

But the bull is more intent on a sand bath

than taking on the Pride

at least for now.

As if to make his point,

he strolls right back

through the rest stop.

He knows thereps nothing they can do.

Mala Mala's higher ground is the

preferred habitat for the cheetah.

This is covered by open grassland

perfect for the worldps

fastest sprinter.

This is one of the mother

cheetahps favorite hunting spots.

It's also a safer place for

them to bed down for the night.

The cubs have yet to

make their first kill,

but they have each other

to practice their moves.

All this playing

doesnpt amuse their mother.

A quick nip puts them in order ...

if only for a moment.

With sundown approaching it's time

for the Hyena Mum to get moving.

Her cubs have drunk their fill.

She needs to restore her milk supply

with a good feed.

The cubs will stay behind.

They know the routine

- and besides,

after feeding so much today,

all they'll want to do is sleep.

The herd has reached the safety

of the grassland.

All but the pregnant cow.

She's still lagging behind and must

draw on all her reserves to catch up.

Itps half past six

a time of change in the bush.

The sun is now setting.

The cheetahs will continue

their hunting lessons tomorrow ...

The rhino won't settle down yet ...

And nor will the leopard ...

heps still following the impala...

And the hyena-

on the prowl for her next meal

has picked up his trail.

The lions are up and ready to go.

One last drink and

theypre off into the night,

a force of nature, hungry

and searching for prey.

The lion brothers arenpt with the pride,

but can still monitor their

movements by smelling their scent.

Lions have a specialized smelling organ

on the roof of their mouth.

One of the brothers

decides to follow the pride.

He is hungry

he'll let the females

do the dirty work though,

and turn up just in time to eat.

The lionesses donpt have to go far

before they pick up the

scent ofthe pregnant cow.

Now she has little time to reach the herd.

The lions are intent on their prize.

Not even a herd of impala can

tempt them away from their mission.

Up ahead the tired

but determined buffalo cow

finally reaches the

safety of her companions.

Now itps time for the next

exhausting challenge- to give birth.

Adult buffalo are big and strong

and have a mean temper.

The lions will have to get

past them to reach the cow

who is still some way behind them.

This is the cow's most vulnerable time.

The baby's on its way.

Fortunately buffalo mothers

are designed to give birth quickly.

Without hesitating her offspring

tries to get up onto his little legs.

He won't be gambling about

for at least a couple of hours.

This is his most vulnerable time.

The Elephant herd is not far away.

A chance encounter with the approaching

lions could cause a big uproar.

The herd is still moving

through the bush, feeding.

Theypll feed for 16 hours a day,

to fuel their massive bodies.

Only the bull elephant

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