Survival at a Price (Full Episode) | Savage Kingdom Compilation | Nat Geo Animals

(growling) ♪ ♪ A clash of titans. The northern brothers vie for the affections of Tsebe and her sister. Desperate to start their own dynasties. Tsebe yearns for a family. But the brothers have yet to prove themselves worthy. (low growling) She continues to reject them, knowing this is no place for cubs. Enemies everywhere. But the brothers have only one thing on their mind. Enough! Tsebe's right to be worried. Hyena now overrun the heartland. Blind with lust, the brothers do nothing to stop them. (yipping) (snarling) Tsebe tries to spur them into action... to defend her carcass... to show their power. But their efforts don't impress her. (whooping) As the parasites spread, Tsebe knows her time here is up. She needs safety. A place to raise a family. Mombo dries once more. The rains lasted weeks, not months. (trumpeting) A time of torment for the weak. A time of plenty for the hyena. They now control the last remaining waterholes... and the forest around them. (snorting) (clucking) Little Khutlo, fresh from the den, has some catching up to do. An outsider since birth, the runt longs to join the army's ranks and fit in with the other young recruits... if only he can prove his worth and one day show himself a great hunter. He just needs to find the right target. Too big. Too messy. (birds chirping) Perfect. Khutlo thinks bagging a warthog will impress his commanders. But he's way out of his depth. (warthog squealing) (bellowing) The runt's antics make an impression, but not quite the one he wanted. His commanders step in to protect him. He may be a nuisance, but he's their nuisance. Shame-faced Khutlo, desperate to prove he's a worthy soldier, only proves he's a liability. Young Motshidi, teenage princess of the forest, sees her pantry filling up. Refugees from the drought. (chattering) But thieves, too, are on the rise. Hyena, stealing what is rightfully hers. Two can play at that game. Motshidi knows even gluttons need a break from their food. (squealing) It's just a matter of time. Now, the chance she's been waiting for. Careful, Motshidi. Brains, not brawn. Thieving from the thieves, right under their noses. Stolen meat is the sweetest meat. But beware, princess. You could end up dinner yourself. Time to leave the feast, princess. (snarls) The shadows won't save you today. There's nowhere to go but up. (growl) Out of reach, yet trapped. Luckily, their greed is all-consuming. Motshidi may be safe for now, but her forest is slipping away. Tsebe drives the lions north. Here the waters run deep. (grunting) A land of opportunity. (screeching) Somewhere a queen could build a home. And if only she could trust the brothers, an empire. First, Tsebe needs to stamp authority on her new subjects. She and her sister work as one. (splash) This new territory has everything Tsebe wants. And some things she could do without. Scum. Even here. It's the brothers' chance to finally prove themselves... (wailing) ...and give the sisters the land they deserve. This is war! (growling and snarling) At last, the brothers show mettle. They have the makings of kings. It's what Tsebe has been waiting for. A show of strength and unity. Now Tsebe is ready for a new dynasty. (squawking) The Queen of Mombo crowns her King. (grumbling) Motshidi's forest continues to change. Outsiders flood in, searching for water. Newcomers make themselves at home. (lowing) And thirst makes them vulnerable. Young leopards need the element of surprise. Murder wants no witness. (chirping) Her only option is to go deeper into the forest. But something's not right. It's not her they're running from. (barking) Another intruder. One Motshidi must avoid. A larger adult leopard. She could kill you, princess. And she's not alone. (mewing) With her two youngsters in tow, Phefo is in search of a new home. A place with water and shelter for her new cubs. An oasis in this drought-stricken kingdom. (cubs crying) A family you never had, Motshidi, and you are not welcome. There can only be one leopard queen. Motshidi doesn't stand a chance against Phefo's strength and her ferocious maternal instincts. She fought tooth and claw for her mother's forest, but Motshidi is no longer safe here. It's time to say goodbye to the only home she's ever known... ...and leave her forest forever. (buffalo grunting) Hyena control the forest waterhole. But they, too, face the influx of new arrivals. (snorting and grunting) After his disgrace, Khutlo is even more isolated. Always hungry. He tries to sneak a piece of the latest spoils. But commanders don't share with troublemakers. Especially runts. No one has your back, Khutlo. You have no option. Take your punishment. NARRATOR: The commander delivers a lesson in humility. An example for all to see. Just when Khutlo thinks his torture is over, the younger soldiers join in. (buffalo lowing) Desperate to fit in, poor Khutlo is now more of an outsider than he ever was. (whimpering) Fleeing the vicious drought, Phefo takes refuge in the forest with her cubs. (cubs screeching) She's been through hell to find this Eden... ...and hopes she's found a haven for her babies. While her cubs play without a care in the world, Phefo keeps a watchful eye out. But all this energy requires constant feeding. To hunt, Phefo has no choice but to leave the cubs alone and unprotected. The longer she's away, the greater the danger. (sniffing) (bird calling) She samples the meal before bringing it back to her cubs. But she has uninvited guests. (roar) Phefo is cornered. She can only watch as the family dinner is stolen. She knows what they'll do if they catch her. But she must sneak back to her precious cubs. Phefo returns with nothing but a pounding heart. Her cubs are blissfully unaware. And her fight for her family is only just beginning. (roaring) Tsebe is finally content... ...carrying the cubs she wants so badly... ...with her equally pregnant sister. After losing her first cubs, it's another chance to start that dynasty... protected by her adoring king. Now the sisters must hunt to feed the next generation. But weighed down by their future... they wait for their meal to come to them. The sisters are too heavy to hit their mark. A sign it is time to prepare for the coming births. But as fate gives with one hand, it takes with the other. To allow their cubs the best chance of survival... the sisters must say goodbye and den alone. Tsebe and her sister separate for now. Theirs is a bond that can never be broken. (roars) But every lioness must make this journey alone. (wind buffeting) Drought tightens its grip on Mombo, and the hyena continue their rise on the backs of the dead. But little Khutlo is still excluded from the army banquets. The ostracized runt has no choice. To eat, he must fight. But commanders guard the feast. The message is clear-- the irritating young outcast is not welcome. But Khutlo won't give up. And finally sees his chance to get in with the other young recruits. He snatches a taste of the feast... ...only to be pushed back once more. Khutlo is now one of them, and they have strength in numbers. (squeals) Always pushing. Always taking. Doing what hyena do best. A commander targets the youngsters. For once, Khutlo escapes... (yipping and growling) ...while someone else gets a beating. Somehow sheer determination has turned Khutlo the runt into Khutlo the soldier. But can he survive the army from hell? NARRATOR: Tsebe the queen is alone for the first time in years... ...searching for somewhere to give birth. ...hidden from the cruel world. Tired and hungry, she longs to rest. But destiny beckons. Then she finds it. The perfect place to bring forth a new dynasty. The perfect place to become a mother once more. Phefo's cubs couldn't be happier. A bit of practice hunting while mother's away. Thankfully they don't need to fend for themselves... just yet. Phefo the provider heads home with a kill. Everything she does is for them-- to nurture her budding hunters. Fresh meat makes them strong. The step closer to survival. But trouble is never far behind. A cub killer. Phefo has only seconds to react. While the cubs stay hidden... Phefo distracts their murderous visitor. Come and get me. Come on. The little ones are now entirely on their own. (hooting) Morning finds the cubs alone, but alive. Footsteps, but whose? (footsteps) (birds calling) Phefo. (cubs mewing) A mother who will risk her own life to protect her cubs. (mewing and screeching) Only she knows what happened between her and that hyena. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and Phefo and her future are stronger than ever. The kingdom of Mombo is on fire. A drought from hell. But Thata and her family are in luck. A victim of famine becomes family feast. There's plenty for all. But as ever, the selfish teens hog the carcass. Thata is not impressed. The boys have competition. Hyena... come to steal the feast. The teenagers carry on regardless... ...knowing that Queen Thata will protect them. But the thieves are not giving up. Thata does what she can, but the hyena refuse to retreat... ...unlike the cowardly teens. Their bellies full, the boys abandon the meal... ...with no thought for their leader. Let her take care of it. Thata takes what she can. They could turn on her at any moment. It's all too much. (bird squawking) How Thata's heart bleeds. The young gluttons gorge and go, leaving the rest of the pride hungry. Starvation knows nothing of fairness. The hyena army now dominates the lions' lost heartland... ...feasting on the victims of the drought. ...preying on the misfortune of others. (shrieking) Nothing is sacred, nothing is spared. To Phefo's young cubs, their new home is paradise. But Phefo knows there is no such place. Danger lurks at every corner. Her beloved cubs require constant protection. And yet, at four months old, the hungry cubs need meat. And only she can get it for them. To hunt, she must leave them to fate. A decision no mother should have to make. As for the little brother and sister, they couldn't be happier. Utterly carefree, they use the time to branch out. For them, life is a game. And trees are for climbing. Though it's not quite as easy as it seems. (screeches) They have company. Big company. The young siblings have never seen such a giant. The sister is fearless, like her mother. Like all cats, she's born curious. It's all a great adventure. But danger is never far away. The pride escaped the flames, but Thata is still feeling the heat. Her growing cubs need food. But the greedy teens take everything. She must think big. Even a calf could feed the whole pride. But Thata knows, like her, the calf's powerful mother will do anything to protect her family. She needs the teens to help. But their bellies are still full. There is no other choice. Thata and her sisters must do it alone. Let the hunt begin. Thata lies in wait. She's spotted. Her plan is working... ...and her sister moves in for the prize. Success... ...is fleeting. Thata and her sister can't take on a mother elephant alone. All they can do is watch... as their meal slowly wanders away. Thata knows that if the lazy teens don't help soon... the pride will starve. Mogolo, once great leader of the dogs, enjoys her retirement. Now she's not just a proud mother... She's a proud grandmother. Her daughter, Wame, the new leader, has pups. Six of them. (squeaking) The whole pack unites in celebration. (squealing and whining) For the youngsters, it's a little overwhelming. All long legs and wet noses. And lots of love. But new mother Wame is anxious. Motherhood is tough, but she's also the leader of the pack. Fortunately, wise old Mogolo is here to help. And just as well. The tiny pups constantly wander off, unaware of the dangers beyond the sanctuary of their secret den. Together, Wame and Mogolo keep them safe, hidden from the outside world. But Wame knows that the future of the pack depends on her. Mother and leader as one. Phefo, a refugee and born survivor. She dreads leaving her cubs alone at the den. Yet they need food, too. She's desperate to get back to them. But hunting requires concentration. Slowly, Phefo. Every second is another away from her cubs. (snorts) Act in haste, repent at leisure. Homeward bound at last. But with nothing to eat. Back at the den, the siblings are in a world of their own... practicing their climbing... ...and trying to hunt. The small prey is quick and far more confident than the timid brother. His brave sister goes in hot pursuit. But this is not at all what she was hoping for. A full-grown male leopard. If he hears the cubs, he will kill them. Phefo, come home. The brute is awake. Only silence will save Phefo's cubs. Hurry, little one. Only when their mother returns... are they finally safe. But the cupboard is bare. The cubs continue their merry ways. Instinct tells Phefo the peace won't last. Tonight they are together... but tomorrow she must hunt again... or her precious cubs won't survive. Like Phefo, like Wame, each mother must ensure their young have food. That means hunting. But Wame doesn't hunt alone. A feast... ...with plenty of meat for the hunters... ...and for the pups back at the den. Deep in the forest, Grandmother Mogolo patiently stands guard. Her new role as babysitter suits her perfectly, and the pups who blossom under her watchful eye. Finally, the moment they've been waiting for. Wame's return... ...and their first taste of regurgitated meat. Thanks to their mother's leadership, there is plenty for all. Wame can relax, secure in the knowledge her pups have everything they need... ...and are safely hidden from the outside world. In the unrelenting drought, a stroke of luck for Thata's pride. Or at least some of them. The boys stumbled across a pig den. And they have no plans for sharing with anyone. Even with Thata, who gives them everything. They are now too big to discipline, and she too weak from hunger. But the rest of the pride needs food, too. Again, all eyes turn to mother. Thata hones in on a victim big enough to feed the whole family. But to kill it alone will take everything she's got. Thata can't afford to fail. Her family's survival depends on this kill. Patience... stealth... power. Victory for Thata. Savior of the pride. But at what cost? Gored by the warthog's tusk. In agony, she stops to rest. But there's no rest in this kingdom. Stand your ground, Thata. But she's too weak. Unchallenged, they steal the pride's last hope. Thata has paid in blood for nothing. Death is sharpening its claws. In the forest, Phefo grows desperate. (zebra braying) Once more, she's had to leave her cubs alone. (growls) Seizing her last chance to hunt before nightfall... Time is running out. hunger tempers the cubs' play. As dusk falls... (cackling) ...killers are on the prowl. Stay hidden, little ones. Then the relentless hyena recognize what they're after. The scent of meat. The hyena know there's food here somewhere. But it's not the cubs they smell. (buffalo bellowing) Escaped by a cat's whisker. The notorious scavengers ruthlessly hunt their next meal. The stuff of nightmares. The hyena lose themselves in their kill. ...while the cubs look on in terror. On the other side of the forest, Phefo has less luck than the hyena. She longs to get back to her cubs. But not without food. Not this time. Dinner... ...at last. Phefo can finally go home. It's the cubs' turn to smell food. A family meal. ...with the meat they so desperately need. But their mother's love is the greatest nourishment of all. The gift that keeps giving. For now. Dry, oppressive heat torments the kingdom. Large water holes reduced to mud baths. Everyone forced to share. Thata needs to hunt. But she's in terrible pain. Suffering that even the boys can't ignore. Finally, they step up... ...and try to help. (braying) All they do is scare away the prey, much to Thata's despair. But one target's not going anywhere. (baboon barking) The teens think they have a chance. But they're no match for this monster. Despondent, the boys give up. Thata knows there's only one way to save the hungry cubs, despite her pain. (panting) She recruits her sister. One final hunt... ...even if it kills her. Time to kill... ...and face those deadly tusks once more. She has no choice... but to fight through the agony. Thata can't go on. Pain and failure combine... ...as she returns with nothing. Thata's wound could be the downfall of the pride. But she's not dead yet. At the dogs' secret den, the pups are growing fast. There's no danger of them catching anything, so leftovers will have to do. Until Wame and the pack return from another successful hunt... bringing fresh food and plenty of attention. But they're being watched. Hyena, attracted by the noise. Mogolo hurries the pups to safety... (squeaking and whining) ...while Wame leads the charge. (growling and yipping) The hyena take what they can. And that includes pups. The pack redoubles its efforts... ...turning the tables on the skulking thieves. But Wame must face the truth. Paradise is lost. The hyena army now knows their hiding place. Her pups will never be safe here again. Wame, leader and mother, now faces the greatest challenge of her life.