Rare Footage reveals survival secrets of Africa’s top predators

Rare Hyena behaviors are caught on camera, including a mother who tries to steal food from wild dogs and dominates rivals under the seabed to smell it.

These are just a few of the unique animal behaviors displayed by New BBC Wildlife Documentary Series, Kingdomwhich follows the lives of four rival carnivore families over five years.

Scenes include moments as the animals face threats from snares to vicious ambushes and fierce territorial battles.

“We couldn’t write a script like this, only nature could write this script,” said executive producer Mike Gunton.

Behind the scenes, the Zambia Carnivore program works to protect these animals.

The team follows four animal families – Leopards, Hyenas, Wild Dogs and Lions – to capture unique moments of life in one of the normal regions of Africa.

Viewers will watch five-day-old lion cubs open their eyes, along with dramatic scenes shown in the Kingdom of the first dogs saving a deer from the jaws of a crocodile.

Other wild animals such as elephants and baboons also feature in the new series, narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

“Everything about this species has been shaped by millions of years of competition with each other,” said series producer Felicity Lanchester. “Now … people are changing that,” he added.

Filmmakers and scientific researchers in the region work together behind the scenes as the footage is a valuable source of data, informing precautionary measures.

“We got a lot of information that we wouldn’t have otherwise, on topography, food, activity, being a scientific consultant for the series and CEO of the Zambia Carnivore Program.

The biggest threat to these large carnivores is habitat loss, while poaching and a reduction in the prey base also play a role. Wire traps, or snares, are often set for antelope – for food and illegal trade – but many large mammals become prey.

These pressures change pack sizes, foods and survival methods, according to Dr Becker. A single incident can have knock-on effects, affecting many animals or hundreds of animals.

In one scene, a wild dog shows a leg in a trap. Despite his injury, he was accepted by his Natal pack, who assured him that he would eat his portion and continued the huyts.

For the unprofitable, the Zambia Carnivore program exists to protect them. The organization, together with other local groups, removes traps, protection pits and provides information for law enforcement on the illegal trade in Ivory and Bushmeat.

Reflecting on the conservation focus of the series, Dr Becker said: “In the end, this is a message of optimism in the face of some of the trends.”

Its inclusion in wildlife programs is now an inevitability, according to producers.

The external forces that act on these creatures are clear and series like Government can shed light on the need to protect them.

Speaking about caution, series editor, Simon Blakeey, said: “It’s a challenge, but it’s not hopeless.”

The Kingdom starts on BBC One at 18:20 GMT on Sunday and is available to watch on BBC IPlayer.