Serengeti

Many tales have been told of Africa.

But this is our story.

A drama set in the heart of our world,

experienced as we live and breathe it.

So far we've faced many challenges.

The Great Migration brought risks for some...

...opportunities for others.

And as new families arrived, conflicts grew.

This is the next chapter in our story,

of a place they call Serengeti.

Day after day the Great Migration continues...

Driven by the quest for fresh pasture.

Shani and her foal endured an arduous trek to get here.

But there's worse to come.

Reaching the lush grasslands

means braving the treacherous river.

Each day more crocodiles gather...

And Shani's decision when to cross becomes harder.

But after days of feasting, the crocodiles are sleeping it off.

It's now or never.

Hungry or not, no crocodile can ever be trusted.

Crocodiles aren't the only danger.

The current takes many lives.

Now it's Shani who's fighting for her life.

Crocodiles never give up...

...but neither do mothers.

Shani's calls go unanswered.

Her foal is swept far away.

Exhausted...

Vulnerable...

He's oblivious to the danger.

His life is spared... This time.

Shani will never give up on her foal.

But the threats don't stop for her and her family.

Jasari is the leader of the wild dogs,

and leaders need to provide.

In the chase, he looks for weakness.

Shani knows the art of escape.

Hide among easier prey.

Here, death for one, spares the life of another.

Shani has to be sure.

Was it her youngster that was taken?

Not this time...

...but she must find him, before they do.

At the den the pups eagerly await their share of the meal.

Thanks to the migration, they're well fed and full of energy...

And always alert to their parent's return.

But they've made a mistake.

-(COOING) -(ANIMALS CHITTERING)

Zalika is the leader of the hyena clan.

She'll kill the pups if she can.

But she needs to watch her back.

Was it a mistake to let Zalika go?

Now she knows the dogs are here,

she'll be watching.

Shani is still searching.

Her foal is out there somewhere.

Lost and lonely,

he seeks the company of strangers.

But here everyone keeps to their own.

Those who aren't family

don't belong.

Without a mother, no youngster survives for long.

Every day, we must all trek to the waterhole.

The one place everyone gathers.

Here, everyone's competing for a place.

-(GRUNTS) -(SNORTS)

For Bakari, Cheka and their baby, just getting a drink is hard enough.

While Bakari distracts the wildebeest...

Cheka finds a quieter spot.

The baby is starting to test his independence...

-(SHRIEKING) -...but it's no place for a baby alone.

-(GROANS) -(SCREECHES)

Cheka would never let him down.

With numbers building at the waterhole,

it's time to move on.

For some, the visiting herds bring food and contentment.

Since Kali and her cubs were exiled from the Great Pride,

it's the first time they feel secure.

Sefu has grown fond of the cubs.

With her sister by her side, catching food is easy.

But in our land, nothing easy ever lasts long.

The black-maned lions are on the prowl.

They fear nothing... Not even the river.

They want to take these rich hunting lands for themselves.

No rivals will be spared.

Kali and her family are unaware of the growing threat.

Her cubs are busy learning what's food, and what isn't.

There's always something more exciting.

But young stray from their family at their peril.

The black-maned males see the cubs of others as enemies.

Even the smallest.

Mothers always sense when something's wrong.

But nothing can prepare a mother for this.

Innocent... Helpless.

They took him anyway.

The black-maned males will return.

Maybe now nowhere is safe for her cubs.

Just as the seasons come and go...

So do fortunes.

When the herds occupy our land, our paths cross all the time.

More than ever, we all need to know where we belong.

For baboons, status is everything.

When Bakari tried to raise the baby,

he struggled to find his place in the troop,

but when Cheka joined him everything changed.

Now their family bond only grows stronger.

With the baby exploring more,

they're having some time to themselves.

But one thing threatens their contentment...

The leaders feud with Bakari is escalating...

But it's now fuelled by jealousy.

The leader wants Cheka for himself.

Bakari's tactic is to ignore him.

But the baby can't hide his feelings...

...or realise he's making things worse.

Yet again, Cheka saves him.

And Bakari puts himself between Cheka and the leader.

But this only enrages him more.

If he wants Cheka... He'll take her.

-(GRUNTING) -(SCREECHES)

But Cheka resists.

Bakari will be punished for her rejection.

Shaken, the family regroup.

But now the leader is determined,

he will have Cheka.

And Bakari will pay the price.

The lost foal is still seeking company...

But there's no comfort here.

Hungry, thirsty and lonely...

...hope's fading fast.

And Nalla's family can't accept strangers either.

Tembo sends him on his way.

But maybe there is hope.

Could his mother be drawn to the waterhole too?

As Nalla's family arrive to drink, excitement grows.