A majestic lion, one of the formidable big cats, stands on a grassy plain, its thick mane slightly damp from the rain. The lion gazes intently forward, surrounded by a backdrop of green vegetation under a softly falling drizzle.
Four big cats sit side by side in a sunlit grassy field, facing away. Their spotted coats blend with the tall grass, and the background is a blur of green, suggesting lush vegetation.
Two lion cubs, embodiment of majestic big cats, stand on a fallen tree trunk in a lush green environment during rainfall. One cub looks forward while the other glances back, both appearing curious and attentive.
A lioness, one of the majestic big cats, is lying on the grass with a lion cub playfully climbing on her back. The background is a blur of green vegetation.
A big cat with spotted fur holds a gazelle in its mouth in a natural setting. The leopard is partially visible, focusing on its head and upper body, while the gazelle's head and front legs can be seen.
A majestic leopard, one of nature's big cats, lounges gracefully on the branches of a large, gnarled tree. Its piercing eyes gaze forward, tail hanging down. The textured, weathered bark blends with the leopard's spotted coat against a softly blurred green background.

Big Cats, Small World

Nature & Wildlife·2 x 50 min·Completed

In northern Botswana, lions, leopards, and cheetahs battle for prey and territory in a fierce struggle for survival. Can these rivals coexist without deadly conflict?

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Genre
Nature & Wildlife
Duration
2 × 50 min
Definition
4K
Audio
5.1
Status
Completed
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Synopsis

Three Big Cats occupy the top of the food chain, but they must compete for prey and territory in one of the wildest places in Africa. ‘Big Cats, Small World’ examines how these deadly rivals survive in a landscape where they keep bumping into each other.

The Lions
In northern Botswana, a beguiling wilderness supports a dozen lionesses and cubs under the protection of two ageing males. Roaring and scent-marking, the males patrol their borders proclaiming ownership of the woodlands, the grasslands, the floodplains and the river. The pride anchors themselves in whichever habitat is currently richest in their favourite prey—and often the prey of two other Big Cats, who dare to live in their world.

When new male intruders threaten to take over the pride, it sets off a dramatic chain of events. One of the lionesses gathers her young cubs and flees to the woodlands to protect their lives. Without the help of her sisters, she has to catch smaller meals, bringing her into direct competition with a pair of cheetahs and a leopard.

The Leopard
The leopard argues for her territory with hoarse coughs—a warning to her adult daughter to respect her boundaries. This patch of woodland is not large enough for the two of them. Not to mention the trespassing lions.

She lacks the power to challenge the lions. But she’s resilient and resourceful and uses her wooded home to her advantage. As she moves through the shadows, her coat helps her hide in plain sight, a useful accessory for a stalk-and-pounce predator. Since she can’t run far or fast, tall trees provide a refuge, and a pantry, for this uniquely arboreal big cat—without them she would lose her kills, and possibly her life, to the lions.

The Cheetahs
Since birth, the cheetah brothers have spent every moment together. With no family responsibilities, their bachelor days are filled with hunting, avoiding enemies and securing their territory. But what’s it all for if they have no heirs?

They lack the vocal chords for roaring, leaving them with scent-marking as the only means to define their vast range and lure scarce females. But the leopardess has been leaving her own scent on top of theirs, chasing away any female cheetahs that might be interested in them.

And how can they make time for romance, when their lives are constantly at risk? They’re firmly at the bottom of the Big Cat hierarchy in terms of size, power and courage. They can’t climb well, or fight. But boy, they can run!

As events and changing seasons conspire to bring these Big Cats together, can they rely on their unique skills to avoid deadly conflict? Combining powerful storytelling with the latest scientific research, we delve deep into their lives to reveal the strategies they’ve evolved to coexist in their shared world.

Team

Written and directed by Robyn Keene-Young
Produced by Adrian Bailey
Executive producers Andrea Gastgeb, Sabine Holzer
Production companies A production of Camel Thorn Films Limited and The WNET Group in co-production with Blue Ant Media and Terra Mater Studios in association with PBS and CPB for Love Nature
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