
Lions Steal a Starving Leopard's Kill
Clip: Episode 5 | 3m 14sVideo has Closed Captions
This situation gets critical for Xudum the leopard who desperately needs to feed.
Xudum the leopard is hunting again. Now pregnant, she desperately needs a successful kill and makes a risky decision to strike from the treetops. The gamble pays off, and Xudum takes down an impala. But her victory is short-lived when she attracts the attention of the lioness mothers, and they move in and steal her meal.

Lions Steal a Starving Leopard's Kill
Clip: Episode 5 | 3m 14sVideo has Closed Captions
Xudum the leopard is hunting again. Now pregnant, she desperately needs a successful kill and makes a risky decision to strike from the treetops. The gamble pays off, and Xudum takes down an impala. But her victory is short-lived when she attracts the attention of the lioness mothers, and they move in and steal her meal.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship[Gordon] Whoa!
Lions are coming, lions are coming.
- What the heck?
[Gordon] Xudum has just caught an impala, under the tree, and the lions have heard it.
This is going to be very interesting.
[Narrator] Xudum the leopard is hunting again.
- Yeah, she's starting to move quite quickly.
I'm just going to go around so we don't lose her.
- Cool, copy.
Yeah, I'm on my way.
It's becoming very, very critical that she makes a kill and actually gets a feed.
Right, Xudum's going up.
- It's a very good hunting opportunity for Xudum, right now.
We've got the impala walking through these thick bushes.
I see one female who's close there now.
- A jump is always dangerous, but now that she's pregnant, it's even riskier.
She could get hurt, but she can't afford to go hungry any longer.
OK, Xudum's moving now into position.
- She jumped!
She's got one, she's got an impala.
Xudum has made the kill.
- This is going to be so good for her.
She hasn't had a proper meal in so long.
So this means she can den, she can relax for a bit, and she doesn't have to stress.
Oh, yes, girl.
[Gordon] Whoa!
What the hell's going on?
[Narrator] Xudum's success is attracting the attention of the lion mothers.
[Gordon] Lions are coming, lions are coming.
- What the heck?
[Gordon] Xudum has just caught an impala, under the tree, and the lions have heard it and they are bombing their way.
This is...
This is going to be very interesting.
This is an amazing win for these mums - Nosi, Mmakgosi, Magogo - but is quite unfortunate for poor Xudum.
- You can just see the pain on her face.
This was such a big kill for her.
Oh, my heart is gone.
It's bittersweet.
It's a hard moment to take.
I really feel for our newest mum-to-be, Xudum.
- This is just going to make her life so much more difficult.
This is really, really gut-wrenching.
A Lost Lion Cub Faces Nighttime Alone
Video has Closed Captions
Filmmaker Gordon Buchanan fears the worst for Matho’s lost lion cub. (3m 11s)
Thermal Cameras Reveal Leopard Cubs
Video has Closed Captions
A revolution in low light camera technology offers a rare glimpse of leopard cubs in their den. (3m 6s)
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