This weekend, National Geographic Wild's Big Cat Month culminates in a trio of insightful films – with the final film, War of the Lions, being an exploration of all the varied lion kingdoms out there – lush savannas, dry-as-a-bone deserts and the question becomes, who reigns supreme in the jungle?
This month's selection of films have all been curated as a celebration of the 40 years of astounding, ground-breaking wildlife filmmaking by acclaimed local big cat filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert. That continues with a remastered version of the Joubert's Emmy winning film, Eternal Enemies. The film explores the little known and seldom studied conflict between hyenas and lions. The two species are caught in an eons-long battle of survival as they compete for resources in ever-decreasing habitats. This film, like Relentless Enemies; which aired earlier in the month, is narrated by multi-award-winning Jeremy Irons.
Also airing this weekend is Shadow Cats, a film that explores the equally dramatic but less frequently exposed lives of some of Africa's smaller cats – the serval, caracal and black-footed cat. They hold their own in a Big Cat programme dominated by lions, leopards and cheetahs in this film.
As this year's Big Cat Month closes with War of the Lions, learn more about how we can end the relentless war on the numbers and habitats of all our big cats. The Big Cats Initiative partners with some of the world's leading big cat experts, funding on-the-ground research and innovative conservation projects to safeguard big cats and their critical habitats, while leading efforts to shine a light on the challenges these species face.
Films you can catch this weekend:
Shadow Cats - Saturday 26 February at 18:00
The serval, caracal and black-footed cat prove they are just as extraordinary as their African wildcat counterparts, the cheetah, lion and leopard.
Eternal Enemies (Revealed) - Sunday 27 February at 18:00
The Joubert's Emmy winning film is back with stunning remastered footage. Eternal Enemies reveals the story of conflict between lions and hyenas, relatively unknown or even suspected in the scientific world before this. The intense relationship and enduring rivalry between the two species play out in a battle of survival.
War of the Lions - Sunday 27 February at 18:45
From savannas bursting with game to deserts with not a drop to drink, all lion kingdoms are not created equal… so who is the REAL King of the Beasts?
Watch Big Cat Month on National Geographic Wild on DSTV: Channel 182 or StarSat: 221 on DTH, 210 on DTT (250 on DTT in Uganda).
Learn more about the Big Cats Initiative and how you can help safeguard big cats in the wild by visiting natgeo.org/bigcats.
