1 00:00:05,610 --> 00:00:09,176 NARRATOR: If you want to film tigers, get an elephant. 2 00:00:09,210 --> 00:00:12,143 Preferably one that can carry a camera. 3 00:00:16,410 --> 00:00:21,276 These ele-cams have already told the story of four cubs growing up. 4 00:00:23,810 --> 00:00:28,210 They filmed as the cubs practised their killing and fighting skills. 5 00:00:29,210 --> 00:00:32,643 But then the cubs' mother was injured 6 00:00:32,676 --> 00:00:35,676 and a rogue male entered their territory. 7 00:00:37,943 --> 00:00:41,043 This was the cubs' greatest challenge yet. 8 00:00:49,176 --> 00:00:51,610 The cubs flee across the dammed lake 9 00:00:51,643 --> 00:00:54,510 in the centre of Pench Tiger Reserve. 10 00:00:56,010 --> 00:00:58,176 They have reason to be worried. 11 00:00:58,210 --> 00:01:03,376 A strange male will kill cubs so that he can have the chance of mating with their mother. 12 00:01:05,210 --> 00:01:10,543 The cubs must put as much distance as they can between them and him. 13 00:01:13,210 --> 00:01:16,443 The male decides not to follow. 14 00:01:16,476 --> 00:01:19,110 But while he's around, the cubs are in danger, 15 00:01:19,143 --> 00:01:21,110 particularly as their mother is injured. 16 00:01:27,710 --> 00:01:29,510 They reach the far shore. 17 00:01:38,010 --> 00:01:41,843 Although they have bought some time, they're still in danger, 18 00:01:41,876 --> 00:01:45,676 for their father, when last seen, was also injured. 19 00:01:48,443 --> 00:01:51,476 The elephant camera team set off to find him. 20 00:01:51,510 --> 00:01:54,310 They head towards the alarm calls of prey 21 00:01:54,343 --> 00:01:57,810 that so often give away a tiger's location. 22 00:01:57,843 --> 00:02:01,376 And here he is, the aptly named Charger. 23 00:02:02,810 --> 00:02:04,110 (GROWLING) 24 00:02:06,276 --> 00:02:08,276 He was last seen nearly two weeks ago. 25 00:02:08,310 --> 00:02:11,410 Then he had wounds on his side from a fight, 26 00:02:11,443 --> 00:02:13,343 and was unusually subdued. 27 00:02:13,376 --> 00:02:14,943 But it's a different story now. 28 00:02:14,976 --> 00:02:17,143 -(TRUMPETING) -(SNARLING) 29 00:02:17,176 --> 00:02:19,476 He's back to his old belligerent self. 30 00:02:19,510 --> 00:02:20,676 (ROARING) 31 00:02:28,143 --> 00:02:30,110 The cubs are not far away. 32 00:02:30,143 --> 00:02:32,976 Now, with Charger back to fighting fitness, 33 00:02:33,010 --> 00:02:35,343 they have some much-needed protection. 34 00:02:40,110 --> 00:02:43,110 But what they need right now is a meal. 35 00:02:47,110 --> 00:02:52,010 They're 15 months old, and certainly big enough to catch a small deer. 36 00:02:52,110 --> 00:02:55,776 But have they yet developed the necessary skill? 37 00:02:55,810 --> 00:02:57,343 Here's a chance for them. 38 00:03:20,743 --> 00:03:22,343 They'll have to do better than that 39 00:03:22,376 --> 00:03:24,776 if they're to survive as adults. 40 00:03:34,476 --> 00:03:38,110 They still need their mother's help and tuition. 41 00:03:39,843 --> 00:03:42,276 They find her where they saw her last. 42 00:03:44,476 --> 00:03:47,610 The wound on her side is still visible. 43 00:03:54,343 --> 00:03:56,843 But she seems considerably perkier. 44 00:04:01,410 --> 00:04:04,876 Tiger saliva contains a strong antibiotic, 45 00:04:04,910 --> 00:04:08,210 so even serious wounds rarely go septic. 46 00:04:08,243 --> 00:04:10,510 It seems she might be all right. 47 00:04:18,976 --> 00:04:22,843 The cubs, when without her, stick closely together. 48 00:04:26,443 --> 00:04:29,243 When one makes a move, they all do. 49 00:04:48,110 --> 00:04:49,310 (ROARING) 50 00:04:49,343 --> 00:04:51,610 They can't resist play fighting, 51 00:04:51,643 --> 00:04:55,543 even though the strange male must still be on their mind. 52 00:04:55,576 --> 00:04:58,576 And then a tiger seems to appear in the water. 53 00:05:00,110 --> 00:05:01,410 (GROWLING) 54 00:05:13,110 --> 00:05:15,676 The cub tries an alternative crossing 55 00:05:15,710 --> 00:05:17,810 but the water tiger is there as well. 56 00:05:18,476 --> 00:05:19,743 (SNARLS) 57 00:05:26,343 --> 00:05:28,776 Best to take the long way round. 58 00:05:32,576 --> 00:05:33,776 (ROARING) 59 00:05:33,810 --> 00:05:37,243 Submerged tigers forgotten, he joins the game. 60 00:06:01,276 --> 00:06:04,543 The cubs must spend another night on their own. 61 00:06:14,276 --> 00:06:17,976 Next day, the cubs have caught something. 62 00:06:18,010 --> 00:06:20,910 It's a pangolin, a scaly anteater. 63 00:06:20,943 --> 00:06:24,243 They last encountered one when they were just a few months old. 64 00:06:24,276 --> 00:06:28,410 Then, it scared them. Now it's a different story. 65 00:06:43,176 --> 00:06:46,476 Pangolins exude a foul odour like a skunk, 66 00:06:46,510 --> 00:06:50,643 so few animals eat them, and the cubs decide not to try. 67 00:06:51,576 --> 00:06:53,543 They're so absorbed in their game, 68 00:06:53,576 --> 00:06:56,610 they nearly miss an important arrival. 69 00:06:58,910 --> 00:07:00,476 It's their mother. 70 00:07:00,510 --> 00:07:02,510 They are safe once more. 71 00:07:14,310 --> 00:07:16,243 She seems fully fit. 72 00:07:16,276 --> 00:07:17,976 Her cubs are hungry 73 00:07:18,010 --> 00:07:21,110 and she leads them away towards the best hunting grounds. 74 00:07:26,310 --> 00:07:29,310 Log-cam can film animals automatically. 75 00:07:29,343 --> 00:07:32,210 It will switch itself on when something is happening, 76 00:07:32,243 --> 00:07:34,576 even when the elephants are not around. 77 00:07:37,910 --> 00:07:40,576 One has recorded golden jackals 78 00:07:40,610 --> 00:07:43,743 and they have got pups, just three weeks old. 79 00:07:54,376 --> 00:07:58,943 There are six of them and they've just started to venture out of the den. 80 00:07:58,976 --> 00:08:02,310 But for safety, they must stay close to the entrance. 81 00:08:05,543 --> 00:08:08,610 This pup, however, has other ideas. 82 00:08:10,743 --> 00:08:13,643 Fortunately, mother quickly spots him. 83 00:08:17,676 --> 00:08:19,110 (PUPS CALLING) 84 00:08:24,510 --> 00:08:27,710 And she shepherds him back to the safety of the den. 85 00:08:32,610 --> 00:08:35,543 The tiger family are back at the lake, 86 00:08:35,576 --> 00:08:38,310 but this time, their mother is with them. 87 00:08:40,410 --> 00:08:45,543 She's caught a sambar deer and seems intent on dragging it into the water. 88 00:08:47,243 --> 00:08:49,843 The cubs appear to be eager to help, 89 00:08:49,876 --> 00:08:52,510 but it's not clear what they're trying to achieve. 90 00:08:54,810 --> 00:08:56,643 They're certainly enjoying themselves 91 00:08:56,676 --> 00:08:59,843 and need little excuse for a game of chase. 92 00:09:24,810 --> 00:09:28,010 Tigers do sometimes kill prey in water, 93 00:09:28,110 --> 00:09:29,776 so this is all good practice, 94 00:09:29,810 --> 00:09:33,176 as are the running leaps and the rugby tackles. 95 00:09:44,343 --> 00:09:50,643 The mother seems to have her own plan for the carcass and continues to drag it away. 96 00:10:03,243 --> 00:10:06,576 For her cubs, it's still just a game. 97 00:10:12,176 --> 00:10:15,376 The natural buoyancy of her kill makes it easier for the mother 98 00:10:15,410 --> 00:10:20,076 to move it through the water, but the cubs aren't helping one little bit. 99 00:10:23,676 --> 00:10:24,810 (GROWLING) 100 00:10:27,610 --> 00:10:30,276 She finally drags it to the shore, 101 00:10:30,310 --> 00:10:33,310 but out of water, it's hard going. 102 00:10:35,343 --> 00:10:38,276 The cubs still love play fighting, 103 00:10:38,310 --> 00:10:40,510 but as they get bigger and more powerful, 104 00:10:40,543 --> 00:10:44,810 their blows seldom make serious contact during their sparring. 105 00:10:53,376 --> 00:10:56,710 The mother perseveres with her puzzling mission. 106 00:10:56,743 --> 00:11:01,576 She seems to be tiring, unlike her cubs, who have energy to spare. 107 00:11:04,210 --> 00:11:10,410 Their play is now about testing each other to see who is top cat. 108 00:11:19,343 --> 00:11:21,443 The mother's chosen obstacle course 109 00:11:21,476 --> 00:11:25,343 runs across an inlet of water that cuts through the shoreline. 110 00:11:25,376 --> 00:11:28,843 She's determined to get the carcass to the other side. 111 00:11:34,576 --> 00:11:37,576 The cubs show no interest in helping. 112 00:11:39,110 --> 00:11:41,676 Sambar are India's largest deer 113 00:11:41,710 --> 00:11:45,676 and this is hard graft, even for a tigress in her prime. 114 00:11:50,410 --> 00:11:53,810 Female cubs play more aggressively than males. 115 00:11:53,843 --> 00:11:56,510 They may eventually set up neighbouring territories 116 00:11:56,543 --> 00:11:59,843 so perhaps it's safer to sort out their differences now, 117 00:11:59,876 --> 00:12:02,510 before they can do much harm to one another. 118 00:12:04,276 --> 00:12:06,643 But it will be some time before they acquire 119 00:12:06,676 --> 00:12:09,243 their mother's formidable strength. 120 00:12:16,676 --> 00:12:20,176 When they finally fight, they seem to really mean it. 121 00:12:22,510 --> 00:12:23,743 (ROARING) 122 00:12:29,910 --> 00:12:32,910 After their mother has been labouring for an hour, 123 00:12:32,943 --> 00:12:35,110 her intentions have become clear. 124 00:12:35,110 --> 00:12:38,376 She simply wanted to take the carcass into shade. 125 00:12:44,810 --> 00:12:50,143 The tigers are dozing, so the langurs venture down to the ground. 126 00:12:50,176 --> 00:12:54,276 But nonetheless, they must prepare to be challenged. 127 00:12:54,310 --> 00:12:57,376 The hawk eagle tries to make himself look bigger. 128 00:12:58,310 --> 00:13:00,476 For the moment, there's a stand-off. 129 00:13:07,976 --> 00:13:11,743 But there can only be one winner in a contest like this. 130 00:13:19,543 --> 00:13:22,376 Log-cam and the other remote spy cams 131 00:13:22,410 --> 00:13:26,443 continue to document the tiger's once secret world. 132 00:13:27,943 --> 00:13:29,376 When the tigers start to move, 133 00:13:29,410 --> 00:13:32,876 the elephants and their mobile cameras take over 134 00:13:32,910 --> 00:13:36,410 and enable us to travel with the tigers at their level. 135 00:13:39,843 --> 00:13:43,110 By now, this wild bunch have little to fear 136 00:13:43,143 --> 00:13:46,210 and they stride through the forest with confidence. 137 00:13:57,276 --> 00:14:01,343 A group of tigers such as this is a rare sight indeed. 138 00:14:01,376 --> 00:14:03,843 Adult tigers are basically loners. 139 00:14:03,876 --> 00:14:07,176 They don't practice the kind of communal hunting techniques 140 00:14:07,210 --> 00:14:11,243 for which lions, who do live in large groups, are famous. 141 00:14:27,776 --> 00:14:30,376 Finding prey is the easy bit. 142 00:14:33,510 --> 00:14:36,443 To succeed, they will have to get close 143 00:14:36,476 --> 00:14:38,643 without alarming the deer. 144 00:14:44,543 --> 00:14:47,843 At first, that looks deceptively easy. 145 00:14:52,876 --> 00:14:57,376 The cubs must be feeling that they could walk right up to their prey. 146 00:15:05,243 --> 00:15:08,143 She checks that her brother is backing her up, 147 00:15:15,976 --> 00:15:18,576 and prepares for the charge. 148 00:15:20,610 --> 00:15:24,110 But the deer know just how close is safe. 149 00:15:51,743 --> 00:15:55,176 Her brother tries a swifter approach. 150 00:16:01,776 --> 00:16:03,643 But he peaks too soon. 151 00:16:04,976 --> 00:16:06,610 All is not lost. 152 00:16:06,643 --> 00:16:09,510 The deer are running right in front of one of his sisters. 153 00:16:17,943 --> 00:16:19,810 But she didn't take her chance. 154 00:16:19,843 --> 00:16:22,510 The youngsters still have a lot to learn. 155 00:16:30,010 --> 00:16:33,276 Mother isn't far away and she is well hidden. 156 00:16:33,310 --> 00:16:35,510 Now it's her chance. 157 00:16:40,210 --> 00:16:44,110 But the sambar's kicks are very effective defence. 158 00:16:44,110 --> 00:16:45,576 Another failure. 159 00:16:50,210 --> 00:16:53,576 The family move on to try their luck elsewhere. 160 00:17:05,643 --> 00:17:09,176 Their journey takes them near the jackals' den. 161 00:17:16,110 --> 00:17:19,676 While their mother is around, the pups are now very confident. 162 00:17:26,210 --> 00:17:30,210 They even follow her for short forays away from the den. 163 00:17:32,443 --> 00:17:35,243 Jackals will scrounge from tiger kills. 164 00:17:35,276 --> 00:17:37,810 But this is too close for comfort. 165 00:17:48,910 --> 00:17:53,510 For the tiger cubs, each new location is another playground. 166 00:17:53,543 --> 00:17:56,576 -(GROWLING) -They immediately try out the facilities. 167 00:18:00,643 --> 00:18:04,710 A leaning tree provides lots of possibilities for games, 168 00:18:04,743 --> 00:18:09,243 but there are many other ways of having fun in this jungle gym. 169 00:18:09,276 --> 00:18:10,443 (ROARS) 170 00:18:19,876 --> 00:18:21,276 (SNARLING) 171 00:18:49,810 --> 00:18:53,243 They only play in the cool of the morning. 172 00:18:53,276 --> 00:18:57,276 When the day begins to heat up, they rest in the shade. 173 00:19:09,110 --> 00:19:14,510 The heat draws game to the water holes, as the mother knows it will. 174 00:19:29,310 --> 00:19:31,143 She brings one down. 175 00:19:31,610 --> 00:19:33,110 (DEER CALLING) 176 00:19:33,110 --> 00:19:35,243 It's a spotted deer. 177 00:19:46,943 --> 00:19:50,776 The cubs have heard the commotion and are quickly on the carcass. 178 00:19:55,376 --> 00:19:57,543 When four cubs compete for food, 179 00:19:57,576 --> 00:20:00,110 the weakest frequently loses out 180 00:20:00,110 --> 00:20:02,376 and may eventually die from starvation. 181 00:20:02,410 --> 00:20:07,676 But among these cubs, even the smallest, a female, seems well-nourished. 182 00:20:10,743 --> 00:20:13,576 Apparently, mother is such a good hunter 183 00:20:13,610 --> 00:20:16,043 that there's always enough to go round. 184 00:20:17,176 --> 00:20:19,410 But they still quarrel over their meals. 185 00:20:19,443 --> 00:20:21,243 (GROWLING) 186 00:20:21,276 --> 00:20:24,576 And it's usually the females that start the argument. 187 00:20:29,710 --> 00:20:33,276 For the nearby jackals, this is a bit of luck. 188 00:20:38,310 --> 00:20:42,376 They seek out kills, hoping for a share in the spoils. 189 00:20:44,276 --> 00:20:48,843 The cubs have yet to learn what skilled dodgers jackals can be. 190 00:20:50,710 --> 00:20:55,010 Unlike their normal prey, she actually runs towards the tigers. 191 00:20:55,043 --> 00:20:57,443 This is blatant provocation. 192 00:21:14,843 --> 00:21:18,210 The attack came as a surprise to the jackal 193 00:21:18,243 --> 00:21:21,176 but she is far too agile to be in any real danger 194 00:21:23,810 --> 00:21:27,176 and the cubs are quite used to failure. 195 00:21:33,710 --> 00:21:38,510 With the tigers so close, the mother jackal decides to move her pups. 196 00:21:38,543 --> 00:21:42,543 This one is quite a bundle but fortunately the rest are quite capable 197 00:21:42,576 --> 00:21:44,743 of following under their own steam. 198 00:21:51,676 --> 00:21:56,810 Jackals always have alternative dens for emergencies. 199 00:21:56,843 --> 00:21:59,810 This one is in the hollow of a fallen tree. 200 00:22:10,210 --> 00:22:15,476 As the day heats up, two of the cubs take to wallowing in the mud, 201 00:22:15,510 --> 00:22:19,676 an effective if rather messy way of keeping cool. 202 00:22:19,710 --> 00:22:22,710 The others are still getting rid of their surplus energy. 203 00:22:29,110 --> 00:22:30,276 (GROWLING) 204 00:22:36,143 --> 00:22:39,676 Not very elegant, but at least he's not alone. 205 00:22:51,543 --> 00:22:56,843 The mud looks permanent, but in just a few hours, it will blow away as dust, 206 00:22:56,876 --> 00:23:02,576 and the cubs will be spotless again with their coats dry-cleaned. 207 00:23:02,610 --> 00:23:08,310 Peacocks originated in India, and here in the wild they are quite nervous creatures. 208 00:23:12,210 --> 00:23:17,110 They're so inoffensive that langurs allow them to share their waterhole. 209 00:23:20,710 --> 00:23:23,976 They are occasionally killed and eaten by tigers, 210 00:23:24,010 --> 00:23:26,376 but they're more of a snack than a meal. 211 00:23:34,110 --> 00:23:37,110 The cubs seem to be fascinated by them. 212 00:23:38,743 --> 00:23:39,810 (PEACOCK HONKING) 213 00:23:42,776 --> 00:23:46,510 Like many birds, peacocks will mob predators 214 00:23:46,543 --> 00:23:50,276 and keeping danger in their sights helps prevent a surprise attack. 215 00:23:51,810 --> 00:23:55,876 Their mocking must be infuriating for the cubs. 216 00:23:55,910 --> 00:23:59,543 They play a game of dare as soon as he looks away. 217 00:24:07,110 --> 00:24:09,243 This really is teasing. 218 00:24:11,710 --> 00:24:13,376 And he loses patience. 219 00:24:18,543 --> 00:24:21,610 His sister makes an easier target. 220 00:24:28,610 --> 00:24:32,710 As the cubs grow in confidence, they tackle almost anything. 221 00:24:35,843 --> 00:24:40,110 A tail to them must be like a piece of string to a kitten. 222 00:24:40,876 --> 00:24:42,210 (SNARLING) 223 00:24:47,576 --> 00:24:52,110 But what it's attached to is an altogether different proposition. 224 00:24:55,110 --> 00:24:57,810 Wisely, the cub thinks better of it. 225 00:25:03,710 --> 00:25:06,010 Wild boar are different. 226 00:25:06,110 --> 00:25:07,776 They are prey. 227 00:25:09,676 --> 00:25:12,576 This one seems to have a spot of cramp. 228 00:25:36,176 --> 00:25:37,610 (SQUEALING) 229 00:25:40,110 --> 00:25:41,676 Yet another failure. 230 00:25:51,143 --> 00:25:53,276 The time has come for the elephants 231 00:25:53,310 --> 00:25:56,476 to take another of their six-week breaks. 232 00:26:10,110 --> 00:26:14,810 When they return, they have no difficulty in locating the cubs again. 233 00:26:14,843 --> 00:26:18,776 The alarm calls of prey quickly reveal where they are. 234 00:26:27,943 --> 00:26:32,710 The tigress is with them. They are still living together as a family. 235 00:26:45,543 --> 00:26:47,610 The elephants put trunk-cam down 236 00:26:47,643 --> 00:26:51,610 and leave it to make the final approach under its own power. 237 00:27:02,143 --> 00:27:05,310 The cubs are feeding on a carcass. 238 00:27:05,343 --> 00:27:09,110 It's a wild boar killed by their mother. 239 00:27:09,110 --> 00:27:11,343 The cubs are now nearly as big as she is, 240 00:27:11,376 --> 00:27:14,676 so feeding them all is a major challenge for her. 241 00:27:14,710 --> 00:27:19,143 Even so, her cubs' bellies are rarely empty. 242 00:27:19,176 --> 00:27:23,876 But feeding them so well doesn't encourage them to hunt for themselves. 243 00:27:23,910 --> 00:27:25,143 (GROWLING) 244 00:27:34,976 --> 00:27:36,810 They certainly have the aggression, 245 00:27:36,843 --> 00:27:40,410 but they must learn how to use it to bring down prey. 246 00:27:49,476 --> 00:27:54,110 A good meal is usually followed by an after-dinner siesta. 247 00:28:00,310 --> 00:28:04,210 But even these quiet periods are times of learning. 248 00:28:04,243 --> 00:28:08,243 One of the males tries some sexual experimentation. 249 00:28:09,876 --> 00:28:13,443 But his partner, his brother, is rather baffled. 250 00:28:24,676 --> 00:28:28,510 The elephant's tail no longer provokes a reaction. 251 00:28:28,543 --> 00:28:31,743 Everyone is just trying to find a way to get comfortable. 252 00:28:41,576 --> 00:28:45,343 One of the males goes off to spend time on his own. 253 00:28:53,410 --> 00:28:56,443 Spotted deer appear nearby. 254 00:28:56,476 --> 00:28:59,210 The cub decides to try his luck. 255 00:29:01,976 --> 00:29:07,110 His stalking technique has greatly improved. Now, he's acting like a pro. 256 00:29:23,943 --> 00:29:26,710 He uses a tree trunk as cover. 257 00:29:32,443 --> 00:29:34,843 He places his paws with great care 258 00:29:34,876 --> 00:29:38,176 to avoid making even the slightest rustle. 259 00:29:42,610 --> 00:29:46,110 Now his success will depend on his timing. 260 00:29:49,710 --> 00:29:52,010 Close, but missed again. 261 00:29:52,110 --> 00:29:54,776 Nevertheless, this is real progress. 262 00:29:57,443 --> 00:30:00,110 The family has moved into the shade 263 00:30:00,143 --> 00:30:02,043 but there is very little space. 264 00:30:06,443 --> 00:30:10,410 By the time the cub returns, there's no place for him. 265 00:30:15,510 --> 00:30:17,910 His mother makes it clear that he's not welcome. 266 00:30:17,943 --> 00:30:21,643 She's starting to lose patience with her grown-up family. 267 00:30:24,343 --> 00:30:27,443 The cubs are also far less tolerant of one another. 268 00:30:41,776 --> 00:30:43,076 (GROWLING) 269 00:30:49,276 --> 00:30:52,576 Even their games now have an aggressive edge. 270 00:30:58,910 --> 00:31:03,443 It seems they want to play but are nervous as to what might happen. 271 00:31:12,476 --> 00:31:16,176 Again, it's the females who show the most aggression. 272 00:31:18,910 --> 00:31:20,143 (SNARLING) 273 00:31:28,110 --> 00:31:32,776 The squabbling continues as one female tries to settle down for a rest. 274 00:31:43,110 --> 00:31:46,643 Eventually, this rivalry will force them apart. 275 00:31:48,276 --> 00:31:50,110 Mother is equally hostile. 276 00:31:50,110 --> 00:31:54,610 She is beginning the process of making her cubs less dependent on her. 277 00:32:06,676 --> 00:32:11,176 So the female cub has to find a spot of her own. 278 00:32:17,743 --> 00:32:19,410 She's not alone for long. 279 00:32:19,443 --> 00:32:21,810 Her brothers are still ready to show affection. 280 00:32:21,843 --> 00:32:26,476 It's a peaceful interlude but an increasingly rare one. 281 00:32:39,110 --> 00:32:43,243 Monkeys on the other hand are always companionable. 282 00:32:43,276 --> 00:32:47,210 Regular grooming maintains the bonds of friendship between them. 283 00:32:52,643 --> 00:32:55,243 Langur monkeys are particularly social. 284 00:32:55,276 --> 00:33:00,210 The females and their young live in family troops, led by a dominant male. 285 00:33:02,810 --> 00:33:06,210 The jackals' new den is not far away. 286 00:33:07,776 --> 00:33:11,110 The monkeys set off to investigate the new arrivals. 287 00:33:12,510 --> 00:33:15,343 The pups now regularly venture from the den, 288 00:33:15,376 --> 00:33:16,943 even when their mother is away. 289 00:33:16,976 --> 00:33:20,376 But they vanish into it at the first sign of danger. 290 00:33:25,476 --> 00:33:27,776 Monkeys are intensely inquisitive 291 00:33:27,810 --> 00:33:31,443 and they have nothing to fear from jackal pups as young as this. 292 00:33:45,676 --> 00:33:48,643 But mother jackal is a different matter. 293 00:33:49,510 --> 00:33:50,810 (MONKEYS SCREECHING) 294 00:33:55,276 --> 00:33:58,110 It's now safe to come out for play. 295 00:34:06,976 --> 00:34:09,243 The pups have started to eat meat 296 00:34:09,276 --> 00:34:11,443 and mother jackals, like many dogs, 297 00:34:11,476 --> 00:34:14,143 have a special way of delivering it to them. 298 00:34:15,510 --> 00:34:20,110 When the pups nuzzle her mouth, she disgorges a meal. 299 00:34:31,910 --> 00:34:36,310 While the tiger cubs were sleeping, the deer have been active. 300 00:34:40,576 --> 00:34:44,676 It's the turn of the second male cub to try his luck. 301 00:34:51,943 --> 00:34:57,376 He succeeded in taking them by surprise but again, he wasn't close enough. 302 00:35:03,676 --> 00:35:07,676 He is learning exactly what the critical distance is. 303 00:35:10,543 --> 00:35:15,176 All Indian predators are under constant high-angle surveillance 304 00:35:15,210 --> 00:35:19,410 and lookout duties for a langur start at a tender age. 305 00:35:24,743 --> 00:35:29,276 Despite the challenges, leopards are good at catching monkeys. 306 00:35:29,310 --> 00:35:32,276 This one is returning to an earlier kill. 307 00:35:52,343 --> 00:35:55,610 But the leopard has unwelcome company. 308 00:36:00,410 --> 00:36:02,876 Although leopards were once a danger to the cubs, 309 00:36:02,910 --> 00:36:05,176 the tables have now turned. 310 00:36:10,643 --> 00:36:12,976 The leopard won't risk a fight. 311 00:36:13,010 --> 00:36:15,143 He can soon catch another monkey. 312 00:36:20,776 --> 00:36:24,376 So the male cub steals a kill. 313 00:36:36,210 --> 00:36:39,710 One of the spotter elephants has given birth. 314 00:36:51,143 --> 00:36:56,110 The calf's father must be one of the elephants that carry the spy cams. 315 00:37:00,143 --> 00:37:03,510 It's great news but also a total surprise. 316 00:37:03,543 --> 00:37:05,810 No one knew the mother was pregnant. 317 00:37:08,776 --> 00:37:11,910 The tigers are at an old favourite location, 318 00:37:11,943 --> 00:37:15,276 the dammed reservoir that they used as small cubs. 319 00:37:17,510 --> 00:37:19,610 They are now 20 months old. 320 00:37:19,643 --> 00:37:23,510 Not so long ago, the whole family could fit under this log. 321 00:37:26,110 --> 00:37:28,576 Tigers are always on the move. 322 00:37:28,610 --> 00:37:30,643 But they are also creatures of habit, 323 00:37:30,676 --> 00:37:35,010 so that although this reservoir is twice the size of an Olympic pool, 324 00:37:35,110 --> 00:37:40,510 a spy cam can be placed beside the precise spot that the tigers will use. 325 00:37:56,010 --> 00:37:58,176 Elephants love water too. 326 00:38:03,310 --> 00:38:05,643 And they start young. 327 00:39:08,676 --> 00:39:12,110 The cool water has given the cubs new energy. 328 00:39:12,110 --> 00:39:17,576 One of them has become fascinated by his reflection in the poolside camera. 329 00:39:18,743 --> 00:39:22,110 Another cub has different preoccupations. 330 00:39:25,176 --> 00:39:27,310 The reservoir is in a deep hollow 331 00:39:27,343 --> 00:39:31,110 which conceals the tigers from other forest dwellers. 332 00:39:33,243 --> 00:39:37,276 How will her hunting technique compare with her brother's? 333 00:39:41,710 --> 00:39:44,610 She adopts a swift but stealthy approach, 334 00:39:49,743 --> 00:39:52,710 and closes the gap as quickly as possible. 335 00:39:55,910 --> 00:39:59,276 Crouching low is a good move. 336 00:39:59,310 --> 00:40:02,910 A camera on the other side shows how well-camouflaged she is. 337 00:40:02,943 --> 00:40:06,676 The deer may be suspicious, but it doesn't seem to see her. 338 00:40:08,343 --> 00:40:10,676 It even moves towards her. 339 00:40:13,310 --> 00:40:16,076 The deer are just about in range. 340 00:40:30,043 --> 00:40:32,443 She may be leaving it too late. 341 00:40:45,210 --> 00:40:47,310 The deer make up her mind up for her. 342 00:40:48,876 --> 00:40:50,810 But she wasn't close enough. 343 00:40:54,843 --> 00:40:59,510 Back at the dam, one of her brothers is having his own adventure. 344 00:40:59,543 --> 00:41:01,276 Tightrope walking. 345 00:41:04,110 --> 00:41:09,643 Not such a good idea, but turning around is even more difficult. 346 00:41:26,476 --> 00:41:31,943 The other cub's fascination with log-cam is turning into an obsession. 347 00:41:31,976 --> 00:41:33,610 He investigates further. 348 00:41:43,343 --> 00:41:46,643 He then sees how it works underwater. 349 00:41:55,110 --> 00:41:57,443 Some above-water photography. 350 00:42:00,776 --> 00:42:03,243 Then underwater once more. 351 00:42:10,510 --> 00:42:13,476 When the elephant crew return a month later, 352 00:42:13,510 --> 00:42:16,443 there's been quite a change in the family's behaviour. 353 00:42:21,010 --> 00:42:24,710 One of the males is found beneath the shade of a tree, 354 00:42:24,743 --> 00:42:26,743 but he seems to be alone. 355 00:42:33,476 --> 00:42:38,310 Then, some way away, the second male is discovered. 356 00:42:38,343 --> 00:42:40,676 The two used to be inseparable. 357 00:42:44,810 --> 00:42:49,643 This one seems to have inherited some of his father's aggressive nature. 358 00:42:49,676 --> 00:42:50,776 (GROWLING) 359 00:42:57,643 --> 00:42:59,410 The females are found together, 360 00:42:59,443 --> 00:43:01,843 but all is not sweetness and light. 361 00:43:01,876 --> 00:43:04,210 Even here, the one in the water 362 00:43:04,243 --> 00:43:06,610 makes it clear that she wants to be alone. 363 00:43:07,010 --> 00:43:08,610 (SNARLS) 364 00:43:18,110 --> 00:43:20,810 The cubs are beginning to separate. 365 00:43:20,843 --> 00:43:22,876 Tigers are solitary hunters. 366 00:43:22,910 --> 00:43:27,176 Learning to live alone is an essential part of growing up. 367 00:43:37,410 --> 00:43:42,410 But to survive on their own, they must succeed as hunters 368 00:43:42,443 --> 00:43:46,210 and they still have to pass this crucial test. 369 00:43:47,510 --> 00:43:50,743 At least here they have plenty to practice on. 370 00:43:52,310 --> 00:43:54,843 A jungle cat pays a visit. 371 00:43:57,810 --> 00:43:59,510 Any cat makes the deer nervous, 372 00:43:59,543 --> 00:44:02,743 even though jungle cats aren't big enough to harm them. 373 00:44:04,676 --> 00:44:09,376 Tigers, on the other hand, are something everyone should worry about. 374 00:44:10,410 --> 00:44:12,376 Fortunately for the jungle cat, 375 00:44:12,410 --> 00:44:15,443 the cub is too focused on her prey to notice him. 376 00:44:23,243 --> 00:44:26,210 She is making good and determined progress. 377 00:44:26,243 --> 00:44:30,143 She's learnt to move only when the prey is not watching. 378 00:44:35,776 --> 00:44:39,410 As she closes the distance, her movements slow. 379 00:44:39,443 --> 00:44:42,110 As yet, she hasn't been seen. 380 00:44:55,443 --> 00:44:58,143 The deer bolts. She follows. 381 00:44:59,243 --> 00:45:00,710 That was close. 382 00:45:11,510 --> 00:45:14,643 Although the male cubs are becoming more independent, 383 00:45:14,676 --> 00:45:18,276 they spend more time together than the females do. 384 00:45:21,610 --> 00:45:24,843 Males are often attacked by other males. 385 00:45:24,876 --> 00:45:28,510 Staying together may give the brothers some protection. 386 00:45:32,843 --> 00:45:38,576 At 20 months, their only danger is from people and other tigers. 387 00:45:38,610 --> 00:45:42,743 All animals fear them, except, it seems, the skittering frogs 388 00:45:42,776 --> 00:45:46,110 that are hitching a ride on this cub's back. 389 00:45:52,476 --> 00:45:56,310 As they mature, they will face new dangers. 390 00:45:56,343 --> 00:46:00,110 Male cubs have been known to travel over 200 kilometres 391 00:46:00,110 --> 00:46:01,876 to find a territory of their own, 392 00:46:01,910 --> 00:46:06,110 and these journeys often bring them closer to human habitation. 393 00:46:10,110 --> 00:46:14,243 Outside the reserve, they will face conflicts with farmers 394 00:46:14,276 --> 00:46:17,110 and they are at greater risk from poaching. 395 00:46:19,343 --> 00:46:22,476 There are also no elephants to protect them. 396 00:46:39,543 --> 00:46:42,776 Next morning, the jungle cat is found dead. 397 00:46:46,643 --> 00:46:48,776 The culprit appears. 398 00:46:52,443 --> 00:46:56,643 The cubs now kill everything that dares cross their path. 399 00:46:56,676 --> 00:46:58,743 But, in common with other cats, 400 00:46:58,776 --> 00:47:01,576 they rarely eat other carnivores. 401 00:47:06,510 --> 00:47:09,743 Catching a proper meal still eludes them 402 00:47:09,776 --> 00:47:12,776 but fresh opportunities appear every day. 403 00:47:16,376 --> 00:47:19,276 The larger female takes up the challenge. 404 00:47:41,143 --> 00:47:43,243 All is going well. 405 00:48:08,676 --> 00:48:12,610 She places each paw with consummate care. 406 00:48:34,110 --> 00:48:36,210 She could hardly be closer. 407 00:48:43,810 --> 00:48:45,643 She selects her target. 408 00:48:49,510 --> 00:48:50,410 And gets it. 409 00:48:50,443 --> 00:48:53,176 -(DEER BELLOWING) -It's a fawn. 410 00:49:00,110 --> 00:49:03,343 From now on, fawns will be her mainstay, 411 00:49:03,376 --> 00:49:06,343 as she perfects her hunting techniques. 412 00:49:08,476 --> 00:49:10,743 The other cubs are not far away. 413 00:49:13,176 --> 00:49:16,176 But a fawn is too small to share. 414 00:49:26,710 --> 00:49:29,576 -(GROWLING) -Her sister pushes her luck. 415 00:49:36,143 --> 00:49:37,443 (ROARING) 416 00:49:40,243 --> 00:49:43,243 Claws are unsheathed for the first time. 417 00:49:43,276 --> 00:49:46,210 The cubs are now real tigers. 418 00:49:50,210 --> 00:49:51,876 The monsoon arrives. 419 00:49:51,910 --> 00:49:57,343 The cubs are two years old and by now they may well have left the reserve. 420 00:50:01,010 --> 00:50:05,376 The elephants set out to see if any of them can be found. 421 00:50:07,176 --> 00:50:09,576 A female is spotted first. 422 00:50:13,010 --> 00:50:17,943 She was the best hunter, so it's no surprise that she is thriving. 423 00:50:17,976 --> 00:50:19,510 But is she alone? 424 00:50:25,043 --> 00:50:26,676 The second female. 425 00:50:26,710 --> 00:50:27,976 It seems that the sisters 426 00:50:28,010 --> 00:50:31,710 have carved out separate territories close to their mother. 427 00:50:35,743 --> 00:50:38,143 Then one of the males appears. 428 00:50:38,176 --> 00:50:39,876 This is more unusual. 429 00:50:39,910 --> 00:50:43,643 Perhaps Pench has enough game to support him too. 430 00:50:48,243 --> 00:50:52,476 And then, most remarkably, the other male is also seen. 431 00:50:52,510 --> 00:50:54,476 This is good news indeed. 432 00:50:54,510 --> 00:50:57,376 Most tigers are killed outside reserves. 433 00:50:57,410 --> 00:50:59,343 If they can find their own space here, 434 00:50:59,376 --> 00:51:04,610 then they have every chance of surviving and having cubs of their own. 435 00:51:04,643 --> 00:51:07,643 Given protection, tigers breed very well. 436 00:51:07,676 --> 00:51:11,643 The individual success of these cubs brings real hope 437 00:51:11,676 --> 00:51:15,343 for the survival of one of our most endangered animals. 438 00:51:16,876 --> 00:51:18,676 As filming comes to an end, 439 00:51:18,710 --> 00:51:23,276 one of the log-cams is found to have recorded more good news. 440 00:51:28,310 --> 00:51:31,276 Three precious new cubs. 441 00:51:34,110 --> 00:51:36,243 And then a fourth. 442 00:51:39,110 --> 00:51:44,743 As the story of our four cubs ends, a new one is beginning.