Big Cats 24/7 - Season 1

The team begins a six-month expedition tracking lions, leopards and cheetahs in the Okavango Delta.

Wildlife cinematographer Gordon Buchanan follows one of the largest lion prides in Africa as they hunt to feed 28 hungry mouths, including tiny cubs. Anna Dimitriadis tracks down the Okavango's most elusive big cat, the cheetah. And local wildlife filmmaker Brad Bestelink reunites with his favourite leopardess, Xudum.

A huge wildfire threatens the resident big cats, and the team.

Dominant male lions, Big Toe and Madumo, disappear after fighting intruders, leaving the family exposed. The Big Cats 24/7 team picks up sub-adult males Colin and Ngkonne. They're coming of age, but not yet big enough to challenge intruders. Greg Hartman follows Xudum the leopard as she strays into dangerous territory looking for a mate. She must choose carefully as male leopards will kill cubs that are not their own. Local cinematographer Rea Schulte to Brinke finds Pobe the cheetah's daughter.

The annual flood has finally arrived, bringing new prey and new challenges for the big cats. Gordon Buchanan follows the hungry lion mothers as they hunt buffalo; whilst eldest lion cub, Mathata, learns to avoid this formidable prey. Anna Dimitriadis tracks, Mushi, a skinny young cheetah struggling to catch food in the changing landscape. Brad Bestelink is sure Xudum the leopard is pregnant, and looking for a den, but rising flood waters are pushing dangerous male leopards into her territory.

The Big Cats 24/7 team witnesses a baby boom in the Delta. Vianet Djenguet follows lioness Matho as she struggles to raise her cubs alone. Tristen Woodward and Brad Bestelink get a glimpse of Xudum the leopard's newborn cubs, but dangerous male leopards loom nearby. And with competition growing from the enormous lion pride, Anna Dimitriadis tracks a cheetah mother to the very edge of the territory, where she has been pushed to keep her cubs alive.

The Big Cats 24/7 team is coming to the end of its time in the Okavango Delta. Brad Bestelink witnesses Xudum the leopard fight to save her newborn cubs. Anna Dimitriadis finds a brave cheetah thriving in the heart of lion territory. While Vianet Djenguet tracks lioness mum, Tsebe, as she risks her life to feed her five cubs. As the lion pride continues to grow, becoming the largest in Africa, competition for food leads to chaos and infighting. Could this pride's success also be it downfall?