Sir David Attenborough’s new BBC series Kingdom features extraordinary footage of a lion rescuing a pregnant hyena from a pack of wild dogs.
Filmed over five years in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley, the series follows lions, hyenas, leopards and wild dogs, revealing their fierce rivalries and surprising alliances. “Only nature could write this script,” said executive producer Mike Gunton.
The documentary, which also shows newborn lion cubs and wild dogs saving one of their own from a crocodile, highlights both beauty and danger in the wild. It also exposes the growing threats of habitat loss and poaching.
Scientific consultant Dr Matthew Becker said the project provided valuable data on animal behaviour, while producer Felicity Lanchester noted: “Everything about these species has been shaped by millions of years of competition – now humans are changing that.”
Despite the challenges, the filmmakers hope Kingdom inspires action to protect wildlife. “It’s a challenge,” said editor Simon Blakeney, “but it’s not hopeless.”
