Moremi Lions Channel (HD)

Lions of Moremi: The Finale

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 09:00:09 -0500

We've reached the end of our journey. After three years following the trials and tribulations of Botswana's Xakanaxa lion pride, we have decided to wave goodbye to these apex predators of the Okavango.

For the series finale, cameraman Brad Bestelink recounts this fascinating journey from the emergence of the first cubs to altercations with rival prides and the disappearance of one of the dominant males.

Brad's interview is complemented by some of the finest moments we've ever captured on film.

Lions of Moremi, 17 2010

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 09:00:06 -0500

A frenzy of vulture activity confuses the pride as they search expectantly for a carcass to scavenge. Later, the lions head towards a baobab tree after a restful night.

A monitor lizard wanders into the pride's territory and is eyed cautiously by the cubs.

Lions of Moremi, 16 2010

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 10:00:40 -0400

The pride reunites after being temporarily separated following a journey into unfamiliar territory. Later on, the lions laze in the morning sun on the edge of Mboma Island.

There are signs of affection between the two dominant males as the pride drinks from a small pool and a troop of baboons sounds the alarm after wandering too close to the lions.

Lions of Moremi, 15 2010

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 05:44:00 -0400

In this week's episode, the crew catches up with the well fed pride resting in the afternoon shade. Later, the lions pick up the trail of the buffalo herd once more and begin stalking and positioning themselves in anticipation of the hunt.

As the buffalo begin to leave the pride's territory, the cubs playfully scramble up a tree, oblivious to the difficult times that lie ahead.

Finally, cameraman Brad Bestelink films the two males as they chase vultures off their kill.

Lions of Moremi, 14 2010

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:08:35 -0400

In this episode, cameraman Brad Bestelink tracks the lions' movements into the northern reaches of Xakanaxa Island.

In the next clip, a day in the bush starts with a leopard sighting and ends with another encounter with the lion pride as the sun goes down.

Finally, Graham Springer films a solitary lioness as she keeps a watchful eye over several playful cubs.

Lions of Moremi, 13 2010

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 07:42:20 -0400

The lion cubs take centre stage in this week's episode.

After learning some important life lessons, the young lions enjoy rare bonding time with the dominant male.

Lions of Moremi, 12 2010

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 05:43:18 -0400

The buffalo are on the move again in this episode and the lion pride follows the herd, moving deeper and deeper into the thick mopane forests.

In our next clip, two hyenas quickly devour their spoils after stealing a leopard's kill, leaving the big cat to watch helplessly from the undergrowth.

Finally, we rejoin the lion pride as it settles in to enjoy the warmth of the morning sun.

Lions of Moremi, 11 2010

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 07:52:46 -0400

In this week's episode, a hunt is abandoned before it really begins when an unruly cub gives away the pride's position. Later, another hunt unravels when a lioness spooks a herd of impala.

In our final clip, a more relaxed pride enjoys a lazy afternoon.

Lions of Moremi, 10 2010

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:27:55 -0400

In our latest episode, unruly cubs spook a herd of impala before the lions have a chance to attack.

We also follow the pride as it ventures into unfamiliar territory and witness a successful hunt.

Lions of Moremi, 09 2010

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:35:57 -0400

In our latest episode, a lioness initiates an unsuccessful ambush attempt as the pride stalks a herd of wildebeest.

Another unsuccessful hunt ensues in our next clip when the young and inexperienced cubs confront a buffalo herd.

Finally, the lions' persistence pays off when they take down a young buffalo calf.

Lions of Moremi, 08 2010

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 13:38:38 -0400

In our latest Lions of Moremi episode, the dominant male is in a hurry to catch up with the rest of his pride. Some distance ahead of him, the other lions, including the inexperienced cubs, continue to stalk a buffalo herd. When a young calf is taken down, the male quickly asserts his authority and claims the kill.

We also watch as the Xakanaxa lions clash with a rival pride after entering unfamiliar territory.

Lions of Moremi, 07 2010

Mon, 24 May 2010 16:06:28 -0400

The lion cubs are the focus of this week's Lions of Moremi episode.

In our first clip, a scaly pangolin becomes a curious plaything when its tightly curled body piques the cubs' interest.

Later, the young lions lead the charge as the pride surrounds a herd of buffalo.

Lions of Moremi, 06 2010

Fri, 07 May 2010 14:16:05 -0400

In this week's episode, a very vocal pride moves purposefully through the bush after sensing the presence of rivals.

On Dead Tree Island, the lions find time to rest and groom before moving off into the forest.

In our final clip, the sudden appearance of a large elephant herd forces a pair of mating lions to make a hasty retreat.

Lions of Moremi, 05 2010

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:53:44 -0400

Crossing a channel of water proves to be a stressful exercise for the lions in this week's episode. Heavy rains have made the water crossings deeper and more dangerous.

Next, the pride tracks a herd of buffalo and makes a half-hearted attempt to take down an old bull.

After following the buffalo into thicker bush, the lions take a break from their pursuit in order to rest and groom.

Lions of Moremi, 04 2010

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 16:07:48 -0400

In this episode, fearless lapwings confront a herd of buffalo in a bid to save their nest from being trampled by giant hooves.

Close behind the buffalo herd, two young and inexperienced lions are on the lookout for an easy meal.

Finally, we take a look back and watch as the Xakanaxa lions aggressively defend their territory from interlopers.

Lions of Moremi, 03 2010

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 08:56:27 -0400

Two cunning predators make an appearance in this week's Lions of Moremi podcast.

Cameraman Brad Bestelink films a leopard and its prey in Botswana's Savuti area. He's also lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the rarely seen caracal.

Lions of Moremi, 02 2010

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:15:10 -0500

An impala herd and a troop of baboons work together to chase off the Xakanaxa pride in this week's Lions of Moremi podcast. The lions are forced to retreat after their secret location is betrayed by a clumsy cub.

Cameraman Brad Bestelink also films the lions as they roar to warn trespassing rivals.

Lions of Moremi, 01 2010

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:34:17 -0500

Our popular Lions of Moremi series resumes this week with cameraman Boris von Schoenebeck's return to Botswana.

After tracking down the Xakanaxa pride on a hot day, he films a lion cub's chance meeting with a monitor lizard. He also brings us footage of the pride's brief encounter with a kudu herd and the lions' leisurely stopover at a watering hole.

Lions of Moremi, 15 2009

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:47:23 -0500

The rainy season has arrived in Botswana's Moremi Game Reserve and showers have become frequent.

In this week's Lions of Moremi podcast, the pride endures a downpour under the shelter of trees. When the rains subside, the curious cubs spot a monitor lizard and move in quickly to inspect the strange creature. We also take a retrospective look at another reptile encounter.

Lions of Moremi, 14 2009

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:10:50 -0500

In this week's Lions of Moremi podcast we look back on the pride's risky wanderings in uncharted territory over the past few weeks.

Now that the lions have returned to more familiar surroundings, they adopt a slower pace and find time to rest. Cameraman Brad Bestelink also films the young cubs as they interact playfully with the dominant male.

Lions of Moremi, 13 2009

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:07:48 -0500

The rains have come early this season and animal movements in Botswana's Moremi Game Reserve have been affected. In this episode of the Lions of Moremi series, we follow the Xakanaxa pride as it continues its slow journey south through a landscape transformed by the early downpours.

Cameraman Brad Bestelink also films the lions as they are sidetracked by a frenzy of bird activity. Hundreds of birds have flocked together to feast on termites, which have taken to the air in large numbers to mate. The pride moves in to investigate...

Lions of Moremi, 12 2009

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:32:54 -0500

Cameraman Brad Bestelink is astounded to find the African landscape uncharacteristically green and blooming in this latest October episode of Lions of Moremi.

Under the rainy skies, vultures feast on a buffalo carcass abandoned momentarily by two male lions that are resting nearby.

The team also tracks the females of the Xakanaxa pride as they anxiously await the return of their wayward cubs.

Lions of Moremi, 11 2009

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:57:35 -0400

In this episode of the Lions of Moremi we turn the tables on cameraman Brad Bestelink, his wife Andy and their two children, by putting them in front of the camera!

Over the past three years Brad has filmed the abundant wildlife in Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve, from crocodiles in their underwater lairs in the Nxamaseri, to the hunting escapades of the resident Xakanaxa lion pride.

This special podcast focuses on the day-to-day challenges faced by a family working, living and raising two children in the wilds of Africa.

Lions of Moremi, 10 2009

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:06:07 -0400

In the 10th episode of the Lions of Moremi, we catch up on day-to-day life in the large Xakanaxa pride as spring arrives in the Okavango Delta.

In contrast, we travel back to the same period last year to illustrate the stark difference between environmental conditions in 2008 compared to this year, and how each impacted on the lives of the resident felines.

Lions of Moremi, 09 2009

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:16:42 -0400

In the 9th episode of the Lions of Moremi podcast series, cameraman Brad Bestelink talks about being back in Botswana following a short sabbatical.

He highlights the changes apparent in local flora and fauna since he was last in the Okavango Delta.

Lions of Moremi, 08 2009

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:50:26 -0400

In the 8th episode of the Lions of Moremi, cameraman Brad Bestelink takes a retrospective look at the early growth of the pride.

We recall the birth of new cubs and their early hunting lessons. We also explore the dependency of the Xakanaxa pride on a resident buffalo herd.

Lions of Moremi, 07 2009

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:12:59 -0400

In this week’s podcast the Xakanaxa pride sticks close to a large herd of resident buffalo.

A little later in the week, cameraman Graham Springer meets up with the two Badumatau lionesses.

And finally, we wrap up the week lazing about in the mid-morning sun with the Xakanaxa pride.

Lions of Moremi, 06 2009

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:52:28 -0400

This week's Lions of Moremi podcast showcases the Xakanaxa pride well fed, content and lazy.

Lions of Moremi, 29 2009

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:14:21 -0400

An intense battle unfolds in the Moremi Game Reserve between the Xakanaxa pride and a large herd of buffalo.

Lions of Moremi, 22-23 2009

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:53:37 -0400

Our premium Lions of Moremi podcast for this week catalogues a day in the life of the felines as they interact with a transient buffalo herd in Botswana's Okavango Delta.

We track the behaviour of the predators and their prey from early morning as the buffalo wake, to the lions' stealthy tracking of the herd and the climax as they bring down a buffalo calf, only to have their hard-won prize stolen.

Lions of Moremi, 18-19 2009

Tue, 19 May 2009 17:05:56 -0400

Lions of Moremi podcast 18-19 filmed by Brad Bestelink in Botswana’s Okavango Delta features:
•    Mating lions frustrating an elephant herd as the animals try to cross a grassy floodplain
•    Scent marking and sniffing as the paths of two lion prides overlap
•    A pride closing in on a buffalo herd
•    Lion cubs’ curiosity aroused as they play with a pangolin

Lions of Moremi, 16-17 2009

Wed, 06 May 2009 15:38:21 -0400

Cameraman Brad Bestelink orchestrates this week's podcast from the Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana as he follows the resident lion pride as they, in turn, track a buffalo herd.

The action comes to head when the lions bring down an injured female buffalo, but the herd is quick to respond to the animal's bellows of distress, thundering back to rescue her.

Lions of Moremi, 14-15 2009

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:21:51 -0400

In this week's Lions of Moremi podcast Graham Springer treats us to a leopard feeding on an impala kill in Botswana's Moremi Game Reserve.

Next Graham enables us to appreciate the majesty of the king of the beasts – a male lion – as it rests apart from the main pride in the Moremi Game Reserve of Botswana.

Lastly cameraman Brad Bestelink tracks the lion pride as the animals move off in their constant search for food in Botswana's Okavango Delta region.

Lions of Moremi, 12-13 2009

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:14:12 -0400

In this week's Lions of Moremi podcast from the Moremi Game Reserve, Graham Springer first bring a pride of lions at a water crossing. In this clip the lionesses tackle the water crossing and once they had all crossed, their demeanour changed, signalling that they may have picked up a scent and were no longer in a playful mode but rearing themselves for a kill.

We then join the pride as they continue moving southeast in search of the scent they had picked up and eventually they came across a small herd of buffalo. The lionesses set themselves up around an old buffalo bull but gave a half-hearted chase, mainly because there were no males to assist them, and immediately, they realised that it was a worthless attempt.

Lions of Moremi, 10-11 2009

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:10:00 -0400

This week's Lions of Moremi podcast commences with the wild dogs of Moremi approaching water with ducks, geese, a giraffe and even cameraman, Brad Bestelink, making guest appearances.

In our next offering, Brad Bestelink showcases a pride of lions on the hunt, and some zebras that stumbled upon these feline predators.