Sir David Attenborough’s new BBC series Kingdom has captured a remarkable moment of a lion saving a pregnant hyena from a pack of wild dogs.
Filmed over five years in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley, the documentary follows lions, hyenas, leopards and wild dogs, revealing fierce rivalries and surprising alliances. Executive producer Mike Gunton said: “Only nature could write this script.”
The series, narrated by Attenborough, also shows tender scenes like newborn lion cubs and dramatic rescues, including wild dogs saving one of their own from a crocodile.
Scientists working with the production, including Dr Matthew Becker of the Zambia Carnivore Programme, say the footage provides vital data for conservation efforts. “We got information we’d never have been able to get otherwise,” he said.
Despite threats like poaching and habitat loss, the team hopes Kingdom inspires optimism. Producer Simon Blakeney said: “It’s a challenge, but it’s not hopeless.”
