Main content

Episode 1

Episode 1 of 3

Documentary series uncovering the secret lives of cats. In Ruaha, Tanzania, lions form huge super prides in order to hunt giants.

In Ruaha, Tanzania, lions form huge super prides in order to hunt giants. Amongst cats lions are unusual, the only one to live in groups. In numbers they find the strength and audacity to hunt the most formidable prey.

In Sri Lanka a tiny rusty-spotted cat explores his forest home - 200 times smaller than a lion, the rusty-spotted is the smallest of all cats, but just as curious.

The Canada lynx lives further north than any cat, relying on snowshoe hares to survive the bitterly cold winters. Until now, lynx were creatures of mystery, but now technology provides an insight
into their secret lives.

Predators they may be, but cats are also tender, intelligent and emotional. Honey is an African leopard and a mother. For a decade she's worn a radio collar that has allowed scientists to follow her life's every twist and turn. Now in the worst drought in decades, she's battling to raise a cub.

In the Himalayas, perhaps the world's most lonesome cat is searching for a mate - a male snow leopard, who may get just one chance to mate in his whole life.

Cats are naturally secretive, elusive and cryptic animals. Only now have the latest developments in filming technology, and a surge in cat research, enabled us to bring the cat superstars out of the shadows.

Available now

58 minutes

Audio described

Last on

Mon 27 Feb 2023 15:30

More episodes

Previous

You are at the first episode

See all episodes from Big Cats

Credits

Role Contributor
Narrator Bertie Carvel
Executive Producer Michael Gunton
Series Producer Gavin Boyland
Production Manager Stella Stylianos
Producer Nick Easton

Broadcasts

  • Thu 11 Jan 2018 20:00
  • Sun 14 Jan 2018 15:30
  • Tue 23 Jan 2018 02:10
  • Sat 22 Sep 2018 20:00
  • Sun 23 Sep 2018 02:20
  • Sat 4 Jul 2020 10:00
  • Mon 27 Feb 2023 15:30

Featured in...

Meet the cats

Meet the cats

Find out more about the cats that appear in the series.

Filming big cats

Filming big cats

Get insights into how the crew captured the scenes in Big Cats.

The global pet trade in wild cats

The global pet trade in wild cats

The dangers of the global pet trade to wild cats.

Why scientists use radio collars to study cats

Why scientists use radio collars to study cats

Why scientists may use radio collars to study small wild cats.

Return of the ‘Spanish Tiger’

Return of the ‘Spanish Tiger’

There are few conservation stories as inspiring as the reintroduction of the Iberian lynx