Learning Little Big Cat

Hello! Or jambo, as we say here.

Welcome to the wide grassy plains of Africa

and a very special place called the Masai Mara.

This is home to our little big cats,

and it's a land full of stories.

With trees to climb...

rivers to cross...

and land as far as the eye can see,

there is so much for all the animals to learn.

Every day brings a new challenge.

The storks are up bright and early

learning how to catch fish for their breakfast.

The antelope is learning how to run as fast as he can.

While the buffalo has already learnt where to find the freshest grass.

All the animals like to learn new things,

but which of our little big cats is learning something new today?

Will it be...

the lazy lions?

The speedy cheetahs?

Or the lonesome leopards?

It's my story!

Ah, it's Jua's story.

Jua, the leopard cub.

Jambo, Jua.

Jambo!

We are very lucky to spend a day with the leopards,

as leopards can be very shy.

They like to hide away, high up in the trees.

But not today.

Today, Jua and his sister Paka

are up and ready to learn something new.

Yippee! Today, we're learning to climb.

Mama's waiting, Paka, let's go.

Mama says climbing makes you hot and thirsty

so we need to get a big drink before we get started.

Mmm! That's so refreshing.

I'm ready for my warm-up.

And the best way for us to warm up is to play.

Come on, Paka, there's a butterfly.

This is a great way to warm up.

He's learnt to fly away fast so we have to be quick to catch him.

Right, then, Mama, we're all warmed up and ready for climbing practice.

SQUEALING

Come on, you two, let's go.

-SQUEALING

-Hey, Mama, look.

I think I've found the perfect climbing frame.

A fallen tree.

If we slip, it's not so far to fall.

Now, easy does it.

Mama knows it's important for her cubs to learn to climb safely.

Once she has shown them how,

she sits back to watch Jua and Paka attempt their first climb.

-HE YELPS

-Here I go.

Whoa!

It's not as easy as it looks, is it, Paka?

I'll just go under here.

What's up there, sis?

Oh. Is it a dead end?

Where shall we go now?

Hey, this looks like fun.

It's pretty high.

Look at me, Mama!

I'm balancing really well.

That was great fun.

Wee-eee!

Oh, that's the end of the line.

I'll have to find another way.

Hup! I think I'm getting the hang of this.

Paka! Down here!

Come on! Follow me!

Hey! This is great fun.

We leopards are born to climb.

Mama is so pleased with

how well Jua and Paka have coped with their climbing practice.

She thinks it's time for a bigger challenge.

Mama, is it our time to climb the really big tree now?

Brilliant! Come on, Paka!

It's time!

We're right behind you, Mama.

I'm so excited.

Oh! I see! We need a run up.

You're so good, Mama.

I want to be just like you.

Hup!

Here I come!

Watch me, Mama, watch me.

This is so cool. Climbing my very first big tree,

and yep, my claws are gripping just like you said, Mama.

Is that comfy, Mama?

Oh, yeah! It's not too bad.

And what a view!

Leopards spend so much time high up in the trees.

They get to look out over the whole of the Masai Mara

without being seen.

Ha-ha! He can't see us, Mama, but we can see him.

These leaves are great to hide behind

especially when we climb high up to the tree top.

See - we're totally hidden.

So many branches to choose from.

Oh! That's a bit shaky.

I'll just go back this way.

Mama keeps an eye on Jua and Paka as they explore their new playground.

Now this is what I call a climbing frame.

Whoa!

Paka is amazed at how high Jua is climbing.

All that practice has certainly paid off.

What a great day! I love climbing, and this tree is just perfect.

I can see why my Mama spends so much time here.

What on earth is Jua doing?

I've got an itch and I'm learning how to scratch.

Mama says I can use this tree and it really works.

This is the greatest scratch-post ever.

My itch has nearly gone.

There is still so much to learn before these little cubs

are big cats one day.

As they grow up, they will need to run,

pounce and jump

and play and hide.

Oh, and climb, of course. After all,

you will always find a leopard up a tree, isn't that right, Jua?

Ha-ha! All that climbing has made Jua very tired.

As he gets his rest, it's time for us to say goodbye.

Kwa heri from the wide grassy plains of Africa.

-Goodbye, storks.

-Kwa heri, storks!

-Goodbye, antelope.

-Kwa heri, antelope.

Goodbye, buffalo.

Kwa heri, buffalo.

Ah! Goodbye, Jua.

-Kwa heri!

-YAWN!

Africa is a land full of stories.

Whose story will we hear next time?

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

E-mail [email protected]