0:00:02 > 0:00:04The world is full of amazing animals.
0:00:04 > 0:00:07Tales of life and death happen every day.
0:00:07 > 0:00:12For the youngest members, growing up's tough - really tough.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16These stories recreate their roller-coaster lives...
0:00:16 > 0:00:18here on Wild Tales.
0:00:20 > 0:00:25We're following the stories of three fantastic animal characters.
0:00:25 > 0:00:30Bill and Ben are lion cubs facing up to the fact that, even as a lion,
0:00:30 > 0:00:34there's villains out there that want to harm them.
0:00:36 > 0:00:42Eli the elephant's still getting the hang of all his bits and pieces.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45And there's a long way to go.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49And Selkie the seal's learning life's tough
0:00:49 > 0:00:54and nobody on the beach wants to be his friend.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59So who's up first today?
0:00:59 > 0:01:02Well, hold on, we're about to find out.
0:01:04 > 0:01:09First stop is the East African savannah,
0:01:09 > 0:01:13and last time on Wild Tales, we left Bill, Ben and Mum Bibi
0:01:13 > 0:01:15in all sorts of trouble.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18A couple of villains had stumbled on them
0:01:18 > 0:01:22and their escape route was cut off by a herd of buffalo.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26Either the lions or the buffalo could have killed Bill and Ben
0:01:26 > 0:01:30and since we left them last night, anything could have happened.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35As the sun rises on the plains,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38the two male lions are nowhere to be seen.
0:01:38 > 0:01:43But those buffalo are still hanging around like a bad smell.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55Thankfully, Bill and Ben have been tucked away deep in some bushes.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00It's a huge relief for our stars, but they're not out of danger yet.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02There's no sign of Mum Bibi.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06She must have led the two male lions away.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08But has she paid the ultimate price?
0:02:13 > 0:02:15What are they doing? Where is Mum?
0:02:15 > 0:02:20In the open, they're at the mercy of virtually everything that moves.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22You name it - it could kill them.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33Where is Mum when you need her?
0:02:33 > 0:02:38Without her, the cubs are effectively dead already.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41Bill is just beginning to realise,
0:02:41 > 0:02:45but to Ben it's still one big game.
0:02:48 > 0:02:49This is serious.
0:02:56 > 0:03:01Their lives are hanging in the balance, if only they knew.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05All sensible animals have found shade,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08but Bill and Ben are out in the open.
0:03:08 > 0:03:13They have to find Mum in the next couple of hours.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17Without her milk and some shade, they won't survive the morning.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23But right now, Mum's nowhere to be seen.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25Is she alive?
0:03:25 > 0:03:28The cubs just keep on moving.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31By now, they're walking on their last legs.
0:03:40 > 0:03:45200 miles south is the Amboseli game reserve.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48Last time on Wild Tales,
0:03:48 > 0:03:53Eli couldn't walk and the herd were leaving.
0:03:53 > 0:03:58Without working legs and Mum Ella's milk, he wouldn't survive the day.
0:03:58 > 0:04:03But he managed to stand and have his first drink.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08When we left them, all was looking pretty good for Eli and his family.
0:04:08 > 0:04:14Eli's stayed with the herd and controlled those wayward feet of his,
0:04:14 > 0:04:20so it's time for everyone to have a drink and some grub.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27Mum lets him know how proud she is with a rub of her trunk.
0:04:30 > 0:04:36As she goes for a drink, Eli is coming to terms with his super-straw.
0:04:36 > 0:04:41It's a nose, an arm, a hand and a trumpet all rolled into one -
0:04:41 > 0:04:46a sort of Swiss army tool for elephants.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49And this model comes with no instructions!
0:04:56 > 0:04:59It even works as a bird scarer.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08This multi-tool is impossible,
0:05:08 > 0:05:12and that leaf's definitely got a mind of its own.
0:05:12 > 0:05:17Mum shows him how it should be done because, well, she knows best.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23But kids think they know better,
0:05:23 > 0:05:27and that trunk thing just gets in the way.
0:05:31 > 0:05:37He may have a lot to learn, but he has a huge family around him
0:05:37 > 0:05:41and he won't be on his own for ten years.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44That's plenty of time to master his trunk skills.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47To make things even better for Eli,
0:05:47 > 0:05:53the rainy season is beginning and the swimming pools are filling up.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Heaven if you're a young elephant!
0:05:56 > 0:05:59THUNDER RUMBLES
0:06:07 > 0:06:124,500 miles north in bonny Scotland. Last time on Wild Tales,
0:06:12 > 0:06:16Selkie was abandoned by his mum and faced his first night alone.
0:06:16 > 0:06:21He needed milk and the only seal that could help him was Mum.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24He'd never even met his dad.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27It was just the two of them in this family,
0:06:27 > 0:06:31and without Mum, he wouldn't live to see the next day.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35It's a freezing cold morning, but if Mum
0:06:35 > 0:06:41didn't find Selkie last night, he won't have lived to see sunrise.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43There's Mum.
0:06:45 > 0:06:50And Selkie's busy with breakfast. He's one lucky pup, for sure!
0:06:53 > 0:06:57Mum's chosen an empty corner of the beach to keep Selkie safe.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00It's lonely, but at least it's quiet.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03It's like he's super-glued to her!
0:07:03 > 0:07:08When you're a young seal, it's all about getting fat in a hurry.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14The three litres of milk he'll drink a day
0:07:14 > 0:07:18has more fat than eight blocks of butter.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Anyone would think he'd pop soon!
0:07:23 > 0:07:28But seals don't pop - they balloon. Check out the size of that dude!
0:07:28 > 0:07:33To drink heavily, you need to avoid trouble.
0:07:33 > 0:07:39So Mum keeps Selkie safe, away from the centre of the beach.
0:07:40 > 0:07:46Only 200 metres away, and it's rammed with blubber.
0:07:46 > 0:07:52Seal mums are scrapping for space everywhere. But when you're small,
0:07:52 > 0:07:56it's easy to get caught in the crossfire.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59That pup was nearly flattened!
0:08:01 > 0:08:03IT ROARS
0:08:03 > 0:08:07And that one's nearly drowning. Phew! That was close.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13HE MEWS
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Don't laugh, Selkie! He may be Mum's first pup,
0:08:16 > 0:08:20but she's keeping him out of trouble.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22She's not so bad after all.
0:08:29 > 0:08:34Back in the Masai Mara, temperatures have already reached 35 degrees
0:08:34 > 0:08:38and Bill and Ben are nowhere to be seen.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44They got separated from Mum Bibi after their run-in with the buffalo.
0:08:46 > 0:08:51They wandered into the long grass looking for her,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54but now there's no sign of them.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02Mum IS alive and searching for Bill and Ben
0:09:02 > 0:09:05and she just won't give up.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Where are they?
0:09:12 > 0:09:17If our cubs are in the sun, they'll be dead by now.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24As the day goes on, temperatures soar. It's like an oven out there.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28She walks miles and miles.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33She calls for Bill and Ben.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35LOW-PITCHED CALL
0:09:40 > 0:09:44Finally, tired and exhausted, she heads for the shade
0:09:44 > 0:09:47of the only tree on the plain.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Look at that! Amazingly,
0:09:55 > 0:09:59Bill and Ben made it back to the tree house on their own.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04They've been alone for almost a day. They're starving.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06So Mum serves dinner...
0:10:11 > 0:10:16..and gives them a cooling bath while she's at it.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22Another couple of hours and it would have been too late.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32There's nothing better than being back with Mum.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36But to keep providing milk, she'll have to eat, as well,
0:10:36 > 0:10:40and she's got her dinner on her mind - wildebeest.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43These take some catching.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47And without babysitters, she has no choice
0:10:47 > 0:10:50but to leave the cubs alone again.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56THUNDER CRASHES
0:10:57 > 0:11:01Back in Eli's world, the heavens have opened.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06The wet season has really kicked off.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09It's raining cats and dogs,
0:11:09 > 0:11:15and most of the neighbours are wet, wet, wet!
0:11:16 > 0:11:20But it's W-ELLY heaven for our family,
0:11:20 > 0:11:25and like all kids, Eli's making the most of it.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28# ..Make 'em feel good about themselves
0:11:28 > 0:11:30# You got to love everybody
0:11:30 > 0:11:32# Make 'em feel good about themselves... #
0:11:32 > 0:11:36When you weigh as much as three cars,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39getting in the water must be sheer bliss.
0:11:39 > 0:11:45But Eli takes some persuading to get in the swimming pool.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47He's got to get used to the water,
0:11:47 > 0:11:54cos elephants travel miles every day and have to cross rivers and marshes.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56# ..Love everybody
0:11:56 > 0:11:58# Make 'em feel good about themselves
0:11:58 > 0:12:01# You got to love everybody
0:12:01 > 0:12:04# Make 'em feel good about themselves... #
0:12:11 > 0:12:15Eli is using Mum's trunk as a giant armband.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19He doesn't look too sure about this swimming lark.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29Until he finds food, that is.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35After a long soak,
0:12:35 > 0:12:39Eli is allowed to get out, because it's time to go walkabout.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00Back in Scotland, Selkie's seven days old.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04He's put his towel down on the ultimate sun lounger.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09When you're young, lying around is just SO boring.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Mum can only watch you for so long.
0:13:11 > 0:13:16So Selkie goes looking for new drinking buddies.
0:13:18 > 0:13:23But it's easy to get lost in a crowd, so Mum follows, just in case.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30It's all about getting strong, cos seals swim miles every day.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39The big kids are huge. They're only a couple of weeks older than him.
0:13:39 > 0:13:44The beach is no place for a small seal on an exploring mission.
0:13:51 > 0:13:57Suddenly, our pint-sized star realises he's well out of his depth.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00He can't see Mum, but she recognises his voice.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03SELKIE WAILS
0:14:07 > 0:14:11He'd got a bit big for his flippers.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15If he's gonna wander off again, Mum had better teach him to swim.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19It's time for Selkie's first surf lesson.
0:14:31 > 0:14:37Back with Bill and Ben, and Mum is getting herself a bite to eat.
0:14:40 > 0:14:45She's off. She's quick! Wildebeest are running everywhere.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51She's got it.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53Well done, Mum.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59This is a big day. It's the twins' first steak.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03From now on, it's meat for the rest of their lives.
0:15:03 > 0:15:08It won't be long before they have to learn to hunt for themselves.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10THEY MEOW
0:15:10 > 0:15:14But the whole prospect of this meat mountain is a little scary.
0:15:27 > 0:15:32They start to unwrap their first African takeaway.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34Oi! That's Mum's tail!
0:15:34 > 0:15:38But nothing stays secret in this town for long.
0:15:43 > 0:15:48The neighbours are looking over the fence and they like what they see.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51But they're definitely NOT friendly.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55There's enough food for everyone,
0:15:55 > 0:15:58but the hyenas don't see it that way.
0:15:58 > 0:16:03It's all about numbers, and they just keep on coming.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11Lions and hyenas hate each other.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15Bill and Ben are in serious danger if they hang around here.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28Bibi's hungry, but the cubs' safety comes first,
0:16:28 > 0:16:30so they leave the gang to it.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33HYENAS "LAUGH"
0:16:33 > 0:16:37Lions usually live in large families,
0:16:37 > 0:16:40and Bibi needs help raising these kids.
0:16:40 > 0:16:46So where are the main pride? Well, they're never far away.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50Lion families live on the edge of violence all the time.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52GROWLING
0:16:54 > 0:16:58If you do anything wrong when you're a small lion - even smell wrong -
0:16:58 > 0:17:02one swipe of a paw is all it would take.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09So far, Bill and Ben have kept away.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14But when they're old enough, they'll rejoin the pride.
0:17:14 > 0:17:19For now, they're safer alone with Mum, even if it means
0:17:19 > 0:17:24she can't feed well. She'll just have to sniff out another snack
0:17:24 > 0:17:28and hope the cubs will be OK on their own.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31But nothing's guaranteed out here.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39ELEPHANT TRUMPETS
0:17:39 > 0:17:45Eli's worked out what his trunk can do and he's had a long bath.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50Mum Ella knows that beyond the huge river are lush forests
0:17:50 > 0:17:53that will be food through the coming dry season.
0:17:53 > 0:17:58And it's her experience that keeps the herd alive.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00When you're four metres tall,
0:18:00 > 0:18:05nothing stops you, but tiny Eli is finding his first marathon
0:18:05 > 0:18:08more than a little tough.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13All that rain has turned the ground into a chocolate skating rink.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25Oh, poor Eli!
0:18:33 > 0:18:37Eli hasn't completely mastered his new pins.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40It's just one battle after another for him.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44This growing up lark is exhausting.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49He's looked after by lots of sisters, aunts, cousins and other ladies.
0:18:49 > 0:18:55An elephant herd is almost all girls, and they're all related.
0:18:55 > 0:19:00They're the bosses here and wherever they go, Eli follows,
0:19:00 > 0:19:06no matter how difficult and dangerous it gets for our star.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09And this could be his biggest challenge yet.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14Eli is about to attempt what may turn out to be his first -
0:19:14 > 0:19:17and last - river crossing.
0:19:18 > 0:19:23The current is strong - maybe too strong for Eli.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26And after that mammoth trek, he's exhausted.
0:19:26 > 0:19:31More calves die like this than in any other way.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38He must be terrified, but if he doesn't go soon,
0:19:38 > 0:19:40he'll be left behind.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46He's going under. The current's just too strong.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59The herd call to him on the other side, and the adults realise
0:19:59 > 0:20:03that to continue is suicide for Eli.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05They've turned back.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13But with the rivers rising and the herd on the other side,
0:20:13 > 0:20:18it's only a matter of time before he has to cross again.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30Up in Scotland, the water may be colder,
0:20:30 > 0:20:34but Selkie is built for it.
0:20:34 > 0:20:39Being a non-swimmer isn't an option, so it's time for his first lesson.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42Our surf dude can't use armbands,
0:20:42 > 0:20:47so he'd better find his water wings...fast!
0:20:47 > 0:20:50This is the ultimate paddling pool
0:20:50 > 0:20:54and Mum shields him from the worst of the waves.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59That one had him!
0:21:00 > 0:21:04And again! Being fat comes in pretty handy
0:21:04 > 0:21:07when you're thrown around like this.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11It's like a giant washing machine, and this is only gentle action!
0:21:11 > 0:21:16Next door's lot are learning too, but they're not a patch on Selkie.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21He caught that one a treat! ..Well, nearly!
0:21:21 > 0:21:26The mini torpedo looks more like a fish out of water.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34He's right on it now. This is a whole load of fun!
0:21:36 > 0:21:38When storms hit,
0:21:38 > 0:21:42he'll really have something to worry about.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45That sea can get pretty rough at times.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47But for now, it's playtime.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Fooled ya!
0:22:02 > 0:22:05A kiss for Mum.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13After a final rinse cycle, he's got it nailed.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15How about a round of applause?
0:22:15 > 0:22:17CLAPPING
0:22:17 > 0:22:20But Selkie hasn't made it yet.
0:22:20 > 0:22:25Something else is lurking in the water. This could be his downfall.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Huge males are arriving in the surf.
0:22:28 > 0:22:34They're nearly three times heavier than Mum, and that's heavy.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38These guys are here to fight for ladies.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41If Selkie's caught underneath them,
0:22:41 > 0:22:44it'll all be over before it's even begun.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Hold on tight, Mum.
0:22:54 > 0:23:00As darkness falls, it's now or never for Eli. He's rested, but starving
0:23:00 > 0:23:04and with the river still rising, he has no option but to try again.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12The current's even stronger and he's lost his footing already.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14Surely this is curtains for our star.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20He's almost going under.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22It'll be a miracle if he makes it.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31With the fastest stretch of water to swim in darkness,
0:23:31 > 0:23:34things look anything but good.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48But they're coming back for him.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53It's almost too dark to see now.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56Imagine how terrified Eli must be.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59Will he even have the energy to climb the river bank?
0:24:05 > 0:24:07The adults have made it.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11And there's our star,
0:24:11 > 0:24:15battered but alive and in the right place to live through the dry season.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17And that's what counts.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32All looks quiet on the African plains.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36The cubs are home alone.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40After losing her kill to the hyenas,
0:24:40 > 0:24:42Mum's gone off to find herself a snack.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46It's all right for Bill and Ben.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50They've already eaten, so they're busy playing,
0:24:50 > 0:24:54and after all they've been through, they're doing pretty well.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00What Bill and Ben don't know is that the rest of their family,
0:25:00 > 0:25:05the ones they haven't met yet, are only half a mile away.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08And they're seriously close to those elephants.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13But lions don't give way easily.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20Here come the heavies.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24Guess it's time to move. Oops.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31King of the beasts?
0:25:31 > 0:25:35This lot look like they've lost their crown for sure.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44But they're heading towards Bill and Ben.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46This is so unlucky.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50Of all the directions to choose.
0:25:50 > 0:25:55And if they stumble across our two stars, who knows what will happen?
0:25:55 > 0:25:59Bill and Ben are too young to bump into their family just yet.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02At this age, they could be killed,
0:26:02 > 0:26:05especially if Mum isn't around.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09Oh, no.
0:26:17 > 0:26:22The pride have found Bill and Ben, and Mum's not there to protect them.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32Bill's calling out for Mum, but it won't do any good.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36This is torture for our cubs.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39If the pride don't recognise their family smell,
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Bill and Ben stand no chance.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45They could even be killed by accident.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Our stars are getting hit again and again
0:26:50 > 0:26:53as each lion comes to check them out.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58Just don't bite.
0:27:00 > 0:27:05One wrong move and our brothers are history.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13Next time on Wild Tales...
0:27:13 > 0:27:16Will Bill and Ben be accepted into the pride?
0:27:16 > 0:27:19At this stage, anything could happen.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24Will Eli fully recover from his brush with a watery grave?
0:27:24 > 0:27:27Mum's got a surprise for him if he does.
0:27:29 > 0:27:34As a storm batters Selkie's world, the huge males gear up for a fight.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37Does it spell double trouble for Selkie?
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Find out next time on Wild Tales.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:50 > 0:27:52E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk