0:00:02 > 0:00:04The world is full of amazing animal families.
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.
0:00:21 > 0:00:26This week, we're following three fantastic animal characters.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28Bill and Ben are two young lion cubs
0:00:28 > 0:00:33realising that, even with family around, they're still not safe.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38Eli's going great guns in his jumbo family,
0:00:38 > 0:00:41a family that's about to get bigger.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45And Selkie the seal's trying to keep out of trouble,
0:00:45 > 0:00:49but he's got a seriously stormy future ahead of him.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52So where do we start?
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Well, it's about time we found out.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04First stop is the east African savannah.
0:01:06 > 0:01:11Last time, Bill and Ben bumped into their family for the first time.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14It was a disaster waiting to happen.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20Without Mum for protection, they could have been killed
0:01:20 > 0:01:22by their own family.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25Have our two stars survived?
0:01:33 > 0:01:37Well, there's the pride, but there's no sign of Bill or Ben.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43It isn't easy becoming part of this gang,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46and the brothers could have been killed by accident.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50After all, adult lions are built to kill.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54And the meeting had "disaster" written all over it.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Where are they?
0:02:03 > 0:02:07Suddenly, our two stars are bounding out of the long grass.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11And they're on top form, alive and licking.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20This is a HUGE turn of events for the youngsters,
0:02:20 > 0:02:24because if you're part of the gang, life in the bush is much easier,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27even if you do become the local punch-bag...
0:02:32 > 0:02:35But don't for a minute think it's all plain sailing from here.
0:02:35 > 0:02:40Just one crunch of those jaws and Bill and Ben are history.
0:02:40 > 0:02:45So Mum's doing her best to keep their dad Notch happy,
0:02:45 > 0:02:48which leaves the cubs to do what they do best.
0:02:48 > 0:02:53If you want Dad to look after you, you'd better hope he likes you,
0:02:53 > 0:02:57so Bill and Ben do their best to make sure he does.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05Now they have a huge family,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08our stars have got older brothers and sisters to play with.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15When you roll around with all your mates, you begin to smell like them,
0:03:15 > 0:03:19and this is the first challenge in becoming part of the pride.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25Bill and Ben are the smallest of these big-cat kids,
0:03:25 > 0:03:27so they'd better watch themselves.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38200 miles south is the Amboseli game reserve.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42Last time on Wild Tales,
0:03:42 > 0:03:48as the rains kept on falling, Mum Ella led Eli into a raging torrent.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51He was up to his neck in trouble.
0:03:51 > 0:03:57But unbelievably, he managed to haul himself to safety.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09Since that fateful day, Eli's been growing up like a rocket,
0:04:09 > 0:04:13and he's bound to have crossed loads of rivers since then.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18Hold on...! Something's different.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22Eli's got tusks!
0:04:22 > 0:04:25His teeth have come through at last,
0:04:25 > 0:04:29and he's busy keeping unwanted pests off his vegetable patch.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34When you're three, you've got more guts than common sense,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37but Eli's not sure about these odd-looking beasts,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40so he and a couple of mates chase 'em out of town.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48And with his new-found tusks,
0:04:48 > 0:04:52he has another weapon in his armory, even if they're not up to much yet.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59It'll be 30 years before he needs them for fighting,
0:04:59 > 0:05:03and together they'll eventually weigh as much as two grown men -
0:05:03 > 0:05:07tough enough for the biggest of battles.
0:05:07 > 0:05:12For now, they're another essential multi-tool to add to his collection.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18At this time of year, acacia trees have luscious leaves
0:05:18 > 0:05:19for Eli's family to chew on,
0:05:19 > 0:05:24and they're doing some serious tree surgery, elephant style.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Their overgrown teeth
0:05:32 > 0:05:35act as giant skewers and bull-dozing aids, all in one.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42The family need their tusks to help them find the 150kg of food
0:05:42 > 0:05:47that each of them needs every day, and finding that is no push-over.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53Eli's family are the ultimate jumbo gardeners.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56But with things about to get a lot drier,
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Eli had better save his energy.
0:06:08 > 0:06:144,500 miles north, on the Scottish coast.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Last time on Wild Tales...
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Selkie started swimming lessons,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21and he turned into a right little water baby.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25But huge males were lumbering on to the beach for a fight.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29Selkie could have been squashed if he hung around.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43Selkie's managed to balloon in size.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47He's put on 15kg in the last nine days.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49The ultimate couch potato.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53But it's only halfway for our furry waste disposal unit,
0:06:53 > 0:06:56and time is running out.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58He's still not fat enough,
0:06:58 > 0:07:02and it'll only be a couple of weeks before he hits the open ocean.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05But right now, he's got more pressing issues.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09Selkie's beach is being watched.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17Male seals are still lumbering out of the sea,
0:07:17 > 0:07:20and have got the ladies in their sights.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26The beach is positively groaning
0:07:26 > 0:07:29under the weight of these super-slugs.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Each male is out to become beach-master,
0:07:31 > 0:07:36the strongest man in town, because when you're at the top of the pile,
0:07:36 > 0:07:38you get the girls.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40Round one.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Wow, they're quick!
0:07:59 > 0:08:03Selkie's gotta be careful. Angry dads-to-be often squash pups.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08They move amazingly quickly, and weigh three times as much as Mum.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Great upper cut...
0:08:11 > 0:08:13It's a knockout!
0:08:16 > 0:08:21The champion wants a trophy wife, and Selkie's mum is in his sights.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24And he's not the only one.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30It's now doubly dangerous for Selkie.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32He's got to keep away from this lot.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Mum's certainly not interested in any admirers,
0:08:38 > 0:08:41so she gives as good as she gets.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46Now, Selkie has time to make his escape.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53Let's just hope he's OK on his own.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Three months later, and it still hasn't rained.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21Things are really hotting up for Eli.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24It's 40 degrees in the shade, and he's cooking.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Your thermostat doesn't work quite as well when you're this small,
0:09:30 > 0:09:34and in this heat, all the water has nearly dried up.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40It's not just Eli that is feeling hot, hot, hot.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44Those zebs look like they've been put on a barbecue already,
0:09:44 > 0:09:50And with his head so close to the sun, he's gotta be really careful.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54But Eli's learnt a couple of tricks from the grown-ups.
0:09:54 > 0:09:59Those huge ears are giant radiators and fans all rolled into one,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04so if you wave them around, life's a lot cooler.
0:10:07 > 0:10:08But when the fans don't work,
0:10:08 > 0:10:12time to apply factor 50 in the remains of a hidden waterhole.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Eli doesn't need someone else to put cream on his back.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29He's got it covered.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38It's important to get that mud mask to a perfect consistency
0:10:38 > 0:10:42so Eli's aunts dig in and kick up a right mess.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49And Eli's getting a free spray-on tan.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55Absolute heaven.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Until it gets in his eyes...
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Getting out seems like madness,
0:11:03 > 0:11:07especially when he's having this much fun,
0:11:07 > 0:11:11but let's face it, mud tastes horrible.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14And there's nothing like a dusting-down
0:11:14 > 0:11:16while you soak up the sun's rays.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19It's all about killing time
0:11:19 > 0:11:23until Mum is ready to give birth...again.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29She's looking massive,
0:11:29 > 0:11:34which means there's a brother or sister on the way for Eli very soon.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53So, when you're part of the gang, life's easy, right?
0:11:53 > 0:11:55In the heat of the day,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58there's little point in doing anything at all,
0:11:58 > 0:12:00so Bill and Ben kick back with their new family
0:12:00 > 0:12:03and this is like one giant fur rug.
0:12:05 > 0:12:10And they'd better get used to it - lions sleep 20 hours a day.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14A sleep so deep, that nothing could wake them.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20But Bill and Ben look like they've got ants in their pants.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24Suddenly it's a hive of action out there.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34The pride have chosen to share their siesta with some African bees.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37These guys pack one giant punch.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42Even Dad turns into a big pussy cat.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46Bibi goes to investigate.
0:12:49 > 0:12:50Bad move, Mum.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57This lot ain't moving home, however nicely you ask 'em.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09The brothers are on to a losing battle.
0:13:09 > 0:13:14But it's hot, and Bill and Ben had better find some safer shade - fast.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37Back in Scotland, Selkie's found a safe haven away from the action.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40But the tide's come in... and caught him out.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42He's marooned on a rock,
0:13:42 > 0:13:46and the waves are really starting to pick up.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57Selkie may be able to swim, but like any surfer knows,
0:13:57 > 0:14:01nothing is more lethal than where big waves meet sharp rocks.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08He's dangerously close to the edge.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12If he gets washed in, it could be the end for our seal star.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Beneath the water, there's a storm brewing,
0:14:21 > 0:14:23and above, the wind's picking up.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29Selkie's really landed himself in it this time.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33Where is Mum when he needs her?
0:14:37 > 0:14:39He's got to get away from the edge.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46- HE WAILS - There's not a chance of Mum hearing him.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54Oh, no! He's been washed in!
0:15:04 > 0:15:06But his surf lessons have saved his life,
0:15:06 > 0:15:09and he's managed to haul himself to safety.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12There's a future for this guy yet.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21But big waves can mean only one thing -
0:15:21 > 0:15:25there's a storm brewing, and he's gotta get off those rocks,
0:15:25 > 0:15:27and find Mum, fast.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41Eli's herd are still cooking in the African sun
0:15:41 > 0:15:44and he's not keen on moving.
0:15:47 > 0:15:52He knows Mum is about to take him and the herd on another marathon...
0:15:55 > 0:15:58And it's just too hot.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01Come on! Up, up, up!
0:16:01 > 0:16:04Mum makes the decisions in this family cos she knows best,
0:16:04 > 0:16:09and Eli still needs her milk, so he has no option but to follow.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17They walk...
0:16:17 > 0:16:19and walk...
0:16:19 > 0:16:21and walk...
0:16:22 > 0:16:26And by the end of the day Eli is exhausted.
0:16:32 > 0:16:37As the sun slips below the horizon - cue night vision -
0:16:37 > 0:16:41the herd soon stops for the grown-ups have some grub...
0:16:46 > 0:16:48..which gives Eli plenty of time
0:16:48 > 0:16:52to test out his new tusks on the nearest volunteer.
0:16:56 > 0:17:01That done, it's time for bed on a mattress of grass,
0:17:10 > 0:17:15After all this rough food, Eli's stomach is like a witch's cauldron.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17RUMBLING
0:17:17 > 0:17:22Bark, milk, leaves... No wonder he's producing all this gas!
0:17:22 > 0:17:26And lying down doesn't exactly help matters.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31No spell is gonna stop it becoming incredibly windy overnight.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42But why has Mum stopped here?
0:17:42 > 0:17:45By the sounds of it, the food isn't up to much.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50And she certainly can't get comfortable.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56We'll have to wait until dawn to find out why.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05THUNDER RUMBLES
0:18:09 > 0:18:13Back in the Masai Mara, it's tipping down.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18And our big cats really hate it.
0:18:25 > 0:18:30But for Bill and Ben, life's one huge game.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35Rough and tumble in the rain might sound like fun
0:18:35 > 0:18:39but Bill's becoming the local punch-bag.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51When you're the smallest, you're at the bottom of the pile,
0:18:51 > 0:18:54and life without Mum isn't much fun either...
0:18:56 > 0:18:59So it's best to ride out the storm with her,
0:18:59 > 0:19:03and leave the other kids to it. Bullies!
0:19:03 > 0:19:07But as usual, Ben is giving as good as he gets.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11And it's time to go out with the big kids.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Ben's spotted something.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28Hamerkop's on his menu.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37Bibi keeps a beady eye on the trouble makers,
0:19:37 > 0:19:40and Bill's more than happy next to Mum.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46With prey this size, Ben's waiting for back-up.
0:20:05 > 0:20:10Subtle as a brick, you lot! A lot more practice needed.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Oh, well... Time to work out who's boss,
0:20:13 > 0:20:17cos when you're a young lion, being top cat is what it's all about,
0:20:17 > 0:20:19and practice makes perfect.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Go on, hit me!
0:20:25 > 0:20:29Hit me again! I'm gonna hit you now!
0:20:55 > 0:21:00Some of the biggest waves on the planet pound the Scottish coast.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07They can be as big as an eight-storey building.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10And this storm is something special.
0:21:11 > 0:21:1570mph gusts whip up the sand and hurtle it through the air
0:21:15 > 0:21:18like flying daggers.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Selkie has made it back to the beach.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28He's alone, and being sand-blasted, literally.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32If he keeps his eyes open, he'll be blind in seconds.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36He certainly can't see Mum, and at the other end of the beach,
0:21:36 > 0:21:38she is powerless to help.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44It doesn't matter how old you are - it's a living nightmare out there.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48Seals are simply not designed to be on land,
0:21:48 > 0:21:50and with worse weather to come,
0:21:50 > 0:21:54Selkie really needs to be in the sea as soon as he can be.
0:21:57 > 0:22:02It's all he can do to keep his nose and eyes shut.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06He hasn't seen Mum for nearly a day now, and he really needs milk.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10How long can this storm last?
0:22:16 > 0:22:20He's almost buried and hasn't moved for hours.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25Come back soon, Mum, Selkie needs you.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46Back in Eli's world, and dawn's nearly here.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54TRUMPETING
0:22:54 > 0:22:56That's one antisocial alarm clock!
0:22:56 > 0:22:58What is all that noise for?
0:23:03 > 0:23:07Eli looks like he's spotted something.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11Wow! It's Eli's brand-new sister Ebony,
0:23:11 > 0:23:14sliding around on her own personal water bed.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17Well done, Ella!
0:23:25 > 0:23:31The family all crowd around for a better look at the new arrival.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33TRUMPETING
0:23:33 > 0:23:37Listen to that noise - it'll be heard a mile off!
0:23:44 > 0:23:47So this was why Ella was acting strangely.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51She needed to be somewhere safe to have Ebony.
0:23:51 > 0:23:57She must be exhausted, and certainly won't have much time for Eli now.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01Ebony's up in minutes, not like her brother.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05She obviously has the strength to cause real trouble in the future.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08This is one seriously tough little Miss.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13She sucks her elephant thumb for comfort...
0:24:15 > 0:24:19but what does her arrival mean for Eli?
0:24:19 > 0:24:23Mum certainly can't pull pints for two hungry mouths,
0:24:23 > 0:24:26and Ebony is bound to get all the attention.
0:24:26 > 0:24:31It's gonna be tough for Eli, for sure.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42With the rains just a dream,
0:24:42 > 0:24:47our pride have FINALLY found peace and quiet for the ultimate catnap.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51Bill and Ben are snug in the scrubland creche...
0:24:56 > 0:25:00But they don't know a herd of buffalo is getting ever closer.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04And buffalo HATE lions with a passion.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14If the buffs spot our cubs, who knows what could happen.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20Half of Bill and Ben's family is fast asleep.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28They've smelt the lions.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35And from here on out, this can surely only go one way.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44The lions react, but is it too late?
0:25:44 > 0:25:49The buffs know the pride is there, but they just can't see them,
0:25:49 > 0:25:52and until they do, our cubs are safe.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58The Simba family is surrounded. They have nowhere to go.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06It doesn't matter how big you are.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10In this situation, it's simply all about staying alive.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18Bibi distracts the buffalo.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23And most of the cubs use the distraction to try and hide.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Bibi's putting her life on the line for Bill and Ben.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42But not everyone makes it to safety.
0:26:47 > 0:26:52Mum's running circles round the buffs, but she can't do it forever.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Where are Bill and Ben?
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Have they survived?
0:27:09 > 0:27:12Will they live to roar another day?
0:27:17 > 0:27:19Next time on Wild Tales.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23Will Bill and Ben make it through the buffalo attack?
0:27:27 > 0:27:31Will Selkie pull through the storm, and find his mum?
0:27:32 > 0:27:38And how will Eli deal with having to share Mum Ella with his new sister?
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Find out next time, on Wild Tales.