0:00:01 > 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 is tough, really tough.
0:00:13 > 0:00:18These stories recreate their roller-coaster lives, on Wild Tales.
0:00:22 > 0:00:23For this Wild Tales,
0:00:23 > 0:00:27we follow the fortunes of three fantastic animal characters.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32Rooney, the newest member of the meerkat team,
0:00:32 > 0:00:36is about to take his first bold steps out of the burrow.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38Leopard cubs Kumi and Siri
0:00:38 > 0:00:42have their first exciting adventures away from the den.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48And our little bear cub Yogi is in for a ride of a lifetime
0:00:48 > 0:00:51as he explores the wilds of Alaska.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54But where do we start?
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Well, you're about to find out.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03First, the Kalahari desert in Southern Africa.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05Home to our meerkat family.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11This is one of the most hostile places in the world,
0:01:11 > 0:01:14and if you want to do really well out here,
0:01:14 > 0:01:16you've got to work as a team.
0:01:19 > 0:01:20This is Dad.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23He's the top male.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26A bit like the David Beckham of the team.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29He's not the only one to take all the glory.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33Mum is his mate, and she's another star player.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38But everyone on the squad has a role to play.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41There's guard duty.
0:01:41 > 0:01:42There's attack.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47And they all help with cleaning.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52Dad and Mum are a bit of a new item.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54They've been together a year.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57And they've only got a 5-a-side team.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Some meerkat teams can be up to 40-strong.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04Imagine that in the World Cup!
0:02:06 > 0:02:11For our meerkats, the bigger the family, the stronger the team.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15So if this lot want to stay in the Premier League,
0:02:15 > 0:02:17they need more players.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Well, Dad and Mum haven't been wasting any time.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Their team is about to grow in numbers,
0:02:26 > 0:02:29as Mum is heavily pregnant.
0:02:31 > 0:02:36So it won't be long before little Rooney makes his first appearance.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Travelling 10,000 miles from Africa
0:02:47 > 0:02:52to the somewhat chillier climes of Katmai National Park in Alaska.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56It's late winter and there's very little sign of life.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59But a metre under the snow, Yogi and his two baby sisters
0:02:59 > 0:03:03are about to get their first glimpse of the outside world.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07They were born only three months ago
0:03:07 > 0:03:12and since then they've been snuggled up with mumma bear in her cosy den.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19They've been conserving their energy through the cold winter.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22But now it's time to wake up.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32At last spring has finally sprung.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35The cubs haven't even seen daylight yet.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37They just can't wait to get out.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41The little bears make their first tentative steps
0:03:41 > 0:03:43into the great outdoors.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49Wow! Look at all that snow!
0:03:53 > 0:03:54This is Yogi.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59After being in the den for so long, he wants to play in the snow.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01And he's not the only one.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11Yogi and his sisters will stick with Mum for their first three years,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13but it won't all be fun and games.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16It's a big bad world, and for these cubs,
0:04:16 > 0:04:20their early years will be the toughest of their lives.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23From now on, Yogi's fighting a battle for survival.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33The top priority for all bears is finding food.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35Especially for mumma bear.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39Producing milk to satisfy these hungry mouths
0:04:39 > 0:04:41drains her energy levels.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Come on, Yogi, catch up!
0:04:53 > 0:04:56The cubs are starting to show their characters,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59Yogi's definitely the most adventurous.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03But this time he's bitten off more than he can chew.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07Whoops!
0:05:07 > 0:05:10There's a lot to learn about this new world
0:05:10 > 0:05:12and next stop is the beach,
0:05:12 > 0:05:14where Mum can find lots of food.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21But Yogi mustn't get too big for his furry boots
0:05:21 > 0:05:23as there are lots of dangers down there.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34Over in East Africa's Masai Mara,
0:05:34 > 0:05:38there are some more cubs exploring their new world.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43These two tiny tearaways are Kumi and Siri.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47They're leopard cubs, and at just three months old,
0:05:47 > 0:05:49these kitty-cats just love to play.
0:05:51 > 0:05:52Steady there, Kumi!
0:05:56 > 0:06:00Their favourite game at the moment is good old rough and tumble.
0:06:00 > 0:06:05It may look like fun, but playing like this is really important.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08It's a great way to learn the skills they need for when
0:06:08 > 0:06:11they grow up to be bigger cats. Like Mum.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Hang on... Where is she?
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Ah, there she is.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27This is Mila.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32Kumi and Siri can easily recognise Mum, by her smell,
0:06:32 > 0:06:35her call and what she looks like.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38But, if you're not a leopard, its easy to mix up Mila
0:06:38 > 0:06:41with another big cat, the cheetah.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50It's only when you see them together you can spot the difference.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56The leopard has rosettes, whereas the cheetah has dots.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59If you're still unsure, check out the faces.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04The cheetah has two black tear-streaks running from its eyes
0:07:04 > 0:07:05to the corner of its mouth.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12Luckily, Kumi and Siri know how to tell the difference.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19Which is just as well, as they're including her in their latest game,
0:07:19 > 0:07:20catch the tail.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Ow!
0:07:24 > 0:07:27For these guys, their time with Mum doesn't last long.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30Leopard cubs only have two years
0:07:30 > 0:07:35before they're expected to graduate into skilful hunters.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38And be able to look after themselves.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Leaving the snowy mountains behind,
0:07:49 > 0:07:52Yogi and his sisters have made it to the beach.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55This is a very popular place with the bears,
0:07:55 > 0:07:59as there are lots of tasty morsels on offer.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04Mum's introducing her cubs to some breakfast barnacles.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07But with all that hiking
0:08:07 > 0:08:12Yogi's decided to go piggy-back, or make that bear-back.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15This is his first proper beach holiday.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20And its turning into a family outing,
0:08:20 > 0:08:22as down the other end of the beach...
0:08:23 > 0:08:28..is his dad. He is the top bear in this neighbourhood.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31But with other big bears roaming around,
0:08:31 > 0:08:36this is a really dangerous place for the cubs to be.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40In the bear world, if a big male isn't your dad,
0:08:40 > 0:08:41he just might eat you.
0:08:42 > 0:08:47As long as dad's in charge, Yogi and his sisters should be OK.
0:08:47 > 0:08:48But trouble is brewing.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52Another bear is coming to cause trouble for Dad.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57This is Ted, Dad's biggest rival.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01He ain't the sort of Ted-dy bear you'd want to take home with you.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06Just look at those claws.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08And those huge teeth!
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Ted's heading down to the beach,
0:09:11 > 0:09:15and he's pretty keen to knock Dad off his throne.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17This could mean a big fight.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21If Ted succeeds, Yogi and his family could be in real danger.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38Back in the Kalahari, Dad and Mum have gone into the burrow.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41The meerkat team has taken on more players.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Mum's just given birth to four little babies,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47including our star player, Rooney.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55But at only a few days old, he's totally helpless.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58He can't even open his eyes yet.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03For now, Rooney and the other pups need to stay
0:10:03 > 0:10:06in the safety of the gang's underground burrow with Mum.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11With his pups to protect,
0:10:11 > 0:10:14Dad leaves the burrow to mark out his territory.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23By smearing his scent everywhere,
0:10:23 > 0:10:27he's telling other meerkats this is his patch. Keep out!
0:10:30 > 0:10:33But he's got his work cut out for him.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36His territory is over 1,000 acres.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39That's the size of 500 football pitches.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44Rooney can't wait to check out the team's home ground.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48In a few weeks, he'll be old enough to make his debut.
0:10:48 > 0:10:53But he'll have to leave the safety of the burrow, which could be dangerous.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Back at leopard school,
0:11:09 > 0:11:12Kumi and Siri are learning as much as they can.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18For these guys, lessons are really important.
0:11:18 > 0:11:23The lesson for today is one of their favourites, hide and seek.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27It's a great way to get familiar with their new home,
0:11:27 > 0:11:29on the banks of the Talek River.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31Full of bushes, rocks and trees,
0:11:31 > 0:11:35it's the ideal setting for games of hide and seek.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43But right now, hiding is more important than seeking.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46It's time for Mum to head up to her favourite tree
0:11:46 > 0:11:48to spot what's up for dinner.
0:11:48 > 0:11:53And that means the cubs must hide away close to their den.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57And believe me, there's lots for them to hide from.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Enemy number one has got to be the lion.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02As far as they're concerned,
0:12:02 > 0:12:05it's definitely a cat-eat-cat world out there.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09Laughing hyenas are second on the list.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12They may sound funny, but Kumi and Siri
0:12:12 > 0:12:16wouldn't be laughing if they bumped into these guys.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20They've even got danger lurking in their bed.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22River-bed that is!
0:12:22 > 0:12:26Crocodiles will make an easy snack of them if they get too close.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32You want to avoid those guys, Kumi!
0:12:36 > 0:12:39If they stay close to the den, they're safe.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42But they can't stay here forever. Something's up.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Kumi hears a rumbling in the distance.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49Very soon, their whole world is about to change.
0:13:02 > 0:13:0710,000 miles away, Yogi and family hunt for barnacles on the beach,
0:13:07 > 0:13:10but they're careful not to get too close to Dad.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16Down at the other end of the beach, trouble is brewing.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20Dad's biggest rival, Ted, is strutting his stuff.
0:13:20 > 0:13:25It won't be long before he tries to knock Dad off his throne.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30And if he succeeds, then Yogi and the girls could be his next victims.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36With Mum, the cubs are blissfully unaware of what's going on.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40They're more interested in their own fighting match.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43But if these bears are going to grow up big and strong,
0:13:43 > 0:13:45they need to continue eating.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Mum's got the perfect meal.
0:13:50 > 0:13:51Bear milk.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57Packed with goodness,
0:13:57 > 0:14:02mumma bear's milk provides three times as much energy as cow's milk.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08But feeding time isn't safe, as mumma bear can't defend
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Yogi and his sisters while she's on her back.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15At the other end of the beach, Dad's in big trouble.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22There's a stand-off as the two giant bears eye each other up.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Dad is standing his ground.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32Ted moves in for the attack.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36There's a lot at stake here
0:14:36 > 0:14:39as the winner has control of this whole territory.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Uh-oh, Ted means business.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50He's crashing through the water towards Dad.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53It's just like a wrestling match.
0:14:53 > 0:14:58Ted's knocked dad to the ground he's definitely got the upper hand.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04But can dad get back up?
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Only just. Ted's proved he's the strongest bear.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16Feeding time for Yogi and his sisters is definitely over.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19Mumma bear senses danger.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23Dad just stands there. He's completely exhausted.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26With daddy bear no longer running the show,
0:15:26 > 0:15:28Yogi and his sisters are in danger.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32Ted could easily attack and kill them.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Mumma bear has no choice.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38She's got to take her cubs off the beach, and quickly.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55Rooney and the other pups are hiding in the burrow.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59But it won't be long before they can venture outside.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Mum's been keeping them safe.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03But now its time for her to leave.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09Feeding four hungry pups has made her really hungry.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13She needs to stock up with tasty bugs and grubs.
0:16:13 > 0:16:14While mum's out foraging,
0:16:14 > 0:16:18one of the team steps in for baby-sitting duties.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Meerkat baby-sitters are the tops.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27They're super-alert, always on the look-out for danger.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30This baby-sitter looks a little anxious.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32And with good reason.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34Rooney and the pups have decided
0:16:34 > 0:16:37to take their first steps out of the burrow.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43The first steps come from Rooney.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47Bold and curious, this youngster
0:16:47 > 0:16:50is just longing to explore this new world.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59The baby-sitter comes along to give little encouragement.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10Wow! So this is what the home ground looks like.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17Up to now, all they've known is the dark depths of the burrow.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19What a change this must be!
0:17:24 > 0:17:27Whoa! They look a bit wobbly on their feet.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31But it's hardly surprising, they're only toddlers.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39This must be such an exciting experience for Rooney.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43But at this age, meerkat pups are extremely vulnerable.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47No bigger than mice, there are a host of predators
0:17:47 > 0:17:50that would gobble them up for breakfast.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57And, unbeknown to Rooney,
0:17:57 > 0:17:59one of them happens to be heading this way.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02This is really bad news.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06Rooney's just getting to explore his new big wide world
0:18:06 > 0:18:09and already he's in danger.
0:18:09 > 0:18:14He's in the path of a rather large mole snake with a very big appetite.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Kumi hears noises in the distance.
0:18:29 > 0:18:34Noises he's never heard before. What can they be?
0:18:34 > 0:18:38In her tree, Mum sees what causing the commotion.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42This is what Mila's been waiting for, for months and months.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48It's September, when over a million wildebeest
0:18:48 > 0:18:51migrate through the Masai Mara.
0:18:51 > 0:18:56An amazing spectacle, especially if you're a mother with hungry cubs.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03Kumi and Siri have fed on Mum's milk for the three months,
0:19:03 > 0:19:06but now they're ready for something more meaty.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14Time for Mila to come out her tree for some shopping.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17She can't take the cubs. They're way too small.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22Kumi and Siri have to stay at the den on their own.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26Imagine staying home alone when you're only three months old!
0:19:26 > 0:19:30But with no Dad or baby-sitter, Mum's got no choice.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33She and the cubs are really hungry.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Luckily for her, the wildebeest
0:19:38 > 0:19:42have to cross the river right in front of her den.
0:19:42 > 0:19:47Normally leopards hunt at night, but with so much food on offer,
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Mila can try her luck in broad daylight.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58Leopards are great hide-and-seekers, and the riverbank offers
0:19:58 > 0:20:01perfect cover for Mila to creep up on the herd.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05She's got to get close but mustn't give the game away.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11The wildebeest go for it, they cross the river.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19Mila moves into a fantastic position.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Got it! Job done! Wow!
0:20:30 > 0:20:33Well, that's dinner sorted.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37Back at the den, Kumi and Siri are getting peckish.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40But Mum's too far away to carry her shopping home.
0:20:40 > 0:20:46Weighing in at 40 kg, the wildebeest is almost as heavy as Mila herself.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49She can just about manage to drag it into a hiding-place.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58The cubs need all the food they can get,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01and if they want their first taste of wildebeest,
0:21:01 > 0:21:05they'll have to leave the safety of their den.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07And that could be very dangerous.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20The mole snake is getting ever closer.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24This is really bad news for Rooney and the other pups.
0:21:31 > 0:21:32It may not be venomous,
0:21:32 > 0:21:36but its nasty bite could easily kill a baby meerkat.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49The baby-sitter spots the danger and sounds the alarm.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56Meerkats to the rescue!
0:21:56 > 0:21:59The team return to intercept the snake.
0:21:59 > 0:22:00But are they too late?
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Working as a team,
0:22:06 > 0:22:09these guys know how to give a mole snake a hard time.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21Attacking from all angles,
0:22:21 > 0:22:25the team have turned the match to their advantage.
0:22:25 > 0:22:30It doesn't stand a chance. Its only option is to dive for cover.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35It's been an exciting day.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39They've made their first steps out of the burrow
0:22:39 > 0:22:41and seen their first big match.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45Mum's back so it must be time for some refreshments.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51Rooney and the youngsters had a very lucky escape.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54But will they be so lucky next time?
0:23:04 > 0:23:06With the kill stashed away,
0:23:06 > 0:23:10Mila's returned to the den to collect the cubs.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13If Kumi and Siri are to get their first meaty dinner,
0:23:13 > 0:23:18they've got to leave the safety of their den for the first time.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23It could be dangerous. It's broad daylight.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26If they bump into a hungry lion or hyena,
0:23:26 > 0:23:28it'll be curtains for the cubs.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35They're doing well so far with Mum leading the way.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44They're almost back to the spot where Mila hid dinner.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51But there's one final hurdle, or should I say cliff!
0:23:51 > 0:23:55Mila bounds up. But will the cubs find it so easy to follow?
0:23:57 > 0:23:59First up is Siri. Well done!
0:24:02 > 0:24:04And here goes Kumi.
0:24:06 > 0:24:07Oh, missed it!
0:24:09 > 0:24:13Without Mila to protect him, stuck at the bottom,
0:24:13 > 0:24:14he's is in real danger.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16He's gotta get up quick.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25Come on, Kumi. You can do it!
0:24:37 > 0:24:40Oh no, he's starting to get tired.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42Is he going to make it?
0:24:50 > 0:24:52With Ted on the prowl,
0:24:52 > 0:24:57Yogi and his sisters need to get away from the beach.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Mumma's taking them up river.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05And there's another really good reason to head this way.
0:25:05 > 0:25:10It's early June, and this is when thousands of salmon migrate
0:25:10 > 0:25:13from the ocean to the Alaskan coastline.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16They're on a mission, to swim upriver and mate.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18Not all of them make it.
0:25:18 > 0:25:23The bears have worked out that this is the best spot to catch salmon.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25So it gets pretty crowded.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Mumma can't risk going to the falls.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33With all those big bears up there,
0:25:33 > 0:25:38she can't be so picky and chooses her fishing spot further downstream.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43But this isn't without its own risks.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51Salmon fishing is difficult at the best of times,
0:25:51 > 0:25:56but with Yogi and the girls it's hard for her to concentrate.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00This river is really dangerous,
0:26:00 > 0:26:04and Yogi and the girls haven't even learnt to swim yet.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08One slip and the cubs could be swept away in an instant.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14Sadly, Mum's not having much luck with her fishing.
0:26:23 > 0:26:28In desperation, she tries to find a better fishing spot.
0:26:28 > 0:26:33The cubs have got to be careful. It's really rough out there.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37With her attention focused on fishing,
0:26:37 > 0:26:41mumma bear's taken her eye off Yogi and the girls.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Oh no, they're being swept away!
0:26:54 > 0:26:57Mum's only just noticed but its too late.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00They're being carried beyond her reach.
0:27:05 > 0:27:10Phew! The girls have got back onto the shore. But where's Yogi?
0:27:10 > 0:27:14Uh-oh, he's in deep trouble.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24Next time on Wild Tales...
0:27:24 > 0:27:29Will Yogi survive the rapids and live to see another day?
0:27:31 > 0:27:36Will Rooney be able to stay awake for his first feeding lesson?
0:27:38 > 0:27:41And will Kumi finally make it up the river bank?
0:27:41 > 0:27:45Find out next time on Wild Tales.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk