0:00:14 > 0:00:17These orphaned jaguars are on the road to a new life.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26They've found a loving family
0:00:26 > 0:00:29and are at the centre of a pioneering project.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31Dinnertime!
0:00:31 > 0:00:34A team of scientists are taking the place of their mother
0:00:34 > 0:00:37to teach them how to be wild.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39They're in a learning process, like going to school -
0:00:39 > 0:00:41every day, you learn a new thing.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49It'll take two years of training to prepare them.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59If it works, it will be the first time
0:00:59 > 0:01:03that humans have taught jaguars how to survive in the wild.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35The story starts with three tiny jaguar cubs
0:01:35 > 0:01:37starving in a forest in Brazil.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43They're all alone and are calling for their mother.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45But she can't come.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47She's dead.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53But help is on the way.
0:01:56 > 0:02:01Jaguar expert Leandro Silveira has been called in to rescue them.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09The cubs' mother was shot by cattle ranchers,
0:02:09 > 0:02:11who see jaguars as the enemy.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17Hundreds of jaguars have been killed,
0:02:17 > 0:02:18and their orphans left to die.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23But one cowboy had a change of heart.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27He saw three orphans
0:02:27 > 0:02:29and he gave them to government officials,
0:02:29 > 0:02:33because he knew they would starve to death.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37So luckily, this guy changed the destiny of these three cubs.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44Leandro and his wife Anah simply couldn't turn them away.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46It was a life-changing commitment.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55They were not in the best health condition -
0:02:55 > 0:02:57they were already dehydrated,
0:02:57 > 0:02:59one had diarrhoea
0:02:59 > 0:03:02and I don't think they would last two days in the wild.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06Leandro and Anah have studied jaguars together
0:03:06 > 0:03:08for 20 years in the wild,
0:03:08 > 0:03:11but they've never done anything like this.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14It is a species we are dedicating our life to work with,
0:03:14 > 0:03:16and three orphans,
0:03:16 > 0:03:19it's something that really touches you right in the heart,
0:03:19 > 0:03:22because they are going to die if you don't do something now.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27These cubs are now safe,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30but hundreds of other jaguar cubs are orphaned every year
0:03:30 > 0:03:33and simply left to die.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37If any are rescued, they spend their life in captivity.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Up to now, none have ever been successfully released.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47But these cubs have a second chance to be free.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58In the wild, cubs stay close to their mother,
0:03:58 > 0:04:02learning all their hunting and survival skills from her.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Now, Leandro and Anah have to take the place of that mother.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12It's a bold scientific experiment.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16If it succeeds, it could pave the way for other orphaned jaguars.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19But it's not going to be easy.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26Leandro and Anah have two years to teach the cubs how to survive.
0:04:28 > 0:04:29Their first step
0:04:29 > 0:04:32is building a jaguar-proof enclosure in their back garden.
0:04:42 > 0:04:43At six months old,
0:04:43 > 0:04:47the cubs are already becoming distinct characters.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52Maya is the smallest and the most playful,
0:04:52 > 0:04:55and she's Anah's favourite.
0:04:55 > 0:04:56I like all of them,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59but Maya is more calm, or sweet.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01And I prefer her!
0:05:05 > 0:05:09Her sister, Kyra, is the wildest and always up for a fight.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15- Kyra is more aggressive. - She has a very distinct mood.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Since the beginning, since she was little.
0:05:17 > 0:05:18She gets wild. Especially with food,
0:05:18 > 0:05:20she beats them up and gets the food first,
0:05:20 > 0:05:22she dominates the other two.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Xavante is the only male.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Although he's the biggest,
0:05:28 > 0:05:31he's a gentle giant and Leandro's favourite.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33There comes a jealous guy.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Hey! Come here. Come here!
0:05:36 > 0:05:38Xavante is really the typical male,
0:05:38 > 0:05:41the big boy, the teenager that is starting to go out.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51The cubs will soon be back to full strength
0:05:51 > 0:05:54and ready to start their training.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57A far cry from when they were found close to starvation.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04We're very happy to have this privilege to have the cubs.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08At the same time, it is very sad - the reason why they are here -
0:06:08 > 0:06:10they are not supposed to be here.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13They had their mother killed, they are orphans,
0:06:13 > 0:06:15and that happens all the time with jaguars.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18I have heard several reports from illegal hunters
0:06:18 > 0:06:21that they said, "Oh, I killed a mother, there were some cubs."
0:06:21 > 0:06:23I said, "What did you do with the cubs?"
0:06:23 > 0:06:25"I just left them." They wouldn't last long.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Brazil is changing, fast.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43The jaguars' forest home has been cleared
0:06:43 > 0:06:45to make way for cattle and crops.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51Their natural prey has been replaced by livestock,
0:06:51 > 0:06:55and jaguars are now being forced from their tiny fragments of forest
0:06:55 > 0:06:56to feed on cattle.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02The cowboys retaliate by killing them.
0:07:08 > 0:07:13Look at the drama of their life. It's the real drama of the species.
0:07:13 > 0:07:18If we look what we as humans do to the jaguars, it's just not fair.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20We remove their habitat,
0:07:20 > 0:07:23we put out cows where they used to live,
0:07:23 > 0:07:25and they have to live on this tiny pocket of forest,
0:07:25 > 0:07:29they come out and eat cows and, in retaliation, we kill them.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33We leave so many orphans behind every year that will starve to death.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35This is not a fair game.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43This persecution is a major cause in the decline of jaguars.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54But the three orphans have been spared the fate of their mother.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Their journey back to the wild is about to begin in earnest.
0:08:10 > 0:08:11The first job of a jaguar mother
0:08:11 > 0:08:15is to show the cubs around their new world.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23A generation ago, this was all forest.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28The cubs will have to learn how to survive
0:08:28 > 0:08:32in a landscape dominated by fields and farming.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Today's family outing
0:08:41 > 0:08:44is for the cubs to get used to this environment.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46Hey! Remember this tree!
0:08:46 > 0:08:50And it's a chance to practise a key skill for jaguars - tree-climbing.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Jaguars have a special relationship with trees.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00First for marking, but they have scent glands here on their paws
0:09:00 > 0:09:04so they mark it, and eventually, they go up to rest.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Maya is a natural climber,
0:09:09 > 0:09:11but Xavante and Kyra need a little encouragement
0:09:11 > 0:09:13from their human parents.
0:09:13 > 0:09:14Kyra, come here!
0:09:17 > 0:09:19Come here, come here.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Come here! Good boy, come here.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26This is good, for them to come out
0:09:26 > 0:09:29and have a feeling of this wide landscape around them,
0:09:29 > 0:09:32so that they start getting used to that.
0:09:32 > 0:09:33It's a good exercise for them.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48After the fun, some more serious training has to start.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53The cubs need to recognise the taste and feel of different prey.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56At this age, in the wild,
0:09:56 > 0:10:00their mother would bring back different animals for them to try.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05This evening, they're feeding on peccary for the first time.
0:10:05 > 0:10:06Dinnertime!
0:10:14 > 0:10:18We're letting the cubs experience feeding on this species,
0:10:18 > 0:10:20so they can recognise the smell,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23they can start finding their way through the carcass.
0:10:23 > 0:10:24They seem to like it.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28They better do, because this is what they are going to be eating
0:10:28 > 0:10:30when they are released.
0:10:30 > 0:10:35As usual, the larger female, Kyra, is the most dominant of the three.
0:10:35 > 0:10:40Her wild instincts are emerging much faster than her brother and sister.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Maya is much more timid and quickly backs down from the fight.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50Although Xavante is much bigger than Kyra, he's wary of her,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53and won't challenge her for the peccary.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57The early signs are that Kyra
0:10:57 > 0:11:00will be the first of the three cubs ready for release.
0:11:06 > 0:11:07Over the next few weeks,
0:11:07 > 0:11:10the cubs are introduced to all sorts of natural prey.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14And they take to it all - with relish!
0:11:16 > 0:11:18This is a good sign.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21In the wild, jaguars need a very broad diet,
0:11:21 > 0:11:24and eat over 60 different kinds of animals.
0:11:24 > 0:11:29The cubs get plenty of practice with their two deadly weapons -
0:11:29 > 0:11:33their teeth and their claws.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35Just reinforcing their knowledge
0:11:35 > 0:11:37that they are going to fight for their food.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46The three cubs also discover that not every animal is on the menu.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00The orphans' training has started well -
0:12:00 > 0:12:03they can now recognise their prey.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05But when they head into the wild,
0:12:05 > 0:12:07the odds will be firmly stacked against them.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Most big cat releases ultimately end in failure,
0:12:13 > 0:12:16because they can't hunt for themselves
0:12:16 > 0:12:18and they have no fear of humans.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24There's a long way to go before they are ready for release.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46The orphans are now 11 months old and are growing quickly.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49They have one year left until their release.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55One thing all young cubs need is exercise,
0:12:55 > 0:12:58to develop strong muscles.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02In the wild, they'll be walking
0:13:02 > 0:13:05several miles a day in search of prey.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09Most days now, they are let off the lead
0:13:09 > 0:13:12to stretch their limbs and follow their noses.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16And today, their noses lead them to water.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20Jaguars are aquatic animals,
0:13:20 > 0:13:23so Leandro and Anah have built the cubs
0:13:23 > 0:13:26their very own open-air swimming pool.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37It's a fun part of their training,
0:13:37 > 0:13:40but there's a serious point to this exercise.
0:13:40 > 0:13:46Among all large cats, jaguars most love water.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48They hunt by rivers,
0:13:48 > 0:13:51they hunt capybara, caiman, turtles,
0:13:51 > 0:13:53and they are good divers, too.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56So, all this is important to them.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58Hey, look at what you've done!
0:13:58 > 0:13:59Hey!
0:14:00 > 0:14:02LEANDRO SPITS WATER
0:14:02 > 0:14:04Getting worse! It's not fair!
0:14:06 > 0:14:07LEANDRO GROANS
0:14:11 > 0:14:13The cubs are in no rush to go home
0:14:13 > 0:14:16and keep disappearing into the tall grass.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21It's about time to take them back to their enclosure,
0:14:21 > 0:14:25but it's like waiting for kids in the park -
0:14:25 > 0:14:27they want to have the last minute of fun,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29playing around and chasing,
0:14:29 > 0:14:31so we're just waiting for that moment to end
0:14:31 > 0:14:33and have them back.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Even when they're out of their enclosure,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52the cubs are still deeply attached to Leandro and Anah,
0:14:52 > 0:14:54looking to them for reassurance.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00After a life of studying jaguars from a distance,
0:15:00 > 0:15:02they're enjoying the close contact,
0:15:02 > 0:15:04but how much longer can it go on?
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Perhaps the biologists
0:15:10 > 0:15:13have become too close to the subjects of their experiment.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28Today, they're being tested with a pampas deer.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31This allows Leandro to observe the strengths
0:15:31 > 0:15:32and weaknesses of each cub.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40They know there's a carcass around. That's a good sign.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44Xavante, the gentle giant,
0:15:44 > 0:15:47is trying to establish his dominance as the male.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54It's interesting that Xavante has taken over the carcass.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58Kyra is trying to approach me, but she's respecting,
0:15:58 > 0:16:00she's giving him the space.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Jaguars are solitary hunters and they feed solitary.
0:16:03 > 0:16:04Maya is waiting,
0:16:04 > 0:16:08Kyra is waiting for Xavante to finish his turn on it.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10Usually, the male eats more than the female.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13He gets larger, and the more dominant he becomes,
0:16:13 > 0:16:15so he ends up eating first.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18AGGRESSIVE GROWLING
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Oh, look at that!
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Oh, look at that!
0:16:36 > 0:16:38Right now, they don't have space
0:16:38 > 0:16:42and they're waiting to see who's giving up.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45Maya is starting to feed.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49But Xavante and Kyra haven't decided yet. Xavante is touching her.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52Jaguars don't like physical contact.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56Their position is clear - they are very, very tense right now.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02That is deadlock, where one is hoping for the other one to give up
0:17:02 > 0:17:05so they can start eating, but none of them wants to give up.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Look at that.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11Kyra is in the advantage position, because she is underneath Xavante.
0:17:11 > 0:17:16Now, she's got a position, she can breathe better now.
0:17:16 > 0:17:17Look at that.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23After ten minutes, the stalemate is finally broken.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Maya walks away from the fight.
0:17:26 > 0:17:27She's still the smallest,
0:17:27 > 0:17:31and can't compete with her more aggressive siblings.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37Eventually, Kyra proves to be the cleverest of all.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41She chews through the rope, and claims the prize all for herself.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47With her prey secured, Kyra becomes extremely protective.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58It's the first time one of the jaguars
0:17:58 > 0:18:00has issued such a clear threat,
0:18:00 > 0:18:04and even at this age, Kyra could easily kill Leandro.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10We have to leave her alone - she's too aggressive and we should leave.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Kyra is losing her bond with people
0:18:19 > 0:18:23and developing the aggression she needs to live in the wild.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29It's good to see that behaviour - that means she is confident
0:18:29 > 0:18:34and growing, but it's the right time to be outside of the enclosure.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53That fight was also a clear sign
0:18:53 > 0:18:57the three orphans have outgrown their cramped quarters.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59The jaguars could easily injure each other,
0:18:59 > 0:19:03so Leandro needs to start work on a much bigger enclosure.
0:19:06 > 0:19:07When we received the cubs,
0:19:07 > 0:19:10we never thought we would be involved in such a big project.
0:19:10 > 0:19:16But I don't regret it. The jaguars demand this investment.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21The cubs' new home covers five acres.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26This is where they will complete their training.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36The next time they pass through this gate
0:19:36 > 0:19:38will be when they finally return to the wild.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52The orphans are enjoying all the new sensations of their huge enclosure.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57There's plenty of space to explore,
0:19:57 > 0:20:01and from now on, they will be fed less and become leaner and fitter.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07In the next three months, they will become adults,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09ready for life in the wild.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22And their new home comes complete with its own swamp.
0:20:32 > 0:20:37These teenagers are in excellent condition - strong and fit.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40They are now ready to face their final tests.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51In the wild, their mother would now be teaching them to hunt.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53Leandro will have to do the same.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Today is a very big day for the three orphans.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16They must try to catch live prey for the first time in their lives.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21If they can't hunt, they will never be released.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23Without a mother to show them the way,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26they must work it out for themselves.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Today's test is with a giant bird called a rhea.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37It should be easy prey.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41They are extremely common in the wild, and now farmed for their meat,
0:21:41 > 0:21:45but using captive live animals for hunting is controversial.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49We are giving them the chance to feed on live animals like this,
0:21:49 > 0:21:53their natural prey. It's part of the process. We can't skip that part.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57We can't go around that. It's completely necessary.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00We either do that, or we leave the three cubs in captivity
0:22:00 > 0:22:01for the rest of their lives.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16The cub has seen it.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20OK, Natalya, please open the gate.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34Xavante quickly takes the lead.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40RHEA BIRD SQUAWKS JAGUAR GROWLS
0:22:42 > 0:22:44He makes a clean, fast kill.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50He has shown that, with this first simple prey,
0:22:50 > 0:22:52he is capable of hunting for himself.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56JAGUAR GROWLS He's started to growl at me.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59That shows he doesn't want to be seen as a cub any more -
0:22:59 > 0:23:02he wants to be respected with his kill
0:23:02 > 0:23:05and we might as well do that,
0:23:05 > 0:23:09we might as well leave him with his prize, he did a great job.
0:23:15 > 0:23:20His sisters, Maya and Kyra, will still need to prove themselves,
0:23:20 > 0:23:24but for Xavante, it's a special moment - a coming-of-age.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50The orphans have now reached full size
0:23:50 > 0:23:52and are almost ready for release.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56But they have one more test to complete.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Today, they face their toughest prey - the peccary.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06An aggressive animal with extremely sharp tusks,
0:24:06 > 0:24:08and an important part of the jaguars' diet.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14If they can kill a peccary, they are ready for release.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Xavante and Kyra quickly dispatch it with no difficulty.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58I'm really proud to see they are able to kill an adult peccary.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01This is the best situation we could ever have
0:25:01 > 0:25:03in the case of rehabilitating a predator
0:25:03 > 0:25:05and teaching a predator how to hunt.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10But not all of the orphans have passed the test.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14The smallest of the three, Maya, has been injured by the peccary.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17Come here. Let's see your wounds.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20Turn, turn. Wow!
0:25:22 > 0:25:26She really has a nasty injury here.
0:25:26 > 0:25:33That shows how aggressive and how... a challenge the peccary is to kill.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36Maya has always been the most gentle
0:25:36 > 0:25:39and there are growing concerns she may not make it in the wild.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42For us, it always seemed that Kyra and Xavante
0:25:42 > 0:25:47were ready to move to the next step in terms of maturity,
0:25:47 > 0:25:49in terms of behaviour,
0:25:49 > 0:25:53and Maya, since the beginning, she's taken a little bit longer.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01Where Maya is falling behind, Kyra is already reaching sexual maturity.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06And it's not just her hormones that are changing.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10Her scent has aroused the interest of her brother, Xavante.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16Xavante's checking the grass for some scent in the air.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19He's slowly changing his behaviour into a more mature behaviour,
0:26:19 > 0:26:21like, you see how he's spraying?
0:26:21 > 0:26:23Probably was one of the females, so he just sprayed now.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26So that shows that he's coming to sexual maturity.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29He's starting to read the environment in terms of smells
0:26:29 > 0:26:32that interest him as an adult male.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37PURRING AND GROWLING
0:26:40 > 0:26:42With their biological clocks ticking,
0:26:42 > 0:26:44the pressure is now on to release them.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51But one problem still remains for the jaguars -
0:26:51 > 0:26:53their bond with people.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58Leandro and Anah had planned to cut off all physical contact
0:26:58 > 0:27:01with the orphans in the months leading up to release...
0:27:02 > 0:27:04..but they seem unable to let go.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10Ironically, it's their love for the three orphans
0:27:10 > 0:27:12that could endanger them most.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15If the jaguars have no fear of people,
0:27:15 > 0:27:18they are more likely to end up being shot in the wild.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25'If we release three jaguars in the wild that are bonded to people,
0:27:25 > 0:27:28'we know that this is a risk to them.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30'It is possible that we made a mistake, that we're not
0:27:30 > 0:27:35'so good as we expected to be in getting them away from humans.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37'This is a pioneering work.'
0:27:37 > 0:27:39This has never been done before,
0:27:39 > 0:27:41and we will have to learn with the mistakes
0:27:41 > 0:27:43for the future rehabilitation,
0:27:43 > 0:27:48and it could be that we'll have to change the training process.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51'We're learning, and we will have to learn from these mistakes,
0:27:51 > 0:27:53'in order to correct for future rehabilitations.'
0:27:53 > 0:27:55PURRING
0:27:57 > 0:27:59What's happened? Why are you so nervous?
0:28:01 > 0:28:04The other reason most big cat releases fail
0:28:04 > 0:28:07is because they can't hunt for themselves,
0:28:07 > 0:28:11so the orphans must now spend their last days in captivity
0:28:11 > 0:28:13honing their hunting skills.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34Kyra and Xavante become more and more expert.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41And Maya, too, is gaining in confidence and skill -
0:28:41 > 0:28:44perhaps learning from her brother and sister.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50Then, one day, she takes on a peccary by herself.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59The chase is quick, and she kills it with one bite
0:28:59 > 0:29:01to the back of the neck.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03GRUNTING
0:29:06 > 0:29:09At last, she has proved herself ready for release.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14This is one of the most exciting days for us,
0:29:14 > 0:29:17because we were always concerned that Maya would never make it,
0:29:17 > 0:29:22maybe never be that ready, and she's just proven that we were wrong.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26She is capable of killing an adult white-lipped peccary.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29After we release Kyra and Xavante, she can be free.
0:29:31 > 0:29:32RASPY ROAR
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Apart from their first few days with their mother in the wild,
0:29:42 > 0:29:45the cubs have only ever known a life behind bars.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50For the last two years, these wild-born predators
0:29:50 > 0:29:52have been locked up in enclosures.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56Finally, the time has come
0:29:56 > 0:29:59for the first of the three orphans to be released.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05Kyra has always been the wildest of the three,
0:30:05 > 0:30:07and she will be the first to go.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10She's had her satellite collar fitted and will now leave
0:30:10 > 0:30:14her enclosure and her brother and sister for the last time.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18We have just tested her radio signal.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21We're getting one position on it every hour.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24Means that the equipment's working.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27She's ready, she's in good health. She's ready.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31And we're ready, too.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52Kyra is being taken to a specially selected area of forest,
0:30:52 > 0:30:55far away from people.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58The special thing about this area is that there is virtually
0:30:58 > 0:31:01no cattle ranching going on here.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05She has all the food she needs here and she has all the habitat,
0:31:05 > 0:31:08and that's why we think she can do very well in this area.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11We just hope she doesn't move away from here.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15Leandro has built an enclosure at the release site,
0:31:15 > 0:31:19so Kyra can get used to her new surroundings before she's set free.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25ANAH DIRECTS LEANDRO IN PORTUGUESE
0:31:34 > 0:31:37THEY SPEAK IN PORTUGUESE
0:32:08 > 0:32:11After two years together, it's hard to say goodbye.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14ANAH COOS IN PORTUGUESE
0:32:17 > 0:32:19KYRA WHINES
0:32:19 > 0:32:22A lot of things going on in my mind now
0:32:22 > 0:32:24that makes me feel very happy,
0:32:24 > 0:32:27privileged to be involved with this,
0:32:27 > 0:32:31but very anxious, also, to see how this is going to all end up.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37Leandro can talk today as a scientist,
0:32:37 > 0:32:40but I will talk as a...
0:32:40 > 0:32:42..Mother.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47HE COMFORTS HER IN PORTUGUESE
0:32:51 > 0:32:56..As a person that took care of this special animal.
0:32:56 > 0:32:57I will miss Kyra.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48It's really a mixed feeling in the air.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50She's finally free,
0:33:50 > 0:33:53but at the same time,
0:33:53 > 0:33:56she's just having this dramatic separation from us
0:33:56 > 0:33:59and from her brother and sister.
0:34:00 > 0:34:05It is a sad moment, but at the same time, there's some excitement
0:34:05 > 0:34:10and some expectation that she'll have a good life.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50In her first few weeks in the wild,
0:34:50 > 0:34:53Kyra spends most of her time in sugar cane plantations,
0:34:53 > 0:34:56and is adapting well to her new life.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03By looking at the data coming in from her satellite collar,
0:35:03 > 0:35:06the team can chart Kyra's exact movements, hour by hour.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10When she spends two days in the same spot,
0:35:10 > 0:35:14this may mean that she has made a kill, but they need to check.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23ANAH SPEAKS IN PORTUGUESE Mm-hm.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26THEY SPEAK IN PORTUGUESE
0:35:26 > 0:35:31This is the special moment we were waiting for Kyra.
0:35:32 > 0:35:37This is a white-lipped peccary, and it's an adult.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40It shows that she's able to survive, going after her own food,
0:35:40 > 0:35:41not depending on us,
0:35:41 > 0:35:45so all her learning in captivity is being put in practice here.
0:35:45 > 0:35:46This is the proof of it.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48She got her first adult peccary in the wild.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01With such positive results, they now have the green light
0:36:01 > 0:36:03to release Xavante and Maya.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13Leandro's releasing them together, in the hope that
0:36:13 > 0:36:17Xavante can help his little sister, Maya, if she runs into trouble.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38At first, Xavante seems unsure of himself,
0:36:38 > 0:36:40and keeps looking back at Leandro.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56Maya's first reaction to freedom is to climb the nearest tree.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00She was always their biggest concern,
0:37:00 > 0:37:02but she's finally made it into the wild.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09She joins her brother,
0:37:09 > 0:37:12and together they turn their back on their old life,
0:37:12 > 0:37:14and walk away into the forest.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27Back home, they track the orphans' progress.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29And it's not long before there's a problem.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33On only his second day in the wild,
0:37:33 > 0:37:35Xavante is exploring his new surroundings
0:37:35 > 0:37:37when he suddenly stops moving.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43Xavante's signal is coming from this place,
0:37:43 > 0:37:46and he's not moving for the last 15 hours.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52THEY SPEAK IN PORTUGUESE
0:37:52 > 0:37:53Xavante!
0:37:58 > 0:38:00Xavante!
0:38:04 > 0:38:05Xavante!
0:38:07 > 0:38:10It could be his collar has come off,
0:38:10 > 0:38:11or it could be worse.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Xavante!
0:38:22 > 0:38:23PURRING
0:38:23 > 0:38:25- Ah, he answered.- Yes.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30Look.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32Xavante. Hey, cara.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35ANAH CALLS IN PORTUGUESE
0:38:35 > 0:38:38For some reason, Xavante's been lying low in the same spot
0:38:38 > 0:38:40and not moving.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43- Hey.- Hey. Hey, hey, hey.
0:38:49 > 0:38:50When they look closer,
0:38:50 > 0:38:54they see he's been badly injured by a group of peccaries.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58His wounds are terrible.
0:38:58 > 0:39:03He has wounds all over - his chin, his paws, really badly injured.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05Here, on his belly.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07There was a big fight.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09It doesn't seem that he fed on them.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11He doesn't have a full stomach.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13Look at this cut.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17It's a real bad injury, but I'm sure he is going to heal from it,
0:39:17 > 0:39:19and I just hope that he gained more experience
0:39:19 > 0:39:22and he's going to be more precise next time.
0:39:22 > 0:39:23Xavante...
0:39:25 > 0:39:29The plan was to cut off all contact with the orphans after release,
0:39:29 > 0:39:34but in this case, they felt they had to intervene.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37To know that Xavante's badly injured is very important.
0:39:37 > 0:39:38If we didn't come and check on him,
0:39:38 > 0:39:41we would never understand exactly what is happening with him,
0:39:41 > 0:39:45and I know it's not what we really wanted, but it's necessary
0:39:45 > 0:39:49to understand where we have failures and where we have successes.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52And I think as soon as we know about this,
0:39:52 > 0:39:55we will cut our contact straight to them.
0:40:01 > 0:40:06After a dose of antiseptic, Xavante heads off back into the wilderness,
0:40:06 > 0:40:08worse for wear, but wiser.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19Back at the house, everything seems very quiet...
0:40:21 > 0:40:24..but the family soon have a new arrival.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27THEY SPEAK IN PORTUGUESE
0:40:27 > 0:40:29Another jaguar orphan has been brought in,
0:40:29 > 0:40:31after its mother was shot,
0:40:31 > 0:40:35and Leandro and Anah are now back to where they started.
0:40:36 > 0:40:42The problem that we're facing with the jaguar is far from being solved.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45If we don't stop the killing of jaguars out there,
0:40:45 > 0:40:50we will continue having orphans like this, and if we don't find
0:40:50 > 0:40:54a solution to stop the killing now, this species will become extinct.
0:40:54 > 0:40:55That is a fact.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08Immediately after release, Maya splits up with her brother.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14But after exploring the area, she comes back to find him.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22They were released together so Xavante would take care of her,
0:41:22 > 0:41:25but it seems Maya is looking after him.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38Kyra soon moves out of the sugar cane and takes up residence
0:41:38 > 0:41:40in a large eucalyptus plantation.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47Leandro and Anah hope Kyra will stay in this area,
0:41:47 > 0:41:49away from cattle ranchers...
0:41:51 > 0:41:54..but a jaguar's home range covers over 30 square miles.
0:41:57 > 0:42:01Roaming such large distances, it's only a matter of time
0:42:01 > 0:42:05before Kyra and her two siblings come across people.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13Of course, we are worried about them being out there on their own,
0:42:13 > 0:42:17crossing human-dominated landscape like this, and having
0:42:17 > 0:42:22the chance to meet a cowboy and being shot, but now we've done our part
0:42:22 > 0:42:27and we just hope they have the luck to not meet humans again and be shot.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33It's still early days for this project.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37To be a real success, the jaguars must not only survive,
0:42:37 > 0:42:39but find a mate and raise their own families.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44But these are the first steps towards
0:42:44 > 0:42:46a new life for these orphans -
0:42:46 > 0:42:50and new hope for all abandoned jaguar cubs.