0:00:04 > 0:00:08If you want to film tigers, get an elephant.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10Preferably one that can carry a camera.
0:00:15 > 0:00:20These ele-cams have already told the story of four cubs growing up.
0:00:22 > 0:00:28They filmed as the cubs practised their killing and fighting skills.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31But then the cubs' mother was injured
0:00:31 > 0:00:34and a rogue male entered their territory.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39This was the cubs' greatest challenge yet.
0:00:47 > 0:00:53The cubs flee across the dammed lake in the centre of Pench tiger reserve.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56They have reason to be worried.
0:00:56 > 0:01:02A strange male will kill cubs so that he can have the chance of mating with their mother.
0:01:04 > 0:01:09The cubs must put as much distance as they can between them and him.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15The male decides not to follow.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20But while he's around, the cubs are in danger, particularly as their mother is injured.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28They reach the far shore.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41Although they have bought some time, they are still in danger
0:01:41 > 0:01:44for their father, when last seen, was also injured.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50The elephant camera team set off to find him.
0:01:50 > 0:01:56They head towards the alarm calls of prey that so often give away a tiger's location.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00And here he is - the aptly named Charger.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07He was last seen nearly two weeks ago.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12Then he had wounds on his side from a fight and was unusually subdued.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14But it's a different story now.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18He's back to his old belligerent self.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28The cubs are not far away.
0:02:28 > 0:02:34Now, with Charger back to fighting fitness, they have some much-needed protection.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41But what they need right now is a meal.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54They're 15-months-old and certainly big enough to catch a small deer.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58But have they yet developed the necessary skill?
0:02:58 > 0:03:00Here's a chance for them.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27They'll have to do better than that if they're to survive as adults.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41They still need their mother's help - and tuition.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45The elephants check to see how she is getting on.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54They find her where they saw her last.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01The wound on her side is still visible.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10But she seems considerably perkier.
0:04:14 > 0:04:21Tiger saliva contains a strong antibiotic, so even serious wounds rarely go septic.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23It seems she might be all right.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36The cubs, when without her, stick closely together.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42When one makes a move, they all do.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09They can't resist play-fighting,
0:05:09 > 0:05:14even though the strange male must still be on their mind.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Then a tiger seems to appear in the water.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21CUB GROWLS
0:05:26 > 0:05:28CUB ROARS
0:05:31 > 0:05:36The cub tries an alternative crossing - but the water tiger is there as well!
0:05:36 > 0:05:38CUB GROWLS
0:05:44 > 0:05:47Best to take the long way round.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55Submerged tigers forgotten, he joins the game.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22The cubs must spend another night on their own.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36Next day, the cubs have caught something.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39It's a pangolin - a scaly anteater.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42They last encountered one when thy were just a few months old.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44Then it scared them.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46Now it's a different story.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56This slow-moving animal must have been easy to catch.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00It may be interesting, but it's not much of a meal.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09Pangolins exude a foul odour, like a skunk,
0:07:09 > 0:07:13so few animals eat them and the cubs decide not to try.
0:07:20 > 0:07:26They're so absorbed in their game, they nearly miss an important arrival.
0:07:28 > 0:07:29It's their mother.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31They are safe once more.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45She seems fully fit.
0:07:45 > 0:07:50Her cubs are hungry and she leads them away towards the best hunting grounds.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Log-cam can film animals automatically.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03It will switch itself on, when something is happening, even when the elephants are not around.
0:08:07 > 0:08:13One has recorded golden jackals and they have got pups, just three weeks old.
0:08:23 > 0:08:28There are six of them and they've just started to venture out of the den.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31But for safety, they must stay close to the entrance.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38This pup, however, has other ideas.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43Fortunately, mother quickly spots him.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57She shepherds him back to the safety of the den.
0:09:01 > 0:09:07The tiger family are back at the lake, but this time, their mother is with them.
0:09:09 > 0:09:15She's caught a sambar deer and seems intent on dragging it into the water.
0:09:20 > 0:09:26The cubs appear to be eager to help, but it's not clear what they're trying to achieve.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37They're certainly enjoying themselves and need little excuse for a game of chase.
0:10:09 > 0:10:14Tigers do sometimes kill prey in water, so this is all good practice,
0:10:14 > 0:10:18as are the running leaps and the rugby tackles.
0:10:29 > 0:10:35The mother seems to have her own plan for the carcass and continues to drag it away.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53For her cubs, it's still just a game.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02The natural buoyancy of her kill makes it easier for the mother
0:11:02 > 0:11:07to move it through the water, but the cubs aren't helping one little bit.
0:11:19 > 0:11:25She finally drags it to the shore, but out of water, it's hard going.
0:11:28 > 0:11:33The cubs still love play fighting, but as they get bigger and more powerful,
0:11:33 > 0:11:37their blows seldom make serious contact during their sparring.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49The mother perseveres with her puzzling mission.
0:11:49 > 0:11:54She seems to be tiring, unlike her cubs, who have energy to spare.
0:12:12 > 0:12:19Their play is now about testing each other - to see who is Top Cat.
0:12:25 > 0:12:31The mother's chosen obstacle course runs across an inlet of water that cuts though the shoreline.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35She's determined to get the carcass to the other side.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47The cubs show no interest in helping.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51Sambar are India's largest deer.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54This is hard graft, even for a tigress in her prime.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05Female cubs play more aggressively than males.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08They may eventually set up neighbouring territories
0:13:08 > 0:13:13so perhaps it's safer to sort out their differences now, before they can do much harm to one another.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20But it will be some time before they acquire their mother's formidable strength.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36When they finally fight, they seem to really mean it.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40LOUD ROARING
0:13:50 > 0:13:55Perhaps, after all, they realise that it would be dangerous to continue.
0:14:02 > 0:14:08After their mother has been labouring for an hour, her intentions have become clear.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11She simply wanted to take the carcass into shade.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16Rock bees are among India's most dangerous creatures.
0:14:16 > 0:14:22They will launch devastating mass attacks to protect their hive.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25Fortunately, for this crested hawk eagle,
0:14:25 > 0:14:28when they're away from the nest, they're surprisingly good-natured.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34The cubs are now 17 months old.
0:14:40 > 0:14:46This male cub, greeting his mother, is almost as big as she is.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59Alarm calls ring through the forest wherever they go.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03Monkeys often tease tigers in this way, secure in the knowledge
0:15:03 > 0:15:07that no tiger will ever catch them up in the trees.
0:15:09 > 0:15:14The tigers are dozing, so the langurs venture down to the ground.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18But, nonetheless, they must prepare to be challenged.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22The hawk eagle tries to make himself look bigger.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24For the moment, there's a stand-off.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36But there can only be one winner in a contest like this.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44A macaque monkey is more confident.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51And a crested serpent eagle gets the same treatment.
0:16:04 > 0:16:11Log-cam and the other remote spycams continue to document the tiger's once secret world.
0:16:16 > 0:16:21When the tigers start to move, the elephants and their mobile cameras
0:16:21 > 0:16:25take over and enable us to travel with the tigers at their level.
0:16:35 > 0:16:41By now, this wild bunch have little to fear and they stride through the forest with confidence.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56A group of tigers such as this is a rare sight indeed.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Adult tigers are basically loners.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03They don't practice the kind of communal hunting techniques
0:17:03 > 0:17:06for which lions, who do live in large groups, are famous.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Finding prey is the easy bit.
0:17:28 > 0:17:34To succeed, they will have to get close, without alarming the deer.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43At first, that looks deceptively easy.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52The cubs must be feeling that they could walk right up to their prey.
0:18:00 > 0:18:05She checks that her brother is backing her up...
0:18:11 > 0:18:14..and prepares for the charge.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19But the deer know just how close is safe.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50Her brother tries a swifter approach.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00But he peaks too soon.
0:19:00 > 0:19:01All is not lost.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05The deer are running right in front of one of his sisters.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15But she didn't take her chance.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18The youngsters still have a lot to learn.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29Mother isn't far away and she is well hidden.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31Now it's her chance.
0:19:35 > 0:19:41But the sambar's kicks are very effective defence - another failure.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49The family move on to try their luck elsewhere.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05Their journey takes them near the jackals' den.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15While their mother is around, the pups are now very confident.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25They even follow her for short forays away from the den.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31Jackals will scrounge from tiger kills.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33But this is too close for comfort.
0:20:44 > 0:20:49For the tiger cubs, each new location is another playground.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52They immediately try out the facilities.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00A leaning tree provides lots of possibilities for games.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04But there are many other ways of having fun in this jungle gym.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07They only play in the cool of the morning.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11When the day begins to heat up, they rest in the shade.
0:22:23 > 0:22:29The heat draws game to the water holes, as the mother knows it will.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45She brings one down.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49It's a spotted deer.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05The cubs have heard the commotion and are quickly on the carcass.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12When four cubs compete for food,
0:23:12 > 0:23:17the weakest frequently loses out and may eventually die from starvation.
0:23:17 > 0:23:22But among these cubs, even the smallest - a female - seems well nourished.
0:23:25 > 0:23:31Apparently, mother is such a good hunter that there's always enough to go round.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34But they still quarrel over their meals.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39And it's usually the females that start the argument.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47For the nearby jackals, this is a bit of luck.
0:23:52 > 0:23:57They seek out kills, hoping for a share in the spoils.
0:23:58 > 0:24:03The cubs have yet to learn what skilled dodgers jackals can be.
0:24:05 > 0:24:10By now, they will hunt anything that moves and the jackal seems to be an easy target.
0:24:12 > 0:24:17Unlike their normal prey, she actually runs towards the tigers.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19This is blatant provocation.
0:24:37 > 0:24:44The attack came as a surprise to the jackal but she is far too agile to be in any real danger.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57The cubs are quite used to failure.
0:25:04 > 0:25:09With the tigers so close, the mother jackal decides to move her pups.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12This one is quite a bundle but, fortunately, the rest
0:25:12 > 0:25:16are quite capable of following under their own steam.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26Jackals always have alternative dens for emergencies.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35This one is in the hollow of a fallen tree.
0:25:45 > 0:25:50As the day heats up, two of the cubs take to wallowing in the mud,
0:25:50 > 0:25:54an effective, if rather messy way, of keeping cool.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57The others are still getting rid of their surplus energy.
0:26:10 > 0:26:15Not very elegant, but at least he's not alone.
0:26:33 > 0:26:38The mud looks permanent, but in just a few hours, it will blow away
0:26:38 > 0:26:44as dust and the cubs will be spotless again with their coats dry-cleaned.
0:26:44 > 0:26:50Peacocks originated in India and here, in the wild, they are quite nervous creatures.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58They're so inoffensive that langurs allow them to share their waterhole.
0:27:02 > 0:27:08They are occasionally killed and eaten by tigers, but they're more of a snack than a meal.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19The cubs seem to be fascinated by them.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32Like many birds, peacocks will mob predators
0:27:32 > 0:27:36and keeping danger in their sights, helps prevent a surprise attack.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46Their mocking must be infuriating for the cubs.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52They play a game of dare, as soon as he looks away.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03This really is teasing.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07He loses patience.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15His sister makes an easier target.
0:28:21 > 0:28:26As the cubs grow in confidence, they tackle almost anything.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33A tail to them must be like a piece of string to a kitten.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45But what it's attached to is an altogether different proposition.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51Wisely, the cub thinks better of it.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59Wild boar are different.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02They are prey.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06This one seems to have a spot of cramp.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35Yet another failure.
0:29:44 > 0:29:50The time has come for the elephants to take another of their six week breaks.
0:30:03 > 0:30:08When they return, they have no difficulty in locating the cubs again.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12The alarm calls of prey quickly reveal where they are.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25The tigress is with them. They are still living together as a family.
0:30:39 > 0:30:45The elephants put Trunkcam down and leave it to make the final approach under its own power.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00The cubs are feeding on a carcass.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07It's a wild boar killed by their mother.
0:31:07 > 0:31:13The cubs are now nearly as big as she is, so feeding them all is a major challenge for her.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16Even so, her cubs' bellies are rarely empty.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32But feeding them so well doesn't encourage them to hunt for themselves.
0:31:43 > 0:31:49They certainly have the aggression, but they must learn how to use it to bring down prey.
0:31:58 > 0:32:03A good meal is usually followed by an after-dinner siesta.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13But even these quiet periods are times of learning.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17One of the males tries some sexual experimentation.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22But his partner - his brother - is rather baffled.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37The elephant's tail no longer provokes a reaction.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41Everyone is just trying to find a way to get comfortable.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52One of the cubs seems to be building a nest.
0:32:52 > 0:32:57If that were really the case, it would be very strange behaviour indeed.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09Perhaps the bamboo is just in his way.
0:33:12 > 0:33:17Or maybe, as rocks aren't very comfortable, he's trying to make the leaves into a cushion.
0:33:24 > 0:33:29One of the males goes off to spend time on his own.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40Spotted deer appear nearby.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43The cub decides to try his luck.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49His stalking technique has greatly improved.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51Now he's acting like a pro.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11He uses a tree trunk as cover.
0:34:16 > 0:34:22He places his paws with great care to avoid making even the slightest rustle.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30Now his success will depend on his timing.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36Close... But missed again.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39Nevertheless, this is real progress.
0:34:45 > 0:34:50The family has moved into the shade but there is very little space.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58By the time the cub returns, there is no place for him.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06His mother makes it clear that he's not welcome.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09She is starting to lose patience with her grown-up family.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15The cubs are also far less tolerant of one another.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41Even their games now have an aggressive edge.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51It seems they want to play but are nervous as to what might happen.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04Again, it's the females who show the most aggression.
0:36:16 > 0:36:21The squabbling continues as one female tries to settle down for a rest.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35Eventually, this rivalry will force them apart.
0:36:36 > 0:36:42Mother is equally hostile. She is beginning the process of making her cubs less dependent on her.
0:36:54 > 0:36:59So the female cub has to find a spot of her own.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07She is not alone for long.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10Her brothers are still ready to show affection.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14It's a peaceful interlude but an increasingly rare one.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31Monkeys on the other hand are always companionable.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35Regular grooming maintains the bonds of friendship between them.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43Langur monkeys are particularly social.
0:37:43 > 0:37:48The females and their young live in family troops, led by a dominant male.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54The jackals' new den is not far away.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00The monkeys set off to investigate the new arrivals.
0:38:00 > 0:38:05The pups now regularly venture from the den, even when their mother is away.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08But they vanish into it at the first sign of danger.
0:38:13 > 0:38:19Monkeys are intensely curious and they have nothing to fear from jackal pups as young as this.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37But mother jackal is a different matter.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46It's now safe to come out to play.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59The pups have started to eat meat and mother jackals, like many dogs,
0:38:59 > 0:39:01have a special way of delivering it to them.
0:39:03 > 0:39:08When the pups nuzzle her mouth, she disgorges a meal.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24While the tiger cubs were sleeping, the deer have been active.
0:39:28 > 0:39:33It's the turn of the second male cub to try his luck.
0:39:45 > 0:39:51He succeeded in taking them by surprise but again, he wasn't close enough.
0:40:00 > 0:40:05He is learning exactly what the critical distance is.
0:40:07 > 0:40:12All Indian predators are under constant high-angle surveillance
0:40:12 > 0:40:17and lookout duties for a langur start at a tender age.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26Despite the challenges, leopards are good at catching monkeys.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29This one is returning to an earlier kill.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58But the leopard has unwelcome company.
0:41:04 > 0:41:10Although leopards were once a danger to the cubs, the tables have now turned.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20The leopard won't risk a fight.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22He can soon catch another monkey.
0:41:31 > 0:41:36So the male cub steals a kill.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59One of the spotter elephants has given birth.
0:42:10 > 0:42:15The calf's father must be one of the elephants that carry the spycams.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23It's great news but also a total surprise.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25No-one knew the mother was pregnant.
0:42:28 > 0:42:35The tigers are at an old favourite location, the dammed reservoir that they used as small cubs.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39They are now 20 months old.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43Not so long ago, the whole family could fit under this log.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50Tigers are always on the move.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52But they are also creatures of habit,
0:42:52 > 0:42:56so that although this reservoir is twice the size of an Olympic pool,
0:42:56 > 0:43:02a spycam can be placed beside the precise spot that the tigers will use.
0:43:29 > 0:43:31Elephants love water too.
0:43:36 > 0:43:39And they start young.
0:44:41 > 0:44:45The cool water has given the cubs new energy.
0:44:45 > 0:44:50One of them has become fascinated by his reflection in the pool-side camera.
0:44:58 > 0:45:02Another cub has different preoccupations.
0:45:07 > 0:45:13The reservoir is in a deep hollow which conceals the tigers from other forest dwellers.
0:45:15 > 0:45:19How will her hunting technique compare with her brother's?
0:45:23 > 0:45:26She adopts a swift but stealthy approach.
0:45:31 > 0:45:35And closes the gap as quickly as possible.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41Crouching low is a good move.
0:45:41 > 0:45:45A camera on the other side shows how well-camouflaged she is.
0:45:45 > 0:45:49The deer may be suspicious but it doesn't seem to see her.
0:45:50 > 0:45:53It even moves towards her.
0:45:56 > 0:45:59The deer are just about in range.
0:46:13 > 0:46:16She may be leaving it too late.
0:46:29 > 0:46:31The deer makes her mind up for her.
0:46:33 > 0:46:36But she wasn't close enough.
0:46:40 > 0:46:45Back at the dam, one of her brothers is having his own adventure...
0:46:45 > 0:46:47Tightrope walking.
0:46:49 > 0:46:52Not such a good idea.
0:46:52 > 0:46:55But turning round is even more difficult.
0:47:12 > 0:47:17The other cub's fascination with logcam is turning into an obsession.
0:47:17 > 0:47:19He investigates further.
0:47:29 > 0:47:32He then sees how it works underwater.
0:47:41 > 0:47:43Some above-water photography...
0:47:46 > 0:47:49Then underwater once more.
0:47:56 > 0:48:02When the elephant crew return a month later, there has been quite a change in the family's behaviour.
0:48:06 > 0:48:10One of the males is found beneath the shade of a tree.
0:48:10 > 0:48:12But he seems to be alone.
0:48:19 > 0:48:23Then, some way away, the second male is discovered.
0:48:23 > 0:48:26The two used to be inseparable.
0:48:30 > 0:48:35This one seems to have inherited some of his father's aggressive nature.
0:48:43 > 0:48:47The females are found together, but all is not sweetness and light...
0:48:47 > 0:48:52Even here. The one in the water makes it clear that she wants to be alone.
0:49:03 > 0:49:06The cubs are beginning to separate.
0:49:06 > 0:49:09Tigers are solitary hunters.
0:49:09 > 0:49:13Learning to live alone is an essential part of growing up.
0:49:23 > 0:49:28But to survive on their own, they must succeed as hunters
0:49:28 > 0:49:33and they still have to pass this crucial test.
0:49:33 > 0:49:36At least here they have plenty to practice on.
0:49:38 > 0:49:40A jungle cat pays a visit.
0:49:43 > 0:49:48Any cat makes the deer nervous, even though jungle cats aren't big enough to harm them.
0:49:50 > 0:49:56Tigers, on the other hand, are something everyone should worry about.
0:49:56 > 0:50:01Fortunately for the jungle cat, the cub is too focused on her prey to notice him.
0:50:12 > 0:50:16She is making good and determined progress.
0:50:16 > 0:50:19She's learnt to move only when the prey is not watching.
0:50:31 > 0:50:35As she closes the distance, her movements slow.
0:50:35 > 0:50:37As yet, she hasn't been seen.
0:51:03 > 0:51:07The deer bolts. She follows.
0:51:07 > 0:51:09That was close!
0:51:19 > 0:51:23Although the male cubs are becoming more independent,
0:51:23 > 0:51:26they spend more time together than the females do.
0:51:29 > 0:51:33Males are often attacked by other males.
0:51:33 > 0:51:37Staying together may give the brothers some protection.
0:51:41 > 0:51:46At 20 months, their only danger is from people and other tigers.
0:51:46 > 0:51:51All animals fear them, except it seems the skittering frogs
0:51:51 > 0:51:54that are hitching a ride on this cub's back.
0:52:00 > 0:52:04As they mature, they will face new dangers.
0:52:04 > 0:52:09Male cubs have been known to travel over a 130 miles
0:52:09 > 0:52:15to find a territory of their own, and these journeys often bring them closer to human habitation.
0:52:18 > 0:52:22Outside the reserve, they will face conflicts with farmers
0:52:22 > 0:52:25and they are at greater risk from poaching.
0:52:27 > 0:52:30There are also no elephants to protect them.
0:52:48 > 0:52:51Next morning, the jungle cat is found dead.
0:52:54 > 0:52:56The culprit appears.
0:53:00 > 0:53:05The cubs now kill everything that dares cross their path.
0:53:05 > 0:53:10But, in common with other cats, they rarely eat other carnivores.
0:53:14 > 0:53:18Catching a proper meal still eludes them.
0:53:18 > 0:53:21But fresh opportunities appear every day.
0:53:24 > 0:53:27The larger female takes up the challenge.
0:53:33 > 0:53:37She moves with the same expert grace as her mother.
0:54:10 > 0:54:12All is going well.
0:54:37 > 0:54:41She places each paw with consummate care.
0:55:02 > 0:55:04She could hardly be closer.
0:55:12 > 0:55:15She selects her target.
0:55:15 > 0:55:16And gets it.
0:55:20 > 0:55:22It's a fawn.
0:55:28 > 0:55:35From now on, fawns will be her mainstay, as she perfects her hunting techniques.
0:55:37 > 0:55:39The other cubs are not far away.
0:55:42 > 0:55:45But a fawn is too small to share.
0:55:56 > 0:55:58Her sister pushes her luck.
0:56:09 > 0:56:12Claws are unsheathed for the first time!
0:56:12 > 0:56:15The cubs are now real tigers.
0:56:18 > 0:56:21The monsoon arrives.
0:56:21 > 0:56:27The cubs are two years old and by now they may well have left the reserve.
0:56:29 > 0:56:34The elephants set out to see if any of them can be found.
0:56:35 > 0:56:38A female is spotted first.
0:56:41 > 0:56:47She was the best hunter, so it is no surprise that she is thriving.
0:56:47 > 0:56:49But is she alone?
0:56:53 > 0:56:55The second female.
0:56:55 > 0:57:01It seems that the sisters have carved out separate territories close to their mother.
0:57:04 > 0:57:06Then one of the males appears.
0:57:06 > 0:57:09This is more unusual.
0:57:09 > 0:57:12Perhaps Pench has enough game to support him too.
0:57:17 > 0:57:21Then, most remarkably, the other male is also seen.
0:57:21 > 0:57:26This is good news indeed. Most tigers are killed outside reserves.
0:57:26 > 0:57:29If they can find their own space here,
0:57:29 > 0:57:33then they have every chance of surviving and having cubs of their own.
0:57:33 > 0:57:36Given protection, tigers breed very well.
0:57:36 > 0:57:39The individual success of these cubs
0:57:39 > 0:57:44brings real hope for the survival of one of our most endangered animals.
0:57:45 > 0:57:52As filming comes to an end, one of the log-cams is found to have recorded more good news.
0:57:57 > 0:58:00Three precious new cubs...
0:58:02 > 0:58:05And then a fourth.
0:58:08 > 0:58:13As the story of our four cubs ends, a new one is beginning.
0:58:48 > 0:58:50Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:58:50 > 0:58:53E-mail: subtitling@bbc.co.uk