Sir David Attenborough’s new BBC series Kingdom has captured extraordinary footage of a lion saving a pregnant hyena from wild dogs in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley.
Filmed over five years, the series follows lions, hyenas, leopards, and wild dogs, revealing fierce rivalries and moments of compassion in one of Africa’s wildest regions. “Only nature could write this script,” said executive producer Mike Gunton.
Other highlights include a wild dog pack rescuing one of their own from a crocodile and a hyena hiding a stolen carcass underwater to conceal its scent.
Narrated by Attenborough, Kingdom also exposes human pressures such as snaring and habitat loss. Scientific adviser Dr Matthew Becker said the footage provides crucial data for conservation.
Despite the threats facing these animals, the filmmakers hope the series inspires action. “It’s a challenge,” said series editor Simon Blakeney, “but it’s not hopeless.”
