Nat Geo WILD is showcasing some of its biggest and rarest cats to date as the network celebrates its 11th year of BIG CAT WEEK, running from Monday February 14 to Saturday, February 26, with a special feature each night at 8.30pm AEDT.
This special event includes 11 in-depth programs, each exploring an entirely different big cat species, their struggles as they face extinction, as well as rare, never-before-seen footage in their natural habitats spanning from the Okavango Delta to the Serengeti to Thailand and more.
With each passing year, big cats are faced with greater challenges and risk of extinction. The National Geographic Society is committed to raising awareness of big cats’ adverse situations through programming events such as BIG CAT WEEK, partnering with leading experts, funding research initiatives, and supporting impactful conservation efforts across the planet.
On Saturday February 19, BIG CAT WEEK sees the premiere of Russia’s Wild Tiger at 8.30pm AEDT.
The one-hour special focuses on the Amur tiger, which was recently on the brink of extinction with only 30 cats in existence. Now, there are nearly 600. In order to film the essence of this special tiger, the program was filmed across two years from 80 different cameras located in each tiger sanctuary in the Far East, including the Sikhote-Alin mountains, Land of Leopards National Park, Bikin National Park, Anyuysky National Park and many more.
Along with the premiere of Russia’s Wild Tiger the feline fun continues with The Way of The Cheetah , War of the Lions and Built for the Kill.
Additionally, the Nat Geo WILD event will include several interstitials featuring National Geographic Explorers who are working to protect big cats around the globe.
Additionally, BIG CAT WEEK features a special series from award-winning filmmakers, National Geographic Explorers and wildlife conservationists Dereck and Beverly Joubert, who have been filming, researching and exploring in Africa for over 35 years.
A feature of BIG CAT WEEK, the Jouberts acclaimed Revealed series will air back to back, with all six episodes airing nightly at 8.30pm AEDT from Monday February 21 to the conclusion of BIG CAT WEEK on Saturday February 26.
BIG CAT WEEK on National Geographic WILD –
India’s Big Cats (Monday February 14, 8.30pm AEDT)
Alluring Tigers, Leopards, Lions, and even the Black Panther dominate India’s varied landscapes. Here, life hangs in the balance, ruled by tooth and claw and the extremes of climate. These big cat super predators are marvels of evolution with lightning-fast reflexes, detonating muscle power and extraordinary senses.
Thailand’s Wild Cats (Tuesday February 15, 8.30pm AEDT)
Hidden in the jungles of Thailand lies an ancient kingdom, a last refuge for Thailand’s wild cats. Apex hunters, nearly invisible, they bide their time as they search for prey, pursue mates and protect their young. Within this tangled forest, a world of drama and unbridled power awaits the clouded leopard, the Asian fishing cat and the king of the jungle, the Tiger.
War of the Lions (Wednesday February 16, 8.30pm AEDT)
From savannahs bursting with game to deserts with not a drop to drink, all lion kingdoms are not created equal … so who is the REAL king of the beasts?
The Way of the Cheetah (Thursday February 17, 8.30pm AEDT)
Set in Kenya, the story tells of how Immani protects her four cubs against other male cheetahs and other predators. By Dereck and Beverly Joubert.
Shadow Cats (Friday February 18, 8.30pm AEDT)
A flying cat, ten feet off the ground! …the deadliest feline hunter on the planet… birds smacked from the sky mid-flight! We join Lincoln the serval, Zama the caracal and Nyane, the elusive black-footed cat who prove they are just as extraordinary as their iconic wildcat counterparts, the cheetah, lion and leopard.
Russia’s Wild Tiger (Saturday February 19, 8.30pm AEDT)
Records the battle for the survival of the big cats and reveals intimate details of their lives. The animals they prey on are also in the film: tigers couldn’t survive without sika deer, Altai wapiti, wild boars and Asian black bears. Guiding the viewer through the film, an elder tiger tells the story of his cub, born in a conservation area, the year after he leaves his mother. His search for a territory reveals the problems facing tigers in Russia’s Far East and the conflicts that arise when he strays into human settlements. The young tiger takes the viewer to places where the fate of Siberian tigers will be decided: vast forests, remote villages and the cities at the edge of the wilderness.
Built for the Kill (Sunday, February 20, 8.30pm AEDT)
Set in Kenya, the story tells of how Immani protects her four cubs against other male cheetahs and other predators. By Dereck and Beverly Joubert.
Living with Big Cats: Revealed (Monday, February 21, 8.30pm AEDT)
Dereck and Beverly Joubert lead viewers on their incredible journey with big cats — from the first time big cats captured their hearts through their boundless dedication to protecting these iconic predators. This story explores how the Jouberts got started and delves into their personal lives as National Geographic filmmakers and Explorers.
Big Cat Odyssey: Revealed (Tuesday, February 22, 8.30pm AEDT)
Dereck and Beverly Joubert dive deeper into the issues that surround big cats, specifically African lions and leopards. What challenges do these iconic big cats face? How have these lions and leopards survived and adapted over the decades? The Jouberts lead viewers on an epic journey through the lives of big cats and their most iconic moments.
Relentless Enemies: Revealed (Wednesday, February 23, 8.30pm AEDT)
A buffalo herd of over 1,200 is forced to move through three lion territories while being confined by the floodwaters on a small island in the Okavango. As the buffalo strategize their advancements, the lions react to each and every move they make. From the Joubert’s home base in Botswana comes the epic story of buffalo and lions surviving and adapting to each other. Narrated by Jeremy Irons.
Ultimate Enemies: Revealed (Thursday, February 24, 8.30pm AEDT)
National Geographic filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert explore how some animals are thrust together by the forces of nature — sometimes through a millennium of evolution or even last year’s drought. In the aftermath of strange elephant deaths, they piece together a visually stunning story that confirms their theory that lions were hunting elephants. Narrated by Jeremy Irons.
Eye of the Leopard: Revealed (Friday, February 25, 8.30pm AEDT)
National Geographic filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert set out to create a film on leopards but never imagined they would be seduced by a small, eight-day-old cub named Legadema. EYE OF THE LEOPARD follows Legadema’s journey from a playful cub to a skilled huntress. Narrated by Jeremy Irons.
Eternal Enemies: Revealed (Saturday, February 26, 8.30pm AEDT)
Joubert’s Emmy®-winning film is back with stunning remastered footage. Propelled by Jeremy Irons’ gripping narration, ETERNAL ENEMIES reveals the story of conflict between lions and hyenas, relatively unknown or even suspected in the scientific world before this. The intense relationship and enduring rivalry between the two species play out in a battle of survival.
National Geographic is available on Foxtel, Fetch TV and Sky NZ.
