Plot Synopsis

In this two-part special, Lion Whisperer Kevin Richardson faces his biggest challenge yet -- a battle to transport 27 lions, four black leopards and 14 hyenas to a new home, a sanctuary on the edge of the Dinokeng Game Reserve in South Africa. In the first episode, Kevin has a huge task ahead of him as he plans and designs the new enclosures and secures permits to move the lions. After making a promise to look after his animals to the end of their days, Kevin wants to make sure they have the best life they possibly can. To prevent stereotypical behavior developing from frustration and boredom, the animals are regularly rotated into new enclosures encouraging them to explore and establish new territories as they would in the wild. For the move itself most of the animals need to be loaded into specially adapted transport vans. Being able to understand the individual characteristics of his animals is key to helping Kevin move them safely. Then, in the second episode the hyenas' complicated social dynamics take center stage as two youngsters, Luke and Nyeba, are introduced to a dominant male. Tempers flare, but will they settle and form a new clan? As Kevin fights for permission to move the animals, his relationship with the lions comes under strain. He visits three of them, Livy, Ginny and Vayetzi, but they are in a feisty mood and are really pushing the boundaries with him. Finally, though, after a stressful eight months, the permits are approved and the animals are ready for their move to Dinokeng. Smithsonian premiered this two-part special on consecutive Wednesdays at 8pm ET/PT: Part 1 on February 24 and Part 2 on March 2, 2016.