Plot Synopsis

BIG CAT TALES is a five-episode documentary series that follows Jonathan and Angie Scott and Jackson Ole Looseyia, as they document present-day prides and families of the lions, leopards, and cheetahs of the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, including the memorable Marsh Pride of lions. Jonathan has spent over 40 years in the Mara and has an unrivalled knowledge of its big cats; it was Jonathan gave the Marsh Pride their now world-famous name when he first began documenting them in the late 1970s. Angela, a world-class wildlife photographer, has a very special bond with the lions, particularly the famous Marsh Pride. Jackson, a proud Masai local, has spent his entire life alongside these special animals. In this series, the trio give viewers a first-hand look as their families evolve, cubs grow and lives ebb and flow, bringing the mix of joy and excitement that make these big cats so irresistible. Masai Mara National Reserve is an area of preserved savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzanian border. Home to over 60 mammal species and over 500 birds, the Mara is considered the wildlife jewel of Kenya. The annual migration of wildebeest and zebra transform the landscape and provide a land of plenty for the resident predators. A new episode of BIG CAT TALES premieres nightly at 8pm ET/PT on Animal Planet from Monday, October 29 through Friday, November 2, 2018:

"Rebirth in the Mara" (Monday, October 29): Jonathan and Angie return to the Masai Mara to reconnect with their beloved Marsh Pride, generations of lions they have been following for more than 40 years. New cubs have arrived as well as the pride's greatest threat - the buffalo. Jackson tracks the famous Mara cheetah, Malika, as she hunts to provide food for young cubs of her own. Elusive leopard sightings are on the rise with several new characters emerging from the shadows. Jonathan seeks to find his favorite leopard, Bahati, and the three newborn cubs that have been sighted with her. Throughout the season, remarkable big cat behavior is documented through journeys of motherhood, play, survival and territorial battles that include the rarely observed bonding between mother leopard and cubs and a dramatic male impala hunting sequence.

"Danger in the Long Grass" (Tuesday, October 30 @ 8pm): The dynamics of the Marsh pride are changing with the introduction of the older cubs to Charm's newborns. Malaika's persistence to nourish her young leads her to a dramatic wildebeest pursuit. Bahati reveals her cubs as Jonathan has his first sighting.

"Battle on the Plains" (Wednesday, October 31 @ 8pm): Bahati struggles to protect her three cubs from baboons and lions. The Marsh lionesses hunt an injured buffalo while Malaika meets her match in a battle with a large male impala. The arrival of six male lions puts the entire Marsh Pride at risk.

"Faces from the Shadows" (Thursday, November 1 @ 8pm): After months away, the team returns to the Mara during the migration of the wildebeest. The Marsh Pride are missing and must be found. A rare coalition of five male cheetahs has arrived. Bahati attempts to hunt topi before a huge crocodile intervenes.

"Survivors of the Savanna" (Friday, November 2 @ 8pm): New characters emerge, including Fig the leopard. Jackson witnesses the five cheetah boys cooperatively hunting. Notch and her young cubs attempt to journey across the plains. Jonathan witnesses a spectacular crossing before some old friends return.

According to the production company, the "location crew consisted of eight camera operators, two editors, and experienced driver guides. The team attached to each presenter consisted of two dedicated wildlife camera operators and one in-car operator. This enabled us to capture the multi-angle action of our big cats as well as the simultaneous reaction of the host. This filming approach enabled us to authentically capture the sequences as they unfolded and avoid reshoots. We were privileged to spend time with some of the local Masai community whilst in production. The Masai did not traditionally hunt and eat the wildlife, and instead pursued a cattle herding lifestyle. This is the main reason there is still the abundance of wild animals remaining on Masai land. In fact the Masai word Mara means 'spotted,' a landscape spotted with wildlife."