End of the Big Cats

Prosecuted for many decades, Africas lion population has declined to only twenty thousand, and many biologists and conservationists are starting an international campaign to save these extraordinary animals, provide space for them to live, and fund research into understanding their behaviour

Leopards are more resistant to extinction because of their elusive behaviour. Leopards are solitary creatures, the quintessential ambush-and-stalking predator, able to find the most remotes places on earth to avoid human contact. This gives it a better chance of survival than lions and cheetah.

Cheetahs have already survived one extinction, estimated to have been around 10,000 years ago. Now, seen as a pest by farmers, and hunted vigorously, the cheetah is perilously close to a second exit.

This final episode recaps our discoveries so far, and traces the disastrous journey into nearextinction for the Big Cats. Finally, we ask the question: can the cats be saved? And what needs to be done?