The Truth About Lions is a British television documentary series produced by Colin Jackson which travels beyond the stereotypes usually associated with lions by bringing together the work of dozens of scientists and decades of research to offer a completely new perspective on lion behaviour.
From unexpected intelligence to political intrigue and complex social lives, The Truth About Lions reveals the surprising science that drives these unique big cats.
The series originally aired in the UK on BBC Two on 23 March, 2011. There are two hour-long episodes in the series.
The Truth About Lions premiered in South Africa on SABC3 on Sunday 28 April 2013, at 18h00. New episodes broadcast weekly.
Synopsis
Lions are strangely social, the only wild cats to live in family groups. Lion expert and BBC Big Cat Diary presenter Jonathan Scott investigates the reason why with the help of the most famous lion pride in the world - the Marsh Pride of the Masai Mara in East Africa.
Jonathan's intimate knowledge of this massive pride and their various sub-groups helps him explore the possible reasons for the lion's social lifestyle.
While there are some apparent benefits to living in prides, from co-operative hunting to raising cubs, none appear to be a reason enough to evolve social living.
Now, after 30 years of intensive study, the Serengeti Lion Project, lead by Professor Craig Packer, may have finally found the answer and it could have direct consequences for the survival of the lion as a species.
He reveals why male lions have a mane and why murderous stepfathers are an important part of lion family life, and discovers why being social brings unique challenges for the survival of the species as a whole.
Living in prides once helped the lion to be the most widespread land mammal on earth after humans, but now it could be the downfall of the species as it is increasingly restricted to small parts of Africa.