Johannesburg, 22 January 2020: National Geographic Wild’s month dedicated to nature’s fiercest felines – big cats – is back, showcasing these creatures of magnificent strength, ferocity and beauty that are rapidly facing extinction. Now in its tenth year, Big Cat Month 2020 roars onto screens with premiere’s every Sunday in February at 18:00 CAT. Featuring surprising behaviours and courageous stories of big cats around the world, National Geographic Wild shines a spotlight on these majestic creatures to remind people of their challenges and highlight their importance on the planet.
With visually stunning and powerful stories from around the world, get closer than ever before to lions, tigers, cheetahs, panthers and more as you share in their triumphs, defeats, and epic struggles to survive.
Premieres:
Wild Cats of India, Big Cat Kingdom (1 x 60)
Premieres Sunday 2 February at 18:00
India’s big cats remain the soul of the Indian terrain – acting as charismatic ambassadors for the protection of their ecosystems. In Episode 1, watch the snow leopard guard his kill against an unrelenting red fox and follow the lives of the last surviving Asiatic lions of Gir.
Wild Cats of India, Masters of Disguise (1 x 60)
Premieres Sunday 2 February at 18:45
Join wildlife cameraman, Sandesh Kadur, as he journeys across the Indian subcontinent on a quest to unravel the mysteries of the lesser-known felines – India’s Incredible Small Cats!
The Real Black Panther (1×60)
Premieres Sunday 9 February at 18:00
There’s a new challenger in the Kabini Forest of India, one, unlike all leopards that came before him. This is the story of Saya, the real black panther, and his rise to power.
India’s Wild Leopards (1×60)
Premieres Sunday 16 February at 18:00
Follow wildlife cameraman Sandesh Kadur into some of India’s most challenging & isolated regions on his mission to discover the secretive lives of India’s Secret Leopards.
Lion Brothers: Cubs to Kings (1×60)
Premieres Sunday 23 February at 18:00
With his brother’s help, Mtima faces the trials of life and learns the true meaning power and leadership to become the King he’s always dreamed he’d be.
“Few animals command as much fascination and adoration as big cats, yet they are under threat in many ways. We hope that this year’s Big Cat Month will not only inspire people by showcasing their remarkable lives but also serve as a reminder of the pressing need to protect these magnificent creatures” said Evert van der Veer, Vice President of Media Networks, The Walt Disney Company Africa.
More than a television event, Big Cat Month is an extension of the Big Cats Initiative, a long-term commitment by the National Geographic Society to halt the decline of big cats in the wild. This global programme actively supports on-the-ground research and conservation projects to protect the planet’s top felines. For more information on the Big Cats Initiative and how you can get involved, visit NatGeoBigCats.org.
