Animal Planet has announced the airing of Brothers in Blood: The Lions Of Sabi Sand, a two-hour natural history special revealing a violent struggle for power within South Africa’s legendary Mapogo lion coalition. Featuring keen insight from top lion experts, including renowned large predator expert Dave Salmoni, Brothers in Blood: The Lions Of Sabi Sand will air on June 30, 9 PM on Animal Planet.
Set in Sabi Sand, South Africa, Brothers in Blood: The Lions Of Sabi Sand documents the rise of the Mapogos as they grow from a litter of five cute cubs into fearsome young males. The lions’ world is shaken when their mothers take a chance on a stranger: Makhulu, an imposing male lion accepted into the pride, who will change the brothers’ lives forever.
Earning the respect of the pride’s two youngest brothers, Mr T and Kinky Tail, Makhulu leads them to forge their own path, away from the pride, to become a hit squad of six. Together, the Mapogos unleash a devastating reign of terror. Over a single year, more than 100 lions are killed as the coalition takes control of a vast territory.
This incredible story, captured on film by established natural history documentarians, is complemented by intimate, user-generated footage from eyewitnesses. Viewers also hear from shocked locals who have seen the coalition’s behavior first-hand as its members battle for supremacy.
In Brothers in Blood: The Lions Of Sabi Sand, Salmoni and other leading experts offer an inside look into the social dynamics of the Mapogos, and the psychology of a coalition. Expert insights back up the eyewitness accounts and combine with blue-chip footage from top natural history filmmakers and gritty user-generated content in this astounding story.
