NATURE: The Cheetah Children

This episode is no longer available to stream on demand

Life on the African plains is a constant struggle, but for a single mother rearing her offspring, the odds seem to be stacked against them.

"The Cheetah Children" is an inspiring tale about motherhood and family, as we follow a cheetah family on the grasslands through the eyes of conservationist and cameraman Kim Wolhuter.

The mother is completely on her own, protecting her five newborn cubs and teaching them how to hunt some of the continent’s fastest game.

Watch as the inquisitive cubs explore the world around them and discover their place in the forests of Zimbabwe.

Over time, two sister cubs survive and develop into brave and successful predators ensuring their species will give birth to another generation.

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Four young cheetahs play, Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe.

Courtesy of © Kim Wolhuter

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A young cheetah cub looks up from its meal, Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe.

Courtesy of © Kim Wolhuter

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Three young cheetah cubs play on a tree, Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe.

© Kim Wolhuter

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A subadult cheetah explores Kim Wolhuter’s camera lens, Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe.

Courtesy of © Kim Wolhuter

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The mother cheetah sits on a termite mound surrounded by four of her cubs, Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe.

Courtesy of © Kim Wolhuter

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The mother cheetah with Shanatse and Chinzvi with a dead impala ewe, Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe.

Courtesy of © Kim Wolhuter

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Portrait of a young cheetah cub, Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe.

Courtesy of © Kim Wolhuter

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Two young cheetah cubs lie in the shade while their mother rests in the background, Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe.

Courtesy of 2016 Kim Wolhuter

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Kim Wolhuter with a young cheetah cub, Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe.

Courtesy of © Taryn Burns

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Two cheetah cubs stalk an impala herd.

Courtesy of © Kim Wolhuter/BBC

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The mother cheetah on a fallen tree trunk, Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe.

Courtesy of © Kim Wolhuter

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Behind The Scenes - Kim Wolhuter photographs while a cheetah cub inspects his foot. The mother cheetah rests in the background, Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe.

Courtesy of © Taryn Burns

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Credits:

NATURE is a production of THIRTEEN PRODUCTIONS LLC for WNET and PBS. For NATURE, Fred Kaufman is executive producer. Bill Murphy is series producer. "The Cheetah Children" is a production of Hat Creek Productions in association with Mavela Media for THIRTEEN Productions LLC and BBC Studios in association with WNET. Chris Morgan is narrator. Robyn Keene-Young is writer and director. Adrian Bailey and Kim Wolhuter are producers. Kim Wolhuter is also cinematographer. Matt Meech is editor. Original music by Alan Lazar.