Big Cats 24/7: Meet the Feline Stars of Season 2

Lions, cheetahs, leopards — oh my! The kitties of “Big Cats 24/7” are back for another season of adventure on the savannah. If you’re hoping for cuddly cubs, fierce felines and a pride on the prowl, the Okavango Delta won’t disappoint.

This season, the stakes are higher than ever as the growing Xudum Pride faces new challenges and makes trouble for its neighbors. Fortunately, the cheetahs and leopards have their own clever survival techniques — and new families to protect, too.

“Big Cats 24/7” Season 2 premieres on Wednesday, September 10. Get ready to follow the nail-biting, tail-twitching action by brushing up on each cat’s biography.

Powerful Prides: Meet the Lions

In Season 2, the Xudum Pride has grown to 40 lions, making this feline family the largest in the world. The lionesses, growing cubs and two dominant males are a force to be reckoned with — but their numbers may cause strife as food and territory become scarce.

Magogo 

At 11 years old, Magogo — which means “old lady” — is likely one of the most experienced members of the pride. She’s also one of the first cats we met in Season 1, setting a beautiful example of how lionesses hunt, protect their cubs and work with other pride members. 

This season, Magogo is once again working with other moms Mmakgosi and Nosi, to look after their growing family. One of her cubs, Mathata, is even shaping up to be a possible leading male someday. But with so many mouths to feed and the two dominant males frequently MIA, this experienced mother will have to work harder than ever to keep the Xudum Pride together.

Mmakgosi 

Mmakgosi means “mother power,” and this mama certainly lives up to her name. At 11 years old, she’s great company for Magogo and has become the unofficial right-hand woman, sharing hunting and protection responsibilities. She has one male and one female cub, and the former will likely leave with Mathata when they’re old enough to break off from the pride — but for now, these growing babies still rely on mom for everything.

Nosi

Nosi is the final lioness in the main trio of moms and also the youngest at seven years old. In Season 1, we saw her benefit from watching Magogo and Mmakgosi be wise, patient, experienced mothers — and now she’s sharing the load as the instigator of many group hunts. In Season 2, she’ll have to work even harder to keep the family fed, especially as intruding males and challenging conditions split the pride apart.

Matho

Matho is 11 years old, just like Magogo and Mmakgosi, but she gave birth too late to become part of their trio. Fortunately, we saw her partner with younger lionesses Tsebe and Naledi in Season 1, so she and her cubs aren’t alone. She also brings experience and fierce protectiveness to the younger mothers, often taking on male lions twice her size.

In Season 2, Matho has three cubs approaching a year old. They’re relying on her and her fellow lionesses to bring in enough food for the whole family — but she’ll need more than just her hunting prowess if she’s going to keep her family safe without the dominant males defending Xudum Pride territory.

Tsebe

Last season, Tsebe introduced herself as the mother of an incredible five cubs (an average litter is between two and four). She also raised them alone for several weeks, even wrestling a snack away from a crocodile to ensure her babies had enough milk. She finally teamed up with Matho and Naledi, managing to keep all five cubs alive.

Now six years old, Tsebe has a lot to lose in Season 2. With her larger-than-average litter in tow, she’ll need to rely on her tenacious nature and follow Matho’s lead to be a successful mother.

Naledi

In Season 1, Naledi saw a friend in need and stepped in to help. She teamed up with Tsebe to help raise five cubs along with two of her own — and when Matho joined the trio, they became an unstoppable lioness force. 

But don’t mistake Naledi’s kindness for weakness. Despite lacking the battle scars that many older lions carry, she often uses intimidation tactics to chase off enemies and de-escalate fights — even when intruding male lions are getting too close to the cubs. Now seven years old, Naledi will be an invaluable asset as Season 2 brings new hardships and bigger threats.

Mathata

With a name that means “trouble,” this charismatic cub quickly became a favorite in Season 1. He’s the oldest cub in the Xudum Pride and both a role model and troublemaker for his siblings. However, he’s also curious, determined and strong, ready to pounce into action to help mom Magogo and the other lionesses.

In Season 2, Mathata is 18 months old and getting into all kinds of new mischief. He may still rely on his mother for food and protection, but he’s learning fast, and his growing hunting skills prove valuable as the pride struggles to keep everyone fed. However, young males are pushed out of the pride when they’re between two and four years old, which means Mathata’s adventures may soon take him in a different direction.

Big Toe and Madumo 

Big Toe and Madumo are 11-year-old brothers and the dominant males in the Xudum Pride. The team considers Madumo the brains and Big Toe the brawn, but these boys make a terrific team when intruder males and other threats lurk at the edges of their territory. Male lions often form coalitions like these and stay with their brothers for life, making them better able to protect territory and fight off competitors.

Despite leading the pride for the past six years, Big Toe and Madumo are nowhere to be seen as we enter Season 2. They have a lot to lose, with lionesses and cubs on the line and intruding males creeping in from every corner — so where are they?

Serami

You’ll meet Serami for the first time in Season 2. At four years old, she’s one of the youngest Xudum Pride lionesses and wants to start her own family. Luckily, she has support from a group of other young females — and when she becomes the first to have cubs, she may need their help hunting and protecting the group.

The bad news is that Serami won’t have guidance from older moms like Magogo. That means she might make some mistakes along the way, and she’ll have to learn fast if she wants to protect her small babies.

Fast and Furry-ous: Meet the Cheetahs

Cheetahs may be the underdogs of the big cat world, but they’re amazing hunters, survivors and — as you’ll see in Season 2 — mothers. These clever kitties must rely on more than speed if they’re going to beat the odds in the Okavango Delta.

Pobe 

Named after the dimple-shaped mark on her cheek, Pobe is a clever, experienced female cheetah we first met in Season 1. She’s now seven years old and mother to two adorable cubs — little girl Kea and little boy Bo. 

Pobe’s territory directly overlaps with the Xudum Pride’s. Although she’s survived alongside them for years, having a young family changes the game. The clever hunting skills we saw in Season 1 will be even more important now that Pobe must raise small cubs surrounded by leopards, hyenas and lions. While cheetahs are lowest on the predator totem pole, they’re clever and determined. 

But it’s not all about survival. You’ll also get to see Pobe teaching, protecting and cuddling with her babies. You’ll even get to watch some fascinating hunting lessons. Cheetahs may be solitary as adults, but this family stays and plays together.

Neelo

Neelo is Pobe’s daughter from a previous litter. At three years old, she’s only been away from mom for a year, but she’s already surviving and thriving alongside lions just like Pobe taught her. Only 5% of cheetahs make it to this age, so Neelo isn’t just a great hunter; she’s also proof that her mother can raise cubs to adulthood despite incredible odds.

Polka-Dots and New Tots: Meet the Leopards

Last season, we learned just how clever, adaptable and persevering leopards must be to survive in the Okavango Delta. With the Xudum Pride getting bigger and hungrier every day, these neighboring kitties have to be even more careful — especially if they want to raise happy, healthy cubs.

Lediba

Lediba is a newcomer for Season 2 and quickly becomes one of the stars of the show. This 10-year-old female is a stealthier, more patient stalker than other leopards the team has seen — and she’s putting all that skill to good use. Although she’s previously raised cubs to adulthood, her two new babies are born into an even more challenging world, especially as the Xudum Pride grows. 

With under 50% of cubs surviving to adulthood, Lediba has her work cut out for her. Because fewer than 1 out of 5 leopard hunts succeed, she needs to go on near-constant expeditions, and that means leaving her vulnerable babies alone in a nursery as they wait for a snack. 

Bongwe

Bongwe is a large, experienced male, about seven years old. His territory overlaps with Lediba’s, and although male leopards are notorious for killing cubs they suspect aren’t theirs, he won’t harm them if he’s the father.

Male leopards don’t take an active role in raising the little ones. However, they have an important job as a parent: helping protect the territory from other males. That means there’s less chance of females having their kills stolen and their cubs killed.

Pounce Back into the Okavango Delta in Season 2

Whether you want to see fearsome lion hunts, adorable little cubs or fun facts about big cats, you’ve come to the right place. Season 2 is packed with action in the Okavango Delta — the perfect opportunity to catch up with old furry friends and make some new ones.

Ready to see the lions, cheetahs and leopards in action? Catch up on Season 1 and get ready to pounce into Season 2 of “Big Cats 24/7” on PBS!