Sounds of the Savannah

In Big Cats 24/7, viewers follow local and international wildlife filmmakers on the trail of lions, leopards and cheetahs in the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. 

Using the latest technology, the elite team captures stunning and heart-stopping footage, by day and night. At the end of the six month period, their work reveals rarely seen moments in the lives of these elusive big African cats, and it’s a feast for the senses. 

Now you can immerse yourself in the action without leaving the comfort — or safety! — of your home.

Male Lions on the Attack

Things get heated in the Okavango Delta when Dimo, the leader of the rogue male lions, is confronted by a rival gang of adolescent males, resulting in a pulse-pounding battle. Listen in to the sound of the encounter:

Watch the encounter here.

Fierce Lionesses

Males aren’t the only lions making noise on the savannah. When it comes to protecting their cubs, these females aren’t messing around. Listen in to a scene from Episode 2 where the lionesses of the Xudum Pride clash with male lions invading their territory and threatening their cubs:

Watch the encounter here.

A Roar Heard Miles Away

A lion’s full roar isn’t evident until they’re at least two and a half years of age. Once it happens, they roar mostly at night and the sound can be heard up to five miles away. Fun fact: Lions can distinguish between the roars of friends and foes! Listen in to the sound of a lion’s roar: 

Watch the moment here. 

Roaring to Communicate

Lion roars are loud and low-pitched, typically lasting 30-60 seconds. They’re not only a territorial display, they’re also the perfect way to keep track of their pridemates — including lost cubs. Let’s listen in as a lion tries to call for their pridemates:

Watch the moment here. 

Other Sounds of the Savannah

Lions aren’t the only big cats making noise on the Okavango Delta. 

Leopards are usually silent, but may make a hoarse, rasping sound similar to sawing wood. They use this sound, called “sawing,” to mark their territory as well as to call for their youngsters — like this mother leopard searching for her cub: 

Watch the moment here. 

Similarly, cheetahs are often silent — they’re also the only big cats who can purr but cannot roar. Instead, they use high-pitched, long-distance, bird-like calls to communicate with each other, like this cub calling for her sibling:

Watch the moment here.

Want to experience more sounds of the savannah? Join the team and African cats in Botswana’s Okavango Delta by streaming Big Cats 24/7 on pbs.org and the PBS App.