Lion- Rise of a King - A Prince is Born (Full Episode) - National Geographic

Stories of kings are as old as time. But what does it take to be king here on the plains of East Africa? This young lion was born into a noble bloodline. He has seen his family scattered. His home destroyed. This prince faces his greatest test. A rival older, bigger, stronger. If he's ever to become a king, he must stand his ground. Hidden away, a lion cub. His name is Kiyo. His mother, Summer, has watched over him since he was born eight weeks ago. She has raised many cubs in this nursery ground. But now, as an old lioness, Kiyo could be her last. He's been growing fast, but he is still timid. Never straying far, but his life is about to change. Kiyo is now old enough to leave the safety of the den and take his first steps into the wide world. A world where a lion could one day become a lion king. Life as a cub is dangerous. Half don't survive their first year. But Kiyo has a whole family to protect him. This is his mother's pride. One of the largest in Africa. And now, it's Kiyo's pride too. They can't wait to meet him. He is a lot rougher than he's used to. It's all a bit too much. Courage will come, just not quite yet. He feels safest by Summer's side. His mother and her sisters, Winter and Autumn, are queens. Leaders of this great pride. Ancestors have ruled these lands for over a million years. This is the legacy Kiyo could one day inherit. It will be a big day for Kiyo and his family. For as long as lions have roamed this land, so too have buffalo. Summer takes Kiyo away to safety. Buffalo are one of the biggest threats to cubs. The sisters need to feed the pride. Kiyo is about to learn what it takes to be a lion and see a new side to his mother, the hunter. Working together, Autumn and Winter take the lead. At first, Summer holds back. She seems hesitant to leave Kiyo alone. But her sisters will need her today. One of the few predators that can take on fully grown buffalo. But buffalo fight back. Of the sisters has been gravely injured. Has also been wounded. Only Summer is unscathed. She and the rest of the pride come to Winter's side. There's nothing. Kiyo has seen how dangerous this world can be. Summer has lost a sister she has shared her whole life with. Kiyo seems to sense his mother's loss. With this powerful, life here can change in a heartbeat despite their loss. For the pride, life must move on. A buffalo that strayed from its herd. A fresh chance to provide for the hungry family. This time, Summer acts first. Kiyo has learned to stay hidden. A single mistake could prove fatal. The rest of the pride now follow Summer's lead. Summer's courage has paid off. This meal is very welcome. For Kiyo, it should be his first taste of meat. A rite of passage for every lion cub. But all the seats at this table are taken. Success. A milestone passed. Kiyo is three months old. He's learning by trial and error. It may not look like it, but Summer knows Kiyo is ready. It's time for him to learn how he fits into this world. It's a lot to take in, and it's a lot for little Lex to keep up. As Kiyo gets older, he's becoming a little braver. Understanding the whole pride land will take him a lifetime. But there is a lesson to be learned today. Unfamiliar, menacing calls. Huge males. Dangerous. It's risky to approach them, especially with a cub the kings haven't met before. And yet, Summer is confident. They are the fathers to every cub in the family. They are the pride males. Their role, to protect everyone. To gain their father's acceptance, a cub will try almost anything. Kiyo has a plan. A strange gift for a king. Kiyo seems to have one favor. Maybe he is finding his courage. At last. With luck, Kiyo could one day be as big and strong as his father. But the power of a lion king comes from more than strength alone. It comes from being part of a band of brothers. It is the lion's way. If he is ever to fulfill his destiny, Kiyo must form a brotherhood of his own. Under the midday sun, it's time for shade and rest. For everyone. Well, almost everyone. Kiyo has other ideas. No one's interested in his games. Time for a little adventure. An agama lizard. Small and tantalizingly chasable. With such newfound confidence, it's easy to forget, not to stray. Buffalo. If they find cubs alone, they will kill them. The safety of the pride is Kiyo's only hope. The attack catches the whole family off guard. All they can do is scatter. It's over in minutes. But something is wrong. A mother's call should be swiftly answered. But Summer gets no reply. Where is Kiyo?