The White Lions

Despite being king in the world of African predators, lions still face a daily struggle for food and survival. This is particularly true in the case of rare white lions, which—thanks to a genetic fluke—have a pale coat that makes them stand out to rivals or poachers. Filmmaker Joe Kennedy's The White Lions—aired on the PBS series NATURE—follows a pair of female white lion cubs being raised by a mother and sister lion in South Africa's Kruger National Park. The sisters, dubbed Matimba and Khanya, are also raising two tawny offspring. Since the male head of the small pride has disappeared or been killed, the cubs are helpless, particularly vulnerable to marauding male lions, who will kill them to bring adult females back into heat for breeding. White lions must live a "life in the shadows," and rarely survive to adulthood—the two adult lionesses here struggle to protect their young from predators and competitors, including hyenas, elephants, leopards, and water buffalo. Before maturity, the cubs must learn how to guard a kill (as well as when to yield), and ways to increase their odds of survival, which can include escaping the heat or climbing a tree. The suspense is palpable, as the pride is trailed by several nomadic males that are always alert to any sign of weakness. The cameras follow the young lions on the hunt or at play as they progress through the seasons toward adulthood. As with similar NATURE documentaries, this one does a fine job of following one particular family while also detailing the larger picture of a lion's often perilous life in the wild. Highly recommended. Aud: H, P. (S. Rees)