Guardians of the Wild - Episode Guide

At Lilayi Elephant Nursery near the Zambian capital of Lusaka, keepers form deep bonds with orphaned calves. They sleep near them, comfort them, and bottle-feed them every three hours, day and night. Explore the amazing relationship that lies at the heart of an inspiring and ambitious African conservation project.

Meet Chidoba, a young bull who leads a unique herd of fledgling elephants. What sets this group apart is that they're all orphans rescued and raised by the Elephant Orphanage Project. As they prepare to return to the wild, one question persists: Will they find their place or have they become too reliant on humans?

The Zambian Carnivore Program is built around a simple premise: The health of an ecosystem can be gauged through the well-being of its top carnivores. Join two young scientists as they roam the Luangwa Valley, studying the lion prides and hyena clans of this lush, dwindling landscape.

Welcome to the Liuwa Plains-a vast, uncharted expanse of Zambian savanna and the center of an ambitious wildlife project. Follow conversation scientists as they monitor the region's top predators, fit them with radio collars, study their habits, and work to undo damage inflicted by decades of human encroachment and civil war.

The Lilayi Elephant Nursery near Lusaka in Zambia is home to four orphan elephants. The two oldest, four-year- olds Musolole and Zambezi, have been here since they were just a few months old. These boisterous babies are out-growing the nursery and it's time to move to big school. Two hundred miles away, in the heart of Kafue National Park, lies elephant heaven - Camp Phoenix, the project's release facility, where older orphans are already adapting to life in the wild.

Kasanka National Park in Zambia is home to an unusual species of baboon. Kinda baboons have turned their backs on the aggressive displays of dominance usually associated with these large monkeys and lead altogether more peaceful lives. Living alongside one troop is a dedicated team of researchers whose mission it is to uncover these baboons' secrets and understand what makes them who they are.

Meet Madonna, a very special monkey. She's the first Kinda baboon ever to be studied from birth to adulthood and now, critically, she's looking for a mate. Only recently identified as a species in their own right, Kinda baboons are little known and little understood. But Madonna is helping change all that. She may just hold the key to unlocking the secrets of the Kinda's unique female-male relationships. These are baboons like no others.

Across Africa 97% of black rhinos have been killed for their horns. In 1997 the species was declared officially extinct in Zambia. But now, thanks to an ambitious reintroduction plan, they're back. Poaching hasn't gone away – their horns are still prized in Asian medicine. But a small, dedicated team are fighting to keep them safe. This is the frontline of conservation – it doesn't get any tougher.

It's the busiest week of the year at the Black Rhino Protection Centre. Apson, a young female rhino, has wandered beyond the sanctuary's boundary into the danger zone, where poachers roam. Meanwhile, Kango, the park's resident male, has reached the age of maturity. Before Apson can be returned to safety, the park's staff must capture Kango and release him back into the wild. Black rhinos are highly endangered, so the team must do whatever they can to ensure the safety of both.

In the largest wilderness in Zambia, apex predators are increasingly under threat from poachers and human encroachment. Now, biologists are in a race against time to protect these carnivores. Join them in the field as they track down elusive cheetahs, put new tracking collars on endangered wild dogs, and perform emergency surgery on a snared lioness. It's dangerous work, but thanks to the Zambian Carnivore Project, the future's looking brighter for these top predators.