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Ma di Tau With Two Cubs
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
With two cubs left, Ma di Tau holds them close. She is a good mother in an impossible situation, struggling to hunt alone with two cubs to feed.
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Lions of Duba
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
Water is difficult to move through quickly. All inhabitants of Duba island must learn to contend with the deep rivers that surround them. Hunting in water for hours each day has forged heavily muscled chests, necks, and upper legs in many of the lions of Duba.
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Lioness With Buffalo
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
A lioness waits until the last moment before relinquishing her prey as a wall of African buffalo descend to reclaim their fallen companion. The dance of predation is relentless. The lions attack the buffalo, and the buffalo attack the lions, which dive for safety, only to bounce back into the dance as soon as they can. The back-and-forth interplay of power between two of Africa’s giants is eternal, harsh, and at the same time beautiful and essential.
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Lion at Sunrise
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
Duba at dawn is a unique place, where dust and mist mingle, suspended above the plain.
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Lion With Buffalo
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
Against a constant backdrop of African buffalo, the lions of Duba are highlights on a dark canvas. The destiny of the Duba lions is linked to that of the buffalo; without their constant presence, here on an island with few other animals, the lions simply would not survive.
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Lions Crossing Water
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
African lions are at work on Duba island. Endowed with heavy triceps, necks, and chests to navigate the island's rivers, they are propelled by thick sprinter’s thighs and lithe lower legs.
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Ma di Tau's Cub
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
Will this lonely little survivor of The Last Lions be allowed to grow up, grow into a mane, and live to dominate a territory? That, as the film says, will depend on us.
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Beverly Joubert With Camera
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
"A vehicle is our home, office, bedroom, kitchen, and workbench. I am very attached to our vehicle, probably because of many hours [spent] in it, under it, and dragging it out of mud to safety, but sometimes we have to part company and film on foot." —Beverly Joubert
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The Jouberts Filming Lions
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
"Our secret weapon is time. We move in and work with lions daily, until they get so used to us they hunt and kill around our vehicle as if we didn’t exist." —The Jouberts
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Beverly and Dereck Joubert
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
"We are like proud pride members in many ways, embedded so deeply into the Tsaro pride, the life of Ma di Tau, and Duba island, that sitting near lions feels like the only home we have." —The Jouberts
More About The Last Lions
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The Story and the Filmmakers
Learn more about the story of The Last Lions, and meet the filmmakers, Dereck and Beverly Joubert.
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The Last Lions
Visit the homepage for the film.
You Watch and We'll Donate!
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Watch the Trailer
Watch The Last Lions trailer on YouTube and National Geographic will contribute $.10 for each viewing until we hit one million views.
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