I am literally nuts about Wildlife Documentaries. I have spent hours and hours watching every one I could get my hands on, as well as ‘studying’ the books that go with each documentary. So when I found the “Big Cats” series, I thought I was in heaven! The fact that “Cats”, domestic or wild, are my absolute favourite animals, just added to the excitement. I’ve still yet to find the accompanying book.
Yes, I Love Cats!!!
The “Big Cats” series is a BBC documentary which explores the lives of several of the wild cats. The lion, the leopard and the cheetah are all filmed in their natural habitat and living their natural lives. The amazing cameras that are used are at the very cutting-edge of technology, in fact some of them are used by the military.
The documentary came out in 2018, (where have I been?)
As with a lot of these documentaries, the series highlights the importance of ‘cat conservation’, especially with regards to the loss of natural habitat and the ‘conflict’ that there is with us humans.
It is very interesting!
The focus of the series is on the Okavango Delta, Botswana, and the different episodes follow the lives of lions, cheetahs and leopards. It is lovely how the different wild cats are given individual names, it just makes everything so much more real and brings us ‘closer’ to the cats.
The team of local and international wildlife film-makers follow the wild cats over 6 months, day and night, and even through the ‘natural’ challenges that these wild cats have to face.
The ‘natural history’ footage gives the series a new approach!
One of the wild cats featured is a female cheetah called Pobe who is 7 years old. She is extremely illusive and has a ‘knack’ of avoiding the pride of lions who also live in the ‘area’. But Pobe is not shy! She is a smart and experienced mother who has already raised at least one female cub to adulthood. This ‘lady’ cheetah is resilient and persistent, and even though we see her fail at multiple hunts, Pobe never gives up and eventually wins her food in spectacular fashion.
We learn so much info about cheetahs. The cheetah has quite a different ‘look’ from the other wild cats, having a slender body and long legs which makes it look more like a greyhound than a cat. This wild cat’s whole body is designed for speed, being the fastest land animal on Earth today. He or she can go from 0 to 70 mph in a matter of seconds! The nostrils are large to allow increased oxygen intake, and the lungs and heart are large to circulate oxygen through the blood efficiently. This cat’s foot pads are hard and less-rounded than the other wild cats, which function like tire treads to provide increased traction for those fast and sharp turns when hunting prey. Short, blunt claws, which are considered to be semi-retractable, grip the ground for traction when running and this helps to increase the speed.
The cheetah can go from 0 to 70 mph in just several seconds!
Sepoko is a transient male cheetah, who is filmed twice during the series. He is a big and impressive male cheetah, who is in good condition. Even though he is shy and easily spooked, Sepoko is seen doing a lot of scent-marking and even climbing a tree, which is unusual for cheetahs. ‘Sepoko’ means ‘ghost’ in Setswana, which is an appropriate name as this large male cheetah appears and disappears like a ‘ghost’.
The pride of lions is the “Xudum” pride. Two dominant males, 2 sub-adult males, roughly 18 females (or lionesses) with 14 cubs (from 6 mothers). The two magnificent males, who lead the pride, are Madumo and Big Toe, and they have ‘been in power’ for just over 5 years. The series follows the pride through challenges, which include the seasonal flood but also a horrific wildfire.
Food is plentiful and the pride is quite content. The Xudum Pride’s territory is a lion’s paradise. It is true that the females do the hunting, and this is mainly because the 2 large males are so big that they stand out and cannot ‘hide’ that well like the lionesses can.
The lionesses are fierce in protecting their young cubs and they are the only cats who 'share' the nursery.
The leopards are known as: Xudum meaning “tortoise”, (which is also the name of the island) is a 5 year old female who has yet to successfully raise cubs. She is pretty and quite small, but nevertheless powerful and brave. Bontsho is “the dark one” and a nightmare neighbour, who is a 7 year old female with a “femme fatale” vibe about her. Moswen is the dominant 6 year old male who is large, handsome, powerful and relaxed. Leopards are solitary hunters who are known for their powerful bite force.
Leopards are known to climb a tree, laying in wait for prey and then 'jumps' on their food, killing it outright. However, this needs to be practiced because if the leopard jumps wrong, he or she can really hurt themselves, and a physically hurt leopard will not live long.
We actually see footage of this and it is fantastic to watch!
All of these wild cats are beautiful and unique in their own individual personalities. In fact, I’m watching the series again because there is so much to take in!
Each and every one of the wildlife team, whether on camera or behind the scenes, have given us one of the best educational and real-life series of Wild Cats that has ever been filmed on camera. Their sheer patience and determination has given us an insight into the world of the Wild Cats never before seen.
I highly recommend watching the Wild Cats series, especially if you love wildlife. It seems that the knowledge we receive from this planet Earth fascinates us, and no wonder, because (as far as we know) the Earth is the only living planet in our solar system that has living Wild Cats.
About the Creator
Ruth Elizabeth Stiff
I love all things Earthy and Self-Help
History is one of my favourite subjects and I love to write short fiction
Research is so interesting for me too
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In Maduro’s Capture, Russia Sees a Great-Power Rival Act with Impunity
The world watched in early 2026 as U.S. special forces struck in Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro. It was a dramatic move that upended politics in Caracas — and sent shockwaves through Moscow. For Russia, Maduro wasn’t just an ally; he was a key piece in a global chess game stretching from Latin America to the Middle East. His capture has forced Russian strategists to reconsider how far they can project power — and what it means when a rival acts seemingly without consequence. A Blow to Russian Influence Venezuela has long been one of Russia’s few footholds in the Western Hemisphere. Moscow supplied weapons, energy investments, loans, and political backing to Maduro. The goal was simple: counterbalance U.S. influence and maintain a strategic ally near American borders. Maduro’s capture has changed that calculus. Russia’s foreign ministry condemned the operation as “armed aggression” and demanded respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty. At the same time, Moscow backed Delcy Rodríguez as interim leader, framing it as support for Venezuela’s self-determination. But behind the formal statements, analysts suggest Moscow is feeling the sting. The U.S. operation was fast and effective — a stark contrast to Russia’s costly, prolonged campaigns elsewhere. For many, it exposed gaps in Russia’s ability to defend its allies abroad. The Kremlin’s Dilemma Inside Russia, commentators and analysts are debating what Maduro’s capture says about global power dynamics. Some see it as a glaring demonstration of U.S. military reach. Others point out the hypocrisy of international law, given Russia’s own record in Ukraine. But the underlying concern is strategic. Venezuela was one of the few places where Russia could claim a geopolitical win outside Europe and the Middle East. Losing leverage over Caracas diminishes Russia’s influence in energy markets, political alliances, and the narrative of great-power competition. A New Era of Great-Power Competition Russian experts are framing the event as evidence that international norms are eroding. In their view, powerful nations now act where it suits them, regardless of global rules — a logic Russia often uses to justify its own interventions. The U.S. capture of Maduro, framed as a law-enforcement operation targeting corruption and drug trafficking, has inadvertently reinforced Moscow’s messaging: great powers act with impunity. It’s a convenient narrative for Russian state media, even if the reality exposes Russia’s own limitations. Economic and Strategic Consequences Maduro’s removal isn’t just political; it has economic ramifications for Russia. Caracas was part of OPEC+ and home to joint energy ventures. U.S. access to Venezuelan resources could impact oil markets, squeezing Moscow’s budget further. Other projects, from weapons sales to industrial partnerships, now face uncertainty. What was once a partnership built on mutual opposition to the U.S. may now be a casualty of American assertiveness. Domestic Perception in Russia How Russians perceive the operation matters as much as the operation itself. Some voices call for a tougher stance to defend Moscow’s allies. Others acknowledge the gap between Russian and American capabilities. This debate influences both public sentiment and the Kremlin’s policy decisions. It shapes how Russians see their country’s role in the world — whether as a global power able to project influence, or a state constrained by geography, economy, and international reaction. What This Means for Global Politics Maduro’s capture is more than a headline. It signals a shift in global power dynamics. For the U.S., it shows the willingness to project force far from home. For Russia, it underscores limits in influence and credibility. Moscow may continue to use this event in propaganda and rhetoric, but the reality is stark: words without action may not sustain alliances or deter rivals. The event also raises questions about the rules-based international system. If powerful countries intervene militarily at will, what does that mean for global stability? The Takeaway Russia’s reaction to Maduro’s capture reflects a broader truth: modern power is measured not just by intent, but by capability. Russia may want to project global influence, but when rivals act decisively, even long-standing allies can be lost. Maduro’s removal also highlights a changing world order. Great powers no longer operate in isolated theaters. Every move, whether in Latin America or elsewhere, is scrutinized and reverberates globally. For Moscow, the message is clear: ambitions must match capability. For the world, it’s a reminder that power without action is only potential — while decisive, well-resourced rivals can act with apparent impunity.
By Muhammad Hassan7 days ago in Earth
Honey, I Shrunk the Datacentres: Is Small the New Big?
When most people think of datacentres, they picture sprawling warehouses full of servers, humming fans, and mountains of cabling. These massive facilities power everything from Netflix streams to artificial intelligence, but they also consume enormous amounts of energy and space. Now, a new trend is emerging: micro-datacentres. Tiny, modular, and often portable, these “datacentre in a box” solutions are challenging the old assumption that bigger is always better. Could small really be the new big in the world of computing? What Are Micro-Datacentres? Micro-datacentres are compact computing hubs designed to perform the same essential functions as traditional datacentres but in a fraction of the space. Think of them as miniaturized cloud factories — smaller, energy-efficient, and often placed closer to the users they serve. Key characteristics include: Compact size: Often no larger than a shipping container or even a cabinet. Energy efficiency: Use less power by focusing on localized computing needs. Modularity: Can be scaled horizontally by adding more units rather than expanding a single huge facility. Edge computing readiness: Positioned closer to where data is generated, reducing latency for IoT devices, AI applications, and streaming services. In short, micro-datacentres take the power of traditional computing and shrink it to fit modern, flexible infrastructure demands. Why Companies Are Embracing Smaller Datacentres There are several reasons the tech world is warming up to smaller datacentres: Energy and Cost Savings – Traditional datacentres consume massive amounts of electricity, sometimes as much as a small town. Micro-datacentres use less power and generate less heat, reducing both energy bills and cooling costs. Local Speed and Low Latency – For applications like AI, gaming, and streaming, milliseconds matter. By placing computing resources closer to users, micro-datacentres reduce latency and improve performance. Flexibility and Rapid Deployment – Big datacentres take years to build. Micro-datacentres can be deployed in weeks, allowing companies to respond quickly to spikes in demand or to expand into new regions. Resilience and Redundancy – Smaller, distributed units reduce the risk of a single point of failure. If one micro-datacentre goes down, others can pick up the load. Sustainability Goals – With energy efficiency at their core, micro-datacentres are often paired with renewable energy, making them an attractive option for companies seeking greener operations. From Data Warehouses to Data Cabinets Historically, the datacentre arms race has been about size. Companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft built massive facilities housing hundreds of thousands of servers. These centers achieved economies of scale but came with high energy use, long construction timelines, and heavy regulatory scrutiny. Micro-datacentres, on the other hand, flip the script: instead of one mega-facility, you deploy many smaller units closer to users. This is sometimes called edge computing, and it’s particularly useful for AI applications, smart cities, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Imagine self-driving cars, smart traffic lights, or factory robots. These devices generate enormous amounts of data that can’t be efficiently sent to a distant datacentre for processing. A nearby micro-datacentre solves the problem in real-time, enabling faster decisions and smoother operations. Real-World Examples Several companies are already experimenting with smaller datacentres: Google’s Edge Nodes: Google has deployed compact datacentres in regional locations to speed up cloud services. Microsoft Azure Stack Edge: A modular datacentre solution that brings cloud computing capabilities closer to businesses. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Snowcone: A portable computing and storage unit that can operate in remote or temporary locations. Even municipalities and hospitals are exploring micro-datacentres for localized applications like traffic management, healthcare data storage, and emergency services. Challenges of Going Small While micro-datacentres have many advantages, they’re not without challenges: Limited capacity: They can’t match the raw scale of traditional datacentres, so some large-scale AI training tasks still require mega-facilities. Security concerns: Smaller units distributed across many locations require robust cybersecurity protocols. Maintenance and monitoring: Managing multiple small units can be more complex than running a centralized datacentre. Energy trade-offs: If not designed efficiently, multiple micro-datacentres can sometimes use more energy than a single optimized large facility. Despite these challenges, many experts argue that the benefits — speed, flexibility, and reduced environmental impact — outweigh the downsides for many applications. Why “Small” Could Be the Future The rise of micro-datacentres signals a broader shift in how we think about computing infrastructure. Instead of centralized, monolithic powerhouses, the future may look like a network of small, smart, and sustainable units. This trend aligns with several larger tech movements: Edge computing – Computing closer to the user or device. Green technology – Reducing energy consumption and carbon footprints. AI proliferation – Handling massive data loads locally to enable faster processing. For companies, governments, and communities, the message is clear: smaller doesn’t mean weaker — it can mean smarter, faster, and more adaptable. Conclusion: Small but Mighty Micro-datacentres may not replace all mega-facilities, but they are carving out an essential niche in the computing ecosystem. They offer speed, flexibility, and sustainability that large datacentres can’t always provide, particularly for localized applications and edge computing. As technology evolves and energy concerns intensify, these “datacentres in a box” could become a core component of how we process, store, and access data in the 21st century. So the next time someone asks if small is the new big, the answer might just be yes — at least when it comes to datacentres.
By Muhammad Hassanabout 7 hours ago in Earth
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