Episode 1

Big cat expert Giles Clark embarks on his biggest mission to date: to turn the Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent into a centre of global excellence for big cat conservation. He steps in to help Maya, a five-day-old black jaguar cub. Neglected by her mother, she is weak and vulnerable. Taking her home, Giles provides her with care around the clock. We get to know Maya, witness her developmental milestones and her relationship with Giles, his fiancee Kathryn and daughter Sam.

Giles has his hands full at the sanctuary, improving the lives of the 50 cats that live there and working towards their becoming ambassadors for their wild cousins. Giles experiences the plight of big cats in the wild first-hand. He travels to Cambodia, where he sees the dilemma that clouded leopards are facing. The trip fuels Giles's determination to want to raise awareness and much-needed help.

At the sanctuary, Giles and his team plan their annual open days where they kick off raising funds. At home Maya is growing well and has started to move around the house, but suddenly her health deteriorates and she develops eyesight and mobility issues. She is rushed to a high-end veterinary hospital where, at only five weeks old, her life hangs in the balance.