On safari in South Africa's Kruger National Park in 2004, tourist David Budzinski captures eight minutes of lions and an alligator attacking a baby cape buffalo, and its rescue by its tribe. A fellow traveler asks for a copy, urging him to sell it. Animal TV won't buy tourist video. David had never heard of YouTube until fellow traveler shared the video there, eventually with 30 million people.

Last summer, National Geographic Channel relents, buys the video and prepares a one-hour documentary about it. A version professionally processed for TV ends "Caught on Safari: Battle at Kruger" (Sunday night, 9 p.m.), which includes taking the Texas tourist back to the scene where his wife's Canon ZR50MC video camera seized the moment.

The link goes to "Battle at Kruger" on YouTube -- the original low-rez, fuzzy version, a high-quality one uploaded three days ago, a trailer for the show, remixes, and all sorts of video responses.

Bottom up, its momentum built by buzz.

Background:
NYT, You’ve Seen the YouTube Video; Now Try the Documentary.

Canon Mini DV Camcorder Review ZR50MC at Videomaker, 2002.