Wilderness in waiting: 5 unmissable wildlife documentaries. "Wilderness in attendant" is a weekly series in four parts, highlighting the proud heritage of African wildlife during the COVID pandemic.
Many urgent conservation victories in Africa have been won because an individual or group of like-minded people dedicated their lives to a critical cause. Many of these projects are the first of their kind and thanks to the lens of a camera, we have the privilege of discovering these stories that lie at the intersection of the human-wildlife conflict, poaching and conservation.
Although the trip had to close temporarily, my connection with the wilderness continued from the comfort of my couch as I researched and watched many of the most poignant wildlife stories of our time; the stories deserve to be shared.
Unfortunately, conservation efforts come at a cost and one of the devastating effects of the COVID pandemic is that many projects themselves are threatened with extinction without the injection of funds associated with tourism. If your trip to one of Africa's wilderness areas has been jeopardized and you are unable to travel later, consider helping to donate to one of the projects that ensure that the most endangered species the world's vulnerable also have a good chance of survival. You can start with one of the projects below or contact a local game reserve to find out which projects are currently in need of support.
1. Eye of the pangolin
The pangolin is certainly one of the most original and unique living animals on the planet. It is also one of the rarest animals with very little knowledge about them. What we are certain of is that they are one of the most trafficked mammals, whose scales are sought mainly for the Asian market. In Eye of the Pangolin, South African filmmakers Bruce Young and Johan Vermeulen offer a rare chance to observe African pangolin species in their natural habitat, from the South African savannah to the jungles of Ghana and Gabon. You can freely watch the film here and find out more about the project at www.pangolin.africa.
2. Virunga
Congo is a country that is no stranger to the conflict. A series of civil skirmishes not only threatened the lives of many people in the country but also their wildlife. The mountain gorilla is one of the most endangered, with only 800 remaining in the wild. The documentary tells the story of Virunga, the oldest park in Africa and the only place still wild where they are. The search for oil is also a threat - unfortunately, a battle of almost two hundred years of exploitation of the country's natural resources. The Oscar nomination for best documentary feature speaks to the important message it conveys. Learn more about the film, which is currently streaming on Netflix, and how you can also act on virungamovie.com.
3. The ivory game
If poaching continues on its current trajectory, the elephants will be threatened with extinction in 15 years. This powerful documentary takes an in-depth look at the ivory trade and the major steps that are being taken to stop it. You will meet government work teams in Africa, investigative journalists in Asia, and other independent organizations playing their part in ending the ivory trade. The victories highlighted by the documentary remind us that all hope is not lost in this critical struggle. Watch on Netflix here and visit the official website at theivorygame.com.
4. The missing kings
These revolutionary films highlight the secret life of the elusive desert lions of the Namib Desert. The result of an impressive observation of two decades of researcher Dr. Philip Stander means that we are able to better understand how these lions survive in such a hostile environment and also the growing threat of their disappearance from human conflict. In the first film, Namib Lions, South African filmmakers introduce us to the "five musketeers" - five little males and their families. The follow-up film Desert Lion Legacy tells of their adulthood as they struggle to survive in a changing world.
5. BBC Africa
With the soothing timbre characteristic of Sir David Attenborough's voice, combined with captivating images captured by the BBC Earth team, you are guaranteed to stay on the edge of your seat with BBC Africa. This natural history series takes us on a unique and impressive journey through Africa, notably to the Kalahari, Savannah, Congo, Cape Town, and Sahara. It is a tribute to 1.3 billion people, 1100 mammals, 2600 birds, and 45000 amazing plant species that shelter the continent. See more online here.
