00:00Tom Hardy narrates this documentary about trying to save the rhino in Kenya from extinction.
00:05The doc follows Koloku, a ranger that has dedicated his life to the animals,
00:09who has led a team that has brought the rhino back from the brink and conservatories,
00:13but now rhinos are dying, fighting for territory.
00:16To solve this, Koloku teams up with a young new ranger, Rita,
00:20to help relocate some of the animals to a new area and ensure their survival.
00:25Hardy's voiceover is perfectly suited for this documentary,
00:28being rough as rhinoceros skin, but also because this documentary has quite a cinematic feel,
00:33clearly being structured and aided like a thriller.
00:36As you would imagine, there's some great nature photography getting up close to these animals
00:40with some worryingly close encounters on occasion.
00:43But usually not too close, as Koloku has the respect and knowledge to move around them with the wind
00:50to make sure they're not disturbed as they observe them, especially as they're extremely dangerous.
00:55It's a huge operation to keep track of them all, and you get a real sense of that
00:59and how boots on the ground this documentary feels,
01:02and the operation to relocate the rhino is fraught with logistical difficulties and challenges.
01:07But despite the title, it isn't just about the rhino, it's about the whole conservation area,
01:12and the focus shifts to them when the translocation faces delays,
01:16maybe a little too much so in the latter half.
01:19But this is a rare glimpse into life in rural Kenya and the ghost towns and villages around these conservatories
01:25that many have been forced to leave due to long droughts and especially attacks from bandits.
01:31In an area where cattle is currency, rhino horn is a huge black market commodity,
01:36and the rangers have to put their lives on the line and in some cases give them in armed skirmishes
01:41in order to protect these animals for future generations from violent opportunists.
01:46I did find that even at roughly 80 minutes, this documentary does drag at points,
01:52but I was also left with a greater appreciation for this arduous work,
01:55which represents the very best of humanity when we work together for nature and the greater good.
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