Episode 8 of Sir David Attenborough's latest series Planet Earth III he introduces the conservation heroes fighting to save the world’s wildlife, from exploring remote jungles to going undercover to catch criminals in the illegal ivory trade.
“We started making the very first Planet Earth series just over 20 years ago' says David. 'Since then our camera teams have filmed all over the world and have visited its wildest and most remote corners.
"But the truth is, most of the animals we’ve filmed over the past two decades are now rarer than they were and the places they live are in greater danger of destruction. But I’ve seen another change in those years. A hopeful change. A new generation of remarkable people are stepping up to save wildlife. They’re overcoming huge obstacles, travelling to dangerous places, and sometimes even risking their lives. To me they are true heroes. This is the story of some of them”.
In this episode we meet Dumisane Zwane working to save the Black rhino. The team are setting up new breeding populations in safe havens. The only problem is how to move rhinos that live in dense and remote areas. Dumi’s ingenious solution is to safely sedate them and put them in a sling under a helicopter – and soon the one tonne rhinos are flying to their new home!
While Jaime Culebras in Ecuador is devoting his life to saving his beloved frogs. “I fell in love with them when I was just seven years old," he says. “How can you not love them? They are so beautiful.” But now frogs are the most threatened group of animals – principally due to a fungal disease which is decimating them all over the world.
In Cote d’Ivoire Trang Nguyen works undercover to catch criminals trading in illegal ivory. Forest elephants have declined by two thirds in the last twenty years – and this trade is a major cause. Working with a group of local activists, Trang pretends to be a Vietnamese buyer of ivory. Just as the deal is done – she gives a secret signal and the police swoop in. It’s dangerous work and hidden cameras tell the story.
These are just a few of the incredible heroes the episode features - all working in often difficult and dangerous conditions to save wildlife.