“Wild Africa” is set to debut across Africa as a first-of-its-kind weekly wildlife television magazine series.
The 13-episode series shares inspiring stories from the frontlines of wildlife conservation across the continent in an engaging magazine-style format designed to both educate and entertain.
Watch the trailer here.
Presenters Rumbie Takawira, Dr Mark Ofua and Zandile Ndhlovu explore on-the-ground initiatives and the dedicated conservationists behind them. Along the way prominent African wildlife ambassadors, including Black Panther stars Danai Gurira and Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o, actor Djimon Hounsou, musician Focalistic, comedian Josh2Funny and gospel singer Amani encounter Africa’s most charismatic animals. We also meet some of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife, from forest elephants in Nigeria and slender-snouted crocodiles in Ghana to Temminck’s ground pangolins in Namibia and black rhinos in South Africa.
Created specifically for African audiences, it aims to help raise awareness of the urgent need to protect the continent’s wildlife and wild spaces. Over the past 50 years, Africa’s monitored wildlife populations have declined by 76%, and every year the continent loses an estimated 3.9 million hectares of forest.
“Wild Africa” will roll out from July across multiple African countries in partnership with local broadcasters including ZBC in Zimbabwe, One Africa in Namibia and ITV in Tanzania, with additional territories including South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya to follow.
The first episode features a sea turtle rescue in Nigeria, Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o learning about elephants in Kenya and efforts to protect the elusive pangolins of Namibia.
Other upcoming stories include:
- Visiting Zimbabwe’s national parks with Danai Gurira
- Following endangered bonobos in the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo
- Exploring why Tanzania is known as the “land of the lion”
- Tracking elusive pangolins with Djimon Hounsou
- Rescuing a manatee from the wildlife trade in Nigeria
- Observing the charming African penguins in South Africa
The “Wild Africa” series is produced in Cape Town, South Africa, by conservation communications organisation Wild Africa, with support from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the Tammy Estrada Strome Foundation.
Series Producer and Wild Africa CEO, Peter Knights OBE stated, “Africa has preserved wildlife, especially large mammals, like nowhere else on earth. As it powers the growing tourism industry it is a source of immense pride. ‘Wild Africa’ showcases Africans with a passion to protect their incredible wildlife, their challenges and their successes and we hope it entertains as it educates and inspires.”
“The ‘Wild Africa’ series offers a remarkable look into the majesty of Africa’s breathtaking wildlife from those on the frontlines of conservation. The vivid imagery and inspiring stories captured through the lens of the creators, not only fuel a sense of wonder, but offer a renewed drive to commit to the shared goal of conservation and generational stewardship of the natural environment. It is an honor for IFAW to share in this noble endeavor,” said Azzedine Downes, President and CEO of IFAW.
Follow Wild Africa on social media at @wildafricaorg and visit wildafrica.org for updates on the series, and to discover more inspiring wildlife conservation stories.
ABOUT WILD AFRICA
Wild Africa is a leading conservation communications organisation dedicated to inspiring public support and political will to protect Africa’s wildlife and wild places forever. We operate across 11 African countries, including Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Rwanda, Ghana, Namibia, Kenya, Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia and Somaliland. Wild Africa partners with influential African voices, media networks and governments to deliver impactful campaigns that popularise and promote wildlife conservation, domestic tourism, human-wildlife coexistence, and stronger environmental policies. Through television, radio, print, outdoor advertising, digital media and social platforms, our messages have reached more than one billion people across the continent. Supported by a network of more than 200 ambassadors from the worlds of music, sport, film, television, business, faith and government, we are helping to secure a future where Africa’s wildlife and people thrive together.
ABOUT IFAW
IFAW is a global non-profit helping animals and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we’re up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organisations and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish.