Netflix viewers counting down to new documentary being hailed ‘the next Octopus Teacher’

Netflix is about to release a documentary about efforts to save one of the most trafficked animals in the world.

Titled Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey, it’s been teased of the film: ‘A man finds new purpose when he helps rescue a baby pangolin, one of the most trafficked animals in the world, in a sting operation in South Africa.

‘He leaves the city and embarks on a heartfelt mission to rehabilitate and prepare the vulnerable animal for a life of freedom in the wild.’

Directed by Pippa Ehrlich, who was behind the Oscar-winning feature My Octopus Teacher, it is a ‘poignant exploration of the connection between humans and the creatures we share our world with’.

This week a trailer for the film was released and shows a man called Gareth Thomas help rehabilitate pangolin called Kulu in an attempt to sent him back into the wild.

As explained in the trailer, the scaly mammals native to Asia and Africa are an ancient creature, but they run the risk of extinction.

Steve, who says the ‘stakes are very high’ to protect them, has also never seen one in the wild but is part of an effort to curb the illegal wildlife trading that is affecting the pangolin population by working at a rescue centre.

‘There was definitely a fear of failure. I never had to nurture something so vulnerable in my life before,’ he says.

He faces an uphill battle with Kulu, who refuses to eat and ‘is freaking out’ when they try and re-release him into the wild, where he faces threats of snakes, warthogs and lions.

Gareth then goes on to speak about how he was ‘in the stage in my life when I wanted something more valuable’ when he met Kulu, who ‘changed the way I saw the world’.

The trailer has already elicited a huge reaction, with many counting down to tune in.

‘Pangolins are such fascinating creatures, and this documentary has caught my interest,’ user santiago.j.mancilla.perez1022 commented on YouTube.

‘So sad that people hunt and trade such a beautiful creature,’ warrenbadial2838 shared.

‘I cannot wait to see this. As an animal rights activist, it’s so incredibly important to have films like this that capture the essence and individuality as well as importance of different species, especially those exploited for food, entertainment, medicine, clothing, research, and so on. It will awaken the necessary empathy and compassion in so many humans, which we desperately need to lead with – for the non-human species, for the humans, for the planet, and for future generations. Thank you for choosing to share your incredible journey with us,’ sarahvanmantgem added.

In a statement to People, Pippa said that pangolins are ‘some of the most ancient and unique mammals that have ever walked the Earth’.

‘Over millions of years of evolution, they have traded their claws and fangs for protective scales and a finely tuned intuition that makes them deeply sensitive, innocent creatures: they can’t run or bite, and their only defence is to roll up in a ball.

‘When I met Gareth, I was immediately fascinated by his relationship with these gentle and mysterious animals, but the reason I wanted to make the film is that I believe pangolins are a symbol of our own fragile existence on this planet, along with so many of the vulnerable beings that belong here with us.’

Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey is streaming from April 21 on Netflix.

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