Nature, Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) has released Wild Hope: Rhino Ops – a documentary capturing Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s largest rhino horn operation to date. The film premiered on October 6 on Wild Hope TV and PBS Nature’s YouTube channel.
“This film, an African production being featured on a global platform, is a testament to our mission: to offer a platform where African conservationists and filmmakers can create stories that echo across the world,” said Noel Kok, Co-Founder and Executive Director of NEWF.
Produced by NEWF in collaboration with HHMI Tangled Bank Studios and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Wild Hope: Rhino Ops was written, directed and edited by South African Filmmaker Nathan Rice with Ntokozo Mbuli as Assistant Producer. The documentary originated when Ezemvelo invited NEWF to document its rhino dehorning programme, which later expanded into a Wild Hope episode after NEWF pitched the project to Tangled Bank Studios.
The production brought together NEWF Fellows from nine African countries, working alongside Wild Hope Executive Producer Geoff Luck. The film follows the team of rangers and conservationists at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, one of Africa’s oldest game reserves, as they protect rhinos from poaching and extinction.
Through on-the-ground storytelling and striking visuals, the film explores the urgency of rhino protection and the hope inspired by collaboration and local leadership.
Watch Wild Hope: Rhino Ops below:
