A new six-part documentary series spotlighting the courageous efforts of wildlife rangers is set to premiere on Friday, May 23, with Britain’s Prince William lending his voice and support to the project.
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A Royal initiative with a global mission
Titled Guardians, the series will be released on BBC Earth’s YouTube and social media platforms. It was spearheaded by Prince William, who has championed the cause of ranger welfare through his organisation, as reported by Reuters.
The series aims to shed light on the daily dangers faced by rangers as they work to protect some of the world’s most threatened ecosystems.
“The reality is that protecting our natural world has become one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet. We need to understand and recognise nature’s guardians and their critical work,” William said.
“Every day they take huge risks as nature’s frontline of defence, standing between poachers and endangered species, supporting sustainable human-animal coexistence and fighting habitat loss.”
The series was developed by United for Wildlife, an initiative founded by Prince William through his charitable foundation. Last year, as part of its Nature Protectors initiative, the organisation announced a five-year funding commitment to provide affordable insurance cover to 10,000 rangers across Africa.
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Six stories from the edge of conservation
According to United for Wildlife’s website, this series is set to follow the incredible stories from:
- Dzanga-Sangha, Central African Republic: In this remote rainforest sanctuary, a former poacher has transformed his life, now working side by side with conservationists to safeguard the very wildlife he once hunted.
- Spiti Valley, India: Amid the snow-cloaked peaks of the Himalayas, rangers are fostering harmony between elusive snow leopards—often called the ‘Ghosts of the Himalayas’—and the resilient local communities who share their rugged home.
- Sea of Cortez, Mexico: Nicknamed “the world’s aquarium,” this biodiverse marine region is being protected by one of its former exploiters—an ex-illegal fisherman who now devotes his life to conserving this fragile underwater world.
- Kruger National Park, South Africa: In one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife reserves, dedicated teams operate 24/7 to defend critically endangered rhinos, providing rescue, rehabilitation, and anti-poaching patrols against constant threats.
- Sri Lanka’s Wildlife Corridors: Veterinary and ranger units across the island work around the clock to treat injured elephants and leopards, while also managing human-wildlife conflict zones and conducting vital patrols.
- Caru Indigenous Territory, Brazil: On the frontlines of environmental protection, Indigenous communities lead grassroots efforts to defend their ancestral forests from illegal logging and degradation, blending cultural heritage with ecological stewardship.
Confronting the global wildlife trade
Prince William has been a vocal advocate against the illegal wildlife trade, which United for Wildlife estimates is worth up to $20 billion (R357 billion) annually and is often tied to organised crime, corruption, and trafficking networks.
In 2022, the prince paid tribute to South African ranger Anton Mzimba, who was fatally shot while protecting wildlife at a local nature reserve.
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