Film Lens
The documentary focuses on the survival of desert elephants in Namibia's Namib Desert, where only 150 remain. It shows the extreme conditions of the desert, with temperatures exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit and less than three inches of rainfall annually. Conservationist Dr. Paula Kahumbu, who has studied elephants in Africa's savannahs, seeks to understand how these elephants adapt to their harsh environment. She collaborates with Hendrick Munembome, who has 25 years of experience studying desert elephants, to track their movements and behaviors.
The film presents the challenges these elephants face, including a five-year drought and the need to migrate between scarce waterholes. It emphasizes the importance of family bonds and the transmission of knowledge from elder elephants to younger ones. The documentary also marks a significant achievement with the survival of a young female elephant, the first in eight years to thrive beyond her first six months in the valley, showcasing the endurance of these animals in an unforgiving landscape.
Why Watch
- •Follow Dr. Paula Kahumbu's quest to study desert elephants.
- •See how desert elephants adapt to extreme drought conditions.
- •Meet the first desert elephant in eight years to survive beyond six months.
Did You Know
•Only 150 desert elephants remain in Namibia's Namib Desert.
•Temperatures in the Namib Desert can exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
•It has been eight years since any desert elephant survived its first six months in a valley.
•Desert elephants have less fat on their legs and looser skin compared to savannah elephants.
Perfect For
Wildlife conservationDesert ecosystemsElephant enthusiasts