Watch Gardeners of Eden

Gardeners of Eden is a documentary film that explores the illegal and inhumane trade of elephant ivory in Africa. The film is a collaboration between filmmakers Austin Peck and Anneliese Vandenberg and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned elephant calves. The film opens with a dramatic scene of a baby elephant being rescued by park rangers in Kenya, after its mother was killed for her ivory tusks. This sets the tone for the film, which exposes the brutal reality of the ivory trade and its devastating impact on both elephants and the people who try to protect them.

Throughout the film, we follow the efforts of a team of undercover investigators who are working to expose the ivory trade in Kenya. We see them gathering evidence, conducting stings, and making arrests, as they try to dismantle the criminal networks that are fueling the demand for ivory.

At the same time, we also get a glimpse into the lives of the elephant caregivers at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, who are responsible for hand-raising the orphaned calves that are left behind when their mothers are killed for ivory. We see how these caretakers work around the clock to feed, bathe, and care for the baby elephants, and we witness the intense emotional bond that develops between caregiver and calf.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is its depiction of the complex web of corruption, greed, and violence that underpins the ivory trade. We see how the demand for ivory drives poaching, and how poaching is often linked to other illicit activities such as arms trafficking and money laundering. We also see how powerful political and economic interests often collude to protect the ivory trade, even as it threatens the stability and security of entire regions.

Despite the bleak picture of the ivory trade that the film presents, there are also moments of hope and inspiration. We see how the tireless efforts of the undercover investigators are beginning to pay off, as they make arrests and disrupt the ivory trade. We also see how the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is making a real difference in the lives of the orphaned calves, as they prepare them for eventual release back into the wild.

Overall, Gardeners of Eden is a powerful and important film that sheds light on a critical issue facing wildlife conservation in Africa today. It is a film that is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, and that leaves the viewer with a renewed appreciation for the beauty and fragility of these magnificent animals, and a renewed determination to protect them from the ravages of human greed.

Gardeners of Eden is a 2015 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 2 minutes.