Watch The Last Animals

The Last Animals is a documentary film that explores the issue of poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. The film takes viewers on a global journey to various wildlife hotspots where endangered species are being hunted and traded for their body parts by poachers, traffickers, and corrupt officials. The film is directed by photojournalist Kate Brooks, who has spent many years documenting conflicts and humanitarian crises around the world. Brooks brings her sharp eye and sense of purpose to The Last Animals, as she travels across Africa and Asia to witness the threat to rhinos, elephants, and tigers, among other animals.

The Last Animals opens with a scene of a rhinoceros being tranquilized and its horn sawn off by poachers in South Africa. The graphic footage sets the stage for what is to follow, as Brooks interviews activists, conservationists, law enforcement officials, and others who are fighting back against poaching.

One of the film's main subjects is Craig, a former British soldier who now works as a ranger in the savannahs of Kenya. Craig and his team risk their lives on a daily basis to protect elephants from poachers, who have ravaged the herds in recent years. Brooks follows Craig on patrol, watching as he tracks poachers and removes snares from the bush.

Other subjects include Duboscq, a Frenchman who runs a wildlife sanctuary in Cameroon, and Meibai, a Chinese businessman who has turned against the illegal wildlife trade. Meibai, who had been involved in the trafficking of pangolins, a scaly anteater that is highly sought after in China for its meat and scales, decided to become an advocate for wildlife conservation after learning of the animal's plight.

Throughout the film, Brooks also introduces viewers to the animals themselves, capturing stunning footage of rhinos, elephants, and other creatures as they graze, roam, and mate in the wild. The Last Animals is as much an ode to these majestic creatures as it is a call to action to save them.

The film features interviews with experts in the field of wildlife conservation, who provide valuable insights into the complex issues surrounding poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. These experts include Andrea Crosta, the director of the Elephant Action League, who emphasizes the need for international cooperation to combat poaching; David Sheldrick, the founder of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, who speaks of the bonds between elephants; and Esmond Bradley Martin, who studied the trade in ivory and rhino horn before his untimely death in 2018.

The Last Animals is a sobering film that sheds light on a crisis that is often overlooked in mainstream media. The film draws attention to the fact that as many as 100,000 elephants and more than 1,000 rhinos are killed each year for their tusks and horns, respectively. The film also highlights the links between poaching and organized crime, including terrorist groups such as Al-Shabaab and the Lord's Resistance Army.

Yet, despite the grim subject matter, The Last Animals is ultimately a hopeful film. Brooks shows how individuals and organizations are making a difference, from Craig's rangers and Duboscq's sanctuary to Meibai's advocacy work and the efforts of NGOs such as the African Wildlife Foundation and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

The film concludes with a call to action for viewers to support conservation efforts and urge lawmakers to take action against poaching and trafficking. The Last Animals is a powerful testament to the urgency of this issue, and a reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting these magnificent creatures for future generations.

The Last Animals is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9.