Last Sunday afternoon I curled up on the sofa with a pacifying cup of tea and a heart heavy with expectation – armed with a support cat on either side of me, of course. Grateful that the remainder of my Sabbath was blissfully engagement-free (I had a suspicion an emotional 90 minutes would ensue), I took a deep breath, and set out to immerse myself in Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey.
Netflix’s brand-new documentary about pangolin pup Kulu’s rewilding journey is a testament to the inspiring bond between conservationist Gareth Thomas and little Kulu. This incredible relationship was forged through months of dedicated rehabilitation, as Thomas gained Kulu’s trust.
We watch their spellbinding story unfold, working towards the ultimate goal: the precious protagonist’s triumphant return to the wild (true to form, 10 minutes in and my waterworks were in overdrive).
Thomas is a Joburg-based wildlife photographer and conservationist, who took on the challenge of rehabilitating the three-month-old Kulu over 18 months.
Rehabilitating rescued pangolins is an “incredibly intensive process”, says director Pippa Ehrlich, who rose to fame with her Academy Award-winning My Octopus Teacher. The creatures rarely eat in captivity, which means they require daily walks – for hours at a time – to feed on ants and termites. These walks serve a twofold purpose: they are essential for feeding, and they are also a crucial part of the rehabilitation process, enabling the pangolin to overcome the trauma of captivity.
“There is just something about pangolins,” observes Thomas early on in the film.
Gaining the trust of a wild pangolin is no easy task, yet Thomas patiently embraces the challenge with quiet determination and unwavering focus.
One frightful scene in the documentary shows Kulu being rescued from the near-death experience of electrocution by a fence designed to separate wildlife from livestock. It’s a moment sure to pull on the heartstrings of even the most impassive viewer, and it brings home Thomas’s remark about becoming a “helicopter parent” – offering a small inkling into the many dangers these remarkable animals face.
In fact, Thomas quickly comes to terms with the fact that parenting a diminutive pangolin is not for the faint-hearted. Pangolins won’t simply eat termites from a plate; their instincts tell them to forage for food. This means the rehabilitation programme involves him chaperoning Kulu during the day and ensuring he is safely inside at night.
Interestingly, beyond their mesmerising physiology, pangolins perform crucial ecosystem services for their environment. Their knack for excavating burrows affects soil processes, including turning over organic matter and aerating the soil. Equally, abandoned pangolin burrows are often used by other animals sharing their habitat.
Set against the backdrop of South Africa’s expansive Lapalala bushveld – and in stark contrast to the cruel confinement of animal trafficking – the movie comes complete with striking scenery, offset by marvellous close-ups of this little-known, majestic creature.
Thomas captured much of the amazing close-up footage, and the cinematography expertly chronicles Kulu’s daily life – while also inviting viewers to join the exhilarating celebrations as he attempts to take his first uncertain steps towards a life of well-deserved liberty.
The dark side
“It’s an incredible thing to see just how innocent pangolins are,” Thomas narrates in the film. “I’ve never had to nurture something so vulnerable in my life before.”
Kulu, rescued during a sting operation against animal traffickers (pangolins are one of the most trafficked mammals in the world, with estimates ranging from 400,000 to 2.7-million annually), is a clarion call about the urgent predicament of pangolins – and aims to bring global awareness to the uphill battle to save these defenceless creatures.
Homo sapiens are the animals’ biggest threat, and misguided global beliefs about pangolins cast a dark shadow over the film. In some parts of the world, their scales are thought to have medicinal value, and this destructive fake news has led to the mercenary hunting of the species – so much so that the Temminck’s pangolin (Kulu’s species) is on the verge of extinction.
Unfortunately, pangolins have an ill-fated (yet endearing) shortcoming: their instinct is to curl into a little ball when threatened – making them easy targets for poachers. It is this defencelessness that makes baby Kulu’s story so critical. Through the tireless “blood, sweat and tears” commitment and fierce dedication of conservationists like Thomas, Kulu’s journey offers a rare glimpse into the relentless efforts of these vanguard warriors to save pangolins from being annihilated.
Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey is a riveting documentary based on a story of resilience, hope and the miracle that unfolds when Kulu is given a second chance at life.
Once a victim of the illegal wildlife trade, he is now at the centre of a redemptive journey – one of survival and freedom. Conservation documentaries like Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey have the unique power to shift perspectives and shine a spotlight on the urgent need for international dialogue, highlighting the critical need for stronger protections and anti-poaching laws.
Kulu’s story stands as a lighthouse of hope for an entire species.
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