Into the Wild: Pangolin Kulu’s Journey and the Fight to Save a Vanishing Species

Deep in the heart of South Africa’s bushveld, a baby pangolin takes hesitant steps toward freedom. Her name is Kulu. Once a victim of the illegal wildlife trade, she is now the center of a remarkable journey—one of survival, redemption, and the enduring bond between humans and nature. This is the story at the heart of Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey, a new documentary from Academy Award-winning director Pippa Ehrlich, best known for My Octopus Teacher.

Premiering on Netflix on April 21, 2025, Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey follows wildlife photographer and conservationist Gareth Thomas as he takes on the challenge of rehabilitating Kulu. Rescued during a sting operation against traffickers, Kulu’s journey from captivity to the wild highlights the plight of pangolins—the most trafficked mammals on Earth. With stunning cinematography and emotional depth, Ehrlich’s documentary brings global attention to the urgent fight to save these ancient, enigmatic creatures.

The Plight of the Pangolin

Pangolins are often called the ‘scaly anteaters’ of the animal kingdom, their bodies covered in keratin scales that protect them from predators. But their greatest threat isn’t natural—it’s human. Due to unfounded beliefs in the medicinal value of their scales, pangolins are hunted relentlessly, with their populations plummeting across Africa and Asia. Some species, like the Temminck’s Pangolin—Kulu’s species—are now teetering on the brink of extinction.

Despite their evolutionary adaptations, pangolins have one fatal flaw: their instinct to curl into a tight, motionless ball when threatened. While this defense mechanism works against natural predators, it makes them easy targets for poachers. It is this vulnerability that makes Kulu’s story so vital. Through Thomas’s dedication and the tireless work of conservationists, Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey offers a rare, intimate glimpse into efforts to save these creatures from disappearing forever.

The Human Connection

Much like My Octopus Teacher, Ehrlich’s new documentary explores the transformative power of a relationship between a human and an animal. As Thomas cares for Kulu—teaching her to forage, monitoring her health, and helping her adapt to the wild—he undergoes his own transformation. The film becomes as much about human redemption as it is about pangolin conservation.

“It’s an incredible thing to see just how innocent pangolins are,” Thomas says in the film. “I’ve never had to nurture something so vulnerable in my life before.”

His journey, however, is not without challenges. With pangolin trafficking still rampant, every step toward Kulu’s release is fraught with danger. The film doesn’t shy away from these realities, highlighting the tireless work of groups like the African Pangolin Working Group (APWG), who risk their lives to combat the illegal wildlife trade.

Why Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey Matters

Conservation documentaries have the power to shift perspectives and inspire action. By bringing the pangolin’s struggle to the forefront, Ehrlich’s film hopes to ignite a global conversation about the need for stronger protections, better enforcement of anti-poaching laws, and increased support for rehabilitation efforts.

As Kulu takes her first steps into the wild, her journey symbolizes more than just one animal’s survival—it’s a beacon of hope for an entire species. And for audiences around the world, her story is a reminder that we hold the future of Earth’s most vulnerable creatures in our hands.

Mark your calendars—Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey premieres on Netflix on April 21, 2025.