Guardians of the Wild

At Lilayi Elephant Nursery near the Zambian capital of Lusaka, keepers form deep bonds with orphaned calves. They sleep near them, comfort them, and bottle-feed them every three hours, day and night. Explore the amazing relationship that lies at the heart of an inspiring and ambitious African conservation project.

Meet Chidoba, a young bull who leads a unique herd of fledgling elephants. What sets this group apart is that they're all orphans rescued and raised by the Elephant Orphanage Project. As they prepare to return to the wild, one question persists: Will they find their place or have they become too reliant on humans?

The Zambian Carnivore Program is built around a simple premise: The health of an ecosystem can be gauged through the well-being of its top carnivores. Join two young scientists as they roam the Luangwa Valley, studying the lion prides and hyena clans of this lush, dwindling landscape.

Welcome to the Liuwa Plains-a vast, uncharted expanse of Zambian savanna and the center of an ambitious wildlife project. Follow conversation scientists as they monitor the region’s top predators, fit them with radio collars, study their habits, and work to undo damage inflicted by decades of human encroachment and civil war.