Salvation: The Battle For Earth’s Wildlife

We believe change only happens when we care about what is at stake but in order to care, we must first understand what is really happening. The Salvation documentary addresses this need for a broader awareness of the complex relationships between people, wildlife and the environments they share. Wildlife trafficking, biodiversity loss and zoonotic disease risks are among the defining environmental challenges of our time. The human impact will be felt most painfully by upcoming generations whose perception of environmental degradation is continually warped by shifting baseline syndrome – it us now who are responsible for what they will inherit. Through Adam and Ben’s journey, we step into the lived experiences of conservationists, scientists and Indigenous communities, to deliver context and nuance around issues that are often reduced to statistics, obscured by competing narratives or disconnected from the real human-wildlife impact and hidden from public awareness altogether.

This documentary seeks to share decades of knowledge and lived experience gained through sustained engagement with conservation and communities around the world, not only through Adam and Ben’s perspective but through the voices of those they have encountered along the way. By shadowing their approach and sharing these relationships, we reveal how critical stories are discovered, how trust is built and what long-term observation can uncover, delivering insights rarely documented from the inside. This documentary will be a lasting resource for educators, researchers and future storytellers interested in the realities behind environmental reporting and conservation investigations. Its focus on process, relationships and coexistence gives the film relevance beyond immediate events and media cycles. Rather than gratuitous shock reportage or a heroic saviour narrative, we aim to ignite a sense of ecological urgency, especially within upcoming generations who will soon be carrying the torch.

This documentary is an integral pillar within a broader long-term storytelling ecosystem including the landmark book, global exhibitions (launching in 2027) and a digital platform. Rather than concluding two decades of work, the documentary establishes the foundation for the next chapter, continuing to uncover the people, places and perspectives shaping our changing relationship with the natural world. The strength of the wider Salvation Project is reflected in the calibre of globally revered contributors and partners already involved, including Dr Jane Goodall, whose urgent foreword for the book reinforces the need for greater awareness and action, Sebastião Salgado’s officially approved photographic legacy and longstanding relationships with IFAW and World Animal Protection.

This documentary emerged during a research trip to a pangolin rehabilitation facility in Vietnam, where director Nicky Akehurst was invited to document Adam and Ben’s work. The trip established a level of trust, understanding and collaboration that now underpins this production. Through more than two decades of relationship-building, Adam and Ben have developed rare access to complex cultural, environmental and political landscapes. From teams operating in border regions impacted by wildlife trafficking to Indigenous communities protecting knowledge, culture and landscapes, they have earned the trust required to enter worlds rarely seen by outsiders. We are now uniquely positioned to explore these stories from within. The integrity of these relationships is reflected in the wider Salvation network, including globally respected contributors Dr Jane Goodall and Sebastião Salgado, alongside longstanding partnerships with IFAW and WAP.

We encourage people to continue their Salvation journey long after the credits roll. Through this film, print, exhibitions, a digital platform and social media, our community will be able to keep exploring the people, places and perspectives encountered in the documentary, delving deeper into the stories behind the stories. We want to ignite action in people curious about conservation, activism, policy making and environmental storytelling. Where appropriate, we hope the film inspires people to venture beyond the screen and experience some of the landscapes, communities and environments featured in the documentary firsthand, gaining a deeper appreciation of what is at stake and continuing their own journey of discovery. From social media engagement to institutional collaboration, we encourage audiences to continue the conversation around the issues explored in Salvation. We hope the documentary inspires future partnerships with investigators, conservationists and educators.