FIELD PRODUCTION/ VIDEOGRAPHY/ STILL
A one-hour film for National Geographic Explorer that takes on the global human-elephant conflict, examining the shocking rise in human fatalities.
The film takes viewers deep inside the minds of these startlingly complex animals to reveal just what is triggering this increasingly violent behavior and what can be done to stop it.
The villagers of West Bengal’s Jalapaiguri district dread the night. That’s when the lumbering giant elephants emerge from the forest to gorge on their crops of rice and corn. Elephants are gigantic and usually docile herbivores, but authorities say that wild elephant attacks are increasing. Why? National Geographic turns to Pittsburgh Zoo elephant manager Willie Theison, also known as “The Elephant Whisperer.” After nearly 30 years working with elephants, Theison brings uncanny insight into their complex minds.