Kevin Pietersen Pledges to 'Save This Rhino' with Disney+ and National Geographic Documentary
With the world Rhino population on a collision course for total extinction in the coming decades, former English Cricket Captain turned activist and conservationist, Kevin Pietersen, continues his quest in ‘Save This Rhino - India’, airing on World Rhino Day, Tuesday 22nd September.
The two episodes will air in India across Disney+ and National Geographic, following Pietersen’s journey to shed light on the plight of the Rhino by visiting his home away from home, India, revealing some amazing results using the people power of community, communication, solidarity, education and technology. The documentary will roll out to other global markets across the platforms in the weeks following the initial Indian screening.
The documentaries have been created by Sydney-based TV and film production studio, THIS. Film Studio (a division of M&C Saatchi), as a much anticipated sequel to their critically acclaimed ‘Save This Rhino - South Africa’, which was shot in 2018 with Pietersen.
Commenting on the documentary, Pieterson said: “The situation is deeply complicated, but through the remarkable people power and the support of companies such as CISCO who are throwing their weight behind the issue, we can together work towards a solution. Over the two episodes, we investigate the struggles, obstacles and wins of those on the ground who are determined to fight this conservational war to prevent rhino extinction. Ultimately, we are looking to investigate and find positive solutions to the question - can humans and animals live together with the changing environment?”
Shot in the incredible diverse Biosphere of ASSAM in the most Northern Province of India and celebrating the ANESCO Heritage Listed Kaziranga National Park, Pietersen tackles the heavy subjects of the ongoing poaching and annual flooding threatening the remaining 2,000-plus Indian rhinos, who are considered by many as the living unicorn given the fact they only have one horn.
“My deep passion trying to use Technology to conserve pristine ecosystems and endangered species led me directly to Rhinos and Kaziranga in Assam. Teaming up with my good friend Kevin again and Dr Krithi Karanth to understand and solve the human-wildlife conflict and the fragility of the park ecosystem was a complex endeavour where we had to involve the community, guards, NGO’s all as key components in the solution. This led us in an innovative technological direction which really added value to their lives and enabled all voices to protect the Rhino and all the animals and people who live in and near Kaziranga.” added Shahnaz Imam, head of brand, at CISCO India & SAARC.
THIS. Film Studio has a proven track record in highlighting important conservation issues, having released recent projects such as 'Save This Shark' in September 2020, alongside 3x World Champion surfer, Mick Fanning. “With many situations seemingly overly complicated without positive solutions, This. Film Studio continues to find authentic stories of people, resilience and hope for a brighter future” says Michael Lawrence, co-founder and CEO, THIS. Film Studio.
“M&C Saatchi believes in the power of communication to change the world. Mick and his team, through determination and brilliant creativity, have set out to do just that. But success also depends on the support of partners, so many thanks to Cisco, Disney+ and National Geographic for driving awareness of this critical issue across Continents.” concluded Moray MacLennan, worldwide CEO, M&C Saatchi.
