The Last Defenders

We go deep into Southeast Asia’s jungles to see what’s causing the devastating extent of deforestation. Wildlife is also under constant threat from increased poaching, which has created high-risk battlegrounds for environmental defenders. Why do they risk their lives, and at what price?

In the Philippines, ranger Kuhkan Maas and his colleagues face shootings and assault from encroachers as they protect Masungi Georeserve, a watershed vital in preventing floods in the capital Manila.

In Indonesia, we follow Hendra Saputra and his team of rangers who live for weeks-on-end in the jungle to protect the Leuser Ecosystem, the last place on earth with tigers, elephants, orangutans, and rhinos in the wild.

In Thailand, Netnapa Ngamnet, the head of a ranger patrol team in Thailand’s biggest national park, Kaeng Krachan takes us on armed patrols. Her zero tolerance policy towards environmental crimes makes her a target to criminal syndicates. 

Episodes: 3 x 60 minutes

Languages: English

Production year: 2022