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Lions and cheetahs and chimps, oh my: a spotlight on Africa's diverse wildlife
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In Short: Nigerian-born actor David Oyelowo shares his experiences filming a new National Geographic series focusing on Africa's diverse wildlife.
Nigerian-born actor David Oyelowo expressed his excitement and honor at being part of a new National Geographic series focusing on Africa's wildlife.
"I was incredibly honored that they even know my name at Nat Geo," Oyelowo told Ars Technica.
Oyelowo, who has worked in Kenya and South Africa, among other places, shared his awe at the continent's biodiversity.
There was so much I didn’t know," he said, adding, "Seeing snow and monkeys living in the snow in Africa, I had never seen that before.
The series, which aims to launch a new franchise covering all seven continents, features episodes dedicated to specific ecosystems such as jungles, deserts, plains, mountains, and islands.
"We really wanted it to feel personable," Oyelowo said, emphasizing the narrative approach that highlights the personal connections between humans and wildlife.
One episode showcased an underwater “hippo cam” capturing barbel fish providing a “spa treatment” to hippos, demonstrating the series' innovative filming techniques.
"I felt like I could see so much of humanity within these stories," Oyelowo reflected.
"The cheetah and her three cubs on a terrain where her superpower [speed] is now null and void because they’re on cliffs—I see that cheetah and I see my mother with her three cubs in terrain where her super powers weren’t able to power up," Oyelowo said, highlighting the parallels between human and animal survival.
The series aims to celebrate and reconnect with the continent where Oyelowo was born, emphasizing the diversity and beauty of African wildlife.
What's still developing
- “I never thought I’d feel empathy for a hyena,” said Mosaki.
- An underwater “hippo cam” featured pan and tilt heads to better capture what was happening beneath the surface as hippos receieved a “spa treatment,” i.e., barbel fish nibbling away all their dead skin.
- Each episode focuses on a specific ecosystem, from the jungle and the desert, to the plains, mountains, and islands of Africa, and closes by spotlighting the various scientists, photographers, and NatGeo explorers whose work made the series possible.
- As someone who was born in Nigeria and raised in England, I’ll take any opportunity I can to reconnect and celebrate this incredible continent where life is so diverse and so extreme and beautiful and relentless and peaceful.