Mission: Wildlife Messengers’ mission is to conserve wildlife and habitats through scientific research, on-the-ground action, and communication. We achieve these aims by conducting studies in disciplines such as conservation genetics and biology, by working with local communities to develop sustainable livelihoods, by safeguarding traditional knowledge, and by making scientific and educational films, photographs, and audio recordings. Many of our projects take place in countries with lower industrial bases. Our communications target national and international audiences including government authorities, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, local and indigenous communities, and global audiences.
Results: We have produced several documentary movies with strong conservation messages.
The Macaw Project (www.macawmovie.com) shows how scientific research, eco-tourism and local communities can sustainably preserve complex ecosystems if the project is well managed. The documentary won the 1st prize in Feature Length Film category at the Fish and Wildlife Film Festival of the University of Idaho in 2017, it has been broadcast in five different languages worldwide, and it is also available in on-demand platforms.
The Macaw Kingdom (wildlifemessengers.org/macaw-kingdom) features five conservation scientists in Peru showing how they collect important scientific data to conserve a biodiversity hotspot. It was a winner in the International Film Review / Scientific Documentaries section of the International Nature Film Festival Gödöllő in 2018.
Our next documentary about the Indonesian Parrot Project will work to induce behavioral change in local people and will be released next year. We are enthusiastic about providing suitable and reliable content for science communication to the public, which is an essential tool for conservation problem-solving.
Target demographics: raising awareness about wildlife conservation issues
Geographic areas served: countries with lower industrial bases
Programs: collaborative local capacity building, topic-appropriate filmography, environmental education, impact evaluation of conservation films
I have not seen their films yet, but I can not wait for their Indonesian Parrot Project movie to come out on Netflix. All of their previews are amazingly beautiful, so I am giving them the 5* credits!
The team of Wildlife Messengers does a great job of getting the audience excited and thinking with incredible images and scientific work. With their enthusiasm and dedication they make an important contribution to make the world a little bit better. It is important to me and a great pleasure to support them on their way.
I got to know George since he was getting his feet in the Amazon over a decade ago. He was part of a team of scientists studying macaws. A few years later, I met Cintia. They were both making the documentary on the Macaw Project from scratch. They did a great job communicating the conservation issues and solutions in the region and promoting our ecotourism company. All of this is super important because scientists are usually not too great at communications. So George and Cintia are great because they combine a set of skills rarely found in only two people. They genuinely love to be in the bush - in any conditions. The understand and produce science - they both have a PhD. George is super tech savvy and knows his online marketing. And of course, they tell great stories and capture fantastic visuals. And most importantly: they are very easy going and fun to be with.
attila
Professional with expertise in this field
05/07/2018
Rating: 4
05/07/2018
This NGO was founded by 2 devoted and dedicated zoologists who I was happy to coproduce several films with. Thanks to them I got to know the amazing wildlife of the Peruvian Amazon. Their will to combine scientific results with conservation goals knows no limits. They carefully select their subjects and make sure they reach the maximum possible output.
A. D. Molnár, natural history filmmaker at Filmjungle.eu
