Written By: Ellie Stones
There’s no doubt that the wild fauna and flora that roam our planet are incredible. There’s also no denying that the natural world is struggling as a result of human greed and ignorance. There’s an environmental balance that we’re all a part of, and not respecting that balance throws the world into disarray. World Wildlife Day is all about reflecting and acting on these things. It’s about considering what we can actually give back to the planet, rather than simply taking from it with no intent of accountability.
As a young photographer and filmmaker, my work focuses on our complicated relationship with nature. I find myself drawn in particular to investigative stories that explore human-wildlife conflict, such as the illegal wildlife trade. The powerful thing about visual storytelling is that you can bring stories to people’s eyes that would otherwise remain hidden; you build this universal connection between the creative and factual world. I think it’s our duty as storytellers to create impact with our work, and to make it stand for something. That’s the mindset I took when making my short documentary, The Pangolin Man; a self-funded, one-woman-crew production focusing on one man’s fight to save the most illegally trafficked mammal in the world.
Pangolins are at the forefront of the illegal wildlife trade, hunted across Africa and Asia for their meat and scales. This, among other reasons (mainly a long-term obsession), was why I was adamant on sharing their story. I wanted to give pangolins a voice in a way that had never been done before. The Pangolin Man focuses on Moses Arineitwe (aka the “pangolin man”), a local Ugandan who not only saves the lives of the pangolins, but of the very people who hunt them. Bush hunting is common in south-western Uganda as a source of subsistence, but thanks to Moses’ work, attitudes are changing. As well as rescuing pangolins from hunters, Moses actively influences his community, creating grassroots alternatives to poaching such as gardening and sustainable fishing, and educating those around him about the value of nature. The film portrays his hopes and victories as well as his struggles; it’s a local story that relates to a global issue, and Moses’ passionate voice provides an authentic perspective that other Ugandans can connect to.
I graduated from Marine and Natural History Photography at Falmouth University in 2020, and I created my film as a part of my final year work. But I’d always intended to produce something that went beyond my degree, something that I could take into the real world and push in front of people. Submitting to film festivals was an essential part of that outreach. Whilst I’m incredibly grateful for the awards and screenings, the best thing about getting the film into so many festivals is that after watching it, people from all over the world felt inspired enough to support the cause. As a result of the donation page I set up, Moses has so far received more than £5,000 in donations. I’m hoping to return to Uganda later this year to hold a screening in the local villages, with a plan to document how Moses’ work has grown since the films’ creation. Given that The Pangolin Man directly encompasses the local people, community outreach is vital; not only to build respect for the natural world, but to show that there are successful and sustainable alternatives to poaching.
Being a part of the Discover Film Awards was a real privilege; receiving a highly commended Craghoppers Social Impact Award was probably one of my proudest moments. Having that validation is very motivating, and it’s only strengthened my determination to tell impact-driven, investigative, and journalistic stories about the issues facing the natural world.
But I hope people realise, that even if you’re just one person, you can actually do a great deal. Whether you’re on the front line changing people’s perceptions of wildlife, or sharing those important stories with the world, we all have the potential to be a part of something larger than ourselves.
Useful Links
To support Moses’ work, you can donate here.
You can watch The Pangolin Man here.
Director Ellie Stones’ Website
Ellie Stones Instagram: @pebble_pic
Ellie Stones Twitter: @stones_ellie