Documentary
United States of America
Born to Be Wild is a 40-minute documentary film that explores the extraordinary bond between caretakers and young orphaned animals. The movie is narrated by Morgan Freeman and directed by David Lickley.
The film takes viewers on a journey to two remote places, Borneo and Kenya, where dedicated individuals are working to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned baby animals. In Borneo, we follow Dr. Birute Galdikas as she continues her lifelong mission to study and protect orangutans in the rain forest. Galdikas and her team care for young orangutans who have lost their mothers due to habitat destruction, illegal hunting, and other human activities. They teach the orphaned primates survival skills and help them to reintegrate into the wild when they are ready.
In Kenya, we meet Dame Daphne Sheldrick, who has devoted her life to rescuing and raising baby elephants. Sheldrick's center, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, is home to dozens of orphaned elephants who have lost their families to poaching, drought, or human-wildlife conflict. The film shows how Sheldrick and her team use innovative methods to provide round-the-clock care for the baby elephants, including feeding them milk formula, teaching them how to use their trunks, and playing with them to stimulate their physical and mental development.
Born to Be Wild features stunning footage of the animals in their natural habitats, as well as heartwarming scenes of human-animal bonding. The film highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these magnificent creatures and their ecosystems. Born to Be Wild is a visually breathtaking and emotionally resonant documentary that will leave viewers inspired and uplifted.
