A film by Nicholas Brown

A revolutionary look at how both predators and humans can help save the spectacular gatherings of animals found on the world’s plains.The plains are home to the greatest gatherings of animal life on the planet. But today these wild grasslands — along with the iconic species that live here — are among the most endangered places on Earth.

The front line is in Africa, where the film joins an action packed elephant rescue. Elephants are still being culled in the name of wildlife management, and we meet Alan Savory whose research led to the first-ever mass cull of 40 thousand elephants. But Savory now believes his original research was wrong. Today he tests a revolutionary new theory that will not only end the practice of culling, it will forever change how all of us live on the plains.

Moving north to the Arctic plains, or tundra, we discover how man can collaborate with wild animals to survive in a vast landscape. The Sami have a shockingly intimate connection with their reindeer that benefits both species, and serves as inspiration as to how it might work elsewhere.

In North America, we witness how re-introducing species can restore the Great Plains to health. The return of the prairie dog and the magnificent black footed ferret have benefited the grassland, and even more dramatically, the re-introduction of wolves have inspired Montana ranchers to herd their cattle as if hunted by wolves. They are re-creating the impact of the once vast herds of bison. Their actions have restored habitat for extraordinary birds, including Curlews and Sage Grouse.

Finally, we return to Africa to see how the Maasai live alongside their deadly enemies — prides of lions. Exciting new technology is helping the oldest cowboys on earth live in harmony with these predators, and under Maasai protection, lions are doing better than even in the national parks.

Run time: 55 min.

WILD FILMS AT THE LIBRARY is a free series of award-winning international wildlife films selected from the International Wildlife Film Festival. The International Wildlife Film Festival was established in 1977 in Missoula, Montana with a mission to promote awareness, knowledge and understanding of wildlife, habitat, people and nature through excellence in film, television and other media.