Last Animals

The Northern White Rhinoceros, one of the most endangered mammals on Earth, faces imminent extinction due to rampant poaching driven by illegal trafficking of rhino horns and ivory. A 2017 documentary, Last Animals, reveals that this crisis is not isolated but part of a broader pattern where trafficking networks, often linked to organized crime and even terrorism financing, supply poachers with advanced weaponry and logistics, accelerating species collapse. Research by conservation biologist Sam Wasser from the University of Washington demonstrates that a significant portion of seized ivory traces back to specific regions like Tanzania and Congo, suggesting complicity at governmental levels. The film also highlights the desperate efforts of park rangers in Garamba National Park, where armed conflicts mirror wartime conditions. While the documentary excels in capturing the intimate plight of the Northern White Rhino, its exploration of broader trafficking dynamics is less precise, yet it remains a powerful call to action against illegal wildlife trade.

Lewis, C. (2019). Last Animals. Educational Media Reviews Online, 21(4). https://doi.org/10.59236/emro.v21i4a7263