'Guardians' episode 4 South Africa
Prince William is launching Guardians, a compelling six-part docuseries celebrating the work of rangers—those unsung protectors of our planet’s most fragile ecosystems. The series will premiere this Friday on BBC Earth’s digital platforms, including YouTube and social media channels.
This deeply personal project, developed through the Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife initiative, offers intimate portraits of rangers from across the globe. Each 6–10-minute episode captures the harsh realities, emotional toll, and unwavering bravery of these guardians working in some of the world’s most extreme environments.
Prince William not only conceived the series but also narrates it. “Throughout my life, meeting various rangers, I’ve come to understand just how essential their work is,” he says. “Their stories often go unheard, yet they face immense danger daily. We must recognize their sacrifice and courage.”
Produced in collaboration with Zandland Studios, Guardians takes a digital-first approach, releasing one new episode each week. Viewers will follow rangers navigating:
- The treacherous snowy peaks of India’s Himalayas, where they balance local survival with the protection of elusive snow leopards
- The Central African Republic, where a former poacher now fights to defend the wildlife he once hunted
- The Sea of Cortez, where an ex-illegal fisherman now works to restore its endangered marine life
- Kruger National Park in South Africa, where rangers defend endangered rhinos from relentless poaching
- Sri Lanka, where teams care for elephants, leopards, and more, all while easing human-animal conflicts
- Brazil’s Caru Indigenous Land, where local communities protect their forests from illegal wildlife trade
Prince William praises these individuals as “nature’s vanguard—educators, community builders, and scientists who risk everything to preserve our planet.”
The series is expected to reach over 13 million global subscribers through BBC Studios Digital Brands, and its aim is clear: to ignite awareness and admiration for these real-life heroes.
“This series is about more than storytelling,” says Jasmine Dawson, SVP of Digital at BBC Studios. “It’s a global conversation about conservation, resilience, and justice for our natural world.”
With stunning visuals, emotional depth, and a heartfelt call to action, Guardians isn’t just a watch—it’s a reminder of the vital role rangers play in safeguarding the planet for future generations.
