Gorongosa National Park 6 Hour TV Series, Mozambique
6-hour TV Series begins airing on PBS Sept 22nd
Over the past two years, a team of filmmakers has been documenting the restoration effort in Gorongosa Park for a 6-hour series that provides an unprecedented, in-depth look at the inspiring work of saving this park.
This landmark series is called “Gorongosa Park: Rebirth of Paradise” and begins airing on PBS, the largest television network in the United States. Airdates are:
Tues Sept 22nd, 8pm ET
Tues Sept 29th, 8pm ET
Tues Oct 6th, 8pm ET
In October, it will begin airing internationally on the National Geographic Channel.
The series is hosted by Bob Poole, an award-winning cameraman who has spent his decades-long career filming wildlife all over the world, with a special emphasis on Africa, where he grew up.
Starting Sept 22nd, viewers in the United States can follow Bob as he joins the scientists and conservationists who are working to restore the park, including lion researchers Paola Bouley, Celina Dias and Domingas Aleixo, Park Vet Rui Branco, Park Warden Mateus Mutemba, elephant researcher Joyce Poole (Bob’s sister) and the renowned biologist Edward O. Wilson, who serves as a scientific advisor to the park.
“My childhood in the wilds of Africa inspired my career, but Gorongosa is special for me; this time I will be in front of the camera as well as behind it, capturing the incredible biodiversity and herculean conservation efforts taking place,” says Poole. “The two years I spent filming the parks transformation fulfills a life-long dream of mine. I was able to combine my passion for animal conservation with my love of documentary filmmaking.”
“Our deep dive into the return of GORONGOSA PARK is important because of how crucial its conservation effort is to the ecosystem of Africa – and to the world,” said Bill Gardner, VP, Programming and Development, PBS. “It’s also an epic adventure and an inspiring story of how dedicated people, working together, can make a difference in rehabilitating ecosystems thought to be lost.”
Episodes 1 & 2 (Tues Sept 22nd, 8pm ET)
Episodes 1 & 2, “Lion Mystery” and “Elephant Whisperer“
In the premiere episodes, Bob Poole joins Gorongosa scientist Paola Bouley as she tries to solve a baffling mystery: why isn’t Gorongosa’s lion population growing as fast as people think it should? Poole films five cheeky lion cubs on their journey to adulthood. Then, he and his sister Joyce, a renowned elephant expert, face charging elephants to gain insights into their behavior.
September 22, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm ET, USA
Episodes 3 & 4 (Tues Sept 29th, 8pm ET)
Episodes 3 & 4, “New Blood” and “Hidden Worlds“
In these next two hours, Bob Poole and the lion team find one of the cubs with a grave wound and race to save her. A massive relocation mission is launched to bring back zebra and eland, Africa’s largest antelope. Then, Poole and a team of scientists estimate that the park may hold Africa’s largest crocodile population. Rappelling into deep gorges, they discover forests full of new species and unexplored caves.
September 29, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm ET, USA
Episodes 5 & 6 (Tues Oct 6th, 8pm ET)
Episodes 5 & 6,”Battle Lines” and “Roaring Back“
In the final episodes, Joyce Poole makes a breakthrough with the elephants in Gorongosa, while Bob spends a night investigating a group of crop-raiding elephants. A new lion arrives, sparking conflict in Gorongosa’s lion kingdom. Bob explores Gorongosa in the wet season, and films one of the largest nesting colonies of waterbirds in Africa.
October 6, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm ET, USA
Thank You!
The restoration of this beloved park would not be possible without you, our steadfast supporters. All of you who visited Gorongosa, those who have donated to the project, and those who have spread the word about the importance of the Park can feel proud that all our efforts are being acknowledged, and that Gorongosa National Park is going from strength to strength. Many thanks!
A special thanks is due to the Gorongosa Business Club (GBC) whose long term commitment is making our mission possible.
– Anadarko
– BCI
– CDM
– Clinicare
– CPMZ
– Embassy of Portugal – Portuguese Cooperation
– Fernando Couto Foundation
– Entreposto Group
– InterRent
– Rizwan Adatia Foundation
– Kudumba
– Socimpex
– Soico/STV
– Southern Refineries
– Standard Bank
– Tecnel Service
– Transcrane
– Tovisi
The Gorongosa Family is growing stronger day by day, and we are grateful for the vision and generosity shown by Zoo Boise, Coimbra University, Boise State University, Princeton University, HHMI, Irish Aid, USAID and the Government of Mozambique among our many partners.
We would also like to thank our partners Girassol Hotels (Visabeira Group) for creating a world-class safari destination and making our guests in Chitengo feel welcome.
Enjoy the series!
