This Netflix Nature Doc Started as Wildlife Film but Became an Emotional Life-Changing Journey

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Occasionally, you stumble upon a movie, series, or documentary that leaves you utterly amazed, and that’s exactly what happened when I recently watched the 2025 Netflix original film, “Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey“. This new documentary tells the story of a conservationist rescuing a young pangolin (the scaly anteater-like creatures) from poachers and nursing it back to health. I believe this experience has left an indelible mark on me.

Upon learning that the documentary hailed from Pippa Ehlirch, renowned for her Academy Award-winning film “My Octopus Teacher“, I initially assumed it would be a typical nature documentary focusing on an endangered species. However, I found myself delving into a profoundly intimate and emotionally stirring narrative instead. Here’s the captivating account of its unfolding and why you should set aside time to watch this inspiring film with your Netflix subscription.

I Kept Hearing About Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey, And Thought It Was Just A Standard Nature Doc

To clarify, I’d like to make it clear that my critique isn’t aimed at nature documentaries as a whole, given my admiration for David Attenborough’s programs and the captivating nature documentaries available on Disney+. However, upon hearing about “Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey“, I had initially assumed it would follow the familiar pattern of animal journey tales, complete with a semi-fictional narrative to accompany footage of the pangolin navigating perilous situations in its African habitat. These types of documentaries are quite common, aren’t they?

However, rather than that, this incredibly heartrending and potent documentary centers around the connection between South African conservationist Gareth Thomas and Kulu, who was originally known as Gijima. Kulu, a three-month-old animal, was saved from poachers who seized him from his mother at a tender age. The movie delves into the rehabilitation process at the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital and the profound influence it had on both Kulu and Gareth throughout.

While It Is About Rehabilitating An Endangered Animal, It’s Also About Fixing A Broken Person

What makes the documentary Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey captivating, impactful, and hypnotizing is that it goes beyond portraying Kulu’s transformation from a malnourished and stolen young pangolin to an independent creature. Rather, it narrates the tale of a person who has been lost and aimless in life for years, only to discover purpose and meaning in their existence through this journey.

Gareth Thomas, who contributes significantly to the documentary with his personal photos and videos of Kulu, is embarking on a journey as profound as the animal he vowed to safeguard. As he reconnects to his roots (having spent his summers in South Africa and Zimbabwe exploring the wild), the photographer and volunteer discovered renewed purpose through his work at the hospital. However, when he encountered and saved Kulu, his life gained an entirely fresh significance and objective.

I Related To Gareth And His Journey To Raise, Protect, And Release Kulu

Despite not having experience with animals in the wild (as I don’t consider the four chickens in my backyard as such, since they tend to demand food at my door), I deeply empathized with Gareth’s narrative and his mission to save, nurture, safeguard, and ultimately set free Kulu following the lengthy rehabilitation process. The documentary took me on an emotional rollercoaster, with moments of laughter and tears, but I could resonate with Gareth and his journey from beginning to end in this captivating 90-minute wildlife production.

The bond between Gareth and Kulu, the baby pangolin, seems more akin to that of a “father and child” rather than the typical “man and animal.” As the conservationist guides Kulu through his new experiences in the early stages of the documentary, it stirred memories for me from when I first became a father about ten years ago. The initial shock of realizing how unprepared you are until you’re fully immersed is an experience I’ll never forget, and this documentary brought those feelings back to me.

His experience with Kulu – filled with perplexity, irritation, joy, sorrow, and numerous hardships – painted a deeply moving portrait of a man who fought tirelessly to nurture, shield, and ultimately let go of something he held very dear. And I could resonate with that feeling.

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The emotional rollercoaster he endured while caring for Kulu – including moments of bewilderment, anger, happiness, sadness, and struggle – created a powerful narrative about a man’s unyielding efforts to nurture, safeguard, and ultimately bid farewell to something he cherished deeply. And I could empathize with that journey.

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The complex emotions he experienced during his journey with Kulu – ranging from bewilderment to frustration, joy, sorrow, and struggle – produced a heartrending account of a man’s relentless endeavors to raise, protect, and eventually let go of something he held dear. And I could relate to that experience.

The Documentary’s Bittersweet Ending Is One That’ll Stick With Me For A Long Time

From the onset, I sensed the conclusion of the documentary would involve Kulu’s freedom and Gareth’s acceptance. As it turned out, my intuition proved accurate as the narrative unfolded with them parting ways, leaving a bittersweet aftertaste that resonated deeply within me.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve been captivated by the documentary’s journey of Gareth, who tirelessly strives for the freedom of a pangolin named Kulu. Gradually and thoughtfully, he expands Kulu’s living space, increases his liberty, and builds trust as the rewilding process unfolds. The culmination of this heartwarming story comes just before its conclusion, when Gareth, with tears brimming in his eyes, whispers, “there comes a time when you must let go.” One year and seven months after their initial encounter, Gareth bids farewell to his dear friend Kulu as the pangolin embarks on a new life in the wild.

The Best Thing I Can Compare This To Is Last Minutes With Oden

As I watched the movie “Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey,” particularly towards the close, it kept reminding me of Eliot Rausch’s 2009 short documentary, “Last Minutes with Oden.” This film chronicles a man facing the difficult decision to euthanize his dog who had been battling cancer. Despite having starkly contrasting conclusions, they both delve into a common theme: how animals can help us grow as humans.

If you haven’t seen “Last Minutes with Oden”, I highly suggest giving it a watch. However, be warned that it is a deeply moving and emotionally charged short film that may leave you in tears (trust me, even writing about it now brings tears to my eyes). As I watched it, I found myself reflecting on the deep connections I share with my pets – my dogs, cats, and chickens – as well as my loved ones. It’s incredible how impactful and heartfelt documentaries like this can be.

Essentially, “Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey” is a highly recommended watch for those captivated by heartfelt nature documentaries, given the impressive work done by director Pippa Ehlirch, who has already demonstrated her talent with “My Octopus Teacher”. I’m excited to see what she’ll create next.

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2025-04-28 14:39