“RHINO MAN HIGHLIGHTS THE IMMENSE DEBT WE OWE TO RANGERS, THE TRUE HEROES IN OUR EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE WORLD'S WILDLIFE."
Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder
The Jane Goodall Institute
And UN Messenger of Hope
THE MOVIE
a film by Global Conservation Corps produced by Friendly Human
RHINO MAN follows the courageous field rangers who risk their lives every day to protect South Africa's rhinos from being poached to extinction.
We follow Anton Mzimba, the head ranger of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, as he and his team battle to protect the rhinos. Anton faces long deployments away from family, dangerous working conditions, and constant threats to his life.
Nearby, a legendary trainer, Ruben de Kock, laments the loss of his best friend and business partner, as he and his wife, Marianne, struggle to take a group of 41 candidates through a rigorous ranger selection at the Southern African Wildlife College.
It's a race to inspire the next generation to care for the rhinos and the natural word, before poachers and habitat loss wipe out one species after another. In this story, greed, desperation, and violence are met with an even stronger set of forces. Those of love, dedication, and a willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice for a better future.
THE PODCAST
The Rhino Man Podcast features in-depth, long-form conversations with the subjects of the film along with top conservationists from around the world. It continues the story beyond the screen diving into the topics of rhinos, rangers, illegal wildlife trade, and the importance of community engagement. Hosted by filmmaker John Jurko II, the lead producer and director of RHINO MAN.
FEATURED ORGANIZATIONS
RHINO MAN SONG AVAILABLE
In honor of Anton Mzimba's passing, our team has released the song that inspired it all. RHINO MAN by Paul Thomaz and Underflow Records. Available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube, and most streaming platforms.
RHINO MAN SONG AVAILABLE
In honor of Anton Mzimba's passing, our team has released the song that inspired it all. RHINO MAN by Paul Thomaz and Underflow Records. Available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube, and most streaming platforms.
HONORING ANTON
Anton Mzimba was the Head of Ranger Services at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and Technical Advisor to GCC. He dedicated his life to the protection and conservation of South African wildlife.
As RHINO MAN is now complete and on a trajectory to being released in the coming months, our worst nightmare has become a reality. On the evening of July 26th, Anton was brutally murdered at his home in front of his family. To say we are heartbroken is an understatement. Anton was not only the hero of our film, but a dear friend to everyone on the team.
As devastating as this moment is, we wish to come together to honor Anton's legacy and his story captured in this film. We are working to premiere in festivals, bring it to streaming platforms, and launch a Social Impact Campaign that would make Anton proud. You can also support his legacy through the Anton Mzimba Education Trust by clicking the button below.
He always knew the risks, but when asked he calmly voiced that the cause was worth it. Anton paid the ultimate price to protect our planet's future.
PLEASE FOLLOW AS HIS STORY UNFOLDS
THE POSTER
We’re excited to reveal our amazing and beautiful poster, which will represent RHINO MAN as we bring the film to the world . The poster features the hero of our film along with endangered black rhinos. We hope this poster will draw people in and make them curious to learn more about the film, the life of a ranger, and what they can do to support rangers worldwide.
A massively huge thanks goes out to the inimitable artist Marcel van Luit, for creating such a stunning image. Please check out his beautiful and enchanting artwork at marcelvanluit.com.
Another big thank you goes out to photographer Emma Gatland for taking this epic photo of Anton, which has been incorporated into this work of art. View her work at emmagatland.com.
Eventually we will be printing these posters to promote festivals and events, and to share with the community. Stay tuned!
THE SOUNDTRACK
RHINO MAN features a completely Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, scored by Simón Wilson. Our title track "Who Will Step Up?" features Zulu lyrics and vocals by South African musical artists Sipho Mchunu and Mandisa Dlanga.
SIPHO MCHUNU is a Zulu musician best known for his partnership with Johnny Clegg in the band Juluka from the 1970s to the 1990s. Mchunu's Zulu compositions, vocals and guitar work brought traditional Zulu styles such as maskanda and mbaqanga to a wider crossover audience. His most recent album, Iselula, is available on Spotify.
MANDISA DLANGA is a South African vocalist from Lusikisiki, in the rural Transkei. She left her home to relocate to Johannesburg where she worked with and director, Gibson Kente. She met Johnny Clegg in studio in 1986 and recorded and toured with him as the longest serving member in Clegg's line-up.
A special thanks goes to Executive Producer Robert Bath and his music label FoundDigital Entertainment for producing the title track.
(Photo of Sipho and Mandisa by Lance Peterson Photography.)
WITH SUPPORT FROM
SOCIAL IMPACT CAMPAIGN
THE ISSUE
Rhinos are being poached at such a rapid rate that they could soon go extinct in the wild. Rangers are their final line of defense, yet many lack the support needed to carry out this heroic mission.
SPECIES IN CRISIS
Before the 18th century, over 500,000 rhinos roamed Africa and Asia. By 1970, rhino numbers dropped to 70,000, and today, around 27,000 rhinos remain in the wild. Very few rhinos survive outside of national parks and reserves due to persistent poaching and habitat loss over many decades. On top of that, the 2020 global Living Planet Index shows an average 68% fall in monitored vertebrate species populations between 1970 and 2016.
WORLD WILDLIFE FUND
RANGERS STEP IN
Rangers are the backbone of global biodiversity management and protection. They patrol on land and sea through extreme weather and tough terrain, putting their lives on the line. Rangers protect the places that give us clean air, water, food, fertile soil, medicines, and a stable climate. Ultimately, they save species, generate tourism, and advance livelihoods worldwide. These unsung heroes are our planet’s greatest guardians.
UNIVERSAL RANGER SUPPORT ALLIANCE
LACKING SUPPORT
Rangers are lacking in proper training, appropriate working conditions, adequate pay and benefits, government and legal support, and recognition for their heroic efforts. Only 50% of rangers report that they have adequate supplies or uniforms. Nearly 50% do not have access to clean drinking water. In the last 10 years 1,175 rangers have died on the job. Rangers earn less than other frontline workers like police officers and firefighters. Yet we ask them to work tirelessly for our planet.
LIFE ON THE FRONTLINE 2019TAKE ACTION
Without properly trained and cared for rangers we will continue to lose rhinos along with many other species and important habitats at a rapid rate. Learn what you can do to make a difference today.