‘Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey’ Review: ‘My Octopus Teacher’ Director Delivers Another Heart-Tugging Study of Man and Nature

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I’m thrilled for Netflix, as I’ve found a new ambition: rearing a baby pangolin! This endeavor might not be a solitary one, given the necessity of moving to South Africa and enrolling as a “Pangolin Walker Volunteer.” It’s not a typical occupation you’d come across in a documentary, but that’s Gareth Thomas’ role in Pippa Ehrlich’s Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey. Similar to the structure of My Octopus Teacher, the director of this 2021 Oscar winner, delivers a tale about a man who discovers a more profound life by extensively engaging with an animal that’s generally not sociable.

Ehrlich’s latest work exhibits qualities similar to the previous document, yet it has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. It departs from traditional zoological research by adopting a more relatable personal style, but at times, it may appear overly emotional, with its sentimentality heightened by an evocative African music score. However, the pangolin is such a fascinating and spirited creature, while Thomas’ compassion for its well-being is heartwarming, that the film remains compelling throughout.

Ehrlich’s new work shares some qualities with the old one but also has its pros and cons. It uses a more personal approach instead of dry zoology, but it might seem too emotional at times, especially with its stirring African music. But the pangolin is such an unusual and feisty creature, and Thomas’ dedication to caring for it is touching, so you can’t stop watching the film.

If you’re puzzled about what a pangolin is, that’s perfectly fine. It seems to have the appearance of a cartoon character that might be a mix of a penguin and a mandolin, while its physical form resembles a blend between an armadillo and an anteater.

As depicted in the movie, pangolins have coexisted with dinosaurs for approximately 85 million years, making them among Earth’s longest-living creatures. Regrettably, out of the eight species that currently inhabit parts of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, they are the most frequently trafficked wild mammals globally. Their scales, composed of a durable, interlocking material similar to human hair (keratin), are highly sought after in traditional Chinese medicines. Unfortunately, their numbers are dwindling due to overexploitation, making efforts to combat poaching and rehabilitate these animals even more crucial, as depicted in the film.

As a gamer, I’d say: “To me, playing games is like receiving a divine gift. Each character, level, and power-up is steeped in lore that’s been handed down for generations. It’s as if these elements were dropped from the heavens. For instance, among the Venda people of Southern Africa, pangolins are seen as such gifts. They believe these creatures descended from the sky and can make their scales vibrate to summon thunderstorms and bring rain. This ancient belief is beautifully depicted in the game’s opening sequence, where a nighttime thunderstorm unfolds as a pangolin wanders through the underbrush, its armor shimmering in the rain.

As a passionate gamer residing in Johannesburg, I’ve found a unique way to contribute to conservation efforts – working alongside Professor Ray Jansen and the African Pangolin Working Group he established. In our missions, I often play the role of a potential buyer in undercover operations to nab traffickers. Recently, we rescued a baby pangolin we named Gijima, who was too young to survive independently from his mother. This tiny hero is now under our care and on the road to recovery.

Pangolins protect themselves by curling into a tight ball to safeguard their vulnerable undersides. Despite Thomas having never encountered one in its wild habitat, he’s only helped rescue these animals; Jansen remarks that pangolins have become somewhat mythical or legendary, like unicorns. However, for poachers who can track down these elusive creatures, they are an easy target due to their poor eyesight and inability to bite or outrun humans. Tragically, some never recover from the stress of being torn away from their natural environment and transported into crates, passing away before they receive medical attention.

Following Gijima’s transportation to the Johannesburg Animal Hospital and then to a secret location off-site, Thomas is tasked with looking after the frightened puppy until it builds enough weight and strength to endure the “return-to-wild” procedure.

Jansen reports that APWG has successfully returned nearly 100 rescued pangolins to their natural habitat, but the process hasn’t been without its challenges. Regrettably, some healthy pangolins didn’t make it through their first night in the wild. They were either attacked by predators such as lions, hyenas, leopards, and the formidable honey badger, or suffered fatal injuries after encountering electric fences surrounding nature reserves. Despite six months of rehabilitation efforts, the risks remain significant.

Thomas has been assigned the role of escorting Gijima to a campsite located within the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, a sprawling nature reserve encompassing mountains, wetlands, grasslands, and an array of various ant species and termites – key components in a pangolin’s diet. Given his history with traffickers, Gijima seems wary of trusting humans, making this endeavor a long-term exercise in patience. As solitary animals, it’s natural for Gijima to attempt to escape whenever the opportunity arises.

Every morning at 4 a.m., as a devoted caretaker, I synchronize my routine with my nocturnal pangolin buddy, Gijima. I patiently wait for the sound of his nails tapping against the box where he rests. Unlike other mammals, Gijima refuses to dine from a plate of ants; instead, he feeds only when gently placed on the ground and granted space to rummage for his favorite ant colonies. Amazingly, this unique creature can detect an ant nest even through a foot of solid earth with its extraordinary sense of smell.

It’s entertaining to see Gijima unearth soil using his sharp claws, eventually exposing a colony and devouring it in a feeding spree. He particularly enjoys ant larvae, which Thomas humorously calls “pangolin ice cream.” Unlike other animals, the pangolin doesn’t have a traditional mouth. Instead, it has a tube-like snout with an opening that reveals its long tongue during feeding. When ants start biting Gijima on his tongue, he employs his front claws to knock them away.

(The “Pugnacious Ant” is a well-known species, and Dr. Caswell Munyai’s fascination with ants makes him truly captivating. He warrants a documentary all to himself.)

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(Known as the “Pugnacious Ant,” this common species has captured the attention of ant expert Dr. Caswell Munyai. Given his intrigue, it’s only fitting that he should be the subject of his own documentary.)

As a pangolin enthusiast, I’ve found it fascinating to learn that they are essentially the guests of nature. Rather than excavating their own burrows for sleep, they cleverly utilize holes dug by other animals such as warthogs, aardvarks, bushpigs, and porcupines, adapting these dwellings to suit their unique requirements. Additionally, Kulu, like any wise creature, understands the importance of self-preservation. By rolling in rhino dung for scent camouflage, it ensures that potential predators will think twice before approaching a rhino’s territory.

Over time, Gijima grows more at ease and confident in his surroundings, forming trust with Thomas. The enthusiasm that radiates from Gijima as his playful nature surfaces – like when he curls his tail around Thomas’ arm – is palpable. Similarly, the pangolin’s expressions of delight when he gets too warm and Thomas splashes water on him are truly heartwarming.

Thomas’ choice of humorously renaming the pangolin also lies in its significance. Since “gijima” is a Zulu word that translates to “run,” he reasons that the pangolin might be less likely to flee if he starts addressing it as “Kulu,” which is short for “kulula,” meaning “easy.

In the movie, both Gareth and Kulu’s stories are equally important. I found myself skeptical when he mentioned feeling comfortable enough to display vulnerability around pangolins, saying they don’t judge because they see the real you – it’s a bit anthropomorphized, but it’s mostly kept in moderation. Unlike the slightly awkward and almost romantic interactions between Craig Foster and his octopus in “My Octopus Teacher,” Gareth’s relationship with Kulu leans more towards that of an overprotective parent and future friend rather than the borderline inappropriate, sexualized bond portrayed in the latter. Frankly, I’d prefer to avoid any more tentacle caressing scenes – they should save those for a more private setting!

In my own gaming world, I used to be a restless kid, bouncing from one school to another. Eventually, I dropped out and found myself playing poker for a living. But life took a dark turn when the car accident claimed the lives of my two dearest friends. Adrift in grief, I stumbled upon APWG – an encounter that would forever change my destiny. This journey is all about the extraordinary bond between humans and mythical beings, creatures believed to possess healing powers.

Regardless if you prefer documentaries about nature where humans play a significant role alongside animals, it’s challenging not to become engrossed in the growing emotional tug of “Kulu’s Journey“. This is especially true once Thomas starts showing Kulu the location he will be set free and begins the difficult process of saying goodbye. The sense of separation anxiety is something that any parent or pet owner can relate to.

Throughout the journey, there are challenging periods and tense instances, such as when Kulu disappears and can’t be found on the satellite tracker for two-and-a-half hours, which is concerning. Additionally, Kulu shows signs of distress by losing a significant amount of weight while covering extensive distances within the reserve and not eating enough. After being released, Kulu goes missing for six days following an incident where he got stuck in a collapsed burrow. The emotional turmoil Thomas experiences as he searches for Kulu, fearing the worst, is deeply moving, especially when compared to the heartwarming interaction earlier, where it seems as though Kulu is expressing readiness. Listening to Thomas talk to Kulu like a protective parent (“Stay in the shade”) is strangely endearing.

Similar to many excellent nature documentaries, the movie is filled with breathtaking visuals, often showcasing time-lapse views of the sky from various angles. The camera focuses on the diverse wildlife found in Lapalala, resulting in captivating images. The soft, melodic tones of Ann Nikitin’s music perfectly complement these scenes. Prior to watching this film, I was completely unaware of pangolins, but by the end, I found myself genuinely fond of this small creature, despite sounding cliché.

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2025-04-16 10:25