What will we lose when the last of our species disappears from the wild?

What did Munmun Dhalaria say about his film?

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR is one of four biodiversity hotspots in India. It is home to over 163 endangered species and 30.16% of India’s fauna, according to the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). Yet, much of this fauna stands unprotected today. Studies by the Zoological Survey of India suggest that the loss of climate-sensitive habitats due to global warming has pushed these species to the edge of extinction, and future warming would accelerate glacial melting, habitat shrinkage, and biodiversity loss. This is disastrous not only for the endemic animals like red pandas but also for the regions’ people whose livelihoods and cultures are deeply entwined with mountain ecology.

A native species of the Eastern Himalayas, there are as few as 2500 red pandas in the wild today. Due to their existence in a narrow temperature range, these handsome creatures have been especially susceptible to rising temperatures and high-altitude land use changes. Through heartwarming footage of panda cubs growing up in zoo facilities and their later release, the film shows the difficulty of breeding red pandas in captivity and the challenges they face in co- existing with local communities. Through exclusive footage captured at clandestine conservation breeding programs led by Dr. Basavaraj Holeyachi, of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) of India we tell an optimistic tale of the people devoted to saving endangered species from extinction. The film also follows the field work of wildlife biologist and red panda researcher Moumita Chakraborty.

Filmed, edited and narrated by a local crew, this is a first of its kind, sensitive look at human- wildlife harmony in India. Using exclusive wildlife cinematography and a non-preachy, infotainment style, this film aims to inspire the youth, instill hope for the future while answering two burning questions:

What will we lose when the last of our species disappears from the wild?

What does it take to save wild animals from climate change-induced extinction?