By Maina Malaya

The red carpet at Ster-Kinekor, Manda Hill came alive on 16 December 2025 as stakeholders from across the conservation, creative, and public sectors gathered for the premiere of A Love Like Ours is Rare. An inspirational documentary directed by Harry and Athena Vlachos that shines a light on the country’s fight to protect one of its most threatened wildlife species, the pangolin.

Produced by Bwana Jimmy Productions in partnership with WCP Zambia and created in collaboration with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), tells a proudly Zambian story of care, resilience, and national responsibility. The premiere also celebrated Zambia’s national commitment to pangolin conservation, offering rare access to frontline efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and release both the critically endangered Temminck’s ground pangolin and the vulnerable, white-bellied tree pangolin found in Zambia, two species targeted by illegal traffickers.

The premiere was honoured by the presence of the Minister of Tourism, Honourable Rodney Sikumba, who delivered a keynote address highlighting the importance of conservation to Zambia’s heritage and future.

“Pangolins may be rarely seen, but they carry enormous value for our ecosystems and our national heritage,” the Minister said. “By rejecting harmful myths that associate the species with luck or healing, together, we can ensure that pangolins continue to thrive in Zambia’s ecosystems for generations to come.”

While the film premiered at home, it already gained international attention, earning recognition at the International Wildlife Film Festival in Montana, the Shout Out for Animals Film Festival, and the Sheffield Shorts Film Festival in the UK. The accolades position the documentary as not only a creative achievement but also a meaningful platform for showcasing Zambia’s contribution to global pangolin conservation.

“The international response has been overwhelming,” said Bwana Jimmy Productions CEO, Harry Vlachos, during his opening remarks. “But bringing this film home and sharing it with Zambians is the most meaningful milestone for us.”

After the screening, the audience took part in a short Q&A session with the filmmakers and Zambia’s only pangolin rehabilitation team, giving guests a rare opportunity to go deeper into what it really takes to rehabilitate pangolins and return them safely to the wild.

Suwilanji Sichone, WCP Zambia’s Pangolin Programme Manager, was asked what it takes to successfully run a pangolin rehabilitation centre and why the work matters.

“Pangolins are critically endangered because of illegal trafficking,” Sichone said. “Without protection and rehabilitation, they could disappear forever.”

She also outlined the essential ingredients for long-term success in pangolin rehabilitation, emphasising that it requires far more than passion alone. Sichone highlighted the need for specialised training and technical expertise, dedicated human resources, including caretakers, veterinary support, partners, and operations staff and reliable, sustained funding. She also underscored that while passion and commitment are vital, they are especially critical during challenging and demanding conditions, where perseverance determines success.

When asked what inspired them to focus a film on pangolins specifically, Bwana Jimmy Productions pointed to a simple but urgent reason: awareness.

“One of the reasons was awareness,” Harry Vlachos said, noting that many people still don’t know what pangolins are, or how serious the trafficking threat has become.

The Q&A also featured the voices of pangolin handlers who were asked how the public can actively help protect pangolins and support population recovery. Their message focused on practical public action. The public can play a crucial role in pangolin conservation by sharing accurate information to dispel myths and educating communities about the illegal wildlife trade. Supporting conservation organisations, donating toward pangolin rescue and rehabilitation efforts, and reporting wildlife trafficking when encountered are all practical actions that help protect pangolins and strengthen wider wildlife conservation initiatives.

The premiere ended as both a celebration and a call to action, honouring the conservation teams and institutions working to protect some of Zambia’s most vulnerable wildlife. As the audience left the cinema, the message of the film lingered clearly: pangolin conservation is not “someone else’s issue.” It is a national responsibility, and a national opportunity to lead.

To save a pangolin today, scan the QR code.

To watch A Love Like Ours Is Rare, scan the QR code.