Children might recognize pangolins from fictional films like the 2016 adaptation of Disney’s “The Jungle Book,” but these mammals, also known as scaly anteaters, have been roaming the earth for 85 million years. In this new documentary from Pippa Ehrlich (who won an Oscar for directing “My Octopus Teacher”), we find out that pangolins are cute, sure, but also that they are among the world’s most trafficked animals, with their scales used in traditional Chinese medicine.
The star here is a South African pangolin called Kulu, who is saved as a baby in a sting operation. He’s cared for by Gareth Thomas, a Volunteer Pangolin Walker who treats the malnourished pangopup as his own. Interviews with the ant specialist and professor Dr. Caswell Munyai help deepen our understanding of these docile creatures.
There’s a somber tone here, of course, but overall it’s a beautifully shot, emotional story about the powerful connection between humans and nature. Older children with a soft spot for animals will fall in love with the adorable Kulu as he rolls in mud or cleans his scales. It’ll also get them thinking about conservation. And, yes, they’ll probably ask where they can find pangolin stuffies.
When a large black coyote started roaming through our yard this winter, my son took a stand for our family dog, Indy, exclaiming: “If that coyote tries to hurt Indy, I’ll swing it around by its tail, punch it in the face, and tie it to a tree! I know that’s violent, but nobody messes with my dog.” I didn’t love the violent part of his proclamation, but I admired his fierce love for our pup. It’s this deep bond between child and pet that’s on full display in Bryce Dallas Howard’s documentary, which features adorable youngsters talking about the cats, pigs, puppies, lizards and rabbits they adore.