As one of Britain ’s frontmost infotainment filmmakers , directorPamela Gordonhas been work in factual broadcasting for over 30 eld . From history to human conflict and even taking tv set chef Gordon Ramsey behind bars , her portfolio is ample and varied and most of late include a feature - length cinema about lions .
Lion : The Rise and nightfall of the Marsh Pride , create in collaboration with the BBC Science and Natural History Unit , order the fib of the most - filmed pridefulness of lions on Earth living in the Maasai Mara . explore the plight of these animals whose future is n’t guaranteed , the picture show also looks at the human conflicts that have threatened them and the preservation exponent fight to keep them alive .
We spoke to Gordon to find out more about the very serious issues that underlie the infotainment , but also to study more about what cause this kind of filmmaking so fulfilling for those require .
“The use of certain pesticides and other chemicals can have a devastating effect on lions and other wildlife…” Image credit: BBC Studios/Pamela Gordon
How did you come to work onLion : The Rise And surrender Of The Marsh Pride ?
This film takes a natural history field of study , narrate through the amazing archive that the BBC has of the Marsh Pride , but uses a documentary approaching . I have worked as a docudrama director for 25 old age and have made many films about people ’s lifespan story and post , but I am passionate about preservation . When the opportunity hail up to direct this film , I parachute at it . I have experience of wreak with archive in account films , like the Thatcher and Blair series for the BBC which I made recently , but finding the king of beasts ’ stories in hundreds of hours of footage was a new challenge . travel to Kenya for the interviews and present - daylight motion-picture photography , I was able to use my documentary - making experience to capture the current situation regarding human - animal struggle as well as the relationship between citizenry and the lions both past and present .
insect powder are n’t often mentioned when discourse the terror that face Leo the Lion , how can these chemical substance negatively impact them ?
Life hasn’t been easy for the Marsh Pride. Image credit: BBC / Simon Blakeney
The usance of certain pesticide and other chemicals can have a devastating effect on Leo and other wildlife , especially snort . If fowl or other creatures eat crops or plants which have been spray with dangerous chemical substance , their populations can be decimated .
These pesticides become a menace to predators like Panthera leo when they are used to directly direct the fauna . A flyspeck amount of some pesticides is hidden in bushed farm animal carcasses and leave out for them to feed in on to vote down them . Even a tiny amount of a strong pesticide can wipe out several lion , and in turn , 100 of vultures who feed on the poisoned lions . These deaths often go unreported or even unexplored because the grounds has disappeared in this room .
These harmful pesticides are also extremely life-threatening for man when used wrongly . There are instance of water source being poison and even inadvertent death of children .
What ecologic role does the Marsh Pride of the Maasai Mara delay , and why is it so authoritative that we protect them ?
The Maasai Mara sits in the Serengeti Mara ecosystem , and it is crucial to keep the counterbalance between coinage for the wellness and biodiversity of the whole region . Lions like the Marsh Pride are apex predators . This means they stand at the top of the food mountain range with no animals which truly threaten them . Their office within the ecosystem is crucial . By hunt down and eating modest prey , the field plot , they control the numbers of those fauna like wildebeest , topi , warthog , zebra , and even buffalo . Without lions and other marauder , the herd of game would become too large and out of control . The lions keep the issue of plot in check which in twist put up to the maintenance of the grassland and urine sources , carry on river banks and assure the landscape painting can sustain all the animal who endure there or move through seasonally .
What do you enjoy most about working on natural story documentaries such as this one ?
This plastic film not only documents the history of these incredible uncivilized creatures but also the increase and urgent issue of human - animal conflict . I had the opportunity to instruct so much more about lions . I also learned about the space they involve to roam in as wild predators , and just how important it is to protect these big arena they necessitate to survive .
By listening to those who endure up close and personal with the lions , and filming some of the great efforts that are being made to help local community live alongside the pridefulness , we were able to highlight not only the problem but hopefully some of the desire for solutions .
Being lucky enough to make this photographic film I ’d bang to think that it can add to the education and much - involve discussion around human - lion battle , and how we as a public can aid to save these unbelievable animate being .
What advice would you give to someone else interested in the innate mankind hoping to get involved in such projects ?
My advice for anyone require to make films about the natural world is to bide straight to your mania . There are many ways to help and support organizations and charities who are combat to protect wildlife and habitats for the world .
The important thing for anyone confide to the natural world is to support these delegacy and to distribute the message to others who might help oneself . By remaining passionate and always looking for way to learn and see the world , an opportunity may come up to contribute to a film project whether it be for broadcast or not . The more you could offer in condition of noesis and commitment to the takings the better .
Lion : The procession And Fall Of The Marsh Prideairs at 9 pm on Tuesday 23rd August on BBC Two and iPlayer .
