Gambling on Extinction

Gambling on Extinction (2015) is a hard-hitting documentary that dives deep into the highly illegal trade in endangered species and the sinister syndicates behind it. This 52-minute film features John Hume, Allan Thornton, and Sam Mnisi, as they journey into the disturbing world of illegal wildlife trafficking.

The film, directed by Jakob Kneser, opens our eyes to the harsh reality of the illegal wildlife trade, a multi-billion-dollar industry that threatens the very existence of certain species on our planet. With an emphasis on elephant ivory and rhino horn smuggling, the documentary paints a bleak but accurate picture of the rampant illegal animal trade, leading to an alarming rate of extinction of these majestic creatures.

The film starts by leading the audience into the dark underbelly of the global trade that centers mainly in Africa and Asia but stretches its tentacles around the globe. The documentary explores how the greed of humans for exorbitant profits is driving these species towards extinction.

John Hume, a private rhino conservationist, emerges as one of the key figures in the narrative. His controversial approaches to handling the crisis, including the suggestion of legalizing the trade in rhino horns, are the source of much debate, and the documentary does an excellent job of highlighting the complexities of such a decision.

On the other hand, Allan Thornton's role as the president of the Environmental Investigation Agency provides an important perspective on the international efforts to curb this illegal and inhumane trade. Similarly, Sam Mnisi, a ranger in South Africa, brings in the emotionally charged personal experiences of those who risk their lives to protect these endangered species from the ruthless poachers.

Apart from its primary focus on elephants and rhinos, Gambling on Extinction also brings to light the plight of other animals. It underscores how they are ruthlessly killed for their body parts, which are used in traditional Asian medicine, as objects of status, or as investments.

Weaved into this revealing narration are other themes like corruption, poverty, and the failure of international laws. The film underscores how these factors play their part in fueling and perpetuating the illegal wildlife trade.

Gambling on Extinction is peppered with on-the-ground footage from the heart of Africa to the markets of Vietnam and China, as well as interviews with key actors in the field: activists, rangers, undercover police officers, and even poachers. The combination of hard facts, emotional storytelling, and shocking images makes this documentary a powerful voice against this serious and urgent ecological threat.

The audience is shown hard-hitting truths, such as the astronomical prices that ivory and animal horns fetch in black markets and how this lucrative business has become a source of funding for terrorist groups. Arguments are made about the validity of existing animal conservation methods and their efficacy, often leaving viewers stunned at the unscrupulous lengths to which some people would go in order to turn a profit.

In this complex web of legality, morality, and survival, Gambling on Extinction unequivocally nails its key message: the race towards extinction is not a natural event but a man-made disaster, an organized trafficking business that is eroding the world's biodiversity.

Director Jakob Kneser presents this grim narrative in an accessible and engaging manner, offering satisfactory answers while also raising thought-provoking questions about the future of our planet's biodiversity. The film is hard to digest at times, especially due to the blatant injustice carried out towards these innocent creatures. Nonetheless, it's a vital watch that offers a deeply affecting and informative snapshot of a ubiquitous global crime that might determine the fate of our planet's wildlife.

As the title suggests, Gambling on Extinction is a stark reminder that the stakes are high, and the gamble is with the future of our world – a gamble that could lead to an unthinkable loss. This film forces us to confront the horrifying truth and, in doing so, it calls for a united, global effort towards stopping this exploitation once and for all.

In sum, Gambling on Extinction is a powerful, engaging, and shocking documentary that effectively brings viewers face to face with the dark reality of the world's illegal wildlife trade, and the critical threat it poses to earth's biodiversity. Through insightful narratives and courageous storytellers, the film shocks, educates and provokes thought around the urgent and dire issue of wildlife conservation.