Behind the Scenes of Pangolin – Journey to Freedom: A Case Study in Beating the Odds

What do you do when you have a mysterious little creature with scales instead of fur, no rehab manual, and one of the most heartbreaking backstories in the animal kingdom? You tell her story anyway. That’s exactly what happened with Pangolin – Journey to Freedom, the international wildlife documentary that follows Kosha, an orphaned pangolin rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in Zimbabwe. Against all odds, the film not only got made, it became a global coproduction between Silver Bullet Films, Terra Mater Studios, and PBS Nature.

And now, this journey has been captured in a detailed case study published by Peter Hamilton on Documentary Business.

Here’s what makes this story, and the production behind it, so remarkable.

A Secretive Star with a Powerful Story

Kosha wasn’t just another pangolin. She was young, alone, and traumatized when she arrived at the Tikki Hywood Foundation after being rescued in a sting operation. Her case was so unique that the team had to invent an entirely new approach to her care.

Over months of delicate, science-based rehabilitation, Kosha didn’t just survive, she thrived. When she was released into Gonarezhou National Park, her progress was monitored for years, making her the most closely studied pangolin in the world.

She became living proof that hope, data, and compassion can rewrite the future for even the most vulnerable species.

A Global Effort

The film was shot over five weeks in Zimbabwe, with a focus on the people behind the conservation – Lisa Hywood, Ellen Connelly, and pangolin carer Luke Kamuhuni. Their dedication gave the film heart, depth, and authenticity.

Post-production brought together editors and creatives from Cape Town, Vienna, Garmisch, and New York. The story came to life with original music by Barnaby Taylor, and close editorial collaboration with the PBS Nature team.

As Susanne Lummer from Terra Mater Studios put it:

“Right from the start, we knew this was a deeply personal story that goes well beyond your typical wildlife conservation documentary… With ‘Pangolin – Journey to Freedom,’ we’ve smashed the challenge of connecting viewers emotionally to an often misunderstood animal.”

Kosha’s story is about more than one animal. It’s about the possibility of change, the power of care, and the importance of science-backed conservation. It’s also a testament to perseverance – from the production team, the partners, and everyone who believed this story was worth telling.

Watch the Documentary

Pangolin – Journey to Freedom premiered on ServusTV in Austria in April 2025, and will premiere on PBS Nature in the U.S. in early 2026.

In the meantime, you can dive into the full behind-the-scenes story in Peter Hamilton’s case study here.