When Lambs Become Lions (2018) User Reviews

Up close portrait of poachers

[joakimsandberg · 8/10 · 28 July 2019]

This documentary takes you to the heart of the struggle between ivory poachers and rangers in rural Kenya. It gives a close portrait of both sides: following the poacher "X" and his companions as they sneak out with their bows in the wilderness, as well as the ranger Asan (X's cousin) trying to catch poachers and protect the elephants. Both sides have families to maintain and needs to fulfil. Who is to say what is right here - standing up for the elephants at a meager wage, or meeting the market demand for ivory to help your family.

The documentary is beautifully filmed and often extremely intense. The best thing is that it gives you the raw footage straight up, without any commentary or explanation. Instead the expressions on people's faces is enough to tell you what is going on, both in their minds and their difficult situations. It becomes almost impossible to look away.

Realistic look at Rhino and Elephant poaching in Kenya.

[TxMike · 26 July 2020]

This is a very short summary of the issue. In Kenya the elephant population decreased from about 160,000 in the 1960s to about 16,000 in 1989. That leaves only about 10% of the population. Why? Essentially all because of illegal poaching, to sell the tusks for ivory in the international market. Rhino poaching has been a similar problem.

Now with tougher laws and additional ranger surveillance the poaching has decreased dramatically in more recent years, but it is a constant fight. Why is it so hard to combat? Mostly because kenya is so poor and the indigenous peoples, mostly good people, are very poor. As one man says he doesn't sleep well because every day he worries how he will provide for his family.

So here's this giant herd of elephants, what is the problem with killing one of them and selling the tusks to support his family? That is the thought process which has made it hard to convince the locals to preserve the elephants.

This film is a documentary, the filmmaker spent time in Kenya to get to know the people, so they would trust him. What he made is a film with two parallel stories, one which follows the poachers to accomplish a job an unnamed merchant wants. The other is following the rangers who are hired to shoot to kill if necessary to stop poachers. It is clear that the poachers are very aware of the rangers and take great care to not be discovered which often means abandoning a hunt.

This is not a "slick" film, it is a realistic and authentic look at the issue, showing both sides. I found it very worthwhile viewing. I watched it at home on DVD from my public library, it has a couple of interesting extras on making of the documentary.

its a nice documentary and it really inspire..

[esqonix · 9/10 · 3 October 2018]

Write your review here..it a nice story and its inspire about life and wildlife.

its really nice documentary and inspiring one.

[esqonix · 9/10 · 3 October 2018]

Write your review here..I love it coz its teach about life and wildlife..

Nothing happens

[jji5 · 3/10 · 25 January 2021]

As long as you are aware that poachers exist and that there are groups actively working to catch/stop poachers, you will gain nothing from this movie. Nothing new or interesting is depicted that isn't already common knowledge. Waste of time.