Milking the Rhino

David E. Simpson's documentary, originally broadcast on PBS' Independent Lens series, looks at the conflicting ecological and economic concerns that are disrupting the lives of residents of rural areas in Kenya and Namibia, where lions and elephants are considered neighbors. Milking the Rhino illustrates how the heavy focus on wildlife conservation—often dictated by environmental groups from other countries—has pushed the people in these lands into crisis mode, as the much-ballyhooed eco-tourism is simply not delivering the promised win-win situation: animals are protected and visiting tourists are happy, but the resident herdsmen and hunters have found their centuries-old lifestyle taken away without a satisfactory replacement. Even worse, foreign eco-tourism operators are the major profiteers from these efforts, which leaves the locals feeling exploited. Simpson's film argues that the pendulum has swung from one extreme to the other: animals once threatened with extinction are now being preserved at the expense of people facing cultural and financial extinction. Milking the Rhino also highlights community-based conservation efforts that attempt, with varying results, to balance nature and monetary needs. Raising troubling questions about the daily realities of living in this difficult environment, this powerful documentary offers a distinctive perspective that is miles removed from the popular “wild Africa” documentaries which celebrate animals while virtually ignoring the people. DVD extras include bonus scenes and updates. Highly recommended. [Note: Milking the Rhino is also available with public performance rights for $295 from Bullfrog Films, www.bullfrogfilms.com.] Aud: H, C, P. (P. Hall)