My Congo

Vianet Djenguet left the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the age of 15 to live in France with his family. Now a photographer, Djenguet returns decades later to capture the wildlife of the land he loves. Written and directed by Doug Mackay-Hope, this PBS-aired NATURE documentary follows Djenguet around the country's lush and varied landscapes, starting with the wild Congo River, one of the deepest in the world. Although French is the primary language here, the country's diverse population speaks over 200 languages. The Congo is home to hundreds of bird species, and Djenguet notes that wherever one is in the Congo, colorful birds will be found nearby. Also seen are hippos, water buffalo, antelopes, and chimpanzees. Some of the chimps live in sanctuaries, adjusting to injuries or the loss of their parents, but are being slowly reintroduced into the wild, with hopes that they can successfully return to life in the forest. Forest elephants are smaller and shorter than most other pachyderms—rarely rising above eight feet, which enables them to feed and live in the Congo's dense rainforest. The Congo straddles the Equator, so the humid conditions and long treks make finding these elusive creatures an arduous but rewarding task. An especially prized sighting is lowland gorillas, who are physically intimidating despite their gentle demeanor. The filmmaker notes that education is the key to saving these animals for future generations. An enthusiastic and informative nature travelogue featuring great wildlife views, this is recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)