Conservation film festival featuring Sir David Attenborough to be screened at Highland Wildlife Park

As the Discovery and Learning Programme Manager at Highland Wildlife Park, I spend a lot of time working to understand people’s relationship with nature, their motivations and any barriers they face. Conservation is about people, and conservation efforts are more likely to succeed when people can emotionally connect to the ‘what, where and why’.

Helping people connect, or reconnect, with nature is central to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) mission, and Highland Wildlife Park is a part of bringing that to life. Whether it’s welcoming school children seeing snow leopards for the first time, or supporting local people to learn about wildcats, one of the most endangered mammals in the UK, the experiences we help create and the stories we share can literally be life changing.

This October, we’re hosting and offering a different type of experience; a live stream of the Edinburgh Conservation Film Festival (ECFF). This annual event was launched in 2022. Founded by Edinburgh Conservation Science, a consortium of Scotland-based organisations promoting the inclusion of science into biodiversity conservation management and policy.  

The challenges we see here in the Highlands echo so many around the world so, on Saturday 25 October 2025, our Learning Hive will become a small cinema for an afternoon of short films, showcasing a mix of local and global stories. The programme has been designed to be family-friendly and accessible, but also to encourage people to think about the challenges facing wildlife worldwide and the solutions that are already making a difference.

The stories vary hugely but are united by their positive messages and their commitment to a narrative of a shared society, highlighting humanity’s links with the natural world.

For us at RZSS, the wildlife charity which operates Highland Wildlife Park, this event aligns so well with our own mission. Part of our role is to raise awareness of the importance of protecting nature and the benefits it brings to people. Films can be a powerful way of doing this, helping audiences to see issues and opportunities through the eyes of those working directly with wildlife.

The line-up includes Saving the Storks with Sir David Attenborough, which tells the story of Purnima Devi Barman and her successful campaign to protect the Greater Adjutant Stork in India. Once considered a ‘nuisance’ bird, the species is now celebrated by local communities thanks to her efforts. Other films include Safeguarding Our Seas: Lessons From Lundy, which explores the UK’s first marine No-Take Zone, and Monalisa – a climate story, about an indigenous woman in Borneo facing difficult choices between supporting her family and protecting the rainforest.

What I like about these films is that they don’t focus on problems - they highlight positive action and show what can be achieved when people work together. That’s something I see reflected here in Scotland too, whether it’s in projects to restore habitats, protect species like wildcats, or encourage young people to think about careers in conservation.

I think combining the festival with a visit to Highland Wildlife Park makes for a particularly meaningful experience. Visitors can spend the morning exploring the park and learning about animals such as Amur tigers, snow leopards and polar bears, and then watch films that place those experiences in a broader global context. It’s a reminder that conservation is both local and international, and that the choices we make can have an impact far beyond where we live.

The Edinburgh Conservation Film Festival at Highland Wildlife Park takes place from 1:00 to 3:30 PM on Saturday 25 October. Tickets cost £5 and should be booked in advance through Eventbrite. Entry to the park is separate, but you can add a day ticket to your booking if you’d like to make the most of your visit.

I’m looking forward to welcoming people to what should be an engaging and thought-provoking afternoon - one that I hope leaves our visitors with new ideas about how each of us can contribute to protecting the natural world.