A new Pan-African wildlife television series, “Wild Africa,” premieres on Channels Television this Saturday, bringing stories of the continent’s conservation heroes and natural heritage to Nigerian audiences for the first time in this format.

The 13-part magazine-style series, created specifically for African audiences, aims to entertain and educate while raising awareness of the urgent need to protect the continent’s wildlife and wild spaces, according to a press release issued by the producers.

The series is hosted by Nigerian wildlife veterinarian Dr Mark Ofua, South African freediver and ocean advocate Zandile Ndhlovu, and Zimbabwean television presenter Rumbie Takawira. It pairs short documentaries with celebrity wildlife experiences, interviews and studio segments.

Over 13 episodes, viewers will travel across Africa to meet those working to protect its most threatened species: sea turtle rescues in Nigeria, elephants in Kenya alongside Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o, the rare Cross River gorilla, community rangers guarding Namibia’s desert rhinos, Rwanda’s mountain gorillas, and bonobos in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The series also spotlights Nigerian conservation efforts directly, including the country’s dwindling forest elephant population, manatee and sea turtle rescue work, forest protection, and the campaign to save the pangolin — the world’s most trafficked mammal.

Nigeria has lost over 70 percent of its elephant population in the past 30 years, from an estimated 1,200–1,500 individuals in 1991 to just 300–400 individuals today, according to the release. The country has also become a major global transit hub for illegal ivory and pangolin scales.

Celebrity wildlife advocates featured throughout include Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Djimon Hounsou, Laycon and Aproko Doctor, among other prominent African figures.

Kingsley Uranta, General Manager of Channels Television, said the series aligns with the broadcaster’s commitment to African storytelling.

“As Africa’s most awarded broadcaster, Channels Television is proud to partner with Wild Africa in bringing the Pan African Wildlife Series to audiences across the continent and beyond,” Uranta said.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to using the power of television to celebrate Africa’s extraordinary natural heritage, promote conservation, and inspire a deeper appreciation of the wildlife and ecosystems that are vital to our continent’s future.”

The programme will air new episodes weekly on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. WAT on DStv and 8:30 p.m. WAT, with repeat broadcasts available on Channel 420 on DStv and terrestrial TV on UHF Channel 39. In the United Kingdom, the series will also be available on Sky UK, Channel 515.

Conservation communications organisation Wild Africa produces the series in Cape Town, South Africa, with support from the International Fund for Animal Welfare and the Tammy Estrada Strome Foundation.

Series Producer and Wild Africa CEO, Peter Knights OBE, said: “Africa has the greatest wildlife spectacle on the planet, which is the attraction for 80% of visiting tourists. So wildlife preservation is vital for African economies and jobs as well as natural heritage.”