RANGER Director Austin Peck Talks Anti-Poaching Women on SOUNDS Podcast with Tom Needham

SOUNDS with Tom Needham

The SOUNDS Podcast with Tom Needham is proud to feature an exclusive interview with Austin Peck, the director of the moving and transformative documentary, “Ranger.” Set against the stunning backdrop of Kenya’s Maasai homeland, “Ranger” tells the compelling story of a group of 12 women who break barriers to become East Africa’s first all-female anti-poaching unit. As Peck shares in this insightful discussion, the film is not only about wildlife conservation but also a profound journey of self-discovery, healing, and empowerment. Through a year-long program focused on trauma release and community transformation, these women challenge traditional norms and become symbols of hope and change within their communities.

In his conversation with Tom Needham, Peck reflects on the intimate storytelling approach that captures the raw emotions, sacred moments, and unyielding spirit of these women. He describes the film as both a celebration of their courage and a love letter to the Laikipia plateau, a place where the natural world’s beauty serves as a silent witness to the profound human story unfolding beneath its vast skies. The documentary also highlights the striking contrast between the deeply entrenched traditions of Maasai culture—such as the mass-initiation of boys into warriorhood—and the groundbreaking strides of women who defy societal expectations to achieve authority and respect as wildlife rangers.

Austin Peck brings a wealth of experience to “Ranger,” having directed acclaimed works such as “Gardeners of Eden,” a Peabody-nominated documentary about the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and their fight against the ivory trade, and “Tough Bond,” which delves into the lives of street children from Kenya’s northern pastoralist tribes.

For more information about The SOUNDS Podcast with Tom Needham: https://soundsoffilm.com