South Africa

Anton Truesdale

A local wildlife television production company has begun filming a13-part reality series on Chimpanzee Eden for Animal Planet. 

“We will document the chimpanzee sanctuary from infancy, capturing all the highs and lows,” says Anton Truesdale, director of independent television production company, Triosphere. “We aim to capture the sanctuary’s development, as well as that of its management staff.”

Anton and cameraman Willem Van Heerden accompanied Eugene Cussons to film the recent rescue mission to Sudan – a trip they describe as a privilege.

“Usually we capture images on film and tell great stories about the plight of animals,” says Anton. “It’s not often we’re able to document and participate in an actual rescue - in which animals are brought back to a better place. The Sudan rescue was pretty emotional, as we were able to get five youngsters out. It was more than a filming mission for us – we felt as through we’d contributed to the welfare of chimps.”

Triosphere came across Chimpanzee Eden during the production of “Rogue Nature”, a six-part series investigating rogue animals. One of their stories was about rogue chimps, for which filming took them to Sierra Leone, Uganda and Tanzania. 

“We were then thrilled to discover there was a chimp sanctuary right here in South Africa,” says Anton. “We came to Chimp Eden and obtained exactly the additional footage we wanted.”
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But the relationship didn’t end there.

“The Sanctuary had all the right elements for a great series,” says Anton. “It had recently started – so we could get in at the beginning, had a great pedigree through its partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute South Africa, and was actively involved in rescue work.

“We were able to introduce the concept to Discovery Channel and Animal Planet – with whom we have a strong relationship and track record -and they loved it.”

As a result, Eugene and Philip get wired for sound most days, and are trailed by the film crew as they go about their Sanctuary work. The chimps are taking the new faces in their stride – and even Eugene and Philip are now more relaxed about their newfound starring roles!

Triosphere aims to have completed 13 parts by February next year. The series, aimed at an American audience, will be aired on Animal Planet, one of the Discovery channels, and will hopefully be aired here by DSTV in the future.