Fencing in Laikipia Commercial + Public Service Announcement

Man and animal have always coexisted peacefully, but because of man’s ever-expanding footprint, human-wildlife conflicts in Laikipia, Kenya have increased. Normally, fences are associated with segregation and separation. But here in Laikipia, fences don’t offend – they defend and this commercial highlights the importance of fences, why they’re needed, what needs to be done to help increase their number throughout Laikipia.

This was one of the most engaging Public Service Announcements (PSAs) + travel videos we’ve ever undertaken here at Long Story Short – Not only did we fly more than 20+ hours to reach our location in Kenya, Africa but had no idea what to expect when we landed. There were a few touch and go moments including being nearly chased out of a Kenyan village, encountering the tracks of some elephant poachers and filming out of a doorless safari airplane for some arial shots, but we wouldn’t have traded it for the world. 

One particularly touching moment was getting to meet and hold the last two Northern White Rhinos in existence on the planet. Sobering and sad, we made it a point to feature them prominently in the video as it occurred to us we were one of the last film crews that would ever get to document these now-extinct creatures ever on camera again. Truly unforgettable.

Directed by: Brian L. Tan “BLT”
Music by: Cody Westheimer
Produced by: Joan Nthiga & Paul Benson
Executive Producer: Peter Hetz
Voiceover by: Joan Nthiga
Camera Assistant: Soraya Rais
Production Assistant: Denis Ndegwa
Edited by: Brian L. Tan “BLT”, AJ Brandtneris
Post Production Coordinator: Derek Sherwood
Post Production Assistants: Eduardo Estrada, Natsha Walker, Migwa Nthiga
Special thanks: Nature in Stock, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya Wildlife Service, Ol Maisor Ranch, Matigari Community Fence Committee, Mathira Community Fence Committee, ADC Mutara, Tropic Air, Kenneth R. McVay, Michael Dyer, USAID