Shamwari Untamed, a series providing a behind-the-scenes look at what is involved in managing the 250-square-kilometre Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, has made its debut on Netflix.

Unwell leopards, orphaned rhino calves, clever hippos and reluctant giraffes are some of the things the Shamwari conservation team deals with on a daily basis – all of which and lots more can now be seen in a 13-part Netflix series.

The reserve’s duties range from ensuring there is sufficient vegetation for the herbivores to maintaining the balance between predators and prey. It also explores the difficult life-and-death decisions on when to interfere and when to let nature take its course.

Told largely from the perspective of wildlife vet Johan Joubert and ecologist John O’Brien, the series touches on nearly every aspect of managing the reserve.

This includes the work done at its Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, where sick, injured and orphaned animals are patiently and painstakingly nursed back to health before being released back into the wild, to the vital role of the anti-poaching unit and the difficult and often dangerous work of the wildlife capture teams.

The series was filmed in 2018 but Shamwari CEO Joe Cloete believes the timing of the show on the biggest streaming platform in the world is perfect for the reserve.

“Although Shamwari Untamed was filmed a while ago, the timing of its international debut on Netflix is apposite, as it coincides with our 30th anniversary,” he said.

“It is the most accurate, insightful and authentic depiction of the incredible work our conservation team does – and now that it is on Netflix, people around the world with an interest in conservation will be able to see what goes into making a project such as Shamwari succeed.”