Werner Herzog's latest documentary, Ghost Elephants, follows ornithologist Steve Boyes on his quest to find a rumored new species of elephant in the Angolan Highlands. The film, which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival last summer, is now streaming on National Geographic and Disney+. Boyes has been searching for these elusive creatures for years, driven by a lifelong fascination with elephants.

Boyes' connection to elephants runs deep. Growing up in South Africa, he was captivated by National Geographic magazines and spent his childhood exploring wild places with his family. His PhD research on Meyer's parrots in the Okavango Delta further strengthened his bond with elephants, as he observed their symbiotic relationship with the parrots. Boyes first met Herzog through a mutual friend, and their shared passion for exploration and conservation sparked the documentary project.

The film captures not just the scientific expedition but also the cultural significance of elephants to local communities. Herzog documents traditional elephant dances and hunting practices, providing a rich context for Boyes' modern-day search. After months of tracking and collecting DNA samples, Boyes and his team finally captured footage of the ghost elephants, confirming them as a new, genetically isolated species. The documentary raises important questions about conservation strategies and the future of these magnificent creatures in their remote habitat.