The Filmmaker and the Extinct Oryx

For wildlife filmmaker Nigel Marven, seeing an Arabian oryx in the wild was a moment he never thought he'd experience - a species he had only ever seen in books as a child, once declared extinct in the wild.

In this episode of Wildest Moments, host Ben Fogle speaks with Nigel about filming in Saudi Arabia and the powerful encounter that brought him face to face with one of conservation's greatest success stories. Restored to the wild through Operation Oryx, the species' return is a testament to decades of international conservation efforts - including those led by ZSL.

Joining the conversation is Whipsnade Zoo Animal Manager Matt Webb, who shares the remarkable story of Caroline, an Arabian oryx once cared for at London Zoo, who later became part of the 'World Herd' in Arizona in the 1960s - the first global conservation breeding programme of its kind, and a turning point in saving the species from extinction.

Together, they reflect on the power of conservation to reverse even the most desperate declines, and what it means to witness a species brought back from the brink.

About Wildest Moments: Hosted by Ben Fogle and created in partnership with Mountain Warehouse, Wildest Moments is a podcast from ZSL (Zoological Society of London) exploring the surprising, emotional and transformative encounters people have had with wildlife. New episodes are released on the third Thursday of every month. Launched as part of ZSL's 200th anniversary, the series celebrates over two centuries of inspiring closer connections between people and the natural world.

Executive Producers - Rami Tzabar, Jane Gerber and Katie Derham

Senior Producer - Naomi Oiku

Production Supervisor - Mia Xerri Mondragon

ZSL editorial leads: Tina Campanella and Rebecca Blanchard

Sound Design and Additional Editing - Nada Smiljanić

Sound Engineer - Jon Last

Video Editor - Carla Mercer

Cover Art - Will Rose

Recorded at TYX Studios, London.