Prince William has praised an all-female group of Indigenous warriors protecting the Amazon rainforest as his documentary series reaches its conclusion today.
The Prince of Wales’s final episode of Guardians, launching on BBC Earth’s YouTube channel this morning, spotlights the Guerreiras da Floresta – or Forest Warriors – who defend Brazil’s Caru Indigenous land from criminal gangs.
The women warriors are part of the Guajajara People who have inhabited the region for centuries.
They now patrol their ancestral lands using modern technology including drones and GPS cameras to detect illegal activities.
The Prince of Wales’s final episode of Guardians, launching on BBC Earth’s YouTube channel this morning.
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The documentary’s release follows yesterday’s high-level meeting at St James’s Palace, where William hosted Brazil’s Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara, to discuss Indigenous conservation efforts.
The six-part series, which began six weeks ago, has attracted nearly 800,000 views on YouTube and approximately 10 million views across social media platforms.
In his introduction to the film, William describes how the Caru indigenous land “is under increasing threat from criminal gangs engaged in illegal logging, poaching, wildfires and the constant demand for natural resources.”
The Prince adds: “Among those defending it are ‘guerreiras,’ or women warriors, standing firm for their people, their land and a way of life passed down through generations. In this episode, we witness their courage in helping protect not just the forest’s future, but the culture and wisdom rooted within it.”
The six-part series, which began six weeks ago, has attracted nearly 800,000 views on YouTube and approximately 10 million views across social media platforms.
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The Forest Warriors work to safeguard the Amazon, which contains a third of the world’s animal and plant species and stores billions of tonnes of carbon, helping regulate the global climate.
The rainforest faces a critical tipping point due to accelerating deforestation and climate change impacts.
During yesterday’s meeting at St James’s Palace, William brought together government leaders, philanthropic institutions and representatives from Indigenous communities to address the vital conservation work undertaken by Indigenous peoples worldwide.
The Prince of Wales stated: “Across the world, Indigenous peoples and local communities live in deep relationship with land and sea, guided by knowledge passed down through generations.
The Guardians series represents William’s vision to highlight the frequently overlooked individuals who risk their lives defending wildlife and ecosystems daily.
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Nature is not seen as a resource to be extracted, but as something sacred – to live with, respect, and sustain. Their stewardship and protection are among the most effective forces for conservation.”
Minister Guajajara, who appears in the documentary, emphasised the importance of recognising Indigenous knowledge: “Today, the global indigenous movement has a very strong message that says, ‘We are the answer.’ Humanity must understand the role of Indigenous peoples and their territories in protecting biodiversity, the environment and in maintaining climate balance.”
She added: “Everyone is searching for solutions far away but is actually right here, in the hands of the people who protect it through their own ways of life.”
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The Guardians series represents William’s vision to highlight the frequently overlooked individuals who risk their lives defending wildlife and ecosystems daily.
A spokesman for the Prince stated: “This series stands as a powerful tribute to the courage, resilience, and vital role of rangers on the front lines of conservation.
“At its core, the series reflects a cause deeply close to The Prince of Wales’s heart: protecting the natural world by supporting those who safeguard it every day.”
The spokesman added that William’s aim from the project’s beginning was “to shine a light on the often-overlooked individuals who risk their lives to defend wildlife and ecosystems” whilst inspiring global recognition of their essential work.
