Few people have heard of Botha’s Lark, and even fewer have had the privilege of seeing one. Endemic to South Africa’s high-altitude grasslands, this small and inconspicuous bird has become one of the country’s most threatened species. Following an estimated population decline of more than 80% over the past decade, the species was uplisted to Critically Endangered in 2025, with only around 340 individuals believed to remain worldwide.
Against this backdrop, a new documentary has emerged to tell the story of a species on the brink and the people working tirelessly to secure its future. Produced by Tread Films in collaboration with BirdLife South Africa and Birding Ecotours, the documentary shines a spotlight not only on Botha’s Lark itself, but also on the science, stewardship and partnerships underpinning its conservation.
The film takes viewers into the misty grasslands of Mpumalanga and the eastern Highveld, where conservationists, landowners and local communities are working together to prevent the extinction of one of South Africa’s most unique birds. Through stunning cinematography and intimate insights from those involved in the project, the documentary reveals both the beauty of these landscapes and the challenges of conserving a species on the edge.
The Critically Endangered Botha’s Lark (photo Matthew Orolowitz).
While Botha’s Lark is the focal point, the documentary tells a broader story about conservation in South Africa’s grasslands. It highlights the extensive fieldwork required to monitor populations, locate breeding birds and better understand the species’ ecology. At the same time, it showcases the importance of engaging with landowners and local communities, recognizing that much of the species’ remaining habitat occurs on privately owned land.
The film underscores a fundamental reality of modern conservation: species recovery depends on far more than scientific research alone. Successful conservation requires trust, long-term relationships and collaboration between a diverse range of stakeholders. For Botha’s Lark, this includes conservation organizations, researchers, farmers, volunteers, communities and supporters, all working towards a common goal.
A central theme of the documentary is the ongoing collaboration between BirdLife South Africa and Birding Ecotours. Extending beyond the film itself, this partnership supports efforts to better understand and conserve Botha’s Lark and other threatened grassland birds. By working together on the documentary, the two organizations have created an opportunity to share the story of Botha’s Lark with a global audience, raising awareness of both the species’ plight and the conservation work being undertaken to secure its future.
Importantly, the documentary demonstrates how meaningful partnerships can translate into tangible conservation outcomes. It celebrates the individuals and organizations committed to protecting South Africa’s grasslands and highlights the collective effort required to conserve species facing increasingly complex environmental challenges.
The story of Botha’s Lark is far from over. While the species remains at significant risk, ongoing research, habitat stewardship initiatives and community engagement are improving our understanding of its conservation needs and helping to guide future action. These efforts provide reason for cautious optimism.
Ultimately, the documentary serves as both a call to action and a message of hope. It reminds us that conservation is about people coming together around a shared purpose: ensuring that future generations inherit a world where species such as Botha’s Lark continue to exist.
