The Conservation Game

The Conservation Game is a deep-dive documentary brought to life by passionate conservationists and a tenacious retired cop that follows the high-stakes game of big cat sanctuaries and roadside zoos in America. It stars prominent figures in the realm of animal sanctuary and conservation, including Carole Baskin, Howard Baskin, and the renowned animal expert, Keith Gad. The movie was released in 2021, created by filmmaker Michael Webber, who is known for his award-winning documentary 'The Elephant in the Living Room.'

The Conservation Game takes off with a retired police officer from Ohio named Tim Harrison, who has dedicated his life to save exotic animals living outside of natural habitats. Engaged in active and emotional warfare against the for-profit exotic animal industry, Harrison becomes our unfaltering guide throughout the proceeding journey. The profound quality this film possesses is undoubtedly its suspenseful nature of mirroring an investigative thriller rather than an ordinary wildlife documentary.

The primary focal point of the narrative orbits around the unregulated exotic animal trade industry and the implications that follow. The movie presents a showcase of the rampant dealings of exotic animals across America, largely endorsing the breeding and selling of these creatures like commodities.

Carole and Howard Baskin, famous for their featured roles in the Netflix series 'Tiger King,' and their devotion to rescuing big cats, play a significant part in underscoring the several issues and threats surrounding the private ownership and trade of wild animals. They voice out, through passionate interviews and facts, implicated in the questionable practices of the so-called big cat sanctuaries and hobbyists. Performed with nuanced sincerity, their testimonies unravel a side of the story that's both eye-opening and alarming.

Keith Gad, another notable figure in the documentary, shares his insights and expertise in the handling, rehabilitation, and right treatment of these magnificent creatures. His contribution provides another vital layer to the narrative, infusing it with necessary objectivity and professional depth.

The film expertly highlights the popular yet often misunderstood world of perceived wildlife conservation. It is through the shroud of so-called educational programs and recreated natural habitats that these entities often manage to garner public acceptance and support. Yet, as the movie illustrates, underneath the surface, the reality is that big cats and other exotic creatures are sometimes subjected to cruel conditions, and their welfare is regularly overlooked in the name of entertainment and profit.

The expansive journey in this documentary takes you from televised late-night shows featuring young exotic animals to unregulated black markets dealing in potentially dangerous animals. The audience follows Harrison as he tracks down some of America's most famous celebrity animal tamers to highlight the distressing reality of the abusive situations these defenseless animals endure.

The underlying pulse of The Conservation Game is its sharp critique of the media's role in misconstruing the realities of these adopted exotic pets. It pulls down the façade of heartwarming TV appearances of these orphaned animals and brings forth the disturbing question of where these animals end up after they've outgrown their adorable phase. The world of exotic animals' glorification and their unfortunate fate are both realistically depicted, revealing a murky, twisted world and system behind the treatment of big cats in America.

The documentary is a heartbreaking realization of how these magnificent creatures are often discarded when their popularity fade or when they can no longer serve their intended entertainment purposes. In exposing these sinister underground practices and the consequent toll on the animals' wellbeing, The Conservation Game advocates for urgent regulation and the need for everyone to play their part in the conservation and respect of wildlife, especially within a more domestic context.

In summary, The Conservation Game is a gripping documentary that uncovers the shocking truths about the commercial use of big cats and other exotic animals within the United States. Combining elements of noir thrillers with engrossing investigative journalism, this film challenges the audience to rethink and question the ethics and implications of owning and trading in exotic pets. Not just a documentary, The Conservation Game emerges as a solid call to action, aiming to incite the change needed to protect these majestic creatures from further exploitation.