Some journeys never really end. Nearly 30 years ago, my father invited me to join him on safari in Zambia. What began as my first trip to Africa became a journey that changed the course of my life. Read the story: tomopre.substack.com/p/some-… ShepherdsOfWildlife.org

Four years after beginning The Last Keeper in Scotland, I finally made it to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. We’re here early for meetings before hosting Shepherds of Wildlife supporters at locations—and with people—featured in the film. A glimpse behind the scenes. ShepherdsOfWildlife.org

The work begins with listening. Zambia’s National Parks team is meeting with traditional leaders, communities and safari operators as plans advance to return wildlife to the Lower Luano. A resident herd of 250–350 buffalo has also been located. #ReturnOfTheWild

Operation Return of the Wild is moving forward. After a responsible delay surrounding Zambia’s presidential election, we’ll begin September 14 to move Cape buffalo fm Lower Zambezi National Park into the Lower Luano. The return is about to begin. #ReturnOfTheWild

“We’re screwed.” That was Tom Opre’s only thought as a nearly 1,000-pound Alaska brown bear charged toward him. Read the latest Shepherd’s Journal—a story about risk, instinct and the moment an observer becomes a participant. tomopre.substack.com/p/were-…

A BTS look @ Operation Return of the Wild. The team buried the boma’s four-inch waterline after lions started chewing holes in it—just another day. Trap-and-transfer operations are scheduled to begin the week of Sept 14. Mother Nature doesn’t practice conservation—people do.™

Conservation begins with human dignity. When people have hope, wildlife has a future. Experience the award-winning documentary that started the conversation. Create an account at ShepherdsOfWildlife.org and we'll send you an exclusive screening of Killing The Shepherd.

I once believed determination could overcome almost anything. Africa taught me one of life’s greatest lessons instead: patience. My newest essay, “Not Yet,” is about the moment I first began to understand that the bush operates on its own timetable—not ours. Read it here:  open.substack.com/pub/tomopr… Read the essay. Continue the journey.
Subscribe on Substack for weekly stories, and follow our conservation work at ShepherdsOfWildlife.org. #Africa #Conservation #Storytelling #Writing

Touchdown in Zambia. 🇿🇲 Tom Opre & Tony Bynum just landed in Lusaka — next up, the long drive to the Lower Luano Valley for Operation Return of the Wild. The journey starts here. #Zambia #Conservation #OperationReturnOfTheWild

You can't save wildlife by sacrificing the people who live with it. Real conservation protects both. Mother Nature Doesn't Practice Conservation—People Do.™ #conservation #wildlife

Wildlife doesn't recover on its own. It recovers because people are willing to protect it. These wildlife officers made Operation Return of the Wild possible. They're the heroes few people ever see. Mother Nature Doesn't Practice Conservation—People Do.™

The loudest voices in conservation often live the furthest away. Listen to the people who live with wildlife—not just the people who talk about it. Mother Nature Doesn't Practice Conservation—People Do.™ #Africa #Wildlife #Conservation

"My people are suffering." Chief Shikabeta's courage inspired her people to reclaim their land, stand against poaching and restore their wildlife. Her legacy lives on. #ChiefShikabeta #OperationReturnOfTheWild #Zambia

Safari hunting and trophy bans were meant to protect wildlife. Instead, it accelerated its decline. Conservation must be judged on results—not intentions. #Conservation #Africa #TomOpre #elonmusk

Doing nothing isn't conservation. Dead forests. Catastrophic fire. Lost wildlife habitat. When preservation policy goes too far, nature pays the price. #Conservation #ShepherdsBriefs

Her legacy is bringing wildlife home. Chief Shikabeta is a symbol of the Lower Luano Valley’s fight against commercial poaching. Though she lost her life defending her homeland, her people refused to surrender. #OperationReturnoftheWild™ will restore species lost! #Zambia

These photos just arrived from Zambia's Lower Luano. Entire families are building the boma that will soon welcome 50 Cape buffalo and 50 puku back to this landscape. They're not watching conservation happen. They're making it happen. #Zambia #WildlifeRestoration #Returnofthewild

My latest Substack essay, The Long Way to Africa, is the story of how an unlikely journey changed my life forever. 🎙️ Includes a narrated audio version with authentic African ambient sound. Paid subscribers get: • Essays 24 hrs early • Audio editions • Monthly Zoom Q&A with me Read or listen: open.substack.com/pub/tomopr… #Africa #Storytelling #Conservation

My latest Substack essay is now free. First Taste of the African Bush continues the story of my first adventure in Africa—the journey that changed the course of my life and ultimately led to a career in wildlife filmmaking and conservation. Audio version included. tomopre.substack.com/p/first… I also think this is a good opportunity to begin reinforcing that these essays are connected. Referring to them as your Origins Series or Memoir Series helps readers understand they’re following an unfolding story rather than reading standalone articles. Over time, that tends to encourage people to come back each week to follow the narrative.

Wildlife doesn't need more sympathy. It needs people willing to act. Every decision shapes the future of conservation. We're only weeks away from returning to Zambia. The mission continues. #Conservation #Wildlife #Zambia #ShepherdsOfWildlife