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Tolstoy the Tomato Thief
A Netflix documentary follows the story of Tolstoy, a massive elephant with a love for tomatoes that causes conflict with local farmers, exploring the human-wildlife conflict in Kenya.
English
United Kingdom
EntertainmentConflictAfricaConservationDocumentaryWildlife
NetflixBig Life FoundationSave The ElephantsKenya Wildlife ServiceExplorers Club
TolstoyKire GodalRichard BonhamKibakiJohnson Salash
- How did Kire Godal first meet Tolstoy?
- Kire Godal, an award-winning wildlife filmmaker, first encountered Tolstoy in 2017 during a night raid on a tomato field. She was immediately captivated by the sight of the massive elephant and his companion, both with tomato plants in their mouths.
- What made Tolstoy infamous in the Amboseli ecosystem?
- Tolstoy, a super tusker elephant with extraordinarily large tusks, became notorious for his tomato raids in the Amboseli ecosystem. His actions caused conflict between farmers and elephants, resulting in injuries and even deaths on both sides.
- What is the documentary's intended message and release date?
- The documentary, narrated by Tolstoy, aims to highlight the human-wildlife conflict in Kenya, using Tolstoy's story to promote empathy and conservation efforts. It will air on Netflix in 2025.
- How did Tolstoy's injury change the narrative of the documentary?
- The spear injury suffered by Tolstoy forced him to seek help from humans. His subsequent interaction with the Maasai boy Kibaki and the Big Life rangers demonstrates the film's focus on reconciliation and understanding between humans and wildlife.
- What is the root cause of the conflict between elephants and farmers?
- The conflict stems from the encroachment of farms onto elephant territories and the inability to relocate the tomato crops. The Maasai people, who now cultivate the land, face a deadly struggle with elephants over resources.