Mr. Kerllen Costa

To uncover, understand and protect Angola’s natural and cultural heritage has been Kerllen’s passion for the past 15 years. He joined the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project in one of their first river expeditions in Angola, in 2016. Traversing throughout the years thousands of kilometres in traditional canoes, bicycles, motorbikes and on foot, to lead the way for dozens of world renown scientists to conduct ground-breaking scientific research in the most remote rivers and landscapes in Africa, whilst becoming the project’s director for Angola. Whilst doing so, Kerllen delved deep into the culture, tradition and indigenous ecological knowledge of the communities of Angola, advocating for people’s voices and the immense value of traditional knowledge in conservation. He led the process for the proclamation of Angola’s first RAMSAR site, the fifth largest in the world.

His work resulted in the production and narration of the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival Best Non-Fiction Podcast award, Guardians of the River, as well as the ground-breaking documentaries Kwando and Ghost Elephants. More recently, Kerllen had a dedicated episode on The Brookings Institute Podcast as well as contributing with an article to their Foresight Africa 2024 report. Since 2010, Kerllen has also spearheaded The Great Angolan Escarpment Project, which has resulted in the creation of 2 conservation areas in that country.