Legendary Filmmaker Tackles the Unknown in Search for Vanishing Elephants

In the latest venture of his ongoing exploration of the natural world, acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog has turned his attention to the mysterious "ghost elephants" of Africa. The documentary, titled "Ghost Elephants," premiered at the Venice Film Festival on August 28, 2025.

Herzog's expedition, made in collaboration with National Geographic, is led by scientist Dr. Steve Boyes, who has dedicated years to studying the possible existence of these elusive pachyderms. The team travels to the remote Angola Highlands, a vast, high-altitude region considered the "water tower of Africa," in search of evidence of the ghost elephants.

Along the way, the film offers a captivating glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region, including footage of tribal life and the history of big-game hunting. Herzog, known for his poetic and philosophical approach to documentary filmmaking, can't help but find the poetry in even the most mundane moments, such as a tribal elder repairing a small stringed instrument.

While the ultimate fate of the ghost elephants remains uncertain, "Ghost Elephants" is a thought-provoking exploration of the human desire to uncover the unknown and the myths that shape our understanding of the natural world. As Herzog himself muses, the search for these elusive creatures is "almost like going after the white whale" - a pursuit of the mysterious that captivates the human spirit.