The Prince of Wales unveils the wildlife series Guardians, which spotlights rangers who risk their lives to protect endangered species.

 Prince William has credited Sir David Attenborough as a lifelong inspiration for his newly launched wildlife documentary series Guardians, which shines a spotlight on the often deadly work of rangers protecting endangered species around the globe.

In a surprise move, the Prince of Wales appeared unannounced at a central London screening of the first three episodes earlier this week, joining journalists to underline just how personally invested he is in the project. “Sir David was a big inspiration to me growing up,” he told the audience, praising the legendary broadcaster for transporting viewers to parts of the planet many will never see.

The six-part series, which launches Friday on BBC Earth’s YouTube and social platforms, follows rangers on the frontline of conservation. These often unsung heroes face increasing danger, with over 1,400 killed in the past decade. In the year to May 2024 alone, 38 of the 140 recorded ranger deaths were homicides—grim evidence of the deadly risks involved in protecting the planet’s most vulnerable wildlife.

“This is now one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet,” William told reporters. “It shouldn’t be. Protecting the natural world shouldn’t be that dangerous.”

The series, co-produced by the Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife and Zandland, features on-screen introductions by the prince himself, who also appears in the official trailer. The project, according to those close to him, has been driven by William from the start.

A royal aide described the show as deeply personal: “He wanted to show the incredible work rangers do for people around the world. It’s not just about animals—it’s about communities, education, and long-term sustainability.”

In Guardians, viewers follow rangers as they confront poachers, survive armed conflict, and protect ecosystems under threat from illegal fishing, civil unrest, and encroaching development. Many of these men and women now risk their lives daily, in roles often overlooked and undervalued.

William also addressed a looming crisis in ranger recruitment, warning that younger generations are reluctant to enter the profession. “They ask, why would I go and risk my life to do that? No one seems to notice, no one seems to care,” he said. “I’m not necessarily paid enough. I’m not valued enough by society.”

Rohit Singh, vice-president of the International Ranger Federation (IRF), echoed the prince’s concerns during the screening, sharing a sobering statistic: 82% of rangers say they would not want their children to follow in their footsteps. “There are more hairdressers in the UK than there are rangers in the world’s protected areas,” he added.

The prince used the event to reinforce a message of hope and determination. “This series reminds people that there are still wonderful parts of the world, and there’s still hope—and amazing work being done,” he said. “If we truly care about the environment, we need more of these guys and girls.”

In a powerful move last year, William introduced a new life insurance scheme to cover 10,000 rangers working across Africa—an initiative designed to bring tangible support to those risking their lives for conservation.

By turning the spotlight on these frontline workers, Prince William hopes to inspire global respect and resources for a profession vital to the planet’s survival. His tribute to Attenborough, and his commitment to building on that legacy, signals a new era of royal environmental advocacy—one where storytelling meets action.