Three-time Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Kim Wolhuter, has signed with ITV Studios Australia to make several blue chip wildlife documentaries.

Kim Wolhuter

Wolhuter grew up in the wilds of Africa, where his father, Henry, was head ranger at Kruger National Park. Wolhuter’s grandfather, Harry – the first ranger at Kruger – is a legend in southern Africa for being the only man ever to single-handedly kill an adult male lion with a knife, defending himself after it pulled him from his horse.

Managing Director of ITV Studios Australia, Anita Jacoby – who has a personal passion for wildlife – met Wolhuter by chance when she was holidaying in a Zimbabwe game park in January.

“We were the only tourists in the game park and over a few hours he told me the most fantastic stories of living for months on end with wild animals – from cheetah to hyena – with just his camera.”

ITV Studios Australia Head of Development, Micah Hewson, is working on creating three documentaries with Wolhuter, who has a 25-year career as a wildlife filmmaker, with 350 hours of high-end footage shot during the past nine years.

“Today I find myself following the family tradition, although in a slightly different way,” Wolhuter said. “Cameras allow me to bring home stunning images and footage to share with the world, helping create an international awareness of Africa’s endangered species.

“I like to get up close and personal with my subjects, gaining their total trust. This allows me to shoot footage so the audience can engage with the animal in a way that’s never been possible before and really feel what it’s like to be that animal,” he said.

Wolhuter will make documentaries on the elephant, cheetah and African wild dog for ITV Studios Australia.