Bob Poole
Bob Poole is an Emmy Award–winning filmmaker whose decades of work in Africa reveal the beauty, struggle, and resilience of wildlife in a rapidly changing world. From intimate elephant family bonds to epic conservation stories, his films blend artistry and urgency—inviting audiences to witness nature’s fragility, strength, and enduring hope.
Wildlife Filmmaker
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Elephant Whisperer
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Emmy Award-Winner
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Wildlife Filmmaker • Elephant Whisperer • Emmy Award-Winner •
More about Bob
Bob Poole is an Emmy Award-winning cinematographer, and a TV and film host recognized for his wildlife filmmaker work behind and in front of the camera. With an illustrious career, producing more than 40 films for BBC, PBS NATURE, NOVA, Discovery Networks, and National Geographic, Bob’s signature storytelling is now canon in the wildlife filmmaking world.
As a child, Bob grew up in Kenya, where his father was founder and director of the Smithsonian-Peace Corps Environmental Program and director of African operations for the African Wildlife Leadership Foundation. Growing up around wildlife gave Bob the instincts to capture captivating, intimate visuals that depict the inner world of elephants. Onscreen, he conveys the complex dynamics, behaviors, and struggles faced by these gentle giants. This ability to tell evocative, personal stories has played a crucial role in building empathy and support for the species.
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Bob has been a fierce advocate for elephants for decades. Together with his sister Joyce Poole—one of the world’s foremost elephant researchers and behavioral experts—Bob creates groundbreaking documentaries and publications, which have shed light on the challenges faced by elephants and the urgent need for their protection.
Bob ventured into one of Africa’s harshest climates to film desert elephants in Namibia for a four-part series called Secrets of the Elephants (Disney+). Narrated by Natalie Portman and produced by James Cameron, this remarkable series showcases Bob’s dedication to illuminating the complexity and wonder of these majestic creatures.
Bob is currently shooting and producing a new film called Tuskers: Brotherhood of Elephants, which will be released in early 2026.
Speaking Topics
Conservation
Exploration
Nature
Watch Bob in action
Presentations
In the Footsteps of Giants
Join Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Bob Poole for a breathtaking journey into the world of elephants. Raised in Kenya, he shares stunning footage and incredible stories—from births and battles to learning-driven research on elephant communication. After decades with National Geographic, BBC, and PBS, Bob brings audiences face-to-face with these intelligent giants, revealing the full spectrum of their extraordinary lives.
“Elephants are particularly interesting because they're so intelligent, and they're so much like us in the way they regard family.”
– Bob Poole