Endangered Species

Endangered Species is a 2021 action-adventure film directed by M. J. Bassett. Bassett has long had a passion for conservation, and she wrote and directed the film in part to bring attention to the issue of the illegal wildlife trade and other dangers to the environment. In the film, an American family must survive when they are stranded in the Kenyan savanna. Plot Jack Halsey, his wife Lauren, Lauren's two children (from her previous marriage) Zoe and Noah, and Zoe's boyfriend Billy arrive at Amboseli Park in Kenya for a safari vacation. Jack, who is at risk of losing his job, is concerned about the expense of the trip, and his constant complaining causes a rift in the family, especially between him and Zoe with whom he has a strained relationship. Having cancelled certain activities to save money, Jack chooses to take the family on safari without a guide. During their drive, he ignores a sign and enters a restricted area. When they unknowingly come between a rhinoceros and its young, the rhino rams into their van and overturns it, wounding Jack's leg and shattering their water bottles. Lauren, who is a type I diabetic, finds her insulin is broken as well. Hyenas then surround the family, who retreat to the van to hide. Noah and Billy walk toward higher ground to attempt to get a phone signal. Before they can ask for help, a leopard attacks Billy, who is badly injured and dragged away. Noah flees back to the van, which they then decide to abandon, fearing the hyenas will return again in greater numbers. Meanwhile, an injured Billy awakes in a tree with the leopard sleeping nearby. He manages to get away and walks back to the van, only to find it empty.