Prince William releases new video just days before major event

The six-part series, conceived by Prince William who provides voice narration for the trailer and episode introductions, aims to highlight the overlooked work of rangers protecting the planet's natural environments.
Each instalment runs between six and ten minutes, with new episodes launching weekly.

The Royal Foundation's United for Wildlife programme created the docuseries to reshape public perception of rangers and their essential conservation efforts.

This third episode in the series focuses on the Sea of Cortez, once dubbed 'the world's aquarium' but now severely threatened by decades of illegal fishing activities.

Captain José Luis Cesena Calderon's journey from illegal fisherman to marine protector forms the heart of this latest episode.

Now leading a civilian ranger team, he conducts perilous night patrols to combat illegal fishing in one of Earth's most biodiverse marine ecosystems.

The Sea of Cortez hosts more than 900 fish species, with over 70 found nowhere else on the planet.

Yet this extraordinary biodiversity faces severe threats from armed poachers who operate under darkness, targeting everything from parrotfish and snappers to high-value catches like lobster and octopus.

Captain José works with the citizen observer network, known locally as ROC, navigating treacherous waters in complete darkness.

These night missions involve significant dangers, from volatile weather to potential confrontations with armed illegal fishermen.

His team's efforts extend beyond enforcement, focusing on building trust within local fishing communities to ensure lasting conservation success.

The Sea of Cortez ecosystem has suffered devastating impacts from poaching and overfishing in recent decades, severely damaging marine life and the seabed.

Illegal speargun fishers operate boats at night, hunting various marine species whilst evading detection.

The civilian ranger network plays a crucial role in monitoring and protecting these waters. Through collaboration between local residents and authorities, the team works to safeguard this vital marine habitat from ongoing threats.

The episode demonstrates how rangers combine active patrols with community engagement efforts.

Building relationships with local fishing communities proves essential for sustainable conservation, as the programme seeks to create lasting change through education and cooperation.

These night-time operations require exceptional skill and courage, as rangers face unpredictable conditions whilst tracking illegal fishing activities.

The demanding nature of this work highlights the daily challenges confronting those who defend marine ecosystems.

Prince William emphasised the critical importance of recognising rangers' work, stating: "I've had the privilege of meeting a number of rangers throughout my life and have seen firsthand the vital work they do. Yet their stories are often overlooked or misunderstood."

He highlighted the dangers they face: "The reality is that protecting our natural world has become one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet. We need to understand and recognise Nature's Guardians, and the critical work they do."

The Prince described rangers as inspirational figures who "take huge risks as nature's frontline of defence, standing between poachers and endangered species, supporting sustainable human-animal coexistence and fighting habitat loss."

He added: "As they work to protect our oceans, our forests, our plains, our mountains and biodiversity, they are also educating, community building and furthering science. These are the unsung heroes the true Guardians of the natural world."