The red carpet unfolded for stars and conservation enthusiasts alike at the United States premiere of Save This Rhino. This documentary, focusing on the efforts to leveraging a combination of Cisco-based technology to help protect and rescue the endangered rhinoceros in South Africa, premiered at the famed Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California. A step-and-repeat with photographers greeted viewers as they arrived to the theater. Cisco CTO of Engineering and Chief Architect Dave Ward was joined by VP and GM, Managed Services Ruba Borno, Senior Director, Innovation Strategy & Programs Alex Goryachev, Senior Director of the NTT Partnership Chris Panzeca, and other Cisco leaders to celebrate the premiere. 

Hosts of the documentary include former cricket players Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Smith, and conservationist Matt Wright, who are joined in the film by Borno, Ward, and Doc Watson, Group Executive for Global Cisco Alliance at NTT Ltd. The hosts and even more stars arrived at Paramount Studios to celebrate the premiere, like artist Moby, The Haunting of Hill House actress Kate Siegel, and social media influencers like Saul Rasco and Nadia Gray. With more than 200 people gathered at the Save This Rhino screening, it was clear that animal conservation is close to many hearts.

The premiere was first-of-its-kind for Cisco. The company’s Sustainable Impact program under Ward is breaking outside of just Silicon Valley and into places like South Africa and even Hollywood. With many of our planet’s creatures coming closer to becoming extinct, it’s a crucial time for companies like Cisco to further its techno-conservation efforts.

Carole Gridley, Carlos Pignataro, Ruba Borno, Jenn Lofting, Dave Ward, Cary Gooding, Cayla Yang, Guillaume De Saint Marc, John Parello, JoAnne Alvarado, Alex Goryachev 

Save This Rhino captures the challenges and wins of the people trying to eliminate rhino poaching. The documentary follows Pietersen, Smith, and Matt Wright as they journey to South Africa to discover the story of this poaching crisis. 80 percent of the world’s rhinos live in South Africa, and about three of these creatures are killed every day from poaching. Often, they are poached for their horns, which has been proven to have no medicinal value. The film especially focuses on a baby rhino named Arthur the Brave, whose mother was killed by poaching. The hosts follow Arthur’s journey to see how the devastating poaching epidemic can be prevented in the future.

Together, to help prevent poaching incidents, like the one that Arthur’s mother suffered, Cisco and NTT work on Connected Conservation, a program to preserve endangered species in Africa. The solution consists of a digital perimeter solution using networking technologies with IoT capabilities to capture data from around the area. This includes the monitoring of human activity, preventing poachers from getting into the park. By using CCTV and thermal cameras, radio area network, and acoustic fiber, this real-time surveillance increases security at the game reserve.

"In 2015, I approached Cisco's CEO about Connected Conservation," says Watson, “Together, we designed the reserve area network—it is a safe haven for the animals.”

See also: What is good for the world and good for business is closer than ever

Kevin Pietersen, Matt Wright, Petronel Nieuwoudt, Dave Ward

A panel followed the premiere, where Ward, Pietersen, Wright and Watson were joined by rhino sanctuary owner Petronel Nieuwoudt. The group discussed their passion for preventing the extinction of various ecosystems, and how they can use technology for the good of the planet.

“There is hope through this project with Cisco and NTT,” says Save This Rhino producer and creator Michael Lawrence, “Together, we may be able to save this species.”

Cisco’s CSR commitments also follows the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, 17 goals that blueprint a better and more sustainable future for everyone. One of these goals includes protecting life on land, which focuses on managing forests, combating desertification, and halting biodiversity loss.  

Doc Watson, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Wright, Petronel Nieuwoudt, Dave Ward, Kate Siegel 

Cisco’s wildlife conservation program began as a joint effort with Dimension Data to save the rhino but has since evolved into a new Sustainable Impact initiative which includes new partners, geographies, and species with the hopes of impacting both life on land and life under water through innovative technology solutions. The program works in alignment with Cisco’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts which aim to accelerate global problem solving through technology to positively impact people, society, and the planet. Saving the endangered species effectively impacts all three of these categories, as the focus is to benefit the people and communities while also protecting the planet.

“The technology protects the whole ecosystem,” says Ward, “Which is why it is such a fantastic program. You have to be willing to adapt and think about what will be good for the rangers, not just what is cool technology for me. The Internet can really be used for good. We’re looking forward to moving the technology into different ecosystems in the future.”

Learn more about how to eliminate rhino poaching by watching Save This Rhino. The documentary will premiere on September 19^th at 10PM EST and September 20^th at 10 PM EST on Outside TV.