The End of Eden

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The End of Eden is a 1986 South African environmental documentary directed by Rick Lomba. The film shows how Africa’s ecosystems are rapidly being damaged, focusing on cattle ranching and the beef industry as major causes. It criticizes World Bank and other international lenders for promoting industrial agriculture and cattle breeding in Africa to boost economies. The film also shows the use of pesticides to kill the tsetse fly, which Lomba says is the wilderness’s last defense against human encroachment, and it links this to erosion and overgrazing. Some scenes were filmed from a microlight aircraft as he approached these areas. The documentary features interviews with people involved in conservation, hunting, hunger relief, and farming, and presents sustainable ideas such as wildlife farming. It was written and directed by Rick Lomba, produced by Rick Lomba Productions, and narrated by Jeff Folger. It was funded by First National Bank and aired on television for about three years before disappearing from circulation.