erllen Costa has dedicated his career to protecting Angola’s natural
and cultural heritage. As the Angola country director for the National
Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project, he has led scientific
expeditions deep into some of southern Africa’s most remote rivers,
while advocating for the powerful role of Indigenous ecological
knowledge. Together with Boyes, Costa went on a mission to follow a
mysterious herd of Ghost Elephants in the jungles of Angola. Their
exciting adventures have been featured in National Geographic’s
documentary “Ghost Elephants,” which premiered at the 2025 Venice
International Film Festival. Costa was a recipient of the National
Geographic Society’s 2024 Wayfinder Award. 
