Willem van Heever

Willem is a versatile visual artist, filmmaker, and environmental storyteller with a passion for both land and sea. Skilled in writing, directing, cinematography (topside and underwater), and editing, he merges his creative abilities with a deep commitment to conservation. Since beginning his journey in filmmaking and photography in 2011, Willem has used his lens to explore the mysteries of nature and share powerful human stories that connect us to the wild.
After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Film Arts from The Open Window Institute in South Africa in 2015, Willem’s films have screened at international festivals across the U.S. and Europe, including the prestigious Sundance International Film Festival. His visual storytelling is shaped by extensive travel—over 42 countries to date—including a five-month expedition through North America’s wilderness and an 8,500-kilometre journey aboard the Trans-Siberian Express.
Over the past decade, he has collaborated on projects with renowned brands such as National Geographic, Sony Alpha, Corona, and Sea Shepherd. Willem’s work reflects a dedication to creative conservation, aiming to raise awareness, inspire action, and foster a more sustainable future. Through his imagery, he seeks to reawaken our connection to nature and spotlight stories of hope, resilience, and restoration.

LOCATION:	Cape Town	AREA OF STUDY:	Cape fur seals
NATIONALITY:	South Africa	SPONSOR:
FILMMAKER:	Josh Clarke

START DATE:	27th August
END DATE:	2nd September
LOCATION:	Cape Town
END POINT:	South Africa

AREA OF STUDY:	Cape fur seals
SPONSOR:
FILMMAKER:	Josh Clarke

Area of Study: cape fur seals

Cape Fur Seals have long lived along South Africa’s coast, sharing space with human development. Once a symbol of coexistence, this relationship is now under threat. In recent years, increasing pollution, habitat loss, and illegal feeding have placed mounting pressure on seal populations. In 2022, an alarming shift occurred — seals began attacking people. After months of investigation, scientists confirmed a global first: rabies had entered the Cape Fur Seal population.

The outbreak has triggered an urgent response from conservationists, the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, and city authorities. Without a precedent for managing rabies in marine mammals, teams have developed real-time protocols, including monitoring, testing, and humane euthanasia. Alongside this, they continue to rescue entangled seals, highlighting the severe human impact on ocean ecosystems.

As rabies likely becomes endemic, the crisis serves as a stark reminder of our strained relationship with the wild. Yet, there is hope. Conservationists are calling for public education, reduced plastic use, and greater respect for wildlife boundaries. Ultimately, this is not just about saving seals; it’s about rethinking how we share the planet with wild animals. With science, compassion, and awareness, we still have time to choose a future where humans and nature coexist in balance.