Director Taylor Hackford teams with screenwriters Armyan Bernstein and Terry Jastrow to tell the true-life tale of a South African game-preserve proprietor who put his own life at risk to rescue the endangered creatures of the Baghdad Zoo at the onset of the Iraq War in 2003. Lawrence Anthony is the owner and operator of Thula Thula -- an expansive game preserve in South Africa. Upon learning that fighting has broken out in Iraq, Anthony recalls a report stating that most zoo animals are either killed or die of neglect in times of war. But Anthony is determined not to let this grim fate befall the animals of the Baghdad Zoo, and seven days after the U.S. invasion begins, he sneaks across the Kuwait border to make a disheartening discovery. In the course of only one week, half of the zoo's 1,000 animals have already died. Now, in order to save the remaining 500 creatures, Anthony will enlist the aid of seasoned mercenaries to fend off the encroaching insurgents and poachers. With a little help from the zoo staff and some concerned locals, this dedicated group may be able to get the animals out of harm's way and prevent further tragedy.

~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide