RTVE EMBARKS ON A CAPTIVATING JOURNEY TO AFRICA WITH ‘DR FABIOLA JONES’

The extraordinary efforts of Spanish vet Fabiola Quesada to protect the wildlife of the African savannah are at the heart of this new factual format for La 1

Adventure, action, emotion, education and an unwavering commitment to the ecosystem — these are the core ingredients of ‘Dr Fabiola Jones’, RTVE’s new original production that follows the professional and personal life of Fabiola Quesada, a renowned Spanish wildlife veterinarian who has spent over 15 years living and working in the heart of Africa.

With a unique perspective and a strong female voice at its centre, this factual series explores the African savannah, marine environments and other key regions across the continent to follow the daily work of a specialist whose mission is to protect and preserve wild animals.

Produced by RTVE in collaboration with Warner Bros. ITVP Spain, ‘Dr Fabiola Jones’ offers a thrilling insight into endangered habitats, dramatic medical procedures, and a bold campaign against poaching and illegal trade in wildlife.

The Odyssey of a Real-Life Heroine in the African Wilderness

From rhinos, lions, buffalo and elephants to zebras, antelope and cheetahs, ‘Dr Fabiola Jones’ provides direct access to some of Africa’s most emblematic species. Based in South Africa and filmed across locations including Namibia, the series confronts the most pressing threats to biodiversity — focusing on the fragile balance of ecosystems and the tension that arises when that balance is disrupted, from zoonotic diseases to human-wildlife conflict.

Audiences will be taken inside urgent surgical procedures in the open savannah, high-risk horn-removal operations on endangered animals to prevent poaching, daring dart captures, critical wildlife relocations, anti-poaching patrols, delicate orphan rescues, medical check-ups and essential recovery projects in shelters and sanctuaries.

The programme also offers an intimate look at Fabiola’s day-to-day interaction with local communities and life after dark in the wild, capturing a raw and emotional perspective on the dedication required to save each life.

The series also ventures beyond land, turning to marine conservation with interventions in some of the world’s most vibrant yet threatened oceanic ecosystems.

A Spanish Scientist on the Front Line of Conservation

Born in Úbeda (Jaén), Fabiola Quesada is a veterinarian by vocation, trained at the University of Córdoba. With a distinguished career in wildlife veterinary medicine and a passion for conservation, Fabiola has become a leading figure in her field. She currently serves as Vice President of the Association of Spanish Scientists in Southern Africa, balancing hands-on conservation work with scientific research.

She is also committed to training new generations of veterinarians across southern Africa and leads various conservation and animal health projects through Wild Spirit, the foundation she created. Her love for animals began in childhood with her first pet horse — a bond that ultimately inspired her lifelong dream of becoming an “animal doctor”.

Now, with more than 15 years living in Africa, Fabiola has turned her profession into a way of life. From her home in the middle of a nature reserve, she lives alongside antelope she’s raised and other wildlife that are part of her daily environment. A true fighter, her work is not just a job but a personal commitment fuelled by a deep connection to nature and the powerful emotions that come with facing new challenges every day.

Her journey is set to inspire a new generation of young people with a passion for adventure, wildlife and environmental conservation.