‘DRA. FABIOLA JONES’ PREMIERES ON THURSDAY 4 DECEMBER ON LA1

A unique insight into life on the African savannah and its wildlife, led by young veterinarian Fabiola Quesada The first episode features open-field surgeries and moving moments that combine science, vocation, and hope.

Dra Fabiola Jones is a new factual format that explores both the professional and personal life of a young Spanish veterinarian who has been living in Africa for over 15 years. Told from a unique perspective and led by a strong female voice, the series travels across the African savannah and other locations on the continent to portray her day-to-day life.

Adventure, adrenaline, wildlife protection, majestic animals and a deep sensitivity towards nature are the key ingredients of Dr Fabiola Jones, a programme produced by RTVE in collaboration with Warner Bros. ITVP Spain, premiering on Thursday 4 December on La 1.

The story of a Spanish scientist in Africa
In Africa, veterinarian Fabiola Quesada (Úbeda, Jaén) has turned her profession into a way of life. She lives in a house located in the heart of a wildlife reserve, where she coexists with antelopes she has hand-raised, as well as other animals. A true fighter, she has transformed her career into a personal commitment and is set to become a role model for young people with a vocation for science and a love of nature.

With a solid background in veterinary medicine applied to wildlife, she will take viewers behind the scenes of interventions involving some of the continent’s most iconic species — from rhinos, lions, buffalo and elephants to zebras, antelopes and cheetahs.

Based in South Africa and with filming locations in Namibia, the series addresses some of the most serious threats to biodiversity, focusing on the fragile balance of ecosystems and the conflicts that arise when this balance is disrupted — from zoonotic diseases to tensions between wildlife and human communities.

The programme immerses audiences in striking surgical operations carried out in the middle of the savannah; the tense dehorning of one of the most threatened animals to prevent poaching; high-risk captures using anaesthetic darts; anti-poaching patrols; delicate rescues; rigorous medical check-ups; and recovery projects in refuges and sanctuaries. It also showcases daily interaction with local communities, nocturnal life in wild environments, and ventures into marine wildlife, featuring interventions in some of the most vibrant — and endangered — ocean ecosystems.

In the first episode, Fabiola Quesada journeys across the African savannah and coastline, rescuing and caring for some of the most vulnerable wild animals. From orphaned rhino calves and open-field cheetah surgeries to intensive care for zebras and elephants, and the fitting of tracking devices on rhinos to combat poaching, each day blends action, science and emotion, revealing both the majesty and fragility of wildlife.