In some Angolan traditions, magic is not just something people sit around campfires and talk about late at night, it lives in customs and day-to-day life. Owls are believed to see death. And snakes are agents of the devil. So what happens when a team of scientists and local Angolan guides embark on the largest wildlife survey in Angola's recent history? And how will documenting local animal populations help protect the region?

To learn more, visit www.wildbirdtrust.com.

This episode features the voices and work of a number of scientists including: Dawn Cory Toussaint, Helen James, Timóteo Júlio, Klaas-Douwe "KD" B. Dijkstra, Chad Keates, Werner Conradie.

This podcast is hosted by Kerllen Costa. It is written, recorded, and directed by Cat Jaffee and House of Pod in partnership with the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project. Funding for this project comes from a National Geographic storytelling grant and the Wild Bird Trust. Additional audio recorded for the documentary was provided by Neil Gelinas and Kaya Ensor. Fact checking was conducted by Aimee Machado. Juliette Luini is the producer. The audio editor and sound designer is Jason Paton. The Angolan producer is Kerllen Costa, and the Motswana producer is Thalefang Charles. Story editing comes from Rebecca Mendoza Nunziato.

Geração 80 is the recording studio in Angola.

Music: The Guardians of the River theme song was created by Victor Gama.

The theme music of this podcast is a journey of sounds from the villagers of Tempue preparing food and drumming on bomb drums while celebrating their faith in village churches, which is interwoven with a greeting song by the children of Tempue sung before the community meeting. There is also a reed harp played by Tom Rethio, a WaYei musician. In addition to custom pieces from Victor, the music featured in the series also comes from Victor's 2010 album Pangeia Instrumentos. The tracks included on the podcast are O Pescador De Sonhos, Homem Vermelho Homem Verde, A Guerra dos Homens Répteis, O Olho No Anzol, O Diálogo Dos Pernetas, Mibanga.

Art: The episode art for Guardians of the River was illustrated by Fernando Hugo Fernandes.