Welcome
Good morning Netflix Watchers.
As you may have noticed, the juvenile has bumped the camera several times over the past week while exercising its wings and preparing for its first flight. The most recent knock shifted the camera, causing it to lose focus on the nest. While this may be disappointing for those closely following the young bird's progress over the past few months, the most important thing is that the juvenile remains healthy. We anticipate it will take its maiden flight between 6 and 9 December. The on-the-ground monitors will keep us updated.
With that in mind, the Nestflix team would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the citizen scientists who have supported this project and YouTube channel, making this extraordinary experience accessible to so many. Your comments, observations, and engagement have been invaluable, turning this journey into something truly remarkable for everyone involved.
What’s next? We plan to return to the nest early next year to repair the camera and make adjustments to reduce the likelihood of similar issues occurring. Our tech team is already exploring ways to improve the robustness of the camera setup. We are working on additional funding for next season to support these efforts, building on the generosity of Science Based Ingredients and Afraceuticals, who made this year’s project possible.
Once again, thank you all; we hope to return next breeding season.
The Nestflix Team
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A key goal of this project is to increase awareness of the bearded vulture. Please share this page with your social media groups.
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If you would like to support our conservation work, we would greatly appreciate your contribution via our PayPal account. Unfortunately, PayPal does not accept donations in South African Rands but does accept US dollars.
Bearded Vulture Nest Cam Project
Indlovu Aerial Trust (IAT), a South African conservation non-profit, partnered with Science Based Ingredients (SBI), the project's Canadian investor, to lead an innovative project in collaboration with the Bearded Vulture Recovery Programme.
Our goal was to set up a solar-powered HD streaming system in a bearded vulture's nest in a remote region of South Africa's Maloti-Drakensberg mountain range. Aimed at providing live video streams, the system allows researchers and conservationists to monitor the vultures’ breeding and chick-rearing activities throughout their breeding season, from April to December. The project also aims to increase public awareness of these birds' critically endangered status by live streaming the nest site and highlighting the challenges they face in their fight for survival.
This project continues the success of a prior initiative. In 2010, a nest camera was installed through a collaboration between EnviroVision Solutions (EVS) and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. EVS has since provided ongoing maintenance and periodic replacements of the equipment, offering vital insights into the breeding behaviours of this critically endangered species.
This is the project's story.
Objective
Install an HD real-time streaming camera into a bearded vulture nest.
Why?
Real-time monitoring of bearded vulture breeding and chick-raising behaviours for research, education and awareness.
Outcome
Success! The real-time live feed launched on April 10, 2024.
The Thin Green Line
As with any conservation efforts, the dedicated boots-on-the-ground field rangers hold the frontline in preserving our precious biodiversity and protecting its most vulnerable species.
Quin and Che chat with Nkosi (senior field ranger) and Mondli (field ranger) of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
The Project Team
This project united a diverse group of volunteers, each contributing their unique specialist skills. Without their dedication and perseverance, the project would not have succeeded.
Thank you!
