Steve Boyes: Reviving the Heart of Wild Africa | Nat Geo Live

I’m an African I’m proud to have been

I’m an African I’m proud to have been born and have lived my life on that

born and have lived my life on that

born and have lived my life on that grand primordial continent I believe

grand primordial continent I believe

grand primordial continent I believe that the great work of Africa of the

that the great work of Africa of the

that the great work of Africa of the peoples of Africa are the great

peoples of Africa are the great

peoples of Africa are the great wildernesses that store a Mane on that

wildernesses that store a Mane on that

wildernesses that store a Mane on that continent the Serengeti the Congo the

continent the Serengeti the Congo the

continent the Serengeti the Congo the Kalahari the Okavango these words

Kalahari the Okavango these words

Kalahari the Okavango these words resonate with us I was inspired by

resonate with us I was inspired by

resonate with us I was inspired by nature as a child my parents who are

nature as a child my parents who are

nature as a child my parents who are here we’re very careful to take me out

here we’re very careful to take me out

here we’re very careful to take me out into the protected areas of southern

into the protected areas of southern

into the protected areas of southern Africa and it was the animals that

Africa and it was the animals that

Africa and it was the animals that inspired me the contact with elephants

inspired me the contact with elephants

inspired me the contact with elephants my mother used to call the two of us

my mother used to call the two of us

my mother used to call the two of us stick insects with binoculars fascinated

stick insects with binoculars fascinated

stick insects with binoculars fascinated by the birds the insects the plants

by the birds the insects the plants

by the birds the insects the plants everything around us it just grew every

everything around us it just grew every

everything around us it just grew every year those two little stick insects one

year those two little stick insects one

year those two little stick insects one day discovered the Okavango Delta now

day discovered the Okavango Delta now

day discovered the Okavango Delta now this is to me the most pristine

this is to me the most pristine

this is to me the most pristine wilderness area I’ve ever visited I was

wilderness area I’ve ever visited I was

wilderness area I’ve ever visited I was privileged to live there for five years

privileged to live there for five years

privileged to live there for five years and enjoy this wilderness for what it is

and enjoy this wilderness for what it is

and enjoy this wilderness for what it is it’s an 18,000 square kilometer wetland

it’s an 18,000 square kilometer wetland

it’s an 18,000 square kilometer wetland wilderness filled by the waters from the

wilderness filled by the waters from the

wilderness filled by the waters from the Angolan highlands this wonderful

Angolan highlands this wonderful

Angolan highlands this wonderful wilderness is visible from space an

wilderness is visible from space an

wilderness is visible from space an emerald gem in the middle of the

emerald gem in the middle of the

emerald gem in the middle of the Kalahari sand Basin the longest

Kalahari sand Basin the longest

Kalahari sand Basin the longest continuous piece of sand on earth it’s

continuous piece of sand on earth it’s

continuous piece of sand on earth it’s assuming in a little bit to have a look

assuming in a little bit to have a look

assuming in a little bit to have a look at this catchment it’s almost

at this catchment it’s almost

at this catchment it’s almost anachronistic it shouldn’t be this way

anachronistic it shouldn’t be this way

anachronistic it shouldn’t be this way it shouldn’t be so perfect

it shouldn’t be so perfect

it shouldn’t be so perfect it was the Angolan war it was civil war

it was the Angolan war it was civil war

it was the Angolan war it was civil war following that that kept people out of

following that that kept people out of

following that that kept people out of there he visits parts of that catchment

there he visits parts of that catchment

there he visits parts of that catchment today you’ll find broken down here

today you’ll find broken down here

today you’ll find broken down here copters and tanks next year we are going

copters and tanks next year we are going

copters and tanks next year we are going to take dugout canoes mokoros as we do

to take dugout canoes mokoros as we do

to take dugout canoes mokoros as we do every year but we’re going to take them

every year but we’re going to take them

every year but we’re going to take them from the top of those islands from the

from the top of those islands from the

from the top of those islands from the Bay Plateau all the way down that river

Bay Plateau all the way down that river

Bay Plateau all the way down that river to document it to share it with the

to document it to share it with the

to document it to share it with the world to study it and then cross the

world to study it and then cross the

world to study it and then cross the Okavango Delta as we do each year just

Okavango Delta as we do each year just

Okavango Delta as we do each year just look at the scene this is from a place

look at the scene this is from a place

look at the scene this is from a place called Mambo this is the view from the

called Mambo this is the view from the

called Mambo this is the view from the camp there off into this wilderness this

camp there off into this wilderness this

camp there off into this wilderness this is the home of one of the largest

is the home of one of the largest

is the home of one of the largest remaining populations of elephant on

remaining populations of elephant on

remaining populations of elephant on earth 60,000 elephant will move in and

earth 60,000 elephant will move in and

earth 60,000 elephant will move in and out of the Delta each year this is part

out of the Delta each year this is part

out of the Delta each year this is part of a population of 150,000 that

of a population of 150,000 that

of a population of 150,000 that freely without fences between Angola

freely without fences between Angola

freely without fences between Angola Namibia Botswana Zambia these countries

Namibia Botswana Zambia these countries

Namibia Botswana Zambia these countries zooming into the background you may not

zooming into the background you may not

zooming into the background you may not have seen it there’s a thousands of

have seen it there’s a thousands of

have seen it there’s a thousands of birds at a fish trap in September that

birds at a fish trap in September that

birds at a fish trap in September that inspired me to cross the Delta every

inspired me to cross the Delta every

inspired me to cross the Delta every single year with my brother to study and

single year with my brother to study and

single year with my brother to study and my wife is already and she’s here too to

my wife is already and she’s here too to

my wife is already and she’s here too to study the wetland birds they can choose

study the wetland birds they can choose

study the wetland birds they can choose with their wings when something goes

with their wings when something goes

with their wings when something goes wrong when something changes up in the

wrong when something changes up in the

wrong when something changes up in the catchment they’ll tell us and we hope

catchment they’ll tell us and we hope

catchment they’ll tell us and we hope over the next nine years in this project

over the next nine years in this project

over the next nine years in this project to pick up those changes if they happen

to pick up those changes if they happen

to pick up those changes if they happen and I hope they don’t what people often

and I hope they don’t what people often

and I hope they don’t what people often say you take risks you’re going out

say you take risks you’re going out

say you take risks you’re going out there unarmed we often do it barefoot we

there unarmed we often do it barefoot we

there unarmed we often do it barefoot we do it very simply we live the way of the

do it very simply we live the way of the

do it very simply we live the way of the by a river Bushman and hippos are not

by a river Bushman and hippos are not

by a river Bushman and hippos are not dangerous the by you’ve taught us how to

dangerous the by you’ve taught us how to

dangerous the by you’ve taught us how to interact with them sensitively on our

interact with them sensitively on our

interact with them sensitively on our mokoros I’m talking to her right now

mokoros I’m talking to her right now

mokoros I’m talking to her right now I’m asking her not to rot and launch

I’m asking her not to rot and launch

I’m asking her not to rot and launch herself into the water with their kids

herself into the water with their kids

herself into the water with their kids and become part of our expedition and

and become part of our expedition and

and become part of our expedition and she agreed and she said fine I’ll stay

she agreed and she said fine I’ll stay

she agreed and she said fine I’ll stay there but she was dancing like that but

there but she was dancing like that but

there but she was dancing like that but special experiences with these my heroes

special experiences with these my heroes

special experiences with these my heroes these are the by AE men the leaders of

these are the by AE men the leaders of

these are the by AE men the leaders of their community and gdb on the left hand

their community and gdb on the left hand

their community and gdb on the left hand side they see judge on his shirt as

side they see judge on his shirt as

side they see judge on his shirt as Africa’s not for sissies and that was a

Africa’s not for sissies and that was a

Africa’s not for sissies and that was a first indication of the experience of a

first indication of the experience of a

first indication of the experience of a bar to have with them it’s not for

bar to have with them it’s not for

bar to have with them it’s not for sissies and my wife is not a sissy these

sissies and my wife is not a sissy these

sissies and my wife is not a sissy these guys toward us are to Paul at over nine

guys toward us are to Paul at over nine

guys toward us are to Paul at over nine years it took me to be able to do what

years it took me to be able to do what

years it took me to be able to do what we do standing up in those dugout canoes

we do standing up in those dugout canoes

we do standing up in those dugout canoes to do it safely and sensitively we don’t

to do it safely and sensitively we don’t

to do it safely and sensitively we don’t take any risks we want to interact with

take any risks we want to interact with

take any risks we want to interact with the wildlife around us they’ve shared

the wildlife around us they’ve shared

the wildlife around us they’ve shared with us the Jurado of the music that

with us the Jurado of the music that

with us the Jurado of the music that speaks to your soul in Africa that’s

speaks to your soul in Africa that’s

speaks to your soul in Africa that’s where we all come from they taught us a

where we all come from they taught us a

where we all come from they taught us a lot of smoked fish how to find and eat

lot of smoked fish how to find and eat

lot of smoked fish how to find and eat the the water lily bulbs the water

the the water lily bulbs the water

the the water lily bulbs the water lilies seeds we find in the flowers they

lilies seeds we find in the flowers they

lilies seeds we find in the flowers they taught us how to navigate how to follow

taught us how to navigate how to follow

taught us how to navigate how to follow the flow of this amazing River across

the flow of this amazing River across

the flow of this amazing River across the Okavango it’s 225 kilometres we we

the Okavango it’s 225 kilometres we we

the Okavango it’s 225 kilometres we we even path we get lost a lot but that’s

even path we get lost a lot but that’s

even path we get lost a lot but that’s part of the journey the kids the future

part of the journey the kids the future

part of the journey the kids the future of yaacov anga urbanization is dragging

of yaacov anga urbanization is dragging

of yaacov anga urbanization is dragging these communities away to the cities and

these communities away to the cities and

these communities away to the cities and we need to bring them back we need to

we need to bring them back we need to

we need to bring them back we need to make these kids love that place for what

make these kids love that place for what

make these kids love that place for what it is looking starting on a bokura

it is looking starting on a bokura

it is looking starting on a bokura already as a young man in this

already as a young man in this

already as a young man in this wilderness I found the mayor’s parrot I

wilderness I found the mayor’s parrot I

wilderness I found the mayor’s parrot I did my PhD on it

did my PhD on it

did my PhD on it this parrot has everything he could

this parrot has everything he could

this parrot has everything he could possibly once it lives in the wilderness

possibly once it lives in the wilderness

possibly once it lives in the wilderness it taught me the secrets why are so

it taught me the secrets why are so

it taught me the secrets why are so successful why it is distributed

successful why it is distributed

successful why it is distributed throughout Africa widespread and

throughout Africa widespread and

throughout Africa widespread and abundant I took this knowledge to South

abundant I took this knowledge to South

abundant I took this knowledge to South Africa to the most endangered parrot in

Africa to the most endangered parrot in

Africa to the most endangered parrot in Africa if not the most endangered parrot

Africa if not the most endangered parrot

Africa if not the most endangered parrot on earth the Cape part just look how

on earth the Cape part just look how

on earth the Cape part just look how beautiful the shining example of a bird

beautiful the shining example of a bird

beautiful the shining example of a bird is it inspired me it inspired me to

is it inspired me it inspired me to

is it inspired me it inspired me to fight for it to try and fix the problems

fight for it to try and fix the problems

fight for it to try and fix the problems as bird faces I’m gonna flick through a

as bird faces I’m gonna flick through a

as bird faces I’m gonna flick through a few slides now of this creature that has

few slides now of this creature that has

few slides now of this creature that has captivated my life we have invested in a

captivated my life we have invested in a

captivated my life we have invested in a small farm in the distributional range I

small farm in the distributional range I

small farm in the distributional range I will live my life with this parrot just

will live my life with this parrot just

will live my life with this parrot just look at it it has no home it has no food

look at it it has no home it has no food

look at it it has no home it has no food it has nowhere to stay we destroyed its

it has nowhere to stay we destroyed its

it has nowhere to stay we destroyed its wilderness its forests these are two

wilderness its forests these are two

wilderness its forests these are two youngsters interacting with us I’ve

youngsters interacting with us I’ve

youngsters interacting with us I’ve never experienced studied or seen a bird

never experienced studied or seen a bird

never experienced studied or seen a bird that enjoys flying more this bird does

that enjoys flying more this bird does

that enjoys flying more this bird does not belong in a cage they fly 200

not belong in a cage they fly 200

not belong in a cage they fly 200 kilometers sometimes for the coastline

kilometers sometimes for the coastline

kilometers sometimes for the coastline to feeding sites and they’ll fly back

to feeding sites and they’ll fly back

to feeding sites and they’ll fly back the same day just go they love it so

the same day just go they love it so

the same day just go they love it so much they’re socializing happens on the

much they’re socializing happens on the

much they’re socializing happens on the wing and will never ever be part of that

wing and will never ever be part of that

wing and will never ever be part of that interaction but we must protect it this

interaction but we must protect it this

interaction but we must protect it this is a Seppala singer project we’re doing

is a Seppala singer project we’re doing

is a Seppala singer project we’re doing a South Africa through the University of

a South Africa through the University of

a South Africa through the University of Cape Sanh you see this the red dots are

Cape Sanh you see this the red dots are

Cape Sanh you see this the red dots are where they’re found it so scattered

where they’re found it so scattered

where they’re found it so scattered archipelago of these remaining forests

archipelago of these remaining forests

archipelago of these remaining forests that we’ve destroyed they’re all

that we’ve destroyed they’re all

that we’ve destroyed they’re all degraded all of the yellow wood trees

degraded all of the yellow wood trees

degraded all of the yellow wood trees have been removed

have been removed

have been removed historical images of some of these trees

historical images of some of these trees

historical images of some of these trees some of them are large as some of the

some of them are large as some of the

some of them are large as some of the great redwoods of of America yellow wood

great redwoods of of America yellow wood

great redwoods of of America yellow wood named after its timber unfortunately

named after its timber unfortunately

named after its timber unfortunately much of this timber was went to mining

much of this timber was went to mining

much of this timber was went to mining timber to the Industrial Revolution to

timber to the Industrial Revolution to

timber to the Industrial Revolution to railway sleepers lost forever

railway sleepers lost forever

railway sleepers lost forever we also made wonderful cathedrals

we also made wonderful cathedrals

we also made wonderful cathedrals Trappist monks made this with their

Trappist monks made this with their

Trappist monks made this with their hands the lights of heavens coming in

hands the lights of heavens coming in

hands the lights of heavens coming in and reflecting off that beautiful yellow

and reflecting off that beautiful yellow

and reflecting off that beautiful yellow wood on the other side there you have a

wood on the other side there you have a

wood on the other side there you have a thousand-year-old yellow wood tree one

thousand-year-old yellow wood tree one

thousand-year-old yellow wood tree one of five remaining on earth Lords of the

of five remaining on earth Lords of the

of five remaining on earth Lords of the forest

forest

forest it used to be hundreds if not thousands

it used to be hundreds if not thousands

it used to be hundreds if not thousands scattered throughout those mountains

scattered throughout those mountains

scattered throughout those mountains this is the fruit that the parrots miss

this is the fruit that the parrots miss

this is the fruit that the parrots miss it is medicinal it is a perfectly

it is medicinal it is a perfectly

it is medicinal it is a perfectly balanced parrot food it was 99 percent

balanced parrot food it was 99 percent

balanced parrot food it was 99 percent of their diet historically it’s not in

of their diet historically it’s not in

of their diet historically it’s not in their diet anymore they used to nest

their diet anymore they used to nest

their diet anymore they used to nest exclusively in these trees that has gone

exclusively in these trees that has gone

exclusively in these trees that has gone from them to they’ve also an hour come

from them to they’ve also an hour come

from them to they’ve also an hour come into captivity we’ve got to the point

into captivity we’ve got to the point

into captivity we’ve got to the point two years ago where there are more kept

two years ago where there are more kept

two years ago where there are more kept parrots in captivity than there are in

parrots in captivity than there are in

parrots in captivity than there are in the wild they’re deeply inbred and

the wild they’re deeply inbred and

the wild they’re deeply inbred and useless to us in any reintroduction we

useless to us in any reintroduction we

useless to us in any reintroduction we have to focus on the ones that remain in

have to focus on the ones that remain in

have to focus on the ones that remain in the wild the pecan nut from Amer

the wild the pecan nut from Amer

the wild the pecan nut from Amer in 1972 the parents had nothing they

in 1972 the parents had nothing they

in 1972 the parents had nothing they were at their lowest point they

were at their lowest point they

were at their lowest point they discovered the first commercial crops of

discovered the first commercial crops of

discovered the first commercial crops of this pecan nut in the Eastern Cape the

this pecan nut in the Eastern Cape the

this pecan nut in the Eastern Cape the farmers I’ve got the original letters

farmers I’ve got the original letters

farmers I’ve got the original letters rights to the government saying please

rights to the government saying please

rights to the government saying please help us peace witness what these birds

help us peace witness what these birds

help us peace witness what these birds are doing to us they are tearing our

are doing to us they are tearing our

are doing to us they are tearing our orchards apart flocks of over a thousand

orchards apart flocks of over a thousand

orchards apart flocks of over a thousand we’re descending down and just literally

we’re descending down and just literally

we’re descending down and just literally destroying their farms that were

destroying their farms that were

destroying their farms that were shooting them they were catching them in

shooting them they were catching them in

shooting them they were catching them in Nets and clubbing them to death they

Nets and clubbing them to death they

Nets and clubbing them to death they just wanted to get this bird away they

just wanted to get this bird away they

just wanted to get this bird away they would select the government in their

would select the government in their

would select the government in their reaction the population collapsed by

reaction the population collapsed by

reaction the population collapsed by 1980 there were almost none left we’re

1980 there were almost none left we’re

1980 there were almost none left we’re now sitting with between 800 and

now sitting with between 800 and

now sitting with between 800 and thousand of these poor birds remaining

thousand of these poor birds remaining

thousand of these poor birds remaining here’s one eating a pecan nut these nuts

here’s one eating a pecan nut these nuts

here’s one eating a pecan nut these nuts are terrible for them but shuck stains

are terrible for them but shuck stains

are terrible for them but shuck stains your beak you can see this is my finger

your beak you can see this is my finger

your beak you can see this is my finger off the D shucking one pecan nut that

off the D shucking one pecan nut that

off the D shucking one pecan nut that says I got for a week no minor washing

says I got for a week no minor washing

says I got for a week no minor washing we’ll take it off the parrots have the

we’ll take it off the parrots have the

we’ll take it off the parrots have the same problem

same problem

same problem now this parrot his way of dealing with

now this parrot his way of dealing with

now this parrot his way of dealing with it is he’ll go and drink some water

it is he’ll go and drink some water

it is he’ll go and drink some water after eating two pecan nuts and then fly

after eating two pecan nuts and then fly

after eating two pecan nuts and then fly to a stand of eucalyptus trees nearby

to a stand of eucalyptus trees nearby

to a stand of eucalyptus trees nearby and I followed him in I was watching him

and I followed him in I was watching him

and I followed him in I was watching him for weeks that was chewing on everything

for weeks that was chewing on everything

for weeks that was chewing on everything the branch is the the flowers the seeds

the branch is the the flowers the seeds

the branch is the the flowers the seeds I couldn’t figure out what they were

I couldn’t figure out what they were

I couldn’t figure out what they were doing

doing

doing and I went to a pharmacy and got some

and I went to a pharmacy and got some

and I went to a pharmacy and got some eucalyptus essential oil and dripped it

eucalyptus essential oil and dripped it

eucalyptus essential oil and dripped it on my stand finger and it cleaned it

on my stand finger and it cleaned it

on my stand finger and it cleaned it instantly they had figured that out

instantly they had figured that out

instantly they had figured that out they’re clever adaptable creatures that

they’re clever adaptable creatures that

they’re clever adaptable creatures that the last ones standing in those forests

the last ones standing in those forests

the last ones standing in those forests in all the other forests endemics almost

in all the other forests endemics almost

in all the other forests endemics almost gone but they were not prepared for this

gone but they were not prepared for this

gone but they were not prepared for this for a virus that outbreak that we picked

for a virus that outbreak that we picked

for a virus that outbreak that we picked up in 2008 from these shocking

up in 2008 from these shocking

up in 2008 from these shocking photographs was the motivation for us to

photographs was the motivation for us to

photographs was the motivation for us to begin a project that National Geographic

begin a project that National Geographic

begin a project that National Geographic came on they came on very quickly at a

came on they came on very quickly at a

came on they came on very quickly at a very very important time gave me the

very very important time gave me the

very very important time gave me the funds I needed to get out there and

funds I needed to get out there and

funds I needed to get out there and catch these birds and do all of the DNA

catch these birds and do all of the DNA

catch these birds and do all of the DNA work we needed to do but just kept on

work we needed to do but just kept on

work we needed to do but just kept on happening every year we saw these birds

happening every year we saw these birds

happening every year we saw these birds in this terrible state per citizen beak

in this terrible state per citizen beak

in this terrible state per citizen beak and feather disease stripping the darn

and feather disease stripping the darn

and feather disease stripping the darn feathers

feathers

feathers stripping their flat feathers to the

stripping their flat feathers to the

stripping their flat feathers to the point where that cannot fly and breaking

point where that cannot fly and breaking

point where that cannot fly and breaking the beak so they cannot eat and they

the beak so they cannot eat and they

the beak so they cannot eat and they starve this bird is uncomfortable

starve this bird is uncomfortable

starve this bird is uncomfortable it’s just chewing on it the specific

it’s just chewing on it the specific

it’s just chewing on it the specific bird I chased him for the whole day when

bird I chased him for the whole day when

bird I chased him for the whole day when I found him the next day at winds

I found him the next day at winds

I found him the next day at winds sub-zero who was the first cold snap of

sub-zero who was the first cold snap of

sub-zero who was the first cold snap of the winter he definitely died this one

the winter he definitely died this one

the winter he definitely died this one we managed to save yeah as catching them

we managed to save yeah as catching them

we managed to save yeah as catching them for the first time as first men ever

for the first time as first men ever

for the first time as first men ever crossed that line with something in the

crossed that line with something in the

crossed that line with something in the wilderness something wild I’ve made the

wilderness something wild I’ve made the

wilderness something wild I’ve made the choice of my PhD not to catch any

choice of my PhD not to catch any

choice of my PhD not to catch any we in the first year court 16 eight of

we in the first year court 16 eight of

we in the first year court 16 eight of them were infected with this virus

them were infected with this virus

them were infected with this virus shockingly 50% of this population were

shockingly 50% of this population were

shockingly 50% of this population were infected the next year we caught 47 of

infected the next year we caught 47 of

infected the next year we caught 47 of them every single one of those birds was

them every single one of those birds was

them every single one of those birds was infected with this virus it was linked

infected with this virus it was linked

infected with this virus it was linked to a lack of food that year the drought

to a lack of food that year the drought

to a lack of food that year the drought was really bad hail came in and knocked

was really bad hail came in and knocked

was really bad hail came in and knocked the flowers of our pecan nuts we’ve

the flowers of our pecan nuts we’ve

the flowers of our pecan nuts we’ve actually protected one watered as a food

actually protected one watered as a food

actually protected one watered as a food resource a safe food resource for them

resource a safe food resource for them

resource a safe food resource for them but depend on it for five months that’s

but depend on it for five months that’s

but depend on it for five months that’s our sanctuary we have opportunity to see

our sanctuary we have opportunity to see

our sanctuary we have opportunity to see up to 30% of the global population

up to 30% of the global population

up to 30% of the global population flying above that sanctuary sharing with

flying above that sanctuary sharing with

flying above that sanctuary sharing with us all of that activity and flattener

us all of that activity and flattener

us all of that activity and flattener socializing we then identified the

socializing we then identified the

socializing we then identified the genome we looked at the dendrogram to

genome we looked at the dendrogram to

genome we looked at the dendrogram to try and see whether this was an endemic

try and see whether this was an endemic

try and see whether this was an endemic virus or new one that came from

virus or new one that came from

virus or new one that came from somewhere else

somewhere else

somewhere else it was endemic it had always been there

it was endemic it had always been there

it was endemic it had always been there we were the problem we had destroyed

we were the problem we had destroyed

we were the problem we had destroyed these forests they were not feeding

these forests they were not feeding

these forests they were not feeding themselves effectively they were

themselves effectively they were

themselves effectively they were malnourished and the virus took over

malnourished and the virus took over

malnourished and the virus took over each year each year in the malt season

each year each year in the malt season

each year each year in the malt season we there was found dead birds we engaged

we there was found dead birds we engaged

we there was found dead birds we engaged the media to find people to help us we

the media to find people to help us we

the media to find people to help us we would mobilize we’ve got every church

would mobilize we’ve got every church

would mobilize we’ve got every church every shopping center in the the

every shopping center in the the

every shopping center in the the distributional range of this parrot to

distributional range of this parrot to

distributional range of this parrot to try and mobilize people to get them

try and mobilize people to get them

try and mobilize people to get them before they’re dead we achieved that

before they’re dead we achieved that

before they’re dead we achieved that this is Ellis she was the first one to

this is Ellis she was the first one to

this is Ellis she was the first one to come in a real fight so I’ve never seen

come in a real fight so I’ve never seen

come in a real fight so I’ve never seen a parrot in such poor condition she was

a parrot in such poor condition she was

a parrot in such poor condition she was 50% underweight she remained in this

50% underweight she remained in this

50% underweight she remained in this incubator for four months unable to lift

incubator for four months unable to lift

incubator for four months unable to lift her head and when she did she showed us

her head and when she did she showed us

her head and when she did she showed us while she was still alive she’s a

while she was still alive she’s a

while she was still alive she’s a fighter and she was hissing at us every

fighter and she was hissing at us every

fighter and she was hissing at us every day buying a batch of finger off when

day buying a batch of finger off when

day buying a batch of finger off when you’re trying to feed her but she did

you’re trying to feed her but she did

you’re trying to feed her but she did make it

make it

make it she made it along with buddy with King

she made it along with buddy with King

she made it along with buddy with King and with raid on the side there

and with raid on the side there

and with raid on the side there National Geographic joined us for the

National Geographic joined us for the

National Geographic joined us for the release of these birds please go online

release of these birds please go online

release of these birds please go online and try and find that video was a very

and try and find that video was a very

and try and find that video was a very very special moment for all of us it’s a

very special moment for all of us it’s a

very special moment for all of us it’s a moment that motivates me to carry on my

moment that motivates me to carry on my

moment that motivates me to carry on my work with these birds we work with

work with these birds we work with

work with these birds we work with communities these are our growers and

communities these are our growers and

communities these are our growers and some Thompson pandu and they’re happy to

some Thompson pandu and they’re happy to

some Thompson pandu and they’re happy to have us they lost their wilderness the

have us they lost their wilderness the

have us they lost their wilderness the by a yeast we’ll have this these forests

by a yeast we’ll have this these forests

by a yeast we’ll have this these forests used to be able to support them same as

used to be able to support them same as

used to be able to support them same as the mother Okavango can support the BAE

the mother Okavango can support the BAE

the mother Okavango can support the BAE but not anymore we are teaching these

but not anymore we are teaching these

but not anymore we are teaching these people hard – and funding it’s hard to

people hard – and funding it’s hard to

people hard – and funding it’s hard to find seeds how to germinate them we then

find seeds how to germinate them we then

find seeds how to germinate them we then also called micro nurseries in their

also called micro nurseries in their

also called micro nurseries in their homes it’s it doesn’t make sense for us

homes it’s it doesn’t make sense for us

homes it’s it doesn’t make sense for us to build 50 little micro nurseries all

to build 50 little micro nurseries all

to build 50 little micro nurseries all over the villages at

over the villages at

over the villages at decentralized is everything but involves

decentralized is everything but involves

decentralized is everything but involves people it involves communities the kids

people it involves communities the kids

people it involves communities the kids are watering these plants this granny

are watering these plants this granny

are watering these plants this granny over here I interviewed her two weeks

over here I interviewed her two weeks

over here I interviewed her two weeks ago or three weeks ago and she said to

ago or three weeks ago and she said to

ago or three weeks ago and she said to me that every morning she comes and she

me that every morning she comes and she

me that every morning she comes and she sprinkles laughs on these trees and it

sprinkles laughs on these trees and it

sprinkles laughs on these trees and it works it really does she grows them

works it really does she grows them

works it really does she grows them faster than anyone else in six months

faster than anyone else in six months

faster than anyone else in six months she hasn’t met the Hackney want them to

she hasn’t met the Hackney want them to

she hasn’t met the Hackney want them to plant there’s me happy as will help you

plant there’s me happy as will help you

plant there’s me happy as will help you to spot to plant those trees into these

to spot to plant those trees into these

to spot to plant those trees into these forests that need them so much this is

forests that need them so much this is

forests that need them so much this is our planting team at hala they’re

our planting team at hala they’re

our planting team at hala they’re planting wild olives wild plums these

planting wild olives wild plums these

planting wild olives wild plums these are Pisa grow a little bit faster than

are Pisa grow a little bit faster than

are Pisa grow a little bit faster than the other words it’s an interim plan so

the other words it’s an interim plan so

the other words it’s an interim plan so in ten years time they have food

in ten years time they have food

in ten years time they have food orchards to try and feed in is that the

orchards to try and feed in is that the

orchards to try and feed in is that the University of Forte we are reading the

University of Forte we are reading the

University of Forte we are reading the green campus initiative there this is a

green campus initiative there this is a

green campus initiative there this is a university within their range parrots do

university within their range parrots do

university within their range parrots do visit this and we have planted one and a

visit this and we have planted one and a

visit this and we have planted one and a thousand trees on campus with those

thousand trees on campus with those

thousand trees on campus with those students we’ve put up hundreds of nice

students we’ve put up hundreds of nice

students we’ve put up hundreds of nice boxes throughout the mountain range

boxes throughout the mountain range

boxes throughout the mountain range trying to give them places to live

trying to give them places to live

trying to give them places to live they’re not using them as much as we

they’re not using them as much as we

they’re not using them as much as we would like but we did have our first

would like but we did have our first

would like but we did have our first success last year with three chicks

success last year with three chicks

success last year with three chicks coming from one of our boxes it’s going

coming from one of our boxes it’s going

coming from one of our boxes it’s going to take a while before they adopt them

to take a while before they adopt them

to take a while before they adopt them they need to prove that these are safe

they need to prove that these are safe

they need to prove that these are safe places to breed now I’m going to finish

places to breed now I’m going to finish

places to breed now I’m going to finish off by talking a little bit about the

off by talking a little bit about the

off by talking a little bit about the sense of place and wilderness now the

sense of place and wilderness now the

sense of place and wilderness now the only way that I can describe this

only way that I can describe this

only way that I can describe this feeling of being in a wild place to a

feeling of being in a wild place to a

feeling of being in a wild place to a person that’s never been in the

person that’s never been in the

person that’s never been in the wilderness and the true wilderness is

wilderness and the true wilderness is

wilderness and the true wilderness is when you’re in a big football stadium

when you’re in a big football stadium

when you’re in a big football stadium you all by yourself the lights are on

you all by yourself the lights are on

you all by yourself the lights are on there’s a big piece of art you look at

there’s a big piece of art you look at

there’s a big piece of art you look at this suddenly the lights got it’s pitch

this suddenly the lights got it’s pitch

this suddenly the lights got it’s pitch dark it’s the middle of night it’s time

dark it’s the middle of night it’s time

dark it’s the middle of night it’s time to feel that there’s something else

to feel that there’s something else

to feel that there’s something else there there’s someone else there that’s

there there’s someone else there that’s

there there’s someone else there that’s something else that thing that’s making

something else that thing that’s making

something else that thing that’s making you feel uneasy in the darkness is the

you feel uneasy in the darkness is the

you feel uneasy in the darkness is the wild in the middle of your city still

wild in the middle of your city still

wild in the middle of your city still there yeah I’m still here and that is

there yeah I’m still here and that is

there yeah I’m still here and that is something we need to open ourselves to

something we need to open ourselves to

something we need to open ourselves to when you’re in a wilderness area it’s

when you’re in a wilderness area it’s

when you’re in a wilderness area it’s just plain to see we’re all invigorated

just plain to see we’re all invigorated

just plain to see we’re all invigorated by it we feel alive almost for the first

by it we feel alive almost for the first

by it we feel alive almost for the first time that’s there to be had in your

time that’s there to be had in your

time that’s there to be had in your garden up in the top of a mountain where

garden up in the top of a mountain where

garden up in the top of a mountain where you go hiking your favorite river where

you go hiking your favorite river where

you go hiking your favorite river where you go kayaking

you go kayaking

you go kayaking we will open ourselves to that we all I

we will open ourselves to that we all I

we will open ourselves to that we all I know here are addicted to it in some way

know here are addicted to it in some way

know here are addicted to it in some way and even if we never get to go to the

and even if we never get to go to the

and even if we never get to go to the Okavango

Okavango

Okavango we still need to care as a globe as a

we still need to care as a globe as a

we still need to care as a globe as a global community and make it a world

global community and make it a world

global community and make it a world heritage site

heritage site

heritage site we’re fighting to do that’s why I’m

we’re fighting to do that’s why I’m

we’re fighting to do that’s why I’m working with you guys to do I’m here to

working with you guys to do I’m here to

working with you guys to do I’m here to stand in front of the National

stand in front of the National

stand in front of the National Geographic Society and I’m so proud to

Geographic Society and I’m so proud to

Geographic Society and I’m so proud to be part of this organization now you

be part of this organization now you

be part of this organization now you guys have been doing it for 125 years

guys have been doing it for 125 years

guys have been doing it for 125 years you’re gonna carry on do it for another

you’re gonna carry on do it for another

you’re gonna carry on do it for another hundred twenty-five we have a better

hundred twenty-five we have a better

hundred twenty-five we have a better penning you’ve done or the photographs

penning you’ve done or the photographs

penning you’ve done or the photographs we’ve taken and put out into the world

we’ve taken and put out into the world

we’ve taken and put out into the world to four hundred million people

to four hundred million people

to four hundred million people carry on supporting dereck and Beverly

carry on supporting dereck and Beverly

carry on supporting dereck and Beverly and trying to save that great big cats

and trying to save that great big cats

and trying to save that great big cats of this world Mike Fay he worries about

of this world Mike Fay he worries about

of this world Mike Fay he worries about the fisheries and the elephants and put

the fisheries and the elephants and put

the fisheries and the elephants and put his word out there I love the fact that

his word out there I love the fact that

his word out there I love the fact that you’ve given me a blog and I’ve been

you’ve given me a blog and I’ve been

you’ve given me a blog and I’ve been able to put this out into the world

able to put this out into the world

able to put this out into the world congratulations for everything you’ve

congratulations for everything you’ve

congratulations for everything you’ve done and thank you for your time