Wildlife Focus is an exciting new website developed by the World Land Trust which combines the newest technology and the most amazing wildlife
to allow viewers to experience the magic of some of the wildest places
on earth from practically anywhere.
The aim of the website is to increase environmental awareness, raise
funds to protect critically endangered habitats, to be a useful education
and scientific tool and to stimulate a world-wide audience to take an
interest in the wildlife of these amazing locations.
Webcam in the forest
The first Wildlife Focus project, "Webcam in the Forest" involved placing a webcam in a cloud forest reserve where viewers can observe the many species of hummingbirds for which the region is renowned, and to create virtual 'tours' of the same reserve where people can navigate through the forest, check out the cabañas and the hummingbird feeders as well seeing the reforestation work at the reserve.
The Webcam in the Forest project was developed by conservation organisation World Land Trust (WLT) in partnership with Fundación Jocotoco with funding from Puro Coffee.
Wildlife Focus is still in its infancy and there will be many exciting developments in the future. These include:
- Hummingbird identification guides
- More webcam streams from Buenaventura and other WLT-funded reserves
- Downloadable video diaries of life in the forest
- Working with wildlife experts to film virtual classes from the WLT-funded reserves
- Gallery and video pages where users can upload their own pictures and video clips
- A forum where people can discuss environmental issues or ask questions about species they see on the webcam or videos
The faces behind the project
Jack Astbury from WLT has been working both in Ecuador and the UK on the project from the start firstly to carry out the initial feasibility study and later acting as the co-ordinator of the project.
Gustavo Morejón, an Ecuadorian Biologist, Photographer, Illustrator and Webmaster, with strong interest in the use of web technologies and informatics is the technical expert and manger of the project, working tirelessly through to make the impossible possible.
Andy Orchard from Puro Coffee who, along with WLT CEO John Burton, envisaged the webcam in the forest, has also spent time in Ecuador. Andy has helped develop and shape his idea into a reality and has been a driving force behind the project.
Carl Morgan, a professional Ecuadorian photographer with a passion for working in the wild and panoramic photos, is the master behind the Virtual Tours in Buenaventura.
