As part of its triple bottom line program, Esencia.Patagonia donated a Starlink antenna to support the research and environmental education project by the Andean Patagonian Naturalist Society (SNAP).
The Andean condor, with its majestic presence in the sky, is a symbol of freedom. This iconic inhabitant of the Andes Mountains soars over landscapes without borders. Conservation efforts for this species are vital to preserving Patagonia’s ecological balance and biodiversity. From high altitudes, its keen vision allows it to spot dead animals for food, making it an essential recycler within the ecosystem. However, the condor’s environment has changed with the spread of livestock farming. In some rural areas, poisoned bait intended to protect animals from predators like foxes and pumas is unintentionally ingested by condors, leading to high mortality within the species. Observing and studying the condor contributes not only to the protection of the species but also to its entire natural habitat.
The Andean Condor Webcam Project, now three years in operation, is led by ornithologist Lorenzo Sympson and documentary filmmaker Christian Holler. Cameras installed at a condor nest near Bariloche document feeding habits, chick-rearing, and first flights. “The Starlink satellite communication equipment allows us to access real-time images from the nest more easily. This is a great help for us”, said Holler. This contribution from Esencia.Patagonia builds on other resources already provided to SNAP, including a weather station and solar panels. The donation is part of the Esencia Transformation Fund, an initiative that allocates a portion of company fees to support third-sector projects, with a focus on sustainability and conservation efforts in the region.
Findings from this study will be shared within the scientific community to strengthen conservation and reintroduction efforts for Andean condors in Argentina and other Latin American countries, as well as California condors in the United States.
The project plans to launch a website streaming live images, connecting people with nature “directly to the heart of cities”, according to its leaders. Future phases also aim to promote environmental education through educational materials, interactive apps, and live classes from condor nesting sites, led by Sympson and his team to raise awareness among younger generations about the importance of conservation.
“With all the material we’ve recorded, we aim to produce a new documentary”, Holler explained. The Andean Condor Webcam Project was inspired by the success of the 2007 documentary The Path of the Condor, created by Holler and Sympson. This film followed the journey of the ornithologist and paragliding pilot Martín Vallmitjana in search of the condor’s flight secrets, generating significant interest in the preservation of this species. “The documentary’s reach opened our eyes to what we could contribute to research and education for Andean condor conservation, so we decided to go further, launching a more ambitious and complex project like the Andean Condor Webcam Project”, said Holler. “With this completely new tool, we are taking a huge step toward protecting this species and Patagonia’s biodiversity”.
