Make It Kenya and HerdTracker have teamed up using cutting edge technology to bring 50 live broadcasts across 11 days to computers, phones or tablets all over the world.
These include the first ever live-stream of majestic lions in the Mara as well as the soon to come first ever live underwater broadcast of endangered turtles in Watamu.
The footage is available via Periscope and at MakeItKenya.com
Wildlife enthusiasts can now tune in using Twitter’s Periscope app and #KenyaLive to watch one of the world’s greatest adventures with live night broadcasts giving viewers the chance to follow lions hunting under the cover of darkness in the Mara from the comfort of their own homes.
Sir Richard Branson has thrown his full weight behind the project, saying that it is a world first: “I’m thrilled that Mahali Mzuri will be playing a part in the KenyaLive campaign. This is a fantastic opportunity to see how the kings of the jungle interact, play, hunt and bond.”
“The live evening broadcasts are the first of their kind and it’s a true privilege to see these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. I’m certainly hoping to catch a glimpse of the action!”, he continued.
Not only will the public be able to have an insight into the natural world, but it will also allow people to “monitor their movements and thus ensure the safety and protection of these animals from illegal poaching,” according to Andre Van Kets from Discover Africa.
Following the lion broadcasts from the Mara, your adventure will be taken to the coastal town of Watamu to a broadcast of the Local Turtle Trust project, including the first ever-live underwater broadcasts.
The project protects nesting sea turtles, rehabilitating sick and injured sea turtles before sending them back into their natural habitat. One very special broadcast will even involve live footage captured via ‘TurtleCam’, using a GoPro strapped to a turtle’s back.
“Kenya is known worldwide for it’s greatest attraction: the great wildebeest migration, but the country also has so much more to offer that people aren’t as aware of, like the lions and turtles,” explains Andre. “Operations such as #KenyaLive give us the opportunity to showcase these majestic animals to the world in a non-intrusive way.”
To follow the live broadcasts, download the Periscope app and follow HerdTracker’s channel from 7-18 January 2016. Updates of the live broadcasts will also be posted to Make it Kenya’s Facebook and Twitter, and HerdTracker’s Twitter and Facebook pages.
Stay tuned for the footage from the turtles…
