Port Otago and Orokonui Ecosanctuary have launched Kākā Cam, a 24/7 camera situated deep in the sanctuary and focused on a busy feeding station.
The camera is a sister to Valley Cam, which is attached to the ecosanctuary’s visitor centre and overlooks the Orokonui Valley towards the mountain Māpounui.
Orokonui General Manager Amanda Symon says the second camera has taken longer than anticipated to launch because the kākā gave it a jolly good testing. “We can’t lay all the blame on the beak of the kākā – there were some technical and logistical hold ups, as well – but our curious kākā certainly made a healthy contribution to delaying the launch. They managed to find the only uncovered few millimetres of cabling in the entire system – 25 metres in total – and left it looking like Spaghetti Junction.”
The feeding station is one of five within the 307-hectare fenced ecosanctuary and is designed especially so kākā and nectar-feeding birds can access it, but blackbirds and sparrows cannot. The stations contain a special parrot pellet, replenished daily, and act as a hub of social activity.
Acting Port Otago Chief Executive Grant Bicknell says it’s great to see the second camera up and running. “We had a clear goal to deploy livestreaming technology that could take the Orokonui experience out into the wider community. It’s been worth the wait, to ensure the streaming is reliable and bulletproof – or, in this case, kākā proof. We predict Kākā Cam will become a popular source of entertainment for adults and children, alike. The bird song alone is worth a listen.”
GPD Productions Director George Dawes has led the work. “Bringing the Kākā Cam to life has been a fantastic project, and after a few teething problems, or maybe pecking problems, we’re ready to go live. It’s great to help showcase Orokonui’s work and make it available to a wider audience.”
Thank you to fellow Orokonui sponsor Unifone, which generously increased the bandwidth capacity to the ecosanctuary at no extra cost, enabling both livestreams to be possible.
View Kākā Cam