Griffon Vulture The Movie Star
High-quality, low-impact filming of griffon vultures for a blue-chip documentary
For the production of the blue-chip documentary Croatia’s Coast – Endless and Wild, Karsterra d.o.o. partnered with dreiD.at Filmproduktion and BearMeInMind productions to design and implement a unique solution for capturing intimate footage of Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) at their nests.
The project’s primary goal was to obtain cinema-quality video material of nesting behavior without causing any disturbance to these sensitive birds. To achieve this, two different remote camera systems were developed: one based on Panasonic equipment for professional-grade imaging, and another utilizing a GoPro setup for flexibility in challenging locations.
Both systems were permanently installed at two nesting sites on vertical cliffs, with all fieldwork installation performed outside the breeding season using rope access techniques. The cameras are operated remotely from a safe distance of 50–60 meters to avoid stress to the vultures. Custom off-grid power solutions and remote data access were also developed to ensure uninterrupted operation in harsh karst environments.
This innovative approach allowed filmmakers to document rarely seen moments in the lives of Croatia’s iconic vultures, contributing to a visually stunning narrative while respecting the species’ conservation needs.
More info on:
https://tv.orf.at/program/orf2/universum3524.html
https://on.orf.at/video/14277094/15885705/vorschau-universum-kroatiens-kueste-endlos-wild
























