BBC Documentary

BBC just launched a new documentary in January 2010 featuring Miriam Supuma and Paul Igag from PNGIBR!

Natural World 2009-2010 Part 8: Birds of Paradise, narrated by David Attenborough

Here are some links and documentary review excerpts highlighting Mimi and Paul:

Last Night’s TV – Natural World: Birds of Paradise
“However, much of last night’s show was dedicated to the remarkable work of Miriam and Paul, conservationists devoted to researching the birds. They choreographed much of last night’s show, and their tireless devotion to researching the devastating effects of killing these birds for their plumage is invaluable work.

They tirelessly spend much of their lives crouched in hides, watching the birds and recording their activities in order to prove how valuable they are in nature’s terms, and thereby protect them also.”

TIMES ONLINE: Natural World (Jan 7, 2010)

“We followed Miriam and Paul, two conservationists researching how killing birds of paradise for feathers for ceremonial headdress was endangering rare species. That was all very serious, but the focus was on the birds themselves and particularly the male birds, as they pranced and displayed themselves to catch the attention of drab females.

Miriam was passionate about the birds: it was a job that required ineffable patience but nothing beat waking up to birdsong, she said, even if you spent days in silent hope in a hide. Paul found the “superb bird” that did the most amazing thing with a blue “cape” that sprouted behind its head, which was merely the accessory to a Carmen-like flamenco he did for his female. What we thought were the bird’s eyes were feathers reflecting the light. Finally came the “blue bird” that hung upside down, fanned out its plumage, and jiggled obscenely. “One can only sympathise. The males try their best. The rest is up the females. It was ever thus,” concluded Attenborough mordantly, indeed deliciously.”