Flight For Survival was filmed in Nepal in 2010, during a pretty special chapter of my life. The Parahawking Project was growing, attracting attention from around the world. More and more people were coming to fly with our birds, and we were using that interest to raise funds and awareness for vulture conservation in Nepal, which had always been at the heart of what we did.

We were always looking for ways to reach more people and draw attention to the plight of Asia’s vultures. This film began as a small idea: a short film to show just how magnificent these birds are, and why they deserved our help. Somewhere along the way, it grew into something much bigger.

What emerged was a film about my life in Nepal, working with birds of prey, developing Parahawking, and all the trials and tribulations that came with it. It also follows our attempt to take things a little further, a 10,000ft climb into the Himalayas to attempt our highest and most challenging Parahawking flight yet.

Looking back now, it captures a time, a place and a group of people and birds that meant an enormous amount to me. There was a lot of hard work behind it all, but also a lot of adventure, and I feel very lucky to have lived it.

After all these years, I’m finally able to share the full film here. I hope you enjoy this little window into that part of my life, and come away with a bit more love for vultures.

Flight For Survival
A Bird is the Word Production
In association with Elastic TV
Executive Producer Scott Mason
Produced, Directed & Filmed by Martin Cray
Co Producer, Editor and Narrator Andi Campbell-Waite
Production Manager Anita Hjertas Mason
Additional Cameras Scott Mason, Graham Saunders-Griffiths

Running time: 52 mins
© 2011 Bird is the Word Productions