The video above is from the January 2013 iPad edition of National Geographic magazine.

Yasuní National Park, Ecuador, is a rainforest undergoing radical change. Exploring the region’s oil reserves has threatened many native species and habitats, as well as the lifestyle of the Indigenous Waorani people.

In this video, photojournalists from National Geographic magazine document the current state of Yasuní National Park by interacting with the environment as well as the people who have an interest in it.

In the words of photographer Ivan Kashinsky, “It’s a really important story, and one that needs to be told.”

Each of the five photographers who took part in this Yasuní BioBlitz focused on a unique aspect of the national park. Watch the video or use the video’s scroll feature to listen to the photographers talk about their part in the project.

• (00:39) Tim Laman photographed diurnal animals—those that are active in the daytime, such as monkeys.
• (01:27) Steve Winter used camera traps to capture images of more elusive animals, such as jaguars.
• (02:00) David Liittschwager set up his camera to mimic a microscope so he could photograph some of the park’s smallest inhabitants, such as insects, spiders, and worms.
• (02:38) Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky documented the changing community and lifestyle of the Waorani people.

Strategies for Using This Video

Before watching the video
Communicate with students facts about the video.

• National Geographic magazine created this video.
• The video was made to supplement an article and photo gallery in the magazine’s January 2013 issue.
• The video features five National Geographic photographers talking about their work on the article and photo gallery.

Before watching the video
To prepare for class discussion after the video, have students take notes on the habitats and species of Yasuní National Park.

• What mammals do they expect the photographers to find?
• What insects?
• What aquatic species?
• What animals do they think will be easy for photographers to find and photograph? What animals may be difficult to capture on film?

After watching the video
Discuss the questions posed in the “Questions” tab.

Project Idea
Have students document the environment in and around the classroom or school by collecting photos, video, and notes. Encourage students to connect with different kinds of people at the school, such as administrators and staff.