Hamza Yassin, the wildlife cameraman and presenter known for his work on Countryfile and Animal Park, has landed a 'dream' role fronting a new BBC documentary that sees him make "powerful connections".
The 36-year-old former Strictly Come Dancing champion has filmed Hamza: African Birds of Prey, during which he embarks on an unforgettable journey across Kenya in search of some of Africa's most spectacular, and most threatened, birds of prey. The journey becomes "deeply personal" as Hamza forms connections with both the people and the wildlife he encounters.
An 'absolute dream' journey
Hamza told the BBC Wildlife Magazine team: "This film was an absolute dream for me. I've always been passionate about birds of prey and to be able to capture these incredible animals in Kenya was a privilege and an honour."
A synopsis for the film, which will be broadcast next weekend, describes how Hamza travels from the vast plains of the Maasai Mara to the shores of Lake Naivasha, to the ancient forests of the Kenyan coast and the dramatic escarpments of the Rift Valley. He encounters an extraordinary cast of raptors, including African fish eagles, secretary birds, martial eagles, scops owls, lappet-faced and Rüppell's vultures, and the elusive African crowned eagle.
Conservation efforts and threats
Hamza joins the dedicated scientists, conservationists, rangers and local communities working tirelessly to protect these remarkable birds; from caring for injured vultures and satellite-tagging young eagles to monitoring remote cliff-top nesting colonies and searching for one of Africa's rarest owls. He witnesses both the incredible resilience of Kenya's birds of prey and the growing threats they face from habitat loss, poisoning, the illegal wildlife trade and expanding infrastructure.
Recent wildcat release on Countryfile
Hamza is a firm favourite on shows like Countryfile and recently he became emotional on the Sunday night show when he travelled to the Scottish Highlands to assist with releasing three wildcats back into their natural habitat. He participated in an ambitious conservation scheme designed to reintroduce one of Britain's rarest and most secretive predators to the wild.
Working late into the evening, Hamza accompanied project worker Estelle Morgan to release the creatures, with Hamza describing the experience as a "once in a lifetime opportunity". Travelling into the woodland, Hamza told Estelle: "To actually get given the privilege of releasing three wild cats into the wild is something special," reported the Express. Estelle then replied: "You know you're the first person who isn't project staff who is releasing a wildcat." Amazed by the historic moment, Hamza said: "Really? That's an honour, that is an honour indeed."
Hamza: African Birds of Prey will be on BBC One on Sunday 30 August at 7pm.
