In a remarkable example of innovation and conservation, a Bermudian conservationist has hacked GoPros to create custom camera systems that are helping to save the critically endangered Bermuda petrel, one of the rarest birds in the Atlantic. The DIY conservation tech has enabled researchers to monitor the nocturnal life of the "Lazarus" species, providing unprecedented insights into its behavior and habitat.

The Bermuda petrel, also known as the cahow, was thought to be extinct for over 300 years until its rediscovery in the 1950s. Despite conservation efforts, the species remains critically endangered, with only around 186 breeding pairs found on Nonsuch Island, a protected 15-acre nature reserve in Bermuda. To monitor the birds' behavior and habitat, conservationist Jean-Pierre Rouja, founder of Nonsuch Expeditions, turned to DIY electronics, hacking GoPros to create custom camera systems that can capture the birds' nocturnal activities.

Rouja's innovative approach involved removing the IR filters from the GoPros, building custom light arrays with military-grade micro-LED bulbs, and rigging the cameras to run off any power source. The result was a modular, waterproof, and unobtrusive camera system that could be installed in the birds' underground burrows, providing a unique glimpse into their natural behavior. The cameras have been streaming live footage of the cahows' activities since 2011, allowing researchers to "ground-truth" preexisting theories about breeding and behavior and discover new insights into the species' habits.

The cahow cams have not only driven research forward but have also raised awareness and delight among bird enthusiasts, with over 40 million minutes of footage watched to date. The partnership with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has helped cement the livestream as a worldwide favorite among birders. The cameras have also revealed fascinating insights into the species' behavior, including a symbiotic relationship between the cahow and the Bermuda skink, one of the world's rarest lizards.

Rouja's work on Nonsuch Island is not just about saving the Bermuda petrel; it's also about developing affordable and scalable conservation tech that can be applied to other species and habitats. He believes that most field tech, originally built for the military, oil exploration, or commercial science, is too expensive and sophisticated for conservation projects. Instead, he advocates for DIY approaches that can be replicated and scaled up to make a greater impact.

Rouja's vision is to roll out his conservation tech to other locations, starting with Hawaii, and to develop new technologies that can be used to monitor and protect other species. He is working with partners like Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Cornell, and MIT to test and harden gear for coral reef and ocean sensors, marine acoustics, and soundscape monitoring. His ultimate goal is to make conservation tech accessible and affordable for projects around the world.

The success of the cahow cams has also led to the development of new technologies, such as an AI-powered rodent detection system, which is being trialed in partnership with the Nature Conservancy. This system aims to automate the detection of rats, which could potentially wipe out an entire generation of cahows, allowing conservationists to respond quickly and effectively to threats.

In conclusion, the story of the hacked GoPros and the Bermuda petrel is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in conservation. By developing affordable and scalable tech solutions, we can make a greater impact in protecting our planet's most vulnerable species and habitats. As Rouja says, "We're using Bermuda as a proof of concept to make sure these technologies work, with the goal of then being able to roll this all out at scale."