Conservation biologist Purnima Devi Barman returns to Assam, India where she grew up, to work with a highly endangered bird, the Greater Adjutant stork. The species nests in populated areas of Assam, where it’s known as Hargila. Because they’re scavengers, some see Hargila as unclean and remove trees where they nest. Purnima has found creative ways to connect Hargila to people’s daily lives and culture in Assam.

Gerrit Vyn

Gerrit Vyn is a producer and cinematographer for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a Senior Fellow at the International League of Conservation Photographers, and has been photographing birds and wildlife professionally for over 25 years. His mission-driven film work with The Cornell Lab's Conservation Media Program is primarily aimed at small audiences with the capacity to make real conservation progress. His work has also been featured on media outlets including PBS Nature series, NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross, The New York Times, and PBS New Hour. His book, THE LIVING BIRD, was a New York Times Bestseller and National Outdoor Book Award winner.