Defender Trophy - Vulture Conservation in the Pyrenees
Photography and branded content for Defender and JLR Switzerland
In September 2026, I accompanied Simon Kessler, the Swiss finalist of the Defender Trophy, on a conservation mission in the Spanish Pyrenees for Defender and JLR Switzerland. My assignment was to document the experience through photography and share personal accounts of the trip on my Instagram channel.
Learning about bearded vulture conservation
Around Aínsa, we learned about the work of the Fundación para la Conservación del Quebrantahuesos (FCQ). The foundation works to protect bearded vultures and biodiversity in their mountain habitats. I found the connection between local farming and bird conservation particularly interesting. At the feeding site near Aínsa, suitable remains from regional livestock slaughter provide food for the vultures.
Simon and the other European finalists supported the foundation with practical tasks. They repaired fences, cleaned the feeding site and repainted the observation hide. Working together also gave them a chance to get to know one another as a team ahead of the Defender Trophy world final in South Africa.
A chance to try bird photography
Birds rarely feature in my photography, so I made the most of this opportunity to explore a less familiar subject. From the observation hide, I was able to photograph griffon vultures just a few metres away. Watching hundreds of these large birds gather at the feeding site was impressive. An Egyptian vulture also made an appearance. Unfortunately, I did not see a bearded vulture during our visit.
The resulting photographs show birds in flight, landing and gathering at the feeding site. Being so close also allowed me to focus on individual birds and the details of their plumage.
Defender in the landscapes of the Pyrenees
The series also includes our journeys in the Defenders and the surrounding mountain landscapes. The golden light offered lovely conditions for photographing the vehicles in their environment. These images add context to the story of the foundation’s work and the participants’ experiences.
Sharing the experience on Instagram
What I particularly enjoyed about this project was how naturally Defender became part of a worthwhile activity. The vehicles were part of the journey, while the conservation work and the people remained central to the story.
The resulting photo story brings together bird and landscape photography with images of the participants and the Defenders. On my Instagram channel, I shared the photographs alongside personal impressions and insights into the work of the FCQ.
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