AN Oxford-born student will travel deep into Guyana’s rainforest to produce a film on the endangered harpy eagle.

Dan O’Neill - who has lived in Oxford nearly all his life – is doing the project as part of his master’s degree in Wildlife Filmmaking, taught jointly by the BBC’s Natural History Unit and the University of the West of England in Bristol.

Returning to remote Guyana in late May, Mr O’Neill will tell the story of the rare bird – said to be the world’s most powerful – through the eyes of Natasha Ellison, a Mathematical Ecology PhD student.

Mr O’Neill, 26, said: “The film follows Natasha’s journey. It’s her lifelong dream and I am sort of facilitating that through my film.

“I think the harpy is a great, powerful symbol of conservation – they nest in the highest trees and they have been [declining in number] across much of Central America. Although it is only listed as ‘vulnerable’, their range is rapidly going down.”

The five-week trip to the small South American country will go to the Iwokrama International Centre, where indigenous people spearhead conservation projects. The team have been told that a harpy nest has been found near the centre.

Mr O’Neill continued: “I really, really tried to see one last time. This is the best chance to ever see one because of the indigenous people finding a nest.

“Through this film, we want to show the message of hope that Guyana’s practices provide and encourage people to think about rainforest conservation in their lives.”

The 10-13 minute film will be screened to industry-leaders in Bristol in November.

Describing himself as ‘a zoologist with an interest in rainforest ecology and conservation’, Mr O’Neill beat stiff competition to win a place on the prestigious course – and now hopes his short film can be screened at other international film festivals.

He added: “Some people are happy to just see the moment but I really want to capture it.

“Perhaps one thing we can do is record images in case we do lose some of these creatures. Films also inspire change.”

Mr O’Neill is fundraising at indiegogo.com/projects/to-see-the-grey#