Ever since it went off air just under a year ago there has been a continued call from the ‘Pondies’, as dedicated watchers call themselves, for its return and WildEarth is honoured to now have been chosen as Mashatu’s partner for bringing back the LIVE broadcast from Pete’s Pond.
Together with Pete Le Roux we are currently completing a detailed plan of what needs to be done to relaunch the broadcast. While most equipment is still in working order and can be re-used, some of it will need to be replaced due to being outside for so long or monkey damage. We are also working on re-establishing the satellite link that will be used for the broadcast. Once this assessment is completed we will be able to provide more specific info on when Pete’s Pond will be back.
We look forward to bringing back Pete’s Pond and to being part of its continued success and, while we are gearing up for this, would love to hear from you. So, please let us know what you think is important for Pete’s Pond and what you would like to see.
As suggested on the Pond’s current Facebook home, we will start by creating a new page in the next couple of days and look forward to meeting you there, Pondies old and new, to answer questions and get better acquainted.
–Peter
Brilliant news – I will definitely be watching once "live". Thanks for the update and all your efforts.
PETES POND BACK!!
Wonderful to see the Pond again and hear the sounds – only fleas at the moment, but the other animals will soon come to say Hello
Knitwit
I am really looking forward to seeing and hearing the sights and sounds of Pete's Poond. Many thanks to Pete Le Roux and all at WildEarth for making this happen. BBE
Just found this wonderful news and can't wait to see the return of the Pond – will Fatty be back???
Must start my spring clean so thqat I am ready…….
knitwit
"Having the camera person interacting with the audience by way of a forum is much preferred over using sound"
I totally agree. The reason I don't watch Safari TV is just because of the human presence, in person and in in speech. Let Nature speak for itself.
I agree with what emc said on March 2011. I would add that having a 24 hour broadcast is best, especially when those in the USA must watch the night hours at the pond during our daylight hours. Having the camera person interacting with the audience by way of a forum is much preferred over using sound. I think most pondies like to hear only the sounds of the local wildlife, and make all their comments and questions using a forum.
hi there, i have missed pete's pond very much. I would like to have the other camera that was lower down near ground level, so that we can get close up of the animals, near to the waters edge. but we still need the other camera up higher for farther away animals. this would make my day, thanks
Robert
Yep An excellent choice. Wildearth will not be dissapointed, nor will the thousands of us pondies. – MikeandTheKids
Great news. Yes, the sounds are wonderful, and I miss the eland and lions and have been wondering about Fatty. A wonderful cam it is.
This is great news. So many people have missed Pete's Pond–what an enormous treat to get it back!
I am thrilled at the thought of Pete's Pond coming back on air. It loved it.
MaggieB
Brilliant news – I will definitely be watching once "live" again. Thanks for the update.
Like many others before I watched 'PP' from mid Sept. 2006 until it closed.
I am thrilled that it will be back, so we may enjoy the sights and sounds once again. An un-stretched screen, in regular vision will be great.
To reconncet with other 'Pondies' will be wonderful. And hopefully an active Forum again for discussing what we are seeing between oursleves, but also with the cameraperson.
Thank you all so much.
BBE
Happy to have the pond back…Yay! I would just like t really put emphasis on having someone with knowlege running the cam is great BUT please by way forum not by way of voice. The unbroken sounds of the pond are part of what has made it so special!
Thsnkd gor taking it on!
I am so happy to finally get this good news about the return of Pete's Pond. Most important, as someone already mentioned, is having someone behind the camera who is knowledgeable about birds and other wildlife. I cannot imagine anyone better than Afke, but if she does not come back, I hope that I am proven wrong. Over the years of watching, I must say that when the sound was disturbed or missing, I completely tuned out. Sound is a big part of the total picture for me. Wishing that Pete's Pond will be similar to what we all experienced with Afke…….lighting fast to catch the action, devoted, communication with the Pondies via the forum, great love & knowledge of wildlife. I will be forever grateful for the many many hours I have spent via computer at Pete's Pond and the joy it has brought to me. Lisa
Hi Pete how, is Petes Pond going to be filmed as the same way as it use to be no 3D viewing which does not go down well with 80% of the audience.
Fantastic news! As an 'old Pondie' I was devastated when the cam stopped working at the Pond. It will be awesome to see 'our' animals again.
Wonderful news! I really missed the Pond. All the other cams from Africa just couldn't replace the special place this Pond is. Agree with emc; a cam-operator with knowledge of the equipment ánd the wildlife. (Maybe Afke can be persuaded to come back to the hide?) ;-D
I am so happy to see Pete's Pond return. Been a pondie since 2006.
What is most appreciated is having a camera person who is good with the cameras and equipment, and also knowledgeable about the birds and wildlife. We especially like the camera person to interact with the audience, naming what we are seeing and perhaps answer a question, on the official posting designation. :)
Well yes! That would be great to have The Pond back. Sometimes I have it on just so I can hear the sounds. It's almost like being there. Tx all of you. It really is a wonderful site. I love the WE greetings I get from everyone when I join in. See you soon, Pondies!
Peter, this is WONDERFUL news. I hope after you get this satellite link up for this broadcast, you can also set one up for WE's Gowrie and live Safari TV so you aren't stuck with the land links that go out of commission so often! Thanks for working on this!
Well this is good news as i have missed the pond. Will you be looking at it running during day with cam operator and with same lighting and roving cam at night?