A powerful new collaboration between Subaru Southern Africa and BirdLife South Africa is taking flight — one that aims to unravel the mystery behind one of nature’s most extraordinary travellers, the European Roller.
Each summer, this brilliant turquoise bird journeys more than 15,000 kilometres from Asia to Southern Africa, gracing our skies with colour and resilience. Now, thanks to Subaru’s support, researchers will be able to reach remote tracking sites across the country to follow the Rollers’ incredible migration routes and better understand how these birds connect continents.
As part of the initiative, BirdLife South Africa’s conservation team will be equipped with a Subaru Forester, a rugged yet refined vehicle perfectly suited to the challenges of field research. The partnership forms part of BirdLife South Africa’s European Roller Tracking Project, which uses solar-powered satellite transmitters to monitor the birds’ flight paths and collect vital migration data between November 2025 and April 2026.
Earlier this year, the organisation made global headlines when it confirmed the first-ever migration of a European Roller between South Africa and China. One bird, affectionately named Rory, flew from Limpopo to China’s Xinjiang province — crossing 13 countries and proving that Africa and Asia are linked by one of the longest bird migrations ever recorded.
“This partnership is about more than mobility,” says Nteo Nkoli, National Marketing Manager at Subaru Southern Africa. “It’s about connection. The story of the European Roller reminds us how movement unites the world. Whether by wing or wheel, every journey can inspire care for the planet we share.”
The latest generation Subaru Forester—renowned for its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, 220mm ground clearance, and EyeSight Driver Assist Technology—will serve as the BirdLife team’s reliable companion on rough terrain and in unpredictable weather. With its spacious interior and 1,174-litre boot, the vehicle will also double as a mobile research base for preparing tracking units and field notes.
For BirdLife South Africa, the partnership underscores how corporate support can accelerate conservation science. “Access is everything,” says a member of the BirdLife team. “Without reliable transport, we can’t reach the sites where Rollers breed, roost, and prepare for their long flights. Subaru’s contribution literally drives our mission forward.”
In a fitting touch, the new Forester even hides a small Easter egg — the silhouette of a bird etched into its design — a subtle symbol of the harmony between technology and nature.
As this partnership takes off, it’s not just a story about cars and conservation — it’s a story about how purpose, innovation, and curiosity can travel together. Because every kilometre covered by Subaru and BirdLife South Africa brings the world one step closer to understanding the extraordinary journey of the European Roller.
