How do they take those pictures of animals from above which show them in action on National Geographic?

Question

Do they use satelite cameras or cameras operated from balloons? How are they able to take both vertical and horizontal photos?

Answer 1

Many cameras in different positions, remotely controlled or not controlled at all. Usually, they use infrared or motion detection devices that trigger the camera.
Watching towers.
Trees.
I wouldn't discard balloons, but unlikely. Balloons are disturbing. If at night, their fire can be seen and sensed by animals. Unless you are talking about daylight pics, of course.
NatGeo photographers spend weeks trying to catch a single scene.

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PD.:
Iridflare (below) is right, too. If you don´t mind disturbing animals' behavior, helicopters are number one choice.

Answer 2

I recently saw a wildlife camera mounted on a radio controlled helicopter built to look like a huge dragonfly! Some filming is done from piloted helicopters or aircraft.