Nikela: Helping People Saving Wildlife

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The COVID-19 Pandemic is devastating for Africa's Wildlife.

Loss of funding and increased poaching is stretching Wildlife Heroes to the max. Your kindness, support and encouragement is needed more than ever.
Donate

What you get when you become a supporter.

- Regular stories from the bush about how your gift is making a difference.
- Tons of 'feel good' as you fight back against this COVID pandemic.
- As a bonus, you'll meet Margrit and Russ, Nikela's Founders, as they've traveled Africa meeting Wildlife Heroes, experiencing wild places and encountering wild animals.

The Impact over the Years.

$75,000 plus given to 24 Wildlife Heroes in 8 African countries.
This has saved lions, cared for baby Rhino, rescued Pangolin, protected Elephants, nurtured orphaned Monkeys... and the list goes on.
That's making a difference for a ton of animals!

Meet Some Wildlife Heroes

Related Videos

  • Get to really know this young wildlife hero in this full length interview

    In a few short years against huge odds, Baye has turned a promise into a class act Rescue Rehab Release Center in unlikely Zimbabwe. Meet this wonderful young wildlife hero.

  • What NIKELA is doing to fight COVID and save People and Wildlife

    Africa is Wildlife! COVID is devastating to elephants, lions, rhino, pangolin and other wildlife species. Fight COVID. But, there is good news. Nikela connects you with Wildlife Heroes. You donate and we give 100% to help right there on the ground.... to help people like Moses, Lynn, Baye, Moses and Silke.

  • Amazing how this man motivates wildlife poachers to become farmers in Uganda

    One man can make a difference! Poachers talk about their horrific poaching days killing animals. Moses Arineitwe is transforming wildlife poachers and his entire village Rugando in Uganda into a wildlife conservation area. We didn't really believe the full impact until we spent a day with him, former poachers and farmers.

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Why Others Like You Give

Meryn – DONOR

“… The highest level of integrity is apparent as one can see the immediate impact of every donation…”

Beehive88 – DONOR

“Lovely people who make a lot of difference for both African people and African wildlife.”

Fred & Kay- Monthly Donor

“We just increased our monthly gift… because we really appreciate what you’re doing right there on the ground.”

Nancy – Monthly Donor

“Really like hearing what’s happening right there on the ground with my donation.”

Roxanne – Monthly Donor

“Love it that you know each Wildlife Hero personally and that 100% of my donation goes to help.”

Andreas

“Thank you for the great work you do!”

Paige L.

“My mother, Margie, passed away… I hope this money can do some good in her name.”

Robin K.

“Thank you for everything you are doing to stop the poaching crisis.”

Jacqueline

“I’m grateful today for the work that you do and grateful that I was able to do just a small part in helping Moses and the elephants”

Jeannine – by chance

“I was looking for information and came across your page to donate to help save vultures. I couldn’t say no.”

Charmaine

“In January 2019 I saw one of your videos by “accident” and then was hooked. Thank you for doing this amazing work.“

Baye Elizabeth Pigors – founder Free to be Wild

“Thank you guys for your support through the years and for always coming to visit. To be honest you impact us so much because we are a small organization and what you do just means so much to us .”

Mina M. (volunteer – USA)

“I love the idea of giving back to the environment and the animals who cannot speak up for themselves… Nikela helps me focus on things that are important to me personally.”

Neville B. (monthly donor – New Zealand)

It is people like you that enable others like myself to find a home for our modest contributions. I can’t read a story like POACHED!  and do nothing. 

Golda V. (donor)

I donated because I want to help people who are working hard to and directly to save African wildlife…

Sandra R. (donor and volunteer – USA)

I loved the idea of working with people who are fighting such a noble cause.  I love working with Margrit…  keeping us all together and motivated …

Pawan – India – Longest standing monthly donor

Hats off to you and Sir who still in this (your) age are doing fantastic job to protect wild life…

Margie (monthly donor – USA)

I’m so amazed at you and Russ. Love your blogs and emails!

Liz (monthly donor – USA)

I remember hearing that recurring donations help immensely…  Glad to be a part of your work. 

Colleen G. (volunteer – Switzerland)

…what better way to be involved with helping the planet than by actually making some changes?

Mike S. (monthly donor and volunteer)

I just like to help!

Jess (donor – UK)

It’s brilliant that there are people like you doing the work you do.

Cassie S. (volunteer – USA)

I’m a college student on a budget, so I can’t donate much money. Instead… I ended up volunteering with Nikela.

Megaen K. (volunteer – USA)

…I believe in the work that they do. I want to support the dedicated people in South Africa who are working to help animals. They are heroes.

Jim B. (donor – USA)

I’m a friend of Sandy L… in whose honor I made this donation. She told me about and I’ll continue to send support when I can.

Kubilay (monthly donor – India)

…I deliberately made two transactions. First I saw Baye and then Peter and I wanted to give them both a hand.

Mikaela R. (volunteer – USA)

I am grateful to assist in promoting the protection of wildlife in anyway and am honored to partake in such an important and humbling mission.

Khristinna S. (volunteer – USA)

Working closely with the Nikela team and knowing you are contributing to a great cause inspires you every day…

Kalli D. (volunteer – USA)

…to stay connected to the ongoing fight and reality of the wildlife trade I wanted to volunteer with Nikela.

Joyce C. (volunteer – USA)

I got my current part time job because my employer saw the giraffe infographic I created.

Frank v. E. (volunteer – Netherlands)

Small charity organizations can accomplish very direct results… 

Shawn B. (volunteer – USA)

…my team and I were tasked to create a fresh video to promote a participating nonprofit.  After sorting through all of the contenders, we decided on Nikela…

Brandi W. (volunteer – USA)

…I couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Complacency isn’t in my vocabulary. The Earth is losing species faster than ever before! And is happening on our watch…

Jessica I. (volunteer – USA)

…Nikela’s variety of projects and involvement in telling the right stories, by educated people lays the foundation for change. I really enjoy contributing to that.

Heather S. (volunteer – USA)

It is fun to be included in a great project… We are all in this together and as a group, it can be done!

Wendy S. (long standing volunteer)

I love being a part of this…  always wished I could find a way to save them (which isn’t very easy when you live in Ohio.) I wanted to be a “voice” for the rhinos. 

News from the Bush

Would You Measure Success Like This Brave Woman Does?

Would You Measure Success Like This Brave Woman Does?

· by · In: Animal Poaching, elephant, Human Wildlife Conflict, Nikela Blog, wildlife conservation Tagged: , ,

How do you measure success? By how much money you earn? By the car you drive? By the clothes you wear? One woman measures success by how many elephants she saves! It’s been four years now that we met Lynn in Malawi. She was recovering from a gyro-copter crash. She’d been flying over the Thuma forest counting elephants when things went wrong and the small helicopter went down. However, Lynn is not one to let ‘minor’ setbacks hold her up! Over the ten years Lynn has been at the helm saving elephants in the Thuma Forest in Malawi she has… 

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How Nikela Helps Stop Rhino Poaching

How Nikela Helps Stop Rhino Poaching

· by · In: Animal Poaching, endangered, Nikela Blog, Peter, rhino, rhino poaching, wildlife conservation, Wildlife Trafficking, World Rhino Day Tagged: , , , ,

When we first founded Nikela back in 2010 rhino poaching was just starting up again. Over the next few years the stats got really crazy as black and white rhino were targeted for their horn. Sadly, most rhinos die when their horn is brutally hacked off by poachers. Some argue that because rhino poaching has declined the threat is over. However, others attribute the decline to fewer rhino left to poach… making it all the more crucial to save those remaining. Most recently Nikela has assisted Peter Milton and his super team stop rhino poaching in Southern Africa. Thanks to… 

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The Bush Meat Trade is the Growing Threat for the Highly Endangered Pangolin

The Bush Meat Trade is the Growing Threat for the Highly Endangered Pangolin

· by · In: Animal Poaching, endangered, Moses, Nikela Blog, Pangolin, Wildlife Trafficking Tagged: , , , , ,

“We must act quickly!” The bush meat trade has become more of a threat than the international crime syndicates for the highly endangered pangolin, at least in Uganda. Not too surprising with the job and income losses due to COVID-19. Hunger can lead to desperate measures. But Moses Arineitwe must hurry! Once again he is called out on a pangolin rescue mission. He must respond fast so that this harmless creature is spared from the pot. Did you know the Pangolin is the planet’s most endangered mammal? They are poached and illegally trafficked to Asia where their scales are deemed valuable…. 

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Honorary Donations and In lieu Giving make the perfect Gifts during a Pandemic

Honorary Donations and In lieu Giving make the perfect Gifts during a Pandemic

· by · In: Giving, Nikela Blog, nonprofit, wildlife conservation Tagged: , , ,

A wonderful new trend arising out of the pandemic is in lieu giving. After all, it’s been a while since getting together to celebrate a birthday or special occasion has been possible. Sure Zoom Group chats are fun with kids making silly faces and showing off their latest crayon creations. However, sharing a drink and making a toast just isn’t the same without the clinking glasses. Scrolling through countless overpriced items on Amazon is getting a bit old too. So it makes perfect sense that Honorary Donations and In Lieu Giving is becoming the in thing. After all, not only… 

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Installing Beehives to Stop Elephants is Not Enough

Installing Beehives to Stop Elephants is Not Enough

· by · In: elephant, Human Wildlife Conflict, Nikela Blog, Sustainability, wildlife conservation Tagged: , , , ,

Human wildlife conflict is a real concern for farmers bordering the Arusha National Park. Installing beehives to stop elephants is not enough to keep them out of the farm fields. Beehives need regular attention to remain productive and useful. Moses Ryakitimbo determined that servicing the beehives monthly is about right. About eighteen months ago farmers in this area near Arusha, Tanzania were in real trouble. Elephants from the protected area found maize and other crops rather tasty. Entire herds descended on the farms leaving little for the farmers. Moses heard about their plight. Being the sort of man who cares… 

Read More
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 Every month we share

a few Videos and Stories

about our adventures 

with people saving wildlife

Right now you'll
get some
of our Favorites
 

     Hello! We're Margrit & Russ

and how YOU can Help

 Every month we share

a few Videos and Stories

about our adventures 

with people saving wildlife

Right now you'll
get some
of our Favorites
 

     Hello! We're Margrit & Russ

and how YOU can Help