Bird of prey sanctuary | Nikela: Helping People Saving Wildlife

VIDEO: Nikela’s 11th Anniversary How it all Started

Apr 8, 2021 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: #LuvWildlife, Bird of prey sanctuary, News, Nikela, Nikela Blog, wildlife conservation Tagged: African Bird of Prey Sanctuary, African lions, charity, Nikela anniversary, nonprofit, Shannon Hoffman

It’s Nikela’s 11th anniversary! What a ride it’s been! It’s amazing to look back at how one crucial encounter triggered it all. This one experience catapulted two ordinary people, like Russ and I, to start a nonprofit charity to help people saving wildlife. Although Nikela has remained small and volunteer run we’ve distributed over $85,000 to 24 projects in eight African countries. How it all started… with a bird? In early 2009 Russ, and I visited the African Bird of Prey Sanctuary close to where my parents lived, in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. This sanctuary cares for falcons, hawks, kites, eagles,…

The Bearded Lady on a Journey to Save an Endangered Species

Oct 1, 2019 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: #NikelaAfrica, Bearded Vulture, Bird of Prey, Bird of prey sanctuary, Bred 4 the Wild, Nikela Blog, Shannon, wildlife conservation Tagged: Bearded Vulture, breeding program, saving endangered species, Shannon Hoffman

It’s January 2014 (this was pre Land Rover) and we’re in our little red rental car. Finally we’re going to meet the Bearded Lady. We heard about her in 2012 when she was rescued from a chicken coop and we rallied Nikela supporters to help build her a comfortable enclosure at Shannon’s African Raptor Center. Affectionately called the Bearded Lady, she really is a Bearded Vulture. Albeit a very beautiful one. Unlike other vultures who eat dead meat these vultures eat the bones. Isn’t nature’s clean up system amazing? Because she was confined to a chicken coop for so long…

Why saving the Bearded Lady is about saving her entire species of Lammergeier

Nov 14, 2018 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: Bird of Prey, Bird of prey sanctuary, conservation, endangered, Nikela Blog, Shannon, wildlife conservation Tagged: African Bird of Prey Sanctuary, Bearded Vulture, Lammergeier, Shannon Hoffman

When Shannon saved the Bearded Lady she had no idea what was in store for her and the future of the critically endangered Lammergeier. “In a chicken coop!” How sad. This magnificent high flying bird of prey confined to a small wire cage. Okay, she’s a vulture, but undeniably the most beautiful raptor you can imagine. And entitled to the life of a free Bearded Vulture. Shannon, the keeper of the African Bird of Prey Sanctuary, is one of our wildlife heroes. Her passion, since she was a youngster, has been the lions of the skies, Africa’s fabulous birds of…

Update on Seven Wildlife Heroes to Watch This Year 2018 Part 2

Aug 9, 2018 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: Baye, Bird of prey sanctuary, Free to be Wild, Nikela Blog, rhino calf, rhino poaching, Shannon Tagged: Baye Pigors, Bearded Vulture, Natalie Rogers, orphaned rhino calf, rescue rehab center, Shannon Hoffman

Last week in Part 1 of our update of wildlife heroes to watch this year we brought you four. A quick recap… Back in January 2018 we invited you to watch Five Wildlife Heroes making a difference for African animals. This group of five grew to seven. Their work ranges from saving wild lions from irate farmers in Tanzania to protecting elephants and their forest in Malawi. In the last seven months much has been accomplished, some sadly has been lost, but all in all, with your support many have been helped. Of course, more is still needed to keep the…

Young and Old learn about Raptors as ARC opens Educational Wing – Video, Audio, Photos

Dec 19, 2017 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: African Bird of Prey Sanctuary, Bird of Prey, Bird of prey sanctuary, Nikela Blog, PODCAST, poisoning, Raptors, Shannon, wildlife conseration Tagged: birds of prey, bred 4 the wild, education, raptors, Shannon Hoffman

Video, audio and photos. Students depict birds in art and the community comes to learn about raptors as the African Raptor Centre opens it’s Educational Wing to the public. It’s finally the big day! The grand opening of the African Raptor Centre’s educational wing (ARC formerly known as the African Bird of Prey Sanctuary.) If you prefer to listen Shannon runs this amazing place. ARC is home to birds of prey that for one reason or another can’t be released. Some like Orion the Long Crested Eagle was raised by humans so is imprinted. That means he’s lost all fear…