wildlife conseration Archives - Nikela: Helping People Saving Wildlife

How we’ve helped and what we’ve seen so far – Africa Safari 2018-2019

Aug 23, 2018 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: #NikelaAfrica, Nikela Blog, Poaching, wildlife conseration Tagged: Africa Safari, Ann Reilly, Byron Sclanders, Kruger National Park, Natalie Rogers, Overlanding Africa, Shannon Hoffman, Silke von Eynern

A little over a month ago we arrived back on African soil. It’s been a wild ride of preparations, meeting some of our wildlife heroes and viewing some amazing animals and birds. Our Africa safari north, from South Africa to Ethiopia and back, has definitely begun. Prefer to listen… Before leaving the Johannesburg area we stopped by Bambelela. This wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center is nestled in the mountains outside of Bela Bela. We arrived at a time of grieving. Gert, Silke’s companion and wildlife rehab partner had passed away suddenly about 10 days before. However, as always we were…

How lights help farmers save the last wild lions

Jun 19, 2018 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: Human Wildlife Conflict, lion, Nikela Blog, wildlife conseration Tagged: human-wildlife conflict, lions, Philipo

Almost daily the death of another lion is splashed across the media. With the wild lion population plummeting to dangers levels, some say 20,000 while others as few as 2,000, the killing has to stop. Philipo and Patti are among those who discovered that lights help farmers keep lions away from their livestock. [See four testimonials from farmers below.] Apparently lights are associated with humans. Humans with torches. Of course lions are no dummies, so for lights to deter lions they must appear to be moving. Enter the random flashing light. There’s nothing too amazing about a flashing light. However,…

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back – Trump Administration Changes Its Mind On Trophy Hunting Again

Mar 10, 2018 · by Nikela Volunteer/Guest blogger · In: Nikela Blog, trophy hunting, wildlife conseration Tagged: AWF, CITES, Conservation Action Trust, Donald Trump, import ban, IWCC, trophy hunting, USFWS

The US will now consider issuing permits to import elephant trophies from Zimbabwe and Tanzania on a case by case basis in the face of widespread condemnation from conservation groups. Can the Trump administration make up it’s mind? In a formal memo last week, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) agreed to allow trophy hunting of African elephants and lions, despite President Donald Trump’s decision last year to uphold a ban on importing elephant trophies from some southern African countries. The decision comes nearly four months after Trump stepped in to halt his own administration’s decision to again allow…

An unexpected opportunity to help at Free to be Wild

Feb 14, 2018 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: #NikelaAfrica, Baye, Free to be Wild, Nikela Blog, wildlife conseration Tagged: Baye Pigors, children, education, Free to be Wild, rescue rehab center, sponsorship

It was back in March 2015 when Baye first reached out to us. Her new wildlife rescue center, Free to be Wild, was in danger of losing its small 6 acre plot in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Baye needed help and we were happy to respond. Now, three years later a confident young rehabber walks into the café to greet us. It has been a bit over two years since we last met here. Baye joined us for breakfast with a newly rescued baby baboon! This time, no animal in tow only confidence. We spend the next hour catching up over lunch….

Shoot to Kill Policy Saves Rhino in Swaziland

Jan 31, 2018 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: Animal Poaching, Nikela Blog, rhino, rhino poaching, wildlife conseration Tagged: anti-poaching rangers, George Mbatha, Rhino paching, Swaziland

Another visit to Swaziland brings a surprise chat with George Mbatha, Chief anti-poaching ranger at Hlane National Park. “Much trouble with poachers!” George tells us. “Oh no!” Is my first response. More dead rhino! However, fortunately I am wrong. In June, three would-be poachers were shot dead by wildlife rangers in Hlane National Park in Swaziland. In August, six poachers tried to kill rhino for their valuable horn. Two were killed, one wounded and capture, and the three others apprehended. In December, two poachers after bushmeat, were shot and killed. At first blush this shoot to kill policy may seem…