wildlife conseration Archives - Nikela: Helping People Saving Wildlife

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…

Announcing 5 Wildlife Heroes to Follow and Help in 2018

Jan 16, 2018 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: African elephant, Animal Poaching, Bearded Vulture, Bird of Prey, Bred 4 the Wild, elephant, Human Wildlife Conflict, Human Wildlife Conflict, lion, Moses, Nikela Blog, Vervet monkeys, Vervet monkeys, wildlife conseration Tagged: Lynn Clifford, Moses Arineitwe, Philipo Ormorijei, Shannon Hoffman, Silke von Eynern, wildlife heroes

They’re run by small, tight teams, or even totally solo! It’s in these inconspicuous NGOs where we find remarkable individuals like our five wildlife heroes to follow and help in 2018. These men and women don’t seek the limelight. They simply go quietly about their work saving wildlife, one animal at a time. Their work is hard. Their challenges constant. Their hearts humongous. And their effectiveness amazing. Sadly some don’t survive! They reluctantly turn in their bush khakis for business pants to put food on the table. They pull away for a season to preserve their own sanity. A few…