Protecting endangered species, rhino, primates, bearded vulture via volunteers and folks like Peter, Karin, and Shannon.
Money and Wildlife Don’t Mix
You ever stepped back to look at what’s really happening to our world and our wildlife? Well, it seems that money is at the heart of the destruction of our habitat and directly related to the loss of wildlife. Today “wildlife conservation” is used in the same sentence as “sustainable use” and “economic growth”. Whereas the words “preservation” and “wild” are seem to be far less associated with endangered and threatened species any more.
Numbers and not quality of life is the focus. What if we treated our wildlife more like we do our children? That is took care of them without dollar signs in our eyes.
For Love of Leopards
For the past year or more we have followed and supported Anton and his leopard research. All good things come to an end and Anton has moved on to other adventures. While the leopard project remains in good hands Nikela is no longer directly involved. However, we invite you to learn about the Leopard Camera Club and get to know the folks there..
The welfare of leopards is of course still of great concern for us, however, with the huge needs and limited resources the decision was made for Nikela to stay focused on her mission, to Protect Now (rescue/rehab and sanctuaries) and Educate for the Future (change hearts and behavior.)
Full Moon Not Good for Rhino
Peter tells us that the deadliest time for the rhino is when the moon is full. That of course makes perfect sense; it’s when the poachers can see well. The good news is, though stressful, this last full moon Peter and his team were successful in their protection efforts to save the last rhinos.
Many thanks for the donations that keep coming in to help with equipment and supplies, that way the on the ground protection can continue unabated.
POACHED! In Cantonese
Many thanks to Nicole and her group in Hong Kong! She started Graze for Rhino and used the funds to get the heart changing ebook POACHED! translated into Cantonese. We are no working on circulating it in Asia via Facebook and other media outlets.
Many thanks go to ELITE who discounted their fees to get this translation professionally done.
It’s Political, Your Voice Counts
In March 2013 CITES will once again convene. The debate to legalize the rhino horn trade is heating up, and the more it does, the more it becomes obvious that it is much more political (and economical) than about saving the rhino as a wild species. After all farming the rhino for its horn is going to create a life for it more akin to a cow than an elephant. Chris Mercer and Damien Mander debate the issue to legalize or not to legalize.
The Bearded Lady
When Nikela Volunteer Jess visited Shannon’s Raptor Center to deliver our donation check she was not only mesmerized by the flight show and Shannon’s amazing educational presentation, she was introduced to the Bearded Lady.
This female Bearded Vulture (on the endangered species list) was recently rescued from life in a small chicken coop, where she was kept for at least four years by a local witch doctor. The monies from Nikela (your donations) will go towards keeping her at the sanctuary, finding her a mate, with plans to increase the number of these beautiful birds in the wilds.
How Volunteers Make a Difference
Nikela operates via the generous time and expertise of volunteers.
People like…
Maggie who spend a week helping at one of our projects (Karin’s primates)
Jess who delivered a donation check to Shannon’s Raptor Center
Craig who installed all the updates needed for this very website at no charge
Nicole who got POACHED! translated into Cantonese and raised funds to do so
Lydia who is raising funds via her on-the-side pet sitting in her neighborhood
And so many others who have helped and are reaching out who want to help.
Thanks to all who give inkind or money donations, you are what makes Nikela work as a vehicle to help those who protect African wildlife, endangered and threatened species via our projects.
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