birds of prey | Nikela: Helping People Saving Wildlife

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

Dec 19, 2017 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: Raptors 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…

Six surprisingly beautiful African vultures – Photos and Video

Mar 22, 2017 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: Raptors Tagged: African Birds of Prey Sanctuary, Bearded Vulture, birds of prey, Cape Vulture, endangered species, Hooded vulture, palm nut vulture, threatened species, vultures, White Backed Vulture, White headed vulture

Up until recently I thought all vultures ugly, until I saw these beautiful African vultures at African Bird of Prey. If you’re like most people the word ‘vulture’ conjures up this image of a scrawny looking bird with a long bare neck and uglier head. You remember, like the two dense birds in original Jungle Book movie. The two of “What do you wanna do?” “I dunno what do you wanna do?” fame. However, vultures are really not ugly and really not dense. Sadly some are in serious trouble and are either threatened or endangered. Largely due to habitat loss,…

Bet you can’t help falling in love with these raptors up close

Mar 10, 2017 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: Raptors Tagged: African Birds of Prey Sanctuary, birds of prey, raptors

It’s the eyes or is it the talons that make raptors the lord of the skies in Africa? Raptors up close. I’d never paid too much attention to raptors… even after I was mesmerized by the grace of the falcon at my first flight show back in the 80’s. It wasn’t until many years later at the African Bird of Prey Sanctuary (ABOPS) that I was hooked. To show more than tell I hope you’ll enjoy these photos and video from our most recent visit to see the birds. Bet you can’t help falling in love with these raptors too…

2 ways we’re killing our birds of prey one old one new

Mar 6, 2017 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: Raptors Tagged: Bearded Vulture, birds of prey, raptors, Save the Eagles International, Shannon Hoffman, vulture

Birds of prey are all around us but largely go unnoticed as do the threats killing them. It was actually a bird and a $100 bill that got Nikela started almost seven years ago. Since then birds of prey and those who protect them, like Shannon, have our attention. Birds of prey, besides being beautiful, are like lions on the ground. They are key predators of the sky. They are at the top of the food chain. Without them rodents and carrion would not be kept in check. Over the years we’ve learned there is one old and one new…

Meet one of wildlife conservation’s rising stars

Oct 25, 2016 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: #NikelaAfrica, Raptors Tagged: African Bird of Prey Sanctuary, Belinda Phetna, birds of prey, owls, rising star, Shannon Hoffman, vultures, wildlife conservation

During our travels we meet some amazing people. Some, like Belinda may be wildlife conservation’s rising stars, bringing the passion needed to save the wild birds and animals of Africa. She has this light in her eyes and a ready humble smile. With grace and confidence she calls the owl to her. Her favorite bird lands on her gloved arm grabbing the morsel of meat offered. After watching Belinda Phetna exercise the ambassador birds with Shannon at African Bird of Prey we wanted to know more about her. Here was this young African woman obviously enjoying working with these raptors….