Elizabeth Howells | Nikela: Helping People Saving Wildlife

The Iconic Giraffe, so Beloved yet Under Existential Threat

Jan 5, 2016 · by Nikela Volunteer/Guest blogger · In: #LuvWildlife, endangered, giraffe, Nikela Volunteer Tagged: Elizabeth Howells, giraffe, Giraffe Conservation Foundation

In our January spotlight we focus on the status of the iconic Giraffe – tall, graceful and under significant threat We all look at the giraffe as being peaceful, graceful, and enormously tall. I ask myself, why is this creature endangered and what are we doing about it? A few reasons the giraffe is endangered is due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and poaching. The number of humans has increased and are taking up more and more space. Many animals, giraffes being one of them, are losing their homes from human invasion. Another reason giraffes were added to the IUCN red list is…

Why Gorillas are Critically Endangered, and Whats Being Done to Protect Them

Dec 8, 2015 · by Nikela Volunteer/Guest blogger · In: #LuvWildlife, All Posts, endangered, Gorilla Tagged: Elizabeth Howells, endangered species, gorillas, Primates

Quick facts on why the iconic gorillas are on the critically endangered list, their importance to the ecosystem and campaigns to save them. What’s black, silver and fuzzy all over? You guessed it – a male silverback gorilla! As most people know primates are very intellectual mammals. Many people believe that the human race evolved from the primate species. If you haven’t taken an archaeology or evolutionary biology class you may be asking why do people believe this? Gorilla DNA has a 98% match up to our DNA. There is no other species on the planet that has DNA so similar…

Why the African Cheetah is Under Threat, and Whats Being Done to Protect it.

Nov 2, 2015 · by Nikela Volunteer/Guest blogger · In: #LuvWildlife, All Posts, Cheetah, endangered Tagged: cheetah, Cheetah Conservation Fund, Elizabeth Howells, endangered species, spotlight on species

This month in our Spotlight on Species series, we shine a light on the threats to Cheetahs in the wild and how we can help protect them from extinction. Cheetahs look majestic and adorable all at the same time, but do not mistake this cat for being one you’d want to take home as a pet… Cheetahs are without a doubt one of Africa’s top predators along with being one of the most endangered. Africa used to flourish with wild game and big cats, but if we keep endangering these species they will soon go extinct and all that was…

Why the Little Known Pangolin is so Critical to Our Ecosystem

Oct 14, 2015 · by Nikela Volunteer/Guest blogger · In: Animal Poaching, Pangolin Tagged: Elizabeth Howells, endangered species, pangolin

The role of Pangolins in the ecosystem, important despite their relative obscurity, reminds us how critical every creature is to maintain ecological balance. Many species have become extinct or been put on the endangered species list due to many different reasons. Some animals haven’t adapted to the changing environment and therefore have gone extinct, but many animals have gone extinct or endangered due to humans. We have interfered in nature’s natural process and caused negative outcomes for wild animals. One mammal that we need to start paying better attention to is the Pangolin. Why is this species important to the ecosystem? Pangolins…

What Is The #1 Reason Rhinos Are Endangered and What Are We Doing To Stop It?

Sep 15, 2015 · by Nikela Volunteer/Guest blogger · In: Animal Poaching, Rhino Tagged: Elizabeth Howells, endangered rhino, poaching, rhino, rhino poaching, wildlife conservation

Poaching is the primary threat to Rhino numbers in the wild. Stopping this cruel practice will require multiple approaches including protection, education and relocation. If you’ve never had the chance to see a rhino up close and personal then I suggest you add it to your bucket list. Most people have probably seen them at the zoo because not everyone can make it over to Africa in their lifetime. It is definitely on my bucket list to see this animal in its natural environment and in some way to spread the word about their extinction. I can now check one of…