kudu | Nikela: Helping People Saving Wildlife

Four out of the Big Five: The story in the Kruger is always the same

Nov 7, 2018 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: Lions, Rhino Tagged: Big Five, buffalo, elephants, Kruger National Park, kudu, lioness, rhino

For years now it’s four out of the Big Five we see when visiting the Kruger National Park. Why is this? What are we doing wrong? The alarm goes off at 5am. If it wasn’t for the glaring security lights in the camp it would still be pitch black. By 5:30 the rooftop tent is closed up. The breakfast snacks are ready. Layered clothing is on. Entrance money is counted. Binoculars pulled out and camera batteries charged. We’re at the Malalane Gate, along with several others, before it opens at 6am. By first light we’ve mapped out our path and…

PODCAST Curious Animal Behaviors at the Waterholes in Etosha Pan Pt2

Dec 27, 2015 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: Elephants, Lions, Rhino, Safari Travels Tagged: #NikelaAfrica, baby elephant, curious animal behavior, Etosha Pan, giraffe, Impala, kudu, lion, lioness, Namibia, podcast, waterhole

Viewing Africa’s wildlife is one thing, but watching curious animal behaviors at the waterholes is truly amazing! It’s about time! I promised more fun stories about the wildlife interactions we saw at the waterholes. Like the one about the tough little baby elephant and the kudu mamas. Here they are in this, podcast Part 2, in the series “Curious Animal Behaviors” at the Waterholes in Etosha Pan, in Namibia. [Listen/read the first one here] Listen or read about the brave or stupid impala and more… Key #NikelaAfrica into the Search bar for stories, videos and podcasts. Curious Animal Behaviors at…

Surprising Safe Haven for Fauna and Flora in Namibia

Feb 12, 2015 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: #NikelaAfrica, Africa Wildlife Conservation Tour 2014, All Posts, Animal Poaching, conservation, kudo, wildlife conservation Tagged: aardvark, Garaspark, kudu, Marian, Namibia, quiver trees, social weavers, wildlife conservation

PHOTOS A small campground and unique tourist attraction is a surprising safe haven for fauna and flora in Namibia. “Hunting season, that’s when the poachers come!” Strange, I’d heard that trophy hunters keep the poachers away! We needed a place to stay for the night as we headed south towards the Fish River Canyon in Namibia. As we turned off the B1 towards the campground some odd bicycle relics and handcrafted puppet figures beaconed us to follow. This was an intriguing place and it looked like we were the only guests that evening. As we’d pretty much exhausted our food supply, (except for…

Is UnWilding Africa Following America?

Dec 3, 2014 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: #NikelaAfrica, Africa Wildlife Conservation Tour 2014, All Posts, Animal Poaching, conservation, endangered, Human Wildlife Conflict, Lions, wild animals, wildlife conservation Tagged: Africa, America, bears, buffalo, Bushbuck, cattle, conservation, Gemsbok, kudu, mountain lion, Sam, unwilding, Waterbuck, wolves

Pushing out nature to advance civilization is not new so is unwilding Africa simply following what happened in America? “Bam!” He drops! The last Waterbuck lies dead in the dry grass. Tears roll down her cheeks, “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you!” Again and Again… Over the past seven years this all too familiar scene has repeated itself over and over again as the herd of Waterbuck and Bushbuck slowly dwindled at the hands of the poachers. Her beloved diverse species of antelope including Gemsbok and Kudu have given way to the new wildlife… cattle. As…

Now vs. Then – Bored vs. Wild

Feb 22, 2011 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: All Posts Tagged: conservation, elephant, kudu, lion, protect, rhino, South Africa, South African Wildlife Conservation Tour, water buffalo, wild animals

A couple of months back Russ and I visited the Dallas zoo. I was impressed by the new Savannah section. The buildings and enclosures definitely have an African feel. The giraffe, elephants and even the lions look well cared for with shiny coats. However, sadly, due to no fault of the young keepers the animals are bored. The elephant sway from side to side. The giraffe try and reach the last of the grass left on the high wall and the kudo (large antelope) just lay around. Having just returned from our South African Wildlife Conservation Tour the contrast was…