Wildlife Conservation... Does One Size Fit All?

Russ talks with Leon a local wildlife advocate

YBK the bird that wouldn't leave (Whole story coming soon)

After touring just four wildlife protection sites we've had our eyes opened and our hearts touched. You can't help but admire Libby who knows and loves her black eagles. All you can do is stand back in wonder when you see all that Roz has got in place in just two years. A chuckle and a smile can't be stopped as exuberant Jan tells her stories about saving abandoned baby vervet monkeys. And you'd think they had a team of 20 when you learn all Ben and Shannon do to save the raptors.

Working toward release. Buck babies whose mothers were hit by a car.

But, does one way of wildlife conservation fit all?

Protecting, saving, preserving, conserving, rescuing, rehabilitating may all be what each is doing, however, where the divergence occurs is in how it's done and their basic philosophies about wildlife conservation.

Margrit and Libby with the Black Eagle Project

What a delightful woman! Jan and one of 'her' monkeys

Some conservation programs involve volunteers and others to feed, handle and nurture the injured young buck or bird back to full health, making it a community affair, sensitizing both young and old to wildlife and it's importance in their area. Others keep their wild animals and birds far from the public, providing very private rehab pens to keep them wild and afraid of humans. Then of course there are those who walk a tough line somewhere between the two.



Is there a right or a wrong? There are strong opinions at both extremes.

What do you think? We have many more to talk to so let's see what else we find out shall we?

Ben shows Margrit how this kites wing is pinned to help it heal properly

 

Wildlife and Other South African Challenges

Getting settled in takes a bit of doing. I didn't realize how much I'd gotten used to instant access via my phone and internet. Using our Iphones in South Africa costs $1.50 a minute! A bit pricey for a nonprofit wouldn't you say? Any way, after asking around we bought a prepaid phone this morning. Then there's the plug and voltage difference. In SA there are these huge clunky plugs that you need to find adapters to, and just when you do, the power goes out! Nope, actually Russ tripped a breaker by plugging in our strip plug. Then there's the WiFi when available is costly and paid for by the hour. Not sure if any of you have had this problem, but Face Book locked me out when I tried logging in from my new netbook in Paris! Haven't resolved that issue yet, so all in all, its a good thing we have no appointments today!

To the left of the waterfall the dark spot circled by white is one the active Black Eagle nests

I've been to some beautiful botanical gardens, in the USA and Europe, but non compares to the setting of the botanical garden that houses the Black Eagle Project. With the back drop of Roodekrans and two tiered waterfall of the Crocodile river this far flung garden is more like a park, and is used as such. Birders huddle in numerous blinds watching for water fowl. Young mothers gather on the lush lawn for a baby shower. A yoga class convenes each Saturday at the small pavilion. Two bush loads of kids and their families flow in with blankets and coolers. Couples, families and corporate picnics all are enjoyed among the native flora and fauna.

Yes,this botanical garden is not only a haven for birds and small wildlife but humans from all walks of life.

Leon, a banker, sat poised with his DSLR at the first blind. He does this every Saturday he told us. A way to destress from his crazy week. Leon was most interesting to talk to... more on this conversation later.

Shaun is in the health care field by day and a bird counter on weekends. For five years he has been involved in a bird atlasing project. He spends 2 hours twice a month in the botanical garden watching and counting They will be sad to loose him as he immigrates to Austrailia shortly... more on this conversation later too.

Then on Sunday at church we met some fabulous folks, along with Thoko, a local high school teacher, who just returned from Sweden. Two of her students placed third in an international evironmental studies project... quite an accomplishment. Not only that, this is the third time she and her students made nationals! We will be visiting Thoko and her students in a couple of weeks. Thoko is excited about Nikela and wants to be involved with creating wildlife advocates. So much more to come on this.

This week we visit two great conservation sites... really excited!

Egyptian Geese at the Bird Blind

Writing from South Africa

It's getting dark outside and I'm sitting in this quaint little internet cafe in Roodeport South Africa.  Russ is dozing off next to me on the sofa... hardly surprising we spent the last two nights on the plane... but tonight it's a real bed... and a bath.  I figured out a good way of getting out of dirty laundry... wear the same clothes for three days! 

Our flight down here was awesome!  This huge double decker airbus was rather quiet and Air France served up some good food (which I don't say very often about the airplane cuisine.)

This afternoon after arriving late in Johannesburg (fellow passenger got sick in Paris and after much addo they decided he couldn't fly), we had a few glitches while getting the rental car, and  then we found our way (thanks to modern technology... GPS) to the Black Eagle Project.  Not without my driving down the wrong side of  the road at least once... sure scared the guy!  Wondered why he drove off the road into the dirt as I approached!

Black Eagle Project visit:

Then, there we sat on park like bench under a huge shade tree chatting with Libby.  Did I mention the view?  A waterfall coming off the rugged red cliffs along the Roodekrans.  Libby came to visit the project with her son in 1997, fell in love with the black eagle and the rest is history.  For  the past years she rallys the local community around helping the black eagles, in particular to preserve their ever shrinking habitat.  She is feisty woman and takes on huge developers and even the government to speak up for her birds.  The Black Eagles have a great advocate in her!

Wish I could post a few photos of this beautiful place... will do so when I can access the internet with my netbook tomorrow night. 

Off to Paris then on to South Africa!

Ahhhhh!  Where's this?  You got that?  How about the...?  It's scramble time as we pack our bags for our South African wildlife conservation tour.  It's off to the airport in a couple of hours where three cute little grandkids will wave good bye (can do that at the Jacksonville NC airport).  Our cat, Weasel, is staying with our daughter and everything else is safely stored.... we're about good to go then!

Long, wonderful layover in PARIS FRANCE!  How awesome is that?  There I was skimming over the reservation options, looking at the layover times... 11 hours!  We won't do that one... but wait, where is this layover?  PARIS!  Now that's another story.  What an unexpected surprise gift for this trip!

Russ layed out a whirlwind bus tour around this romantic city, along with time for strolling beside the river Seine and of course a stop of to experience the Notre Dame.  You bet we'll be posting photos and sharing the experience.

Then it's on to Jo'burg... 

I Chatted with a Real Hero Today!

On any given day you'll find Christo in the trenches fighting to save yet another rhino from a deadly poacher.

In 2005 Christo co-founded the South African Wildlife Conservation Foundation with the primary objective to preserve South Africa's beautiful wildlife.  Today he is almost obsessed to save the rhino.  For five years  he has sought NPO status without success.  For five years many rhino owe their very lives to Christo and his small group of wildlife warriors.

  

The Endangered Sable Antelope

Today I learned that more than once his hopes for sustainable funding has been dashed. Not too long ago he spent hours providing information, participating in meetings and visits with an outfit professing to help.  Fortunately for all, he discovered just in time that they wanted to turn his safe haven into a hunting ranch!  Then on another occasion, again with hopes for substantial funding on the horizon, it turned out the people only wanted his wildlife to sell off at auction!

With funds low and time elusive Christo hasn't budged from his goal to save the South African wildlife... he is a true warrior who stands firm against the "enemy" no matter how tempting the "mess of pottage" may appear.

Christo is a real hero for South African wildlife.  Thank you Christo!  And I'm sure I speak for many others and especially the hosts of wildlife who owe their existence to you.

Video Contest Finalists!

Awesome videos! Here is one of the great kid's wildlife videos...

[Watch the rest on YouTube.]

So Many New Friends Are Helping Out!

Thanks to all our new friends on Face Book and followers on Twitter! What a grand way to share our adventure with people like you from all over the world.

Here is a rough map of the places we'll be talking to wildlife conservationists and advocates:

We're looking to have many wonderful conversations as we make our visits like...

The Daktari Bush School and meeting Michele and Ian. This dedicated couple gives their time and money to create wildlife advocates out of local children and their families.

The African Bird of Prey Sanctuary is of course also on the list and we look forward to watching Shannon perform her magic with her free flights. Ben and Shannon devote their lives to reverse the trends toward raptor extinction.

Meeting with Will who owns and operates both a TV show and Leopard Rescue (the latter on a shoe string) will be another highlight of this trip. Protecting the leopard and other big cats are Will's passion.

Chatting with Tony who after 22 years finally was ready to fulfill his commitment when he created Monkeyland.

Then there’s Christo who started his own wildlife conservation foundation and is working tirelessly to stem the ever increasing horror of rhino dehorning by poachers.

These folk are a sampling of the diverse wildlife conservationists and advocates working in various parts of South Africa and with diverse endangered or threatened species that are included in this year’s tour.

Since April of 2010 we've devoted our time and resources to develop NIKELA to link people who care with those dedicated to saving the wildlife in South Africa.

Any help to defray the expense of this wildlife conservation tour (around $10,000 for airfare, car rental, accomodations, meals, etc.) is greatly appreciated.

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Send Checks or Money Orders to:

NIKELA

100 Commons Rd Ste 7-417

Dripping Springs, TX 78620