NECF Conservation Field Projects - A World of Success!

With your generous support,  Natural Encounters Conservation Fund (NECF) has been making a difference to wildlife field projects in many regions of the world.

BFREE Harpy Eagle Project

Many Birds of the World Show fans will be familiar with this majestic species from our cast of birds over the years. The BFREE Harpy Eagle Project is an exciting intitiative, monitoring the breeding of the only pair of Harpy Eagles left in Belize, Central America. Researchers in the field are shedding light on the species’ habitat preferences, movements, dispersal and survival of young, and what their favourite prey is on the rainforest menu! NECF funds are assisting this vital work for one of the world’s great raptors.  

World Parrot Trust Blue-throated Macaw Recovery Program

NECF is proud to be a conservation partner with the World Parrot Trust, focusing on one of the world’s critically endangered parrots, the Blue-throated Macaw. Due to poaching and habitat lost in the species’ Bolivian range, populations have fallen dramatically in recent times. Efforts are underway to work with conservation authorities to supplement wild popoulations with captive birds being held specifically for release, hopefully in the near future.   

Vulpro

Vulpro is an organization devoted to the conservation of one of the world’s most misunderstood birds. Asnature’s recycling units, vultures play an essential role in the food chain throughout Africa, Asiaand the Americas. The African Cape Vulture is the focus of Vulpro’s efforts; its survival challenges include habitat loss, poisoning and collisions with powerlines. Vulpro’s programs include rescue, rehabilitation, captive breeding, preservation of wild colonies and release of birds into suitable habitat in South Africa and Namibia, as well as educational outreach to change attitudes and create support for vulture conservation globally. 

Mabula Ground Hornbill Project

This impressive species has appeared in our shows, so we’re delighted to help support field work in stabilizinging the threatened Southern Ground Hornbill in its South African range. The project’s major work is the captive breeding and subsequent recruitment of young hornbills into suitable habitats where they can learn survival skills from established groups in ‘bush training schools.’ Research into population dynamics, genetic profiling and conducting local awarenss campaigns are also helping secure the future of these iconic birds.  

International Rhino Foundation

Rhinos are one of the most famous but also most endangered groups of large mammals on the planet. NECF ‘s ongoing support for the IRF has seen over $40,000 channeled into assisting the conservation of the Javan Rhino, a critically endangered specis found in Indonesia. Conservation fund-raising efforts at the State Fair of Texas began with this worthy project! Our support ensures that rangers are well equipped to monitor rhinos and patrol their habitat in effective anti-poaching units. We’re proud to continue our relationship with IRF, working together to help the Javan rhino and its cousins throughout Asia and Africa.  

Elephants for Africa

Elephants are one of the most beloved animals in the world, but throughout their range conflict with human interests have placed pressure on them in the wild. Dr. Kate Evans is conducting research that will provide information to enable a realistic elephant conservation program to be implemented in Botswana, ensuring that this population remains for generations to come. Her focus is the transition of young bull elephants into adult bachelor groups and what this means for their management in the Okavango Delta, Africa’s greatest elephant stronghold. 

Tarangire Elephant Project (TEP)

Tarangire National Park became a key refuge for African Elephants during the poaching blitzes of the 1970’s and 80’s. Dr. Charles Foley commenced the monitoring of Tarangire’s elephant population in 1993 and has been monitoring elephants to better understand their conservation needs. NECF is especially excited to support the purchase of game cameras to ‘spy’ not only on the elephants, but other animals in the national park. This helps to create a picture of this ecosystem and develop conservation strategies for all the animals that call Tarangire home.  

Moholoholo Rehabilitation Facility

One of NECF’s conservation heroes is Brian Jones. His rehabilitation and education facility in South Africa is responsible for helping orphaned, injured and poisoned wildlife return to the wild. At Moholoholo, passionate wildlife people from all over the planet join Brian in his outstanding work; the contribution he makes to touching the future and safeguarding African wildlife is profound. A vision like Brian’s is very much at the heart of our activities, working towards the creation of a world where we value the rights of all creatures to a safe future in sound ecosystems. 

Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA)

Formed in 2001 in response to the Asian turtle crisis, the TSA is the major force in turtle conservation of critically endangered fresh water turtles and tortoises. One of its most important activities is the coordination of a global network of linked breeding programs, known as Assurance Colonies. This allows diverse groups to share expertise and knowledge to prevent the extinction of these remarkable reptiles. NECF is proud to support the vision of this energetic conservation network.