PARAHAWKING NEWS - June 2012
 Wow! This season came and went in a flash, for many reasons i'd say it was our most successful season to date. As ever Kevin and Bob, our two stars, were impeccably behaved. I for one never get tired of flying with them, I don't think I ever will. Like every season, we introduced the marvel of sharing the sky with our birds to a miriad of passengers, young and old and from all walks of like. For most people, their Parahawking flight was an experience of a lifetime and for many we made their dreams come true.
Anita and I managed to fulfil one of our dreams too, to get married on a beach, no dress code required. We wrapped up the season with a month long wedding and honeymoon combo on the beautiful white golden Goan beaches. It was truly an unforgettable time spent with all our families together for the first time.
BLUE SKY PARAGLIDING
 Parahawking moved home at the beginning of the season and we are delighted to be working with Blue Sky Paragliding, one of the most established and well respected paragliding companies in Nepal. This also gave us the opportunity to train some of the Blue Sky Paragliding pilots for Parahawking flights. We bid a sad farewell to Elli Mota and welcomed Jessica Love, Damu Parajuli and Shanka Parajuli to the team. We'll continue the training this coming season with more of the Blue Sky team.
Visit the Blue Sky Paragliding website for information on Paragliding courses in Nepal:
www.paragliding-nepal.com
CBBC - DEADLY 60 - 5th June 2012
 One of the highlights for us this year was working with the BBC on their incredibly popular Deadly 60 wildlife program. It was truly an honour and a privilege to have them here for a few days. We've done a fair bit of TV over the years but there's nothing quite like the professionalism of the BBC. Popular presenter Steve Backshall and crew were in Nepal to film Tigers, Rhinos and Vultures but most importantly to fly with our very own Egyptian Vultures Kevin and Bob. The show aires in the UK on the 5th June at 7.45am and again at 4.30pm on the CBBC channel. During our flight, you'll hear Steve confess "This is one of the coolest things I've ever done in my life". Now that's saying something, because Steve Backshall has done a lot of cool stuff.
Click here to see a preview
PARAHAWKING IN NEPAL 2012/2013 - BOOK NOW!
 The 2012/2013 Parahawking season could get off to a slightly earlier start this year. Due to popular demand, we'll try to get our birds in the air by around mid October. We've also introduced a new 2 night Parahawking and accommodation package. We're now taking bookings for the following Parahawking activities and Falconry lessons:
Please note: All Parahawking activities have very limited availability, please book in advance to ensure a place.
HIMALAYAN RAPTOR RESCUE & VULTURES
 As always Parahawking is more than just sharing the sky with a trained bird of prey. Through Parahawking we are able to support our Himalayan Raptor Rescue facility and vulture conservation projects in Nepal. This year we finally managed to replace our rotting old thatched roof with a shiny long lasting slate lid on the main aviaries. Not only was the thatch expensive to replace but was also unhealthy for our birds, causing potential respiratory problems, so it's a relief all round to have removed it for good. Thanks to all those that donated funds and sponsored the build. It wasn't cheap and we couldn't have done it without your help.
Sadly we have had a set back with the Vulture Restaurant project just outside of Pokhara. Just over 1 month ago, a landslide in the mountains caused the Seti river to flood, this caused massive destruction with many villages destroyed and even lives were lost. The site of the vulture restaurant was located on the banks of the river and consequently suffered some considerable damage. In addition, many of the 40 or so cows that were housed at the facility got washed away in the flood. We are are now in the process of re building the site. Parahawking has pledged to donate $2100 USD towards the rebuild fund. If you would like to contribute to the fund by making a donation, please contact me on - info@parahawking.com
Himalayan Raptor Rescue is continuing to rescue birds of prey and are hoping to expand our facilities by building some new aviaries. We have rescued and released more birds this year then any other year but we need your continued help to fund this tireless work. If you would like to make a donation or even sponsor one of our birds, then please visit the website:
www.himalayanraptorrescue.org
SHARE THE SKY - SAVE THE VULTURES
 Share the sky is a new campaign inspired by Parahawking to try to do more for Vulture conservation.
Our is mission is simple, to spread the message of vulture conservation, to inspire and encourage the international flying community to participate and contribute to the global conservation effort to protect our vultures and prevent their extinction.
If you are involved in the flying community in any way and would like to join the campaign. Please go to the website:
www.share-the-sky.org
We are also looking for representatives to help us promote this campaign in different regions around the world, please contact me via the website for more details.
JOIN THE PARAHAWKING TEAM IN NEPAL - 2012/2013
We are once again on the lookout for potential candidates to fill the bird handling/trainer position in Nepal. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
For more details and to apply - Click here
FLIGHT FOR SURVIVAL DVD - OUT NOW!
 THE NEW AWARD WINNING PARAHAWKING MOVIE
The film is essentially about the decline of Asia's vultures and how Parahawking is contributing to the conservation effort by promoting awareness, education and funds. It also follows us as we face some political problems and we struggle to rehabilitate a wild Steppe Eagle. It's an emotional journey of highs and lows but above all an honest account of our life in Nepal whilst we strive to find ways to promote Vulture conservation.
The film which was written, produced and directed by ourselves (Scott Mason, Martin Cray and Andi Campbell-Waite) has taken the best part of two years to put together. It has already received an awards for Best Human Adventure Film at the Coup Icare Inernational Free Flight Film Festival and for Conservation Message at the Missoulla Wildlife Film Festiva.
We will be donating £1 from the sale of EVERY DVD to the ongoing development of the Pokhara Vulture Safe Zone project that Parahawking has been supporting over the last couple of years.
BUY NOW - from the Flight For Survival website
BUY NOW - from the Parahawking website
Or go to the Flight For Surival website for more details about the film:
www.flightforsurvival.com
PARAHAWKING T-SHIRT DESIGN COMPETITION
 Design the new Parahawking t-shirt for the 2012/2013 season using the image to the right and win some great stuff.
Get creative using this amazing Parahawking image as your inspiration. We'll choose our favourite design, put it on this seasons t-shirt AND give you a FREE Flight For Survival DVD PLUS a FREE Parahawking flight and of course a free t-shirt with your own design.
Send me an email if you need the full resolution picture to work on your designs. Then email your designs to me - scott@parahawking.com
Note: we have just exdended the deadline to the 12th June 2012.
PARAHAWKING SHOP - NOW OPEN!
With a growing demand for Parahawking t-shirts, we've put together a range of merchandise including mens and womens t-shirts and tops plus some kids, baby wear and Parahawking mugs.
All of the products are available here - www.zazzle.com/parahawking.com
FACEBOOK & TWITTER
 Facebook and Twitter has proven to be a useful way to communicate and interact with our fans. We regularly update stories, news and gossip plus it's the place where you can see the now famous PARAHAWKING PICTURE OF THE DAY
Here are the Facebook pages that you should join.
www.facebook.com/parahawking
www.facebook.com/flightforsurvival
www.facebook.com/mayadevivillage
www.facebook.com/himalayanraptorrescue
www.facebook.com/sharethesky
...and follow us on Twitter
www.twitter.com/parahawking
PARAHAWKING GOES VIRAL
 Our Youtube videos have always attracted a bit of attention over the years but then suddenly bam, one of them went from 10,000 views right up to 160,000 views almost overnight. Of course I'm not complaining, the more people get to see them the better, but now I would like to see it get even more hits, is a million too much to ask? Probably but there's only one way to try and thats if everyone who reads this newsletter, watches the video then shares it on their Facebook page or Twitter then who knows. So if you haven't seen it yet, click on the image to the right or the link below and share away!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDG9jXvXhyQ
OUR PARTNERS
Parahawking is a concept in paragliding, it's an activity that allows a closer interaction with birds of prey in their own environment than ever before. In order for us to offer this experience to the general public we need the support and assistance of local paragliding companies. We are pleased to be working with Blue Sky Paragliding in Nepal
Blue Sky Paragliding - Is one of the longest established and most respected Paragliding companies in Nepal. They have a loyal and experienced team of Nepali and foreign pilots who provide Tandems, courses, guiding and expeditions.
SPONSORS & SUPPORT
MAIN SPONSOR
GIN Gliders - Paraglider manufacturer - www.gingliders.com
Additional Support
Ben Long Falconry - Falconry Equipment supplier- www.benlongfalconry.com
UK Airsports - Paragliding Equipment, UK Gin Dealer - www.ukairsports.co.uk
Marshall Radio Telemetry - Radio tracking for birds - www.marshallradio.com
Go Pro Cameras - www.gopro.com
The Identity Store - Leather suppliers - www.theidentitystore.co.uk
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