Shaba National Reserve resident white-headed vulture, martial eagle and yellow-billed oxpecker, the last of which is fairly common. The park was made famous by Joy Adamson and the lioness Elsa, subjects of the 1966 film "Born Free". In January 1980 Adamson was murdered in the reserve, where there is a monument to her. The film "Out of Africa" was shot in part within the reserve, as were various other TV shows and commercials that take advantage of the wildlife and dramatic scenery. In 2001, two thirds of the park was sealed off for four months while a CBS crew shot episodes of "",
Mara the Lioness earlier when they had attempted to release her back into the wild. Eventually only Ugas was released into the Meru Game Reserve. It was decided that Mara was too tame and she and the other lionesses should be relocated to Whipsnade Park. Just prior to her departure Mara gave birth to male and female twin cubs, sired by Ugas during the filming of "Born Free". In 1966, Irene Grindlay wrote a book titled "Velvet Paws" which detailed the life of Mara up to and including her appearance in the movie "Born Free". ""We have no reason to reproach ourselves. We