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 "",
The Song of the Lioness theme being played up in the series has been a big part towards the use of these novels in classes as it teaches some of the faults towards bullying and what is wrong with it and why this book is worth teaching. American author Tamora Pierce published "Alanna: The First Adventure," the first book in "The Song of the Lioness" quartet, in 1969. Tamora Pierce is said to have turned to writing at a young age as a means of escape from a troubled family life. Pierce drew much of her inspiration from other fantasy series such as The Lord