Tag Archives: Kasungu National Park

Human Rights, Malawi

CDEDI demands IFWA’s protective measure against animal attacks on people surrounding Kasungu National Park

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s civil rights group Centre for Democracy Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) gives International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFWA) 14 days to provide safety to life threatening from animals around Kasungu National Park.

The demands come following 12 lives being lost due to elephants attacks on people.

According to CDEDI and Warm Heart Initiative (WHI) thousands of vulnerable and marginalized citizens in Malawi and Zambia are paying price for IFWA’s criminal negligence, “clearly mirrored through the questionable translocation of elephants when they were fully aware that park was not ready for the task, communities were not informed and adequately protected from the dangers posed by these animals”.

CDEDI demands to IFAW, “Immediate relief food distribution to the affected people in Malawi and Zambia.

“Construction of proper electric wire fence on the Zambian side which must meet the same standards as the one erected on the Malawi side”.

CDEDI adds, “Compensation for the deaths, injuries, loss of business and crops caused by the elephants.

“We thereby gives IFAW 14 days to do the needful. Failure to do so will force CDEDI to take reasonable and rational action to achieve the desired goal”.

The conflict is stemming from the July 2022 decision by IFAW to translocate 263 elephants from Liwonde to Kasungu National Park in total disregard of the fact that sanctity of human life reigns supreme over animal welfare.

Environment, Travel & Tourism

Malawi Tourism: Cheetahs return to Malawi after decades

MaraviPost

A Cheetah is released into a boma at Liwonde National Park as part of the translocation to restore predators to the park. Photo by African Parks / Frank Weitzer

On May 17, conservation non-profit African Parks, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) flew four African cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) from South Africa and reintroduced them to Liwonde National Park in southern Malawi.

The cheetahs have been moved into special enclosures called bomas for now, where the animals will learn to adapt to their new home under constant supervision. After spending some time in the bomas, the cheetahs will be released into the wider park, African Parks said in a statement. The animals are the first large predator to be reintroduced into Liwonde, and are said to be in good health. Continue reading Malawi Tourism: Cheetahs return to Malawi after decades →

Top News

Three lions escape from Kasungu National Park; Govt deploys rangers, warns communities against walking at night

Henry Chizimba

KASUNGU-(MaraviPost)-Three lions reportedly escaped from Kasungu National Park on Wednesday morning to a nearby Bua community, raising fear amongst the populace.

This is the first time for lions to escape from the country’s reserve whose reasons remain scratchy for the wild animals to spurt.

Director of National Parks and Wildlife, Bryton Kumchedwa confirmed the reports saying rangers have been deployed to hunt for and bring back the lions into the forest reserves.

Kumchedwa assured the public that the department is treating the matter with urgency that the freed wild animals, should not harm the communities.

He however warned the villages to carefully heed the freed lions reports and that they be on alert by among others, avoid moving about at night.

“We have indeed received reports that three lions have escaped from Kasungu National Park. We are treating the reports with urgency. This is the reason we have deployed rangers to bring back the freed animals into the reserve.

“Will give the public a full report of the exercise as to why the lions escaped from the national park. However, we are warning the surrounding communities particularly Bua, to be on alert on anything with strange animal voices. They should avoid travelling at night as these are carnivores whose prey is meat including people,” Kumchedwa warned.

Meanwhile rangers report they spotted footprints of two large lions and those of a small one.

They followed the trail, however report they lost the footprint trail.

They have been advised to remain in the suspected area until they find them.

The area in question is Chinkhoma which is about 120kms to Lilongwe City.

Experts at the Nature Sanctuary in Lilongwe have advised the searching team to concentrate the hunt on the river banks or towards homes with livestock like goats.