A Look Behind the Headlines: Elephant Poaching in Malawi

By TravelWiseNov 24, 2013 12:48 PMOther
Share:
A Look Behind the Headlines: Elephant Poaching in Malawi
A Look Behind the Headlines: Elephant Poaching in Malawi

This Christmas, the Independent – a British Newspaper – is running a campaign to raise money for elephant conservation. The publication earlier this week of an article by the National Geographic highlights just how serious threats against elephants are. Coming from a background in environmental conservation, this issue is something I feel strongly about. To look behind the headlines and see what is happening on the front line, I decided to get in contact with Act to Protect, a conservation group involved in anti-poaching operations that works around the Kasungu National Park, Malawi.

1 – Can you give me a bit of background information about the Kasumbu National Park and the Elephant population of the park?

Kasungu NP is about 2.300 km2, making it the second largest park in Malawi. Reportedly, it used to be one of the best parks in Africa before. A few decades ago we had 2,000 Elephants. The park was famous for the enormous elephant and buffalo herds.

By now, only very few elephants remain*. The principal reason for their decline is poaching. *Estimated numbers not to be published for security reasons.

2 – What are the biggest pressures/ problems that Kasungu National Park faces?

In terms of law enforcement, this year we was really busy with a lot of encroachment from the Zambian side but also from Malawi. However, the situation with the Zambian encroachers seems to be resolved for now.

Of course poaching is the main issue we have, but it is not as simple as it looks. Poaching, as we all may understand comes partly from villages outside the park. I will say, we have to fight on a lot of different frontlines at the same time…

-In the field we have to implement different new tactics, new technologies and better equipment for the scouts who pass their time walking, sleeping and fighting in the bush. -We are working on education programs in schools, to involve and teach the kids why they should take care of their environment. -Find alternatives with and for the villagers around the park, sometimes theses villagers have no other choice to survive then go in the park to poach. – As in a lot of African countries, corruption is always a risk. This is of course hard to detect and fight. – The sanctions that used to be given to arrested poachers by magistrates and judges was not very high, so poachers didn’t risk much going into the park. DNPW has now invited them to the park and discussed the importance of conserving wildlife with them. Since that, we have seen better sanctions and this is really a big step forward! – Lastly, of course, money is always a problem when you work in wildlife conservation. Finding funding for the projects is always a (time-consuming) challenge.

3 – In your opinion, how much of the decline of the elephant population within the Kasungu National park is the result of habitat loss through land pressure (deforestation, desertification, etc.) and how much is the result of poaching?

In the case of Kasungu, at the moment poaching is the principal reason of the decline of the elephant population. Although deforestation and encroachment are an issue, these appear to play a smaller role in elephant populations sizes.

4 – Approximately how many park wardens are working at the Kasungu National Park?

Not enough… (I can’t say more for security reasons)

5 – Can you give me an idea of an average working week in the life of a park warden (how frequently they patrol, how long they patrol for, how often do they encounter poachers, etc.)?

Again for security reasons I can’t tell much… we encounter poachers often and we patrol enough days. The problem before, was the efficiency on patrol. We have now changed tactics and it is paying off.

It is not an easy job patrolling in the bush; we have a lot of terrain to cover in hard conditions. For this reason, we implement more and more ‘’air-control’’ and high-tech methods, to make our job easier. We also have a plan to get anti-poaching dogs but again, this needs long term funding.

6 – Elephant poaching obviously grabs the headlines, but what other animals are being poached within the Kasungu National Park?

Bushpigs and warthogs, buffalo, different antelopes and hares. In the early days also crocodile and rhino, but they are already extinct now. Lions are also at risk, we have about a handful left.

7 – Can you tell me about the poachers operating in the Kasungu National Park (are there professional heavily armed poachers operating in the park who outgun the wardens or are they mainly local farmers with a rifle)?

We have different types of poachers: • Subsistence poachers: using snares and spear, but they may also use handmade guns. • Commercial poachers: using snares, spear, handmade guns, shot guns, or larger calibers • Professional poachers: e.g. Asian mafia, highly trained men, well equipped and motivated, using AK47 mostly. This last category is not often seen in KNP.

8 – Do most of the poachers come from across the border in Zambia or are they locals from Malawi?

Both sides.

9 – In 2000, a report was released alleging systematic human rights abuse conducted by game wardens against poachers in the Liwonde National Park. Is this/ has this ever been an issue at the Kasungu National Park?

No, but the Zambians did complain about how our scouts handled them. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife had a meeting about this, in Zambia. It is now solved.

10 – What judicial penalties do poachers face once they have been caught by game wardens?

It is depending on what they were doing in the park, but overall it used to be low. At the moment, we do have good relations with magistrates and they understand better why wildlife is important for the country. We have now seen poachers get a big fine or some years in prison.

11 – Is the judicial system effective in dealing with the poachers once they have been caught by the game wardens or do you see the same poachers consistently re-offending?

Exceptions do exist, but I don’t often hear that we encounter the same people repeatedly in Kasungu.

12 – Finally; a lack of alternative employment opportunities is often given as one of the prime causes of poaching. Are there any programmes are in place locally to help create employment opportunities for people living in rural communities?

Our foundation ACT to Protect just started in Kasungu NP. Our SHARE program is aimed towards identifying and setting up alternative businesses for people in surrounding communities so they will get an income out of other sources. The most important thing is that the entrepreneur needs to be motivated. So they have to come with an idea, and if feasible and sustainable we assist with making it happen. If you want to visit the area and support the organisation, you can stay at Lifupa Conservation Lodge, in Kasungu National Park (run by our foundation ACTTo Protect), stay a few nights in the beautiful surroundings. You can relax in this serene place and the money guests spend will also be used for protection of nature and wildlife in and around Kasungu NP. Of course the lodge employs people from surrounding communities.

Apart from ACT to Protect, other organisations such as WESM are actively involved in this area. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife is also working on a benefit sharing scheme for this purpose.

Top Articles
The best California resorts for a flawless vacation, stacked with recommendations and traveler reviews

The best California resorts for a flawless vacation, stacked with recommendations and traveler reviews

Mar 28, 2024 11:18 AM
Top 9 hotels in Atlantic City: with luxury accommodations, beautiful ocean views and exclusive entertainment

Top 9 hotels in Atlantic City: with luxury accommodations, beautiful ocean views and exclusive entertainment

Mar 27, 2024 21:49 PM

The best hotels in Kyoto are full for a vacation or comfortable for an overnight stay. Good stops for any purpose in the city

Mar 27, 2024 17:00 PM

Top best nudist resorts in the US for barrier-free vacations. Stay and body comfort

Mar 27, 2024 13:04 PM
More News
Sri Lanka: 5 places to visit in Anuradhapura

Sri Lanka: 5 places to visit in Anuradhapura

Mar 28, 2024 11:02 AM
Travelling without stops and obstacles: 5 benefits of campervans

Travelling without stops and obstacles: 5 benefits of campervans

Mar 28, 2024 10:48 AM

A Culinary Journey Through the Cotswolds: A Springtime Food Weekend

Mar 28, 2024 10:30 AM

SAS Reveals Financial Performance Amid Restructuring Efforts

Mar 28, 2024 09:34 AM
Left hand picking vegetable on plate

The Green Gold of Japan: A Journey into Wasabi Village

Mar 28, 2024 08:30 AM
10 must-see places in Istanbul are named

10 must-see places in Istanbul are named

Mar 28, 2024 08:04 AM
A chocolate cake with flowing chocolate ganache, served with sliced strawberries on a wooden board

Emirates Delights Passengers with Easter Festivities Onboard and in Lounges

Mar 28, 2024 07:36 AM
Unexpected trips and travels await three zodiac signs

Unexpected trips and travels await three zodiac signs

Mar 28, 2024 07:00 AM
White passenger plane in mid air during daytime

Sky-High Cuisine: Airlines Elevate Vegan Offerings

Mar 28, 2024 06:30 AM

A photo exhibition in Sweden stimulates tourism to China

Mar 28, 2024 06:15 AM

Top 10 places for a perfect romantic getaway in spring

Mar 28, 2024 06:02 AM
Airplane interior with passengers standing in the aisle during boarding or deplaning, showing packed overhead bins and a full cabin

United Airlines Enhances Travel Experience with New Overhead Bins on E175 Aircraft

Mar 28, 2024 05:32 AM
Three zodiac signs will experience unique features in communication and self-expression: March horoscope

Three zodiac signs will experience unique features in communication and self-expression: March horoscope

Mar 28, 2024 05:30 AM
Growing awareness: Indians are actively transitioning to eco-friendly travel

Growing awareness: Indians are actively transitioning to eco-friendly travel

Mar 28, 2024 05:02 AM
White and red passenger plane in the sky

Near-Miss Over Somaliland Averted by Quick-Thinking ATC

Mar 28, 2024 04:30 AM

Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris offers outdoor dining

Mar 28, 2024 03:35 AM

The most unfavorable days of March 2024: some zodiac signs will be in danger

Mar 28, 2024 03:30 AM
A group of blue and white jetliners sitting on top of an airport tar

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Innovates with Self-Driving Buses in Sustainability Push

Mar 28, 2024 02:30 AM
Actors girl and boy on the castle walls

Four Seasons Hampshire Hotel will host two theater performances

Mar 28, 2024 01:32 AM
Misunderstandings may arise in romantic relationships: Chinese horoscope for March 28

Misunderstandings may arise in romantic relationships: Chinese horoscope for March 28

Mar 28, 2024 01:30 AM
White passenger plane under blue sky during daytime

Delta Air Lines Soars to $10.8 Billion in Brand Value

Mar 28, 2024 00:30 AM
Lyon

Unforgettable experiences await you: what you absolutely must do in Lyon

Mar 27, 2024 23:58 PM

Passengers of an Alaska Airlines flight filed a lawsuit after a window blew out during the flight

Mar 27, 2024 23:50 PM

Possible conflicts within the environment: Chinese horoscope for March 28

Mar 27, 2024 23:40 PM
A person examining a сard while using a laptop

Barclays and Breeze Airways Elevate Air Travel with New Visa Signature Card

Mar 27, 2024 23:32 PM
A ski resort where skiing is not obligatory

A ski resort where skiing is not obligatory

Mar 27, 2024 23:17 PM