What is the problem?
In the heart of Malawi’s Capital City, Lilongwe, lies a Nature Sanctuary; 180 hectares of pristine habitat, with a dazzling array of fauna and flora. In a country that desperately requires economic diversification, the Nature Sanctuary and its proposed development of a modern day Wildlife Centre could hold one of the “golden keys” to creating a greater awareness amongst Malawians of the benefits that tourism could bring to their country.

People and Wildlife – In 2006 Malawi National Parks and Wildlife Service opened discussions with Land and Lake Safaris in an attempt to create a new facility that would help protect the Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary from further degradation, and provide an alternative to the current zoo.  The result, the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, which is to be built in the Nature Sanctuary, is to be created under non-profit making Trust status and it could lead the way, if successful here in Lilongwe, for many other zoos around the World that currently lie in a state of disrepair. 

The PAW (People and Wildlife) concept requires establishments to approach wildlife conservation and wild animal rehabilitation differently, and to look at creating financially stable facilities that will aim to address human related issues through education and recreation

Why is your help needed?
Sanctuary space for Malawi’s wild orphans is urgently required to cater for the many animals traded illegally each year within Malawi, many of which still sit in private household and collections within the cities.  The Centre shall not only provide the care and attention needed to rehabilitate all these animals brought in, it shall also attempt to return its orphans back to the wild, whenever possible, rather than retain them for purely recreational and educational purposes. 

The Centre, under the PAW (People and Widlife) Concept, shall enforce a strict non-breeding (for those animals not being released) and no contact (between visitors and animals) policy and will refrain from selling, trading, exchanging or commercially exploiting any animal.  Where possible the Centre shall support and encourage statutory authorities to enforce and improve legislation that prevents the illegal exploitation and cruel treatment of wildlife, and indeed domestic animals.

What animals are currently at the Sanctuary?
Bump’s Story (a Vervet Monkey)
Bump's mum was carrying him across a road, when a speeding car ploughed into them. Bump’s poor Mum was killed but Bump escaped with black & blue eyes and a huge tyre mark on his head. Even more lucky was the fact that, soon after the accident, one of the Wildlife Centre’s animal carers happened to drive past and noticed him. After being helped back to full health, Bump is now preparing to join the Centre main vervet troop along with other young orphans.

Kambuku’s Story (Leopard)
Kambuku, which is Chichewa for Leopard, was caught in a poachers snare in Nyika National Park resulting in a shattered patella (knee). He was taken to Lilongwe zoo to be treated, but his injury never healed and as a result he remained in a small cage at the zoo for over 10 years. He was moved to the Wildlife Centre in July 2007. His injury means he can never go back to the wild, but at the Centre he has 2,500 sq metres to live out the rest of his days.

Bambi’s Story
In May 2005, Bambi, a 2 week old duiker was found within Area 10.  Her feet were tied, she was being bobbed up and down whilst upside down, at the side of the road.  Bambi was confiscated by National Parks and Wildlife that same day and handed over to one of the carers within Lilongwe and united with another young female named Trixie.  After just six weeks she was off milk and onto solids.  Bambi was brought to the Centre last year to join Mikey…as his new girlfriend!!  It is hoped that in time, once the necessary protocols are in place, that she can be released out onto a safe farm, where she will be able to live out the rest of her life with Mikey.

Djinn’s Story (a Blue Monkey)
Djinn arrived from Holland (AAP) in July of 2007 along with his two brothers Boenoendi and Roeandi, their parents having been illegally traded overseas. Their arrival marked the launch of an International Relocation Programme which allows wild animals traded overseas to return to their region of origin. All three have settled in extremely well and are enjoying their new lives at the Centre. In October 2007 they were joined by another Blue Monkey from Israel.

Becky’s Story (a Yellow Baboon)
Becky was found for sale on the Salima roadside, she was just one week old, her mother having been killed.  Although not the prettiest of babies Becky was certainly adorable and an instant hit; she had her adoptive carer running around in circles after her.   Becky was also an instant hit with Jack’s troop on arriving at the Centre and was integrated very quickly.  She is now almost a year old and is set to be joined by four other young baboons which recently arrived at the Centre.  They are currently sitting in quarantine.  Together they will be returned to the wild in 2008.

Sarah’s Story (a Vervet Monkey)
Sarah’s story is similar to many other orphans at the Centre. She arrived in Lilongwe to be sold, her mother having been killed for bushmeat. She was bought by a Lilongwe resident and kept at their house for almost two years until she proved too much to handle. Those buying orphans at the side of the road are often unaware that their actions are fueling a market and encouraging more traders to travel into the bush to find animals to turn into orphans to be sold.

Education for children
Education is a prerequisite to the success of any developing country, and it is through improved education that a country like Malawi can develop economically and thus improve the lives of its entire people.  Education also ultimately holds the key to wildlife conservation in Malawi (long-term) and it is through facilities such as the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, that a new breed of Malawian conservationists will be born.  It is also hoped that the Centre can help promote conservation and environmental practices within the City, amongst the masses, which should in turn help create greater understanding for and appreciation of, conservation and environmental efforts in the field.

The Centre will offer an arena in which school education programmes can be enhanced and will provide a valuable resource for those involved in the ‘training of trainers’.  It is hoped that within 3-5 years that the Centre will be in a position to reach out to those schools and its teachers that are unable to afford transport and entrance fees to the new Centre through an outreach programme, thus disseminating the conservation message even further afield.

The Centre shall, through the development of partnerships with Government agencies and Non-Governmental organizations, build awareness, provide education and advise on local and national humanitarian issues relevant to Malawians.

Long-term aims of the project
Facilities, like the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, can play a huge role in educating the younger generations (who are largely forgotten in such campaigns) on such issues, and can help disseminate and instil key messages regarding safe sex, malaria prevention and treatment, primary health care, agriculture and healthy living.  Bee keeping, bamboo propagation, use of solar cookers, reforestation and agricultural training are programmes that will be also promoted at the Wildlife Centre through its partners, in order to help disseminate useful and practical information that will support urban and rural communities develop through eco-friendly routes.

Recreation will be an important component of the Centre.  At present, there are very few recreational opportunities for families and groups to enjoy within Lilongwe, and there are certainly no opportunities for the majority of Malawians living within the City to enjoy a true wildlife experience.  Due to the costs of travelling to, and entering one of Malawi’s National Parks or Forest Reserves, the Nature Sanctuary will become the only opportunity for many, to view wild animals, in a semi-wild environment.  The Centre will ultimately provide a very unique facility in which recreation, education, culture and wildlife conservation are combined for the people of Lilongwe to enjoy.

Partner History
QUEST met Lee Stewart, who manages this project in Malawi whilst we were working on our Malawi Orphan and Community Project and we were immediately impressed with his commitment and the aims behind creating the new Lilongwe Wildlife Centre.

The capital has its own zoo which is in a terrible state of repair and the conditions the animals are kept in are shocking. Working together with Lee and the local staff of the Malawi Wildlife Centre, this project aims to develop a self-sustaining, ‘People and Wildlife’ wild animal rescue and education centre that promotes an understanding of animal welfare, wildlife conservation, environmental protection and humanitarian issues and actively engages in wildlife release and conservation programmes.

The new Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is partnered with local Government and NGOs, including the Born Free Foundation, in order to optimise the effectiveness of the key activities.