Kasungu National Park

Source: DTE

Context: Kasungu National Park is in news as communities along the Malawi-Zambia border have initiated legal action against the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) due to increased human-elephant conflicts after relocating 263 elephants into the park.

About Kasungu National Park:

• Location: Central Region of Malawi, west of Kasungu town, approximately 175 km north of Lilongwe, bordering Zambia.

• Established: 1970, second-largest park in Malawi, covering 2,316 sq km.

• Controlled by: Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW).

• Rivers within Park: Dwangwa, Lingadzi, Lifupa (important for hippo sightings at Lifupa Lodge).

• Local Tribes: Predominantly inhabited by Chewa people.

• Key Features Flora:

• Flora:

• Primarily Miombo woodland.

• Grassy wetlands or dambos along river channels. Fauna:

• Fauna:

• Major Wildlife: Elephants, Sable antelope, Roan antelope, Kudus, Impalas, Hartebeest, Zebras, African Buffaloes.

• Conservation: Designated Lion Conservation Unit since 2005.

• Current Issue:

• Elephant Relocation: 263 elephants moved from Liwonde National Park to Kasungu in 2022 by Malawi’s DNPW, African Parks, and IFAW.

• Elephants frequently enter nearby villages, causing at least 12 deaths and crop damage affecting over 11,000 villagers, leading to significant financial losses.

About International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW):

• What is IFAW?

• A leading global non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to animal welfare and conservation. Established: In 1969 by Brian Davies. Headquarters: Based in the USA, with operations spanning over 40 countries.

• A leading global non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to animal welfare and conservation.

• Established: In 1969 by Brian Davies.

• Headquarters: Based in the USA, with operations spanning over 40 countries.

• Objective:

• Protect and rescue individual animals and wildlife populations globally. Conserve natural habitats to maintain ecological balance.

• Protect and rescue individual animals and wildlife populations globally.

• Conserve natural habitats to maintain ecological balance.

• Key Functions:

• Wildlife Rescue: Saving animals from emergencies, natural disasters, or exploitation. Habitat Preservation: Ensuring safe ecosystems through habitat restoration projects. Advocacy: Promoting strong legal frameworks and public policies to protect animals. Public Awareness: Educating communities on coexistence and animal welfare.

• Wildlife Rescue: Saving animals from emergencies, natural disasters, or exploitation.

• Habitat Preservation: Ensuring safe ecosystems through habitat restoration projects.

• Advocacy: Promoting strong legal frameworks and public policies to protect animals.

• Public Awareness: Educating communities on coexistence and animal welfare.