A pair of our leopards has officially been released in
Malawi, with another 2 following by the end of this month. We are all anxiously
following their movements by their GPS collars, they seem to be doing fine in
their new home and we’ve been able to establish they both have made kills!. Sending our leopards to Malawi has raised many questions. With such abundance of leopards in the wild, authorities have been considering putting down the “problem” ones who are being pushed out due to territorial fights, as they seem to have a taste for cattle or expensive game. Facing this new problem we are grateful to be a part of this wonderful experience of being able to send leopards elsewhere.
The leopards moved to Majete
Wildlife Reserve in Malawi as part of a repopulation initiative started in 2003
by Dr Anthony Hall Martin, African Parks, Enviro Affairs and many others. In
the 2003 the area of about 75.000 hectares had virtually no animals left. 30
animals were counted, this including duikers and warthogs. With a lot of
community work they have now been able to make the community feel and care
about these animals, as this new reserve gives employment to over 2500 people.
The interesting thing is that the people that viciously protect the animals in
the reserve are the same ones that nearly 10 years ago were poaching them.
Having reintroduced more that 400 elephants, buffalo, sable antelope, 12 black
rhinos, etc. it was now the turn for the predators. Only lions and leopards
will be re introduced in the area as these are the ones that we have historical
records of living in the area. They are looking to introduce 8 leopards and the
lions will be only coming next year and so the project can be “finalized” in
the term of reintroducing animals. It’s been a great success because we’ve
managed to do our small bit and help reintroduce wildlife where humans had
almost extinguished them, and this is makes us very proud!.
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