African Parks says it is seeking a renewal of its management contract with the Malawi Government to build on two decades of biodiversity conservation achievements at Majete Wildlife Reserve in Chikwawa District.
African Park manager John Adendorff said in an interview on Sunday that the organisation has written the Department of National Parks and Wildlife to request more years as the current contract expires in a year.
“The next phase will deepen existing work,” he said.
our work. | Andrew Tembo
African Parks signed its first agreement to manage Majete Wildlife Reserve in 2003 when poaching had wiped out most large animals. Since then, over 2 900 animals from 14 species have been reintroduced, including black rhinos in 2003, elephants in 2006, lions in 2012 and giraffes in 2018.
The reserve’s community development manager Dixie Makwale said the 715-square-kilometre facility now hosts more than 12 000 animals and has recorded zero rhino or elephant poaching since 2003.
“The reserve now holds over 400 elephants and 28 lions among its Big Five species, which also include black rhino, leopard and buffalo,” he said.
Makwale said Majete is also rehabilitating Temminck’s ground pangolins, the world’s most trafficked mammal.
He said 16 pangolins confiscated by Malawi Police and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife are currently under care in the park.
Tourism has grown from fewer than 1 000 visitors in 2003 to 9 800 in 2024, according to Makwale.
“Tourism revenue is reinvested into ranger patrols, wildlife monitoring systems and community projects such as schools, clinics and irrigation schemes. Conservation without people is not sustainable,” he said.
Senior Chief Kanduku of Mwanza District commended African Parks for wildlife management and community development.
He said the reserve supports over 120 students in secondary schools and universities with bursaries and provides teaching and learning materials worth millions to surrounding schools.
The chief said the reserve also supports Fumbi Irrigation Scheme and Namisempha Beekeeping Cooperative in Mwanza District.
Part of Majete Wildlife Reserve is also in Mwanza District.
