By Nico Prins
This Christmas the Independent – a British Newspaper – is running a campaign to raise money for elephant conservation. 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.
On Patrol, Kasungu National Park
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 2300 squared km. 15 years ago we had 2000 Elephants. This year, there are only about 60 left I think… This is because of poaching (Ivory and bushmeat) and encroachment activities.
2 – What are the biggest pressures/ problems that Kasungu National Park faces?
Woodcutting, settling down a village in the NP, bushmeat and elephant killing. Lack of Government support, lack of education, lack of alternatives for villagers. Not motivated, not trained scouts.
The elephant population of Kasungu National Park continues to decline
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?
That is a hard question….I think habitat loss is more of an issue now than it was before. Ten years ago the poaching was much more….but because there are not many elephants left, it’s more difficult to kill one….
4 – Approximately how many park wardens are working at the Kasungu National Park?
Not enough…only 35.
Reconnaisance, Kasungu National Park
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.)?
They go on patrol for 15 days a month. These patrols are not sufficient….they sleep during the night, while at night the most poaching takes place. The patril is, they say 5 days. But day 1= pick up and drop off at the place. Day 2-4 = walking patrols, from one camp, based on one place. Day 5 = pick up early in the moring, going back home. They use fire to cook for themselves…..(poachers will see that !) And many more things that need to be changed….
6 – Elephant poaching obviously grabs the headlines, but what other animals are being poached within the Kasungu National Park?
Bushpigs, different antilopes, rabbits, warthogs. In the early days also crocodile and rhino, but they are already extinct now. Also lion and leopard fort heir fur. Lions , we have maybe three left, leopard more.
Elephants bathing, Kasungu National Park
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)?
Different types of poachers: the ones with snares and spear, no gun. And the ones with hand made guns, kind of M16. They also make their own amunition.
8 – Do most of the poachers come from across the border in Zambia or are they locals from Malawi?
Both sides. But the Zambians are harder to catch because of law.
Rangers hope to add a drone to the standard field kit.
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?
Yep, the Zambians complain about how our scouts handle them. Department of national parks and Wildlife had a meeting in July about this, in Zambia.
10 – What judicial penalties do poachers face once they have been caught by game wardens?
….just a small fine…or 1 day jail….
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?
I don’t know this figure, but I do know that the system is not effective enough.
Elephants by the Lifupa Conservation Lodge
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 that we like to set up alternatives for villagers so they will get money out of other sources. Most important thing is that a villager needs to be motivated. So THEY have to come with an idea, we help them. 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 Act To Protect), stay a few nights in the beautiful surroundings, nice relaxing serene place and the money they spend will also be used for protection of Nature and Wildlife in and around Kasungu NP