Elephants and crocodiles kill seven people in Malawian national park

Park's new managers, African Parks, say they will fence Liwonde National Park following the deaths of three poachers and four other people through encounters with crocodiles and elephants

By Aislinn Laing, Johannesburg

6:58PM BST 29 Sep 2015

Elephants and crocodiles have killed seven people in the past two months in one Malawian national park, its new managers have revealed as they prepare to fence in the wildlife.

African Parks, a Johannesburg-based wildlife NGO, said three poachers were among those killed in and around Liwonde National Park, one of the country’s most celebrated tourist attractions in its southern section.

One was killed by an elephant and the other two by crocodiles, while another poacher lost his arm to one of the reptiles, it said.

Two other people died after coming into contact with elephants raiding nearby crops, and another two when they encountered crocodiles outside of the park.

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Postcode Lottery grants £200,000 to Liwonde National Park

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Cynthia Walley

African Parks is pleased to announce that players of People’s Postcode Lottery have awarded the charity £200,000 in funding to be used for the rehabilitation of Liwonde National Park in Malawi.

In July, African Parks concluded a 20 year agreement with the Government of Malawi to manage Liwonde National Park and Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. Liwonde National Park is home to the largest remaining elephant population in Malawi as well as populations of black rhino.

The funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery will be used for the socio-economic development of local communities, to restore the biodiversity of the park, to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources, to reduce the incidence of human-wildlife conflict and to enhance the tourism product. It will also be used for the development of infrastructure which will not only facilitate park operations but also benefit local communities.

Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “We have been impressed by the track record of African Parks when it comes to conservation and I am delighted that the support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery will contribute to the protection of wildlife in Malawi.”

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