Protecting Elephants and Rhinos in Malawi

Thank you for supporting and following Earthwatch’s African wildlife conservation efforts in Malawi! Dr. Alison Leslie and her team will resume their research in Majete Wildlife Reserve with the help of Earthwatch volunteers from June  – December 2015. In the meantime, I’m pleased to share with you now some preliminary highlights from the data collected in 2014:

• For the first time, a hyena was radio collared in Malawi.
• Findings from first-ever camera trap use in Majete have confirmed the presence of elusive caracal, serval and civets (medium-sized carnivores); and many more hyena than previously thought. Dr. Leslie says, “This is an exciting find as hyenas were never re-introduced into the park and must be animals that survived the human poaching onslaught in the 80’s and 90’s.”
• Camera traps also helped with the identification and arrest of two poachers.
• Black rhino monitoring was ramped up to include ear notching of newborn rhinos that will reduce the chance of mistaken identities during monitoring, and provide genetic samples to build baseline data on the health of rhino populations.
• Fixed-point photographs taken at 57 sites were used to update Majete vegetation maps from the early 90’s.
• Radio collars were removed from leopards that had been collared as juveniles and had outgrown them.
• Environmental education outreach programs grew, including volunteer visits to schools, and school children visits to the reserve.

None of this data collection would be possible without the ongoing support you provide as a concerned conservationist. On behalf of our scientists, volunteers and staff, thank you again for all that you do for Earthwatch and for African wildlife rescue. We look forward to sharing more results and updates after the 2015 fielding season begins in June!

Sincerely,

Heather Wilcox
Director of Annual Giving & Advancement Services

P.S. Remember, you don’t just have to read about this research from afar… you can participate in it directly as a volunteer! Our 2015 teams are still accepting volunteers. Visit Animals of Malawi in the Majete Wildlife Reserve to learn more about daily life in the field as a wildlife biologist, or to reserve your spot as a volunteer today!

Links:

• Animals of Malawi in the Majete Wildlife Reserve