Wildlife Conservation Malawi Project #17955

Protecting Elephants and Rhinos in Malawi

by Earthwatch Institute

Project Report | Sep 23, 2015
Earthwatch Mid-Year Update from Malawi's Majete Wildlife Reserve

By Heather Wilcox | Director of Annual Giving & Advancement Services

Elephants in Majete

Greetings! We are half way through Earthwatch's Animals of Malawi in the Majete Wildlife Reserve's third year of field research, and already 5 teams of 27 volunteers have travelled to Malawi to work alongside Dr. Alison Leslie as she collects data on elephants, rhinos, impala and other herbivores; carnivores such as leopards, lions, and hyenas; vegetation coverage pre- and post-prescribed burn; and more! 4 additional teams of up to 24 volunteers will round out the 2015 season, which concludes in December.

So far, accomplishments from 2015 include:

A map comparing vegetation coverage at nearly 60 sites from 1990 to present has been constructed.
Three adult lions were re-collared.
A new study on elephant demographics is underway.
Re-introduced impala and waterbucks are flourishing and are being considered for relocation to help re-stock other parks.
African Parks, which manages the Majete Wildlife Reserve, is in the process of adding two more reserves to their portfolio.

With 6 months of active data collection each year, Animals of Malawi in the Majete Wildlife Reserve is one of Earthwatch's lengthiest studies, epitomizing the critical need for ongoing support from generous donors like you. Complex conservation problems are not solved overnight, and Earthwatch is committed to supporting research for as long as is needed to implement sustainable solutions, from a few years to a few decades.

Thank you again for your ongoing support that makes long-term research like this possible. We look forward to sharing more results and updates with you after the 2015 season concludes.

With gratitude,

Heather Wilcox
Director of Annual Giving & Advancement Services
hwilcox@earthwatch.org
978-450-1208

P.S. Remember, you don't just have to read about this research from afar... you can be at the center of the action as an Earthwatch research volunteer! Please follow the link below to see which teams are still accepting volunteers for 2015 and 2016.

Zebras

Black rhinos captured by camera trap

Majete's first collared hyena

Watering hole

Mother elephant and calf

Links:

Animals of Malawi research expedition page

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