Update: Majete Wildlife Reserve is Malawi's only Big Five park
3rd September 2012
Following the official lion release on Saturday (1 September), Majete Wildlife Reserve has now become Malawi's only Big Five park
The three lions landed in Malawi, after a long journey from South Africa, on the 30 July and spent a few weeks in quarantine.
Shire, Sapitwa and Chimwala, were officially released on Saturday (1 September). Reports say they are all in good health and since their release have started to explore the area upstream of the Mkulumadzi River. The lions have reportedly made several kills, which is also good news.
The three animals will be closely monitored over the next few months – those involved with the project hope the lions (one female and two male) could breed and have cubs within the next 9-12 months.
A spokesperson for Robin Pope Safaris, who have opened one of only two lodges in the park, said: “Majete Wildlife Reserve is now officially a Big Five game park, the only one in Malawi and we couldn’t be more pleased that we were able to achieve this.”
17/08/2012: Majete Wildlife Reserve to become Malawi's only Big Five park
Later this month the Majete Wildlife Reserve in Malawi will be reinstated with a Big Five status
The "Big Five" consists of lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros. No other park in Malawi has the status but the reintroduction of a lion population will complete the Big Five for Majete.
Three lions will be translocated to the park from South Africa. The park has already been restocked with over 2,500 animals, with leopards being reintroduced back in October 2011 and again in January 2012.
The reserve is located in the southern Malawi’s Lower Shire Valley. The 70,000 hectare park was granted protected status back in 1955 but was still subjected to massive poaching problems, particularly in the 80s and 90s. The poaching took its toll on the park and a large number of mammals were lost.
Since 2003 there has been extensive efforts made by local authorities to restore the park to its original state. In nine years there has been $12million dollars (just over £7.5million) spent on the project to carry this out.
The work has been led by the philanthropic African Parks Network who agreed with the Malawi government to take control of the park.
The transformation of the park has been great news for the Malawi community and the very people who poached in the park are now the gamekeepers who watch over the animals.
Chris McIntyre, Managing Director of Malawi specialist tour operator Expert Africa, said: “The re-introduction of lion, to add to Majete's growing population of leopard, is a massive coup for Malawian tourism."
Robin Pope Safaris are a Zambia and Malawi safari specialist operator who have worked with numerous African Parks and have opened one of only two lodges in the park.
Learn more about wildlife in Malawi with the next issue of Wanderlust travel magazine – out on 27 September!
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