Malawi Government Ministers gather at Kasungu National Park

(Lilongwe, Malawi – 14 September 2022) The Government of Malawi has sent five senior Ministers to inspect developments at Kasungu National Park where 263 elephants were recently moved as part of a restocking exercise.

IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) has been active in Kasungu NP since 2015, virtually halting poaching of wildlife, upgrading infrastructure and supporting livelihood projects for surrounding communities.

“The visit by so many Government Ministers to Kasungu NP is unprecedented and a great honour,” says Patricio Ndadzela, IFAW Regional Director for Malawi and Zambia.

“The Ministers are here to appreciate progress made by the partnership between Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and IFAW, but also to compare IFAW’s conservation model with other conservation models in Malawi”.

The working visit includes a guard of honour and parade by wildlife rangers, as well as tours of project activities including the environmental education centre, airfield, staff compound, school and IFAW Operations Centre.

Ministers in attendance included:

• Honourable Dr Michael Usi, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Wildlife
• Honourable Gospel Kazako, Minister of Information
• Honourable Vera Kamtukule, Minister of Labour
• Honourable Jacob Hara, Ministerof Transport and Public Works
• Honourable Sosten Gwengwe, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs

Kasungu is the second largest national park in Malawi covering 2,100 square kilometres. In July 2022, 691 new wild animals were translocated to Kasungu NP including 263 elephants—other species translocated included buffalo, sable, impala, waterbuck and warthog. The increase in wildlife in the national park is expected to benefit Malawi tourism as well as communities through job creation, by supporting a conservation-driven economy.

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) 
IFAW is a global non-profit helping animals and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we’re up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organizations and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. See how at ifaw.org

Press Contact:
Christina Pretorius
Communications Manager Southern Africa
m: +27 (0) 82 330 2558
e: cpretorius@ifaw.org