By Pemphero Malimba:
The Department of National Parks and Wildlife has linked recent cases of wild animals escaping from protected areas to dry conditions.
The department says dry conditions affect the animals’ food security situation.
The department’s director Brighton Kumchedwa disclosed this to The Daily Times Wednesday following wildlife-human conflict cases registered in some parts of the country.
“Sometimes, it’s because water [streams] are dry and there is inadequate feed in the reserves. So, when they smell the feed outside the reserves, the animals try to see feed outside— where they now find crops in people’s fields,” Kumchedwa said.
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He said the department was aware of recent cases.
Kumchedwa said efforts had been enhanced to bring back wild animals to the reserves.
“When we receive the reports, the first option is that we try to bring the animals back to the reserves. Should that fail, we try to kill at least one to scare the others,” he said.
In recent weeks, some community members in Mzimba, Lilongwe and Mangochi districts have been living in fear following the presence of wild animals in their areas.
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In Mzimba, a lion believed to have strayed from Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve caused havoc, killing one person and injuring a child.
In Lilongwe, three elephants damaged maize and cassava gardens in Kaliwanya, Chinkhowe, Chambakata, Chadza and Mlamba villages, under Traditional Authority Chitekwele, after escaping from Thuma Forest Reserve.
In Mangochi, anelephant—which reportedly escaped from Liwonde National Park— damaged maize, bananas and sweet potatoes in Group Village Headman Chisawa, Traditional Authority Chimwala.
