Endangered
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The Demise of Malawi’s Elephants: Part 2 – The Nightmare Years
We are watching a breeding herd of elephants at a muddy wallow, babies frolicking in the mud, tumbling over each other as they spray muddy water in all directions. Their aunts are just behind and often standing over them as… Continue reading
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The Demise of Malawi’s Elephants: Part 1 – Before the Slaughter
Malawi was once famous for its huge herds of elephants, described in the 18th century as an “elephant rich country” with the land between lake Malawi and the Luangwa River in Zambia “teeming with elephants”. A country where, in 1859,… Continue reading
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Sowing the Seeds of Extinction
Where Did all the Lions Go? We are all too aware that the demise of wild life in Africa is as a result of human activity and it is well recognised that this started in the colonial era but, naively… Continue reading
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The Day of the Painted Wolves
South Luangwa National Park is one of a handful of locations in Africa where there is an excellent chance of seeing Painted Wolves or African Wild Dogs so we headed into Zambia from Malawi to stay at Robin Pope’s Safari… Continue reading
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Last Chance to See: African Wild Dogs
The predator with many names; Mbwa mwilu, painted dog, painted wolf, Budzatje, African hunting dog, Cape hunting dog, Hlolwa, ornate wolf, hyena dog, Nkentshane, painted hunting dog, Lycaon pictus and African wild dog. The horrible truth is that despite being… Continue reading
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The Christmas Hyenas
Despite visiting parks and wildlife reserves across four African countries hyenas have remained somewhat elusive. We’ve seen the occasional loner in the distance but until South Luangwa National Park our only worthwhile encounter was two spotted hyenas lying in a… Continue reading
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The Imperial Zebra
Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) is the largest species of zebra and the most endangered. It was once found across the horn of Africa but is now restricted to northern Kenya with possibly only 100 individuals left in a small area… Continue reading
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Last Chance to See: Cheetahs
This is the story of a day my daughter and I spent in Liwonde National Park in April 2023 hoping to find cheetahs, perhaps the mother and cubs we had been hearing about, or a lone cheetah hunting on the… Continue reading
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Liwonde National Park: Malawi’s Hidden Jewel
Malawi, the “Warm Heart of Africa” has set aside 11% of the country for the conservation of wildlife having established four national parks and four game reserves. Liwonde National Park is the smallest but arguably the most exciting. Lake Malawi… Continue reading
Travelogues and Other Memories 