Elephant relocation project linked to death of 12 villagers in Malawi
- The relocation of over 260 elephants to Kasungu National Park has led to tragic incidents, with reports of at least 12 villagers killed due to human-elephant conflicts.
- Community members are seeking legal action against the involved charities, demanding compensation and better protective measures to safeguard their lives and properties.
- This situation reflects the ongoing struggle of balancing wildlife conservation efforts with the safety and livelihood of local populations.
In July 2022, more than 260 elephants were relocated to Kasungu National Park in Malawi from Liwonde National Park as part of a conservation project aimed at boosting dwindling elephant populations. The effort, conducted by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the NGO African Parks, was seen as a major success at first. However, local communities soon reported severe consequences from this relocation. They alleged that the elephants began to break out of the park, causing devastation to nearby farming communities, including trampling crops and property. Residents living near the park expressed their growing fear, citing numerous incidents of human-elephant conflict since the elephants' introduction to the area. The communities' claims included reports of at least 12 fatalities, with specific cases of villagers being trampled while performing everyday activities such as farming or tending to their homes. Legal actions were initiated against the conservation groups involved, with the rural communities demanding compensation and fencing to protect their property from further elephant intrusions. As the complaints grew, a British law firm, Leigh Day, stepped in to represent the affected villagers, seeking acknowledgment of their plight and urging the conservation groups to make reparations. The elephants’ movement had been intended to relieve overcrowding in their previous habitat, yet this relocation resulted in unforeseen negative impacts on local livelihoods. Community members described the situation as living in constant fear, struggling to feed their families due to the damage caused by the elephants. The IFAW expressed its sadness regarding the incidents of conflict between humans and wildlife but stated that its role in the relocation was merely to provide financial and technical support to the government of Malawi. The Ministry of Natural Resources did not respond to requests for comments, leaving many questions unanswered regarding the management of conflicts between the growing elephant population and local people. This predicament highlights broader issues faced by nations working to conserve wildlife while ensuring the safety and well-being of local communities who share their habitats.