Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

The Lilongwe wildlife Centre is a new and exciting project for Malawi based in the Capital City, Lilongwe.  In only its second year it is already rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing its orphans back to the wild....there is no facility of its kind in Malawi.  Watch the Centre grow over the coming months and years and follow the stories of some of the animals that are confiscated from illegal traders, injured or orphaned in the wild.  Follow our dedicated team (both local and international) in their weekly routines, experience our successes, and share in our disappointments.  Watch us grow into what we all believe will be a model on which other facilities around the world should be modelled.  Let us meet some of the team first:

Lee Schofield, Education Manager

My name is Lee Schofield, I am the Education Manager for the Wildlife Centre and I know it must be a good job as we are currently advertising for my successor and we have heard from lots of people who want it.  To be honest it is as appealing as it sounds working for a Wildlife Centre in the heart of Lilongwe; my job is varied and challenging and, as well as the education aspect, there is always the opportunity to get your hands dirty helping to move a crocodile or relocate a baboon.  I also have developed my IT skills making the website and signs for the centre. 

I have been busy planning the kids’ holiday camps ‘Wild Kidz’ and getting the promo material in order so we get lots of bookings for it at the Run for Wildlife Event.  This week we had our first birthday party at the centre which raised money for the work we do here, which was a real success.  The great thing about working here is the opportunities you get to establish new initiatives.  There is nothing like the Wildlife Centre in Malawi, so chances are the ideas you come up with will not be happening anywhere else.  Another perk of the centre is the fact that my little kitten, playing with my feet as I type this, was found orphaned there - we just had to take her home.

Tracey, Marketing Manager

I arrived in Lilongwe in January 2008, having previously lived in Romania, Ukraine, UK and South Africa. I have always wanted to work with animals and this is a brilliant opportunity for me to finally do a job I can see the point of – helping the wildlife of Malawi. So much better than your normal 9 -5, that’s for sure! My job is to raise awareness of the Wildlife Centre locally and internationally and the work we do for the animals, and at the same time to raise much needed funds for the Centre via donations, corporate sponsorships, individual sponsorships, our adoption scheme and our Friends of the Wildlife Centre scheme.