In Malawian folklore Barn Owls bring bad luck and are associated with witchcraft. Any Malawian who is known to have Barn Owls living in their quarters is considered to be a Witch Doctor or practicing witchcraft. Unlike much of Africa, where witch doctors are respected members of the community, in Malawi they are feared for the curses they are able to cast. Therefore, when someone discovers Barn Owls living in their attic or barn they remove them before they face any retribution from the community.

It is hugely encouraging to know that more and more members of the local community see Lilongwe Wildlife Centre as a sanctuary to which they are choosing to bring the owls rather than 'disposing' of them. It will undoubtedly take a long time for cultural beliefs to shift but we are certainly making headway in changing attitudes towards wildlife and animal welfare and we really appreciate the support of the local communities and their chiefs in spreading the conservation message.

If you would like to help Lilongwe Wildlife Centre and its vital work, please donate here http://www.bornfree.org.uk/shop/acatalog/Lilongwe_Wildlife_Centre.html

A recent study showed a worrying drop in the number of Minke whales in this area, but these surveys did not look at the area behind the edge of the ice sheet. This means that detractors can argue that the change in observed numbers could simply be due to more animals ‘hiding’ in this un-surveyed area.

Dr Williams is a key member of one of two international teams trying to assess how many whales really do spend time in this remote area, and whether this phenomenon could actually explain the observed decline or whether it is a red herring. It was important that the Scientific Committee got to hear from Dr Williams first hand, so that they could understand the significance of his preliminary findings and not be persuaded by other attendees with vested interests that this work supports the ‘hiding whales’ explanation of the survey data.

Through his presence in various sessions and the all-important corridor discussions, Dr Williams was able to explain his findings and ensure that the concern over this observed decline was not brushed under the carpet. He was also able to initiate an important collaboration with the other team working on this issue to share data and techniques which can bring them closer to a definitive answer to this crucial question.

The cubs in the photo were from her previous litter, born in August 2007.

On 18^th May 2010, a small number of people – reported to include government personnel - entered Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve illegally at night and the so-called Jhurjura tigress, who was in her prime, was hit by their vehicle and severely wounded. She died the following day. Tragically, she leaves behind three small cubs approximately six months old who were totally dependent on their mother.
Sometimes these events are swept under the carpet and no action is taken.  If the law against illegal entry in the Reserve is not enforced, these accidents will happen again, and risk encouraging poachers to enter the park illegally too. 

For more details and links to related media reports at: http://www.tigersintheforest.co.uk/savethetiger.html

What you can do

Please write to both the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh (cm@mp.nic.in) and Mr. Jairam Ramesh the Minister of State in Delhi (jairam54@gmail.com) urgently requesting an independent and transparent CBI investigation into these tragic events to ensure that the people responsible are held to account for their actions.

Thank you.

Support Born Free’s work protecting India’s wild tigers

The Centre’s wilderness area is separated from the main enclosures, covering 80 hectares of pristine wilderness and protected by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife against wood felling and poaching.  It’s a stunning area bordering the Lingadzi River and could be the perfect place for a picnic and a walk with the family.  There are no other public parks in Lilongwe and as a People and Wildlife Centre we want to share as much of it as possible with the local community.

The students worked tirelessly to cut over 1.75km of trails through thick bush, more than twice the distance we expected possible.  Despite the numerous blisters and scratches the students would not be stopped, hardly breaking for lunch and even asking their teachers if they could work longer hours!  They also cut, sanded, stained and painted signs and used their own initiative to build a bench with the spare wood left over.  A couple of the girls also set to work on cataloguing some of our new library.

We are now well on track to open up the wilderness trails to the public in September thanks to the Dream Team from Nairns Academy. 

Thanks once again to all the students and teachers involved: Elizabeth McDonald, Sheena Magillivray, Callum Macleanan, Ailsa Baird, Amy Cameron, Andrew Ferguson, Ashlee Cairns, Daisy Eccleshall, Eilian McMillan, Emily Robinson, Gary Henderson, Gavin Smith, Hayley Boyd, Heather Winfield, Innes Sutherland, James Asher, Jamie McDonald, Jodie Paterson, Kerri Cameron, Kirsten Scott, Kirsty Baird, Lewis Mclaughlin, Mark Bain, Mhairi Docherty, Stephanie Ford, Steve Muirden and Will Speakerman

If you would like to volunteer for Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, please visit http://www.lilongwewildlife.org/!

For more information on the Centre, visit http://www.bornfree.org.uk/campaigns/wildlife-rescue-centres/

We are therefore very encouraged to hear that the German authorities are making plans to move the two bears to a German bear sanctuary where they will get the care they need.  The plight of these two bears has caught the imagination of the public in Germany and overseas and over 1100 people have joined the Facebook group and many Born Free supporters have written letters of concern.  In addition, a German website has created a poll for the relocation of the bears (Click here to vote) and the results are clear, with 90% in favour of the relocation of the bears from Berlin to a more suitable home.

The Born Free Foundation wishes to thank everyone who has supported this campaign so far and we will endeavour to keep you informed with any further developments.