Malawi
Malawi Country Profile
Malawi is a landlocked country in Southern Africa and shares a border with Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique. It covers an area of 118,484 sq. km. With a population over 21 million, and 11 languages spoken across the country, Malawi’s official language is English, but Chewa is the most widely spoken African language. Malawi is nicknamed ‘The Warm Heart of Africa’ due to the friendliness of its people.
Geography & Wildlife
Climate is sub-tropical, with a rainy season November to May and a dry season May to November. The Great Rift Valley runs through the country from north to south and to east of the valley lies Lake Malawi.
Lake Malawi is the country’s most prominent physical feature at 587km long. It contains more fish species than any other lake on earth. Mammal life indigenous to Malawi include elephants, hippos, antelopes, buffaloes, big cats, primates, rhinos and bats.
Main Conservation Challenges
Deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations; negative effects of climate change (extreme high temperatures, changing precipitation patterns).
Our work in Malawi
© Lilongwe Wildlife Trust
WILDLIFE EMERGENCY RESPONSE UNIT
Animals: a diverse range including elephants, rhinos & primates
Established: 2014
Work: rescue & care / wildlife trade
It was the mounting reports of wildlife injured by poachers that set the Wildlife Emergency Response Unit (WERU) in motion.
A joint venture between Lilongwe Wildlife Trust and the Department of National Parks & Wildlife, WERU aims to:
- Treat injured wildlife
- Relocate animals in conflict with communities
- Provide veterinary support to projects that monitor & protect wildlife at risk