Malawi conservation research experience

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

We aim to be as environmentally sustainable as possible. We take the following measures to reduce our carbon footprint and minimise our impact on the environment:

- All food is sourced locally to reduce transport requirements
- The animal enclosure fences at the sanctuary are solar powered
- Showers in the volunteer house are solar powered (with a back-up geyser)
- Water for cleaning and watering gardens comes from our own borehole
- All meals are fully vegetarian/vegan
- Cooking is done on gas, not on wood
- Filtered drinking water is provided so that volunteers do not have to buy bottles of water
- There is a recycling station on site and we host river clean up days with members of the public and local communities
- All structures are constructed with local or sustainable materials as much as possible

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Malawi is known as ‘the warm heart of Africa’, both for its stunning beauty and friendly people. It’s also one of the most densely populated countries in Africa and one of the poorest countries in the world, which puts enormous pressures on its natural resources. As a result, the illegal wildlife trade is still a big problem in Malawi, at a time when conservation of both the environment and wildlife is more critical than ever.

We work to protect Malawi’s wildlife and wild places. Our programmes have evolved in response to local needs, working with wildlife as well as people and approaching the issues from all angles. Our wildlife sanctuary holds accreditations with the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance, the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and the Born Free Foundation's PAW scheme.

Our “hands-off” policy: we operate a strict hands-off policy at our wildlife sanctuary in order to ensure that the animals in our care retain their wild behaviours and do not spend too much time with people. This helps to give them the best possible chance not just of being released back into the wild, but also of thriving once they have been released. The only time contact is permitted with animals is when it is required for medical purposes (e.g. conducting a veterinary procedure, health check, administering medication etc) or rehabilitation purposes (e.g. bottle-feeding orphans, sitting with infant primates until they are paired with foster mums).

People

In addition to our wildlife rescue and welfare work, we also work with the highest levels of Government to tackle wildlife crime through advocacy and policy initiatives. We also run an environmental education programme which has reached tens of thousands of school children.