Hot on the heels of Bella’s arrival from Romania and release into her new enclosure, Born Free teams from South Africa, Zambia, Kenya and Ethiopia converged with a sense of anticipation at Malawi’s Lilongwe Airport. Warmly welcomed by staff members from the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, we were taken to the delightful Sanctuary Lodge, the creation of Mark and Angela Sprong The Sanctuary Lodge is a classic mix of comfort and style – not to be missed if visiting Malawi.
This was to be the first Born Free Foundation Wildlife Centre workshop: a chance for established sanctuaries to exchange ideas with new sanctuaries; for policies and standards to be discussed; and for animal care, community, environmental education and business experts to present their experiences and recommendations.
A gathering of like minds is always inspiring, and any social mix is interesting when only some of the group know one another.
The workshop participants had years of specialised knowledge to share:
Shamwari Wildlife Centre, South Africa: Abagail McNichol (Centre Manager), Dr Murray Stokoe (Veterinary Consultant), Christine LeRoux (Education Officer)
Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, Malawi: Lee Stewart (Centre Manager), Dr Richard Ssuna (Veterinary Manager), Andrea Durcik (Primate Release Project Manager), Mike Waterland (Volunteer Construction Project Manager), Clement (Community Outreach Officer)
Born Free Foundation Kenya: Manoa David (Project Assistant)
Lunga Luswishi Primate Release Project, Zambia: Cosmas Mumba (Primate Release Researcher)
Born Free Foundation Ethiopia: James Young (Project Director)
Born Free Foundation UK: Alison Hood (Programmes Director), Tricia Holford (Rescue Coordinator), Chris Wright (Programmes Officer), Andrina Murrell (Programmes Officer)
Independent Consultants: Dr John Knight (Veterinary), Dr Cheryl Mvula (People and Wildlife), Tony Wiles (Big cat rescue and care), Donnamarie O’Connell (Representing Lilongwe Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
To give us the Malawi point of reference, Lee (Lilongwe Wildlife Centre Manager) took us on a tour of the Centre. It’s remarkable what has been achieved in so short a time. Since I am just beginning the process of starting the Ethiopia Wildlife Centre from scratch, it was particularly good for me to see the design of the enclosures, the night rooms, the fencing specifications as well as a great opportunity to see how useful shipping containers are as temporary offices, stores and food preparation areas. On the tour we were passed by a couple of American visitors who could not sing their praises enough for the Centre. They voiced what we were all thinking!
The Workshop group returned to the Lodge for a delicious supper. Despite the many miles people had travelled, a combination of meeting like minds and the anticipation for the workshop kept the bar staff busy for several hours…
Donations made here are
Dec 23rd Derek H USD 57.50
One Comment
Wonderful that you were all able to get together for the workshop. What an inspiration you all are in your work to help wildlife conservation amd communites.