Electric Fence Thuma
The Great Thuma Fence Extension - A Success Story And An Ongoing Challenge
Maize field destroyed by elephants. "Just appreciating to
well-wishers" |
It’s that time of year again - The Great Thuma Fence Extension. Where the fence is in existence, villagers are delighted as there has been less crop damage and a greater sense of security. People can at last sleep more peacefully at night without fears that their crops will be destroyed by elephants. Happy fed people means that there is less pressure to subsidy their diet from the forest. And because the elephants are kept within the forest boundary they are easier to protect from poachers. There is no greater need for this than now with elephants threatened by extinction by 2025. 56km has been completed already (Thanks to all your donations!!). The target for 2015 is to build another 25km but to do this we need your help. Work will take place in October before the rains come again. It costs about Euro 2000 per kilometre.
Please help us to complete the vital next stage.
July 2013: New bee hive fence trail started. |
Dec. 2013: Bees arrive at pilot bee
hive fence project |
The Ultimatum
In 2013 WAG had been given an ultimatum by the local government department, to fence off the remaining reserve within the next 6 months to protect the local communities, or the elephant population will be relocated to National Parks elsewhere in the country.
As the ever growing human population moves closer the edge of the reserve to grow crops for food, the elephants who have freely roamed the area between Thuma Forest Reserve and Dedza Forest Reserve in the Salima district of Malawi, for hundreds of years, are increasingly coming into contact with humans.
Addressing the human-elephant conflict is essential in finding a sustainable way forward for both the local communities and the wildlife. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, with most of the population living on less than 1 euro a day. The majority of the population need to farm at subsistence level in order to survive.
The Facts
Translocating elephants has seen observations of up to 25% mortality (Nelson et al 2003). Both sexes show a reduced lifespan, decreased body condition and increased juvenile mortality after translocation. (Pinter-Wollman et al. 2009)
Georg Kloeble with an elephant killed by angry villagers after crop raid and harassing of people |
WAG has spent many years successfully addressing the balance to bring back the wild elephant population from the brink of extinction, (due to human pressure from poaching and habitat exploitation) through daily patrolling and protecting the forest and its animals, fundraising, donations and a global volunteer program supporting forest rejuvenation.
The forest needs flagship species such as elephants to help balance the eco-system through seed dispersal, and natural habitat engineering. Many other species are dependent on the presence of elephants. There may also be adverse impacts as a larger population of elephant is suddenly introduced within the new release site.
Removal of the elephant from this area will significantly reduce the potential for economic development in neighbouring communities through tourism enterprises.
Without Flagship species such as the African Elephant, the long term conservation support for vital ecosystems such as Thuma & Dedza – Salima Forest Reserves will significantly reduce. Without this vital funding, the habitat will not be able to be sustainably managed and utilised for the long-term benefit of the human population, flora and fauna both in the immediate future and for generations to come.
We Need Your Help!
Your donation will help to ensure the reserve is enclosed entirely and the elephants will be saved from the stressful and highly risky strategy of relocation. In addition, hundreds of people will be able to more safely subsistence farm, around the edge of the reserve, which in turn will provide food security for these poverty stricken communities.
- 2 Euros will pay for materials and labour for 1 metre of fencing.
- 20 Euros will pay for materials and labour for 10 metres of fencing
- 200 Euros will pay for materials and labour for 100 metres of fencing.
- 2000 Euros will pay for materials and labour for 1 Km of fencing.
Please help us to complete the vital next stage.
Sign up to our mailing list and we will keep you updated on our progress. Thank you.
Wildlife Action Group Malawi
Account No. 7040007627900
SWIFT Code SBICMWMX
Thank You!