Lilongwe Wildlife Trust

Lilongwe Wildlife Trust We save wildlife, deter nature crime, and secure healthy landscapes for people and wildlife in Malawi CONGOMA no. C466 | Charity Commission no. 1176185

Lilongwe Wildlife Trust was established in 2008 when we opened the doors to Malawi’s first and only accredited wildlife sanctuary, Lilongwe Wildlife Centre. Since then we have grown to become one of the country’s leading conservation NGOs. Our vision is a future in which Malawi’s wildlife and wild places can thrive. Working in collaboration with local and international partners, we respond to urge

nt conservation challenges as well as drive long-term social and institutional change. The Government of Malawi has appointed us to administer a number of national wildlife management, justice and advocacy initiatives. We are also a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Malawi representative for the Species Survival Network and the Secretariat for the Malawi Parliamentary Conservation Caucus. By uniting with other organisations and individuals who share our vision, we create a force for nature across the country. Together, we are building lasting change for our natural world. WE ARE A FORCE FOR WILDLIFE, rescuing and rehabilitating wild animals and releasing as many as possible back into the wild, where they belong. WE ARE A FORCE FOR JUSTICE, campaigning for an end to the illegal wildlife trade and other environmental crimes. WE ARE A FORCE FOR KNOWLEDGE, inspiring our next generation to value the world around us and mobilising communities to defend nature. WE ARE A FORCE FOR PROGRESS, campaigning across society and partnering with policy makers to make conservation a national priority.

27/05/2026

Warning: this hoglet may cause uncontrollable squeals of joy and an instant need to rewatch this video on loop.

20/05/2026

Snares inflict slow, painful suffering on wild animals. We're doing what we can to respond, but we need your help. Please consider donating today ➡️ www.lilongwewildlife.org/snares

🐘 We recently travelled to Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve to assist the Nyika Vwaza Co-Management Trust with removing a tracking collar from an elephant which had become loose 🚁 But as we flew over the park to locate the animal, we noticed another elephant which looked significantly underweight and appeared to have injuries – we had to intervene 🆘

The bush was too dense to dart the animal from the air, so we landed and tracked the elephant on foot – with the help of a drone (the footage in the video) 🌳 It took a while to get into the right position, but we finally managed to dart the elephant successfully, near the edge of a lake – which helped to keep her cool. While holding its trunk out of the water, we managed to remove a snare caught around its neck and ears, likely affecting its ability to eat 😢

🩺 After treating the wound and reversing the anaesthetic we made sure the elephant woke up safely and walked away. The next day we spotted her in the woodland, looking well!

We also managed to locate the collared elephant and successfully remove its collar ✅ Now there are a couple of much happier elephants out there! 🐘🐘

Ahead of Endangered Species Day later this week, we’re celebrating another successful pangolin release 🎉Joey was rescued...
13/05/2026

Ahead of Endangered Species Day later this week, we’re celebrating another successful pangolin release 🎉

Joey was rescued from the illegal wildlife trade – at a whopping 14.7kg, he’s one of the largest pangolins we’ve cared for! 🩺 After a full intake assessment, in which we found no injuries or concerns, we made the decision to release him just a few days later.

📡 Before release, we fitted Joey with tracking units to allow post-release monitoring – helping us ensure his safety while also learning more about pangolin movements in the wild 🐾

06/05/2026

🪶 Meet a hamerkop called Pirate 🏴‍☠️

Pirate came to Lilongwe Wildlife Centre with a nasty leg injury, his bone exposed. We treated the wound then stabilised the leg with a splint. Pirate showed amazing resilience in recovery and was soon feeding independently and starting to use his injured leg 🩼

But sadly his progress stalled. His limp got worse and, with necrotic tissue developing, amputation became the only viable option. It was touch and go for Pirate, but he pulled through the surgery!

It’s now been three weeks since the amputation: we’ve seen the leg heal brilliantly, and Pirate is showing no behaviour changes, complications, or other limitations 💚 Fingers crossed we’ll be able to release him very soon!

🎥 Storyhouse Visualworks, Elaine Hake 📸 Dave Montreuil

Happy International Hyena Day 🐾 Here’s a quick update on orphaned hyena Phunziro, who’s currently being integrated with ...
27/04/2026

Happy International Hyena Day 🐾 Here’s a quick update on orphaned hyena Phunziro, who’s currently being integrated with the other hyenas in our care at Lilongwe Wildlife Centre.

We start the process with scent swapping, followed by greeting and play through the safety of a fence. During this stage, we’re looking for positive social behaviours like appropriate submission and relaxed, friendly vocalisations.

If all goes well, we move on to controlled one-on-one interactions and build from there.

Phunziro arrived into our care at five months of age. After a few months of independent rehabilitation, this integration process is an exciting next step in her development!

📸 Dave Montreuil

📣 Gain practical experience in wildlife and small animal medicine with expert veterinarians in Malawi. We’re accepting a...
22/04/2026

📣 Gain practical experience in wildlife and small animal medicine with expert veterinarians in Malawi. We’re accepting applications for our 2027 courses, which combine immersive learning with real-world impact. Learn more and apply here ➡️ www.lilongwewildlife.org/volunteer

🐒 WILDLIFE VETERINARY MEDICINE COURSE 🗓️ 7-11 JUNE 2027
This course is designed to give you an intensive introduction to wildlife veterinary medicine. Under the guidance of our veterinary team, you'll learn through lectures and wet labs, gaining practical experience in wildlife care and conservation.

🩺 WILDLIFE + SMALL ANIMAL VETERINARY MEDICINE COURSE 🗓️ 2-13 AUGUST 2027
This two-week course offers a hands-on introduction to veterinary medicine in Malawi, focusing on both wildlife and small animals. You'll be taught by experienced veterinarians from two of Malawi’s leading animal welfare organisations: Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (us!) and Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (LSPCA).

📸 Dave Montreuil, LSPCA

🌍 🩺

15/04/2026

🦘 Another successful release! Can you guess the species?

🩺 Dax was due for his routine health check – happy to report this feisty yellow baboon is in great health 💛💉 Vaccines an...
08/04/2026

🩺 Dax was due for his routine health check – happy to report this feisty yellow baboon is in great health 💛💉 Vaccines and dental check all done, and he’s back to business as usual 🌿🐒

📸 Dave Montreuil

We currently have six pangolins under post-release monitoring 📡 During our tracking we noticed that one of these pangoli...
01/04/2026

We currently have six pangolins under post-release monitoring 📡 During our tracking we noticed that one of these pangolins, Dzuwa, had moved just over the Malawian border into Zambia 🛂 Our satellite alert showed she was just 10 metres from a village ⚠️

Dzuwa was only very recently released, but was soon due for a check-in to assess her weight and health. We travelled quickly to the site and, with support from both Malawian and Zambian rangers, were able to locate her. Fortunately she appeared to be in good health, just a curious traveller 🗺️

🇿🇲 → 🇲🇼 With rangers’ support we managed to move Dzuwa safely back within our monitoring range again ✅

And in otter news... 🦦We set up some camera traps along the banks of the Lingadzi River at Lilongwe Wildlife Centre – an...
25/03/2026

And in otter news... 🦦

We set up some camera traps along the banks of the Lingadzi River at Lilongwe Wildlife Centre – and were thrilled to capture some snaps of very shy locals: African clawless otters.

📡 These otters use their hyper-sensitive whiskers as sensors in the water to pick up the movements of potential prey.

😱 They emit a high-pitched scream when threatened – to confuse predators and warn their buddies.

⚖️ Otters are an important ‘indicator’ species: their presence can signify a healthy, balanced aquatic ecosystem. Sadly, these elusive mammals are becoming an increasingly uncommon sight.

Address

Lilongwe

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00
Saturday 08:00 - 17:00
Sunday 08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+265881788999

Website

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