Human-Wildlife Co-habitation project launched in the Malawi–Zambia Trans-Frontier Conservation Area
IUCN and Total LandCare launch a €1.12 million initiative to reduce conflict between people and wildlife in northern Malawi and eastern Zambia.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Total LandCare announced a €1,123,795.20 initiative to reduce conflict between people and wildlife in conservation areas of northern Malawi and eastern Zambia. The project is funded through the SADC TFCA Financing Facility, with Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) funding through KfW.
The project focuses on areas surrounding Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve in Malawi and Musalangu Game Management Area in Zambia. TLC reports that during 2019–2022 the Vwaza area averaged 888 human-wildlife conflict incidents per year and Musalangu averaged 489. Reported impacts include crop damage, threats to people and property, and food insecurity.
The project period is 29 May 2025 to 31 May 2028. The two main intended outcomes are fewer conflict incidents and improved food security, and higher household income through better market access for “HWC Smart Crops”: crops that are climate- and conflict-resilient and less attractive to wildlife.
The initiative expects to directly benefit at least 34,586 farming households. Implementation partners named by TLC include SAFFACC, the Zambian Community Resource Board Association, Lilongwe Wildlife Trust and Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO), working alongside government departments and local authorities.