REPORTS
We are committed to developing and sharing knowledge on a range of conservation issues.
These reports have been produced in collaboration with partners.
If you have any questions or would like to order hard copies of any of these documents, please email comms@lilongwewildlife.org.
Protecting Pangolins: Issues Brief
This briefing paper provides an overview of the scale and nature of the illicit pangolin trade in Malawi. It also covers government-led initiatives designed to disrupt trafficking networks & return victims to the wild.
Model Charges for Wildlife Crime, 2020
This booklet includes the model statements and particulars of offences for a large range of laws relating to wildlife and forestry crimes (NPWA, Forestry Act, Firearms Act, Penal Code, Corrupt Practices Act, Customs and Excise Act, Financial Crimes Act and Immigration Act). It also offers guidance on expert testimony and sentencing submissions. The introductory discussion covers important criminal procedure elements such as mens rea, attempts and conspiracy.
Wildlife Legislation
of Malawi, 2020
This booklet was developed to consolidate Malawi’s most important wildlife legislation (Acts and regulations) and legal tools (sentencing guidelines) into a single document. It also references international legislation ratified by Malawi, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Captive Care Standards, 2020
This document sets out the standards for the keeping of wild animals in captivity in Malawi. It was produced by Lilongwe Wildlife Trust on behalf of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, with financial support from the AAP Foundation and technical input from a working group.
MEPA Scoping Study, 2020
Commissioned by the Government of Malawi’s Environmental Affairs Department, this report outlines the steps needed to establish and operationalise the new Malawi Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA). Copies of this report can be requested by emailing comms@lilongwewildlife.org.
The Case for Banning
Single-Use Plastics, 2019
This report summarises the case for banning single-use plastics in Malawi, based on available information from Malawi as well as research and experience from Africa and internationally. The authors argue that not only should Malawi reinstate its ban on plastic bags, but also extend the ban to all single-use plastics.
Putting the Tools
to Good Use, 2019
In recent years the Government of Malawi has worked to reduce the poaching and trafficking of protected animals by strengthening all parts of the judicial chain. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the legislation that is available to be used to combat wildlife crime in Malawi. It also provides recommendations for further strengthening the legislative framework to fully implement best practices and standards.
Illegal Wildlife Trade
Progress Report, 2019
This report covers the progress made in combatting illegal wildlife trade (IWT) in Malawi since the first IWT Review was published in 2015. It includes an overview of the recommendations developed in 2015, a review of those measures successfully implemented, and a roadmap for the Government of Malawi and other stakeholders on how to build on these successes and continue to combat IWT.
Mutual Legal Assistance Guidelines, 2019
Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) is a form of cooperation between different countries for the purpose of collecting and exchanging information to assist in criminal investigations or court proceedings. It is a particularly useful tool in the fight against wildlife crimes, which are often transnational in nature. This report serves as a guide on the steps that must be taken to complete an MLA request in relation to wildlife crime.
Wildlife Crime Court Cases Report, 2017
This report presents legal analysis of all available elephant and rhino crime court cases concluded in Malawi since 2010. It also appraises the impact of courtroom monitoring and public-private prosecution on wildlife crime court outcomes, both of which were introduced in Malawi in July 2016. The purpose of this analysis was to develop a series of recommendations on the management and reporting of wildlife crime. All findings are based on data collected from courts across the country.
Sentencing Guidelines for Wildlife Crimes, 2017
The Sentencing Guidelines for Wildlife Crimes in Malawi Courts were developed to support the judiciary in determining appropriate sentences for wildlife crime. The Guidelines outline the purpose of sentencing and provide a detailed guide to the penalty provisions in the National Parks and Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2017.
Illegal Wildlife Trade
Review, 2015
This landmark report is a comprehensive technical review of illegal wildlife trade in Malawi. The report analyses wildlife crime data, wildlife legislation, enforcement capacity and agencies, judiciary and prosecution services and the drivers of wildlife crime. The Review provides a series of recommended tasks and actions to tighten legislation, enhance enforcement efforts and increase prosecution rates and sentences faced by criminals.
IMPACT REPORT 2019-20
Last year our initiatives continued to protect wild animals, inspire school children, galvanise communities and drive policy change. In recognition of the fact that the challenges facing our natural world are becoming ever more complex, we also embraced work to tackle a broader range of environmental threats, such as plastic pollution and the illegal trade in charcoal.
IMPACT REPORT 2018-19
The results of Lilongwe Wildlife Trust's work in 2018-19 included: Malawi's Government rejecting a trophy hunting proposal, 278 animals were rehabilitated at the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, Malawi’s first Wildlife Detection Dog Unit was launched, a thin plastics ban campaign was supported by high-level parliamentarians and 37,500 children were reached by our education programmes.
IMPACT REPORT 2017-18
Despite the ongoing conservation challenges in Malawi, 2017 was a successful year for Lilongwe Wildlife Trust – regulations protecting an additional 216 species were passed in Parliament, the Wildlife Crime Justice Programme produced record results, veterinary support was provided for the world’s largest elephant translocation and Malawi’s first Wildlife Research Institute was set up, to name just a few.
IMPACT REPORT 2016-17
Wildlife crimes such as the bush-meat and illegal pet trades are still commonplace and not only cause suffering for individual animals but also threaten species with extinction. Despite this, 2016 was a successful year for Lilongwe Wildlife Trust – a new wildlife act, the country’s first wildlife crime investigation unit, awards, record wildlife rescues and releases, and the highest ever participation in our conservation education programme.