WAGI Wildlife Action Group International - Kuti Community Wildlife Ranch Project, Salima, Malawi, Africa


They are waiting for you to volunteer! Kuti Community Wildlife Ranch Project Visit Kuti 24/03/08		KUTI Community Wildlife Park The concept: Protect nature, help the people! The former, about 3000 hectare cattle farm appears like "Noah's Ark" in comparison to the surrounding, almost bare farmland. Situated near Salima in Malawi, it represents the natural bush, forests, grass- and wetlands, which dominated the Lake Malawi flat plains just a few generations ago. The wildlife park concept aims to protect and maintain the gene-pool of flora and fauna in the area for future generations. Bushbuck Over the past 30 years, game farming in Southern Africa has become very popular and put a value on wildlife. Species like the rhino were saved from extinction and even reintroduced in protected areas in Africa, where they were wiped out by poachers in the past. The WILDLIFE ACTION GROUP INTERNATIONAL has watched the development of Kuti since the organization WPAM took over the former cattle ranch from Malawi Government about 10 years ago. When visiting the Wildlife Park in 2007 enormous positive changes could be observed. The Central region management of WPAM emphasizes on the rehabilitation of the wildlife populations and education of the community about the responsible use of natural resources. Their aim is to sell in future surplus animals in order to achieve self-sustainability of the Wildlife Park. A wildlife park which supports development in the local community The manager of Kuti, Jimmy Yiannakis, fluently speaks the local languages and takes care of the about 13.000 members of the community, who are stakeholders of the park. The Kuti Community Wildlife Ranch project helps to improve the living conditions of the surrounding community with micro-projects, like rehabilitation of boreholes, schools, clinics, tree planting and production of seedlings, fishing, collection of dead wood and medicinal plants, 50% of the revenue from entry fees etc. Naturschutz-Schulungszentrum Experience the beauty of nature- Environmental Education Centre An environmental education centre has been built and printed educational matter focusing on the care of the environment produced for to use in the centre. School children visit the Park on organized outings and are benefiting from the information at the centre, lectures and other environmental educational activities. An association with the Malawi Natural Resource College has been formed to provide training to students of the college. College students are attending regular courses already. The traditional authority of the area, Chief Kalonga, told us: The Kuti- Community Wildlife Park has changed our lifes much to the better. Previously we saw the animals close up only, when they were dead. With enormous effort animals like Giraffe, Zebra, Nyala, Sable Antelope, Impalas, Warthog and Ostrich were reintroduced in the Park. Naturally occurring game such as Kudu, Duiker, Bushbuck, Genet cats, Civet cats, Bush pig and numerous bird species have multiplied in the protected environment, but game numbers and species are still limited however and it is planned to purchase more game to introduce to the Park should funds be available. The Management of Kuti Community Wildlife Park requested support from the WILDLIFE ACTION GROUP INTERNATIONAL The only way to make Kuti independent from donors in future is to upgrade the tourism facilities and services as soon as possible and to apply a firm business approach to the whole project. Profit-oriented management will also benefit the local community. A start: the first tourist accommodation OUR Priorities: Upgrading the tourism facilities to international standards! - Upgrading and construction of sufficient accommodation units for visitors - Upgrading and extension of kitchen and restaurant at Sanga Camp - Installation of power supply for Sanga Camp and acommodation-units (Solar / Windpower/ Standby Generator) - Windmills/ pumps for watersupply for tourism facilities - Windmills / pumps for watersupply for wildlife - Establishment of domestic livestock units to generate additional income in non-wildlife areas (northern sector) - Establishment of an Arts and Craft Centre - Implementation of strategic advertising Please help Kuti back on its feet - donate here! You want to volunteer at Kuti ? Available volunteer posts in 2008: - 1 Post: Tourism Manager - 3 Posts: Assist our park management work - 3 Posts: Assisting our work with the social work in the local community Apply for a volunteer post here! (in English) View Larger Map Become an active member or supporter of the WILDLIFE ACTION GROUP INTERNATIONAL Home

They are waiting for you to volunteer!

Kuti Community Wildlife Ranch Project

24/03/08

KUTI Community Wildlife Park

The concept:

Protect nature, help the people!

The former, about 3000 hectare cattle farm appears like "Noah's Ark" in comparison to the surrounding, almost bare farmland. Situated near Salima in Malawi, it represents the natural bush, forests, grass- and wetlands, which dominated the Lake Malawi flat plains just a few generations ago.

The wildlife park concept aims to protect and maintain the gene-pool of flora and fauna in the area for future generations.

Bushbuck

Over the past 30 years, game farming in Southern Africa has become very popular and put a value on wildlife. Species like the rhino were saved from extinction and even reintroduced in protected areas in Africa, where they were wiped out by poachers in the past.

The WILDLIFE ACTION GROUP INTERNATIONAL has watched the development of Kuti since the organization WPAM took over the former cattle ranch from Malawi Government about 10 years ago. When visiting the Wildlife Park in 2007 enormous positive changes could be observed. The Central region management of WPAM emphasizes on the rehabilitation of the wildlife populations and education of the community about the responsible use of natural resources. Their aim is to sell in future surplus animals in order to achieve self-sustainability of the Wildlife Park.

A wildlife park which supports development in the local community

The manager of Kuti, Jimmy Yiannakis, fluently speaks the local languages and takes care of the about 13.000 members of the community, who are stakeholders of the park. The Kuti Community Wildlife Ranch project helps to improve the living conditions of the surrounding community with micro-projects, like rehabilitation of boreholes, schools, clinics, tree planting and production of seedlings, fishing, collection of dead wood and medicinal plants, 50% of the revenue from entry fees etc.

Naturschutz-Schulungszentrum

Experience the beauty of nature- Environmental Education Centre

An environmental education centre has been built and printed educational matter focusing on the care of the environment produced for to use in the centre. School children visit the Park on organized outings and are benefiting from the information at the centre, lectures and other environmental educational activities. An association with the Malawi Natural Resource College has been formed to provide training to students of the college. College students are attending regular courses already.

The traditional authority of the area, Chief Kalonga, told us: The Kuti- Community Wildlife Park has changed our lifes much to the better. Previously we saw the animals close up only, when they were dead.

With enormous effort animals like Giraffe, Zebra, Nyala, Sable Antelope, Impalas, Warthog and Ostrich were reintroduced in the Park. Naturally occurring game such as Kudu, Duiker, Bushbuck, Genet cats, Civet cats, Bush pig and numerous bird species have multiplied in the protected environment, but game numbers and species are still limited however and it is planned to purchase more game to introduce to the Park should funds be available.

The Management of Kuti Community Wildlife Park requested support from the WILDLIFE ACTION GROUP INTERNATIONAL

The only way to make Kuti independent from donors in future is to upgrade the tourism facilities and services as soon as possible and to apply a firm business approach to the whole project. Profit-oriented management will also benefit the local community.

A start:

the first tourist accommodation

OUR Priorities:

Upgrading the tourism facilities to international standards!

- Upgrading and construction of sufficient accommodation units for visitors

- Upgrading and extension of kitchen and restaurant at Sanga Camp

- Installation of power supply for Sanga Camp and acommodation-units

(Solar / Windpower/ Standby Generator)

- Windmills/ pumps for watersupply for tourism facilities

- Windmills / pumps for watersupply for wildlife

- Establishment of domestic livestock units to generate additional income in

non-wildlife areas (northern sector)