WAGI - Wildlife Action Group International e.V. - Hippo Sanctuary Project, Senga Bay, Malawi


Hippo Sanctuary View Larger Map		A man with a vision! Ramet Chinyama "Conservation as a business approach" The first private BIRD AND HIPPO- SANCTUARY in Malawi/Africa In 2002 Ramet Chinyama applied to the Wildlife Action Group Malawi for assistance to realize a Bird and Hippo- Sanctuary on his property near Lake Malawi. His idea was to set up an attractive tourism venture and actually make a living by protecting the wildlife on his land Georg Kloeble, at this time Chairman of WAG-Malawi, drew up a development plan for Ramet Chinyama's sanctuary and WAG- Malawi funded the extraordinary business venture. Raised observation platforms, a bridge and walkways were constructed. At the entrance a kiosk was built were Ramet Chinyama could charge entrance fee and sell soft drinks and souvenirs to his visitors. 2003 the "Hippo- and Bird Sanctuary Senga Bay" was opened for visitors. The Bird and Hippo Sanctuary was one of the first private income generating conservation projects in Malawi of such kind. Ramet Chinyama did earn a living for his family ...... ...... until disaster stroke! A bushfire rushed over the sanctuary and burned most of the observation platforms down to the ground. Extreme heavy rains washed away the bridge between the two ponds and irons sheet of his kiosk were stolen. Ruins of a livelihood After an appeal of Ramet Chinyama to the Wildlife Action Group International, Georg Kloeble and Susanne Kneissl visited their old friend in October 2007. He lost everything! For to be able to support his family, he even had started cutting trees in his sanctuary to sell it as firewood. But not everything is lost!! The bird-life is still as impressive as before and the hippos are still there... But at the moment they only come at night, because the water of the two little lakes is heating up to much during the day, due to the low water level in the dry season. Ramet Chinyama and his sanctuary need immediate assistance: 5 new observation platforms Repair of the Kiosk a water-gate to maintain the water level in his lakes even in the dry season fencing of the sanctuary and construction of Hippo-Gates to keep cattle and goats out of the sanctuary a house for him and his family right in the sanctuary an Advisor who supports him for at least one year to recover his business Help us to make Ramet Chinyama's vision come true! HELP here The Bird and Hippo Sanctuary was and could again be an excellent example on how someone can earn money by protecting nature. With your support, the WILDLIFE ACTION GROUP International will assure that this outstanding conservation effort will continue and become a long lasting success! Home		It was a little paradies... One of the last save heavens for hippo along the shores of Lake Malawi ... Ramet's Kiosk after completion in 2003 and at the WILDLIFE ACTION GROUP International visit 2007 Ramet Chinyama with the burnt remains of one of the observation platforms Ramet Chinyama and Susanne Kneissl of WAG International. What has to be done now? 24/03/08 © WAGI Webdesign

Hippo Sanctuary

A man with a vision!

Ramet Chinyama

"Conservation as a business approach"

The first private BIRD AND HIPPO- SANCTUARY in Malawi/Africa

In 2002 Ramet Chinyama applied to the Wildlife Action Group Malawi for assistance to realize a Bird and Hippo- Sanctuary on his property near Lake Malawi. His idea was to set up an attractive tourism venture and actually make a living by protecting the wildlife on his land

Georg Kloeble, at this time Chairman of WAG-Malawi, drew up a development plan for Ramet Chinyama's sanctuary and WAG- Malawi funded the extraordinary business venture.

Raised observation platforms, a bridge and walkways were constructed. At the entrance a kiosk was built were Ramet Chinyama could charge entrance fee and sell soft drinks and souvenirs to his visitors.

2003 the "Hippo- and Bird Sanctuary Senga Bay" was opened for visitors.

The Bird and Hippo Sanctuary was one of the first private income generating conservation projects in Malawi of such kind.

Ramet Chinyama did earn a living for his family ......

...... until disaster stroke!

Ruinen einer Existenz... A bushfire rushed over the sanctuary and burned most of the observation platforms down to the ground. Extreme heavy rains washed away the bridge between the two ponds and irons sheet of his kiosk were stolen.

Ruins of a livelihood

After an appeal of Ramet Chinyama to the Wildlife Action Group International, Georg Kloeble and

Susanne Kneissl visited their old friend in October 2007. He lost everything! For to be able to support his family, he even had started cutting trees in his sanctuary to sell it as firewood.

But not everything is lost!!

The bird-life is still as impressive as before and

the hippos are still there...

But at the moment they only come at night, because the water of the two little lakes is heating up to much during the day, due to the low water level in the dry season.

Ramet Chinyama and his sanctuary need immediate assistance:

5 new observation platforms
Repair of the Kiosk
a water-gate to maintain the water level in his lakes even in the dry season
fencing of the sanctuary and construction of Hippo-Gates to keep cattle and goats out of the sanctuary
a house for him and his family right in the sanctuary
an Advisor who supports him for at least one year to recover his business