LILONGWE WILDLIFE CENTRE JOINS PASA

We’re thrilled to announce that Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is officially a PASA member!  Here is the PASA press release reproduced below:

Lilongwe Wildlife Centre in Malawi is the newest member of the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA). PASA is the only organization working with sanctuaries and other global experts across Africa to rescue and care for African primates and protect their natural habitats.

Founded in 2007 under the umbrella of the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust, Lilongwe Wildlife Centre (LWC) is Malawi’s only accredited wildlife sanctuary, housing on average 200 animals including primates, antelopes, carnivores, birds and reptiles. LWC joined PASA following its accreditation based on a review of standards, a site inspection and an assessment by a review committee of technical advisors. PASA accreditation ensures members have high standards of animal welfare and veterinary care, education and conservation.

“PASA is extremely proud to welcome Lilongwe Wildlife Centre as a member,” said Julie Sherman, Executive Director of PASA. “Lilongwe’s work to address illegal wildlife trade, provide high quality sanctuary care and extensive environmental education is critical to protecting Malawian wildlife threatened by habitat destruction, poaching and the wildlife and pet trades.”

“We are thrilled to join PASA – it’s an achievement that not only reflects our high standards of animal care but also the success of our holistic approach towards wildlife welfare and conservation,” said Jonathan Vaughan, General Manager of LWC. “Over the past 7 years we’ve worked hard to develop our environmental education, campaigns and outreach programmes and the feedback from PASA following their inspection was very encouraging. LWC will no doubt benefit enormously from the support and advice of PASA and other coalition members going forward, and we’re certainly looking forward to being an active member ourselves.”

Programs by LWC include the ‘Stop Wildlife Crime’ campaign and Wildlife Emergency Response Unit. ‘Stop Wildlife Crime’ is a nationwide initiative in partnership with the government to raise awareness of wildlife protection laws and the value of protecting Malawi’s wildlife. The program is featured regularly on TV, radio and print media and LWC conducts outreach to key communities around protected areas.

The Wildlife Emergency Response Unit (WERU) is a joint venture between Lilongwe Wildlife Trust and the Malawi Department of National Parks & Wildlife. WERU works in and around national parks and protected areas, helps wild animals in distress and supports conservation of flagship species such as elephant and rhino.

“LWC is Malawi’s leading wildlife welfare and conservation charity and has rescued, rehabilitated and whenever suitable released numerous species back into protected areas within Malawi,” noted Jasper Iepema, Animal Care Manager at LWC.

Learn more about LWC at: www.lilongwewildlife.org or email wildlife@LLWC.org. PASA aims to halt the illegal poaching and trade of African primates; ensure the highest standard of care for primates in member sanctuaries; and to work closely with governments and local communities to protect wild primates and their habitat. Learn more at www.pasaprimates.org, email info@pasaprimates.org or visit our Facebook page.