Malawi Launches Short Video On Anti-Illegal Wildlife Trade Campaign

Malawi Government has launched a video clip to be used for the anti-wildlife trade campaign.

Launching the ‘Say No to Ivory Trade Campaign’ video on Thursday afternoon at Kamuzu Palace, President Peter Mutharika committed that his government will do its best to end wildlife crimes in the country.

The clip features President Peter Mutharika and 15 foreign ambassadors mainly informing people of the importance of wildlife and dangers of illegal wildlife trade.

 

 

At the very beginning of the video, President Mutharika encourages people not to tolerate wildlife crimes followed by messages from foreign ambassadors and it ends with the president Mutharika pleading with people to say “No” to wildlife crime. The english messages in the video have also been translated into official languages for each foreign ambassador featured in the clip but for Malawi it is Chichewa.

15 foreign ambassadors who featured in the video are directing messages to their own citizens both visiting and working in Malawi to support the country’s effort to protect its natural assets and fight international wildlife crime.

 

The launched video mainly focusing on Elephant poaching and illegal ivory trade will be shown in the airports and sent out on social media.

“It is so sad of what is going on and am sure we will do our best to make sure that we stop this savage and criminal behavior globally” reacted President Mutharika after watching the video clip which was played along with a short film from Kenya which is highlighting the impact of the ivory trade and how purchase of ivory products is linked to organized crime which is fueling elephant crisis.

 

 

President Mutharika said the video launched sends the strong warning to wildlife criminals that he will not under his watch allow natural resources plundered for the benefit of few and further warned that Malawi will not accept criminals to use the country for illegal trade or operate within its borders.

The Malawi President noted that survival of human kind also depends on the ability to protect natural heritage and that protecting animals is an economic-social and environmental responsibility.

He emphasized that failure to save Africa’s majestic species such as elephants and rhinos erode hope for the rest of the wildlife.

He said failure to act in combating illegal ivory trade and poaching now, Malawi will lose wildlife species, biodiversity as well a loss of opportunities for development through tourism and the associated impacts on agriculture and human health.

He said wildlife crime fight will be his Government priority and committed to do his best to make sure that wildlife criminal behavior is stopped.

“My Government is working hard to combat wildlife crime. We are adapting to the growing threat by strengthening our laws, improving law enforcement and increasing our inter-agency and cross-border cooperation among so many other strategies.” He said

Mutharika called on Malawians to be vigilant and work together to stop plunder of the God given natural heritage by urging every citizen to say no to illegal ivory trade and report any suspicious activity.

Two Court Clerks, Watchman Granted Bail On Ivory, Cocaine Theft

The two Court Clerks and one security guard of Mkukula Magistrate court have been arrested on a case bordering on theft by servant contrary to section 286 of the penal code.

The three who appeared before Magistrate his worship Paul Chiotcha of Lilongwe Magistrate Court on Tuesday this week to answer charges of theft, have since been granted bail 

Particulars of the offense are that the three on the night of 30-31March 2015 broke into the office of the exhibit courtroom at Mkukula Court and stole assorted items including 5 trunks of ivory and cocaine which was seizured from different suspects and were tendered in court as evidence, so they were being kept at the court.

The accused, Austine Mbisa aged 29 of Fundi village T/A Kilipula, from Karonga district Chisomo Saukila aged 32 of Sumani village T/A Changata from Thyolo district and the security guard Edwin Kalukusha aged 40 of Kachaso village T/A Kalonga from Salima district have since denied the charge as the state is expected to parade 7 witnesses to prosecute the case.

The bail on conditions for the suspects are to pay a bail bond of K50, 000 each, have two sureties to sign for them and report to Lumbadzi police every fortnight.

The case has since been adjourned to a later date.

World Wildlife Day: Malawi Govt Postpone Burning of Ivory

The Government of Malawi has postponed plans to burn 4 tonnes of seized ivory as part of this year’s commemoration of the World Wildlife Day.

The day being commemorated under the theme ‘Time to Get Out with Wildlife Crime’ was to be marked by torching of 4 tons of seized ivory in demonstrating to the world that Malawi is determined to eradicate wildlife crime and prevent seized ivory from getting back into hands of illicit wildlife traders.

President Mutharika has been expected to set to light the stock pile of ivory equated to roughly 500 elephants at Parliament buildings after solidarity walk from Capital Hotel roundabout.

However, a statement signed by, Hon Kondwani Nankhumwa, Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture, says this postponement is due to a slight change in the programme of the event as a consequence of new information that has emerged.

"The commemorations will proceed as planned. But the burning of the ivory has been postponed because Government has been advised that another 2.6 tonnes of ivory is still in the system as exhibits awaiting conclusion of cases which are pending in the courts." Says Nankhumwa

"Once these cases are concluded, all 6.6 tonnes of the ivory will be destroyed all together at a time and date to be announced in future." He continued 

"While Government remains committed to fight wildlife crime, including protection of iconic species of elephants and rhinos, which are key for tourism promotion in Malawi, it is important that the entire stockpile of ivory is destroyed once and for all." Further reads the statement