August 20
Hello everyone!
Africa is known for its wonderful wildlife, a vast array of
animals who stomp, slither and swim across the spectacular landscape. Many
people visit the southern reaches of the continent to see the ‘Big Five’: African lion, African
elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, and rhinoceros. Today
was one of their special days.
World Lion Day is on August 20, apparently. There aren’t
many in Malawi. The largest African cat is only found in a few wildlife
reserves. Luckily for us, one of them happens to be right in the middle of
Lilongwe!
In the UK, wild animals within the confines of a city are
usually kept in a zoo. Though they do tend to them and try to make their life
as pleasurable as possible, it’s not the sole aim of the zoo to do so. The
Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is different; its only purpose is to care for sick and
injured animals, often ones who have been rescued from horrible situations
abroad.
Many species are visible in the wildlife centre, including
baboons…
…crocodiles…
…a massive python, which terrifyingly was partially camouflaged
within a tyre…
…and vervet monkeys. Many, many monkeys.
These cheeky chimps apparently jump out of their own
enclosure and steal the food of other animals, which is why certain animals are
fed at dusk. Other than that, they’re generally well-behaved. Being allowed to
roam free around much of the enclosure, and in very close proximity to humans,
comes with a bit of responsibility.
All of these creatures are charming and are brilliantly
looked after by the wildlife centre. We gathered lots of information about them
and the work of the place from boards placed on the sanctuary trail; certainly
a lot more than our guide, Maxwell, who seemed to be trying to speak as fast as
possible in a thick Malawian accent.
 |
| I found the first fact fascinating! |
On the trail we were also taken past the clinic, where the
animals are regularly checked upon and maintained.
Being World Lion Day, we had come to see the ‘King of the
Jungle’. We weren’t disappointed, with one male (Simba) and one female (Bella) sleeping
and then stirring a few dozen metres away from us.
Remarkably, Simba was sleeping with his foot in the air.
Their stories are both sad and heartening – sad in terms of the way they were
treated in France and Romania respectively, and heartening because they have been
rescued and are now getting the love and care they were lacking in Europe.
Unfortunately, most of these animals will never return to
the wild again, having lost many of the hunting skills needed to survive
outside of the centre’s walls. Nonetheless, it is lovely to see that they are
being cared for in such a loving way. Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is definitely
worth a visit for that reason alone.
Love you all
Matt
No comments:
Post a Comment