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Through your generous support, the Nyika-Vwaza Trust in Malawi works with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife to improve the conservation of wildlife in the Nyika National Park and the Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve.

The Nyika-Vwaza (UK) Trust will provide the funding for year on year operational costs and specific projects through the generosity of its supporters.
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Wattled Crane Research Project

Why is this project needed?
Wattled Cranes (Grus carunculatus) are resident in only 11 countries in central/southern Africa of which the Nyika plateau in Malawi is one. In 2011 only one pair is sighted regularly, although two other pairs have been seen, whereas once a dozen pairs were common (Dyer 1992). Although they are a wetland species it is not known whether they are resident in the Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve. The objects of this project are to:

  • Investigate the causes of the serious decline on the Nyika and especially whether fires have damaged breeding sites

  • Update the records on Wattled Cranes, now 12-20 years old, and use them as an indicator species of wetlands on the Nyika and Vwaza

  • Monitor other bird species during the recording

  • Establish the status of Wattled Cranes in the Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve

  • Introduce measures to improve conditions for the wattled cranes

  • Involve the Museum of Malawi, which has a centre in Mzuzu, in developing a programme of environmental education centred on the wattled cranes in schools throughout Malawi and amongst local communities.

How will this project be implemented?
The research will be led by Ms. Tiwonge Mzumara, the ornithologist at the Museum of Malawi, who holds a Masters Degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Cape Town. She has been working on the conservation of birds in Malawi for over five years and has studied other endangered species such as the Thiele Alethe and the Yellow Apalis on Mulanje Mountain.

During 2010/11, Ms. Mzumara and an assistant conducted a reconnoitre of the Nyika plateau to establish the objects of this project and to gain the agreement and participation support of the Malawi Government’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife. This visit was financed by the Nyika-Vwaza (UK) Trust.

The research is planned over three consecutive years with cost estimates compiled for Year One. These include provision of equipment that will be required throughout the three year period but which needs to be procured at the outset to allow for delivery delays.

Year One will focus on the sites used by the wattled cranes and a comparison of those with other habitats. The aim will be to tag at least two cranes with GPS loggers in each park. Regular observations will be made by the DNPW law enforcement staff. Ms. Mzumara will conduct at least four field visits, with a fifth visit planned to the Bangweula swamps in Zambia where there is a large concentration of wattled cranes.

Year Two will focus on the breeding biology of the wattled cranes, including food sources.

Year Three will involve measures to improve conditions for the cranes based on lessons learnt during the first two years.

The environmental education programme will run through all three years.

Our request
We seek funds for the Year One costs with a commitment in principle to fund Years Two and Three on the present assumption that they will be in line with those of Year One less equipment costs. For further information please contact Harry Foot, Stowford Farm, Harford, Ivybridge, Devon, PL21 0JD; Tel: (0)1752 892632; Email: stowfoots@southdevon.org.
A pair of wattled crane 05Tiwonge Mzumara