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A wildlife charity operating in southern Africa faces a potential lawsuit from locals
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who say the organization's relocation of elephants to the area killed multiple people
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Ten people living near Kusungu National Park on the border between Malawi and Zambia
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retained a British law firm to handle their claims against the International Fund for Animal Welfare
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They accused the U.S.-based conservationist group of moving more than 260 elephants into their homeland in 2022
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resulting in at least 12 deaths. Others injured destroyed property and thousands living in fear
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The lawyers say a local nonprofit recorded more than 11,000 individuals who had suffered at least one of these impacts
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and that estimated damages totaled millions of dollars, with some community members left struggling to feed their families
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as a result of their livelihoods being destroyed by elephants. In a statement, the International Fund for Animal Welfare said it was deeply saddened by these reports of human wildlife conflict
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but denied any wrongdoing. Saying its role in the relocation was limited
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to providing financial and technical support, while the government of Malawi is the one responsible
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for managing the country's wildlife and national parks. The relocation of these elephants
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was initially seen as a major success, moving a significant number of the animals
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from an overpopulated smaller park to Gassungu, where their numbers had dwindled years ago because of poaching
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However, the lawyers for people living in the region said problems were almost immediate
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alleging two people were killed days after the elephants arrived. They added legal notices have been sent to the international fawn for animal welfare
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demanding the organization address the harm allegedly caused, and warning if no resolution is reached, a lawsuit will be pursued in a British court
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For Strait Arrow News, I'm Jack Almer
