It is with sadness that we confirm an incident which occurred outside Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve in Malawi on Friday February 28th, in which a woman, Sebita Banda, from the community was tragically killed by a bull elephant close to the boundary of the park. African Parks and local authorities immediately dispatched teams to the area to provide assistance and to initiate investigations. Unfortunately, two African Parks’ staff members - Field Operations Manager David Robertson and Ranger Thom Mizeke - were injured by community members reacting to and angered by the incident; their two park vehicles were also burnt and destroyed. Both staff members were transported to the local hospital but are expected to make a full recovery.

This particular elephant was humanely eunthanised the following day to prevent further risk to the local community. African Parks and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) are working together, in concert with the community, to mitigate human-wildlife conflict through adequate management strategies which prioritise security and the safety of people around the park. We are providing our full support to the family of the deceased, and extend our deepest sympathies to all affected by this devastating loss.