Andy's Website on Malawi - The real Adventure begins
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Malawian Wildlife
Malawi's animals and habitats are appreciated by all who have seen them. Many
species roam throughout this region of the African continent, but the most famous of all are the
animals referred to as the "Big Five".
These are five of Africa's greatest wild animals - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo
and rhino. Many travellers may regard a visit to Africa as incomplete without
having spotted, and perhaps photographed, the Big Five. These people may well be disappointed
with Malawi, because these days, finding lion in this country is very difficult indeed.
THE LION
This king of the African wilderness is the largest of Africa's predators and can weigh up
to 230 kilograms. Lions have a wide habitat tolerance ranging from desert conditions to
fairly dense bush. Because of their nomadic nature they are particularly vulnerable outside
of conservation areas.
Lions are active at night, mainly around sunrise and early evening. Their nocturnal hunting
is a combined effort, but the females usually do all the hard work. The most sociable of the
cats, lions form prides of three to thirty or more individuals. A pride consists of one or
several dominant males, several adult females, and an assortment of younge adults and cubs.
THE LEOPARD
The solitary, stealthy leopard is the largest of Africa's spotted cats, with males weighing
up to approximately 60 kg. The leopards of the mountainous regions of the southern and
south-western Cape tend to be smaller.
Leopards are silent, secretive animals, whose vocalisation is a hoarse, rasping cough repeated
at intervals. They move in a casual loping stride, or they may make off at a bouncing gallop,
changing to a fast trot. All of their senses are well-developed and they are therefore extremely
efficient hunters.
These magnificent cats have a wide habitat tolerance, but prefer forests and hilly areas with
rocky outcrops and hiding places, bushy areas and tall grass with associated rocky places.
Malawi therefore makes for the ideal habitat.
THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT
A well-known and respected member of the Big Five, the adult male African elephant is the
largest and heaviest of all land mammals. The weight of a prime bull can turn the scale at 6 000
kg. Undeniably, the glory and yet the downfall of this magnificent beast is the bulk and quality
of the ivory in its tusks.
African elephants occur throughout south, east and west central Africa. The habitat tends to
influence the behaviour and even the appearance of elephants. By far the largest proportion of
elephants in southern Africa are found in bushveld country. Elephants are generally placid, but
can be extremely dangerous if threatened.
THE AFRICAN BUFFALO
These large, ox-like bovids have earned a reputation for being one of Africa's most dangerous
and cunning beasts. And not without reason. Despite the fact that they are herbivores, they have
been responsible for the deaths of many people. Much of this reputation is based on hunter's
tales, and relate to the animal's response to being hunted.
Nevertheless, they are respected by all with whom they come into contact. These animals in
particular are quick-tempered and will not hesitate to use their massive horns if they perceive
a threat. Their reputation for extreme cunning and circling around to wait in ambush for a
hunter following their trail is probably much exaggerated. This may occur only if the animal is
seriously wounded.
Wildlife-borne diseases such as foot-and-mouth and corridor disease have also taken a heavy
toll of Africa's buffalo populations. Not because buffalo are susceptible to these diseases,
but because they carry the diseases and thus pose a threat to domestic cattle. As a result
they have been systematically exterminated over large areas.
WHITE AND BLACK RHINO
Two rhino species are found in Africa, namely the square-lipped white rhino (Ceratotherium
simum) and the hook-lipped black rhino(Diceros bicornis).
The major differences between the two species are the following: The white rhino has a square
upper lip used for grazing while the black rhino has a prehensile, hook-shaped upper lip
enabling it to strip the leaves off trees and shrubs. The latter can also be distinguished
by its smaller size and the absence of a nuchal (neck) hump present in the white rhino.
Although the white rhino is the larger of the two species, it is more placid and therefore
less dangerous than its bad-tempered cousin.
Rhino species worldwide are, or have been, on the brink of extinction due to the value of
their horns. Strict conservation measures in southern Africa have reversed this unfortunate
situation to a great extent. The high value attached to rhino horn results from the supposed
medicinal qualities of the powdered horn according to traditions in in the Far East. |