Wildlife Action Group Malawi

Who Is Wildlife Action Group

In 1996, deep in the heart of Malawi — one of the world’s poorest countries and far from the typical tourist path — Thuma Forest Reserve was on the brink of collapse. Illegal logging fueled by charcoal production threatened the forest, while a small, frightened herd of fewer than 65 African elephants faced extinction due to relentless poaching for their ivory.

Just in time, Wildlife Action Group (WAG), a Malawian NGO, was founded to protect the 1,235,526 acres of Thuma and Dedza-Salima Escarpment Forest Reserves. These forests not only shelter endangered wildlife but also serve as vital water catchment areas and key ecosystems.

Today, under the leadership of Lynn Clifford, Richard Banda, and Mathews Banda, WAG has built a dedicated team of 46 rangers and over 80 local staff. Their unwavering efforts have led to a remarkable conservation victory — stopping elephant poaching for the last seven years. As a result, the African elephant population has more than tripled, with other wildlife species rebounding and the forests naturally regenerating.

But the work doesn’t stop there. WAG continues to tackle poaching, mitigate human-elephant conflict, and empower local communities. From protecting pangolins — the world’s most trafficked animal — to safeguarding honey badgers and blue monkeys, their impact ripples across the region.

“More Sweat, Less Poaching.” - Wildlife Action Group Malawi

Why Your Support Matters

At Wildlife Action Group (WAG), conservation is about more than protecting wildlife—it’s about empowering communities to become stewards of their own land. Through initiatives like water wells, income-generating projects, solar-powered elephant exclusion fences, and educational programs for children, WAG is creating lasting change. 

Their impact speaks for itself: over 100,000 trees planted, 17,000 acres of forest restored, and vital ecosystems brought back to life. But there’s still so much more to do. 

With your support, we can build on these incredible achievements, expanding protection for Malawi’s wildlife and the communities who share the land.

Every donation fuels real conservation action, ensuring a future where people and wildlife thrive—together.