by Lynn Clifford

A little update from the Malawi bush.

Last week, the rangers and I heard about a large 8.6 foot female croc that had been in captivity for over 15 years in the capital city of Lilongwe. This croc was at the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust facility that takes care of rescued, distressed wild animals — then works at releasing the captive animals back to the wild.

I suggested that it might be better for the croc to be released into the Thuma Forest Reserve where we live and work. Thuma had a good spot on a wild river where it could live because our WAG rangers patrol the area for poachers. The Lilongwe Wildlife Trust agreed to allow the rangers and me to transport the croc to Thuma, about 100 miles away.

Days later, we brought the big croc to Thuma. Her name is Bush Dog! (In Southern Africa, crocodiles are called Flat Dogs.)

Since the croc weighed hundreds of pounds, we had to use 2 teams of ten men to carry Bush Dog to the ideal river spot about a mile away from the vehicles.

We released Bush Dog in a shady area, beside a stream close to a natural dam. It would be an ideal place where we hope she enjoys a taste of freedom. A croc can live to nearly100 years and can reach some 19 feet in length!

Recently, we also released 4 baby hedgehogs into Thuma Forest Reserve. They had been hand reared in the city. They were released close to our ranger headquarters camp.

Another “back to the wild” story entailed 3 beautiful African Rock pythons! They were found at one day near the city and brought here to Thuma Forest Reserve. 

We have been hand rearing them ever since, including catching and feeding them live rats. Ugh! It was terrible for me to do being an animal lover, but that’s what pythons eat.

All three pythons were released at our local spring area and we hope they do well.

Thank you for reading my post from the bush.

Lynn Clifford
Field Manager
Wildlife Action Group
Thuma and Dedza-Salima Forest Reserves