By Burnett Munthali,
NKHOTAKOTA—The management team at Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve has confirmed the presence of leopards within the reserve, captured by CCTV cameras installed to monitor wildlife activity. This exciting discovery has the potential to boost tourism in the area, according to the reserve’s director, David Nangoma.
In a statement to Times360Malawi, Nangoma expressed enthusiasm about the leopards’ presence, explaining how this discovery enhances the reserve’s appeal to tourists. Leopards are among the “Big Five” game animals that are highly sought-after by safari enthusiasts and nature lovers.
“We have elephants in the reserve, but we previously thought leopards were not present. Our cameras, however, have shown that leopards are indeed here and their numbers are growing,” Nangoma revealed.
Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve is one of Malawi’s key conservation areas, generating annual revenue between $25,000 and $50,000 from ecotourism activities. The addition of leopards to the reserve’s wildlife population could attract even more visitors, helping to support conservation efforts and contribute to the local economy.
As the reserve continues to expand its conservation and tourism initiatives, the discovery of leopards serves as a reminder of the rich biodiversity in Malawi’s forests and the potential for sustainable tourism development.
