Thuma F.R. is situated between Lilongwe (the capital of Malawi) and Lake Malawi on the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley in the Central Region of Malawi and covers an area of approximately 197 km². The altitude of the reserve varies between 575 and 1,564 metres above sea level. Generally the topography is rugged. The upper levels of the reserve are covered with miombo woodland while the lower levels are characterized by mixed low altitude woodland with patches of bamboo. Along the many streams within the reserve narrow strips of riverine forest can be found.

Thuma F.R. is one of the very few forest reserves in Malawi which is still home to a relatively rich variety of wildlife which include elephant (with one of the highest densities in Malawi) and buffalo.

In 2006, W.A.G. received funding from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service via their African Elephant Conservation Fund which enabled W.A.G. to lift the protection of the reserve to a higher level.

In the same year, W.A.G. conducted the first mammal survey in Thuma F.R. in order to monitor (consequential) changes in mammal species distribution and the survey has been repeated annually since.

The annual mammal survey is conducted during the dry season. Only signs, i.e. sightings, droppings, prints, burrows and other signs, of the current year are recorded so the collected data does represent the present distribution of mammals in the reserve. During the survey, each square kilometre block of Thuma F.R. is surveyed, following a straight diagonal line, using GPS, from the South-West corner of each block to the North-East corner of the block (or reverse), a distance of 1.44 kilometres. The sequence of the blocks surveyed is chosen as random as practically possible.

The 2008 mammal survey has been the third consecutive survey and has provided ample possibilities to identify trends by comparing this year’s data with the data of the 2007 and 2006 surveys.

During the 2008 survey an average of 9.5 species/block was recorded compared with an average of 8.9 species/block in 2007 and an average of 6.7 species/block in 2006; an obvious increase in the number of species per block over the past 3 years.

In the Thuma F.R. Mammal Survey 2008 Report, the recorded distribution pattern of each individual mammal species in Thuma F.R. is presented and compared with the distribution pattern recorded during the previous surveys. To summarise: the 3 consecutive Thuma F.R. mammal surveys indicate that many mammal species which can be found in the reserve are in the process of recovering from past poaching pressure and/or disturbance by people. Many species, especially elephant, buffalo, greater kudu and warthog, show a remarkable swift response to the increased level of protection which was initiated 3 years ago. This improved protection not only benefits wildlife but people as well: the protection of wildlife and habitats also has its direct positive impact on the water catchment capacity of the area, the reduction of erosion, the sustainable availability of a variety of important forest produce and the potential of income generating eco-tourism.
Other species, which are apparently less vulnerable to poaching and disturbance, like bushbuck, bushpig and baboon, seem to have already reached their maximum distribution within the reserve only limited by natural constraints (like specific habitat preferences and food availability).

Increased and improved law enforcement efforts can clearly have a quick positive impact on many species under pressure. But conservation is obviously not only about law enforcement; sound reserve management, political and policy change, land use planning, community involvement, awareness campaigns, alternative livelihood strategies, research etcetera are all necessary tools for mid- and long-term conservation success.
However, what the Thuma F.R. mammal surveys show is that it is definitely worth to invest in straightforward protection in the field: it is the fastest way to gain good results in a relatively short period of time. And this might hopefully buy enough time to implement the other above mentioned conservation tools which are as important as law enforcement but which need more time to become effective.

The full Thuma F.R. Mammal Survey 2008 Report can be found on:
www.wag-malawi.org/ThumaFR_Mammal_Survey_2008.pdf