‘Missing’ family found at Majete Wildlife Reserve

African Parks Limited, a private firm managing Majete Wildlife Reserve in Chikwawa under a concession agreement, yesterday said a family of five that was feared missing on a game viewing outing was traced later on Sunday.

The company said the family, whose details were not disclosed, was found following a search which officials at the wildlife reserve conducted.

African Parks country director Patricio Ndadzela, speaking in a telephone interview from Liwonde, Machinga yesterday, said the family just missed their way, but they were found safe and sound.

He said: “We found them. They just missed their way in the course of their game viewing. But they are safe, they were not harmed. Nothing happened to them.”

Department of National Parks and Wildlife director Brighton Kumchedwa, in an interview yesterday, said the incident was not reported to his department.

However, Kumchedwa said it was important for game viewers to follow tips and advice offered by personnel at national parks and wildlife reserves.

He said the tips and regulations include use of designated roads and following sign posts for game viewing, use of armed tour guides and getting in and out of protected areas from 6am to 6pm.

Said Kumchedwa: “If someone goes out for game viewing in our parks and wildlife reserves, they have to be back by 6pm. Again, there are usually sign posts indicating in parks and reserves, it is recommended that people use these sign posts to guide them as well as that they use designated roads only.

“There is a tendency for people, especially during the dry season, to go beyond designated roads instead of using erected sign posts. That is risky.”