Wildlife Society honours founder with road
Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (Wesm) Blantyre Branch unveiled a road sign in Majete Wildlife Reserve in honour of one of its founding members, George Dudley Hayes.
The event is one of a series of monthly events marking 70 years of Wesm’s existence.
as David Hayes looks on
Justifying the naming of the road after Hayes, who he fondly called GD, Wesm Blantyre Branch chairperson Paul Taylor said Hayes was among the five people who met at Country Club Limbe in 1947 to form the Nyasaland Fauna Protection Society.
He described Hayes as a reformed hunter who confessed in his hunting diary of his guilt when he wanted to shoot a herd of kudu by writing: “I wish I had a camera instead of a rifle.”
Hayes is credited for contributing to the establishment of most national parks and game reserves in Malawi.
Taylor thanked African Parks (AP) for restoring Majete after years of destruction that eliminated the wildlife.
“To African Parks, we say thank you for giving us the honour of naming the road after GD,” said Taylor.
Hayes’ grandson, David, who represented his family at the function, thanked Wesm and AP for bestowing the honour on his grandfather. He also stressed on the importance of wildlife reserves.
Majete Wildlife Reserve park manager Craig Hay said they found it befitting to honour Hayes because of his conservation efforts in the 1950s. n
