Residents living on the fringes of a protected area in Malawi have initiated legal action against an NGO, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (Ifaw), for the introduction of more than 250 elephants into their community. According to locals, the translocation has led to a significant increase in human-wildlife conflicts, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 individuals and numerous orphaned children.

People living near Kasungu National Park—the second-largest in Malawi, which also extends into Zambia—are facing a heightened threat to their safety and livelihoods following the introduction of 263 elephants in July 2022. The villagers, who are among the 167 communities surrounding the park, have demanded that Ifaw constructs adequate barriers to protect their villages and compensates them for the damages caused by the elephants.

Malawi and Zambia farmers have reported that their crops have been devastated by the elephants, and personal injuries have also been severe. One Zambian farmer described being trampled by elephants and suffering from long-term injuries that prevent him from working.

Two deaths associated with the translocation include one person killed by a hippo displaced by the elephants and another by hyenas that followed the elephants out of the park.

The UK-based law firm Leigh Day is managing the case in the UK, Zambia, and Malawi, with the potential to escalate to the English High Court. The claimants are yet to be named to protect their identities.

Local farmers reported widespread crop destruction post-translocation, with one farmer stating they lost multiple harvests. The plaintiffs, including individuals whose family members were killed and farmers suffering significant economic losses, argue that the NGO must take responsibility for the consequences of their relocation efforts.

Ifaw has responded by indicating that they receive notice of the legal action in December and deny any wrongdoing. They emphasize their role in supporting sustainable solutions for human-wildlife conflict and coexistence, with Malawi’s government retaining primary responsibility for national parks.

The elephant translocation, one of the largest such operations, included fundraising efforts with imagery that evoked the Disney movie Dumbo. The operation was a collaborative effort between Malawi’s national park service and two NGOs, Ifaw and African Parks.

Farmers participating in the legal action hope to achieve peaceful coexistence with the elephants and expect the NGO to provide compensation and increased protection measures, such as barriers to safeguard humans and their crops.

Despite the challenges, the local communities express a desire for a harmonious relationship with the wildlife and are committed to finding peaceful solutions to this ongoing conflict.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/26/charity-faces-legal-action-after-relocated-elephants-that-allegedly-kill-10-people-malawi-zambia-aoe