Investigating the incidence of damage-causing animals from Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve (Malawi) and consequences on rural livelihoods

Although there have been extensive studies on damage-causing animals (DCAs) and local communities elsewhere, little is known about the factors influencing the interactions of DCAs between the Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve (VMWR) and neighbouring communities, nor about the effectiveness of DCA mitigation. Furthermore, although the contentious issue of DCAs has been recognized in the area, there has been no systematic evaluation to date of the extent of this damage and how it is affecting attitudes towards the VMWR.