The Return of the lion to Mvuu

By Roshenka de Mel and Samuel Lenard Chihana

Liwonde National Park is recognised internationally as Malawi’s premier game destination: known for its abundant populations of antelope, warthog, elephant, crocodile and hippo. However, sightings of predators have been scarce in the park. In a thrilling development in late November 2010, a lion was seen for the first time in years and the sightings continued through 2011, resulting in much excitement!

A little history
According to Samuel, between 1970 and 1990, Liwonde was the best national park in Malawi for spotting lions. However, due to the poaching that plagued many of Malawi’s national parks in their early years, the lions slowly moved out of the park to greener pastures. Following the continued rehabilitation of Liwonde National Park, significant steps have been made to ensure the restoration of the park’s delicate ecosystems and make the park a wildlife haven once more. In July 2007 at 7:20pm, guides Jimmy, Laston, Julius and their guests spotted a lion near the Ntangai Drift near the Rhino Sanctuary. At that time, the Wilderness guides believed that three lions were living in the park. From 2008 onwards however, there were no signs whatsoever of any lion population in the park and Samuel believes that they left for Mozambique through the Mangochi Forest Reserve.

And they called him “Titus”
In November 2010 a team of researchers and officers spotted a lion six kilometres south of Mvuu, near a bridge at Namisundu. Throughout the early months of 2011, a lion could be heard roaring through the park on certain nights. On February 20th 2011, a set of lion tracks was found leading from the Mvuu Lodge car park road to where the Mvuu Camp Manager’s tent is located. Finally on July 18th at 8:00pm, the first sightings for 2011 were reported on a game drive by guides McCloud and Samuel with their guests. The lion was seen north of Mvuu Camp and was resting under a tree, just eight metres from the road. He was observed for 25 minutes and appeared at ease until he heard the sound of an approaching vehicle. The group of guests present decided to name him ‘Titus”.

Titus’ timetable
Titus was later seen on 12th September 2011 and most recently on 29th October 2011 at 7:20 pm when guides Mathew, McLoud, Duncan, Samuel, Danford and 18 guests observed Titus hunt down a kudu. About 71 people in total have seen the lion in Liwonde National Park.

Samuel explains a little about where and when Titus can be seen:
“He is most likely to be spotted from 7:20pm – 9:00pm and over the last month lion tracks and roaring sounds have come from the Rhino Sanctuary. However the lion seems to hunt outside the Sanctuary (across the river from Old Skimmer Bank up to the North Ntangai Thicket near Mvuu Camp and Lodge). When spotted, this lion stays still for a while and eventually shyly walks away. How long this lion will stay and how much more of him we will encounter, remains to be seen. As roaring continues to echo through the Park, the lion’s presence is thrilling for guides and guests alike who are all eagerly awaiting another chance to see Liwonde’s new top predator: Titus the lion.”

Samuel Chihana has worked in Liwonde National Park as a guide for Mvuu Camp and Mvuu Lodge for five years and is currently in charge of providing the Lilongwe Wilderness Safaris office with sightings and news updates.