BLANTYRE, March 31 (AGCNewsNet) – Rural communities on the Malawi-Zambia border are preparing legal action against the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), claiming the relocation of over 260 elephants has led to human deaths, injuries, and widespread destruction.

Represented by British law firm Leigh Day, 10 affected individuals say the elephants—relocated to Malawi’s Kasungu National Park in 2022—have frequently breached park boundaries, killing at least 12 people, damaging crops, and destroying property. A local nonprofit documented over 11,000 people suffering losses, with damages estimated in the millions of dollars.

While IFAW acknowledges the human-wildlife conflict, it denies responsibility, stating its role was limited to financial and technical support, while Malawi’s government oversaw the relocation. The communities, however, argue that conservation efforts prioritized elephants over human safety and are demanding compensation.

If IFAW fails to engage, the plaintiffs plan to escalate the case to a British court, setting the stage for a legal battle over conservation ethics and human rights.

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