By Wendy Mkandawire
The Department of National Parks and Wildlife has called off the search for an escaped lion believed to have killed a 30-year-old farmer in Mzimba District last month.
The victim, identified as Clement Mnthari, was attacked and killed on 22nd September 2026 by a lion suspected to have strayed from Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve.
Speaking in an interview, Director of National Parks and Wildlife, Brighton Kumchedwa, said search teams suspect the lion has returned to its natural habitat inside the reserve, as no fresh tracks or sightings have been reported in the area.
A joint force of wildlife officers and police officers had been deployed to Mpherembe and surrounding areas near Vwaza to track down the animal, but the search yielded no results.
According to the Department, animals often stray out in search of water, especially during this time of the year, due to an incomplete perimeter fence around Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve as a result of lack of resources.
