Tuesday was changover day: Adam and Kaley left – back to Leeds;  Belgian Nina also took off for a week at Kuti, the game park which is a sister project of LWC. Leaving myself and Amy (Wisconsonian journalism graduate who left it all behind to pursue her passion for Africa – see her blog Sweat, Tears & Seawater ) as week old veterans when 7 new volunteers arrive from various destinations, all as jet-lagged and confused as I must have been last week ( Kenya Airways – “The Pride of Africa” pulled the same trick on them, rerouting them via Zimbabwe).

Amy

Cazz, our charming volunteer coordinater, handles it all smoothly and everyone is soon settled in and finding their way around. Cazz is a wonder. My initial impression of a ditzy, chatty blonde was soon dispelled when I realised how effortlessly  effective an organiser she is, rarely missing the smallest detail.  And on top of that, when I was telling about some of the birds I had seen on one of my early morning walks, I found out she knows her African birds! What a combination: charm, efficiency and ornithological knowledge. If I was about 100 years younger I’d be in serious danger here.

Cazz

Speaking of birds – I have been doing some birdwatching when I can get away in the mornings ( Cazz arranged a couple of free mornings and that helped a lot).  I’m not so great at spotting birds in the forest, its hard work, makes your neck ache and when you finally find something, more often than not it’s just another Common Bulbul.  Still, there are some open spaces along the river and just sitting quietly and waiting has been productive: 4 species of Kingfisher (including the Giant which is a new one for me), the superbly exotic Schalow’s Turaco and lots of nice small stuff like Peterson’s Twinspot, Tropical Boubou, Paradise Flycatcher, Green Woodhoopoe,  African Golden Oriole and so on. Best bird so far was a White-backed Night Heron – the field guide says they are uncommon and difficult to see (they only come out at dawn and dusk) so I’m pleased with that.

White-backed Night Heron

Giant Kingfisher

Back to people. While Cazz runs the people side of things, Alma  (Dutch animal Naturopath) carries the main responsibility for the animals. Thats quite a burden; she is just about always there to ask about the Chameleon’s treatment, the Hedgehog’s diet , watching over the health of the orphan monkeys and a thousand and one other matters.  Amanda the wildlife vet from Arkansaw is in most days though has other responsibilities elswhere. Last night she and Canadian Olivia  (Emergency Response) took off in the night with dart-guns   to recapture a released Hyena and replace its tracking collar. These women all work together in what looks to me like a very easy flow, good communication, no obvious power games and no unneccessary stress.  I wonder if an all male team could do that.

Cynthia, Alma and Auze

Obviously there is a lot more involved in running this place. The backbone of the operation are the Malawian Staff. Head Carer Yesaya oversees a large team of animal carers who look after the animals in the enclosures all around. Chiko cares for the lions and Cynthia and Auze work in the Orphan Care so our pathes cross when I am on Lion Observation or preparing plates of “Hedgehog Special” (Cat biscuit, Dog food, boiled egg, fruit, veg, and chopped up insects)  in the orphan care room.

Yesaya, Head Carer

Chiko with Bella the Lioness

There are also many maintanance workers who keep the fences, paths and all the other equipment in good order. I am slowly getting to know some of them whom I meet more often. Since we are in the city security is a concern and there are a whole bunch of watchmen and security guards.  Last, but certainly not least is Joseph ours cook whose fabulous Malawian cuisine spoils anyone’s hopes of losing weight during their stay here.

Joseph

These are some of the people around me here. I hesitate to say more about them, I have only been here 9 days.  All in all the atmosphere is really nice and I feel good here, there is nothing that disturbs me or feels off.  And I wouldn’t say that if I didn’t really mean it.  So LWC was a good choice. Tomorrow I take a 4 day break – Safari to South Luangwa    N. Park across the border in Zambia. Next post after that!

Sand Snake