Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, previously known as Lone Star Ranche, was initially established as a cattle ranch. The transition to wildlife-based land-use commenced in 1985, and over time, cattle were removed. The Malilangwe Trust purchased the ranch in 1994 and began the key objective of restoring its historic biodiversity.
Each species of living organism has its own specific requirements that must be satisfied if a viable population is to be maintained. The challenge of wildlife management is to meet these requirements to the best of our ability within the confines of a protected area. Our Wildlife Department is tasked with identifying imbalances and implementing mitigation actions that attempt to simulate historic controls. Focus is not only on the animals, but more importantly on the habitats they live in because these provide the food and shelter necessary for survival. Successful biodiversity conservation depends on a scientific approach to maintaining habitat diversity.