Meet Geoff the warthog
A tiny orphan has been given a second chance of life and two new companions, thanks to our long-term colleagues at Lilongwe Wildlife Trust, in Malawi, southern Africa.
Geoff with his friends Mani and Dazi the duikers (c) LWT
He’s already stolen our hearts… And every species, however unusual, matters to Born Free!
Geoff the warthog’s journey began in Liwonde National Park, in central Malawi. He was discovered in a heartbreaking situation: his mother had died while trying to get into a drainage pipe, along the road by the park. Tragically, baby Geoff was found trying to nurse from her, even after she had passed away.
Warthogs are wild members of the pig family, found across sub-Saharan Africa. Fortunately, Lilongwe Wildlife Trust – one of Malawi’s leading wildlife charities, is expert at caring for a huge range of orphaned, injured and confiscated wild animals – from monkeys, to grey parrots and pangolins.
Thankfully, one of their dedicated research staff, Wanangwa, came across Geoff during her regular wildlife monitoring walks in the park. She took immediate action, safely rescued the young warthog from the pipe, and brought him back to the safety of their research camp.
Geoff was quickly transferred over 180 miles north to Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, based in Malawi’s capital city. Here, he could be further examined by their expert veterinary team. Thankfully, upon closer examination, no injuries were observed.
Today, Geoff is thriving at Lilongwe Wildlife Centre. Here he shares a spacious natural enclosure with two young duikers – a small species of antelope. Known as Dazi and Mani, the two were also rescued, but on separate occasions and in different locations. Both were spotted illegally on sale for bushmeat by the roadside, around the time Geoff was found.
What a remarkable story. Together, the three companions are receiving the care and attention they need. The incredible team from Lilongwe Wildlife Trust are hopeful they will all one day be ready to be released back into the wild. Well, once they are a little older!