Dito to Will.
Thanks for asking the question and thanks for the answer. I have talked to people that hunted Sengwa "Research" Area and wondered what the whole story was.

Kyler

The "research Area is Sengwa Wildilfe research area AKA the Hostess Nichol Research Institute. Started 1964 as the primary wildlife research area for South Africa and the Federation (Rhodesia & Nyasaland). Federation disintergrated while Sengwa was being set up, but Universities from Norway, Rhodesia and Wits subscribed and built the main university complex there.

Sengwa was chosen because it covers the 4 main vegetation type in the hunting areas, Vis Jesse, Mopane woodland, Riverine and Miombo woodland. From 1967 to 2002 transects were monitored through each vegetation type to monitor change and also game densities.

Sengwa was No Hunting, No tourists. Just research. Most of the great names in African Conservation passed throug sengwa at some part of their cariers either as parks ecologists or as university research fellows.

Under parks Director Willas Makobe, the universities were kicked out and Sengwa allowed to decline. By the time I was posted there research compliment of the largest research station on the african continent was ... ME.

Last year all reaseach was thrown to the dogs when three pregs safaris took it over to run as a hunting concession - illegally as the mandate for the area by which it was taken from the batonka people stated that is was for research only and that all revinues derived should be given to the local people - fat chance of Parks handing any of the loot over.

Ganyana,
When I was in Chirisa with my husband on his lion hunt, I was told by PH John Hulme that part of Chirisa borders the "Research Area".

I was wondering what is the history of the Research Area. Who started it, for what scientific purposes, when was it started?

Any information is appreciated.