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George Mmanga @georgem88.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

I sincerely thank the honey-hunting communities of northern Malawi for sharing their knowledge and experiences. Grateful to my three supervisors for their guidance, to Nyika Vwaza Trust and @society4conbio.bsky.social for funding, and to the Honey-hunting Research Network for their support. 6/6

Logos of Nyika Vwaza Trust at the Society of Conservation Biology who funded this research. University affiliations of my supervisors.

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George Mmanga @georgem88.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Safeguarding forests and traditional knowledge helps keep human–honeyguide cooperation alive. This partnership depends on a balance between people, wildlife, and environment—and can weaken as landscapes and livelihoods change, showing how tightly human well-being is tied to nature. 5/6

Honey-hunters inspecting the harvest after a successful honey-harvest, northern Malawi

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George Mmanga @georgem88.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Wild honey remains highly valued in communities, as food, medicine and in ceremonies. Many people also sell honey to get income. But the tradition faces pressures: deforestation, beekeeping, and declining youth interest. These pressures may weaken this partnership. 4/6

Wood cylinder hive encountered in a community near Nyika National park, northern Malawi. Picture by George Malembo M’manga

Signs of deforestation in northern Malawi. Picture by George Malembo M’manga

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George Mmanga @georgem88.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

I found that honey-hunters in northern Malawi routinely cooperate with honeyguides, and actively communicate with them using whistles and blowing instruments. After harvesting, honey-hunters reward the bird with leftover beeswax. 3/6

A honey-hunter demonstrating how to blow through animal horn in a community near Nyika National Park, northern Malawi. Photo shared with permission. Picture by George Malembo M’manga

Honeycombs left for the bird after a successful honey-hunt. Picture by George Malembo M’manga

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George Mmanga @georgem88.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

In the first scientific study of human–honeyguide cooperation in Malawi, I interviewed 119 honey-hunters across 25 villages around Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve. I also joined honey-hunting trips to observe this partnership in practice, and verify interview responses. 2/6

Conducting interviews with a female honey-hunter living in a community bordering Vwaza Mash Wildlife Reserve[JV1] , northern Malawi. Photo shared with permission.

Honey-hunter searching for bees’ nests in northern Malawi.

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George Mmanga @georgem88.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

🧵 Not all human–wildlife stories are defined by conflict. In northern Malawi, people follow the greater honeyguide to bee nests; in return, the bird feeds on wax and larvae. My MSc research documented a cooperation rooted in trust, tradition, and mutual benefit. #ornithology #BOU2026 1/6

Honey-hunter whistling with his hands toward a greater honeyguide; the honey-hunter is an original photo, and the adult honeyguide was added to the image using AI.

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George Mmanga @georgem88.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

On the way to Chilinda Camp in Nyika National Park, while searching for the Grey Crowned Crane, white stork appeared in the open grassland—an unexpected but memorable encounter. What you find along the way matters just as much as what you set out to see. #NyikaNationalPark #Birding #Conservation

A white stork in Nyika’s grasslands while searching for Grey: Photo by George Malembo M'manga

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