PS commends GRI for fight against poaching
By MUKOSELA KASALWE GAME Rangers International has been praised for its efforts in the fight against poaching and wildlife conservation in Zambia.
The organisation has also been commended for donating three new Land Cruiser vehicles to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife.
Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary Liya Mutale expressed gratitude to the Game Rangers International (GRI), through the David Shepherd Foundation, for donating the ve- hicles valued at US $125,000 to the Special Anti-Poaching Unit (SAPU).
Dr Mutale called for more of such partnerships to help combat poaching. She said the vehicles would help SAPU with their operations and minimise transportation challenges.
Dr Mutale said this on Tuesday, when she toured the Kafue National Park (KNP) to check on the operations and wildlife population.
She affirmed Government’s zeal to ensure that the human resource taking care of animals were comfortable by putting in place appropriate logistics such as accommodation, schools and medical facilities.
Dr Mutale said she was impressed that the animal population in the KNP was stable and instructed the director of Department of National Parks and Wildlife Paul Zyambo to replicate best practices to other national parks to ensure citizens benefited by attracting more tourists.
“I have come to see what is being done on the ground to conserve wildlife for the benefit of citizens. I am impressed that the animal population is stable and urge the director of National Parks to replicate best practices to other parks,” she said.
Dr Mutale said Chunga Training Wildlife School was one of the few institutions Zambia had in training tour guides and pledged government support to ensure a library and a computer laboratory were soon installed.
She gave awards in various categories to deserving workers for their hard work and contribution to the smooth operation of the KNP.
GRI chief executive officer and project manager for the Kafue Conservation Project, Sport Beattie said the organisation was currently helping 125 game ranger officers and that he desired for the number to increase to 500.
Mr Beattie said he would continue to collaborate with the government in it’s wildlife conservation activities such as taking care of orphaned elephants which are later released in the wild.
Senior Warden Kafue region, Phanwell Moonga informed Dr Mutale of challenges faced such as transportation, accommodation and radio message communication.