WILDLIFE NGOS KEY IN FIGHT AGAINST POACHING
THERE is need for concerted efforts in the fight against poaching and a sustained wildlife conservation campaign in Zambia if the animal population is to remain steady and increase.
Ministry of Tourism and Arts Permanent Secretary, Liya Mutale observed that poaching should not be left to the government alone but called for concerted efforts with like minded organisations and institutions such as the Game Rangers International (GRI).
Dr Mutale said this when she toured the Kafue National Park recently which covers a massive 22,400 square kilometres in the western part of Zambia where GRI through the David Shepherd Foundation of the United Kingdom donated three new Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles valued at US$125,000 to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Special Anti-Poaching Unit (SAPU).
The National Park is named after the Kafue River that cuts through North-Western, Central and Southern provinces and runs through the park for over 250 kilometres.
The Permanent Secretary was given a guard of honour and inspected the troops who are mandated to safeguard Zambia’s rich and diverse wildlife resource.
She said collaborative efforts such as those brought forth by the GRI were vital to curtailing poaching and its negative impact in the Kafue National Park.
Dr Mutale called on more of such partnerships to help combat poaching. She said the vehicles would help SAPU with their operations and minimise transportation challenges.
The Permanent Secretary 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.
She said staff taking care of wildlife were important in the conservation process and needed to be comfortable for them to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently.
Dr Mutale said she was impressed that the animal population in the Kafue National Park was stable and instructed the director of Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) Paul Zyambo to replicate best practices to other national parks which would see increased national wildlife population.
She said citizens stood to benefit from a stable wildlife population as it would attract more international and local tourists who would be eager to see various animals such as elephants, antelopes, lions and monkeys among others.
“I have come to see what is being done on the ground to conserve wildlife for the benefit of our citizens. I am impressed that the animal population is stable and urge the director of National Parks to replicate best practices to other parks as this measure will attract more international and local tourists,” she said.
Dr Mutale gave awards in various categories to deserving workers for their hard work and contribution to the smooth operation of the Kafue National Park.
The staff members who were happy displayed various funfilled activities such as a drinking competition and enjoyed lunch with the Permanent Secretary.
Dr Mutale who took almost the whole day in her tour of duty also visited the Chunga Training Wildlife School which is one of the few institutions Zambia has in training tour guides.
She said a United States of America university had expressed interest to collaborate with Chunga Training Wildlife in best learning practices.
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 their wildlife conservation activities such as taking care of orphaned elephants which are later released into the wild.
He said GRI has adopted the model of empowering the rangers and also values working with local communities.
Mr Beattie said his organisa- tion finds great pleasure complementing Government efforts by working with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife.
He said GRI was cognisant that conservation effort from all stakeholders was key to broaden the wildlife population.
Senior Warden Kafue region, Phanwell Moonga informed Dr Mutale of challenges faced such as transportation, accommodation and radio message communication.
Game Rangers International (GRI) is a Zambian conservation organisation, working alongside the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) to protect the wildlife in Zambia.
The organisation has been active in Kafue National Park (KNP) since 2008, originally founded to empower rangers and local communities to conserve nature. The organisation rescues orphaned elephants for later release in the wild.
GRI takes a holistic approach to conservation and development, rooted in the belief that the key to sustainable, long term utilisation of Zambia’s natural wealth is best achieved by the full participation of its citizens in managing these vital, internationally important eco-systems.
These areas do not only contain a diversity of wildlife, they are also important cultural resources that provide opportunities for tourism, conservation education and research as well as contributing to the socioeconomic well-being of the surrounding local communities and Zambia as a whole.
GRI is a Zambian registered not for profit organisation and was established with critical and on-going support by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF).
The organisation supports a staff of over 85 people, and maintains facilities in Lusaka as well as in Kafue National Park and at Lilayi Elephant Nursery.
Activities are supported by an administrative team working from the Country Office in Lusaka. GRI activities are overseen by a Board of Trustees that meets regularly during the year to provide oversight of the management team and guide the direction and growth of the organisation. GRI’s financial management is overseen by Business Guru and Financial Statements are prepared by the Zambian offices of the international accounting firm BDO.
It is clear that wildlife conservation involves each and every one of us and we can play a key role through sensitisation and replicate best practices.