Illegal wildlife trade threatens Zambia

ZAMBIA is under threat of illegal wildlife trade which is preventing the country from earning revenue through tax, Zambia Community Natural Resource Management chairperson Rogers Lubilo has said.

He said the country should ably safeguard resources to boost the economy.

He said wildlife conservationists were trying their best to put measures aimed at protecting resources, among them, engagement of traditional leaders and communities, as well as various stakeholders.

"The Community needs support that will motivate them to protect wildlife because they are the ones who are in those areas.

“Unless something is done to protect wildlife, many more species in the park will be extinct in no time,” he said.

Dr Lubilo said it was for that reason a national consultative dialogue to engage communities that were closer to wildlife areas was convened to ensure tangible solutions were identified.

He cited among other illegal resources such as mukula, pangolins trophies, that were illegally moved to other countries, a situation he said, was robbing Zambia of her resources.

He said illegal wildlife trade was discouraging and a contributing factor to poverty in the country.

Dr Lubilo said there was need to curb poaching that had become rampant with local resources being sold on international market.

He said the ever-increasing threat on wildlife had an impact to the environment, economy and populations in Zambia. He commended the government for showing commitment in trying to ensure wildlife was protected through increased penalties associated with the possession and smuggling of wildlife products.

Under the Zambia Wildlife Act, no. 14 of 2015 illegal possession of trophies such as elephant ivory and rhino horn are punishable with sentences of between five and 10 years imprisonment with no option of a fine.