Zambezi Heartlands to give ZAWA 20 rhinos
By Times Reporter

March 4, 2008

THE Zambezi Heartlands, under the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), has pledged to donate 20 black rhinoceros to the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA).

AWF representative, Jimmiel Mandina, said in Lusaka yesterday that the 20 animals would come from the neighbouring Zimbabwe.

Mr Mandina said this when his organisation donated equipment and foodstuffs to ZAWA worth about K48 Million.

The equipment would go towards the improvement of management of wildlife in the Lower Zambezi.

Mr Mandina, who is Zambezi Heartlands director, said apart from the donated items, which included a radio receiver, motor cycle and canvass tents, the organisation supported the construction of a three-bed-roomed ranger house at Mulilansolo sub-sector valued at K261 million.

“As we continue to work towards realising gains in conservation, I wish to formally present resource protection patrol equipment and food rations for use by Authority staff in the Lower Zambezi,†he said.

Mr Mandina said it was the vision of AWF to train members of the community and establishment of demonstration sites using chili pepper fencing to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in Chiawa and Rufunsa Game Management Areas.

He said he was optimistic that working with the communities in Chiawa Game Management Area through the enterprise directorate to develop a cultural village would showcase the culture of the Goba people and bring direct benefits from tourism.

And ZAWA director general, Lewis Saiwana, said ZAWA had implemented sensitisation programmes and deployed a rapid response team to the Lower Zambezi in order to curb human wildlife-conflict.

“Due to activities of problem animals, the community has been impacted by either loss of lives, livestock, crops or property, hence ZAWA’s measures to mitigate these conflicts,†he said.

He said ZAWA would reduce the illegal activities and human-wildlife conflict in the area.
“Go there with good intent, and not destroy the protected areas. Any poacher found wanting should be arrested and taken to court,†he said.

Dr Saiwana said about 69 suspects had been arrested in connection with the violation of several provisions of the Zambia Wildlife Act number 12 of 1998.

“The field staff executed anti-poaching operations that amounted to 6,872 patrol man days resulting in 69 arrests, but as the patrol man days were stepped up to 10,803, the number of suspects reduced, thus less illegal activities,†he said.