What is Poaching?
Within the Lower Zambezi National Park, there
are three distinct types of poaching all of which CLZ is assisting ZAWA in
combating. Firstly and fortunately the least serious is Subsistence Poaching.
Zambia is still a relatively poor nation and the rural people do not have the
luxury to view wildlife for its beauty, as the wealthy and western world do,
and often can only see it for the nutritional value it can provide for their
families.
Secondly and one of the greatest threats and
challenges in the Park is the Bushmeat Trade or what CLZ classifies as
Commercial Meat Poaching. The difference between this and Subsistence Poaching
is the fact that it is not for survival, but for commercial gain. This probably
accounts for over 90% of the poaching in the LZNP. Although, villagers from
outlying areas generally carry out this type of poaching it is normally
instigated by middlemen and the wealthier who are often from the city.
 Due
to improved communications and a more rapid response to gunshot reports there
has been a decrease in the use of weapons in poaching activities. Unfortunately
this has also resulted in an increase in the use of wire snares. A snare is a
silent and lethal loop of wire bent to form a noose and placed on a wildlife
trail.
The idea is that as an antelope or buffalo
walk along the trail their head goes through the noose, when the animal panics
the wire tightens and the more it struggles the tighter the wire becomes until
the animal slowly chokes to death. The tragedy is snaring is the most
indiscriminate form of poaching that exists today and so often causes the
utterly wasteful death of wildlife.
CLZ devotes a huge amount of time, energy and
funds into the darting and removal of snares from animals that have been
fortunate enough to break free but remain with the offending snare around their
neck, leg, or trunk which would otherwise have resulted in a slow lingering
death.
The picture above shows ZAWA Officers with
confiscated ivory tusks after a successful anti-poaching operation supported by
CLZ. All types of poaching in the Lower Zambezi have been dramatically reduced
since CLZ commenced conservation activity. However, poaching remains a problem
in the Lower Zambezi and throughout Africa.
The third classification is Trophy Poaching, which targets mostly endangered
species for their ivory, horns, pelts and body parts. Once again these poachers
are often, although not always, employees at the end of the food chain. They
tend to use more sophisticated and military firearms. The illegal trade in the
Far East is largely to blame for this type of poaching, as without the demand
there is no need for the supply. It is Trophy Poaching that is responsible for
the extermination of the once healthy rhino population of the Lower Zambezi
Valley and the decimation of elephants during the 1970's.
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Poaching
