Environmental Protection

“The global African elephant population – currently 600,000 – is diminishing by 38,000 every year. CLZ helps protect the Lower Zambezi’s elephants from illegal killing.”

CLZ’s environmental protection role includes:

•  facilitating the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) in their wildlife protection activities by providing rations, transport and logistical support for ZAWA patrol officers who complete 10 day long, five-man patrols and snare sweeps in the Lower Zambezi National Park (LZNP) and surrounding game management areas (GMAs);
•  assisting in the treatment and rehabilitation of injured and snared animals, e.g. in 2011 and 2012 CLZ assisted ZAWA, the Veterinary Department and the University of Zambia with a response to the Anthrax outbreak and succeeded in protected the lion population of the LZNP.

CLZ enjoy a good working relationship with the ZAWA Area Warden of the Lower Zambezi Area Management Unit and the rest of his team at ZAWA Chirundu Command. We also work closely with ZAWA Command Controls at Chinyunyu (North of the Park) and Luangwa (East of the Park) and assist them with rations and transport.

On average we assist 12 patrol team deployments per month. Each team of five men spends ten days patrolling the bush to detect and deter illegal activities. When necessary, CLZ provide food rations, transport in and out of ZAWA Commands, first aid kit, logistics support and 24 hour communication. CLZ have also provided training to patrol team leaders in GPS device use and all patrol team tracks are downloaded onto Google Earth software in order to be able to assist ZAWA in improving wildlife protection methods.

The LZNP covers an area of 4095 km² and is bordered on the south by the Zambezi River and on the north by the Zambezi escarpment. As with most national parks, three types of poaching occur in the Lower Zambezi: commercial ivory; commercial bushmeat; and subsistence (mostly snaring). Lack of scout equipment, training, morale and leadership are some of the challenges faced. On top of this due to the lack of funds and resources currently at ZAWA’s disposal, CLZ also assist with support for the Rufunsa GMA and their two commands, Chinyunyu and Luangwa Boma.  This increases our coverage area by another 3179 km², to 9615 km².

Aerial assistance

Using the CLZ Cessna 172 Reims Rocket, kindly leased to us at a nominal rate by Rentworks and Glenn Goodall, we are able to offer aerial support and back up to patrol teams operating in the park. Aerial patrols are invaluable for spotting carcasses and signs of illegal activity.

Injured Animal Assistance

CLZ responds to reports of snared and other injured animals in the Lower Zambezi, and with the help of the Zambia Wildlife Authority vets, endeavours to treat and rehabilitate all such animals. In 2011, CLZ successfully rescued and rehabilitated a buffalo calf, who was relocated to Liuwa Plains National Park to increase the genetic diversity of a breeding program in the area. CLZ also rescued the youngest orphan elephant calf ever rescued in Zambia in 2011, baby Zambezi, who will be reared by the Elephant Orphanage Project.