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 it's 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.
Zawa
Officers with confiscated ivory tusks after a successful anti-poaching
operation supported by CLZ. All types of paoching 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.
Trophy Poaching 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.
