The Zambian Carnivore Programme

By: Matthew Becker Photos: Zambia Carnivore Programme & Andrew Muswala

Earth’s ecosystems are experiencing unprecedented rates of rapid human-induced change, with a vast array of negative impacts for wildlife and people. With ever-increasing population growth and resource consumption, wildlife and wild places continue to dwindle. Bordering eight countries with nearly 40% of its landmass managed for wildlife and wildlife-based economies, Zambia is of critical importance for conservation efforts in Africa. Nevertheless, many human threats face the country and its ecosystems: rampant human encroachment; massive commercial trade in illegal bush meat, ivory, and other 32 TRAVEL & LEISURE ZAMBIA wildlife parts; overharvesting of wildlife; human-wildlife conflict; and disease. Fundamental to addressing these issues is accurate current and long-term scientific information to identify, monitor, and evaluate these threats; conservation actions developed to combat the threats; and an ability to ensure the long-term sustainability of these efforts through development of local conservation leaders across all aspects of the work.

Large carnivores such as lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena, are iconic species in Africa. As top predators they have an array of direct and indirect impacts on ecosystems and therefore are of extreme ecological importance. In addition, because they are beautiful, magnificent, and fascinating they are very significant economically--people travel from all over the world to see these species, paying considerable amounts of money in the process. However, large carnivores are also low-density and wide-ranging and can conflict with humans; they require a lot of space. But this space is running out, and across Africa these species are declining from human impacts. With growing human populations and resource demands, the space and resources these notoriously wide-ranging animals need are depleted, often to the point where carnivores can no longer persist. Thus the challenges Zambia’s wildlife and wild places face are unprecedented, complex, and rapidly changing.

The Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP) is a non-profit Zambian organization dedicated

to conserving large carnivores, intact landscapes, and wildlife-based economies through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach. We follow a three-tiered interdisciplinary approach of conservation, research, education and capacity building. The success of this work fundamentally rests on our diverse and effective collaborations with local, national, and international partners, agencies, organizations and institutions that collectively provide the expertise, resources, and energy to address the conservation challenges facing Zambia.

We are 100% field-based with bases across the country in the Luangwa Valley, Greater Kafue, and Liuwa Plain ecosystems. Fundamental to effective conservation is accurate and current information to guide management actions. There is presently very little known about most of Zambia’s large carnivore populations, which renders research and monitoring programmes of paramount importance. By conducting applied ecological research, ZCP is able to identify and evaluate limiting factors and threats to the persistence of carnivore species, their prey, and habitats. Immediate conservation—such as de-snaring operations, disease-control programmes, and supporting anti-poaching patrols and landuse planning—addresses the immediate dangers to wildlife and ecosystems as identified by research.

Through targeted conservation actions, ZCP reduces current, and helps to reverse past, negative impacts on large carnivore populations across Zambia. To ensure the sustainability of both the research and conservation agendas, ZCP has developed diverse educational opportunities in the forms of training, employment, and sponsorship for current and aspiring Zambian wildlife professionals, beginning at the secondary school level up through the international Ph.D. level. Collectively, this helps to ensure that Zambia’s best and brightest have the opportunity to contribute their talents to wildlife conservation now and into the future.

Perhaps the best reflection of our work can be found in the rising Zambian conservation star Thandiwe Mweetwa, a ZCP lion biologist and graduate student at the University of Arizona in the United States, who was recently named as one of National Geographic’s prestigious Emerging Explorers for 2016.

Find out more at www.zambiacarnivores.org, and www. facebook.com/ZambianCarnivoreProgramme. TL Z

Photo captions - left to right: ZCP Ecologist Thandiwe Mweetwa explaining how to use a GPS unit. The ZCP team radio-collars an endangered African wild dog. African wild dog fitted with its radio collar

If you approach hippos (especially in the morning and late afternoon hours) it is common for you to see them open their mouths very wide (up to 150 degrees) which is generally thought to be a yawn. In fact, it is often a way for the hippos to display their territorial threat behaviours; hippos are more territorial in water than on land. This wide mouth opening is referred to as mouth gaping.

The Kasanka Trust Winter Fashion Fundraiser took place on July 22nd at the Lusaka Museum and was an absolute triumph! The event raised the profile of some fantastic local Zambian design talent. The outfits were incredible, ranging from flamboyant and theatrical to everyday wear with a twist. The designers really demonstrated that ‘local is powerful’ and brought us into the magic of chitenge chic! KW 50,000 was raised which will go directly into supporting the amazing conservation, education and community work that the Kasanka Trust carries out in northern Zambia. Thanks to everyone who attended, and we can’t wait to see you next year!

Wild Dog Air, a new airline started by four Kafue operators (Mukambi, Kaingu, Kantunta and Konkamoya) starts flying in the Kafue National Park. The operators took the initiative to make the park more accessible by means of a twin engine, nine seater airplane. Bigger groups can now be brought to the wilderness from locations including Livingstone, South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Copperbelt – cutting down travel times to less than half. Wild Dog Air will fly to Chunga, Ngoma, Lufupa and Busanga who have all-weather airstrips, opening up areas of Kafue that would usually take hours to reach by car.

Kafue River Lodge sits within 143 hectares of private grounds on the banks of its namesake river, bordering the Kafue National Park. As part of the vast Lunga Luswishi Game Management Area, a range of driving, boating and walking safaris are offered to enable guests to get up close to a stunning diversity of flora and fauna.

The lodge’s four rustic-chic chalets each open onto a teak sundeck, come with two comfy queen beds and a fireplace, and are peppered with wooden furniture handcrafted on site by Zambian carpenters. Towards the rear of every cosy dwelling is an indoor bathroom with a freestanding bath, while an outdoor shower offers spectacular views of the bushveld.

Graced by a large teak sundeck, the lodge’s main lapa and neighbouring bar and lounge overlook the river.

Delicious meals can be enjoyed in the lapa, on the decking or outside under the velvety star-studded skies. The lodge also offers bush breakfasts, lunches and even dinners on the surrounding plains and islands.

Pioneer is an oasis stopover, located just 14 kilometres from the International airport, it is the ideal place to be if you need to be near Lusaka but don’t want to be in it. Offering a range of accommodation and a shady campsite for those who wish to be a little closer to nature.

Pioneer Safaris offer tailor made Zambian Mobile Safaris. Simply let us know what you would like to experience and we shall put together an unforgettable adventure for you.