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IWMC
World Conservation Trust |
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Hunting ban in
Zambia
threatens largest wildlife park |
Wildlife
in Zambia's Kafue National Park, a sprawling 22,400 sq. km (8,650 sq. mi.)
wildlife haven in central, southern and northwestern Zambia are threatened by a
lack of funding since government imposed a ban on hunting. According to a
Reuters story by Nakazwe Nampito, the park has fewer than 500 wardens, when over
2,000 are required to patrol the massive preserve. Revenues from hunting provide
the autonomous Zambia Wildlife Authority, which oversees wildlife  enforcement
in the park, with most of the $5.4 million per annum needed to employ local
wardens. Since hunting was banned earlier this year, government has only
provided $558,000. Tourism Ministry spokesman Gabriel Tembo says that "if
something is not done soon, we might end up with a national park with no
animals".
Game meat is prized by Zambians and the poachers target buffalo, sable,
antelope and impala. Undoubtedly warden jobs are also important to the local
economy, as would be the revenues from the goods and services associated with
safari operations. It may not be surprising that poaching increases when local
inhabitants are put out of work by animal rights organizations.
Once again we witness how wildlife and local people suffer as arbitrary bans
on hunting de-value wildlife in local economies. From the black bear and grizzly
in Canada, to African elephants and beyond, the pattern is repeated everyday in
all corners of the globe. The world- wide pattern of false protectionism
engineered by the multi- national wildlife protection industry, continues to
foster insupportable circumstances for wildlife, by imposing measures that are
unrealistic and unsustainable from environmental, social, economic and political
perspectives. 
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A
new Voice for the World Association
of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) |
The President of WAZA, Mr. Willie Labuschagne, has announced the appointment
of the first full-time Director of the Association. The incumbent Director is Dr
Peter Dollinger of Berne, Switzerland, and will take office on 1 October 2001.
Dr Dollinger has been, for several years, the main driving force behind CITES
and its evolution. His presence as Head of the Swiss Delegation at CITES
meetings will be missed. But hopefully he will attend future CITES meetings in
his capacity of Director of WAZA, so that we may continue benefiting from his
wisdom.
The Sustainable Use Community wish you all the best, Peter.
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