Dear supporters
 Goodbye
to Mads and Tine
As we enter the last quarter of 2003 CLZ bids farewell to the Danish
Ambassador Mads Sandau and his wife Tine Astrupgaard who have been valued
members of CLZ for the past five years.
The Royal Danish Embassy has, to date, been the largest donor CLZ has been
fortunate to benefit from and is responsible for the increase in support CLZ
have been able to provide to ZAWA during the transition period from the former
National Parks and Wildlife Service and now for the establishment of CLZ’s
Environmental Education Program.
Tine was one of the most active members of CLZ’s Executive Committee as a
full time volunteer in her role as Treasurer and together with the Ambassador
has provided CLZ with a base at their home in Lusaka. We would like to thank
Mads & Tine for their support in both a financial and personal capacity during
their term in Zambia and wish them well for their new posting in Mozambique.
Contributions received recently
CLZ has continued to benefit from the generosity of a wide range of
donors recently including Chiawa Estates, Kanyemba
Lodge, Terranova Estates, Yancee Walker Productions, Elefriends and Elefence
International. The continued support of safari operators and other members
remains an essential element of CLZ operations and funding.
ZAWA support and anti-poaching
In early July, Ranger Operations' Stephen Malongo, accompanied by Wildlife
Police Officers (WPO’s) from Jordon and Chinyunyu and CLZ’s man in the field
Lovemore Katebe, conducted a very successful operation in the Rufunsa GMA which
led to the arrest of 13 suspects and confiscation of 100 kg game meat, 5 muzzle
loading rifles, 2 shotguns and a .22 calibre rifle.
Acting on information provided by a trainee guide from Chongwe River Camp,
Ian Stevenson and WPO Nosiku Wabei apprehended 7 fishermen illegally fishing in
the eastern end of Chiawa GMA. The fishermen were removed from the area and
their nets and catch were handed over to the Chiawa Community Resource Board to
deal with.
Patrol team Rhino I, from Luangwa, apprehended one suspect during a routine
Patrol through the Rufunsa GMA and into the National Park. Lion II, led by WPO
Maziya Banda confiscated a shotgun when poachers fled the scene during a contact
on Zambezia Wildlife Sanctuary in the Chiawa GMA.
In August, Rhino III recovered impala meat and camping equipment when
ambushing a group of poachers in response to gunshots reported by Mwambashi
River Lodge.
Lion I discovered 2 elephant carcasses and followed footprints to drying
racks where they surprised the team of poachers drying meat – although the
poachers escaped the patrol team did manage to recover all meat and camping
equipment. There was no ivory as both elephants were tuskless females.
During September, patrol team Rhino I recovered 24 wire snares whilst on
patrol in the area of Musi Springs in the Rufunsa GMA. Later, when the team was
pulling out of the park and returning to Luangwa Boma, the officers apprehended
three Zimbabwean men who were caught collecting and in possession of 150
crocodile eggs from the LZNP. The men were jailed for two days prior to their
court case when they were charged with removing crocodile eggs from a National
Park, unlawful entry to a National Park, and for illegal immigration into
Zambia.
WPO’s from Chinyunyu Sector accompanied by Lovemore Katebe had a successful
night operation in their immediate area apprehending 5 suspects and recovering
buffalo meat and a shotgun.
Over the last 3 months CLZ have supported 1242 patrol man-days (July 452,
August 463 September 327). The CLZ Ndeke has flown 51.4 hours (23 hours
conducting AWF’s aerial survey) over the past 3 months monitoring wildlife and
providing vital support to patrol teams in the field. Although patrol man-days
are being maintained there are concerns that the new restrictions on the plane
has caused fewer flying hours and reduced the effectiveness of the aircraft
which may have had some impact on the high number of elephants (5) that have
been lost within the park boundaries over the last quarter.
Civil Security and Community Support
 After a number of armed robberies reported by local villagers and tour
operators alike, the Lower Zambezi Operators Committee (LZOC) established a
security fund and CLZ provided transport and logistical support to the Zambian
Police to put an end to the problem. A suspect was apprehended and AK47
recovered in Lusaka on the 30th July. At the end of September after a contact
with the Zambia Police while trying to escape the main culprit was found dead in
the Zambezi. With help from Neil at Kiubo Lodge CLZ transported the body out to
the police and were thanked for their efforts by the community.
Muyanje Congregation of Jehovah's Witness. CLZ provided transport for
a group from Chiawa GMA to Kafue for their annual religious gathering.
Conservation Outdoor Education Field Trip. CLZ provided all rations,
logistics and transport for a group of 45 students and teachers from nearby
Mugurameno, Chiawa, Kabwadu and GotaGota Primary Schools for their annual four
day Conservation Outdoor Education Field Trip that was held from 26th to 29th
September. CLZ would like to thank all operators who contributed additional
boats, vehicles, drivers, guides and fuel for activities that made this trip so
successful.
Assisting local wildlife and scientific research
Conservation Lower Zambezi has continued to support ZAWA in the
removal of snares from injured
elephants and other animals in the National Park and surrounding Game Management
Areas.
Logistical and operational assistance
was also provided to Africa Wild Dog Conservation, Africa Wildlife Foundation
and CLZ is committed to building and effective Geographical Information System
(GIS) for the use of ZAWA, CLZ and scientists in research and support for the
region's ecology.
Supporting ZAWA and Safari Operators
CLZ & ZAWA Radio Repeater System. CLZ have provided Mailiansolo
Station with a new 12V battery for their VHF base radio along with another VHF
handheld radio to the Ranger Operations to improve communications between him
and his men in the field.
In late August the alarm sounded on the radio repeater system installed on
the top of Chilapila. A total of 4 solar panels were stolen and although
officers from Malilansolo responded immediately none have yet been recovered. We
apologise to our corporate members for the current condition of the system but
unfortunately CLZ do not have the funds to replace the solar panels at the
present time.
Lower Zambezi Safari Guide Examinations. Due to the increasing number
of river users CLZ was approached to initiate a Boating and Fishing Exam to
promote and improve river etiquette and encourage sound conservation ethics
among the boat drivers, and fishing guides of the Lower Zambezi. Boating and
Fishing written exams were held for the first time during the months of July and
August. Congratulations to all successful applicants.
Operations Base, Training Camp and Education Centre
Nine months from start date and thousands of pockets of cement later we still
have seven more structures to build before construction will be complete.
However, we are as determined as ever to make the move by the end of November
before the rains arrive.
Environmental Education Project (EEP)
The two new CLZ Landcruisers earmarked for the Education Project
arrived in Zambia safe and sound and have been fitted with the required
accessories. One Landcruiser is designed to accommodate the mobile unit while
the other will be based in the valley to take the children on game drives into
the National Park during their stays at the new centre.
CLZ would like to thank Matto Barfuss from Germany for donating 1000 copies of
his EEP Booklet “The Wildlife at my home”. CLZ chairman Grant Cumings and Lea
accompanied Matto on his trip to Mugurameno Primary School to distribute the
first batch of books that were very well received.
| 
