Anti Poaching, Lower Zambezi, Zambia
2023 - Anti Poaching, Lower Zambezi, Zambia - donation of USD 15,000
As in previous years, the SwissAfrican Foundation has helped the CLZ to carry out air patrols and to guarantee the salaries of the DNPW and CLZ Operations Center and Basecamp staff.
Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ) has been dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and the promotion sustainable resource use in the Lower Zambezi since its establishment in 1994. To optimize the focus on wildlife conservation and environmental education, CLZ has been collaborating with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) since its inception. Through the joint efforts of CLZ and DNPW, issues such as poaching for bushmeat, ivory, pangolins, etc. have been effectively combated. Threats such as encroachment, illegal mining and charcoal extraction have also been curbed.
Aerial Patrols
In 2023, the CLZ patrol aircraft was in the air for a total of 138 hours. These patrols are crucial for reaching areas that are difficult to access on foot or by vehicle. These "Eyes in the Sky" allow for more comprehensive overall surveillance and can provide vital information to the teams on the ground. The support of the SwissAfrican Foundation enabled around 11 flight hours.
Salaries for Operations Center and Basecamp
Our contribution in 2023 covered part of CLZ's operating costs for the salaries of the Operations Center team, which plays a crucial role in supporting the DNPW in relation to technical aspects of anti-poaching activities. In December, some members of the operations team took part in the Earth Ranger Users Conference in Cape Town. Here they learned how to use a new, powerful tool that has changed the game in monitoring and analyzing data from the field.
However, the heroes of conservation are not always the ones on the front line of the action. Many staff members form the foundation of the Basecamp and ensure that everyday life functions. The additional financial support from SwissAfrican Foundation for the Basecamp staff contributes significantly to these efficient processes.
.
More success stories related to this project
Our partner
Conservation Lower Zambezi
Patrols in the Lower Zambezi conducted by Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ) and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) are focused in the Lower Zambezi National Park (4,092km2) and the Chiawa Game Management Area (2,344km2), with an increased presence in the Rufunsa Game Management Area (3,179km2).
Community Scouts (employed by CLZ) and Wildlife Police Officers (employed by DNPW) patrol the Park targeting hotspot areas prone to wildlife crime. Deployments are identified based on intelligence generated through collaboration with DNPW Intelligence Units and through extensive data records from CLZ’s 24/hour Control Centre. Patrols in the GMAs are also conducted to support the communities and safeguard their crops from wildlife, thus allowing their livelihoods and the wildlife to thrive.
CLZ have a technologically advanced monitoring and evaluation system (that is continually improving) which allows real-time tracking of all teams in the field. All deployments are equipped with navigational, solar and data recording equipment in order to streamline data collection and track successes in the field over the years.
Learn more about these animals
