ZAWA arrests 21 poachers in Chama

ZAWA officers

The Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has arrested twenty one (21) notorious poachers in Chama District in Muchinga Province.

ZAWA Public Relations Officer Sakabilo Kalembwe has told QFM News that the 21 will appear in court soon.

Mr. Kalembwe says the operation which was conducted over the weekend led to the recovery and confiscated 7 muzzle loading gun, one shotgun, one carcass of reedbuck, one carcass of bushbuck, 11 wire snares, 3 barrels of muzzle loading gun and some marijuana.

Mr. Kalembwe says there has been a lot of apprehension from the communities of Chikwa- Chifunda Game Management Area following ZAWA‘s operation because it seems the people had a free-for-all attitude towards wildlife resources.

He says the authority is having challenges with communities around that area as they feel ZAWA officers do not mean well by arresting them.

Mr. Kalembwe says the authority is only trying to conserve the wildlife in accordance with the mandate given to it by the state.