Wildlife crimes worries Banda

Charles Banda

Minister of Tourism and Arts Charles Banda says wildlife crime has far reaching consequences on the environment and social economic landscapes.

Speaking at the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Elephant Charge Awards at the German Ambassador’s residence last evening, the Minister said poaching, illegal wildlife tracking, possession and trading in wildlife or its products remains a major threat to wildlife populations in Zambia.

Mr. Banda has attributed wildlife crime to subsistence and commercial dimensions associated with it, including high demand for game meat and other wildlife products in the country and internationally.

He notes that to control wildlife crime in Zambia; there is need for huge amounts of financial and material resources such as the 96 vehicles for conservation operations, ICT equipment, 1,300 firearms and K35 million on an annual basis for field patrol operations by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife.

And German Ambassador to Zambia Achim Burkart said through the Elephant Charge, partners have experienced that they are many challenges and threats to Zambia’s wildlife and wilderness areas.