Project update - November 2005

A report from Zambia by DSWF Representative, Marianthy Noble

The War Continues………………..

Despite all the efforts to try and save the world's largest mammal it appears that pressures from countries that utilize body parts from endangered species, thus driving them to extinction, have powers that conservation organizations do not have…………… Money talks, especially money from wealthy countries, and cash-strapped organizations are wooed with promises of huge sums in exchange for votes, as an example, to support Japan in its bid to re-open the controversial ivory trade. This puts constant pressure on elephant range states such as Zambia and sends out the wrong message to poachers and illegal traders. Since the last CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) meeting, the incidence of poaching and illicit ivory trade has increased two hundred fold, which we believe is directly linked to reports of the partial lifting of the international ban in ivory trading.

The cry of 'sustainable utilization' has penetrated to the smallest village in the remotest area of one of Africa's least populated countries. The most prominent battle cry of late is 'human/animal conflict' and 'human rights'. Pressures are brought on to the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) under the slimmest of pretexts to kill 'rogue' elephants on a regular basis, mainly for the meat of the culled animal. Although they still cause crop damage, buffalo only produce a fraction of the meat compared to an elephant! The problem is not one of feeding the poor hungry villagers. Their subsistence hunting is largely sustainable. It is the so called 'need' of urban wealthy people to eat "nyama" (bushmeat) that is both expensive and not as readily available as beef or other meat.

Much of the recent elephant conservation successes have been due to several factors that have been achieved after continual discussions between DSWF and the Director General of ZAWA, Mr H. M. Kabeta, and the resulting implementation of changes in policy. We have achieved a very cordial working relationship based on mutual trust and respect between the two organizations. This has allowed a marked increase in successes for DSWF funded anti-poaching operations and the Investigation and Intelligence Unit (IIU). IIU staff report directly to the Director General which has resulted in limited distribution of information, leading to greater confidentiality and more confidence on the part of informers to give information more freely. This has resulted in more prosecutions. In addition to the undercover operations themselves, over the last year, DSWF has funded the members of the IIU to attend several law enforcement conferences, regional meetings and training seminars.

The opening of an IIU office at the Lusaka International Airport and the provision of a vehicle by DSWF has resulted in far more interceptions of illegal wildlife products, including tusks. Most of the ivory that has been intercepted at the airport has been in the possession of Chinese and Egyptian nationals. With the increasing crisis in neighbouring Zimbabwe, Zambia has witnessed an enormous influx of Chinese and, many believe in their wake, has come the escalation of poaching and the springing up of ivory workshops all over the country.

In the last few months the IIU has confiscated 743 pieces of worked ivory, and 46 tusks. Most of this ivory is on its way to China, Japan or Singapore, as the high profile case of the six tons of ivory seized in Singapore two years ago shows and highlights the trafficking through Malawi to the East. With Zambia's huge borders, that are almost impossible to control, it is a mammoth task that requires greater political support and investment if we are to protect our rich national heritage.

The project to release Phoenix, the baby elephant we rescued over four years ago, is gaining momentum with plans well underway to start her move to the Kafue National Park after the the rainy season next Spring. In the next few months we hope to start building the release station so that Phoenix can at last start her long walk back to freedom in the wild.

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