The Zambia Wild Life Authority (ZAWA) is planning to translocate more wild animals into the Nsumbu National Park in Northern Province.
ZAWA Senior Ecologist, Chuma Simukonda, revealed that the plans to increase the number of animals in the Nsumbu National Park were in line with government’s enthusiasm to develop Kasaba Bay, which is situated in the park.
Mr. Simukonda revealed this in Kasaba bay when a team of Ministers, led by Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane toured the area yesterday.
He revealed that money has already been set aside for the translocation of wild animals from South Africa, among them 340 elephants.
“The population of some animals in the park is not health due to heavy poaching. This means that if we are to attract more tourists in line with government’s efforts to develop this area, we have to ensure the animal population improves,” he said.
He noted that animals that need to be beefed up include the Zebra, buffalo, sitatunga, eland, kudu and sables.
“We however will this year translocate 340 elephants, 150 buffaloes, 100 Pukus and 10 sitatungs. We did translocate some last year into Lusenga and this year our focus is on this park,” he explained.
And speaking in an interview with ZANIS, Nkamba Bay Lodge Manager, Philip Nielsen expressed concern at the extensive poaching activities in the Nsumbu National park where the lodge is situated.
Mr. Nielsen said the population of animals in the park was bad, adding that there was need for government through ZAWA to beef up the existing population.
He however expressed gratitude to government for its planned efforts to embark on the Kasaba Bay Resort Development project, which he said would enhance tourist arrivals in the area.
He said once the Kasaba-Bay Resort Development project turns into reality, the area would be the most preferred tourist destination in Africa, adding that it will also geographically enable tour operators in East Africa to link up with those in Zambia.
He has since called upon government to speed up its efforts towards achieving the dream for the project, which he said would not only benefit investors but create more employment for local people.
Lufubu River Lodges Limited, the owners of Nkamba Bay Lodge pumped in more than US$2 million to rehabilitated the once run down Nkamba Bay lodge in 2004.
The lodge officially opened last year and has a bed capacity of 27 and management is planning to put up more buildings.
Dr. Musokotwane’s team included Tourism Minister, Catherine Namugala, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Felix Mutati, Lands Minster Peter Daka, Local Government and Housing Minister Ben Tetamashimba and Energy Deputy Minister Allan Mbewe.
The objective of the tour for the team was to inspect and familiarize themselves with the Northern Tourism circuit, whose special attention is on Nkamba-Bay Resort Development project.
ZANIS/CBM/KSH/ENDS
Tourism is another area which needs full attention in future. Copper glory days are numbered.
No Lions and crocs pantu they will terrorize the pipo.
This is good move . If the number of animals increase, it will also increase the number of tourists. Just look at the number of pipo going to Kenya on Safari. Put in variate , please.
I thought ZAWA was auctioning off animals! This doesnt make sense.
Nsumbu should regain its lost status as one of the best tourist destinations in Zambia.I recall the days when Super Ken would go to Kasaba Bay on working Holidays. Go ZAWA Go! We need to catch up with our competitors in the Tourism industry.
Let them only relocate all the male crocodiles!
eyeee, I feel for the animals, Bembas are born poachers, its in the blood.
Imwe Ba ZAWA ati shani??
Kanshi, firstly remove all the crocs chewing human life ‘safely ‘ to your parks,
Crocs to be the first ones to move…ba chila.
Nabapwa ukulya abantu nomba.. becareful though, ngamwabateka aya ama crocs uko kwine ne nsala, balayamba ukumilya imwe bene ba ZAMA one by one. lol..keep your steps in check!!!!
The only way to stop poaching is to ensure that local people have a stake in the tourism projects. In Luangwa there are projects that benefit local people directly from tourism. This means that local people are more likely to want to nurture the animal population because they see the animals as a resource from which they can obtain a livelihood as with all of our resources, be it in mining or agriculture.
hmmmm
Crocodiles should not be relocated and be where they are and matter in ecosystems. It is your government that is allowing the killings by not providing clean and safe drinking water through wells or boreholes to communities. This is why people are being killed when they go to draw water from the rivers. The government owes a duty of care to its citizens in providing a safe environment. We need solid solutions that can make it safe for fishermen. We always try to shift the blame away from the culprits and blame animals. Don’t let the government shift their responsibility and make you think its crocodiles killing people when they are part of the problem. They are buying $500,000 homes in South Africa, when that money can help communities. Vote wisely in 2016 or this abuse will continue.